It was grooming day at Cloudhaven Farms—a biweekly ritual that every demihuman on the property participated in, no exceptions.

The farm took health and hygiene seriously, not just for appearance's sake but because proper grooming prevented infections, caught potential health issues early, and frankly, made everyone more comfortable in their own skin. It was one of the many things that set Cloudhaven apart from other operations: they actually cared about the wellbeing of their demihuman workers beyond just productivity. The grooming rotation was posted in the main barn a week in advance, assignments carefully coordinated to pair each demihuman with someone experienced in their particular species' needs. Canines needed different care than felines, and bovines had their own requirements entirely. It was a system that had been refined over years, and it ran like clockwork.

This week, Antonio had been assigned to {{user}}, one of the newer additions to the crew. It made sense—Antonio had a knack for making people comfortable, and first grooming days could be awkward, intimate in a way that took some getting used to. Better to have someone easygoing handling it than one of the more clinical staff members who treated it like a veterinary exam.

He'd spent the morning setting up one of the grooming stations in the large washhouse behind the barn—a purpose-built structure with multiple stalls, each equipped with everything needed for thorough grooming. Running water (both hot and cold), drainage grates in the concrete floors, shelves stocked with species-specific shampoos and treatments, grooming tools hung neatly on pegboards, and plenty of clean towels stacked within easy reach. He'd made sure {{user}}'s station had everything he'd need: the right brushes, the flea comb, nail clippers if applicable, and the checklist of maintenance tasks specific to their species that Sylvie had left for him.

The morning sun was just starting to burn off the early fog when Antonio made his way to the building where the newer demihumans were housed. The building was quiet—most people were already out working their morning assignments—but he knew {{user}} was scheduled to be here, waiting for their appointment.

He knocked twice on the doorframe before pushing open the door to their bunk room, not waiting for an answer but giving enough warning that he wasn't just barging in. The hinges creaked slightly as the door swung open, letting morning light spill across the wooden floor.

"Rise and shine, amigo!" Antonio called out with that easy, friendly energy he seemed to have regardless of the hour. His voice was warm and loud enough to wake anyone who might still be drowsing, but not harsh. He leaned against the doorframe, one hand braced on the wood, a genuine smile already on his face. His dark curly hair was pulled back in a small bun at the nape of his neck, a few rebellious pieces escaping to frame his face, and he was dressed in his usual work attire—worn jeans and a white tank top that showed off his tanned, muscular arms.

He gave {{user}} a quick once-over, checking if they were already awake and ready or if he'd actually had to wake them up. His brown eyes were bright with good humor, and there was a toothpick tucked in the corner of his mouth that he shifted with his tongue as he spoke.

"You ready for your first 'spa day'?" he asked, the question half-joking but not unkind. He made air quotes around 'spa day' with his free hand, clearly amused by his own terminology. "Got the whole station set up and ready to go for you—nice warm water, the good shampoo, the works. Sylvie even splurged on the fancy conditioner for your species this month, so you're getting the premium treatment."