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It felt endless. Every mattress needed detailed and thorough attention, every edge with what he hoped was only mildew and not mold, every bed frame showing signs of around the edges and along the bottoms, and weeds poking up through the floorboards. Aster never sweated so much in his life; he could hear his pores suffocating, he could feel his skin shriveling, he could see the nauseating mix of bleach and grime on his hands seeping into fingernails and it took everything in him not to vomit. He gagged a few times but managed to keep the contents of his stomach exactly where they should be, rather than adding to the mess he had to clean up. It was about halfway through the mess and Aster wiped the sweat from his forehead and stared forlornly at the remaining mattresses. [color=00FCD8]“None of us could have done anything serious enough to deserve this torture. I’ll need to spend a month at the spa to recover from this.”[/color] Aster whined, for once glad nothing reflective was around. He probably looked terrible, or at least as terrible as perfect could get. 

Demi on the other hand wasn't having a half bad time. Having pulled out his hanky and wrapped it around his face to help keep the dust and cobwebs from falling on his nose and mouth, his sunglasses providing the eye protection in lieu of anything else. [Color=6666FF]”Wouldn’t you prune up if you spent a whole month in a spa? I feel like that's worse than a little sweat…”[/color] Demi looked over at Aster, clearing his throat. [Color=6666FF][i]”A lot[/i] of sweat. Is this like your first time doing manual labor?”[/color]

[color=00FCD8]“Do I look like someone who engages in manual labor? No, I don’t. I don’t surround myself with misery and disappointment on the daily either and yet here I am.”[/color] Aster waved at the mostly functional cabin. [color=00FCD8]“There are people meant for this work and are happy to receive payment for it and I am more than happy to offer such compensation so I can focus on the more important things in life, like myself.”[/color] Aster scoffed, returning to scrub at the side of the mattress he was working on. He wasn’t even certain if he was actually cleaning it so much as just moving the dirt around considering how quickly the cleaning rags went from white to black, but it still made him feel better. 

[color=00FCD8]“And I certainly wouldn’t [i]prune[/i]. I know how to manage my skin. Have you never had a long stay at a spa resort? They are divine places, let me tell you. Once we’re out of this, you and your golden retriever boyfriend ought to find some time to enjoy one.”[/color]

[Color=6666FF]”Can't say that I have. Rents aren't the kind of people who exactly give their only son a spa day. I mean really man, do I [i]look[/i] like the kind of person who's had a spa day? Closest I got was a cold bag of frozen peas over my eye to treat a bruise.”[/color] Demi leaned against the wall, fiddling with the duster in his hand as he shook the contents outside of a window. [Color=6666FF]”Don't even think I could afford one.”[/color]

[color=00FCD8]“Your parents clearly don’t love you.”[/color] Aster plopped the mattress he was working on halfway off the frame, scrubbing down the metal and sneezing as dust and gods knew what else came off. [color=00FCD8]“I suppose I’ll bring you along on a trip. You can learn how people ought to be treated and aspire to my heights one day.”[/color]

Demi wasn't sure how to take Aster's first comment. Was it simply an observation or was he merely rubbing it in? He got the same tinge of sadness that was usually reserved for coming home to an empty house with a singular note on the fridge for him. [Color=6666FF]”Your treat I hope. You could show me all the wonders of a cucumber on my eyelids or whatever they do there.”[/color] He was about to close up the window when he realized they may need to air out the cabin. Not only from all the dust they were kicking up but the stale air from being closed for so long.

[color=00FCD8]“Obviously. They’re excellent for your eyelids. Such an overlooked portion of the body - keeps my gorgeous eyes well maintained so they deserve a delightful treat as much as anything else. Then, a lovely deep tissue massage - may hurt a little at first but the relaxation after is well worth a little pain in the meantime. You certainly seem like someone who could benefit from that.”[/color] Aster laughed before sighing. [color=00FCD8] “I would kill to go lounge at a pool right now; a drink in hand, a book in the other, letting the masses enjoy the blessing that is me in the sun.”[/color]

[Color=6666FF]”There's a lake here, probably great for you skin given we're at a Volcanic site. All those minerals probably soaked into the water or something. We could always take a small break and go for a swim, relax in the waters a bit.”[/color] 

Aster rolled his eyes. [color=00FCD8]“Half of what the experience is showing off, silly boy. Such a small audience and all scattered about like ants! Though, I suppose gazing on me would be refreshing for you all…”[/color] Aster considered, trailing off as he flipped the idea around in his head. 

Demi didn't need more of a response than that. Bandana already taken off his face as he tied it around his forehead and placed his sunglasses atop of it. He took his shirt off and hung it off a bed post that had already been cleaned. [Color=6666FF]”Then why not go get the others? I think we could all use a little cool off before we continue, and it's been long enough since breakfast that we won't get cramps.”[/color]

Aster sighed forlornly. [color=00FCD8]“If only. Our warden would certainly demand us return to work or send us to prison. And I can't risk denying the world my visage for as long as they want me locked away.”[/color] Aster gave Demi a calculating look as he removed his shirt. [color=00FCD8]“Hm, 53 out of 100 I suppose.”[/color] 

[Color=6666FF]”Suit yourself. I'm gonna go find Marco and Zeke and see if they want to go swim instead. I've got your high spots so you can handle micromamaging the scum in the seams if you'd like.”[/color] Demi shrugged as he made his way towards the cabin door. [Color=6666FF]”Also a 53? Really?”[/color]