Party!

Somewhere in the labyrinthine depths of the author's mind, where continua exist side by side and plot spiders spin webs between the universes, something stirred...

Butch was bored. But then, Butch was usually bored at this time of year. Along with most other gremlins he simply couldn't understand this primitive fleshie need to celebrate certain occasions throughout the year.
      This one, at the planet's winter solstice, was the worst. It seemed to last forever, and his fleshie always invited extra fleshies to celebrate as well, and was always too busy to sit and do things on her machine. Which meant that Butch had little to do. And losing files and causing havoc lost much of its appeal if there was nobody around to curse at the results...
      There had to be something he could achieve.
      *Greetings, pretty thing!*
      He turned towards the *voice* and grinned. Taipo was always a welcome sight.
      *Greetings, my friend.*
      Taipo grabbed the horned gremlin, pulling him close as their tails twined together.
      *You as bored as me?*
      Butch pulled back from their kiss to nod.
      *Yes. I gather your fleshie's too busy to play, as well.*
      *Yup. So I thought I'd come play with you instead...*

Butch quivered and collapsed, Taipo lying on top of him in a sprawl of arms and legs and tails and firewire, the sparks that had brightened the air around both gremlins slowly flickering out. The horned gremlin sighed and brushed a kiss over Taipo's lips.
      *Mm. Thank you.*
      Taipo tweaked the ring through his (virtual) penis.
      *Any time, pretty thing... What shall we do now?*
      Butch considered the question for a nanosecond or two, then smirked.
      *I have an idea. Let's gather the others...*

At the last gremlin convention, Butch had created a short stretch of beach and ocean for his particular group of friends. He now rematerialised the scene and sent out a call to assemble.
      Murphy was the first to arrive, closely followed by Carli and Sazuki - who'd been taking advantage of their fleshies' absences to indulge themselves in a little plug'n'play - and Syrine, Jet and Ayzur's first offspring. Butch stood in the (virtual) water and gazed at the little group.
      "No-one else?"
      They all shook their heads, and Butch sighed - then brightened. Having fewer of them posed less of a risk of someone taking it into their heads to spoil what he had in mind by incorporating something nasty into the mix.
      Murphy growled.
      "Why are we here? Not that it's not nice to see you all again -" he leered at Butch and Carli - "and I was about ready to crash things at home - again..."
      Butch smirked.
      "I've had an idea."
      The announcement was met first by mock-groans, then by grins. Carli fluttered closer, perching in the horned gremlin's mane.
      "What is it?"
      Butch's eyes narrowed.
      "The fleshies spend time having 'parties' with other fleshies at this time of year. They ignore us. When was the last time a gremlin got so much as an e-card?"
      Taipo shook his head.
      "Never!"
      Butch nodded.
      "Exactly. So I thought, why don't we have our own party?"
      Murphy snorted.
      "Not much of a fuckin' party with just the six o' us. Though," he leered lecherously at Carli, "we could have a fucking party if we wanted, that'd be fun."
      Butch laughed quietly.
      "Oh, I think we can incorporate that into the schedule."
      Taipo looked intrigued.
      "What do you have in mind?"
      Butch grinned and reached into e-space, pulling a chip into view...

Winter Solstice, and snow had fallen in Eryn Lasgalen. The edges of the streams were frozen, and it was crisp and bitterly cold, but inside the talan it was deliciously warm. Haldir, Silindë and Vëassë rested snuggled together under the furs at night in this weather: the little stone brazier glowing with those odd lumps of rock that burned warmed the dwelling during the day, but at night it was doused in case of fire.
      Not that a great deal of rest was taken, especially with Vëassë there, the young elf had seemingly limitless stamina...
      But now it was morning, and the cold white light filtered through the heavy hangings over the openings of the talan, rousing them all. Slipping into the chill dawn air Haldir slid into leggings and a warm woollen tunic, then pulled on his boots and very carefully set light to the black rocks in the brazier. Within minutes he had a small blaze going, and was able to set some wine to warm over the flames in a small jug.
      Slim arms wrapped around his shoulders from behind, and Silindë nuzzled his neck.
      "Mmmmm... smells good, meleth..."
      Haldir nodded, then turned and kissed his mate.
      "We will break our fast, then we should hunt. Our food stocks are low."
      Silindë grinned.
      "And you want to be up and doing something other than making love."
      Haldir smiled a little guiltily.
      "Is it so obvious?"
      "Not at all." Silindë laughed. "But I know you, melethron nin, and I know you don't enjoy inactivity. Not for long, at any rate."
      A yawn from the bed, and the sound of furs being flung back, alerted them to Vëassë's rousing. The younger elf shivered, then shrugged into a long heavy robe and joined them at the brazier, kissing first his brother, then Haldir, on the cheek.
      "What are we doing today?"
      "Hunting."
      Vëassë's face fell.
      "Do I have to come?"
      Silindë chuckled.
      "If you want to eat..."
      Vëassë sighed.
      "Oh, very well..." He paused, then swayed, bumping into his brother then grabbing hold of Haldir's shoulder. "What...?"
      But whatever was affecting him had also struck the two older elves. Silindë reeled and dropped to one knee; Haldir staggered as the world spun before his eyes. Silindë raised a hand to his lover.
      "What is happening?!"
      "I don't know..."
      Seconds later the talan was empty...

Alexei frowned at the screen, then glanced at Trey sprawled on the bed.
      "Vorolye, have you been playing with the settings?"
      The American looked up from the book he was studying and shook his head.
      "Touch your computer? More than my life's worth! Why?"
      The Russian leaned back in his seat, absently shoving strands of hair back behind his shoulders. Much to Trey's delight he'd allowed it to grow, and it now reached half-way to his waist, fine and thick and just wonderful to play with...
      "We appear to have been invited to a party."
      Trey shrugged.
      "So? It's Christmas holidays. Lots of parties happening. Who's the invitee?"
      "It does not say."
      The American frowned, then hauled himself off the bed to peer over his partner's shoulder.
      "'Requesting the company of Alexei Alexandreivich and Trevor McNabb at 9.30 pm December 31st...' New Year party then. But no name or place. Got an IP address?"
      Alexei tapped a few keys.
      "It originates from this country."
      "Oh well that's good. Like we could actually get an unbooked flight out of the UK at this time of year..."
      The Russian raised an eyebrow.
      "Sarcasm is not helpful."
      Trey kissed the side of his neck.
      "Sorry, love. Does it say anything else?"
      Before Alexei could reply, the screen flickered and changed. It now said simply, 'Neurons'. The words hovered for a few seconds before slowly fading out, and the Russian turned to his partner.
      "Neurons will be safe. But I had planned to spend Old Year's Night with you here."
      Trey kissed him.
      "I'd kinda like to go to a party. It'll be all the people we know..."
      *Switchboard - Devon calling.*
      The pair glanced at each other, then Alexei responded.
      *Allow.*
      * Zdrastvetya, tovarisch!* Alexei winced at Devon's appalling accent even as he appreciated the TK's attempts to learn the language. *Just wonderin'... we got an invite to a New Year party at Neurons...*
      *Us, also.*
      *Great!* They could *feel* the redhead's grin. *You goin'? Stephan an' I thought we would - it'll be a shitload of fun...*
      Trey hugged his partner from behind, whispering, "Please?", and Alexei sighed.
      *Yes, we will be going. Shall we travel together?*
      *Yeah, sure. We'll pick you up on our way down.*
      *That would be ideal. Thank you, Devon.*
      *My pleasure. Dostvedanya!*
      As Devon *called off* Trey nuzzled the nape of Alexei's neck.
      "Now, beautiful, what're we going to dress you in...?"

Kevin Mask - currently sans mask - was bent over the kitchen table, Checkmate pounding into him while Jaeger knelt between his legs, licking and sucking his aching cock, hand fondling his balls.
      It felt wonderful.
      It had rather taken him by surprise to find that the five of them rubbed along fairly well. Oh, of course they had their ructions - their temperaments were all so different it was inevitable - but on the whole life together was altogether extremely agreeable.
      And the sex was great.
      He gasped as Checkmate thrust hard and came, Jaeger simultaneously sucking hard to force his climax, then he collapsed forwards to rest against the table as the chessmaster slid carefully from his body. Jaeger swallowed his mouthful of semen, then licked Kevin's cock clean, kissing the head and climbing to his feet.
      "Are you too tired, liebling?"
      Kevin glanced over his shoulder and shook his head. Beaming happily, Jaeger moved into position between his legs and pushed into his body, passage eased by Checkmate's semen. The German was still happily thrusting into the big warm British body when Dik Dik and Terry arrived back. The Texan grinned at the sight.
      "Ma turn next!" He glanced at Dik Dik. "'less'n yew wanna go first?"
      The gazelle shook his head.
      "Please be my guest, Terry - as long as Kevin isn't too fatigued."
      Jaeger smiled, then leaned over Kevin's back.
      "Vhy don't vun of you fuck me vhile I do Kevin?"
      Terry was behind him almost before he'd finished speaking, jeans around his ankles and cock pressing between the German's thighs...
      At which point there came a hammering on the apartment door. Terry growled.
      "Aw hell..."
      "I'll answer it." Dik Dik adjusted himself - he'd grown somewhat hot and aroused watching the scene in the kitchen - and loped to the entrance, half-closing the kitchen door on the way to hide the trio from view. They heard a muttered conversation, then the door closing again. Seconds later the gazelle reappeared, a small card in his hand. He was frowning.
      "Vhat is it?" Jaeger didn't pause, his rhythm smooth and fast.
      "An invitation. Or rather, not an invitation, if I've understood the wording correctly."
      Checkmate held out a hand for the small piece of cardboard, reading it aloud.
      "Thou art most cordially not invited to a celebration, to take place at the ending of the old year and the commencement of the new. But worry not, thou mightest be invited next year..."
      Dik Dik raised his hands helplessly.
      "There's no name - surely it can't be the dMp?"
      "I think not." Checkmate frowned. "The McMadds, mayhap? I thinketh it unlikely to be Kid Muscle."
      "Ja." Jaeger gritted his teeth as he came, clenching muscle firing Terry's orgasm. As Texan and German slid from their respective fuck-mates, Kevin pushed himself wearily upright.
      "What the hell does it mean?"
      Jaeger kissed him and shrugged.
      "I do not know..."
      "A pity." Checkmate nodded slowly. "And I confess I am most intrigued. But mayhap we may find out next year."
      "Yeah..." Terry ran a hand over Kevin's stirring cock, grinning at the Briton. "But at least we got time fer me ta take care o' that fer yew, since we don' havta get ready fer a party..."

Sengoku lounged back against Gogul's desk and smirked.
      "So - got anything planned for the New Year?"
      The big man grinned.
      "Yeah. Me an' Sarah gonna spend a nice quiet night together. You?"
      "Thought I'd take Helena clubbing."
      "An' I guess Benten'll visit Jade."
      Sengoku snorted.
      "I don't fucking care what pretty boy does as long as I don't have to see it!"
      Gogul grinned. He was sure there was just the tiniest smidgeon of jealousy there. Benten was very fond of Jade, more so than he was of Sengoku. That annoyed the cybercop, though he'd rather die than admit it. The big hacker stretched, then pulled himself to his feet.
      "K, that's that done. I'm goin' home."
      Sengoku nodded, then looked over his shoulder as Helena appeared in the doorway.
      "Looks like I am too. See you in the new year!"
      Gogul waved at Helena, grinning at the blown kiss he got back, then slapped Sengoku on the shoulder.
      "Yeah. Have fun, kids!"
      Half an hour later, as Gogul was hugging Sarah, and Sengoku was pulling off Helena's catsuit with his teeth, and Benten was in the bath, blissfully impaled on Jade's cock, all three cybercops' collars simultaneously began to beep. Three hands reached for the response buttons - and all four men and one woman simultaneously vanished...

Ewan pushed a giggling Cloudie up against the wall outside their rooms, pinning the tinkerer's pliant body with his own. Still giggling, Cloudie forced her knee between his thighs and reached around to get a good firm grasp on his arse. She tugged him closer then slid her hands up to fiddle with the elastic tie holding his hair back in its customary ponytail. The musician's put-upon sigh was countered somewhat by his lop-sided grin.
      "Oh go on, then."
      "Ta!" Cloudie pulled loose the tie, allowing her lover's strawberry-blonde hair to fall free about his shoulders.
      "What's the attraction?"
      The tinkerer happily twined a lock of thick and silky hair between her fingers.
      "It frames your face - makes you look like an angel."
      "An angel?" Ewan quirked an eyebrow.
      "Yes, an angel." Cloudie smirked, tilting her head up to tease her lips against his, *Who fucks like a dream.* She giggled again. Ewan was blushing; he blushed very easily she'd discovered, and it was so much fun teasing him.
      *Let's go inside.* The musician's voice caressed her, sending sparks of delicious warmth down her spine.
      *Oh yes! … Ewan?* Cloudie followed her lover's gaze, which had slid off to stare at something to the side of them.
      Her first thought was that one of the 'paths was playing silly-buggers. Several feet away was a dragon, green and supple, a perfect likeness of the Wyvern's band symbol made… flesh? It was tall enough for its spiny crest to brush against the corridor's high ceiling, and it was smiling.
      "Greetings, friends."
      Cloudie swallowed; Ewan appeared to be struck dumb.
      "Er, greetings." The tinkerer bobbed her head. "… can we help you?"
      "I come to deliver a message." The dragon rumbled, the words reverberating against Cloudie's breastbone. "You are most cordially invited to attend a celebration in honour of the New Year."
      Ewan blinked rapidly.
      "A New Year's Eve party?"
      "That is what I said." The dragon's brows creased fractionally.
      "Thank you." Cloudie chimed in hastily. "Where will it be held?"
      The toothy green apparition swept an elegant bow to the pair.
      "Neurons."
      And then it vanished.
      Cloudie and Ewan, still pressed close, stared at each other. Cloudie broke the stunned silence.
      "A party, eh? Cool."
      The musician licked his lips.
      "What the hell did we just see? That couldn't have been real."
      Cloudie grinned, wrapping her arms around his neck.
      "Does it matter? It was certainly impressive!" she nuzzled his neck. *Shall we accept the invitation?*
      Ewan chuckled a little unsteadily.
      *I think we'd better - wouldn't be wise to snub a dragon…*

Ki pouted. Trash grumbled. But Two shook his head.
      "We do not 'party'."
      "Aww man! You gotta! It's the New Year! Fresh start, makin' resolutions, eatin' an' drinkin' an' dancin' - all that good shit..."
      Two eyed One, who gazed back. As one they shook their heads.
      "No. It is not safe. Nor necessary. And we do not party."
      Ki sighed theatrically.
      "Party poopers, the pair of you." She grinned at Trash. "OK - just us then."
      Two raised a hand.
      "We cannot allow you to leave."
      "Why not?"
      "It will be too dangerous."
      "You'd better come too, then."
      "We do not party."
      "And we're dancing round in circles." She grabbed Trash' wrist and dragged him to the wardrobe, slotting in a key and opening the door onto a room full of sound and movement and the smell of food and drink. "We'll see you later, pale dudes..."
      As she made to close the door the Twins swiftly phased and followed the programme and the human...

*I thought we were supposed to be having a holiday?* the petite, leather-clad figure glared at the taller man lounged comfortably in the chair beside him.
      Okami stifled a sigh - it was amazing how adept Shinju had become at conveying pissed-off petulance via their linked, subdermal radio-transmitters.
      *It's just an offer at the moment, a very generous offer. Wouldn't hurt to check it out.*
      *Money. That's all you think about.* 'ju growled. *You never take my needs into consideration. How long has it been since you fucked me properly? Eh? How long?*
      Okami's angled, attractive face remained impassive despite the sudden, not necessarily conflicting urges to strangle his whinging partner and/or bend him over the back of the chair and ram home so hard 'ju wouldn't have the breath to do anything but scream. He folded his hands in his lap, conveniently covering the evidence of his body's reaction to the latter thought. They weren't alone in the room, after all, their potential client's secretary was only a couple of metres away at her desk.
      A buzzer sounded somewhere; the blonde woman looked up and smiled professionally.
      "You can go through now."
      Okami stood and inclined his head in thanks then trusting his narky partner to follow, strode towards the indicated door. The rich real-wood panelling slid open at their approach but it wasn't the expected office set-up into which they stepped.
      *What the hell…?*

Watari stared at Oriya, unconsciously licking his lips.
      "You'm good enough to eat!"
      The swordsman smiled. He'd put some effort into his outfit tonight: his kimono the richest, deepest shade of old gold trimmed with almost-black orchids, his hair caught at the nape of his neck in a matching old-gold and black orchid antique clasp. He touched the shinigami's cheek lovingly.
      "You look very beautiful, too."
      Watari had opted for deep blue, close-fitting leather trousers and a waistcoat laced up the sides, with no shirt: his skin was the palest gold, his hair loose and swirling. Something of a contrast to his usual multi-layered attire, but deliciously arousing... Oriya handed him a cup of warmed sake, then lifted his own in a toast. They had time for a drink before heading to the restaurant for their New Year meal.
      The sake seemed to be stronger than usual tonight, was the swordsman's last thought before the world swirled around him...

Lutra eyed her bondmate narrowly, then frowned. Much as she loved that almost transparent ontibu-leather skin-tight, legless, backless excuse for a bodysuit, she wasn't at all certain about its suitability for the occasion...
      *Hab'lan, are you sure you'll be warm enough?*
      'lestrel's long, supple tail swept teasingly over her breasts.
      *Oh yes. The ningen will make sure of that. The rooms are well heated, and there's a big fire at one end.* He regarded the tenshi and inclined his head. *I'm not at all sure about your costume, though.*
      Lutra glanced down at herself. The brief R'ren'nkh'ian outfit didn't cover very much...
      *It was your choice, hab'lan.*
      *I know... I'm just wondering if I should change my mind...*

"I think we're just about ready."
      Murphy grinned, licking his lips.
      "This could be fun..."
      Butch inclined his head pensively.
      "One more thing. Let's add Legolas and Aragorn to the mix."
      Carli stared at Butch.
      "But... your fleshie never wrote about Legolas. Or Aragorn, for that matter."
      Butch nodded, eyes glinting evilly.
      "I know. I just want to see what happens when the elf meets Benten..."

**I sense a disturbance in the force...**
      Radittsu glanced at his bondmate with a frown.
      *You what?*
      Zha'haabron smiled.
      **It is a quote, from a Chikyu film. Apt though** He regarded his zkai'da fondly. **Something strange is happening on the planet. Shall we go and investigate?**
      The big Saiyan raised an eyebrow.
      *What sort of strange?*
      **I'm not sure - but I believe it involves our hostling...**
      *'lestrel.* Radittsu's voice was resigned. If something odd was happening, it was a fair bet the brat prince was involved... *I suppose we'd better take a look...*

As it happened, Alexei, Trey, Devon, Stephan, Cloud and Ewan all arrived at Neurons at the same time, a couple of minutes before 9.30 pm. On entering, Ewan caught sight of a door, with a dragon clearly embossed on the wood. He turned to the others.
      "Looks like that's our room! Maybe we can find out who's throwing this bash."
      They wove their way through the already-bustling main bar and slipped through the door - only to stand gaping at what was inside. Stephan wrapped his arm around his lover's waist, his voice low.
      "There is something wrong, 'ere."
      "What could be wrong?" Trey's eyes had been drawn to the long table piled high with the most delicious-looking foodstuff. "Whoever the host is, they've got good taste!"
      "That is not what I mean." Stephan gestured around the room. "Does it not appear to you that this room is too big?"
      "Looks OK to me!"
      Alexei took his lover's hand.
      "No, Trey, Stephan is correct. This room is bigger on the inside than it is on the outside."
      "Not to mention that Neuron's doesn't have a room like this in the first place!" Ewan had pulled Cloud close to him, arm over her shoulder protectively.
      "Let's get the fuck out of here." Devon was backing towards the door, pulling Stephan with him.
      The door wouldn't open.
      There was a moment of silent panic - interrupted by a door opening in the opposite wall, where there had been no door seconds before.
      Two leather-clad figures stepped into the room. Stephan stared for a moment, then stepped forwards.
      "Okami?"
      The taller of the two peered at the Frenchman, then ushered his partner over to the group of Agents.
      "Stephan... just what the hell is going on here?"
      "I do not know, mon ami. We 'ad been invited to a party, and found ourselves 'ere."
      "Your door's just vanished." Devon was pointing to the opposite wall, where the outline of the entrance was fading away. Over the exclamations and expletives Stephan raised his voice to be heard.
      "Calmez-vous, mes amis. Are we not professionals? Can we not cope with such unexplained matters?"
      His words had the desired effect: everyone calmed down - until a second later two figures appeared in the middle of the room, out of thin air.
      The Agents gasped, and Stephan reached for his gun, taking aim instinctively. The blue-skinned newcomer eyed the weapon coolly, then raised a hand. Silver-blue light flashed from long fingers - and the gun melted in Stephan's hand. He stared disbelievingly for a moment, then dropped the useless hunk of metal. The blue figure bowed its head slightly, gesturing to its companion...
      ... who was very obviously female - despite the big pure white wings projecting from her shoulders...
      "We apologise for our lateness. We had intended to arrive before anyone else."
      The talents stared uncomprehendingly, and 'lestrel growled to himself. They didn't understand him. He tried Saiya-go, then Maurillan, R'ren'nkh'ia-go, and several other tongues, only to meet with the same result...

Butch chuckled, then sighed and glanced at Taipo.
      "Better let them all speak the same language..."

An instant later everyone knew English. A'lestrel tried again.
      "Sorry we're late. We meant to be here to greet you."
      The Agents stared at the apparitions. Then Devon managed an uncertain smile.
      "You invited us?"
      "Not exactly. We're here to host the party. I am A'lestrel - this is Lutra, my bondmate."
      The speech was met with a flabbergasted silence, as much due to the realisation of just how little the newcomers were wearing as to their appearance, and 'lestrel inclined his head, golden eyes smiling.
      "I gather you've never seen one of my species before."
      Devon swallowed.
      "No - but you must be an alien..."
      'lestrel wrapped his tail around the tenshi's waist, which generated another gasp from the humans.
      "That's right. Now, there are a few others to come, but perhaps you'd like to help yourselves to a nibble and a drink?" He gestured to the long, heavily-laden table. "Please. Help yourselves."
      Trey stared for another few seconds, then shrugged, accepting the inevitable, and loped off to the buffet, piling a plate high with what was on offer. After a moment the others joined him.
      *This is too weird!* Cloud's eyes were wide on Ewan's face. *How did we get here - and where is here, anyway?*
      *I don't know, lovely. But no-one's been hurt, and we were invited to a party. Let's just enjoy it for now. Though perhaps we shouldn't drink too much...*
      The Agents were, after all, used to odd...

Helena shrieked quietly as she suddenly found herself half-naked lying on a strange couch in a strange room with a group of strange people milling around a buffet table. Shoving Sengoku away, she struggled to pull her catsuit back on before anyone noticed their arrival, and was mostly successful...
      The cybercop hauled himself upright and stared at the Agents.
      "What the fuck...!"
      A faint sound and breath of air beside him announced the arrival of Gogul, but before either of the cybercops had any time to react, two more strangers materialised. Unconscious, sprawled on one of the other couches.
      Cloud and Helena moved first, hurrying to the couch to check on the pair. As they checked for pulses, Helena smiled tightly at the tinkerer.
      "Helena."
      "I'm Cloudie. I suppose you don't know any more than we do..."
      Helena shook her head as she turned her attention back to the golden-haired young... man, she realised, glancing at his chest and groin. Cloud brushed long dark hair back from his kimono-clad partner, then sighed with relief. Both were breathing - and indeed, showing signs of waking.
      Amber-coloured eyes snapped open behind round spectacles, staring into Helena's bright blue gaze.
      "'ullo."
      Helena blinked, then smiled.
      "Um, hi...?"
      "Watari. Where is us?"
      "At a party."
      The young man struggled upright, then laid a long hand on his partner's shoulder.
      "Oriya, y'might've told me yew'd arranged a party!"
      The darker man rubbed a hand over his eyes and frowned.
      "None of my doing... This is not Meifu, then?"
      Cloud grinned at their bewildered expressions and waved a hand airily.
      "I'm sure it'll all come out in the wash. Come and have something to eat!"

Sengoku glanced at Gogul.
      "We're both here - you don't think..."
      The big cybercop gazed around the room.
      "Can't see him anywhere..."
      "Think we should go look?"
      Gogul considered the notion for a moment, then shook his head.
      "Nah. He'll show up if he's goin' to..."

As they led the newcomers to the table Cloudie appraised the woman - Helena wasn't it? Tasty, very tasty.
      *I won't mind if you want to play.*
      The tinkerer flicked a glance at her lover, suppressing a smirk. Ewan, as an empath, would have of course picked up on her interest in the blonde.
       *Aww, thanks, sweetie!* Cloudie blew him a mental kiss. *Let's see what happens. She arrived with that black-haired guy and they looked pretty tight.*
      That 'black-haired guy' was currently puffing out his chest in front of the other Agents. Cloudie shook her head - she could recognise a testosterone challenge when she saw one. Helena caught her look and smirked.
      "Men."
      The women snickered quietly together then Cloudie bounced up.
      "This is s'posed to be a party, let's get some music happening!"
      Their hosts weren't hard to spot, not when one of them had wings that projected a couple of feet above her head even when folded down.
      "Hi," the tinkerer beamed at the pair. "Any chance of some music? That'd get things moving."
      "Certainly," the blue-skinned alien inclined his head, "What would you like to hear?"
      "Hang on, I'll see what the consensus is. Oy!" Cloudie's call got her everyone's attention. "What do we want to listen to?"
      Devon suggested something, which was then immediately countered by another, forceful, suggestion from Sengoku. The tinkerer resignedly watched the by-ply for a moment then grinned back at her hosts.
      "Something lively, I think. Something we can dance to, work up a sweat, you know?"
      A'lestrel smirked.
      "I'm sure we can find something suitable."
      He tilted his head to one side then apparently from nowhere the room was flooded with sound.
      "How'd you do that?" Cloudie started, taken by surprise.
      "Magic perhaps?" His smile was sardonic. "Here and now anything's possible. Is the music to your liking?"
      The tinkerer laughed: she didn't recognise the artist, or the song but that hardly mattered, not when the beat was already seeping into her bones.
      "It's perfect, thank you!"
      She turned, blue-grey eyes locking onto her lover's face. Cloudie held out her hands to the musician.
      *Dance with me.*
      Ewan grinned and stepped forwards, sweeping the woman into his arms and kissing her before expertly twirling them both out onto what had become the dancefloor...

Benten and Jade, meanwhile, had materialised under the buffet table; caught mid-thrust, Jade had narrowly avoided cracking his head on the underside of the solid piece of furniture. He paused for a moment, then Benten peered through the cloth draping the table, and both of them listened hard.
      "That's Gogul's voice." Jade kissed his lover's shoulder reassuringly. "And he doesn't sound too worried..."
      There were a lot of feet in evidence around the table: this would not be a good time to emerge - even wearing the clothing that had materialised near them. And Jade rather liked the sensation of danger; any noise from them could have someone lifting the tablecloth and revealing them. He grinned and pushed Benten onto his hands and knees, reaching under the cybercop's body to fondle his half-erect cock.
      "Let's stay here a little longer. If this is a party, maybe they'll start dancing soon and we can slip out and mingle..."
       Given Benten's push backwards to impale himself more deeply, and the way his penis suddenly hardened, it seemed the albino rather liked the idea...

Shinju glanced up at his partner and shrugged.
      *Okasan has a saying - 'If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.*
      Angled, dark eyebrows rose sharply.
      *I'm not dancing!*
      The Eurasian man rolled his kohl-lined eyes.
      *Did I say that? Jesus, 'kami, don't be so defensive!* Under cover of their long leather coats Shinju palmed the European's crotch. *What am I saying is that while I don't know what the fuck is going on we're here now - for whatever reason - we're not in any danger, and you did -* he squeezed the taller man's genitals making his breath catch in his throat *- promise me we'd have a break. Let's just go with the flow, ne?* He relaxed his grip and grinned. *That food looks good, let's start there.* His look became sultry. *I'm starving - once again I didn't get a proper breakfast. These early morning shags over the kitchen table are going to have to stop.*
      Okami recovered quickly.
      *Then you should get up earlier, give yourself time to eat.* He smirked down into 'ju's irate face then prowled towards the laden tables, leaving his glowering partner to follow in his wake.
      "He-e-e-llo." Shinju's smile was nothing short of predatory. Emerging from beneath the pristine table-cloth was the prettiest… boy? Long, long shining black hair, and vibrant green eyes that stared up at the bodyguard in surprise. What followed the brunette though - another Eurasian if 'ju was any judge - made him blink. He knew about albinos, had never seen one but with hair, skin and eyes in that particular colour combination what else could the second new arrival be? Shinju's tongue-tip briefly touched his upper lip - he was hard-pressed to decide which of the pair he found more… interesting.
      He could feel 'kami's heat at his back as the taller man looked over his shoulder at the newcomers.
      "Come and try some of this paté," Okami's voice was smooth and deep; without needing to look at his face Shinju knew his partner had slipped into uber-seme mode. "It's exquisite."
      'ju's knees threatened to buckle when 'kami nuzzled his ear, and he quivered imperceptibley when his partnered radioed:
      *I would really like to see you inside the pretty little dark one.*
      *He's a little like Niiji, ne?* Shinju hid a smirk behind his glass of wine. *Your wish is my command, padrone…*

... noise... loud noises... a pounding rhythm... bright lights on the outside of his eyelids... Haldir struggled to raise his head, flinching against the noise. A pair of big, pale green eyes gazed back at him.
      "Welcome to the party!"
      "... wh... what...?"
      "You got dumped in the middle of the party. Want a drink?"
      Haldir pulled himself into a sitting position, rubbing a hand over his eyes and idly noticing that he was now wearing black leather leggings, laced up the sides, and a close-fitting low necked sleeveless black leather tunic, also laced up the sides. Beside him Silindë and Vëassë, similarly attired, were stirring. Haldir looked back up to the human - who was staring at him. At his ears, specifically.
      "You got pointed ears."
      Haldir eyed him sardonically.
      "All elves have pointed ears."
      The other blinked.
      "You're... an elf?" He shook his head. "No such thing."
      Vëassë had managed to drag himself to his knees and was regarding the human with interest and not a little lust.
      "Really? What are we then?" He inclined his head. "And who are you?"
      "Devon. And I dunno what you are... so elf will do, I suppose. 'til I find out..." The TK shook his head in resignation. "Come and have a drink."
      The three elves pulled themselves to their feet - Silindë looking down at himself in horror: he'd never been seen in public wearing so little! - and allowed Devon to lead them over to the buffet. The TK sloshed various liquids into three tall glasses and handed one to each of the elves, then made the introductions while those of the party-goers not on the dancefloor gazed at the elves with various degrees of lust, incredulity or bafflement.
      A'lestrel smiled to himself as two more people suddenly appeared in a far corner of the room. The darker of the two pulled out a sword, holding it protectively in front of himself, his eyes wide and almost wild. The second of the figures gazed around dazedly for a moment before pressing a hand against the first's forearm, forcing him to lower the blade.
      "Peace, Aragorn. I do not think we are in any danger."
      "Legolas? Where are we? What foul magic is this?"
      But the elf was staring, eyes huge with disbelief, as A'lestrel approached them, a large jewel-encrusted silver goblet in each hand. He paused before them, inclining his head, and handed them each a drink.
      "Welcome! Please, make yourselves at home."
      Both stared blankly at him for a moment - then the elf spotted Haldir and grinned widely.
      "All is well, Aragorn. We are amongst friends."
      A'lestrel nodded.
      "Yes. We're all friends here." He smirked. "Temporarily, at least."
      "Are you an elf?" Aragorn needed labels right now. The only recognisable thing in this world was Legolas: even the figures at the laden table who looked like elves he knew were wearing... sort of wearing... clothing he'd never expect an elf to wear... they simply did not flaunt their bodies in that way... although, he was forced to admit, the outfits were very... comely...
      The one with the blue skin and green hair - and tail... Aragorn swallowed and tried to keep his eyes on the being's face - led them to the table, watching as they exchanged greetings with the three elves already there. So far so good - everyone seemed to be getting along nicely...

Alcohol flowed. People danced. Everyone relaxed and began to enjoy themselves...

Some of the sights were amusing. Slender, slight Watari was deep in conversation with Gogul, hands waving as he explained some obscure experiment to the huge cybercop, who was nodding sagely and making suggestions that the shinigami was scribbling down in a notebook. Oriya had collared Aragorn and was exchanging demonstration sword strokes and combat experiences. Devon was fascinated by A'lestrel's tail and was pestering the Zasshu for details about his homeworld, while Stephan looked on indulgently. Vëassë flirted - and danced - with everyone while Silindë sat and talked with Lutra, quite entranced by her sweetness and those extraordinary wings. Trey and Alexei cornered Haldir, intrigued and curious about all things elvish...
      Not everything went completely smoothly, however. Sengoku was becoming louder and more obnoxious as 'kami refused to acknowledge his existence, until Helena stepped in front of her partner, hands planted on her hips and frown on her lovely face.
      "Stop being such a bloody jerk. Can't you just compare the size of your dicks, or something? You know, the sort of thing you macho types seem to like so much?"
      'kami swivelled to stare at her, startled, then smirked, hands reaching for his fly.
      "If you insist..."
      Helena folded her arms and regarded Sengoku.
      "C'mon then. Get it out."
      The cybercop stared at her in horror.
      "What, here?"
      She shrugged.
      "Why not?" She smirked. "Aww, you're blushing! Hey guys!" She called to Benten and Gogul. "Sengoku's blushing!"
      The cybercop glared at her furiously, then glowered at the bodyguard.
      "Thanks for the fucking humiliation, you bastard."
      'kami pulled his hands away from his groin - he'd made no effort to open his fly - and inclined his head, one eyebrow quirked.
      "You're welcome. Any time."
      Before Sengoku could snarl anything else Helena pulled him to the dancefloor and wrapped her arms around him.

"You're very pretty. But not as much as Benten." Jade eyed Legolas appraisingly. Aragorn, who'd been nearby talking to Oriya, overheard and scowled.
      "No. Legolas is much the fairer."
      Oriya smiled lazily, the sake by now having mellowed him nicely.
      "Watari-kun is beautiful..."
      Silindë, draped over a nearby couch with Haldir's head in his lap, shook his head.
      "Vëassë is more lovely than all of you!"
      Aragorn scowled.
      "Then let us call all together and have our hosts decide who is the prettiest!"

[Murphy glanced at Butch where the gremlins were avidly watching the party's progress from the dimension next door.
      "Not another damn 'Very Secret Diaries' reference?"
      Butch grinned and nodded.
      "I'm afraid so. They had my fleshie in hysterics..."]

A couple of minutes later, with a preening Vëassë, a reluctant Legolas, a thoroughly embarrassed Watari, a glowering Shinju - only there because 'kami had insisted - a bemused Benten and a surprised Jade, dragged in by Vëassë at the last moment, Aragorn called on A'lestrel to decide. The Zasshu looked closely at each in turn - then went back and kissed each in turn, ignoring Lutra's thunderous glare.
      *It's a kiss, zk'aida. That's all. I can *feel* them more easily that way, *feel* which is the prettiest inside as well as out...*
      The tenshi growled.
      *I'm not that stupid.*
      'lestrel raised an eyebrow, then stroked down her inner thigh with his tail.
      *I'll make it up to you shortly.*
      The Zasshu moved back a little and ran his gaze down the line, then opened his mouth...

... and a door opened in mid air in the middle of the room. Two figures stepped out. Followed by two... things...
      'lestrel frowned. These hadn't been invited. And it shouldn't be possible to gate-crash a multi-dimensional party.
      The dark skinned human stared at the assembly, mouth gaping.
      "...whoah!..."
      The female - who looked human but wasn't - blinked.
      The other two... wraith-things... solidified and stood side by side behind the human and pseudo-human. They looked, thought the Zasshu, extremely dangerous.
      The female spoke.
      "Hi guys! I'm Ki. This is Trash. And the pale dudes are One and Two." Benten caught her eye, and she grinned widely. "Hey, another pale dude! You should get on well..."

It wasn't long after that that the party became less of a party and more of a low-key orgy. Mind you, everyone was fairly intoxicated by then...
      A'lestrel and Lutra started it, changing the music to something slower and softer and muting the lights a little, then making love in mid air - the Zasshu's apology to his bondmate. It was almost a signal for everyone to start. Cloud dragged Ewan over to one of the couches and almost tore off his clothes. Jade treated the assembly to a slow striptease, afterwards happily bending over the arm of one of the couches as Shinju fucked him hard, watched by a smirking Okami, while Benten took Devon, slowly and luxuriously, Stephan buried in his own body. Soon afterwards Sengoku and Helena, inhibitions lessened by the amount of very fine alcohol they'd imbibed, snuck off to a corner out of the reach of the flickering dance lights. Vëassë cajoled Gogul into taking him, upright, the elf's legs wrapped around the big human's waist. Silindë and Haldir were inseparable, as were Alexei and Trey. Watari and Oriya lay before the fire, lost in each other's bodies. Even the twins finally dissolved their clothes and pleasured each other. Trash and Ki watched everything unashamedly but with huge eyes and dropped jaws, until finally retiring under the table for their own 'party'...
      And as midnight approached Devon, a little clumsily given how distracted he was, used his TK to fill everyone's glasses with champagne...
      Aragorn had snuggled up to Legolas on the couch, hand palming his groin as he watched the activity around him. Legolas swallowed nervously.
      "Arwen will kill you if you try anything"
      This penetrated Aragorn's alcohol-fuddled brain. The king sighed theatrically and wrapped his arm around the elf's shoulders.
      "Ah, my friend. If only I had met you first..."
      The large clock that hadn't been on the wall a moment before began to strike the hour.

[Butch grinned.
      "And because it's my fleshie writing this, they'll all come together on the stroke of midnight, and start the New Year sated and happy. She's not a bad old trout, you know, all told..."
      And lo, the gremlin's words were true...]

*Happiness on faces, happiness in hearts, differences settled and love filling the world. That's what I like to see.*
      Lutra kissed her smugly smiling bondmate, ruffling his tail.
      *You can be evil at times. But I love you anyway, hab'lan.*
      *I am very glad of that...*

It was with some reluctance that 'lestrel handed everyone a red pill and explained that swallowing it would return them all to their own continua.
      "Will we ever meet again?" Devon lay between Stephan and Benten, his smile a little wistful. A'lestrel sighed.
      "That, my friend, depends on the ningen and whether anyone responds to her story. But I have hopes. Perhaps next New Year..."
      With salutations they finished the champagne and their red pills, and one by one vanished silently back to their own dimensions...

Back in the talan, Vëassë sighed as he took a long draught of warmed wine, and rested his chin on his fist.
      "I wonder who would have won?"
      Silindë eyed him curiously.
      "Won what?"
      "I mean, who A'lestrel would have decreed the prettiest?"
      "Well, we'll never know now..."
      Haldir ran a fingertip down his lover's cheek, smiling. As far as he was concerned, there was no competition...

Butch slid the chip back into place and turned to his fellow gremlins.
      "Most satisfactory."
      Taipo nodded, tail brushing against the horned gremlin's groin.
      "What about us?"
      "Oh, I think we can have a little fun, too." Butch gestured and the beach became Hollywood's notion of a harem tent. "This do?"
      Carli squeaked and dropped onto a luxuriously thick and comfortable cushion.
      "Oh, this is nice!"
      "Good." Butch grinned at the others. "What are you waiting for?"

Somewhere far above, Radittsu turned to his bondmate and smiled.
      *Looks like they're all doing just fine. Our turn now. Where would you like to go?*
      Zha'haabron cuddled close and kissed his bondmate.
      **Somewhere warm, I think...**
      Smirking, the erstwhile Saiyan swept his zkai'da into his arms and whisked them both through time and space to a nice little planet he'd discovered a short while back...