#ze.daph

It started out innocuous enough, one of the little parties that tended to pop up here and there on the server. Bring a dish to share, drinks provided, music, dancing, yadda yadda etc etc. Just your normal, standard, everyday party. Except for the two words scrawled on the bottom corner of the invite. 'Dress Down.'

Those two simple words sent a shiver down Tango's spine, and in his head he was already running through dozens of scenarios. True, he still had a couple hours to plan, but between indecisiveness and his inability to keep proper track of time, it was probably better to start picking out his outfit sooner rather than later. And doing that would hopefully keep his mind off of... other things as well. At least he was exempt from the potluck rule.

A few short hours later and he was stood outside the grand front entrance to Gem's elven castle, shuffling from foot to foot as he waited. Thankfully it didn't take long before Gem appeared, with a delighted cry of "Tango!" she cleared the last few feet between them and wrapped him up in a hug.

"I'm so glad you were able to make it, oh, you look amazing!"

"Heh, thanks." And he had to admit, he did look pretty damn good. He'd spent most of the time between receiving the invite and now fussing over what to wear and how to do himself up, and he'd settled on a simple but effective outfit.

His top was a skintight sleeveless black turtleneck, complete with cutout window that could only just barely be considered appropriate, showing off plenty of skin and the tuft of fur on his chest. He had waffled between skirt or pants and eventually settled on the latter, skintight as well. They were high rise, belt resting around his middle to allow for another cutout that showed off his tummy and more fur, if he really stretched they'd ride down low enough to flash a glimpse at what was just underneath. The pants also had a series of slashes along the outer thigh from hip to knee, stopping just above his knee-length combat boots. Which may or may not have been taller versions of what he wore already, but hey, it worked.

The whole ensemble was topped off with an array of chains and belts in teal, aqua, and silver, and a shorter replica of his dungeon master robe in the style of a thick, fluffy shrug. To finish off the look he had a light layer of lipstick, and a decent eyeliner and mascara. The last was probably unnecessary, but he liked the look when it ran, and if tonight went anything like he expected it certainly would.

"You ready to go in?" Gem asked once she released him, and when he nodded she held up the finishing touch. He swallowed and tilted his chin up as she fastened the thin red collar around his neck. "Sorry, it's your old one, we didn't get the one in your new colors made in time."

"Nah, it's fine." He waved off her concern with a flick of his wrist, then choked when she hooked a finger through the D ring on the collar and *tugged*.

"We don't wanna keep everyone waiting!" How she could still be so cheery and level headed about something like this he could never understand, but obediently he followed after her, tail flicking and curling behind him in anticipation for what was about to come. Hah.

Gem had transformed one of the empty rooms in her castle for the party, and his eyes went wide as he saw the setup. Oh, he hoped she kept this. Lights hung from the ceiling, dim enough to cast corners into shadow without making visibility impossible. Chairs, tables, and couches were arranged tastefully around the room, a clear designation between the socializing and dining area, and the 'socializing' area. Everything was draped in soft, sheer fabrics, and the music was at the perfect volume to still be heard but allow for easy conversation.

Gem released her hold on Tango's collar and winked. "There's probably enough time for you to grab a bite and a drink before the entertainment is needed, but I think you better hurry." She was right, as he looked around he noticed a few of the other hermits had already showed up, Etho parked in one of the dark corners while Impulse and Pearl were chatting idly on a couch. He debated food for a moment before deciding against it, probably not a good idea until after everyone had their fun. And there go his thoughts again, running through the possibilities tonight would bring, forcing him to muffle a light whimper. Seeing as he had nothing to do for the moment but wait, he chose one of the empty couches tucked further out of the way and leaned his head back, settled in until he was needed.

Time passed as he drifted, lost to his own thoughts until a body settled beside him, hand resting on his thigh.

"Hello hello," he heard from somewhere above and to the left of him, and when he zoned back in enough to be properly aware of his surroundings he was greeted with the grinning face of Zedaph, nose wrinkled in that way it always did when he got excited. "Is this seat taken?"

"No, not at all." At the confirmation Zed's grin widened, and his hand slid up so that his thumb was tucked into the stomach cutout of Tango's pants, making Tango shiver and swallow.

"Glad to hear! I noticed you over here all by your lonesome and figured I'd come see why." Oh fuck, now that thumb was moving in maddening little circles, and he had to fight to stay focused on the conversation.

"Oh, y'know, just enjoying the party."

"All by yourself? But you don't even have any food or drink! You can't be having that much fun."

"Eh, I manage."

"Well if you don't mind I think I'd like to finish up my meal here. And then," he leaned in and licked his lips, eyes hooded, and for how ridiculous it looked Tango should *not* find it sexy, but he still heard himself let out a low whine as Zed continued. "I think you look like an absolutely delicious desert."

"Works for me!" Tango squeaked out, and like a switch flipped Zed pulled back, expression brightening to his usual carefree grin.

"Excellent! I'll be right with you then." He withdrew fully, meaning his hand was no longer slowly driving Tango up the wall, a blessing and a curse. After a deep breath Tango took the reprive to gather his wits, probably not a good idea to fall apart so early in the night after all.

It didn't take long before hands were on him again, this time grabbing his hips and hauling him into Zed's lap.

"Well then! Let's see what kind of trouble we can get up to, shall we?"

Not even bothering to wait for an answer he yanked Tango into a kiss, and where normally Tango would fight and play, tonight he melted into it immediately, letting Zed lick into his mouth without any resistance. Clearly it was appreciated, as one of Zed's hands left his hip to stroke along the base of his tail, making him groan into the kiss.

As usual, it only took a few moments for Zed to get another idea, and he trailed kisses along Tango's jaw until he reached his neck.

"Well that's just rude now, isn't it? Wearing a shirt that covers up so much? Would anyone happen to have a knife?"

So much of his focus had been on Zed that Tango had failed to notice the other hermits congregating around the pair. Scar had pulled over a dining chair and had Grian perched in his lap. Both were intently watching the scene unfolding. Impulse, Gem, and Pearl were still seated at one of the tables, but all three were throwing glances over during lulls in their conversation. A few other hermits were scattered about, but he was stopped from paying much more attention when Etho leaned over the back of the couch to hand Zedaph a knife.

"Ah! Thank you very much. Chin up pet, we wouldn’t want to slice up your pretty skin, now would we?" His grin went sharp as Tango obeyed with a shudder, and he pulled the thin material of his shirt far enough away to make a slice from the top of his neck to where the shirt ended at his shoulder. "At least, not just yet."

Once the fabric had been cut Zed returned the knife to Etho, then immediately latched onto Tango's now-exposed neck with glee. Tango jolted, then moaned as blunt teeth nibbled at his neck. It didn't take long before he was a squirming mess, leaning into wherever Zed's hands were roaming at the moment. At a particularly harsh bite he gasped, grinding his hips down into Zed's below him.

As if it was some kind of signal, a heavy hand descended on his shoulder and a body pressed against his back.

"And what do we have here?" Tango tried to lean his head back to look, but with Zed still demolishing his neck and the hand on his shoulder moving to grip his hair and hold him still, it was impossible. "Letting someone cut up your nice outfit just to go to town on you? Slut."

He wheezed, air knocked out of him like a punch to the gut as the word rattled around in his skull. Slut. He'd never really been on the receiving end of that word before, but with the whole body shudder and desperate grind of his hips, clearly it did something for him. Good to know.

A tug of the hand in his hair pulled him out of his head, and he fumbled as he was pulled from Zed's lap.

"Hey! I wasn't done with him yet!"

"Too bad! You were taking too long, and besides," he was spun around to stare up (and up and up) into Impulse's eyes, and he had to stifle a moan at the expression he saw there. A thumb brushed over his lips and he obediently parted them to let it rest on his tongue. "I can think of a better use for our slut here than just keeping your lap warm and your mouth occupied."

He was pushed down to his knees on the couch, and a pouting Zedaph shuffled to make room as Impulse stepped into Tango's space even more, crowding him in. This received immediate boos from their audience, Scar and Grian now joined by Pearl and Gem.

"What’s the point of all this if we can't even get a show," Grian heckled, and with a roll of his eyes Impulse grabbed Tango by the arms and *lifted* him, adjusting their positions until he was the one seated on the couch and Tango was on his knees on the floor between Impulse's legs.