To Wonderland We Go!

There were Mochi Moon parties happening throughout Burrowgatory but none lit a candle to the exclusive party held at the VIP lounge at Wonderland Casino. Here, its proprietress Angora, brought out the most expensive bottles for her elegant patrons and friends, along with the freshest mochi that Dan made specifically for them. While not one to entertain a partying crowd, he came on the insistence of Shibani and Dove. Unable to resist their pleading doe-eyes and, in truth, unwilling to risk Jackal’s annoyance, he indulged and arrived at Wonderland, glancing to and fro the casino floors for any familiar faces.

“Dan, glad you could make it.” Angora greeted with a sensual purr. 

Dan all but blinked at Angora, shocked by her illustrious, if not revealing, new outfit. 

“Like it?” She giggled, doing a little twirl for him as ready to pounce on him. “I figured I’d dress up for the new year. Overindulgent, yes, but who can resist a sparkling number? And, if you like what I have on, wait until you see what I put Shibani into.” 

Again, he blinked. For a brief moment, he imagines Shibani wearing a revealing, sequin outfit revealing a bit too much and his face tints just the warmest tint of pink. “Speaking of him,” Dan cleared his throat, recomposing himself. “Where–”

“Just follow the red carpet and then turn left!” Angora interjected, reaching a hand out to pat him affectionately on the cheek. “You can’t miss the others. Watch the imps though- Hutch insisted on bringing them or else they wouldn’t show up at all. Honestly, the things I do to organize a lavish party…” She offered one last unusually polite smile before sauntering off, ready to dazzle a new victim. With a nod, Dan sets off through the casino, following the red carpet as directed.

The path leads him through a roped off area with security buns standing guard. Once they see Dan however, they nod and step aside, unhooking the rope to allow the bun passage. Around him, it was as though all of Burrowgatory’s most elite swayed and laughed to the music, enjoying themselves with the festivities. Every indulgence was here; from beautiful faces and buns, to the tastiest mochi and snacks, and of course towers upon towers of booze. Leave it to Angora to throw a Mochi Moon celebration of the year. Dan eventually makes it past the throngs of alluring buns to a gathering of familiar faces. 

Besides Jackal, Dove wore a lovely yet classic dress, matching in similar design to their envy bun companion. The pair was holding hands as Jackal rolled their eyes over a particularly bad joke Hops was trying to land. For her part, Hops was working and wasn’t allowed to have fun with her friends–but she was promised a reward by Angora later if she managed to make it through the night without spilling a single drink. She tries the joke again, waiting for laughter that never comes. 

Hutch, with their gaggle of imps in tow, seemed to hold onto them protectively as they watched in abject horror at Quince and Atlas try to outdrink one another. Atlas had brought along his imps to reassure his companions (and mostly himself) that the party wouldn’t be as bad. His pink loafki, Chantilly, was curled up next to its adoptive siblings; Velour the Mamoo, Satin the Avia, Venise the dessert pampki, and Chenille the Gargowl. It seemed content to let the buns around them enjoy the revelry while also enjoying the company of fellow imps, not seeming frazzled at all by the sparkling lights, loud music, and strange conversations. 

“I’m not sure how much more I can stuff…” Oleander groaned besides Mercy who seemed just a tad bit annoyed at Oleander’s overambition to devour as many mochi as he could. Both of them appeared to be dressed in their usual outfits and set between the succubuns and the newly appeared Cherubuns, Beanny and Primrose. Beanny laughed, reaching towards Oleander to give him a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. 

“Want me to get you somethin’ to drink?” The cherubun inquired with a warm tone. “Might help it go down better.” 

Oleander looked to Beanny pleadingly and then playfully, as though their offer held more to its meaning than they intended. “Why I would love nothing more than a little assistance–” 

“Don’t bother,” Primrose sniffed irritably beside his fellow cherubun companion. Why he was here and why they bothered going to such a degenerate place to celebrate a blasphemous event was beyond him. “He can get it himself if he has all this energy to stare lecherously.” He tapped his foot irritably, blocking Oleander’s gaze from his companion. The purple cherubun only rolled their eyes and shot both Oleander and Mercy an apologetic look. 

Off in another corner, Velveteen was holding both the bun forms of Peter and Holland, listening to Harley prattle on about the newest toys at her shop. Though it was difficult to discern through their stoic demeanor, Velveteen hung onto every word the sex shop owner described–perhaps a bit too curious.

“So how does…I mean. It goes inside both…?” Velveteen murmured, their hands idly petting both Peter and Holland in their hands. 

“I know right? Exactly! You can come by and test it out. I’ve had Holland try it but it’s always good to have other opinions.” Harley insisted with a bright smile. Now, Velveteen blushed as Peter laughed and hiccuped, a little too woozy from the drinks he shared. 

“Wouldn’t hurt to try.” Peter hummed, nestling into the model’s hands. “We can visit later this week after your photoshoot Vel. How does that sound?” 

Unable to resist their curiosity and to spend more time with Peter, Velveteen sighed. Reluctantly they nod, their voice barely above a whisper. “Alright…b-but only if I see you try it on Holland first.” 

Harley laughed and clapped the model on the shoulder before throwing back their drink in jubilant joy. 

At long last, Dan spots the most familiar and comforting person there. True to Angora’s word, the mochi-making bun can’t help but gawk at Shibani’s sparkling dress. It was form-fitted, hugging at every curve the delicate bun had to offer. When the other noticed him, Shibani’s gentle expression blossomed into a warm, loving one while he made his way over to him.

“Dan, you’re finally here!” He greeted, practically bouncing on his feet. “It’s so good seeing everyone here for Mochi Moon…and so nice of Angora to host such an extravagant party for all of us.”

Dan’s face flushed a deep scarlet the closer Shibani was, unable to help his gaze along the other’s body. He cleared his throat in a vain attempt to keep his composure. 

“I am. You look.” He was at a loss for words. “You look good.” Mentally, he reprimanded himself. 

Shibani giggled and twirled around, back entirely exposed with the deep cut of the dress. “Cute right? Angora thought it would be nice if we matched a little…I can’t imagine why but it would be terrible manners to turn down such a lovely gift. I’m so glad you like it! You do like it…right?” 

Unable to force his gaze, he lets out a defeated sigh and pulls the other bun closer, nodding in lieu of a verbal response. Shibani stifled a smile behind a hand and nuzzled into him, gently squeezing his hand to lead him off.

“Well let’s go join the others before there isn’t any of your mochi or Hops’ drinks left to drink!” The smaller bun exclaimed, rejoining the rest of their companions for a night to celebrate the new year. 

After the party died down and the crowds thinned out, the remaining buns remained in the VIP lounge, too exhausted to make it back home. Angora, gracious and generous, allowed them all to rest there and had staff bring pillows and blankets for the lot of them to share. She waited until every empty glass was collected before whisking Hops away to her office, content to have a moment of privacy alone together. The rest of Burrowgatory continued with their evening of debauchery and sin, ready to face whatever surprises may come their way in the future.