Quill, Bea, and a Party of Key
Quill and Bea mistakenly go to a Key Party.
[b][center]Quill, Bea, and a Party of Key[/center][/b]
In the land of Saffron, in the city of Lyra, on the night of Saint Vale in the week of Imbolc, two travelers journey the roadside through the wealthy Aldgold borough.
“Gods, you could cross a dozen apartment buildings in our borough before you pass a single house over here," Bea said. Her white fox muzzle poked from the hood of her sylish faux-fur lined parka.
“Yeah, are we sure we want to do this? I feel we're going to get rounded up and hauled out." Her boyfriend Quill was an ink black cat who would disappear against the night sky if not for his white jacket with high-vis tape and the cloud of vapor leaving his mouth.
“Well I have the printed invitation if anyone questions us being here," she beamed. “Besides, I want to see how the other half lives."
“I think it's a lot fewer than half who live like this."
“Oh, shush, we can make social commentary later. Let's just have fun at the party."
Another milestone was marked as they passed a hedgerow between properties. “What kind of party did you say this was again?" Quill asked.
“I didn't," Bea giggled. “It's a suprise."
“I've never heard of a surprise St. Vale's party before."
“It's a suprise for you. The kind of party, I mean." She giggled again.
Quill's fur stood on end. A lot wasn't right. “Bea. What kind of party is this?"
She turned to face him. Hands over her mouth as she laughed, “It's a key party."
“What!?" Quill stopped in his tracks. His eyes wide he glared at his girl.
“You're upset?" her ears sunk as she turned to face him. “I thought you would like it."
Quill sighed. His anger turned to a bizarre mix of embarassment, frustration, and myrth as he remembered whom he was dating. “Bea, what do you think a key party is?"
“People put their car keys in a big bowl, they shake it up, then draw one out. Then people go out and test drive each other's cars."
Quill blinked. “No, dear, that's not it."
“Okay, Mr. Knoweverythin. What is it?"
“It's a swingers' party wher people randomly draw out keys to different rooms. So they can randomly trade partners for sex."
Bea stared at Quill. Then she started laughing, “You sound like my dad now. Like how he'll say 'if someone asks you directions to the bank don't give it to them because if you do they're going to stab out your eyeballs.' Like, yeah, if someone wants to stab out my eyeballs I don't think they're going to mess with some weird ritual. Like is this a serial killer with a faerie curse?"
She turned and started heading to the party. “Besides, rich people are too busy playing croquet and eating lobsters and driving fancy cars to have time for sex. Come on, you'll see it's fine."
Quill sighed and continued walking. Well she'll learn the truth soon enough. They'd never find a place with room still available for a proper St. Vale's dinner. But maybe they could grab some decent fast food and then have a belated dinner tomorrow. “You know, even if you are right we took public transit here. Or rather public transit to the nearest bus stop fifty miles away apparently."
“Yeah, but they're super rich. They'll have hundreds of cars. So I'm sure there will be more than enough to share. And if anyone asks we can say our butler dropped us off and then we noticed unsightly eye-marks from roughians looking at it so we sent him home to clean it."
“I wish I could spend an hour in your brain. I could probably sell tickets."
She laughed, “Oh, come on, silly."
**
At journeys end down the avenue and up a long cobblestone walk they reached the manor. A tiger butler in a suit worth more than Quill's annual salary greeted them.
“Welcome dear guests," he spoke. “I shall take your coats."
They handed over there coats, Quill slightly reluctantly. Beneath the heavy winter wear Bea wore a bright red evening gown. Thin straps and low cut showed ample cleavage. Though her dress was not the most notable thing of her appearance. The white fox boasted bright pink stripes in a pattern reminiscent of a tiger's. And her peridot eyes accented the whole look perfectly.
“That is quite a remarkable fur pattern, if you don't mind me saying," the stunned butler commented.
“Thanks, I've got quite the linneage. Foxes on one side, tigers on the other, and a great-grandfather upset a flamingo god once."
“Really?" he asked.
She giggled. “No, I just dye it."
Quill rolled his eyes.
“It is a quite remarkable look on you, ma'am." He took her hand and kissed it.
She giggled again. You are a lucky man to be here with this lady tonight.
“Yeah," Quill agreed. Quill's look was considerably more plain. A white button down shirt with black slacks and a blue tie. He was likely to be mistaken for the help, though he may be under-dressed even for that.
“Again I thank you for coming to the party," the tiger recomposed himself. “Please, make your way to the dining hall for first of the night's festivities. Simply take a right at the end of this hall, a left three doors down from there, down the stairs, right at the end of the hall, four more lefts and straight on until morning. If you pass a fifth billiard room you've gone too far. There are three washrooms along the way if you need to freshen up from your journey here."
Quill felt wall-eyed. They'd likely need all three on the way there.
As they traversed the labyrinthine path Quill's eyes darted to various sculptures and paintings decorating the place. The things in the first few halls featured romantic scenes or solo nude figures that would be considered tasteful by all but the most prudent of critics. But as they followed the path the art became gradually more explicit and raunchy. Bea offered explanations of why the pieces were actually artistic statements and not meant to be erotic, but even she was clearly wavering in those beliefs as they went on.
Quill hoped they'd be able to find their way back out. True, they might be tossed out the moment the hosts learned they didn't own a private island. But he gave equal odds of them being sacrificed to the god of riches for daring to set foot on this property. Good grief, he was starting to think like Bea.
At long last they reached the dining hall, which was considerably less ornate than what they'd seen so far. It was a basketball court. A literal basketball court with wooden floors marked with the lines of the sport and hoops folded against the ceiling. The relative familiarity of the room put Quill more at ease, though not much as he reminded himself this was a full size basketball court in these people's house complete with bleachers folded up along the side.
Large round tables each with a white table cloth and small candelabra filled the room. Several other guests were already seated about chatting. A leopard and her tabby cat mate signed to each other at one, one of the pair presumably hard of hearing. A small stage was set toward the near end. At the far end a buffet table with chaffing dishes awaited them. And to another side a small bar had been set up.
A wolf butler stepped up to them, “Welcome, dear guests. As you can see we have a dinner prepared. Please help yourself to as much as you care. If you have any dietary needs or preferences please do let one of our staff know and we shall be pleased to accommodate you."
“Thanks," Quill muttered as they headed inward. The sense of not belonging was returning. “I know I should have asked this sooner but who invited you to this thing again?"
Bea fumbled through her purse for the printed invite. “Uh, email address is 'bonbuns69 at bunfun dot fun. I don't remember who that is."
Quill sighed, “Well I think I know how they make their money?"
“How?"
“Selling the kidneys of people with poor internet safety habits."
Bea grumbled at him.
“Well let's see what they've prepared for our last meal."
The buffet food was surprisingly simple. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, a pasta dish. Salad and a bell pepper soup. Quill loaded up on what he could carry save room for a drink from the bar.
He figured if their organs were getting harvested then he could at least rebel slightly by decreasing the value of his liver. Bea nervously asked for a cola.
They found a table that was least crowded, just one other couple of a red panda and an ocelot. The two barely acknowledged Bea and Quill as they sat.
“This is a fancy soda," Bea said as she stared at the bubbles percolating through the extra-clear ice cubes.
“Par for the course," Quill remarked.
The panda and ocelot turned to look at them. Quill's heart raced but the ocelot just said, “You too, huh?"
A bit of chat discovered that their table mates also had an apartment smaller than the gymnasium they were currently in. Conversation began, they learned most of the guests here were not on the same level of wealth as their mysterious patron. Slightly more at ease, they ate their food and began talking more with their new found friends. Things eased even more when they were joined by a snow leopard and ring-tailed mongoose who were apparently college students.
After they'd all had their fill and mostly forgotten why they'd come here, the speakers squealed to life.
A portly rabbit lady in a shiny red gown that left little to the imagination. She seemed familiar to Qull but he couldn't quite place her. The tiger butler from earlier stood behind her. “Sorry about that," she apologized for the feed back noise. “And I'm also sorry that we had to meet here on the basketball court. The ballroom is still being cleaned after the poker game I hosted last week."
She took a moment. “That said, I'd like to welcome you all to my, as I'm sure you've all noticed, not so humble abode. I hope you've enjoyed the food as well. Though I hope you haven't enjoyed too much of it as we have quite the night ahead of us," she chuckled. Bea put her hand on Quill's arm. Her grip tight. Yeah, there were not going to be any cars involved in the night.
“So here's how the night is going to work," the rabbit said. She signed it as well for the cat who needed it. “Through that door is a small room with two bowls. One with blue keys, the other red. We'll go in one at a time, pick a key from either bowl you like, and head onward. Each key is numbered, and my polite staff will direct you to the corresponding room. I'm sure you'll figure it out from there, hehe.
“After an hour, a low chime will play to let you know time is up. We will then return our keys to their appropriate bowls, return here for some snacks and a brief break, and then repeat for as many times as our strength holds out."
She let that sink in for a moment. “Now, I will say some of you are new to this scene, and that's okay. Just try to let your mind expand and try new things tonight. Help yourself to more liquid courage if you feel it will help." She gestured toward the bar.
And finally, remember everyone has different preferences such as species, gender, or other. If you fall outside your assigned partner's interests for the hour do not take it personally. Do not pressure them too hard if they are unwilling. You can have a chat, play some games, or just return here early for more snacks and drinks."
Quill and Bea breathed a sigh of relief. They had an out now, They could just say the other person is not their type and be back here soon after.
“Well, then, let's get too it, shall we. How about you get us started?" She pointed to the painted dog at the table near her.
**
She picked one of each couple and sent them on. Quill headed off first. He drew his key and was shepherded toward his room for the hour. He barely payed attention to the butler escorting him much less the path they took.
He entered a bedroom that rivaled his whole apartment in size. A four-poster bed took up the bulk of the room. He paced as he waited for his fated roommate for the evening to arrive. Other than the bed there was a desk and a couple of chairs.
He remembered he could just say no. Though maybe he'd get lucky and it would be someone who wasn't into cats. The bunny suggested that might happen. She also suggested there may be other shy folks here. So if that was the case they might get to play video games or something. Not that he saw a t.v. or game console around. Probably hidden behind some fancy sliding panel. He tried to distract himself for the minutes he waited by trying to find the mechanism.
The door opened. “Hello there kitty cat," the matron of the house entered, swaying her hips. “It's your lucky evening."
Quill swallowed. Some kind of luck was involved, certainly.
“Well, well, I remember you," the rabbit said. “Though from your look you don't remember me. I'm hurt. Bonnie." She pointed to herself. “Bonny the Bunny. Should be easy enough to remember?" She winked.
“Uh, yeah, oh! Oh! Right! You were at Country Matters!"
“Indeed. Waitress and sometimes performer. I believe you saw one of my performances."
“Uh, yeah," he was glad his deep black fur would not easily show his embarrassment.
“So unfortunately for you you won't be seeing anything you haven't before." She pulled her red gown over her head and threw it aside. She stood in the nude. Large breasts hanging down over her plump body. Her pussy already glistening with dew. “Not that I think you'll mind."
“Uhh," Quill took a step back, didn't realize how close he was to the bed, and fell back onto it.
“I love having that effect on people," Bonnie chuckled.
“I'm sorry I'm sorry," Quill jumped up. “I'm sorry, we're really not supposed to be here. My girlfriend didn't really know what a key party was. She didn't tell me that that's what this was until we got here," a small white lie. “We're really not swingers and I'm sorry on that but can we go now?"
**
Bea felt herself being ushered along by the an otter butler to the room number on her key. There were few keys left in the bowls, so in all likelihood her assigned partner would already be waiting.
Her only hope was that she got the same key as Quill. Then they could tie some bedsheets together and escape out the window. Though then they'd have to break back in to get their coats so this plan was falling apart fast.
“In here, my lady." The otter guiding her said.
“A heh, okay, cool," she didn't know the correct statement she should make. “Salutations?" The otter tilted her head in reply. Bea quickly opened the door and went in.
An older raccoon woman sat on the bed inside. The lady hopped up immediately. “Hi, I'm married!" she practically shouted.
“Uh, hi, I'm Bea."
“Oh, uh, sorry, my name is Sayen. What I mean is I'm not really into the whole swinger thing. I know that may seem odd given that I'm here."
“Oh, thank some gods." Bea gasped.
**
Bonnie blinked.
Quill sat back down. He fiddled with his hand, “Sorry, I didn't mean to get upset at you. I should have said something sooner."
She picked up her gown. “No, it's my fault. I'm sorry. I presumed too much." She thought for a moment. “I remember you and your girl from my show a few weeks back. You two were enjoying yourselves. I got her info at some point for my invites to my parties." She sat down on one of the chairs.
He remembered that show. Bonnie was as naked as she was now, except on her knees with ass facing the crowd. Her muzzle buried in the crotch of a bobcat woman who rubbed at her own tits and moaned in pleasure. He had his cock out of his jeans rubbing it to probably the third orgasm of the day. Bea was bottomless. Her legs up on her seat she pleasured herself as well, moaning almost as loud as the bobcat.
There was no nonchalant way to pull one of the bed pillows onto his lap, yet Quill did it anyway. Bonnie tried and failed to cloak a giggle with a cough.
Quill tried to change the subject. “I'm surprised you work there living in a place like this."
“What? A sex worker shouldn't be able to afford a place like this?"
“Er, uh, sorry, uh, I guess I never thought of it like that.."
Bonnie chuckled, “It's a story for another time. So what is your sex life like with your lady friend, if you don't mind me asking? I mean obviously you went to the show together."
“Well," he figured something in the way of an explanation was in order. “Bea and I have not been particularly shy about, uh, x-rated material. We've always watched porn together. That's really how we met. A party with friends in college where they put on a porno to tease everyone."
“Ah," she said.
“We were two of the first to have a thinly veiled excuse for why we needed to leave." Bonnie snirked. “But yeah, we've gone to strip clubs. That night at Country Matters was our first time at a live sex show."
“First time implies there's been more?" Bonnie teased.
“Oh, yeah, we do like it. We've been back to Country Matters once, though I think you were off that night. Also been to Ice House,"
“Good place."
“And Entwardo's"
“Bad place."
“We got those vibes, yeah. Weren't there long."
“Well I'm glad you're mostly enjoying the scene."
“Yeah, we are. This all isn't to say we wouldn't want to do some more adventurous stuff in the future, we have talked about it. Possibly exploring another person. But this is a bit too off the deep end for that."
“I understand." Bonnie said. A twinkle entered her eye. She slid up onto the bed. “Tell me, do you watch porn without your girl present? And more importantly does she know and approve."
“Oh, yeah. If anything she wants to hear about it so she can get off to it as well."
“So it feels like she's fine with you getting a bit of sexual entertainment by yourself. So it feels like you getting a little private show wouldn't be too much of a jump."
Quill was picking up what Bonnie put down. His ears perked up, as well as other parts. Blood pumped through him in excitement. The rabbit was quite sexy, after all. And she was right in that a sexy show wouldn't be a large leap from what Bea and he were already comfortable with. And Bonnie seemed trustworthy enough to know where the line was and keep to it.
“Well, you do have a point there."
“Want to lose the pillow?"
**
“So My husband and I, we've been doing a lot more, uh, adventurous sex stuff now that the kids have all moved out," the raccoon said.
“Oh, guess that's an upside," replied Bea.
“Upside to what?"
“Getting old-err, older. And children moving out. More sex time." Sayen watched Bea int the awkward silence. “Uh, best just to continue, please."
“We haven't been certain about the how adventurous we want to be," Sayen confessed. “We met Bonnie at one of our forays out on Cyvis Beach. From what we'd heard we thought her parties while, uh, intense also gave a lot of room to opt out of things? So we thought we'd check it out and leave if it wasn't our thing. But yeah we got caught up in it more than we thought."
Bea sat down. “I brought my boyfriend here. I think Bonnie got my name from when we were at Country Matters a few months back. I'd forgotten about it. But then we got the email, and I, uh, didn't really grasp the nature of the party and thought it might be some fun. I'm rambling."
An awkward silence echoed.
Bea did as well. “So, uh, Cyvis Beach? It sounds neat but I'm not sure about it. I'm not opposed to sexy times in public-ish spaces. Spaces where it's allowed, I mean. But still I want to keep it indoors just because I feel more secure. If that makes sense. I often don't make sense."
“It does. My husband and I, we have been enjoying outdoor sex. It's good to feel the bare wind on your body. Something very natural about that." Sayen got a glint in her eye, “Though I have to admit we're not always in approved locations, either. We try not to be in places where we'll get caught. But there is a bit of a rush to it. Especially being an old married couple who Aren't Supposed to Do That Sort of Thing anymore."
“Wait! You're that raccoon that got caught doing things on the Ferris Wheel last summer!"
“That grainy footage from the car behind us didn't catch anything incriminating!"
“But were you doing it?"
“Oh, yeah."
Bea giggled.
“We were pretty much at the top, just the narcs in the gondola behind and slighlty above." Sayen waved her hand. "The thing was stuck for like half an hour. What else were we supposed to do? I didn't have my laptop for writing."
“You're a writer?"
“Just sort of. Mostly I write fan fiction online?"
“Erotic fanfiction?"
“Uhh," Sayen said.
“You just confessed to public sex on a ferris wheel. This is where you draw the line?"
Sayen barked a laugh. “Yeah, I write erotic fanfiction. Under the name Sayiff_Shawarma."
“Oh my goodness I've read your stuff! I love your description of orgasms!"
“Thank you," Sayen chuckled as she looked aside sheepishly.
“Sorry if that's weird."
“I suppose that's what I write it for. Mostly it's weird to meet a fan in real life."
Sayen laughed. She opened the drawer of the desk. “Well well well, we have a pad of paper and a pen in here. This is certainly convenient."
“It's smart. So when you're having sex and remember you need to buy tomatoes at the store you can write it down."
“Well, that would be one use," Sayen admitted. Bea blushed. “Anyway, any characters you've always wanted to read going at it?"
“Glee of the Happy Foxes with Lucille Bloodwolf from Murder Pets."
“No hesitation there."
“I've been wanting to commission you for ages but I always spend my special treat money on fancy tacos before I save up enough."
“Well tacos are important."
**
The groups all returned to the center room. A new spread had been assembled of mostly fried appetizers. “Oh I am all about this," Bea said as she loaded up on mozzerella sticks.
Quill came up alongside her to start getting some snacks as well.
“So, what happened to you?" Bea asked.
“Well, uh, I actually got our host. Bonnie, the bunny."
“Oh, cool, what happened?"
Quill was glad she wasn't frightened by that. “Well, I told her we're not really into the swinger scene and she seemed fine with that. She did ask if she could put on a show for me, and I figured that would be okay given our usual preferences. I hope it was?"
“Oh, nice! I'm jealous. But I actually got Sayiff_Shawarma the writer. She's here. She's also not a swinger but she wrote a small thing for me!"
“Oh, wow, with Glee and Bloodwolf?"
“Yeah! We only did a small amount but she said she was going to finish it!"
“Very nice!
“Well, if I can have everyone's attention," Bonnie said over the microphone. “I hope everyone had a good first round. Rest up and get ready for round two."
Quill and Bea both cringed at the thought of that. Though the first pair they'd been with had been kind, neither fancied trying their luck again. The rest of the crowd murmured. Looking around, other folks were shifting awkwardly or grimacing at each other.
“Wait," Bonnie said. “Okay show of hands really quick," she raised her hand. “How many of you are actually swingers."
One person raised their hand. Bonnie sighed. She reapeated the question in sign language. The leopard dropped her hand while giggling. Her tabby cat boyfriend rolled his eyes.
“Well apparently I need to curate my mailing list more. I guess we can dispense with the formalities of the things today. If you want to spend St. Vale's eve with your partner you know where the bedrooms are. Otherwise, yeah, you can enjoy the food."
The crowd murmured in relief. Bea and Quill looked to each other, smiled, and continued loading up on the fried goods.
After they found a seat, Bonnie found them. “Well I hope Quill here told you of what we got up to. Hopefully it didn't cross a line."
“Not at all, I'm quite jealous though."
“Well, if you'd like a taste of what he got, since we're dispensing with the key part of the party, I'd be happy to show you. And Quill is welcome to come as well if you'd both like to see.
The two looked at each other and quickly replied, “Yes, please, absolutely."
“Well, follow me then. You can bring your treats if you'd like."
They did with excitement.
“I'm so interested in your stripes, Bea."
“Oh, I look forward to telling it. My family tree is long and winding and full of drama and adventure…"
“She dyes them. She just dyes them on," Quill said.
“Spoilsport," Bea replied.
Bonnie laughed.
-Trail Juniper