Fred had spent the whole rest of the day trying to convince @veda not to come. That it would be boring. That it wouldn't be worth her time. Anything he could think of to try to steer her away. He had a feeling it hadn't worked though. In fact he'd probably accidentally made her want to come even more than if he'd said nothing. He had chosen not to try to suggest they arrive together for this very reason. He was hoping by some miracle that she would decide not to show up.

He stood around anxiously as people started to show up, chewing on his fingernails absently. People recognized him of course and gave him smiles and waves. He tried to smile back but found it challenging. Many of them had hoped to hook up with him at these parties but Fred had only ever been here for Ellison and people had learned that over time. Not that it didn't mean they didn't still try to convince him to branch out.

Fred had told her again and again, this party wasn’t worth it. Wasn’t fun. She should just stay home and get a good nights rest for their shift tomorrow. But all it did was peek her interest that much more. Ben and Ellison? Boring? Why would Ben even invite her after all this time? Why wasn’t she invited before?

These were the thoughts swirling her head as she headed for their estate. Her dress changed, leaving the dirty one from the wreath release behind. A maroon dress wrapped her and fell loosely to the ground from her hips, not that that was uncommon for her. Arriving, she found herself even more amused that Fred hadn’t wanted to come with her. Was he inviting Evanthe? That had her hesitate on the front steps. Would she be interrupting a date? Why wouldn’t he just say so?

Shaking her head, she told herself that if she entered and saw Evanthe on his arm, she’d steer clear. They were partners, naturally close, and she wouldn’t want to intrude. But as she entered, as her eyes scanned the room searching for Fred, she suddenly started to slow her visual search as she took in… pillows on the floor? Blankets? Her head tilted slightly. The night was still young…

---

Indeed, the night was young and Ellison was running a soothing hand down her husband’s back. He was practically buzzing at her side, “look how many have arrived already?” She purred before her scouting eyes landed on @frederick. She’d never seen him like that at one of these events, so she patted Benedict Delaney’s back to signal her leave. Moving towards the nervous twin. “You keep that up and your nails will be nonexistent before midnight.” She commented, her hand slipping confidently into the crook of his arm and tugging lightly, to try and pull it from his mouth.

Picking a yellow flower on his way to Benedict Delaney on behalf of a post coitus invitation, approaching the designation he buttoned up a few buttons on his black silk shirt and added the bright contrasting flower into his hair. He wondered exactly how many people be curious about the arrival of Noah Prowze the talented young surgeon turned soldier from a wealthy family, no one knew Noah was into more carnal desires because he was polite and dignate at everything.

Upon entering he offered kind smiles to everyone but he was searching for one face in particular and if their eyes met the kind smile would turn flirtatious and he would approach ever so confident in his sauntering.

Ben couldn't stop smiling as their guests arrived and the space began to fill up. He grinned at Ellison with a wink as she rubbed his back. How lucky that they had found each other. He could never have imagined his life to be as blissful as it had turned out to be. Sure, there was pain and heartache mixed in but that only made him appreciate the beautiful moments even more. He watched as his wife moved over to his brother, chuckling softly to himself as his gaze fell upon his nervous twin.

It was just then that @veda arrived and Ben's smile grew wider. It really was for Fred's benefit. If only he would take advantage of the opportunity. He approached Veda, beaming, and hugged her in greeting rather than keeping things 'professional'. They were friends too after all. "Veda!! I'm so glad you could make it!" he said, tightening the hug with a squeeze briefly before releasing her. He figured he ought to give her at least some sort of hint of what the evening might turn out to be like before just tossing her into the lion's den more than he already had.

"Just as a heads up, people get very...loosey goosey at these parties. It'll get wild and I wanted you to know that coming in." It was then that he spotted @noah enter and the excitement he felt was nearly tangible. Nervous too. A Prowze. He hadn't expected that. He still had no idea what Norah would think but he was prepared for the idea that she just might have words for him. Still, it hadn't stopped him from inviting Noah tonight.

He turned his attention back to Veda. "So, grab a drink, and just...go with the flow." He tossed her a wink and squeezed her shoulder. "And have fun," he added playfully before moving away and heading towards Noah with a grin. "You made it!" he said as he approached the man. His fingers moved up to gently touch the flower in his hair. "Looking delectable too. Don't be surprised if you get swarmed once things start moving along. And not just by me," he said with a little laugh. "Can I get you a drink?"

Fred was staring intently at the door, waiting and dreading the moment that @veda would come in. He didn't notice Ellison coming towards him until she was right beside him and hooking her arm through his, successfully tugging his fingers from his teeth. "Sorry," he muttered, attempting to stand a little taller and more confidently with a woman like Ellison on his arm. He still vividly remembered how all this had started at the masquerade ball. It had certainly reaped it's rewards since then too. Ellison had a way of controlling him in a way that was different from anyone else in his life. Even Veda who he definitely submitted submitted to as well. As the wolf it was his job to serve her after all. Maybe he was just wired that way and it worked out for him.

Then, to his dread, Veda walked into the room and his heart stopped. Ben was at her side in moments and Fred's muscles stiffened. "Ellison, why did Ben invite her? She's going to hate me. She's going to think I'm- Why? Just why?" he nearly whined.

Ellison smirked at @frederick’s sudden shift. He was always such a good one, always wanted to please her. Whether it was standing at her side or… well, other things. He was eager, and followed instructions well. But his nerves were nothing new, just newly directed. “She isn’t going to hate you.” She reassured, her free hand coming over to stroke his forearm. “Surprised, maybe. But from what I know of the Chaudhari’s… you might be surprised Fred.” She mused. “Why haven’t you taken advantage of what a paired unit offers? It’s not like it’s forbidden; or unheard of.” Ellison surely had cashed in on her own pairing.

“She knows you better than almost anyone else, besides perhaps me and Ben,” Ellison grinned. “She is easy on the eyes… unless she’s just not your type?” Bright eyes flashed to his face. Perhaps they had simply looked it over, maybe he just didn’t see her more than what she was. Or find what she offered attractive in such a way that tempted him…

---

Veda was still eyeing the strange seating around the Delaney home when she was wrapped into a pair of strong arms. She blinked in surprise, but eased as she heard the voice of Benedict Delaney. Not her twin, but still a friend. She let out a huff of laughter, “Yes well, Fred certainly didn’t want me coming. But I didn’t want to be rude.” She grinned. Only for her head to slowly tilt with the explanation that the night was going to get, apparently, loosey-goosey. Her brows tugged together but just as fast as he had approached, Ben was leaving her.

“Wait… what do you mean?” She called after him, but he was already on to the next guest and leaving her standing there eyeing the closest cluster of pillows. “Loosey-goosey?” She mumbled under her breath, lifting her gaze as she side stepped a blanket corner and moving towards the drink table. Surely… she’d need one… or four.

There were so many sexy people here Noah was almost overwhelmed but only almost. As Ben approached Noah lit up stepping up to Ben as he touched the flower in his hair Noah rubbed a finger down the front of the man's shirt, "I wasn't going to skip the invitation after our last time together my lord," Noah then leaned in and whispered into Ben's ear, "Just as long as you swarm me first," a soft nibble on the man's ear before pulling back, "and a drink would be lovely, and a tour of the place perhaps if you've got the time," Noah practically purred.

Perhaps it seemed odd but all of Ellison's questions were ones that Fred simply hadn't thought of before. He knew that most paired partners eventually hooked up but either he was completely naive to any advances that Veda had made, which was certainly possible, or they just hadn't had that kind of chemistry before. He just had never seen her in that light before. Not until now with Ellison's smooth, encouraging words.

He might be surprised? He supposed that might be true. Though he got the most defensive when Ellison suggested that Veda might not be his type. "What? No! It's not that," he said, watching as Veda moved to the drink table. "No, she's very beautiful. A blind man would be able to see that..." Huh. Well wasn't that an interesting thought. But what if hooking up somehow ruined what they already had? But what if it only enhanced it? He considered asking Ellison those questions but ultimately decided that he couldn't just leave Veda alone to be swarmed by a stranger. She was his partner and it was his duty to go over there and keep her company.

"Hey, I'll find you later okay?" he said to Ellison, kissing her sweetly on the cheek before he walked over to the drinks table and stood beside @veda.

"Hi," he said, his heart racing. "Look, I'm sorry I was being such a brat before. I am glad you're here, Veda."

A whispered groan left Ben's lips as @noah nibbled on his ear lobe. Oh he had no doubt that he would be the first to swarm Noah, he'd make damn sure of that. Noah would be lucky if Ben left his side at all at this point. But maybe that's what Noah would want. He'd have to ask now that he thought about it.

"Oh I'll make time, especially for you," he said as he slipped his hand into Noah's and guided him towards the drinks. He spotted Ellison where Fred had left her and tossed her a flirty wink before they reached the drinks. "What would you like? We've got everything. What is your go to?" he asked, eager to learn more and more about the Prowze.

Noah would actually appreciate having Ben by his side, this was still fairly new and he'd already had a shot of Ben that he as hungry to have again. He wanted first dibs of Ben any time. As he was lead confidently by Ben to the bar he observed the selection, "I see a fair share of fine wines, and as it's my go to drink of choice...a nice heavy red wine is the best option," a flirty finger danced down Ben's chin, "especially if one needs to cut loose for the night.."

It was a good thing that most of their guests had arrived by now because Ben wasn't sure how much control he would have around Noah. The evening typically started out with conversation and drinks before someone would make a move that would push forward the rest of the activities. Ben wasn't sure if he'd wait long at all before getting another taste of the Prowze man. He'd been thinking about him on a regular basis since he'd been to dinner at Noah's house.

He grinned at Noah's touch and selected the best red wine he had that matched the description and poured them both a glass. He offered the glass to Noah before lifting his own and touching the glasses together. "To cutting loose," he toasted him with a wink, taking a deep swallow before slipping his hand in Noah's. "Let me show you the house."

He led Noah around to some of the rooms, though skipped the things like water closets and anything that wasn't interesting. After a few other rooms they entered the study. The walls were lined with books, there was a fireplace with two soft chairs and a couch and a large and sturdy desk in the corner. "Between the study and my bedroom, these are the two places I can be sure my children know they are never to enter," he said with a smile. "A man needs his privacy sometimes."

His immediate refusal of Ellison’s musings made her smirk grow wide. Almost knowing. Ah, so her sweet Fred just was blindsided by the possibilities his partner could offer. She didn’t say anything else, not as he seemed to be suddenly getting those gears in his head to work. She was granted a kiss to her cheek, her hand coming up to caress his cheek before letting him fade from her side. Only for Benedict Delaney to smile at her, and a familiar feminine sigh sound from her side…

---

Veda had found a small corner of the table to perch at and was currently staring at her twin’s brother… and she swore that was a Prowze. What… in the Goddess’ name… was happen—

Fred appeared at her side, making her jolt slightly in surprise and her cheeks turn rosy. “What?” Dark eyes finally moved to him and then down him, before slowly back up “oh, you look great Fred.” She said it so easily. But it was his next set of words that had her look at him in surprise, “really?” She asked, glancing around them. “I’m not… interrupting a date or anything? I swear I’ll stay out of the way if you are.”

He hadn't expected a compliment, especially with how weird he'd been that day once he found out she'd been invited tonight. He blinked absently but wasn't able to find the words to thank her. Did she really think so? He looked great? He had to admit it felt nice to hear her say so. Not that @veda wasn't usually complimentary or anything.

He exhaled in a show of letting go of whatever he was holding onto, his shoulders dropping a bit as he did so, and he shook his head. "No, you're not. Really. Honestly, I just didn't know what you'd think of me if you knew that I rarely miss these parties when they throw them. It's a long story with how it started but I- I just didn't want you to think less of me," he admitted, almost in defeat, looking a bit ashamed and even scuffing the toe of his shoe along the floor as he spoke.