It's Easter and I have some time to continue this story. Many thanks for the hundred and more watches, people!

There are two ways to interpret this piece. One way is to view this as me exploring an impressionistic art style. It attempts to capture the swirling motions of dancing guests.
Another is to view this as me being a lazy wolf not wanting to draw a detailed crowd of anonymous guests. I wanted a picture to go with the long text below that sets the stage for later submissions. Otherwise, there would be a giant wall of text for the next, naughty entry.



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Part 12:
The day has come for the great Christmas party. It's already evening and Kane's manor is gradually filling with guests. The ballroom is brightly lit and tastefully decorated, with long tables full of elaborate treats. There is an open floor, and a stage on one side: its heavy curtains closed. Tables for sitting are placed opposite. There are a few hired butlers swiftly checking that everything is spick and span.
Alice peeks through the gap of a large door that connects to a hallway not to be used by guests. She peers around at the slowly increasing crowd trying to spot someone she knows. But, there are just strangers. Some strangers are in dashing and expensive clothes. They gather in groups to discuss matters she probably wouldn't find very interesting. Others looks more approachable and gather in their own groups. Alice sighs and fumbles nervously with her paws. This is like high school all over again. At least she gets to wear a nice dress she bought for the occasion. Deep red and form fitting, tastefully simplistic in its style. Is it nice enough, though?

-"Alice, I-", a deep voice begins, which makes Alice jump and turn around, shutting the door quickly. It's James, dressed in a smart and handsome suit and tie. And, Lucy was right. He's a black tiger. She didn't even think such a creature existed. Dark stripes of silky obsidian purple trace his face. James briefly lifts his eyebrows in an apologetic way for having startled her. He notices how nervous she looks and his face relaxes in a reassuring way, offering an arm to her.
-"Need a date?"
The tawny bunny smiles with relief, nods and slips her delicate arm around his. They walk through the door together and head out to spot the scene. They are both offered a glass of champagne. James declines. Alice accepts.
-"I don't know anybody here" she whispers, "Who are all these people?"
-"Mwell. Some are business partners of various sorts, some are acquaintances, old lovers..." James subtly hints at a vixen they pass. Then at a male lion. Alice blinks with mild surprise.
-"So, he's bisexual?" , she asks. James weighs the question in his head.
-"He likes to sample. Life is one big playground to him, and he's always looking for something new to experience. He bores easily, so he's always busy with something. Causes me headaches of course, since many things he wants to do are dangerous and make my job harder."

They arrive at a table of hors d'oeuvres. The big black cat takes one and eats it.
-"Where is he, by the way?", she asks. James rolls his eyes and finishes his bite.
-"He's got to make his entrance. Won't be long, I'm sure."

Most of the guests have shown up now. A solid 200 or so fill the ballroom. A hush runs through the crowd as the lights dim. One single spotlight hits the luscious, red velvet curtains. They pull apart and there stands Kane. The crowd applauds and the elegantly dressed wolf bows.
-"Thank you, thank you. And, welcome to my Christmas party!" he exclaims.
The crowd cheers again, and James nods towards the stage.
-"See what I mean? You'd think he would have gotten bored with theatrics as easily as he bored with skydiving."
Alice scrutinises the wolf on stage with her eyes.
-"Maybe he is bored. Just doing all this to, you know, keep up appearances."
The tiger grunts and shakes his head.
-"In that case, give the wolf an Oscar...!"

Kane gives his brief welcoming speech, with many thanks to his guests and the hired staff, and with mentions of what the evening will bring. He appears relaxed and comfortable on stage. No speech notes are required. Eventually he begins to talk about the special event that Alice had kept at the back of her mind. The special event that had required herself and James to test three new AI suits.
-"But, before we do anything else, we're kicking things off with a little party game! As you know, on your invitation rsvp's you could opt into a lottery. A lottery whereupon three lucky winners win the prize to have a certain change of attire. They get to spend the evening as shiny, delicious... distractions for the other guests."
There is some chuckling and politely shy gasping in the crowd. He continues:
-"However! As you know, some of us are unfortunately spoken for, or a little bashful. Unless otherwise allowed by the glossy winners themselves, they are to be EYE candy only. I'm sure my reminding you of this is mere formality. Bring out the lottery machine! James, my friend and guest, up up!"

James does a small spit take with the glass of pepsi he had picked up. He sets it down and rushes towards the scene, negotiating his way between the other guests. Alice watches, confused.

-"Where is my big black cat? Oop! Here he comes, give him a paw!"
James wipes his wet chin and does his best to appear professional as the crowd claps for him. Kane laughs and waves him on.
-"Now then, James. You and I have decided that this year the lottery shall be electronic, isn't that right?"
-"Yes."
-"Well, let's see it, then. Where is my lottery gizmo controller thingie?" Kane wiggles his paws like an excited puppy, making effort to contrast the personality of his head of security as much as possible. James unceremoniously reaches into his pocket and retrieves his phone. Kane glances at the phone and deflates a little, to the amusement of the crowd.
-"Why, James-! I had thought we could put a little more flare into this."
-"Yeah, it's just an app. I got one of our tech guys to write it." says James in a serious and inadvertently deadpan tone. Kane does a comedic pause and then feigns excitement in an obviously played-up fashion, again to the amusement of his guests. Alice giggles softly, feeling a bit sorry for poor James.
-"Outstanding work, my old chum! Give it here, let me see." He takes the phone. James puts his paws in his pockets. Alice thinks he looks great in his suit, but he clearly only wears it when the occasion demands it.
-"Ah yes, I just press this button and the RNG will pick a number and thereby a name off the list. Splendid! And, James, since you are also a guest here tonight and so is my newest emplo– oh! I forgot-! Alice, get up here, hurry! My newest employee! Come, my dear!"
Alice almost does a spit take herself and instantly regrets giggling at James. The crowd applauds as she makes her way to the stage, padding gingerly, blushing from all the sudden attention. She joins beside James. She feels safer near him.
-"Wonderful, you look magnificent this evening – Alice – doesn't she, everyone?"
Kane puts his paws on Alice's shoulders, and after very obviously giving her the once over, he turns her 360 for everyone to see. As if showing off a new possession; a plaything. Another round of applause and he lets go of her. Alice curtsies apprehensively to the wolf and then again to the crowd.
-"What was I saying? Oh yes! Since the two of you are also my guests here tonight, I have taken the liberty of adding you to the list."
The crowd responds in a mixture of laughter, excited woots, sympathetic coos and claps. Kane grins at his two employees, who stand on the scene, wide-eyed and slack-jawed.
-"Haha, aw, look they can barely believe their luck! Marvelous! So, let's begin, shall we?"
James leans in and whispers to the bunny,
-"I figured he might pull something like this. I checked the list and removed our names from it. We're not changing clothes tonight." He stands up tall again and smirks at the now smiling little bunny. She lets her shoulders down a little and takes a deep breath of relief. They watch as Kane swirls a finger over the button. Somebody is about to have their evening change.