Amidst the Pillow Pile

Angora observed the buns around herself as she lounged, mindlessly running her hand over Hops' head. Shops were doing well, that much was true, and everyone deserved a small break. Even her favorite little servant deserved her rest. Said servant was currently draped over Angora's lap, using it as a pillow and looking every bit like a spoiled bun – if a bit pouty.

“You seem less than pleased. This isn't sufficient?” She quirked a fine eyebrow at Hops, who just grinned up at her, not bothered in the slightest.

“Miss Angora, what's relaxin' without a few drinks? I could really use a stiff one right now~” She stretched a bit before relaxing limply back across the lap. Angora chuckled quietly.

“Oh? You want a drink?” She continued her petting, bemused. “Perhaps one of the others could bring you one...” Her eyes drifted over to Dan.

After a few moments, Dan seemed to realize he was being watched. Barely cracking one eye for a quick glance in her direction, he scoffed. “Business hours're over, 'm not serving you...” His eye slid closed again, ending the thought. Angora hummed, unbothered. He wasn't incorrect, after all.

“...though you may need to fetch it yourself.” She allowed her eyes to dance over everyone else while her hand slid over Hops' head. “I will ensure that Dan is repaid for whatever you drink from here.”

Hops' eyes lit up at the offer; it would be paid for! She quickly thanked Angora and got up, trotting over to the kitchens to check supplies. Angora watched her, amusement dancing in her eyes. 'Does she really think that the amount isn't coming from her tab? How adorably foolish.' The woman reached for her cigarette before recalling she wasn't to smoke, and instead allowed her lips to curl into a smile. She made no move to correct Hops' misunderstanding, instead waiting to see just how overboard that one might go.

Dan didn't speak up for a few moments, but eventually he comment without opening his eyes, “I believe you don't intend to be the one to pay.” He never opened an eye to speak, instead content to stay as he was. Angora doesn't grace him with an answer, but he can tell that her smile widened a fraction anyways. Not his problem, really, and he'd be foolish to stick his nose in.

He preferred the easy company of the man snoozing on top of him to whatever twisted thing those two had. He didn't need to look at Shibani to confirm who he was – he could feel the shared warmth across his chest, he could hear the gentle inhales and exhales of his sleeping roommate. He could also recognize the 'mochi' that he was absently squeezing as he rested. 'Sure,' he mused, 'perhaps it would be nice were Shibani a bit less lazy, but would he be the same bun then?' Even without consciously thinking it, he knew that the answer was no.

Shibani's gentle praises of his food and efforts always warmed his heart, and had wrapped Dan right around Shibani's pinky like the bunniest of ropes. He didn't mind, and he couldn't imagine it being an intentional, malicious act either. The perpetually sleepy man seemed as innocent as he was soft. It wasn't just unlikely, it was unimaginable to Dan. He simply enjoyed sleeping – this pile of pillows they were all lounging in was evidence of that – and eating, and the simple things in life.

He sighed out a breath, relaxing further into the pile of pillows. Shibani made a little noise of content and snuggled his face into Dan's chest, which caused him to chuckle quietly. Yes, Shibani's easy enjoyment of the world was equal parts comforting and amusing. It often reminded him to step back and view things from a different, less rushed angle; he found he appreciated life a lot more with the man around. Strange how that worked.

Now if only there was some peace and quiet. You'd think a group of people lounging in a fluffy mountain of pillows would be sleepy and falling asleep, but you'd be wrong. He could hear Hops rustling around the alcohol, quiet clinks alerting him any time she bumped against something. Off to the left, Mercy and Oleander were holding a debate about some religious fuss. Not that he really paid attention to their drama, but it was hard to ignore when they were that close.

To their credit, they were obviously trying to keep their voices quiet. In a place with people milling about it probably wouldn't have been noticed. It was just incredibly quiet in the room at that moment.

“You are suggesting that a party does not require alcohol?” Mercy's eyes were half lidded as they rested on several pillows back propped up as they looked down at the priest. “I find many would disagree with that statement...without it, what have you? Can it truly be called a party?”

Oleander seemed unruffled by this question – as he should be, Dan mused, being a priest and all. “It is the most common misconception! You see, for that we must go to the very definition of the word as in the teachings of Sulfuric beliefs.” He waggled his finger playfully up at Mercy from his resting spot (he was using their lap as a pillow quite unabashedly). They quirked their eyebrow, but allowed him to continue. “Many people think of a party as the stereotypical merriment event that we see occur in the day-to-day, but while that is certainly a party it is not the only party, dear Mercy. Pray tell, should partying be limited to only those who find themselves in the bottle? No, 'tis not so!” He spread his arms up and out, dramatically. “No, no – a party is all about indulgence and excess. While the parties you speak of certainly meet this level, there are many things in which we can indulge. Why should we limit ourselves to such thin constraints?”

“Would not that water down the meaning of a party, were we to accept all options?” Mercy watched him, curious. “Shibani often indulges in the excess of sleep.” They gestured toward the bun, still soundly snoozing on Dan's chest. “Does that constitute a party? I feel that you may find it difficult to spin that for people.” They lightly scratched their fingernails along his jawline, idly.

“Ah, the age-old question of participance is raised then! As Shibani participates alone, it does not constitute a proper party. However, were others to join him, then it would be an exercise in excess. There is a common expectation that parties require energy, however, so many indulging in rest may constitute a ritual more than a party. An orgy, however, could absolutely count as...”

Dan tuned them out shortly after, though the theocratic debate continued droning on in the background. He wasn't here for a sermon. Hell, he thought everyone had come here for a break from their businesses? Well...perhaps religious people were just like that. It had seemed like that with others, so it would make sense here. What was it that the last religious nut in his shop had said... 'It's not an obsession, it's a lifestyle'? Something like that. He begged to differ.

He opened his eyes and looked over as he heard a noise, but soon realized it was only Hops returning to the pillows with her chosen beverage. Nearby, he spied Hutch. Well, somewhat. He spied the top of Hutch's head. Hutch seemed to have covered himself with a layer of pillows, with only a little bit of hair and his horns poking out. He could see some of the imps migrating around the room, searching. Was he playing hide and seek in the mountain?

Dan opted to watch Hutch's Phloof. It was floating slowly around the room, bumping against various surfaces. It bounced off as if in slow motion, which was actually rather humorous to see. He could see the allure of the pets that Hutch cherished so much. They were cute. Kind of reminded him of Shibani, in a way – at least, the Phloof. Slow, easygoing, unbothered by life. He idly petted Shibani's hair.

The Phloof eventually found Hutch. It bumped against his horn and started making what he assumed were excited little squeaks. Hutch arose from his pile, grinning, and whispered with it for a bit. It looked like he was congratulating it for its find, and possibly trying to quiet it a bit. It wasn't too loud, at least, and thankfully he hadn't brought his Chirop. Even trained, it seemed to enjoy messing with people when it got bored...

Hutch soon was burying himself again, sending the Phloof floating off in another direction to give himself time to hide, and Dan soon closed his tired eyes. Shibani had the right idea this time. Sleep sounded like a wonderful idea. The week had been long, but everyone here was having a nice relaxing time. No need for an overly watchful eye.

And what better way to sleep than blanketed with the warmth of a partner?

And so finally, he allowed himself to slip into slumber.