"Brother..." warned Kacey. At the same time, Brad made up his mind to intervene. He didn't want to explain to his parents why their house had burned down.
"Guys, guys! If you're going to compare measurements, could you please do it in the backyard? Some of us might be fireproof, but the building isn't!"
"That sounds like a wonderful idea!" interjected Rosa brightly. She set her empty cup aside. Secretly, she resented James interrupting her fun, but she could make this work. She could see the tanuki itching to impress her -- and having two males fight over her? Her inner vixen really did like that. "A tourney for your lady fair -- I'm sure we'd all like to see you strut your stuff, James. Unless you're afraid of a flabby little tanuki with a giant weak point?"
"Hell no!" James stabbed a claw at Martin. "How about it, tubby? Man enough to fight for what you want? Or are you smart enough to back down?"
Martin's fur bristled. A little good-natured ribbing about his weight he didn't mind, but this was pushing it. He did understand -- unlike James -- that the bored kitsune was egging them on, but heck, he wanted to put on a show for her. And he wouldn't mind taking this muscle-headed flamethrower down a few pegs in the process.
"Like I said, packing more manliness than you can handle." He winked at Rosa. James looked about ready to lunge for him, but Rosa stepped strategically between them, wrapping her arm around her jealous boyfriend's waist -- and once she'd gotten him turned around, shooting Martin an answering wink.
"Then it's settled!" the vixen cooed. "Come on, everyone -- let's see these boys settle their differences like men!"
Her tails beckoned, flames flickering hypnotically. But most of the partygoers needed no encouragement. While some might have had misgivings about the violence that seemed about to go down, they were all curious. How often did you get to see a brawl between guys in hyper-realistic fursuits?
Reluctantly Brad joined the throng, feeling a need to keep watch lest any damage be done to his property. It's not like the backyard was fireproofed either. Maybe as a phoenix he could do some damage control. Maybe even convince them not to use their powers. Rosa's actions and attitude struck him as very suspicious -- she was already playing it risky with those flames on her tails.
Kacey, on the other hand, found herself utterly disgusted by both James and Rosa's antics, and would have stayed inside with her new friend -- and the pair that James had brushed past on his way to confront the tanuki. They were starting to feel a little... off, and Kacey could sense it. Distracted by this feeling, they were not dancing to the vixen's tune like the other mortals. But Rosa snagged the surprised unicorn with a tail.
"Come on, Kacey," she said. "We might need the healing touch of your horn before this is all over."
"...You have a point." Primly the unicorn extricated herself from the fluffy member, but she did follow the swaying hips of the vixen. "Abby, are you okay with this? Maybe you should stay inside... there might be others who need your help..." She nodded towards the two hanging back. She could feel it; the changes were truly starting to take hold on them.
At least, she reflected, Rosa's distraction will make sure nobody else sees them change.