Audience Feedback

The first thing you explain to them is the trait that’s been on your wishlist since you basically got the app — Normalized Polyamory. A trait you’ve questioned if it’s even necessary due to how well Stella, Cassie, and Tanya have been with each other. However, it’s become mightily apparent that this trait is far more necessary now that you’re planning to date seven different women.

You explain is that it normalizes you being in a polyamorous relationship to everyone, similar to how Normalized **** does it, and there seems to be a consensus among the four girls who just recently learned of the app that that trait doesn’t seem all that necessary.

“Why bother with that? Everyone here is willing to share you without it. I’m surprised you’re saying you don’t even have a trait like that already.” Viv asks you.

“Everyone here is willing to share, but not everyone here has a say in the kinds of relationships they’re allowed to get into.” Tanya points out while tilting her head to point to Maddy. “Let alone getting into a relationship in general.” Tanya adds, making it obvious she was talking about Maddy.

“Are you talking about me?” Maddy asks, and you explain to her that Tanya’s correct in thinking that Normalized Polyamory could help with her dad being more accepting of her dating you if he thinks that having multiple partners is normal because, using their words, it just is. Maddy gives a nod in agreement, seeing yours and Tanya’s point.

“You’re saying you built this harem without that kind of magic?” Becca asks as well. “I too assumed you already had something like that up your sleeve.” Becca adds.

“I can’t speak for everyone, but I do find him having multiple girlfriends as something much stranger, and even off putting, in comparison to him dating his daughter. Applied in general? I definitely find **** weirder. Just not for Jay. For Jay, it’s the other way around.” Brooke points out.

“You find Jay dating all of us off putting?” Cassie asks her.

“No! I don’t mean it like that. Okay, at first, of course I was weirded out. Tanya and I talked about it in private. I thought it was more like a fuck buddy set up you know? So I definitely judged him hard. After Tanya told me about what it is that the four of you actually have, I was even more doubtful about it — but she told me that she was happy… that you all were. I stopped openly questioning it after that.” Brooke assures Cassie.

“Then, after our talk at the coffee shop, I couldn’t deny my attraction to him anymore. I couldn’t deny that I found him attractive beforehand either. I mean… genuinely good guy, stable career, his height plus his dad bod. Woof.” Brooke inadvertently compliments you, before catching herself and waving her hand in front of her face.

“Not the point. So yeah, I’m definitely attracted to him; and I couldn’t deny anymore that I’ve been jealous of Tanya for finding someone like him. Then, I realized that I was the only one stopping myself because of my own preconceived notions of what a relationship should be.” Brooke adds.

“So yeah, when he asked me out on a date, I selfishly said yes because I couldn’t deny it anymore. My preconceived notions be damned. The reaction of excitement you had for me was incredibly assuring and I felt so welcomed. I’m in on this with you, Cassie; with all of you. I want to be a part of this. Genuinely. If I ever get jealous, we’ll work it out. As people in a relationship should.” Brooke says with finality. Tanya and Viv give her a ‘woo’ in support and the three of them laugh, with the rest joining in after. All you could do was not hold back a smile.

“Well, there’s another part of the trait that could help with your worries about jealousy.” You start saying after everyone has calmed down from cheering Brooke. You then tell them that Normalized Polyamory removes jealousy among your partners, and any jealousy they may have if you pursue more.

“I see. This is the trait that you think will allow Viv to be more assured of her place in your relationship, and no longer fear repeating her past.” Becca observes, and you give her and Viv a nod.

“If that’s the case… then fuck yeah. Buy it!” Viv says excitedly.

“You’re not at all concerned that magic might influence you like that?” You ask her.

“Uh~, ‘influence’ me how exactly? Remove my stupid insecurity about myself that I don’t think even therapy can fix? Yes. Yes I do mind. I prefer being miserable.” Viv answers you sarcastically, but she has a huge grin on her face to tell you she’s only playing.

“Why exactly haven’t you acquired it yet?” Becca asks you.

“It’s bought with Love Points. Not exactly the easiest points to get.” You answer her.

“I see. You mentioned in your earlier explanation that you can convert points, correct? Why didn’t you convert points instead?” Becca continues to ask.

“With Stella, Cassie, and Tanya, I never really saw the need to.” You answer her, and she nods in understanding.

“Very well. I have a request I wish to make, but I’ll do so in private. You may continue.” Becca adds. The rest of the girls raise their eyebrows at that, but don’t question Becca.

After having explained Normalized Polyamory, you then go on to explain the other traits you’ve bought so far, except for Infertile, which were Great Host and Good Neighbor. You hoped to explain these as a precursor to telling Maddy about buying Supportive Family for her.

Your explanation of Great Host, and the story of when and why you bought it, gets an audible ‘Oh’ from Viv and Brooke. They’ve both been to your apartment before you bought the trait, so it won’t be a surprise to you if they’re now realizing the difference in their perception of enjoying their stay at your apartment when you’re there.

“Is that why you moved into Jay’s place?” Brooke asks Tanya.

“No~. My daughters are coming back on Saturday, and they’ll be staying for the foreseeable future now that they’ve graduated college. I just didn’t want them cramped in the guest room since I’ll never hear the end of them just wanting to stay at my parents’ place.” Tanya answers Brooke. “Plus, yeah, it’s not like I don’t want to stay over at papi’s place. If you’ve slept next to him, you’ll know. Best sleep of your life.” Tanya adds, making Viv lean forward in her seat and point at Tanya.

“Yes! Oh my God! True! That makes so much sense with the Ecstacy Fingers!” Viv reacts in realization.

“If it calms you down, wouldn’t it be more like weed than ecstasy?” Stella points out.

“Please stop talking about your knowledge of **** around me, baby.” You jokingly tell her, having accepted the fact that her **** use seems to be recreational at most; something you’re not innocent of either.

“Okay. Question answered! You were saying?” Brooke asks to get you back on track.

You continue to explain the other traits you’ve bought and tell the story of why you had to buy them. You finally reach the part where you have to tell the story of buying Maddy the trait ‘Supportive Family’, and explain what it does, in order to help the O’Briens with their family issues.

Everyone pauses after hearing the story, stealing glances at Maddy who is obviously deep in thought and processing the revelation that her grandparents’ motivation to go and make amends with their son was influenced by the magical trait you just bought for her. The room is becoming awkwardly quiet, waiting for Maddy’s reaction, and it seems Viv is getting uncomfortable in the silence.

“Is there like a minor version of that trait where it can get my parents to stop asking me when I’ll get married?” Viv jokingly asks, getting everyone to chuckle a bit.

You glance back at Maddy who still remains silent. Not wanting to leave Viv’s question hanging, as she was brave enough to break the ice, you answer her.

“It’s an Advanced Trait, so it’s like an enhancement of multiple traits. There’s a base trait that focuses on just parents, yeah.” You answer. “Although, I don’t see how necessary it is for your predicament.” You jokingly add.

“Oh, you haven’t met my parents. It’s super necessary.” Viv points out to you while laughing.

“You said something about this last trait being an Advanced one? You haven’t mentioned that before. More importantly, you bought it for Maddy? Does that mean Maddy has the trait? You mean you can buy other people these traits?” Becca asks.

“Oh, right. I can buy you guys traits as well. I actually bought Stella a ‘non-smoker trait’ as my first purchase from this app.” You answer her second question first. It seems that Becca finds that information interesting, as she immediately changes her stance and puts her hand on her chin with the joint of her index finger right under her lip, thinking deeply about something.

“As for Advanced Traits, they’re like a combination of small base traits. Magic Touch is actually an—” You start explaining, but you stop as Maddy stands up from her seat on the couch. Everybody goes back to dead silence again, and you’re fearing that she’ll run off, so you physically flinch and outstretch your hand to signal her to not storm off again.

What Maddy does instead takes all of you by surprise. She runs towards you, and throws herself at you. Luckily, you caught her and counteracted the **** of her movement so the chair wouldn’t tip over. She puts her head on your shoulder, and you can immediately feel her tears on your skin. She’s sitting on your lap while her arms wrap around your neck. There’s really nothing else you can do but hug her back.

“Thank you.”

Author's Message: Made an announcement on Patreon regarding upload schedule for the next few chapters.