Chloe Parker Week 2 Part 4

Alan ate with Natalia, a basket delivered by one of Atlas's 'dogs' wearing a bright pink vest.

"Actually vegan, not Sky's crap. —A." Alan read the card out loud.

Natalia laughed and started taking out the breakfast food. No eggs or bacon, but the nuts and fruit were tasty. Alan recognized some of the fruits, but most of them were unfamiliar to both of them.

Alan was silent for a while before he mustered some courage. "You, um, said you were having trouble with your transformation."

"I think it was in the wording, but I didn't catch it at first." Natalia gave an embarrassed smile. "They grow to the best size and shape, as well as sensitivity. That doesn't just mean how they look to you, but how they make me feel. I spent some time talking about it with Joan last night. We agreed that you probably won't be able to control it actively."

"Ah." Alan tried to keep a very straight face. "So, you're saying they're distracting and sensitive?"

"Extremely." Natalia nodded. "Most of the time."

Alan tilted his head. "What are the exceptions? I might be able to help explain the pattern."

Natalia was quiet for a moment. "The sensitivity spikes when people are around and when I am bored, when I am trying to focus, and when I change clothing. The sensitivity fades rapidly. When I have masturbated, the fading is more intense, and I haven't been able to stay in the mood. Does that make sense to you? Joan was baffled."

"It does." Alan kept his eyes on Natalia's face. "If the transformation has my benefit in mind, it makes sense that it would work against a release if I'm not there to enjoy it..."

"Oh." Natalia laughed. "If you can influence the sadistic magical transformation by changing your core sexuality, please start work on that."

Alan closed his eyes and sent thoughts out into the universe. He didn't expect it to work.

Natalia and Alan returned to the hotel. Chloe, Christian, and Laurel waited in the kitchen.

"Um, are you alright?" Alan asked Chloe.

"No, but I get it." Chloe sighed. "Fuck."

"There's something else," Christian added. "You freaked out hard about my transformation on Sunday. The option that looked the best caused you to panic. You never told us why."

"Good deflection." Laurel nodded at Christian.

"I was wondering about that," Alan admitted.

"It was one of Ali's transformations from Parental Guidance Included," Chloe explained softly. "She knew every line of attraction and possible seduction. Everyone she ever met was an open book to her." Chloe swallowed. "She knew how Dad felt about—" Chloe stopped.

"Jesus Christ," Alan whispered.

"She saw something fucked up every single day she went outside. On set, it was fun and useful. In the real world, she lost her faith in humanity. She saved me when I was ten. She saved a lot of people. She couldn't save enough." Chloe met Alan's eyes. "She told me everything she knew about Harem Hotel. I learned about every transformation, every fucked up thing Ali witnessed. She left one thing out, though." Chloe smiled. "I didn't know there was a wish."

Laurel's face went still.

Everyone was silent for a while. Natalia looked thoughtful. Christian was crying quietly. Laurel was still looking at Chloe.

Alan took Chloe's hand. "I'm sorry. I'll try to be better."

"I forgive you for running out, too." Chloe kissed Alan. Christian looked away.

"Alright, everyone!" Laurel clapped her hands. "Natalia, your group horseriding idea fell through last week. Joan's getting the horses ready now. Let's do your date the way you wanted."

"Um, Chloe?" Alan looked at her.

"I agreed before you came back," Chloe said. "I wasn't in any mood to plan the day myself."

The harem, minus Ariadne, left the kitchen. In a hidden tunnel under the floor, a Crawler smiled in the dark.