Cracks Begin to Form

Aubrey was hurrying after Chloe. She didn’t see her when she stepped through the portal, though. She probably just kept walking all the way to our room. Aubrey kept going until she got back to her room. She went inside and found Chloe face down on the bed. “Aubrey, not now, please.”

“Tough, Chloe. I’m your girlfriend, remember. I get to come be around and help you when you are upset. That’s also the privilege of being your best friend, too. So talk to me.”

Chloe sat up on the bed, as Aubrey sat down next to her. “Why is everyone else just okay with everything? Like no one else but Talia seems to really be that upset about all this.”

“Chloe, if you think that you haven’t been paying attention and talking with the others enough. Not one of us is simply okay with what’s happened. But some of us have accepted it’s outside our control. That’s not the same thing at all.”

“If that’s the case, why did no one else seem to think that what Mark did was wrong? Even you.”

“Chloe… I have a question, first. If Merida had bought something that could be used against us, negatively, wouldn’t you like it if Mark could warn us?”

“Not at the cost of my privacy. And it’s not just that. When he mentioned what happened with my TFs yesterday, he was clearly annoyed that he didn’t get a say in that. Also, with Freya, he is constantly ogling her. Why doesn’t anyone else have a problem with that, if she isn’t in the same position as the rest of us?”

“First of all, Mark was not annoyed about your TF getting fixed.” Chloe glared at Aubrey, “No, don't look at me like that. He wasn’t annoyed. As for Freya, have you actually talked with the others about it? I have.”

“No. I haven’t. What did they say?”

“The opinions vary, but no one is simply okay with Mark sleeping with her while we are here. Not anyone I talked to, at least. After the show is another story. Also, your instance that Mark can’t be with anyone else outside of the harem isn’t viable.”

“So he can just sleep around and we can’t?”

“Chloe, you weren’t going to be sleeping around anyway. Not if you want a relationship with me. As for Mark. All our relationships except Allie’s are forced on Mark. Mark was right when he said he doesn’t owe us a relationship because of the show. How would you like it if Mark told you that we couldn’t be together?”

“That’s different.”

“How!? Just because he’s with both of us? No. See, I’m choosing to be with you, Chloe. I have no choice but to be with Mark. That’s not the same. You want to dictate to Mark who he can choose to be with. Why can’t he do that to you?”

Chloe was silent at that.

“Chloe, I actually want an answer. Why can’t he do that to you?”

“Because he doesn’t have the right to.” Chloe said, scowling.

“I agree. He doesn’t have the right to tell us that. Just like we don’t have the right to tell him that.”

“But you heard him before. He said he wouldn’t accept us being with other people outside the harem.”

“Chloe, why does that matter to you?”

“What?”

“Why does that matter to you? Who would you be with outside the Harem?”

“That’s not the point.”

“What is the point then? Because, unlike Mark, I’m telling you explicitly that you can’t be romantically involved with anyone but me or him without my explicit say-so. Why aren’t you mad at me? Because I know you aren’t upset with me for telling you that. Moreover, you explicitly said that you weren’t okay with sharing me with the others. Should I be mad at you? Because I'm not.”

“I… That… but…” Chloe’s thoughts were a jumble.

“Look, Mark is a nice guy trying to do his best in a completely bizarre situation. He’s right that our current situation isn’t his fault. You want him to care about what happens to you? Then you have to give him a reason to. I think spending so much time with me, and none of the others, has skewed your view of what is going on. So I want you to go spend the day talking to the others without me.”

“Why?”

“Because we are all going to be together for the rest of our lives. You need to get to know them. Make some friends. Now I’m going to go take a shower. I’m going to be upset if you are here when I come out. Understand?”

“Okay, Aubrey, if you insist.”

“Good.” Aubrey got up and went to the bathroom to shower.

Chloe didn’t immediately move to leave. I guess I should get to know the others better. Plus, Aubrey would likely be really upset if I didn’t at least try. Fine. Chloe got up and walked out the door.

Chloe went back to the cottage first and knocked on the door.

Merida opened the door, asking, “Whit dae ye want? I thocht we were gettin' on awfu' weel earlier this week, but ever since my date nicht, ye've been a wee bit o' a bitch. If this is whit datin' Aubrey daes tae ye, I micht encourage her no' tae keep on daein' sae.”

“My relationship with Aubrey isn’t your concern, Merida.”

“It is, if it affects hoo ye treat me.”

“Whatever, that isn’t why I came here.”

“Then, I’ll speir again, whit dae ye want?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. Aubrey told me I should spend some time with everyone else. I figured I should start here.”

“Weel, Ellen isnae here an' I'm fair cross wi' ye. Sae unless ye want tae hash things oot, I'm no' really interested in spendin' time wi' ye richt noo.”

“Do you really not have a problem with Mark, just being able to keep tabs on all of us? Monitor our purchases, our location?”

“Naw, I dinnae. Disnae really bother me that he has that power. It micht bother me if he abusit it, but he hasnae.”

“What about him and Freya?”

“I'm no' overly thrilled aboot sharin' Mark, but I dinnae hae a richt tae demand squat frae him aboot his ither relationships. If he wants tae hae a thing wi' Freya that's fine, but I think he should wait until efter the show. Itherwise, Freya is likely tae get addit somehow, an' naebody deserves tae be forced intae this.”

Chloe didn't know what else to say to that. “I don’t really want to argue right now, Merida. Did Ellen mention where she was going?”

“Aye, she, Allie, Sam, an' Flora a' went tae the library tae see whit's up wi' that. They plan tae be there a' day, I heard. Dinnae ken whit Talia is gettin' up tae tho'. Probably dealin' wi' whitiver changes Mark made tae her.”

“How do you feel about that, by the way? Mark is just making whatever changes to her he wants?”

“First aff, that's no' whit he did. He talkit wi' her ower an' ower aboot it. She couldnae gie him onythin' solid. Seicont, I literally telt him that whit Talia expectit o' him wis unfair. That even if she cam' tae him wi' a list o' ten options she wantit, he should mak' some changes he wantit tae mak'. As lang as it wisnae somethin' that she really didnae want messed wi', like say worshipin' the De'il insteid o' God. Because whit she did wisnae fair tae him.”

“Seriously?!”

“AYE! See, ye're upset that he made changes tae her, richt? Weel, Talia, FORCET Mark tae mak' changes tae her. Mark literally telt her no' tae tak' the deal a guid few times. Everythin' aboot that is on her, no' Mark. Sae seriously, I dinnae ken whit yer problem is wi' Mark, but get ower it. I'm no' sayin' we should be thankfu' we're on this show, but we should be thankfu' that Mark is as guid a person as he is. We could've had a Master like Freya an' her sisters did. Sae lay the fuck aff o' him, or we're gonnae hae a problem, Chloe. Noo, I'm gaun tae go rest an' maybe sort oot ma wardrobe a wee bit, since ma tastes are changin'. Sae unless ye want tae come in an' explain in detail whit yer problem is, please leave.”

Chloe walked off towards town. I could have handled that better. But really, Mark should just do what he wants? How can she even think that? Like we’re his playthings. Even Laura seems to be enamored with him. I don’t get it. Maybe talking with the others will help.

Chloe was in town and saw a new portal in the direction of the palace around the fountain. She stepped through into the lobby of a massive library. She saw Sam and Flora going through a card catalog, but didn’t see Allie or Ellen.

“Oh, hey Chloe,” Sam said, looking up at the sound of Chloe’s heels on the marble floor. “Come to help?”

“Not exactly, but sure. What can I do?”

“Well, Flora and I are going through the card catalog to get a sense of what system is used here. It isn’t the Dewey decimal system, but it is similar. We’re trying to narrow down where some of the more important books might be.”

“Do you really think they’ll just be in the catalog?”

“No, but take books about me. I can think of a few places I would look for those, even if there isn’t a listing. Biographies would be a sensible place to start, for sure, but also US Military or US Navy books. I could see books for you in pharmaceuticals or finance. Flora here in botany, or forestry. Stuff like that. For Astrid, that’s a bit trickier. I’m currently trying to narrow down the sci-fi section for a section on sentient androids or robots. For Harem Hotel, well… that’s erotica, porn, game shows, and reality TV. But honestly, it’s a shot in the dark. We have to start somewhere, and I think a more organized search is better than just starting at one section of the library and searching the books one at a time. Plus, I’m fairly sure the library is growing, and the books move.”

“Wait, seriously?”

“It makes sense. At least the growth. If the library contains everything from our world currently written. That would include any new releases. As for moving, I don’t know. Magic.” Sam shrugged.

“Okay, so is there anything specific I can do to help?” Chloe asked again.

Sam felt a little tingle at the back of her mind, saying she should deal with Chloe. Chloe is currently a problem for Mark. And Sam needed to be better at dealing with Mark’s problems. That’s the TF, talking, Sam. Chloe isn’t the problem. Her attitude is the problem. No. Stop that, Sam. But Merida thought she was a problem, too. Do I not like what she’s done? The little voice in the back of Sam’s head said, Like how she’s treated my boyfriend? No, I don’t. “Chloe, can we go back to town and talk for a bit?”

“Uh, sure.”

“You’re just going to leave me here, Sam?” Flora groaned.

“You wouldn’t even tell me what section you were looking for, whatever your problem is, Flora. Also, Allie and Ellen are still here, just message them. I need to talk with Chloe.” Not waiting for Flora to complain more, Sam closed her drawer of the catalog and walked through the portal back to the town’s fountain. Chloe followed her shortly after. “Let’s go to the tavern. I could use a drink.”

“Sure, I feel the same.” Chloe nodded in agreement.

They walked into the tavern and sat down at the Bar. Each ordered a cocktail. Sam got an amaretto sour with three cherries and a slice of lime. Chloe got a Long Island iced tea.

“So what did you want to talk about, Sam?”

“You. What is up with your attitude? What’s your problem with Mark?”

“What? I don’t think there is anything wrong with my attitude, and I don’t really have a problem with Mark, per se, more the show. Though he has done a few things I take issue with, but nothing major.”

Sam downed her drink and slammed the glass on the table. “Bullshit. Chloe, all of us have a problem with the show. You are the only one actively taking it out on Mark. Sure, some of us have done some things, yelled at him, and such, but none of us are blaming him for what’s happened. You clearly are. Hell, even Talia wasn’t before Mark made any changes. So what is your issue?”

“Why does everyone keep saying that? I don’t have an issue with Mark.” Chloe took a sip of her drink as Sam ordered a second.

“If everyone is saying it, don’t you think there might be a reason why? Some truth to it?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Okay, fine, Chloe. Here’s what I think. You're possessive. You’ve accepted that you are going to have to be with Mark, but are pissed off because you have to share. Instead of taking it out on Cassandra because you can’t, or us because we are also being forced, you are taking it out on Mark. Because how dare your partner look at other women? He’s yours. So you feel like you can dictate to him how things work. Tell me how many relationships of yours have failed because you got paranoid that your guy was looking at someone else.”

Chloe slammed her drink on the counter this time. “Sam, you have no FUCKING clue about me or my past relationships. Go fuck yourself. Are you really telling me that you like sharing Mark? Bullshit! You’d take him for yourself, too, if you could.”

“Chloe, yes, I’m fine sharing him. It wouldn’t have been my first choice of a relationship, that’s for sure. But the idea of being with him and Allie is actually appealing to me. If we had the chance to go back to our own lives right now without the TFs. I would try to be in a relationship with the two of them if they would have me. I want to make this abundantly clear. I am happier than I have been in years. Originally, I wanted to talk to you because I wanted to try and smooth things over for Mark, but now I realize, FUCK that. I’m telling you this right now. You keep treating my boyfriend poorly; we will have a major fucking issue.”

“Oh? What do you think you can do about it?”

“I’ll grab some rope, tie you up, and make you ask Mark to free you. I’m sure I can think of other things. I have found a chance at happiness, and I’m not going to let you ruin it. I am not going to let you accuse Mark of being some stalker who is watching our every move. So sort your shit out, because if you don’t resolve your issues with Mark. I will.” Sam downed the remainder of her second drink and stormed off, not letting Chloe respond.

Chloe just thought, Great, just what I need, another person mad at me. Aubrey is going to be mad, too, that I made things worse… Chloe ordered another drink and just sat there nursing it for a while.

Sam, after storming off, didn’t go back to the Library; instead, she went back to her room. When she entered and slammed the door behind her. There was a loud “EEP” from the bed. Sam noticed Talia covering herself with the bed sheets.

“Oh, hey Sam. What’s brought you back so soon? I thought you were going to be at the library all day?” Talia asked in a rush and rather nervously.

“That was the plan, but I think I needed a break, and Chloe came by, and I got in an argument with her, and I came back here to cool off. Why are you so squirrelly?”

“Huh? Me? Squirrely? What do you mean?”

“Like exactly that. Your response right there. Why are you so nervous?” Sam looked at Talia more closely and realized what had happened. “Crap, Talia, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were masturbating.”

“I—I wasn’t.” She said nervously. Then Talia sighed, “Okay, that’s not true. I just thought I’d have the room to myself.”

“It’s fine, Talia, nothing to be ashamed about. I could help you out if you’d like.”

“Umm, Sam. I do really find you attractive and all, but I don’t think I’m ready to start a relationship with someone. I’m still figuring things out with Mark.”

“I wasn’t talking about a relationship. I already agreed with Allie that the two of us were exclusive, besides Mark romantically, at least for now. But we said it was fine to still do sexual things within the harem. So if you want, I could help get you off, or eat you out.”

Talia thought about that for a moment. God, that does sound nice. I do want that right now. No, I want the first time I do something to be with a person I’m in love with. “Sorry, Sam. That’s tempting, but no. I don’t think I was getting anywhere but more frustrated. I sort of want my first sexual encounter to be with a romantic partner too.”

“Understandable. Are you doing okay, by the way?”

“Yeah, I feel much less like I’m going to be miserable or get eliminated now.”

“And it doesn’t bother you, that has changed.”

“It did at first, but Cassandra explained how she made the change this morning, and that made me feel a lot better. I thought she had essentially messed with my family's minds to change them, but she didn’t. She just altered a few events that were apparently enough to shift my parents' views on things. The rest of the changes, while odd, aren’t really troubling. It is a little annoying that I’m now the youngest of my siblings. But I have better relationships with them than I did before. I’m definitely happier with my life after the change than before it. I can’t really complain about most of the changes either. Like, the only two I find mildly annoying are my sexuality and one of the fetishes Mark gave me.”

“Care to share what Mark changed with the last five words? And I thought you said your sexuality wasn’t an issue before.”

“Well, calling my sexuality an issue wouldn’t be accurate per se. Rather, it’s distracting.” Talia got up out of bed to change clothes.

“Distracting? Explain.”

“Well, Mark didn’t just make me pansexual. The exact change was extremely pansexual.”

Sam was confused, “Like how does that work?”

“Well, you remember Smug?”

“Kind of hard to forget seeing your first dragon.”

“What did you think of her?” Talia asked a little evasively, staring into her wardrobe.

“I mean, he was terrifying but awesome. Wait, her?”

“What about sexy?” The nervousness in Talia’s voice was palpable.

“What? Smug’s a dragon. Wait... are you saying you find Smug sexy?”

“I mean… Yes. Both as a male dragon and a female dragon. If they’re good-looking, that is to say aesthetically good-looking, sentient, and an adult, I think I’m going to find myself attracted to them physically. What’s worse… Well, have you ever had a really good friend who was into you but you just didn’t find them attractive?”

“Once or twice.”

“Well, I didn’t really have that problem in my new history. Mostly because of the fact that I was super smart, and not around people my age. But I still remember my life before Mark changed me. I had this really good friend in high school, our senior year… she kissed me.”

“Oh. I take it that you reacted poorly.”

“Yes, mostly by not reacting. My dad also saw her kiss me. He screamed and yelled at her and told her to leave, threatening to call the cops if she didn’t. I just sat there. I did nothing.” Talia looked ashamed. “I wasn’t mad that she kissed me. I would have made it clear I didn’t feel that way, that… that I would still be her friend, but she was gone before I came to my senses. It was always something I regretted not making up with her. But now. Now that memory is worse because she was pretty, I could see myself dating her now. But now. Now, she doesn’t even know who I am.”

Sam walked over to Talia and placed a hand on her shoulder. “That’s awful.” Sam gave Talia a hug.

“Yeah, well. Nothing I can do about it now. To answer your other question, I don’t mind sharing. It’ll come out eventually, I’m sure. I asked him to make it so I would accept my wants and desires. Then he made me a shortstack, into animal girls, polyamorous and…” Talia muttered the last thing under her breath.

“And what? I didn’t hear that last thing.”

“He gave me his TF fetish.”

Sam just blinked at that. “What? I mean, I know he has it, but why would he give it to you?”

“Well, how would you feel if he wanted to make alterations to your mind or body right now. Just because it would be fun and a turn on. If he didn’t consult you either.”

“I wouldn’t be pleased if he didn’t consult for sure. If he did, I probably wouldn’t be thrilled if it was permanent, but I mean…” Sam looked down at her enhanced curves, “I get the appeal to some degree, but if these were permanent and Mark wanted it to be that way… Oh, crap.”

“Sam?”

“I’m pretty sure I would be okay with that. I mean, I know I shouldn’t be okay with that. But I think I would be.”

“So, why ‘Oh, Crap’?”

“Because I’m pretty sure I feel that way because I want to look nicer for him, be his ideal wife, and a better partner. I’m aware he doesn’t want me changing who I am to do that. But I mean, if he wanted me a bit curvier… I think I would be okay with that.”

“Wait, is this my fault? Because I made you realize that a truly ideal partner for Mark would be okay with being changed by him.”

“Talia, please be quiet before you make things worse. I need to text Mark.”

Sam: Mark, I need you to put, Being your ideal wife, being a better partner, Looking good for you and us pleasuring each other as inactive. Please, this is important. Please reply when you get this message.

“Now, Talia, it isn’t your fault. At least not completely. It isn’t like I have a burning desire to be changed or suddenly find it arousing or acceptable. But I think I would be okay with Mark making my breasts bigger. If he wanted them that way. But could you please not say anything until I let you know. I asked Mark to make it so that I won’t constantly try to improve myself in a way that might alter who I am, if I get the wrong idea.”

“Sam… I think one of us should leave.”

“What, why?”

“Because, trying to get you to change for Mark sounds really fucking hot, and I’m already really horny. But I know that I really want to do that badly right now. But I also want to be a good friend. So if you want the room, I’ll leave; otherwise, it might be best for you to go unless… you’d like me to help you become better for Mark.”

Sam’s mind was whirling. Damn it, I feel like I need to say yes to her, but do I want that? Maybe it’s the alcohol talking, but a little, maybe? No. maybe? no. Shit.

“I’m sorry, Sam. I’m going to go. I can see you don’t want that.”

“Talia, I’m not sure if I want it, but I feel like I need it, right now.”

“Really? You’re asking me to try to help you be better for Mark?”

“Fuck… Yes, I guess I am.”

“Okay, I want you to go lie down on the bed. I want to take care of one thing quickly. Then I’ll join you. Shouldn’t take more than a minute or two.”

Sam felt like she wanted to leave, but knew that she had to let this happen.

Talia stepped outside of the tower for a moment and called Mark.