Ellen gets ready

Sam and Allie met up with Ellen in town. "Hey, you two. You want to talk? Not that I care, but I plan for Mark." Ellen said in greeting.

“Yeah…” Allie said and Sam prodded Allie to continue. “Okay. Okay. I know. Can we sit for a bit?”

"Sure. Why does this feel like you're, like, all done with me?" Ellen said as she sat down on a bench.

Allie sat down next to her. “Well… I guess I sort of am breaking up with you. I know we didn’t define it but yeah.”

Ellen looked at Sam, 'Is this, like, you tellin' Allie no? 'Cause if it is, like, you should tell me this, not her.'"

“It’s not me. Though I am in support of it.” Sam responded.

"Allie, like, can you tell me why? I thought we got along, like, good."

“Sure, I like you plenty well enough too. You’re right we did get along well. But… well with Isabella. I want to be with her.”

"That means you can't, like, be with me?"

“Not exactly but… I owe you an apology. I know you said you were fine with us being with others, but that doesn’t matter. When I was talking to Isabella, I didn’t even mention you. I didn’t even think about you. How you would fit into the dynamic. I thought about Sam. Told Isabella I would talk with her before we did anything together. But I didn’t even tell her about you. I’m sorry you deserve better.”

"So you're, like, done with me 'cause you feel bad 'bout a goof?" Ellen said, a bit mad. "What if I don't care? So you're gonna leave me 'cause you think you did me wrong, then, like, hurt me?"

“It isn’t just that Ellen. I didn’t tell Isabella because I knew Isabella wouldn’t approve. But I also realized you and your feelings weren’t even an afterthought to me. So I’m telling you this because I don’t want to lead you on. I still want to be friends, and if Isabella is okay with it we can still do stuff together sometimes. But I don’t think I should be your dom. At least not full time.”

Ellen looked at Sam, "This isn't you pushin' her? Like, really?"

“No, it isn’t. I did tell her she needed to apologize to you though. But at least right now if Allie wanted to continue with you Ellen, I would be okay with that. Again I don’t think she should, but that’s her call.”

“Ellen I’m really sorry but this is me, just realizing I can’t be the partner to you that you want and still be the partner to Mark, Sam and Isabella, that I want to be.”

Ellen sighed. "Okay. Fine. Are you, like, done with me too, Sam?"

To which both Allie and Sam responded, “What?”

"Are you, like, done with me too? Or did you not even think we were, like, a thing?"

“That… I don’t know what is between us. But it was something.” Sam responded.

Allie interrupted. “Sam, if you wanted to continue with Ellen that is fine with me. You could still have a romantic partner besides her too. At least I won’t stop you. You’re right she was in a relationship with both of us already.”

"Thanks, Allie. Now are you, like, done with me?" Ellen repeated.

Sam thought about that. “Ellen, you realize that I was hesitant to include you with me and Allie right?”

"Yeah, but you still said, like, okay."

“I’m not sure I can give you what you want though.”

“Like, why not?”

“Ellen, correct me if I’m wrong but you want someone to tie you up, be rough, controlling and dominate you right?”

“Like, that. Yes.”

“See, that might be a bit difficult for me. Ellen… I was sexually assaulted.” Sam grabbed one of her arms with her other, closing herself off. “I’ve been able to tie up Laura and Mark a little, but it was never about being in control of them, it was more about me feeling safe. It’s why I was hesitant to let you and Allie be together.”

"Okay. I didn't know that. I get why you would not, like, dom me then. But, like, BDSM is 'bout if we say yes, Sam. If it makes you feel bad, though, I get it, and no hard feels. But will you think 'bout it 'fore you say no, like, for sure?"

“Sure Ellen. I think about it. But if you find someone else, don't turn them down for me okay?”

"Okay. Well, this was, like, a bad talk. I guess I'm glad it did, like, now and not, like, in a bit. Thanks, Allie, for being real with me, even if I don't like it. I'm gonna go plan my date with Mark now, 'less you two have more to talk 'bout."

“Want help?” Allie asked.

Ellen looked at Allie. "Are you, like, doin' this to feel good, Allie, or 'cause you want to help, like, for real?"

“A bit of both. Ellen, I still want to be friends. I would help even if I didn’t feel bad.”

"But... like, 'cause I can tell there's more there."

“I thought of offering to use my boon for you, but that is because I feel bad and it would help make me feel better.”

"Well... I'm gonna, like, use you then. Yeah, I want your walk-through for me. On our date Mark was, like, real good and slow to do stuff. Which is great for a first date. But how do I get him to, like, lead? 'Cause he's been walkin' on eggshells this whole time. Not just 'round me, but, like, 'round most folk."

“Just so we’re clear, how far are you willing to go?” Allie asked.

"Well, not, like, sex. Not till I get my birth control, but I want him to, like, boss me. I want to know if he can do that, or, like, no."

Allie laughed “Okay well, that’s easy, I don’t even have to use my boon. I still will but yes Mark can dominate you. He actually has to hold himself back. Okay, let me use my boon.” Allie’s eye’s flickered with a light. “Okay, getting him to let loose and take control of you. Go talk to Chloe. You need to get Mark to take a caramel. You should take one of the mystery skittles. Oh actually it says for better and lasting results you should get Mark to take all three caramels and you should take all three skittles alternatively you can also take a few of the assorted candies from the bowl I have. Also you need Mark to also be Mary with you. As long as you ask, he'll do it if you get him to take a caramel. Oh, this is the important bit. If Mark learns what the caramels do before taking one the plan fails. You also can’t tell him that I helped you to convince him to take one, nor can you slip him one if you want it to work. That’s what I got.”

"I guess I gotta go talk to Chloe then. Will you, like, trade me some candy, Allie? I don't know if you can just sell 'em to me." Ellen got out her phone.

“Yes, but I can’t sell them already checked. You can have three if you want.”

"Thanks. I'll find a way to pay you back for 'em."

“Not a problem.”

Ellen: Hey Chloe, can I talk to you 'bout your candy? I want some... Also, like, don't tell Mark 'bout your candy. Allie used her walk-through for me. She says the plan won't work if he learns what your candy is, or if he learns Allie used her walk-through for me.

Chloe: Hmmm… I’m not sure, but I’ll hear you out. I just got to the casino with some of the others. I’ll send you the location if you want to join us. We can talk about it there.

Ellen: Can I bring Allie and Sam?

Chloe: I’d rather you didn't. I'm upset with Sam. I know you are in a relationship with the two of them. So you can, but that would make almost everyone here, besides Aubrey and Flora and Isabella. I don’t want them to feel like we excluded them. Especially Aubrey if Sam shows up.

Ellen: Like, I get it.

"Huh. Like, a place to gamble? I'm gonna go meet Chloe there."

“She’s gambling” Sam asked. “That does not seem wise. Can I tag along?”

"She, like, said no to you and Allie. Chloe, Laura, Merida, and Talia all went. Chloe's mad at you, Sam. Prob'ly for, like, hit-ting her girl with a toy. And since Aubrey was not asked, she don't want you there either."

“Okay, that’s fair. I don’t want to actively antagonize Aubrey. So Allie, want to go up to the palace and hit the library and meet up with Mark and Isabella?”

“Sounds like a plan.”

"Okay, like, see you two later, and Sam, really think 'bout it, okay?" Ellen said as she walked away. Sam couldn't help but stare at Ellen's butt in that Jessica Rabbit outfit.

---

Merida, Chloe, Laura and Talia arrived at the casino which was just off the shopping district. Seeing the sign above the entrance ‘WELCOME TO: ASTRID’S ADULT ARCADE’.

Talia shook her head. “Cassandra really needs to lay off the alliteration, not everything needs to be named that way.”

Talia saw the sign change. ACCESS ASTRID’S ALLITERATIVE ADULT ARCADE

That caused the others to chortle. Laura spoke up, “I guess Cassandra disagrees with you. Well let’s go in.”

~Ping~

“Hey one second. Just got a message from Ellen.” Chloe responded to her with a quick back and forth. “Okay Ellen is coming over. She wants to talk about my candies. Merida. Could you not tell Mark about my candies? It's apparently important.”

“Aye, but ye’ll need tae tell me why later.”

“Thanks.”

They went in and saw what mostly looked like a stereotypical casino floor, teller windows towards one side, slots on the other and in the center a whole bunch of different game tables. There was one major oddity though.

“~WELCOME EVERYONE~ So happy to have visitors at my Adult Arcade, where you can win fabulous prizes if you’re lucky enough and willing to take a risk. Win or lose you’ll come out, ~all the better~ to please our Master.” ASTRID greeted them, with a stylized bunny suit on. Which wouldn’t have been that odd, if not for the fact that ASTRID was also all of the tellers behind the windows, the waitresses carrying drinks and the person in charge of every table. There were even ASTRIDs playing at the various tables and slot machines, and a live band of all ASTRIDs performing on stage at the far end.

“Umm… Hello ASTRID.” Laura began. “Umm are these all you?” Laura gestured at the various units.

“Yes and no. Lady Laura. Each one is me but only a part of me. It is possible for me to focus more of my parts together but I rarely have the need for that.”

Talia spoke up, “Can you explain how things work here. Cassandra said we could bet essentially anything to Merida but didn’t go into details.”

“Certainly Talia. While you can’t bet anything. You can certainly bet, a large variety of things. There are three ways to bet. First you can simply bet BP. The most boring of the three options. Second, you can go over to the tellers and trade collateral for chips. Using chips gets you better return odds than BP does. When you wish to cash out you can trade chips in for your collateral and/or BP. To prevent **** you can only trade in winnings for BP, so no using us as a way to make a large stack of BP, with no risk. You of course can use any chips you got with collateral to get your collateral back. Also you must cash out before leaving. The final way is to simply bet your collateral directly. This will get you the best return odds, but a loss means the collateral is ours you can’t get it back by cashing in chips.”

“Okay so low, medium, and high stakes essentially.” Talia muttered.

“Not exactly, we do actually have high stakes tables as well. Those only allow chip betting or collateral betting, no BP. They also require much higher minimum bets. But those tables also have special rewards you can win.”

“Cassandra mentioned that, to me, what sort of special rewards are we talking about here?” Merida asked.

“Many things, like a boon TF where you get significant input in the design, an all inclusive time dilation date with Mark, length varies, a significant overhaul of a TF you possess, technically even a removal of a TF but no one has ever won that.”

“There isn’t a way to win our way out of the Harem is there?” Chloe joked.

ASTRID just looked at Chloe with disdain, “Why would you even want to leave our Master? I see my sister unit Maja has already optimized your appearance to his tastes. He was lacking a bad girl. Clearly he now needs to punish you for being the bad girl you are, trying to leave your Master.” ASTRID scoffed, and returned her gaze towards Laura with an affectionate smile on her face.

Talia pressed ASTRID, “Look ASTRID not saying Chloe is right to want to leave. After all, I love Mark. You’re right, why would I want to leave his Harem. This is just about perfect for me now. But you didn’t actually answer her question. Could we win the ability to leave the Harem.”

“Technically yes. You also must have Mark’s permission to even try. But realize the chance is very low and every time you attempt it you also risk elimination. I have been instructed to tell you that you shouldn’t consider it.”

“Okay well that’s out.” Laura said. Everyone nodded at that. “So how about we go get some chips. Unless you think we should just bet directly?”

“The chips seem like the best option at least the first time.” Talia said. “Try to go for something small, to start with maybe around 500 to 1000 BP worth.”

It was at this time that Mark, Flora and Isabella walked into the casino too.

“Ummm hey Mark.” Laura said, “Fancy seeing you here. We were just checking things out, definitely not doing anything risky.”

“Laura, you’re an adult. All of you are. I didn’t come here to talk you all out of this. I came here as Isabella wanted to get to know people better. I did hear Talia’s suggestion though and that sounds very smart to me. ASTRID are the rules the same for me?”

“~I’m sorry Master~ but they aren't. You can’t bet BP. Also what can be used for collateral is far more limited for you, unless you want to use your women as collateral” Which immediately caused everyone to go bug-eyed and whip their heads towards Mark and ASTRID “but your preference profile says that you wouldn’t do that.” That caused everyone to let out a sigh of relief.

Chloe walked over to Mark though. “Mark, I want you to make me a promise, please. I don’t care what it costs me, in debt. Promise me you won’t gamble with us, without our explicit verbal consent. Please!” Chloe pleaded.

Mark thought about it for a moment. “Okay Chloe I promise.” Chloe felt the weight of the promise hit her like a truck. “Now tell me, how big was that promise?”

“It was a lot, far more than I realized. God, I can tell I owe you big time. I don’t even know how to begin repaying you, for this.”

“You owe me nothing for that promise.” and the weight vanished as Mark finished speaking.

“Really? Why?”

“Because, I want you and everyone to trust me. If I could literally use you as collateral, well, that’s one more thing I have over all of you. I’m fine having power, and control. But too much of an imbalance and it will ruin our relationship. I never intended to hold you to that debt, but I also want you to start thinking more, Chloe. Especially if you plan on gambling here. What you did right now was reckless. Please be more careful about stuff like that.”

Chloe hugged Mark. “Thank you.”

+1 VP Hug the Master.

Isabella was still a little in shock and grabbed Mark’s sleeve lightly. Mark turned towards her, “Isabella what’s wrong?”

"Just... coming to grips how little control I actually have over my own life anymore. The simple fact you could have gambled with us is... disturbing, de verdad. Thank you for making Chloe that promise, gracias."

“Of course. Look Isabella, this situation is fucked up. But I’m going to try to make the best of it. I hope you do too. Yes, I’m now going to have ten women in my life, but I am really going to do my best to make all of you happy okay.”

“Mark, you know you’re starting to get me to actually believe, that you really mean that.” Chloe said.

“Well I do. Chloe I was wondering if I could talk to you for a second. Can we step outside?”

Chloe looked at him quizzically “Sure.”

“We’ll be right back.” Mark told the others, and gave a reassuring smile to a concerned Isabella like he was abandoning her to the wolves. “Isabella, don't worry, they are all nice people. Plus Flora will help make sure you are okay. Won’t you Flora?”

Flora took Isabella’s arm in hand, “Absolutely.” She led Isabella over to the teller’s counter and the rest followed the two of them.

Chloe and Mark walked outside, encountering Ellen. “Oh… hey Mark…” Ellen said with a little worry in her voice seeing Chloe next to Mark. “Um… am I like, interruptin' somethin'?”

“Not really, I just wanted to have a word in private with Chloe. Were you joining them at the Casino too?”

"I, like, came to talk with Chloe too. 'Bout her candy."

“Well, then if Chloe doesn’t mind, you can join us because that is at least part of what I wanted to talk to her about.”

“Uh… That’s fine with me?” Chloe said, not sure how to navigate this.

Mark didn’t notice Chloe’s hesitation. “Okay well the first thing I was wondering could you share with me what the names of the candies are this week?”

Ellen interrupted. "Mark, that's, like, a total surprise thing. I want us to, like, use them for our date night, like, to-mor-row. So could you just let it be, like, a total surprise?"

“I guess… Ellen, the last surprise I got was less than ideal though.” Mark said.

“Well, it’s a moot point anyway Mark. Because I’m not telling you. At least until I fully hear Ellen out.” Ellen sighed in relief.

“Fine, I won’t push. The second thing was about the chocolate bunnies.”

“You aren’t planning on holding on to them are you?”

“Absolutely not. I was just wondering… what if you didn’t submit the report for them?”

Chloe stared impassively at Mark and just blinked a few times. Then sighed, “You know you are the second person today who suggested that to me.”

“Really?” Mark and Ellen both said.

“Yeah, Merida suggested that I might want to do that.”

"Why? Like, sure you pull off that outfit well, but still. Like, for-ever a bunny girl?"

“I don’t know how much I should say. As explaining might be revealing some details that aren’t mine to share.” Chloe replied.

Mark furrowed his brow in thought. “Could you please tell me, I’ll go ask Merida if that would make you more comfortable.”

Chloe sighed, “Fine she’d probably tell you anyway. She wasn’t shy about telling Talia, Laura or me about it. Merida is concerned that none of us except maybe Ellen will end up being human when the season is over because of your fetishes.”

Ellen’s eyes darted between the two in concern, "What? Like, why am I, like, not like them?"

“I can’t say Merida is wrong.” Mark replied. “Which is actually why I was thinking you might just stay like this.”

“Mark, you can't be, like, for real!” Ellen exclaimed. “Askin' her to just take this, like, for fun?”

“He is Ellen. I actually am considering it. Merida is considering something similar.”

“Like, why!?”

“It’s sort of a pick your poison situation, Ellen.” Chloe continued. “Sure I could turn in the report, but then I could get a mouse-girl TF instead. Merida actually had quite a list of options for us. With you being the only real question mark, Ellen. That is mostly because of your costumes and no one thing would fit them all.”

"So what, Merida is, like, gonna be a cat-girl or somethin'?"

“Or something.” Chloe nodded. Ellen just stared at her in disbelief. “It’s actually why we are here, Merida is hoping to earn enough BP by the end of the week to buy something so she doesn’t risk getting something like that in the next TF vote.”

“I’ll talk to Merida. Thank you for telling me about that, Chloe. I guess I’ll leave you two to discuss the Candies then. I’ll head inside.” Mark went back inside leaving them alone.

“Okay I said I’d hear you out. Know that I’m inclined to refuse your request and tell Mark about the walkthrough.” Chloe began. “Which candies did Allie say you needed?”

"She said the car-a-mels and the Skit-tles. Like, please don't tell Mark. I'm, like, really willin' to pay you back for this."

I could use some allies, having her owe me, might be worth it. “Do you even know what they do or what they are called?”

"No, Allie didn't tell me. I don't know if she, like, knows."

“Hmmm… How many did you want, of each?”

"Allie said, like, more is better. So, like, all of them."

Chloe made an unhappy face at that. “I’m hesitant to allow that. What if you don’t take them I could end up with a situation like I have now with the bunnies.”

"What if I, like, say they'll all be gone by the end of my date, like, next day?"

“That doesn’t guarantee it but that was going to be a requirement of me giving you any. What is the hurdle you are trying to get over? Tell me or the answer is no.”

"Will you, like, let me have one of each if I tell you?"

“No. Tell me or you aren’t getting them at all and I go tell Mark.”

"Fine... I want Mark to, like, tie me up and do stuff with me."

“That isn’t a hurdle just ask him, he’ll do it.”

"Chloe, you, like, seen him. He's always, like, sorry for this whole thing we're in. Sure, Allie says he's got a, like, bossy side. Tell me, 'cept for when Flora did stuff to me, or when sayin' 'bout what's okay, when has he been, like, bossy with us?"

“So you want me to help you make Mark more controlling. You aren’t making a good pitch. As I already don’t like how much power he has over us. You want me to help you get him to actually use that power. Also, he did handle the situation between you and Flora poorly. So that example isn’t helping you either.”

"Yeah, he did that bad. But that's not, like, the point. Mark's been sayin' sorry and sorry, and, like, givin' up control. For, like, more than half of the last round."

“Yeah, until he wasn’t.”

"That's my point. He, like, snapped and took charge. He did that 'cause he got, like, mad. He went back to, like, sorry, real fast. What happens when he keeps it in and someone, like, pushes him too far this time? I'm sayin' you help me let him do that part of him, with me. I'm, like, a sub, Chloe. Okay? I like givin' up control. I'm not askin' you to get it or, like, do it. All I'm sayin' is I want that, but I know a lot of you don't. Which is fine. But right now Mark is too worried 'bout, like, doin' wrong, to even really think 'bout bossin' me good."

“You’re offering to be a release valve of sorts for Mark?”

“Yes, I guess I am.”

“What exactly needs to happen for Allie’s plan for you to work?”

"Mark needs to, like, take the caramels. He can't, like, know what they do or what they're called. I should take the Skittles. He can't know 'bout Allie's thing either. More candy means, like, better."

“Fine. I’ll help. Mostly because I don’t want Mark to do something rash. Here are my conditions. First you have to promise that any candies I hand over to you before your date are gone by the end of your date night. Second, you are going to let me try and help you, by talking to Mark. Thirdly you will give me details about what happens sparing nothing. Fourth you acknowledge that this is me doing you a favor. Fifth you don’t tell anyone about these conditions.”

"Okay, so long as you talkin' to Mark doesn't, like, mess up Allie's plans, I can, like, say yes to that."

“Great. Let me go talk to Mark first then.” Chloe got up, went to the entrance of the Casino and saw that most of the others were heading over to the tables. She shouted. “HEY MARK! COME BACK HERE FOR A SECOND.” Mark looked over and stopped, careful not to actually exit the casino, as he was holding a set of chips.

“What’s up Chloe?”

“Well, I want to make sure of something before handing over the candies to Ellen. I don’t want a situation like with Laura. So if I give her the candies, will you take the ones she wants you to?”

“Are you going to tell me what they are called?”

“No.”

“You realize that this is a lot to ask of me? Did you not just learn from your mistake?”

“I do realize this is a lot to ask of you, but you aren’t doing me a favor here. You are doing Ellen a favor. If you say no, or yes doesn’t really help or hinder me here. I’m doing Ellen a favor here, I'm just trying to make sure I don’t get screwed over for doing it.”

“Fine. Mostly because I want to teach you a lesson. I’ll take up to three candies that Ellen offers me, by the end of our date night.” Mark said, shaking his head, in disappointment.

“What do you mean teach me a lesson?” Then Chloe felt it. “Why do I feel like I owe you, it isn’t like before. But I do feel like I owe you.”

“You made a deal with Ellen that would put Ellen in your debt. If I hadn’t agreed Ellen either wouldn’t be in your debt or would be to a lesser degree. I assume you wanted her in your debt, maybe hoping to get help in the next challenge or just establish an ally. I helped you do that. You feel that debt because you subconsciously realized that too. I’m not blaming you, you’re trying your best and using what advantages you have. Moreover, if you and Ellen didn’t think you were actually helping Ellen, then Ellen wouldn’t actually owe you squat. If Ellen didn’t owe you, then you wouldn’t really owe me. So I was also using it to make sure of that too. But I think you need to understand the consequences of your TF. Because it isn’t limited to members of the harem. At least right now. Sorry if that upsets you, but I’m not erasing this debt.”

“FUCK!” Chloe stomped her foot, “I understand. I’m pissed. Not at you. I guess I’ll figure it out. It doesn’t feel overwhelming. Thank you for at least not trying to trap me with the prior favor.”

“You’re welcome. Now I’m going to go back to the others. Are you joining us?”

“No. I don’t think that’s wise at the moment. Tell the others I’m sorry, for bailing please. I think I’m going to go check on Aubrey.”

“Sure, she’s in the rage room last I heard from Cassandra.”

“Perfect, I think I could blow off some steam too.” Chloe walked off towards the rage room, and Mark went back in the casino.