Genet Brings Democracy Sausage to the Castello

The auditorium was silent and tense; the finalized results of Trust*Lust had just been announced, and everyone in the audience was now fraught with emotions. Lucian floated up from the Audience to the stage, getting ready to announce the results, leaving Caleb sitting in his seat, clutching at the armrest. Then, as the demon raised his arm and slapstick, the whole auditorium went pitch black.

There was a gasp which Caleb was sure came from Maddy, and he reflexively turned in her direction. He could barely make out anything, it was so dark, but one thing of note was that Reyna had gotten up in her seat and was now looking around as frantically as the rest of them. “Wait,” Caleb thought to himself, “If she doesn’t know what’s going on in this messed up place, is that a good sign or a bad one?”

Not everyone was reacting. Mira just sat in her seat, observing what everyone else was doing. Eliza seemed to be too drained from the competition to react to anything and kept her head down in her seat. Lily had gone over to Amy while the Oni kept her eyes open for any sign of danger. Maddy and Stella formed an unlikely pair, though both seemed to recognize it was better than being alone in such a situation. Noemi tried to make her way over to Caleb, and Maya sat up in her seat, eyes sparkling like some new toy was on the table. It may have only been for a minute, but every second felt drawn out as no one knew what was happening.

Then, as quickly as they had gone out, the lights returned, but the host Lucian, the demon who had tormented them all since they had arrived on this Island, was gone. In his place was a full-bodied woman with medium-length brown hair; the black blazer she was wearing did nothing to distract from the plunging neckline of the red dress she wore beneath it. There was a click-clack of heels as she walked to the edge of the stage to look down at everyone

Reyna stood wide-eyed as the contestants looked up confused as the assistant let of a sharp, “Genet! What are you doing here?”

The name sounded familiar to Amy, but she couldn’t quite place it as the woman answered with a honey smooth voice, “Hey Reyna, sorry not trying to cramp your style or anything, but orders from above,” she gestured with a finger, pointing upwards, “some initiative to bump up ratings. I’m sure Lucian is having to deal with his situation right about now.”

The red-haired assistant clambered to the front of the stage and crawled up it, grabbing at Genet’s leg, “No, Genet! I had it all figured out! My carefully laid out script…I spent years on it!” The assistant wailed and tears came to her eyes.

Reyna was always a tricky one for Genet to handle, not because it was difficult, but because what she felt was never what was on display. Even as the assistant cartoonishly cried while hugging Genet’s leg, Genet could only feel one thing from her: Amusement, and the rest was a hollow void. Still, the red head always responded best when played along with, so Genet reached down and patted her head, “There, there, I know. We’ll try and make this transition as clean as possible. Though I do have a few changes in mind…”

Caleb stood up from his seat and looked towards the two, “I’m sorry, but can you please clue us in to what’s going on?”

Genet looked out to the motley crew Reyna had corralled for the show. She took a second to breathe it in. She had watched the season from the comfort of her home, but now being in person, she could feel exactly what was behind those expressions she had seen behind the screen. Such a collection of anxieties and desires, which was reminiscent of her own cast. Notably, though, there was something missing from the cocktail of ambitions in the group. While many of the assembled contestants wanted desperately not to be here, the actual desire to go home was conspicuously absent. And one of them didn’t even want to leave, bless her heart.

Taking a deep breath more for show than to collect herself, Genet addressed the group while continuing to pet Reyna’s head, “My name is Genet, like Lucian, I am a host of Harem Hotel. I was running my own season up until a few moments ago, when it was decided that to shake things up, the current running Hosts would be shuffled up. Never mind the work we may have put into our own seasons or the effort in collecting our cast. Of course, it comes down to numbers, that much I can sympathize with.”

Recognition dawned on Amy’s face, and she pointed dramatically from her seat, “You’re the polygamy lady!”

Caleb turned to her, understanding that the data must be from her AI but confused to what it pertained to as Genet kept a smile on her face, “I’d prefer to think of myself as the love without limitations lady. Love is a beautiful thing, it makes no sense that we limit it to a single person when it can blossom in so many numerous places and in so many ways.” She held her hands out like a pastor giving a sermon.

Everyone was trying to absorb what was happening, and Genet could feel their confusion, so she made a motion to settle down, “Suffice it to say, going forward, I will be hosting this season. The Masquerade is under new management.”

Maya rose up from her chair, her face looked distraught as if the rug had been pulled out from under her, “What about the challenge results?”

Raising an eyebrow, Genet looked down at Reyna, “Challenge?”

Reyna collected herself and wiped down her outfit. “Oh yeah, the group was just wrapping up their first challenge, Lucian was about to finalize the results when the lights went out, and you appeared.

Genet blinked a few times and looked over the group of contestants. There was a lot of unease attached to recent events, a lot of feelings of betrayal, dismay, and heartache. “Lucian, the point of this show is to get these people to fall in love. What were you doing?” Again, only one notable exception in the group, what a trooper.

The host clapped her hands together, “Well, I wasn’t here for any of that, so let's call it a draw. That seems most fair.”

Maya looked ready to burst into tears of frustration as she clutched the seat in front of her so tight her knuckles were turning white, “But I worked hard! I got second!”

Genet looked at the purple-haired woman sympathetically, She could feel the frustration emanating off of her, the sense of accomplishment ebbing away. She couldn’t see a great way to fix the situation without undermining the rest of the group who she could already feel some of the tension drifting away.

This was interrupted by Maddy standing up and asking, “Wait, if it’s a draw, does that mean no transformations after all?”

Genet could feel hope rising in the group, and it made her very tentative as she was **** to ask, “I’m sorry? What do you mean?”

Amy took the chance to answer, looking up at the new host, “Lucian said if we could manage to make a draw happen in the challenge, then we would all earn immunity for this round’s transformations. So we’re all wondering if that applies here.”

Scratching her cheek, Genet responded, “I’m sorry, there seems to be a miscommunication. I was unaware of this deal Lucian made, also, if I’m being pedantic, and I have to be, as the Host. Lucian’s deal with you all was that if you could manage to make a draw happen, you would earn that immunity. But in this case, you didn’t earn it, I am giving it to you. In fact, I was thinking, given these unusual circumstances, it’s only right that everyone receive a transformation. A way to christen the start of a new relationship between you and me.”

There was a murmur of discontent when Maya spoke up, “But Eliza won! It’s not fair that she gets a transformation.”

Looking over in surprise, Eliza was wide-eyed, not expecting the lottery winner to stick up for her, certainly not feeling she had earned it, “Maya, it’s really ok.” She held up her hands, “I’m fine with not winning the competition, if anything…” She stopped, unable to bring up how ashamed she was for doing as well as she did, given her behaviour in the first round.

Maya looked less than convinced but settled down in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest as she gazed up at Genet.

The host let out a sigh of relief and then smiled, “Actually, since this is my first foray on this program, we’re going to do things in a bit of a unique way.” She saw everyone’s eyes focus in on her, “No audience participation, just I can see from how you are all behaving that things have been handled a certain way up until now. Far be it from me to say how a host should govern their season, but if I’m going to be in charge, I think that it’s only right that I get to adjust things so that the show goes smoothly going forward.”

Eyeing the host warily, Caleb asked, “What exactly were you planning?” Amy seemed to know who this Genet was, but Caleb was in the dark and didn’t know whether to expect something better or worse than Lucian. They may have already been a dark season, but according to Amy, it could get worse. She seemed relatively relaxed, though.

Genet winked at Caleb, “Nothing you won’t enjoy, my style is a little different than Lucian’s. If only he had taken me up on my offer, I think some stress release would do him some good.” She closed her eyes and shook her head before reopening them and smiling broadly, “But enough of that, let’s get this started by righting a wrong I have been desperately itching to correct. Eliza, if you please.” The host gestured to the stage.

Eliza got up nervously. It was one thing not to want to be the winner of the challenge, but now, faced with the transformation in front of her, the professor felt the build-up of oncoming stress and wondered what she possibly could have done wrong to earn Genet’s attention. She made her way up the stage and shrank under Genet’s peerless smile.

The host leaned in, “Early on in this competition, a decision was made by our audience, and while there can be no accounting for taste, I simply cannot abide having such a delightful MILF such as yourself be turned into yet another 20-something. We need variety and maturity that only a seasoned MILF can bring! Now I won’t be completely reversing it, the audience may have had some legitimate concerns about you keeping up with your competitors. So how about this!” Genet waved her hand, and the screen behind them lit up.

Save the Best, Leave the Rest: Our precious MILF was taken from us too soon. Eliza will keep the health and energy benefits of being younger, but her appearance will not just revert but accentuate her features into the proper MILF we all know she could be. (MILF)

Eliza’s eyes only had time to shoot open briefly in surprise before a warm tickling sensation coursed over the length of her body. In stark contrast to the violent heat that accompanied transformations from Lucian, this touch was gentle and almost made Eliza feel like clay being gently remolded as her signs of maturity returned to her body. Not only this, but her chest and hips flared out, giving Elize a ripened and fertile look not too dissimilar to Genet herself.

Eliza looked over her form and felt that, true to the description, despite her more heavy-set and aged appearance, her energy was still that of a twenty-year-old. She found herself looking over to Caleb and was surprised but not displeased to see his eyes glued to her figure. Genet noted where Eliza was looking, and a knowing smile crossed her features, “See? The Master clearly likes it, I’m sure the two of you will have plenty of opportunities to explore that later, but I have more corrections to make, so my dear, if you please.” Genet gracefully gestured to the steps, and red-faced Genet made her way down.

The host smiled and looked out at the group, feeling things out before making her next decision, and decided it was best to deal with the one dark spot in the group early. Keeping her face plastered with a wide smile, she reached out, beckoning, “Maya, it’s your turn next if you please.”

Maya was still pouting from the earlier proclamation of a tie, and it was with more noise than was absolutely necessary that she kicked her feet up to begin her walk on stage. Genet watched her carefully, she was reminded of Helena from her own season. While their demeanors were different, that stubborn streak was the same, the lack of refusing all help, as well as their ability to make a rough situation worse than necessary.

When the purple-haired lottery winner finally made it next to her, Genet leaned in, “Maya here, I know has been desperately trying to make friends since coming to this island, but gets distracted with the gaming aspect. So we’re going to give her a little incentive to focus on what really matters.”

Party Up: Games are best enjoyed with loved ones and the people you are close to. From now on, Maya will be given a list of games to play before the round is over. Each game completed will earn her VP, but she will earn a bonus VP if the people she plays with consider her a friend. (Gambler)

There was a faint sparkling surrounding Maya as the transformation took effect, but rather than being delighted, she turned to Genet angrily. “Why would you taunt me like this? I already know no one here wants to play games together with me. Now you have to rub it in my face every round?”

Taken aback, but not missing a beat, Genet shook her head, “Maya, I’m sure once you start opening up to others and what they care about, people will be clamoring to reciprocate in turn. You just have to give it a chance and try to connect with others. This is also a form of love, and love takes work.”

Not looking convinced, Maya at least pulled back away from Genet and made her way down the stairs with no other fuss. Genet wiped her forehead. She wished she could help more, but people like that were just so difficult to navigate and never reacted the way she expected. Why couldn’t people just take the good as good? She looked out into the crowd and focused on the red head in the audience, “Stella? I think it would be good if you went next.”

Stella, from her seat in the audience, rolled her eyes. To her, it didn’t much matter who was in charge; it didn’t change the fact that everyone here couldn’t stand her. She sullenly made her way up the stage and shied away from Genet’s smiling face as if it were the bright sun in her eyes.

Genet clapped her hands together, “You know Stella, watching you has really thrown me for a loop this competition. I originally liked you quite a bit, we enjoy naughty pranks at the Harem Hotel. But, you went a bit far on your date, and I think at this point, the best thing we can do for you is help you get a better sense of what is and is not ok.”

The bartender’s eyebrow shot up. “What do you mean?”

Genet’s smile deepened. “We’re going to give you a little boost in your senses, it might be a little overwhelming at first, but don’t worry, you do get used to it.”

Empathy Training: Stella doesn’t always pick up on others' emotions. So now she doesn’t have to worry! Stella will gain the ability to sense the emotions of others, with a particular focus on those feelings tied to arousal, to the point that she will feel them. (Tiny Empath)

Stella was about to react and tell Genet how silly it sounded when her senses were suddenly accosted. It was like seeing a barrage of colours all at once, and it didn’t go away when she shut her eyes. “What…what did you do to me?” she managed to squeak out as she was bent over.

Genet gave her a supportive pat on the back, “It’s a lot to take in, try focusing in on one of the feelings, it will make everything else quieter.”

Trying to follow the host's advice, Stella focused on the sensation surrounding Caleb, and sure enough, the noise around her quieted down, and she found she could now understand the noise. Concern, worry, for her. She could now see his expression as he leaned forward in his seat.

Genet summoned forth a fawn and pointed to Stella, “Can you please escort her to her room? She’ll need some time before she’s ready to be around groups again.”

Everyone watched with concern as Stella was carried off, leaning on the Fawn next to her. Their attention was taken by Genet clapping her hands. “Well, with that settled, Mira? Please come to the stage next.”

Mira raised an eyebrow and got to her feet. While it was true that this Genet was nowhere near as antagonistic as Lucian, Mira couldn’t get a handle on her intentions from these transformations what her possible end game could be. Seems the whole expression about the devil you know was more accurate than previously suggested.

As she got on stage, Genet gestured to Mira, “Mira, you are a respectable professional, I can tell how hard you work in all things. I unfortunately think this has led you to believe that everyone is constantly out for themselves, which is unfortunate.” The host snapped her fingers, and another fawn appeared.

Mira raised an eyebrow, to which Genet merely responded, “Just a precaution. See, unlike Stella, who has difficulty picking up on people’s emotions. I think you struggle to understand that not everyone thinks the way you do. I think you would be a lot more successful here if you could just understand that.” Genet snapped her fingers, and the screen behind them changed.

Thinking Forward: Mira has to get into her client’s head to be able to help them most efficiently; now that process is a breeze. Mira will be able to read the surface thoughts of any other contestant from within 10 feet of her. (Agent)

The same sparkling effect washed over Mira, and she blinked.”I don’t feel any different.”

Genet nodded, “Well, the only person within ten feet of you is me and the fawn, and we’re not contestants, so…” She turned to the Fawn, “Would you please escort Mira back to her seat?”

They had just reached the Aisle when Mira let out a shrieking sound as she was bombarded with the thoughts of everyone in the Audience. Genet sighed, “Please escort Mira back to her room.” The fawn saluted and began to carry the singer out. The host looked over the remainder of the group. “That should be the hardest parts out of the way…”

Genet kept a grin on her face and looked to Maddy, who had been watching everything with a mix of confusion and unease, “Maddy, my dear, would you please join me on stage next?”

Looking to Caleb, who tried to give her a reassuring nod, the Chef slowly got out of her seat. This new host was no demon, but watching two of her fellow contestants get dragged back to their rooms had put Maddy on high alert. As she got to the stage, she clenched her hands together and looked up at the host, “Can I ask you something?”

Genet beamed at Maddy, “Of course you can, though depending on the question, I might not be able to answer, even I have restrictions.”

Nodding, Maddy proceeded, “Why are you doing these things? I’m just a bit confused. You talk about love being important, but you’re still forcing us to change, still making us play this game. With Lucian, I got the sense he wanted to **** a result out of us, but why are you really doing this?”

A gentle look of sympathy took over Genet's face even as it hardened with the wall she was **** to put up, “My motivations…I’m afraid they are private, but the result is the same. I am trying to prove that love overcomes all obstacles. As for the changes, think of them as gifts, even when they are uncomfortable. I am trying to create opportunities for love to blossom, which means helping people overcome the obstacles they put in their own way. I can’t tell you how to feel about that, but I am trying to help.”

Maddy processed this; this new host was just as alien in their thought process as Lucian might be, but at the very least wasn’t actively out to get them. Maybe that was enough. The chef swallowed and nodded, eliciting a smile from Genet.

The host waved her hand, “Maddy is a lovely person, but needs some help getting out of her shell, so to that end-” The screen behind them flashed to a new description:

Needling Eyes: Maddy will increasingly feel discomfort the more eyes are on her clothed skin. Inversely, eyes on her bare skin will elicit a sense of peace and pleasure. (Exhibitionist)

The effect was immediate, being on stage with everyone's eyes on her, Maddy suddenly felt like her clothing was made of raw wool, itchy, hot, and unbearable to the touch. She winced and frowned and hurried off the stage, trying to get fewer eyes on her. While the sensation died down as she made it back to her seat, it wouldn’t fully go away.

Lily frowned, watching Maddy, knowing the self-conscious girl well enough to know how much of a trial this would be for her. She was so caught up in thinking about the chef that she entirely missed Genet calling her name, until Amy nudged her in the side from next to her.

The flower girl quickly gathered herself up; she couldn’t show hesitation or fear now, not after all that Maddy had done. She tried to approach with confidence, but being on stage only reminded her of the shame she had felt earlier in the game. Genet didn’t give her much chance to dwell on it, though.

“Lily, Lily, Lily,” The host repeated, tone full of concern, “When you entered, I felt so bad for you, the pain you’ve endured, the heartache…it spoke to me. That being said, you have a definite problem with keeping your word, so we are going to give you a little bump to keep you from your worst impulses.” With a wave of her hand, a new transformation was written across the board.

Flood of Truth: When Lily tells a lie or goes back on her word, she will no longer be able to orgasm until she confesses the truth or repairs the situation. Inversely, telling the truth when questioned or keeping her word will result in a congratulatory orgasm.

Lily’s eyes flew open, reading the text. After the week she had had with the chastity belt, this was a devil of a transformation. “But…I…”

Genet kept her expression smiling as she looked down at the green woman, “Best start keeping your word then, alright off you go.” The host gently pushed Lily towards the stairs and looked back out to the audience, “Let’s keep things moving, Amy?”

The Oni stood up and walked forward. She knew about Genet. Knew about her season, her contestants. But that wasn’t the same as knowing her. Even knowing that the host would actively avoid harming anyone here, she also knew that one of her contestants was incapable of walking on her own after dealing with her. It only emphasized the gap between the beings that ran these shows and the ones **** to participate in them.

Genet kept her jovial expression as the horned woman came next to her, “I will fully admit, Amy, that you caught me by surprise. I did not expect to like you much after your debut. But you’re just a sweetheart! Helping everyone out the way you have. Reaching out to Caleb and holding out on VP.”

Amy looked off to the side, “That’s giving me too much credit, I’m just doing what I can to get by.”

Chuckling, Genet waved a hand dismissively, “Of course, dear, but the minimum for someone can mean a lot to someone else. Regardless, I want to encourage this camaraderie; as such, I have the perfect change for you.” With a flick of the wrist and the snap of her finger, the board changed

Devil’s Threeway: Amy is Caleb’s right-hand man, so to speak and as such earns a bonus whenever aiding him in any romantic endeavors. Amy will now earn a stacking VP bonus for any sexual activity involving herself, Caleb, and at least one other contestant. The bonus increases the more contestants are involved. (Harem Manager)

Amy let out a deep breath. It could be a lot worse, though she wasn’t sure how she felt being referred to as a Harem Manager or Caleb’s right hand. Still, it was a way to make up the ground she willingly let go of this week. She returned to her seat without much fuss.

Little surprise that Noemi was called next, being the final member of the Harem to go on stage. She was smiling as she got on stage. She had been **** for the majority of the challenge, so she was carrying the least baggage of the girls there. Not only that, this Genet lady had the right idea. This competition was all about love, she already knew that! She was confident in her love for Caleb and the inevitability of her rising to the top. No one loved him like she did, or could love him like she did. She was sure of it.

Genet kept her face even, with Noemi it was…a lot. There were boundless feelings of affection rising from her, which is something Genet could be pleased about, but there was a lot…of other things under the surface. Harder to make out, and that certainly could mean trouble later on. No, best nip it in the bud. She looked down into the Chilean woman’s gleaming face.

“For you, Noemi, we had a perfect transformation locked and loaded before I got here, so we’re going to just go ahead and go with that.” Before the woman could complain, Genet revealed the display.

Harem Hermana: Noemi just gained a lot of family members—her sisters in the harem! Noemi will now view her fellow contestants as her sisters, with those higher in VP being her responsible older sisters whom she looks up to and tries to emulate, and those lower in VP being her younger sisters whom she needs to help to grow into their roles in the harem. (Family Girl)

The effect was subtle, but hopefully, that would be enough to curb some of the woman’s more dangerous impulses and redirect others. There was no doubt there would still be trouble, but hopefully it would involve less…Well, Genet had seen those types of love-mad eyes elsewhere. Wars had happened then.

If Noemi had noticed any change, she didn’t make any visible note of it as she skipped back to her seat. Everyone expected things to wrap up there, but Genet called out, “Caleb! Didn’t forget about you! Come on up.”

Caleb frowned but went up on stage without a fight or complaint. If the girls could handle this change-up, he had no right to throw a fuss. Genet eyed him appraisingly, “Now Caleb, I know you’re doing your best, but right now you have too many obstacles in your way to truly provide for your harem appropriately,” Caleb looked down and clenched his fists, but Genet continued, “Which is why I’m helping mediate one of those obstacles.

Support System: Caleb will no longer experience symptoms of his agoraphobia as long as he is holding hands with another contestant. (Branching Out)

Caleb watched the sparkles wash over him and raised an eyebrow, “Is that it?”

Genet returned his look, “That’s it! For all of you at least… a few other matters to attend to before we can wrap this up. Starting with.” She clapped her hands together, and there was a crashing sound, distant but thunderous, “No more sabotages!”

Amy jumped up in her chair, “What about Arietta!?”

Genet was surprised by the reaction but then realized, “Oh, don’t worry, she’s fine” she clicked her fingers and the Sabotage shopkeeper appeared next to Caleb on stage, “We’re just handling construction on her new workspace. See, from now on, you can invest BP into creating properties for you all to enjoy together. Which makes Arietta our new BP Realtor!” The host clapped her hands, and Arietta’s outfit flashed, changing to make way for a red vest that almost looked corset-like on her figure.”

At this, Reyna rose up from her kneeled position by Genet’s feet, stamping her foot, “Genet! I worked hard on putting all this together, you can’t just…just…” She reached up as a leash appeared around her neck, ending in Genet’s hand, and she found herself crouched on the ground as energy was pulled from her. She looked up at Genet with a frustrated expression, “What are you doing to me?”

“Hmm?” Genet lifted the leash in her hand, “Oh well, Reyna, it’s not that I don’t trust you, but…well, ok, it’s exactly that. You’re unpredictable, and I know you just want a good show, but you’re just as inclined to stab me in the back as help me to make that happen. So from now on, you don’t go anywhere without me and can’t use your powers without my express permission.”

Reyna let out a low growling sound, and Caleb watched in awe.

The buxom host looked down at Reyna sympathetically, “Don’t be upset, I promise when all of this is over, we’ll go out on a girl’s trip, just the two of us to make up for all this.”

Reyna continued to pout and look the other way, but let out a begrudging “Fine,” then, after a beat, looked up wide-eyed and excited, “Can we go to the place with the interdimensional chippendales?”

Genet smiled and let out a musical laugh, “Of course.”

Caled blinked in utter bewilderment. In less than an hour, Genet had flipped this entire competition on its head. Nothing would be the same.

The host then turned back to everyone, “Well, everyone! Here’s to a new, exciting round of Harem Hotel!” Genet pumped her fist in a cheer as everyone else let this new reality wash over them. A world without Lucian, without betrayal, if only things could be that way.