Getting The Word Out

Flora was panicking a little, much to Sam’s annoyance. “Flora calm down, it is way too early for this.”

“But… he clearly is upset with me, and I haven’t planned anything because I’ve just been mopey all round. I don’t really know what to wear either. I do have that one outfit I got from Ellen’s but I don’t want to seem ****.”

“Flora, BREATHE.” Sam got up gripping her by the shoulder to stop her pacing. “Things will be fine. Mark is very understanding.”

“Which is why it took pretty much all of you to get him to not want to punish me.” Flora’s voice was just dripping with skepticism.

“Flora look, it’s like this.” Sam looked at Flora seeing she was still twitching with anxiety. “Actually, first take a few deep breaths. Okay now everything about this has been stress inducing, yesterday was the first relatively peaceful day since we’ve gotten here, where nothing devolved into a total mess. Mark is a little stubborn, I’ll admit that, but mostly he just doesn’t handle stress well. This round so far has definitely been stressful. You want a date idea there you go. Do something relaxing, or just ask Mark what he would most like to do. Maybe take him out for a coffee and chat, clear the air properly and catch up. Take him to the spa… Actually that might not be the best idea considering what happened with the hot springs. As for what to wear, I guess that depends on how you want to present yourself. Do you want to present yourself as you normally are, or do you want to try to impress him and look good for him? That was actually a question I did want an answer to.”

“I’m not sure, what I really want is to clear the air between us, start fresh as it were.”

“Then grab your normal everyday clothes, don’t try to dress up for him. If things go really well, and you want to do something with him, maybe you can try on the outfit you bought back at his suite. Otherwise just save it for another day.”

“Thanks, Sam. This has helped some. But you really don’t think he will be disappointed if I don’t try to do anything physical with him?”

“Flora, I think he will be relieved. This is how I see it. Mark would prefer to take things slow, or at least as slow as the show will allow. Sure Allie talked about her wild night with him, but they’re engaged, so ignore that. Merida and I are the only ones that I know of that have done any overt sexual things with him, he has turned down Laura’s advances repeatedly. He doesn’t just want sex. He wants intimacy. Remember what Allie said about Mark on our first day? Wait you had actually left, to go check on him. Okay well, she told us Mark cares deeply but isn’t always the best at showing it. So you’ll be fine doing nothing with him. You have plenty of points so you don’t need to try and make sure you won’t get eliminated. So take things slow.”

“Okay, so normal clothes. Relax, nothing stressful. I can do that. Thanks Sam.” Flora closed the distance of Sam’s outstretched arms and hugged her. “Okay, time to get changed.”

Mark decided he would just walk down from the palace as he didn’t want to deal with Hilde this morning. Today is about Flora. I’m not going to get bogged down or riled up about other problems today. I am going to focus on her. He was glad for the peaceful walk down, as it allowed him to clear his head a bit and let his feelings from the morning dissipate. He passed by the path toward the hot spring he had entered earlier. Yeah… not going in there again. Didn’t mind being a woman, but not using that spring. Definitely prefer being a guy. Mark got out his phone and sent off a few messages as he was walking to town.

Mark (To Flora): Hey just wanted to let you know I’m walking into town right now. I don’t know what your plans are but outside of wanting to have one fairly short conversation this morning, I have no particular plans. So just let me know when you want to meet up. Happy to spend the whole day with you if you want.

Flora: Thanks, that sounds nice. I’m in the tower currently. Could you just stop by when you are free and then we can start our date.

Mark: Not a problem Flora. I’ll see you shortly.

Mark (To Laura): Hey, you got a quick moment to spare?

Laura: Sure. What’s up?

Mark: I just need to talk to you about something. Nothing bad really.

Laura: Well that’s not ominous…

Mark: Seriously, I am pretty sure you are going to leave, rather happy from our conversation. Could you meet me in town by the fountain? I want the conversation to be private.

Laura: Okay… When?

Mark: I just reached the edge of town so ten minutes?

Laura: I’ll be there.

Mark walked into town to find Laura waiting at the fountain. “Hey, let’s go to the tavern, get a coffee and talk.” Mark requested and gestured for her to come with him. They got drinks and sat down.

“Okay, Mark. Spill. Sending a text of ‘I just want to talk’ is never a good thing.”

“Which is why I added that it wasn’t bad at the end, and not ‘we need to talk’” he said that last part in a jokingly grumpy stern voice. “Look first I want to thank you. So, Thank you. You have been helping manage everything and making sure people are okay, and generally looking out for everyone.”

Laura was both pleased and felt a little uncomfortable at his words. I doubt you would feel that way if you realized what I did with Aubrey.

“Now, that isn’t why I wanted to talk with you though. I want to let you know that I know you bought a spell from the BP store and I have a pretty good idea of how you have used it.”

“What!?” Laura started to panic a bit.

“Let me finish please. I’m not mad with you. I’m upset with Cassandra. I know she called in a favor from you and I have some general details about what it is. I also know you need to still use the spell on me because there is no way that the way you used it at the sleepover counted. I will repeat this if I need to, but I hope I won’t. I. Do. Not. Care. I also told Cassandra I want to buy those remaining favors off of her because I find what she asked of you unacceptable.”

Laura didn’t understand. I thought he would be furious when he found out. Especially with the mess that caused, with Aubrey and Freya. He also knows about the sleepover? “Okay I’m confused. I thought you would be pissed with me if you ever found out.”

“Oh, I’m pissed alright. Just not with you. Now there are two other things I wanted to talk to you about. The first is about the dynamic between all of you and me. I wanted your thoughts because you and Allie are the only people here that haven’t tried browbeating me into getting their way. Specifically about how I’ve been treated. I already had this conversation with Talia but I don’t feel like I’ve been treated with respect, as a person. Not with respect because I’m your Master or any crap like that. It’s worse from some but that is at least partially true with everyone except you and Allie. That needs to change. Also I am hoping you’ve had a chance to figure out something workable, because I’m concerned that Freya might end up being a bit biased, as an arbitrator, after recent events.”

“Well, let’s deal with the Freya thing first. I did chat with the others a bit and thought about it myself as well. I don’t see a way that is feasible, without a neutral third party. Which we don’t really have here, if Freya isn’t an option. I get your point about not wanting us to vote on it. Only the absolute worst cases would get us to agree. Which essentially leaves us back with you making the calls. The best compromise we came up with was for you to need to wait, and talk with at least half of us that weren’t involved to get our thoughts on the matter. Also wait at least a day before making any decision after talking with us. As for not being respected, can you give an example or a bit more explanation about what you mean?”

“Well, I’ve been insulted regularly. Mostly about my intelligence or my proclivities. People have yelled at me to get their way, and cut me off repeatedly, when I try to explain my viewpoint. It sort of feels like that some of the others feel like because the show is worse for them than it is for me that they are owed something. That I should capitulate to their viewpoints.”

“Well, I’m sorry that’s happened because that isn’t okay. Have I made you feel like that?”

“No. No you have not. When you came to talk to me about Flora, it felt like you respected me. Like you really wanted to understand, how I felt and why I did what I did before making any judgement. Were you angry? Yes. But it didn’t feel like it was targeted at me. You also actually listened to what I had to say, thought about my response, instead of cutting me off, telling me I’m thick headed or that I’m some filthy pervert. Were you a bit provocative with some of your questions and statements? Absolutely. But you immediately made it clear that you didn’t think those things about me. So, thank you seriously. It means a lot.”

“Well… You’re welcome, I guess. So what specifically do you want advice on?”

“I’m trying to find a measured response to this. I don’t want to simply be like ‘I’m not taking this shit and if you do that crap again I’m going to take it out on you.’ That won’t be helpful. But also I’m tired of taking this shit, and don’t want to put up with the **** and disrespect. Honestly I can’t tolerate it, not just for me but also because of all of you. If I let one of you walk all over me, it will inevitably lead to me listening to some of you much more than others. But I can’t seem to come up with a way to establish that boundary without it seeming like a threat. Because what should I seriously hold back from letting them earn enough points to not be eliminated. That seems unreasonable.”

“Sure, that would be unreasonable. But, I think telling them to fuck off otherwise isn’t. Look this isn’t like with Flora. If someone is directly disrespecting your feelings and boundaries, Mark. It is okay to tell them to piss off. Your purpose isn’t to punish them. That is a consequence, but your purpose matters here. You want to establish your own boundaries if they refuse to respect those boundaries they have to face the consequences. I would tell you to fuck right off if you were trying to **** them to, ‘do as they are told’, but you aren’t, at least from what I can tell. So if someone is repeatedly crossing boundaries that you have established tell them to go fuck themselves. If they are in the negatives after a challenge and still refuse to respect your boundaries, give them a pity fuck or something but make it on your terms. Though I don’t think you will actually have a problem with this after you talk with people. Does that help?”

“Yeah, it really does. Thanks again. Now that actually brings me to the second thing I wanted to talk about.”

“Wait, I thought that was two things? The disrespect and the resolving consequences.”

“I was considering those essentially related, but fine we can consider this a third thing. I am thankful to you and I want to do something for you to show that appreciation.”

“Well, you could have sex with me.” Laura said jokingly

“Sure, if that’s what you want. I would be happy to.”

“Wait? Seriously? I’ve been asking for stuff all week and you shot me down. I was joking right now.”

“Yes, I mean it. Not right now or today even, but yes if on your date night you want to be sexually intimate I’m up for… well a lot. I was told Chloe gave you those candies, if you want to take them together, that’s fine with me. Though I warn you if they actually give you a cock I’m out. Though I don’t think they would. Cassandra has very specifically catered things here to my tastes it seems. Laura, I’m hoping that our relationship can be more than fuck buddies or friends with benefits. I’m not saying that you need to marry me or anything but I want a meaningful relationship with you based on more than just sex. We’ve already set a good foundation as far as I’m concerned. I don’t need our relationship to follow some set path. I don’t need to be in love with you and for you to love me before we have sex. But I respect you, and want that to be the foundation of whatever is between us in the future. That is part of the reason I have turned down your offers for a quickie before.”

Laura was ecstatic. “FUCK YES! Okay well… How much sex are you up for? Really? Not saying I’m going to spend the whole date just draining you dry but…”

“Laura, assuming I can keep it up and don’t get exhausted we can do as much as you want. As long as it is something I’m into. Though, I would like to do more than just sex on your date night.”

“Okay, well you have just made my day. I guess I’ll need to go to the BP store to get some Vigor Potions. Okay was there anything else you wanted to talk about? If not, I’m going to get started on our date prep.”

“No, I think that is it.”

“Okay, then.” Laura jumped up out of her seat, grabbed Mark’s face and kissed him. “Have a good time with Flora today.” Then she practically sprinted out of the building in glee. Mark decided to grab a latte for Flora and himself, and sent her a quick heads up.

Mark: Hey Flora, I’m done with what I needed to take care of, I’m about to come meet you. Also bringing lattes/coffee want something in particular.

Flora: Okay see, you soon. Cinnamon something? Could you bring Sam something too, she’s been helping me this morning.

Mark: Three cinnamon lattes coming up.

Mark grabbed a drink carrier from behind the bar and headed over to the tower. He knocked and Sam answered the door. “Just a second Mark Flora is getting changed. Now come here.” She pulled Mark in for a good morning kiss. “Now come to me, my love” She said, reaching out towards one of the lattes but not actually grabbing at them.

“Here.” Mark pulled out one of them and handed it to her.

“Ah sweet coffee. Oh god and cinnamon too. You are such a good boyfriend.”

“You’re welcome. Can I ask you a favor, Sam?”

“Sure what’s up?”

“I talked with Talia this morning and just came from a chat with Laura. They can fill you in on more specifics, but I feel like some of you, you included honestly, haven’t really been really fair towards me. I’m not upset with you, or anything Sam, but I realized that most of you have pushed me into accepting something I didn’t want. So I want to try to establish boundaries. So could you please reach out and talk with Talia and Laura then the others. I want this to be a known issue, so people can think about it. So they can also come up with their own boundaries. Most of what has happened has been because we are all stressed and getting to know one another. But I’m not okay with some of the things that have happened, continuing to happen. I would also like to not get into it now, as I want to focus on Flora today, and try to repair things with her.”

Sam mulled over his words. “Okay, I can do that. We will have a proper talk about this but it can wait. And if I crossed your boundaries in a way that made you unhappy or uncomfortable, I’m sorry. You’re right, making clear boundaries is a really good call. I can hear Flora coming.”

“Good god, yes. Coffee. I’ll say it smells even better with my new senses.” Flora said with pleasure, taking a latte from Mark. “Thanks for bringing this.”

“Well I’ll leave you two be.” Sam waved as she went off towards one of the portals.

“So, what’s the plan Flora?”

“See… about that… there really isn’t one. Besides to take things easy, relax a bit. Maybe just walk, talk. I guess we could do some light shopping or something. I talked with Sam about maybe the spa, but she explained how that could quickly go, poorly. Having the opposite result of a relaxing time.”

“Yeah, I would say it’s a coin toss if the spa would be nice and relaxing or immediately result in a lust induced stupor. But relaxing sounds nice. Same with talking. So maybe just start with a walk around town and talk?” Mark offered Flora his free hand.

“Yeah, let’s start with that.” She took his hand and they walked into the portal towards town.