Kick her ass Brooke!

Isa and Sadie were tired. They had stayed up late to finish filling the mana orbs. It took so long because someone couldn’t exercise patience. That someone also decided that they needed to get up before dawn so they could head back early. That someone’s tail was wagging in front of Isa quite happily, as she had actually gotten a decent night’s rest, was a bit annoying to Isa.

Sadie was asleep on the back of Bertha. Isa didn’t know how she managed not to fall off, but was envious. “Allie, seriously, why do we have to rush back?”

“I already told you. If we don’t get back before the doors to the Master’s suite open, Sam is likely to go on a rampage. I’m not letting her lose VP or damage her relationship because she decides to tie up Mary.”

Isa said sleepily, “Assuming she even can manage that. I bet Mary would love to wrestle with Sam and tie her up.”

“Probably, but that wouldn’t go well either.”

Isa leaned forward, resting her head on Allie’s back, and wrapped her arms around her. “I’m just glad Sif and Bertha are willing to carry us this early.”

“That’s because Sif is a very good girl, yes, you are.” Allie reached forward and scratched behind Sif’s ears.

“We aren’t going to make it, you have to realize that already, right?”

Allie frowned, “Yes, but maybe if we hurry, we can minimize the damage.”

The trio spent the next few hours traveling as fast as their mounts could carry them. It was well past breakfast time when they arrived in the courtyard to find Laura, Sam, and Brooke all standing there looking over the quest board.

Bertha and Sif stopped a little way away so as not to overwhelm the others, as they were both enlarged at the moment. Sadie floated down and immediately asked the trio, “Okay, what the fuck is up with these rules? Since you are all here instead of busting down Mary’s door, I’ll assume it isn’t completely her fault.”

Brooke replied, “Talia thinks it’s a glitch that the other team’s Mark caused with Hilde’s boon. Cassandra is responsible for the rules, including enforcing them.”

“Can’t you just fix it?” Sadie asked, a little confused, why Brooke hadn’t used her boon yet.

Allie and Isa had finally managed to climb down Sif and join them. Allie asked, “Fix what?”

Sadie said, “Apparently, there’s a glitch allowing Cassandra to mess with Mary’s rule book. I’m just curious why Brooke hasn’t fixed the problem.”

The three newcomers looked at Sam, Laura, and Brooke, who all seemed flummoxed that they hadn’t thought of that. Sadie just shook her head and sighed, “Alright, let’s go fix it now, I guess.”

Laura coughed, slightly embarrassed, as she was getting a bit of a play-by-play of Talia’s holy works. “Umm… Maybe wait a bit. I’m sure Talia would greatly appreciate it, and it isn’t like it matters if Brooke fixes it now versus in an hour. The BP store has been open and we figure that BP Cassandra got to spend from Mary was from the other team’s copy.”

Sadie nodded her agreement. “Fair enough. I do have another question, though. Sam, we sort of thought you would tackle Allie to the ground at the first chance and drag her off to Mary. What happened?”

“Oh… right.” Sam then, with a predatory gleam in her eyes, turned them towards Allie and smirked. Sam transformed into a dragon, lunged at Allie, coiling around her, and pinned her wrists to the ground beneath her claws. Sam then slowly transformed back, though continuing to pin Allie to the ground. Sam kissed Allie passionately, not caring that anyone else was watching. As she pulled away from the kiss, Sam said, “Thank you, Allie. Thank you so much for your support. Now I do want to drag you to Mary, for several reasons, but I can wait a little bit.” Sam stood up and helped Allie to her feet before sweeping her off her feet, putting Allie into a princess carry. Getting a eep of surprise from Allie. “I am not willing to wait to show my appreciation, though.” Sam flew off with Allie in her arms.

Brooke asked, “Is it odd to anyone else that she can fly while looking like a human?”

Sadie shrugged. “Not really, I can do it.” Sadie then pointed to the ground and the fact that she hadn’t actually been touching it this whole time.

“Yeah, but you have wings.” Brooke retorted.

“They aren’t related to my flight in any way. They are purely cosmetic as far as I can tell.”

“Wait, if you’re flying…” Brooke began.

“Yes, that means I’m regularly thinking about something positive regarding Mary.”

“That’s… impressive, I guess.”

“Annoying. The word you are looking for is annoying.” Sadie retorted to Brooke. “I find myself hovering like this all the time by accident now.” Brooke seemed confused as to why that was annoying, so Sadie elaborated. “Brooke, shortly before you showed up, Mark became physically aggressive with me, and not in a I want to ravish you way. Rather, I’m going to bitchslap you if you don’t do as I say. It wasn’t completely his fault, but it also wasn't the first time, so he can’t simply hide behind his impaired judgment. The problem is that, despite being absolutely furious with him, I couldn’t stop thinking about things I liked about him. It was incredibly difficult to remain upset with him.”

“That sucks. I’m sorry you have to deal with that.” Brooke turned to Laura and Isa. “Honestly, that’s a bit worrying to hear. I’m surprised no one else has mentioned it as a concern.”

Laura sighed, “It isn’t that we aren’t concerned. I know I am. I was so concerned with Mark’s judgment being impaired at the time I willingly took on that impairment myself, for about two days. I also explained to Sadie here that while Mark could have handled things better, when she arrived, I get why he grabbed her to silence her when she arrived.”

Brooke nodded her head once, “Talia did mention that Sadie had baggage that I didn’t.”

Laura agreed, “Definitely. Also, Sadie, I thought you were past this?”

Sadie pouted, “Mostly.”

Isa was frowning, “I’m not. Laura… I think I owe you an apology. You’ve been trying to make sure Mark doesn’t do something stupid by going overboard. I’m not afraid of him or Mary, not generally. I was afraid when he talked to Sadie and me about the tags, though. I’ve seen him angry like that before. Before the show, I mean.”

Brooke put a hand on her hip, asking, “Did he ever get violent like that?”

“Sort of? I mean… I know there was one actual fight he got in, but making threats, like he did to Sadie, he did that before on several occasions. To his credit, every time I’m aware of, he did that, it was because he felt someone else was being threatened or harassed in some manner.”

Brooke replied, “Oh, so he has what, white knight syndrome or something?”

“Maybe a little, but I think it is more that he’s fiercely just protective of those he cares about, as it wasn’t just women he came to the rescue of.” Isa shrugged as she responded. “So… what is the plan for today?” Isa yawned, still tired. “I could use some rest.”

“Agreed.” Sadie nodded. “I’m going to go lie down. Come get me no earlier than an hour from now, and after Mark and Talia are free. Maybe see if you can fix these dumb rules.”

Isa followed after Sadie as she left, leaving Laura and Brooke in the courtyard alone. Brooke started making popping sounds with her mouth while awkwardly kicking the dirt. Laura eventually asked, “What do you want to talk about?”

“Hm? Oh… I just don’t really know what to do until you tell me, it’s okay to go see if kicking Mary’s ass can fix this.”

“That’s not it. Come on. Out with it.”

Brooke pursed her lips to one side while furrowing her brow, “Do you really not remember me?”

“Sorry, but no.” Laura shook her head.

“I… I just don’t understand how you couldn’t. Do you remember tutoring one of your sorority sisters like every week?” Laura shook her head while giving Brooke a sympathetic look. “That doesn’t make sense. I could sort of understand Sadie not remembering me. We weren’t all that close, and forgetting one fellow pledge isn’t crazy, but every week, for nearly two years? How?”

“I’m not sure. Maybe Mary is right. Maybe you’re cursed or something. Actually, give me a second.”

Laura: Cassandra, I’m assuming you aren’t going to shed light on this very peculiar anomaly, but I’ll ask anyway. Any clue why we don’t remember Brooke?

Cassandra: You would be correct in your assumption.

Laura smirked, “Well, good news, there is definitely a non-mundane reason for us not remembering you. Cassandra knows what it is but isn’t going to say.”

Cassandra: I did not say that.

“Yep, that confirms it,” Laura said while showing Brooke the messages.

“I’m confused.”

“If it were simply poor memory, Cassandra would say that, because it would make bad TV for this to drag on, and that be the answer. By telling me that she isn’t going to answer means she knows and won’t say. It isn’t like a ‘no comment’ from law enforcement, or pleading the 5th. We absolutely can and should draw inferences from her refusal.”

“Right… this is all televised. The lack of cameras makes me forget that. Sooo… what should we do while we wait for your girlfriends to stop banging each other?”

“I’m going to the BP store so that I can buy the flight spell. Maybe something else as well.”

“Wait, hold the fuck up. I’ve seen your wings. Can’t you fly already?” Brooke asked incredulously.

“Nope. They help with jumping, and they provide a gliding and slow fall ability, but not flight.”

“That’s stupid. Also, the BP store simply sells the ability to learn flight magic?”

“Yes, and no. Come on, I’ll explain on the way.” Laura started to walk towards where Slevia had set up shop. “I have Eromancy as a boon.”

“Right, the sex magic.”

“I would call it lust magic, but close enough. The boon came with some basic spells, but I can buy new spells essentially as an upgrade to the transformation. Flight is one of them since I became a goddess.”

“Hmm… any suggestions on what I should spend my points on?”

“No, but we can look together while we wait.”

After forty-five minutes of looking over the shop, Laura let Brooke know that Mary and Talia were wrapping up. Brooke made her way back to the suite and knocked. Talia answered the door, and Brooke saw one of Talia’s eyes twitching. “Brooke… can I help you?” Talia asked, clearly annoyed.

“Umm… is it still a bad time?”

“I thought I made that clear earlier…” Talia’s eye was still twitching. “What would make you think differently?”

“Umm… Laura said she could tell you two were done canoodling.”

Talia sighed in annoyance. “Fine, but why are you back here? I’m not letting you in without a good reason.”

“I might be able to get rid of the rules Cassandra has put in place. Also, Laura mentioned you might enjoy watching my TF on display as I do so.”

“OH!” Talia perked up immensely at that. “Please come in.” Talia opened the door wide and turned to Mary, who was currently making breakfast for the two of them, and said, “Mary, did you hear that? Brooke might be able to fix your screw-up.”

Mary turned towards the two of them while absentmindedly grabbing an extra mug for coffee and filling it. “How so?” Mary offered Brooke the mug. “If you want cream or sugar, they’re on the table.”

“I need to spank you for being naughty,” Brooke said nonchalantly while taking a sip of her coffee. “Damn, this is good. What are the beans for this?”

Mary and Talia were both giving Brooke a disbelieving look. Mary said, “Could you repeat that… I’m fairly certain I misheard.”

“What are the beans for this?” Brooke repeated with a smirk. Mary glared at her. “Oh, you meant the other thing. I guess it doesn’t have to be a spanking. I could punch you, or smack you if you’re into that instead. I just need to hit you. Probably repeatedly.”

Talia asked, “Wait, will that work?”

“I don’t know, but my boon can ‘fix’ a disease; I don’t know why it shouldn’t be able to fix a glitch.”

“Oh, we have to try this!” Talia said with excitement.

Mary turned to Talia, “Just for that, I’m increasing your current penance to an hour of continuous edging.”

“Worth it,” Talia said with a smirk.

Brooke walked over to Mary and looked up at the Amazonian dragon lady. “So? How do you want to do this?”

“Let me have breakfast, and we can go to the courtyard and spar, because I’m not letting you bend me over your knee and spank me.”

Talia was rooting through a pouch she definitely didn’t have on her a moment ago, and said, “Well, how about using this instead?” As she spoke, she pulled out a strap-on. “I bet this would work. Just let Brooke fuck you, Mary.”

“Ninety minutes of edging,” Mary replied with a glare.

“SERIOUSLY! COME ON! That’s not fair at all!”

Brooke said, “Even if that would work, Talia… I’m not sure I’m comfortable with that.”

“And I’m DEFINITELY not okay with it,” Mary said, a little angrily. “I’ve barely explored that aspect of being a woman yet, and I’m most definitely not prepared for it. Plus, that strap-on is a replica of my own dick. So, FUCK NO!”

“Okay, okay, no need to yell,” Talia said while putting away the strap-on.

Mary sat down and started eating. Brooke sat down next to Talia and sipped her coffee, waiting for the two of them to finish breakfast, having already eaten herself. Brooke asked, “So, I was wondering any suggestions on what I should spend my BP on?”

Talia reached into her cleavage, pulled out a notebook, flipped to an earmarked page, and slid it over to Brooke, all while continuing to practically inhale food from the table.

Brooke started reading the page and found several suggestions for her, though all of them had to do with getting new TFs or upgrading them in some interesting or fun way. Brooke stopped reading quickly as she was more distracted by the feeding frenzy going on in front of her.

“Umm… Mary, did you really make all this food?” Brooke gestured towards the nearly two dozen plates of food on the table.

“Yeah. Why?”

“How, and how are you two putting away all this food so fast?” Brooke looked on as Talia shoveled three sausages into her mouth at once.

Talia looked at Brook strangely while Mary replied, “Oh, that. That’s Talia’s doing. Her Anime Physics TF can sometimes sweep up those around her. Ever see in an anime where people just swipe food off plates and shovel it into their mouths at insane speeds? This is likely that.”

Brooke rubbed her eyes, as the strangeness of everything seemed to finally be getting to her. She glanced at her coffee, “Any chance you got some Irish whiskey that I can add to this?”

Mary raised an eyebrow, “Not to sound like I’m judging you, but… it’s like eight? Nine in the morning?”

Brooke frowned at Mary, “That very much sounds like you’re judging me. I feel like considering everything that’s happened the past couple of days, wanting a stiff drink isn’t that unusual.”

“I suppose not…” Mary got up, went to the cabinet, and got some whiskey for Brooke. She put it on the table but didn’t pass it to Brooke yet. “It’s just… well, you were drinking when you showed up here. Then had that bender with Talia and Sadie.”

“You’re worried I have a drinking problem?” Brooke said, annoyed.

“Maybe a little?” Mary said, wincing.

Talia was the one to roll her eyes as she reached out, grabbed the whiskey bottle, and slid it to Brooke. Mary frowned at Talia. Talia said, “Mary, even if she was an alcoholic before, she isn’t one now.” Mary and Brooke both looked at Talia confusedly, but Brooke still took the whiskey and poured some into her coffee. Talia took a deep breath, trying and failing not to be visibly annoyed that the two of them hadn’t figured out the obvious interaction of Brooke’s TFs. “Look, Brooke is always going to be healthy. I’m not sure non-magical booze will even get her intoxicated anymore. It’s also why I haven’t put anything on Brooke’s list to mess with her Nuclear Sub TF. Use whatever terminology you want, but addiction is a mental health disorder. Health is a keyword here. Brooke can’t be an addict anymore. At least not to traditional things.”

Brooke furrowed her brow, “Wait, but you were the one to say that I might get addicted to having orgasms because of that transformation.”

Talia nodded, paused eating for a moment, and said, “That was before you got Always Shipshape. If you didn’t have that, then yeah, you probably could wind up addicted to having submissive sex. It might still be possible because that is another bit of magic, but I don’t think so. Now you might find regular sex unsatisfying because of it, but that isn’t the same thing as being addicted to subby orgasms.”

Mary said to Brooke between bites, “Speaking of orgasms, do you want to get yours for the day taken care of?”

“Already done.”

Mary raised a curious eyebrow at Brooke’s response. “With who?”

“Is that really your business, Mary?” Brooke said, annoyed.

“It is if someone commanded you to go down on them.”

Brooke, still annoyed, replied, “Mary, besides Talia and Sadie, I don’t care if anyone on this team orders me to go down on them. I’d gladly follow that order.”

“Yes, but only because of the transformation. It isn’t something you actually want to do.”

Talia cut in, “Mary, that’s not true.” Mary glared at Talia. “It isn’t. Not anymore. Mary, you have no problem with what we did this morning, because you’ve accepted my transformations and the changes you made to me as part of who I am now. It’s the same for Brooke. If that transformation compelled her, it would be different, but it doesn’t. It has changed her preferences, just like your transformation makes her attracted to you like this. She can tell you no.”

Mary frowned, not sure if she believed that. “Is that true?” Mary asked Brooke.

Brooke nodded, “Yeah, I didn’t have to blow you yesterday. I wanted to.”

Mary chewed on her food, “Alright, prove it. Brooke, get down under this table and eat me out right now. That’s an order.”

Brooke went a little flushed and moved slightly as if to follow the order on instinct, but restrained herself. Talia, on the other hand, became significantly aroused at Mary deliberately using Brooke’s TF and moved to touch herself below the table.

Brooke was fidgeting and complained, “Mary, that’s really not cool, because I really want to now. I’ll prove it, though.” Brooke stood up. “I’ll see you out in the courtyard when you’re done.” Brooke then walked away, glad that the cooldown on giving Mary a piece of clothing or an orgasm hadn’t expired yet.

As the door shut behind Brooke, Talia said, “See? I told you. So I don’t want to hear squat from you about me using that transformation if I get more VP than Sam.”

Mary frowned, as she really believed that Brooke wouldn’t be able to do that. “I’m sorry, Talia.”

“I’m not the one to apologize to. She’s pissed by the way. I hope you’re prepared for a beating.”

“Talia, she’s only going to land a blow on me because I let her. No other reason. I don’t think you’ve seen Laura go all out, yet. I’m stronger and faster than her like this.”

Talia thought about the crater Laura made yesterday and her rampage before that as she soloed the whole fort. “I’m not sure you’re correct. About me not seeing her go all out. She… well, there’s a crater where there was a fort yesterday.”

Cassandra showed up without a sound. “Give me a second.” It looked like Cassandra was fiddling with some invisible dials in the air. “Okay, there. I’ve pre-emptively installed a limiter on you, Mary. Both for balance on the challenge and also for safety. Mary, seriously, you need to be very careful like this when you return to your world. It’s worse while you’re Mark. You punch a wall with earnest like this, and you could level the building.”

“Really?”

“Yes!” Cassandra exclaimed, exasperated. “It’s because while you’re Mark, you have four strength enhancements if you’re copying Laura’s and Sam’s TFs. There’s Adonis which brought you to the peak of human strength. Hilde’s upgrade to you. Then the two TFs. They aren’t additive. They’re multiplicative.”

“Oh.”

“I’ve put a hard limiter on your physical traits to be just a bit above Laura’s, no matter the combination of transformations you copy. At least for this round.”

“Is Hilde’s speed not an issue? Or is Laura actually faster than her?”

“She knows not to go that fast, and I’ve already fixed Ellen’s transformation so she can’t go that fast again. Please! Stop making my life difficult by breaking everything in dangerous ways.” Cassandra then disappeared as quietly as she appeared.

Talia smirked, “Still feel confident you aren’t going to get a beating?”

“Yes.”

Talia snorted her amusement evident as she stood up and took the dishes to the sink. “Come on. This is going to be fun to watch.”

Talia wrapped an arm around Mary. As they left, Talia sent Laura a mental message,

“Hey, can you gather all the others in the courtyard. Mary’s about to receive an ass-whooping from Brooke and doesn’t realize it yet. I figure no one should miss the show.”

“Oh, this is going to be great!” Laura replied. “On it!”

Mary and Talia found Brooke, Laura, Sadie, Allie, Sam, and Isa all waiting for them in the courtyard. Everyone but Brooke was sitting in comfy lounge chairs around a table that Laura had clearly brought out, and had laid out snacks and popcorn on.

Mary asked, “Okay, what’s the meaning of this?”

Talia went and joined the others, taking the empty chair.

Laura said through a mouthful of popcorn, “Talia said there would be a show. Figured we should have good seats and snacks.”

Mary frowned and shook her head. Mary looked at the others, and all of them seemed excited by what they assumed was coming. Mary did note that Allie’s and Sam’s hair was rather disheveled, and Allie had a hickey she failed to fully cover up. Looks like they had some fun. Good for them. “Okay, Brooke. Let’s test out the idea that you can fix the glitches.”

Brooke and Mary walked away from the group to a safe distance and then stood fifteen meters apart. Brooke drew her sword and said, “Ready when you are.”

There were shouts of encouragement from the onlookers, including one, “KICK HER ASS, BROOKE!” That Mary oddly couldn’t figure out who it was.

Mary’s hands shifted into dragon claws as scales started to appear on her arms up to her shoulders, and then she charged fast at Brooke.

Mary saw Brooke’s thrust coming towards her and rotated her body to dodge, only to find the tip of Brooke’s blade still in her path as she was flung back with the wind knocked out of her, but otherwise unhurt. Brooke didn’t hesitate and used the opening to hit Mary twice on each side and then do a cartwheel backwards to get a kick in on Mary’s chin. All this rattled Mary, but again, there was no pain, just a throbbing vibration that left Mary slightly aroused. Mary took a second to make sure she wasn’t taking HP damage, and once she confirmed she wasn’t, she readied herself for Brooke.

Mary was confused, though. What the hell happened? I swore I dodged her blade the first time. Mary decided not to hold back at all, letting her instincts as a dragon guide her. While that helped immensely, and Mary could tell she had the edge in speed and strength, she wasn’t winning the spar. After a series of exchanges, in which Mary came out the worse of most of them, they paused. Mary asked, “Okay, what the hell? How are you this good? Cassandra explicitly said that your abilities only increased physically, and you didn’t get help with matters of skill.”

Mary heard Sam let out a snort of laughter even across the distance between them.

Brooke replied, “Mary, Sam is my best friend. Do you really think she would let me not learn self-defense? Even if a sword isn’t what I’m used to, fundamentals matter. Not to mention my reaction time, speed, and strength are off the charts now.”

Sam shouted across the field, “I told you! You don’t know how to fight! You know how to brawl!”

Mary looked at the peanut gallery and found everyone but Allie enjoying the spectacle immensely. Allie was clearly warring between finding it amusing and genuinely being worried that Mary was getting hurt.

Brooke said, “Now, could you check if any of your transformations are better?”

Mary pulled out her phone and looked. Mary shook her head, “If there’s been an effect, I can’t tell.” Mary then got a message from Cassandra.

Cassandra: To avoid wasting Team Fairy Castle’s time with your experimentation on this, since it was the other team that caused this. I will confirm that Brooke’s transformation will help, but I want to point out that Brooke wasn’t able to cure the infected yesterday unless they were incapacitated first. Many things affect how effective her transformation is. I’ll even let you know that Talia’s earlier suggestion is, in fact, the most effective way to use her boon to fix a woman. Your current method does help, but not more so than what you or Hilde could do with Hilde’s boon.

Goddess damnit! Mary thought.

Laura shouted, slightly amused, “Mary, what’s wrong? I’m right over here if you need some help.”

Okay, I deserved that. Mary started to walk towards the group so they didn’t need to shout, and Brooke followed her. Mary then told the group. “So, Cassandra is being oddly helpful. This does technically help things along.”

Sadie let out a whoop. Then sat down, slightly embarrassed, only to start floating off the chair again.

Mary continued, “But it isn’t going to resolve things today, even if we did it all day.”

There were several grumbles, but Talia noticed something, as did Laura. Talia asked, “Mary… what aren’t you telling us?”

“There’s a more effective method to use Brooke’s boon. We aren’t doing it. Now let’s move on.”

Sadie glared at Mary, “No, I think we should discuss it. As I don’t want to have to strip every time I see you.”

“This isn’t up for debate, Sadie. It isn’t happening. End of discussion.” Mary replied forcefully.

Everything clicked into place for Talia, who said, “Oh! Yeah, Sadie, move on. I’m fairly certain I already mentioned that option, and it was soundly rejected. Bringing it up is one thing, but it isn’t up for debate or discussion. Mary said no, we’re moving on.” Sadie opened her mouth to object when Talia cut her off, “NO!” Talia had stood up angry. “Drop it! NOW!”

Mary was a little surprised by Talia’s forcefulness, especially considering that she had been the one to originally suggest it before.

Everyone else was also startled by Talia’s actions, with Sadie shrinking back into her chair while holding her hands up in surrender. Talia sat back down, seeing that Sadie was dropping it. Everyone waited in awkward silence until Sadie broke it. “Fine, dropping that. Mary, you and Brooke should make it a point to spar when you can, though. We want those glitches fixed. Now, as for what we’re doing today. Talia… would you happen to have more suggestions like yesterday?”

“Some. I’d like to know something, though. Mary, Brooke, how did Brooke get so many levels yesterday? I expected her to get quite a few, but not as many as she did.”

“She cheesed it,” Mary replied. “Specifically, she was able to gain five levels all at once due to specific non-repeatable circumstances that included her being level one at the time.”

“Okay. Also, you sort of mentioned this off-handedly, but Brooke, you can heal us?” Talia asked, and Brooke nodded in response. Talia’s eyes glowed for a few seconds, and then she continued. “In that case, I think Laura, Brooke, and Isa should group up and take out the other plague hot spots from the second plague. There is a quest for that, and it should get you all some solid experience. Not to mention one of the spots is likely going to be a staging area from which we will eventually attack the other team’s base.”

Mary asked, “Shouldn’t I go with them as well?”

Talia chuckled, “And put both healers in the same group? No. Absolutely not. With Sif, the three of them can travel around the empire fairly quickly, and after yesterday, I’m not overly worried about Laura’s ability to beat the entire enemy team alone. Especially since she isn’t allowed to go easy on them anymore.”

Laura frowned and said, “Talia, I don’t…” Laura trailed off. “Oh, you’ve got to be… I can’t even… This rule is utter bullshit!”

“Sorry, dear. I ran into the same issue when coming up with the plans. The rest of us can either do one of two things. First, we can do another temple to help us find the other team’s base, or we could CP point grind. Depends on what you want to prioritize.”

Sadie bit her lip and noticed everyone was staring at her, as they had all seen that Sadie was currently last in terms of CP of the contestants. Sadie asked, “Do you think we will be able to find the other team’s base if we don’t do the temple today?”

“I would rate it as highly likely,” Talia replied.

“In that case, let’s CP grind. I also think we should get Brooke some equipment. Since her item CP is split evenly amongst all of us. That way, she isn’t under-geared.”

“I like the sound of that,” Brooke said.

Sadie retorted, “Say that after you no longer have pants.” Sadie adjusted the extremely short skirt of her dress, trying and failing to cover herself better.

Brooke shrugged and said, “Fair enough. Um… if Laura, Isa, and I are splitting off from all of you, I’d like to do it now, before the timer on the new rule resets… as it might be a bit awkward if I have to eat out Mary in front of everyone.” Laura stood nodding her agreement.

Talia got up and hugged Laura. Sadie stood and said, “Works for me. You three be safe.”

Laura and Brooke started to leave, but paused when they noticed Isa hesitating.

Mary looked at Isa and could see exactly what the issue was.

Isa was fidgeting. (Isa wants some Mary time! Also, Isa already has so few clothes! But… Isa can’t get Mary to orgasm in front of everyone.) NO WAY ABSOLUTELY NOT! This is such bullshit!

Mary walked over and hugged Isa. Mary whispered into Isa’s ear, “Here, let me help you.” Mary then slid her hand down and slowly removed Isa’s translucent harem pants and her panties. Mary then pulled the pants back up and whispered, “That’s my good girl.” While stroking gently under Isa’s chin, causing Isa to let out a low, happy whine. Mary then smacked Isa’s ass, “Now get going before the other two have the same problem.”

As Mary watched the three cross the courtyard to leave, Allie sidled up to her and said, “Okay, that was incredibly hot. Is that weird? That I find my wife stripping my fiancée to be that hot?”

Mary considered that, then glanced at Sam, imagining Allie doing the same to her. “Hmmm. Could you strip Sam for me? I feel like I’d have a better answer for you after seeing it for myself.”

Sam shot to her feet and shouted, “MARY!” Sam was extremely flustered, and her ears were turning bright red. Laura, Isa, and Brooke all stopped leaving when they heard Sam’s exclamation.

The others were surprised Mary would suggest Allie would strip Sam in front of all of them, and therefore weren’t surprised by Sam’s response. Sam, of course, didn’t react because of that, but because of what Mary implied, and Sam believed it was deliberate. It slowly dawned on the others, though. Talia was first, as her mouth formed a comical oh and she covered it. Laura was next, having heard what both Allie and Mary said despite the distance. Isa and Sadie realized it at around the same time, but both Brooke and Allie still seemed confused as to why everyone else was wide-eyed.

Mary smirked at Sam, all but verbally confirming to her that it had been intentional. Mary said, “What? You said you wanted to be here when we told her. So you could see her face.”

“Tell me what?” Allie asked.

Mary reached into the pocket of her dress and pulled out a small box, knelt on one knee in front of Sam, and said, “Well, I asked you last night, but I’ll ask again. Samantha Sakura Irving, will you marry me?” Mary flicked open the small box to reveal a platinum ring sparkling with diamonds. Sam hadn’t expected a proper proposal after the previous night and started to tear up slightly, and started vigorously nodding.

“Yes, of course, yes. You big jerk.”

Mary slid the ring on Sam’s finger. No one said anything for a moment. Then Mary stood, and the two embraced, and Sam turned to Allie, but did not see the expression she expected to see.

Allie’s tail was wagging furiously, and she was grinning from ear to ear, but something seemed off from what Sam had expected. Allie couldn’t contain herself anymore and squealed in happiness as she nearly tackled Sam with a hug. “I’m so happy for you!”

“Thank you. This wasn’t exactly how I had intended you to find out, but some jerk just went ahead and blurted it out.” Something occurred to Sam, “Mary…” Sam looked at the ring and noticed that the band itself resembled a dragon, and in addition to the many diamonds resembling scales, there were two topaz set to resemble the eyes of a dragon, and they matched the color of her eyes perfectly. “How did you manage to get this so fast? Talia clearly didn’t know, and you’ve been in someone’s presence since last night.”

“I might have already requested the ring from Cassandra before last night.”

Sam said, “So last night when you asked about telling the others, and I said Allie first… You had already talked to her about this. Because while she’s clearly happy, she isn’t the least bit surprised.” Allie’s arms were still wrapped around Sam tightly.

Allie backed off slightly so she could speak to Sam. Allie shook her head, “I promise you, Mary didn’t talk to me about this. Which perhaps she should have talked to her wife before asking another woman to marry her.” Allie’s tone was clearly teasing. “I found out last night because of the Walkthrough.”

Sadie smacked her forehead with her palm. “That’s why you grew extremely impatient all of a sudden last night.”

Allie nodded, “Sorry, but I didn’t want to say anything so they could mention it in their own time, but I also couldn’t focus at all last night after that.”

Mary said, “I knew Allie knew this morning. Cassandra told me via text.”

Brooke came rushing back and gave Sam a tight squeeze. “Congrats. Both of you. Now I’ve got to run!” Brooke started sprinting off and grabbed Isa’s and Laura’s arms as she wanted to get them both moving before the timer reset.

Sam looked at the ring again, “It’s beautiful. Thank you, Mary.” Then, slightly teasingly, “I do believe I asked for a tribute of gold though.” Sam couldn’t help but chuckle as she said it.

“First of all, that’s platinum, far more valuable. Second, that’s the engagement ring. If you would prefer a gold ring for your wedding band, we can see to that at the wedding.”

“That’s fine.” Sam then had a thought, “I just realized… is your plan to use the same ring for all of us? I mean for your ring.”

“That is something I’ve thought about, and I have a solution I think will make everyone happy, but that is a conversation for another time, when everyone is present. If it isn’t satisfactory, well, we’ll figure something out.”

Sadie narrowed her eyes in suspicion, “It’s going to be one ring, but not the same ring she currently has. Probably with a gemstone for each of us that have married her.” Sadie shrugged when she saw the look of surprise on Mary’s face. “What? It’s like the only workable solution. One ring is the only viable option, because none of us would be happy if you were only wearing our ring sometimes, if it were separate rings for each of us. I think some of us wouldn’t be super thrilled with Mary using the same ring over and over again as if it wasn’t important too. So, a ring that is added to in some way as she marries more of us. Gems are the most obvious option.”

Mary pouted, “Okay, yeah, that is almost correct. Technically, I’d have two rings. One for me, as Mary, and one for Mark. You might notice…” Mary held up her hands. “I don’t actually have a wedding band on. That’s because it’s on Mark. Plus, a diamond ring isn’t as fashionable for a guy as a lady.”

Allie frowned, “Does… does that mean you’ll be altering your current ring? Or not wearing it eventually?”

“As I said, a conversation for another time, and one we will need to have, Allie. I haven’t made a decision and wouldn’t without talking with you about that.” That mollified Allie considerably. “Now I think we’ve spent enough time dawdling. Let’s get to questing.”