Let him go, with a few conditions. And a gift.

When I remained silent, the man bowed his head, bracing for the worst.

Ugh, here I am, mad with power, and the first person to beg made feel all guilty and merciful! What happened to my cheap power fantasy dammit!

I sighed. "Stand up, man. I'm letting you go so pull yourself together." He sagged with relief.

I picked out a ring and put it in a jewelry box. I whispered a few questions to ensure the ring was perfect.

"Here you go, your girlfriend will absolutely love that ring." Tossed it to him with a smirk.

"That's it?" He stood shakily.

"Yup. Now, you aren't gonna tell anyone about anything you saw here? Will you give that ring to your girlfriend when you get home?" He nodded, clutching the ring box to his chest. "If I ever need legal help, you'll put me in contact with a good lawyer won't you?" That didn't seem super likely, but I figured I'd take the opportunity.

"Yes sir, thank you sir." He babbled some more but I waved him off. The door slammed shut as he bolted, but I was too focused on Brianna to care.

I unfroze her.

She blinked in confusion as her face went from frozen in frustrated worry to disbelief, then lifted her chin to glare at me, defiant. Her fists clenched and her stance shifted like she was ready to fight her way out.

Brianna hesitated when I grinned broadly and clapped. "Now that's more like it! I always knew you were a fighter Bri!"

Her jaw dropped open. "Marcus!? What the fuck is going on?"

"Oh? You remember me?" Gah! Dammit, I need to find a way to ask yes or no questions without taking off the ring every time. Maybe a pocket dimension or something...

"Yeah, you're Doll's cousin, we hung out a lot before you finally claimed her."

I blinked. Ok. That's a sentence with some implications. "How did people react to that?"

She shrugged. "It was her decision. Jaz was a little heartbroken and her dad's still grumpy. But it was all she would talk about and Doll practically exploded with joy when you agreed, so most people that know are happy for her." Wow. Okay, that's...convenient I guess?

I almost asked if what I did to Doll was a common occurrence before I decided against it for now. It might be fun to try later...

Brianna shook her head to clear it and pointed at me accusingly. "Will you explain what the fuck that was? We came to visit my sister and my friend and you somehow have magic that can freeze us in place? Why were you torturing that guy?" She looked down and blushed. "And why the fuck are you naked!?" Her voice turned shrill at that.

I had to physically stop myself from laughing by biting my lip. Brianna just glared at me even harder and I raised my hands consolingly before she figured out how to set me on fire. "I can explain." I grinned. "Would you believe that I found a way to make a Monstergirl Harem? Do you want to join?"

Her whole face took on a dozen emotions, shifting too quick for me to discern them, before settling on embarrassed outrage. Brave, strong, defiant Brianna, squeaked like a teakettle with her hands on her flaming cheeks, before her voice finally rose into an even shriller shriek.