With the excitement of the moment beginning to subside, you recalled the secondary instructions given with the pen. You had the option to allow Vanessa to maintain her consciousness, to let her act as herself at your will, turning her into more of a puppet than a costume. You decided that Vanessa's sudden disappearance would indeed be too suspicious, and it would provide a unique opportunity to experiment with this new aspect of the pen's powers.

Carefully, you pointed the pen at Vanessa's deflated form, pressing the clicker. Her skin started to fill out again, her eyes flickering open as if waking from a deep sleep. She looked around, disoriented, before her gaze landed on you.

"Lissy? What happened? I feel... weird," she confessed, her voice a mere whisper.

You looked at her, contemplating your response. Should you tell her the truth or weave a believable lie? Instead, you chose to say nothing, observing her as she tried to stand up, her movements initially unsteady.

At your silent command, she turned to look at you. She seemed almost normal, yet there was an emptiness in her eyes, a lack of the spark that had made her Vanessa. But the longer you watched her, the more her usual mannerisms returned, her body language reverting to the familiar patterns you remembered.

The rest of the night passed in an uneasy silence. You watched as Vanessa mechanically completed her usual routines. You chatted, watched a movie, and even laughed at the same parts. But it was a hollow echo of your previous interactions, a stark reminder of the power you now held over her.

When the time came for you to leave, Vanessa walked you to the door, her movements smooth yet strangely mechanical. She gave you a small wave as you stepped outside, a perfect mimic of her usual cheery goodbye. As you walked away, you couldn't help but feel a strange satisfaction at the uncanny sight. Vanessa was there, yet not there, a puppet you could control at your will. Your secret '****', all thanks to the mysterious power of the pen.