The rules and Questions

(Leo POV)

"I'm sure you all have lots of questions, but I think you'll agree that it's probably best for me to explain before you ask." Nola looked around to see if there was any consensus on what she was saying, then continued.

"Harem Hotel is a game show broadcast across the multiverse to a sizeable audience. It's a kind of entertainment if you like. The object is quite simple: an ordinary person is chosen to become the Master of a season. In this case, the Master is Leo Dulac. Several people connected with the Master are selected to become part of his harem. These people are the participants. You are the participants." Nola looked at each of the women present, as well as Eric, before continuing.

"Your goal is to win 100 Victory Points or VPs. If you win those 100 VPs, you'll have proved yourself the Master's favorite and you'll get a wish. Let me calm you down right away because this wish is not limitless. Of course, it can be very broad and complex, but it can't undo what's been done during the game. For example, you can't wish your way out of the Master's harem, or even exclude someone else from the harem – it is a no, no, no!"

"This brings me to the question of how to earn VPs, which will enable you to win and complete this show. There are two ways. The first is to win games that take place at regular intervals - you can think of them as challenges. There are many types of events, from races to cooking competitions."

"The other way to earn VPs is to satisfy the Master sexually. But be careful: displeasing him can also cost you VPs. You've been warned."

She paused in her monologue, checking that her audience was still following, before continuing.

"You all start with 0 VPs. It's important for you that this number never goes into the negative, because if you finish an event with a negative score, it's Game Over for you and elimination. You leave the harem and receive an exit transformation."

"Which brings me to the subject of transformations, the main point of this game. Each round, a round being the interval between 2 competitions, you'll receive at least one transformation. Some transformations will be positive, others light and others quite ****, depending on several factors such as your performance, popularity, and chances. To give you an idea of a fairly classic transformation, our dear Eric here could be transformed into a girl, or Hanna could see her breasts double in size. Imagination is the only limit."

"Finally, there's the Bonus Point or BP subject. You all start with 2000 BP. These BP can be used to buy different things in the hotel stores, or to buy transformations for you or your competitors. You'll earn them through the audience, as well as through various activities on the island, because yes, we're on an island. This has the advantage of preventing you from getting lost."

She ended this long monologue with a sigh, as if anticipating what was to come.

"I'm now going to allow you to speak, but please do so silently in turn." To do so, she took her hat in her hands and pulled out a 30 cm long stick, which she handed to Daphne before putting her hat back on and resuming her speech.

"This is a talking stick, only the person holding it can speak, so go ahead Daphne, you can speak, and the rest of you can take the stick from her if you wish to do the same."

Daphne wasted no time in speaking in a determined voice.

"I refuse to take part in this absurd game, I wouldn't be part of any harem and I want you to send me home. I have a thesis to write and classes to teach."

Nola seemed to hesitate between sighing and smiling but preferred to deplore the candidate's lack of motivation. She reassured herself that this would change soon enough.

"None of you will be sent home until the game is over. I understand it's a lot to take in, but I'm sure you'll all find something positive in all this very quickly."

Abigail saw that this was as far as it was going to go and decided to take the baton from Daphne and asked her questions.

"I think I'm beginning to understand a little of what's going on, but frankly I don't see what Eric and I are doing here. I'm already too old to be with Leo and besides, he's my godson, so sleeping with him is out of the question. As for Eric, I don't see how he could have a relationship with his brother unless their sexual preferences have changed recently."

Nola smiled more brightly, and everything seemed to be going exactly as she'd planned.

"So no, Leo's still straight and that's certainly not going to change any time soon. Then, to keep things simple, I'll remind you that I mentioned transformation earlier. There's nothing to stop the audience choosing to make you younger or change Eric's gender."

Eric then picked up the stick and surprised everyone with a question that had nothing to do with his previous statements.

"I think I've understood the rules we're subject to, but I'd like to know the rules you're subject to."

Nola winced. She hadn't seen that coming at first glance. Leo mentally congratulated himself on having such a clever little brother: if you can't change the rules, use them. But first you must know the rules. Nola finally replied after a few seconds' thought.

"I am indeed restricted by certain rules, but I'll keep the details to myself. I'm sure you can understand why."

Jessica then violently prayed for the stick and began to inveigh the hostess.

"I've got a few things to say. Firstly, I'm not going to be dictated to by a Fucking Leprechaun. Secondly, I'm not going to be a member of the harem of the most boring guy I've ever met in my life. Finally, I'd like my car back."

Nola looked at her a little flabbergasted. She was probably surprised by the end of the invective. Leo admitted to himself that he, too, wouldn't necessarily have put that in his priorities. While Nola seemed lost in thought, Blanche took the stick and spoke.

"I understand how important this game is to you, but I've got lives to save at the hospital. Could you choose someone else? Leo's done a long study and there are plenty of other girls he's interacted with."

Leo was surprised by her request and the way she phrased it, then began to think about all the people Nola could kidnap to add to this harem. Nola snapped him out of his thoughts by replying.

"There are indeed several people available to take your place, but I don't intend to use them just yet. But you're right, Harem Hotel Production has set itself the target of not causing any deaths, and your absence will certainly cause some."

"So, you're going to send me back?" interrupted Blanche. Nola smiled in reply.

"No, we've just decided to send a competent replacement to the hospital who will take your place until your eventual return."

Blanche swallowed at the word 'eventual' and passed the baton to Hanna, who surprised Leo by speaking without trembling.

"I confess I don't understand how I can stay so calm in such a crazy situation with so many people. Most of the basic questions have already been asked, so I only have one I know the answer to, but I think I need to hear it. Is it really real?"

Nola smiled warmly and replied.

"I know this is difficult for you. Human beings are poorly designed for change, but I can assure you that I'm not trying to make you unhappy. A happy ending is entirely possible for each and every one of you. You can think of this show as the arrival of spring. It surprises, upsets, and forces us to change our habits, but in the end the flowers bloom. As for the question yes, it's as real as your life so far."