A Fish in Water

Tori sat on the opposite side of the couch from Dan, gently holding his sister's hand. Dan didn’t know what was happening, just that Tori had something to say but was hesitating, based on her nervously twirling a strand of hair between her fingers. At the same time, Dan could see that his little sister was blushing up a storm, her face turning as red as possible, only adding to his confusion about the situation.

‘D-did I do something?’ Dan thought, wracking his brain on what could have transpired.

Eventually, Tori took a deep breath, gathering her courage. "Dan… no more sex.”

Dan blinked. "...What?"

Rewinding the clock a bit, Dan wanted to do something about lunch after his workout with Chloe and sent out invites to his lovers and friends. Unfortunately, both Maddy and Yui turned him down. One said she was too tired, while the other said she was already full, though Dan had no idea when Yui would have gotten to eat something without him knowing. One by one, Dan faced more refusals until Tori finally responded, asking him to come to her and Sam's room. Perking up at the thought of seeing his first girlfriend, Dan rushed upstairs and was quickly directed to sit on the suite's couch, thus bringing him to his current predicament.

"What? Why?” Dan furrowed his brow, confusion evident in his eyes. “Is this about Maddy and Yui? We… didn’t even have actual sex last night."

“No, Dan…” Tori coughed, trying hard not to imagine the antics the trio would have gotten into the night prior. "It's not about them or even us, Dan."

“Then what is…” Dan tracked Tori’s movements with his eyes and noticed her gesture toward her side, where his sister sat. Dan's eyes widened in surprise. "Sam? What does she have to do with this?"

“I-uh…” Sam stammered at the sudden mention of her name.

Tori looked down, trying to find the right words. "Dan, we forgot about her other stigma.”

“Her other stigma?” Dan repeated back. ‘That’s right. Vanessa gave her two for some bullshit reason. What was her other one again? I only remember the damn stripper one…’

Seeing the confusion on his face, Tori tried to cough out the answer. “She uhm… feels when... uh, you know…”

“I get off when you do, dumbass!” Sam stood and blurted out.

Dan's expression shifted from confusion to realization, then embarrassment. Sibling Sync. “Oh, fuck. Then you’ve been…”

Sam sat back down and tried to avoid eye contact. “Mhmm…”

“Oh my God, Sam, th-then even this morning!?” Dan gasped, his turn to flush with embarrassment. ‘Fuck, I completely forgot. That means she’s been feeling everything that the girls and I have been getting up to. Not to mention the aphrodisiac Yui has been drugging me with!’

Tori huffed before she turned and spoke. “Yup. You sure were having some fun this morning, huh?”

“Ugh. Christ, I’m so sorry, Sis.” Dan apologized, visibly deflated from the news. “Damn, this is awkward.”

“S’not fair…” Sam mumbled under her breath, a fire beginning to spark in her eyes.

“Hm? What was that, Sam?” Tori tilted her head in confusion. “Wait, are you pouting?”

Sam sighed dramatically. "It's so not fair, Tori! While Dan gets to spend time with his girls or whatever, he hasn’t hung out with me once!"

Dan was in disbelief. "Really, Sam… That’s what you’re upset about?"

"Yeah, sure, you’re the 'Master' or whatever, but that doesn’t mean you can’t hang out with your Sis," Sam whined, crossing her arms under her considerable bust.

Dan blinked. “So… You’re not upset by the whole 'shared senses' thing?”

“Hmm? Why would I be?” Sam asked, puzzled, then perked up with a thought. “Oh, Bro! Cumming as a girl is sick af! You like totally feel it. Right, Tori?”

“S-Sam!” Tori stuttered, her face red with embarrassment.

“What?” The younger woman whined, unsure what she'd said that was wrong.

_‘Classic Sam.’ _Dan facepalmed and laughed. “So, then where does that leave us on the “no sex” thing?”

“Regardless of Sam’s feelings, it still would be for the best.” Tori sighed, then added. “Until she pays off the stigma, at least.”

“And why’s that?” Dan wondered.

“Well, apparently, your sister has been **** to leave work early twice now because of it.” She then bit her lip. “I’m worried what could happen if she skips work too much. We’ve seen what these people can do. I don’t want to risk it, and you shouldn’t, either.”

“Yeah, you’re right.” Dan breathed out. “Okay, no more sex.”

The two nodded and let the conversation die out until they saw that Sam was still pouting. Dan stifled a laugh, then addressed Sam in a soothing tone. "Sam, I get it. But you know I love spending time with you. How about this: do you work today?”

Sam shook her head, “Nope! Boss said I could have the night off.”

Dan nodded. “Then today is all about you, okay? We'll do something fun together.”

Sam's pout softened a bit. "Really? You promise?"

Dan grinned, playing along with his sister's mood swings. "Absolutely. Today is Sam's day. No distractions."

Sam's face brightened, and she uncrossed her arms, a smile creeping across her lips. "Okay, sick. But it better be good. And no ditching me for any chicks, Bro."

Dan chuckled. "I promise, Sam. Just us three, having a good time."

“Sorry, it’s going to be just the two of you, I’m afraid,” Tori interjected. “I promised Natalia I’d go shopping with her in a few.”

“Really? You and Nat hanging out?” Dan asked, surprised by the unusual pairing. “How’d that happen?”

“Apparently, she had an eye on a boutique she saw the other day and wanted my advice.” The blonde recollected as she stood up from the couch. “Something about needing a girl's perspective.”

Sam's joy deflated slightly, and Tori shot Dan an apologetic look.

Tori reassured Sam, "But don't worry, Dan will keep his promise. You two have a great time, and we'll catch up later, okay?"

Sam nodded, reluctantly accepting the compromise. "Fine, but I want to spend time with you too, Sis.”

"Deal. You two enjoy your day." Tori laughed, leaning over and hugging Sam. After collecting her purse, she shot Dan a playful wink as she approached the door. "Maybe I’ll buy something a little special for later."

Dan smirked. “Careful now. Didn’t we just talk about getting me excited?”

With a chuckle, Tori left the room, leaving Dan and Sam to plan their sibling bonding day.

“So… wanna get room service and watch a movie?” Dan asked, turning to his now much happier sister.

Sam cheered, bouncing up and down in her seat. “Hell yeah! Let’s find some cheesy af 80s action flicks.”

Dan smiled. “Just what I was thinking, Sis.”

In the corner of the Del Ramona Plaza stood a chic, upscale boutique named Eclat Couture. Known for its high-quality, fashionable designs, this store is essential for any aspiring fashionista on the island. Consequently, the boutique left a lasting impression on Natalia when she window-shopped a few days ago, though she has held back from entering until now.

Tori whistled in awe at the sleek glass storefront. “I think you undersold just how fancy this place was going to be.”

Natalia gave a proud smile. “Éclat Couture. From what I can tell, this is the island's premier store, offering the most stunning pieces. In fact...”

‘It’s kinda cute how she’s so excited.’ Tori thought as she watched Natalia bounce in place, giving her a sales pitch for the venue. Never in a million years would the blonde have thought she would one day be clothes-shopping with the grouchy coworker Dan had mentioned several times over the years. However, when she received a text asking if she wanted to check out a local boutique and help the redheaded woman pick out some clothes, Tori couldn’t help but be a bit curious about who exactly Natalia O’Brian truly was. She accepted, surprised that the two wouldn’t go directly to the store but to a small cafe Natalia had found for lunch. What she thought would be a simple twenty-minute adventure quickly turned into a girls' day out; Something she found herself not minding in the slightest.

Tori chuckled, interrupting Natalia’s spiel. “Well, we’re not going to get much shopping done just talking about the place. Why don’t we head inside?”

“Yes, let's.” Natalia beamed and began tugging on her companion's arm.

As they crossed the threshold, a subtle chime signaled their arrival. Instantly, the boutique's delightful fragrance enveloped them, a stark contrast to the fresh air outside. Soft jazz played in the background, creating a sophisticated soundtrack to their shopping adventure.

“Wow, this place looks like it jumped right out of a magazine,” Tori said in disbelief. ‘This is the kind of place I’d never be able to afford as a lifeguard.’

“It’s wonderful.” The redhead said, mesmerized.

The duo strolled past racks of designer garments, each piece seemingly vying for attention. Mannequins showcased curated ensembles and racks of designer clothes standing like pieces of art, each garment meticulously chosen and displayed. Natalia's eyes widened with delight as she took in the sight.

"Isn't it fabulous?" she exclaimed, oblivious to her companion's growing discomfort.

“Y-yeah.” Tori stuttered, suddenly feeling out of place in such a high-end store. ‘Just how much do these cost? C-can I even afford these? No wait. We use BP, not cash. But still…’

“Oooh, look at this.” Natalia, her eyes shining with enthusiasm, held up a vibrant blue floral dress. "What do you think of this one, Tori? I‘m quite taken by the color."

Tori glanced at the dress, her eyes naturally gravitating toward the price tag. "Oh, yeah, wow, Nat, that’s pretty."

The redhead nodded vigorously, “Isn’t it! I was unsure whether to go with blue or green, but this simply called to me. Besides, I have enough green as is.”

Tori **** a smile before meeting Natalia’s expectant gaze. “It’s beautiful, Nat. I think the blue will look absolutely stunning on you.”

Radiant from the compliment, the self-assured secretary twirled gracefully through the store, her eyes dancing with excitement as she selected a multitude of outfits that caught her fancy. While the spirited redhead continued to curate her fashion choices with an unwavering flair, Tori found herself caught in a moment of reflection as childhood memories resurfaced. The blonde shook her head, determined to cast aside any negativity. ‘No, Tori, stop. This isn’t a trip with… ‘her.’ I’m here with a friend. A friend who has been looking forward to this for a while now. Stop being such a downer.’

Shaking off the lingering thoughts, Tori plastered on a smile and briskly moved to catch up with her enthusiastic shopping companion.

As they ventured towards the fitting rooms, Tori couldn't help but be captivated by Natalia's fervor for fashion. In her own upbringing, Tori had often rebelled against her mother's preferences, favoring more tomboyish attire as a form of defiance. Fashion had never held much allure for her until later in life, and even now, she tended to gravitate towards modest styles. Yet, witnessing Natalia's contagious excitement was slowly unraveling a newfound appreciation within her.

Seated in the fitting room area, Tori eagerly anticipated the unveiling of the first ensemble. Natalia had arrived in various outfits, each with a distinct design, and Tori was genuinely curious to see her friend's choices. Just as Tori was about to call out, the distinctive sound of a snap reached her ears, followed by the swish of the curtain.

“Oh wow.” Tori's eyes widened as the seemingly unapproachable secretary revealed herself in a blue floral-print summer dress, paired with a wide-brimmed hat to complete the look. The transformation was remarkable, and Tori couldn't believe this was the same person Dan had talked about before.

Natalia radiated happiness, even in her companion's stunned expression. “I’m quite glad I went with blue. Isn’t it simply sublime?”

“Totally! I absolutely love the design.” Tori nodded with a wide smile. Every detail about the woman in front of her exuded beauty, from the accessories to the impeccably applied makeup. A sudden realization struck Tori. “Hold on… Did your makeup change?”

“Ah, yes,” Natalia answered bashfully. “I purchased a transformation that lets me switch up my cosmetics with just a snap of my fingers. It was quite a tempting offer. Watch this.”

With another snap, Natalia's makeup shifted to a more vibrant look, and then, with another snap, it effortlessly reverted to a natural look. Tori's jaw nearly dropped. "I need that!"

Natalia fought back a chuckle. “It was called Color Coded & Filed in the BP store. I'll show you the ropes when we're finished here. But first, I have a few more outfits I'm dying to try.”

Heading back to the fitting room, Natalia continued to unveil a series of stunning outfits. Among them, the most noteworthy were a sophisticated business-casual blouse-and-jacket combo and a sleek black evening dress that exuded elegance.

‘My Lord, is this really the same lanky man from a few days ago?’ Tori was stunned. The woman before her knew fashion and makeup as if she had been experimenting with and perfecting them her whole life. She was a natural at this.

Still clad in the black dress, Natalia twirled gracefully in front of the full-length mirrors, wearing a mischievous grin. "Thought I'd go for something a bit more daring. They blessed me with this alluring figure; might as well flaunt it."

Arching an eyebrow, Tori couldn't help but think, 'Who are you trying to impress? Dan?'

Natalia caught onto Tori's expression and scoffed in disdain. "I know what's crossing your mind, and you couldn't be more mistaken." She resumed striking poses before the mirror, a confident smile on her face. "I've always had a passion for dressing well. Regardless of my gender, this is for me. No one else."

'Hmm, is that a healthy self-perspective or just narcissism? Can't say I dislike it.' Tori grinned. “You go, girl.”

The remainder of the shopping trip flew by as the two flitted from store to store, trying on an array of clothing. As the day unfolded, Tori discovered, amidst discussions spanning fashion to movies and hobbies to travel, that they shared more common ground than initially thought. Exiting the shopping plaza with bags brimming with new clothes, Tori couldn't shake the feeling that she had found a faithful companion in Natalia despite the unconventional circumstances of their friendship.

They arrived at the hotel as the day began to dwindle, the fading sunlight casting a warm, golden hue across the facade. Tori and Natalia exchanged tired, but content smiles as they approached the elevator. The day's activities were far more draining than they realized.

The elevator doors slid open on their designated floor, and Tori gestured toward her room, breaking the comfortable silence. "Well, that was a blast, Nat. Thanks for inviting me. We should do it again sometime!"

Natalia nodded, her eyes reflecting a genuine warmth. "Absolutely, Tori. It was… nice having someone to spend time with."

“Well, you’re about to spend a bit more time with someone else. Have fun with Dan tonight.” Tori winked, knowing that the redhead couldn’t be more against the idea.

“Ugh… don’t remind me.” Natalia groaned. Tori chuckled at her new friends' expense, and with a friendly wave, the two departed to each of their own rooms. The blonde hummed to herself as she could hear the soft clicking of Natalia's heels fading in the distance.

Natalia hesitated inside the elevator leading up to the penthouse, taking a moment to compose herself before pressing the button that dictated how her evening would end. She sighed. ‘This sucks. Why couldn’t it be Tori I was staying with?’

She knew the clock was ticking as she had already felt the compulsion to leave her suite mere minutes before. She barely had time to grab her travel pack before being forcibly swept into the elevator. Now, here she was, delaying against the inevitable. She sighed once again and pressed the penthouse button. “Let’s get this over with.”

Moments later, the elevator doors opened wide to reveal the sight of the penthouse she had already visited numerous times since the start of the competition. She wouldn’t have resisted so much if this were just another coffee trip. Instead, this was her night to share the suite with her so-called ‘Master.’ The term tasted sour in her mouth. ‘I’d much rather call him-’

“Oh, hey, Natalia!” The subject of her discomfort appeared from the depths of his bedroom, greeting her and gesturing for her to come in. “Make yourself comfortable."

“Sir.” Natalia nodded and stepped inside, taking in the opulence of the penthouse with a **** smile. She then deposited her pack and herself onto the suite's large couch.

Dan followed her lead and sat in his recliner. “Tori mentioned you two had a day out. I hope you had a good time."

Natalia smiled softly at the mention of her new friend. "Yeah, it was surprisingly fun. We clicked more than I expected."

Dan perched on the armrest, his expression softening. "That's good to hear. I'm glad the two of you got along. She even said you were some kind of savant at fashion, though I could have told her that. I’ve always admired how put-together you always looked."

The unexpected praise caused her cheeks to match the hue of her hair. “I-uh. Didn’t know you thought of me like that. Uhm… Thank you.”

“I’m not kidding. I always felt so unprofessional compared to you.” Dan laughed. “Hell, maybe I should hire you to pick out my clothes every morning.”

The idea caused Natalia's eyebrow to twitch. “That sounds… tedious.”

“No kidding, I barely want to do it.” Dan continued to laugh.

The conversation tapered off, leaving both of them uncertain about how to fill the remaining moments before calling it a night. Then, Natalia had an idea. “Tori mentioned you spent the day with your sister. How’d that go?”

“It was fun! We kinda just hung out and watched a couple of cheesy action movies.” The man replied, his face lighting up with fond memories. “Movies were always our go-to thing growing up. Since there’s a bit of an age gap between us, I couldn’t exactly get away with taking my little sister on most of my antics with my friends. So, instead, we watched movies. Well, that and video games, of course.”

Curiosity sparked in Natalia's eyes. "What's the age difference between you two?"

Dan pondered for a moment. "About six years."

Natalia nodded thoughtfully. "Same as my sister and me."

Dan's interest perked up. "Oh? Younger?"

"Older," Natalia revealed, a hint of nostalgia coloring her words. She reminisced about her sister's quirks, the annoyances, and the deep affection she felt. "Siblings can be a handful, huh?"

"You said it," Dan chuckled, a warmth in his tone. "But I wouldn't trade her for the world."

The conversation dwindled, and eventually, both decided it was time to call it a night. Natalia excused herself to the bathroom for final preparations while Dan changed into his pajamas. Just as he was about to settle into bed, the bathroom door swung open, leaving the Master momentarily stunned.

"Whoa." Emerging from the bathroom was Natalia, draped in a sheer purple nightie that accentuated her enticing, curvaceous figure.

"Keep it in your pants," Natalia quipped, rolling her eyes as she sashayed to her side of the bed. She then met Dan's gaze with a stern look. "If you touch me, I'll spit in your coffee."

"Hmm... Tempting," Dan teased, earning a dry glare. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding. But don't blame me if you roll yourself onto my side."

Rolling her eyes, the redhead removed her glasses and gracefully climbed into bed. It was then that a loud noise erupted from the suite's living room, causing both to exchange puzzled glances.

"What was that?!" Dan exclaimed, swiftly making his way to the door, with Natalia close behind.

As they swung the door open, they were met with a transformed floor plan, now featuring a full-size kitchen and dining room. The sight that followed was an apologetic Vanessa, standing beside someone Dan hadn't seen in what felt like months.

"Kaylee?" Dan questioned, taken aback by his former professor's presence and her attire, which appeared to be some form of camouflage. "What's going on here, Vanessa?"

"Sorry for the noise, Darlin'." Vanessa bowed apologetically. "Your new roommate required some drastic changes to the place."

"Roommate?" Dan furrowed his brow in confusion.

"Yup!" Vanessa grinned. "Why don't you say hello, Hun?"

Before Dan could inquire further, the disheveled figure of Kaylee approached him, leaving him bewildered as she planted a kiss on his lips.

Kaylee: +6VP (120% for Relationship Bonus)

With a jaw clenched and eyes burning with intensity, the matronly veteran seethed out her following words. "Hello... Honey..."

AN: Howdy howdy! I hope y'all enjoyed a little surprise bonding time between Tori and Natalia. The two have alot in common and I'm sure this won't be the last time we see them hang out together. I had a bit of fun playing dress up with Natalia, I hope y'all liked the images I produced! Also... Kaylee's back! I know a bunch of you have been asking where our favorite MILF has been and I can assure that you'll find out in the next chapter.

Lastly, in case you missed it, I posted a Christmas Special last month that was pretty fun to write. Be sure to check it out!

And as always, Join the Community Discord!