Rules and Revelations, Part 1

“Harem… Hotel?” Erica was the first to voice her confusion.

“Indeed! You all are lucky enough to have been chosen to compete in one of the greater multiverse’s most popular **** dating programs!” Sera was positively giddy at the chance to get the ball rolling on the main event of the evening.

“So Diona was right about the dating show, but what do you mean ****? Also, what was that about a multiverse?” Elise glared suspiciously at the Host, already not liking where this was headed.

“If you all would stop interrupting, I was about to explain that.” Sera gestured for them to remain quiet while she finished her explanation. “With innumerable seasons across myriad dimensions, and spanning the entirety of time and space, Harem Hotel is a game show where a group of lovely contestants compete for the love and affection of a very lucky Master or Mistress! Throughout the next 90 days, you will, between weekly competitions and moments of intimacy with the Master or Mistress, earn points to secure your spot in their harem and avoid elimination!”

The reactions were mixed—some of the guests started to panic and reach for their phones to call for help, while some angrily rushed to get up, whether to run for the door or fight the Host if the need arose. Adam, meanwhile, had seemingly resigned himself. Great. I finally get a job interview, and it turns out to be some weird sex dream.

“OH, YOU ARE SO FINISHED! I DON’T KNOW WHO SET THIS UP, BUT I WILL SEE YOU AND WHOEVER ELSE IS RESPONSIBLE LOCKED UP FOR GOOD! I’M GETTING OUT OF HERE AND CALLING THE FUCKING COPS!!” Cecilia was already storming down the path to the main building, with Elise, Aoba, and Erica not far behind her. She reached the front door and violently yanked it open, only to find a pitch-black void on the other side.

“What the actual fuck?!” Erica cried out in panic.

“Yes, I wouldn’t try leaving. You see, I’ve already severed the connection between my establishment and your dimension. You would be falling through nothingness until you died of dehydration if you were to walk out that door, and we can’t have that.” The four of them were startled by Sera’s sudden appearance behind them. “If you would like to get on with the opening ceremony, I assure you your lives are not in any danger. Your wellbeing, on the other hand, might be put at risk if I’m **** to resort to more drastic measures. As you’ve clearly put together by now, I am a practiced user of magic, so crossing me would be against your best interests.”

Cowed by Sera’s threat, they solemnly trudged back out to the garden and took their seats once more.

“So, if we’re gonna do this, where’s this ‘Master’ of yours. Don’t suppose it’s one of us, is it?” Erica raised an eyebrow as she asked the obvious question. They all looked to the only man in attendance—some with concern, some with relief, and one with disdain. Seeing their stares, Adam quickly spoke up to ease their suspicions.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa—hold on! I promise I’m just as lost as you all are! I’m not the master, right Sera?! After all, that would cause some problems! I mean—I know for a fact that at least one woman here is a lesbian!”

“Adam, I know I said that stuff earlier, and you’re just looking out for me, but still, you shouldn’t just assume I’m a lesbian. I mean—I do fit the stereotype, and I am one, but I could’ve been bisexual.” Erica gently chastised her friend for seemingly assuming her sexuality.

“Erica, he was talking about me. I’m a lesbian.” Aoba chimed in to defend Adam.

“Oh… never mind then.”

“See, at least two of the women here are lesbians! They don’t want to be on a dating show with a guy!” Adam reiterated his point.

“I understand your concerns, and don’t worry, I can inform you that you will not be the season’s Master, dear. That’s because this season will have a Mistress!” Sera watched their reactions to her new announcement. The guests were once again mixed in their feelings on the matter. She was about to continue when Cecilia stood and spoke up.

“Sheesh, if you were going to ask me to be the Mistress and have my own harem, then you sure went about it the wrong way! You’ve been rude to me all night. Also, why aren’t there any hot guys for my harem? I guess I can make do with Adam, but I’m gonna have to put in some work to get him up to my standards.”

“Cecilia, something tells me you’re not the Mistress, here.” Adam tried to talk some sense into her.

“I don’t recall giving you permission to call me that! It’s Mistress from now on, dumbass!” Cecilia snapped back, pointedly ignoring the voice of reason.

“Please sit down, Miss Pine. You are not the Mistress, so please sit back down.” Sera waved her hand to pull Cecilia’s chair forward, knocking her back into it. The others present all breathed a silent sigh of relief. “Now then, to prevent any other one from trying to claim the role prematurely, I suppose I should go ahead and reveal the identity of this season’s Mistress!” They al gazed, wide-eyed with anticipation and worry, as Sera dramatically pointed her finger in the air before bringing her arm down to point at their new Mistress.

“This season’s Mistress is… you.”