Potage A La Chartreuse

When Caleb awoke the next day he saw he was alone. He turned to the side of the bed that Amy had been lying on and saw what appeared to be a hastily written note. Leaning over he grabbed the note and saw a short arrangement of sentences.

“Something came up, Glad we had a chance to talk. Take care on your date today”

Caleb smiled, Amy was quickly becoming the person he found he could rely on most here, and the fact that she had volunteered to be his outlet…he had definitely lucked out with having her here with him. Though he couldn’t help but wish they had met under different circumstances. The same qualities that had made him give in to temptation that night were the same things that gravitated him to her now. She just seemed so secure in who she was and even with all this going on was putting herself in the best position to handle it.

Caleb couldn’t help but admire that surety of spirit. Even before his phobia had stripped away the veneer of confidence he had, Caleb knew that his major weakness was needing the assurance of others. If he hadn’t been that way, maybe things with Lily wouldn’t have turned so bad. Which was another thing. Tonight was his night with Lily, and he had no idea how to approach it.

No that wasn’t entirely true. What had Amy said yesterday? Be conscientious and open-minded. So what did that look like here? Be forthright with Lily and lay it all out. Explaining what had happened, acknowledging his part in it, and apologizing. From there? Well, that was up to her. He didn’t want Lily to be screwed over by the competition just because it was his harem she had been placed in. No one deserved to have their life ruined abruptly like that.

Gathering himself up, Caleb decided to focus on getting ready for the day, doing some light exercises in his room, showering, and then heading down to meet up with everyone for breakfast. He had to confirm with Lily how she wanted to approach things and he would do it in neutral territory where she didn’t feel as much pressure. Hopefully being surrounded by her friends would help too. He shrugged on a light turtle neck shirt and made his way to the elevator. He hadn’t made it out of the doors when he heard an eruption coming from the hallway.

“Caleb! You piece of shit! Explain yourself!”

Caleb turned and his mouth dropped open with widening eyes as he saw Stella approaching him. The first thing that caught him off-guard was that the woman wasn’t wearing her trademark flat cap. The reason for it though was evident as two thick black curled horns sprung from her head. The rest of her outfit was the standard daring affair her transformation would a allow with distressed jean shorts, a jean jacket and crop top. But from the back two tiny bat-like wings were fluttering out as the woman charged angrily towards the elevator.

Watching as she approached Caleb couldn’t keep the surprise from making him ask, “Stella what happened to you?”

The diminutive bartender jabbed her finger into Caleb’s chest, “That’s what I should be asking you! I apologized to both you and Maddy yesterday so what gives!?”

Caleb held his hands up trying to shield himself from the intensity of the woman in front of him, “Stella, I honestly don’t know what you’re talking about, I don’t even know why you look that way there was nothing in the Revoke that said it would do this sort of thing to you. Besides you should be in the clear if you actually apologized.”

Stella pulled her arm back and crossed her arms in front of her chest, “I did apologize to you both! I finally found Maddy yesterday at dinner and told her I was sorry and there is no reason for anyone to Sabotage me today because what the hell would that accomplish so it’s got to be you!”

Clicking his tongue, Caleb held his hands at his side and then closed his eyes and called out, “Lucian!”

With a flare, the well-dressed demon appeared beside the two and merely smiled, “Yes Master? What can I do for you today?”

Looking at Lucian with exasperation, Caleb gestured to Stella, “Can you please tell Stella that this transformation has nothing to do with the Revoke power that I used on her?”

Lucian’s grin broadened and his forked tongue could be seen as he answered, “Well Master I could, but unfortunately, there are pretty strict rules concerning hosts and outright lying to contestants. Half-truths are fine, but I cannot tell someone something patently false.”

Stella looked gratified and more pissed off as she jabbed her finger at Caleb, “I knew it was because of you!”

It was Caleb’s turn to look angry, “You said nothing about this yesterday when I told you to explain the power.”

“Oh Master,” Lucian tsked and wagged his fingers, “I in fact did mention this: “ I will simply give you the ability to revoke someone’s ability to earn VP until they have met a certain condition. Alongside a reminder of their condition on the daily so they don’t forget.” the demon stressed the last part and then tapped his slapstick against his hand, “This is Stella’s first Punishment Transformation reminding her of her current status:

Quality IMProvements: Stella will take on the physical attributes of imps, the lowest of demon kind reflecting her mischievous nature.

The demon pointed at Stella, “Since she has not met the condition which you dictated by the time of the following morning she was punished, and will receive additional reminders in the form of punishment transformations for as long as she fails to satisfy those requirements. It’s not my fault you didn’t ask what form the reminders would take.”

Stella was scowling at Caleb as the Master turned, “But she has fulfilled the requirement! She apologized to both me and Maddy! So change her back!”

This earned another finger wag from the host, “But Master that was not the condition you set, and I quote,” and Lucian’s voice to perfectly parrot Caleb’s, “‘I revoke Stella until she apologizes to everyone she hurt yesterday’” His voice returned to normal, “She has not apologized to everyone she hurt with her actions and as such I cannot lift the revocation or her punishments.”

Stella’s eyes widened and she roared at the demon, “What do you mean I haven’t apologized to everyone?! I stole from Maddy and Made Caleb go outside! That’s it, I didn’t do anything to anyone else!”

“As much as I hate repeating myself Ms. Vincent, I cannot lie. If I am saying there is someone you need to still apologize to you then I mean it as the absolute truth.” While the words might have been sympathetic the expression on Lucian’s face was anything but.

Stella stamped her feet against the ground, thrust out her chest, and clenched her fists, “Who the hell else is there then?!”

Caleb looked at Lucian pleadingly, “Come on, it’s not fair to not tell her and send her on a wild goose chase.”

Lucian examined his nails, “You’re right it’s not particularly fair but then again I didn’t decide on the criteria for lifting the punishment, I just have to enforce it. Consider this a lesson to both of you. Master, I applaud your initiative but you really should think before you act eh? And Stella, I applaud the hustle it was a good play but you might want to consider the long game before such acts. Something to think about.”

Caleb was grinding his teeth and found himself running towards Lucian fist raised. Lucian didn’t even look up from his nails, there was a flash and Caleb was flung back hard against the Elevator doors causing him to cough from the impact.

Lucian looked down at him grinning, “Oooh not often the master tries to physically **** the host, and I must say I didn’t expect it from you. Regrowing your spine a little bit master? Well, I encourage you to use it to woo the women around you, you’ll waste less people’s time that way. Also, I would really hate to have to punish the Harem for you acting out of line. I am acting out of mercy by overlooking this…indiscretion. So I think both of you have better things to be doing now. Ta ta” And with a burst of flames he was gone leaving Stella fuming and Caleb on the ground.

Stella just growled and looked over at Caleb, “Well thanks a lot for that Caleb. You wanted to throw your weight around like a big man and look what it got you! Knocked flat on your ass. Why can’t you just let things go? It wasn’t even a big deal.”

Pushing himself off the ground Caleb shot a look of daggers at Stella, “Having fun doesn’t excuse using people as tools Stella! We’re all going to have to live together, your fun can’t be at the expense of other people! You can’t just say “go with the flow” and have that make things right. You still have to take responsibility for your actions!”

Stella surprisingly recoiled slightly at this before shooting back even more heated than before, “Great Fine Dad! You’re already spanking me! Why don’t you ground me next? Huh?! Gonna send me to my room without supper?!”

Caleb scoffed, “You need to grow up Stella. I honestly thought you were fun to be around but this behaviour? You’re acting like a spoiled brat, and not in a hot way”

Turning on her heel Stella marched off covering her face as she flipped Caleb the middle finger.

Caleb shook his head, he couldn’t help but think there was a better way to handle that but he honestly couldn’t be bothered thinking of it right now. His face was hot both from the embarrassment of his mistake to the anger at Stella for her behaviour and for Lucian manipulating him. Did he regret taking the deal? No, if anything Stella’s reaction was proof he needed something like this not to mention it was only so early in the game, if things escalated he needed a way to corral the harem. He did regret not thinking more when he set the condition but he honestly was with Stella, who else was there possibly to apologize to? Running through the other girls in the harem, no one was jumping out as a possibility. Whatever, maybe these punishments would make her actually think about what she did.

He made his way down the stairs and towards the breakfast area just in time to see Amy leaving who stopped, “Hey we heard something happen from the dining room, sounded like a crash? Something we need to be worried about?”

Caleb rolled his shoulder which still ached from the impact, “Nothing to be too concerned about, you were right though there was a catch to the power, I just saw Stella caught up in it, she got turned into an imp I guess and is still on the hook for apologizing to someone because I wasn’t precise about my wording.”

The Oni frowned, “That’s pretty rough…though I guess to be expected. I’ll try talking to her tonight maybe I can give her some guidance.”

Caleb nodded, “I’d…appreciate that I think I’m pretty much a no-go on being able to talk any sense into her at this point.”

This made Amy grimace, “Remember what we talked about Caleb?”

“I get it, I know I have to be the bigger person but…She just is under my skin right now. I don’t know what to do about it.” Caleb sighed.

“Focus on your date, for now, I’ll talk with Stella and see if I can’t get her at least halfway on meeting you. Oh um but…About your date, I talked with Lily,” All of a sudden Amy looked very uncomfortable.

Raising an eyebrow Caleb leaned in, “Yes what about it?”

“Just go along with Lily, I think that’s going to be for the best…I promised I wouldn’t say anything else just…she’s doing her best.”

Caleb blinked, “Um…ok? I mean that sounds like Lily, she never does anything half-assed. But if you’re giving me a heads up I’ll keep it in mind.”

Amy nodded, her frown remaining, “Ok she told me she wants to meet with you in the lobby after breakfast so I really need to get moving here.” She pushed past Caleb and then turned to look back, “Good luck.” and continued to run off.

Breakfast had gone rather uneventfully, though Caleb noted that Noemi, Maddy and Eliza were talking amicably amongst themselves with Lily nowhere to be seen. If she was preparing for the date that made sense, he supposed but couldn’t imagine that she could be planning anything extravagant. He certainly hadn’t done anything to earn it. He had honestly thought most of their date would consist of talking and resolving feelings.

Maybe she had something she needed to do to express herself better? Meditation perhaps? Caleb was no closer to an answer when he made his way to the lobby to meet up with Lily. He stood in the center of the room when he looked up he saw Lily exit her room and for a moment after she got up she was just standing there. She looked nice dressed down in some nice jeans and a cardigan. He was still not used to her new skin colour and figure but the way she held herself was still very much like the Lily he knew.

Then there was a shimmer and her entire expression changed and she began moving towards the stairs. He walked towards them and heard her call out.

“Sorry for making you wait!” Her voice was in a jovial sing-song tone that Lily often used when she was excited for something, which Caleb felt off.

And if that felt off what happened next totally threw his expectations asunder as she collided with him hugged him and kissed him directly on the lips. It was a soft casual kiss and it was so surprising that Caleb had no time to react to it until she had already pulled back and was casually waving at him.

Lillian -+1 VP (Kissed the Master)

Lillian -+1 VP (Hugged the Master)

Caleb was standing there wide-eyed when she spoke up, “Nice to know even this far in the relationship I can still make you breathless,” she chuckled.

Remembering, Caleb thought about what Amy had told him earlier “Just go along with Lily, I think that’s going to be for the best”

Caleb swallowed, was she going to pretend like they never broke up for the entire date? Caleb definitely had his reservations about going along with that but Amy hadn’t steered him wrong yet. He tried to smile, “Yeah I mean, each kiss from you is special.”

Lily waved a hand dismissively at him, “That’s so cheesy come on, not every day we get to enjoy a resort together,” the green woman reached out and took his hand, “I know you can’t leave but there's plenty of stuff we can enjoy indoors together.” With this, she waggled her eyebrows at him and pulled him along.

Caleb tried to hide his concern, now positive he was not prepared for this date.