The Price of Popularity

"Alright then, let's get to it!" Kendra clapped her hands excitedly. "We'll go in the same order that we introduced y'all's transformations in, so you're up first, Sara!"

"I have a feeling I know what she got," Kathryn raised an eyebrow.

"Oh do you now, darlin'?" Kendra condescendingly asked. "And what might that be?"

"It's pretty obvious," Kathryn scoffed. "Two of her options were beneficial and one was smutty. Of course the audience is going to choose the hyperdrive one. It makes sense."

Kendra contorted her face, not knowing what to say because what Kathryn was saying was absolutely correct.

"Well, Kathryn, you sure are sharp as a tack, 'cause Hyperdrive was our winner with 55% of the vote!" Kendra said with her game show voice. "I'm half tempted to veto this one, just to give Kathryn somethin', but I won't do that."

"Veto it?" Anastasia asked.

"Oh, yeah, Kendra has the option to veto transformations if the one she doesn't want to wins," Abby rolled her eyes.

"What's the point of even having people vote then?" Anastasia prodded.

"I don't really know, I guess she has a maximum number of vetoes each round?" Abby rubbed the back of her neck.

"Hey, my vetoes are fair as a summer breeze," Kendra pouted, re-taking the spotlight. "Anyways, Sara, this will only go into effect around folks you've had sex with, so Charlotte doesn't count right now. Have fun!"

Sara felt a mild raise in her feelings of lust, likely because Turner was around, but it wasn't anything as debilitating as her other arousal-raising transformation.

"Oh, joy," Sara muttered, a slight flush rising on her cheeks. "Just what I needed. A reason to feel… hyper-aware of Turner's presence."

"Don't think of it as a reason to be hyper-aware of his presence, think of it as a compatibility boost!" Kendra offered.

"Kendra," Turner warned, his voice laced with exasperation.

"What? I'm just bein' honest," she shrugged. "A bit of a shame you won't be here encouragin' other people to do things with Turner due to your Equality transformation, but I wouldn't have posed this one if I didn't want it to win," Kendra remarked. "Anyways, onto you, Mandy. Kathryn, do you have any predictions?"

"I do actually," Kathryn responded. "It's gotta be Sex Machine."

Once again, Kendra was at a momentary loss for words.

"Fine, you're two for two," she conceded. "I'm done lettin' you guess these though, because it takes all the fun away from my suspense-buildin'. But yes, Sex Machine was the one that ultimately won, with an astounding 75% of the vote!"

"So it's basically a nothing transformation?" Mandy asked. "I'm not about to do...that with someone who's half my age, and it doesn't seem like there are any downsides to not...doing that."

"I reckon...you could do that," Kendra gritted her teeth. "But where would be the fun in that? Don't you want to explore what those improvements would be like? To feel like your younger self again?"

"When the condition for doing so is fooling around with my daughter's best friend?" Mandy countered. "Not exactly."

"C'mon, it might be fun to see!" Emma pushed.

"Emma, that is not the matter at hand," Mandy narrowed her eyes at the young girl.

"I'm sure I could convince her somehow," Becca thought to herself. "Only if Turner wanted it though, I'm not-"

"You okay, Becca?" Turner asked, seeing the pensive expression on her face.

"Oh, yeah, I'm fine, I just-" Becca began.

"Hush up y'all!" Kendra interrupted. "Tight schedule here! Can't have all of you talkin' about whatever!"

"You were the one who asked the question," Mandy gruffly noted under her breath.

"And speakin' of that tight schedule, we're going to move along to Paige!" Kendra continued. "You said you wanted the Anarchist transformation, correct?"

"Wanted? No," Paige corrected. "Least bad? Probably, considering how much these...people are creating chaos."

"Well, how unfortunate for you then, hon'," Kendra mockingly pouted. "Because your transformation was, in fact, not Anarchist, it was Debauchery!"

"Okay...I can work with that," Paige rolled her eyes slightly.

"That's gonna combo nastily with your other one though," Lauren quietly pointed out. "You could get stuck in some sort of feedback loop like Charlotte."

"A feedback loop?" Paige repeated, her brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"Well, you know," Lauren said, shrugging, "You get remorseful, which makes you want to… even things out, right? And now you're also getting more and more into the whole… sex romp thing. It's a recipe for… well, chaos."

Paige's eyes narrowed. "I'm not going to get stuck in some kind of… orgy-fueled spiral," she said, her voice sharp. "I have… self-control."

"Sure you do," Lauren muttered, a hint of skepticism in her voice. "Just like Charlotte did last week."

"Ah, Lauren speakin' up!" Kendra said. "I s'pose we'll move onto you then! With 57% of the vote, your transformation was in fact the one you wanted: Ripple in Time!"

Lauren's face looked happier than anyone there had ever seen her before. That smile plastered on her face was quickly replaced by a pained expression.

"Ow, what the fuck?" Lauren asked.

"I told you, rewritin' history is no small feat," Kendra responded as she concentrated. "It's gonna take a mental tax on your mind. Although, this ain't my first rodeo, so hopefully we'll be all good and done here soon"

Everyone standing around simply watched as Lauren's figure changed slightly. The few extra pounds she had put on here and there were vanishing, her hair looked healthier than it had been in the last nine years, and in general she looked more youthful and full of energy.

"Now, how does that feel?" Kendra asked.

"Amazing..." Lauren looked shocked. "Wait, but you didn't erase the memories of...?"

"I didn't," Kendra answered before she could finish asking. "After all, that would be takin' away most of what makes you, well, you. It's just there's this alternate history, in a way. I ain't a monster."

"Right, when would you ever be a monster when rewriting someone's history?" Lana rolled her eyes.

"Hey, even you might not realize it, but you still have both of yours in that head of yours, sugar," Kendra defended. "The only thing that changes is which one is more at the forefront of your mind. Not my fault you've been embracin' your effeminate side more recently."

"I'm not-" Lana started, catching herself. "Whatever."

"Onto our dear Charlotte!" Kendra announced. "Your transformation is **** Housewife, with just over 50% of the vote!"

"Okay..." Charlotte trepidatiously said. "Is there a list of things that this is gonna be triggered by? You mentioned cooking and cleaning, but..."

"That's on a need to know basis, and you don't need to know," Kendra responded.

"I don't need-I'm the ONLY person that needs to know that!" Charlotte countered. "And Turner, I guess."

"I reckon it'd be more fun to leave that up to chance, wouldn't it?" Kendra posed. "With your...shall we say Laissez-Faire personality, I think that'd be right up your alley!"

"There's a difference between optimistic and unpredictable," Charlotte pointed out.

"But who's to say you can't be both?" Kendra said.

"That's...okay, sure, why not." Charlotte conceded. "I'll just be sure to not...be around Turner when I'm doing any of those things. And if I am, you better damn well not compliment me."

She directed that last statement at Turner, who simply nodded.

"Boo, you're bein' a real wet blanket," Kendra complained. "Anywho, onto Abby. Your transformations all were really close with one another, the top and bottom places only within 10% of one another! The one that ultimately did win, however, was Nothing I Haven't Seen."

"Of course it was," Abby scoffed.

"Hey, who knows? This might save you some unwanted embarrassment," Kendra said. "Remember that night a couple weeks ago where you were getting dressed after your date night, and Turner-"

"Hey hey hey, let's not go there," Turner interrupted. "That wasn't either of our faults."

"I'm just sayin', it might prevent any of those negative feelin's from happenin' in the future," Kendra repeated.

"Just on my end though," Abby countered. "He's still, gonna be, well..."

"Excited?" Kendra finished.

"Hey!" Turner shouted.

"Okay, okay, that was out of line," Kendra conceded. "Although, I do have to point out that you are exactly the type of girl he'd want to see like that."

"That doesn't mean-" Turner started.

"Yes yes, whatever, say what you want, but we both know the truth," Kendra smirked. "Speaking of girls who have stumbled into some unfortunate situations with Turner, it's Emma!"

"You did those to me!" Emma retorted.

"Ah yes, that reminds me, how'd'ya enjoy your date last night?" Kendra pressed.

"I-that's none of your-just get on with it!" Emma sputtered.

"As you wish," Kendra waved. "Emma, your transformation is gonna be Unpredictable!"

Emma sighed, a mix of resignation and **** acceptance on her face. "Great," she muttered. "Just… great."

"Oh, come now, dear," Kendra said, her voice laced with false sympathy. "It's not that bad. It's… well shoot, it's unpredictable! Excitin'! Think of it as a… thrill ride."

"A thrill ride with random orgasms and a lack of them?" Emma retorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Sounds… thrilling."

"Exactly!" Kendra clapped her hands. "Now, onto the fun part. I'll give the first set of words to Turner, and then the second set!"

Kendra looked towards Turner and the first five words appeared in his mind, then the second five. Turner's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of apprehension crossing his face.

"Alright, Turner's all set," Kendra announced. "Let the chaos begin!"

Emma shifted uncomfortably, her gaze darting around the room. "So… any random word could set it off?" she asked, her voice laced with anxiety.

"Any of those words," Kendra confirmed, her smile widening. "And, Turner, y'ain't allowed to tell anybody else. This isn't like a suggestion either, you're physically incapable of telling anybody."

"Wonderful," Turner muttered. "Another thing for me to keep track of."

"And finally, to the last of our current contestants, Lana," Kendra clicked her tongue. "Your votes were even closer than Abby's votes were, because we've got a tie for first place between Sweet Caroline and Online Model!"

"A tie?" Lana's voice was flat, devoid of any real surprise. "Of course. Why not?"

"Indeed," Kendra said, her voice laced with amusement. "And since we have a tie, I get to decide. And I've decided that you'll be getting Online Model!"

"That's...a relief," Lana sighed. "For a second there I thought you were gonna be your usual vindictive self and go with the one I didn't want."

"Well, this one was in the lead for most of the voting period, so it only makes sense," Kendra shrugged. "Besides, I don't have to listen to your or Mandy's moanin' about it as much as I would with this one, so there you go."

Lana's current outfit of a loose-fitting shirt and baggy pants slowly morphed into something more form-fitting and revealing: a pink crop top and short jean shorts.

"Oh, how… flattering," Lana said, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she examined her new attire. "Just what I always wanted. To be… commodified."

"Think of it as… embracin' your inner influencer," Kendra chirped, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "You'll be a stunner. And think of all the opportunities that will present themselves!"

"Opportunities to be… objectified?" Lana countered, her voice sharp. "To be… reduced to a set of… assets?"

"Opportunities to… connect with your audience," Kendra corrected, her voice smooth. "To… share your… beauty with the world. And, of course, to… make a little money. Back when you're back on Earth, of course."

"Just what I wanted," Lana rolled her eyes.

"And finally, our newcomer here, Anastasia!" Kendra rubbed her hands together. "Your first vote was a very close race between Acrobatic Affection and Whisper of Mata Hari, but ultimately you're about to become Turner's very own contortionist, because by one vote, Acrobatic Affection has the win!"

"I guess no harm in that one," Anastasia shrugged. "Better than simply speaking and causing...arousal for everyone around me."

"Oh, believe me, that's no fun at all," Sara grimaced.

"What do you mean?" Anastasia asked.

"One of my transformations...it makes it so whenever I'm reassuring someone they...well, that's not important right now," Sara dismissed. "Just know that it's not that fun."

"Oh, but I think it's very fun," Kendra purred, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "You certainly were able to use that power during the last challenge to your advantage."

Sara shot Kendra a withering glare. "It's not power, it's a curse," she muttered. "And it's…awkward."

"Awkward is a matter of perspective, darling," Kendra countered, her smile widening. "Some might say it's… intriguin'. Others might say it's… excitin'. And others might say it's a unique form of connection."

"A unique form of unwanted arousal," Kathryn corrected, having experienced this firsthand. "That's what it is."

"Alright, alright, let's not dwell on Sara's special talents," Kendra said, clapping her hands together. "Anastasia, darlin', let's focus on your acrobatic affections. Imagine, the flexibility. The control. The ability to express your affection through… physical dexterity."

Anastasia raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "So, I'm basically a human pretzel for Turner?" she asked.

"A very… talented human pretzel," Kendra corrected, her smile never faltering. "Think of the possibilities! The… positions!"

Turner shifted uncomfortably, a slight flush rising on his cheeks. "I-I don't know about this," he stammered.

"Oh, come now, Turner," Kendra said, her voice laced with mock sympathy. "Don't be shy. It's just a little flexibility. A little contortion. A little acrobatic affection."

"A little?" Turner repeated, his voice laced with skepticism.

"Okay, well, I might be saying that conservatively, but that's for you to find out on your date night!" Kendra's eyes sparkled. "Anyways, Anastasia, onto your second transformation, the clear winner was It's Getting Hot In Here!"

"Again...could've been worse," Anastasia shrugged. "That's another one that isn't really gonna come into play unless I want it to..."

"Which is why I'm vetoing it," Kendra smirked. "Or at least...modifying it."

"Modify-you can't do that!" Kathryn shouted. "Especially not after a vote!"

"Relax, relax, I ain't modifyin' it that much," Kendra diffused. "I'm just going to make it so she can't exactly...control when and by how much she manipulates the temperature. That sounds a lot more fun than just some optional effect that might not even come into play."

"But that could be… dangerous!" Anastasia protested. "What if I accidentally… overheat someone?"

"Relax, dear," Kendra soothed. "It's not gonna get that ****. It'll just be hot enough for people to want to shed some layers, or cold enough for people to want to cozy up."

"I would've taken the Olympics one over this," Anastasia remarked. "Just for the record, everybody, sorry if this...triggers."

"And onto your third transformation!" Kendra redirected. "By a clear margin, you're gettin' Sobering Reality!"

"I resent the fact you think I'm addicted to ****," Anastasia noted. "Just because I've been to a couple of parties doesn't mean I'm incapable of saying no to it."

"Which will stand true for your new...cravin'," Kendra smiled. "I ain't makin' you incapable of saying no, it's just gonna be more difficult for you to do so dependin' on how you're feelin'!"

"That sounds exactly like an addiction," Anastasia narrowed her eyes.

"Oh, quit bein' ugly, Anastasia," Kendra scoffed, waving a dismissive hand. "It's not like you'll be cravin' pure sex all the time. Just… the occasional… urge."

"Occasional?" Anastasia repeated, her voice laced with skepticism. "And what, exactly, is your definition of 'occasional,' Kendra?"

"Oh, you know," Kendra said, her voice dripping with false innocence. "Whenever the mood strikes. Whenever you feel a little… lonely. Whenever you see someone… attractive."

Turner winced, knowing full well who that "someone" Kendra was referring to was going to be.

"Besides, who's to say she won't enjoy it?" Kendra proposed. "It's all about… embracin' your desires, Anastasia."

"My desires don't involve… constant cravings," Anastasia retorted, her voice tight. "Or being a human pretzel."

"Details, details," Kendra waved a hand dismissively. "Now, onto dolin' out the BP for the popularity poll!"

1. Abby (+3640) 5990 -> 9630 BP
2. Sara (+3560) 5360 -> 8920 BP
3. Emma (+2800) 4325 -> 7125 BP
4. Kathryn (+2360) 4170 -> 6530 BP
5. Lana (+2360) 3990 -> 6350 BP
6. Charlotte (+2240) 4145 -> 6385 BP
7. Becca
8. Anastasia (+1840) 0 -> 1840 BP
9. Lauren (+1400) 3100 -> 4500 BP
10. Paige (+1200) 2410 -> 3610 BP
11. Mandy (+960) 2280 -> 3240 BP

"Some of you seem to be buildin' up quite the nest egg here!" Kendra announced. "Abby, Sara, Emma, you do realize that there are things you can buy, right? You three have consistently been near the top of every week's polls, and you haven't been spendin' a lot of your BP."

"I was saving mine for something this week," Sara cryptically answered. "There was a particularly expensive one in there that was pretty expensive which I wanted."

"I just haven't had the need to," Abby shrugged.

"And you robbed me!" Emma exclaimed. "After I bought that hint, it was useless!"

"Oh, you mean that… 'hint' about the challenge?" Kendra asked, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Yes, well, those ain't always guaranteed to be… useful. Especially when you're just going to look at the surface level."

"Well it cost me thousands of BP," Emma grumbled. "And got me absolutely nothing."

"Again, Emma, you weren't looking that deep," Kendra sighed. "There was information in there, you just couldn't find it."

"Yeah, right," Emma muttered, crossing her arms.

"Anyways, onto the date rankings, let's see whose dates ranked the highest!" Kendra continued

1. Abby
2. Sara
3. Emma
4. Charlotte
5. Lauren
6. Kathryn
7. Paige
8. Mandy
9. Lana (1/2 points)

"Some familiar faces at the top of this here too," Kendra mused. "And just like last time, Abby and Sara were clear favorites, way ahead of the competition, so they're once again getting a small prize for that."

Abby: +2 VP!
Sara: +1 VP!

"That's not fair!" Paige complained. "They were already high in the VP rankings, and you're just giving them more?"

"Oh shut up, Paige," Emma retorted. "You're literally only 3 points behind Sara."

"Still!" Paige was adamant.

"Well, maybe try havin' a better date next week and you won't end up in 7th place," Kendra shrugged.

"It's just because they're fan favorites!" Paige protested. "That's the only reason their dates were so good!"

"I'm sure that's the only reason, and not because we actually planned them out," Abby sarcastically replied. "Remind me again how Turner ever found you attractive?"

"Someone's getting feisty!" Kendra exclaimed. "That's the spirit, especially seeing as now it's challenge time!"

"Anything we should know about this one?" Lana asked. "Are you going to tell us something like 'bring a swimsuit' but then it turns out that having more clothes would be better for the challenge?"

"Nope!" Kendra shook her head. "Just follow me to the kitchen!"