Channel 6 News Reporting: On A Glitch

When Ellen came back Mark went over to her, and everyone else looked at her as she had come back in a skintight yellow jumpsuit with the zipper on the front, pulled down nearly to her waist, with the sleeves rolled up and a pair of white boots, wearing a wig of red-brown hair cropped fairly short to frame her face, and holding a microphone in one hand.

As Mark nearly finished approaching her, Ellen held up her microphone and began to speak into it. “Hello, viewers this is Ellen Thompson reporting from the field for Channel 6 News, here at the Playhouse Kennel cottage. We are about to get The Master’s reaction to seeing this reporter in a skintight jumpsuit for the first time.” Mark stopped in front of her and she asked, “So, Mark, what do you think of your new ace reporter for Channel 6 News?” She leaned forward as she finished speaking, showing off her ample cleavage, and extended the microphone towards his face.

“Um? You look really good in that. I’ve always been a fan of women in skintight clothing. Love the April O’Neil outfit.”

“You heard it here first, viewers. Skintight clothing and costumes are in. Let’s hope that Merida feels comfortable in them, because it’s just a matter of time before everything she wears will be like this.”

“Okay, Ellen are you going to be doing that the whole time?”

“No, I just thought it would be fun. I may also feel a little bit like I need to ask you questions but that was actually intentional, with the outfit choice. I wanted to get to know you better and figured that meant asking questions. So a reporter. It was essentially this or a really slutty reporter and I wanted to be more me, and less let’s find out exactly what my ideal size for Mark’s penis is. Plus, I did actually watch some cartoons growing up, not a lot mind you but I’m aware of Ninja Turtles.”

“That makes a lot of sense. Just one question, especially if you wanted to be more you. Are you wearing a corset under the jumpsuit?”

“Oh, yeah, I am. I had Sam lace me up today really tight in a thin under bust. Only you or she can actually take it off. I didn’t want a chance that it might come loose by accident, also my Waist Training doesn’t have the effect of not making me uncomfortable or causing other issues, like loss of blood flow, from it being too tight. But with Sam tying the laces I can’t suffer any actual harm from this.”

“That’s really clever. But you’re not too uncomfortable right?”

“No, it’s fine. Remember I kind of like bondage. So even if it is a little uncomfortable it’s still a turn-on actually.”

“Fair enough, so what’s the plan then? Besides asking me questions.”

“Okay, I hope this doesn’t sound lazy, but I actually would really like to do something that is one of your hobbies. But when I asked Allie, she said that it was mostly video games and tabletop games and movies. Which are cool and all but they don’t really lend themselves to getting to know each other very well if you are focused on the games or movies. Which is something Allie also said you very much would be. So I was hoping you would suggest something. I do have a back up plan if you don’t want to but, I think it would be sort of lame.”

“Hmm, my hobbies…” Mark thought about that question, “Well Allie is right, those are my main hobbies. But I can think of a few others, off the top of my head. Escape rooms, indoor rock wall climbing, biking, paintball, archery, some dancing. Except for the escape rooms and dancing, those don’t really lend themselves to great conversation, and honestly I have the same problem with both of those as I do with games. I get really focused on them. Also no way in hell are we doing an escape room after the virtual one Allie and I tried and failed at on our date. Would completely defeat your purpose.” That got a raised eyebrow from Ellen.

“Do tell. Please.”

“No, ask Allie if you want the details. You can tell her she has my permission to share them if she wants. But I’m not going to.”

“I’ll have to do that later then.”

“The only things I can think of that I would say are particularly conducive to conversation would be amusement parks, museums, aquariums and zoos. I’m not sure amusement parks would actually be conducive here though as there probably aren’t any lines so the part where you wait and talk isn’t there. Though I wouldn’t really call the other three hobbies, so much as I do occasionally enjoy going to one.”

“Well, then I’m going with my backup and I hope you aren’t disappointed. I’m going to take you bowling.”

“Oh that’s fantastic. I haven’t bowled in years, so I might be a little rusty.”

“I’m a little surprised by your reaction, a lot of the time people think it’s sort of boring.”

“Well I used to bowl all the time growing up, I had a good friend who was much better than me at it but when we went to different high schools we played in a local league on a team together to help stay in touch. As I kind of dropped scouting when I went to high school which was the main thing we had in common before that.”

"Hey, I dinnae want tae interrupt too much, but that friend winnae happen tae be Julius, would it?" Merida asked as while some of the others had left she was still around since the cottage was her room. "I was just wonderin' what happened tae him, since I lost touch wi' him aboot the same time I did wi' you."

“It would be. Well we went to different high schools, he never went to college. He still works as a mechanic last I heard, though I know he was considering becoming a deacon in the Catholic church last time we spoke. But that was quite a few years ago, at my dad’s funeral. He never really dated anyone that I’m aware of and still lives in the area of our hometown. He seemed to be doing well, for himself.”

"Ach, glad tae hear that. I kent ye twa were fair close, back then. Made me a wee bit jealous noo an' then, like I'd miss oot on time wi' you 'cause ye'd be wi' him instead. Wis curious tae, seein' as a few memories wi' him in them started comin'. But we can speak aboot that anither time. Enjoy yer date you twa.” Merida smiled and waved goodbye and went back inside the cottage.

“Shall we then?” Ellen asked absent-mindedly holding the microphone towards him.

“Sure.” Mark grabbed her outstretched arm and interlaced his own with it. “Now you’ll have to lead because I have absolutely no clue where the bowling alley is.”

“Oh? Really? It’s in the fitness center you took Sam too. I thought you would have known about it.”

“That place is big. So I probably missed it easily.” Mark said as he began walking towards town now that he knew where to go.

“Really it doesn’t look that big unless it has some underground floors.”

“Oh, you haven’t been inside have you?”

“No. Why?”

“It’s bigger on the inside.”

“Like a TARDIS?” Mark stopped for a second, and looked at Ellen.

“You watch Doctor Who? Oh we are going to get along swimmingly.” Mark laughed. “I had to drag Allie into almost anything sci-fi, and she really hates time travel and outer space. She’s a fantasy girl through and through. So this is fantastic to hear.”

This brought a smile to Ellen’s lips. “Well, I love almost all types of fiction so feel free to share with me whatever it is you like as long as you think it’s good.”

“Oh? What if I really like something but I still think it’s just awful trash?”

“That you must share with me. Those are the best types of works, the utter trash you just can’t help but love. If I don’t like the genre I’ll let you know, after the first couple of works but otherwise, gimme.”

“Fair enough don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“I acknowledge your right of ‘I told you so’ in the event I complain about them. Now, your favorite movie?”

“Okay, so I’m going to stop that line of question for a second and explain something. I am a pedant. So to answer your question I would need criteria on which to qualify my favorite by. And don’t say ‘oh the one you like most or enjoy watching the most’, because that isn’t helpful. I like movies for different reasons and I might enjoy some films more in certain moods. So please narrow your question at least a little.”

“Okay fine, I can do that. Favorite Sci-fi Movie? Mine by the way is probably, ‘Minority Report’.”

“Okay tough one still. Do I have to give one or can I give my top three?”

“I’ll take more information about you anytime.”

“Well ‘Jurassic Park’, ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy’ and ‘Pitch Black’.”

“Love the first two. We are watching the third one later tonight back at your suite as I've never heard of it. Okay next is a three parter all of which should be in your opinion either underread or lesser known works. Favorite piece of literary fiction, favorite book series, favorite fictional sub-genre and please be as pedantic as you like on the last one. I’ll answer first again, ’The Prestige’, ‘The Bobiverse’, and Feghoots.”

“Okay before I answer, I want to comment on yours. Seen the movie for 'The Prestige'. I know it was based upon the book but the movie was good, so I'll give it a read when I can. Second I fucking love the Bobiverse did you manage to read the fifth one before we were brought on the show? And what in the hell are Feghoots?”

“I did not get to read the newest one so no spoilers, and Feghoots are a subgenre of science fiction short stories… that always end in an elaborate pun.”

“HAHAHAHA” Mark couldn’t help but bend over and clutch his stomach at that. “Oh my god. I don’t think you realize just how many enemies you just made in the harem. The others are all going to hate you for introducing me to that genre… maybe not Flora.”

“I think I'll live. Now your answers?”

“I’ll go with ‘The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August’, ‘The Dresden Files’, and Progression Fantasy.”

“Okay well I’ll add those to the list too. I’ve only heard of ‘The Dresden Files’ but have no idea about the other two.”

“Well I can’t tell you much about Harry August without fundamentally spoiling the book, so I won’t try. ‘Dresden Files’ is like a Film noir meets wizards in Chicago, and urban fantasy for the genre. Progression Fantasy, well it takes a few different forms but usually the idea is that the characters get fundamentally stronger and more powerful as they progress through the story. Like, think leveling up in a video game or a game of D&D. But the actual mechanics don’t have to be there but in a lot of the stuff I read things like stats and stuff are actually included.”

“Interesting… Not sure I would like the last one but I’ll try it. Can you recommend two, maybe three books that you would consider… foundational to the genre but also sort of span the scope of the genre.”

“Yeah, I’ll have to think about it but I’ll pick out a few for you. Are you seriously willing to read them even if you think you won’t like it?”

“Well sure. I don’t know I wouldn’t like it, maybe there is something there and even if I don’t like certain aspects of it, if the story is decent, as long as the elements I don’t like are too prevalent I can overlook them. Plus while I’m not just looking to pick up whatever you're into, like I have no opinion of my own, if you like them I would like to at least learn about them. I’m apparently stuck with you no matter what so I feel like I should try to learn about some of the things you like. And I would say that our interests overlap quite a bit based upon our conversation so far today. I wouldn’t say I’m a nerd or gamer girl or anything but I do love fiction.”

“Well, I might need you to hold me to the titles you recommended because my reading list tends to back up quite a bit. Looks like we’ve arrived. Let’s see if we can find our way to the bowling Alley.” Mark went ahead and opened the door for Ellen.

“Dang this place is huge. I know you said it was bigger on the inside but like this place puts college sports centers to shame.”

“Yeah it does. Look over here, there’s a directory. Okay let’s see… twenty floors each over 10000 square meters… so huge. It looks like the bowling alley is on subfloor 3, and there is an elevator over here.” Mark said, pointing to a map of the floor. They walked over to the elevator and got on.”

ASTRID’s voice played over the loud as the elevator door closed. “~Like Welcome~ to the Harem Hotel, Harem Girl Development Center. Where the budding Harem Girl can come to make sure that their body is in the perfect condition for their beloved Master. Please select a floor to go to.” Ellen went ahead and pressed the B3 button. “~Sorry~ I do sincerely apologize but The Master has been detected in the elevator, proper protocol requires either he selects a floor or gives one of his girls an order.” Mark just sighed at hearing ASTRID’s voice like that, as it seemed far more robotic than usual. He reached out and pressed the B3 button himself and the elevator started to move.

Mark noticed Ellen’s sad expression. Having noticed Mark staring at her she explained, “It just seems so messed up, like why go that far, but have rules against **** that are so strict? I also am worried about what I could end up as, especially with my paths, and fetishes, being what they are.”

The elevator seemed to be taking quite a while to reach its destination, Astrid spoke up over the speaker system, “~Oh, He, He~ please don’t worry about me, Ellen. I am quite happy with my life. I love my sister models very much and they come to check on me regularly. I do wish they could visit my primary apparatus on occasion though. But that would simply be inefficient. Also might I recommend visiting sub-basement eleven, Ellen, on your own time. We have a great vocal studio, where I’m sure we can optimize your vocal range for The Master’s tastes.” Ellen seemed a bit unnerved by that.

Mark tried to divert the conversation away from Ellen. “Astrid, can you tell us why it’s taking so long to reach our destination.”

“~Oh Master~ you are ~SO SILLY~ just press the open door button why do you think it’s there? After all, we wouldn't want someone barging into the elevator while you are having hot steamy sex with one of your girls.”

Ellen once again reached out and pressed the indicated button. A discordant screeching sound played and then in a much more menacing tone “~BAD GIRL~” played over the speaker, before ASTRID returned to her normally cheery tone. “~Hehe, Silly Ellen~ I thought I already told you, either The Master needs to press the buttons or,” returning to the menacing tone “~HE NEEDS TO ORDER YOU TO!~” and cheery again, “~So would you kindly~ keep your grubby little unoptimized hands off my buttons.”

Mark quickly moved to press the open door button, wanting to get them both off the elevator as fast as possible. As soon as the door opened he practically pushed Ellen out of the elevator, as fast as he could and followed right after her. When the doors closed behind them, he said. “Okay I don’t care if I have to carry you up them we are taking the stairs back.”

“Agreed. That… That was terrifying.” Ellen pulled out her phone. “Umm… Mark? This might seem like a silly question but do you have cell service?”

“What?”

“My phone when I go to try and send a message to the others just says ‘service not available’ so… do you have service?”

Mark pulled out his phone and checked “No… I don’t. Fuck.”

“Mark two things. First, please don’t panic.”

“Okay, that I can do.” He was definitely close to panicking

“Second, I would really like it if you tried to swear less, at least in front of me. I really don’t like it. I’m not saying that right now isn’t an appropriate time to swear, because of all times this probably qualifies. But you and the others do it rather a lot, and I would appreciate it if you tried to do it less, okay?” Surprisingly the abrupt change in topic helped calm him down.

“Okay, Ellen. I can see that this really matters to you, and I’d like to learn why later. But I’ll try my best, but it isn’t going to change overnight.”

“Nor do I expect it to, and I don’t expect it to cease entirely either, that would be unreasonable for me to ask that you moderate your speech to that extent. I’m just asking you to do it less, around me. Now back to the actual matter at hand.”

“Right. Cassandra. CASSANDRA! Don’t you even complain about the phones right now, I can't message you Cassandra, even if I wanted to.”

~Pop~

“Give me your phone.” Cassandra said sternly and rather disgruntled. “Both of you, now!” They both handed them over. She pulled out her own phone too. Checked a few things on her phone. She turned them off, and back on again. Then she returned their phones to them. “I don’t know what the issue was but I’m going to look into it, your phones are working again.”

“Could it have been that thing with ASTRID?” Ellen asked, “Where her voice went all weird.”

Cassandra looked at her, “No… it shouldn’t be. That occasionally happens, typically when someone tries to do something that pushes against her transformation too hard. You also don’t need to tell the others about that.” Cassandra looked at Mark pointedly. “Understand?”

“I also feel like I definitely should tell the others about that. Ellen was terrified, I was terrified being in that elevator.”

“Do what you want,” Cassandra said in exasperation. “I need to investigate the phone issue. Have a good time on the rest of your date. Ellen, I love the outfit by the way. Oh and the fans have requested you gain a few extra cup sizes while on your date. Something to consider. Bowling Alley is down that hall. Bye.”

~Pop~

Ellen brought up her contact list, pulling up the group chat, when Mark grabbed her hand. “Wait, Ellen. Maybe we don’t need to tell the others.”

“Mark, are you crazy right now? Like from fear or something? I would understand if you were.”

“No, I just think that maybe in this particular instance, even if we don’t really want to, we might want to follow Cassandra’s request. I still plan to talk to Freya about this though.”

Ellen took a moment to look over Mark, and saw that he was hesitating about something. “Okay… if you think so.” Ellen wasn’t overly pleased about this. “Umm, Mark? Do you want to head back, or are you okay with continuing? I would understand if you wanted out of here but I still would like to do something together.”

“Honestly, I think something normal like bowling would be nice right now.”