What Do You Do with a Drunken Chloe? Let Her Hug A Freya!

Mark and Laura walked over to Hilde sitting on the carriage and were surprised to find that Freya was there as well.

“Hey, you two. Thanks for picking us up.” Mark said as he climbed aboard the carriage. “Not that I don’t want you around or anything Freya but why are you here?”

Laura followed Mark up into the carriage and Hilde began to move the carriage as they were on the far side of the island from the palace.

“Well, Mark. I came because there is a matter that I think needs your attention, and I think you would want to be informed about it immediately.”

“What is it?”

“Chloe is drunk in the Tavern. Crying and alone.”

Laura and Mark both winced at that. Laura spoke up first though, “What happened to her? Why would she be doing that?”

“I don’t have the full details but I know Sam got into an argument with Chloe while they were discussing something over a drink. Sam stormed off, Chole stayed and kept drinking.”

“Mark, Chloe is my friend. If she’s drinking alone, I’d like to go help her. Are you okay with that?”

“Yes. I was just about to ask you if we could go deal with this.” Mark then got a call on his phone. The ringtone was a song in Japanese. “Is that my phone? What is this ringtone and why do I recognize it?” Freya snickered at his question which Mark noticed.

Laura asked, “Are you going to answer it? I mean it must be important if they are calling instead of texting and it wouldn’t be Cassandra right she would just appear.”

“Yeah… It’s Talia, on the CallerID.” Mark took a deep breath, closed his eyes and answered the phone. “Talia, what's the emergency?”

“I’m worried I’m about to do something I’ll regret, to Sam. She sent you a text about ten minutes ago, about her list. I really want to do this. I can tell that but I also don’t want to make you or Sam upset.”

Mark’s voice went a little hostile, “Talia what are you doing?” Then he calmed down a little. “Sorry, you’re clearly calling because you don’t want to hurt her. Can I put you on speakerphone? Laura, Freya and Hilde are here. I want to read Sam’s message.”

“Go ahead.”

Mark put it on speakerphone, and then moved to the missed messages. “Fuck, that wasn’t Cassandra messaging me, earlier it was Sam. Damnit. Okay Talia I read over her message and I did as asked. I can guess what this is about and thank you for calling me, and not doing that to Sam.”

“Yeah. Do you think you can come here? I know you have your date with Laura and you didn’t want to be interrupted but, I’m concerned about her.”

Laura spoke up and told Talia, “We are already taking a break to deal with another issue. Mark, you go deal with Sam, I’ll deal with Chloe. If you finish with Sam, come to the tavern.”

“Thanks Laura.” Mark said, “Talia, we'll be there soon. Thank you.”

“Sure, Mark.” Then Talia hung up.

Freya spoke up, “Mark, Laura I don’t want to rush you but it is getting a bit into the afternoon it will be a bit of time to travel across the island as is, you two won’t have long before you need to be at least on the palace grounds if not inside the palace.”

“Thanks Freya, We’ll try to be quick. Can you go with Laura, and help look after Chloe? Especially if we have to leave before the issue is resolved?”

“I could Mark. But I don’t think it would be wise. I might make the problem worse.”

“Freya I know that you and Chloe haven’t gotten along this week, a lot. But I actually asked because I hoped that you two might be able to resolve your own issues with each other without me playing mediator.”

“I agree, Freya.” Laura added. “You and she have been butting heads for a while. It would be best if you two can resolve the problem, instead of involving Mark in what is essentially an issue that is between you two.

“If that is what you want, then I’ll do it.” Clearly Freya was not thrilled with the idea.

“Thank you Freya. Hilde, can you push the carriage faster?”

“No, I can’t. Sorry. Also it will be faster for everyone to get off at the tower and use the portals.”

“Mark, are you okay?” Laura put hand on his shoulder in concern.

“I would just like not to be dealing with problems like this everyday.”

“It has been an eventful week hasn’t it?”

Mark just nodded to that. As they rode in silence, Mark leaned against Laura’s shoulder and closed his eyes just to center himself. Then he remembered Freya's snickering. "Hey Freya, why did you find it funny I recognized the ring tone on my phone."

Freya, looked like she was caught with her hand in the cookie jar. "Well, I know that song. I normally help Cassandra research Master's and contestants somewhat. It's from an anime you've seen."

"Which anime... and why is that funny."

"I believe the full name is 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' with it being the theme song."

Laura was confused. "Why is that funny?"

"It's an anime about magical girls." Mark groaned. Which caused Laura to laugh.

In about fifteen minutes they arrived at the tower. As Mark got off, he said, “Thanks Hilde, I’ll see you at the town’s edge in a little bit.” and he started hurrying towards the tower.

When he entered he found Talia bound. Her wrists tied behind her back and ankles tied together with the bed sheet. She was lying on the bed. “Talia? What happened?”

“Sam might have realized what I was trying to do after I called you. She tied me up and went up the stairs, so I couldn’t follow her. She’s waiting for you. But could you untie me first?” Mark went ahead and freed her. “Stay here okay.”

“Not a problem.”

Mark bounded up the stairs not finding Sam until he reached the very top. “Hey, Sam.” She was sitting against a wall, knees up against her chest. Mark sat down next to her, and just waited for her to speak.

It took a few minutes but she finally spoke, “I was scared Mark. I felt like I had to let Talia continue explaining things that you liked. So, I would know your preferences better. I felt helpless, it wasn’t that I felt like I was simply going to change to whatever she said. But I probably would have tried some of her suggestions out. I realized while talking to Talia, I was both willing and felt like I needed to let you permanently make my breasts bigger if that’s what you wanted. She didn’t mean anything by it and even suggested one of us leave. We were just having a conversation, and it happened. So, don’t get mad at Talia or anything, okay.”

“I understand. Can I do anything to help? Maybe turn some of the other options off?”

“I don’t know, I don’t think that will help as much as you think. I’m conflicted a little at what I want you to do.” Mark didn’t say anything but gave her a curious glance. “Well… Could you tell me what your ideal wife would be? Like in a fantasy?”

“No, I couldn’t. Not because I’m unwilling though I probably wouldn’t tell you what it is if I had one because I don’t want you to internalize it. The truth is, in an ideal world I would have multiple very different women as my wives. I guess I’m getting that. The only universal thing I want Sam, is to love the woman I'm with and for her to love me back. Sam, you don’t need to change or be malleable for me okay. I have Talia now for that and Ellen to some degree. I’ll let you know I’m not permanently increasing your breasts or hips. Probably anyone else’s either. What I will be doing is permanently upgrading Ellen’s boon so each of you can be a wide variety of sizes. My point is while I have a transformation fetish it isn’t all I have.”

“Sam, I want you to remember what Cassandra said about us. With small changes in circumstances we have a happy relationship. I don’t know if Talia mentioned this or not but on our date we watched something like a highlights reel of our alternate lives together. Were there some differences, sure. But watching it I could still see Talia and myself in everyone of them. It wasn’t like some bizarro world, where we were totally different people. My point is Sam, you don’t need to change to make me happy. At least no more than anyone who is in a relationship does. Sure maybe there is some really small thing you do that will peeve me, and I’ll ask you to stop." Mark held up a finger. "No, I don’t have anything in mind before you ask. But, outside of getting to know one another and establishing boundaries, you don’t need to radically change to make me happy. Just be with me okay?”

“Okay. Would you mind, assuming Cassandra is okay with it, me watching our other lives?”

“Normally I would say yes. But I have a concern with that, at least without me also being there. Which is, I could see your TF reacting to and internalizing comments my alternate self made. Otherwise no I wouldn’t mind. That’s actually true of everyone.”

“Thanks, Mark, for coming to check on me.” Sam stood up and offered Mark a hand up which he took. Then she hugged him. “I’m good, and seriously I’m happy that I can trust you and feel safe with you. You constantly reassure me about those things. I’m glad you like me for me. But, I wouldn’t mind changing just a little for you. Now get back to Laura, it’s her night.”

“Actually… speaking of that. What happened between you and Chloe?”

“I gave her a reality check.” Sam did not seem to want to elaborate further.

“Sam… Right now Laura is with her in the Tavern, because she is drunk. Chloe was also crying and alone. I’m going there right after I leave here. So I’d like to be informed about what I’m walking into.”

Sam sighed, “Well, she came to the library asking to help. I felt like I should try to figure out what her problem with you was. I think that was at least partially a need to resolve your problems. But it wasn’t totally. Anyway, the conversation wasn’t that long. I asked what her problem was. She said she didn’t have one. I called Bullshit. That she’s the only one clearly taking their frustrations with the show out on you.”

“Well I don’t agree with that but please continue.”

Sam, was a little curious, but went on, “I told her what I thought of her, which was she was possessive and taking the fact she has to share you out on you, because she can’t do it to Cassandra, and she feels wrong about doing it to us since we are also **** into a relationship with you. I said that her past relationships probably failed because of her possessiveness. She yelled at me, saying I didn’t know her. And I’d take you all for myself if I could.”

Sam stopped there but Mark could tell that isn’t where it ended. “Sam, please finish explaining it’s important.”

Sam seemed hesitant to finish, “Mark, it isn’t that I regret saying it to Chloe, it's just a little embarrassing to say to you.”

“Sam, please. I’m concerned that Chloe might end up doing something stupid either tonight or tomorrow. Stupid enough that she might lose points. She doesn’t have that many so she could go negative. The challenge is in two days. I don’t want to risk that. So please, I won’t judge you.”

“Mark, it isn’t about you judging me." Sam sighed. "You’re right. I won’t risk Chloe’s safety over a bit of embarrassment. So… when Chloe accused me of wanting you all for myself. I told her, I was fine sharing, you. In fact… I told her that even if Cassandra sent us back right now without TFs, I would try to be with Allie and you… if you two would have me.”

Sam didn’t meet Mark’s gaze as she said this but Mark cupped her chin and tilted her head up towards him, to look her in the eyes. “I said something very similar to Ellen yesterday, about you too. Don’t be embarrassed, okay.” That caused Sam to flush bright red. “Can you please continue, though.”

“I then might have gotten really mad at her and yelled at her. Telling her that I’m happier than I’ve been in years and that if she keeps treating my boyfriend poorly, that she and I would have a problem, and I wouldn’t just let that happen. She retorted, what would I do about it? I threatened to tie her up and make her ask for you to release her. That I wouldn’t let her threaten my chance at happiness, and if she wouldn’t sort out her problem with you I would.”

Mark sighed at that, took out his phone and moved ‘resolving Mark’s problems’ to the inactive list for Sam.

“Mark, I can tell you what you just did. Could you please undo it. I want to help you. I want to get better at that. I could tell what I did wrong this time. It’s up to you, but I didn’t feel compelled to call out Chloe, not really.”

“I’ll move it back after the challenge.”

“Thanks, and I understand. Sorry for making a bigger mess of things.”

“Sam, you were trying to help. I’m also glad you want to defend and stand up for me.” Mark kissed her on the top of her head. “Thanks. If you’re okay I should get to Chloe.”

“I’m good, thanks.”

So, Mark started down the stairs to go meet Laura and Chloe.

---

As Laura got off the carriage after Mark, she didn’t wait for Freya but simply went directly to the portal towards town. When she reached town she went into the tavern to find Chloe at the bar slumped over, with five empty cocktails next to her and a sixth in hand.

Laura sat down next to her. “Chloe, talk to me.”

Chloe looked up at Laura’s words, finally noticing that she was there. Laura could tell she had been crying."Oh... hey, Laura. Whass... whassat you doin' here?"

“I came to check on you. I heard you were having a problem.”

“M'the problem, 'parently... Laura. Nob'dy likes me, 'cept you... 'n' Aubrey. All o' 'em think I got a problem... with Mark. I don't! don't have a prob-lem with Mark. Mark's cute. Heh. Cute. But when I see hish stoo-pid face, I jus' get mad, 'n' I don' know why!” Chloe threw her hands up in frustration

Dang, she is sloshed. It’s okay Laura you’ve handled drunk Chloe before. “Chloe, plenty of people here like you. They’re just frustrated with how you are taking things out on Mark.”

“You too...? You too, Laura? I... I really don't... don't have a prob-lem with Mark!” Chloe was crying a bit.

“I don’t think you have a problem with Mark. I think you have a crush on Mark. That you did back in college too.”

“Well, yeahh... I mean, he's... he's cuuute 'n' handschome. He wash back in college too... more cute though, 'n' dorky. I... I don' remember why I never... never tried askin' him out though.” It was at this point that Freya walked into the tavern, and Chloe saw her. “Whassa... whass thissh b-bitch doin' here? Y-you come to make fun o' me? Huh. Tryin' to shteal Laura's 'n' my guy. You're jussht his... his butler.”

Laura got mad at that, slammed the counter and yelled at Chloe, “CHLOE! Freya is the one that came to get me and Mark to come help you. Mark will be here shortly. She doesn’t deserve this hostility. Apologize to Freya. NOW!”

Chloe glared at Freya and then Laura, and then cried a bit. “Sorry... I guessh... for callin' you a bitch, Freya. An' that you're jus' his butler. But... you are tryin' to worm your way into his bed so I'm not sorry for callin' you out on that.”

“Chloe, as I’ve explained before and to Mark several times. I am not willing to be with him. It would mean giving up on my sister and I’m not willing to do that.”

“R-really? 'Cause I don' feel like that's the cashe. Tell me... how'd you feel lookin' inna mirror? I sh-saw you enter that tranc-like shtate. Wha' wash your future with Mark like? Were you... were you happy?”

Laura looked in surprise from Chloe to Freya. “Wait, you looked in the Mirror? Why? When? Wait… If Chloe saw that it had to be at the slumber party or the morning after.”

“I did get a glimpse as I was putting the cover over it.”

"Yeah? 'n' how'd you... feel?"

“I don’t want to discuss it.” Freya said, looking away rather frustrated with it.

"I bet it wash really clear, wasn't it? It's s'posed to show a prob'ble future, right? Bet it showed you marryin' him, didn't it? Bet you can remember that, can'tcha?" Freya's face went red in anger.

Laura chastised Chloe, “Chloe that was mean. Seriously, why do you have a problem with Freya?”

“If it wash mean, why'sh she not denyin' it? Wha' I wash bein' wash right! My prob-lem with her ish... she's jus' like Shadie, goin' after a guy that already hash a woman, 'n' knows other'sh got their shights on him.”

Laura realized what the problem was. “Crap. Freya could you wait outside and not let Mark come in.”

“I’ll wait outside and let him know you don’t think he should come in Laura, but I think he should come and handle this, so I won’t stop him.”

“Good enough, thank you.” Freya left and then Laura turned to Chloe. “Chloe, Freya isn’t Sadie. I don’t know all of what happened between you and Sadie but just because she asked out Mark, after you told her you liked Mark, doesn’t mean you should take it out on Freya or Mark.”

"Wha'r'ya talkin' 'bout? O' course Freya isn't Shadie. Heh… Shadie, I’ll ‘member that one. Freya's actual-ly pretty, ‘n’ shmart, 'n' a threat. 'N' wha'd'ya mean that bitch Shadie asked out Mark? I told her there wash thish tall hanshome dark-haired dork I wash into. I don' remember hish name, 'n' she asked him out the nex' week. 'Ventually she had the gall to queshtion why I'd even be int'reshted in... the guy."

“Chloe I talked with Mark about this, that tall handsome dark-haired dork was Mark. From what Aubrey and some others in the sorority said it matches up perfectly with Sadie asking out Mark, when Mark remembers being asked out by her.”

"Wait... Shooo... Mark 'n' I were s'posed to have a chance together. Thass what Cashandra shaid. Sho Shadie ish the reason I'm here? Sh-she ruined my chance?"

“I don’t know if that is accurate. But maybe. Maybe it was you who focused on Sadie and forgot about Mark. Seeing as how you didn’t even remember the name of the guy that you had a nearly two year long feud over.”

"Shooo... ish it my fault then?"

“Hell no! The only ones at fault for anyone being here are the ones that make this show.”

“Now I can hear Freya talking to someone, who is probably Mark. Chloe, you have three options here. One, I tell Mark to come in here and talk to you. Two Freya comes in here, you will be respectful to her, and she will take care of you while you sober up, a little before she takes you back to your room. Three I call Aubrey and tell her to come get you and explain to her exactly what happened. You need to pick quickly or the choice will be made for you.”

"I don' wanna Mark or Aubrey to see me like thish. (Sniffle) If I'm nice... d'you really think Freya'll sh-shtay with me?"

“Yes, but I want to let you know. I will be telling Freya if you disrespect her she is free to call Aubrey to come get you, so don’t.”

"Okay. I promishhh... I'll be nice... to Freya."

“Alright I’ll go get her. Wait here.” Laura got up and went outside and found Freya with Mark who had a worried expression on his face. “Okay Mark she’d like for you not to see her drunk off her ass. Freya, she’s promised to be nice and respectful. I told her you would call Aubrey on her if she wasn’t. Please don’t do that unless she actually becomes a problem, but if she does cross a line you don’t deserve to be abused by her, so call Aubrey.” Freya nodded and went inside.

“Is Chloe going to be alright?”

From inside came a very clear if slurred Chloe shouting "FREYA! (Tearfully) I'M SO SHORRY! You're really pretty 'n' Mark ish a nice guy. I'm shorry I got mad at you. I r-really don't... don't dishlike you. (Sniffle, broken words) An'... an' if you’re willin ta commit to Mark... I'm... I'm willin' to share him. Can you for-give me?"

“Ummm…. I think so?” Laura gave a skeptical glance back at the door. “I think Aubrey rubbed off on her over the years. She was less prone to mood swings while drunk back in college. I think it best to just leave it be until morning Mark. She’ll be okay I think. She’ll have a killer headache in the morning but I’m pretty sure she’ll remember the conversation and feelings towards Freya tomorrow. So things should be okay. Plus we don’t have much time left right now. So unless you really want to go in there when she doesn’t want you to, we should go to the suite. I also think that you won’t have enough time to resolve this unless you bring Chloe back to the suite. Which please don’t do. Not because it would stop us from doing anything but I don’t think Chloe should be in your bed like this.”

“Agreed on that last point. I’m going to trust your judgement here, you know her a lot better than I do. So you still want that round three or has this killed your mood.”

“Oh we are definitely having a round three. Maybe four or five. And a sixth in the morning. I haven’t gotten properly laid all week. The time with Sam was nice. But I prefer a good dicking. I hope I don’t have to wait until my date night every week but I also know I’m not going to get it as much as I want. So I’m getting, while the getting’s good.”