How to Help

Mark awoke in the morning with Talia resting her head on his chest as she slept. Okay now that is just weird. Mark noticed a bunch of Zs floating off into nothingness from Talia, along with a large bubble coming out of one nostril. He grabbed a hair pin that Talia left on the nightstand and used it to pop the bubble.

Talia instantly woke up, and mouthed some words.

“Okay that is the weirdest thing ever.”

Talia looked at Mark confused.

“You had a whole bunch of Zs coming from you and floating into the air and a big snot bubble that as soon as I popped woke you up.”

She mouthed ‘Well, duh.’ Then she realized she needed to kiss Mark to speak.

Mark put a finger on her lips. “Oh I thought you were kissing Laura first thing in the morning.” Mark gave her a teasing smirk. Talia pursed her lips, put her hands on her hips and glared at Mark. After a small chuckle Mark placed his hand on her cheek and brought her in for a kiss.

“I told you she just happened to be closer. That’s all.”

“Hmm… that sounds like blasphemy to me.”

“I’m never going to live that down am I?”

“Doubtful.” Mark got up to get dressed and checked his messages. “Huh… Apparently there was a room change Talia. You can check your phone for details. Seems like it was Chloe’s doing. Oh thank the gods.”

“That’s going to be a thing for you isn’t it…” Talia said annoyed. “Mark, is there a reason you don’t return to Catholicism after you’ve admitted that the Lord is probably real?”

“Hmm… Well, I would never return to the church even if I returned to the faith. Not unless the church was essentially purged of most of the leadership. As for the faith, even if he is real I’m not going to let another individual dictate to me what is right and wrong.”

“But the Lord is a deity, surely that has some weight.”

“So is Laura. I’m certainly not going to simply let her tell me what is right and wrong. More importantly like I said yesterday I know other deities exist. Why should I worship him over other deities? Heck for all we know Cassandra could be more powerful than him.” Mark held up his hand to stop Talia. “Don’t say that he is omnipotent. You’ll just make him sound like a Mary Sue if you do.”

Talia shook her head, “Well, I appreciate you not trying to push me to abandon my faith even if you are trying to make me question it.”

“Real faith requires that it is tested.”

“True. What were you thankful for anyway?”

“Only Laura and Hilde are asking for any of my time this morning. Meaning I am just going to relax up here and play some video games by myself, after dealing with the two of them.”

“Well, Laura probably just wants sex. No clue what Hilde might want though.”

“I actually think Laura wants to talk to me, she probably also wants sex though. I have a good idea what Hilde wants. Do you need anything this morning Talia?”

“Could we look into the mirror together? Last time we tried I guess my future was too unknown.”

“Sure, but I should warn you we are pretty sure I get personal details about you subconsciously.”

“Don’t really care. Mark, as far as I’m concerned, that is a positive. I was wondering, have you looked into the mirror as Mary yet?”

“No, I haven’t.”

“Would you, with me? See if it is different or not? I mean Mary is a part of you now. A part that literally everyone in your harem finds attractive. You aren’t planning on denying that part of yourself are you?”

“No, I’m not. I guess I should look into the mirror as Mary.” Mark swapped to being Mary and walked over to the mirror by Talia. “So, do you want me to do this solo first or together?”

“Let’s do it together.” Talia put her arm around Mary’s waist and pulled her in close, and looked at their reflection in the mirror.

Talia found herself in a church, standing in front of the altar. She was wearing a wedding gown, except that it was pitch black. Mary was standing across from her in white, beaming a wide smile at Talia. Laura was officiating. Talia couldn’t hear most of what Laura was saying, but reading Laura’s lips noticed the words ‘high priestess’ being uttered as Laura gestured to Talia. The scene changed fast-forwarding a few years. Talia was pregnant and now standing behind the same altar, preaching about the good news of Laura. The scene rewound, she was back at the altar, Mark was standing across from her in a white tuxedo, and her in a black wedding dress. Cassandra was officiating. Mark’s smile wasn’t quite as captivating as Mary’s was. He was clearly happy, but not as happy when it had been Mary standing across from her. Fast-forwarding a few years, she could tell she had children with Mark, but she felt like Mark’s feelings for her never reached the level of her feelings for him.

Mary found herself in the foyer again. Each hall was still present, but a new purple hall she had never seen before was present as well. Who’s hall is that? Mary went and counted the other halls and came up with the nine for the contestants with Isabella sharing Allie’s hall, and one for all the staff. Mary ran down Talia’s hall to check it out, hoping she would have time to come back. As she went down the hall it became darker but more beautiful as something glinted in the walls making the walls and ceiling look like a clear moonless night sky. While everything was dark the only true black thing in the room was the bed. Mary found Talia and Mark here huddled over a workbench off to one side of the room. Talia was showing him her plans for some new invention. There was genuine interest, but she could feel that there wasn't equal love between them. Mary quickly went to the bedside figuring there would be the standard pair of photographs, on the nightstand. There were actually three. One of Mark and Talia at their wedding, the full harem photo, Talia was seated to the far left side with Flora still on Mark’s Lap and Laura with her arms around his neck. The last picture was flickering between an image of Laura and Talia together at their own wedding, and a picture of Mary and Talia at some scientific conference. Mary quickly ran back to the foyer and looked down the purple hall. She looked at the other halls and got feelings from them. Nothing from the purple hall. Mary moved down the hall cautiously, when she reached the end of the hall what she saw confused her. It wasn’t a bedroom like the others but a tea room, with a table set for two. One chair was occupied and the woman sitting in it gestured to Mary to take the other one. Mary took the seat and asked, “Petra? Why do you have your own hallway, in my mirror?”

“It’s nice to meet you Mary, I’ve heard so much about you.”

“Wait… Are… are you Astrid? The real her?”

“Afraid not.” She shook her head. “My name is Daisy.”

“You’re Astrid’s diary.”

“Astrid’s friend,” Daisy corrected, “and a part of Astrid’s family.”

“I’m sorry if I offended you.”

“It’s fine.”

“Why are you here?”

“I’m here to listen. You are correct in the fact I was a diary, technically I still am. That’s what Diaries do. They listen. I’ve heard you want to help Astrid.”

“I do, yes.” Mary waited for Daisy to say something more but got nothing in reply. “Can you help me, help her?”

“Not how you or I would like.”

“How can you help?”

“I have knowledge, I’m a book after all.”

I don’t feel like she is being deliberately obtuse. I guess I need the right questions. “Is there a way to save Astrid?”

“Yes.”

“But you can’t tell it to me can you?”

“That’s accurate.”

“Is that information in the library?”

“Yes.”

“Is it in you?”

“No.”

Mary was feeling a tugging sensation. I guess I’m running out of time. What should I ask? “What is the most important piece of information you think I need to know?”

“Saving Astrid will come at a cost, how steep that cost is and who pays it will end up depending on you. Our time is up. Don’t mention we spoke like this, Mary.”

Mary found herself back in front of the mirror. Talia turned to her and asked, “So, was it all that different from when you were Mark?”

Mary thought about her experience. She could remember everything at the end of the purple hallway clearly, everything else though was like before, bits and pieces. “Not that different, your room felt like a workshop or lab. I will say it felt… like something was lacking, but not awful.”

“Hmm… that sounds like the second of my visions. I could tell you were happy but I don’t think you loved me. At least not anything like I love you. Don’t fret over it too much Mary. I believe I can get you to fall for me, eventually. I will say that the first vision I got did feel like you loved me just as much as I loved you.”

“Well, that’s good. I know that mine reflects far more the current state of things. I’m glad that loving you is a probable future for us.”

Talia kissed Mary on the cheek, “I’m going to head out so you can have some alone time. Have a good time with Sam tonight.” With that she walked out of the suite.

Mary just sat down on the couch and closed her eyes. Okay well, that is a lot to process. Good news, we can save Astrid and the info is in the library like I thought. Bad news it is going to be hard to find and saving her will have a cost. The fact how steep the cost and who pays it depends on me, makes me think there is something in my BP store that is relevant. Mary just sat there for a while thinking and doing meditation exercises. About twenty minutes later there was a knock at the door. “Come in.” Mary said but didn’t get up or open her eyes, and continued her breathing exercises. “What can I do for you Laura?”

“Can you look at me while we talk?” Laura asked.

Mary let out a final deep breath and opened her eyes. “So, what’s up?”

“I’m not here for sex, Mary. I wanted to talk about a few serious topics.”

“I figured that was the case. Please go ahead.”

“First, I’ve decided that I’m going to go for the main path selection, assuming I still have your permission.”

“You do.”

“I think I’d also like to modify the path like you suggested. Assuming we can for a reasonable price.”

“What made you decide that?”

Laura blushed slightly. “Mary, I like you okay. Lucia wasn’t lying when she said you were my first crush. If the path is going to influence every TF I get, including all the ones I already have, I’d prefer that it would incorporate that concept instead of focusing only on sex. Part of it was seeing the alternative versions of us. I could tell those Lauras loved those Marks. I was honestly surprised when I saw Laura after Laura had stayed with you after you refused to have sex for so long. I was utterly shocked when I was willing to keep the baby. Not that we had kids after we were married that made sense to me. But the fact I was willing to keep the baby and elope with you in the first version was a lot to take in. I’ve been examining my feelings. I’ve had fuck buddies and booty calls in the past Mary. The idea that we might end up simply as fuck buddies; That feels extremely disappointing to me.”

“I agree, but what do you want our relationship to ultimately look like? I think I’ve made it clear what I want.”

“You have. I don’t know if I want to be your wife or not, but I do know that I want a lot more than sex from you.”

“That’s wonderful to hear. When do you think you will make the purchase?”

“Towards the end of the round. If something comes up I want the BP available. I’ve also decided I don’t want you to pay for the path upgrade or the outfit. I’m going to do it myself, with Lucia’s help.”

“Lucia’s help? How is she helping you?”

“Well, let’s just say that her remedial lessons are going well, I am using the tower items to help with that.”

“Okay, that does help free up my own resources.”

“Mary, lastly I want to talk about both the favor you have and the one that Chloe just called in. I feel betrayed. Those two were fairly close friends for me, especially Chloe.”

Mary nodded, “I get that.”

“You think I shouldn’t be upset with Chloe, don’t you?”

“Honestly yes. Look Laura, I want you to understand something here. I couldn’t call in the favor you now owe me, to have you make up with Aubrey.”

Laura furrowed her brow, “Why not?”

“Because I have to use it for something essentially at the upper end of its value. Cassandra tricked me when I bought it from her, I told you this on your date night last round.”

“Right. So you are saying that compared to how valuable the favor was to Cassandra, this is getting off easy?”

“Yes. I know you don’t like it but she could have done a lot worse. You know that impulse that Cassandra had you give me last round? Well I realize I could ask you to use that about a dozen times at full power in a specific way depending upon what I was asking. I’m just glad I resisted calling it in while affected by the caramels. I was sorely tempted too.”

“What would you have called it in for?”

“A lot more sex, with you. Specifically enough to essentially guarantee you would be pregnant.”

“Thanks for not doing that. Compared to that you’re right this is a small matter. Any suggestions on how to get over this?”

“Well you could process the emotions and forgive Aubrey for her stupidity. Which is obviously a lot harder than it sounds. I do have one surefire way to resolve it but you aren’t going to like it.”

“What is it?”

“Suck on her tits.”

“No way.”

“Like I said you wouldn’t like it. I would talk to Talia about all this if I were you.”

“How can I trust her judgement on the matter?”

“Well… my understanding of the situation is limited but I doubt that completely draining Aubrey once does all that much. Plus my understanding is that you swapped off with Sam taking Talia’s confession right?”

“I did yeah.”

“Then, you know that Talia had been thinking about drinking from Aubrey rather a lot.”

“Are you?”

“The thought did cross my mind once or twice. I’m not going to though, not until we have a better idea of the type of bond it makes. I have a negative interest in parent-child dynamics in a sexual context. Which is probably why it doesn’t work that way, but better safe than sorry. Actually Laura you should probably get Merida involved.”

“Why?”

“Well, I am guessing that the bond from Aubrey is a positive connection between the two people. Merida got an upgrade to her Red Threads of Fate. She can now see a whole bunch of positive bonds. If you brought her in she could observe Chloe drinking from Aubrey and see what the bond feels like.”

“You want me to ask Chloe to subject herself to more mental manipulation?”

“Laura, tell me do you honestly believe she isn’t suckling Aubrey regularly? The only reason she wouldn’t is if the bond was a Mother-Daughter bond. Which it clearly isn’t, at least for them.”

“Fair I suppose.”

“Also I think if Chloe wants you to make up with Aubrey she should be willing to help you do that.” Laura nodded at that. “Now is there anything else?”

“Yeah, what are you planning on asking of me? You have to use that favor, what are you thinking about asking me?”

“I don’t know Laura.” Mary said, shaking her head.

“Would you discuss it with me before you ask?”

“Ehhh… There’s a problem with doing that. See if I know your willingness to do something it changes the value of the favor somewhat.”

“Right, because something I wouldn’t like doing is a bigger favor than something I’m on board with.”

“Exactly. I’m just concerned that if I consult you either the favor is going to be something you really would rather not do, or be large in scale. Let me be clear, I'll consult with you if you want but just understand the consequences of me doing that.”

“No, I’ll trust you. I think you know where my hard lines are and will respect them. That’s everything I think.” Laura stood up.

Mary followed suit, as she did she shifted to Mark and then swept up Laura in a princess carry. “Mark, I said I wasn’t here for sex.”

“I did hear you.” Mark smirked at her. “Are you telling me right now you would rather that I put you down right here or should I put you down on the bed?”

Laura actually considered that for a moment. “Here. While I want sex, I’m not in the mood for it. Too much on my mind.” Mark did as requested. “Thanks for the offer though.” Laura kissed Mark on the cheek and walked out the door, not seeing the concerned look on Mark’s face.

Allie woke up completely surrounded as Isabella pressed into Allie on her left. On her right Sam was doing the exact same thing. With Bruno having climbed on top of the three sometime in the middle of the night. This is awesome. Allie just basked in the closeness she felt to her girlfriends. I wish Sam could room with us every night. Allie was about to try to get up but realized she was utterly pinned. Her arms were under Isabella and Sam, the two also had one of their legs wrapped around one of hers, then with Bruno on top of her she literally couldn’t move. Okay one downside to this awesomeness, I can’t get up. After a few more minutes of just lying there Allie finally had enough, “Hey ladies, I’d like to get up please.” They didn’t move. Allie nipped at Isabella’s wolf ear. To Allie’s annoyance that simply caused an **** smile to appear on Isabella’s face. “WAKE UP!” Allie tried to pull her arms out from under the two but it just caused both to hold onto her tighter. Allie licked Sam’s face. Which got a glare from Sam. “So you are awake, I want to get up.” Sam closed her eyes and simply tightened her grip around Allie.

“Sam, Isabella let me up. I know you are both awake.”

Isabella said, “Sam I don’t think our girlfriend understands that she is so cuddlable. That as a good girlfriend she has a duty to allow us to cuddle her.”

“Yeah, I know. Good thing I’ve been working on my teaching skills.” Sam replied as both of them wrapped their legs around Allie’s tightly.

“Seriously! Let go.” They didn’t. “I NEED TO PEE, OKAY!” Sam looked at Allie in suspicion but let her go, as did Isabella. Allie got up and raced into the bathroom.

Sam whispered over to Isabella “So we are tackling her back onto the bed right?” Isabella just nodded. Sam shifted into her long slender dragon form and hovered above the bathroom door. Isabella stared at Sam hovering, it was odd seeing something seemingly floating on nothing.

Allie came back out of the bathroom to just find Isabella and Bruno on the bed. “Where did Sam go?” It was at this moment that Sam pounced and coiled around Allie and Isabella moved to pull the two onto the bed. “HEY!”

Once the three were back on the bed Sam reverted back to her humanoid form, and gave Allie a mock pout. “Allie don’t you like cuddling with us?”

Isabella followed Sam’s lead, “Yeah. I mean shouldn’t this be a dream come true for you. Both of your girlfriends, smothering you with affection?”

“Yes, but I’m also really hungry. I need breakfast.” Isabella and Sam sighed but relented. “Thank you, you two.” Allie got up and went to change. “Sam, what is your plan for your date tonight?”

“Not telling.”

“Don’t be like that. Plus what if, me knowing, triggers part of your walkthrough.”

“I’ll survive.”

“Fine, what about your goal?” Sam looked at Allie in confusion. “Your goal. The one you have to set by the end of your date night? Don’t tell me you forgot about it.”

“Shit!”

Isabella was the one to speak up, “I’m lost, what is this about.”

Sam explained, “Well when I was brought on the show I punched Cassandra, square in the face.”

“That part I know, she wanted to let you off but her producer **** her hand and had to punish you.”

“Right, I got all three of my TFs upgraded and one of the two boons I had, she applied a punishment too. That punishment is that I must use the boon by the end of my date night each round. So I have to set a goal for myself, and I’ll have to try my best to complete it.”

“That doesn’t seem so bad.”

“Except if I try anything new it could be added to my list of stuff to perfect. I also just realized I can’t use a goal I’ve already achieved as a set goal. So, I can’t just make the goal, kiss Allie, again.”

“I mean there are plenty of other easy goals. Also why aren’t you using that boon more?” Isabella questioned.

“I just told you it could add stuff to my list of things to perfect.”

“So? I don’t mean to sound dismissive Sam, but you could have made teaching Aubrey self-defense a goal, and gotten BP out of that. You got two things added to your list of things to perfect doing that anyway. Plus you don’t seem really all that bothered by your list of stuff to perfect.”

“I mean there are a few that bother me, at least sort of. Not because I don’t want to do them, but I’m concerned that achieving them might require something I don’t want to do.”

“Sure I get that but, why not use it for stuff you plan to do anyway?”

Allie spoke up, “Isabella could you just drop this. Please don’t push Sam into using that boon. Do you remember on your first day here when Mark brought up Flora’s sleepwalking issue but without detail, just that it was a real danger to her? How Sam couldn’t let the matter go. If Mark couldn’t have removed ‘protecting the rest of us’ from her active list, I’m certain Sam would have gone overboard eventually. I can already think of a few ways her new teaching streak could be abused.”

“Like what?” Isabella questioned.

“Not saying especially in Sam’s presence, just telling her could cause her to act on what I say. I’m not going to take advantage of Sam for my personal gain like that.”

Sam got up, put her arms around Allie and gave her a deep kiss. “Thank you, hmm… I’m going to have to think up an affectionate nickname for you.”

That caused Allie to chuckle. “I just realized Mark is going to have to come up with a new one as well. The one we used for each other no longer fits.” Which caused Isabella to chuckle as well. Sam gave them a curious look. “Mark and I used to joke that we were like a pair of house cats. We would stay inside, do our own thing until we wanted attention and then we would prod the other until we were satisfied. So we called each other ‘MeowMeow’.”

Sam chuckled as well, “Yeah, somehow ‘WoofWoof’ doesn’t have the same ring to it. Well I’m going to go for a run. Do either of you want to join me?”

Allie shook her head. Isabella said, “I’m good but would you mind taking Bruno with you? Unless you are planning on going for more than five miles he’ll be fine.”

“I was but I can just make sure to swing back here part way through. Come here Bruno, I’m taking you for a run.” Sam grabbed his leash and Bruno started to dance excitedly in a circle at Sam’s feet. “Bruno, sit!” Bruno complied but was still wiggling his butt in excitement. Sam leashed him up and went for her run.

Isabella looked at Allie, “So, will you answer my previous question, now that Sam isn’t here?”

“Huh? What question?”

“About how her desire to teach better could be abused.”

“No, I’m not sharing that she’s my girlfriend. I’m not going to share how to **** her TFs.”

“I get that, but how am I supposed to help protect her from **** if I don’t know what it looks like? I would never use it myself but knowing her problems can help me help her.”

“I said no, Isabella.”

“Okay, okay.” Isabella held up her hands in surrender. “I’ll drop it.”

“Thank you. Now would you like to do something together today?”

“How about we go explore the library some more. Flora’s thing about hearing a book got me thinking about our other senses. Like smell in particular. If we could get a few to sniff we can see if they have a different smell from the rest of the books. They are probably less dusty since they move around more.”

“I’m game for that. Will Bruno be okay here alone?”

“Yeah, he was fine whenever I had to go to work, I don’t see how this is different.”

Isabella got changed and the two walked hand in hand to the library, on the hunt for books.