Cashing In A Favor

Mark woke up the next morning to find Aubrey lying next to him asleep. She was on her side facing him and holding his hand. Mark brushed Aubrey’s hair out of her face and as he did so his formerly free hand felt like it was being held by Aubrey’s hair. She’s definitely still asleep. She did say that her hair was like another limb. Mark tried to disentangle his hand from her hair but it just grasped tighter. The more he tried to free himself the more it latched on to him grabbing at his wrist. So, he pulled rather hard and managed to get it free.

Unfortunately it also woke up Aubrey. “OW! What the FUCK? That hurt a lot. Why did you pull my hair? Just because Chloe likes it rough doesn’t mean you can treat me that way.” Aubrey shoved Mark away from her.

“Aubrey I’m sorry but you wouldn’t let me go.”

“What are you talking about?” Aubrey’s face was scrunched up in anger.

“I moved to brush your hair out of your face. Then your hair grasped onto my fingers and when I tried to pull my fingers away it started to grasp tighter, and grasped my wrist. I pulled my hand free from your hair.”

Aubrey’s face softened slightly. “Why not just wake me then?”

“Aubrey your hair started latching onto me like it had a mind of its own. I freaked out. I’m sorry I hurt you.”

Aubrey sighed, “Sorry I shoved you.”

“I get it. That was essentially what my response was to your hair. Can we just chalk this up to learning about your TF and not hold it against one another.”

“Sure I don’t want to start another argument with you. Especially after yesterday was going rather well.”

“Agreed. How do you feel by the way?”

“Fine. Why do you ask?”

“You don’t feel like I have to get you pregnant right now anymore?”

“Oh, that. I mean you know how I described it earlier as feeling hungry. Well it’s still there but at the level of: I would like a light snack or maybe a cup of coffee, not I need a sandwich or a full meal. It is ever so slightly stronger than yesterday though. So I’m guessing the upgrade converted some of my desire and I’m not at the cap right now. I am feeling better about us though.”

“Good. Also I was serious and I’m not changing my stance just because I bought the upgrade. When you are ready to have sex, we can.”

Mark got up to get changed. Aubrey on the other hand ordered them both lattes and sipped hers while lying in bed. Mark decided to look into the mirror to see how things were going.

He was back in the foyer, the purple hallway was gone. He looked at the pink hall first, and was glad to see that it had changed. It wasn’t like it was originally. The contentment and satisfaction was gone, but the warmth that had faded had returned. It also contained hope and desire. The white, and black halls were about the same. Mark noticed that the earthy brown hall had changed. It had pink flowers whose petals formed small spirals in pots on either side of the hall. The crimson hall while still opulent radiated safety and love. That was the feeling Mark got from the blue hall too. The orange hall now had sconces lining the hall with fires in them and the hall radiated a passionate lust. The dark green hall was the one that had changed the most though. That flicker of hope was now stable and the desire turned into passion. There was something else that Mark couldn’t quite place but it felt nice. Finally there was the golden yellow hall. Rather half was golden and the other half was yellow. It hurt to look at as it seemed to be strobing, and Mark couldn’t get any particular feelings from it.

Mark found himself back in his suite and winced in pain. Aubrey noticed and asked "What's wrong?”

“The mirror when looking down one of the halls, it felt physically painful. I think it was Ellen’s but I'm not sure. She’s interacted with the mirror strangely, so far.”

Aubrey eyed the mirror from the bed, “I don’t know if I want to trust that mirror or not.”

“I know what you mean. But it has definitely revealed things and been helpful.”

“True. I probably wouldn’t have figured out the issue with my TF so quickly without it. I still don’t want to look at it right now. I don’t need it to tell me I have work to do fixing things with you. Mark, don't take this the wrong way but I think I’m going to head out. I want to leave before something bad happens.” The sound of knocking came from the door. “Mark don’t you dare move. I’ll get it.” Aubrey rushed to the door. On the other side she saw Freya. She quickly said, “Good Morning Freya lovely to see you, please come in. I was just about to leave.” She side stepped behind Freya and gently pushed her inside. “Well bye, have a nice day both of you.” Aubrey said closing the door and her heels could be heard moving down the hall quickly.

Freya was a bit confused as to what just happened. “Um… Mark, is something wrong with Aubrey?”

“Not really. She just said that she wanted to head out before something bad happens and the next second you knocked on the door.”

“I see. Considering her last date I can understand her worry. Mark I came by for two reasons first to let you know: Laura, and Allie would like some of your time this morning, as well as Sam wanting to take you to lunch. The second reason is I would like to ask, do you know what has gotten into Hilde recently?”

“Yes, I do.”

Freya frowned, So he intends to proceed. Freya sighed and said, “Can I help?”

“I’m not sure, Hilde might be able to handle it on her own but it could require your help.”

“Could I simply handle it?”

Mark shrugged, “I don’t know. You’ll need to talk with Hilde.”

“She’s been evasive every time I try to talk with her. Same with Maja. Mark, I'd like to help if I can.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. If I am in the position to make a choice.”

“Thank you. Now what should I relay to Laura, Allie and Sam?”

“Tell them all yes. Are they having a group breakfast today?”

Freya shook her head. “They are not.”

“In that case would you like to join me for breakfast?”

“Mark…” I guess if I really intend to let things happen I shouldn’t turn this down. “Very well.” Freya grabbed the tablet and ordered them both omelets with a side of dino-bacon as well as a drink for each of them. The two went and sat down.

Mark cut into the omelet and examined it, and his drink. “Freya mind telling me what’s in this?”

“Pepperjack cheese, onion, tomato, green pepper, garlic, topped with paprika. The latte is a butterscotch latte with cinnamon.”

“How did you know?”

“Oh that. Your file contains most of your preferences. Though I will say that in this case one of my TFs would have given me the info anyway.”

Mark dug into the omelet. Damn this is good. “Okay I have two questions. First, just how much is in that file?”

“A lot. Much of which, I know you would be uncomfortable with someone else knowing. Mark, I apologize but I was just doing my job when I wrote the file. I also wish to inform you that the file is in the library as a book now.”

“Can you give me an example or two of something I would be uncomfortable with?”

“Well, it isn’t an issue anymore but your insecurity about your face being slanted. Also everything about your awkward relationship with your ex-girlfriend.”

“Former girlfriend.”

“Mark I’m aware you don’t like thinking of her as your ex but that was not a mutual break up no matter what lies you tell yourself. She broke up with you. Yes she had a really good reason, and it was a ‘not you but her’ situation but it was unequivocally a break-up. I literally watched your entire relationship play out, I know exactly what happened. I also want you to know that I recommended against making her a contestant, because I knew that you wouldn’t be thrilled with it.”

“She was a candidate? Who am I kidding of course she was, she was my first girlfriend.”

“Indeed. If her sexuality was different you two could easily have had a happy relationship. But I convinced Cassandra that a **** or **** sexuality change would have made you upset, and detract from the show.”

“Well thanks for that. Now on to my second question. Would you be willing to tell me more about your TFs and magical abilities? Your sisters as well if you believe they wouldn’t mind, otherwise I’ll talk to them when I have the chance.”

“I have no issue talking about our magic. I suppose I can tell you about my TFs but I won’t tell you about the others’ TFs besides Astrid. Let’s start with magic. Slevia has no innate magic. Hilde has a magical talent set that you would refer to as a speedster. For talents it is relatively a good one and hers is a strong variation. Petra has a basic proficiency in most types of magic from my world, she actually has a talent as well, which is perfect recall. She can and will use whatever you say against you later. Astrid’s magic has mostly been sealed but she essentially has the same magic as Petra except that her proficiency is at the advanced or mastered level, as well as a talent for parallel thoughts. Maja is similar to Astrid but specializes in transformation and clothing magic. Honestly Maja is better at transformation magic than Cassandra. I have an equal or slightly higher proficiency than Petra in most subjects, but can perform the magic on a very wide scale. I do have three specialties that I exceed even Maja at. The first is convenience or household magic. It is why I was given the TFs I was given. The second and third…” Freya sighed.

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”

“It’s not that it’s just… one of them is Eromancy. Like what Laura has.”

“Sex magic. Okay and the other one?”

Freya hesitated. “Mark, I trust you but I don’t want to tell you the last one yet.”

“Then don’t. Only tell me when you feel comfortable.”

“Thank you.”

“So what about your TFs?”

“Well, one altered my body proportions some. I got long legs and slightly taller. It also results in people staring at my ass and affects how I walk. It’s why I haven’t chastised you for constantly staring at my butt, because I know you can’t really help it. I got one that requires me to be in certain types of uniforms. Another requires that I be differential to people, overly formal and use titles. The last one has to do with obeying orders from my Master and instinctively knowing what he wants and his meaning when he tells me something. That’s you now.”

“Well that makes me feel a bit better about staring at your butt. So is obeying my orders, why you can ignore your other TF?”

“Not completely. It is complicated and not worth getting into. For practical purposes though yes, you telling me to speak how I want allows me to ignore my speech TF.”

“And Astrid?”

“She became an android, gained multiple bodies, her elimination transformed her into a computer program. She has to follow programming as a devoted sexbot and ****. She believes she has always been that way. There’s more to it but those are the important bits. Has she tried to proposition you yet?”

“Not exactly. She has asked me to continue to do things that definitely seem to cause her sexual pleasure though.”

Freya frowned, “Continue to do what exactly?”

“Well in the fitness center I pushed the elevator buttons and she… well she moaned in pleasure, and asked for me to push her buttons harder.”

Freya relaxed “Ah. That’s fine. Mark, I hope I don’t have to tell you that if you lay a hand on any ASTRID body sexually we are going to have a problem.”

“You don’t. Hilde didn’t either. The only way I would even consider it was if it was to help her and if I had the consent of you and the rest of your sisters.”

“Good.”

“So, any advice on what I should spend my BP on? I think I am likely to have a lot of it available.”

~Pop~

“Hello, Mark. Freya.” Cassandra said with a smile. “Freya, I would like to borrow Mark for a moment. Shouldn’t take long and then the two of you can get back to bonding. Ah young love.”

“Cassandra, you know full well that isn’t what we were doing.” Freya corrected her. “I also don’t appreciate the insinuation.”

“And you said Mark was lying to himself.” Cassandra said, shaking her head. “Freya would you mind, waiting in the hall. Then you can continue your talk. Shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.”

Mark looked at Freya, “If this is what I think it is, then it will impact our discussion. If you wouldn’t mind?”

Freya nodded and stood up. “Of course. Please let me know when I can re-enter.”

Freya stepped out into the hall. After the door closed Cassandra said, “Okay Mark, before we continue I need you to agree that you won’t deliberately transfer the information of what I’m going to tell you in any form by action or inaction to anyone else save what Laura is required to do to her, and you only tell her the morning of the challenge what the specific impulses are.”

“Agreed.”

“Okay, now listen up.”

Freya was waiting in the hall. Interesting… he subconsciously wants me to hear this. Freya stood right next to the door with her ear practically up against it. It was hard to make out everything. Okay yeah agreement not to leak the info, sure. The challenge… oh that one might be rough on some of them. The producer swapped around some of the targets. Shit! That prick probably did it to cause strife. Laura needs to… Why did she stop talking? Did she hand Mark something? Oh Mark doesn’t sound pleased. Why would Laura not be able to do this? Odd that Mark is certain she can’t but it sounds like Cassandra is also certain that Laura can fulfill the request. Freya heard a popping sound and then footsteps moving toward the door. Freya backed away quickly and leaned against the wall.

Mark opened the door. “Alright Freya let’s talk.”

The two retook their seats. Freya said, “I couldn’t help but hear you sound upset. I also take it, that was some sort of deal with Cassandra.”

“I can’t talk about what we discussed. I will have a bunch of BP to spend though. Almost all the purchases I was going to make have been resolved. So, any suggestions?”

“Plenty, but what are you looking for? Something for you? Something for your ladies?”

“I honestly don’t know, my backup plan is if I can’t find anything else to ask some of the others what they want for contraceptives but I’d rather wait on that.”

“In that case I would recommend buying upgrades for people. Possibly even yourself.”

“Which of my TFs do you think I should upgrade?”

“That’s up to you. I think all of your TFs have merit in upgrading for one reason or another.”

“I’m a little wary about upgrading my TFs since unlike with the ladies I don’t get to see the exact effect beforehand.”

“Yes, but they are all boons so it should be something you like. The TF’s I think would benefit upgrading the most are your: Boosting TF, Mary TF and The Rulebook. For the others: Laura’s Eromancy, Merida’s Fake It TF, Ellen’s Making it Big, Aubrey’s Shepherded and Magic Hair TFs.”

“Okay, everyone else’s upgrades make sense to me. Why the three of mine?”

“My understanding is that you have trouble using The Rulebook effectively since the rules have to be relatively simple. I would guess the complexity of the rules you can write would increase or your intent would be implicit in the rule and can’t be sidestepped on a technicality. Your boosting TF would likely gain more charges or cost lest to make a boost permanent. Perhaps it would gain the ability for you to slightly impact what the upgrade is. As for your Mary TF, I just think it would be the most interesting one to upgrade.”

“Thanks for your advice.”

“Of course, always happy to help. If there is nothing else Mark, I’ll take my leave.”

“Have a good day Freya.”

“You as well Mark.”

Mark couldn’t help but stare at Freya’s rear and grin. Freya could tell he was staring and hid her own grin as she left the room.

Merida was pumped up. She had gotten up early, exercised with Flora in bed for a good long while to get ready for the day. After she showered and let her hair dry. Yesterday was mostly boring reading with Talia. Honestly if not for her experiment with the Hookah it would have been hard to stay awake. She had mentioned to Talia about the Vigorous Violet pods she had found while looking through the list of options and she wanted to try them early yesterday so she could figure out what they did. Well they were better than coffee with the side effect of making you slowly horny, if you didn’t spend the energy moving. Och, I’m takin’ it again today! It felt pure bloomin’ fantastic!

While Merida had been in the shower Flora had set up the Hookah for Merida. “Here you go Lassie.” Flora smirked. “All fired up just for you.” Flora gave Merida a kiss and went to take her own shower, to wipe off the sweat from all the exercise she and Merida had done both this morning and the night before.

Merida went ahead and took a few pulls and then went to get changed. Upon opening the wardrobe she griped, “Oh come on. Ye hae got tae be kiddin’ me wi’ this, Mark.” Merida sighed and put on the dress. Mark had chosen to select Merida’s princess outfit from the movie. Merida went back to the hookah to finish off the pod. Right around the time she finished inhaling the pod vapor, Flora came out of the shower naked. Flora looked at Merida and smirked. “Dinnae ye daur start, Flora.”

“I would never, my fiery princess.” Flora said, giving Merida an exaggerated bow.

“I was wonderin’, Flora, when are ye goin’ tae take that collar off?”

“Oh this… I don’t really care if I’m naked that much. Does it bother you?”

“Ach, no' at all!”

“So, you are really going to do it? And by it I mean have sex with Mark.”

“Unless he stops me, aye. Dae ye think ye will tomorrow?”

“No way, I might have given him a blowjob earlier in the round but I’m not ready for that. What are you taking him to do today anyway?”

Merida sighed, “Weel, I WAS plannin’ on goin’ tae the beach, tae show aff a sexy swimsuit and go surfin’. Mark made it so I can’t wear the swimsuit though. I’m goin’ tae talk tae him aboot selectin’ my clothes on my date day frae noo on. I dinnae ken whit I’m doin’ noo. Frankly, I’m just goin’ tae wing it.”

“Good luck.” Flora said as Merida headed out the door to go meet Mark, after his lunch date with Sam.

Mark was headed to the Velvet Tower to go meet Laura. Hilde spoke over her shoulder, “So, Talia said you agreed.”

“Yeah, I figured she talked to you or Maja, yesterday.”

“Mark, I want you to know that whatever happens the five of us won’t hold it against you. Okay Maja might, a little bit, but she’ll get over it.”

“Thanks.” A few minutes later Hilde dropped Mark off at the tower. Laura was waiting outside.

“Hey Mark.” Laura stood up and walked over to him with a seductive grin and started to unbutton his shirt.

Mark stopped her. “Wait, I would prefer we have more privacy. Could we go inside?”

“Ellen is asleep.”

“What about the top of the tower?” Laura considered that and dragged Mark inside and towards the stairs. On her way up Laura lost all of her clothes. Mark waited until he was at the top to take off his clothes which Laura was more than happy to help with.

She pulled Mark into a deep kiss. “I want you. I want you badly right now.” She lay back on a chaise lounge chair, pulling Mark on top of her. “I want to know though, how much sex are you planning with the others today. Talia complained that you were too exhausted on her date night because you were worn out. I don’t want to deny the others their chance.”

“I thought I told you before, with who, when and how I have sex is my call to make. Right now I want that with you.”

Laura put both hands on Mark’s face and pulled him into a deep kiss. “I know and I love you for that, but I still want to be respectful to everyone else.” Laura looked deep into Mark’s eyes and realized what she just said and went beat red and pushed Mark away to increase the distance between them. She then turned her head to the side, and put up a hand to cover her face. “Umm any chance we could just pretend I didn’t just say that?”

“That depends. Did it just slip out or was it because you bought the main path upgrade? I’d prefer to talk about it either way, but if it was the former I’ll let it lie for now.”

“It was a slip of the tongue. I haven’t bought the upgrade yet.”

“I’ll let it be for now then.” Mark placed a hand on Laura’s cheek and turned her head to face him. He smiled down affectionately. “I want you to know I —”

“Mark, please don’t. Not now. Just fuck me okay?”

Mark complied and kissed her sliding one hand behind her head and fondling her with the other. He took his time, even if she didn’t want him saying it Mark wanted her to feel loved. He caressed her, just running his hands over her body while slowly moving into position. Finally he inserted himself into her and she wrapped her legs around him. “OH GOD, FUCK YES MARK.” Mark could feel her thrusting her hips to go faster, so he started to adjust himself so he could have more support to thrust fast himself. As he did that though Laura said, “No Mark. I want your arms around me. Hold me against you. Please. Yes.” Laura was panting as Mark complied with her request. He kissed her collarbone and slowly made his way up her neck and he started to nibble on her ear. It was at this point Laura manifested her wings and wrapped them around Mark. “Mark.” Laura held his face, and stared into his eyes. “Let me say it properly. I love you.” Laura arched her back as she came, and Mark kissed her deeply as he climaxed with her.

They continued to kiss for a little longer then Mark said, “Laura, I love you too.”

She smiled then playfully said, “You better, I would be upset if I became a [Goddess of Desire] and couldn’t get the mortal I fell in love with to love me back.”

“I hadn’t noticed you changed it? What did it cost?”

“It was part of a deal with Cassandra. Can’t tell you what we gave her but I got that and a promise that everything she’s asking for with my favor isn’t something to make you intentionally upset.”

“Well that’s good to know. Also…” Mark turned serious as he lay next to Laura, and had a slight frown on his face.

Laura stopped him. “Mark, I told Talia this as well but a frown is the last thing I want to see after sex.”

“Sorry, I was just thinking about the deal with Cassandra. I’m taking it.”

“Okay so what do I have to do?”

“You’ll have to give three impulses at the maximum strength the spell will allow you to do, during the challenge. They are specific targets and impulses too. I can’t tell you, who or what, until the morning of. You also have to keep this secret.”

“Why have me do this?”

“Can’t tell you that besides that it is actually a decent reason. I have a question: how are you going to be able to do it though?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, doesn't it drain all your mana to use the impulse at max power?”

“Oh… not quite all of it but a lot. Well, you’ll have to screw me when you tell me the impulses. I can hold the orgasm with Delayed Gratitude and recharge that way. Mark, do you have any spare BP?”

“Plenty.”

“Then I might need you to buy me something we’ll see. I was planning on waiting until you decided on the favor to buy the upgrade. Can you come with me to the BP store? You actually have to be present for me to select a main path.”

“Sure, but first.” Mark leaned over and kissed Laura and pulled her on top of him for another round.”