The Fire Inside

Merida looked up at Mark in annoyance when he came out. “I’ve got a bone tae pick wi’ ye.” She said, crossing her arms.

“Why because I picked your outfit? Tough.” Mark booped her nose. “You told me I should do what I want and enjoy myself. Has that position changed now that you are who I’m doing those things to?”

“Naw. I wadnae hae minded this either if it was on any other day o’ the round. I had plans for oor date, which involved me bein’ in other claes. Claes which I cannae wear noo. So I’d like for ye tae at least consult wi’ me aboot claes on my date day frae noo on, so as no’ tae ruin my plans.”

“Fair enough. So what was the plan?”

“I had planned for a beach day. I had this cute swimsuit I wanted tae show aff but alas. I get tae wear this dress instead.” Merida grabbed Mark’s hand and started to walk towards the edge of town. “So we're goin' tae skip ahead tae the main event o' the evenin' while I think aboot hoo tae salvage the rest o' my date nicht.”

Mark stopped, “No.”

“Whit did ye say?”

“I told you no. We aren’t doing that.”

“Mark, if ye’re tryin’ tae get me tae want tae dae it mair, ye dinnae need tae. I want this badly a'ready.”

“That’s not it at all. Merida I get to decide if I have sex. No one else. I don’t care if your transformation makes you want to do things or not. It doesn’t compel you, you can still refuse to do something on your own. You might not like it but you can. I am telling you right now, I’m not having sex with you.”

Merida grabbed the front of Mark’s shirt, “Ye’re pure frustratin’, ye ken that. Why deliberately get me riled up like this? Make it so I want tae shag ye richt here and noo, when ye dinnae want tae.”

“Because I want to know that I can trust you to be in control. You aren’t an animal Merida. Yes your TF increases your passions but are you a **** to your passions? At some point we might be doing something and something you do crosses a line for me. I want to know that if I tell you to stop or use our safe word, which we need to establish by the way, that you will respect that. This isn’t just for me either, this is for your safety. Because sexually assaulting the Master is not going to end well.”

“So this is just tae prove I can control maself?”

“Not just to prove that. You are also a lot of fun to fluster.”

“Grrrrr, FINE. Mark, I want ye tae ken that if ye dinnae hae sex wi’ me this evenin’ though, I’m goin’ tae be upset. Ye said ye wadnae deny oor advances. So, hoo aboot this: I show ye I can remain in control when ye trigger my Fiery Lassie TF today and ye screw me as a reward.”

“And if you fail? If you refuse to stop when I tell you or I goad you into something?”

“Then sex is yer call and ye can buy any one TF ye want for me frae the store for my current paths.”

“Want to make that an official binding wager? If you refuse to stop or I talk you into doing something because of your TF you lose the bet, otherwise you win.” Mark extended his hand and Merida could see magic tendrils around it.

“Ye’re on, then.” Merida shook his hand and the magic tendrils wrapped around her wrist binding their agreement.

“Great, I take it you don’t have anything planned since I ruined the beach plan.”

“That’s richt. I need ye tae buy me an outfit but I really dinnae want tae be in the shops richt noo, even if the thocht does turn me on.”

“Oh come on, it would be great foreplay. You could model clothing for me, I could stare at your lithe body, you could orgasm. A great time all around.”

“I see whit ye’re daein’, Mark. I’m no’ steppin’ fit in the stores the day.”

“Fair enough, I had already selected what I was buying for you anyway. Cassandra promised to make sure it got to your wardrobe.”

“Whit is it?”

“I wanted you to have another matching outfit with Flora.”

“Whit outfit?”

“I got you a very special fancy collar that will be just perfect for you once you have fox ears and a tail. It’s slightly different from Flora’s but you’ll have to figure out exactly what it does, yourself. I think it will be my favorite accessory for you though.”

-500 BP Mark -> 10625 BP

“Whatever.” Merida shook her head. “I’ll probably wear it. I’ve noticed ye hae a thing for weemen wearin’ somethin’ aroond their neck. I’m actually surprised ye picked this dress oot.”

“I can appreciate elegance too. Plus with you becoming posh I thought it only appropriate for you to have a princess outfit. Now since you don’t have any plans, I’ve thought of one.”

“Whit is it?”

Mark just smirked in amusement. “I’m not telling. You also need to stop guessing.”

Merida was about to open her mouth to guess but restrained herself. “Och, ye’re goin’ tae play dirty, are ye?”

“Like you would want me to do anything different. It’s how you would approach the bet in my shoes right?”

“Aye.” Merida nodded.

“Then let's go.” Mark grabbed Merida’s hand and started walking through town. Mark stopped at a smaller building right across from the athletic facility. “I noticed this place when visiting the fitness center.” Mark opened the door and Merida stepped inside.

“Whit is this place? Why are there cameras?”

“It is a photo shoot set. I thought we could take some pictures, and you could do some modeling for me.”

“I wad love tae, only one problem: I cannae wear anythin’ else.”

“Still gives us a lot to work with. The underwear and corset that dress came with are sexy and there’s no reason you can’t model nude for me, is there? After all, you are very sexy.”

“Nae nudes. We can dae some un'erwear shots but naethin' mair.”

“Great, let's start with some photos of you in the dress though. Would you mind coming here?” Merida did as requested and Mark placed his hands gently on her body. He ran his hands up her sides and slowly positioned her leaning up against a railing. Merida realized he wanted to pose her and allowed him to. Mark stepped back and took some photos.

Mark then repositioned her so she was lifting the hem of her dress and leaning forward to show off her ample cleavage. He stepped behind the camera and took some pictures playing with the lighting settings. He then came back and repositioned her ever so slightly and made her cleavage stand out a bit more. Finally he rotated her head.

He stood there admiring her for a moment before going and taking some pictures moving the camera to get better angles. Bloody hell, why does this feel so guid? Is it 'cause Mark is posin' me or is it the pictures? It didnae feel like this in the shops. Maybe it’s 'cause I ken I can stop this anytime I want. Ach, who cares, it feels pure bloomin' fantastic!

Mark continued to pose her and take pictures for another fifteen minutes. “Merida, would you take off your dress, I can do it for you if you prefer. Just don’t move if you want me to undress you.” Merida remained motionless. “Alright.” Mark undid the laces and let the dress fall to the floor. He retrieved the dress and put it to the side. “Okay for this next part Merida I want you to position yourself but when I tell you ‘Hold’ you freeze in that position okay?”

“Sure.”

“Now give me a sexy pose… Hold.” Mark grabbed a few shots of Merida in her matching light blue bra, panties and under corset.

“Can you do bashful?” Merida turned away from him slightly and a blush was creeping up her face and neck. She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye while holding one arm with her hand and partially covering herself. “Perfect. Hold.” Mark got a bunch of shots of Merida like this.

“Can you do playful? Great. Hold.”

“Finally can you show off your rear? Wonderful. Hold.”

Part way through this pose Mark noticed that Merida’s panties were soaked. He moved to get a picture of her like that but she turned away and covered herself for real. “Richt, I think that’s eneuch o’ this, Mark.”

“If that’s what you want. Are you sure you don’t want to orgasm? It seems like you are pretty close.”

Of course I want that… But now I have to restrain myself because of the bet. I’m not going to lose the bet. “I’m fine.” Merida picked up her dress and went over to the wardrobe, to grab a set of panties. “Och, COME ON! Seriously, the un'erwear counts as pairt o' the outfit?”

“Guess you’ll have to just go panty-less unless you want to wear soaked panties.”

Merida grumbled as she got dressed and tossed her panties into the wardrobe. “Alright, my turn. I’ve feegured oot whit I want tae dae.”

“Sure.” Mark nodded.

Merida left the building and walked across the street to the athletic facility. She dragged Mark to the sparring arena. “Weel, come on, get in the arena.”

“You want to fight? Bare handed?”

“That’s the idea, aye.”

“Okay.” Mark shrugged.

“Gie me a second, I gotta pay for the time, since ye’re here.” Merida said.

-500BP Merida -> 1725 BP

“Noo, I hope ye’re prepared, Mark.”

“Come at me.” Merida didn’t take the bait but took a martial artist stance. Mark wasn’t sure what style though. Since she wasn’t going to make the first move, he moved to do a light jab at her shoulders. Merida moved fast and went under his arm and jab three times in quick succession aimed right at his solar plexus all three times. The pleasure Mark felt from the area was great and he doubled over Merida took advantage of this grabbed Mark’s outstretched arm and lifted herself to put his arm in a leg lock and pulled causing Mark to stumble to the ground and climax.

Merida released him and stood up. “One-nil! Come on, dinnae tell me ye’re done a'ready? I’m just gettin’ warmed up!”

Mark took a moment but stood. He panted, “How are you so good?”

“My mum enrolled me in karate durin’ high school. I was an angsty teenager dealin’ wi’ grief and anger ower my father’s ****. The school coonselor said I had anger management issues. The lessons helped some. By the way, this just got harder for ye, since noo ye ken I can kick yer arse.”

“We’ll see about that.” Mark collected himself for a moment and got ready. “Ready when you are.” Merida remained motionless waiting. Mark rushed forward and decided to tackle Merida. She tried to dodge but Mark caught her and pinned her beneath him. She struggled but couldn’t break free of his superior grip.

“Weel, finish me aff.” Merida goaded him.

“Nah I think I’ll keep up just a little bit of pressure for a while longer to make you squirm. Then when you beg I’ll finish you off.” Mark leaned in and whispered in her ear. “Doesn’t that sound great.” Mark pressed down on her with a knee. “Just submit. Beg and I’ll give you the release you crave.” Merida headbutted him and in the burst of pleasure Mark experienced wriggled an arm free and struck him hard in the stomach again. It was enough to off balance Mark and she hit him a few more times. Causing him to climax once again.

“That makes it two-nil. Mark, ye’ll hae tae dae better tae make me beg. Also, Mark, ye mentioned safe words. We haven’t crossed any lines for me yet but I feel like we should get that squared awa’.”

Mark panted and stood saying, “Sure, what did you have in mind? Ellen and Chloe both use the Traffic light system and Sam just has a word. What do you want?”

“I dinnae ken whit the traffic licht system is.”

“Green for go or good. Yellow changes person to person but is some form of caution. Red is a hard stop.”

“Seems fine.”

“What would you like Yellow to mean? There is proceed with caution meaning you are a bit uncomfortable but I can continue. Then prepare to stop, is if I am pushing up against something you don’t like so either go no further or back track to continue. There are countless things I just need to know what it is for you.”

“Let’s go wi’, proceed wi’ caution.”

“Fine. Did I hit Yellow?”

“Naw. Noo let’s go again. If ye think I’m goin’ tae let ye pin me like that again, think again.”

The two went at it again and again. Merida clearly had skill on Mark but Mark was just so much bigger and stronger that he could make up for the difference. Ninety minutes later both collapsed on the mat panting. Merida said, “That makes it thirteen-twelve! I won!”

“Bullshit I’m not done.” Mark said getting up.

“Weel, I’m no’ purchasin’ mair time and oors ran oot. So unless ye’re buyin’ mair time, I won! Frankly, it’s yer ain arrogance that cost ye victory. Ye could’ve finished me the first time ye pinned me, but ye just had tae try and gloat. Typical mistake. This was fun though. I wish fechtin’ in real life was that pleasurable.” Merida stood up, taking Mark’s offered hand. “It reminds me o’ when you, Julius, and I roughhoused as weans.”

“Yeah but this was far more enjoyable.”

“Agreed.”

“So what next?”

“Dinnae suppose ye’ve considered me the winner o’ oor wee bet, eh?”

“Of course not the bet was for you to control yourself today. The day's not over.”

“Hey, wait a second! If I win the bet, we’re supposed tae hae sex on my date. Ye’re no’ sayin’ that I hae tae make it tae midnight, are ye?”

“Nope. Just sunset. You win when the day ends. Assuming you’ve been a good girl.”

“Mark, I hope ye’re prepared for later. I told ye no’ tae ca’ me that.”

“And yet you still aren’t using the safe word. I think milady doth protest too much. Hmm I bet I can find a good girl TF in the store, just for you. You would like that wouldn’t you. For me to tame your wild side?”

“Mark, I will talk tae yer mither if ye keep this up. I still hae her phone number, I ken she hasnae moved either.”

“She actually has. It’s recent so I don’t blame you for not knowing. She’s now over on Hatch St. just off the corner of Mason Rd.”

Merida whipped her head around so fast her neck popped. “Ye’re jokin’!”

“No… Why is it significant?”

“My yoga studio is on Mason, aboot half a block frae the corner o' Hatch. Ye’re tellin' me yer mum lives just aroond the corner frae my studio?”

“Apparently?”

“And that doesnae seem suspicious tae ye, eh?”

“I mean my mom has owned the building she's living in now for longer than I’ve been alive. It was a set of offices and she converted them into apartments. So… if something is suspicious here it is you setting up your business right around the corner from my mom. Also, didn't you say you started your studio like a year or two ago?”

“Aye…”

“That was after my mom moved. I actually remember her talking about how a new yoga studio opened up around the corner from her shortly after she moved there.”

“Mark, dae ye really think that I was so infatuated wi’ ye that I deliberately set up near yer faimily tae try tae reconnect?”

“Maybe. At least subconsciously.”

“Mark, stop bein’ so full o’ yersel’!”

“Merida, I’ve seen alternate histories where we reconnect years later. Also, are you really telling me that after learning if we had stayed in touch we would have been dating a couple months after you moved away that you still didn't carry some sort of torch for me? Because it seemed really fast for you to be on board with everything. Also we played behind my mom’s current place as kids. So you would have been aware of the area somewhat.”

Merida scrunched her face in annoyance. I mean, he’s no’ wrong. My book was pure clear aboot that. Merida continued to stare at Mark’s face in frustration. Stupid face. Why does that daft grin dae things for me? Stupid smile, stupid laugh. Merida stomped off in frustration. Did I really set up shop near his mum’s office… I guess noo hame, just on the off chance we wad run intae one anither? Merida walked out of the building and sat down on a bench outside.

Mark followed her a few minutes later and sat down next to her. “Merida… Did I say something to upset you? I’m sorry if I poked at something I shouldn’t have”

Merida shook her head. “Nah. No’ yer fault. Flora has been findin’ a lot o’ books and some o’ them are aboot me. Ye’re no’ wrong. I’ve apparently carried a torch for ye all these years. She found a book aboot my erotic dreams. Apparently you, raither someone resemblin’ whit I thocht ye wad look like, has featured heavily in my dreams. So aye, I guess whit ye say is possible. Maybe I did set up shop there because I remember the area. I dinnae ken. Thinkin’ aboot my studio also got me doon. I’ve been strugglin’ tae keep it open.”

“Well, if it is still important to you I’m sure you’ll do fine after the show.”

“Why dae ye say that?”

“During the slumber party. You used that as your lie. That you had a successful business. But most people believed that was true about you. So you’ll be able to run a successful yoga studio because people thought you could. I don’t know if we stop believing if your skill goes away or not, but whatever you want to do after the show, you’ll have my support.”

“I mean, it isnae like runnin’ a yoga studio was my dream or anythin’.”

“What is your dream?”

“I… I dinnae ken.”

“Do you remember what you told me you wanted to be when we were kids?” Merida shook her head. Mark laughed. “Honestly it is sort of amusing considering some of your TFs. You said you wanted to be a model, and design your own clothes.”

“Ye’re messin’ wi’ me.” Merida replied.

“I’m really not. Though it did change a few times. You said sometimes you wanted to be a stage magician or entertainer of some kind. But always focused on wanting to wear ‘the pretty outfits’ as you put it and make people smile. Honestly I had forgotten about this but, do you remember when we did school talent shows? We did duo or trio routines with Julius like every time.”

Merida put her hand on her forehead. “Och, my god, rememberin’ them is pure embarrassin’!”

“I don’t know, they were rather fun in my opinion. I especially like when we did the magic show where I sawed him in half and made you disappear. Frankly it probably would have been better had you been the one doing the presentation than me but you insisted, because the assistant is supposed to be the lovely one. You were also a bit of a show off.”

“I wasnae!” Merida protested.

“I very much remember you showing off all the time. Doing stuff just to prove you could and trying to be impressive.”

“I wasnae a show-aff!”

“It certainly seemed like you were trying to get people’s attention.”

“I WAS JUST TRYIN’ TAE GET YER ATTENTION, YE BIG DUNDERHEID!” Merida shouted. Then she looked mortified, turned red, and then sprinted away.

Well shit. I really stepped in it this time.

~Pop~

“What is it Cassandra?” Mark sighed.

“I just wanted to let you know that you are at the mandatory date portion of your day. While I do understand that you would probably like to give Merida some space, if you two are not back together in twenty minutes Merida will suffer a penalty.”

“Thank you for letting me know.”

“I’m here to help.” Mark looked at her skeptically. “Seriously Mark, I am here to help. If I can do something to make it easier for you and the girls to be happy together I’ll try my best.”

“Thanks. I really do believe that, but I also know the cruelty that the show can produce.”

“Alas, I know that all too well myself.”

~Pop~

Mark pulled out his phone and after locating Merida started to walk in her direction. I’ll stop nearby wherever she ends up and give her as much time as I can.

Merida was running. She had lost her shoes a while ago. They were heels so when the first one came off she just slid the other one off and kept running. STUPID. Hoo could I be so stupid. Merida wiped her face as both sweat and tears were running down it. Why did I hae tae yell at him? Why did I insult him? Why couldnae I just tell him I knet I liked him back then? After Merida felt like she had been running for hours even though it was only a couple minutes she found a secluded park and hid behind a row of bushes to one side of the park.

Ye ken why, Merida. It’s 'cause the boy ye liked… naw, the boy ye fell in love wi', pretty much forgot all aboot ye when ye moved away and let ye wallow in grief all by yersel'. Why didnae he just ca’ me? I needed a friend. I needed someone who wad un'erstand. Even after all that, all this time, seein' him makes my heart flutter. Damnit. God, he maun think I’m such a bairn. Nae wunner he keeps pushin' back on havin' sex wi’ me. Merida took a few minutes to stop crying and wiped away her tears. She slowed her breathing. Guess I should go find Mark afore Cassandra yells at me for runnin' awa' frae the date.

As Merida was standing up Mark rounded the corner into the park at a run, raising his voice, “Merida?! I know you're around here! Oh, there you are. Good, I was worried I wouldn’t find you in time.”

“In time for whit?” Merida frowned.

“Cassandra said if we weren’t back together after twenty minutes you would get a penalty. When I saw you stop in this park I waited on a bench nearby. Then I saw your dot start to move on the locator so I was concerned you would leave and I wouldn’t catch you. So I came running.” Mark walked over to Merida. “I got your shoes.” He said with a weak smile. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

Merida swiped her shoes back and put them on. “It’s naethin’ you did.” It does hae tae dae wi' whit ye didnae dae a lang time ago though. “I’m just comin’ tae terms wi’ some things. Mark, I haven’t been completely honest wi’ ye. Of course I kent ye liked me, and I also kent I liked ye all those years ago. I’ve repressed that fact somewhat ower the years, but I kent. I had been doin’ things tae impress ye for months afore I moved away. Hopin’ ye wad make a move. But ye didnae. Mark, was I imaginin’ hoo much ye liked me?”

“No. I was crushing on you hard. I had absolutely zero clue that you liked me though. None whatsoever.”

“Hoo? I was clearly flirtin’ wi’ ye.”

“Merida, you might remember this being mentioned, I’ve had two girlfriends. Allie and my former girlfriend. That’s it. Beyond that I’ve asked out exactly one other person, Flora. I’m not the most socially adept person.” It didn’t help when you refused to even talk to me after moving away either. No matter how much I tried to reach out. But bringing that up right now isn’t going to help. “I needed my friends to prod me about asking out my first girlfriend. Same with Allie actually. I didn’t realize either were interested in me at all, until it was pointed out to me. I thought you thought of me as a really good friend and you were nice to me because you were a kind person and a good friend. I didn’t realize you were interested in me.”

“Haud up a moment! Ye’re tellin’ me that ye thocht ye were friend-zoned?”

“No. Okay yes, but I don’t like that term. I essentially thought you thought of me as a friend, I was happy with that. Did I want more? Yes. But, I never thought only being your friend was somehow a disappointment. When things ended between me and Vespa we stayed friends. I kept hearing people tell me sorry she friend zoned you and that she was a bitch for it. I ditched those assholes because she was my friend. The fact she didn’t want to screw me, didn’t make me stop liking her as a person. When we were kids I just thought it would be nice to hold your hand. I was finally getting around to thinking about us kissing a little when you moved but that’s it.”

Merida pinched the bridge of her nose. Bloody hell. He’s thick. I’m in love wi’ a himbo. There’s nae other explanation for that level o’ thickness. Big, daft, kind. Aye, checks all the boxes. “Okay, but ye cannae be so oblivious tae the fact that I like ye when I am literally tryin’ tae drag ye tae bed, can ye?”

“No, I’m not that thick. I was a little worried last round that you felt pressured by the show, but I don’t feel like that’s the case now.”

“So, then why dinnae ye let me drag ye back tae yer room?”

“Merida, I already explained this. I need to know you are able to stop when it is important. You’re doing a good job of that by the way. But stop pressuring me about this. Do you understand? Stop.”

Merida started to breathe heavily. “BLOODY HELL. A'richt, I can dae this.”

“Merida, I do want to check. Are you alright? I know you said it wasn’t something I did… but you still seemed pretty upset.”

“I was… I am. I’ll be fine though. I dinnae want tae talk aboot it richt noo.” Because I’ll end up cryin’ and shoutin’ if I dae. I dinnae want ye tae see me cry like that. “Mark, could we just be done?”

“Sure.” Crap. She looks so down. Mark extended out his hand for her to hold. After a moment she took it. As they started to walk to the edge of town Mark said. “I want you to know, I’ve enjoyed today. I also want you to know I’m looking forward to tonight.”

Merida didn’t respond immediately but eventually asked. “Then why are ye tryin’ so hard tae get me tae lose the bet? If ye want tae be wi’ me, why dae ye hae tae be so timid? I want ye and ye say ye want me. So why no’ take me?”

“It is very tempting to do just that. I’m not being timid, I’m being cautious. Let me ask you a question that might seem irrelevant at first. Do you think it would have been wise for me to be the person who initially hypnotized Flora?”

“Naw, but this does seem irrelevant.”

“Tell me why you think it wouldn’t have been wise.”

“It wad hae gien ye so much mair control ower her. Ye screwed up and messed wi’ her identity. Ye did fix it, but maybe ye wadnae hae if it was just the twa o’ ye.”

“I can say that I might not have known that Flora had a problem with things. I don’t think I would have thought to let her know about every suggestion she was under. But you hit the nail on the head. I screwed up. I could have done real damage. The same can be said of you. I have a question: how badly do you want sex right now?”

“If ye told me aye richt noo, yer breeches wad be aff and I’d be on ye in a few seconds. I wad take ye richt here.”

“Now, this is actually something I would like to know. How many more times do you think you could take me trying to stop you from having sex with me? Or the alternative of me encouraging it.”

“I dinnae ken.”

Mark put his arm around Merida’s shoulders. “Well can you tell me how much stronger the feeling gets? Would you like to touch me more? Maybe you could encourage me, so even if you lose the bet I’d like to do it with you anyway.”

Merida removed his arm from her shoulders but resumed holding his hand. “I dinnae ken if I can really quantify it, but it’s sma’, I guess.”

“Oh? What about the fact that if you lose this bet I’m definitely not having sex with you. The goading was me trying to get you to fail the bet by the way.”

“Och, that was much bigger o’ a spike. But ye’ve made a mistake. See, I want tae hae sex wi’ ye. Tae dae that, I need tae win this bet. Noo, I really want tae win this bet. Which means I’m goin’ tae be on my best behaviour.”

Mark freed his hand that Merida was holding for a second to arch his fingers together. “Ah yes, my evil plan, project ‘Good Girl’ is all coming together.”

Merida tried to playfully shove Mark but he didn’t budge at all. “Okay, that isnae fair at all. Wi’ you bein’ so big, I cannae really push ye aboot unless I get serious.”

“I thought you wanted me to push you around?”

“Maybe I want baith.”

Mark leaned over, “Good. I like a girl who’s got some fire in her.” Mark then smacked her on the butt.

“Oi why you… I oughta…”

“Ask very politely for another? You might even get it if you’re reeeaally good. Can you be a good girl?” Merida moved to shove him again but he dodged. “Sorry but you’ll have to be faster than that.” Mark gave her a playful wink. “Catch me if you can.” Then he ran off toward the carriage with Merida in hot pursuit and fire in her eyes.