New Tags

Before Team Fairy Castle had left the capital, they spent their accumulated Empire Merit on some more upgrades. Everyone got one upgrade, except for Allie, who got two to make up for the fact that she didn’t get anything from the quests yet today. Sam had chosen to improve her shield so that it would more easily deflect and absorb blows. Sadie got a saddle that made it impossible to dismount her from Bertha, unless she wanted to get off. Mark got black dragon hide pants, offering a substantial increase in his defense. Isabella went for a straight damage increase to her scimitars. Laura found a spell stone to add to her staff, as it would allow her to infuse her lust energy throughout her body and weapon to enhance them temporarily. Talia got a ring that reduced her spell and ability cooldowns by fifteen percent, as that apparently included the ability to bypass the incapacitation of allies, which Laura had bestowed upon her. Allie got the damage increase to her claw she had forgone before, as well as a collar that had the opposite effect as Isabella’s, making her seem more threatening than she actually was.

The party had to travel nearly two hours to reach the temple they were planning on entering. Along the way, as they traveled west, they encountered people on the road mentioning the champions of Smug had apparently razed a city in the area, and that it would impact sending troops to the barricades to stop the spread of mad cow-girl.

After the fourth traveler, they passed and got information from, Talia said, “We should make dealing with the outbreak of mad cow-girl a priority tomorrow. If we don’t, I fear it could get out of control. From the sound of it, it’s effectively a zombie plague.”

“I agree, but…” Sadie said hesitantly.

“But what?”

“What happens if one of us gets infected?”

Isabella said, “You’re joking, right? That couldn’t happen… right?” Even as Isabella said it, she realized it very much could happen.

Sadie mulled over the issue as they rode and finally came up with a possible solution. “Laura, hang back slightly. I want to talk to you in private.” Several people were intrigued but didn’t press the issue. After they were outside of even the exceptional hearing of the others, Sadie continued. “Laura, I have a personal question that I need to know the answer to. This isn’t me asking because I’m curious. I’m asking because it affects our plans.” Laura raised an eyebrow. “Are you in love with Talia?”

“Um… What?” Laura went doe-eyed.

“Are you in love with her? I need to know.”

“You need to tell me more than simply; you need to know. Why do you need to know that? Otherwise, you can piss off.”

“Your TF, Laura. Talia mentioned you had a TF that caused Mark to decrease in age and always be as fit as you. That happened because you love him. Talia would benefit from that fitness if you loved her. The thing about being fit, that it usually includes one’s health. I might be mistaken, but I’m pretty sure you can’t get sick, and so neither can Mark. Talia as well, if you love her. Meaning if I send you three to go deal with the mad cow-girl outbreak, there’s no chance of infection.”

Laura thought about the question and was surprised to find the answer coming to her immediately. “No. Not yet. I care about her a lot, but it isn’t love.”

“Damn. I wonder if dragons are immune to diseases.”

Laura shook her head, “I don’t think so. Can we rejoin the others?”

“Yeah.” Sadie nodded, and they pushed the horses to rejoin the group.

Laura then asked Mark, “Hey, do you have any disease immunity abilities?”

“Nope.”

“Oh, I know, Isabella! I think we need you to cook for Allie.”

“What?” Isabella said with a flat voice.

“Your cooking boon. Sadie and I were talking about handling the mad cow-girl outbreak. She thinks, and I agree with her, that Mark and I are likely immune because of my TFs. You could cook for Allie a meal and grant her a temporary boon. Even influencing the nature of the boon. If you just think Allie can’t get infected, then it should at least provide substantial resistance to the plague.”

Isabella had a slight pout, “I don’t like cooking… (But I can do it for her.) Fine, I’ll make her breakfast tomorrow morning.” Allie’s tail swished in excitement.

They soon arrived at the entrance to the temple. It appeared extremely overgrown but had a statue of Cassandra over the entrance. They dismounted their horses and as they approached the doors. Cassandra manifested in front of them with angelic white wings. “Lo, my Heroes, you stand before one of my ancient temples. It is a temple from before my nature as a goddess changed. I need you to realign it with my current form. By doing so, I will gain greater clarity and be able to better guide you as to the current activities of Smug and her agents.” Cassandra then floated over to Isabella, “To you, dear child, I have seen your efforts today, and I am pleased. I bestow upon you a gift. Use it well.” Cassandra extended a hand holding a small velvet box and placed the box in Isabella’s hand. Cassandra vanished the next instant.

“Why did you get a gift?” Sadie asked.

Isabella opened the box and saw there was a note inside, which read, ‘To my favorite grandchild. I got something just for you. -Cass’. Then Isabella looked at the contents of the box, snapped the lid closed, and chucked it as hard as she could. (I’m going to fucking kill her! THAT IS SO FUCKING EMBARRASSING!)

Talia deftly slowed the box mid-air and retrieved it. “Look, even if you don’t like it, you could have at least given it to one of us. It’s supposed to be a gift, right? From your TF. That’s the answer to your question, Sadie. I told you that Isabella will randomly receive gifts from Cassandra, but at least once a round.”

“Talia, I SWEAR if you don’t get rid of it right now, we are going to have a problem.” Isabella was staring daggers at Talia. (You little shithead! ¡Maldito seas! If you don't get rid of it!)

Mark walked over to Talia and held out a hand for the box, with an expression that said, ‘Give it here now!’ Talia handed the box over to him.

“Mark… please don’t…” Isabella’s look went from rage to pleading. (OH GOD NO! It’s so embarrassing, please don’t look.)

Mark cracked the lid ever so slightly, so he could slip a finger in and cast Identify. “Isabella…”

“I’m not wearing them!” (Oh no, he knows what it is. Will he want me to wear them? Probably… DAMNIT! They would be so cute on my collar.)

“Isabella, come here,” Mark said in a stern voice. Isabella begrudgingly stood close in front of Mark. Mark leaned over and softly said, “Throwing these away would be stupid. Even if you don’t like it and won’t use it, this is a magic item worth 3 CP. Cassandra must be extremely pleased with you right now because the effects are commensurate with something worth that much CP. Remember, most magic items and blessings are worth 1 CP. Are you really going to turn up your nose at free points?”

“No…” Isabella reluctantly took the box back. (Damnit, I can’t turn down a magic item just because it’s embarrassing. For Allie’s sake, if nothing else.)

Mark continued to speak softly. “I should mention that one of the effects is particularly relevant. It provides immunity to several negative status conditions, including disease. I’m not going to tell the others or **** this on you, but consider what your choice would mean for the team.” Mark stood up straight again.

Seeing that they were done talking, Allie walked over. “Isabella, what’s wrong? Why did you not like the gift?”

Isabella crossed her arms and looked down and to the side. (Because it’s embarrassing, and I do kind of like it). “Allie, please drop it.”

“Okay. If that’s what you want.” Allie put an arm around Isabella’s shoulders.

Talia said, “Sorry, Mark, but if that’s a magic item that can help the team, I feel like she needs to share it with all of us. It might be hers, but if she won’t use it, then she needs to let someone else use it.”

Mark furrowed his brow. “How did you… I was facing away from you, so you couldn’t have read my lips.”

Isabella glared at Talia. (May your goddess punish you for this.) “She can read my body sometimes. Apparently, it has subtitles.”

Sadie asked, “Mark, what does the item do? I saw you identified it.”

Isabella’s shoulders slumped. (Might as well get this over with.) Isabella handed back the box to Mark and covered her face with both of her hands.

Mark opened the box and found a set of three dog tags. The one on the top just had the name ‘Princess Isa’ inscribed on the front and on the back ‘Return to Owner: Mark Garret’ along with his phone number. The next tag looked like a pet registration or license that showed the dog was up to date on their vaccinations. The last one had, ‘Feisty, likes headpats, microchipped, be careful about the hips.’

Allie saw the contents of the box and let out a snort of laughter, even if she couldn’t read what the tags said. “I see why you threw the box away.”

“Qué chistoso. Go ahead, laugh it up.” (I’m never living this down.)

Laura looked at the tags, “What do they do?”

Mark explained, “Well, they are one item. Not three separate items. There are some effects I’m only going to share with Isabella, but the ones that affect the LARP are: Isabella would technically become a princess, and get the ability to talk with and negotiate with animals. She can only have one bonded companion, unlike you, Sadie.” Mark looked at the small cage hanging from Sadie’s waist. “She can short-range teleport next to me as long as she has mana, and she can know the direction I am relative to her at all times. Headpats provide extra healing, and she would be immune to several negative status conditions.”

“Holy shit!” Laura exclaimed, “That’s awesome. I’ll take them if you don’t want them, Isabella.”

“Sorry, they are only usable by her. There are some… well, possible drawbacks to the item. Nothing that affects the LARP directly… so I’ll tell Isabella later. I would appreciate it if you all would not try to push her to use them.” Mark handed the tags back to Isabella.

Isabella sighed and looked at the ground in defeat. (I’m going to be wearing these by tomorrow, aren’t I?)

“Sorry, Mark, Isabella, but no.” Sadie said, shaking her head. “One of three things is going to happen: The first is you will tell me what those drawbacks are; second, Isabella is going to put those tags on now; third is I’m going to give the next three upgrades Isabella would have gotten to someone else.”

Mark growled, “Sadie—”

“Mark! I wasn’t done talking. I thought we had already discussed this, Isabella. Now, Mark, if you tell me what those drawbacks are, AND I think they are significant, then I won’t require one of the other two to also happen. Otherwise, Isabella is either going to deal with the embarrassment or lose out on upgrades. This isn’t a matter of discussion, either, Mark. I am telling you what is going to happen.”

Talia added, “Also, Allie, are you really going to simply accept Isabella throwing the LARP? I know you two are dating, but you chewed me out about potentially screwing over our team this morning. Isabella not using those tags is throwing away a massive advantage unless the side effects are egregious. Her performance also affects you a lot more than mine does. Actually, come to think of it, how is your score handled, with there being two of you?”

Sadie answered Talia’s question. “They have separate challenge point scores for the purpose of TF quality, but a weighted average with the split being 70:30 will be used for VP placement.”

Mark, still annoyed and with a slight growl in his voice, said, “Fine. Sadie, Isabella, come with me.” Mark quickly turned and marched off, simply expecting both of them to follow. Isabella followed after him quickly, but Sadie hesitated as Mark had hit her with a bit of his dragon aura. After a moment, though, she regained her composure and hurried after him.

When they were out of sight from the group, Mark stopped, turned, and glared at Sadie. “Sadie, let me make something abundantly clear.” Mark grabbed the front of her dress and lifted her off the ground. “I don’t care if you are the party leader or not. Isabella is a close, long-time friend of mine and my wife. Do not threaten her.”

Sadie was trembling but said, “Mark, I told you what was going to happen, and you threatening me isn’t going to change that. Now put me down!” Mark put her back on the ground.

Isabella said, “Mark, calm down, please. Stop and think before you say something you will regret later. Your inhibitions are still being affected, remember?” Isabella extended a hand, placing it on Mark’s arm. (Mark, you’re scaring me a little, too.) Isabella sighed, “Sadie also has a point. We did talk during the slime quest, Mark. I… I think I need to start participating more, not just in the LARP, but in the show in general. Can you tell us what the drawbacks are? If they aren’t too bad, I’ll just put on the tags now.” Isabella looked down at the ground. (Might as well get this over with.)

Mark still glared at Sadie but explained the tags. “The potential drawbacks, right. The first one is that they permanently attach to a collar. That collar can also only be removed by me. If it is removed, it has to be worn for eight hours before the tags will be active again. I won’t be able to use your name, at least as is; others can, but will find it more difficult to. It will make you more open to pet play with me specifically as your owner, as well as making headpats a turn-on and your hips erogenous zones. It will also make you… Well, feisty. Finally, I’ll be able to track your movements with my phone again. Since I lost that ability for the LARP.”

Sadie was the one to frown, “I have two questions: When you say more open to pet play with you as her owner, how open are we talking about here? Also, what do you mean by feisty?”

“The exact description is: slightly suppresses negative feelings about pet-play, or Mark being your owner. As for feisty, I don’t know. It just says it makes the wearer feisty.”

Sadie muttered. “Probably means more willing to have sex…” Sadie sighed, “Isabella, I’m highly encouraging you to wear the tags, but… I won’t **** you to wear them. I’m concerned that the feisty part means that you might feel like you need to jump Mark for sex. I won’t push that.”

Isabella sighed and looked down at the tags. If I put these on, I’m essentially accepting that I’m Mark’s pet. Sadie was right the other day, though. I have enjoyed the treatment. Mark was saying that my body told him as much, too… maybe I just need to get over my hang-ups and enjoy it?

Mark looked at Isabella and said, “I think you should try it too. If you hate it, we can also take the collar off, but I don’t think you will. Not after earlier today.” Mark put his hand on her head and scritched between her ears.

Isabella quivered in pleasure. That feels good… Isabella reluctantly put on the tags. “I guess I’m your bitch now…” (This was bound to happen eventually…)

Mark continued to scritch her ears and said, “No, you aren’t. You’re my good girl. My princess. Isn’t that right, Isa?”

“Arf!” Isabella covered her mouth in embarrassment, but her tail was wagging excitedly.

“Okay, Isa, go on head back. I want to talk with Sadie for a minute.”

Isabella looked like she wanted to object, but obeyed the command.

After Isabella left, Sadie started before Mark could lay into her. “Save it, Mark. I don’t care. I get you probably don’t like not having control over the situation, but tough shit. Welcome to the club. Cassandra gave me this position; I didn’t volunteer for it. I’m going to do my absolute best to carry our team to victory. Also, I would like to remind you of something before you get all pissy with me. I want her to get out of the bottom three in terms of VP, excluding myself. I was half tempted to pick Chloe for this team after Flora grabbed Hilde, because I want her to get out of the bottom three the most. Not because the desire is stronger for her, but I don’t want this feeling to increase in the next round regarding her. So shove it, Mark, and enjoy your new pet.” Sadie turned to walk away, but Mark grabbed her by the arm.

“My turn to speak, and you will shut your mouth and listen. First, Isa is not a pet, even if I call her my pet. Talk like that about her again, and I’ll slap you at the very least. I mean it. She is my friend first, and part of this harem second. Second, even if this was because of a TF, you could have handled this differently. You didn’t need to threaten her in front of everyone.”

“Yes, I did.” Mark’s grip tightened around her arm.

“I told you to be quiet. I’ll listen to you when I’m done. You could have asked to speak with the two of us alone, but you didn’t. Third, you can be replaced, and how would you feel when someone else tries to do what you just did to you?”

“You done?”

“Yes.”

Sadie pulled her arm free from Mark’s grasp. “First of all, you might notice that not one person besides you actually seemed to object to the way I handled that situation. That included Isa-Isabella. Whoa, that’s a strong effect. If whoever else was in charge actually handled the situation like I did: you know where I was more than willing to gain more information before making an ultimate decision, and then, when I got information that made me think the tags might be too much, I gave Isa-bella a choice. I would be perfectly fine with that happening to me. As for why I needed to do that in front of the group wasn’t because I was trying to put Isa… Isabella in her place. It’s because I had to confront you.” Sadie emphasized the point by poking Mark’s chest. “I need the support of the others when I have to challenge you, because that’s the only thing that will make you listen. Cassandra deliberately chose not to have you as the team leaders when she easily could have. I don’t know why, but you can’t be my replacement. If someone else wants to be the team leader, I’d let them in a heartbeat. I haven’t gotten any volunteers, though. Got anything you want to add?”

“No.”

“Good. Now, before we go back, I have another matter to talk about with you.” Sadie balled her hands into fists at her side and exploded in anger, “DON’T YOU FUCKING DARE LAY YOUR HANDS ON ME LIKE THAT AGAIN! IF YOU DO, DAMN THE CONSEQUENCES! I WILL PUNCH YOU IN YOUR SMUG FUCKING FACE! I DON’T CARE IF I GET A PUNISHMENT TF OR EVEN FUCKING ELIMINATED! I AM NOT YOUR PROPERTY! YOU DON’T GET TO MANHANDLE ME BECAUSE I UPSET YOU!” Sadie was panting heavily from her shouting. Sadie saw that Mark looked concerned. Good. After several extremely long seconds later Sadie continued. “Mark, I’m going to assume you were more forceful than you normally would be because of those brownies. I’m choosing to believe that because I want to believe that I can survive this show, and for that to happen, you have to be a decent person. I was serious, though, if you manhandle me again, I will be punching you. I can’t do much to hurt you, physically at least, but I can already tell you are the kind of man that would get eaten up inside if you were responsible for one of us being eliminated.”

-1 VP Seriously Threaten the Master

“Sadie… I—”

“Save it, Mark. I don’t want to talk to you while you are like this. If it isn’t related to the LARP, directly, leave me alone until the brownies are out of your system. Also, I expect an apology at that time.” Sadie stormed off back towards the group. As she turned away, Mark saw tears running down her cheeks. As she was walking away, she wiped her cheeks with her hands.

Mark was walking back to the group, but found Laura waiting halfway back with a reproachful expression.

Mark sighed and sagged his shoulders. “You going to chew me out, too?”

“I don’t really think I need to. We heard shouting, and then Sadie stormed back to the group. She looked furious, which, considering she got what she wanted, seems odd. Want to talk about it?”

“Not really.”

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Yep, Okay. Let’s head back. Unless you were hoping I would make you talk about it?”

“I… I don’t know.” Mark saw a nearby log and sat down on it. Laura sat down next to him. They sat in silence for a while. “I was… forceful with Sadie.”

“You mean physically?” Mark nodded. “Why?”

“Because she threatened my friend.”

“Friend? Not lover?”

“Friend. Isa and I… well, we did stuff earlier today that started to blur that line some, but she’s been a friend for a long time.”

Isa… I thought she hated having her name shortened. “Would it bother you if I told you I think Sadie was right to tell you that one of those three things was going to happen?”

“A bit, yeah.”

“Well, I’m sorry, but I don’t think she was wrong to stand up to you. Do you regret getting physical with Sadie?”

“Not really. That might be due to the brownies, I’m not sure. I am worried about her, though.”

“Mark, when you looked at the desserts, with Hilde’s boon, did you happen to notice how long the effects should last?”

“Seventy-two hours”

“Hmm… Mark, I think you need to buy something to get rid of that from you in particular. I also think you need to eat someone out besides me.”

“What? Why? To both of your statements.”

“Mark, I’m really worried about you. I know Allie thinks you will be okay, but can you honestly tell me that you would have gotten into a physical altercation with Sadie if you weren’t on the brownies? Think about it, is that something you would have normally done, or did you just not care about the consequences right now?”

“Probably not. But so what?”

“Mark, please do this for me,” Laura said while gently placing a hand on his face.

“It would cost most of my BP for the round. Even with the discount.”

“So? That would leave you with a good chunk of BP afterwards… unless… did you buy something from the store? Besides the delays for you and Sam?”

“Yeah, here.” Mark pulled up True Love’s Kiss on his phone and showed it to Laura.

“Okay, well, that isn’t bad, but why buy this? I mean, right now at least?”

“Honestly, not sure. I mean, Mary requested that I buy this.”

“Why didn’t she just buy it?”

“Because I’m pretty sure she was mid-conversation and used it shortly after I bought it. She was also planning on buying something that would be somewhat advantageous to our team, too, so I figured it would even out.”

“Hmm…” I wish we could get some help with this problem. Cassandra won’t do it.

A pink and red mist covered the forest around them. “You called for aid?” A sultry voice asked. A woman who felt maternal in a long red dress and long dark hair appeared before Laura and Mark. Her face continued to be obscured by the mist. “What seems to be the matter, my fellow goddess of desire?”

“Um… Aphrodite?” Laura shook her head to free herself of confusion. “I was looking for a way to free my bo- lover here from the effects of a magical dessert that he consumed, lowering his inhibitions. I’m concerned that if it persists, it will have long-term negative consequences on everyone in the harem.”

The woman nodded, sympathetic. “That sounds concerning. I can try to help, though I need to warn you, magic always comes with one price or another. The hosts usually pay for the magic you all receive, but this would be a more unique situation. If you're willing to pay the cost of my spell for me, I can use something to help you take it away from him.”

She pointed at Mark, and the hilt of a spectral dagger appeared, the blade buried in his chest. The ghost-like weapon smelled strongly of brownies. “Take it out and use it on yourself, and you'll be able to bear it until the poison has run its course. There will be no harm to you, other than what he would have faced.”

Mark turned to Laura, “How is this better?”

“Because if I screw up, it affects me; if you screw up, it affects the whole harem. Aphrodite, I accept.” Laura grabbed the dagger, pulling it from Mark’s chest and slamming it into her own.

“Technically, I...Nevermind. I wish you both the best.” With that, Aphrodite snapped her fingers and disappeared into the mist.

Mark felt the effects had left him. “Oh. Shit. I fucked up big time, didn’t I?”

Laura looked at Mark with lust. “Yep. You did. I assume you are going to apologize to Sadie?”

“Yeah, thank you, Laura. Fuck I can’t believe I grabbed her dress and picked her up off the ground. What was I thinking?”

Laura stood up and grabbed Mark by the jacket, and lifted him up, pinning him against a tree. “That it is incredibly hot and satisfying to lift someone into the air with one hand.”

“Laura, what the heck?”

“Mark, I don’t think you know how hard it’s been not to fuck you until you are utterly exhausted.” Laura toppled the tree with a kick and laid Mark down on top of it. “Speaking of being thankful, you can thank me now by eating me out. Because I mentioned this earlier, I think the dragon TF is also messing with you. Now get to work, lover boy, because I’m getting what I missed out on last night with you after you are no longer a dragon.” Laura caused her clothes to vanish and buried Mark’s face in her crotch, gently pressing her thighs into the sides of his head. “Hey Talia, this is your goddess speaking.”

“YOUR HUMBLE SERVANT, REJOICES IN RECEIVING YOUR DIVINE REVELATION!” Laura’s eye twitched at Talia’s response that somehow came across as reverent sarcasm. “Seriously, though, what can I do for you, Laura, and why aren’t you and Mark coming back to the group? I heard a tree crash to the ground.”

“I— OH FUCK YES!” Mark reached up and gripped Laura’s buttcheeks firmly as his long, forked tongue entered Laura. “Mmmm, Mark and I, OH FUCK, are having some fun. Don’t let us be disturbed, please. We might be at this for a while. OH!”

Laura could almost see and strangely hear Talia blink rapidly across the divine connection a few times. “Are you seriously having sex right now? After Sadie came back pissed. Laura, why?”

“Because I’m horny and want to make Mark feel better before he needs to go apologize to SADIE! OH FUCK YES. Talia, if you want to come join us, that’s fine with me, but expect to lose your virginity if you do. Also, I’m going to ravish you later. I hope you are prepared for, OH GOD YES! For some mind-shattering orgasms.”

“Laura, what has gotten into you? I thought you were just going to talk with Mark.”

“Aphrodite showed up and helped out. Mark doesn’t have decreased inhibitions anymore. I do.”

“My Goddess.”

“I’m pretty sure— FUCK HE IS GOOD WITH HIS TONGUE. Pretty sure you shouldn’t be taking my name in vain.” Laura could hear the eye roll.

“Fine, I'll keep the others away. Please try to keep it under an hour.”

“Thanks. OH GOD,” Laura finally climaxed from Mark’s efforts as she lay back. “I owe you one.”

“I’m pretty sure you promised me multiple orgasms, actually. Mind-shattering ones. I expect My Goddess to keep her promises.” Laura could once again hear Talia’s smirk across the connection.

Laura rolled to the side, landing on the forest floor, while pulling Mark down off the log on top of her. “Damn, Laura, you sure are eager. Let me catch my breath for a second.”

Laura reached up and grabbed Mark’s face, pulling it down so she could kiss him. As she did so, she cast Love Endures on Mark so he would have no issue keeping up with her. Laura broke the kiss for a second. “Mark, if those pants aren’t off you in the next five seconds, I’m tearing them to pieces, magic item or not.” Mark started removing his pants. “Also, you are to make yourself a Sex God right now.”

“You act as if I’m not already a sex god.”

Laura glared at Mark, “I’ll admit you are really fucking good at sex, but…” Laura let her divine aura envelope Mark. Unlike the first time that Mark felt her aura, this felt intentional and was laced with Laura’s lust. Laura reached down and grabbed Mark’s cock, stroking him a few times, and he came extremely quickly. “You aren’t a sex god, yet.”

Mark rolled his eyes. “Fine.” Mark, selected to copy Laura’s Goddess TF. His tail and horns retracted, and his eyes returned to normal. Laura’s eyes dilated as Mark’s new divine aura washed over her.

Laura felt intoxicated by Mark’s aura, and as Mark penetrated her, she felt her world shake. As the music shifted to ‘You Shook Me All Night Long’ by AC/DC. Mark let his wings unfurl behind him, as Laura did the same. Each wrapped the other up in a feathery embrace. Each thrust felt amazing to Laura, eclipsing even some orgasms she had had before the show. Though when Mark came inside her, she came with him. She pressed Mark’s body tightly against herself as her climax rocked her body. “Mark, I love you.”

Mark pulled one hand out from behind her back and held her cheek. “I love you too, Laura.”

Laura pushed Mark onto his back and climbed on top of him. She bounced on his cock, placing both hands firmly on his chest. “Fucking GOD MARK! Why do you feel, THIS FUCKING GOOD!” Laura asked as her body quivered in ecstasy, as Mark once again came inside her. She lay her head down on Mark’s chest as she continued to slowly gyrate her hips, with him still deep inside. “Mark… I want you.”

Mark gave a hearty belly laugh, “Really? I couldn’t tell.”

Laura paused her gyrations for a moment while she tilted her head up towards Mark’s with an annoyed expression on her face. Then she resumed. Mark shut up, though, as he could feel that Laura wanted to say something more. She repositioned slightly to kiss him. Not with the lust and passion that she most definitely felt, but with a tender loving affection. Mark ran his hand along her back as they kissed. He reached the base of her wings and found that they were likely the softest thing he had ever felt. Laura slowly increased her rhythm until Mark came inside her for the third time. Laura just lay on top of Mark wordlessly for a time. After several minutes of simply lying and holding one another, Mark asked, “I’ve still got plenty of energy, so I assume you aren’t satisfied. When would you like to start another round?” Laura didn’t immediately answer, but just continued to use Mark as a pillow.

“Mark, would you be mine?”

“Yes.” Mark softly replied without any hesitation.

“Really? Even if I meant… I don’t know what I mean. I just know that I want to share your bed as often as possible from now on. Not just because I want lots of sex, which I do, and you are correct, we aren’t done here by a long shot. I climaxed with you three times already. This is hands down the best sexual experience I’ve ever had, and it isn’t even close. I don’t even think it is because you are a sex god now.”

Mark stroked her hair. “Why do you think it was so good?”

“Because… because I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather be doing this with. Mark, I don’t know what I want exactly, but I want to be able to call you mine.”

Mark snorted in amusement. “That’s not true at all. You know exactly what you want but are just having trouble getting there. I heard your slip to Aphrodite.” Mark stared at her expectantly.

“Oh, come on! Are you really going to make me say it?” Mark just nodded while smirking. “Markwouldyoubemyboyfriend?”

“Huh? I’m sorry I couldn’t make that out.” Laura pulled her hips up most of the way and then slammed Mark’s cock back inside her, causing Mark to lurch from the unexpected pleasure.

“Mark!”

“Of course, I would love to be your boyfriend.”

Now, Laura kissed Mark with a fierce passion, as she resumed thrusting Mark’s cock into her eager crotch. “Good, because sweetheart, we are going to be here a while.”

Sadie said, “What is taking those two so long? Did Laura say what she wanted to talk to Mark about?”

Allie said, “Laura was concerned when she heard the shouting. She wanted to check on both of you.”

Isabella asked, “Is… is that music?”

Talia winced in annoyance. Then Sadie noticed that it looked like Talia was reacting to a conversation. Sadie asked, “Did Laura contact you, Talia?”

Talia nodded, “She did. She… she might be a few minutes.”

Allie frowned. “Really?! Right now? HERE!? Seriously, she…” Allie blinked in confusion.

Sadie asked, “Allie, why are you annoyed?”

Allie’s frown turned upside down so quickly. “Oh… umm… no reason. Never mind. Not important.”

Isabella said, “Sadie, let’s just wait for them to get back, okay. It isn’t a big deal.”

“What isn’t a big deal?” Before anyone could answer, everyone turned toward where Mark and Laura were, as they felt the divine aura of both deities wash over them. Sadie went utterly slack-jawed at the sensation, while the others were only disoriented and rather aroused. So much so that Allie and Isabella couldn’t help but begin to make out. It took several minutes for Allie, Isabella, or Sadie to regain a semblance of normalcy. Talia, however, after a brief disorientation, was fine, if reveling in her goddess’s radiance.

Sadie asked, “What… what is this feeling? I feel like I need to bow down in prayer.”

“That’s not a bad idea, actually.” Talia said, knelt, and was about to fold her hands together, and said, “Actually… best not. I don’t feel like Laura would appreciate that right now.” Talia stood back up to a bewildered stare from Sadie.

Sadie turned to Allie and Isabella. “Can you help me make sense of this?”

Allied nodded. “Well, Laura is a goddess. You are aware of that, right?”

“I mean, I know Talia said that, but… I thought it was a figure of speech, or rather that she had angel wings. But not like…”

“Not like an actual goddess.” Allie nodded. “Yeah, it was odd the first time we felt this aura. She normally keeps it under wraps.”

Isabella said, “If it helps any, I essentially had the exact same reaction you did when I felt it for the first time. Though this does feel different somehow, more… familiar.”

Talia said, “That’s probably because Mark is a god right now.”

Sadie blinked, “You’re being literal right now?”

“Yeah, I think he copied Laura’s TF. Actually, that is the only logical conclusion I can draw, considering that there is definitely a distinct divine presence intermingled with My Goddess’s.”

“Wait… that would mean… the music… Talia didn’t you say that—”

“Yes. Laura and Mark are almost certainly making sweet love to each other, considering the song that is currently playing.”

Sadie went from being shocked to being furious again, “WHAT THE FUCK! Seriously?! I know his inhibitions are lowered, but does he truly have no God damn self-control?”

“They actually aren’t lowered anymore,” Talia said. “Laura took on that effect herself. That is probably why this is happening right now.”

“Wait, Laura’s inhibitions were lowered?”

Talia nodded, “Yeah. Apparently, Aphrodite showed up.”

“What the fuck is wrong with MARK!? How can he be screwing her after what he just did to me?”

Allie walked over to Sadie and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Sadie, Mark is great at compartmentalizing. Annoyingly so. Right now, there is likely very little going through his mind besides the woman in front of him. It isn’t that he won’t feel bad for any mistakes he made while under the influence of the brownies, but in his current situation, all worrying about that at the moment does for him is ruin his time with Laura. We might as well have a seat and wait for them. I mean, it shouldn’t be that long.”

Sadie grumbled in frustration and took a seat on the steps of the temple, as did the others. Ten minutes later and two and a half song changes later, Sadie started pacing. Fifteen more minutes later, Sadie was wearing a groove in the dirt as the song that was playing changed for the ninth time so far. Ten minutes after that, Sadie had finally had enough when ‘I Like to Move It’ came on. “OKAY, THAT’S IT. I’M GOING OVER THERE AND PUTTING AN END TO THIS!”

Talia said, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you, Sadie. It won’t end well for you unless you intend to join them and give Mark your virginity. Plus, I would really rather not waste mana casting time bubbles to stop you.”

“Seriously? We’ve been here for more than half an hour, and it doesn’t seem to be ending at all.”

“Look, if it goes over an hour, I’ll poke Laura via the connection I have with her. Until then, just wait.”

Sadie took a few deep breaths and tried to be calm when the song changed to ‘Addicted’ by Saving Abel. “Allie, how isn’t this bothering you?”

Allie blushed a little and became evasive. “Well, I mean… Mark is going to do stuff with other people…”

“Bullshit. Wait…” Sadie’s eyes went wide. “Seriously! You’re telling me Laura wants to marry Mark? That’s the only explanation because I heard you weren’t happy that Laura was doing stuff with him.” Sadie’s shoulders sagged, “Fine… I guess I can let Laura have this.” Sadie sat back down. Another twenty minutes passed, and ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ by Elvis Presley finished playing, and the surrounding area was quiet for the first time in nearly an hour.

It took a minute for the four of them to realize that the music had indeed stopped. Which was around the time Mark and Laura returned to the temple. Both looked immaculate, with absolutely no trace that they had just screwed for nearly an hour straight. Sadie looked at Laura and actually thought she might look more radiant than normal. Only when Mark let go of Laura’s hand did Sadie even notice that they were holding hands. Mark walked over to Sadie and squatted down to look Sadie in the eye, “Sadie, I’m sorry. Truly. I shouldn’t have treated you that way.”

Sadie stood up and glared down at Mark, “Mark, I’ve been thinking about what you did while waiting for the two of you to finish. You can’t blame this on the brownies. Because today wasn’t the first time you were physical with me like that. You also did it right before Cassandra revealed my TF options.”

Mark thought back and remembered grabbing her face. “You’re right. I probably could have handled that better. I’m sorry if I crossed a line for you. Sadie, what you said to me, before…”

“I meant it.”

Mark nodded solemnly as he stood up. Well, this is a mess.

“Mark, do you want to know what pisses me off the most about this whole situation? I’m having to actively work to stay mad at you.”

Allie asked, “Why would you do that?”

“Because I’m LIVID, with the way Mark treated me. The problem is I can’t help but think things like: ‘Damn, he is strong, it so sexy that he can lift me with one hand’, ‘He smells like freshly brewed coffee in the morning, after an all nighter’ and a bunch of other sexual stuff, that keeps intruding on what I’m rightfully pissed off at him for. Mark, I accept your apology, but I was serious. Don’t do that again. Let’s get this quest finished so we can sleep in real beds tonight.”

Sadie started walking up the stairs with Bertha close behind her. Bertha turned her head and made an upset guttural noise at Mark, which he was surprised he understood. “You brute! Sadie is a delicate flower, and you treat her like that! For Shame!” Bertha didn’t miss a step as she walked into the temple after Sadie.

Leaving a befuddled Mark thinking. Since when could I understand Bertha?