Winding Down For the Evening

Sadie had returned to the temple proper. Not really having anything better to do, she had the Order of the Big Cheese scout out the rest of the temple. She took the opportunity to get used to using the sight of all the rodents. While the temple was intricately designed, it was mostly stage dressing. She did find two things of interest, though. The first was a really old map of the empire, with the location of the other major temples of Cassandra. The other was a book titled: ‘The Goddess Cassandra, and her trials of virtue.’

She spent the time waiting reading the book, not having anything better to do. She fed the Order of the Big Cheese and swore that the swarm had grown in size again. It was dusk when the party finally came out of the trials, and all looked frustrated with it taking so long. Sadie noticed that Laura was carrying Bertha over her shoulders. Laura sat Bertha down in front of Sadie. Sadie took a small cage that was attached to her waist and pointed the opening towards Bertha, then at the Order of the Big Cheese, and both were sucked inside. “I’m glad no one was incapacitated.”

Talia corrected her, “Actually, Allie was incapacitated, but Mark was able to restore her.”

“Really? Wait, was it during the reflection fight?”

Talia looked intrigued, “How did you know about that?”

Sadie held up the book she had found. “This details the trials. At least in vague terms. It said you would face your reflection through the eyes of another. I assume you fought yourself, probably through Mark’s impressions of you.”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“Why did it take so long, though? There were only two more trials after the one we completed together. Did it really take you something like five or six hours to do the rest?”

Laura looked annoyed, “That is partially Talia’s fault, but mostly Cassandra being annoying.”

Talia clarified, “My battle took… a long time from an outside observer’s perspective. Since we both used time magic. The orb we had to fill required all of everyone’s class mana three times over. We had to wait for our mana to regenerate. It only didn’t take longer because we used Mark’s mana regeneration buff, combined with creating a time bubble to speed things up. Shall we head back?”

The group set out back towards the capital. Sadie decided to ride with Talia since Bertha was incapacitated. Talia had noticed that Sadie had clearly wanted to ride with Mark but was trying to stay angry with him.

When they got back, Sam greeted them, “I was wondering what was taking you so long. I was really concerned I would have to go to bed without my favorite pillow.” Sam wrapped Mark in a hug.

Mark said, “Sam, you know we can’t do anything still, right?”

Sam pouted. “Yeah, I know…”

Allie said while dismounting her horse. “That’s not completely true.” Sam turned to Allie, intensely curious. “Mark’s inhibitions aren’t lowered anymore. You can do things you’ve already done before, now. Just nothing new.”

“REALLY!?” Sam asked. Allie nodded. Sam turned to Sadie, “Sadie, do you need Mark or me for anything right now?”

“No, I don’t think so.”

“PERFECT!” Sam picked Mark up in her arms and flew off towards the bedroom.

Sadie watched the blur that was Sam and Mark rush past her and said, “I guess she’s eager. I’m going to go see if we have a better idea of where the other team is located. Laura, would you please join me?”

“No, she’s coming with me,” Talia said, having attached the leash back to Laura’s collar. Laura just shrugged.

“Talia, and Laura, then would you both PLEASE join me?”

Talia didn’t look happy about it, but nodded. The three of them went off, leaving Allie and Isabella in the courtyard alone.

Isabella turned to Allie, “Want to head back to the room and have some fun before Talia gets back?”

Allie shook her head. “I’m heading back to our room, though. I just plan on talking with Cassandra about something.”

“Something wrong?”

“Not exactly, I would also like to talk with you some more. So please join me.” Isabella nodded, and the two headed off to their room. They found Cassandra there waiting for them. “I thought you wanted us to text or call you if we wanted you to show up.”

“I do, but you also weren’t being a bitch about it, and I’m certain you intended to text me. I’m just saving time. What did you want to talk about?”

“I wanted to ask you about earning BP. Normally, we would have the amenities where we could earn some daily BP, and the casino, plus I think even a few other ways to do so. It doesn’t seem like we do here.”

“You could always make a deal with me.” Cassandra smiled playfully. “You do have a point, though. I’ll think on it. But whatever do you need BP for? I mean, I doubt that Isa still wants to reroll her wolf-girl TF or her Pack Mate path anymore.” Isabella blushed but didn’t contradict Cassandra.

“Does that really matter?”

“I suppose not. Anything else?” Allie shook her head. “Then, before I go, I thought I would offer Isa a choice. The tags I gave you allow you to have a bonded companion. Would you like that to be Bruno?”

Isabella shook her head. “No, I don’t want him involved in this or thinking it’s okay to attack people.”

“Fair enough, just thought I would make the offer. Ta Ta.” Cassandra vanished with a pop.

Allie turned to Isabella. “Isa… are you really okay with this? I… you are my friend, and I don’t want to see you become a bitch in heat for Mark. I want you to be an equal in our relationship.”

“Allie… would you like to know what Master said to Sadie when we separated?” Allie nodded. “He said I was a close, long-time friend of his and his wife. Not just your friend, Allie. Honestly, how angry Master got scared me a little. He grabbed Sadie by the front of her dress and held her in the air with one arm. Also… Master didn’t know this, but I could still hear him after I left. My hearing and smell have improved. I guess you were right, and I just hadn’t accepted being a wolf-girl.” Allie smugly smiled. “Yes, yes, I know you told me so. Anyway… Mark threatened her after I left. She called me his pet with derision in her voice. He got PISSED. He threatened to slap her at a minimum if she talked about me like that again. He said I was his friend first and a member of the harem second. When I heard her call me Mark’s pet, it stung. When he does it, though, it sends tingles down my spine. I mean, is it really a problem if I like being showered with lots of love and affection? That I want headpats and ear scritches?”

“No, I guess, not.” Allie reached out and scritched between Isabella’s wolf ears, causing her to quiver in pleasure.

“I should mention, the tags make head pats and ear scritches a turn on, more so than normal.”

“Good to know. Mark really threatened to get violent with Sadie because of the way she treated you?”

“Yeah, he obviously felt bad once the brownie was out of his system, but Sadie was right. Mark did somewhat forcefully grab her face when she arrived here to get her to stop bad-mouthing Chloe. It honestly scared me a bit how he was acting. I think he probably knows that, too, since my body makes stuff like that obvious to him now.”

“And you still want to come and have a three-way with us tomorrow night?”

“Yeah, I do. Allie, how do you think us being a throuple was going to go? That it would be months before we did anything sexual? I’ve known you both for years, maybe we wouldn’t have just had sex from the get-go go but after a week or two, I sort of expected we would have a three-way.”

“Hmm… You promise to let me come on both of your nights with him this round? I ask because I’m going to be giving up some rather limited alone time with him.”

“Absolutely.” Isabella nodded vigorously.

“Fine, you can come.” Isabella tackled Allie to the bed in a hug and licked her cheek. Isabella blushed when she realized what she had just done.

“I uh…” Allie just nibbled affectionately on Isabella’s ear, causing Isabella’s toes to curl in pleasure.

“You mentioned wanting to have some fun?” Allie said, grinning.

Laura, Talia, and Sadie went to the great hall, where she had set up a map of the empire. After asking around, they learned that they wouldn’t get an update until the morning about Smug’s forces. The three sat at the table. Talia said, “Okay, so why did you want to talk with Laura?”

“First, I wanted to say thank you, Laura. For taking on the effect of the brownies.”

“Not a problem, Mark needed that purged from his system. Honestly, I think we really should consider a rule amongst all of us: that we shouldn’t mess with Mark’s morals or inhibitions at all.”

“Agreed.” Sadie nodded. Talia didn’t seem pleased by the idea, but let it go for now. “Next, Laura, Talia, I would like your help figuring out how to rescue Ethel.”

Laura was about to speak, but Talia said, “Why?”

“She’s my friend, and I’m worried about her.”

“Not good enough. Why, when that will almost certainly result in us losing progress, should we do that? They likely have her at their base, and if that’s the case, we will likely find her when we win.”

“Talia, she’s a real person. Squeak told me as such. I want to help her. Squeak said that they might just go back into stasis after the round. From the conversation, it seems that Ethel’s memories are taken from her. Squeak also told me not to bring Mark into this.”

“So, what? Do you want her to get added to Mark’s harem then? Not actually going to fault you there, but why is getting her back from the other team going to help with that?” Sadie furrowed her brow. Talia said, “Sadie, that wasn’t a rhetorical question. How do you plan on helping her?”

“I was thinking she could join us, or at least become part of Mark’s staff, maybe she could replace Hilde.”

“Maybe. If that is what you want, though, I would leave her with the other team.”

“What!? Why?” Sadie exclaimed, and Laura looked confused, too.

“Because Mark has already been somewhat put off by her. Mary, on the other hand, probably hasn’t. If I were in Mary’s place, you know what I would do? I would try to corrupt Ethel into joining me. Try to get her to turn against Cassandra and join Smug. Possibly by literally seducing her. If Mary does that, the chances she gets added go up, not down. I won’t tell you not to try and get her back if the opportunity presents itself, but I seriously think you should put her out of your mind.”

“Fine.” Sadie was clearly displeased but didn’t see a point in continuing that conversation.

They sat in silence for a short while, until Talia finally said, “If there’s nothing else…”

“I… I don’t feel like I can do this. I feel like I’m barely keeping it together.”

Laura put her hand on Sadie’s. “I can take over being the party leader if you want.”

“It isn’t that. I mean, being on this show. Dealing with the continual thoughts about how great Mark is. Constantly being horny. How much I want to kiss him and hug him and do other things to him SIMPLY BECAUSE I’M INFERIOR TO ALL OF YOU!” Sadie was panting heavily, holding her head between her hands with her elbows propped up on the table. Talia looked at Laura, concerned. That concern grew when Sadie seemed to start half laughing, half sobbing, in a nervous breakdown.

Talia got up and hugged Sadie. “Sadie, it isn’t that bad.”

“Not that bad? DO YOU…” Sadie took a moment to collect herself.

“Yes, I do understand what you are going through to some degree. I’m constantly getting aroused myself, which was part of why I wanted to find a room and have Laura do all sorts of things to me. I also understand having continuous intrusive thoughts. Thoughts that feel like your own, but knowing that they come from something that was changed about yourself. Laura, if you are okay with it, and Sadie would like to, I’d let her come join us tonight. It might at least relieve her of her lust.”

“I… I thought you said you didn’t want to do anything with me.”

“That was then. Sadie, I want you to realize that I’m essentially being constantly turned on. I get turned on by transformations. I get turned on by the results of those transformations. Your wings are a turn-on for me. Pretty much every single member of the harem is a walking turn-on for me. I’m genuinely astounded that Mark has so much self-control… Goddess damnit!”

Laura asked, “Talia, what’s wrong?”

“I guess this is a perfect example for you, Sadie. At least I won’t have this plaguing me for the rest of this round after this, but I really need to confess to Mark instead so he can make sure this isn’t a problem later. Laura, I just thought about manipulating Sadie into sleeping with both of us by abusing her TFs and using your collar to get you to accept that. I’ll include more details in my evening prayers, like usual.”

“Like usual?” Laura asked.

“Yeah… I pray before I go to sleep. It seems to have been keeping my thoughts from being plagued with the same thing since I got the upgrade to my confession TF. Have you not been getting them?”

Laura thought about them touching on her connection with Talia. Laura winced as all the confessions came in. “They were all there. I guess it's like email. Very aggressive email.”

“Interesting. Anyway, Sadie, it takes effort to maintain control, but it also takes having an outlet. I’ll say that since I’ve been doing stuff with Laura, I’ve found it a bit easier not to want to completely and utterly mess up everyone else. I would like to revise what I said earlier. I wouldn’t let you come with us; rather, I’m inviting you to come with us as long as Laura doesn’t object.”

Laura seemed to consider it, biting at her thumbnail. “She can come, but I don’t want her doing more than kissing, with me. She can do more with you, Talia, but if I’m going to try and help resolve things between Sadie and Chloe, I need to not be sexually involved with them.”

Sadie asked, “I wouldn’t be intruding?”

“Not at all,” Talia said, while offering Sadie her hand.

Sadie reluctantly took it, saying, “Maybe just for a little bit.”, and the three of them went to find somewhere private.

Mark was confused by being carried by a woman who weighed less than half his body weight.

+1 VP Reverse Princess Carry

Mark found himself in his bedroom in less than a minute, with how fast Sam was flying. He and his pants were flying through the air a moment later, but in different directions. Sam was on top of him a moment later. “Sam! Slow down. What has you all riled up?”

“I got to have a few good fights and really let loose. Also, I think we need to get Talia an attack spell of some sort. I fought Maja in the arena, in her court wizard persona, and she used time magic like Talia. If I couldn’t increase my size, making her magic less effective, I’m not sure I would have won. But I’ve been thinking about you all day, and now I’ve been told I can actually act on some of that. I’m going to. Got a problem with that, mister?”

“No, Ma’am.”

“Also… I just noticed, but where are your horns and tail? I really liked them. Who’d you eat out?” Mark simply manifested his wings and wrapped them around Sam to answer the question. Sam quivered in delight at their softness, rubbing her cheek against the feathers. “Okay, I approve of this upgrade, Pillow. Couldn’t resist becoming a god, could you?”

“I was becoming jealous, with people screaming out another person’s name or title while having sex with me. Now, when you say ‘Oh God Mark!’ You’ll simply be talking about me.” Mark smirked at Sam as if he had made an excellent joke.

“Did you knock someone up while you were away? Because your jokes seem to have gotten worse.”

“No… at least I don’t think so. I doubt Laura would have reduced her contraceptive effectiveness even with her inhibitions lowered.”

“Mark… I don’t want to rain on your parade, but it is entirely possible that Cassandra would have made it so that you being a sex god might make you able to overcome the contraceptives.” Mark’s eyes went wide. “I wouldn’t worry about it, even if she did, it isn’t likely that having sex once or twice would result in her getting pregnant.”

“Sam… Laura and I did it a lot.”

Sam just shrugged. “Now let’s stop talking about what you got up to before, and how about we get down to pleasuring each other. While I love these wings, I think I prefer you with scales.”

“Wait, Sam. I don’t know if I should become a dragon again. At least not yet.”

Sam sounded annoyed, saying, “What?”

“I think being a dragon made me more aggressive and possessive.”

“And?”

“Sam… I got physical with Sadie earlier today, not in the fun way either.”

Sam’s shoulders slumped, and she rolled to the side. “Okay, tell me about it. I can already tell you are bothered about this and that it is a problem, so shoot.”

“While on the brownies, I got angry because she tried to push Isa to do something again, like in the catacombs yesterday, but more severe.”

“Did anyone else have a problem with what she did?”

“Maybe Allie… Isa said Sadie had a point.”

“Then she probably did just like she did yesterday in the catacombs. Care to explain why you are calling Isabella, Isa? She specifically asked me not to shorten it at all, and I know you know she doesn’t like that, so spill.”

“Isa’s sort of my pet.”

“Mark… that isn’t funny.”

“Let me start at the beginning.” Mark went on to explain his entire day in detail to Sam. “So yeah, Isa is apparently super into being treated like a good girl, who wants lots of pets.”

Sam had listened wordlessly to Mark’s explanation, mostly just going, ‘Hmmm’ or ‘Uh-huh’ to acknowledge she was still listening. “Great… I’ll have to talk with Sadie tomorrow now. Mark, save it. I need to do this. As far as that being because you were a dragon, I don’t think so. Not unless Isabella was part of your hoard. I don’t think I’m more possessive,” Sam glared at Mark while finishing that sentence, “except where it comes to no good thieves stealing things from my hoard.” Sam patted Mark’s head both affectionately and threateningly, giving him a toothy smile as she continued. “Besides that, though, I don’t think I’ve really become more aggressive or possessive. At least because I'm a dragon. My lists have sometimes made me a little more aggressive about protecting the other girls, but that’s my list, not me being a dragon.”

“Still, I would prefer a situation where I have the ability to swap that out a lot easier.”

“So you won’t eat me out, while I blow you?”

“I didn’t say that. I just think I’ll be copying your ability to tie people up.”

Sam got a little skittish hearing that. “You… you aren’t planning on using that on me, right?”

“Not without your explicit verbal permission while you are under no additional magical compulsions.”

Sam relaxed. “Good… Good.”

“Sam, you okay?”

“Yeah… just the thought of you tying me up…”

“You going to actually finish that thought?”

“Huh? Oh… Mark this morning… or our yesterday… in the time bubble. When we…” Sam was struggling to find the right words.

“Grappled with each other as dragons?”

“Yeah, that. It was exhilarating, which I’m only really realizing now, essentially ended with you overpowering me.”

“I think I get the point you’re trying to reach. The idea of being overpowered or tied up is really complicated for you.”

“Complicated… yeah, that sums it up nicely. I think I get what you were talking about before, when I pinned your hands. We struggled with one another for who would be on top as dragons, but I never felt like I couldn’t leave the situation.”

“Good because you always can.”

“Okay, enough of all this talk. Since I can’t have what I really want right now, I’ll settle for your tongue inside me.” Sam climbed on top of Mark as she stripped off her gear. She planted her pussy in his face, and she took his cock into her mouth. Neither rushed the experience, simply enjoying giving pleasure to the person they loved. Sam was particularly enjoying sucking on the butterscotch-flavored penis Mark currently had. Mark came first, Samantha savoring the flavor as Mark continued to tease her. It took a few more minutes, but she came and collapsed to the side.

Mark picked her up and repositioned her so they could spoon. Samantha pressed into Mark, wiggling her tail and butt up against him. After a few minutes before sleep could fully overtake them. Mark asked with a yawn, “Sooo, what are you making your goal for the round?”

Samantha said, rather tired, “I’m going to give you regular blowjobs for a round. Now be quiet and hold me.” Mark happily complied as they drifted off to sleep.

Mary had originally planned to go straight to the workshop and meet up with Chloe, but figured she should make another stop first. As Mary walked into the room, she heard shuffling from the third cell.

Ethel said, “Who’s there?”

“Just me,” Mary said as she strode into view. “How are you doing?”

“Like you actually care.” Ethel was pointedly not looking at Mary.

“Ethel, what did you think of Allie?”

Ethel was confused by the question and couldn’t help herself, and turned to face Mary. “What?”

“Allie, you know, blonde hair, blue eyes, massive breasts, wolf-girl? What did you think of my wife? Because that is what she is.”

“You’re delusional.”

“I’m really not.” Mary wasn’t sure if she would be allowed to show this to Ethel, but she pulled up a picture of Allie and her on her phone. “Take a look.”

Ethel looked at the image, “You think you’ll fool me with illusions? Cheap tricks.”

“Fine, I see I’m not going to persuade you. I am genuinely interested in knowing how you are doing. Have you had enough to eat and drink?”

Ethel glared at Mary but said, “Yes. The one pretending to be the goddess Laura came by and gave me food.”

“She’s not pretending to be Laura. Her name is Lucia, and she is Laura’s twin sister. She sometimes goes by Ellen; it’s complicated. I’m surprised you didn’t question them after the incident yesterday, where Ellen planted desserts at lunch. My understanding is she had to flee in a very visible fashion and that Mark used her transformations against her as well.” Mary noticed Ethel avert her gaze at Mary’s statement. “Ah, I see you did. Did they refuse to answer you, or are their answers corroborating my statements? Judging by your expression, I’m guessing the latter.”

Mary sat down in a chair across from the cell, putting down a basket she had brought with her on a nearby table. She sat facing Ethel and deliberately crossed her legs, suggestively. She sat there for a while just waiting in silence. After several minutes of a silent standoff, Mary said, “Well, if you don’t want to talk with me, I’ll let you get back to stewing in silence by yourself.” Mary stood up. Ethel looked unsure if she wanted to speak to keep Mary here. “I’ll leave you with this, though.” Mary put the items in her basket, two sets of clothes and two books, on the tray meant to slide items to the prisoner, and then pushed the tray through. “I thought you might like a change of clothes and a couple of books to read. I would hate for you to go mad from boredom.” Mary started to walk away.

Ethel rushed over to the bars, “Wait!”

Mary turned around, with an expectant grin on her face, “Yeeess?”

“You… you said earlier today… If I still wanted that kiss.”

Mary walked back to Ethel, “And do you?” Mary leaned in towards the bars.

Ethel seemed hesitant, but meekly said, “Yes… please…”

“Well, I did say I would.” Mary moved close to the bars, and Ethel put her face right up between the bars. Mary leaned in, and right before their lips met, Mary pulled back as Ethel reached through the bars. “Valiant attempt. But I’m not actually that foolish. Now, what should your punishment be?”

“Do your worst, I’d only ever be interested in you because of your sorcery.”

“Ethel, I’m tempted to do just that.” Mary activated Red Threads of Fate. She looked at the threads between the two of them. “It would be so easy to convert you if I were actually evil. I have the ability to establish and grow positive emotions between two people. The change is permanent, too. I could use the wand on you until you begged for my touch. I said I would have you worship me…” hmm… something just changed… Mary felt something through her connection with Mark. Odd… I know I have a hoard, but I’m not particularly protective of it anymore… Mark must have eaten someone else out.

Ethel’s eyes went wide as she backed away from Mary. That… That was a touch of divinity. How does she have that? It felt… It felt a lot like Laura’s divinity. Is, is she actually a goddess in disguise? Is this really all a game?

Mary continued after shaking her head. “Sorry, where was I? Right, I said I would have you worship me, but I’m not actually evil. I’m not going to take sexual advantage of you while you are my prisoner, nor will I be magically manipulating you to submit to me. I hope you enjoy the books. I’ll have someone bring you dinner later.” Mary smiled and walked towards the door. “Ethel, I really hope we can become friends.” With that, Mary shut the door behind her.

Ethel walked over and found two sets of clothes similar to her current outfit, but one was blue with gold trim, and the other was black with pink trim. Then she found three books. ‘The Hobbit’, ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Complete Series’, and a thick brown leather-bound journal. What is she playing at… Ethel flipped open the journal. Who’s Daisy, and who’s Astrid?

Mary joined Chloe in the workshop, “So, care to show me around? This place seems huge.”

Chloe turned towards Mary, “Going to be honest, I haven’t examined about half of the stuff in here yet. It was just updated again today. I’ll say that before the upgrades, there was essentially a section that was clearly intended for each of us. Yours is right next to mine since we will probably use similar devices sometimes. That being said, you can actually use any of the sections. It’s a shame that Ellen is barred from coming in here.”

“Wait, she can’t even come in?”

“Nope, read the sign.” Chloe pointed to a sign that Mary had missed because it was positioned above her head. ‘No incapacitated individuals past this point.’ “I kind of assume that is to prevent them from learning about all the stuff.” Chloe stood up. “I’ll give you a quick tour.” Chloe walked Mary around the huge room. “Here we have Flora's area, at least that’s how I’ve been thinking of it. It has a lot of stuff for making bows, arrows, and leather armor. Next up is Aubrey’s area.”

“You don’t say.” Mary quipped as she looked at the largely pink section of the workshop.

“Yeah… Well, it has the stuff for making metal armor and swords. Then I’m not exactly sure which of these belongs to whom, but we have a clothing station, a jewelry station, and an enchanting area. Lastly is an industrial kitchen and then my alchemy table.”

“Hmm, I wonder what will happen to the kitchen after I swap to being Mark.”

Chloe considered, “Sex toys?”

“Har, Har. So what are you working on?”

“Well, since the upgrades, we can actually craft permanent items or upgrade existing ones. I think I can make or upgrade three items with what we currently have in stock.”

“Oh? Anything in particular?”

“Yeah, I’m going to upgrade the satchel I got so that it gives me more reagents per day and a greater variety. I was thinking about making you and Ellen something, too. Ellen might not be happy with what I make for her, though.”

“Why not?”

“Well, I found a few things, but the best option is something that enhances the symbiote she got further. Specifically, it will allow her to infuse the symbiote and her multitool with a clothes-dissolving aphrodisiac.” Mary gave Chloe a smirk and a thumbs-up. “Yeah, I figured you would approve. You going to try making stuff?”

“I figured I should, yeah. Then I plan on spending some time with Ellen. Would you mind making sure Ethel is fed?”

“Sure. Want me to slip her anything to make her more cooperative?”

“No. I’m surprised you are actually offering that.”

Chloe sighed, “Mary, I’m not pleased with her presence here at all. I want to win, though. If I can help by bringing an asset to our side, then fine.”

“So you would **** her even though I’m fairly certain she’s a former contestant?”

Chloe frowned slightly. “Why does it feel like you’re judging me? I didn’t see you judging or scolding Ellen for actually drugging the other team.”

“I didn’t chew her out, but when she told me that Mark ate the brownies, I did complain. I guess I’m being a little hypocritical; that I don’t want to mess with Ethel like that, but I’m willing to let it happen to the other team.”

“What do the brownies do?”

“Lower my inhibitions.”

Chloe nearly dropped the vial she was holding. “Say that again?”

“It lowers my inhibitions.”

“I’m going to kill her. I was an idiot for giving her the caramels and the candy bowl. I’ll take responsibility for that. At least I had Allie’s Walkthrough as an excuse for thinking that it would be fine. But what was she thinking?”

“If it had been anyone besides myself or Sam who ate the brownies, I honestly wouldn’t have been that worried. I’m also wondering how much of my own actions with all of you were impacted by the brownies. Since I know that I got influenced by Mark becoming a dragon.”

“I don’t think you were acting oddly, really. So do you want me to dose her?”

Mary shook her head. “I’m sorry, but that’s actually where I think the brownies affected me the most. I don’t think I can seduce Ethel using magic. It would be one thing if I just seduced her, but even then, I don’t know with her being our literal prisoner. It feels icky. When Merida used the wand on me, the effect was strong, and I don’t think she put in all that much mana.”

“How strong are we talking?”

“Strong enough that I questioned why Flora was even a little surprised about people lusting after Merida, and that she might just need to figure out how to share while I was under it.”

“Hmm… could you use it on me?” Mary looked at Chloe skeptically. “Look, I just want to know what we are talking about.”

“Fine.” Mary took out the wand and cast the charm at Chloe at full blast.

The next second, Chloe’s arm was around Mary’s waist, and Mary was lifted a foot off the ground as Chloe kissed her. The moment after that, Chloe sat Mary on the workbench and had a hand up Mary’s skirt. Mary canceled the spell and grabbed Chloe’s hand from going further. Chloe regained her composure a second later. “Oh, fuck. Yeah… Mary, you realize you are so dead when Freya gets a hold of you. I was definitely about to pin you down and pleasure you until you screamed out my name. Tell me that was as strong as you could go.”

“It was, and I fully expect Freya not to show me any mercy the next time she sees me.”

“Well… since I have you up on the table anyway…”

“No.” Mary flicked Chloe’s forehead, “Bad Bunny. I’m here to be productive; if I were just going to have fun, I would be with Ellen right now, as it is her night with me.” Mary hopped off the table and went to the kitchen to start making stuff.

Chloe grumbled but went back to work herself.