Steve asks Franzi what she thinks

"Franzi," Steve said to her, "Would you like to say something to me?"

Annie quickly interjected. "Franzi, you may say what you like to Steve, so long as you do so calmly and respectfully.

Franzi looked to Steve. "Are you serious?"

Steve nodded.

"I know what's going on. I know that you know what's going on. I know that you're why I know what's going on, and I know that you're the one who says what's going on," Franzi said.

"Um, obviously," Steve said, not unkindly, trying to keep the ball rolling. He raised his eyebrows to Annie, making as if he were merely humouring Franzi: Annie smiled and rolled her eyes.

"I am aghast at this situation," Franzi said in tense but very carefully measured tones. "You have obviously set up the rules for your personal gratification. You have given Elena and me a warden who I'm worried will care more about what you want than what we want, and you don't even allow Elena and me to act as each other's peers. You have set us against each other, and I'm the only one who knows."

"Sure," said Steve, noncommittally.

"I need to know, Steve. Do you hate me?"

Steve paused, somewhat surprised. "No, not really," he said. "I used to be sure that you hated me, that is before today. I do find you --- difficult, though. That's part of why I've 'set this up'," said Steve, complete with scare-quotes, smiling to Annie and Elena. They chuckle.

"This is diabolical," said Franzi.

"It was your idea," said Steve.

"I'm sorry, but I don't think that's fair. You asked me a hypothetical question under the influence of some other set of rules, and I just said what I could think to say, partly because I had to. There are legal terms for engaging in sexual play with people whose behaviour has been influenced by external factors," she said carefully.

"But what you said was true," Steve pointed out, "because it had to be."

"That's not the point," Franzi retorted.

"Are you wet right now?"

"Wha-what?" Frenzy said.

Steve turned to Annie. "Could you please ask Franzi to answer my question?"

Annie smiled. "I can do better. Franzi, whenever someone asks you here whether you are wet, your nipples are hard, or anything else to do with how aroused you are, answer truthfully and promptly. Also elaborate as appropriate, to describe how aroused you are in positive terms or with emphasis when possible. I'll leave it to you to interpret things for now, though I might **** you to get more descriptive if I'm not satisfied with how you're doing."

Franzi looked to Steve with a mixture of anger and horror. "You! Y-You! Y-you --- are acting in a way which is traditionally associated with someone born out of wedlock," she managed, a cold fire beneath her calm tone.

"Answer the question. Are you wet right now?"

"I'm so very wet right now," Franzi said, with a shudder. "And I find your actions extremely alarming."

"How did it feel to tell me how wet you are?" Asked Steve.

"Deeply satisfying," Franzi said, breathily.

"Do you know why you're wet?" asked Steve.

Frenzy looked up at Steve. "It's been building since this morning. A feeling of satisfaction in consulting Elena what she was going to wear, a warm glow from putting on fewer clothes than her, a little something from sitting on the floor like a dog, and a thrill from letting you look at me dressed only in my underwear."

Steve nodded. "So, from following orders."

Franzi nodded, still scowling at Steve. "Yeah, just following orders. I don't feel much just from trying to keep my cool right now, but I'm trying hard because I have the feeling that it won't feel very good if I don't."

Steve looked at Franzi cooly. "Are you sure that part of why you're wet isn't because Annie might let me fuck you at any minute?"

Franzi's whole body turned a bright shade of red.

Annie looked to Steve. "Do you want that?"

Steve shook his head. "No thanks Annie, do it when it feels right to you. I don't think Franzi's in the right state of mind for it just now." He turned to Franzi. "Just sayin'. For now, you know what's going on, and what's gone on the past couple of days. It's basically just a matter of time. I suggest to you that your body is reacting to that as well as your newfound enjoyment of obedience."

Franzi fumed.

"I got this idea from you Franzi," Steve said. "I respect that, and I do realise that it must be very scary. I understand why you would see me as your tormentor, but we could enjoy this together if you wanted. If you need to talk or to vent --- well, in the calm way that you've been venting to me just now --- feel free if it doesn't interfere with what Annie and Elena require of you. I'll try to arrange times for that. For now, just try to settle into this role."

Franzi said nothing, shooting daggers at Steve with her eyes.

Steve looked to Annie and Elena. "I tried my best talking to her on her terms. It's up to her though. I'd suggest you take it easy on her for a little bit."

Annie smiled at Steve. "Thanks Steve. I'm glad you were here to help poor Franzi. Elena, why don't you help Franzi feel a bit more comfortable?"

Elena thought for a moment. "Okay Franzi. You don't have to sit directly on the floor, you can sit on a cushion if you like. And you don't have to eat just toast if you don't want to, you can have some fruit and some toasted bagels if you like. I'll go make them for you --- my treat."

Frenzy looked to Annie and Elena, and did her best to sound almost sarcastic. "Thanks Annie! Thanks Elena! I'm sorry to upset you. I hope things get better for me soon," she said, looking pointedly at Steve.

Steve went over to the living room, and picked out a large cushion. He brought it back to Franzi, standing over her, looking down at her face (and of course at her chest). He offered the cushion to her with a raised eyebrow. Franzi gave Steve a cold, even look, stood up, took the cushion, and sat back down on it.