Prisoner Swap

Samantha whirled her head around, looking for Mark. She could smell him; she’d know that smell anywhere now. “Mark? Where are you?” She sniffed around and then pounced on the source of the smell, even though it was thin air. She could see Mark beneath her a moment later. “I see you had a fun time with Flora. Also, I’ve been meaning to ask you. Why are you a dragon?”

“Apparently, when I eat one of you out, I have to consciously pick a TF to copy every time, even if it is the TF I already have copied from you. Cassandra picked the dragon TF because I didn’t.”

“Okay, but I can see you’ve copied something from Laura. I would guess you got something from Allie or Isabella as well. Now, Flora. Why keep dragon?”

“Because it is super useful. I also like the feeling of being a dragon.”

“I guess I can’t fault you there. While a big change, I’m finding being a dragon to be awesome. How did you get Flora to let you copy her TF?”

“She’s in heat at the moment. She was already aroused from watching Chloe blow me.”

“Speaking of blowing you…” Sam smirked down at him.

“Get in line, Allie has already said she wants another crack at it. I suppose you could come join us.”

“Hmm… Okay.” Sam stood up and offered Mark a hand. Mark grabbed it and stood. As they walked back to his suite, Sam asked, “Mark, I was wondering what you think about my appearance. Like, what would you change?”

Mark looked at Sam like she was baiting him into a trap. “Why do you ask?”

“I bought a TF that will eventually cause me to look like how your subconscious envisions me.”

“Why?”

“A few reasons. Not really that important right now. So, can you tell me what I’m in for?”

“I would expect any blemishes to disappear,” Mark said noncommittally.

“Sure, but like big changes? Larger boobs? Bigger butt?”

“I would guess more fit, enhancing your lithe body. That being said, I haven’t really been thinking about imperfections in any of your appearances all that much. I’m rather focusing on appreciating the variety of beauties around me.”

Allie waited at the door to the suite and had overheard that last line. “He’s saying he thinks you’re beautiful, but is afraid you’ll **** him if he points out any perceived flaws.”

“I am not.” Mark protested.

Allie shook her head. “Come in, you two.” Allie went back inside and flopped back on the bed. Isabella was preparing them all, breakfast and poured Sam a mug of coffee. Mark saw that a mug had already been poured for him.

Isabella asked, “Oh? Is Sam joining us for the next round?”

“Um… maybe?” Sam said, “I didn’t think you were particularly interested in having me around, Isa.”

“I’m not, but I’m surprisingly less opposed to it than I realized.”

Allie said, “I’m all for it, of course. I’d love to have all my significant others at once.”

Mark smirked and looked at Allie. “Oh? I didn’t realize you were up for some double penetration.” His teasing tone was evident.

“Mister, you know full well that isn’t what I meant.” Mark couldn’t help but laugh.

Sam responded. “Well, I’m still not up for sex, and when I am, it definitely isn’t going to start with group sex. I just made a goal to give Mark regular blowjobs for a round.”

Isabella's shoulders slumped a little. “Oh.” (I guess Isa isn’t getting stuffed full of Mark again, then.)

“Okay, I know you three probably all want another go, nothing says that it has to be at the same time. Also, Allie, didn’t you say you were joining Isa and me tonight?”

Isabella replied first, “She is. She is also going to join me on my night with you as Mary.”

“I see. Then I know you want another round, but things have been hectic this morning. Could it maybe wait until later tonight?”

Allie frowned. “Fine, I guess it isn’t going to make a big difference if we have sex now vs. then, in you getting me pregnant.”

Samantha asked a question after hearing that. “So, I’ve been wondering two things. First, would the baby be okay if Allie were pregnant and got hit during the LARP?”

~POP~

“Never fear, for I am here. To answer your question, Sam, I’ve gone ahead and equipped all of you with an extra-dimensional pocket uterus. If you get pregnant, your unborn child will be 100% safe.”

“Okay, so second question. Allie, Isa, what did you two do last night? I check the VP standings rather obsessively. You gained twenty-eight VP last night. I assume Isa had sex with Mark, but my understanding is that would only give six VP, one for negating Allie’s penalty, and five for your virginity. Since I know Merida went up twenty VP when she had sex with Mark. I’m unsure where the other twenty VP you earned came from.”

Allie turned to Mark excitedly. “Mark! Do you think it took?”

Mark turned to Cassandra. “Well? I assume you’ll just tell us?”

“Yes, Mark, you will be a father.”

Allie let out a squeal of excitement as she bounced around the room, hugging everyone, even Cassandra.

Sam and Isabella both offered their congratulations. Though something was nagging at Sam’s mind. “Okay, that makes sense, where most of the points came from, but Allie, aren’t you still being penalized?”

Allie shook her head, “I don’t think that’s the case with this. I mean, I didn’t get docked points for marrying Mark, and I got the first-time bonus for that.”

Mark asked Sam, “What are you getting at, Sam?”

“Well, did you and Isa use protection?”

“We did, but…”

Allie turned on Mark and Isabella as Sam asked, “But what?”

“The TF I copied from Allie last night has a small chance of bypassing the contraceptive. Cassandra… Is Isa pregnant?”

Cassandra’s smile went wide as the Cheshire Cat’s as she said, “Yes.” Then she vanished.

~POP~

Isabella dropped her mug of coffee, which Mark reflexively caught. “I’m… what? Did I hear her right? I’m… I’m pregnant?” Isabella was close to hyperventilating. Mark gently moved her into a chair. “Oh God, what is my mother going to say?”

Mark knelt down next to Isabella. “Hey, don’t worry, we’ll get through this. It wasn’t exactly when I thought it would happen with you, but this isn’t the end of the world.”

Allie was warring between excitement and annoyance. “Maaaark…” Mark knew that tone. It was the tone Allie used when the wrong answer from Mark could result in a very pissed-off Allie. “Did you know that TF could bypass contraceptives when you had sex with her?”

“I did, and so did Isa. I offered to swap it out first.”

“He said it was a small chance. I…” Isabella trailed off, still in shock.

Mark saw Allie relax. “Okay.” Allie then had a wide grin. “I was going to be upset if you knew and she didn’t. Since I didn’t hear about that last bit.” Allie sat next to Isabella and took one of her hands in hers. “Isa, it’ll be okay. Mark and I will both be here for you.” Allie poked Isabella’s belly. “You’re carrying my little one’s sibling. Now, Mark, since you’re on one knee anyway. I feel like you should take responsibility while you’re down there.”

That got both of their attentions. Isabella was first to respond. “What?! Allie NO! Yes, I love Mark, but I’m not in love with him, not yet. Pregnant or not, I’m not just going to accept a proposal from someone I’m not in love with.”

Allie pursed her lips. “Fine, what about me? Isa, would you please marry me?”

“What?” Isabella now looked like a deer in headlights.

“Isa, I love you, and I know you love me. You happily had sex with both Mark and me. This was never just a fling or an experiment. Let’s be real, the only way this wasn’t going to work out was if we were too awkward and scared to try or failed to communicate. I want you to be my wife, Isa.”

“I… uh… can we even do that?” Isabella looked towards Mark.

“I have no problem with it, if that’s what you’re asking. Now, from a legal framework, I don’t know, but probably, using the wish.”

“Allie… I… I love you, you know that. It’s just… this is a lot. I’m pregnant.”

“Yes, with my husband’s child, I might add. If you don’t want him to simply take responsibility, because you aren’t in love with him yet. Then let me, because I know you are in love with me. It isn’t like contraceptives are 100% effective in the real world. This could have happened out there the first time we did this together.”

“Let me think about it… I… I think I need some space to think.” Isabella stood up and made to leave, “I’ll be okay. Just going for a walk.”

Allie moved to follow after her, but Sam stood and shook her head. “Allie, let Isa have her space. I’ll go after her and make sure she’s okay.” Allie nodded. “Also, I get why you proposed to her, but I hope that wasn’t just to reassure her about the baby.”

“It wasn’t, Sam. I love her, and I want to marry her. I also want her to marry Mark, but I really shouldn’t have mentioned that. I let my wants take over. I knew she wasn’t ready to take that step with Mark yet.”

“Okay, good. Now, if I were you, I would consider not spending the night with her and Mark.”

“What? Why?”

“Allie, she just asked for space. She’s going through a flood of emotions right now, I’m sure, as are you. Let her have space to figure out her response to you. She’ll likely feel pressured to respond if she has to spend the night with you. Spend the night with me instead. I’d like to actually see you some. Plus, the next two nights, the three of us will all be sleeping together. Let her have until then.”

“Okay. That’s fair.” The three of them heard a knock on the open door and saw Laura.

Laura could see something was going on. “Am I interrupting something?”

Mark stood, “Maybe a bit, but please come in. It might give Allie and me some time to process.”

Laura came in and poured herself a cup of coffee. “Process what?”

“That I’m going to be a father.”

Laura’s eyebrows rose. “Congratulations!” She raised her mug in the air. “Why did the conversation between Sam and Allie seem heavy then?”

Mark looked at Allie and got a slight nod. “Allie just proposed to Isa.”

“Oooookay… that seems rather fast. I’m taking it by the fact that Isa isn’t here that she either said no, or didn’t give you an answer.”

“She didn’t give me an answer.”

“And you thought asking her right after Mark got you pregnant was the opportune time to ask her that?”

Allie didn’t answer, so Mark did for her. “Laura, Isa is pregnant, too.”

“Too… I… I see. Now the proposal makes more sense. I take it she just found out?” Allie nodded. “Give her time. She’ll come around.”

Mark nodded, “Agreed. Just give her the space she asked for.”

“Okay. Sam, when you check on her later, could you let her know I won’t be joining her tonight unless she specifically comes and asks me to.”

“Sure.”

Mark asked Laura, “So what were you stopping by for?”

“The prisoner exchange is ready according to Talia. We are fairly certain that they can’t and won’t backstab us. Not that they didn’t try, but Mary put a stop to it, according to Ellen. Merida had apparently hypnotized the two of them as sleeper agents. Ellen mentioned Mary wasn’t having any of that and made it clear she wouldn’t tolerate that sort of shit when we were trying to deal in good faith. She said she’d just turn herself over if they tried. Ellen was wondering if you would reciprocate that offer?”

“Yeah, but I doubt that any of you were planning on something like that.”

“We aren’t,” Laura confirmed. “We were thinking we would all go except for Talia, since she is incapacitated, but…”

Allie stood up, “I’m not sure about Isa, but I’m fine to go.”

Sam nodded as well. “I assume you want me for transport?”

“Yes.”

“The plan is to leave in ten minutes.”

Sam stood, “I’ll go check on Isa, and meet in the courtyard.”

With that, the four split up to get ready for the exchange.

Sam easily found Isabella following her scent. She was sitting in the palace gardens, staring at a fountain. Sam sat next to her without a word. After a minute of silence, Sam said, “I can’t stay long. We’re getting ready for the prisoner exchange. If you want to stay here, no one has a problem with that. Allie wanted me to let you know, you have Mark to yourself tonight unless you come and get her yourself.”

“Thanks.” Isabella stared off into the distance, not focusing on anything.

“Want to talk?”

“I don’t know why I agreed.”

“To what?”

“To the risk. Why didn’t I have him eat me out first?”

“Isa… have you considered it’s because you actually do want Mark? That having his kids is appealing?”

“I mean, sure, Mark is appealing. I figured we would have them eventually, but figured that would be in like five years.”

“Isa… you’re what, thirty-three, thirty-four?

“Thirty-three.”

“Have you considered that your late thirties are rather late to start having children, at least normally?” Isabella considered that and then nodded. “I can tell you love Allie. Last round, it was clear how deep that love was. Probably not to everyone else, but I could tell. The attraction is obvious, too. I also know Allie has been worried about you since you and Mark have started doing things together.”

“Yeah, she’s worried I’m becoming Master’s pet bitch.”

“I’m not surprised that she’s worried about that. Isa, you have been acting differently the past couple of days.” Sam held up a hand to calm Isabella, who seemed about to interrupt. “I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. You want to know what I see when you and Mark interact? What signals do I get from your body?” Isabella nodded. “I see passion. I see all the signals from you that you are very much into Mark. I see an intense desire to be wanted, and Mark does want you. What you and Mark have is different from what you and Allie have. I think both you and Allie are afraid that things might not work out, because your relationship with Mark is likely going to be different than either of you thought it would be.” Sam put an arm around Isabella’s shoulders. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you told me you were concerned that my relationship with her could threaten yours. I’ll tell you this: I have no desire to get between you and Allie. What she has with Mark is different than what she has with either of us. You just have to get her to realize that it’s fine for your relationship with her to look different than your relationship with Mark.”

Sam stood to leave. “I’m needed in the courtyard. Will you be joining us?”

Isabella considered and then shook her head. “No, I need to think. If you guys go do a task, come get me, but the exchange shouldn’t need me.”

“Okay.” Sam put a reassuring hand on Isabella’s shoulder. “Isa, even if it doesn’t feel like it at the moment. Congratulations.” With that, Sam walked to the courtyard.

Sam touched down near Asherland, with Mark, Laura, and Allie quickly dismounting, and she reverted to her humanoid form. Knight Captain Freyath approached them, giving them a slight bow, “Heroes, it is a pleasure to have you stop by. I wasn’t informed that you would be coming, though.”

Laura stepped forward, holding the bound Chloe and Flora. Freya noticed who she was carrying. “Those are the ones responsible for the destruction of this city. I remember this bunny-girl in particular.”

Laura nodded, “We know. This is Flora, and this is Chloe.” Laura tilted her head to indicate which was which. “They are Champions of Smug.”

“It is most excellent that you have captured them.”

“Hold up. I feel like you’ll be less thrilled when I tell you we’re letting them go.”

Freya’s face scrunched up in anger and confusion. Her hand also moved to her sword. “Explain. Heroes or not, these two are enemies to the Empire.”

“During our most recent battle with them, they captured Sadie, one of the other heroes. We are exchanging these two for Sadie and Princess Ethel. My understanding is that the city is mostly ruined.”

“I see, and that is correct. All but one section of the city has sustained massive damage.”

“Currently, the population has either been relocated or is camped outside the walls, correct?” Freya nodded. “Good, that will make this easier. Are there any guards at the opposite gate to the city?”

“Of course.”

“Pull them back, and leave that gate open. The Champions of Smug are going to be on the other side of the city, and we will be using it to prevent any shenanigans from occurring. We’ve already devised a method to ensure this goes smoothly.”

“Why don’t we simply go ambush them?”

Sam answered Freya’s question. “Because we’ve already made and received magically binding promises. Knight Captain, do not interfere, or we will be **** to incapacitate you.”

“Fine.” Freya went and gave the order for the gates to be left open and unmanned.

Ten minutes later, Laura received a message from Ellen. “Okay, send Chloe through.”

Laura gave Sam the signal, and she undid Chloe’s bondage. Chloe stretched, then held out her hands, “My gear.” Laura handed over her gear. “Catch you later.” Chloe walked through the city. Damn, we really did a number on this place. Cassandra really makes this place feel real.

When Chloe got to the opposite gate, she didn’t know where to go from there. It was a moment later that Ellen appeared, looking like Hilde. She swapped to Lucia’s form and picked up Chloe. “This will be faster than you walking.” She took off at a run, and once fairly far away from the city wall, Chloe saw Hilde, Sadie, and Ethel.

Hilde said, “Welcome back, Chloe.” Ellen put Chloe down.

Hilde walked up to her, “You know what to do.” Chloe nodded and got the various promises from Ethel and Sadie, who were both blindfolded. Ellen picked up both women in her arms and took a circuitous route back to the gate so that they couldn’t easily identify where the others were waiting. Ellen then undid their blindfolds and their wrist bindings.

“There you go, head through to the other gate.” Ellen then zipped off after transforming to Hilde again.

Ethel just stood there aghast as she looked around. “How… the destruction. How could they do this?”

Sadie gently held Ethel as they walked through the town. By the time they met back up with the others, Ethel was openly crying. Ethel contemplated going back, refusing to free Flora, for her part in this, but she knew if she did, Sadie would have to come too, and Chloe wouldn’t return to captivity. She watched as Flora walked through the gate. I will make them pay for what they did here.

Several minutes later, Ellen contacted Laura again. “Done. As agreed, one hour from now is the soonest hostilities may resume without counting as an ambush.”

“Agreed. I would start moving if I were you. Freya seems to be itching to deal with you.”

Laura heard Ellen chuckle over the connection. “Since you were so kind to give us that warning, I feel it only right to let you know Slevia is itching for a fight too. We figured the guard might not cooperate and brought backup to deal with them in case that happened. Good luck. One hour.”

Laura frowned. “Guys, we might have a problem. They aren’t breaking the deal. Knight Captain, we agreed on one more hour of truce. After which we are free to go at them with full ****. It sounds like they plan to have some people come at us in one hour. I don’t know how or from where, but I doubt that the champions will be included in that number.”

“If that is the case, please feel free to return to the capital. Get the princesses to safety first.”

Sam transformed into a dragon, and everyone got on board. Ethel clung to Sadie at the back. As soon as they landed in the courtyard, Ethel made to leave, but two speeding bullets slammed into her, one from the ground and one from up above. Squeak and Plumage Plunderer greeted their friend with vigorous affection.

Sadie was surprised and alarmed to receive a similar greeting as Bertha knocked her over and started to lick her face, only to be set upon by her swarm.

“Is the Queen of Cheese okay?”
“She’s not got any mold, does she?”
“When are we getting fed again?”
“CHEESE!”
“GOUDA!”
“CHEEDAR!”
“HER CHEESINESS RETURNS!”
“ALL HAIL, THE BIG CHEESE!”
“THE BIG CHEESE!”
“THE BIG CHEESE!”

Mark, Laura, Sam, and Allie were all concerned for Sadie, but not enough to actually try to extricate her from a literal swarm of rodents. Sam could hear Sadie, half-giggle and half-scream for the rodents to stop. Sam decided she had had enough of the chanting of “THE BIG CHEESE” and unleashed her dragon aura to pacify the vermin. Sadie stood, “Thank you, Sam. They wouldn’t stop. How did you get them here, though?”

Mark noticed Ethel slip out of the courtyard, seemingly not in a great mood.

Sam stared at Sadie, “I don’t want to talk about it, and you should be glad I consider you a valuable team member.”

Sam then walked away without another word. Laura sidled up to Sadie and whispered. “She carried Bertha in her talons, and the mice… yeah… let’s not talk about the mice. Welcome back, sorry we couldn’t get to you sooner.”

Sadie shook her head. “Not your fault. Just the way things shook out. Honestly, this is probably better for us than them.”

Mark cocked his head to the side, “Really?”

“Yeah. So I was allowed to move around, but I’m incapacitated; all my abilities are down. The thing is, I’ll be incapacitated tomorrow as well. Flora and Chloe will have the same problem. It’s why I’m glad the prisoner exchange happened today and not tomorrow; otherwise, that would be three days I’m out of it, instead of two.”

“Hmm… I’m not sure about that. I could see Mary using copies of Chloe’s favors remove the incapacitation early.”

Allie chimed in, “Really?”

“Yeah, I mean, Laura was allowed to bypass it; I don’t see why other TFs can’t be used in that manner.”

Allie pulled out her phone.

Allie: Cassandra, is that true? I ask because if it is, I might call in one of Chloe’s favors to remove it from Sadie.

Cassandra: Hmm… I suppose Chloe doesn’t have a choice but to use them if you want her to. Okay, the answer is yes. A favor removes one day of incapacitation. Right now, Sadie would need two favors to be active today. As a note, Chloe only has two favors left this round, and you are limited by that fact.

Allie: Okay, reduce it by a day.

Allie said, “Well, I have some good news and bad news. Mark, you’re right about the favors. Now, Sadie, I want you to remember this: I’m calling in a favor I’m owed to reduce your incapacitation by a day. You’ll be able to do stuff tomorrow. It’s past noon, otherwise I would reduce it for today as well.”

“Thank you.”

“No, problem. I’m going to go look at the task board now.” With that, Allie wandered off with Sam following after her.

Sadie was about to leave as well, but saw that Mark was staring at her. He gestured for Sadie to follow him, and after a moment of consideration, gestured for Laura to as well. Mark found a private room with a few comfortable chairs and a pair of sofas. Mark gestured to the sofa as they entered the room. He shut the door behind them. “Okay, Sadie, if you don’t want Laura here, I’ll ask her to leave, but considering she is invested in resolving this, I figured you would appreciate her being here.”

“She can stay. Laura has been nothing but helpful in trying to figure this thing with Chloe out.”

“Good. Now, I learned some stuff this morning.”

“Before that, Mark. I had some time to think over what I told you the other day. Laura was right. My response wasn’t appropriate. I’m not sorry for insisting that Isa wear those tags. Nor am I sorry for screaming at you for manhandling me. I am sorry for threatening self-harm to drive home the point, though. Because that is essentially what I was doing. So I’m sorry for that, but I want you to understand, under normal circumstances, I would get a restraining order against you at a minimum for your actions, if not, have you prosecuted for ****.”

“I’ll repeat it, I’m sorry. I also don’t hold your words against you. You were justifiably upset.”

Sadie nodded, “Okay, now you were saying?”

“So while resolving an unrelated issue. I was able to ask Cassandra some yes or no questions regarding what happened between you and Chloe.”

Sadie visibly relaxed, letting the tension seep from her shoulders. “Oh, thank goodness.”

“I didn’t tell you the results of the questioning.”

“Doesn’t matter, I already know that I asked to ask you out. Having the truth on your side is particularly helpful.”

“Cassandra did confirm you told her you were interested and asked for permission.”

“I told you.”

“But! She also said Chloe wasn’t aware you were interested in me or that you intended to ask me out. According to Cassandra, you were mistaken that Chloe gave you permission to ask me out. Save it.” Mark held up a hand to stop Sadie’s rebuttal. “I don’t care. That misunderstanding doesn’t bother me beyond figuring out how to get you two to let things go. What I care about is something else I asked her. I wanted to know about the continued harassment of Chloe.”

“I already told you it wasn’t me.”

“And Cassandra actually confirmed as much. That you didn’t take action against her. Cassandra did say that it could be argued that you were responsible for the harassment, though. So I’d like to know, can you think of anyone who might be messing with Chloe on your behalf? Your father, perhaps?”

Sadie looked pensive and eventually said, “No. I can tell you it is definitely not my father, and not likely anyone working for him or trying to impress him.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because Chloe still has a job. Because I know my father, and if he decided to move against Chloe because she was a thorn in his side or wanted to fight one of my battles, he would likely have used Chloe’s father and mother as a weapon against her. I don’t mean their history either; I mean, he would have given her father money to actively become a problem for her. My father isn’t a particularly good man. He sees no reason to be overly cruel, but he will go to substantial lengths to get what he wants.”

“Do you think someone may be messing with her to create a problem for you, or rather your extended family?”

“Also unlikely. Not impossible, mind you, but unlikely. I’ll think on it and let you know if I come up with anything. Does Chloe know?”

“Yes, she was there when I asked the questions.”

“So what now?”

Mark shrugged. Laura chimed in, “Now, you work on repairing your relationship with her. Yes, I know that won’t be easy, but this was a woman you legitimately considered sharing a man with. I didn’t think you two were particularly close, but apparently, you thought more of Chloe than I realized.”

“Yeah. I did. Which was why what happened hurt so much. I still don’t understand how that miscommunication could have happened, though.”

Mark said, “I intend to watch the videos of the three of us, because I want to see if there is a clue there.”

“Let me know when, I’d like to join.”

“I will. Sadie, I don’t know if you can fix what you had. You’ve been going at each other for so long, I doubt that knowing the original issue was a misunderstanding will fix things. I’m hoping you can at least get to a point where you aren’t going to strangle each other.”

“We’ll see. Thanks for believing in me. Mary said she’d believe me, even though she had evidence that implied otherwise. So thank you. Also, did you really have to be so busy? I have a bunch of things I feel like I’m inferior at now. Also, who did you knock up? I can’t believe that qualifies either.”

“Wait, you feel the desire to outdo them at getting pregnant?”

“Yes. Any chance I could have a little bit of your time, to try and outdo some of them about some other things?”

Laura responded for him. “Mark, give her a bit of time. Then meet us in the courtyard. Say in twenty, twenty-five minutes.” Laura stood up. “Sadie, I’ll see you this evening. As a note, Talia is incapacitated today, so feel free to meet up with her.” With that, Laura left the two of them to hopefully be more acquainted.