What's next?
Pt. 091 — Second Transformation Options
Chapter 98
by 
Genesis-Response
The nine empty transformation frames brightened again.
Verena gestured again and the gold panels turned toward her.
“The second transformation ballot will open shortly. Just as before, the audience will choose the winning transformation. Your expressed preferences may influence that choice, and as before I will ask each contestant which option she favors, which she would avoid, and why. Master Van will also state his preference.”
“And, as I have no wish to spend another hour separating sincere preferences from strategic little performances.”
A thin gold ring appeared above Verena's palm and expanded until it passed through every person in the hall. Van felt an impulse to draw back, followed by an uncomfortable conviction that any answer he tried to disguise would come out in his own words anyway.
As the ring passed through Cassie, color bloomed through her skin. Swirls of black, teal, and orange blurred together and pressed outward in an explosion of light and dark. The press of color warred briefly with the white and pink of her temporary costume and where the darker color clashed, the lighter retreated. Soon, ribbons fell away like falling leaves and only the original colors of her suit could be found. Cover Girl still held sway, leaving her costume far shorter and tighter than ever before. Cassie experimentally tugged at the cloth, grunting to herself in a kind of crude acceptance. She considered telling Verena exactly how she felt about the whole thing, but decided to leave it for the moment.
“You will not be free to misrepresent what you want,” Verena said perfunctorily. “This condition applies to the preference questions throughout the presentation. Now, I will present the options in descending order or Seasonal rank.”
Three cards lit above Mara's name.
MARA ELLISON — 21 VP
WHITE WITCH — PATH HIDDEN
Mara's natural instincts to help and care for those close to her become finely honed. She gains an inherent understanding of what any given harem member needs to feel more comfortable when stressed.
(Hidden: Occasionally, while providing care to a harem member, Mara offers advice on how best to seduce another harem member. The advice is sound, though not necessarily appropriate.)
PHANTOM PRESSURE — ILLUSIONIST PATH
Mara's illusions can exert minor physical force, acquiring weight, pressure, impact, texture, and sound. The force of these effects is governed by her willpower but will not exceed what she could easily carry in one hand. When Mara represses a thought strongly enough, it may manifest in her own voice near her shoulder, quietly saying what she refused to admit.
WINE AND HONEY — PATH HIDDEN
Mara cares deeply for the health and safety of her friends and loved ones. She is often accused of mothering them. We will provide her with a magical version of the famous mothering power. Now her kisses can heal fatigue and small injuries.
(Hidden: Mara's kisses become enhanced in every way. Her lips become picture perfect and luscious, permanently glossy and colored in whichever shade she desires. She is also gifted with permanently perfect oral hygiene, fresh breath, and heightened sensations of pleasure for whomever she kisses.)
Mara read Phantom Pressure carefully. It was the only one without a hidden trap hiding some new problem.
“A little physical substance would help my illusions enormously,” she said. “Even a little force can make a big difference with illusions.”
“And the other effect?” Verena asked.
Mara's cheeks colored. “I don't love the thought of my own voice following me around announcing things I haven't said. But at least I know what I'm being offered.”
“Which would you decline?”
“Wine and Honey. I like helping people, but I’d rather give out kisses for better reasons than that. Plus, the idea that the hidden effect could be literally anything is hard to stomach.”
Van looked from her to the card. “Phantom Pressure,” he said when Verena prompted him. “You kept people alive with illusions that weren't real. If you can give them even a little weight, that's an enormous difference. Though maybe we should work on what you say to yourself first.”
Mara gave him a brief, startled smile. “We could probably all use that.”
Lizzy leaned toward her. “I still think the healing one sounds nice.”
“It does.” Mara ran a finger along the edge of her sleeve. “I might even vote for it, if there were a way to know what I'd have to give up.”
“Duly recorded. Miss Lin.”
What should Mara's TF be?
Borda count: your first choice earns 2 points, with one fewer point for each later choice, down to zero. Unranked options earn zero points.
CASSIE LIN — 19 VP
HOTHEAD — PLASMA PATH
Cassie's always had a leap before you look mentality. This can let her plasma power flare as she moves, enabling bursts of empowered motion and leaps covering dozens of meters through plasma propulsion. She makes emotional leaps just as easily where attraction is concerned. Negative attitudes about casual intimacy become more and more neutral.
CLOSET CASE — PATH HIDDEN
Cassie gains an expanded wardrobe containing clothing in every size. Each morning, she must select one harem member's daily outfit. Her target must be willing, but cannot alter her clothing choice without Cassie’s input. Her choices are more than simply fashion, they will heighten selected traits and skills based on the look she chooses for the target.
(Hidden: Cassie becomes less inhibited about clothing choices, favoring practical effect over modesty, embarrassment, or appearance concerns.)
MULE-HEADED — PATH HIDDEN
Cassie has a strong stubborn streak. This can be a powerful defense if she lets it. Her will becomes more resistant to mental, spiritual, and emotional attack, with improved stamina during prolonged power use.
(Hidden: Her stubbornness makes her more honest with herself and others and she occasionally lets out involuntary, candid remarks about desires and other intimate thoughts.)
Cassie stared at Hothead's last line.
“Oh, that's nice. At least the part where you rewrite my opinions is visible now.”
“As we have said, an improvement to the soul bears certain costs.” Verena corrected.
“That really helps the sales pitch.” Cassie looked between the cards. “Mule-Headed. I'm serious. If I'm going to be meeting things that crawl into people's heads, being harder to get into seems like the smart choice.”
“And avoid?”
“Closet Case. This costume has filled my lifetime quota for wardrobe adventures. I'm not picking anybody else's clothes, either.”
Van drew a breath. Verena’s enchantment gave him no refuge in an agreeable answer. “Hothead.”
Cassie rounded on him. “After what just happened?”
“Because I hate you having to deal with another secret handicap. If you’re more mobile, you’d be safer and I’m not worried about you becoming more outspoken. You pretty much have that in the bag already. ”
Cassie made an impatient circle in the air with one hand. “You know I spent half the challenge grinning like an idiot in that awful get up. I get the appeal of being able to jump over buildings. I do. I also don’t want my speech policed.”
“I know,” Van said. “And, I’m sorry for laughing but you’d have done the same to me.”
“Yeah, probably.” She glanced at the cards, then back at him. “At least now we know there are hidden changes.”
“Noted,” Verena said, before either could improve the exchange.
What should Cassie's TF be?
Borda count: your first choice earns 2 points, with one fewer point for each later choice, down to zero. Unranked options earn zero points.
ELIZA “LIZZY” QUINN — 19 VP
GHOST STEP — PHASING PATH
Lizzy can partially phase through gravity and air resistance, allowing her to float, drift, glide, and walk or stand on empty air for short periods. She can admit breathable air through obstructions, reducing the danger of smoke, sealed spaces, and suffocation when air is available. The Master's touch can ground her. While Van maintains direct contact, he may choose whether Lizzy can phase. His touch calms and soothes her, reducing doubt and inhibition.
GOOD HELP — PATH HIDDEN
Lizzy gains formal responsibility for dorm and shared-space upkeep, heightened efficiency, awareness of household needs, access to basic supplies, and an instinctive sense for damage, lost objects, tampering, discomfort, or neglected needs.
(Hidden: A uniform is mandatory during her work. Wearing the uniform gives her regular access to private spaces and personal secrets; within the harem, others do not consider her presence intrusive, regardless of the situation.)
TEACHER'S PET — PATH HIDDEN
Lizzy always learned best in a one on one environment with a skilled tutor. This gives that trait a slight boost. Now, she learns new skills and improves old ones faster during one-on-one instruction. This improvement is regardless of her tutors skill level and efficacy improves with her trust in her teacher.
(Hidden: Her inherent response to words of praise and appreciation increase, turning into a powerful source of arousal.)
Lizzy's first glance went to the open secondary effect. Her fingers closed over one another.
“Could you really stop me phasing just by holding my hand?” she asked Van.
“I guess so,” he said. “If that’s what they want for you. And only if that’s what you want me to do.”
Lizzy took her time considering the rest. “Ghost Step. I’ve had so many challenges with my phasing that could be avoided with three dimensional movement.”
“And which do you avoid?”
“Good Help,” she said. “I've only just started believing I can be useful without earning it by cleaning up after everyone.” She ducked her chin just a bit, “Not that I’m complaining about helping out.”
Van's answer was quieter than the others. “Ghost Step. I would want her to have another way out of dangerous places. But that secondary effect looks designed to give me control over her. She doesn’t deserve that.”
Lizzy looked at him. “It’s not how I see it. I like knowing that you could help if I lost control,” she said. “The rest of it might be nice too, in the right circumstance.” Her voice was steadier than it would have been ten days earlier. She held his gaze while Verena recorded the answers without debate.
What should Lizzy's TF be?
Borda count: your first choice earns 2 points, with one fewer point for each later choice, down to zero. Unranked options earn zero points.
EVELYN CROSS — 19 VP
SENTINEL HEART — TELEPATHY PATH
Evelyn always looks out for everyone. This sharpens her telepathic sense to detect hostile intent with minimal effort, making ambushes, betrayal, and hidden attackers considerably harder to conceal. Strong positive feelings within a few meters bleed into her awareness and subtly influence her own mood. Happiness, comfort, arousal, contentment, all of these and more become a part of her when shared with her Harem.
STAND IN — PATH HIDDEN
Evelyn is used to leadership and a measure of control, but the Harem is decidedly a one sided leadership structure. At Van's discretion however, Evelyn becomes his system-recognized designee and may satisfy selected Master duties, objectives, and effects in his place. This designation does not supersede his own authority and she cannot countermand his decisions.
(Hidden: Attraction, trust, and approval-seeking directed toward Van can partially reflect onto Evelyn when she acts as his designee.)
FIGURE SKATER — PATH HIDDEN
Evelyn has always been a quick thinker who responds to new information without missing a step. We want to give her a body that matches up to her incredible mind. This transformation grants bodily coordination with extraordinary grace, speed, and agility as she skates along any solid or liquid surface as though it were a smooth sheet of ice.
(Hidden: Her legs and feet become strikingly perfected, displaying flawless skin, graceful musculature, and eternal hairlessness below the waist. These changes pervent her from ever wearing clothing that conceals her legs or shoes that don’t have at least four inch heels.)
Evelyn read the first card without much surprise. “Stand In,” she said. “I initially wanted Sentinel Heart, but decided that the ability to have the system allow me to stand in for Van might mean I can accept a mission for him and save him from something he is potentially ill suited to face.” She tilted one hand back and forth in a “so-so” gesture. “
“And avoid?”
“Figure Skater. The decision was close as all three offer interesting improvements, so it’s more of a “least interest” than a refusal.”
Van agreed with Stand In. “I don’t want you taking danger for me, but there are a lot of things here that require me to have sole control and I like the idea of having a second vote.”
Evelyn inclined her head. “An encouraging improvement in judgment.”
What should Evelyn's TF be?
Borda count: your first choice earns 2 points, with one fewer point for each later choice, down to zero. Unranked options earn zero points.
Verena recorded the results and moved on without additional comment.
CLAIRE MERCER — 17 VP
BURNING HEART — TELEKINESIS PATH
Claire’s passion for heroism burns bright enough to cast shadows. This can ignite her telekinetic force into pyrokinesis, wreathing objects and force blasts in flame at will.
Claire's passions grow more intense, increasing expression of and receptiveness to her own desires.
GOLD STAR — PATH HIDDEN
When Claire demonstrates sustained excellence, a thousand small details of grooming, clothing, presentation, and daily mishaps arrange themselves favorably; the effect scales with her VP standing and may reverse at insufficient performance.
(Hidden: The benefit requires a top-51-percent VP standing at minimum; grooming and appearance need no upkeep and small accidents are avoided, while lower standings produce contrary results.)
ASCENDANT — PATH HIDDEN
The force of her telekinesis unquestionably places her in the top tier of Empowered heroes. What if Claire's strength, speed, and stamina rose with her confidence and boldness? The more she trusts herself and less hesitation to be an example will increase her physical prowess to match her telekinetic force.
(Hidden: Claire’s boldness and confidence with private matters increases as well. She loses her customary expectation of privacy around intimate acts.)
“Burning Heart,” Claire said before Verena finished turning toward her. “I want to be able to do more than move things around. Fire would let me fight monsters that are resistant to blunt force and adds a new useful option to my powers.”
“Which do you avoid?”
“Gold Star. I know what it costs to live as though every hour is an examination. I don't want to wear my score around on my face.”
Cassie murmured, “That's one way to ruin a good hair day.”
Van's answer came reluctantly. “Burning Heart. But I think Ascendant might do you good, too.”
Claire looked at him. “Why?”
“You've been getting stronger when you let yourself admit you're afraid. It isn't the same as acting fearless. I think that card might reward the version of you who's learning that.”
Claire took a moment before answering. “That's a nicer explanation than I expected.”
She kept studying Ascendant after the others had stopped speaking. A power that rose with confidence appealed to the part of her that wanted to lead a charge and be seen doing it. During the challenge, she'd also learned that there were people who needed her to admit when she was frightened. Neither thought canceled the other. “I still want Burning Heart,” she said, more quietly, and Verena accepted the clarification.
What should Claire's TF be?
Borda count: your first choice earns 2 points, with one fewer point for each later choice, down to zero. Unranked options earn zero points.
NAOMI HALE — 17 VP
POWER BANK — PATH HIDDEN
Naomi's body is built to store stolen power, but what if that power was freely given? Allies can touch Naomi to store energy in, or retrieve energy from, a pool she maintains for them. The transfer remains subject to the control built by Power Valve.
(Hidden: These touches cause no discomfort, instead creating a warm and pleasant sensation while the Power Valve is open for storing power. When the Power Valve is closed, Harem members increasingly seek casual affectionate contact with Naomi.)
LIP SERVICE — POWER DRAIN PATH
Usually, draining stamina is enough of a boost, but with this upgrade, she can borrow far more. Through a brief kiss, Naomi temporarily copies one learned skill or practiced expertise from an ally, acting with the benefit of that training. The effect remains subject to the control built by Power Valve. Her kisses are slightly intoxicating even when the Power Valve is closed, and repeated use can leave the recipient more suggestible.
BANKED RESERVES — PATH HIDDEN
Naomi is building a special place in her heart for Van. We think it should be less metaphorical. With this upgrade, she can store borrowed strength from Van for later use, accumulating energy to support endurance during prolonged challenges. This energy does not drain unless it is used. The draining effect remains subject to the control built by Power Valve.
(Hidden: Stored fullness becomes linked to safety and affection, while emptiness produces an intimate emotional hunger.)
Naomi took longer than the others. Her badly torn uniform still offered little coverage, and she held one damaged edge in place with an elbow while keeping her hands clear of the women beside her. She read the options carefully.
“Power Bank,” she said. “If I can become a safe place for other people's energy rather than a danger to everyone who touches me, I want to try.”
“Your least preferred?”
“Lip Service.” A faint, humorless smile. “I can see the value of the skill copying. But look at what comes attached to it. I don't want people being intoxicated around my power.”
Van found he had been leaning toward the same card she rejected. He couldn't conceal that fact.
“Lip Service,” he admitted. “Being able to borrow somebody's training could save you or someone else. I was thinking of what happened during the challenge, and what you could do with skills nobody has had time to teach you.” He hesitated before adding, “And, I think you have to start trusting us around your power more.”
Verena turned to Van. “I am glad to see you taking stances that contradict some of these choices. It is important to have differing view points.”
Van opened his mouth to respond, but the Hostess was already moving on.
What should Naomi's TF be?
Borda count: your first choice earns 2 points, with one fewer point for each later choice, down to zero. Unranked options earn zero points.
KATHERINE WREN — 15 VP
SECOND SKIN — PATH HIDDEN
Katherine's shapeshifting has always had a critical flaw. She cannot change clothes with her body, meaning she must limit her choices. Now she can extend her shapeshifting into clothing, transforming garments along with her body in a single seamless effort.
(Hidden: Because her body is producing the altered clothing layer, it emerges from her skin, destroying any manufactured garments. This power can only generate a single layer of clothing.)
GIRL FRIDAY — PATH HIDDEN
Her background in espionage is a powerful tool for the Master to tap. Katherine becomes the harem's intelligence coordinator, tracking schedules, Architect movements, enemy readiness, and actionable developments. She must brief Van at least once daily at a time set aside by the system for such a duty.
(Hidden: During briefings she increasingly treats Van as her boss, uses an authoritative title for him, and develops attraction to the idea of intimacy within the workplace.)
CHAMELEON DANCE — METAMORPH PATH
Katherine's shapeshifting power is subtle and variable, but it has always required that she maintain human colorations of skin, hair, and eye. If this is chosen, she can manipulate her skin like a chameleon's, blending into her surroundings while she remains still. Further, she can choose any color or design for her bodily features. The camouflage does not affect clothing; its use fosters an increasing fascination with observing people closely, including in private moments.
Katherine read the various entries and then looked to the middle card.
“Girl Friday,” she said at last. “I can't promise I'll like the other half when it rears its head, but intelligence coordination is a job that needs doing whether we call it a transformation or not. I would prefer to be allowed to do it well.”
“And the one you reject?”
“Chameleon Dance. An infiltration gift that leaves my clothes behind is a specialized form of practical joke. The other effect doesn't improve my opinion.”
Van selected Girl Friday too. “You already find the things the rest of us miss. If you had better access to information, we'd all benefit. But I'd want you to tell us things because you think we should know them, not just because you have to brief me.”
She looked once more at the card for Girl Friday. “And for the record, I think daily briefings should be emails.”
Verena gave a wan smile in return. “Ms. Wren these briefings will not be useless office drivel, I assure you.”
What should Katherine's TF be?
Borda count: your first choice earns 2 points, with one fewer point for each later choice, down to zero. Unranked options earn zero points.
Fiona's name appeared at the bottom of the display and the Hostess gestured at the trembling woman awaiting her fate.
FIONA KAVANAGH — 1 VP
Three cards appeared.
SIREN'S SONG — PATH HIDDEN
Fiona's command voice is a powerful tool, but has always been restricted to a close range power. With this upgrade, she can target a single individual at normal speaking volume rather than requiring a whisper. The effect draws heavily on her stamina.
(Hidden: Her ordinary speaking voice gradually builds arousal in listeners over time.)
FOR THE CAUSE — PATH HIDDEN
Fiona has proven herself as a competent trainer already with the Master. I say we formalize the arrangement. She will be assigned responsibility for assisting Alpha with harem training schedules, growth standards, and combat evaluations.
(Hidden: Fiona increasingly views physical discipline as an ordinary response to poor performance for herself and others; people she spanks receive a burst of energy and focus.)
VITALITY BLOOM — PATH HIDDEN
Fiona has exceptional physical fitness. She always pushes herself to go past her own limits and this will further improve her ability to endure lengthy physical efforts. She will recover from injury, strain, fatigue, and physical ailments much faster than before.
(Hidden: Sensual pressure, impact, and controlled pain from lovers become more pleasurable, with longer-lasting arousal.)
Verena waited. “Miss Kavanagh. Your preference?”
Fiona lifted her head. Her voice hurt, and the honesty enchantment left no room for an answer chosen simply to spite the Hotel. “Vitality Bloom.”
“Your reasoning?”
Fiona looked at the healing description. “Because I nearly lost my voice doing the one thing I'm actually good at. I need to be able to recover. I can't afford to go into another fight already broken.”
“And your least preferred?”
“For the Cause.”
“Why?”
“Because you've already decided I'm everybody's problem. I don't need a job title telling me to make them mine.” She gave a strained, humorless laugh. “You've made enough decisions about what I ought to do with my time.”
Verena turned to Van.
He studied all three cards, but his attention kept going back to the punishment. “Vitality Bloom,” he answered. “She nearly destroyed her throat protecting people a little while ago. Recovery would let her keep doing what she's good at without paying for it every time.”
Fiona heard him. She had no reason to doubt the sincerity of the answer, which somehow made it harder to know what to do with.
“Both preferences are recorded,” Verena said.
What should Fiona's TF be?
Borda count: your first choice earns 2 points, with one fewer point for each later choice, down to zero. Unranked options earn zero points.
She dismissed the contestants' cards, leaving their titles suspended in smaller gold letters, and turned to the ninth display.
MASTER VAN — FIRST TRANSFORMATION SELECTION
“Master Van's options operate under different rules. They have no concealed paths or secondary entries. Furthermore, options not selected in this ballot will not return during a later cycle or appear in the transformation shop. This choice determines the character of his subsequent development.”
BOUNDLESS STRENGTH
Van's muscles and bones become supernaturally dense and powerful. He can lift automobiles with ease, leap tremendous heights, and control his strength instinctively without damaging ordinary objects. In intimate settings, his anatomy adapts automatically to provide the greatest comfortable physical compatibility with his partner.
IRON HIDE
Van becomes extraordinarily resistant to injury. His skin withstands bullets and the claws of Alters, his bones become nearly unbreakable, and vulnerable organs gain exceptional protection without sacrificing sensation. In private, his body produces a pleasant, comforting warmth that draws partners toward him.
PRIMAL SENSES
Van gains preternaturally acute senses: tracking by scent, seeing in darkness, perceiving movement through nearby ground vibrations, and detecting minute body-language cues that improve anticipation of attacks and recognition of deception. In private situations, the same sensitivity gives him heightened insight into a partner's needs and desires.
LIGHTNING SPEED
Van's speed, reflexes, and agility all become superhuman. His running speed and jumping distances will shatter human records and can be maintained indefinitely. His ability to react to danger and changes in the environment will be boosted to near precognition levels. His new agility will mean that he is never unbalanced or off kilter, no matter the situation. His perfected balance and speed means that in terms of intimacy, he will have a level of skill and control over his body that leaves partners quivering afterwards.
SUPERIOR SPECIMEN
Van receives broad improvements to strength, durability, speed, and perception, setting him well above an ordinary human without matching a more specialized Empowered individual. He also acquires general improvements to and instinctive competence in all manner of intimate activities, bypassing much of the awkwardness of inexperience and bringing a sense of ease and acceptance to his partners.
Katherine read all five with the concentration she usually reserved for a particularly suspicious contract.
“It's a choice between specializations and general competence,” Evelyn said.
“A permanent choice,” Verena reminded them. “And one whose rejected alternatives will not be offered again.”
“Great,” Van said. “No pressure.”
Cassie made a small noise that might have been a laugh under less exhausting circumstances.
Verena faced him. “Master Van, which would you select for yourself, and which would you least wish to receive?”
He studied Iron Hide for a long time. Only minutes earlier he had experienced eight sets of injuries; even after the artificial substitutions ended, he remembered every one of them. The idea of a body that could endure what the women faced was difficult to dismiss.
“Iron Hide,” he said. “If I'm going to keep going into danger with them, I want to be able to stay standing. I don't want someone getting hurt because they had to pull me out.”
“And the one you would reject?”
“Superior Specimen. It sounds tempting, but if I have to choose one direction, I'd rather be able to do one thing reliably than be a little better at everything.”
Verena looked toward the contestants. “Each of you will state the option you most prefer for Master Van and the one you would least wish him to receive. I remind you that your answers will be honest. They need not be agreeable.”
Evelyn examined the five choices again. “Primal Senses. His trouble has rarely been that he couldn't strike something hard enough. He tends to move before he's learned everything he ought to know. Better perception might give him a chance to choose more wisely.”
Van raised an eyebrow. “That's a polite way of calling me reckless.”
“I'm making an effort,” she said. “I'd least want Boundless Strength. Force is useful, but it doesn't supply the judgment required to use it.”
“You're not worried about him getting hurt?” Claire asked.
“Of course I am. Recognizing danger is one way to prevent it.”
Claire looked at Iron Hide. She couldn't shake the memory of Van collapsing on the marble beside Fiona just minutes earlier. “Iron Hide. We just watched him suffer eight different sets of injuries. He goes into danger to help us whether he should or not. If the audience changes him, I want him to be able to survive it.”
“And your least preferred?” Verena asked.
“Primal Senses. Not because Evelyn's wrong. But knowing what somebody feels from things they can't help doing? People should have room to decide what they tell him.”
Evelyn considered that objection without withdrawing her choice.
“Iron Hide too,” Lizzy said, before Verena reached her. She looked at Van rather than the cards. “You didn’t hesitate to run into danger to help me when it would have been safer to stay put and let those people get hurt. I know you'd do it again. I don't want you getting hurt because the rest of us need you.”
“Lizzy—”
“I know. You want me to stand on my own. I'm trying. I can still want you safe.”
Her least favored option was Boundless Strength. She admitted that the idea of someone able to move anything—or anyone—without effort frightened her, even when that someone was Van. He accepted the answer without trying to talk her out of it.
Naomi studied Lightning Speed. “I'd choose that. During the challenge, I kept worrying about how close someone had to get before I could help. If Van could reach someone, pull them clear, and get away before either of them was hurt, that would matter.”
“Provided he knows where to go,” Evelyn observed.
“Exactly. Speed won't tell him what the right decision is. It might even make it easier to rush into a bad one.” Naomi glanced at Iron Hide. “But durability is my least favorite. I'm afraid he'd start treating getting hit as the plan. The rest of us wouldn't become any harder to hurt.”
Claire frowned. “And if he can't get out of the way in time?”
“Then speed has a cost,” Naomi said. “They all do.”
Katherine had listened with the concentration she usually reserved for a suspicious contract. “Superior Specimen.”
Van looked surprised. “Really?”
“You're treating versatility as a consolation prize. The description says well above ordinary human limits in four different areas. We don't know what the next challenge requires. A specialist is invaluable when his specialty applies. Someone stronger, faster, tougher, and more perceptive is useful almost everywhere.”
“Unless something needs an actual specialist,” Evelyn said.
“Precisely. It may leave him unable to overcome a threat that demands exceptional strength or speed. That's a real disadvantage, not proof the option is worthless.”
Katherine glanced toward Lightning Speed. “Which is also my least preferred. Van already has a tendency to act before consulting anyone. I hesitate to make that easier.”
“Is there any version of this where I get to choose without everyone diagnosing me?” Van asked.
“No,” Katherine said, with enough composure to make Cassie snort.
Mara considered Lightning Speed. “That's mine too. We've all seen him step in front of danger. He did it for me. I keep thinking about what would happen if he could reach somebody before the danger got there.”
“Iron Hide would let him take the hit,” Claire said.
“I know. But I'd rather he didn't have to. And I know he can't outrun every problem.”
Mara looked apologetically at Van. “I'd least want Superior Specimen. Not because Katherine's wrong about it. I'm worried the Hotel would decide being better at everything means you ought to be responsible for everything.”
“That would be a very Hotel thing to decide,” Van said with a tired laugh.
Cassie had kept glancing toward Fiona. Now she faced the five panels squarely. “Boundless Strength. I know, it's the giant punchy option. But if another wall falls on somebody, I want Van able to lift it. If there's a car on a person, he should be able to move the car. Sometimes you don't get time to think your way out of something.”
“And least preferred?” Verena asked.
“Iron Hide. Being bulletproof is great for the person getting shot. Doesn't do much besides make you a punching bag.”
“Unless he's holding a monster back,” Claire said.
“Sure. If he's already in exactly the right place.” Cassie gave the cards a frustrated look. “That's the point. None of these solves everything.”
A few of the women murmured agreement. Cassie looked back toward Fiona.
Verena followed her attention. “Miss Kavanagh?”
Fiona had kept her eyes on Van's cards. The punishment display was still visible at the edge of her vision, and she had not once allowed herself to look directly at him since it
appeared.
“Iron Hide,” she said.
Van turned.
“Because I hurt him.” She could have left it there, but the honesty enchantment held her to the part she would rather bury. “I hurt him, and I knew he was hurt. I kept going. I don't want to be able to do that to him again.”
The admission scraped painfully through her damaged throat.
Verena gave her time to answer the second question.
“Primal Senses,” Fiona said. “I don't want him reading every little thing about me before I've decided whether to say it. He has enough ways to make me listen now.”
Van looked at the punishment card, then back to Fiona. She did not meet his eyes.
“Thank you, Miss Kavanagh,” Verena said, with the same courtesy she had extended to every other contestant.
The five panels above Van remained illuminated. Beyond them, each contestant's three choices returned to full size. Twenty-nine possible selections filled the hall around nine names.
Verena examined the arrangement and adjusted the position of two panels so neither obscured a candidate's name.
“Our contestants' preferences have been heard. Master Van's preferences have also been recorded. These declarations are advisory; the decision now belongs to the audience. Your votes will determine which permanent transformations enter the next cycle, subject to the established voting rules.”
Gold script unfurled beneath each name.
POLL STATUS: OPEN
“You have watched the first cycle, and you have seen the people your choices are shaping,” Verena continued, turning her attention toward the unseen viewers. “Consider what they need, what they want, and what you would most enjoy seeing them become. We welcome your participation.”
The panels shone against the marble.
Van remained near the central circle as the others began to shift their weight and look toward the exits. He could still remember Fiona's face beneath each of Verena's imposed expressions. When he looked at her now, she was watching the punishment card, not him.
He kept his mouth closed. The gold letters waited above them.
What should Van's Tf be?
Borda count: your first choice earns 4 points, with one fewer point for each later choice, down to zero. Unranked options earn zero points.
What's next?
- No further chapters
- Add a new chapter
- Customize choices
5 comments
No comments yet
The story has no discussion yet. Leave a note here when a branch gives you something to say.
No chapter comments yet
No one has commented on this branch yet. Add the first note above.