Sadie's Distracting Thoughts

As light flooded through the open window directly onto her face, Sadie’s eyes fluttered open. She floated out of bed, thinking about how soft Mark’s hands were. It was a fairly common thought, and one that both made her happy but deeply annoyed her as well. When she thought about his hands, she also remembered the feeling of them as he grabbed her face.

She went to get dressed and once again got annoyed. Four things. I can wear four freaking things. Damn Cassandra! An image of Cassandra pinning Sadie face-first into a bed, twisting an arm behind her back, and leaning down to nibble on her ear flashed into her mind. Sadie hadn’t been willing to ask Laura for more help and instead just went somewhere private to masturbate. Despite really trying, she couldn’t get off more than twice.

Sadie took a deep breath and tried to clear her thoughts. Her bare feet touched the ground a minute later. I do not need to have thoughts about Cassandra like that. I need to control my emotions. Sadie sighed, looking over her clothing, and began getting dressed. Thank God I don’t really need a bra anymore. Now let’s see if I’m screwed or not. Gown, check. Tiara, check. Heels, check. That leaves one other thing for if… who am I kidding when I need to give something to Mary. I guess that would be panties. Stupid rule.

Sadie checked herself out in the mirror and saw that if she bent over even a little or was tilted slightly while floating, she would be flashing people. Just great. Luckily, Talia has already promised to keep Mary quarantined until we know what we’re doing today. Sadie saw in the mirror Laura get up behind her. She didn’t turn around but watched in the mirror as Laura stretched her arms and wings out. Then her clothes simply rippled and changed into her regular attire for the LARP.

Laura said, “Morning, Sadie. Sleep well?”

Sadie noticed the slightly amused tone Laura had, and blushed as she turned around, not meeting Laura’s eyes. Sadie had woken up in the middle of the night twice. Each time, she had been gently tugging at one of Laura’s wings, pulling it around her like a blanket. Thoughts of falling into that feathery softness flashed in Sadie’s mind. She shook her head to clear her thoughts, but it didn’t help. “Yeah, I guess. Laura, how are you wearing so much? My heels and tiara apparently count, but you seem to have quite a bit on.”

Laura quirked an eyebrow, “You want to know how many times I got off?”

Sadie blushed and thought of Laura pinning her to the bed. “That… That’s not what I meant.”

Laura chuckled, “I know. I’m just teasing you. Honestly, I think the clothing rule is a little unfair. Especially for me.”

Sadie asked, “What do you mean?”

Laura looked at Sadie, confused, and then she remembered. “Right, you weren’t here yet. Not long before you joined the harem, I bought something from Maja’s store.”

Sadie replied, “She does wardrobe overhauls, right? That’s why Chloe looks like a…” Sadie caught herself before insulting Chloe. “A rave party girl?”

“Maja did redesign Chloe’s wardrobe, yes,” Laura said, slightly disapprovingly, as she clearly knew what Sadie was going to say. “But Maja also sells magical clothing.” That got Sadie’s attention. “Calm down; you can’t buy them from her. To buy the magic clothes, you have to have a main path selected. Also, once you put on the clothes, they won’t come off again. Ever.”

Sadie seemed confused by that last bit. “I just watched your clothes change, from PJs to what you’re wearing now.”

“Same outfit,” Laura replied. “It’s magical and can change shape, but it’s never coming off. Though it seems like parts of it can be removed and they’ll vanish. I assume that’s so Mary can still rip my clothes off in a fit of passion.” Laura cycled through several outfits quickly and then back to her gear. “But I’ve always got this on, and have significant control over its design, and it is one article of clothing.”

“That is SO UNFAIR!” Sadie shouted and suddenly had the image of Laura biting down on her naked chest. Sadie took a deep breath.

Laura just stared at Sadie, “Sadie… two things. First, it isn’t as if the rules don’t apply to me at all, but they are so much easier for me. Second… well… if you’d like, I can help you fulfill some of the thoughts clearly going through your head.”

Sadie went pink. “You can… You know what they are?” Another thought: the softness of Laura’s wings wrapped around Sadie, pulling her into Laura as she reached between Sadie’s legs and bestowed upon her her blessing.

Laura shook her head. “No, but I can sense desire now. It’s obvious that you are thinking about me like that. It’s happening more frequently than yesterday, even if your general arousal seems lower. I assume Mary bought you an upgrade or a new TF to spend her BP.”

Sadie hesitated but eventually replied, “I’ll think about it, and yes, Mary bought an upgrade to Fairy Lust. I’m not as horny all the time, but any strong feelings about someone, which apparently includes feelings caused by them, will give me…” Sadie coughed and mumbled out, “Lustful thoughts about them.”

Laura blinked a few times, slowly, and then burst out laughing. “Oh my god, that’s great. It’s perfect for you. It also makes you such a great target to tease.”

Sadie scowled at Laura and then thought about Laura’s tongue pushing into her mouth and how that would taste. DAMNIT, she did that on purpose.

“See what I mean.” Laura strode over to the little pixie, bent down, and booped her on the nose. “Mary is going to love this.”

Sadie began to gumble, and thoughts of Laura, Mary, and Talia all taking her at the same time passed through her mind. Sadie tried to calm herself, but was having significant difficulties. “Laura, please stop. I’m sure you wouldn’t be happy if someone else took advantage of your transformations.”

“Sorry. You’re right. Not that I really have any that anyone could really take advantage of.”

Sadie closed her eyes and breathed slowly, “Thank you. Now, Laura, about what Isa mentioned yesterday.”

Laura rubbed the back of her neck. “You mean the part where I wasn’t overly trying?”

“Yes… that.” Sadie replied, annoyed. “I’m going to talk to the others, but I’m thinking of penalizing you for that and not spending any merit on you today.”

Laura thought about that. She was about to reply, but stopped herself. Oh, come on. Consenting to something like that breaks the rules. That is so dumb. Fine, I’ll just not… Damnit! That too? “Sadie, that’s not okay.”

“Neither was refusing to do your best to help the team. Even if you are doing so now, it doesn’t matter. I’m not talking about refusing to use your aura either; if it was just that, I wouldn’t care after feeling Sam’s aura yesterday. You’re also fairly high up there overall. If the others agree, which I think they will, then that’s what’s happening. If you don’t like it, convince the others. More than just Talia, too.”

Laura sighed. She isn’t exactly wrong. Still annoying that I have to actually try to convince them. Laura shook her head and said, “Fine, what’s the plan today anyway?”

“I’ll have to check in with Talia if she’s thought things over since yesterday, but last night we thought that with the loss of Sam, we might want to try to rush things before we lose our advantage. So the plan was to knock out two or three temples today.”

Laura smiled at that, “That actually sounds like fun. Which temples do we have left anyway?”

Sadie rattled off, almost without thought, “Diligence, Chastity, Charity, and Temperance.” Laura gave her a strange look. Sadie replied, “What? Are you surprised that I know those? My dad is rather patriarchal about some things, including the proper place of religion in a child’s upbringing. I went to Sunday school every week for years growing up.”

“Not surprised, just curious.” Laura then considered the options. “I’m telling you right now, I’m not doing the temple of chastity. What is temperance exactly?”

“Moderation, or self-restraint, depending on interpretation.”

Laura groaned, “Why couldn’t we get the sins? I so would have preferred those.”

Sadie giggled. “A goddess preferring the sins. That’s a riot.”

Laura plopped down on the edge of the bed, a little deflated. Sadie noticed and asked. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I’m fine.” Laura was clearly not fine. Sadie continued to stare at her. The silence lingered on for some time. Laura was looking towards the floor and didn’t notice as Sadie floated across the room and got her face only a few inches away from Laura’s face.

Laura finally noticed Sadie and pulled back in surprise. Sadie was squinting at Laura as she continued to move her face closer to her. Laura finally broke and said, “Fine! It’s the whole goddess thing. I didn’t mind it initially. After all, who wouldn’t like being called a goddess by her partner?”

“Buuut?” Sadie pressed.

“The idea of people worshiping me. Part of me likes it, but part of me finds it weird. It doesn’t help that one of my girlfriends was turned into my high priestess without either of our consents.”

Sadie rolled her eyes and backed off from Laura. “That’s all?” Laura frowned at Sadie’s response. Sadie continued, “Look, what happened to Talia; that’s fair to be upset about. You were building a relationship together, and then the show essentially **** certain dynamics between the two of you. But that’s not really unique; we all have a new sister, for example. The part about being worshiped by strangers, though, that’s really simple.”

Laura looked at Sadie curiously, but clearly didn’t think it was as simple as Sadie did.

Sadie said, “Look, there will only be a couple of types of followers. You have the fanatics who pervert your teachings. Just smite them with **** prejudice. Then there are the pious who follow your teachings faithfully. Either ignore or reward them. Depends on how hands-off you want to be. Then you have the less pious. Ignore them unless you care to do otherwise. You don’t owe them anything.”

“But I don’t even know my own alleged teachings!” Laura exclaimed.

“Then maybe you and Talia should talk about that. Though I’m willing to bet that your teachings are essentially just your view of what is and is not appropriate for your domains.” Sadie just shook her head, “I seriously can’t believe that being worshiped like a deity is bothering you.”

Laura retorted, “Says the woman who gets upset that she is reminded of good things about her partner.”

Sadie was close to yelling at Laura and felt she was getting close to triggering the erotic thoughts about Laura. Sadie took a deep breath and relaxed. “Laura...”

Laura stood up and swiped her hand in front of her. “Enough, I’m going to go. Let me know when we are heading out for our quests today.” Laura then stormed out of the room, rather upset.

Isa had the weirdest dreams. As her consciousness began to stir, she tried to hang on tightly to the dreams. She lay across Mary’s lap and let her brush out her tail. Followed by a lot of petting. Both her ears and crotch. Then release.

As Isa’s mind fully regained consciousness and she opened her eyes, she immediately noticed a note on the nightstand next to the bed.

To my Lovely Grandchild,
I give you the gift of wet dreams.
You’re welcome,
Grandma Cass.
P.S. Don’t forget to orgasm today; I might not gift you dreams like that again.

Isa read the note, then reread the note. Her eyes went wide, and she jolted upright, causing the covers to come off Allie down to her waist and disturbing Brooke, but to a lesser degree. Allie growled her displeasure at the early rising and simply pulled on the covers, wrapping herself in them tightly.

Isa let out a slow breath. Shit. Do I need to strip? I didn’t end up getting time to masturbate at all yesterday. Hmmm no… I can wear…. Oh no. Two articles today? FUUUUUUCK! Okay… calm down, Isa. It could be worse. I could have to be naked today. I’m slightly confused about why Cass is giving me so many gifts, though. Even with the new upgrade, she seems quite pleased with me. She hardly gave me anything last round. I think I’ll ask Mary for her opinion on this. Especially with the upgrade, making it even more important to stay on her good side.

Isa considered staying up but decided to get back under the covers and cuddle up with Allie for a time. She started affectionately nipping at Allie’s ears. Allie started to make a low thrumming noise as she pressed back into Isa. Allie whispered, “Not with Brooke here.”

Isa let out a low whine of annoyance. “But we could just have her—” Isa stopped talking as Allie rolled over and sleepily glared at Isa.

Allie whispered, “Absolutely not. Now turn around. I want to be big spoon.”

Isa reluctantly complied, mostly because she saw, despite Allie’s tiredness, how serious she was about not crossing that line with Brooke.

A sleepy Brooke, however, was a cuddly Brooke as she turned towards Allie and grabbed onto her fluffy tail, holding it like a body pillow. Allie stifled a whimper as Brooke grabbed on tightly. Brooke simply wouldn’t let go, even with Allie trying to wiggle her tail free. Allie sighed and knew the only way she’d free her tail was to wake Brooke up, but that meant no more cuddles with her fiancée. Fiancée… Allie smiled and giggled to herself, thinking that. Isa is going to marry me. Allie’s tail started to wag more furiously, enough that it started to swat Brooke in the face repeatedly.

Brooke sat up in annoyance and said, “Hey! Do you mind? Your tail was swatting my face.”

Allie glared over her shoulder at Brooke. Remember, Allie, she’s Sam’s best friend and your sister. Don’t **** her. Allie icily said, “Brooke, you were the one who was squeezing my tail, treating it like a stuffed animal or something.” Allie turned back around, shut her eyes, and resumed her cuddles with Isa. “Now quiet. Cuddle time.”

Brooke just shook her head and got up as quietly as she could. After getting dressed, she decided to leave Allie and Isa alone and went to the dining hall in the palace for a quick breakfast.

While munching on some fruit, Brooke mulled over several things in her mind. Hmmm, how can I get Sam back? Talia seems to think we can’t, which I find hard to believe. If that’s really the case, the other team is practically incompetent. They were able to get their teammates back; sure, it might have involved risk, but they could. Cass apparently wants things to be balanced, so there has to be something.

Brooke got out her phone and sent a text to Cass.

Brooke: Hey, Cass, can we talk?

Cassandra: About what?

Brooke: Is there a way to get Sam back from the other team without finding their base? I mean, there has to be, right?

Cassandra: I won’t assist in this matter.

Brooke let out a growl of frustration. Okay fine. Brooke stood up, stormed out of the hall, and decided to head to the BP shop. Slevia had her feet propped up on the counter while leaning back and reading a book. She didn’t notice Brooke enter the shop. Brooke lightly coughed to get Slevia’s attention.

Slevia said, “You’re early. Can I help you?”

“I’m not sure. I didn’t really find anything yesterday. I figure since you run the store, you have a fairly good idea of what’s in stock. Any suggestions?”

Slevia’s eyes widened as she was pleasantly surprised by the question. Slevia responded in her usual short, clipped speech, reminding Brooke of an Eastern European or Russian accent, “Oh, good. You’re smart. That’s good. I have many suggestions. I need information, though. What is it you want? Not specifics but generally.”

Brooke thought that over. “I really would like to be able to help Sam. To find her and rescue her from the other team.”

Slevia frowned, “Brooke, please listen well. Sam isn’t a damsel. She doesn’t need saving.”

Brooke scowled at Slevia, “I know that! She’s my best friend. I just would like to be able to help my friend when she needs it.”

Slevia narrowed her eyes. “You’re not listening. I respect you wanting to help. You should help family. Sam is a big girl, though. You need to consider yourself.”

Brooke put her hands on her hips. “Are you going to help me or not?”

“I am helping. Brooke, you are Sam’s best friend. I know that. Consider if something happens to you. How will Sam feel? Trust me. Help yourself first.”

“But I don’t need anything.” Brooke crossed her arms. “None of my transformations are problems. So I don’t need upgrades to fix them. I don’t see an issue with my paths either, even if they are a bit odd. I don’t need anything to deal with Mary either, as we are getting along swimmingly. Hence why I asked for suggestions. You then asked what I wanted, and that was to help my friend. I don’t need a lecture. If you aren’t going to help, I’ll just go.”

Brooke turned to leave, but Slevia said, “Wait. Sorry. I’m not great at this.”

“Helping?” Brooke asked sarcastically while turning around. “That is an odd trait for a store clerk.”

Slevia shook her head, “No, communicating.” Slevia’s face turned pensive for a moment. Slevia took in a deep breath after a time and said, “Do you generally just want to help others or just her?”

Brooke noticed that it seemed a little taxing for Slevia to speak such a long sentence. “I’m more concerned about helping her, but I don’t have a problem with helping the others as long as it isn’t to my detriment or Sam’s. Also, Slevia, I’m sorry about the comment about you not being helpful.”

“It’s fine. Nobody likes lectures.”

Brooke rubbed the back of her neck and asked, “Would it be rude to ask why you and your sisters all sound so different from one another? Your accents and manner of speech are just so different.”

“No. Mostly the show. Hard to explain. Freya would do a better job. Now suggestions, here look.” Slevia pulled up several suggestions for Brooke to look through.

Brooke scanned the suggestions and had an increasingly deepening frown as she went through them. “None of these is something that would let me help Sam right now.”

Slevia just sighed, shook her head, put her feet back up on the counter, and went back to reading her book.

Brooke balled her fists in frustration. After slowly spreading her fingers apart, Brooke left the store without a word. Brooke went out to the courtyard and started to run some laps around it to vent some frustration. Around fifteen minutes later, she noticed she had an audience. After another few laps, Brooke stopped near the onlookers. Laura was standing there with her arms crossed, with Sadie floating next to her.

Laura asked, “Something up, Brooke? You seem… angry.”

With a simmering anger, Brooke replied, “I went to the shop, but Slevia wasn’t any help. She just kept ignoring me and refused to actually give suggestions for what I wanted to accomplish.”

Laura pursed her lips and let out a low hmm. “Is that really the issue? Because it seemed like you were going pretty hard out there. You sure it isn’t because of Sam?”

“Of course it’s because I’m worried about Sam. I want to figure out how to help her.” Brooke held up a hand to stop Sadie’s reply. “Yes, I know. She’s likely in their base and finding it is effectively the win condition. The thing is that it doesn’t make any sense. If you can’t recover her somehow, then the other team will win, or everyone on it is an idiot.”

Laura and Sadie both frowned. Sadie said, “They aren’t idiots; I can promise you that. Why would that mean that the other team wins?”

Brooke replied, “It means that the other team can take losses while we can’t. They can just hound us constantly, wait until we’re busy, and take one of us. Then they can keep doing that and capture everyone.”

Laura replied, “But they can’t really take us in a heads-up fight.”

Brooke shook her head in disbelief, “They don’t need to. Talia explained how the fight in Harper’s Haven went. They also clearly have some sort of long-range communications and a method of fast travel.”

Sadie asked, “Why do you think they have some sort of fast travel? Besides Hilde?”

Brooke rolled her eyes, “Seriously? I remember you both being much smarter than this. There were two idols put in place yesterday, and Sam just happened to go to the one where the other team was lying in wait? No way. They had some way of monitoring the locations and probably teleported to it, or Hilde ran with them in her storage space, just like she did with Ellen. I agree that Hilde probably can’t trap one of us in her storage space like you said yesterday. But I’m willing to bet she can throw one of us in it if we’re incapacitated.”

Laura became thoughtful, “Okay… those are actually good points. Cassandra has also made it clear she wants this to be fair. So you might be right; there is a method to get back Sam, but it isn’t apparent how to do that. There isn’t a quest with that as a reward, and there wasn’t when Sadie was captured.”

Ethel popped out from behind Laura, “Sorry, but I overheard part of your conversation. You were asking about saving Lady Irving from the Champions of Smug, right?”

Brooke turned to Ethel, “Ethel, could you drop the NPC act?”

Ethel just smiled at Brooke, not responding.

Brooke rolled her eyes. “Yes, you heard correctly, Princess. I’m trying to find a way to rescue her that doesn’t require us to first find the enemy lair.”

“Well, there is a way.” Ethel beamed, but then became serious. “Though it is dangerous, costly, and will likely draw the enemy's attention.”

Sadie pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. “Ethel, are you telling us that there was always a way to rescue us when we were imprisoned? Why didn’t anyone tell us that?”

Ethel tilted her head to one side. “You didn’t ask, and it isn’t as if anyone can just do the ritual. I’m one of the few in the empire who can perform the hero summoning.”

Laura asked, “You mean the ritual you used to bring all of us here?”

Ethel nodded, “Exactly the same, though it is easier since she is already in this world. We’re just calling across distance and not realities. It will also fail if she’s not incapacitated.”

Sadie asked, “Is it possible to tell if she’s incapacitated?”

Ethel shook her head, “Sorry, I really wish it were, but no. Though the materials won’t be wasted if she’s not incapacitated.”

“What about the cost?” Sadie replied.

“Mostly in rare materials. You could purchase most of them with Empire merit or get them yourselves. If you do, I’d be happy to perform the ritual.” Ethel said a bit eagerly.

Brooke said, “Can you tell me what the materials are?”

Ethel nodded, “I’ll get a list to you shortly. Is there anything else I can help with?”

The three all looked at each other and shook their heads slightly. Sadie said, “No, I don’t think so. Before you leave Ethel, are you doing okay?”

Ethel’s demeanor relaxed slightly, “I’m fine, Sadie. Really. I’ve just needed some time to think about things.”

“Like your future with Mary?” Brooke retorted a bit derisively.

Sadie was about to snap at Brooke, but Ethel spoke first, “Yes, exactly that.”

Sadie turned towards her friend in surprise. “Wait, are you serious? Even after what you learned?”

Ethel nodded, “Cassandra restored my memories after I had a breakdown because of the various things I learned.”

“So you’re aware of the show and still want to be with Mary?” Sadie asked skeptically.

Ethel pursed her lips in thought. “I’m not sure. I’ve been given a choice, though: join her staff or her harem. I have until the end of the round to decide.”

Sadie immediately replied, “Pick her staff. It isn’t a contest.”

Ethel shook her head, “It isn’t that simple. There are things that I can’t and won’t tell you at play. There is also the question of choice.”

Sadie looked at Ethel, confused. “How is it even a real choice? You should choose her staff. Why would you choose to let yourself be transformed for her?”

Ethel smiled weakly at Sadie. Laura was the one to answer Sadie’s question, though. “Sadie, even if Ethel chooses to be part of the staff, she could end up in the harem. Hilde did. At that point, she would have chosen that she didn’t want Mary and have it negated.”

“Then why even give her the choice?” Sadie asked, exasperated. “If she’s just going to end up in the harem anyway? Ethel, I seriously don’t think you should join the harem if you can avoid it. It isn’t worth it, even if you do like Mary.”

Brooke said, “I don’t know.” Which immediately drew a glare from Sadie. Brooke held up a hand placatingly. “Calm down and let me talk. Look, there is a difference between being dragged into something and willingly choosing to participate. Ethel, I don’t know you, but if I were given that choice, I would agree with Sadie. I’d choose to be part of Mary’s staff as well.”

That made Sadie smirk slightly and give Ethel a ‘see what I’m saying’ look. Which was wiped off her face when Brooke continued to speak, “Now, if it was a matter of being able to help Sam or not, that would be a lot tougher for me, and it seems like there is something else factoring into your choice. So, Sadie, don’t pressure her one way or the other. This is her choice. Let her make it.”

Ethel wrapped Brooke in a tight hug. “Thank you. I appreciate that.” Ethel then wrapped Sadie in a hug. “And thank you too. I’ll leave you three be and get you that list, Brooke. Bye!” Ethel hurried off before Sadie could respond.

Brooke seemed rather upbeat after talking with Ethel as she turned towards Laura and Sadie. “Alright, so what’s the plan for today after we get Sam back?”

Sadie looked uncomfortably towards Laura and then away from both of them. “Brooke, I’m not sure spending merit to get her back is a good choice.”

Brooke frowned, “Why not! She outlevels essentially everyone and can clearly go up against the other team by herself. Letting her remain captive is stupid.” Brooke noticed that Laura was very deliberately not speaking.

Sadie replied with a sigh, “You aren’t wrong. That’s the issue, though. The rest of us need points, too. While we are a team, we are still competing with each other as well.”

Brooke took a step towards Sadie, leaned over the shorter woman to look her directly in the eyes. Then, with ice in her voice, “Let me be perfectly clear: if you refuse to make rescuing Sam a priority, when the option is easily available to you, you can forget having my help on anything. Sam is the sister I actually like, so think carefully about what you want to do. Now, excuse me, I have some stress to burn off.” Brooke didn’t wait for a response and took off running harder than she was before.

Sadie scowled at Brooke, then looked at Laura and said, “I noticed you were being awfully quiet there.”

Laura shrugged, “She’s not wrong, and you can’t really do anything to her besides take her magical gear away, which honestly isn’t much help since those points are divided amongst us anyway.”

“I noticed you haven’t said that we should rescue Sam, though.”

Laura kept a neutral expression on her face. “You aren’t wrong either. She has a massive lead, and using resources to recover her would set the rest of us back. On the other hand, maybe there is a simple solution there.”

Sadie raised an eyebrow.

Laura explained, “If we get Sam back, take some of Sam’s gear and give it to Brooke instead. Essentially, deduct an amount of gear equal to what we end up spending to retrieve Sam. Put the whole cost on her. For instance, that expensive amulet she bought.”

“That still doesn’t make up for the time we’re going to have to invest in getting her back.”

Laura’s neutral expression cracked, showing frustration. “Sadie, I get you’re in last place on our team and second to last overall, but consider this: none of us refused to get you back when we had the opportunity. That cost us time arranging that. It’s ultimately your call, but I don’t think you’ll be convincing Brooke to help us if we refuse to help Sam if we can.” Having said her piece, Laura strode away, leaving Sadie alone to think.