Sauce Espagnole

Sweating and grunting, Caleb had found himself in the gym at seven in the morning. His mind was too full of thoughts for a decent sleep, he had found himself tossing and turning so the moment light began to peer through his window he had got up and wandered the halls before arriving at the facilities gymnasium.

Having gone to sleep in a tank top and some sweats, the Master found himself eager to test his newfound physique and began to run on the track. Now, an hour later, he was collapsed near the wall, catching his breath and looking down at his palm. His suspicions confirmed he was stronger and more fit than he had ever been, even when he had been physically active. Seemed that the transformation he had received had thrown in a little bonus.

“Oh, didn’t expect someone else to be here.” Caleb looked up to see Amy standing there in a sports bra and yoga pants, the Oni also had a towel slung over her shoulder and a water bottle in her hands as she stared down at the master.

Caleb pulled himself up off the ground, “Yeah, well I couldn’t sleep so I just ended up running. Old habit from college, whenever my mind is too busy I’d just…run”

Amy raised an eyebrow, “I can sort of get that, working out is kind of meditative for me too. Also what? Your king’s suite pillows not comfy enough?”

Chuckling Caleb grabbed a towel from a rack and began to wipe himself down, “Turns out I’m not worth a proper suite, Lucian is having me earn it,” and he went over what the demon told him the previous night.

“Hmm?” Amy had started using the weight equipment as she listened, “So to compensate you for wooing and banging a bunch of women who have to be here, you get room perks. Jeeze the ways you suffer.” She smirked

Caleb was sitting at one of the weight benches now, “Hey it’s not like I asked for any of this, I don’t want you guys in my harem or anything.”

With a heavy clamor, Amy released the weights on the machine she was using, “Gee, thanks.”

“Wait, no that’s not what I meant!” Caleb rose, his expression shifting to panic

The Oni scoffed, “Yeah Dipshit, I get what you meant but wow maybe the demon is right and you got to get better at how you handle this shit.”

The words stung Caleb to hear, but Amy wasn’t done, “Also, no point in talking about how you didn’t ask for this, none of us did. But you know what? We still have to deal with it. You know that this show is actually designed so we have to compete and screw each other over?”

Caleb looked over at Amy as she changed machines, “Wait I know you’re all competing, VP and BP right?”

Amy shook her head as she looked straight ahead as she began using the arm fly machine, “No it goes beyond that, there’s a whole shop set up for us to mess with each other, there’s tools, transformations, and these freaky masks all designed around increasing intrigue.”

Caleb lowered his head, “Why though? What does that have to do with increasing our relationships together? I thought the point of this was for me to get you all to like me?”

Amy kept looking straight ahead, “I think you’re confusing structure with the goal of the show.”

Leaning in towards the Oni, Caleb looked at her quizzically, “How do you mean?”

“This is a TV show of some variety right?” Amy dropped the weights and grabbed her towel, “So the point of the show is to entertain, especially if it’s based in reality tv, then the point is to entertain via conflict. The show is structured around us all getting together and forming this harem, but that's not the point. If that were the point there would be more mechanics to help us succeed, but based on what we were shown yesterday they’d probably be just as thrilled if we all failed and ended up your demented sex slaves.”

His eyes narrowing Caleb was **** to agree, everything they had been shown supported it. The transformations they had received hadn’t been specifically catered to his needs but the entertainment of the audience, there was one thing he was thrown off by, “What about the veto then?”

Amy’s eyes lit up and she grinned ruefully, “You caught that too eh? Yeah if the goal is entertainment and particularly sex appeal why did the Host stop me from looking like some sexed-up doll? Seems odd, doesn’t it? I mean I’m not complaining…” She flexed her bicep, “But it doesn’t quite fit with what we know.”

Caleb began pacing, “What if…What if that was Lucian fucking up?”

Amy got up and took a swig of water, “Flesh that out for me?”

“Well it’s like you said, if we go with the fact that the goal of the show is to be sexy and entertaining, then that means anything that is not that…I mean not as obviously that,” He looked over at Amy and blushed, “It sounds like it’s not in line with the purpose of the show. So maybe when Lucian did that he was making a choice and he got it wrong as far as the show is concerned. Maybe he let his ego or something get in the way of what he was supposed to do. If you think about it like that then it makes some sense.”

Rubbing the machine down, Amy then rose and made a time-out sign with her hands, “Slow down there, that’s possible but it’s making a lot of assumptions. We don’t know enough about the show just yet to be able to figure this out. We need more and better information.”

Adjusting his glasses, Caleb's expression fell, “Yeah I guess you’re right.”

Amy leaned in and nudged his shoulder with her arm, “Hey, I’m not saying you're wrong or your idea is stupid, I have a plan if I can get the tools for it and then we might be able to figure some things out. I plan to talk to Reyna after breakfast.”

“Better idea than trying to talk to Lucian I suppose.” Caleb grinned up at the Japanese woman.

“Or a Faun.” Amy laughed and then saw Caleb’s confused expression, “Oh you haven’t seen them yet come on, let’s get some breakfast and you’ll see.” She strutted forward and Caleb had to move quickly to keep up with her long strides.

---

On the other end of the building, Maddy and Lily were the first ones in the cafeteria. The room shared the general aesthetic of the main lobby but had a decorated ceiling with a fresco of angels across a lazy meadow engaged in a variety of humorous and lewd acts. Lily was at the table examining it while prodding her yogurt when Maddy returned to the table with what appeared to be a full English.

Maddy was grinning ear to ear, “I was worried when they said the Fauns were taking care of the food but they really know their stuff,” she turned and waved to a faun wearing a chef’s hat behind the buffet line, “They even indicated I could see the kitchen after meal time was done.”

Lily gave her roommate a soft smile, admiring her ability to get excited even as they were trapped here, “Hey that’s great to hear,” she stopped and leaned in, “Cooking is more than a profession for you isn’t it?”

Maddy blushed, “It’s the thing that makes me happiest, there’s always new techniques to learn, new understanding about different cuisines to experience. It just doesn’t end.” She began chopping at a tomato and grabbed it with some sausage, her face lighting up with glee as she put both in her mouth.

Lily chuckled, the enthusiasm was infectious, “How’d you get your start with that anyhow?”

Maddy’s expression grew softer as Lily could tell she was reminiscing, “When you’re a kid right? You take home your art and show it to your parents and they get happy and put it on the fridge. Well, obviously that didn’t work with my mom. But she always was so happy when dad cooked, and he’s no chef,” She wiped her face, “It started with Mother’s Day when I was maybe six, dad taught me how to make french toast. I brought it to Mom and after I saw her smile…I knew I wanted to live in that moment every day.” She dived back into her food, “Course it’s more complicated then that but that’s essentially what happened.”

Nonplussed, Lily stared, “You’ve known what you wanted to do…since you were six?”

Maddy giggled, looking back at Lily with some egg on her cheek, “Yeah I guess so! Oh oops,” she wiped her cheek.

At this point, others began to file in and Maddy and Lily grew nervous as Mira and Maya went to the buffet. Mira took a seat by the window, her plate adorned with an English muffin and some coffee. Meanwhile, Maya sat down directly at Maddy and Lily’s table, her plate adorned with crepes and strawberries.

Maya smiled at the two girls, “Good morning, how did you both sleep.”

Maddy was visibly nervous and seemed frightened of the lottery winner, while Lily gave her an unamused look, “I slept fine, I would have slept better had someone not declared war yesterday and made me feel like I need to watch my back.”

“But you should watch your back,” Maddy yelped at Maya’s sharp reply, to which the purple-haired woman gave her a reassuring smile, “Sorry, I just mean whether I started the game yesterday or not, the game is happening. I don’t want any wires crossed, I don’t dislike any of you…really!” She added the end in response to the glare she received from Lily.

“I know your group is playing nice and that’s great, I’m not here to convince you otherwise. All ways of playing the game are valid after all.” Maya smiled and Lily’s frown persisted, “I just wanted to point something out.”

Lily sighed and reached out to take Maddy’s shaking hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze, “Ok, what did you want to share then? I swear if this is backhanded or whatever you can leave this table right now.”

Maya scooped up a strawberry and put it in her mouth, lifting her mouth to her cheek in a pleased expression, “No nothing of the sort. Listen, think what you want about me. I know I’m not going to make friends this way but it’s not going to keep me from trying. We are all stuck in this situation. I just think it’s smarter to take the game into our own hands.”

Stammering Maddy couldn’t meet Maya’s eyes as she asked, “What do you mean?”

“We’re on a show, a show that must be entertaining someone. Do you think they’ll keep the show going if it’s dull and boring? I certainly wouldn’t want to watch that.” Maya took another strawberry in her mouth and sighed.

Lily plunged her spoon into her yogurt, “So? Maybe that way they’ll send us all home.”

Maya hummed a bit, her fork to her lips before continuing, “Possibly but very doubtful, more than likely they’ll do heinous things to try and **** us to participate and make things interesting. It’s what I would do. But if we keep things interesting ourselves…”

Lily pinched the bridge of her nose, what the rich girl was saying made a twisted sense, but there was something she wasn’t on board with, “You’re saying if we play the game and mess with each other then we can keep things from getting worse. I get it, sure. I don’t think that’s why you’re doing it though.”

Maddy looked between the two girls, face full of worry and confusion, “But Lily, that’s what she said…”

“No Maddy, don’t be tricked, she specifically wanted to point out reasons for us to play the game, If it was why she was doing it she could have just said so yesterday. You’re not offering an olive branch at all, you’re just trying to make things more interesting for yourself.”

Rather than looking disappointed at being figured out, Maya’s smile broadened, “I meant everything I said, I don’t dislike anyone here and I do think it’s important for you to consider. But you are correct. Still, if you’re not interested, I won’t press. We can still be friends.”

“Hard to be friends with a snake you’re unsure of when they’ll stab you in the back,” Lily countered.

Maddy looked nervously between the two, worried that a fight was about to break out.

Maya was looking beyond Lily towards the entrance, “Yes, and you have every right to worry about that.”

Lily followed Maya’s eyes and saw Caleb entering with Amy. Both were wearing workout clothes, clearly sweaty and they were talking and smiling together as they entered the room. The flower girl’s expression darkened, “Maddy, can you throw away my cup for me please.”

“Sure Lily, but wh-” she was cut off by watching Lily stand up, she marched right up to the entering pair, avoided eye contact, and pushed her way past both of them, Maddy’s expression dropped, “oh”

Amy looked over her shoulder at the retreating woman and sighed. The forecast for apologizing looked better with each passing moment.

Caleb was worried about Lily, but got distracted the moment he watched a Faun walk by with a tray of plates, “Oh gosh they’re real, do they talk?”

Amy shook her head wistfully and guided Caleb further into the room.

They were about to get something to eat when they were surprised by Eliza calling out from the entranceway. “Everyone, I need you all to remain chill and normal no matter what happens in the next few minutes ok?”

Caleb rushed over, “Professor, is everything alright? They didn’t do anything to you right?”

Eliza found herself blushing as the muscular man came so close but quickly regained herself and shook her head, “No no nothing like that it’s just I need everyone to be really cool about things. Noemi is about to come and-”

“She didn’t hurt you did she?” Caleb cut her off worried

“No nothing like that it’s just-” Eliza tried to get the words out when a timid voice came from behind her.

“G-G-Good Morning e-e-everyone” stammering Noemi entered the room, wearing absolutely nothing. She was curled slightly in on herself, her hands trying to preserve some remaining modesty, but did little to cover her large breasts.

Noemi - Showed Naked Body to Master! +5 VP FIRST x2 BONUS

Caleb’s mouth was open and he couldn’t stop from staring. Eliza sighed and reached up and closed the Master’s mouth with her hand. “This…is what I was trying to prevent.”

Finding his voice, Caleb pointed at Noemi, “Why? What’s going on why are you naked?”

Noemi shriveled up and moved behind the professor, “I knew this was a bad idea, I can’t believe I let you talk me into this.”

Eliza summoned her courage, “She’s naked because I made her naked,” everyone turned to direct their attention to Eliza rather than the nude woman behind her.

Maya clapped, “Professor doubled back for a Sabotage? Colour me surprised the last person I expected.”

“No!” Maddy called out after her looking betrayed as she stared at the professor with pleading eyes.

“No…it’s mine but…” Noemi chirped looking up to face Caleb before hiding again.

Eliza sighed, “She gave it to me, I asked her to. She made a bad call and I thought this would be a good way to show you” she pointed directly at Caleb’s face, “That she doesn’t mean any harm, she’s doing her best.”

Noemi looked out over Eliza’s shoulder, watching Caleb’s reaction.

Caleb saw how freaked out Noemi was and the determined look on Eliza’s face, “Ok, fine I get it, just put some clothes on.”

Eliza looked around nervously, “She…she can’t, not for twenty-four hours.”

“The whole rest of the day?!” Caleb called out

Amy shrugged next to him, “See? That’s what I was telling you, they’re not playing around.”

Caleb turned around, “Ok well…fine I guess I’ll just grab food and then leave.”

Noemi looked over, “No! Stay…I don’t want to cause trouble just…maybe try not to stare…”

The moment the words left her mouth, the Chilean blushed crimson and Caleb found himself struggling to not look at her developed body.

Amy rolled her eyes and grabbed the Master by the shoulders, “Come on then, food now.” The oni physically dragged the man away.

Eliza looked back over her shoulder at Noemi, “See? You’ll get through to him yet.”

“As long as I don’t have to be naked to get him to listen to me, yeah” Noemi took a deep breath and stepped out from behind the professor.

Smiling, Eliza took her by the hand, “Come now, let's get some breakfast,” she turned, “Maddy is there room by you?”

Maddy, seeing that things had calmed down smiled, “Yes of course”

The group settled in for a slightly strangely attired but pleasant meal.