Some Radical Changes

The group of ten people stood around for a mere few seconds. The women waited anxiously, but then Amelia jumped back to life. "The votes are in! Oh, the audience is getting ready for some real drama. Whether or not you agree, it is time to play ball!"

"Cue the collective groan," Hector muttered to himself. Getting used to the host's shtick, only Sophie, Alexis, and Michelle, who finished at the bottom, audibly groaned. But the rest looked displeased nonetheless. Just like with previous votes, Hector felt for the women, as he did not want them to be forcibly changed. But the part of him that knew they belonged to him was eager to find out how. It was the part of him that frequently sent blood rushing downward, and, he knew, it was the part of him that Amelia wanted to see more of. He thought he was doing a decent job keeping that part under wraps until her own oozing sexuality got the better of him. Now he was back to square one with most of the group and had to prove he wanted the best for them.

"We will be going in the same order that the options were revealed, so to start off, we have the results of the Best Woman poll!" Even though there was no one else or any instruments in the room, a classic drumroll started playing. As it started to build, Amelia called out, "we have a change at the top. The new most beloved harem member is...Veronica!"

Amelia's kitschy budget for the show evidently increased, as dozens of pink balloons fell through the ceiling, all concentrated around Veronica. Instead of raising her arms to cheer, Hector's mom raised them to protect her face. Much of the group did the same, as the ones in her vicinity got caught up in the swarm of rubber. When the balloons finally settled, Veronica gave an acceptance speech. "Uh, yay? Thanks to the audience, I guess."

"Oh, humility suits you quite well. Here are the full results. Since this is the second poll, there are higher totals to give each of you more spending power. Hopefully the group takes advantage in the coming days!"

1. Veronica -- 1200 BP (2400 total BP)
2. Molly -- 1000 BP (2700 total BP)
3. Michelle -- 900 BP (1400 total BP)
4. Kristie -- 800 BP (2000 total BP)
5. Penelope -- 700 BP (2100 total BP)
6. Carla -- 600 BP (1200 total BP)
7. Alexis -- 500 BP (1000 total BP)
8. Sophie -- 300 BP (800 total BP)

"Ooh, that's a large tumble for Penelope, I wonder why some of the crowd has soured on her. But it is encouraging to see Michelle up to third. She might need those bonus points to get back in the game. And poor Sophie. Last once again. How will she ever climb out of the hole?" Sophie was steaming again, just as when Amelia revealed the first Best Woman poll. The rest of the group learned that she was not as good at keeping a poker face as she thought she was. And at only 800 BP, she had pretty limited means of shaking things up outside of events.

Amelia continued speaking, using her ineffable ability to look at each of them while simultaneously addressing the world beyond. "Molly, to use a phrase you fantasy fans are familiar with, you are first in our turn order. Which transformation do you most want for yourself?"

Molly, and the rest of the group for that matter, was now familiar with the process. Saying "none of them" was pointless, and whatever they said had no effect, anyway. They were truly trapped in this marble prison. "It doesn't matter what I say, since you'll ignore my opinion regardless."

Amelia frowned. "Of course it matters what you say. The audience and your master learn more every time you open your mouth. And sometimes when you keep it closed, as well. So which would you like?"

"Well I want whatever relationship I have with Hector to develop organically, so I would go with the first one."

Amelia's self-satisfied grin returned. She was hoping Molly would pick that. "You are indeed right that your choice does not influence the results, because viewers are ready to speed things along. 41% are wondering What If?"

In an instant, Molly, Hector, Penelope, Veronica, Alexis, and Sophie were hit with mind-altering headaches. If was painful for each of them, but especially so for Molly and Hector. Alongside her memory of cordially ending things with Chris in August, Molly suddenly remembered getting in a huge fight with him in May over her decision to go across the country. She dumped him on the spot and, seeking comfort, called her best friend right away to cuddle on the couch.

Hector could picture it so clearly. It was just a few months ago, after all. They were eating cookie dough ice cream and watching The Notebook as Molly cried through much of the movie. Hector had his arm around her the whole time and let her say or feel whatever she felt. As the credits rolled and her tears dried, Molly turned and looked Hector right in the eyes.

"I should have been with you this whole time."

She kissed him quickly on the lips. Hector kissed back, but only for a second before pushing her away. Gently, he whispered, "I've wanted to be with you for two years now, but I don't think you're in a state to make that kind of decision right now." Molly broke out crying again and buried her head in her chest, but within the next few days, she came to accept that Hector was right. They talked it out some more, and decided a summer fling was the only way forward. Hector was also staying on the East Coast, so a long-term relationship wasn't feasible.

They spent as much time together as possible that summer, and had plenty of sex. But given an impending finality, neither felt ready to move beyond a rather vanilla fair. When Hector left for a week on a volunteer trip, he fell to the charms of a girl named Jennifer but wouldn't go further than a kiss. His heart, or at least most of it, belonged to someone else for the time being. Hector called Molly often during the semester, but not as often as he talked to his family. He planned to meet up with his high school love during Thanksgiving and winter break, but it was unclear how much time they would have together.

As the stream of memories faded to a trickle, Hector blinked his eyes open and squinted at the surrounding light. Molly was doing the same. Those they had known for at least a few months seemed to be in a better state of recovery, while Carla, Michelle, and Kristie appeared unchanged.

When she got more of her bearings, Molly went over and gave Hector a big hug. Unlike in any of their memories, natural or implanted, she easily wrapped him up and placed his head in the crook of her neck. "Oh, Hector. What could have been."

Amelia, quickly hiding a bucket of popcorn, interjected. "Actually, that is not what could have been. That is what was. You remember all that because it happened. Just as your positive ending with Chris happened."

"How is that possible?" Alexis asked. "I remember the two of them being all lovey-dovey but I know it's not real."

"Oh, but it is real. You just need to look at things a different way. If that was not enough excitement for you-"

"It was!" Penelope yelled out.

"We move on to Veronica. Which transformation would you like?"

The overworked mother considered her options. A promotion was greatly overdue, but becoming a physician was effectively a different career, and she would still be as busy as ever. "As weird as it is to say, having a second body would make everything easier."

"Well, lucky you, because 41% of the audience agreed that Two is Better than One!" Upon Amelia's declaration, a second body, identical to the first, split off of Veronica as if she was a sci-fi character. She did not not appear to be in any sort of pain, and the two bodies stared at each other intently since they knew every single thing about the other body.

The first body gave the second a hug and whispered in her ear, "I'm so glad to have you around."

"I know," the new one replied.

When they separated, Amelia spoke up. "The fun isn't over, Veronica, because I am using my Lady's gracious veto to give you a second transformation this round. What could be stronger than Family Bonds?"

"Hey! How dare you! Not everything has to be about my kids for fuck's sake..." While Veronica was pointing fingers at the host and complaining, no one could see that the transformation was already in effect. "...Why do you always have to butt in and ruin a perfectly good moment?" Amelia knew that in time, Veronica would come to appreciate what had happened to her. "...And those fake glasses you own, and that stupidly pretty dress you always wear, and that smug grin we all hate-"

Penelope gently patted her first mother's arm to get her to calm down. Not that she disagreed with Veronica really, but they'd be here all day if the rant continued. The recently-mentioned smug grin returned to Amelia's face. "Are you finished yet? Good. Penelope, you picked a good time to interfere since you're up. Which transformation would you like?"

"Umm, none of them are great or give me much agency. I guess more time with Mom wouldn't be a bad thing."

Amelia tipped her hand for once by wincing. "If only the audience chose that one, but instead it appears they are big fans of The Odyssey. 50% of them want you to be The Most Loyal Woman."

Just as Veronica looked and sounded the same, Penelope seemed to be unchanged, except that she was. Penelope didn't react much to the decision, but Alexis did. "Oh no, we're gonna have to put up with a talking head now."

That did get a rise out of the head in question. "Hey, I'm right here! I'm still Penelope and still the girl you've known."

"But I don't know that! From all we've heard, you're gonna try to enslave us, too, and get off at the same time."

Much of the group could put up with complaining since they each had their own gripes, but that crossed a line for the family members. "Hey, that's my daughter you're insulting," One Veronica defended.

"What happened to being her best friend?" Hector questioned while rushing to his sister's side. The Karalis each had an arm wrapped around Penelope's shoulders, and the second Veronica petted her daughter's head.

"I can't believe you three agree on everything," Alexis grumbled. "I'm outta here." She turned her back on the group and started to walk away, but suddenly she couldn't move any more. She was frozen mid-stride, and then her joints creaked loudly in the cavernous room and they were forcibly turned around. Alexis slowly walked back to her spot, but not of her own volition.

"Nuh uh uh," Amelia wagged a finger. "Naughty girl, you know you cannot leave. I'm happy to watch fights and insults, but everyone must remain present. Since you merely tried to prance on out, be glad I am only docking you one victory point. Anyone else want to make a run for it?"

Silence.

After the creepy display of the host's power, no one moved an inch. By choice, this time. "We will come back to Alexis, but now it is Kristie's turn. Which transformation would you like?"

The Canadian answered immediately, not wanting to get on Amelia's bad side. "The sweating one, please and thank you. I think I can manage that."

"Ah, someone here is starting to get the hang of this. Yes, 41% want you to act as an Aphrodisiac. Enjoy those workouts, and then enjoy a workout of a different kind." Amelia winked at Kristie, who blushed while furtively looking around. Her eyes lasted a little longer on Hector, and then also a little longer on Michelle. If their conversation was anything to go by, morning workouts could be a daily occurrence.

"All right, next in line is Carla. Which transformation would you like?"

Unlike much of the group, Carla did not seem bothered by her options. "Well, feeling more sure of myself would be wonderful, while seducing the dames is what I am already doing, so either of those would be perfectly fine."

Amelia widened her smile. "Wow, it sounds like someone here actually wants a transformation. See, ladies, I told you they can be good! What Carla said is interesting because her vote was the closest, but between the second and third option. Either way, 48% want you to be Hector's Wingwoman. Good luck on your quests! Hector, congratulations on getting some help." The new master raised his eyebrows, wondering how the transformation would affect things going forward.

Nothing visibly changed for Carla, but she noticed the mental difference right away. Instead of thinking how nice it would be to get to second base with the women around her, she started considering how each of them would pair with Hector. He was a good guy after all and deserved some fun as much as she did. Carla's conclusion was that she could have her cake and eat it too. Or that Hector would eat it too. Something like that.

"Switching from the gayest person here to the straightest, our focus is now on Sophie. Which transformation would you like?"

Carla quirked an eyebrow while Sophie rolled her eyes, not even sure that statement was accurate. Like during the quiz, Sophie decided to hone in on the question at hand instead of getting distracted by anything else going on. "When dealing with three bad options, pick the least bad one, or whichever can leave a path forward for improvement. Making me try the hardest seems like a negative now but could be a positive down the line."

Amelia clapped politely at the response like a high-society aristocrat. The motion from her hands and arms was so natural it made Hector wonder if that was her background earlier in life, however long ago that might have been. "That would be a fun outcome to create drama, but the audience is much more interested in a stunning visual. 45% want payback for the claim that the harem is Chained to You in reference to Hector."

Anyone watching could see a tangible difference immediately. A leather collar about an inch thick and two inches tall appear around Sophie's neck. It seemed to fit comfortably rather than constraining her ability to breathe. A metal chain about three feet long connected to the bottom of it and hung limply at the moment. Sophie, knowing the action would be fruitless, tugged at the collar and felt for any kind of latch but found that it would not give.

"We all know that dashing collar isn't going anywhere," Amelia declared. "But to make it more beautiful, Hector, what would you like it to say?"

Hector had been mentally indulging more in his submissive nature since arriving on Olympus, but his dominant side came roaring back at the sight of the popular girl stuck in a collar. The crush he would see at school every day but never paid attention to him was now his to own. He might not have been aware at it, but anyone looking at him (which was everyone at this point) could see his pants started to tent.

But he didn't want his excitement to get away from him. He turned back to Amelia. "Do I write on it, or...?"

"Just say out loud what word you want."

Feeling emboldened for once, Hector slowly walked up to Sophie. As she was rooted in place, he felt around the collar, relishing the power it provided. "All these years, I was always nice to you and happy to be in your presence. But you would never say more than two sentences to me. And now here, we've had the chance to find a meaningful connection, but you keep shutting down the opportunity to get closer to me. If you think I'm some unfeeling overlord, then maybe you really should be my slave."

Upon the final word, shockwaves reverberated around the room, and pink capital letters in a block font appeared on Sophie's new collar:

SLAVE

He looked her right in the eyes and said, "I hope you learn your lesson." Instead of walking back to his diagonal spot, Hector chose to stand next to Amelia, and he stood up a little straighter.

The host looked impressed but quickly hid her features. "Well done, Hector. Each of you should learn to listen to your master. Your actions have consequences, as Alexis is about to find out. Which transformation would you like?"

The rocker didn't need to think about that decision. Only one of them had an inkling of a benefit. "The guitar one, for sure. Even if it doesn't win, can I have it back anyway? If you have any compassion in your heart--do you have a heart?--it's the only physical object I care about."

Amelia's condescending smile returned. "Oh, Alexis, I can't just give stuff away willy-nilly. You see how that could get out of control, right? In any case, you had the biggest blowout within the harem. 58% of viewers want to see you in Latex All Over."

The winning voters got what they wanted. The jacket, shirt, pants and shoes Alexis was wearing reconfigured themselves to be made out of latex. They shimmered before settling on a glossy black that reflected the light in the room. Even her under garments and socks turned into latex. Very little skin was visible, but like a winter sweater, her mid-sized breasts seemed to stand out more. The appearance didn't seem to annoy Alexis, but the material did. It must have been uncomfortable because she started fidgeting and unsuccessfully trying to adjust her attire.

Amelia whistled in appreciation. "Whoo, that looks hot. Strike a pose, girl!" Alexis did not strike a pose. "Why are you all party poopers? I'll need to lift your spirits in future rounds. Anyways, your wardrobe has completely adjusted, and you will find some new outfits designed to be latex, rather than the makeshift one on your body."

Alexis wasn't sure whether to dread seeing her drawers or feel relief that the clothing there would be more comfortable. Either way, she had to accept now that the stakes for herself were higher than just a minute ago.

"We have reached the last contestant of the round. Michelle, which transformation would you like?"

The other mother in the group had the easiest choice of anyone. Like Alexis, only one of her options included something she really cared about. "Please bring my family back! That matters more to me than anything else. Even if it will look...different, at least we will be together."

Following Michelle's earnest plea, Hector saw something on Amelia's face he never thought he would see: remorse. "That is quite beautiful to hear, and I am not one to keep lovers apart. But sometimes the voters can be cruel in pursuit of what is sexy. 44% have decided that the Teacher Becomes the Student."

Just like what Alexis experienced, the clothing Michelle was already wearing redesigned itself. Her plain jeans shorted dramatically into a skirt while gaining a plaid pattern, and her long-sleeve shirt shrunk to accentuate her breasts while the fringes were tied off. Buttons materialized down the middle, but the top three were undone. Plus, the color changed from tan to white while her comfy support bra reformed into a pushup. On the bottom, everyday sneakers narrowed and lifted up, changing into pointy, black heels. To top it all off, her beautiful hair joined itself together into a single braid hanging over her left shoulder. Hector thought Michelle now fit the stereotype to a tee, but it was painfully obvious that wasn't what she wanted.

"NOOOOOOOOOO!!!" Michelle fell to her knees while emotions of despair and hopelessness overwhelmed her. Carla and Kristie rushed to her side to comfort her, while Sophie glared at Amelia.

"Do something! You can still bring her family back!"

Amelia looked sad in the way insurance agents are when having to talk to people about losing their homes. "I am sorry, but I already used my veto. There could be more opportunities to see them in the future."

"Urgh, you are really heartless," One Veronica commented while the other nodded along. She would also be heartbroken if she was in Michelle's position. Penelope had been composed the whole time, but the justified wave of anger was giving her a headache.

"I know none of you want to hear this," Amelia began, "but these are the stakes of being on Harem Hotel. Either you can play along and make the most of your new lives, or you can feel miserable missing your old ones. If you want to bring someone or something back, there are ways to achieve that on the mountain." The reminder didn't make anyone feel better, but it did stop them from yelling out at the host.

"And now, the final transformation of the round belongs to the master. Hector, which one would you like?"

Even before meeting back here and seeing the options, Hector only wanted a purely positive boon and didn't want to put people in harm's way. Now, that was even more true after seeing how much danger the women were in. "The second or third would benefit all of us. No one else should have to be here."

Amelia's mood flipped once again as she laughed out loud. "After all you've learned, you are still naive about what the audience wants. A whole 61% was willing to say The More, The Merrier. You already know who it is, let's welcome in Jennifer Perkins!" While Amelia clapped excitedly, everyone else's mood dropped. The enormous doors swung open, and a woman of average height and proportions jauntily walked in. She had a brown ponytail, pale, smooth skin, thin eyebrows and was carrying a notebook and pencil. She was wearing a maroon sleeveless shirt and had tattoos of flowers on one arm and ocean waves on the other. Black leggings went down to her ankles where they met high top Converse in dark purple.

When Jennifer joined the group, Amelia prompted her to answer the standard introductory questions. Her voice was more laid back, but with a bit of an edge. "Heyyy, my name is Jennifer Perkins, but you can call me Jenny, Perks, whatevs, really. I'm 18, and I'm an Environmental Studies major at Orlando State. Hector, what's up, what are you doing here? He's that cute boy I played around with on my summer trip, and it's cool to see him again. I'm not really a commitment kinda gal but I'd be down to pick up where we left off. Now that I think about it, I'm not sure how I got from the library to this fancy room. Who are all these hotties?"

Unlike yesterday, Amelia did not magically compel Jennifer to answer the questions. She simply chose to answer them truthfully and in turn was able to say other things. "Oh, these lovely ladies are all part of Hector's Harem. Congratulations, Jennifer! You're on Harem Hotel!"

"And the Greek Gods exist," Hector added.

"Oh cool," Jennifer shrugged nonchalantly. "I was always hoping they did. Anyone know where Artemis is? I want to have an orgy with her hunters." While the women looked at each other confused by this oddly forward girl, Hector smiled to himself. He really didn't want anyone else to be stuck, but it was nice to witness the familiar antics of his old flame.

Amelia laughed with genuine mirth. "Oh, you will fit in swimmingly here. I am magically implanting all the rules and guidelines you need to know so that I don't have to explain them again."

After a couple seconds, Jenny's eyes widened. "Oh shit! Forget the hunters, we can just have an orgy right now! Who's down?" Hector and Carla almost raised their hands but thought better of it.

"You know some of us are related, right?" Veronica pointed out.

Jennifer just shrugged again. "Eh, who doesn't have a crush on a relative. I would jump on some of my cousins' bones if given the chance."

While some of the women looked disgusted, Amelia looked thrilled. "I can see why Hector likes you. Logistically speaking, you will sleep in whichever room has space each night due to dates. To catch you up to speed, you will be receiving two transformations from these three options."

Jennifer Perkins

Daily Volunteer: Jennifer and Hector met on a week-long volunteer trip. Now she can volunteer to take someone else's transformation from them for 24 hours, but she can only take one at a time.

Happy Go Lucky: Jennifer doesn't take life too seriously and likes to live one day at a time. As long as she maintains that attitude, she will luck into some interesting experiences.

Do Your Homework: Jennifer was studying before she arrived and doesn't know about previous transformations. When she figures out someone else's transformations without being told them, she can change their severity until the next transformation round.

"I hope the audience finds game mechanics interesting, because now the real fun starts! We will come back with the results soon, and then Hector and Molly can get their date underway."