Stuck in a maze, I'm not going in

“Alright, well, that certainly wasn’t what I expected,” Vivian said, looking down at her new clothes. It wasn’t an outfit that she would have chosen for herself, but she liked the style. A dark tank top and jeans seemed pretty nice for exploring an underground maze like this one. It was easy to move in, too, which was the best part.

…And, unlike the outfit of the girl standing next to her, it didn’t look like it had come right out of the pages of a fetish catalogue.

Considering this was Harem Hotel, that was actually pretty lucky!

“Congratulations,” Ella muttered, shaking her head.

Vivian frowned. “Is something wrong?” She asked, done with the snide remarks and comments behind her back. “I don’t like it when people aren’t willing to say things to my face! Come on, Ella, we’re stuck in this maze together, we could at least have a conversation.”

Ella frowned. This wasn’t shyness from her, Vivian could tell that much. The other girl clearly didn’t like her.

And that needled Vivian in the worst possible way.

Before, Vivian would have done anything to try and resolve the antsy feeling in her chest caused by someone not liking her. That was the sort of thing that could give her anxiety attacks. But she’d come a long way. In the past, she would have tried to **** the issue, and tried everything she could think of to befriend the other woman, and only result in driving her away even more. Kim was a testament to how Vivian’s pushiness could backfire like that.

No, if Vivian wanted to have a conversation with Ella, if she really wanted to figure out why the other girl didn’t like her, then she would need to do just that- have a conversation with her.

Unfortunately, Ella wasn’t in the mood for a conversation right now.

“Just leave me alone,” she muttered. “How about you go that way, and I’ll go this way. And then we won’t have to deal with each other anymore.”

Ella didn’t like the idea of being alone in this twisted maze, but she didn’t want to be around Vivian, either.

“Ella, please, can we just talk?” Vivian asked, taking a step towards her. “I know you’ve got a problem with me, but I honestly don’t know why. What did I do to you? Can you tell me? Please? Whatever I did wrong, I want the chance to apologize and make it right! But I can’t do that if you don’t tell me what it is I did wrong.”

Maybe the “better” thing to do would be to remember what she’d done to offend the other girl on her own, and apologize for it unprompted. Vivian knew that much. But she genuinely had no idea.

Just another example of how her thoughtless actions no doubt led to another major problem for someone else…

Ella tensed. She bit her lip and looked Vivian in the eye, and her fingers drifted towards her rubber-band.

Cinder was trying to come out. Ella had half a mind to let her.

“It’s obvious why I wouldn’t like you,” Ella muttered, averting her eyes. “You’re a spoiled little rich girl. You go around acting like you own the whole world, while never having to lift a finger-! And me… I… I was **** to **** away for years for those monsters… of course I wouldn’t like someone like you!” She exclaimed.

“Hah… haaa…”

Ella needed a moment to catch her breath. She felt exhilarated! Normally she would need Cinder to say something so strong, but… she was able to speak her mind.

And even though Vivian looked stunned and maybe a little hurt, Ella wasn’t going to take it back. Why should she? It was the truth, after all.

“…I see,” Vivian said quietly. “And that’s how you feel, then? You don’t like me because I’m rich?”

“Err… y-yes, of course that’s why,” Ella bristled, chewing on her lip. She balled up her hands into tiny little fists. “What- what other reason would there even be?! It’s because you’re a spoiled little rich girl who treats your servants like dirt.”

Vivian narrowed her eyes. “You take that back,” she growled.

Ella recoiled, her eyes bulging in surprise. The sudden flash of anger on Vivian’s face caught her completely off guard.

She had never seen Vivian get angry before. It only lasted a second before it passed, but it was enough to chill Ella to the bone.

“I-uh… uhummma…” Ella’s mouth flopped open and closed as her own burst of anger fizzled out, smothered by the wave of emotion coming from the woman in front of her.

“I’ll admit, I don’t exactly live an admirable life,” Vivian conceded, lowering her head. “The privileges I enjoy… they come at the expense of other people. Even if I don’t do it on purpose… even if it goes unseen… even if I try to mitigate that however I can and help other people… I get it, okay? I’ve benefitted from other people all my life, and haven’t given nearly enough back… …And it’s not like I can even say ‘Well, at least I’m a good person, though!’ because I’m not.”

Nick’s face flashed through her mind as she remembered the disaster of a date they’d had, how she’d “pranked” him in such a hurtful way, without even stopping to think about how it would have affected him.

She fought back the tears that burned in her eyes.

“But… I’ve never done what you’re saying!” That, at least, Vivian would push back on. Even if all the other accusations and cruel words people like Kim and Ella slung her way were true, at least on this, Vivian would defend herself however she could.

Because she didn’t treat her servants like dirt. Octavia… Octavia was the most important person in the world to Vivian!

“You can hate me, but not for that!” Vivian exclaimed.

Ella was at a loss. She’d just been venting, and didn’t expect a response like that. But I probably should have… I mean… Vivian acts like nothing bothers her, but… I should have known THIS would bother her… damn it… I didn’t want to turn this into some big thing, but… I don’t know what to say now.

“Thwap!” She snapped her rubber-band to keep Cinder from coming to the surface.

Vivian saw the cloud over Ella’s head, and the doubt and apprehension on her face. And that’s when she realized it.

“Ella,” she said, stepping forward, “that isn’t really the reason you have a grudge against me, is it?”

“Huh?!” Ella flinched. Her eyes widened and her heart sank into her chest as she saw the piercing look in Vivian’s eyes.

She started to sweat profusely.

“Has your watch recharged yet?” Marley asked, glancing at her sister.

Carly shook her head. “Unfortunately not,” she said. She squinted, using her glasses to get a look around. “Luckily, I have these lovely glasses here that can help see through walls! So that kind of makes up for it, don’t you think?”

She turned a cheeky smile towards her sister and dropped her eyes down towards Marley’s bouncing chest. “…Walls, and other things.”

Marley rolled her eyes. “Oh, come ON.” She didn’t even bother to cover her boobs. What would be the point? “You realize our bodies are pretty damn close to identical, right?” She reminded her sister. “Why would you even need to do something like that? Plus, we’re sisters. It’s NOT funny.”

Carly shrugged, flashing a toothy grin. “Eh, it’s kinda funny,” she replied.

Marley disagreed. But she was too exasperated with her sister to bother arguing.

“…Whatever. Frankly, I kinda prefer you looking at me naked rather than in this stupid uncomfortable dress!” Marley tugged at the hem of her tight princess dress and grimaced. Due to the way her body was bouncing and clapping whenever she moved, the tightness of the dress was only becoming more apparent.

What she wouldn’t give for another change of clothes! But she expected that the audience would likely vote for something even more dumb and embarrassing, so she decided not to even bother wishing for a change.

“Do you think Dawn is okay?” Carly asked, abruptly changing the subject the way Marley knew her sister often did.

Marley sighed and scratched her head. “I mean, hell if I know,” she replied. “It’s Dawn we’re talking about, here. Knowing her, she’s probably further through the maze than we are, even with our advantages.”

Carly nodded. “Good point,” she conceded.

“Besides, we haven’t seen anyone else, either,” Marley pointed out. “Don’t you think that’s kinda weird? Dawn is the only person we’ve actually run into.”

Carly nodded. “Yeah, that IS strange,” she agreed, adjusting her glasses. “Between my glasses and your boobs, we’re definitely going in the right direction. You think the others are just lost?”

Marley rolled her eyes.

“I hope Dani is okay,” Carly said, biting her lip. They continued walking through the maze, Marley guiding their directions (even though her breasts may not have been as reliable as they hoped) and Carly scouting ahead with her glasses.

Then she gasped.

“Wait, Marley, hold up!” Carly held out her hand to stop her sister.

Marley reacted in surprise. “Yeah? What is it?” She asked, looking at Carly in alarm.

“Up ahead! You- you can’t see them, but past that wall!” Carly could see another duo trying to navigate the maze themselves. It might take a few turns and a bit of a detour to get to them, but if they were lost, Carly wanted to help if she could.

Who have they run into?

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“Amelia, what do you think?” Rose held up two outfits for the older woman to share her opinion on. “They’re both pretty cute, right?”

Amelia raised her eyebrow incredulously, not sure what to say in response to Rose’s selection.

“Is that… what even is that?” Amelia pointed to the garments in Rose’s left hand.

“It’s a sailor suit,” Little Miss said, surprised. “You’ve never heard of those before?”

Amelia gave the shopkeeper an incredulous look. “In what naval **** do women wear skirts like that?” She asked.

Now it was Little Miss’s turn to give her a blank look.

“…It-it’s not a real- …You know what? Never mind. You wouldn’t get it.” Little Miss giggled and gave up, realizing that she would never get anywhere explaining complex fetishes to someone like Amelia. “It’s a schoolgirl uniform.”

“Oh. Understood.” That, at least, Amelia could fit into her existing framework about fetishes. Not that she approved.

In contrast, the other outfit was far more modest. It was a period dress. The sort of billowy garment with a wide skirt and tight bodice that would not only conceal Rose’s expanded assets, but look quite fetching and classy o her, as well.

Yes, if it was merely a question of Amelia’s personal preferences, that one would certainly win out. But there were other things to consider.

“Are those the only choices?” Amelia asked.

Rose shrugged. “I think they’re both cute. What, you don’t like them?” There was an anxiety in her voice that Amelia didn’t like. Rose should not be dressing herself for Amelia’s approval.

“I don’t care either way,” Amelia brusquely replied.

Rose deflated a little, disappointment evident on her face.

Amelia winced. She’d meant to say that she believed Rose would look lovely in either of the outfits. But that clearly hadn’t come across.

In a **** need to salvage the situation, Amelia shared more of her thoughts. “The one in your left hand, the dress, is quite fetching,” she informed the other woman. “I think you would look like a very classy young woman wearing that.”

Rose perked up immediately. “R-really?” She asked, her eyes shining.

“Ooh, good choice!” Jess nodded eagerly. She found it a little too modest for her tastes, but she could definitely appreciate cute clothes on other girls!

“…However, it is quite cumbersome,” Amelia pointed out. “Are you certain you are up for wearing that for the rest of the challenge?”

Rose glanced at the large ruffled skirt. “…You’re right,” she acknowledged, hanging that dress back up. It was pretty, but Rose didn’t fancy having to haul that stuffy thing around. If they had to run from another Lynette situation, or worse, fight through it, then it would just get in the way. “Sailor suit it is!”

She got changed in a hurry while Amelia continued to look for a suitable outfit for herself. A second later Rose stepped out with a cheery smile on her face. “Well? Don’t I look just adorable?”

Amelia gave her an appraising look as she struck a pose.

“…Lovely,” Amelia answered finally. Just because she was brusque and of few words didn’t mean she couldn’t convey sincere feelings to other people.

Rose blushed, feeling giddy at the compliment. “Th-thank you so much!” She gushed. “And don’t worry! I would be happy to help you pick out an outfit for yourself, ma’am!”

“That is not necessary,” Amelia said. It came out colder than she would have preferred. It wasn’t that she didn’t appreciate Rose trying to help her, but…

She wasn’t sure she could trust the fashion sense of someone who was currently dressed in a mockery of a sailor uniform, no matter how cute it may have looked on her.

Amelia wasn’t trying to look cute. She was trying to wear something functional. Unfortunately, Little Miss had quite a wide array of fetish outfits and cosplay, and not a whole lot else.

Rose was undaunted by Amelia’s rejection. “I know!” She said, pulling an outfit off the rack. “Amelia, this would be perfect for you, don’t you think?”

Amelia glanced at what Rose had picked out, and made a sour face.

It was a nun costume.

“You want something modest, right?” Rose said. “Wouldn’t a nun outfit be the perfect choice for you, then?”

Jess tugged on Little Miss’s arm. “Mistress,” she whispered to the other woman, “isn’t that the nun costume that turns transparent when it gets wet?”

“Shh,” Little Miss gently shushed her, placing her finger over the fox girl’s lips and turning her bright red in the process.

Jess gulped and nodded obediently.

Amelia did not notice the exchange between the two women, and that was not why she rejected the outfit.

“That would be far too restrictive,” she pointed out. “We could be walking for a considerable amount of time. And I do not have the enhanced stamina that you possess.”

Rose nodded and put the costume back. “Yeah, that’s a good point, I guess,” she admitted. “So what are you looking for, then?”

“Something light and easy to wear,” Amelia said, using her finely-tuned eyes to appraise each outfit she found on its own merits. “…This should do.”

Maybe Amelia could find something better-suited and more conservative, but given the selection that seemed unlikely. Better to simply take what was on hand, and make do with that. They needed to progress through this maze quickly, after all.

“That’s… underwear?!” Rose was taken aback. Of all the things she would have expected Amelia to choose, underwear wasn’t even close to being on the list. Even if it was more conservative than most types of underwear.

Amelia looked at Rose and shook her head. Did-did the other woman actually think that’s what she had chosen?

“…It isn’t underwear,” she said testily, going to the changing room and trying it on.

It was a tighter fit than she’d expected. But it would do. Better than a tight, constrictive maid outfit, anyway.

When Amelia showed Rose her new outfit, the actress could see where she’d gotten it wrong. She felt a little embarrassed.

“Okay, so it’s not underwear,” she admitted, scratching her cheek and offering Amelia a sheepish smile.

Amelia huffed and shook her head. “Certainly not.”

The clothes Amelia had chosen were rather skimpy, yes. But they served their purpose adequately. A tight tank top that revealed her midriff, and even tighter running shorts. The clothes looked almost painted on, especially with Amelia’s enhanced buttocks, but that was fine with her.

She wanted something she could move around in, and jogging gear was the perfect choice. She couldn’t afford to be stingy if she wanted to get far in this challenge, she needed to be pragmatic. And if that meant temporarily exposing herself in order to get ahead, then so be it.

“You two look great in your new clothes,” Little Miss said, giving both women the once-over before nodding in approval. “Oh, yes! I’m sure that master of your season will be very pleased once he sees you lovely ladies!”

Jess made a gagging face.

“Really?” Rose’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Do you think so? Oh, I can’t wait to show it off to him,” she cooed, fluttering her eyelashes and clasping her hands together. “I wonder if he’s watching me right now…”

Amelia looked far less excited at the prospect. In fact, “excited” wasn’t even an applicable word.

“Nauseous” might have worked though. Or “perturbed” that was a good one.

Regardless, she clearly was not enthusiastic at the prospect.

“This outfit was chosen to win the challenge,” she said bluntly. “Not for any scurrilous purpose.”

“Well, I don’t know what ‘scurrilous’ means, but you’re certainly looking ready to seduce,” Little Miss replied with a thumbs-up, ignoring Amelia’s protests. It wasn’t her job to talk about that sort of thing, anyway. “Now then! Thank you for patronizing our bazaar! And do make sure to recommend us to the other challengers, if you would? The exit is right behind you.”

She pressed her hands together in front of her chest and gave the two blondes a professional smile that sent a shiver down Rose’s spine. But she didn’t let herself be fazed by something like that. Humming to herself, Rose strutted towards the door, trying not to let her newly-enhanced backside distract her too much.

Amelia followed after her, looking far more hesitant. She glanced over her shoulder at Little Miss and Jess, and wondered what else this maze would have in store for the two of them as they stepped back out into the corridor.

What else does this maze have in store for the two of them?

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