To Work Hard or Cheat?

Isa was rather annoyed at the moment. The journey to the temple was mostly uneventful, but with three to the saddle on Sif’s back, things were crowded. Leaving the capital from front to back on the saddle had been Allie, Isa, and Talia. Isa and Talia didn’t really have a choice but to hold onto the person in front of them rather tightly. This resulted in Talia clinging tightly to a wolf-girl, and with how little Isa’s gear covered her, it turned on Talia fiercely. That caused her to start drooling in pleasure. Drool that wound up on Isa’s back.

Isa forced Sif to stop and swapped places with Allie. Allie objected at first but realized that either of them holding Talia wasn’t ideal, as with how fast Sif moved, the drool could fly back and hit them in the face. Plus, her plate armor covered most of her back still even if it showed quite a bit of side boob and the sides of her waist. Most importantly, the drool wouldn’t soak through her plate armor. Talia was really embarrassed by her actions, but despite trying really hard, it happened again as she was holding Allie. This time she at least made sure to wipe it off the armour with the sleeve of her witch’s robe before it slid down too far.

When they finally got to the temple and dismounted, Talia said, “I’m really sorry. My mouth just wouldn’t stop watering.”

“Uh huh, I’m sure,” Isa replied disdainfully.

Allie stepped between the two. “Isa, let it go. She’s not at fault; it’s her Anime Physics and Mary’s fault. She apologized, so let it go.”

Isa asked, “How is this Mary’s fault or anything to do with anime?”

“I’m not going to bother explaining anime tropes to you right now, but it is one. Mary is responsible for making Talia love animal girls. Right now I would bet that she’d like to sleep with essentially everyone in the harem except maybe Brooke and Ellen.”

“Nope, they’re hot too, but Laura and I agreed about who we are okay with one another sleeping with. Neither of you is on the list. That doesn’t mean I can’t oggle you, though. I’m not going to be unfaithful to her. Hang on a second, Laura is reaching out to me.”

Isa leaned over and whispered to Allie, while Talia mentally spoke with Laura. “I’m going to be honest, I’m really glad you can’t just call me up mentally whenever you feel like it.” Isa’s body pressed up against Allie, and she wrapped an arm around her waist.

Allie chuckled. “I understand, though your body seems to be saying you want us to be a hell of a lot closer.”

“This is so freaking unfair.” Isa hissed into Allie’s ear, even as her tail twirled around Allie’s. “Stupid body betraying me.”

Allie said, “Okay, so real talk time, does it actually bother you, or is this like how Mark calls you Isa now, and you love it even though you hated it before?” Isa pouted and thrust out one hip, making her look more cute than annoyed. “I ask because you also were really against the wolf-girl transformation and you’ve seemed to have taken to that one with a passion. Maybe it was because it was a wolf-girl transformation and not a puppy-girl that you weren’t happy with it.”

Isa scowled, “I can uninvite you from joining Mary and me tonight still; you do realize that, right?”

“You won’t, but I also wasn’t planning on it anymore. This might be your last time in a while to have a night alone with Mary for quite some time. I’m not going to intrude. Even if that does mean less time with my wife.”

“Allie, we’re a throuple, not couples. You should be there.”

“Isa, are you seriously telling me right now that you don’t have stuff to talk to Mary about regarding your future children together? About everything? I know we are a throuple, but there are going to be plenty of times that it will be just you and me. Mary has others whom she loves. There will also be times when I’m just with Sam. So take the chance and just be with Mary.” Allie gave Isa a hug, and before she could respond, Talia rejoined them.

Breaking off the hug, Allie asked, “So is everything alright with them?”

“They’re at the Charity dungeon; they’ve already cleared the first trial. The second trial might involve Laura doing stuff with Brooke and Sadie; she wanted to check that was okay. Also, I’d like to correct my previous statement. You’re both on the menu if it is needed because of a challenge.”

Isa seemed to move slightly behind Allie. “Wait, I’m not sure I’m okay with that,” Isa said.

Talia replied, “I wouldn’t do anything without your permission.”

Isa seemed skeptical that Talia was being truthful. “Right… which is why you suggested that transformation for me to Mark to spend his BP on. It totally wasn’t for your benefit.”

Talia tilted her head to the side, non-plussed. “Isa, you do realize the upgrade you got is something I also find interesting?”

At that moment, a small box appeared midair in front of Isa, who instinctively caught it. It had a tag on it reading: ‘To: My Darling Isa, With Love From: Grandma Cass.’

Talia bit her lip in anticipation. “Well, go ahead and open it.”

Isa glared at Talia. “This is your fault, isn’t it?”

Talia seemed confused for a second, then realized what she meant, “Oh right. Yeah, I suppose so. It was rather conveniently timed. Still open it.”

Isa groaned and opened the box. She was confused by the contents, then frowned, realizing exactly what it was. She closed the box. “I’m going to kill Cass.” Isa put the closed box into her rucksack.

Talia asked, a little disappointed she hadn’t been able to see the present. “What was it?”

Isa shifted slightly uncomfortably, tugged at her collar, and kept her silence.

Talia was watching Isa’s body, trying to figure out what it was saying since Isa wouldn’t speak. Talia said, “So either another set of tags or a leash?” Talia said questioningly.

“What?! I didn’t say that!” Isa replied, trying to deny reality.

Talia said, “So, it’s a leash.”

Isa scowled. “Oh, right… You can read my body if you try. It betrayed me again, didn’t it?”

Talia nodded, slightly rosy cheeked. “It’s also betraying you about what you want Mary to do with that gift tonight.”

Allie quirked up an eyebrow at that. “Seriously? You want Mark to take you for a walk on a leash?”

Talia said, “Well, she did seem rather enthusiastic about it during the temple of humility.”

Isa fumed, “SHUT UP!” Then she stomped her foot. (So, what if Isa likes the idea of walkies. Isa is a good girl and deserves to indulge in what makes her happy.)

Talia eyed Isa up and down. “Isa, I’m not trying to kink shame you.”

“IT’S NOT MY KINK!” (GOD, ISA IS SO FUCKING EMBARRASED RIGHT NOW!) Why am I getting turned on?

Talia flicked on her sunglasses and stared at Isa. “Huh. I guess you weren’t lying. Oh wait, no, it’s on here just lower down the list.”

Allie asked, “What are you talking about?”

Talia took off the sunglasses and put them away. “Oh, those were a divine relic of Laura. They allow the wearer to see the fetishes of anyone the wearer is looking at. Pet play really isn’t high up there for darling Isa here.”

Isa let out a huff, “See, I told you so!” (Even if Isa does like headpats and being petted.)

Allie asked with a curious grin, “What is high up there?”

Talia smirked, seeing Isa get flushed with embarrassment as her eyes went wide. Isa said, “Talia, please don’t!”

Talia said, “Hmm… okay. I won’t tell her.” Allie looked disappointed. Talia turned to her, saying, “Sorry, Allie, but I promised not to abuse these and that I wouldn’t just go around sharing everyone's kinks. If and when Isa agrees to let me share that info, I will.”

Isa sighed with relief, “Thank you, Talia.”

Talia walked over and booped Isa on the nose. “That doesn’t mean I won’t use the information at all to tease you just a little bit.”

Isa got flustered, and a shiver went through her body at that. (Isa wants more of that, please. God, it would be so hot for you to just out Isa’s fetishes to Allie.)

Talia let out a snort of laughter. “Isa, just be glad I’m going to listen to you and not your body. Just let me know when you’re prepared to be honest with yourself. Then again… Allie, if you want to know the info, I’m sure Mark could get it out of Isa’s body and would happily share it with you.”

Isa flung her hands to Allie’s shoulder. “No! I mean… please don’t do that.” Isa rubbed her knees together. (God, Isa is so horny right now.)

Allie considered that. “I don’t know… on one hand, I’d like to respect my fiancée’s boundaries. On the other hand… I’d really like to know your fetishes so we can indulge in them. I’ll think on this.” Allie gave Isa a swift kiss on the cheek. “How about we go in and do the temple now, instead of just teasing Isa here?”

Talia and Isa nodded their agreement, but Isa’s body had something else in mind. (I mean… Isa wouldn’t mind being teased just a bit more…) Talia snickered and put a hand on Isa’s back, pushing her towards the temple door.

Inside, they approached the entrance to the trial like in every other temple. Isa examined the door for clues as to which temple they had found, but didn’t seem to find any. “Talia, any clue which temple we’re at?”

“Well, either temperance or diligence. Laura’s group found chastity first, and the one near it was charity. The exterior doesn’t seem to have any clues, though.”

Isa glanced at her two companions. “Well, shit. Those were the ones I wanted for us the least.”

Allie asked, “Why?”

Isa looked at Allie sympathetically. “Sweetheart, you’re not exactly diligent. You tend to do things in bursts.” She then looked at Talia, “Whereas Talia here…”

“I can totally restrain myself,” Talia replied, feeling rather insulted.

“Can you restrain yourself totally, though?” Isa countered. “In the patience dungeon, any action that was impatient was punished.”

Talia frowned, reconsidering things. “Well, shit. That could be a problem.”

Allie said, “No point in fretting about it. It’s not like we are going to turn around and not do the temple. It will be what it will be.” Allie replied, opening the trial doors, finding a portal on the other side. She immediately stepped through it, expecting the other two to follow.

Isa and Talia looked at each other worriedly and, not seeing another option, hurried after Allie.

---

Allie was confused when she found herself back in the office where she worked. At least it looked like the same office. What the? When did I… oh, I guess I’m supposed to diligently do my job. Allie started moving towards her cubicle and booted up her computer. I haven’t worked in the office in forever. Surprised they didn’t reassign my cube. As Allie looked around her cubicle, she realized it looked different. There were pictures and a plant that had never been there before. Looking at the pictures, though, confused her because they didn’t make any sense. There was a photo of Mark and her on their wedding day. Then another of Mark, Isa, and her together. Except it wasn’t them. All three of them looked normal. As did Mark and her in the wedding photo. No wolf-ears, no tail. No Greek Adonis. She looked down. My breasts are their original size… actually, they might be slightly bigger. She patted the top of her head and felt no ears. Looking behind her, there was no tail. I'm so confused.

Derrick came by her cubicle. Looking at him, Allie frowned as all the changes that Isa had made to him during the previous challenge seemed to have been undone. Derrick looked like he was about to ask for help, but instead asked, “Allie, what’s wrong? Is it morning sickness again?”

“What? Oh, uh, no. I’m just a little out of sorts. What did you need help with?”

Derrick hesitated. “Um… well… I know I can be sort of a pain sometimes. I was wondering if you might sign off on this.” Derrick handed her a folder.

Allie was confused as she didn’t really sign off on almost anything at work. She opened the folder and read things over. She glanced up at Derrick. “You want me to recommend you for the advanced training program? I’m not sure, Derrick. You still have trouble with quite a few of the concepts I try to explain to you already and struggle with some rather basic things. This seems like it might be a bit much for you right now.”

Derrick deflated. “Look I know I haven’t made the greatest impression, but I do want to improve. I included a list of the books and tutorials I’ve been going over the last couple months.”

Allie looked over the list. Okay, some of these are actually pretty decent primers. That doesn’t mean he actually understands the content. “Derrick. I’ll tell you want come back at lunch and I’ll grill you on some things, if you can answer my questions, I’ll give you the recommendation.”

“Thank you so much!” Derrick said beaming as he took the file back from Allie. “I promise I really have been studying. You aren’t wasting your time. I’ll be back at lunch.” Derrick hurried off with a spring in his step.

Allie furrowed her brow. This is very weird. What is Cassandra pulling here? I guess I need to just do my job. Allie pulled up her emails and checked them off one by one, passing the hours slowly figuring she’d get back to the temple soon enough. Lunch time came and Derrick returned. She went through things with Derrick. Softball questions at first, to see if he had at least learned the most basic of things. She was surprised when he had been able to answer every question in the first thirty minutes. He tripped up on a couple terms but he was able to correctly describe what it was he was supposed to be using. She then decided to push into some of the content the program he was asking about would be teaching and found he could give basic and incomplete answers. By the end of lunch Allie had to ask slightly jokingly, “Who are you and what did you do with Derrick?”

Derrick grinned, “Does that mean I passed?”

“Yes. I’ll give my recommendation.”

“Thanks, Allie.” Derrick looked a little down. “You’re the only one here who really puts up with me. I don’t want to be a burden. So really it means a lot to me.”

Allie now felt a little bad realizing how much the man seemed to look up to her. “Well, I’m glad you’re trying to improve. I’m sorry if I’ve seemed hard on you.”

“I just appreciate that you always take the time to explain things calmly and not yell at me for being stupid.”

Allie scowled, “Do others here actually do that here?”

Derrick looked around, making sure no one else was looking their way, and nodded slightly.

Allie asked sternly, “Who?”

“Allie, seriously, I appreciate the concern, but don’t make a fuss about this. I’m hoping it stops being a problem after this course.”

Allie frowned, “Fine, but I expect you to tell me if it continues.”

Derrick stood, taking the signed recommendation from Allie. “Thanks, I’m going to go submit this.”

Allie was really confused. This is so weird. Derrick is improving. It’s apparently after my wedding, I’m pregnant, and judging by the pictures, I've asked Isa to be in a throuple with Mark and me. What is the point of this?

Allie didn’t find out that day as she went through her workday and went home. She was confused as everything seemed quite real. When she got home, she found Mark there waiting for her. She remembered he had recently found a job and was working again. Isa came by for dinner, and the three of them cuddled and watched a movie for a date night.

Allie got up the next day, going to work, figuring maybe she’d have to go through several days if this was the diligence temple as she suspected. She made an effort to stay focused on tasks and not slack off. When it had finally gotten to a whole week in this place, Allie asked Mark and Isa, “Um… I’ve been wondering about something, you two.” Both Mark and Isa turned towards her. “Do you remember being on Harem Hotel?”

Mark glanced to the side, looking embarrassed, while Isa looked confused. Isa asked, “Harem what?” Isa’s tone changed to playful, “Allie, did you have a strange dream? Are Mark and I not enough for you?”

Allie turned to Mark. “You seem to know what I’m talking about.”

Mark replied, “I mean, you know I read erotica; I haven’t really kept that secret. Did you go snooping through my browser history?”

Isa turned to Mark, surprised, “Oh, so you’re the kinky one that wants a harem?”

“Hey, it’s not that weird.”

Allie frowned. They really don’t seem to remember it.

Isa turned towards Allie, “So what do you think? Should we indulge his fantasy sometime and dress up in harem girl outfits just for him?”

Allie bit her lip thinking about that. That does actually sound rather hot. “I mean… I suppose we could…”

Isa did not stop teasing Mark and Allie all night about this before she finally left for the evening.

Monday came again, and Allie went to work. Come the following Saturday, Isa held up harem outfits on hangers and waggled her eyebrows. That night, the two of them wore those outfits for Mark, and they had a threesome. Allie enjoyed it immensely, but it felt tame compared to the sex she had on the show. I hope Mark and Isa won’t be mad I did this with a fake version of themselves.

By the time a month had gone by, Allie was seriously considering that maybe it had been a very vivid dream. Her stomach was growing, and Isa had moved in with Mark and her. By the end of month two, Allie started falling back into her previous habits at work, where she did things in bursts. She had convinced herself it had all been a dream until she noticed one glaring problem with everything ten weeks in. Where the FUCK is Bruno? Isa didn’t bring him with her when she moved in and hasn’t mentioned him once. Allie asked about Bruno that evening and got confused stares from both her partners.

Mark said, “Allie, are you feeling okay? Do we need to take you to the doctor?”

Allie said, “NO. I’m not crazy. Isa has a giant dog named Bruno. Where is he? Something is wrong here.”

Isa said, “Allie, what are you talking about?”

Allie started going over things in her head. “Actually, now that I think about it, a lot of things aren’t making a lot of sense. Isa, since when have you gone by Isa? Isa… I-sa-bell-a that shouldn’t have been so difficult to say if this were normal. You hated people shortening your name. Then there’s Derrick at work. He’s been unusually competent. I haven’t gone to the doctor at all despite being more than ten weeks pregnant.”

As Allie listed all the inconsistencies out loud, she felt her tail and ears again. Isa and Mark both seemed really worried. Mark said, “Allie… sure, Isa didn’t like being called Isa at first, but one night when we were all drunk, I started calling her that by accident and she said I had permission to use it. And you’ve been to the doctor several times since you’ve been pregnant. You’re really worrying me, honey.”

Isa nodded, “Yeah, and I’ve never had a dog as you described.”

Allie’s tail bristled behind her. “Fine, I’ll prove I’m not crazy. Mark, did you ever tell me about your first crush?”

“Not that I recall?”

“Her name is Merida Vougel; she’s a couple of years older than you and lived down the street from you as a kid until she moved away right as she started high school, where you lost touch with her despite calling her every day.”

Mark blinked in surprise and frowned. Isa looked at Mark and asked, “Is that true?”

Mark nodded, “I mean my mom might have told you that.”

Allie growled, “Okay, fine. You’ve been asked out by four guys and one girl besides your ex and me. All four guys kissed you.”

Mark’s eyebrows rose considerably. “I… I never told anyone about those guys kissing me.”

Isa’s eyebrows rose. “Wait, are you bi?”

Mark shook his head, “No, but plenty of people in undergrad thought I at least swung both ways or was just straight up gay. I don’t know of any reasonable way Allie could have learned that info either.”

“The only girl to ask you out was Sadie Harper, but you turned her down because you were dating Vespa at the time.” Allie pressed forward as her figure started to change, with her bust growing.

“The only woman you actually ever asked out yourself was Ki… Fl-o-ra Sparrow.”

Isa asked, “Why did you say her name like that?”

“Because I want to call her Kitty for some reason. Just like I’m calling you Isa, instead of I-sa-bell-a. Damn, that’s hard to call you.”

Mark was growing really confused.

Allie went over to her computer and then looked up each other contestant. “I’m calling in sick tomorrow, and we’re going on a trip.” Allie immediately booked plane tickets. Mark and Isa both seemed really concerned, but with Allie spouting things that Mark was pretty sure she had no way of knowing went along with her request for now. Allie noticed that Mark and Isa didn’t seem to notice her physical changes. It was actually hard for her to even notice them unless she focused on them hard. The next day, they boarded a plane. Several hours later, they stood in front of O’Cleary’s Tavern.

Allie walked up to the bar. I’m so glad Sam told me all about her dad’s wake; this should make things a lot easier. Allie noticed that there was a stool with a black drapery over it, and no one sat there. Allie waited for the man behind the bar to come to them.

Finnigan O’Cleary asked, “What can I get you three?”

“I’d like directions, Finnigan. Or contact details.”

Finnigan frowned. “Lady, I don’t know how you know my name, but maybe you should leave.”

“How are the Irvings doing?” Was her reply.

Finnigan became downright hostile: “Leave. I don’t know what you want, but I’m not letting vultures come around my friend's family.”

Allie wasn’t sure what to do and just blurted out, “Please, it’s important that I speak to Sam. I’m not trying to do anything to upset them about Brian’s death. I promise you I’m her friend.”

Finnigan didn’t believe her. “Leave before I call the cops.”

“Wait, I can prove it!” Finnigan glared, but his attitude relented slightly. “Sam and her father shared a favorite drink, an amaretto sour with three cherries and a slice of lime.”

Mark said, confused, “Sweetheart, that’s my favorite drink.”

Finnigan seemed befuddled. “How did you know that? That’s not common knowledge.”

“I’m her friend!”

Finnigan said, “Have a seat.” Then he made a phone call. Thirty minutes later Brooke and Sam’s mother Sue entered the bar.

Brooke scowled, “Who the fuck are you?”

“Brooke! Perfect, you’ll believe me.”

“How do you know my name?” Brooke replied.

“Something is really wrong, and I’m trying to prove it to these two. As far as you are aware, we never met before, right?”

Brooke nodded. “Hence why I wanted to know who the fuck you are, and what the fuck do you want with Sam?”

“My name is Allie. I know Sam.”

“BULLSHIT! She was my best friend. I would have known who you are if you knew her.”

Allie went pale and stumbled, then sat down. “Knew… are… are you saying she’s dead?” Allie felt like she was going to be sick.

Brooke seemed confused by her reaction. “Yes, she didn’t take Brian’s death well. How did you know her?”

“I don’t think you would believe me, but I can prove it. Is there somewhere private I can talk to Brooke? I don’t think anyone else knows what I’m going to tell you, and I know you wouldn’t tell anyone.”

Finnigan looked at Brooke and Sue, and Brooke nodded. He gestured to a room. “Back there. These two are staying here. I doubt a pregnant woman will give Brooke trouble.” Brooke and Allie walked into the room, and Allie told Brooke about what happened to Sam in her training program. Two minutes later, they walked back out. “She’s not lying. She knew Sam. Exactly three people knew the full story she just told me, and two of them are dead. Maybe someone told her bits, but some parts definitely came from Sam or Brian’s lips.”

“What story?” Sue asked.

“I’m not telling you,” Brooke replied. “Sam didn’t want you to know, and I’m not breaking that promise now. I only know because I was there in the aftermath. If Sam or Brian told her, they trusted her.”

“That’s because I love her. She’s my partner.” Everyone seemed confused by that declaration. Then Allie turned to Mark and Isa, saying, “See, I’m telling you two something is wrong. How could I possibly have that information if I was simply crazy?” That was when Allie noticed a door that was out of place. Allie approached the door and walked through, ignoring the confused people behind her.

---

Talia exclaimed, “About time! How long were you even in there for, subjectively?”

Allie looked around and got her bearings. Talia and Isa were both sitting impatiently on couches, looking just like she remembered them. Allie narrowed her eyes skeptically at Talia and Isa. “Isa, who’s Bruno?”

Isa looked at Allie like she had two heads. “Bruno’s my dog. You know that. Are you okay?”

“And what’s our relationship?” Allie said in a demanding tone.

Isa seemed super concerned now. Talia realized the issue at once, saying. “Isa, answer her questions. She wants to make sure this isn’t also a fake reality. I’m guessing she was in there for quite a while from her perspective, to the point that she might have started to believe it was real.”

Isa nodded, still concerned, “We’re engaged, Allie. Though we’re both with Mark er… Mary as a throuple.”

“How many kids are we having?”

“Four, you have three, and I have one, that we are currently pregnant with,” Isa replied instantly.

Allie breathed out a sigh of relief. “Okay, I’m back. To answer your question, Talia, something like ten or eleven weeks.”

Talia let out a low whistle. “Damn, that must be rough.”

“How long were you two in for?” Allie asked.

“Like two hours, subjectively,” Talia replied.

Allie’s eyes opened wide. Isa said, “It took me two days.”

“How?” Allie questioned.

Talia replied, “Well, for me it was easy. I was plopped in my original timeline and body or something close to it. My intelligence seemed to be lowered, too, but my memories of the show and my alternate life didn’t vanish. I just proved that teleportation worked, at which point a door appeared for me to walk through. I’m guessing that once I did something that broke plausibility, I was offered an exit.”

Isa replied, “I got dropped off right before I came on the show. Javier is what ended up being my tip-off. That man is flamboyantly gay. At first, I thought I was supposed to just put in the effort and would have to diligently learn the new show. When Javier asked me out on a date, is when I knew something was wrong. There was absolutely no way in hell Javier would ever do that. After that I kept looking for the flaws and eventually a door appeared for me too.”

Allie’s ears went flat as she was disappointed, “I guess Derrick was supposed to be my tip-off. He was actually competent. Which I thought was odd, but I was dropped off after Mark, and I got married, and we were already dating Isa, and I was pregnant. So I figured maybe he actually did learn something over several months. I wonder how real that was.”

Talia replied, “I’m pretty sure that is what would have happened if we were never brought here. Except for a few key things being wrong.”

Isa asked, “What tipped you off, Allie?”

“Bruno. When you moved in with Mark and me. I realized one day he wasn’t there. You didn’t know who he was either.”

“I would never forget my baby!” Isa exclaimed.

“I know, it’s what pulled me out. I was really starting to think I imagined all this, but how was that about diligence?”

Talia explained, “You were supposed to work at disproving the lie.” Allie still seemed confused. “I guess it might have been easier for me because I know the Christian meaning of it. So you believed everything there was fake at first, that it was all a trial, right?” Allie nodded. “Diligence is putting work into your faith. You have to do more than have faith; you have to take action.”

“Well, that’s stupid not to explain it like that ahead of time. I thought I needed to diligently do my job.” Allie complained.

A chime rang out, and a board with their subjective times appeared next to the only door in the room. Between Isa’s and Allie’s time was another one listed as time to beat. It read, “One Week.” Allie’s shoulders slumped.

ASTRID spoke throughout the room. “~Welcome back to reality!~ Alas, it seems like one of you isn’t very diligent. Those who have passed may proceed to the next room. For the one who failed, you have two choices. You may either proceed, while taking a steep penalty, or abandon the trial and halve the penalty.”

Allie looked at Isa and Talia. Allie asked, “What do you two think?”

Talia frowned, “This was listed as a high-risk objective. Which we’re pretty sure is means it’s for four people. I’m not sure we can afford to lose you.”

Isa replied, “Up to you, love.”

Allie sighed, “I’ll proceed to the next room.” She said out loud to the room.

ASTRID spoke again, “Very well, penalty being calculated… Calculating… Calculating… Penalty being applied.”

Allie felt fidgety immediately and brushed some fur off Isa’s shoulder. Then she straightened up the couch cushions. Then her eyes darted around for anything else to tidy up.

Isa asked, “Allie, what are you doing?”

Allie turned towards Isa, fidgeting in place as she couldn’t find anything productive to do. “I’m not sure; I just feel like I need to be doing something.”

Talia asked the temple, “Any chance we can know the specifics of this penalty?”

Allie’s phone chimed. Allie immediately pulled it out and saw the notification.

Busy Bee: Allie can no longer remain physically still for long except when sleeping; if she lacks something productive to do, her body forces her into pacing or aimless cleaning. (Duration Remaining: 100 Orgasms given in combination to Isabella, or Talia.)

As soon as she stopped reading the transformation, she started pacing while handing the phone off to Isa. Isa and Talia read over the transformation as well, and Talia whistled when she saw the duration. “Holy mother of Laura.” Talia felt someone glaring at the back of her neck despite no one being behind her. Talia whispered out, “Sorry.” The feeling went away.

Isa replied, “We’ll figure something out, Allie.”

“A hundred! Isa, that’s crazy. That’s going to take forever. That might as well be the rest of the show.”

Talia frowned, “How dry is your sex life?”

Allie stopped pacing to glare at Talia, then she resumed without answering Talia.

Talia said, “I was being serious? I mean that should take a round at most.”

Allie glared at Talia. “How the hell do you even get close to that?”

“I mean… I haven’t gotten nearly as many orgasms as I usually do since I was with Mary the past two nights, but… Laura and I… well, let’s just say Laura is rather insatiable at times.”

Allie rolled her eyes, “Well, I’m not a literal sex goddess.”

Talia rolled her eyes back at Allie, “Just buy something from the store. Honestly, I’m pretty sure I could get to at least fifty today if I really tried and Isa allowed me to, without any help from the store. Isa might not be walking for a whole day, but I’m confident I could do it.”

Isa stepped away from Talia and looked at her nervously.

Talia frowned at Isa. “I did say ‘And if you allowed me to’. I already told you, Isa, I’m not touching you like that without your explicit permission, and even then only if it is for the challenge.”

“How?” Allie stopped and focused on Talia, as apparently figuring out how to give lots of orgasms counted as being productive.

“I’d put a time bubble around her head and one around her crotch while eating her out. She’d get fifteen minutes of pleasure in about one second. It made Laura cum pretty much instantly.” Talia looked Isa up and down. “I’d say she’d probably pass out after five of them, assuming she doesn’t get multiple orgasms from that single burst of pleasure. I could either give her some recovery time, have Brooke hit her, or just keep going. Even if I choose the first one, she should recover fast enough that I could get in ten sessions. That also assumes that I don’t time bubble her for the recovery.”

“Well, I’m not a time witch either,” Allie complained heatedly.

“You could always ask for help,” Talia said in a tone indicating that she thought Allie was being an idiot.

Isa stepped between the two of them as Allie angrily took a step towards Talia. Isa put her arms out to keep them apart, but mostly Allie. “Allie, stop it. She’s trying to help. How about you come to the suite tonight with me? Mary might have some ideas to make this faster. I know what you said earlier, but this is important too.”

Allie shook her head, “No… I have things I need to talk with Sam about. Let’s just get going; I feel really antsy just standing around.” Allie swiftly walked through the door to the next room. Once again, disappearing from sight, causing Talia and Isa to hurry after her.

---

Talia and Isa found Allie in a room staring at a corkboard with lots of papers pinned to it.

Isa said, “Allie, please stop running off. What if there had been enemies here?”

Allie replied, “I would have waited before entering the room if I thought it looked dangerous. Look around; there are couches and a bed with a chest of I’m assuming toys next to it, considering this board and what we are supposed to do here.”

Talia asked, “What are we supposed to do here exactly?”

Allie replied, “We’re to complete as many tasks on the board as possible, but, and the instructions emphasize this, we have to fully complete them without fault by doing our due diligence, or it doesn’t count.”

Isa asked, “What do you mean?”

Allie took one paper off the wall. “Take this one, for example. Lick every inch of another contestant below the neck. I can already tell you we’re not doing this one.” Allie put the paper back.

Isa said, “Why not? I mean, it’s weird, but I wouldn’t mind licking you all over.”

Talia replied, “You weren’t listening, Isa. Every inch.”

Allie clarified as Isa still wasn’t getting it, “Are you saying you’d be fine licking my butthole and feet?”

Isa scrunched her face up in disgust, “GROSS! NO!”

Allie nodded her head, “As I said, we’re not doing that one.”

Talia asked, “What did you mean by complete as many as we can?”

Allie tilted her head towards the exit door. “See the display above the door? It will have a timer that counts down. Every time we complete a task, the timer resets. It starts when we begin the first task. If it hits zero, we go to the next room. I’m guessing that the next room’s difficulty will depend on our success here.”

Talia nodded, “Makes sense. Let’s decide what we are each doing before we start anything, so we don’t waste time between tasks choosing.” Talia pulled her sunglasses out again and looked at Allie.

Allie scowled, “Hey! Take those off! That’s an invasion of privacy.”

Talia replied, “No. They are meant to be used. Besides, this will make things faster.” Talia examined the board and took all the papers down and pinned them back on the board into five groupings. “The column on the right contains all the ones I don’t think any of us will be willing to do.” It contained three sheets of paper. Allie and Isa examined the options and nodded their heads in agreement. “Starting from the left, the columns are for Allie, Isa, and me. With the ones I thought most likely to be fine with you at the top and least likely at the bottom. The fourth column contains options that require two people and I wasn’t certain if you two were both actually okay with them. Mostly because I assume you won’t do any of the duo options with me since all of these are sexual.”

Allie frowned, “Is that why our columns are longer?”

Talia nodded, “Mostly. I’m down for most of the options that require two people, but not sure if you two are. Check the stuff over and let me know if you see any issues.”

Allie and Isa looked over their options and the fourth column carefully. Talia had been essentially right. They at least didn’t have strong objections to anything in their column, and either Allie or Isa really didn’t want to do the ones in the fourth column.

Allie started counting, but Talia saved her time by saying, “There are thirty. I’m guessing the next room is statues, and for every two we complete here, one deactivates. Meaning if we aren’t doing any in the fourth and fifth columns, we have at least three statues still active in the next room.”

Allie grimaced at that, “And that assumes we complete everything else. Talia, could you reorganize them by likely speed?”

Talia complied, and a few minutes later, they were sorted fastest to slowest, from top to bottom.

Allie said, “I’ll start unless someone objects.” The other two didn’t. Allie took down her first task from the bottom of her column: “If time starts running low, Talia, do your shortest task.” Talia nodded, clearly already planning to do just that.

Talia smirked as she was also planning to cheat.

---

From her viewing room, Cassandra was glaring at Smug. Cassandra said through gritted teeth. “You put a timed thing when you knew Talia was fairly likely to be there and trivialize it, didn’t you?”

Smug shrugged, “Are you saying that I should have specifically designed a dungeon to nullify the strengths of one particular contestant’s class? Not her transformations but her class? Especially when I used timers in the dungeons for the other team. I don’t see why the timer here isn’t simply a case of the right person for the right situation. I didn’t see you change anything to simply not be pink. Did we make the choice to make some things pink before Aubrey got that TF? Mostly, but you could have altered at least some of those things after knowing she’d trivialize them.”

“I’ve just noticed that the temples are seemingly lining up rather well for Team Fairy Castle.”

Smug looked absolutely shocked. She put a hand on her chest. “Are you accusing me of playing favorites? Please, Cassandra, you know I have integrity in my dungeon design. I would never do that.”

“Yes, I’m sure. Which is why suddenly all the donations have suddenly had to do with getting a certain dragon more plushies, instead of their original purpose.” Cassandra’s sarcastic tone couldn’t have been more overdone if she tried.

Smug huffed, “Their original purpose was stupid. I’ve already told you nobody wants to play that card game anymore. Why would you want to sully your record by contributing an expansion to it, let alone one based on your final season?”

“Hey! HHTCG is an awesome game!” Cassandra countered.

Smug said, “Uh huh… Oh, oops, the camera caught focus on us again here; let me fix that.”

---

Isa was laughing hysterically as Allie tickled her with a light feather. Allie was currently teasing one of her nipples, smirking as she looked at the timer that had barely decreased from the ten minutes she was supposed to have for this task. The first task had been simple, if frustrating. Ride a Symbian for five minutes straight and not climax. Allie had done it but hated it as it left her wanting.

For the second task, Allie and Isa needed to make each other climax at the same time, with a margin of error of one second. Talia had trivialized that, as they most certainly came within a second from her perspective. They were on their third task, and Talia had started on one of her longer tasks. Allie needed to bring Isa to orgasm, only touching her with a feather. She had been teasing her for quite some time already and thought she was close.

“Mercy! Please MERCY!” Isa exclaimed while laughing. “I don’t… HAHAHA… think I can… HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA take any more of this… HAHAHAHAHA.” Isa had tears in her eyes.

Allie moved lower and lower with the feather, finally stopping at Isa’s clit as she tickled it. Allie smiled, “No. I think not love.” Isa had been cuffed to the bed so she wouldn’t hit Allie by accident. Several more minutes of vicious tickling, and Isa came.

While Allie was busy torturing Isa with a feather, Talia was busy cheating the system even more. There was a butt plug that she was supposed to keep in for fifteen minutes, and it vibrated. Talia wasn’t thrilled about shoving it up her butt, but decided it wouldn’t really be that bad. She had shoved it up her butt and then dilated the time of her butthole so that what was fifteen minutes of real time was one second to her butthole, which cut off the sensation of her butthole as well. She then did the same thing for a set of nipple clamps.

Talia scoffed. Honestly, this is too easy. I wonder if they really didn’t think about this or were just okay with me trivializing this challenge. Talia saw Allie wave at her really fast inside the bubble and ended it.

As she walked to the board, Allie said, “Okay, what’s next?” Allie paused for a second to stare at Talia. “Don’t those hurt? And is that a tail?”

“Not really, and sort of? It’s a buttplug.”

Allie blinked. “Isn’t that really uncomfortable?”

“Again, not really. I can’t feel the clamps or my butthole right now. They’re in small time bubbles of their own.”

Allie just shook her head. “This really feels like cheating.”

Talia shrugged, “Don’t care.”

Allie took down the next paper. “Hmm, this one seems like it will be tricky to do.”

Talia looked at which one she was talking about. “Eh, it wouldn’t be if you did it to me.”

Allie frowned, “We’ve been over this; Isa and I aren’t really interested in doing stuff with you.”

“Yes, but is it really that weird if you make me cum? You’d even get VP for it.” Talia countered.

“How is it easier to brush your hair until it is completely straight after applying an erogenous hair potion to your hair than it would be to do Isa’s?” Allie retorted.

“Allie, I have anime hair. If it looks straight, it is completely straight. That’s how straight hair works for me. Whereas if it looks straight for Isa, and one single hair isn’t straight, then it doesn’t count. The only reason that one wasn’t in my column is because someone else has to do the brushing. Also have you considered it might include making sure the hair of your wolf tail is included in that?”

“You just want us to make you cum don’t you?” Allie retorted.

“I’ll admit having one or more wolf-girls brushing my hair straight until I climax sounds super hot, but really it would be easier if you just brushed my hair.”

Isa sat up on the bed panting, gasping between each word as she said, “I think we should just do it Allie.” Isa was clearly tired. “I need a break. I’m also not fit to brush your hair at the moment either. Plus she’s right it’s a chance for victory points without actually doing anything I’m uncomfortable with either of us doing with her.” Isa flopped back on the bed still panting, as she fiddled with the cuffs on her wrists. They weren’t attached to anything anymore but they were still on her wrists as she knew she might need to be restrained again.

Talia beamed at Allie, “So come over here and pour that potion on my hair and brush it,” Allie sighed and made her way over to Talia taking a seat behind her, and poured the potion onto her scalp. She ran her fingers through Talia’s hair to make sure the potion had coated it first and the slowly started brushing it. Talia let out low slow moans of pleasure each time Allie ran the brush through her hair. Allie found it odd, the brush never tangled or caught on something as she brushed. It simply flowed through Talia’s hair like it was made of water. Right as she got confirmation that she had completed the task Talia came, collapsing into a mess in her seat.

+2 VP Cause Talia to Orgasm (Allie & Isabella)

Allie gave her a few moments to recover taking another task down from the board. She sighed, “I’m not against doing these tasks. I’m just not sure if I can for some of them. Like this one, make some one orgasm with only your voice. How am I supposed to do that?”

Talia put herself in a time bubble to recover and then stood up, and with a purr whispered into Allie’s ear, “I could do that to you, if you’d like.”

Allie pushed Talia away from her. “No.”

Talia shrugged and threw a time bubble over Isa letting her recover swiftly. Isa sat up, “Were you two arguing?”

Allie replied, “No. Talia is just trying to get us to agree to let her do stuff to us.”

Isa frowned, “Talia, You’re nice and all but I’m just not comfortable with you touching me like that.”

Talia smirked, “Who said anything about touching? The task I was asking about was just using my voice to make you cum.”

Isa rolled her eyes, “That one’s not possible. I don’t just mean by you I mean period. Allie pick a different one please.”

Allie put it back and grabbed the next one. While Talia said, “Wanna make that a bet? Because I can absolutely do it.”

Isa looked at Allie, “What do you think?”

“That she probably can, if she says she can.”

Isa replied, “You really think she can?” Allie nodded. Isa said, “I’d actually like to see that.” Allie scrunched up her brow. Isa let out an amused snort, “What? Why not give her a chance to earn some VP like we just did? She needs it a lot more. Plus I still don’t think she can. What are the stakes Talia?”

Talia considered for a moment. “I want an hour long session where I can pet and brush you as much as I want, but not your genitals. That’s an hour long session each.”

Allie frowned, “Seriously? You’re really going to bet on this?”

Isa shrugged, “Why not have some fun Allie?”

Allie sighed, “Fine, but when we win I get to decide what you are wearing on your next date night with Mary.”

Talia said, “Deal.”

Isa complained, “Don’t I get something?”

Allie replied, “No.”

Talia chuckled, “Don’t listen to her, I’d be happy to offer you something too, think on it while I work my magic.”

Talia gestured to a comfy seat in the room. “Please have a seat.” Allie scowled as she walked over and sat down.

Talia added a purr to her voice. “Now close your eyes for me.” Allie gave her some side eye but complied. “Mrs. Garret, I want you to imagine the future.” Allie was surprised at just how much simply being called Mrs. Garret turned her on. As she imagined the future, she imagined the family she’d have with Mark and Isa. Their, at least, four children together. Talia’s voice seemed to grow softer and more inviting as she spoke. “Imagine how your life as Mrs. Garret, wife and mother of Mary’s children, will be.”

She had idly thought about this before, but for some reason at this moment, Talia was getting her riled up.

Talia continued, “Imagine how you’ll stand at the altar again as Isa, stands there in white, and joins you as Mrs. Garret. How you’re model of what a great wife should be. How you’ll slowly but surely make each one of us, Mrs. Garret. How you’ll get me to the altar in a long flowing black dress. How Mary will stand across from me in white as we say ‘I do.’ Of course, to my colleagues I’ll be Dr. Garret, but Mrs. Garret is who’ll come home every night.”

Allie couldn’t help herself as her hand slipped into her panties, but Talia gently pulled her hand out. Talia continued, “Tell me, Mrs. Garret, would that make you happy to share that title with all of us? That we all come to love him as much as you do?”

A weak throaty, “Yes,” escaped Allie’s lips.

Talia purred sweetly. “I’d love to help you make that happen. I just need one little thing from you. One little thing and I’d happily help you ensure rings find their way to every one of our fingers.’

Allie couldn’t think straight. “What?” The plea in her voice was evident.

Talia leaned in real close, whispering, “Cum for me.”

Allie came, and her body tightened as pleasure flowed through every inch of her. Allie enjoyed the afterglow for quite a while. When she came back from her revelry, Isa was saying, “How did you do that? Seriously? It isn’t like Allie, and I haven’t talked about stuff like that before. While she might have gotten a bit turned on in those cases, she never got like this.”

Allie realized that Talia put her in a time bubble so she could enjoy the afterglow without time constraints. Allie sat up straight and said, “I would like to know that too, actually.”

Talia replied, “It was a form of weak hypnosis.”

Allie and Isa scowled at Talia, who then quickly explained, “It isn’t like what Merida can do at all. The human brain is actually surprisingly easy to manipulate into giving itself what it already wants or reinforcing a belief it already holds. Merida’s abilities come much closer to mind control, but they aren’t. If deep down you really don’t want to do something, she can’t get you to with her abilities. Now we have quite a few more of these tasks to get through, so let's focus.”

Allie and Isa relaxed a little bit and nodded, sighing at the number left to complete.

---

It was several subjective hours later before the three finished all the tasks, but the three that none of them wanted to do. There had been quite a few orgasms, with Isa being the one to climax the most, pleasing Allie greatly, as her counter for being productive was already down to 89.

Allie was currently licking off milk chocolate from her fiancée's skin. The task had been to coat someone’s chest in milk chocolate and then lick all of it off. All while your hands were tied behind your back. Isa had lost the coin toss to decide who would be the chocolate and who would be the licker. Allie was regretting that she ended up the licker at this point, though. As she licked that last bit off, Isa and they got confirmation that the task was done. Allie rolled to the side and groaned while holding her stomach. “I feel sick.”

Isa laughed, “That’s just like you having too much chocolate on Halloween and making yourself sick.”

Allie groaned in pain, “This is worse than that.”

Talia frowned, clearly considering something. “Oh… that’s not good.”

Isa asked, “What’s not good?”

Talia hesitantly said, “Well… you’re both canines now. What would happen if you gave Bruno that much chocolate?”

Isa’s eyes went wide. “Wait, we can’t have chocolate anymore? Wait... I’ve had chocolate since coming here. I’m sure of it. It didn’t make me sick.”

Talia shrugged, “Just a thought, I don’t know for sure. Honestly, I’d doubt that Cassandra would make any of the transformations have lasting negative consequences without them being spelled out in the transformation. It might just be that you’ll just get sicker from eating less chocolate than before.” Talia time bubbled Allie, and she rolled around inside the bubble in pain for a good five minutes from the outside. As the bubble popped, Allie was lying in the fetal position.

Talia said, “Sorry, Allie, nothing we could really do. Are you good to go, or would you like some more time to recover?”

Allie uncurled herself and stood a little wobbly. “I should be good in another minute. Most of the pain is gone. Plus, if we’re right, the next room should be easy.”

Talia nodded her agreement.

Allie then said, “Just remember our agreement. What happened between us here…”

Talia held up a hand to quiet her, “As the high priestess of Laura, the bed chamber is sacred, as is pillow talk. Just realize that Her purview covers all that is erotic. If She were determined She could learn of the events here and there would be nothing I could do to stop that. I won’t be going into the juicy details with just anyone, though.”

“You mean you won’t be going into them with anyone at all.” Allie corrected.

Talia replied, “I said what I said.”

Allie groaned. “You’re going to discuss this with Mary, aren’t you?”

Talia replied, “Would you prefer that my desire to do all the things I did to both of you here grow larger? Because I would absolutely love to be wicked and do them again.”

Allie replied, going slightly pink, “No.”

“Then I need to tell Mary. I have to confess to her about it.” Talia countered. “But as I said, I’m not just going to go blathering about what happened. Honestly, I bet Cassandra is rather annoyed with me right now, and you are welcome for that.”

Allie and Isa both looked at Talia, confused.

Talia explained, “Well, I’m sure she wasn’t happy that we trivialized the time component of this trial. Then there was the fact that with so many layered temporal distortions, I’m willing to bet she had to cut the feed even to the live audience.”

Allie said, “Wait, are you saying that you think the audience doesn’t even know what happened here?”

Talia nodded, “At least after somewhere between a half dozen and a dozen tasks. Maybe the tail end where you were licking chocolate as well.”

“Then we are definitely keeping our mouths shut for as long as possible, do I make myself clear?” Allie said sternly.

Talia nodded, “I can wait until next round to confess, since I already told you two about my desires. Heck, I might just be able to tell Laura and Sam keeping the secret longer if it really means that much to you.”

Isa replied, “Thank you, Talia. And I’ll say that was a very interesting experience, and my opinion of you has dramatically changed. Mostly for the better.”

“Mostly?” Talia questioned.

“Mostly,” Isa replied firmly. “I don’t consider thinking of you as more of a horny little gremlin than before as for the better.” (Even if you are a one hot little gremlin)

Talia laughed, appreciating the compliment.

Isa said, “That wasn’t a compliment.” (Even if I’d like to compliment her for her stellar performance.)

Talia laughed even more. “You do remember I can read your body, too. It’s far more honest than you are. You should try listening to what it is you really want sometimes.”

Isa frowned as Talia started to guide her and Allie through the door to the next room.

As they had expected, this room contained statues of everyone. Only two were standing in the middle of the room, with the rest off to the side on plinths. Talia said, “Well, shit. While this could have been worse, this is still not great for us.” She was looking at Brooke’s and Laura's statues.

Allie asked, “Why? Shouldn’t this be simple?”

Talia sighed, “Maybe if we had better ranged attacks. I’m the only one with one, and while I guess it can get the job done, it will take hours, most likely.”

Allie shook her head, “No, just keep Brooke on lockdown. Isa and I can take care of Laura as long as you aid us from time to time.”

Talia said, “Alright. Not like we have a choice. I’ll follow your lead.”

The battle was over surprisingly quickly. Talia put both statues in time bubbles, but as she had previously explained, for melee attacks to land properly, the bubbles had to pop first. That still allowed for Allie and Isa to land a set of initial attacks while the statue was essentially unprepared. The two seemed to move in unison, and instead of going for the most damaging blow possible, they disarmed Laura of her staff. Allie threw the stone staff as hard as she could down the hallway they entered from. From that point, the Laura statue had to fight them hand to hand, which did not go well for it, as with Allie’s berserker class she could match the statue’s strength while raging, and unlike the statue she had sharp, magically enhanced claws to do significant damage with.

Once Laura’s statue had been reduced to pebbles, Brooke’s fell even faster, from the same tactic. At the end of the battle, Talia asked, “You two seemed to have oddly coordinated movements. Any idea why?”

The two looked at each other, then back to Talia. Isa just said, “Well… we’re a pack. That’s what packs do.”

“Ah,” Talia replied as if that was a perfectly reasonable explanation. “Well, if the pattern holds, who’s ready for hours of shoving mana into orbs?” Talia said with a sarcastic smile on her face. Allie and Isa both just groaned as they walked into the orb room.