Wait, Where Is Hailey?

"Hailey," the demon spoke to Hailey from a television screen inside of a smashed up storefront, "You're displaced, and I apologize profusely for that. I cannot tell you where you were taken first, but I can help you get back to Felix and the bunker."

Hailey knew that voice, and that face, far better than she wanted to. It made her race to the storefront, angrier than she had been at almost any other point in her life. She remembered falling asleep in the bunker next to Felix, and then waking up in a city a city smashed to bits. The only thing she had from the bunker were the goggles the demon had given her after her latest transformation, and which had come in handy many times to spot certain threats before they found her. So dangerous was the place she been dumped into that it hadn't taken long for her to learn to hide in the husks of burnt out cars when she slept, and to sneak around the streets in the day, as the place had a ferocious threat. From what she had seen of them, her new looked like humans mutated into mindlessly aggressive zombies with superhuman strength. She had seen them burst through walls upon hearing what could've been food, and to move fast enough that only her enhanced reflexes let her keep pace.

"I could bring you back faster, but I wanted you to learn an important lesson," The demon continued. "There are things far worse in the multiverse than Harem Hotel. Things that you can actually do something about, if you set your mind and enhanced body to it. This world for instance was destroyed by a man called the Architect, in this case from his plagues. In case you doubt me, just dig around, you'll find plenty of evidence. He isn't exactly the subtle type when it comes to his conquests, or his mistakes."

Hailey approached the storefront with a wary, but determined look in her eyes. This demon's latest stunt, as she was sure the reason she was in this world was this infernal being's shenanigans, had truly sent her to hell. Had she not been doing enough? It wasn't like she hated Felix, heck she even fucked the guy and enjoyed it, what more did this accursed being want from her?

"I'm sure you loath me quite deeply right now," The demon's voice and grin became taunting to Hailey. "But believe it or not, your original disappearance was because of a clerical error, and one I had nothing to do with. Still, you can hate me all you want, as I did kidnap you, and you have a lot of sparring partners to work out all that frustration on. You just need guns."

In a pause that felt calculated, the demon held a smile for several seconds before wrapping up. "In a nearby burnt out SUV, you'll find a large frame magnum revolver and plenty of ammunition for it. It was bought by an idiot who couldn't handle its recoil, but I think you'll find it to your liking. After that, find the remnants of a refugee column to get harder hitting stuff and more information. You cannot save this world Hailey but you can avenge it. Don't disappoint me."

Afterwards the message just played on loop, like it was an ad. And it was an ad for Hailey, one meant to make her submit to her darker self. Still, the demon had a point, as in this specific world, she did have a lot of things to work out her energy on. She was done being the victim to make others guilty, or that they felt obligated to protect. The SUV referenced was easy to find, as was the ripped apart body inside of it, still clutching a S&W 629. It was the type of gun far too many men trying to prove their masculinity purchased who quickly realized how unusable it was. However, Hailey could appreciate its qualities in her current situation, given the kind of creatures she had to fight here.

"You're right, I despise you," Hailey said, knowing the demon wouldn't hear. "But I appreciate your advice. I appreciate it so much that I'm going to grab all the guns I can, so that when I get back, I'll have one that can kill you."

Hailey then shot the screen, and ran off into the depths of the city in search of more guns, and answers about a man called The Architect...

Vizrokoth was frustrated that Hailey would be missing until Wednesday, but she had realized she could take advantage of time shenanigans to mold the contestant into a new role. After all, her original role had been made superfluous by the other contestants adapting to their new sex and gender with rapid speed. By contrast, Hailey was still stuck with a tomboy transformation that had been rendered mostly irrelevant, and her latest transformation hadn't done enough, yet, to give her a clear role in the harem. That could change if she embarked on the kind of journey the demon had in mind for her. One that would make her appreciate how, in the scheme of things, insignificant Harem Hotel's crimes were...

The demon stopped her train thought once she noticed Noah was looking for her. The slime girl once again shaped herself into letters, something that was far more successful than last time. Vizrokoth teleported to where she was, and then waited patiently for the contestant to ask her questions.

"Hey, umm, V... sorry, any updates on Hailey?" Noah asked. "I know you aren't the current host, but Paisley isn't talking about it, and seems too busy to provide any satisfying answers."

"Oh Noah," Vizrokoth said. "Tell you what, I'll see if I can't get Paisley to give everyone an update on it. Well, except Felix, he has a very personal assignment from me you need to avoid interfering with."

"Oh... well, I guess I'll go back to watching TV," Noah said while oozing off, clearly distraught. " I just..."

"I know you care about her Noah," Vizrokoth said. "How about in the meantime you catch up on the successor season to Sapphic Seaside Edition? It will be far happier, and include, bits of anyway, a wonderful date between Cammy and Felix."

"Bits?" Noah asked. "Is the rest of the date censored or something?"

"Requires a version of the show we don't have access to, or most other people," Vizrokoth continued. "Cammy wanted an intimate moment with Felix most don't get to see, and that's how I gave it to her."

Satisfied with the provided answer, Noah oozed off to the library, leaving the demon alone with her thoughts once again. Bringing up Kiss the Girl, Save the World made Vizrokoth remember that she had gotten mail from it. Time shennigans meant most of her cast hadn't even watched the show yet, much less had time to send their fanmail, and therefore have the response to it make any sense. They hadn't even all gotten caught up on their last batch of fanmail, much less the upcoming one. But she herself didn't have those limitations, and Tyalangan's response gave her a lot to think about. So she teleported back to her office to help think on it.

Vizrokoth,

As I offered during the verbal version of this, thank you for allowing me to help young Felix. I hope he and his are doing well in the bunker. Our respective primary wards both have some growing up to do. I am glad that you have recognized that. Too many Hosts on your revenge theme are perfectly happy to let their Master degenerate into a sociopathic monster.

Concerning Craig, outside of his first date (and the anti-slur rule I instituted), he technically hasn’t broken any rules. As much as I abhor his rancid little thoughts, there are no rules against them and the producers will not let me add such a rule to the game. I think the realities of the challenge scoring rules will be punishing without having to violate his rat-like scurrying.

Still, your suggestion of a proper dyad is noted and one worth considering, should he survive to the second transformation vote. Not a memory dump like what my sister received (if you were worried, my sister will not be erased, just like neither I nor Daphne was), a proper second personality. I am loathe to use such a thing, considering my taste of it when I was on the other side of the Host’s chair was so traumatic. Granted, it was very effective; I might have resisted some of the changes thrust upon me if I didn’t have that voice constantly screaming in my head. I will note that it feels like it worked with Cammy, but not so much with Jamina or Nox. Perhaps the nature of the overpowering personality is important? Or perhaps the original in the Cammy dyad was much more sensible of what needed to be done to keep them in the game?

Regardless, I will take your suggestion into account.

Finally, I appreciate your positive estimation of my efforts. Juggling this show with my other duties is a greater strain than I try to let on. Give Felix and his my well-wishes. Should they need another break from the bunker, let me know.

Regards,

Tyalangan

A Humble Host

Harem Hotel: Woo the Girl, Save the World

The bits of the letter about Craig were frustrating, but understandable. She still suspected the man was headed straight to elimination, but from what she had seen of the later transformation round, he had at least been given the option of a dyad. Vizrokoth had at least one contestant who would've eliminated themselves multiple times if it wasn't for her dyad. That said contestant was now a traumatized goblin under the thumb of an abusive oni was worth it to avoid the fate of John Booker. Someone that stubborn needed another personality to bully them into shape, and in Nox's case, literally beat their pride out of them until they could accept their new position.

Indeed, Vizrokoth had chosen to use dyads because they were an effective teaching tool, and solved a conundrum she lacked a solution to: How to add a new set of memories to a contestant without obliterating their original personality. It was a tricky combination, but all of them had at least been a qualified success so far. Cammy was the most clear cut success, although that required the original personality to be overwhelmed by guilt. Jamina Lightbringer meanwhile had learned about her failures, but the cost of it was to the point that she had abandoned her identity as Winters a little too easily. However, she hadn't suffered personality death, and had learned lessons from Kei Winters that were important if Jamina was to ever makeup with Felix.

The rest of the letter caused Vizrokoth to respond, knowing it was quite possibly Tylangan would hear it. "I appreciate what you said about Felix. I often fall back into bad habits when it comes to punishment, but it has taught me a lot about how to improve someone like him. And for that matter, what it does to get someone whose a bit too full of themselves to appreciate the needs others have."

The demon paused, carefully thinking through her words before continuing. "Often your job as host, and really as a superior, is to protect someone from themselves. I think you know that quite well with the mistress, so keep in mind it also applies to contestants."

Vizrokoth then opened another letter, one she had been meaning to get to but hadn't had the opportunity to read yet.

Vizkoroth,

Your question deserves an honest answer rather than the version that makes me look more deliberate than I was.

With Andy's cast, the selection did most of the work. Every woman I chose carried damage that pointed, however indirectly, toward him. Not damage that made them hate him — damage that made them recognize something in him, even when they didn't want to. Recognition is not affection, and in the early rounds it looks identical to hostility. But it is something a Host can work with. Pure contempt is not. The difference in your cast is that some of your contestants started from contempt, and that is a harder problem, because there is nothing underneath it to cultivate.

On Hecate — I was less hands off then, and the results were uglier. When contestants disliked a Master I had chosen, my instinct was to correct the contestants rather than examine the selection. That instinct was wrong. You cannot intervene your way out of a misaligned cast. You can only manage the damage.

What I would suggest: find the contestants closest to recognition rather than contempt or immaturity, and give them room. Not help. Room. A conversation that runs slightly longer than it should. A challenge that puts them and Felix in proximity without pressure. Harems are systems, not collections of individuals. They respond to movement within them. If they move toward him, even slightly, the others will notice.

Felix also needs one unambiguous win that he earns himself. Not a setup. Something that happens because he made a correct decision. Until he has that, the contestants who respect competence will not move. You cannot give him that win, but you can stop inadvertently preventing it. Give him agency. If he is to assert himself on the harem, give him the ability to do so. It's hard to assert yourself when you are pantsless and the women in your harem get to decide if you ever wear underwear again.

You are not as hands off as you present yourself, and I think you know that. The structure you built gives the contestants power over the Master, which means you intervened at the design level rather than the execution level. That is not wrong. But it means the question was never whether to intervene. It was where. You have already answered that for yourself. You are asking me to confirm it.

I am confirming it.

Arabella

It was an older letter, and Vizrokoth had already acted on much of it. Cammy had gotten much, much closer to Felix, as had Noah. Even Hailey, before a filing error left her stuck in other dimensions, had begun to fall for him. Castelilise had found her place in the harem as the one who used sex to glue it together, and someone who didn't demand anything of Felix that was emotionally difficult. Only Jamina, Nox, and Janessa remained on the outskirts, with the elf having already taken her first steps to build a new life with Felix. And of course, she had allowed Felix to obtain power. It wasn't limitless, but his new abilities in the context of onomancy would give him some power vis via his harem that he previously lacked.

However, the letter still caused Vizrokoth to reflect. The demon had escaped hell three times. It was a fact, but not one the demon cared to brag about. Each time, she had been reborn, yet each time she had failed to get a change that would let her escape hell permanently. Would this time be any different? Or were these escapes just be brief dalliances with the outside world before she was, inevitably, dragged back to her true role? That she kept falling back into her old habits with punishment and teaching lessons suggested she still had much to learn. Would her inability to learn from her past mistakes doom her to be dragged back home again? Only time would tell...

Hailey had taken a long, arduous journey through a city full of superhuman zombies. She had pulled off trick shots, like shooting between the eyes, or shooting a bullet through the neck of one zombie, and blasting another zombie in the head with the same bullet. She eventually burned through most the shots for her initial magnum, but found an assortment of other guns with more ammunition to slaughter the undead with instead. Hailey had kept the magnum, but she knew at some point, even with her video game like inventory, she'd have to ditch it.

It was in that context she found herself walking along a highway with yet more destroyed cars, or vehicles wedged between too many others to get going anywhere. While she searching in one of the cards, she found a red envelope with her name on it in gold letters. She knew it had to be from the demon, but Hailey grudgingly grabbed it, given how helpful the demon had been last time.

Hailey,

Thank you for writing. And for being so honest — I know that must have meant going back through things you probably don't love revisiting, for someone you've never met. That's kind. Really.

The elimination warning... thank you. We're close to the end now and I think we're okay, but I don't take that for granted. Not after hearing what some other seasons look like. I don't know how far you are in your season, but I hope you make it through okay.

The part about Laura — I've been carrying that for a long time. We talked it through, her and I and the others, and I know now that it wasn't my fault. I do know that. But there's something about hearing it said plainly by someone who has no reason to be kind about it that just — it helped. More than I expected it to when I first read it. So thank you for that especially.

You said forged family is often better than the one you were born with. I think — yes. I think that's true. It sounds like maybe you know that from your own season too, and I hope it's been good to you. You deserve people who show up.

Take care of yourself, and write me whenever you need to.

Chloe

P.S. How are you doing? Not the season stuff — just you. I kept wondering after I finished reading.

The letter pulled Hailey out of the reality she had been in over the last several days, and reminded her of what she was returning to. She didn't suddenly love the bunker, but she had to admit to herself that it had its advantages. Not having to scrounge for food, not having to worry about zombies, not blowing out her eardrums every other second from blowing holes in zombies, the works. She suspected this nostalgia was something the demon meant to exploit, and so was frustrated that it was working.

However, that wasn't the only thing the letter reminded Hailey of. She had accomplished a lot while in the bunker before she was kidnapped, including being so close to not having to worry about elimination again. If she could beat a fucked up horny reality show, and then blast her way through hordes of zombies... she could get back. Could get back to the place where her biggest worry was being eliminated instead of being eaten by rampaging zombies. Sure, she had to fuck a guy she barely knew in a lot of ways, but Felix was a good lay, and wasn't responsible for her situation.

"In case you ever hear this, I've been... busy," Hailey said. "I'm on one of those adventures that in a movie ends with the person appreciating home or some horseshit like that. I find it harder than I should to appreciate your situation, but I'm sure it will work out. You didn't get displaced by a clerical error that has lead to me becoming very familiar with how to hide in cars from rampaging monsters with super strength that may, or may not be zombies. In the meantime though, even with all of that, remember, elimination is the worst. Don't be shy about getting the master's attention if that's what you got to do to avoid it."

Hailey then jumped into the air, just in time to avoid an approaching foe, and took a mostly pristine police pump action out of her sc-fi inventory. She then fired a single well placed buckshot round to the head, blowing it clean off. While these creatures were resistant to bullets, that didn't allow them to shrug off 12 gauge at near point blank range. At least not yet...