Week 1 Fan Mail: Cecilia

Inside the first package was a second, smaller package along with a letter.

Dear Cecilia, I'm not sure how much you enjoyed our little game, but your part was very well played. I do so love your passion, but I worry your anger will lead you into more trouble than your current job. You have my sympathies for that regardless. Messing with someone's faith is something I frown on. Regardless I have gifts to celebrate how well you did in out game. The outfit that you looked so fetching in and a fountain that may help with your temper if you let it. Remember your harem sisters are not your enemy, and do keep up your efforts with Lady Aife, Shar.

“Tch.” Cecilia clicked her tongue. “We’re not sisters, we’re victims of a damn kidnapping, and I’m tired of everyone acting like I’m the bitch for being mad about it.” She ignored the folded habit and opened the box that she assumed contained the fountain Shar was talking about, only to find a miniature version of her petrified form from Shar’s enchanted Clue game—a replica of her “bad end” in that event. “Aah, what the fuck?!” She recoiled and knocked the fountain away, only for it to be caught by Sera.

“Come now, Miss Pine,” Sera scolded, “you really should be more careful with your gifts. It wouldn’t do to have it break.”

“Cut the shit! I don’t want that stupid thing!” Cecilia fumed. “Just throw it away! It’s creepy as hell!”

“Hmm…” Sera hesitated, turning the fountain around in her hands. “That’d be quite a waste. This little fountain actually has quite a nice enchantment on it. The sounds of its waters can calm the mind and even cause dreams of a… very pleasant nature. Besides, if I were in your shoes, I certainly wouldn’t want to risk angering Shar by casually throwing it out, would you?” Seeing her balk at the idea of angering another Host, Sera offered a solution. “If you truly don’t want it in your room, then the only other acceptable place for it would be Lady Aífe’s room. Is that what you would prefer?”

“Of course, not!” Cecilia begrudgingly grabbed the fountain back from her. The last thing she needed right now was the thought of this thing lying on Aífe’s nightstand. “I’ll just find somewhere out of sight for it.” She moved onto the next letter, much more wary of what it might contain.

To Cecilia,
You seem to be a very driven woman in a tight situation. I can empathize with that and it's for that reason I'm going to be blunt with the knowledge I'm doing this so you can avoid the mistakes I've made.
Stop trying to go it alone. Your harem mates are not your enemy. They are stuck here same as you. Defiance is not wisdom. Vitriol is not intelligence.
By treating others poorly for the sake of yourself, you are the only one who will lose.
Hoping you Reflect,
Mira Gayen

“Hoping you get over yourself.” Cecilia spat before adopting a shrill, mocking voice. “‘Defiance is not wisdom’—cut the shit, you sound like a fucking fortune cookie. God, I hope there’s at least one of these that’s not a lecture from some bitch on a high horse.”

Cecilia,
I’m not sure why I was asked to write to you when I haven’t read your season (sorry, not interested in women in that way) but apparently we have some things in common. I’m also rich, to begin with. Or my daddy is rich, at least. If this stupid Hotel is good for one thing, then at least now I know the people around me aren’t there for the money anymore. They were just also forced to be here, like we all were.
I’m sorry your escape attempt didn’t work out. I found my phone recently and tried to call for help, but it doesn’t connect to the real world anymore and even my socials are just full of goblins now (don’t ask). At least I didn’t get punished for trying though. How do you think you’re going to manage with your punishment? I can’t imagine being forced to work, and working for the Hotel is even worse. Shame about your boobs too.
From,
Eleanor Wells (Harem Hotel: Storytelling Edition)
P.S. The weird woman running this thing gave me a present to pass on to you, so I guess enjoy this vampire’s kiss lipstick. Apparently it’s to “let you indulge” or something like that.

[Vampire’s Kiss Lipstick
Blood red lipstick in a black and silver tube. It leaves marks on any skin the wearer kisses without ever diminishing in colour. Its magic can be used once for a day of magically pleasurable kisses, for both the wearer and the person they kiss.]

“See?” Cecilia asked no one in particular. “Finally someone who gets it! Even the gift is pretty nice, unlike that thing Shar gave me. Thank you, Eleanor! I’m glad to see someone in this hellhole has their head on straight. I hope that the next letter is from someone as kind and thoughtful as you are.”

Hey Cecilia,
I get that you are used to being dragged along by everyone else and now want to fight against the current. Where do you think the current is bringing you? This is one employee to another. Be happy you aren’t under control or manipulated by anyone. Maybe ask one of your colleagues for advice on what seasons to avoid and then watch that. My advice is to avoid Sapphic Seaside. It is fun if you want to watch a sadistic piece of slime torture a dude by turning him into a chick against his will, as well as torturing all the girls in the harem. Yeah, not great. Payback is also fucked but differently. Knocking out a contestant before the first round is a choice.
Aife hasn’t done anything with horny Diona, who was only doing it for the points, if that is any consolation. I do think that if you honestly tried to get close to her, you might actually enjoy it. If you can’t get yourself to do that, maybe see if you can get an upgrade for your knowledge transformation or the job to see if you can leech off the advice you give. But you would need to discuss that with Sera or a different host or hostess.
Chill near the temple when you can. I have included a hammock to use as you see fit, but it will at least make your naps more comfortable than the floor.
Sincerely yours,
Samson Phonopimpedjan
Shop Clerk at Harem Hotel: Goes Camping

“Of course I don’t want to watch that.” Cecilia furrowed her brow. “This is the shit that I’m talking about. Why are people acting like I’m the crazy one for trying to get out of this place when we’re one a show that does this shit?” She sighed as she moved onto the rest of the letter. “We’re back to lecturing, but at least you were nice enough to include a decent gift.”

Good Morning, Cecilia
I'm Genet, your new favorite Host. I run the Congressional season and I've tried to take the time in the evening to keep up with you and a few other favorites of mine. I admire how you've helped Aife while trying to maintain your independence. I know better than most hosts how difficult the journey of self-discovery can be, and you've led the Mistress of your season very well even while on your own path to explore.
Society isn't quite ready for the changes Sera or I wish to see if we could, but given your background I wanted to offer you something that may make it easier to be accepted after the season. I had my husband make you a rosary necklace with the fleur de lis symbol that Sera told me represents the church she gave you. While wearing it your actions look more socially acceptable to outsiders. But mass influence is difficult, so it has a limited charge you'll want to use carefully. It can be recharged through faith and prayer, but for your church Sera would be a better teacher than I on how to recharge it.
Best of luck!
Your new patron saint, Genet
P.S
I apologize if I'm doing this wrong, I've never understood monotheism very well.

Cecilia grimaced. She was extremely conflicted on how to react to the content of the letter. On the one hand, Genet was being extremely nice to her, even offering her the first compliment she’d received in these letters (no, she wasn’t counting Shar’s compliment), and the gift was beautiful, genuinely well-made, and possessed a very useful enchantment. On the other hand, this Genet person was a Host—a class of individual that Cecilia had already decided were her enemies, and the gift, lovely as it may be, was a representation of something Cecilia was actively fighting against. Still on guard from Sera’s warning about potentially angering Hosts, Cecilia chose to bite her tongue for now.

“Thank you, Genet.” Cecilia did her best to hide how much those words tasted like vinegar. “Your husband did an excellent job on the necklace.”

Dear Cecilia,
Oh you poor thing getting such an awful transformation. I love this show and I love transformations but this one is just so mean. I mean how can Sera just take your boobs away like that? It's just about one of the meanest things you can do to a woman. My recommendation is to just burn through the rest of the percentage and then buy something from the store to restore your lost glory. Maybe even improve them. Well enough about that tragedy. I must say you had a surprisingly nice date with Aife given what we were all expecting. I know you are a tsundere and all but why were you so mean to her all that time before the show when you can be so nice and helpful? Regardless I hope you come to enjoy your time here at Harem Hotel and don't try anymore foolish escape attempts. Or do if you feel you must. Last try had fun results
A fan,
Sally
P. S. Are you going to hate fuck Erica soon? We all know it's coming so might as well get it over with soon

“Wha—are you high or something?!” Cecilia asked indignantly. “You had me going thinking you’re on my side, but then you tell me I should throw away all my money just so I can get bigger boobs?! And no, I’m not going to sleep with that dumb bunny bitch!” She angrily crumpled up the letter and tossed it behind her, where it was absorbed into the shadow’s as part of Umbra’s regular cleaning duties.

Dear Cecilia,
I heard you recently found religion and to such a wonderful Goddess. Even better, she’s your Mistress as well. As the high priestess of a Goddess of Desire myself, I hope you can find it within yourself to be honest and truly devote yourself to your Goddess’s worship.
Okay, sorry about that; sometimes my transformation about being Laura’s high priestess requires me to do stuff like that. Cecilia, I’m not sure why you are so against being with Aífe, but trust me, things get easier and far more enjoyable if you can overcome whatever hurdle this is. It seems like you actually like her too, but something is stopping you. I highly encourage you to let down your guard and let Aífe into your heart before the show winds up tainting your relationship with her.
Best Wishes,
Talia Winchester, PhD, PhD, PhD, PhD, DMA
High Priestess of the Resplendent Goddess of Desire Laura

“God, more of this shit.” Cecilia rubbed her temples. “Seriously, I’ve met Jehovah’s Witnesses that weren’t this fucking persistent. Stop telling me to worship her, already.” Cecilia sighed and slumped back in her chair, looking tired. Besides, the relationship is already tainted. She wearily picked up the last letter.

Greetings.
I realize your situation… sucks, and hearing this from a rando internet monkey telling you what you already know is 0 comfort, even one theoretically going through another instance of this show (and also admittedly, happier with my initial hand than yours). Or that the fact this can really be worse (one concept, Elimination by being trapped in No Mouth Must Scream inside your own body) is not worth much to you. For what it’s worth to you, I do feel for you.
Your first TF sucks. It does add the proverbial insult to injury on the topic of being bound to Aife from now on. And I realize the fact she’s a better person than what you could have before is cold comfort. Especially when it does rob you of the ability of being the one to break out of your pre-Hotel situation. And I dunno if upgrades could even fix that. And I’m pretty sure trying to see this as a way to have what you own transferred to Aife in a way your sperm donor cannot contest is… not that much of a positive for you.
Still, that’s something I think you can talk over with Aife, even without the Cult thing forced upon you, even if it didn’t exactly replace something you valued. I’m not sure of how you can come out of this with a conclusion that leaves you happy, but I think if you try and reach out, you can at least build something ‘yours’ in terms of solution, not waiting to have it slapped on you. And even if it sucks… Hotel employees might be biased, but I do think you can find support from other members of this Harem, and not just Aife. I’m not going to pretend this would be easy to get done, but I still think this is doable. And that you can eke out something that will make you happier than what you had before.
And think about it that way… You are unhappy with this being forced upon you, and not just the downsides, despite the fact the people are likely a better crowd to be around than what your sperm donor’s had you trudging through. I think I need to point out that everyone here is also in that case, even accounting for the upsides, including obvious ones like the ones Aife got regarding her body and discounting the Harem part… But this only forces you to be around each other.
You get to build up to something better, with better people than what you had before, including at least one woman you admire (quick note, keep inmind checking the fangirling with Natalie. Sounds obvious read here, but always worth repeating until it becomes an actual ingrained habit). You can talk with them and make their presence not an obligation anymore, but people who can like you for who you are and what you are interested about. To try to spin the negative you see in the position as positive, you’re in a place where sperm’s donor shadow does not reach. You may not have chosen these people, but you can choose to create something good for you and people you’ll be living with. Without needing to bend over mind you. But use the chance to try and open up more freely so you can get out of this. Even with the staff and their relative insensitivity to your problems. If nothing else, imagine how disapproving your father would be of you trying these things with the people in this place for spite motivation. Whatever gets you to pave the road to better and healthier relationships.
Also… Getting close to having to finish, no way around this that isn’t loud. From what we could see of you when Aife mentioned not remembering your mother much, I am going to guess you have some childhood history with her that she doesn’t remember and it hurts you. For the consolation part, we did get to see that with Erica, stuff like this happened too. This… is not Aife doing this against you specifically. And… I think it might help you to reignite whatever is in there. Aife very much feels like a good person from what we can see here. I think if you try this, you both can build something together being better than a magically enforced bond. Also bis… This show tends to force this kind of stuff out through direct (TF themes) or indirect pressure (tension of being in the place leading to stuff being blurted out). I really think you’ll feel better about breaching this topic if you are able to do this on your terms. Or as close as you can get in this place.
To be clear, I am not hinting on this to anyone but you in these letters. You should be the one airing this out and choosing the way to do so, not the Host, not the events in this place, no one but you.
And I really wish you to be able to go through all of this and actually be satisfied with what you do get out of the hand dealt here.
Keep going,
Isabelle ‘Hardric’ Richards.
PS: …You may also want to buckle up. Host is hinting that she is about to make things spicier. That’s going to touch everyone, but given you have been on the rougher side for this so far, you may want to be prepared.

“What the—” Cecilia was taken aback at the wall of text in front of her. “Yeah, no. I’m not reading all of that. ‘Thank you’ or ‘fuck you’ depending on what you wrote, but it’s probably ‘fuck you’ because nobody writes that much unless it’s criticism.”