Ahoy, Matey!

Brooke Alvin was in her recliner at home, relaxing in her underwear, sipping on a mai tai, with her eyes closed. She had a soundtrack of beach sounds playing to help her relax. God damn, this past month has been a challenge. First Brian, then this shit with Sam. I wonder when I’m going to see her again. At least she seemed to be doing better. I think after the wake, was the first genuine smile I’ve seen on her face in months. Brooke opened her eyes and looked over her schedule for the next few weeks.

She started talking to herself and her cat, Humpfree Nyeow. “Okay, let's see… I’ve got the weekend left, and then on Monday I start a new assignment at work…” She saw that she was getting assigned to update and repair the equipment on a particular submarine that she did not care for. “Ugh, three weeks of cramped quarters. Whatever.”

Brooke tossed down the file. It was nice to meet Sean. I always thought Brian was cool. Suki… “Oof… I would not want to be Sam or Mark when they get back. She’s going to be a handful.”

Brooke stared at Humpfree, resting on top of her brand new rack. He had wasted no time determining that they were his new favorite resting spot, ever since Chloe had stopped by about a week ago, saying she was supposed to transform her for some reason. As fickle as cats always are, Humpfree abandoned her to go eat. Upon his return to the recliner a few minutes later, he let out a “Nyeow?” The recliner was missing his favorite napping spot. Getting over the absence of Brooke, Humpfree curled up in the chair, which was still warm from Brooke’s recent departure.

---

Brooke suffered a bout of vertigo as she was suddenly standing in a courtyard she didn’t recognize. Two sets of arms braced her from either side, as her mai tai sloshed and spilled a little. Her long brown hair slid forward.

“Whoa, easy there, Brooke.” Brooke recognized Sam’s voice. “Just take a second to get your bearings. Cassandra, can you please give her some clothes?”

“Sam, Cassandra almost certainly grabbed her like this on purpose. She can choose the time when she grabs someone.” Mark told her.

“Hey, that’s not completely true, and she’ll get clothes in a few minutes. Let me get rid of the disorientation from the teleport, though.” Cassandra snapped her fingers.

Brooke suddenly felt a lot better, and stood up straight.

She looked around and saw Sam on one side, looking like a knight from some fantasy movie. She scanned the area, looking over those assembled here. Wait a second… is that Sadie? Also, what is up with Mark looking like a fantasy pimp, and is he a dragon now, too? Brooke shut her eyes and threw back the rest of her mai tai, certain she would likely prefer not to be completely sober for whatever was about to happen. “Sam, would I be correct in assuming I’m joining Mark’s Harem?”

Sam nodded. “Yes.”

Brooke drew in a deep breath and slowly exhaled it. “Okay… I’m sure you’ll catch me up to speed, but can I get a basic idea of what is about to happen?”

“Absolutely.” Cassandra beamed at Brooke. “Also, thank you for the flowers. I sent myself some on your behalf as you requested.”

Brooke looked down at the short woman, “I take it you are the witch Sam said abducted everyone?”

“That’s me, the name is Cassandra, and I’m the host for this season of Harem Hotel.”

“No chance, I can opt out and just help get Sam laid, is there?”

Cassandra laughed, “No, no, there is not. Now I’m giving you the same info I gave Sadie.” Cassandra snapped her fingers, and Brooke felt another wave of vertigo as the memories of the introductions, the rules, and everyone’s initial transformations were added to her memory.

“Whoa, that was a trip,” Brooke said, as Sam and Mark braced her once again.

Sadie chimed in, “Brooke, just to let you know, those memories are woefully lacking in relevant details. I’ll try to help catch you up. I’m new myself, so I can point out what I think is most important to know as a new abductee. I’m Sadie, by the way.”

“I know,” Brooke replied. “Sadie Harper. Nice to see you again. You too, Laura.”

Sadie and Laura both looked confused and then at each other, then back at Brooke. Laura asked Brooke, “Have we met before?”

“Seriously? Neither of you remembers me?”

“Should we?”

“I guess, I’m just forgettable then…”

Sadie asked, “Seriously, where should we remember you from?”

Brooke looked annoyed; she pointed at Laura. “You tutored me in Mechanical Engineering for two years.” She pointed at Sadie, “You and I pledge together in the sorority alongside Chloe. I just didn’t live at the sorority house. Not to mention we had quite a few classes together, Sadie.”

Sadie and Laura glanced at each other skeptically. Laura said, “Are you sure? I mean, I remember tutoring underclassmen, but I don’t remember you.”

Sadie nodded, “Same here, I don’t remember a Brooke either.”

“Maybe Aubrey, Chloe, or Flora will remember me,” Brooke turned towards Sam, “Sam, did you know Mark, is Drunk Runner Boy? I didn’t recognize him at the wake…” Brooke turned to give Mark a once-over, “Considering how he had changed.”

“Wait, really? He’s Drunk Runner Boy!?” Sam started to laugh hysterically, and Brooke couldn’t help but join in.

Mark looked down at the two, “Drunk Runner Boy? Do I even want to know?”

Sam wiped tears from her eyes. “I cannot wait for you to tell the others. Please make sure I’m there when you do. I want to see their reactions.”

Cassandra cut in, “While I look forward to you spreading embarrassing stories about Mark. We do have a process to get moving along with. Brooke, if you would introduce yourself to the audience, please.”

“Hi, my name is Brooke Alvin. I know Mark both from a couple of random encounters during college, where Mark was definitely not sober, and more recently, when he attended Brian Irving’s wake. I work for the Navy, but unlike Sam, I’m a civilian. I mostly work on ship repair and maintenance; the rest is classified. I am 33 years old, 5”9’, my measurements are 34I-28-41, 160 lbs. I’m straight, and the last time I had sex was about three months ago. I’ve been seeing this sailor on and off again. It’s a rather casual thing.”

Sam looked at Brooke, “Anyone I know?”

“Oh, now you’re interested?” Brooke shook her head, “I don’t think so, at least. So what happens now? I see some fantasy thing is clearly going on here, by the getups. Am I going to be turned into an Elf, or something?”

Sadie said, “Pray that is all you get turned into.” Sam gave Sadie a withering glare. “Right, because I’m the weird one for wanting to remain mostly human. Talia and Ellen are the only humans left. Laura can sort of pass as a normal human, I guess, and maybe one day I’ll be able to too, but we still aren’t human anymore.”

“So those fairy wings are real? Can you fly?”

“Yes, and yes, though weirdly the two aren’t actually connected.”

“Neat.”

Sam looked at Brooke oddly. “You’re taking this rather well?”

“Well, I’ve considered the possibility since the wake. That was around two weeks ago. When Chloe showed up at your mom’s and told me she was supposed to transform me, I figured I wasn’t done. I didn’t recognize Chloe at the time, since her look had changed so much. Now look, is this what I wanted? No. I was serious, though, being a sister wife with you wouldn’t be horrible. You are my best friend, and now that I’m here, you know that you can count on me to support you.”

“How touching.” Cassandra said, “Now let’s get down to business.” Mark let out an amused snort. Everyone turned to him curiously.

A moment later, Allie said, “Seriously, Mark? Is now an appropriate time?”

“No, but you know better than most that I can’t help it.”

“True. Cassandra probably said it that way on purpose. She really does cater to your every whim.”

Cassandra gave Allie a menacing glare. “Allie…” The way Cassandra said her name chilled her to the bone. Allie instinctively moved to cower behind Mark with her tail tucked. “Now first, Samantha, here is the text of your new TF.” A screen projected into midair, displaying the text.

A BOOsom Crew: Sam might not know it yet, but she’ll be a Captain soon, and every good Captain needs a First Mate and crew. Harem Hotel is happy to provide Sam with a crew of spectral servants to do her bidding. They can’t actually fight her battles, but just about anything else is fair game. For her First Mate, we’ve enlisted none other than her best friend, Brooke Alvin. The spectral servants will also listen to Brooke unless Sam countermands her orders. In addition, Sam will find her body adapting in various ways to better please her partner. [Sailor] [Boon] Upgrade: A Captain and their First Mate share a lot, and now these two bosom buddies will share a lover. Brooke will join Mark’s Harem.

“I get a ghost crew?” Sam asked.

“Indeed, but they won’t be like your ancestors. They aren’t sentient, though they do have the ability to communicate information to you.”

Sam started to notice several apparitions approaching. They all had massive racks. “I see, you chose a very specific design aesthetic.”

“They are modeled off your First Mate’s frame,” Cassandra said, helpfully. “Speaking of your first Mate.” Cassandra turned to Brooke. “We are going to need to get you caught up with the others in terms of TFs. As for your date night… Hmmm… well, Sam, I’ll give you the choice, she can either join you on your next date night with Mary, or I’ll simply combine Allie’s and Isa’s date nights back together for the rest of the week and give her Isa’s nights.”

“Would that mean I wouldn’t be with Mark tonight?” Isabella asked. (I don’t want to lose my night with Mark.)

“Yes, it would,” Cassandra confirmed. Isabella hunched her shoulders, (Please let her choose Sam, let Isa have this.)

“Uh… Sam.” Brooke said, “If it wouldn’t be imposing, could I crash your night?”

“Hmmm… Sure, why not.”

Cassandra nodded, “Thank you, Sam. Now on to your transformation votes. Brooke, I’m going to display the options, and then I would like you to comment on what you think about them. Mark, you know the drill.” Mark nodded.

Brooke asked, “Could I get Sam’s opinion on these, too? She knows me really well, and she knows how this all works a lot better than I do.”

Cassandra shrugged, “Sure, why not?”

Enforcer of Discipline: Brooke will gain a sense of who has upset Mark or Samantha, as well as anyone who has broken one of the rules in Mark’s Rulebook. She’ll feel a desire to correct or punish the behavior based on the severity of Mark’s feelings on the matter. As her Captain, Samantha is exempt from correction or punishment from her. [First Mate]

Maintenance Duty: Brooke regularly works on maintaining the ships she’s assigned to. This will now extend to relationships within the Harem, with an emphasis on hers and Mark’s, both physically and emotionally. Mark can assign her a ‘ship’ to focus on helping to repair or maintain, but only one at a time. [Sub Mechanic]

Two Worlds, One Family: Mark’s harem and staff comprise people from two different worlds, but they are now one big family. Brooke will find the members of the harem to be like her sisters, and Mark’s Staff to be like her cousins now, and they will treat her that way in return. [Tarzan]

https://strawpoll.com/eJnvVGloknv

“Umm… I’m not in the Navy.” Brooke stated. “Sam isn’t my Captain.”

Cassandra replied happily. “She is now. You are part of her crew. I had actually considered making you a ghost an option, but decided against that, at least for now.”

Brooke grimaced, “Not sure I like the sound of that. I guess if I had to pick one, Two Worlds, One Family is my first choice, and Enforcer of Discipline is my third choice. I don’t want to punish anyone; that seems like a way to get people to hate me.”

Mark said, “I would go with Maintenance Duty, primarily because I don’t know how the others would really feel about gaining a ‘sister’.”

Sam nodded towards Brooke, “I agree with your choice, Brooke. I already have a family-oriented TF like that, and it isn’t bad.”

Cassandra waved her hand, and a new set of TF’s appeared. “Very well, on to the next set.”

Duty Roster: Brooke will gain access to a document that will list the current planned activities of the Harem. This will include things like date nights, spa days, shopping trips, but also responsibilities, like making breakfast/lunch/dinner, cleaning, and other chores. Brooke will find certain tasks on her duty roster without a person assigned to the task. She will either need to find someone to do the task or do it herself. [First Mate]

Nuclear Sub: Any orgasms that Brooke has while subbing to another will now cause a chain reaction of orgasms. [Sub Mechanic]

Going native: Brooke will find herself doing and accepting things that the other contestants have accepted as normal and simply being part of the Harem. [Tarzan]

https://strawpoll.com/jVyG2eAVGZ7

“What the fuck?” Brooke exclaimed as she read over the TFs. “What is up with these?”

Mark cocked his head to one side, “What’s your issue with them? I ask because these aren’t really all that bad.”

“First of all, I wouldn’t call myself a submissive, nor would I simply let things go because that’s how things are done. The other one seems like I’m just going to have to do chores. I guess if I have to get one… Then, Nuclear Sub, at least with that, it either won’t do anything or should greatly enhance the experience.”

Mark nodded, “I agree, for the same reasoning, the second choice would be Duty Roster.”

Sam shook her head, “I don’t agree. Brooke subtext matters. Nuclear Sub isn’t going to simply cause multiple orgasms. It will cause a chain reaction of them, meaning that they will build in intensity until they reach some critical mass. Personally, I would go with Going Native. Being able to accept and do things that the rest of us believe is our normal now will be helpful.”

Brooke considered that, then shook her head. “Thanks, Sam, but I still would rather have the one I picked.

Cassandra smiled, “I look forward to seeing you on your knees as your mind goes blank with pleasure. Let’s see what the next set of options are.”

On Call: As the First Mate, Brooke must respond to her superior’s call. If Mark or Sam needs her, they can call her to their side at will, and she will assist with whatever issue they have for her. [First Mate]

SUB-mersible: Brooke will now have no issues going down on someone for an extended period of time; in fact, she will find it extremely pleasurable. Her lung capacity will expand significantly, and she’ll find she’ll happily dive down below when ordered to by those with more authority than her, which is Mark, Sam, and anyone with more VP than Sam. [Sub Mechanic]

Strangers Like Me: Brooke will gain an intense curiosity to learn about Mark, while also desiring to teach him anything and everything about her own life. This will include learning about each other’s bodies. [Tarzan]

https://strawpoll.com/NPgxeGj5BZ2

Mark responded before Brooke or Sam could this time. “On Call, no question.”

“Why?” Brook asked.

Sam replied to her, “I get why you are saying that, Mark, but I would rank that last. Honestly, this is the worst set of the three. All three strip some level of her autonomy away from her. I think SUB-Mersible would be a better choice. Primarily because while you will happily go down on specific people, no one is going to force you to do that. Whereas Mark might summon you and utilize that in an unfortunate way, because it says ‘you will assist’, not you will desire to assist, you simply will.”

“Hmmm. I agree with Sam… these are not great. I don’t have a preference.”

“Very well, now for your gift from Harem Hotel. Hopefully, you will be happier with your Boons.”

Always Shipshape: Brooke will find things to be clean, orderly, and in good condition from now on. In particular, her clothing will always fit and be clean, while she will always be healthy, fit, and feeling as good as new after a night’s sleep. [First Mate] [Boon]

Percussive Maintenance: Sometimes things just need a good whack. Brooke can now just hit things until the problem is resolved. She must intend to be trying to fix the thing in question. [Sub Mechanic]

Law of the Jungle: Brooke will now find it much easier to survive this jungle with her new fitness. Her body will be pushed to the peak of normal human capabilities. [Tarzan] [Boon]

https://strawpoll.com/wAg3QM071y8

Mark blurted out, “The first or third one.”

“Really? I was thinking the second one myself,” Brooke said.

“That’s because Mark has a fetish for fit women. I’m not saying he is wrong to want them, but he is definitely thinking with his lower brain at least partially here.” Sam explained to Brooke. “Personally, I would go with Always Shipshape, primarily for the clothing and sleep aspects, but none are bad.”

“Excellent, thank you three for giving your opinions. Now, I’ll say this. The transformations won’t be applied until tomorrow morning, due to the surprise addition. You will have a little while without being transformed because of that. Now, as for your class, I’m giving you Dragon’s Squire as your class. You will be starting at Level 1. You aren’t eligible for Quest or Bonus CP gains, but I’m going to give your level CP to Sam, and your item CP will be split equally among all of Team Fairy Castle.”

“I don’t know what any of that means,” Brooke said. “Also, you mentioned I would be getting some clothes?” Cassandra snapped her fingers, and a set of clothes and armor appeared on Brooke. “Okay, neat.”

“Some of your clothes from home are in your wardrobe. You will be rooming with Sam for the rest of the round. Well, wasn’t this fun. Now, Audience, don’t forget to vote!” With that, Cassandra disappeared, and time returned to normal.

Sam looked at the others, “I think it is safe to say our plans for the afternoon have changed.”

Sadie stepped forward, “Sam… I know you want to take care of your friend, but maybe the five of you should continue what you were going to do, and Talia and I look after Brooke.”

“I was thinking that we could power level her.”

Brooke put a hand on Sam’s shoulder while she drew her sword with the other hand. “I’m not sure I’m ready to hit anyone with this. I need a few hours to come to terms with things, and I don’t think I’d be particularly focused on whatever task you were thinking of taking me on, while I’m waiting to find out what is going to happen to me. If Sadie and Talia don’t have anything to take care of, I’ll stay with them for the time being.”

Sam nodded, “Okay. If you’re sure.”

“I am.”

Sam wrapped Brooke up in her arms. “I’ll be back later tonight. Hopefully, Cassandra won’t transform you while we are away, if we are delayed returning.”

“She won’t,” Mark said. “At least not without me present.”

Sadie walked over to Brooke, thinking, Yeah, because he likes to watch as our lives are warped. She put a hand on Brooke’s back for comfort. Mark noticed Sadie shake her head before she spoke, “Come with us. Talia and I will show you around and explain things. We can’t leave the palace for the day, anyway. The rest of you get going, you have tasks to finish.”

Sam and Mark transformed into dragons large enough for Allie, Isabella, and Laura to climb on and ride. Brooke nearly fell backwards in surprise. “Holy Shit! I saw you turn into a dragon at the wake, but you were the size of a big dog, then.”

Brooke got a little more freaked out when Sam opened her mouth as a dragon and heard her speak, “I can control my size significantly as a dragon. I haven’t actually checked just how big I can get.” Allie climbed on Sam, while Laura and Isabella climbed on Mark. “See you tonight, Brooke.” Sam and Mark took off into the sky.

Talia walked over to Sadie and Brooke, “Follow me, you look like you could use a drink.”

Brooke looked at her empty glass where her mai tai had been recently. “Yeah, yeah, I could.” Brooke started following Talia, and Sadie joined them. “Are you even old enough to drink?”

“In most of Europe. Physically and legally, I’m eighteen. Mentally, I’m older than that.”

“I’m assuming you’re Talia, right?”

“Yes. Sadie wasn’t wrong; those memories have significant gaps. I’m going to try to help fill them just like I did with Sadie.”

“Why? Isn’t this a competition? Doesn’t helping me hurt you?”

“It is, and no. There are only two aspects to this where we are actually competing against each other and not alongside each other. The first is that wish at the end. I don’t want it. I’m going to get over the 100 VP threshold with a healthy buffer and then stop going for points.”

“You don’t want the wish?” Brooke and Sadie asked simultaneously, causing them to chuckle a little.

“No, I don’t. Brooke… look, I find almost the entirety of this show arousing now. Mark gave me his fetish for transformations, and now… Anyway, the point is that I’m worried about what I would do with the wish if I were to get it. Besides, I’m filthy rich and dating a Goddess, and a sometimes God. Anything I could reasonably want that doesn’t border on the obscene is easily in my grasp already. So I have no interest in the wish. Now, the second way, where we directly compete, are challenges. Most of us have reached an understanding that what happens during challenges stays in the challenges.”

Without noticing it, Sadie and Brooke found they had been led to a bar of some sort. Talia took a seat at the bar, with Freya standing behind it. Freya didn’t even look their way when a mai tai, a martini, and a stout appeared on the counter. Talia grabbed the stein the stout was in and took a sip. Wonderful. Brooke took the seat next to Talia, where the mai tai was, and Sadie sat on her other side picking up the Martini. Brook leaned over to look at Freya.

Talia brought her back to the conversation. “That’s Freya. I’ll get to her and her sisters in a bit. Now, as I was saying about challenges. We’re trying not to let what happens in them destroy what we are building, even if it sometimes seems like they are designed to do that. Right now, we are directly competing against the others who you didn’t see in the courtyard. We’re in a fictional setting, where we are playing the ‘Heroes of Cassandra’ and are battling the evil ‘Champions of Smug’. Whoever wins will get better transformation options when the round is over. Trust me, that is more important than it might seem. I want to drive home that we don’t see the others as enemies. Okay, that might not be totally true for Sadie, but in general, we’re all friends.” Sadie let out a small harrumph. “We’re all trying to make this work with Mark, and Mark… well, he’s doing the best he can to be fair to all of us.”

Brooke heard Sadie let out a throaty “Hmmmm…” while she sipped on her Martini.

Brooke asked, “You don’t agree, I take it?”

Sadie wobbled her hand in the air. “He definitely has his favorites.” Talia didn’t contest that point. “Look, Brooke, you’re going to have issues competing for his affection and time. That’s up to you whether or not that is a good or bad thing. We both came into this thing late and at a significant disadvantage.”

Talia shook her head at that. “Sadie, that isn’t your problem. Your attitude and history are the reasons Mark has an issue with you. Brooke didn’t show up and immediately talk smack about another contestant, and act like a stuck-up, entitled, daddy’s girl. We had all heard about you before you showed up.”

Brooke cut in before Sadie could retort. “I assume from Chloe and Aubrey? Maybe Laura, too?” Brooke got nods. “Well, that makes sense. I still can’t believe you two pissed away your friendship over some random guy. You two were tight.” Brooke was getting an odd stare from Talia. “What?”

“So you know about that.” Brooke nodded while sipping her drink. “Did you know that guy is Mark?”

Some of Brooke’s drink went down her throat wrong, and she had a coughing fit. “Seriously?”

“Yes.” Talia nodded. “The point is that Sadie here immediately started talking trash about Chloe, who Mark had officially accepted as his girlfriend at that point. You don’t have her baggage, and the fact that Sam is your friend means Mark is predisposed to like you. You should have heard him, ‘Sam, you told me she helped you when things got bad; let's return the kindness.’” Sadie pursed her lips and finished her drink, only for another one to appear in front of her. Talia saw Sadie’s reaction but kept going. “I’m not dismissing Sadie’s points, just realize that her views are coloured by the fact she’s new and has had a difficult time because of some of her baggage.”

Brooke turned to Sadie, “Why did you ask Mark out all those years ago, after Chloe told you she liked him? We never got a satisfactory answer from you, really.”

“I was interested in him, too. The thing is, I wouldn’t have asked him out except that Chloe told me I could. I asked her if she was okay with that. Apparently, though, there was some sort of miscommunication.”

“Wow, that sucks. I honestly thought you two would hook up at some point.”

Sadie blushed slightly. “I did like her like that, enough to ask if she wanted to share Mark.”

“Oh… I don’t understand how that could be miscommunicated, though.”

“Me either,” Sadie replied, sipping her martini.

“Well, will you two catch me up on everything that’s happened since the very beginning? Start right after Cassandra explained the rules, if you would, Talia. I got info on your first transformations, but I feel like it would be best to hear it from you instead.”

Talia nodded and began her explanation of events so far over the next few hours.