Early Morning Musings

Mary awoke very early in the morning to find Laura was no longer cuddling her or in bed at all. Mary looked around and saw Laura standing naked on the balcony holding a cup of coffee, gazing out over the forest in thought. Mary got up and got a pot of coffee and joined Laura on the balcony after pouring herself a cup. Mary looked out over the forest and to the ocean beyond, the sky was full of stars and there were two full moons in the sky: one a pale blue and the other vibrant green. “It really is pretty out tonight.”

Laura nodded but didn’t respond, she just continued to gaze out over the forest. Mary noticed Laura’s coffee had been emptied and refilled it and offered her sugar. “Thanks, Mary.”

“Want to talk about… It?”

“No. Not while under the candies.”

“Okay, then besides that. How was yesterday in your view?”

“Bizarre not bad, just really bizarre. Mary, I have a sister now, at least sort of, it's complicated. I also have a lot of conflicting feelings, because of the candies.”

“Right, glad to hear it wasn’t bad but that wasn’t what I was asking about. I was trying to stay away from emotional stuff because of the candy effects. I meant, how was the date, and how was the sex. Because I thought it was good until the very end. Rather until after the end. It did seem to get a little off track here and there, though. I was sort of just going with the flow and I think I should have made more of an effort to do more with Lucia. You were planning on having her join us today and tonight right?”

“Yeah, we were planning to have the date together, but she had originally planned to bail in the evening so the two of us could have a marathon of sex. With things as they are now though I think we should try again just the three of us and make things far more focused on her. Don’t get me wrong, I think what we did last night was fun for her too. I just don’t think it was what Lucia had planned. With you not being a guy today, what we can do is going to be far more limited anyway so let’s focus on her. Unless of course you want to just knock us up. FUCK. That just slipped out. Don’t do that.”

“Oh, I understand, Laura. Honestly, if I could I would just not be around anyone today for safety but I can’t. I want nothing more than to corrupt you, and make you my perfect submissive housewife and mother of my children. I’m not going to do that. I still have a measure of self-control, even if it isn’t large right now. Do you think I crossed any lines that shouldn’t have been crossed?”

“I’m not sure right now, ask me tomorrow. I think yes but it is hard to tell because I find it so hot right now.”

“Can you tell me what things they were?”

“What you did to Flora. I told you to undo it for a reason but it feels like that reason was hollow and you were right, that it isn’t an issue, at least right now. Please tell Flora, please tell her about the other stuff too. I think you should at least suppress those suggestions and talk to her. If she says she’s cool with them, while they are suppressed then whatever, that’s her call. That’s the only thing that I think I would be upset about if you didn’t address it. Otherwise I think things went pretty well.”

“So, you aren’t mad at me for forcing that caramel down your throat? Or tempting you into taking the last four candies.”

“Mad? No, not at all. I knew you might push things yesterday. That was expected. I knew what the candies were called. Honestly last night was fantastic. I think if I had gotten any other candy effect besides the breeding one, I would be thrilled right now and sleeping soundly with you in my arms. I’m not exactly sure what one of the random candies does or what the skittle did to me but every other effect is fine. You offered me a choice. I didn’t have to take all four.”

“Yeah but I did push you.”

“Mary, you explaining why I should take them isn’t pushing.”

“No I mean, while Mark the effect of the corruption is different. There was a mote of darkness that I could see in you. I could feel how to speak to nurture it. I wanted to make that seed bloom, and it did.”

“Hmm, doesn’t matter. I still don’t feel like I was compelled to take them.” Laura shook her head “If it was the candies affecting you, that pushed you to do it, then I’m partially responsible anyway, if not primarily responsible. I figured you wouldn’t want to take the candies, if you knew what they did but still agreed to help Lucia. I could have stopped this at least a half-dozen times. All while completely in my right mind. Speaking of stopping this. I want to let you know Merida and Lucia rather Ellen might have a problem with each other.”

“Really? Why?”

“Okay, so I told Ellen I would tell you this. Ellen tried to force Merida to take one of the candies while we were in her store.”

“What?” Mary looked at Laura in disbelief.

“Look, I understand her reasoning. I told her to talk to you, that I wasn’t going to help her. I think Cassandra intentionally moved Merida right next to us to force a situation though. I wasn’t going to let that happen like that, so I stopped Ellen, but I gave her the opportunity to do the right thing herself.”

“Why would she do that?”

“Merida, essentially blackmailed Ellen about Allie’s Walkthrough. Merida forced Ellen to make Chloe promises otherwise she would call you and tell you about the candies.”

“Why didn’t Ellen just ask Chloe to release her from the promise later?”

Laura just stared at Mary and blinked, “How did literally not one of us think of that?”

“Because everyone needs to pay more attention to how the TFs work. I think the only one besides myself with a solid grasp on the more nuanced TFs is Sam. If Aubrey and Sam could work things out they would be able to resolve problems fairly fast, since Aubrey could pick up whatever Sam taught her and Sam could realize what she wasn’t doing perfectly but I don’t know if that will happen.”

The two stood in silence for a bit just drinking their coffees, when Mary spoke back up. “For today I’m going to try to avoid as many people as possible. The exception is I’m going to go check on Talia. Cassandra describing how dumb she was has me concerned. I would like to know why. Otherwise I want to spend as much time either with no one or you Laura.”

“Thanks for letting Lucia still come on the date today. I feel like I dominated not just her yesterday but her date as well.”

“Sure, I agree, we should be more active in including her. Last night it just felt right to deny her what she craved, but I don’t want a full time cuckquean. Does the incest angle not bother you at all?”

“Not really, I mean the main issue with it is making children. That’s why it’s taboo, so no not really. Mary, I think you will need to revise the rules, I don’t know how yet, but I don’t think what Ellen, Chloe, or Talia did yesterday was okay.”

“I’ll bring it up, but not while we are on the candies. I’d rather not bring out the book right now. I have ideas of things to add that would be fun for me but all of you wouldn’t be pleased about.”

Laura looked at Mary curiously, “Just hypothetically here, like what?”

“Rules like: Banning Clothing, requiring you to refer to me with a deferential title, that you can’t protest physical contact from me, stuff like that.”

“You really have gone off the deep end haven’t you?”

“No, but I’m standing at the edge. Like I said I’m not adding those. I want to, it is SOO tempting. I just want to indulge. But I’ve felt similar to this before, back when I was younger. I was a horny mess, probably why I didn’t have a date until my twenties. So while I felt like this, I didn’t have the power or opportunity to indulge with as little personal consequence as I do now but it isn’t like those aren’t my fantasies.”

“So did the plan work? Are you going to continue to dominate Lucia? I ask because you didn’t do anything with her as Mark, which was part of the plan.”

“Maybe the ring counted? Maybe the events for the Walkthrough aren't over yet? I don't know for sure. I do know that yes, I will continue. Even like this I still haven’t lost all control. I feared that if I indulged like I did, that I just wouldn’t stop.”

“But you feel like you have at least some semblance of control?”

“Yeah, definitely more willing to do things I normally wouldn't, maybe even do things I normally wouldn’t want to.”

“Like getting penetrated?”

“Yes… Like that. Thank you by the way for stopping me. It isn’t like I’m not curious, I’m just apprehensive.”

“Well I’d be glad to help you explore it but that kind of exploration should be done 100% sober. I will say I think Sam is a better choice to explore that with.”

“Really?”

Laura just stared at Mary, “Seriously? You are questioning that?”

“A bit. She has her own intimacy issues centered around that. What if my response triggers her? Like, what if I respond really poorly, and start flailing and lashing out? What if it causes me to have a panic attack?”

“So, you had considered this. Her intimacy issues are why I thought she would be better. She’s going to be VERY mindful about doing anything you are uncomfortable with. I would be too but it wouldn’t be the same way that Sam would be. Your concern is valid though, I suppose that if you started freaking out and screaming in panic, it could remind Sam of her trauma. What happened yesterday with her by the way? I overheard the conversation you two had but I don’t know what actually happened.”

“Lucia called Sam something that triggered a trauma response. Sam nearly physically assaulted Lucia. It seemed like Sam wanted to do real violence to her over it.”

Laura frowned “So Lucia didn’t do anything and Sam just flipped out?”

“No, Laura. Lucia did, do something, and Sam didn’t just flip out, she had a trauma response. What Lucia did wasn’t on purpose and she couldn’t have known. Sam is planning on apologizing for her response but Lucia did trigger Sam. I think they both need to apologize to one another. Lucia for triggering Sam, and Sam for trying to attack her.”

“What did she call Sam? What could have been so bad to trigger her like that?”

“Laura, do you have any close friends besides Sam who have gone through something like that or some other significant trauma.”

“Thankfully, no, I don’t. Actually… Chloe might count.”

“I can tell you Chloe counts but it isn’t sexual trauma for her. Well, Lucia didn’t say anything bad. It wasn’t like she insulted Sam. She just called her a variation of Samantha. On one hand I feel like I shouldn’t tell you the name but on the other I feel like it should be known so no one ever calls Sam that again. I’m going to talk to her about it. The point is that triggers can be something that seems innocuous to others but end up causing real harm. Isabella has asked in the past that we don’t shorten her name, I don’t know why and I don’t care. That isn’t my business, but I’m going to respect that. She’s not flipped out at anyone for doing it once, but anytime someone does shorten her name she immediately corrects them. If they don’t respect that, then she flips out on them. That I have seen. If you need a more concrete idea, think what Chloe’s reaction would be if you called her something like a ‘daddy’s girl’.”

Laura just winced in thought at that. “Okay, I see what you mean. I don’t think she would assault someone unless they knew her situation, but she would react poorly. So are you going to change Flora’s name back to being Flora and not Kitty then?”

“I don’t know, probably. The idea of fucking Flora and myself over and trying to make that suggestion one I can’t remove is hot as hell but I’m going to do what you suggested and suppress the suggestions and find out what she wants. I’m also going to make sure Merida is there with me when I do it.”

“Good. Hearing that you are planning to be more active today with Lucia and that you are going to fix the stuff with Flora, if it is a problem means that I will consider last night a success.”

“Really?”

“Why wouldn’t I? We all had a good time. You got to unwind and let loose. You realized your options aren’t only having to hold back or becoming a monster. So yeah everything was pretty fantastic overall. Ten out of ten would do again.”

“Laura… you could be pregnant.”

“Right… You know that is rather hard to consider as a downside right now.”

“I know what you mean. Honestly I think, even without the candies I wouldn’t be that worried. Specifically about having children with you. Still not 100% ready to become a parent yet, but I’m going to have to get used to the idea. Aubrey brought up a good point yesterday, there is almost no chance by the end of the show at least one of you won’t be pregnant. Laura, I don’t want a response right now. I mean that, do not give me an answer now. I do want you to think about it though, after the candy has worn off. Assuming you aren’t pregnant right now, would it really be that bad to have kids with me?”

“Okay Mary, I’ll think about it. I think I’m going to go for a run, to clear my head.”

“How the door doesn’t unlock until sun up?”

“Well, if Cassandra didn’t want me leaving, she should have enclosed the balcony.” As Laura finished saying that she jumped over the balcony manifesting her wings, and gliding to the ground.

“Damn that’s hot.” Mary said to herself.

“I CAN STILL HEAR YOU!” Laura shouted up to Mary, with laughter in her voice.

Mary smiled as she shook her head. Well at least she is in a bit of a better mood. Mary decided to climb back into bed and cuddle up close to Flora, and went back to sleep.

---

Mary woke up as her breasts were being nuzzled affectionately by Flora. Mary just let Flora continue for a while as it felt rather good. Mary noticed Lucia in the kitchen, making food. The only reason she could tell it was Lucia is because she was wearing a matching lace bra and panties. “Hey Flora, time to wake up.” Mary nibbled gently on Flora’s ear. Eliciting a purr from Flora. “Flora, breakfast time.”

“Okay fine…” Flora stretched and let out a mewing yawn.

“That was so freaking adorable Flora.”

“Like good morning you two. Lu-Lu totally made waffles and, like, bacon. Also May-May do you, like, know where La-La is?”

“Thanks Lucia, and Laura went for a run in the middle of the night.”

Flora asked, “I thought the door locked after a certain point and you couldn’t leave until morning. It’s barely sunrise.”

“I said essentially the same thing to Laura,” Mary responded as she went to grab a change of clothes for each of her forms. “She jumped off the balcony.”

“SHE WHAT!” Flora responded with shock and concern, whereas Lucia just nodded as if that was totally a Laura move. “How? That is something like a hundred foot drop.”

“Laura has wings. I don’t know if they allow her to fly but they certainly allow her to glide.” The door to the suite opened, as Laura came back into the room. “Speak of a goddess and she shall appear.”

“Oh, talking about me?” Laura said. Her wings were a pure white color today and Laura could apparently shape and control them fairly well. The wings were coming from her lower back instead of her shoulders like before. They were wrapped around her body, one wing curving up to cover Laura’s exposed breasts and the other curving down and around her hips covering her crotch.

“Yeah, about how you jumped off the balcony earlier. Also love the way the wings make you look. Very clever how you are getting around the no clothing candy.” Mary replied.

Flora continued, “Yeah, can you fly now Laura?”

“Not yet, at least not what I would consider flying. There is a flight spell in the shop though. Apparently not all the spells are sex spells for Eromancy rather they are just fueled by sex. Right now though I can essentially glide, or slow fall. Which is still really cool considering I can also jump crazy high and the wings make that even easier. While out running I tried doing some jumps both long and high jumps. I definitely broke world records without the wings. With the wings, well it took a bit of experimentation but I was able to clear the top of the trees and I think I jumped or glided something like eighty to ninety meters, on flat ground.”

“La-La is totally the coolest.” Lucia said as they all sat down at the table to eat.

Through a mouthful of waffle Flora said, “Well, shouldn’t you be able to do something similar? Can’t you sprout wings?”

“Umm…” Lucia thought about it. About having beautiful feathery wings like Laura, and a pair sprouted from her shoulder blades. “Like, Lu-Lu can apparently. Lu-Lu can’t make them totally like La-La’s though.”

“That makes sense you don’t get her full TFs, just lesser versions. It’s why you aren’t as strong as her even if you look identical physically.” Mary said. “So my plan for the day is I’m going to do a quick check on Talia and then hopefully that is all I have to deal with and we can go on our date together. Flora, I want to tell you that I put some hypnotic triggers in place last night, I don’t want to put you under again right now as I think I could do something foolish. Tomorrow though I want to talk to you about it.”

“I’m aware of what they are. Merida, put me under yesterday morning after I woke up, at my request and put in the fact I know all suggestions and triggers implanted in my mind.”

“Are you upset with me?”

“No, I fucking love it right now. I think you are right that the candy made me like and be aroused by hypnosis. Don’t know how I’ll feel tomorrow. Thanks for telling me though. You didn’t know I knew so thanks.”

Laura spoke up, “Mary, you can go check on Talia if you want, but that is actually something I did on my run earlier. I mention this since you said you wanted to avoid the others.”

“How is she?”

“Dumb, very very dumb and lactating chocolate milk. She clearly took a Milked Dumb. She also has an armbinder on from the tower, so she isn’t going to keep milking herself. Like I said you could go but I don’t see much of a point as there isn’t anything to do besides wait out her condition. Cassandra says she’ll be fine, and that she'll make sure that Talia doesn’t get into any trouble today.”

“Uh huh…” Mary said skeptically, and pulled out her phone.

Mary: Cassandra just letting you know if Talia is involved in anything today I’m holding you personally responsible.

Cassandra: She’ll be fine, and her intelligence will be back to normal before your date tomorrow.

“Mary I really wouldn’t worry, Talia seemed happy and giggly, also Cassandra is literally sitting outside of the tower, on a recliner, reading a book.” Laura explained. “She said she would only let you, me and in the afternoon Lucia into the tower.”

“Okay but how did she get that dumb? Even if she is on a Milked Dumb?”

“Mary, when was the last time you took Talia’s confession? She tells me stuff all the time, to delay the growth of things.”

“Umm…” Mary thought about that.”

“The fact you don’t know instantly means it wasn’t recent enough Mary. Look Mary, Talia is going to be into literally everything with every member of the harem eventually. It is a matter of how long until, not if, that takes. Unless you do literally daily confessions with her.”

“Is it really that bad?”

“No, the growth isn’t that significant unless she has a bunch of similar thoughts. There is also a delay between the thought and the growth. Luckily it is only sinful thoughts about the other people in the harem and not herself or she would be screwed. I know you probably don’t want to hear this Mary but, you really need to make yourself a daily chore list. Talia needs a kiss and a confession everyday, and Aubrey is probably going to need to be milked fairly often too, finally you might want to check on Sam’s list every so often. Speaking of Sam, does she have a thing about Talia? She seemed to be very aggressive when we talked about getting Talia back for the candy bowl prank.”

“I agree, Mary, it was odd.” Flora nodded.

“Like totes weird” Lucia agreed.

“She does.” Mary confirmed, “She has ‘Getting the others to lay off Talia.’ Do you think it is a problem?”

“Not really.” Flora shook her head.

“Nuh uh.” Lucia said, agreeing with Flora.

“Yes, a lot.” Laura said gravely. “Look Mary, I get why you wanted to give Talia your TF fetish. I do. I really, really, do. Tell me Mary, ballpark number how many times do you have a sexual thought about one of us involving transformations each day.”

“I don’t know… a lot.”

“The number isn’t really important so just keep in mind what a lot means. Talia is now having essentially the same number of thoughts about that as you do. Except that her desire will grow if she doesn’t confess them to you or one of us, assuming she thinks of them as sinful. Since she now is turned on by transformations they are sexual to her. I know that as I’ve heard her confession. So has Sam. The issue is if Sam is trying to protect Talia from the consequences of her new fetish things could get out of hand fast. I like her and I’m hoping something will develop between us but… If Sam thinks she needs to make sure no one takes any action against Talia that will lead to trouble.”

“Okay, I’ll move it to the inactive list at least for now. Actually… I have an idea…”

“Mary, I would reconsider doing whatever it is you are thinking of doing to Sam’s list.” Flora said, “You aren’t in your right mind.”

“Thank you for your concern. While I was thinking of making changes I was going to check with Sam first.”

Mary: Hey Sam I hope you are feeling better after last night. I was thinking of making some changes to your active list but since what I’d like to do is significant I wanted your permission first.

Sam: I’m listening…

Mary: I want to reduce your Active List to five things, specifically the TF Triggers, controlling your emotions, the chopsticks, Kissing Allie, Making Friends with the others.

Sam: Why? I felt like I practically had to be doing one of them before and that was with a lot less inactive.

Mary: I figured you could work on Using Chopsticks, Kissing Allie or learning TF triggers easily enough that you might cross the threshold for excellence. Controlling your emotions is too important for you not to work on and… well ideally I would like you to try and befriend Aubrey. I know you two have an issue right now but I think you could use this to resolve that.

Sam: Can you leave trusting you on the list as well?

Mary: Sure does that mean I have the go ahead?

Sam: SIGH… Yes. Do it. I should figure out how the dormancy works.

Mary went ahead and made the changes and got an immediate response from Sam.

Sam: Well that is really obvious. Mary, this is rather intense. You will switch this back as soon as I ask right?

Mary: Yes. Or tomorrow morning whichever comes first. Unless you ask for me to leave it this way.

Sam: Okay good.

“Mind telling us what you just did to Sam?” Laura asked.

“I moved almost everything off her active list. Except for a few things.”

“Won’t that make it so she almost has to work on those things?”

“That is the point, Laura. I wanted to check what happens if she perfects something. Also I left a few rather easy options, and a few really important options on the list. She also agreed to it.”

“I guess those are good things to know.”

“Speaking of Sam. Lucia, Sam wanted me to let you know that she is sorry for trying to attack you, and is going to apologize to you herself when she has the chance.”

“Like Lu-Lu gets it. It, like, wasn’t her fault. Lu-Lu not mad at Sam, just concerned for her.

Flora stood up having finished her meal. Walked over and kissed Mary on the lips. “I’m going to go now, have fun on your date you three.” The lioness sauntered gracefully out of the room, as everyone else checked out her swaying tail as she left.

“Okay, Lucia would you be okay with going back to Ellen for the day? I was sort of hoping you could put on the Velma outfit, and that might help with your speech and intelligence right now. That or the secretary outfit, but I’m a little concerned that it will not have the intelligence increasing effect.”

“Like totes, I’m not like La-La here. Like I don't think Lu-Lu could go all day in underwear. Plus like Lu-Lu wants a baby right now May-May.”

“Right best not having two women that want me to get them pregnant.”

“Like May-May who said it, like, had to be yours? I didn’t say I liked you like that or nothing. Dummy.”

“Yeah Mary, why would you think we would want it to be yours? It— It’s— It’s not like— Like I’m into you like that. Who would be?” Both women were clearly blushing and Laura’s protest seemed particularly feeble.

OH, That’s what the skittles do. Laura is a Tsundere. Ellen’s made her a tease maybe? She definitely was mocking Flora. A brat? Flora is probably a Hypnoslut. So every stereotype of the rainbow? Got to let Chloe know that the name needs fixing. “Fine.” Mary said, holding up her hands in surrender. “I retract my statement. So what is the plan for today?” As Mary said that Lucia got up and went to get changed.

Laura explained, “The original plan was one of three activities followed by you and me having a marathon of sex. That obviously isn’t happening.”

“Why not?”

“Because of the candies, Mary.”

“Well sure… but we had dinner around 7:30 pm and we were actually asleep fairly early at 9:00 pm so we can just have the marathon of sex after nine o’clock.”

“Mary, I could kiss you.” Laura exclaimed.

“You can kiss me pretty much anytime, Laura.”

Laura got up to do just that but then noticed Lucia staring at the mirror in a trance state.

Lucia found herself floating in a black void with glittering shards floating all around her. They look like broken mirror shards. She reached out to touch the nearest one and she found herself transported to a wardrobe full of costumes, unsure who she would be today. Not just what persona but also if she would be Ellen or Lucia. Who would Mark want today? She was tossed out in the black void after a few seconds. She reached out for another shard. She had no name, and only one purpose, to be Mark’s toy. She had a hood on that blocked her sight and hearing and a gag to prevent her from speaking. Into the void again Lucia kept touching shard after shard after shard seeing mere seconds of a future. Then she noticed a shard the size of a finger instead of a fingernail and touched that. She stood in a white dress next to her sister Laura. It was their wedding day. They had always joked they would do everything together now they were getting married to the same man together. What startled Lucia, was she felt like this is who she was. That while Ellen was still a part of her and a part of her history, Ellen had been absorbed and fused with her completely, she was Lucia and always would be. Lucia found herself back in the black void. Noticing that there was one other large shard she could reach. Touching it she found herself staring at herself, and Laura. Rather she saw Laura next to Lucia across from her, but also saw Ellen across from herself and Laura next to her. Seeing and feeling both perspectives at once. As the three of them started to have sex.

Lucia was pulled away from the mirror by Laura “Lucia are you okay.”

“Um, like sure, why wouldn’t Lu-Lu be?”

“I thought the mirror didn’t work for you?” Mary remarked.

“Umm, well it, like, didn’t work like all of you described it. I was in space with, like, a bunch of broken mirror pieces. I would touch one, and get a couple seconds of a vision. But I don’t really feel like they were helpful.”

Mary: Should we be concerned about the mirror acting weird again with Ellen?

Cassandra: I’ve already filed the paperwork to figure out what is wrong. This is my producer’s problem for once. I’m not saying I don’t care, Mark. But I don’t have any answers for you. The mirror is fundamentally safe, from what Lucia described it sounds like the shards are so small because her future is so nebulous. Normally to get a vision you would have to have a large enough piece. I have the mirror set to filter out any potential futures with a probability below a certain value. Don’t know why she could enter that space though. Feel free to tell her bigger shards are more likely to happen if she keeps using it.

“Well Lucia, Cassandra says bigger pieces are more likely to happen and the reason you aren’t getting a vision normally is she has it set to filter out low probability futures.”

“Like okay, stupid mirror.” Lucia grabbed the secretary outfit and the Velma outfit and went into the bathroom to change.

Ellen came back out as Velma. “Jinkies! My intelligence seems to have regained its customary clarity. Mary, I'm enthused that your preferences align with women who exhibit a high intellectual capacity. It's quite a relief, really, to have that particular cognitive dissonance corrected.”

Laura looked at Ellen oddly. “So, Ellen… How do you feel about me?”

“Oh you needn’t worry about that in the slightest. I don’t have a classification for our relationship, yet, Laura. Or would you prefer for me to address you as La-La?” Ellen teased her, “But I can assert that I care about you like family now.”

“Please call me Laura.”

“I’m happy that you can speak normally or close to it, Ellen. So what is the plan, you two? You said one of three possible activities? At least originally. I assume the candy effects were the variable?”

“You have deduced the situation correctly Mary. Plan B, Laura? Or do you think we should go to Plan C?”

Laura thought about it for a minute, “I think both are viable options. I agree though Plan A is out. Though I’m leaning towards Plan C.”

“You two aren’t going to tell me what these plans are, are you?”

Laura replied, “No Mary, we are not. It’s a surprise.”

“Laura, Ellen please just tell me.”

“But the surprise.” Laura replied.

“Laura, I would like some certainty right now. Also did you talk with Freya about this plan? So that it doesn’t end up in a situation like your last surprise.”

“We did not, due to the temporal constraints and the rapid and unforeseen alterations in circumstances over the preceding days.” Ellen replied.

“Please Mary, just trust me, I swear it will be fine.”

“Fine. Let’s see what this surprise is.”