Afterparty

Christina sat at the table, interlocking her fingers between her legs. She was clearly nervous, her fated night inching closer and closer but with no way to tell when it would happen. Even if there were a giant clock ticking down to the moment she would have to go up to the dark lord's room and submit to his desires, it probably wouldn't make things any better. She looked up, hoping to find anything to distract herself, and she saw Lila sitting just in front of her. She looked even more worried than her somehow. While it was hard for anyone in Christina's position to care for another's feelings, it was her duty as a paladin to put the needs of others before her own.

"Lila, are you alright?" asked Christina.

Lila jumped to attention. She had been deep in thought about what had just happened.

"Uh, yeah!" said Lila, "I'm fine. You?"

Lila awkwardly looked down as she remembered what Christina had to do that night and how stupid of a question that was. Christina noticed and quickly reached over the table to gently touch Lila's arm, trying to assure her she was not offended.

"I'm fine too, Lila," she said, "I know you must feel awful. You don't need to hide it. What he did to you just then... well it must've been dreadful!"

Christina gulped, knowing she was describing what would likely be a modicum of what she would experience soon. Lila, for her part, thought back to it. It was a surprise, and one thrust upon her by the great enemy of them all. It should've truly been a dreadful experience. However, there was something else there. He didn't hurt her in any way. He was forceful, but he did not strike her. Lila's own friend struck her while the dark lord did not. It was strange times they were living in. But beyond that, that was the first time she had ever kissed somebody. The first time she had ever felt desired in that way. Was that truly terrible? If it wasn't, perhaps it could alleviate some of the worry Lila knew Christina was feeling.

"Well, it wasn't all bad..." said Lila, "I mean... it wasn't too bad."

"What?" said Christina.

Lila went silent as she fumbled for an explanation. She had once again spoken without fully thinking things through. She couldn't say out loud that being violated by Malgor felt good.

"What I meant to say is... I don't think it'll feel as bad as you think," said Lila, "I mean... no that's not what I meant!"

Though the worry grew in Christina's heart, she simply sighed and looked down. She knew Lila was trying her best to cheer her up, but she worried that she would not understand what she was saying. She didn't want any of them to fall under the spell of the dark lord. But they certainly had no alternatives.

Christina looked to her right down the long table. Sitting in the corner of the room was Angelica, naked and curled up on a seat. That was what defiance got you here: a torrent of pain and humiliation. She looked upon her friend, her best friend, and wanted to feel pity. Perhaps she should even go and clothe her with a blanket. Even if she got in trouble, it would be fitting for a paladin to suffer for another, especially a friend. But she couldn't conjure up the sympathy. In truth, she was still mad at Angelica for that morning. The way she had jumped to blaming her, calling her a sex addict. It was the same way she had lashed out at Malgor just now. In truth, Christina believed she deserved it. And now she wanted to make sure Lila could confide in her since Angelica no longer could. So she decided not to push her.

"Thank you for the encouragement Lila," said Christina, "But you needn't worry over me. I'll handle myself."

Lila smiled, glad she didn't mess things up. She looked over to the table behind her. There sat Tyra, sitting far away from her. She was sure they would've sat together, but after that incident it looked like she was avoiding her. She wondered if she had messed up with her somehow. Just as she was in her thoughts, a huge dish of bread, cheese, and sausages was placed down in front of them by Helga, or at least one of the Helgas. Both girls looked to her as she smiled at them.

"Eat up girls!" said Helga, "This is a feast after all! Oh, and before I forget, I should give Lila some points since she did show reverence. I was a bit excited seeing all of that go down and just forgot to do it! And since I'm feeling nice, I'll throw in some points for the kiss as well. I think you earned that one!"

Lila showed reverence to the master. +2VP

Lila was kissed by the master. +3VP

Helga gave them a wink before walking off for other tasks. Lila and Christina exchanged glances.

"Well, that means you're doing pretty well in points," said Christina, "Better than most actually. You'll probably be able to win this."

"Yeah," said Lila, "Win..."

The two let silence consume them, hoping to find solace in the simplicity of each other's company. Meanwhile, Tyra sat alone drinking a cup of mead that was at her table. It seemed that the Helga servants were serving food and drink that they actually liked. In fact, Tyra assumed that they could magically conjure up anything they wanted behind the kitchen doors. Anything except a way out. At least she could finally get drunk. She noticed Lila staring longingly at her from the other table. As much as it pained her, Tyra couldn't bring herself to sit with her. Malgor instantly marked her as a weakness. If Tyra was truly the mercenary she claimed to be, she had to cut away those weaknesses. Hopefully the drink would help.

To her surprise, Athalia took a seat next to her. She hadn't seen her willingly associate with any of them since the game started so it came as a bit of a shock. Athalia took one of the mead mugs at the table and sipped it. She immediately gagged and spat it on the ground next to her before slamming the mug back into the table.

"You actually drink this swill?" said Athalia, "To think that I was working with such unrefined creatures!"

"The hell do you want, devil bitch?" said Tyra, "I didn't sit next to you and drink your ****, so you got no right to open that mouth of yours like that!"

"Spare me the compliments, Tyra," said Athalia, "In honesty, I wanted to congratulate you."

Tyra paused and eyes her suspiciously.

"The hell do you mean?" said Tyra.

"You played your cards well tonight," said Athalia, "Asking Malgor for the dance and everything. It was a good move. Even I didn't think of that. You're even right behind Christina in points, and seeing as tonight is her night, she's probably going to drop. That means you'll be in the lead soon. It's a worthy achievement."

"Can you get to the point?" said Tyra.

Angelica shifted her face, going from flattery to business mode in a split second.

"I already mentioned how I know not everyone will win," said Angelica, "However, I also don't believe everyone will lose. Perhaps I should put it like this: there will be more than one winner. It is supposed to be a harem after all. And I've decided it's no longer an advantageous strategy to go at this alone."

"Is that so?" said Tyra.

"Tyra, we both are practical women," said Athalia, "We know the game and we know how to play it. Unlike some of the other fools here, we know what it takes to win. So, I propose that we work together to ensure that we both hold winning spots when this is all over."

"Huh," said Tyra, "And how exactly would that work?"

"Well, let's not beat around the bush," said Athalia, "You know full well that I intend to sabotage the competition. It's just part of the game. I could sabotage everyone except you, giving you a better chance at winning. And in return, you could use some of that unexpected charm of yours to talk me up to the master. Simply let him know I'm willing to play this game for him. That's all he really needs to understand."

"You think you can use me as some sort of lifeline?" said Tyra, "You think I have some sway over him? I just pulled that act out of my ass, and now you think I can change his mind on you of all people?"

"I don't need you to change his mind," said Athalia, "I merely ask for a nudge in my direction. I have all I need to win his heart back, I just need to get over this one obstacle."

"That obstacle being the fact he hates your guts even more than he hates us?" said Tyra.

"Hate is a strong word," said Athalia, "We had a disagreement, and he needs to be open to the benefits I would bring him. That's all. So, what do you say? Such a simple thing for such a strong ally. I'd say it's worth consideration at the very least."

Tyra groaned. She didn't know what she did in life to get Athalia of all people singing her praises. It must've meant something was terribly wrong. She took another deep drink of her mead.

"Yeah, no," said Tyra, "I'm not so **** that I need to turn to you."

Athalia looked at her judgmentally and sighed. She pushed away the mug she had drank from and stood up.

"I thought you were smarter than that," she said, "Well, if you ever do feel that ****, come and see me. Though I can't guarantee my offer will still stand by then."

She began to walk away, but then Tyra turned back to her.

"How are you planning on winning if everyone hates you?" said Tyra.

Athalia stopped in her tracks.

"Excuse me?" she said.

"Malgor hates you, and he needs to like you to win," said Tyra, "And you just said yourself you need allies to win. So, how do you plan to win if all the people you need to win hate you?"

Athalia froze. Her calculated demeanor receded slightly to show the bitterness lying beneath. She fumed at how blunt Tyra was being with her. But she was controlled enough to quickly close that weakness and calm herself down. She couldn't let such a comment rile her up in front of everyone. That would be far too undignified.

"I'll find a way," said Athalia, "I always find a way."

She strutted back to her own corner of the room while Tyra went back to nursing her drink. At this time, Malgor came back into the hall. the atmosphere changed as all the girls became acutely aware and tried to keep their heads down. Luckily for them, Malgor returned to his throne and sat upon it. He looked out at the hall. Christina and Lila were sitting together, Tyra had left Lila, Athalia was alone as usual, and Angelica still sat shriveled and naked in the corner. He smiled, knowing that his plans were working. Helga then approached him from the side, presenting him a plate of delectable cured meats.

"My lord, I hope the feast is to your liking," said Helga.

Malgor took a piece of meat and ate it. He savored the taste. It was just like the meats he dined upon back home. Exactly alike. Whatever powers the game masters held continued to impress every moment. It brought to mind something else in Malgor.

"That music you were playing when Tyra asked for the dance," said Malgor, "Why can't I help but feel like you were goading me on into accepting?"

"This is a show, my lord," said Helga, "We are here for spectacle. We encourage you to engage in such spectacle whenever you can."

"I thought I was in charge," said Malgor.

"You are," said Helga, "You're in charge of putting on the best show. And in turn, this will gain you a future you could only dream of. A future where these beautiful women bow at your heel. That's worth doing a few things for the spotlight, isn't it?"

Malogr stroked his own cheek as he looked at Helga. She didn't cease in her polite smile. Every word she said felt perfectly honeyed, uttered in such a way that he would have no reason not to accept them. The power she held was something to behold. Perhaps it was something to be feared, but it also stoked up the greatest of curiosities in him. He had been living his dreams so much he had forgotten to account for the mysterious place he was in. What secrets held this space together?

"What is this power you hold?" he asked Helga.

She smiled. "It's what desires are made of."

She placed the plate of food on an end table next to the throne before walking away, not intending to give any answer of a less vague nature. Malgor chuckled as he picked up another piece of meat. As he chomped down on it, he looked around him. He looked up into the corner of the ceiling and spotted a small metal device floating up there. The camera that he had seen when he first arrived. He hadn't even noticed them since that day. Perhaps they had turned invisible. Given what he had seen already, that was clearly within the scope of their power. Just as he watched the girls, he was also being watched. He tapped his throne as he considered this. Was he a prisoner too? He was getting everything he wanted, that much was true. All that little device demanded of him was something to see. In a way, it was just like his subjects at home. His vast armies that chanted his name. All he ever wanted was to show them his strength so that they would follow him and grant his desires. If the camera wanted a show, he'd give it a show. He stood up.

"The time has come!" said Malgor, "I grow tired of waiting. Christina! Accompany me to my chambers while the night is still young."

Christina looked to him with a worried expression before looking around her. She meekly rose and walked towards Malgor with timid steps. She could not hide her fear as she walked up next to him and he took her by the arm. The others watched her go. Lila shook, scared for her. Tyra closed her eyes, hoping she would not suffer. Athalia ignored her, choosing instead to drown her worries in wine. Angelica tried to meet her gaze but quickly looked away. She didn't know what to feel. Worry for her friend. Shame for failing her. Pity for herself for being able to do nothing. And at that moment, Daelana came back dressed from the bathroom and looked towards Christina about to be led where she was the other night. All Daelana could think of was how she may not be able to recognize the woman who emerges from those chambers.

Malgor looked back to Helga. She gave him an approving smile. He wasn't sure what she'd think of him moving the night along on his own, but he sensed no lack of sincerity from her grin. She was truly glad he was doing this. He wasn't if what he did was meant to be some form of quiet rebellion or enthusiastic acceptance of their power. But he had no time to ponder on such things. He grasped Christina's arm more tightly and led her up the stairs.