![[ace 220.2 - Faaraon kultainen unelmamenagerie.png]] ## Chapter 1 — A Throne for Madame The last thing Panam remembered was warmth. Nadia's apartment was quiet, the distant sounds of Night City reduced to a comforting murmur beyond the windows. Shammy had claimed the space against Panam's left side. Nadia had claimed the right. And between them, Panam had approximately six centimeters of available mattress. She considered this an outrage. A familiar, affectionate, entirely welcome outrage. "You're stealing the blanket again," she murmured. "Which one of us?" Nadia asked sleepily. "Both." "Then we're sharing." "That's not how sharing works." Shammy made a small, contented sound against her shoulder. "You're very comfortable, Owner." "I'm being crushed." "Comfortably crushed." Panam sighed. There were battles worth fighting. This wasn't one of them. She kissed Nadia's forehead, tightened her arm around Shammy, and closed her eyes. Sleep came quickly. Which was fortunate. Because the next thing she knew, something was terribly, spectacularly wrong. Panam opened her eyes. Sunlight. That was her first impression. Not the dirty, filtered sunlight of Night City, but something impossibly brilliant and golden. It poured through enormous columns, painting long geometric patterns across polished black stone. The air smelled of incense. Somewhere, water flowed. And music drifted through the enormous chamber, produced by instruments she couldn't identify. Panam blinked. Once. Twice. She was sitting upright. That was strange enough. The fact that she was sitting on an enormous golden throne was considerably stranger. "What the..." She looked down. Her usual clothes were gone. Instead, she wore an elaborate white-and-gold gown, its fabric impossibly soft beneath her fingers. Gold bracelets circled her wrists. An intricately worked collar of precious stones rested across her shoulders. Something heavy sat on her head. Panam reached up. A crown. An actual fucking crown. She removed it. Looked at it. Turned it over. Put it back on, mostly because she had no immediate idea what else to do with it. "Okay." A pause. "Okay, what the FUCK?" "Good morning, my queen." The voice came from her right. Smooth. Cultured. Almost musical. Panam turned. Another throne stood beside hers. Slightly larger. Considerably darker. And occupying it was a tall, regal figure dressed in black and gold. His skin was so profoundly black that it seemed to absorb the light touching it. Not merely dark, but nearly Vantablack, an impossible absence of reflected light surrounded by the brilliance of the throne room. His eyes regarded her with unmistakable amusement. His smile widened. "I trust you slept well." Panam surveyed the chamber again, searching for anything familiar. Then she faced him. "Who the fuck are you?" The stranger inclined his head. "Your fellow sovereign." "That's not a name." "Names are such limiting things." "Great. One of those." The man laughed softly. Panam took a slow breath. She had encountered some exceptionally strange people during her time in Night City. She had encountered things that technically weren't people. She had even learned, somewhat reluctantly, that certain supernatural beings existed and occasionally enjoyed dropping by for coffee. But this? This was new. "Where am I?" "In your palace." "My WHAT?" "Your palace, my queen." Panam closed her eyes. Counted to three. Opened them. Still there. "Right. Let's start again. I'm Panam Palmer. I don't own a palace. I don't own a fucking crown. And I definitely don't remember marrying some Egyptian asshole." The man's smile became positively delighted. "How wonderfully direct." "Answer the question." "Ah. But surely you have more immediate concerns." Panam narrowed her eyes. "What does that mean?" He gestured toward her hands. And Panam finally noticed what she was holding. Leashes. Nine of them. Nine beautifully crafted leather leashes, decorated with small pieces of gold and colored metal. Some were dark. Some pale. One was silver-grey. Another had a rich brown tone. The others formed a complicated arrangement across her lap. Panam stared. She lifted her right hand. Several leashes moved. She lifted her left. The others followed. "What..." Her gaze traveled along the nearest leash. Across the arm of the throne. Down the steps. Toward the floor. And stopped. Someone was lying at the foot of her throne. A woman. Naked. Wearing a collar. Her head rested comfortably on folded arms, and she appeared to be enjoying the warmth of the polished stone. Panam recognized her immediately. "Nadia?" The woman lifted her head. Her face brightened. "Good morning, Owner." Panam stopped breathing. For approximately three seconds. Then: "WHAT THE FUCK?!" Nadia blinked. "Owner?" Panam stared at her. Then at the leash. Then at the collar around Nadia's neck. Then back at Nadia. "Nadia. Honey. What are you doing?" Nadia tilted her head. "Resting." "ON THE FLOOR?" "Yes, Owner." "WHY?" Nadia appeared genuinely puzzled. "Because that's where I belong." Panam's mouth opened. Nothing came out. She tried again. Still nothing. The stranger beside her made a small, appreciative sound. "Charming, isn't she?" Panam turned toward him. "YOU." "Yes?" "What did you do to her?" "To your lovely Nadia?" "YES!" "Nothing at all, my queen." "BULLSHIT!" Nadia sat up slightly. "Owner?" Panam turned back. "What?" "Are you displeased with me?" The question was asked with such sincere concern that Panam's anger faltered. "No! No, sweetheart, I'm not angry with you." Nadia smiled. "Good." And settled comfortably back onto the floor. As though the matter were resolved. Panam stared at her. Then very slowly looked toward the remaining eight leashes. Her stomach dropped. "Oh, no." The stranger smiled. "Oh, yes." The next woman was stretched out beside Nadia. Her long hair fell across her shoulders. A familiar expression of peaceful contentment occupied her face. Panam knew that expression. She loved that expression. She had spent enough mornings waking beside its owner to recognize it anywhere. "Shammy?" The woman looked up. "Yes, Owner?" Panam made a noise that had no recognizable linguistic structure. Shammy smiled. "Good morning." "SHAMMY!" "Yes?" "WHY ARE YOU..." Panam stopped. Looked at the collar. Looked at the leash. Looked at the woman she loved. "...Why are you down there?" Shammy glanced at the floor. Then back at Panam. "Would you prefer me closer?" "What?" "I can move closer, if you like." She smiled brightly. "There's room beside Nadia." Panam could not immediately find a reply. Shammy waited patiently. Still smiling. Still apparently finding absolutely nothing remarkable about the situation. Panam slowly turned toward the dark figure beside her. "You have five seconds." "To do what, my queen?" "Explain this." "But there is nothing to explain." He spread his hands. "Your beloved companions are attending you." Panam looked down again. Nadia had shifted slightly to make room for Shammy. The two women exchanged a small, affectionate smile. Perfectly ordinary. Perfectly natural. Except for absolutely everything else. Panam felt a headache developing. Then she noticed another familiar face. And the headache became considerably worse. "Mandi?" A woman with a striking deep-red oni face mesh looked up from the broad cushion where she had been reclining. "Good morning, Your Majesty." Panam stared. "Mandi." "Yes?" "You're here too?" "Of course." "OF COURSE?" Mandi considered her tone. "Would you prefer I wasn't?" "No! That's not..." Panam stopped. She looked past Mandi. Two more women sat comfortably beside one another. One wore a silver-grey collar. The other, a darker brown one. Their hair made them instantly recognizable. Chrome and gold. Chrome and brass-yellow. Nova's white-void contacts and Vega's black-void contacts completed the familiar looks. Panam felt her eye twitch. "Nova?" "Your Majesty." "Vega?" "Morning, Queenie." Nova turned her head. "Vega." "What?" "Her Majesty is clearly distressed." Vega studied Panam. "Yeah. Noticed." "Perhaps a little more respect?" "I said good morning!" Panam stared at the pair. They were sitting naked on the palace floor, collars around their necks, leashes extending toward her hands. And they were arguing. Like it was the most natural thing in the world. "OH, FOR FUCK'S SAKE!" Nova raised an eyebrow. "Your Majesty, is something troubling you?" Panam made a helpless gesture encompassing the entire throne room. "DOES ANYTHING ABOUT THIS LOOK NORMAL TO YOU?" Nova examined the room. The columns. The throne. The decorated walls. The servants standing quietly at attention near the doors. Then she looked at Panam again. "Everything appears to be in order." Vega nodded. "Bit warm, though." Panam closed her eyes. Somewhere beside her, the stranger laughed. Quietly. Politely. Infuriatingly. There were still four leashes. Panam almost didn't want to follow them. Almost. The next woman looked up before Panam could speak. Her expression was gentle. Her collar gleamed faintly in the sunlight. "Good morning, my queen." "Birgitta." "Yes, my queen?" Panam stared at her for a long moment. Then shook her head. "No. No, absolutely not. You're not supposed to be..." She stopped herself. Because there were three more. And one of them had silver hair. A very familiar woman sat at the edge of a broad cushion, looking entirely composed. Panam's blood ran cold. "MAI?!" Mai looked up. "Good morning, Panam." Panam nearly dropped the leashes. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?" Mai considered the question. "Attending you, naturally." "NATURALLY?!" "Yes." "YOU'RE NOT EVEN IN MY STABLE!" Mai tilted her head. "Your Stable?" Panam stared. "YES! MY STABLE!" Mai considered the unfamiliar phrase for a moment. Then smiled politely. "I'm afraid I don't know what you mean, my queen." Panam's jaw slowly dropped. And then she saw Kiro. Kiro. Who was sitting cross-legged beside Mai, looking mildly irritated by the shouting. "Oh, for fuck's sake," Kiro muttered. Panam pointed at her. "YOU!" Kiro looked up. "Me?" "YES, YOU!" "What?" "WHY ARE YOU HERE?" Kiro glanced around. Then looked back at Panam. "Because you haven't dismissed us?" Panam fell silent. Kiro stared back. A moment passed. Then Kiro added: "Was that a trick question?" Panam slowly lowered her head into her free hand. The leashes shifted. Several women adjusted their positions to accommodate the movement. Nobody complained. Nobody seemed surprised. Nobody appeared to consider the situation unusual in the slightest. Panam looked up. One leash remained. Its owner was sitting quietly near the base of the throne. Dark hair. Copper-red streaks. Golden eyes. An expression of serene, almost affectionate amusement. Panam knew those eyes. She also knew, with absolute certainty, that the woman possessing them was one of the last beings in existence who should ever be wearing a leash against her will. "Yukari." The ancient kitsune smiled. "Yes, my queen?" Panam stared at her. Yukari waited. "Please," Panam said slowly. "Please tell me you know what's happening." Yukari's expression softened. "Of course." Panam nearly sagged with relief. "THANK GOD!" Yukari continued. "We're attending our queen." Panam's relief died an immediate and violent death. "...What?" Yukari smiled. "Is there something you require?" Panam looked at her. At Mai. At Kiro. At Mandi. At Nova and Vega. At Birgitta. At Nadia. At Shammy. Nine women. Nine collars. Nine leashes. Every single one of them familiar. Every single one of them apparently delighted to be here. And not one of them understanding why Panam was staring as though reality had suffered a catastrophic mechanical failure. A slow, appreciative clap came from the throne beside her. Panam turned. The Black Pharaoh was smiling. Not politely now. Not merely pleasantly. He was enjoying himself. Immensely. "Magnificent," he murmured. Panam's eyes narrowed. "You." "My queen?" "Stop calling me that." "As you wish, Madame." That was worse. Somehow, that was considerably worse. Panam looked down at the leashes in her hands. Then at the women sitting around the foot of her throne. Then back at the impossible blackness of the stranger's face. "Who are you?" He leaned forward. And for the first time, the enormous hall seemed to become quieter around him. Even the distant music faded. The sunlight remained brilliant, but the shadows beside his throne deepened. His smile was almost tender. "Ah, Madame Panam. Forgive my discourtesy." He placed one hand against his chest. "I have been called many things." Panam waited. "Some worship me. Others fear me. A fortunate few have learned to recognize me." "GET TO THE POINT." His smile widened. "Nyarlathotep." The name settled across the chamber. Panam went very still. She knew that name. She remembered hearing it. At the safehouse. During a conversation about Ace's extraordinary nightmare and the two supernatural visitors who had interrupted it. The Black Pharaoh. Dreamlands. Konrad. Seras Victoria. Panam slowly turned toward the nine women at her feet. Then back toward the grinning figure beside her. "Oh." A pause. "Oh, you absolute SON OF A BITCH." Nyarlathotep laughed. A rich, delighted sound that echoed between the enormous columns. "Welcome to your kingdom, Madame Panam." He gestured grandly toward the women. "Your faithful companions." Then toward the vast hall. "Your devoted court." Finally, he inclined his head toward her. "Your every desire, anticipated and fulfilled." Panam looked down at Shammy. Shammy smiled up at her. Then Nadia. The same gentle smile. Mandi watched her with undisguised curiosity. Mai looked perfectly serene. Kiro appeared to be wondering why everyone was being kept waiting. Yukari's golden eyes regarded her with affectionate patience. And Panam understood something deeply unpleasant. Nyarlathotep wasn't going to threaten them. He wasn't going to torture them. He wasn't even going to pretend they were prisoners. He had arranged something infinitely more irritating. Every single one of them believed they belonged exactly where they were. And Panam was apparently expected to agree. She looked toward the Black Pharaoh. Then at the leashes. Then back at him. "All right, asshole." Nyarlathotep raised an eyebrow. Panam straightened on her throne. "If you think I'm just going to sit here and accept this bullshit..." She pulled herself upright, crown crooked, golden bracelets jingling, nine leashes tangled spectacularly across her lap. "...you have another fucking thing coming." The Black Pharaoh settled comfortably against his throne. His smile became positively radiant. "Oh, Madame." He rested his chin against one hand. "Please." A pause. "Do continue." And beneath the impossible golden sunlight of Dreamlands, surrounded by nine perfectly contented women who apparently considered themselves her royal pets, Madame Panam realized that she was about to have the most extraordinary argument of her entire life. With absolutely everyone. --- ## Chapter 2 — Her Majesty's Pets For approximately ten seconds, Panam considered strangling a god. Not seriously. Well. Mostly not seriously. Nyarlathotep sat beside her, perfectly relaxed, watching her with the expression of someone who had purchased the finest seat in the house for a particularly entertaining performance. Below them, nine women waited patiently. Nine women Panam knew. Nine women who were, apparently, completely comfortable with being naked, collared, and attached to the collection of leashes currently tangled across her lap. Panam took a deep breath. "Right." Nobody moved. "Okay." Still nothing. "We're going to establish a few things." Mandi lifted her head. "Of course, Your Majesty." Panam pointed at her. "You. First." Mandi straightened. "Yes?" "Do you know who you are?" Mandi blinked. "Yes." "Good. Excellent. That's a start." Nyarlathotep smiled. Panam ignored him. "Tell me." "Mandi, Your Majesty." "And what are you?" Mandi looked genuinely puzzled. "Your pet." Panam closed her eyes. "Fucking wonderful." Mandi waited. Panam opened her eyes again. "Is that all?" "Would you like my full title?" Panam's eyebrows rose. "You have a TITLE?" "Of course." Mandi sat a little straighter. "Mandi, First Companion of the Royal Household, Keeper of the Eastern Cushions, and Her Majesty's Most Devoted Oni." There was a brief silence. Then Vega snorted. "Most devoted? That's a bit ambitious." Mandi turned toward her. "It's my official title." "Doesn't make it accurate." "Would you like to challenge the official records?" "Depends who's keeping them." Nova sighed. "Vega." "What?" "We've discussed this." "We've discussed that the eastern cushions are better than the western ones. We haven't discussed why Mandi gets to claim them." Mandi smiled. "Seniority." "Favoritism." "Experience." "Brown-nosing." "VEGA!" Both women turned toward Panam. "Yes, Your Majesty?" they answered together. Panam stared at them. Then looked toward Nyarlathotep. "Are you fucking kidding me?" The Pharaoh rested his chin against one hand. "Not in the slightest." --- Panam decided to try a different approach. "Nova." The chrome-and-gold-haired woman immediately gave her full attention. "Your Majesty." "What's your job here?" "To attend you, maintain proper household order, and ensure your wishes are carried out efficiently." Panam blinked. That sounded suspiciously familiar. "Right. And Vega?" Nova glanced sideways. "Vega assists." "Excuse me?" Vega protested. Nova continued without missing a beat. "Occasionally." "Fuck you." "Only occasionally," Nova repeated. Panam raised both hands. "STOP." The women fell silent. Panam looked at the Pharaoh. He was smiling. Of course he was smiling. "Is this some kind of joke?" "Do you find your companions amusing, Madame?" "THAT'S NOT WHAT I ASKED!" "Then perhaps you should ask them." Panam turned back toward the floor. "Fine. Vega." "Your Majesty?" "Do you think any of this is strange?" Vega looked around the throne room. "No." "Nothing?" "Well..." Panam leaned forward. "YES?" "The incense is a bit much." Panam stared. "The incense." "Yes." "THAT'S YOUR PROBLEM?" "It's very strong." Nova nodded thoughtfully. "She does have a point." Mandi sniffed the air. "I quite like it." "You would," Vega muttered. Kiro looked toward the distant incense burners. "Could have used less sandalwood." Panam's mouth fell open. "YOU TOO?" Kiro shrugged. "What? It is a bit overpowering." Nyarlathotep laughed. Panam turned slowly toward him. "I am going to throw you off this fucking throne." "Such passion, my queen." "STOP ENJOYING THIS!" "But you are all so wonderfully entertaining." --- Panam looked toward Nadia. Nadia smiled immediately. That smile nearly broke her heart. Not because it was frightened. Not because it was forced. Because it was exactly the same gentle, affectionate smile Panam knew so well. "Nadia." "Yes, Owner?" "Sweetheart, are you happy?" "Very." Panam hesitated. "Really?" Nadia nodded. "Of course. I'm with you." "And the collar?" Nadia touched it lightly. "It's beautiful." "That's not what I meant." Nadia waited. Panam tried again. "Do you actually want to wear it?" "Yes, Owner." "Why?" Nadia considered the question. "Because it shows that I belong to you." Panam looked at the leather leash resting across her lap. Then at Nadia. "And if I didn't want you to?" Nadia tilted her head. "Would you prefer another collar?" "No!" "A different color?" "No!" "Something simpler?" "NADIA!" Nadia blinked. Panam immediately regretted raising her voice. "Sorry. Sorry, honey. I'm not angry with you." Nadia smiled again. "I know, Owner." Panam rubbed her forehead. This was going to be a very long morning. --- "Shammy." "Yes, Owner?" Panam looked down at the woman she loved. Shammy was sitting comfortably beside Nadia, her expression bright and attentive. "Are you happy too?" "Very." "Of course you are." Shammy smiled. "You're here." Panam swallowed. For a moment, she forgot the ridiculous palace. The crown. The leashes. The impossible god sitting beside her. All she saw was Shammy. "Come here." Shammy moved immediately, climbing the broad steps and settling beside Panam's throne. The leash followed. Panam caught it before it snagged on the armrest. Shammy looked up. "Like this?" Panam reached out and took her hand. "Yes. Like that." Shammy leaned affectionately against her knee. Panam studied her. "Shammy, listen carefully." "I'm listening." "You don't have to sit at my feet." Shammy considered this. "Would you prefer me beside you?" "Yes." "Then I'm happy here." "That's not..." Panam stopped. Shammy looked up expectantly. Panam sighed. "What if I wanted you to sit on the throne?" Shammy glanced at the enormous golden chair. "With you?" "Yes." "That would be lovely." Panam blinked. "Really?" "Of course." "Then why didn't you?" Shammy smiled. "Because you hadn't invited me." Panam stared. Then she turned toward Nyarlathotep. "You've built an entire universe around making me ask stupid questions, haven't you?" The Pharaoh spread his hands. "I would never presume to judge the quality of Your Majesty's questions." "YOU'RE DOING IT RIGHT NOW!" --- Mai was watching the proceedings with an expression of serene interest. Panam pointed toward her. "Don't think I've forgotten about you." Mai inclined her head. "I wouldn't dream of it." Panam narrowed her eyes. "Why are you here?" "Because I belong to your household." "Since when?" Mai looked thoughtful. "Since you claimed me, naturally." Panam nearly dropped the leashes. "I CLAIMED YOU?" "Yes." "WHEN?" Mai appeared confused. "Does the date matter?" "YES!" "Then I apologize, my queen. I don't recall the exact occasion." Panam threw up her hands. "FINALLY! SOMETHING YOU DON'T KNOW!" Mai smiled politely. "I'm glad I could be of assistance." Kiro started laughing. Panam turned. "And WHAT is so funny?" Kiro attempted to compose herself. "Nothing, Your Majesty." "Bullshit." "Well..." "Kiro." "You're arguing with Mai about when you acquired her." "YES!" "And Mai's winning." Panam stared. Kiro shrugged. "Just an observation." Mai smiled. "Thank you." "You're welcome." Panam slowly lowered her forehead against her hand. "I hate this place." "Would you like different furnishings?" Mai asked. Panam lifted her head. "What?" "The palace. If it displeases you, perhaps the furnishings could be changed." Kiro nodded. "Those statues are ridiculous." "KIRO!" "What? They are!" Panam followed her gaze. Two enormous golden statues stood beside the main entrance. Both depicted creatures with the bodies of lions and the heads of women. One had nine tails. The other had an elaborate oni mask. Panam stared. Then slowly looked down at Yukari and Mandi. "Oh, you have GOT to be kidding me." Mandi looked toward the statues. "I think mine is quite flattering." Yukari smiled. "Mine has a lovely tail arrangement." Kiro folded her arms. "Mine doesn't even exist." Mai glanced toward her. "Would you like one?" "Obviously." Panam made a strangled sound. The Black Pharaoh laughed so hard that he had to place one hand against the arm of his throne. --- "Enough." Panam's voice was suddenly very quiet. That got everyone's attention. Even Nyarlathotep stopped laughing. Panam looked down at the women. "All of you. Listen." Nine pairs of eyes turned toward her. Nine familiar faces. Nine people she cared about. "I want you to answer one question. Honestly." Nova straightened. "Of course, Your Majesty." "Are any of you being forced to stay here?" Silence. Not frightened silence. Not evasive silence. The kind of silence that followed a question nobody quite understood. Mandi looked toward Mai. Mai looked toward Nova. Vega raised an eyebrow. Kiro frowned. Finally, Yukari spoke. "Forced, my queen?" "Yes." Yukari considered the word. Then shook her head. "No." Panam looked toward the others. "Nadia?" "No, Owner." "Shammy?" "Of course not." "Mandi?" "No, Your Majesty." "Nova?" "Certainly not." "Vega?" "Nope." "Birgitta?" "No, my queen." "Mai?" "No." "Kiro?" Kiro looked almost offended. "No." Panam stared at them. Then at their collars. Then at the leashes in her hands. She turned slowly toward Nyarlathotep. "So you're telling me none of them are prisoners." "Precisely." "But they're wearing collars." "Yes." "And leashes." "Indeed." "And they all think they belong to me." "Naturally." Panam leaned forward. "AND YOU DON'T SEE THE PROBLEM?" The Black Pharaoh regarded her with enormous amusement. "My dear Madame, I see many things." "THEN EXPLAIN!" He smiled. "Why don't you ask your companions what they think of their queen?" Panam's eyes narrowed. "Don't change the subject." "Oh, but I insist." He gestured elegantly toward the women. "After all, their happiness is surely your greatest concern." Panam glared at him. Then turned back toward the floor. "Fine." She looked at Mandi. "What do you think of me?" Mandi smiled. "You're magnificent, Your Majesty." "Nova?" "Decisive, formidable, occasionally impatient." "VEGA?" "Beautiful, terrifying, and apparently having a very difficult morning." Panam closed her eyes. "Birgitta?" "Kind, my queen." Panam opened one eye. "Kind?" Birgitta nodded. "You always make certain we're cared for." Something twisted painfully in Panam's chest. "Mai?" "Strong-willed. Protective. Occasionally inclined to argue with perfectly reasonable answers." Kiro snorted. Panam pointed at her. "Don't." Kiro raised both hands. "Didn't say anything." "Yukari?" The kitsune's golden eyes softened. "Beloved." Panam went still. Yukari continued gently. "You're loved, my queen. Very much." For several seconds, nobody spoke. Then Nadia added: "All of us love you, Owner." Shammy nodded enthusiastically from beside Panam's knee. "Very much." Panam looked around at them. The affection was real. She could see it. Hear it. Feel it. And that was the most disturbing part. Nothing in their expressions suggested fear. Nothing suggested resentment. Nothing suggested that they were waiting for rescue. They were simply there. Happy. Devoted. Comfortable. As though the enormous golden palace and its impossible arrangement were the most natural home in existence. Panam swallowed. Then turned toward Nyarlathotep. His smile had become almost unbearably smug. "You see, Madame?" He spread his hands. "Such devotion." Panam looked down at the leashes. Then at Shammy. Then Nadia. Then the others. And something in her expression hardened. "No." The Pharaoh raised an eyebrow. "No?" Panam met his gaze. "No. I don't buy it." "How disappointing." "You can make them believe whatever you want." Nyarlathotep said nothing. "You can build a palace. Give me a crown. Stick collars on everyone. Make them think this is normal." She lifted the bundle of leashes. "But you can't convince me this is what they actually chose." The Pharaoh smiled. "Can I not?" Panam stared at him. Then looked down at her friends. Nine women. Nine impossible answers. And suddenly, she had an idea. Not a particularly sophisticated idea. Not the sort of thing Mai would have devised. But it was practical. Direct. And very, very Panam. "All right." She gathered the leashes carefully into one hand. Then looked toward the women. "Everybody." They straightened. Panam took a breath. "I have a new question." Nyarlathotep leaned forward, fascinated. Panam smiled. It wasn't a friendly smile. "Actually, I have about a hundred." The Pharaoh's delighted laughter echoed through the throne room. "Wonderful!" Panam settled back against the golden throne. "Yeah, asshole." She looked down at her extraordinarily cooperative, spectacularly impossible collection of royal companions. "Let's see how much fun you're having after I've finished asking them." And for the first time since she'd awakened, Madame Panam looked almost comfortable on her throne. Almost. --- ## Chapter 3 — The Most Absurd Conversation in Dreamlands Panam had a plan. It was not a particularly complicated plan. In fact, it consisted of three steps. First, establish whether her friends understood their situation. Second, determine precisely what rules governed this ridiculous palace. Third, find something sufficiently heavy to throw at Nyarlathotep. She considered the third step especially promising. Unfortunately, the first step was proving difficult. "Right," she announced. "Everybody pay attention." Nine faces turned toward her. Nyarlathotep settled more comfortably into his throne. Panam ignored him. "Let's start with something simple." "An excellent approach, Your Majesty," Nova observed. Panam pointed at her. "No helping." Nova inclined her head. "Of course." "First question. Does everybody know what a leash is?" There was a brief silence. Then Kiro spoke. "Seriously?" "YES, SERIOUSLY!" "Well, yeah." "Good. Explain." Kiro looked at the leather strap attached to her collar. "It's a leash." Panam stared. "That is not an explanation." "It's a pretty accurate description." Mandi covered a smile. Panam noticed. "Something funny?" "Only that Kiro isn't technically wrong, Your Majesty." "MANDI!" "Yes?" "Don't encourage her!" Kiro looked offended. "I don't need encouragement." Mai nodded thoughtfully. "That's certainly true." Panam closed her eyes. Somewhere to her right, the Black Pharaoh made a delighted little sound. Panam opened one eye. "Not. One. Word." Nyarlathotep raised both hands in graceful surrender. --- "All right. Let me rephrase." Panam leaned forward. "Why does a person wear a leash?" Nova answered immediately. "To remain connected to the person holding it." "Yes, but WHY?" "Because the arrangement is appropriate to their position." Panam blinked. "Appropriate?" "Certainly." "According to whom?" Nova seemed genuinely confused. "To the royal household, Your Majesty." Panam slowly turned toward Nyarlathotep. He smiled. She turned back. "Fine. Who decides what's appropriate?" "You do." Panam paused. "I do?" "Naturally." "And if I decide nobody should wear a leash?" Nova considered this. "Then we would obey your wishes." Panam's expression brightened. "HA!" She turned triumphantly toward the Pharaoh. "See? That was easy!" He inclined his head. "Was it?" Panam narrowed her eyes. Then looked back at Nova. "So if I order you to remove your collar, what happens?" Nova touched the silver-grey band around her neck. "Would you like me to remove it?" "YES!" Nova nodded. "Of course, Your Majesty." She reached behind her neck. There was a soft click. The collar opened. Panam stared. Nova removed it. Held it carefully in both hands. And waited. "Well?" Panam demanded. Nova looked up. "Where would you like me to put it?" Panam blinked. "WHAT?" "The collar, Your Majesty." "THROW IT AWAY!" Nova hesitated. "Are you certain?" "YES!" "Very well." Nova set the collar aside. Panam grinned. "Excellent. Now stand up." Nova rose gracefully. The leash lay forgotten on the floor. Panam turned toward Nyarlathotep. "How do you like THAT?" The Pharaoh smiled. "Immensely." Panam frowned. Something was wrong. She looked back at Nova. "Okay. You're free." Nova inclined her head. "Thank you, Your Majesty." "Go wherever you want." "Of course." Nova remained standing. Panam waited. Nothing happened. "Well?" Nova blinked. "Your Majesty?" "GO!" "Where would you like me to go?" "WHEREVER YOU WANT!" Nova considered that. Then smiled. "I would prefer to remain with you." Panam's grin disappeared. "Oh, for fuck's sake." --- Vega started laughing. Not loudly. Just enough to be irritating. Panam pointed at her. "Don't." Vega pressed her lips together. Her shoulders shook. "Vega." "Sorry, Queenie." "YOU ARE NOT SORRY!" "Not particularly." Mandi snickered. Kiro joined her. Even Mai looked amused. Panam stared at them. "YOU ALL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?" Vega shrugged. "Well, you did order Nova to go wherever she wanted." "YES!" "And she wants to stay." "THAT'S NOT THE POINT!" "What's the point?" Panam opened her mouth. Closed it. Looked toward Nyarlathotep. He was watching with the focused delight of a man witnessing an exceptionally successful theatrical performance. Panam pointed at him. "YOU DID SOMETHING TO THEM!" The Pharaoh looked wounded. "My dear Madame." "Don't you dare." "Surely you wouldn't accuse me of interfering with your companions' freedom?" Panam stared at him. Then looked at Nova. Standing quietly. Collar removed. Perfectly capable of walking away. And apparently possessing absolutely no desire to do so. "Fucking hell." --- "Mai." "Yes, Panam?" "You're smart." "Thank you." "Really smart." "That's kind of you." "Don't thank me yet." Mai tilted her head. Panam leaned forward. "Explain to me why nobody here wants to leave." Mai considered the question. "Because we are happy here." "WHY?" "Because we are with you." Panam made a frustrated noise. "That can't be the whole explanation." "Would you prefer a more detailed one?" "YES!" Mai nodded. "Very well." She adjusted her position on the cushion. "The royal household provides safety, companionship, affection, comfort, and a clear understanding of everyone's responsibilities. We are cared for, and in return we attend our queen. Our relationships are stable, our needs are met, and we enjoy one another's company." She paused. "Does that answer your question?" Panam stared. It was a perfectly structured argument. Clear. Logical. Internally consistent. And completely fucking insane. "Mai." "Yes?" "You're describing a kennel." Mai blinked. Then smiled. "An unusually comfortable one, perhaps." Kiro burst out laughing. Panam stared at her. "KIRO!" "I'm sorry!" "No, you're not!" "No, not really!" Mai looked toward Kiro. "I don't believe that was particularly helpful." "You said comfortable kennel!" "I said unusually comfortable." "THAT'S WORSE!" Mandi folded forward, laughing into her arms. Vega joined her. Nadia giggled. Shammy smiled brightly. Panam stared at the entire collection. Then turned toward Nyarlathotep. "I hope you're enjoying yourself." "Beyond measure, Madame." "I am going to kill you." "How refreshingly traditional." --- Panam rubbed her temples. She needed another approach. Something personal. Something that would cut through whatever impossible nonsense Nyarlathotep had woven around these women. Her gaze settled on Nadia. "Nadia, sweetheart." "Yes, Owner?" "Look at me." Nadia did. Her expression was open. Affectionate. Completely trusting. Panam's heart tightened. "Do you love Shammy?" Nadia smiled immediately. "Of course." "And does Shammy love you?" Shammy answered before Nadia could. "Very much." Panam nodded slowly. "Good. Good. Now we're getting somewhere." She looked toward Shammy. "And do you love me?" "More than anything, Owner." Panam swallowed. The answer sounded so familiar. So completely, unmistakably Shammy. "Then tell me something." Shammy waited. "If you love me, why aren't you upset that somebody put a collar around your neck?" Shammy looked puzzled. "Why would I be upset?" "Because..." Panam stopped. Because what? Because Shammy was not a possession? Because love did not mean ownership? Because the real Shammy would never allow some ancient cosmic bastard to decide what she was supposed to believe? All of those things. But how did she explain them to someone whose entire understanding of the world had apparently been rewritten? "Because you should have a choice," Panam said finally. Shammy smiled. "I do." Panam's grip tightened on the throne. "What?" "I choose to be with you." "That's not the same thing!" "Isn't it?" "No!" Shammy considered this. Then asked, with absolute sincerity: "Would you prefer that I didn't love you?" Panam went still. "No." Her voice was suddenly very quiet. "No, sweetheart. Never." Shammy reached up and gently touched her hand. "Then why are you unhappy?" Panam looked down at her. And for one terrible moment, she couldn't find an answer. --- Yukari watched the exchange with thoughtful golden eyes. Panam noticed. "Yukari." "Yes, my queen?" "Please tell me you understand what I'm trying to say." The kitsune smiled. "I believe you're concerned that our devotion might not be genuine." Panam nearly jumped out of her throne. "YES!" Nyarlathotep raised an eyebrow. Panam pointed triumphantly at Yukari. "THANK YOU!" Yukari inclined her head. "You're welcome." "Finally! Somebody gets it!" "Although I don't believe your concern is necessary." Panam froze. "...What?" Yukari continued gently. "We love you because you are our queen. We remain because we wish to remain. What greater assurance could you require?" Panam stared. "Yukari." "Yes?" "How old are you?" Yukari smiled. "Very old." "Exactly!" "Is that important?" "YES! You're older than practically everything in this fucking room!" Nyarlathotep made a small, interested sound. Yukari glanced toward him. Her expression remained perfectly serene. "Possibly." Panam leaned forward. "Then how can somebody like you possibly think it's normal to sit naked on a floor with a collar around your neck?" Yukari considered the question. Then glanced toward the magnificent golden throne. "Would you prefer I sat somewhere else?" Panam stared at her. Yukari smiled. "There are some rather lovely cushions near the western columns." A pause. "Although Mandi insists the eastern ones are better." "They ARE better," Mandi called. "Only because you claimed them first," Vega replied. "Seniority." "Favoritism." "EXPERIENCE!" "FUCKING BROWN-NOSING!" "EVERYBODY SHUT UP!" Silence fell. Nine faces turned toward Panam. The Pharaoh's shoulders were shaking. Panam stared at the ceiling. "Why me?" Nyarlathotep leaned closer. "Because, Madame, you are such an extraordinary woman." Panam turned. "I WASN'T ASKING YOU!" --- For several moments, nobody spoke. Panam looked at her hands. The leashes. The ridiculous gold bracelets. The crown. She slowly removed the crown again. Considered it. Then placed it on the armrest. "Right." She looked toward Kiro. "New question." Kiro sighed. "Oh, good." Panam ignored the sarcasm. "If I told you to leave the palace and never come back, what would you do?" Kiro considered this. "Leave." Panam blinked. "Just like that?" "Well, yeah." "And where would you go?" Kiro shrugged. "Wherever you sent me." "No. I said leave. I didn't give you a destination." Kiro frowned. "Then I'd probably ask where you wanted me to go." Panam threw up her free hand. "THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT NOVA SAID!" Nova inclined her head. "A sensible question, Your Majesty." Panam looked at Birgitta. "You. Same question." Birgitta considered it. "I would obey, my queen." "And then?" "I would await your permission to return." Panam's shoulders sagged. "Of course you would." She turned toward Mandi. "And you?" Mandi smiled. "I'd probably ask what I'd done wrong." Panam stopped. "What?" Mandi tilted her head. "If you wanted me gone forever, I would assume I'd displeased you somehow." Panam stared at her. Mandi's expression softened. "Have I, Your Majesty?" For a moment, the humor vanished. Panam looked at the familiar deep-red oni face. "No." Mandi waited. "No, honey. You haven't done anything wrong." Mandi smiled. "Good." Panam swallowed. Then looked away. Nyarlathotep's expression had become even more delighted. He wasn't enjoying merely the absurdity. He was enjoying the tiny moments of genuine distress hidden between the jokes. And Panam was beginning to understand that. --- "All right, everybody." Panam straightened. "Something else." Nine faces turned toward her. "Suppose I decided I didn't want to be your queen anymore." There was silence. Real silence this time. Even Kiro stopped fidgeting. Nova looked puzzled. "Your Majesty?" "You heard me." Mai tilted her head. "Why would you wish to stop being our queen?" "Because I don't want anybody to belong to me like this!" Shammy looked concerned. "Are we making you unhappy, Owner?" Panam winced. "No, sweetheart." Nadia spoke softly. "Then why would you leave us?" Panam stared. "I wouldn't LEAVE you!" "Then you would remain our queen?" Birgitta asked. "NO! I mean... YES! I mean..." She stopped. Took a breath. Tried again. "I want us to be together without all this!" She lifted the leashes. "Without THESE!" Nova considered the statement carefully. "Then perhaps we should establish a different arrangement." Panam looked at her. Slowly. Suspiciously. "What kind of arrangement?" Nova inclined her head. "Whatever pleases you, Your Majesty." Panam stared. Vega nodded. "She's right." Kiro shrugged. "Obviously." Mai smiled. "That seems entirely reasonable." Yukari inclined her head. "Your happiness matters to us." Nadia looked up affectionately. "Very much, Owner." Shammy squeezed Panam's hand. "Always." And Panam realized that she had just spent several minutes arguing her way back to exactly the same place she'd started. Every answer led to another question. Every question produced another perfectly sincere answer. And every answer assumed that the fundamental arrangement was correct. They could discuss changing collars. Changing cushions. Changing sleeping arrangements. Changing titles. Even changing where everyone sat. But the underlying belief remained untouched. They belonged to her. They wanted to belong to her. And none of them could imagine why she found that disturbing. --- Nyarlathotep finally spoke. "How fascinating." Panam turned toward him. "What?" "Your devotion to their freedom." Panam narrowed her eyes. "Don't." He smiled. "You demand that they choose." "YES." "And when they choose to remain with you, you reject their answers." "BECAUSE YOU'VE MESSED WITH THEIR HEADS!" "Have I?" Panam stared at him. He spread his hands. "You ask whether they are happy. They say yes." "That's not the point!" "You ask whether they love you. They say yes." "STOP IT." "You ask whether they wish to leave. They say no." Panam's fists tightened. "And yet..." He leaned slightly closer. "...you remain dissatisfied." For a moment, the chamber seemed much larger than before. The columns stretched toward a ceiling that suddenly appeared impossibly distant. Panam could hear the fountains. The soft movement of fabric. The quiet breathing of the women at her feet. And the smooth, amused voice of something ancient and cruel. "Tell me, Madame." Nyarlathotep smiled. "What answer would satisfy you?" Panam looked at him. Then down at the women. Shammy. Nadia. Mandi. Nova. Vega. Birgitta. Mai. Kiro. Yukari. Her friends. Her family. People she loved. People whose choices mattered. And suddenly, the answer was obvious. "One they actually made." The Pharaoh's smile remained. But Panam wasn't finished. "Not one you put in their heads. Not one you decided they should give me. Not one they believe because you twisted reality until they couldn't imagine anything else." She lifted the leashes. "One they made themselves." For the first time, Nyarlathotep did not immediately respond. Panam smiled grimly. "Yeah." She leaned back against her throne. "Thought so." A moment passed. Then the Pharaoh laughed. Not mockingly this time. Almost appreciatively. "Magnificent." Panam glared. "Fuck you." "My dear Madame, I believe I shall enjoy our time together enormously." "Good for you." He gestured toward the women. "Perhaps you should learn more about your household." Panam frowned. "What?" "Their responsibilities. Their customs. Their privileges." A smile. "After all, a queen should understand her own court." Panam looked toward Nova. Nova inclined her head. "I would be delighted to explain the royal household's arrangements, Your Majesty." Vega grinned. "Oh, this should be good." Kiro sighed. "Please tell me we're not doing the entire list." Mai smiled. "I believe accuracy would be preferable." Mandi raised one hand. "Can we start with the cushions?" "NO!" Panam shouted. Yukari tilted her head. "Then perhaps the sleeping arrangements?" Panam froze. Very slowly, she turned toward the ancient kitsune. "...The WHAT?" Nyarlathotep began laughing again. And Madame Panam realized, with growing horror, that her morning was about to become considerably more complicated. --- ## Chapter 4 — Rules of the Court Panam stared at Yukari. "The sleeping arrangements." Yukari nodded pleasantly. "Yes, my queen." "What sleeping arrangements?" "Ours, naturally." Panam looked toward Nyarlathotep. He was smiling. Of course he was smiling. She was beginning to suspect that the bastard's face had only two available expressions: smug and _even more smug_. "Explain," she said. Yukari inclined her head. "Would you prefer Nova to do so? She maintains the household arrangements." Panam looked at Nova. Nova looked perfectly prepared. That was somehow worrying. "Fine." Nova rose gracefully. Panam blinked. "Hang on." "Your Majesty?" "Your collar." Nova glanced down. A silver-grey collar rested around her neck. Panam stared. "YOU TOOK THAT OFF!" Nova looked puzzled. "Did I?" "YES!" Nova touched the collar. "How curious." "CURIOUS?!" "It appears perfectly secure." Panam looked toward the spot where Nova had placed the discarded collar earlier. Nothing. Not even the leash. Except that the leash was now neatly arranged across Panam's lap again. She slowly turned toward Nyarlathotep. "You're doing this." "Doing what, Madame?" "Don't." The Pharaoh smiled. Panam pointed toward Nova. "Continue." Nova inclined her head. "Certainly, Your Majesty." --- "The royal household observes a carefully maintained rotation of sleeping positions." Panam's fingers tightened around the throne's armrest. "A rotation." "Yes." "Of sleeping positions." "Precisely." Vega sighed. "Here we go." Nova continued. "Your personal chamber contains a royal bed, naturally, together with individual resting places for the household companions." "Beds?" Panam asked hopefully. "Cushions." Panam's expression collapsed. "Of course." "Very comfortable cushions," Mandi added. Vega rolled her eyes. "Here we fucking go again." Nova ignored them. "The companions are arranged according to proximity, responsibilities, and Her Majesty's personal preferences." Panam held up one hand. "Stop." Nova stopped. "Proximity?" "Yes." "To what?" "To you." Panam closed her eyes. For a moment, she pictured nine women lying on the floor around a gigantic bed while some ancient cosmic asshole watched from a golden balcony. She opened her eyes. "No." Nova blinked. "Your Majesty?" "No. Absolutely not." "Would you prefer a different arrangement?" "YES!" Nova smiled. "Then the arrangement shall be changed." Panam hesitated. "...Just like that?" "Naturally." "Really?" "Of course." Panam narrowed her eyes. She was beginning to recognize a pattern. "All right. Everybody gets a proper bed." Nova considered this. "Very generous, Your Majesty." "Not generous. Normal." "As you wish." A soft sound came from somewhere behind the throne. Panam turned. Nine elegant beds had appeared along the walls of the enormous chamber. Perfectly made. Soft pillows. Fine linen. Carved wooden frames. Panam stared. Then slowly smiled. "HA!" She turned toward Nyarlathotep. "How about that?" He inclined his head. "Beautifully appointed." Panam looked toward the women. "There. Problem solved." Nobody moved. Panam waited. Then frowned. "Well?" Mandi looked up. "Your Majesty?" "THE BEDS!" "Yes?" "GO USE THEM!" Mandi glanced at the nearest bed. Then back at Panam. "Now?" "YES!" "But it's morning." Panam froze. Kiro nodded. "She's got a point." Panam stared at her. "A POINT?" "We're not tired." "THAT'S NOT THE FUCKING POINT!" Mai tilted her head. "Then perhaps you should clarify your intentions." Panam stared at the ceiling. Nyarlathotep was quietly laughing again. --- "Fine." Panam looked down at Nova. "What happens when somebody doesn't want to follow the sleeping arrangement?" Nova seemed genuinely surprised. "Then we discuss it." Panam blinked. "You discuss it?" "Of course." "And?" "We reach an agreement." Panam leaned forward. "You're telling me you can disagree?" Vega snorted. "Have you met Mandi?" Mandi looked offended. "I am perfectly reasonable." "You're a fucking cushion tyrant." "That's because you insist on taking the eastern cushions." "They're better!" "THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN SAYING!" Panam slapped the armrest. "STOP TALKING ABOUT THE FUCKING CUSHIONS!" Silence. Mandi lowered her head. Vega looked away. Kiro pressed her lips together. Panam stared. "Are you laughing?" Kiro shook her head. Her shoulders moved. "KIRO." "I'm trying not to." "TRY HARDER!" Mai placed a hand over her mouth. Panam pointed at her. "YOU TOO!" Mai's eyes sparkled. "My apologies, Your Majesty." Panam looked from one face to another. Nine people. All perfectly capable of disagreeing. Arguing. Making jokes. Expressing preferences. And yet... "Nova." "Yes?" "You can disagree with Mandi about cushions." "Certainly." "Vega can argue with you?" "Frequently." "Could Kiro refuse to sleep where you tell her?" "Of course." Kiro nodded. "I have." Panam took a slow breath. "Then could any of you refuse to be my pet?" The chamber fell quiet. Nova looked genuinely confused. "Why would we wish to?" Panam felt her brief optimism evaporate. "Because you might not want to be!" "But we do." "ALL OF YOU?" Nine voices answered in various forms of agreement. Panam stared. Then very slowly turned toward Nyarlathotep. He raised his goblet in a silent toast. "Oh, I fucking hate you." --- Panam decided that if she was going to survive this morning, she needed to understand the entire absurd system. "All right, Nova." "Your Majesty?" "Tell me the rules." Nova straightened. "All of them?" Panam hesitated. Vega gave a low whistle. "Careful, Queenie." Panam looked at her. "Why?" "You're gonna be here a while." Nova gave Vega a disapproving glance. "Our household rules are neither excessive nor unreasonable." Kiro snorted. "Says the woman who insists the western fountain must be cleaned before the eastern one." "Because the water flows westward." "IT FLOWS IN A CIRCLE!" "Not consistently." Panam rubbed her forehead. "How many rules?" Nova considered. "Would you like the ceremonial regulations included?" Panam's expression went blank. "THE WHAT?" "Ceremonial regulations." "How many?" "Forty-three." Panam slowly lowered her head. "And the other rules?" "Seventy-two." A long silence followed. "ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTEEN FUCKING RULES?!" Nova smiled. "Only the principal ones." Nyarlathotep nearly spilled his drink. --- Panam pointed at Nova. "Give me the important ones." "Certainly." Nova folded her hands neatly. "First, Her Majesty's comfort takes precedence in all household arrangements." Panam nodded cautiously. "Fine." "Second, no companion may disturb Her Majesty's rest without sufficient reason." "Also fine." "Third, the royal companions shall maintain harmony among themselves." Vega glanced toward Mandi. Mandi smiled sweetly. Panam narrowed her eyes. "That one doesn't seem very effective." Nova sighed. "We're working on it." "Continue." "Fourth, each companion is entitled to sufficient food, water, rest, and personal care." Panam blinked. "Good." "Fifth, no companion may be punished for expressing a reasonable preference." Panam stared. "What?" Nova repeated the rule. Panam leaned forward. "Wait. So they have rights?" Nova looked surprised. "Naturally." Panam pointed toward the collars. "WHILE WEARING THOSE?" "Yes, Your Majesty." Panam stared. Then leaned back. "Okay. This is officially the most fucked-up system I've ever encountered." Nyarlathotep smiled. "Your appreciation warms me, Madame." "THAT WASN'T A COMPLIMENT!" --- "And what," Panam continued, "happens if somebody breaks a rule?" Nova considered. "That depends on the rule." "Give me an example." Vega raised one hand. Panam looked at her suspiciously. "What?" "I broke one yesterday." Panam stared. "YOU DID?" Vega nodded. "Apparently." Nova closed her eyes. "Vega." "What? She asked." Panam leaned forward. "What did you do?" Vega grinned. "I stole Mandi's cushion." Mandi looked indignant. "MY FAVORITE cushion." "Your favorite cushion is whichever one I'm sitting on." "Because you keep stealing them!" Panam pointed at Vega. "AND WHAT HAPPENED?" Vega shrugged. "Nova made me give it back." Panam stared. "That's it?" "Well, I had to apologize." Mandi smiled triumphantly. "Very sincerely." Vega rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah." Panam blinked. No punishment. No chains. No terrifying consequences. Just a dispute over a cushion. The whole thing would almost have been reassuring. If it hadn't been taking place in an impossible palace where nine women apparently believed they were royal pets. --- Panam looked toward Birgitta. She had been quiet throughout most of the proceedings. "Birgitta." "Yes, my queen?" "What do you do here?" Birgitta smiled. "I attend to your personal comfort." Panam considered this. "Anything else?" "I help maintain harmony among the companions." Vega snorted. "She's better at it than Nova." Nova turned. "I beg your pardon?" "She's nicer." "That is not a qualification." "Works better than your hundred and fifteen rules." "They are necessary." "According to you." "VEGA." "NOVAAAA." Panam raised both hands. "STOP!" They stopped. Birgitta smiled softly. Panam looked at her. "You deal with this?" "Frequently, my queen." "And you don't mind?" "Not at all." "Why?" Birgitta glanced toward the two women. "They mean well." Nova looked momentarily touched. Vega grinned. Panam sighed. "Of course they do." --- "Kiro." "Your Majesty?" "What are your responsibilities?" Kiro considered. "Whatever needs doing." Panam raised an eyebrow. "That's vague." "Well, I keep an eye on things." "WHAT things?" "The palace." Panam stared. "All of it?" "Mostly." "And?" Kiro shrugged. "I make sure nobody does anything stupid." A pause. Panam slowly turned toward Nyarlathotep. Then back toward Kiro. "You're doing a terrible fucking job." Kiro looked offended. "HEY!" Panam gestured toward the entire situation. "LOOK AROUND!" Kiro did. The golden columns. The magnificent fountains. The silent attendants. The enormous thrones. The nine companions. Then she looked back. "Looks fine to me." Panam made a noise that sounded like a dying engine. Mai smiled faintly. "Your Majesty, perhaps criticizing Kiro's responsibilities isn't the most productive approach." Panam stared at her. "AND WHAT DO YOU DO?" Mai inclined her head. "I advise." "Of course you do." "Whenever requested." Panam narrowed her eyes. "Then advise me." "Certainly." "How do I get out of this fucking palace?" Mai considered the question. Then looked toward the main doors. "Through the entrance, presumably." Kiro nodded. "That's how doors work." Panam pressed her fingertips to her temples. "WHY DO I EVEN BOTHER?" --- "Mandi." "Yes, Your Majesty?" Panam looked at the red-faced oni. "What's your responsibility?" Mandi straightened proudly. "I attend your personal chambers, oversee the eastern resting area, and provide companionship." "Of course." "Also, I help maintain morale." Vega burst out laughing. Mandi turned. "What?" "Maintain morale?" "Yes!" "By stealing cushions?" "THEY'RE MY CUSHIONS!" Panam slowly lifted the crown from the armrest. For one beautiful moment, she considered throwing it. Nyarlathotep watched with interest. Panam looked at the crown. Then at the Pharaoh. Then back at the crown. She sighed. And put it down. "Not worth it." The Pharaoh smiled. "A wise decision, Madame." "Shut up." --- "Yukari." The ancient kitsune lifted her head. "Yes, my queen?" "Surely you have some special responsibility." Yukari smiled. "I help keep the household peaceful." Panam looked toward Mandi and Vega. "You're not doing a great job either." Yukari's smile widened. "They're very peaceful when they're sleeping." Kiro snorted. Mai laughed softly. Panam stared. "You too?" "Occasionally, my queen." Panam leaned forward. "Can you change into a fox?" "Of course." "Then why haven't you?" Yukari looked puzzled. "You haven't asked." Panam blinked. "You're telling me you need my permission?" "Not at all." "Then why..." Yukari smiled. "I simply prefer this form at present." Panam stared at her. The answer was perfectly reasonable. Which somehow made it even worse. "Okay." She pointed toward the floor. "Change." Yukari inclined her head. "As you wish." A shimmer passed through the air. Her human form dissolved. A magnificent nine-tailed fox appeared on the cushion. The collar remained. The leash remained. Panam stared. "Oh, come ON!" The fox looked up. "Is something wrong, my queen?" Panam nearly fell off the throne. "YOU CAN STILL TALK?!" Yukari tilted her head. "Of course." "AND THE COLLAR IS STILL THERE?!" "Yes." "WHY?!" Yukari glanced at it. "Would you prefer another?" "NO!" The fox settled comfortably onto the cushion. Her nine tails spread around her like an enormous copper-red fan. Mandi looked impressed. "That's a very efficient use of cushion space." Vega folded her arms. "Don't even think about it." Panam buried her face in her hands. --- "Shammy." The woman beside her knee looked up. "Yes, Owner?" Panam took a breath. "What's your responsibility?" Shammy smiled. "To love you." Panam went very still. For a moment, the palace faded into insignificance. She looked down at the woman she loved. "That's not a responsibility, sweetheart." Shammy tilted her head. "Isn't it?" "No." "Then what is it?" Panam swallowed. "A choice." Shammy smiled. "Then I choose it." Panam looked at her. Really looked. The affection in those familiar eyes was unmistakable. But so was the terrible absence of any understanding that something had been taken from her. Panam reached down and gently touched Shammy's cheek. "You're not supposed to need a collar to love me." Shammy leaned into her hand. "I know." Panam blinked. "You do?" "Of course." "Then why are you wearing one?" Shammy smiled. "Because I'm your companion." Panam closed her eyes. There it was again. The impossible circle. Every road leading back to the same answer. --- "Your Majesty?" Nadia's gentle voice interrupted her thoughts. Panam opened her eyes. "Yes, honey?" "May I ask you something?" "Of course." Nadia looked genuinely concerned. "Why are you so unhappy?" Panam stared at her. Then looked around the chamber. At the beds that had appeared because she'd demanded them. At the cushions that apparently inspired more arguments than international diplomacy. At the collars. The leashes. The nine familiar women whose personalities remained completely intact while their understanding of reality had been turned inside out. Finally, she looked toward Nyarlathotep. He raised his goblet. Panam ignored him. "Because," she said quietly, "none of you understand what's wrong." Nadia considered this. "Then perhaps you could explain it to us." Panam almost laughed. Almost. "Believe me, sweetheart. I'm trying." --- The Black Pharaoh rose from his throne. For the first time since Panam had awakened, his movement drew everyone's attention. The enormous chamber seemed to respond. Light shifted across the columns. The fountains grew quieter. Even the distant music softened. "How delightful," he murmured. Panam looked up. "What now?" Nyarlathotep descended one step from his throne. "Your household is harmonious. Your companions are content. Your every wish is obeyed." Panam narrowed her eyes. "And?" He smiled. "And yet you remain dissatisfied." "Because this is bullshit." "Such a curious word for perfection." Panam stood. The leashes shifted in her hands. Nine heads turned toward her. Shammy rose beside the throne. Nadia sat straighter. Mandi and Vega stopped their cushion dispute. Even Kiro became attentive. Panam looked down at them. Then at Nyarlathotep. "Here's what you don't understand, asshole." The Pharaoh inclined his head. "Enlighten me." Panam lifted the leashes. "These are not what make them mine." A silence fell. "They're my friends. My family. Some of them are my lovers. They stay with me because they WANT to." She looked down at Shammy and Nadia. Her expression softened. "Not because the universe tells them they should." Nyarlathotep smiled. "Such an interesting distinction." "It's the only distinction that matters." The Pharaoh studied her. For a moment, something ancient and calculating moved behind his impossible black eyes. Then his smile returned. "Very well, Madame." He gestured toward the women. "Perhaps you would prefer to demonstrate your philosophy." Panam narrowed her eyes. "What does that mean?" "Show them." "Show them what?" "How you would arrange matters differently." Panam looked down at the nine leashes. Then at the collars. Then at her friends. And suddenly, a very simple idea occurred to her. She smiled. Not pleasantly. Not politely. It was the smile of a woman who had finally found a practical problem she could solve with her own two hands. "Fine." Nyarlathotep raised an eyebrow. Panam gathered the leashes. "Everybody." Nine faces turned toward her. She took a deep breath. "New royal decree." Nova straightened immediately. "Your Majesty?" Panam pointed at the collars. "Those things." A pause. "I want every single one of them OFF." The chamber fell silent. Nyarlathotep smiled. And somewhere in the impossible architecture of Dreamlands, something shifted. --- ## Chapter 5 — The Queen Objects For one magnificent moment, Panam believed she had finally found the solution. It was simple. Beautifully simple. If everyone in this ridiculous palace was determined to obey their queen, then their queen would order them to stop being pets. Problem solved. Nyarlathotep could take his golden palace, his absurdly comfortable cushions, his one hundred and fifteen fucking household regulations, and shove the entire arrangement somewhere extremely uncomfortable. "All right," Panam announced. "Everybody, listen carefully." Nine familiar faces turned toward her. Well. Eight faces and one fox. Yukari was still sitting on her cushion in her magnificent nine-tailed form. Panam decided to deal with that later. "New royal decree. Every single one of you removes your collar. Right now." Nova inclined her head. "Of course, Your Majesty." Mandi reached behind her neck. Vega did the same. Kiro had already begun working on hers. "About fucking time," she muttered. Panam brightened. "SEE? EVEN KIRO AGREES!" Kiro looked up. "Well, the clasp was digging into my neck." Panam stared. "...That's your reason?" "Do I need another one?" "No! No, that's fine!" Mai carefully opened her collar. Birgitta removed hers with quiet efficiency. Nadia hesitated briefly, looking toward Panam. "Owner?" "Yes, sweetheart?" "Would you like me to put it somewhere safe?" Panam considered suggesting the nearest furnace. Instead, she pointed toward the floor. "Just put it down." Nadia obeyed. Shammy removed hers and placed it beside Nadia's. Nova and Vega followed. Mandi set hers down with a small, disappointed sigh. Panam noticed. "What?" Mandi looked up. "Nothing, Your Majesty." "Mandi." "Well..." "OUT WITH IT." "It was a very nice collar." Vega snorted. "Of course you'd say that." "It matched my face!" Panam closed her eyes. "Mandi, I swear..." "Sorry, Your Majesty." Panam turned toward Yukari. The fox looked up expectantly. "Your turn." Yukari glanced down at her collar. "Would you prefer me in human form?" "Whatever makes this easier!" A shimmer passed through the air. A moment later, Yukari sat on the cushion in her familiar human appearance. She reached behind her neck. A small click. The collar came free. She placed it beside the others. Kiro finally succeeded with hers. "Fucking clasp." She dropped it onto the growing pile. Panam counted. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine. All nine collars lay on the polished stone. And nine women were sitting or standing before her, apparently awaiting further instructions. Panam slowly smiled. "Oh, this is beautiful." Nyarlathotep watched her. "Is it?" "YES." She pointed triumphantly at the pile. "NO MORE COLLARS!" "Indeed." "NO MORE LEASHES!" "Naturally." Panam looked down. The leashes in her hands had gone slack. She let them fall. They landed beside the discarded collars. And disappeared. Panam stared. Then grinned. "HA!" Nyarlathotep inclined his head. "Congratulations, Madame." Panam folded her arms. "Fuck you." "Such graciousness in victory." "YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT!" --- "Okay." Panam turned toward the women. "Everybody stand up." They did. Immediately. Without argument. Without hesitation. Nine women stood in a loose semicircle around the foot of her throne. Panam looked them over. No collars. No leashes. A significant improvement. Admittedly, they were still naked. And standing in a palace that absolutely should not exist. But progress was progress. "Right. Next thing." Nova inclined her head. "Your Majesty?" "Clothes." Nova blinked. "Clothes?" "YES. CLOTHES." "Would you like us dressed for a particular occasion?" Panam stared. "Any occasion!" Nova considered. "Formal court attire?" "NO!" "Informal household attire?" "NO!" "Then perhaps ceremonial..." "JUST NORMAL FUCKING CLOTHES!" The women exchanged puzzled glances. Mai spoke first. "Could you clarify what you consider normal, Panam?" Panam stared at her. "Clothes!" "Yes, but what kind?" "The kind people WEAR!" Vega looked toward Nova. "She's being very specific today." Nova nodded. "Unusually so." Panam threw both hands into the air. "FINE! DRESSES! TUNICS! SHIRTS! TROUSERS! WHATEVER!" A soft sound rippled through the chamber. And suddenly, every woman was wearing a magnificent white linen robe. Identical. Elegant. Perfectly fitted. With golden trim. Panam surveyed them in disbelief. Nine women stared back. Kiro looked down at herself. Then at Mai. Then at Mandi. "...Well, that's fucking boring." Vega examined her sleeve. "Could've been worse." Nova adjusted the fabric across one shoulder. "Actually, the workmanship is excellent." Mandi looked disappointed. "Mine doesn't have any red." Yukari smiled. "I think they're rather lovely." Panam slowly turned toward Nyarlathotep. "You." The Pharaoh raised an eyebrow. "Madame?" "You're doing this." "Am I?" "YES!" He spread his hands. "You requested clothing. Clothing was provided." "NOT MATCHING FUCKING NIGHTGOWNS!" Mai examined her robe. "Technically, Panam, this is not a nightgown." Panam turned. "MAI." "It's a perfectly respectable court garment." "MAI." "Although the golden trim is somewhat excessive." "MAI!" Mai smiled. "My apologies." Kiro looked down at herself again. "I'd still like trousers." A pair of white linen trousers appeared beneath her robe. Kiro blinked. Then grinned. "Oh, that's better." Vega stared. "Seriously?" Kiro shrugged. "What?" Mandi raised one hand. "Can mine be red?" Her robe turned crimson. Mandi looked delighted. Nova sighed. "Now you've ruined the coordinated appearance." Vega's robe turned black. Nova stared at her. "Really?" "What?" "We had a perfectly consistent arrangement." "And now we don't." Mandi grinned. "I like mine." Panam stared at the three of them. Then slowly lowered herself back onto the throne. "I need a fucking drink." A golden goblet appeared in her hand. Panam looked at it. Looked toward Nyarlathotep. And very deliberately poured its contents onto the floor. The liquid disappeared before touching the stone. The goblet refilled. Panam stared. Nyarlathotep smiled. "Would you prefer something else?" Panam threw the goblet at him. It vanished halfway across the space between their thrones. A fresh goblet appeared in her hand. The Pharaoh laughed. Panam looked at the new goblet. Then at him. "...I really, really hate you." --- "Right." Panam put the goblet down. She was going to remain calm. Perfectly calm. Exceptionally calm. The kind of calm usually associated with unexploded ordnance. "Everybody." Nine faces turned toward her. "No more collars." Nova nodded. "Of course, Your Majesty." "No more leashes." "Certainly." "No more sitting at my feet." Mandi looked disappointed. "Not even on the eastern cushions?" "ESPECIALLY NOT ON THE EASTERN CUSHIONS!" Vega grinned. "Ha!" "VEGA!" "Sorry, Queenie." Panam took a breath. "And most importantly..." She looked at each of them. "None of you belongs to me." Silence. Nova blinked. Mai tilted her head. Nadia looked concerned. Shammy's smile faded slightly. Panam waited. Finally, Yukari spoke. "My queen?" "Yes?" "Have we displeased you?" Panam's heart sank. "No." "Then why would you cast us away?" "I'm NOT casting you away!" Shammy took a small step forward. "Owner?" Panam looked at her. Shammy's expression was genuinely worried. "Do you no longer want us?" Panam froze. "No! Of course I want you!" Nadia moved closer. "Then why are you sending us away?" "I'M NOT!" Mai considered the exchange. "Perhaps we're misunderstanding your intentions." Panam looked at her. "YOU THINK?" Mai smiled apologetically. Panam rubbed her forehead. "Listen. All of you." She stood. "I want you to be free." Nova inclined her head. "We are free, Your Majesty." "NO, YOU'RE NOT!" Vega folded her arms. "Well, we're not wearing collars anymore." "THAT DOESN'T MAKE YOU FREE!" Kiro raised an eyebrow. "Pretty sure it helps." Panam pointed at her. "KIRO!" "What?" "NOT HELPING!" Kiro shrugged. "Fair enough." Panam turned toward Nyarlathotep. He was smiling. Of course. Always smiling. "You're enjoying this." "Immensely, Madame." "You've made them incapable of understanding what I'm saying." The Pharaoh considered that. "Have I?" "YES!" "How curious." "Don't you fucking dare." He gestured toward the women. "They seem quite capable of understanding your wishes." Panam glared. "They understand the WORDS." "An important distinction?" "YES!" Nyarlathotep leaned back. "Then perhaps you should explain the difference." Panam looked down at the women. Nine attentive faces. Nine perfectly recognizable personalities. Nine completely sincere expressions. And suddenly, she realized the problem was much worse than she'd thought. --- "All right." Panam descended the steps. The women watched her. She approached Nova first. "Nova." "Your Majesty." "Do you want to leave?" Nova considered. "No." "Why?" "Because I prefer to remain with you." Panam nodded. "Fine. But suppose you DID want to leave." Nova waited. "Could you?" "Of course." "Then leave." Nova blinked. "Your Majesty?" "Walk out of the palace." "Very well." Nova turned. Walked toward the enormous doors. They opened. Sunlight poured through. Beyond them, Panam could see a broad courtyard. Palm trees. Fountains. Beautiful gardens. Nova stepped through. Panam held her breath. One step. Two. Three. Nova disappeared beyond the doorway. Panam slowly smiled. "YES!" Then Nova returned. Panam stared. "WHAT?!" Nova looked puzzled. "Your Majesty?" "WHY ARE YOU BACK?" Nova glanced behind her. Then toward Panam. "You instructed me to leave the palace." "YES!" "I have." "THEN WHY DID YOU COME BACK?" "You didn't instruct me to remain outside." Panam stared. Nova smiled politely. "Would you prefer that?" Panam opened her mouth. Closed it. Opened it again. "...Yes." Nova inclined her head. "Of course." She turned. Walked through the doors. And remained outside. Panam waited. Thirty seconds. A minute. Two. She turned triumphantly toward Nyarlathotep. "THERE!" The Pharaoh smiled. "How very decisive." Panam folded her arms. "She's gone." "Indeed." "And she's staying gone." "As you requested." Panam stared at him suspiciously. He smiled back. Then a voice came from outside. "Your Majesty?" Panam closed her eyes. "...What?" Nova's voice carried through the open doors. "May I ask a question?" Panam clenched her jaw. "WHAT?" "How long would you prefer me to remain here?" Panam stared at the doorway. Then slowly looked toward Nyarlathotep. His shoulders were shaking. Panam turned back. "UNTIL YOU WANT TO COME BACK!" A pause. Then: "But I already want to come back, Your Majesty." Panam made a noise that would have alarmed several experienced mechanics. Nyarlathotep burst out laughing. --- "FINE!" Panam marched toward the doors. "Everybody out!" Nine women exchanged glances. Then began walking toward the exit. Mandi looked toward her cushion. Vega noticed. "Don't even think about it." "I'm not!" "You were looking." "IT'S MY FAVORITE CUSHION!" "MANDI!" "Sorry, Your Majesty!" Panam followed them. They passed through the enormous doors. Into the courtyard. Under the blazing golden sunlight. Panam stepped outside. For one beautiful moment, she could breathe. The air smelled of flowers. Birds sang. Water flowed through narrow channels between the gardens. Beyond the courtyard rose another set of magnificent golden gates. Panam pointed toward them. "That way." Mai looked toward the gates. "Where would you like us to go?" "ANYWHERE!" Kiro glanced around. "Anywhere?" "YES!" Kiro considered. "Could we explore the gardens?" Panam stared. "No!" Kiro blinked. "Then not anywhere." Panam closed her eyes. "FUCK!" Vega snickered. Panam pointed toward the gates. "OUT! THROUGH THOSE GATES!" The women obeyed. They crossed the courtyard. Passed beneath the enormous archway. And disappeared beyond it. Panam waited. Then turned toward Nyarlathotep. Who was standing beside her. Smiling. "Don't." "I haven't said anything." "GOOD." Panam marched toward the gates. Passed through them. And stopped. She was standing in the throne room. Again. The same enormous columns. The same fountains. The same golden thrones. The same impossible sunlight. And nine women were waiting at the foot of her throne. Wearing collars. With leashes. And absolutely no clothing whatsoever. For several seconds, Panam did not move. Then she slowly turned around. The gates were gone. Behind her stood the enormous entrance doors. Leading into the courtyard. Panam looked toward Nyarlathotep. He had somehow returned to his throne. He raised his goblet. "Welcome home, Madame." Panam's mouth opened. Closed. Opened again. Then: "YOU ABSOLUTE FUCKING BASTARD!" The Pharaoh laughed. --- Panam stood motionless. She looked down at the women. The robes were gone. The collars had returned. The leashes were once again draped across the arm of her throne. Everything was exactly as it had been before. Except for one thing. Panam was beginning to understand. This wasn't a palace with rules. It wasn't even a prison. It was a dream pretending to be a world. And Nyarlathotep controlled the dream. "Nova." "Yes, Your Majesty?" "Do you remember leaving the palace?" Nova looked puzzled. "Leaving?" "YES!" Nova considered. "I remember walking through the courtyard." Panam blinked. "YOU DO?" "Of course." "And then?" "We returned." "WHY?" Nova smiled gently. "Because we belong here." Panam scanned the women's faces, beginning with Mandi. "Do you remember the clothes?" Mandi nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty." "And?" "They were rather nice." Panam closed her eyes. "OF COURSE THEY WERE." Vega raised one hand. "Mine was better." Mandi turned. "Mine was red!" "Exactly." "WHAT'S WRONG WITH RED?" "Nothing. Just not as good as black." Panam took a slow breath. A very slow breath. Then she looked at Shammy. "Sweetheart." "Yes, Owner?" "Do you remember when I told you that you were free?" Shammy smiled. "Of course." "And?" "I still am." Panam felt something twist in her chest. She crouched beside Shammy. "Then why are you wearing that collar again?" Shammy glanced down. Then back at her. "Because I'm yours." Panam closed her eyes. There it was. Again. The same answer. The same impossible certainty. She reached forward. Carefully opened the collar. Removed it. Placed it on the floor. Then took Shammy's hands. "Listen to me." Shammy nodded. "I'm listening, Owner." "I love you." Shammy smiled. "I love you too." "And you don't need to belong to me for that to be true." Shammy considered her words. Then smiled again. "Of course not." Panam froze. "...What?" "Love doesn't require a collar." For one glorious moment, hope returned. "Exactly!" Shammy nodded. "Of course." Panam almost laughed with relief. "THEN WHY..." She stopped. Because the collar was back. Resting around Shammy's neck. Shammy hadn't moved. Hadn't reached for it. Hadn't even noticed. Panam stared. Slowly, she turned her head. Nyarlathotep watched from his throne. Smiling. And Panam finally understood the cruelest part of the joke. It didn't matter what her friends said. It didn't matter what she ordered. It didn't matter how carefully she explained the difference between love and ownership. Because none of them were actually making the choice. The dream was making it for them. --- Panam rose. Very slowly. She walked toward the Pharaoh. The women watched her. Nyarlathotep regarded her with open amusement. "Something troubling you, Madame?" Panam stopped at the foot of his throne. For a long moment, she said nothing. Then: "You know what the funniest thing about all this is?" The Pharaoh raised an eyebrow. "Do tell." Panam pointed toward the women. "You could have made them terrified." "Indeed." "You could have made them beg for help." "Certainly." "You could have put them in cages." The Pharaoh's smile widened slightly. "A familiar arrangement." Panam's eyes narrowed. "Yeah. I've heard about that one." Nyarlathotep inclined his head. "But instead," Panam continued, "you made them happy." "Precisely." "You made them believe everything was fine." "Yes." "You made them think they chose this." The Pharaoh smiled. "And?" Panam leaned forward. Her voice dropped. "That's what makes you a fucking monster." For the first time that morning, the laughter stopped. Not for long. But long enough. Nyarlathotep studied her. Then smiled again. "My dear Madame." His voice was almost affectionate. "You do possess such a magnificent sense of moral outrage." Panam didn't move. "And you," she replied quietly, "are going to regret choosing me." The Pharaoh laughed. "Am I?" "Yes." "How delightful." Panam stared at him. Then turned away. She walked back toward her throne. Past Mandi. Past Nova and Vega. Past Birgitta. Past Mai and Kiro. Past Yukari. And finally, past Nadia and Shammy. She stopped. Looked down at the two women she loved. Then at the others. Nine familiar faces. Nine people who trusted her. Nine people whose freedom had been taken so thoroughly that they couldn't even recognize its absence. Panam looked toward the golden throne. Then toward the leashes. And made a decision. She would not play along. Not for a second. Not for a laugh. Not for the satisfaction of an ancient cosmic asshole who apparently thought this was the funniest thing in existence. She sat down. Folded her arms. And looked toward Nyarlathotep. "All right." The Pharaoh smiled. "Yes, Madame?" "Let's talk." He inclined his head. "With pleasure." Panam's expression hardened. "No more games." Nyarlathotep's smile became positively radiant. "Oh, my dear Madame." He settled comfortably into his throne. "But games are precisely why we're here." --- ## Chapter 6 — A Pharaoh's Entertainment "Let's establish something." Panam sat with her arms folded, glaring at the impossible creature occupying the throne beside hers. Nyarlathotep inclined his head. "By all means, Madame." "You know who I am." "Naturally." "You know my friends." "Quite intimately, as you can see." Panam's expression darkened. "Don't." The Pharaoh smiled. "As you wish." Panam gestured toward the nine women gathered below. "And you know perfectly well that none of them actually chose this." "An interesting assertion." "It's not an assertion. It's a fucking fact." Nyarlathotep considered her. "Then perhaps you would care to explain something." Panam narrowed her eyes. "What?" "Why does their present happiness trouble you so deeply?" Panam stared. "Are you serious?" "Entirely." "You've taken nine people, messed with their minds, put collars around their necks, and convinced them they're my pets!" "Yes." "AND YOU'RE ASKING WHY THAT BOTHERS ME?" "Precisely." Panam looked toward the ceiling. "Unbelievable." Below the throne, Kiro raised her head. "Your Majesty?" Panam looked down. "What?" "Would you prefer that we left you alone?" Panam stared at her. "No, Kiro." Kiro nodded. "All right." And settled back onto her cushion. Nyarlathotep smiled. "You see? So attentive." Panam turned toward him. "I am going to enjoy watching somebody kick your ass." The Pharaoh laughed. "Such delightful optimism." --- Nyarlathotep rose. He moved without hurry, descending the broad steps between the two thrones. The shadows seemed to follow him. Not dramatically. Not threateningly. They simply behaved as though the light itself had decided that being near him was a privilege it would rather decline. He stopped beside Mandi. The red-faced oni looked up. "Your Majesty." Nyarlathotep smiled. "Good morning, little oni." "Good morning, Great Pharaoh." Panam's eyes narrowed. "Don't touch her." Nyarlathotep paused. His smile widened. "How protective." "I mean it." "Of course." He withdrew his hand without touching Mandi. Then turned toward Panam. "Such an interesting contradiction." "What contradiction?" "You permit your companions considerable independence." "Yes." "They may speak freely." "Of course." "They may disagree." "Obviously." "They may express preferences, maintain friendships, and enjoy one another's company." Panam folded her arms. "Get to the point." "And yet you insist upon holding their leashes." Panam thrust her hands toward him. "YOU PUT THEM IN MY HANDS!" "Did I?" "YES!" "How curious." "STOP SAYING THAT!" The Pharaoh laughed. --- Panam looked down at the leashes. They were back in her hands. She hadn't picked them up. She hadn't even noticed their return. Leather straps rested against her fingers, each one leading toward a familiar collar. She let them fall. Nyarlathotep watched. The leashes disappeared before reaching the floor. Then returned to her hands. Panam stared. "Really?" The Pharaoh inclined his head. "Really." She dropped them again. They returned. Again. They returned. Again. They returned. Panam looked at the bundle. Then at Nyarlathotep. "You're enjoying this far too much." "Immeasurably." Panam considered the leashes. Then deliberately tied them together into one enormous knot. Nyarlathotep raised an eyebrow. "What an interesting choice." "Shut up." She continued tying. Nine leashes became one complicated collection of loops, twists, and knots. Panam pulled the final knot tight. "There." The Pharaoh regarded the result. "Magnificent craftsmanship." "Fuck you." Panam tossed the bundle over the side of the throne. It vanished. A moment later, nine perfectly separated leashes appeared neatly across her lap. Panam stared. For a long moment, she said nothing. Then: "Okay. That was actually impressive." Nyarlathotep bowed slightly. "Thank you, Madame." "STILL HATE YOU." "Naturally." --- "Let me ask you something." The Pharaoh returned to his throne. Panam watched him suspiciously. "What now?" "Your title." "What about it?" "Madame." Panam stiffened. Nyarlathotep smiled. "A fascinating title, don't you think?" "It's a professional title." "Indeed." He gestured toward the women. "One associated with authority." Panam said nothing. "With responsibility." "Yes." "With arrangements concerning the willing devotion of others." Panam's eyes narrowed. "Careful." The Pharaoh smiled. "Oh, I am being very careful." He leaned back. "You are accustomed to being obeyed, Madame." Panam folded her arms. "Only when somebody agrees to an arrangement." "Ah." Nyarlathotep raised one finger. "An arrangement." "Yes." "With rules." "Yes." "Responsibilities." "Yes." "Privileges." "Yes." "Collars." Panam glared. "Sometimes." "Leashes." "Sometimes." The Pharaoh spread his hands. "And here we are." Panam stared at him. Then looked down. At Mandi. At Nova and Vega. At Birgitta. At Shammy and Nadia. And then at Mai, Kiro, and Yukari. She slowly turned back. "No." Nyarlathotep raised an eyebrow. "No?" "That's not the same thing." "How disappointing." "Not even close." "Do explain." Panam leaned forward. "In my world, every single one of those women gets to decide what she wants." "How admirable." "She can say no." "Indeed." "She can change her mind." "Naturally." "She can take off her collar whenever she wants." The Pharaoh smiled. "And so can they." Panam glanced toward Nova. The silver-grey collar was resting securely around her neck again. Panam looked back. "Except you put it right back." "I merely maintain the customary order of the household." "YOU MADE UP THE FUCKING CUSTOMS!" Nyarlathotep laughed. "Aren't all customs made up by someone, Madame?" Panam opened her mouth. Stopped. Then pointed at him. "That is the most irritatingly stupid clever thing anybody has ever said to me." The Pharaoh looked delighted. "I shall treasure the compliment." "IT WASN'T ONE!" --- "Let us conduct a little experiment." Panam groaned. "Oh, for fuck's sake." Nyarlathotep gestured toward the companions. "Choose one." Panam looked down. The women watched her attentively. "Choose one for what?" "A demonstration." "No." The Pharaoh raised an eyebrow. "No?" "I'm not playing your games." "Then perhaps I shall choose." He looked toward Nova. "Come forward, my dear." Nova rose. Panam immediately pointed at him. "Don't you dare." Nyarlathotep smiled. "Would you prefer to give the instruction yourself?" Panam clenched her jaw. Then looked at Nova. "Stay where you are." Nova stopped. "Of course, Your Majesty." The Pharaoh spread his hands. "There." Panam narrowed her eyes. "What?" "She obeyed you." "Because you made her!" "She appeared perfectly willing." "THAT'S THE PROBLEM!" Nyarlathotep nodded thoughtfully. "Fascinating." Panam stared. "What's fascinating?" "That you seem to regard obedience as desirable only when it is sufficiently inconvenient." Panam blinked. Then slowly smiled. Not pleasantly. "All right." Nyarlathotep inclined his head. "Yes?" "Let's try something." Panam turned toward Nova. "Nova." "Your Majesty?" "Tell the Pharaoh he's an asshole." There was a brief silence. Nova considered the instruction. Then turned toward Nyarlathotep. "Great Pharaoh." He smiled. "Yes, my dear?" "Her Majesty wishes me to inform you that you are an asshole." Kiro snorted. Vega burst out laughing. Mandi clapped a hand over her mouth. Even Mai looked amused. Panam stared. Then grinned. "HA!" Nyarlathotep regarded Nova. "How refreshingly diplomatic." Nova inclined her head. "Thank you, Great Pharaoh." Panam pointed triumphantly. "SEE?" The Pharaoh smiled. "Certainly." Panam looked toward Vega. "Your turn." Vega immediately grinned. "Oh, this is going to be good." "Tell him what you think." Vega looked toward the Pharaoh. Considered him for a moment. Then announced: "Your palace is ridiculously overdecorated, your taste in cushions is questionable, and you've got the sort of smile that makes people check whether their valuables are still where they left them." A stunned silence followed. Then Kiro collapsed into laughter. Mandi joined her. Panam nearly fell off the throne. "VEGA!" Vega looked delighted. "What? You asked!" Nyarlathotep laughed. Long. Rich. Genuinely entertained. "Oh, she is magnificent." Panam's grin faded slightly. Because the Pharaoh wasn't offended. He wasn't surprised. He was enjoying this too. And that meant she hadn't beaten him at anything. Not yet. --- "Very entertaining," Nyarlathotep said. He looked toward the women. "And such charming personalities." Panam folded her arms. "They're not yours." "Of course not." "Don't even joke about it." "I wouldn't dream of it." Panam stared. Nyarlathotep smiled. The word had been deliberate. She knew it. He knew she knew it. And that made it worse. "You really are a gigantic asshole." "So I've been informed." --- Panam looked toward Mai. She needed someone who could think through this properly. Someone who could find a flaw in Nyarlathotep's logic. "Mai." "Yes, Panam?" "Come here." Mai rose and approached the throne. Her leash followed. Panam caught it reflexively before it snagged on the steps. She immediately hated herself for doing so. Mai stopped beside her. "How may I assist you?" Panam studied her. Even here, beneath the impossible golden sunlight, Mai remained unmistakably Mai. Calm. Intelligent. Infuriatingly composed. "Tell me something." "Of course." "If I wanted to make a terrible decision, would you tell me?" Mai considered. "Certainly." Panam nodded. "Good. Excellent." "Provided you wished to hear my opinion." Panam stared. "What?" "Advice is most useful when welcomed." Panam sighed. "Fine. I'm welcoming it." Mai inclined her head. "Then I would advise you." "Even if I didn't like what you said?" "Naturally." Panam smiled. "Good." She gestured toward the leashes. "Then tell me whether this entire arrangement is wrong." Mai looked down. At the leashes. At the companions. At the great hall. Then back at Panam. "No." Panam's smile vanished. "WHY NOT?" "Because everyone appears content." Panam groaned. "NOT AGAIN!" Mai tilted her head. "Would you prefer a more detailed analysis?" Panam stared at her. Then slowly turned toward Nyarlathotep. He was smiling. "You're enjoying this." "Immensely." "Yeah. I noticed." --- Panam looked back at Mai. "All right. Different question." "Of course." "Suppose I ordered you to do something dangerous." Mai considered. "Then I would assess the danger." Panam blinked. "You would?" "Certainly." "And if it was too dangerous?" "I would advise against it." Panam stared. "Really?" "Of course." "Even if I insisted?" Mai nodded. "Your safety is important, Panam." Panam felt hope stir. "And your own safety?" "Also important." "Excellent!" Mai smiled. Panam leaned forward. "Then why don't you consider THIS dangerous?" Mai looked puzzled. "Because we are safe." "YOU'RE NOT SAFE!" "We are in the palace." "THAT DOESN'T MAKE IT SAFE!" Mai considered this. "Is there a particular danger you're concerned about?" Panam stared at her. Then at Nyarlathotep. Then back at Mai. "THAT!" She pointed directly at the Pharaoh. Mai followed her gesture. Nyarlathotep inclined his head. Mai returned the greeting politely. Then looked back at Panam. "The Great Pharaoh?" "YES!" Mai considered. "Has he threatened you?" Panam stared. "...Not exactly." "Has he harmed you?" "Not physically." "Then perhaps you could explain your concerns." Panam slowly lowered her head into her hands. Behind her, Nyarlathotep chuckled. --- "That's the beauty of it, isn't it?" Panam's voice was suddenly quiet. The Pharaoh regarded her. "Of what, Madame?" "Your little game." He smiled. "Do continue." Panam looked toward the women. "They can't see you as a threat." Nyarlathotep said nothing. "They can argue with one another. They can complain. They can disagree about stupid fucking cushions." Mandi opened her mouth. Panam pointed without looking. "NOT NOW." Mandi closed it. Panam continued. "They can think. They can reason. They can make decisions." "Indeed." "But only inside the world you've decided exists." The Pharaoh smiled. Panam looked at him. "That's the trick." "A fascinating observation." "You haven't taken away their personalities." "No." "You haven't turned them into mindless dolls." "Certainly not." "You've just taken away the one thing that would let them understand what's happened." Nyarlathotep regarded her for a long moment. Then slowly inclined his head. "Very perceptive, Madame." Unease crept over Panam. For the first time since she'd awakened, he wasn't contradicting her. She felt no satisfaction. Only a cold, unpleasant certainty. "So you admit it." The Pharaoh smiled. "Of course." Panam's eyes narrowed. "Just like that?" "Why should I deny my own craftsmanship?" Panam stood. The leashes shifted in her hands. "You sick bastard." Nyarlathotep's smile widened. "Oh, Madame." He glanced toward the nine women. "Such an extraordinary collection of personalities." Then back at Panam. "And such a magnificent queen." Panam glared. "Stop calling me that." "But you play the role so beautifully." "I'M NOT PLAYING!" "Precisely." --- There was something different about the silence that followed. The companions remained attentive. The palace remained beautiful. The fountains continued flowing. But Panam was no longer merely frustrated. She was angry. Not the ordinary explosive anger everyone knew. Something colder. More deliberate. Nyarlathotep noticed. His expression brightened. "Ah." Panam said nothing. "There you are." She stared at him. "What?" "The woman beneath the crown." Panam's jaw tightened. "The woman who refuses to accept a gift merely because she finds the wrapping distasteful." "These aren't gifts." "Are they not?" "No." "Then what are they?" Panam looked toward Shammy. Toward Nadia. Toward Mai and Mandi. Toward every familiar face. "My family." Nyarlathotep smiled. "Exactly." Panam froze. The Pharaoh leaned forward. "Your family." His voice softened. "Safe. Happy. Devoted. Forever beyond the reach of danger." Panam's expression darkened. "Don't." "Never forced to leave you." "Stop." "Never threatened by the violence of your world." "STOP." "Never lost." Panam slammed her fist against the armrest. "SHUT THE FUCK UP!" The chamber fell silent. Even the fountains seemed to hesitate. Nyarlathotep watched her with open delight. Panam stood very still. Then she took a long breath. And another. When she spoke again, her voice was quiet. "You really don't understand, do you?" The Pharaoh raised an eyebrow. "Enlighten me." Panam looked down at her friends. Then back at him. "I don't want them safe because they can't leave." A pause. "I want them safe because they can." Nyarlathotep regarded her. Panam continued. "I want them to have lives. Choices. Arguments. Stupid decisions. Adventures. Things I can't control." She glanced toward Kiro. "Especially the stupid decisions." Kiro looked offended. "Your Majesty!" Panam almost smiled. Almost. Then she looked back at the Pharaoh. "And I want them to come back because they want to." For a moment, Nyarlathotep said nothing. Then he smiled. "How wonderfully sentimental." Panam's eyes hardened. "How wonderfully fucking human." The Pharaoh laughed. --- "Very well." Nyarlathotep rose. Panam watched him carefully. He descended the steps. Stopped before the companions. And spread his hands. "Perhaps I have been unfair." Panam narrowed her eyes. "That would be a first." He ignored her. "Perhaps Madame Panam deserves something more substantial than philosophical disagreement." The women watched him. Nyarlathotep smiled. "An opportunity." Panam folded her arms. "What kind?" "To demonstrate the sincerity of her convictions." Panam stared. "Meaning?" The Pharaoh turned toward her. "Let us suppose, Madame, that you could ask each companion one question." Panam said nothing. "One question that would reveal the true nature of her devotion." "And?" "And you would be permitted to hear the answer." Panam narrowed her eyes. "Without your interference?" Nyarlathotep smiled. "Without interruption." "That's not what I asked." "Isn't it?" Panam stared at him. He smiled back. She wanted to hit him. Very badly. But something told her that physical violence would be exactly the wrong response. "Fine." The Pharaoh inclined his head. "Excellent." Panam looked toward the women. Nine familiar faces. Nine attentive expressions. Nine people who had no idea why she was fighting so desperately for something they believed they already possessed. She looked at Shammy. Then Nadia. Then Mandi. At Nova and Vega. At Birgitta. Mai. Kiro. Yukari. And she realized there was one question she hadn't yet asked properly. Not whether they were happy. Not whether they loved her. Not whether they wished to remain. Something much simpler. Something that might expose the entire deception. Panam slowly smiled. Nyarlathotep watched with interest. "Have you decided, Madame?" "Yeah." She looked toward the companions. "Everybody." Nine faces turned toward her. Panam took a breath. "I want each of you to tell me something." Nova inclined her head. "Of course, Your Majesty." Panam looked directly at her. "Tell me who you would be..." She paused. Then finished quietly. "...if I had never existed." For the first time that morning, the royal household fell completely silent. Not because anyone was frightened. Not because anyone was forbidden to speak. But because the question apparently required an answer none of them had ever needed to consider. Panam watched their expressions. Nova looked thoughtful. Mai tilted her head. Mandi frowned slightly. Kiro scratched her cheek. Nadia glanced toward Shammy. Yukari's golden eyes narrowed in concentration. And beside Panam, Nyarlathotep began to smile. Slowly. Delightedly. As though his entertainment had just become infinitely more interesting. --- ## Chapter 7 — Familiar Faces, Impossible Answers Silence. For the first time since Panam had awakened on her ridiculous golden throne, nobody appeared to have an immediate answer. Nine women considered her question. Nyarlathotep watched them with unconcealed interest. Panam waited. And waited. Finally, Kiro raised one hand. Panam blinked. "What?" "Can I ask something?" "Sure." "Is this a philosophical question?" Panam stared. "...What?" "Because if it is, I'd like some warning." Vega snorted. Mai smiled faintly. Kiro continued. "I mean, asking what somebody would be if somebody else never existed is pretty fucking complicated." Panam considered this. Then nodded. "Good." Kiro blinked. "Good?" "YES! That's exactly the point!" "Oh." Kiro looked thoughtful. "Then I probably need more time." Panam leaned forward. "Take all the time you need." Nyarlathotep smiled. "How generous." Panam pointed at him without looking. "Not. Helping." --- "Nova." "Your Majesty?" Panam looked toward the composed woman sitting near Vega. "Let's start with you." Nova inclined her head. "Certainly." "Who would you be if I'd never existed?" Nova considered the question carefully. Her expression remained thoughtful. Then she answered. "I would still be myself, Your Majesty." Panam blinked. "Really?" "Naturally." "Excellent!" Nova smiled. "Thank you." "So tell me about that person." Nova paused. "Which person?" "You! Without me!" Nova looked genuinely puzzled. "I would still be Nova." Panam nodded. "Right. And what would you do?" Nova considered. "That would depend upon my circumstances." "SUCH AS?" "Whether there was another royal household requiring my services." Panam's smile disappeared. "...Another royal household." "Presumably." "And if there wasn't?" Nova considered that. Then said, with perfect seriousness: "I suppose I would have to organize one." Vega burst out laughing. Panam stared. "YOU'D ORGANIZE A ROYAL HOUSEHOLD?" "Someone would need to." "WHY?" Nova looked faintly surprised. "Because an unorganized royal household would be extremely inefficient." Kiro nodded. "She's got a point." Panam slowly turned toward her. "Kiro." "What?" "Don't." Kiro raised both hands. "Just saying." Panam looked back at Nova. "Okay. Fine. Let's imagine you're not in a royal household at all." Nova inclined her head. "Very well." "What would you do?" Nova considered. Then smiled. "I would probably establish a comfortable residence, arrange the necessary staff, and maintain an orderly household." Panam stared. "...You'd become a fucking administrator." Nova looked pleased. "That sounds entirely reasonable." Panam opened her mouth. Closed it. Then looked toward Nyarlathotep. He was smiling. "Of course she would," Panam muttered. --- "Vega." "Queenie?" Panam pointed at her. "Your turn." Vega grinned. "Oh, wonderful." "Who would you be without me?" Vega considered. Then shrugged. "Probably trouble." Mandi laughed. Kiro nodded approvingly. Panam blinked. "...Trouble?" "Yeah." "What kind of trouble?" "Depends who's asking." "ME!" "Then the entertaining kind." Panam stared. Vega smiled innocently. "Somebody has to keep things interesting." Nyarlathotep made an appreciative sound. Panam glared at him. "Don't encourage her." "I wouldn't dream of it." Vega grinned. "See? Even the Great Pharaoh appreciates quality entertainment." Panam pointed at her. "YOU'RE NOT HELPING YOUR CASE!" "What case?" "THE CASE FOR YOU BEING A NORMAL PERSON!" Vega looked offended. "That's a terrible case." Mandi nodded. "Agreed." Nova sighed. "Vega, perhaps a more serious answer?" Vega considered. "Fine." She looked toward Panam. "If you didn't exist, I'd find somewhere comfortable, surround myself with interesting people, and make sure nobody got too fucking self-important." Panam paused. That sounded... Actually, that sounded remarkably reasonable. "Okay." Vega raised an eyebrow. "Okay?" "Yeah. That's a good answer." Vega smiled. "Thank you, Queenie." Panam nodded. "Now, why can't you do that here?" Vega looked puzzled. "I do." Panam's smile vanished. "...What?" "I live somewhere comfortable." She gestured toward the palace. "I've got interesting people around me." She pointed toward Mandi. "And I spend a considerable amount of time making sure nobody gets too fucking self-important." Mandi gasped. "ME?" Vega grinned. "Obviously." Panam buried her face in her hands. --- "Mandi." "Yes, Your Majesty?" Panam looked up. "Your turn." Mandi smiled. "Of course." "Who would you be without me?" Mandi considered. Then tilted her deep-red oni face. "Still Mandi, I suppose." "Good." "Although I'd probably need to find another place to live." "Fine!" "And someone else to look after." "ALSO FINE!" "And I'd want a proper collection of cushions." Vega groaned. "Oh, for fuck's sake." Panam stared at Mandi. "The cushions again?" "They're important." "WHY?" "Comfort." "MANDI!" "What?" Panam took a breath. A very long breath. "Forget the cushions." Mandi looked mildly disappointed. "All right." "What would you WANT?" Mandi considered. Then smiled. "To be loved." Panam stopped. For a moment, the absurdity receded. She looked at the familiar oni face. "And?" "To have people I love." Panam nodded slowly. "Yes." "And somewhere I belong." Panam's expression softened. "Exactly." Mandi continued. "Preferably with excellent cushions." Vega collapsed into laughter. Panam stared. Then, despite herself, she laughed. A short, disbelieving laugh. "Oh, you impossible little..." Mandi smiled brightly. Panam shook her head. Even trapped inside an eldritch nightmare, Ace apparently couldn't resist turning everything into a joke. She looked toward Nyarlathotep. He was enjoying himself enormously. Panam sighed. "Of course." --- "Birgitta." The quiet woman lifted her head. "Yes, my queen?" Panam hesitated. She looked at the familiar face. At the gentle expression. At someone whose presence in this ridiculous arrangement felt particularly cruel. "Who would you be without me?" Birgitta considered. Then answered softly. "I would still be Birgitta." Panam nodded. "And what would you want?" Birgitta thought for a moment. "A home." Panam swallowed. "Anything else?" "People I care about." "Yes." "And someone who cares about me." Panam looked at her. "Of course." Birgitta smiled. "Perhaps somewhere peaceful." Panam nodded slowly. "That sounds good." "It does." For a moment, neither spoke. Then Panam asked quietly: "And if you found that person?" Birgitta's expression softened. "I would want to stay with her." Panam felt something tighten in her chest. "Even without a collar?" Birgitta looked surprised. "Of course." Panam leaned forward. "Then why..." She stopped. Because she already knew the answer. Birgitta waited patiently. Panam looked at the collar. The leash. The perfectly content expression. Then whispered: "Because you think you chose this." Birgitta smiled. "Yes, my queen." Panam closed her eyes. --- "Nadia." "Yes, Owner?" Panam looked toward her. "Your turn, sweetheart." Nadia smiled. "All right." "Who would you be if I'd never existed?" Nadia considered. Then looked toward Shammy. Panam noticed immediately. "Go on." Nadia smiled softly. "I think I would still want to love someone." Panam nodded. "Good." "And be loved." "Of course." "And perhaps have someone to share everything with." Shammy smiled at her. Nadia returned the smile. Panam swallowed. "And if you found somebody?" "I would be happy." "Even without me?" Nadia considered. Then nodded. "Yes, Owner." Panam went very still. For one wonderful second, the answer sounded exactly right. Then Nadia added: "But I'm very glad you're here." Panam managed a small smile. "Me too, honey." Nadia looked pleased. Panam sighed. She had asked a question about a world without herself. And Nadia had answered with love. Not obedience. Not duty. Love. The realization made the collars seem even more obscene. --- "Shammy." The woman beside her looked up. "Yes, Owner?" Panam took her hand. "Who would you be without me?" Shammy smiled. "Me." Panam blinked. "...Just you?" "Of course." "Tell me more." Shammy considered. "I think I would still enjoy the wind." Panam smiled faintly. "The wind?" "And the rain." "Of course you would." "And the sunshine." Panam chuckled. "Naturally." Shammy's expression became thoughtful. "And I would still want to find people to love." Panam squeezed her hand. "Yes." "And perhaps make them happy." "Yes." Shammy smiled. "And then I'd probably find you." Panam froze. "...What?" Shammy looked puzzled. "Eventually." "But I said I never existed." Shammy considered this. Then frowned slightly. "That would make finding you rather difficult." Kiro snorted. Panam stared at Shammy. Shammy looked genuinely concerned. "Could I look for you anyway?" Panam's heart gave a painful little twist. She looked down at the familiar face. The eyes. The smile. The woman she loved. And for one moment, the ridiculous palace seemed unbearably cruel. "Sweetheart..." Shammy waited. Panam swallowed. "You wouldn't have to." Shammy smiled. "I'd want to." Panam closed her eyes. Nyarlathotep said nothing. He didn't need to. --- "Mai." "Yes, Panam?" Panam looked toward the silver-haired woman. She needed something different. A harder question. Something precise. Something that could expose the flaw in this impossible reality. "You're good at thinking things through." Mai inclined her head. "Thank you." "So answer carefully." "Of course." "Who would you be without me?" Mai considered. Then answered. "I would still be myself." Panam nodded. "Good." "And I would still have my own preferences, interests, and relationships." "Excellent." "Although the circumstances would undoubtedly differ." Panam leaned forward. "Exactly!" Mai smiled politely. Panam continued. "So your life wouldn't revolve around me." "Not necessarily." Panam nearly cheered. "YES!" Mai tilted her head. "Is that the answer you wanted?" Panam blinked. "Well..." Mai continued. "Because it seems rather obvious." Panam stared. "OBVIOUS?" "Certainly." "THEN WHY ARE YOU HERE?" Mai looked puzzled. "Because you do exist." Panam froze. Mai smiled. "And because I wish to be here." A moment passed. Panam slowly lowered her head. "Oh, for fuck's sake." Kiro started laughing again. Mai glanced toward her. "Was that amusing?" Kiro nodded. "Very." Panam pointed at them both. "STOP ENJOYING THIS!" Mai inclined her head. "My apologies, Panam." Kiro grinned. "No promises." --- "Kiro." "Yes, Your Majesty?" Panam looked at her. "Your turn." Kiro sighed. "Finally." Panam raised an eyebrow. "You're eager?" "Well, I've been sitting here waiting for everybody else to finish having their philosophical crises." Panam stared. "THEIR WHAT?" "Philosophical crises." Mai nodded. "That's actually a reasonable description." Panam looked toward the ceiling. "WHY IS EVERYBODY SUDDENLY SO FUCKING PHILOSOPHICAL?" Nyarlathotep smiled. "Perhaps your household is exceptionally thoughtful, Madame." Panam pointed at him. "YOU STAY OUT OF THIS!" Kiro folded her arms. "Can I answer now?" Panam sighed. "Please." Kiro considered. Then shrugged. "I'd be me." "Fine." "I'd find something interesting to do." "Good." "Probably get into trouble." "Naturally." "Probably annoy somebody important." Panam nodded. "Absolutely." "And if I found a place with comfortable food, interesting people, and nobody telling me to behave..." Kiro paused. Then grinned. "...I'd probably stay." Panam blinked. "Comfortable food?" Kiro frowned. "Good food." Vega snorted. "Comfortable food?" "FUCK YOU." Mandi started laughing. Mai covered her mouth. Panam tried to hold on to her indignation, then laughed despite herself. "Okay. Fine. Good food." Kiro nodded. "Exactly." Panam leaned forward. "And would you wear a collar?" Kiro considered. "Depends." Panam froze. "...Depends on WHAT?" "Whether I liked it." Panam took a moment to absorb that. Kiro shrugged. "What?" "YOU DON'T FIND IT STRANGE?" "No." "WHY NOT?" "Because I like mine." Panam stared at her. Then slowly looked toward Nyarlathotep. The Pharaoh raised his goblet. Panam closed her eyes. "I hate this fucking dream." --- Only one remained. Yukari. The ancient kitsune sat quietly near the foot of the throne, golden eyes watching Panam with gentle curiosity. Her expression was peaceful. Affectionate. Almost impossibly serene. Panam looked at her. And hesitated. Because Yukari was different. Not merely another friend. Not merely another familiar face. She was something ancient. Something that had lived through ages beyond human comprehension. Something that should have been able to recognize a cosmic deception. And yet she sat there, naked and collared, smiling as though nothing in the universe were wrong. "Yukari." "Yes, my queen?" Panam took a breath. "Who would you be without me?" Yukari considered. For a long moment, she said nothing. Then she smiled. "I would still be myself." Panam nodded. "And what does that mean?" Yukari looked thoughtful. "I would still have my nine tails." Panam almost smiled. "Yes." "And my memories." "Yes." "And my knowledge of the world." "Good." "And I would still enjoy watching the seasons change." Panam nodded. "Of course." Yukari's golden eyes softened. "I would still be very old." Panam chuckled. "That's one way of putting it." "And I would still be capable of loving." Panam went quiet. Yukari smiled. "Perhaps I would find a different home." Panam nodded slowly. "Yes." "Different companions." "Yes." "Different people to care for." Panam leaned forward. "Exactly." Yukari looked at her. Then smiled. "But I would hope they were as kind as you." Panam's expression changed. "Yukari..." The kitsune inclined her head. "Yes, my queen?" Panam looked at the collar. Then at the leash. Then into those ancient golden eyes. "Do you remember anything before this palace?" Yukari considered. "Of course." Panam froze. "...You do?" "Yes." "WHAT?" Yukari looked puzzled. "My life before entering your household." Panam leaned forward. "Tell me." Yukari considered. "I traveled." "Where?" "Many places." "GOOD!" "I saw kingdoms rise and fall." Panam nodded eagerly. "YES!" "I met many people." "YES!" "And eventually..." Yukari smiled. "...I came here." Panam's enthusiasm vanished. "...Here." "Yes." "To this palace." "Naturally." Panam stared. "WHY?" Yukari looked genuinely surprised. "Because you were here." Panam sat back. Very slowly. The answer was perfectly sincere. Perfectly affectionate. Perfectly impossible. --- For a long moment, Panam said nothing. She looked around the royal household. Nine familiar faces. Nine recognizable personalities. Nine people capable of laughing, arguing, loving, reasoning, and expressing preferences. They weren't mindless. They weren't frightened. They weren't even pretending. They were themselves. Almost. And that was the cruelty. Nyarlathotep had preserved everything that made them recognizable while quietly replacing the foundations of their lives. Their histories now led inevitably to this palace. Their relationships existed inside its rules. Their choices made sense only within the world he had invented. Even their memories seemed to have been rearranged around the simple certainty that they belonged here. Panam turned toward the Black Pharaoh. His smile was enormous. "Well, Madame?" Panam stared at him. "What?" "Did you find your answer?" She looked back toward the companions. Then at the leashes. Then at the golden throne. "No." Nyarlathotep raised an eyebrow. "No?" "I found yours." His smile widened. "How intriguing." Panam leaned forward. "You've given them an entire world where I was always supposed to be their queen." "Indeed." "And they can't imagine anything else because you've made everything else irrelevant." The Pharaoh inclined his head. "An elegant arrangement, don't you think?" "No." "How disappointing." Panam stood. The leashes shifted. Nine women looked up. She stared at the Pharaoh. "You didn't give them a choice." He smiled. "You keep returning to that word." "BECAUSE IT MATTERS!" "To you." "TO THEM!" Nyarlathotep considered her. Then smiled. "And yet they seem quite content." Panam looked down. Mandi smiled at her. Nova waited attentively. Vega raised an eyebrow. Birgitta's expression was affectionate. Nadia looked concerned. Shammy reached toward her hand. Mai watched calmly. Kiro appeared mildly impatient. Yukari smiled with ancient, impossible serenity. Panam looked back at the Pharaoh. And something in her expression changed. The frustration remained. The anger remained. But beneath them, something else had begun to take shape. Understanding. Not of the palace. Not of its rules. But of the creature who had built it. "You know something?" Nyarlathotep inclined his head. "Do tell." Panam looked toward the women. Then back at him. "You're not doing this because you want them." The Pharaoh smiled. "No?" "No." "Then why, Madame?" "Because you want to watch me try to save them." The smile remained. Panam continued. "You want me to keep asking questions." "Such interesting questions." "You want me to keep getting answers that sound reasonable." "Indeed." "And you want me to get angrier every time." The Pharaoh laughed softly. Panam's eyes narrowed. "That's it, isn't it?" Nyarlathotep spread his hands. "My dear Madame, I find human determination endlessly fascinating." Panam gave a slow, understanding nod. "Yeah." She looked at the companions. At the collars. At the impossible throne room. Then back at the smiling god. "Well, I've got news for you." The Pharaoh leaned forward. "How exciting." Panam folded her arms. "I'm done trying to beat your stupid dream at its own rules." Nyarlathotep raised an eyebrow. "Are you?" "Yes." "How disappointing." "Don't worry." Panam smiled. It was not a pleasant smile. "I'm not done with you." The Pharaoh's expression brightened. "Oh, Madame." He settled comfortably into his throne. "Neither am I." --- Below them, Nadia looked toward Shammy. "Do you think Her Majesty is upset?" Shammy considered. "A little." Vega snorted. "A little?" Nova gave her a warning glance. "Vega." "What?" "Her Majesty is clearly trying to resolve something important." Kiro nodded. "Yeah, but she's making it awfully complicated." Mai smiled thoughtfully. "Perhaps the problem isn't the complexity." Mandi tilted her head. "What do you mean?" Mai considered. "Perhaps Her Majesty is asking questions that cannot be answered within the assumptions she is making." Yukari nodded. "A very thoughtful observation." Kiro frowned. "Does that mean we can stop answering them?" Nova looked horrified. "Certainly not." Vega grinned. "Here we go." Mandi glanced toward the eastern cushions. "Could we at least get more comfortable?" "MANDI!" Nova and Vega said together. Panam stared down at them. Nine women. Nine collars. Nine leashes. One entirely impossible conversation. And somehow, despite everything, they were still arguing about cushions. Panam looked toward the ceiling. "Konrad." The name escaped almost involuntarily. She wasn't even sure whether anyone could hear her. "Seras." A pause. "If either of you can hear me..." She looked toward Nyarlathotep. The Black Pharaoh was smiling. Panam's expression hardened. "...I would really appreciate a little fucking help." Nothing happened. The fountains continued flowing. The sunlight remained golden. The companions continued their argument. Nyarlathotep raised his goblet. "To your extraordinary persistence, Madame." Panam glared. "Fuck you." He laughed. And somewhere far beyond the walls of the impossible palace, Dreamlands continued its ancient, indifferent dreaming. --- ## Chapter 8 — The Queen's Last Argument Panam had reached a conclusion. It was not a pleasant conclusion. It was not even a particularly surprising conclusion. But it was, at least, a conclusion. She was arguing with an asshole who controlled reality. And reality, apparently, was cheating. "All right." Nyarlathotep looked up from his goblet. "Madame?" "I've figured something out." "How exciting." Panam folded her arms. "You're not interested in winning an argument." The Black Pharaoh smiled. "Am I not?" "No." "Then what am I interested in?" "Watching me lose one." Nyarlathotep considered this. Then laughed softly. "An elegant distinction." "Yeah. Thought you'd like that." Panam looked down at the nine women gathered around her throne. Mandi was reclining on her beloved eastern cushion. Nova sat with immaculate posture beside Vega, who appeared to be trying to annoy her without actually moving. Birgitta rested comfortably nearby. Mai and Kiro were engaged in a quiet disagreement about something Panam couldn't hear. Nadia and Shammy sat close together. And Yukari, back in human form, watched everything with the serene expression of someone enjoying a particularly peaceful morning. Nine familiar personalities. Nine perfectly functioning minds. Nine women who apparently couldn't conceive of a universe in which they didn't belong to her. Panam sighed. "Girls?" They looked up. "Yes, Your Majesty?" Nova answered. "I'd like to try something." Mandi smiled. "Another question?" "Sort of." Kiro groaned. "Oh, wonderful." Panam pointed at her. "You'll live." "That's reassuring." --- "Nova." "Your Majesty?" "Who decides what happens in this household?" "You do." "Right." "Naturally." Panam nodded. "Then I am issuing a new order." Nova straightened. "We're listening." Panam took a deep breath. "From now on, nobody is required to obey me." Silence. Then Mai nodded thoughtfully. "A generous decree." Panam blinked. "...Really?" "Certainly." "Good!" Nova inclined her head. "As you command, Your Majesty." Panam stared. "Wait." Nova looked up. "Yes?" "Did you just agree to stop obeying me because I ordered you to?" Nova considered. "Yes." Panam closed her eyes. "Fuck." Vega snorted. Kiro covered her mouth. Mandi started giggling. Panam opened one eye. "This is not funny." "Little bit," Kiro muttered. "KIRO!" "Sorry." Panam turned toward Nyarlathotep. The Pharaoh had pressed two fingers against his lips. His shoulders were shaking. "Oh, Madame." "Don't." "That was exquisite." "I SAID DON'T!" --- Panam looked back at Nova. "All right. Forget that order." Nova nodded. "As you wish." "STOP!" Nova blinked. Panam pointed accusingly. "YOU DID IT AGAIN!" Nova looked genuinely bewildered. "Your Majesty, would you prefer that I disregard your instructions?" "YES!" "Very well." Panam waited. Nova smiled politely. Panam stared. "You're still doing it." "Doing what?" "OBEYING ME!" Nova considered this. Then said: "Your Majesty, with respect, I believe you're making this unnecessarily complicated." Vega burst out laughing. Panam turned toward her. "YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD?" Vega grinned. "Only that I've been thinking the same thing for quite a while." Panam slowly looked toward the ceiling. "Somewhere out there, there has to be a god who isn't a complete asshole." Nyarlathotep inclined his head. "A fascinating theological question." "SHUT UP!" --- "Fine." Panam rose from her throne. The nine leashes immediately appeared in her hands. She stared at them. Then at the Pharaoh. "Really?" He smiled. "Traditional accessories of office, Madame." Panam dropped them. They returned. She sighed. "Of course." Then she looked toward Mandi. "Mandi." "Yes, Your Majesty?" "Tell me something you don't like about me." Mandi blinked. Panam nodded encouragingly. "Go on." Mandi considered. Then tilted her red oni face. "Your Majesty, you sometimes become rather unreasonable about the cushions." Vega exploded. "YES!" Panam stared. "The cushions." Mandi nodded. "You keep threatening to remove them." "BECAUSE YOU WON'T STOP TALKING ABOUT THEM!" "Exactly." Panam opened her mouth. Closed it. Then pointed toward Vega. "YOU. SAME QUESTION." Vega grinned. "Only one thing?" "VEGA!" "All right, all right." She considered Panam. "You're impatient." Panam folded her arms. "Fair." "Stubborn." "Also fair." "You shout a lot." Panam narrowed her eyes. "Careful." "And you're absolutely terrible at accepting an answer you don't like." Mai smiled. "That's a particularly accurate observation." Panam slowly turned toward her. "MAI." "Yes?" "Don't start." Mai inclined her head. "As you wish." Panam threw both hands into the air. "THERE IT IS AGAIN!" Nyarlathotep laughed. --- "All right!" Panam paced along the edge of the raised platform. "Fine! You can criticize me!" Nova looked faintly surprised. "Of course we can." "You can disagree with me!" "Certainly." "You can argue about cushions, tell me I'm stubborn, complain about my decisions..." Vega nodded. "Very effectively." Panam stopped. "...But you can't question why you're here." The laughter faded. Nine faces regarded her with varying degrees of confusion. Panam looked toward Shammy. "Sweetheart?" "Yes, Owner?" "Imagine I wasn't your queen." Shammy tilted her head. "All right." "And you didn't belong to me." Shammy considered. "All right." "And there were no collars, no leashes, no palace." Shammy nodded. "Very well." Panam smiled cautiously. "Good." Then she asked: "Would you still love me?" Shammy's face brightened. "Of course!" Panam felt her heart lift. "Really?" "Always, Owner." Panam swallowed. "Then why do you need any of this?" Shammy looked around the palace. Then down at her collar. Then back at Panam. "I don't." Panam froze. "...What?" "I don't need the palace to love you." Panam's breath caught. Shammy smiled. "Or the collar." For one wonderful moment, Panam forgot how to breathe. "THEN TAKE IT OFF!" Shammy reached behind her neck. Opened the clasp. Removed the collar. And held it out. Panam accepted it. The leather felt real. Warm from Shammy's skin. Perfectly ordinary. Panam stared at it. Then looked at Shammy. "Good." Shammy smiled. "Are you happy now, Owner?" Panam nodded slowly. "Getting there." The collar disappeared from her hand. Panam looked down. Shammy was wearing it again. She hadn't moved. Hadn't reacted. Hadn't even noticed. Panam closed her eyes. "Oh, you absolute..." Nyarlathotep chuckled. --- "You're wasting your time, Madame." Panam turned toward him. "Am I?" He spread his hands. "Your companions are exactly as they wish to be." "No. They're exactly as YOU wish them to be." "Such a harsh accusation." "Such a fucking accurate one." The Pharaoh smiled. Panam stepped toward him. "Tell me something." "With pleasure." "Why these nine?" Nyarlathotep regarded her. "Why not?" "Don't give me that bullshit." "Very well." He gestured toward the women. "Because they matter to you." Panam said nothing. "Some are your companions by choice. Some your beloved friends. Some possess relationships with you that transcend any simple title." His smile widened. "And some..." His gaze drifted toward Yukari. "...are extraordinarily interesting creatures in their own right." Panam's expression hardened. "Leave her out of this." "How protective." "YES." Nyarlathotep looked toward Shammy. "And that one." Panam stepped between his throne and the women. "Don't." He smiled. "Such remarkable devotion." Panam stared. Then said very quietly: "You know exactly what you're doing." "Of course." "And you think it's funny." "Immensely." Panam nodded. "Right." She looked at him for a long moment. Then asked: "Did you enjoy Ace's nightmare too?" The Pharaoh's smile changed. Not much. Barely at all. But Panam noticed. "Ah," he murmured. "So you've heard about that." "Oh, I've heard." "Your friend was quite entertaining." Panam folded her arms. "Until Konrad showed up." A pause. Nyarlathotep's expression remained pleasant. "An unfortunate interruption." Panam smiled. "Yeah. Heard about that part too." The Pharaoh regarded her. "Do you imagine your little friends will rescue you again?" Panam met his gaze. "I don't know." "How refreshingly honest." "But I know something else." "Do tell." Panam pointed toward the women. "You're making the same mistake." Nyarlathotep laughed. "My dear Madame, I assure you..." "No." She interrupted him. "You picked people who love each other." The Pharaoh's smile remained. "You picked people who would do anything for one another." "Indeed." "And you decided it would be funny to make them forget what having a choice actually means." He regarded her with polite interest. Panam leaned closer. "Some of those people are a lot older than you seem to remember." The Pharaoh's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly. Panam noticed that too. And smiled. --- Below the thrones, Yukari tilted her head. "Is Her Majesty displeased with the Great Pharaoh?" Mai considered the question. "Apparently." Kiro folded her arms. "She has been for quite some time." Vega nodded. "Hard to miss." Mandi looked toward the raised platform. "Should we do something?" Nova considered. "Her Majesty hasn't requested our intervention." Kiro frowned. "That wasn't the question." Nova looked at her. "Then what would you suggest?" Kiro shrugged. "Something useful." "Such as?" Kiro considered. Then sighed. "Fuck if I know." Vega grinned. "Excellent planning." "Fuck you." "Gladly, when we're not in the middle of a royal crisis." Nova closed her eyes. "Vega." "What?" "Please." Mandi snickered. Nadia looked toward Shammy. "Do you think Owner is worried about us?" Shammy smiled gently. "Yes." "But we're happy." "I know." Nadia considered. "Perhaps she doesn't believe us." Shammy's expression softened. "Then we should tell her again." Yukari nodded thoughtfully. "That might be kind." Mai glanced toward the throne. "Perhaps we should first determine what she's actually asking." Kiro sighed. "Good luck with that." --- Panam heard the conversation. Of course she heard it. Her friends weren't even trying to whisper. And somehow, hearing them discuss her distress as though she were having a minor disagreement about palace furnishings made everything worse. She turned. "EVERYBODY!" Nine faces looked up. Panam took a breath. "No. Sorry. I'm not shouting." She paused. "Well, I am, but I'm trying not to." Kiro nodded solemnly. "Noticed." Panam pointed at her. "Don't." Kiro smiled. Panam looked around the group. "Listen. All of you." They straightened. She hesitated. Then sat down on the steps leading to her throne. Not on the throne itself. On the steps. The women looked mildly surprised. Nova spoke first. "Your Majesty, would you prefer a cushion?" Panam almost laughed. "No, Nova." "A chair?" "No." "Perhaps..." "Nova." "Yes?" "Just listen." Nova nodded. "Of course." Panam looked at them. Nine familiar women. Nine people she loved, trusted, or cared about deeply. And she realized something. She'd been trying to get them to explain their reality. Perhaps she should explain hers. Even if they couldn't understand it. Even if the dream refused to let the words mean anything. At least she could say it. --- "You know what I think?" Mandi smiled. "What, Your Majesty?" "I think you're all idiots." Kiro looked offended. "HEY!" Panam almost smiled. "Not usually." Mai raised an eyebrow. "An important qualification." "Shut up, Mai." Mai inclined her head. Panam continued. "I think you've all been convinced that this palace is everything." She gestured toward the enormous hall. "That these thrones matter." She lifted the bundle of leashes. "That these things matter." The women watched. Panam's voice softened. "But none of that is what makes you important." Nadia tilted her head. "Then what does, Owner?" Panam looked at her. "You." Nadia blinked. "Me?" "Yes." Panam looked around the group. "All of you." She pointed toward Mandi. "You're important because you're you. Not because somebody made you First Keeper of the Fucking Eastern Cushions." Mandi opened her mouth. Panam raised one finger. "Don't." Mandi closed it. Panam looked toward Nova. "And you're not important because you can organize a palace." Nova considered. "Although organization is useful." "YES, NOVA, IT IS!" Vega snorted. Panam looked toward her. "And you're important even when you're being an unbelievable pain in the ass." Vega grinned. "That's very touching, Queenie." "Don't ruin it." "No promises." Panam turned toward Mai and Kiro. "You two don't belong on anybody's floor." Kiro glanced at the polished stone. "Well, it's a very nice floor." "KIRO!" "What?" Panam shook her head. Then looked toward Yukari. "And you..." Her expression softened. "You should never have to prove your devotion to anybody." Yukari regarded her with warm golden eyes. "How kind of you, my queen." Panam swallowed. Then looked at Shammy and Nadia. "And you two..." She stopped. Her voice caught unexpectedly. Shammy moved closer. "Owner?" Panam smiled faintly. "You're supposed to be happy because you choose your happiness." Nadia looked puzzled. "But we are happy." "I know, honey." Shammy smiled. "We love you." Panam nodded. "I know." "And you love us." "More than you can imagine." Shammy reached for her hand. Panam took it. For a moment, neither spoke. Then Shammy asked: "Then isn't everything all right?" Panam looked at her. At the collar. At the leash. At the impossibly sincere expression. And finally answered: "No, sweetheart." A pause. "Not yet." --- Nyarlathotep applauded. Slowly. Deliberately. The sound echoed through the enormous chamber. Panam turned toward him. "Seriously?" He smiled. "Beautifully spoken." "Fuck you." "Such passion. Such devotion. Such an admirable commitment to personal freedom." Panam stared. The Pharaoh spread his hands. "And such a complete inability to accept the happiness of those you claim to love." Panam's expression hardened. "Don't you dare." "Your companions tell you they are happy." "BECAUSE YOU MADE THEM BELIEVE IT!" "They tell you they love you." "THEY DO LOVE ME!" "Then why reject their devotion?" Panam stood. "Because loving somebody isn't the same as owning them!" Nyarlathotep smiled. "And yet you are their Owner." Panam froze. For a moment, the words hung between them. Then she nodded. "Yeah." The Pharaoh raised an eyebrow. "Yeah?" "That's what they call me." "Indeed." "That's the arrangement we have." Nyarlathotep leaned forward. "How fascinating." Panam pointed toward the women. "But there's one thing you keep pretending not to understand." "Enlighten me." "They can stop." A silence followed. Panam continued. "They can take off their collars. They can walk away. They can tell me to fuck off. They can change their minds." Nyarlathotep smiled. "And here, they can do precisely the same." "No." Panam shook her head. "They can remove the collars." She held up the leashes. "They can drop these." Then she looked directly at him. "But they can't stop wanting to belong to me." Nyarlathotep regarded her. Panam took another step closer. "That's the difference." A pause. "You didn't make them obedient." Her voice dropped. "You made them incapable of wanting anything else." For the first time, the Pharaoh's smile faded slightly. Only slightly. But it was enough. Panam noticed. And smiled. "There." Nyarlathotep raised an eyebrow. "There?" "That's what you don't want to talk about." His smile returned. "My dear Madame..." "No." Panam interrupted him. "I'm done." --- She turned away from the throne. From the golden crown. From the nine leashes. From the impossible palace. She walked down the steps. Nyarlathotep watched. "Where are you going, Madame?" Panam stopped beside Shammy. "Nowhere." "How curious." Panam looked back. "I'm just not sitting up there anymore." The Pharaoh smiled. "Would you prefer another throne?" "No." "A more comfortable chair?" "No." "Perhaps a royal couch?" Panam stared at him. "Are you fucking serious?" "Always." Panam sat down on the floor. Beside Shammy. Nadia immediately moved closer. Mandi looked delighted. "Oh! Are we changing the seating arrangement?" Panam closed her eyes. "Apparently." Vega grinned. "Good. The floor's much more comfortable." Nova looked faintly scandalized. "Her Majesty should not be sitting on the floor." Panam pointed at her. "Watch me." Mai smiled. "An unconventional royal decision." Kiro nodded. "About time." Yukari moved closer. Birgitta settled beside Nadia. Within moments, the nine women had gathered around Panam. Not because she had ordered them to. Not because she had given them permission. But because, inside the logic of this impossible world, being close to their queen was precisely where they wanted to be. Panam looked around at them. Then sighed. "Well." Mandi smiled. "Yes, Your Majesty?" "At least the company is good." Vega grinned. "See? We're making progress." Panam laughed. A genuine laugh. Short. Helpless. And utterly exhausted. "Fuck all of you." Kiro smiled. "Love you too, Queenie." --- Nyarlathotep watched from his throne. For several moments, he said nothing. Then he smiled. "How touching." Panam looked up. "Don't." "A queen who abandons her throne to join her companions." "Yep." "How charmingly unconventional." "Yep." "And yet..." Panam narrowed her eyes. "Here it comes." The Pharaoh gestured toward the women. "...they remain yours." Panam looked around. At the collars. At the leashes. At the familiar faces. Then back toward Nyarlathotep. "Yeah." He smiled. "Then what have you accomplished?" Panam considered. A long moment passed. Then she shrugged. "Nothing." Nyarlathotep's smile widened. "Precisely." Panam nodded. "Except one thing." The Pharaoh raised an eyebrow. "Oh?" Panam looked directly at him. "I'm not giving you what you want anymore." His expression remained pleasant. "And what is that?" "A queen." Nyarlathotep said nothing. Panam gestured toward the empty golden throne. "You can keep the fucking chair." A moment passed. Then Mandi raised her hand. Panam looked at her. "What?" "Your Majesty?" "Yes?" "Does that mean we can have the throne?" Panam's jaw slackened. Kiro immediately looked interested. "Actually, that's not a bad idea." Nova frowned. "The throne is a ceremonial object." Vega grinned. "Looks comfortable." Mai considered it. "There's certainly room for several people." Yukari smiled. "The cushions could be rearranged." Mandi brightened. "EXACTLY!" Panam stared at them. Then slowly lowered her forehead against her knees. Nyarlathotep began laughing. Not merely chuckling. Laughing. The sound filled the throne room. Rolled between the columns. Echoed beneath the impossible golden ceiling. And for several seconds, the entire palace seemed to laugh with him. Panam lifted her head. Looked toward the Black Pharaoh. And said, very calmly: "You're going to regret this." Nyarlathotep smiled. "My dear Madame, you keep saying that." "Because it's true." "Such confidence." Panam shrugged. "Call it experience." The Pharaoh laughed again. Then something happened. A sound. Small. Distant. Almost insignificant. A metallic click. Nyarlathotep stopped laughing. Panam looked up. The enormous doors at the far end of the throne room had moved. Not much. Perhaps a centimeter. But they had moved. And for the first time since Panam had awakened in Dreamlands... **Something had happened without the Black Pharaoh's permission.** The nine women turned toward the doors. Panam slowly smiled. Nyarlathotep's expression became very still. Another click. The great doors began to open. --- ## Chapter 9 — Two Very Unwelcome Visitors The doors opened. Not dramatically. Not with thunder, lightning, or the kind of supernatural spectacle Panam had begun to associate with this ridiculous place. They simply opened. Which, considering that nothing in the palace had happened without Nyarlathotep's permission until now, was apparently quite enough. The Black Pharaoh stopped smiling. Panam noticed. Immediately. "Oh," she said. Nyarlathotep didn't answer. Panam looked toward the entrance. Two figures stood beneath the enormous golden archway. A man. And a woman. The man wore red long leather coat, blue jeans and black walking shoes with almost black sunglasses and had the relaxed posture of someone who had arrived for an appointment he considered mildly inconvenient. The woman beside him had blonde hair, striking red eyes, and a long coat. She surveyed the throne room. The enormous columns. The golden decorations. The empty throne. The nine women gathered around Panam. And finally, the Black Pharaoh. Her expression changed. Not to horror. Not even surprise. Something considerably more dangerous. Amusement. "Oh, dear." The man beside her sighed. "Indeed." Seras Victoria looked toward Konrad. "Again?" "Apparently." She examined the throne room once more. "He's becoming rather predictable." Nyarlathotep rose. "Konrad." The man inclined his head. "Nyarlathotep." A pause. "You're becoming a nuisance." --- Panam stared at the newcomers. Then at the Pharaoh. Then back toward the entrance. "Wait." Seras looked at her. Panam pointed. "Konrad?" The man nodded. "Yes." "And you're Seras Victoria?" The blonde woman smiled. "That would be me." Panam closed her eyes. For one glorious moment, she simply enjoyed the sound of two names that belonged to something resembling a solution. Then she opened them again. "Oh, thank FUCK." Seras laughed. "Well, that's certainly a warm welcome." "You have NO IDEA." Konrad surveyed the room. "I believe we have some idea." His gaze moved across the nine women. Then toward the collars. The leashes. The absurd golden thrones. Finally, he looked at Nyarlathotep. There was a long silence. Then Konrad spoke. "Really?" The Pharaoh spread his hands. "My dear Konrad..." "No." Nyarlathotep stopped. Konrad gestured toward the women. "This." Another pause. "Really?" Seras covered her mouth. Her shoulders shook. Panam pointed toward the Black Pharaoh. "THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN SAYING!" Konrad looked at her. "I imagine you have." "FOR HOURS!" "That sounds unpleasant." "UNPLEASANT?!" Seras laughed again. Panam turned toward her. "Sorry. Sorry. I know you're here to help, but..." She gestured helplessly around the chamber. "...I've been arguing with this asshole and nine completely reasonable lunatics for what feels like half my fucking life!" Kiro raised her head. "Your Majesty, that's rather unfair." Panam turned. "KIRO!" Kiro looked offended. "We've been very cooperative." Seras stopped laughing. She looked at Kiro. Then at Mai. At Mandi. At Nova and Vega. At Birgitta. At Nadia. At Shammy. And finally, at Yukari. Her expression became thoughtful. "Konrad." "Yes?" "They're enchanted." "I noticed." "No. I mean properly enchanted." Seras looked toward Nyarlathotep. "You've altered their understanding of themselves." The Pharaoh smiled. "A modest adjustment." Seras's red eyes narrowed. "Rather more than modest." Panam folded her arms. "THANK YOU!" --- Nyarlathotep descended from his throne. "Seras Victoria." She regarded him calmly. "Nyarlathotep." "How delightful to see you again." "Is it?" "Naturally." Seras smiled. Her fangs became visible. "How unfortunate for you." Panam grinned. For the first time since she'd awakened, someone was talking to the Black Pharaoh in a way she wholeheartedly approved of. Nyarlathotep looked toward Konrad. "Have you come to interfere with my entertainment?" Konrad considered the question. "Yes." The answer was so immediate that Panam nearly laughed. Nyarlathotep's expression tightened. "How tiresome." "Quite." Seras looked around. "Shall we begin?" Konrad nodded. "Please." The Pharaoh raised one hand. "Now, surely..." Konrad looked at him. Nyarlathotep stopped. Konrad lowered his gaze toward the Pharaoh's raised hand. Then looked back at his face. "Don't." The hand lowered. Panam watched the exchange with enormous satisfaction. "Oh, I LIKE you." Konrad glanced toward her. "Thank you." --- Seras descended the steps toward the women. Nine pairs of eyes followed her. Mandi regarded the approaching vampire with open curiosity. "Good morning, my lady." Seras stopped before her. For a moment, she studied the familiar red oni face. Then smiled. "Hello, Ace." Mandi blinked. "Ace?" Panam immediately looked interested. "Oh, this should be good." Mandi tilted her head. "I'm afraid you've mistaken me for someone else, my lady." Seras's smile softened. "No, darling. I really haven't." She crouched. "May I?" Mandi looked puzzled. "May you what?" Seras reached out. And lightly touched her shoulder. --- There was no flash. No thunder. No magical explosion. One moment, Mandi sat on the polished stone, naked and collared. The next, she was wearing her familiar oni-themed outfit. The collar vanished. The leash disappeared. And something changed behind her eyes. Mandi blinked. Once. Twice. Then she looked down. At her clothes. At her hands. At the spot where the collar had been. She slowly lifted her head. Looked at Seras. Then at Panam. Then at Nyarlathotep. A very long silence followed. Finally: "Oh, you have GOT to be fucking kidding me." Panam burst out laughing. "ACE!" Mandi turned toward her. "PANAM?!" "YES!" Mandi looked around. At the palace. At the Pharaoh. At the women still sitting around the throne. Then she slowly closed her eyes. "Not again." Seras smiled. "Hello again." Mandi opened one eye. "Seras?" "Yes." Mandi looked at the Black Pharaoh. Then back at Seras. "Oh, for FUCK'S SAKE." Panam laughed so hard that she had to sit down on the steps. Mandi pointed toward Nyarlathotep. "YOU!" The Pharaoh regarded her with cool interest. Mandi stared. Then looked toward Konrad. "Oh. You're here too." Konrad inclined his head. "Hello, Ace." Mandi spread her hands. "Does this asshole have a fucking hobby or something?" Seras laughed. "Apparently." --- Panam was still laughing when Mandi looked down at the remaining women. Her expression changed. "Wait." She looked at Mai. Then Shammy. Then Yukari. The laughter disappeared. "Seras." The vampire nodded. "I know." Mandi took a step toward Mai. But Seras gently raised one hand. "Let me." Mandi stopped. She looked at Seras. Then at the collar around Mai's neck. And nodded. "Please." --- Mai watched Seras approach. "May I assist you, my lady?" Seras smiled. "Yes, actually." She touched Mai's shoulder. The collar vanished. The leash dissolved. And Mai's familiar clothing returned instantly. Mai blinked. Her silver hair shifted as she turned her head. She looked down at herself. Then around the room. Then at Seras. A pause. "Oh." Seras smiled. "Welcome back." Mai looked toward Mandi. Mandi raised one hand. "Hi, love." Mai stared at her. Then toward Nyarlathotep. Her expression became extraordinarily still. "...Again?" Mandi nodded. "Again." Mai looked toward Panam. "Panam?" Panam gave a helpless shrug. "Don't fucking ask." Mai considered the circumstances. Then looked toward the remaining collars. Her expression hardened. "Seras." "Already working on it." Mai nodded. "Thank you." --- Kiro watched the exchange. Then looked at Seras. "What's going on?" Seras approached her. "Something rather unpleasant, I'm afraid." Kiro frowned. "Unpleasant?" "Yes." "Is Her Majesty in danger?" Seras smiled gently. "Not anymore." She touched Kiro's shoulder. The transformation was immediate. Clothes. No collar. No leash. And Kiro's expression changed so abruptly that Panam nearly laughed again. Kiro looked down. Then up. Then around. Her eyes widened. "WHAT THE FUCK?!" Mandi grinned. "Welcome back!" Kiro stared at her. Then at Mai. Then at Panam. Then at the Pharaoh. "Oh, you have GOT to be SHITTING me!" Panam pointed at her. "THAT!" Kiro turned. "WHAT?" "THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN TRYING TO SAY ALL FUCKING MORNING!" Kiro looked down at the floor. Then toward the cushions. Then at her own neck. She slowly lifted one hand. "Oh, fuck." Mandi smiled. "Remember everything?" Kiro nodded. "Unfortunately." Mai looked at her. "Everything?" Kiro's expression became pained. "...Comfortable food." Mandi immediately started laughing. Panam nearly fell over. Kiro pointed at them both. "NOT. ONE. FUCKING. WORD." --- Seras moved toward Nova and Vega. Both women watched her attentively. Nova inclined her head. "Welcome to the royal household, my lady." Seras smiled. "Thank you, Nova." Vega grinned. "You're very pretty." Seras laughed. "Why, thank you." Nova gave Vega a look. "Vega." "What?" "Please behave." "I AM behaving!" Seras crouched between them. "Oh, I think you'll both have quite a lot to say in a moment." She placed one hand on Nova's shoulder. The silver-grey collar vanished. The leash disappeared. Nova's familiar attire returned, its gold-and-white details complementing her chrome-and-gold hair. Her eyes widened. She looked toward Seras. Then toward Panam. Then at the Black Pharaoh. For several seconds, she said nothing. Finally: "...One hundred and fifteen?" Panam stared. Nova looked at her. "ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTEEN HOUSEHOLD RULES?" Panam burst out laughing. "YOU WROTE THEM!" "I MOST CERTAINLY DID NOT!" Vega started laughing. Seras touched her shoulder. The warm-brown collar vanished. Her familiar brass-and-black attire returned, matching her chrome-and-brass-yellow hair. Vega blinked. Looked down. Then stared toward Nyarlathotep. A slow grin spread across her face. "Oh." A pause. "Oh, you absolute FUCKING BASTARD." Nova turned toward her. "Brenda." Vega looked back. "What?" "Do you remember?" Vega's grin widened. "Every fucking second." Nova caught her hand for a moment, relief briefly overriding her horror at those hundred and fifteen regulations. "Wonderful," she murmured. Vega looked toward Panam. "Queenie." Panam groaned. "DON'T." Vega's grin became positively radiant. "Oh, I am NEVER letting you forget this." Panam pointed at her. "YOU WERE THERE TOO!" "Yeah, but I wasn't the one wearing the crown." Mandi collapsed into laughter. Kiro covered her face. Mai sighed. Seras laughed softly. And Nova looked toward Konrad. "Please tell me the entire palace is going to disappear." Konrad nodded. "Eventually." Nova considered that. "Good." --- Birgitta watched Seras approach. She was sitting quietly beside the cushions, her expression gentle and attentive. "Good morning, my lady." Seras smiled. "Good morning." Birgitta tilted her head. "May I help you?" "Actually, I believe I can help you." Seras touched her shoulder. The collar disappeared. The leash vanished. Her familiar clothing returned. And Birgitta went completely still. She looked down. Then toward Panam. Then toward Nyarlathotep. Her expression changed. Not dramatically. But unmistakably. "Oh." Seras nodded. "Yes." Birgitta slowly touched her neck. "That..." She stopped. Looked toward Panam. "Madame?" Panam swallowed. "Yeah." Birgitta closed her eyes briefly. Then opened them. "Do you remember everything?" Panam nodded. "Every fucking second." Birgitta looked toward the remaining women. Nadia. Shammy. Yukari. Her expression became cold. "Please finish." Seras nodded. "Of course." --- Nadia looked up as Seras approached. "Hello, my lady." Seras crouched beside her. "Hello, Nadia." Nadia smiled. "Have you come to visit our queen?" Seras's expression softened. "Something like that." Nadia tilted her head. "She's been very unhappy today." "I know." "Perhaps you could help her?" Seras smiled. "That's exactly why I'm here." She reached out. And touched Nadia's shoulder. The collar vanished. The leash disappeared. Her familiar clothes returned. Nadia blinked. Then froze. Her eyes widened. She looked at Seras. At Panam. At Shammy. Then toward the Pharaoh. "Oh, God." Panam immediately moved toward her. "Nadia?" Nadia turned. "Owner?" The word was familiar. But now it carried something different. Recognition. Choice. The full awareness of who she was. Panam reached her. Nadia threw her arms around her. Panam held her tightly. "Oh, sweetheart." Nadia pressed her face against Panam's shoulder. "I remember." Panam closed her eyes. "I know." "All of it." "I know, honey." For several moments, neither spoke. Then Nadia pulled back. Looked toward the Pharaoh. Her expression hardened. "That horrible bastard." Panam smiled grimly. "Yep." --- Only two collars remained. Shammy. And Yukari. Seras rose. Her expression had changed. The amusement was still there, somewhere. But it had become secondary. She looked toward the two ancient beings. Both were sitting quietly. Both were watching her. Both still smiled with the gentle, affectionate serenity Nyarlathotep had imposed upon them. Seras looked toward Konrad. He nodded once. The vampire approached Shammy first. --- "Hello, Shammy." Shammy smiled. "Hello, my lady." Seras crouched. "Do you remember me?" Shammy considered. "I'm afraid not." "That's all right." Seras's expression softened. "You will." Shammy tilted her head. "Will I?" "Yes." Seras placed one hand gently against Shammy's cheek. And the dream lost its hold. The collar vanished. The leash dissolved. Shammy's familiar clothing returned. For an instant, she simply blinked. Then her eyes focused. On Seras. On Panam. On Nadia. And finally, on the Black Pharaoh. Something changed. The warm smile disappeared. Not into rage. Not into fear. Into something much more unsettling. Stillness. Absolute, perfect stillness. Shammy looked at Nyarlathotep. For a long moment, she said nothing. Then she turned toward Seras. "Thank you." Her voice was quiet. Perfectly controlled. Seras studied her. "You're welcome." Shammy rose. Slowly. She looked toward Panam. Panam stepped closer. "Sweetheart?" Shammy turned. The coldness vanished from her eyes for just a moment. She reached out. Touched Panam's cheek. "Are you all right?" Panam swallowed. "Yeah." Shammy studied her. "Truly?" Panam nodded. "Yeah, love. I'm okay." Shammy smiled faintly. Then kissed her forehead. "Good." She turned back toward the throne. And the smile disappeared. Nyarlathotep watched her. For the first time since the doors had opened, he looked distinctly less comfortable. Shammy spoke. Very softly. "You involved Panam." The Pharaoh inclined his head. "My dear elemental..." "No." One word. Quiet. Almost gentle. Nyarlathotep stopped. Shammy looked directly at him. "You do not get to speak to me as though this were a pleasant reunion." A silence settled over the throne room. Panam held still. She knew Shammy's anger. She knew her fury. She knew the way the atmosphere could respond when something truly upset her. But this? This was different. There was no wind. No lightning. Not even a change in temperature. And somehow that made it worse. Shammy's voice remained perfectly calm. "You took the woman I love." A pause. "You altered my understanding of myself." Another pause. "And you made me believe that what you had done was natural." Nyarlathotep said nothing. Shammy's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly. "I remember every moment." Konrad watched her. Seras glanced toward him. Neither interrupted. Shammy stepped aside. And Seras approached the final collar. --- Yukari watched her with golden eyes. The ancient kitsune smiled. "Good morning, my lady." Seras crouched. "Hello, Yukari." "Do we know each other?" "Yes." Yukari tilted her head. "How curious." Seras smiled faintly. "Rather." She reached out. And touched Yukari's shoulder. The collar vanished. The leash disappeared. Her ordinary clothing returned. Yukari's expression changed. Not immediately. Not dramatically. For one heartbeat, she simply looked at Seras. Then her golden eyes shifted toward Nyarlathotep. And everything warm about her expression disappeared. She rose. Gracefully. Without hurry. Her posture remained relaxed. Her hands hung loosely at her sides. But the stillness surrounding her was profound. Ancient. Deliberate. For several seconds, nobody spoke. Then Yukari turned toward Seras. "Thank you." Seras inclined her head. "You're welcome." Yukari looked toward Shammy. Their eyes met. No words were necessary. Not yet. Yukari turned toward the Black Pharaoh. "Oh." Her voice was quiet. Almost conversational. "So it was you." Nyarlathotep regarded her. "My dear Yukari." Yukari smiled. It was not a pleasant smile. "No." The Pharaoh stopped. Yukari took one slow step forward. "I believe Shammy has already explained why that particular greeting is inappropriate." Shammy moved to stand beside her. Neither raised her voice. Neither displayed even the smallest visible sign of supernatural power. They simply stood together. Watching him. Two ancient beings. Two women whose families he had deliberately drawn into his entertainment. Two women who remembered absolutely everything. Yukari spoke again. "You seem to have developed an unfortunate habit." Nyarlathotep's expression remained composed. "Have I?" "Yes." She tilted her head. "You keep involving people we love in your little amusements." Shammy nodded once. "Repeatedly." Yukari's golden eyes remained fixed on the Pharaoh. "And you seem to believe that because we enjoy our lives, our friendships, and our families, we have somehow become harmless." A pause. "That is a remarkably foolish assumption." The chamber remained silent. Nyarlathotep looked toward Konrad. Then Seras. Then back toward the two women. For the first time that morning, he appeared to be reconsidering the wisdom of his entertainment. --- Panam stood beside Nadia. She looked toward Shammy. Then Yukari. Then Seras. Nine women. Nine collars gone. Nine leashes vanished. Every familiar personality restored. Every memory intact. And the entire absurd arrangement was finally broken. She took a breath. Then another. "Okay." Konrad looked toward her. "Madame Panam?" Panam turned. "Yeah?" "Are you all right?" She considered the question. Then looked at her friends. Mandi was standing beside Mai. Kiro was watching the Pharaoh with unmistakable hostility. Nova and Vega had moved closer together. Birgitta stood quietly near Nadia. Shammy and Yukari remained perfectly still. Seras watched them all. Panam looked back at Konrad. "Ask me again after I've had a fucking drink." Konrad nodded. "Fair enough." Seras laughed softly. --- Nyarlathotep slowly descended from his throne. His expression had regained some of its familiar amusement. "Well." Konrad turned toward him. "Yes?" The Pharaoh spread his hands. "I suppose the entertainment has concluded." Konrad regarded him. "Not quite." Nyarlathotep raised an eyebrow. "Oh?" Konrad looked toward the nine women. Then toward Panam. Finally, he returned his gaze to the Black Pharaoh. "You've done this before." The Pharaoh smiled. "Many things happen more than once." "Not this." Nyarlathotep's smile tightened. Konrad continued. "I warned you." The Black Pharaoh said nothing. "And apparently, you decided that warning was optional." Seras folded her arms. "That does seem to be a recurring problem." Konrad nodded. "Indeed." Nyarlathotep looked between them. "Surely you don't intend to make another tedious speech." Konrad considered. Then smiled. A very small smile. "No." The Pharaoh raised an eyebrow. Konrad stepped forward. "I intend to make certain you remember this particular defeat." Nyarlathotep's smile returned. "My dear Konrad, I remember all my encounters." "Yes." Konrad nodded. "That's precisely the point." A pause. "And this time..." His expression became almost cheerful. "...I'm going to make sure you can't tell anyone about it." The Black Pharaoh stopped smiling. Seras's red eyes brightened. Shammy and Yukari exchanged a glance. And Panam slowly began to grin. For the first time since waking in Dreamlands, she suspected the next few minutes might actually be enjoyable. --- ## Chapter 10 — A Lesson in Silence Nyarlathotep stared at Konrad. For several seconds, the enormous throne room was completely silent. Then the Black Pharaoh laughed. Not his earlier delighted laughter. Something shorter. Sharper. Almost disbelieving. "You intend to silence me?" Konrad considered the question. "Not entirely." "How generous." "Just concerning this particular incident." Nyarlathotep smiled. "My dear Konrad, surely you understand the absurdity of that suggestion." "Perfectly." The Pharaoh spread his hands. "I am Nyarlathotep." "Yes." "The Crawling Chaos." "Indeed." "Messenger of the Outer Gods." "Quite." Nyarlathotep's smile widened. "And you propose to forbid me from speaking?" Konrad looked thoughtful. Then nodded. "Yes." A pause. "That about covers it." --- Panam stared. Then slowly turned toward Seras. "Is he always like this?" Seras smiled. "Frequently." "Just tells cosmic horrors what they're allowed to do?" "More or less." Panam considered that. Then looked toward Konrad. "I think I'm starting to understand why Ace likes you." Mandi raised one hand. "For the record, I approve of this conversation." Mai smiled. "I suspected you might." Kiro folded her arms. "Personally, I'd prefer something involving a large hammer." Seras glanced toward her. "Tempting." Konrad shook his head. "Unnecessary." Kiro sighed. "You're no fun." "Occasionally." Vega grinned. "I like him." Nova regarded Konrad with professional interest. "Actually, I'd like to hear the precise terms." Brenda turned toward her. "Of course you would." "Precision matters." "Especially when you're sentencing an eldritch god?" "Particularly then." Konrad glanced at Nova. "An excellent point." Nova looked pleased. Vega rolled her eyes. "Oh, wonderful. Now there are two of them." --- Nyarlathotep watched the exchange. His expression had become distinctly less amused. "Have you quite finished?" Konrad turned back toward him. "Not yet." The Pharaoh's eyes narrowed. "Then perhaps we should dispense with the theatrics." Konrad nodded. "Agreed." He stepped closer. The enormous hall seemed to contract around them. Not physically. The columns remained where they were. The golden ceiling still stretched overhead. The fountains continued flowing. But the space between Konrad and the Black Pharaoh suddenly seemed to matter more than anything else. Seras folded her arms. Panam moved closer to Nadia. Mai slipped an arm around Mandi. Kiro watched with undisguised interest. And Shammy and Yukari remained perfectly still. Their expressions were calm. Terribly calm. --- "Let's establish the offense," Konrad said. Nyarlathotep smiled thinly. "An offense? How quaint." "You entered the dreams of people under my protection." "Dreams are hardly private property." "You altered their memories." "A temporary adjustment." "You removed their ability to recognize the manipulation." "A necessary artistic consideration." "You used their affection for one another as entertainment." Nyarlathotep's smile returned. "An exceptionally successful entertainment, I might add." Panam took one step forward. "YOU..." Shammy gently touched her arm. Panam turned. Shammy looked at her. "Love." Her voice was quiet. "Let him finish." Panam hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah. Okay." Shammy smiled faintly. And returned her attention to the Black Pharaoh. The smile disappeared. --- Konrad regarded Nyarlathotep. "And you did all this after our previous conversation." The Pharaoh inclined his head. "I recall it." "So do I." "Your intervention was regrettably abrupt." Konrad nodded. "Apparently not abrupt enough." Nyarlathotep's expression tightened. Konrad continued. "The first time, I merely removed you." "How generous." "This time, I'm going to make the consequences a little more memorable." The Pharaoh laughed. "You imagine I could forget?" "No." Konrad smiled. "That's rather the point." --- Seras looked toward Shammy and Yukari. Both stood quietly together. Neither had spoken since Nyarlathotep's latest exchange with Konrad. Seras approached them. "Are you both all right?" Shammy turned toward her. "Yes." Yukari inclined her head. "Quite." Seras studied them. Their voices were perfectly controlled. Their expressions were composed. And she had absolutely no difficulty recognizing the fury beneath that composure. "You're very angry." Shammy looked toward the Black Pharaoh. "Yes." Yukari smiled faintly. "Extremely." Seras considered that. "Would you like to say something to him?" Yukari glanced toward Shammy. Shammy nodded once. Then they stepped forward together. --- Nyarlathotep regarded them with an expression of studied politeness. "My dear ladies." Shammy stopped. Yukari stood beside her. Neither smiled. "Nyarlathotep," Shammy said. Her voice was almost gentle. "Do you remember our last encounter?" "Naturally." "And what we told you?" The Pharaoh inclined his head. "Your displeasure was quite evident." Yukari tilted her head. "Displeasure." She considered the word. "An interesting choice." Shammy continued. "We warned you about involving our family." "Indeed." "And you chose to ignore us." Nyarlathotep spread his hands. "My dear elemental, surely you understand that I meant no lasting harm." Shammy regarded him. "That is not the defense you think it is." Silence. Yukari spoke. "You altered my memories." The Pharaoh smiled. "Temporarily." "You altered my understanding of myself." "A harmless illusion." "You placed me at Panam's feet and made me believe that was where I belonged." Nyarlathotep said nothing. Yukari's golden eyes remained fixed on him. "And you did the same to Shammy." A pause. "To Mai." Another. "To Ace." She looked toward the others. "To all of them." Her voice never rose. "You have mistaken our affection for one another as a weakness you can exploit." The Black Pharaoh smiled. "Affection is such a fascinating vulnerability." Yukari inclined her head. "Perhaps." Then she looked directly into his impossible black face. "But there is something you appear to have forgotten." The Pharaoh raised an eyebrow. "Oh?" Yukari smiled. A very small smile. "Being gentle is a choice." Shammy nodded. "And so is being patient." Neither woman moved. Neither summoned power. There was no wind. No supernatural flame. No nine-tailed transformation. Nothing at all. And somehow, the absence of spectacle was profoundly unsettling. Shammy continued. "We have been very patient with you." Yukari's smile disappeared. "Do not mistake that patience for permission." --- Panam stared at them. Then leaned toward Nadia. "Remind me never to piss off both of them at once." Nadia whispered back. "I don't think you could." Panam glanced toward the two ancient women. "Not planning to test that." Mandi, standing nearby, nodded solemnly. "An excellent life decision." Mai smiled. "One of your better ones." Panam looked at her. "MAI." "What?" "Not now." Mai inclined her head. "Of course." Kiro leaned toward Vega. "I think I'd rather take the hammer." Vega nodded. "Yep." Nova watched the two ancient women. Her expression was thoughtful. "Remarkable." Brenda glanced at her. "What?" "They haven't raised their voices once." "Yeah." Nova looked toward the Black Pharaoh. "And he's listening." Brenda smiled grimly. "Yeah. He fucking is." --- Konrad waited until Shammy and Yukari stepped back. Then he addressed Nyarlathotep. "Now." The Pharaoh turned toward him. "Yes?" "The terms." Nyarlathotep's smile returned. "How tedious." Konrad ignored him. "You will retain complete memory of this encounter." The Pharaoh inclined his head. "Naturally." "Every detail." "Of course." "The palace. The collars. The leashes. Your little performance. Seras undoing your enchantment. Your confrontation with Shammy and Yukari." Nyarlathotep's expression tightened. Konrad continued. "And, most importantly, your defeat." The Pharaoh stared. "How very thorough." "Thank you." Konrad took another step forward. "But you will never communicate that defeat to another being." Nyarlathotep smiled. "An ambitious restriction." "Not verbally." "How quaint." "Not in writing." The Pharaoh's expression remained fixed. "Not through signs, symbols, images, dreams, visions, memories, intermediaries, proxies, servants, or any other means." Seras smiled. "Oh, that's comprehensive." Nova nodded approvingly. "Very." Konrad continued. "You cannot arrange for someone else to communicate it on your behalf." Nyarlathotep's smile began to fade. "You cannot reveal it indirectly." A pause. "You cannot lead another being toward discovering it through some deliberate contrivance." Another. "You cannot circumvent the restriction by changing your form, your identity, the language you use, or the means by which you communicate." The Pharaoh's expression had become very still. Konrad looked directly at him. "And you cannot remove, modify, bypass, delegate away, or otherwise defeat the restriction." Silence. Then Nyarlathotep spoke. "You cannot possibly expect..." Konrad raised one finger. "One more thing." The Pharaoh stopped. "The restriction applies only to your ability to reveal this defeat. It does not prevent anyone else from remembering it, discussing it, or laughing about it." Panam's eyes widened. Then she slowly began to grin. "Oh." Seras smiled. "Yes." Panam looked toward Mandi. Mandi looked toward Mai. Mai's smile became positively radiant. Vega made a delighted little noise. "Oh, that's BEAUTIFUL." --- Nyarlathotep stared at Konrad. For the first time, his expression contained something that looked remarkably like genuine disbelief. "You cannot be serious." Konrad regarded him. "I am. Dead serious." "You propose to allow these mortals to discuss my affairs freely while preventing me from correcting their accounts?" "Yes." "An outrageous imbalance." "Quite." "An insult!" "Possibly." "A violation of..." Konrad raised an eyebrow. "Would you like to finish that sentence?" Nyarlathotep stopped. Seras laughed. Panam looked delighted. "OH, THIS IS GETTING GOOD." --- The Pharaoh straightened. His shadow stretched across the polished stone. For a moment, the enormous palace trembled. The fountains stopped. The golden sunlight dimmed. Something vast stirred beyond the visible boundaries of Dreamlands. Nyarlathotep's eyes gleamed. "You presume too much, Konrad." Konrad regarded him calmly. "Do I?" "I am not some petty spirit to be bound by a mortal decree." "No." "Nor some lesser creature whose nature can be rewritten at your convenience." "Indeed." Nyarlathotep's smile became cold. "Then understand this." The shadows deepened. "I will not submit." Konrad sighed. "Nyarlathotep." The Pharaoh continued. "You may interrupt my amusements. You may remove me from this particular dream. But you cannot dictate the nature of the Crawling Chaos." Konrad waited. Nyarlathotep spread his arms. "And you certainly cannot prevent me from..." Konrad snapped his fingers. --- Nothing exploded. No divine lightning struck. No enormous crack split the palace floor. The fountains did not shatter. The columns did not fall. Nyarlathotep simply stopped speaking. His mouth remained open. For one moment, his expression was almost comical. Then he closed it. Looked at Konrad. And smiled. A very unpleasant smile. "An amusing trick." Konrad nodded. "Thank you." Nyarlathotep looked toward Panam. "Madame, I assure you that when I speak of this..." He stopped. Not because he chose to. Not because anyone interrupted. The words simply refused to exist. His expression changed. Slowly. Panam looked toward Konrad, incredulous. "Wait." Konrad glanced at her. "Yes?" "Did you just..." "Yes." Panam looked back toward Nyarlathotep. The Pharaoh was staring at his own hand. He raised one finger. A line of golden symbols appeared in the air. For an instant, the symbols shimmered. Then rearranged themselves into an entirely ordinary decorative pattern. Nyarlathotep stared. Seras covered her mouth. Her shoulders began shaking. "Oh, that's dreadful." Konrad smiled. "Isn't it?" --- Nyarlathotep tried again. This time, a small image appeared in the air. A representation of the throne room. The two golden thrones. The women gathered below. Then the image changed. Before anyone could see what he intended to show, it became a perfectly ordinary scene of a garden. Birds. Flowers. A fountain. Nothing else. The Pharaoh stared. Panam slowly began to laugh. Not loudly. Not yet. Just a small, incredulous sound. Nyarlathotep turned toward her. She raised both hands. "Sorry." A pause. "Sorry, I just..." She looked at the floating garden. Then at the Pharaoh. "...You can't even draw a fucking picture of it?" Seras lost her composure. She burst out laughing. Mandi followed immediately. Vega bent forward. Kiro slapped one hand over her mouth. Even Mai was laughing now. Nova looked toward Konrad. "Does the restriction include hypothetical descriptions?" "Yes." "Allegories?" "Yes." "Metaphors?" "Yes." "Encoded messages?" "Yes." "Encrypted records?" "Yes." Nova considered. "Excellent." Vega grinned at her. "You're enjoying this far too much." Nova smiled. "Immensely." --- Nyarlathotep's expression had become terrifyingly cold. His skin, already almost impossibly black, seemed to drink the remaining light. The palace trembled again. Konrad looked at him. "Careful." The Pharaoh stopped. Konrad continued. "The restriction is already in place." Nyarlathotep's eyes narrowed. "Then I shall..." He stopped. A pause. He tried again. Nothing. Seras folded her arms. "He's trying to threaten to undo it." Konrad nodded. "I know." Nyarlathotep looked toward her. His expression was murderous. Seras smiled. Long fangs gleamed. "Oh, don't look at me like that." A pause. "It's not my fault you keep making the same mistake." --- Shammy watched the Pharaoh. Her expression remained calm. Yukari stood beside her. Neither laughed. Not yet. For them, the matter was more serious than a particularly inventive punishment. Nyarlathotep had manipulated people they loved. He had taken their memories and their choices. He had made them participants in his cruelty. And he had done it knowing exactly what they were. Shammy spoke quietly. "Konrad." He turned. "Yes?" "Will he remember everything?" "Every moment." "Will he understand why?" "Yes." Yukari inclined her head. "And he cannot turn the restriction against anyone else?" "No." "Not even indirectly?" "Not even indirectly." Shammy considered this. Then nodded. "Good." Yukari looked toward the Black Pharaoh. Her expression remained perfectly serene. "Very good." Nyarlathotep stared at them. For a moment, nobody spoke. Then Yukari added: "Consider this a courtesy." The Pharaoh's eyes narrowed. Yukari smiled faintly. "We are allowing Konrad to handle the matter." Shammy nodded. "Because we trust him." A pause. "And because we would prefer to return to our family." The silence that followed was extraordinary. Nyarlathotep looked toward the two women. Then toward Konrad. And for once, he appeared to have absolutely nothing worth saying. --- Panam approached Konrad. "Can I ask something?" "Of course." "This restriction." "Yes?" "It doesn't stop us talking about what happened?" "No." "Not even joking about it?" "Certainly not." Panam looked thoughtful. "And he remembers everything?" "Yes." "But can't tell anyone?" "Correct." Panam's grin widened. "Oh, that is fucking BEAUTIFUL." Mandi raised one hand. "I have a question." Konrad looked toward her. "Yes, Ace?" "Does he get to hear us talking about it?" "Should he happen to be nearby." Mandi's grin became enormous. "And he can't defend himself?" "Not by revealing this defeat." Mai looked delighted. "Oh, that's cruel." Seras laughed. "Rather." Kiro folded her arms. "I withdraw my request for a hammer." Vega looked toward her. "Really?" "Yeah." Kiro grinned. "This is better." --- Nyarlathotep stood motionless. His expression had become an extraordinary mixture of ancient fury and deeply offended dignity. Panam regarded him. Then slowly approached. Konrad watched with interest. Seras raised an eyebrow. Panam stopped a short distance from the Black Pharaoh. She looked up at him. For a moment, she said nothing. Then she smiled. "Well." Nyarlathotep stared. "Looks like you're having a pretty shitty morning." The Pharaoh's eyes narrowed. Panam folded her arms. "Funny." A pause. "That's exactly how I felt when I woke up here." Nyarlathotep said nothing. Panam gestured toward the empty throne. "Nice chair, though." Mandi snorted. Vega started laughing again. Panam looked toward the golden columns. "The decorations are a bit much." Kiro nodded. "Way too much." Nova considered. "Although the craftsmanship is impressive." "Nova," Vega warned. "What? It is." Panam smiled. Then looked directly at the Black Pharaoh. "You know what the best part is?" He didn't answer. Panam leaned slightly closer. "Tomorrow morning, we're all going to sit around a table and talk about this." Nyarlathotep's expression darkened. "Every single one of us." She smiled. "All nine of your little pets." Her voice softened. "And me." A pause. "We'll remember everything." Nyarlathotep's jaw tightened. "And you..." Panam's grin became magnificent. "...won't be able to say one fucking word about it." --- Konrad stepped forward. "All right." Panam turned. "Already?" "Yes." She looked disappointed. "Can't we enjoy this a little longer?" Seras laughed. "Tempting." Konrad smiled. "But I believe we've made the point." Mandi raised one hand. "Several points, actually." Mai nodded. "Very thoroughly." Konrad regarded Nyarlathotep. The Pharaoh stood motionless. His expression was no longer amused. Not even remotely. Konrad spoke. "Your entertainment is over." Nyarlathotep's eyes narrowed. "You will leave this dream." The Pharaoh remained silent. "You will not interfere with their departure." Silence. "And you will remember exactly why this happened." Konrad raised his hand. Nyarlathotep's expression changed. For one instant, something vast and ancient seemed to press against the boundaries of the throne room. The golden columns darkened. The impossible sky beyond the windows flickered. A thousand distant voices seemed about to speak. Then Konrad snapped his fingers. --- The Black Pharaoh vanished. No explosion. No final curse. No dramatic declaration. One moment, Nyarlathotep stood before them. The next, there was only empty air. His throne remained. For approximately three seconds. Then it crumbled into a fine cloud of golden dust. The dust drifted upward. And disappeared. --- Silence. A wonderful, ordinary silence. Panam stared at the empty space. Then slowly looked toward Konrad. "Is he gone?" "Yes." "Really gone?" "From this dream." "And the restriction?" "Permanent." Panam took a deep breath. Then let it out. "Good." A pause. "Fucking GOOD." Seras smiled. "Feeling better?" Panam considered. Then looked toward the nine women. Mandi stood close to Mai. Nova and Vega had their arms around one another. Birgitta was beside Kiro. Nadia had moved closer to Shammy. Yukari watched the place where the Pharaoh had disappeared. All nine were dressed. All nine were themselves. No collars. No leashes. No imposed devotion. Just her friends. Her family. Panam swallowed. "Yeah." Her voice softened. "Yeah, I think I am." Shammy approached. Panam turned. For a moment, neither spoke. Then Shammy wrapped her arms around her. Panam held her tightly. Nadia joined them. And for several long seconds, the impossible palace ceased to matter. --- Seras watched the three women embrace. Her expression softened. Konrad stood beside her. "Well," she murmured. "Yes?" "That went rather well." Konrad nodded. "All things considered." Seras glanced toward the empty space where Nyarlathotep had stood. "Do you think he'll learn?" Konrad considered. Then sighed. "Probably not." Seras laughed. "That's what I thought." Behind them, Mandi was examining the remaining throne. Mai noticed. "Ace." Mandi looked toward her. "What?" "Don't." "I wasn't doing anything!" "You were thinking." "That's not illegal." "Not yet." Mandi grinned. "Come on. You have to admit it's a magnificent chair." Kiro looked interested. "Can we keep it?" Nova closed her eyes. "No." Vega grinned. "Why not?" "Because we are not taking an eldritch throne home." Kiro considered. "Fair." Mandi sighed. "Shame." Panam turned toward them. For a moment, she stared. Then she started laughing. Not the exhausted, desperate laughter of someone trapped inside a nightmare. Real laughter. The kind that came from knowing everybody was safe. From recognizing familiar voices. From hearing the same impossible friends arguing about the same impossible nonsense. "YOU PEOPLE!" Mandi looked up. "What?" Panam pointed toward the throne. "AFTER EVERYTHING THAT JUST HAPPENED, YOU STILL WANT THE FUCKING FURNITURE?!" Mandi shrugged. "It's a very nice throne." Vega nodded. "Better than the cushions." Mandi gasped. "TAKE THAT BACK!" Seras burst out laughing. Even Konrad smiled. And somewhere far beyond the boundaries of Dreamlands, a certain Black Pharaoh remembered every single moment of his defeat. Perfectly. Inescapably. And completely, permanently unable to tell another living soul about it. --- The golden ceiling began to fade. The columns softened. The distant fountains grew quiet. Konrad looked toward Panam. "Now." She turned. "Yeah?" "Let's get you all home." Seras smiled. "And perhaps somewhere with fewer cushions." Mandi looked horrified. "HEY!" Panam laughed again. For once, she had absolutely no objection to the suggestion. --- ## Chapter 11 — The World Returns The palace was dissolving. Slowly. Almost reluctantly. The enormous golden columns were becoming translucent, their elaborate carvings fading into patterns of light. Beyond the windows, the impossible Egyptian sky had begun to lose its color. The fountains continued flowing, although their water now seemed to disappear before reaching the pools below. Panam watched a particularly magnificent golden statue become transparent. Then vanish. "Well." She folded her arms. "Can't say I'm going to miss the decorations." Vega looked toward the disappearing statue. "Bit excessive, wasn't it?" Nova sighed. "Brenda, you spent most of the morning complaining about the decorations." "And I was right." "You also spent most of the morning arguing about cushions." "Also right." Mandi raised one finger. "For the record, those cushions were excellent." Mai turned toward her. "Ace." "What?" "Let them go." Mandi looked wounded. "But..." "No." A pause. Mandi sighed. "Fine." Kiro watched the last remaining cushion dissolve into golden mist. "Tragic." Panam stared at her. "KIRO!" "What? I'm agreeing with her!" Panam threw up her hands. "UNBELIEVABLE!" Seras Victoria was laughing. Konrad, standing beside her, looked as though he was making a considerable effort not to join in. --- Eventually, Panam turned toward him. "All right." Konrad looked at her. "Yes?" "I've got questions." Mandi immediately grinned. "Oh, here we go." Panam pointed at her. "Don't start." Mandi raised both hands. "Wouldn't dream of it." Mai closed her eyes. "Please don't use that expression." Mandi blinked. Then looked around the fading palace. "Oh." A pause. "Right." Seras laughed again. Panam shook her head. "Anyway. Questions." Konrad inclined his head. "Go ahead." Panam gestured toward the dissolving chamber. "First, was any of this real?" Konrad considered. "That depends on what you mean by real." Panam stared. "Oh, for fuck's sake." Seras smiled sympathetically. "He's going to give you the complicated answer." "I noticed." Konrad continued. "The palace existed within Dreamlands. Your experiences here were genuine, but the circumstances were constructed." Panam frowned. "So it was a dream." "Yes." "But everybody was actually here?" "Yes." Panam looked toward the others. "All nine of them?" Konrad nodded. "Their minds were drawn into the same dream." Panam's expression hardened. "And that bastard controlled what they believed." "Until Seras released them." Panam turned toward the vampire. Seras smiled. "Hello." Panam studied her. "All you did was touch them." "Yes." "That's it?" "That's it." Panam looked toward Konrad in disbelief. "You're telling me I spent what felt like half a fucking day arguing with nine people, and all it took to fix the problem was..." She gestured toward Seras. "...THAT?" Seras tilted her head. "Well, I did have to walk around a little." Mandi burst out laughing. Panam stared. Then, despite herself, she started laughing too. "Oh, you absolute..." Seras grinned. Her long fangs gleamed. "You're welcome." --- Nova approached. "May I ask something?" Konrad nodded. "Of course." Nova looked toward Seras. "Your intervention was remarkably precise." "Thank you." "You restored our memories, removed the enchantment, eliminated the collars and restraints, and returned our clothing simultaneously." "Yes." "Was that a single operation?" Seras considered. "More or less." Nova nodded thoughtfully. "Fascinating." Vega groaned. "Please don't." Nova ignored her. "Did you restore our original physical configurations, or did you replace the dream's representation of our bodies?" Seras smiled. "The latter." Nova looked delighted. "Ah!" Vega covered her face. "Oh, God." Seras continued. "Your bodies weren't physically changed. Your appearances in the dream were altered. I simply restored how you understood yourselves and let the dream reflect that." Nova nodded. "Elegant." "Thank you." "Very elegant." Vega turned toward Panam. "She's going to be talking about this for weeks." Panam grinned. "Better than talking about the fucking cushions." Mandi looked offended. "HEY!" --- Mai stepped closer. "There's something I'd like to clarify." Konrad turned. "Yes?" "When we wake, will we retain everything?" "Yes." "Every conversation?" "Every conversation." "Everything we said under the enchantment?" "Yes." Mai considered this. Then slowly smiled. "Oh." Panam narrowed her eyes. "Mai." Mai looked at her. "Yes?" "Don't." Mai's smile widened. "I haven't said anything." "YOU'RE THINKING IT!" "Thinking is generally permitted." Mandi nodded. "Apparently." Kiro grinned. Panam looked toward Konrad. "Can you make them forget just the embarrassing parts?" "No." Panam sighed. "Wonderful." Seras smiled. "Would you actually want that?" Panam opened her mouth. Then stopped. She looked around. At Mandi. Mai. Kiro. Nova and Vega. Birgitta. Yukari. Shammy. Nadia. Nine familiar faces. Nine people who remembered everything. Every ridiculous question. Every absurd answer. Every moment of confusion. And the moment Seras had freed them. Panam slowly shook her head. "No." Her voice softened. "No. I wouldn't." Konrad nodded. "Good." --- Birgitta approached quietly. "Owner?" Panam turned. "Hey." Birgitta smiled. Panam studied her for a moment. Then reached for her hand. "You okay?" "Yes." "Really?" Birgitta nodded. Panam looked at the place where her collar had been. Birgitta noticed. "It's gone." "I know." "And I'm quite all right." Panam swallowed. "Good." Birgitta squeezed her hand. "Are you?" Panam considered. "Getting there." Birgitta smiled gently. "Then perhaps we should concentrate on getting home." Panam laughed softly. "That sounds like the best idea I've heard all day." --- Nearby, Shammy and Yukari stood together. They had barely spoken since Konrad's final confrontation with Nyarlathotep. Their expressions remained composed. Their voices, when they did speak, remained quiet. But neither looked amused. Seras noticed. She approached them. "Shammy?" The elemental turned. "Yes?" "Yukari?" The kitsune inclined her head. "Seras." The vampire studied them. "Something still troubling you?" Yukari looked toward the place where the Black Pharaoh's throne had stood. "Yes." Shammy nodded. "Very much." Seras folded her arms. "Would you like to talk about it?" For a moment, neither answered. Then Shammy spoke. "He knew." Seras nodded. "Yes." "He knew exactly who we were." "Yes." "He knew our history." Yukari's golden eyes narrowed. "And he knew what happened the last time." Seras regarded them quietly. Shammy continued. "He didn't merely involve us again." A pause. "He involved Panam." The words were almost gentle. But Seras understood. Yukari spoke next. "And he involved Mai." Another pause. "Ace." She looked toward the others. "All of them." Seras nodded. "I know." Yukari's expression remained perfectly calm. "Then you understand why we are not amused." "Completely." --- Konrad joined them. Shammy turned toward him. "Konrad." "Yes?" "Will the restriction hold?" "Yes." "Regardless of his form?" "Yes." "Regardless of how he attempts to circumvent it?" "Yes." Yukari regarded him. "And he cannot simply remove it?" "No." A long silence followed. Then Shammy nodded. "Good." Konrad studied her. "That doesn't mean he has ceased to exist." "I know." "Nor does it mean he will suddenly develop better judgment." Yukari's mouth curved into a very small smile. "We would hardly expect such a miracle." Seras chuckled. Konrad continued. "But he has been made to understand that there are boundaries he cannot simply ignore." Shammy looked toward the fading palace. "One would hope." Her voice remained perfectly even. Yukari glanced at her. Their eyes met. Something passed between them. Not words. Not an obvious supernatural communication. Simply the understanding of two beings who had known existence for longer than most civilizations could imagine. Then Yukari looked toward Konrad. "Thank you." He inclined his head. "You're welcome." Shammy added quietly: "And thank you for allowing us to speak." Konrad regarded her. "I wasn't going to stop you." Yukari smiled faintly. "A wise decision." Seras looked between them. Then toward Konrad. Her lips twitched. "I think that was a compliment." Konrad nodded. "I believe so." --- Panam approached. "Everything okay?" Shammy turned. The cold stillness disappeared from her expression. Not completely. But enough. She smiled at Panam. "Yes, love." Panam looked toward Yukari. "And you?" Yukari smiled gently. "I'm quite well." Panam studied them both. Then shook her head. "You know, I've seen you two angry before." Shammy tilted her head. "Have you?" "Yes." Yukari looked amused. "And?" Panam considered. "Remind me never to be on the receiving end of whatever THAT was." Shammy laughed softly. Yukari's smile widened. "Oh, Panam." She reached out and gently touched Panam's shoulder. "You have nothing to fear from us." Panam nodded. "I know." A pause. "Still." Shammy leaned closer. "We love you." Panam smiled. "Yeah." She slipped an arm around Shammy. "Love you too." Yukari watched them. Her expression softened. And for a moment, the terrible calm she had directed toward Nyarlathotep was replaced by something entirely familiar. Affection. Warmth. Family. --- "Konrad?" He turned. Mandi was approaching. Mai walked beside her. Kiro followed a few steps behind. Konrad regarded them. "Yes?" Mandi looked thoughtful. "I've got a question." Mai sighed. "Of course you do." Mandi ignored her. "The first time he did this..." Konrad nodded. "Yes?" "...you told me it was just a nightmare." "Correct." "And he had no power over me." "Also correct." Mandi considered. "So how does that work when he can drag an entire group of people into another nightmare?" Konrad regarded her. "Because he can construct circumstances within Dreamlands. He can distort perceptions. He can create experiences that feel real." Mandi nodded. "But?" "But he does not own you." A pause. "He does not have the authority to decide what you are." Mai looked thoughtful. "Even if he temporarily convinces you otherwise." "Precisely." Kiro folded her arms. "Well, that's reassuring." Mandi glanced toward the fading throne. "Wish somebody had told him." Konrad smiled faintly. "Someone has." Seras laughed. --- The palace had almost disappeared. The enormous columns were now pale silhouettes. The golden ceiling had become a vast expanse of white. The last remaining throne flickered. Mandi noticed. "Oh." Mai turned. "What?" Mandi pointed. "The throne." Panam immediately narrowed her eyes. "Don't." Mandi looked innocent. "I wasn't going to say anything." "YES, YOU WERE!" Mandi sighed. "Fine." Kiro looked toward the fading throne. "Still would've looked good in the safehouse." Nova shook her head. "We are absolutely not bringing an eldritch artifact into our home." Vega grinned. "Could've used it as a coffee chair." Nova stared. "A coffee chair?" "Yeah." "That is not a thing." "Could be." Brenda looked toward Mandi. Mandi's grin returned. "Oh, I like that." Panam groaned. "YOU PEOPLE ARE IMPOSSIBLE!" Mai smiled. "Apparently, we're remarkably consistent." Seras smiled. --- Eventually, the last golden column vanished. The group stood upon a broad expanse of pale stone beneath a sky that no longer resembled any particular time or place. The air was warm. Quiet. Peaceful. Beyond them, the landscape of Dreamlands stretched into a distant horizon of impossible colors. Panam looked around. "So." Konrad turned. "Yes?" "This is what Dreamlands actually looks like?" "One small part of it." Panam considered that. Then nodded. "Right." She looked toward Seras. "And you can come here whenever you want?" Seras smiled. "When necessary." Panam raised an eyebrow. "That's not quite what I asked." "No." Seras's smile widened. "It isn't." Mandi laughed. "Oh, she's doing it again." Panam turned. "Doing what?" "Being technically correct instead of answering." Seras looked delighted. Mai smiled. "An established habit." Vega grinned. "I like her." Nova nodded. "So do I." Seras inclined her head. "You're all very kind." Kiro folded her arms. "Yeah, well, you did save us from being somebody's royal pet collection." Seras considered. "That does tend to improve introductions." Panam burst out laughing. --- Then her laughter faded. She looked toward Konrad. "One more thing." He nodded. "Go ahead." Panam hesitated. For once, finding the words was difficult. "When we wake up..." Konrad waited. "...everything will be normal?" "Yes." "No palace?" "No palace." "No collars?" "No collars." "No fucking leashes?" "None." Panam nodded. "And they'll all be themselves?" Konrad's expression softened. "They already are." Panam looked toward her friends. Nine women. Talking. Laughing. Arguing. Moving freely. Making their own choices. She swallowed. "Yeah." A pause. "Yeah, they are." Konrad continued. "Everyone will awaken where they went to sleep. This place will leave no physical restraints or changes behind." "And the memories?" "Those remain." Panam nodded. "Good." Then she glanced toward Mandi. "Mostly." Mandi grinned. "Love you too, Owner." Panam pointed at her. "DO NOT START!" --- Seras approached Panam. "May I?" Panam looked puzzled. "What?" Seras held out her hand. Panam regarded it. Then smiled. "Sure." They shook hands. Seras's grip was warm. Firm. Perfectly ordinary. Which, considering what Panam had witnessed her accomplish with a touch, was almost funny. "Thank you," Panam said. Seras's smile softened. "You're welcome." Panam hesitated. "Seriously." Seras nodded. "I know." Panam looked toward Shammy and Nadia. Then toward the others. "You gave them back to me." Seras regarded her for a moment. Then shook her head gently. "No, Panam." Panam blinked. Seras smiled. "They were never yours to lose." A silence followed. Panam stared at her. Then slowly smiled. A real smile. "Yeah." She nodded. "You're right." Seras's red eyes sparkled. "Besides, they appear perfectly capable of finding their own way into trouble." Behind them, Mandi was attempting to convince Kiro that the disappearing throne could probably be reconstructed from memory. Panam looked. Then laughed. "Yeah." She shook her head. "You're definitely right about that." --- Konrad stepped forward. "All right, everyone." The conversations quieted. "It's time." Panam looked toward him. "Home?" "Home." Nadia immediately reached for Panam's hand. Shammy took the other. Panam smiled. "Good." Mai moved beside Mandi. Kiro stretched. Nova and Vega stood close together. Birgitta looked toward Panam and gave her a warm smile. Yukari approached Shammy. For a moment, the two ancient women exchanged another quiet glance. Then Yukari smiled. "Shall we?" Shammy nodded. "Let's." --- The horizon began to dissolve. Not violently. Not with the terrible distortions Nyarlathotep had used to control the palace. This was different. Gentle. Natural. The way a dream sometimes faded when morning approached. The pale stone beneath their feet softened into mist. The distant sky became a curtain of light. Panam looked toward Konrad. "Hey." He turned. "Yes?" "Next time you see that bastard..." Konrad raised an eyebrow. Panam grinned. "...tell him I said fuck you." Seras burst out laughing. Konrad considered. Then smiled. "I'll bear that in mind." Panam looked satisfied. "Good." --- The others were beginning to fade. Not disappear abruptly. Not vanish like prisoners being removed from a cage. They simply became less distinct. As though each was slowly returning to another place. Another room. Another bed. Another familiar life. Mandi raised one hand. "See you at breakfast!" Panam pointed. "AND DON'T YOU DARE START!" Mandi grinned. "No promises!" Mai laughed. Kiro gave a cheerful wave. Nova inclined her head. Vega blew Panam an exaggerated kiss. Birgitta smiled. Yukari's golden eyes gleamed with warmth. And then they were gone. --- Panam stood between Nadia and Shammy. Their hands remained in hers. For a moment, the three women simply looked at one another. Nadia smiled. "Owner?" Panam turned. "Yeah, honey?" "Are you going to be all right?" Panam considered. Then looked toward Shammy. Shammy smiled gently. "I'm here." Panam swallowed. She looked toward Nadia. "And you're here." Nadia nodded. "Always." Panam took a deep breath. Then smiled. "Yeah." She pulled them both closer. "I think I'm going to be just fine." Shammy kissed her cheek. Nadia rested her forehead against Panam's. And for a moment, there was nothing else. No palace. No throne. No collars. No impossible god. Just three women who loved one another. --- Seras watched from a short distance. Konrad stood beside her. "Well," Seras murmured. He looked toward her. "Yes?" "That was certainly an interesting morning." Konrad nodded. "Quite." She glanced toward the place where Nyarlathotep had vanished. "Do you think he'll try again?" Konrad considered. Then sighed. "He's Nyarlathotep." Seras smiled. "That's not an answer." "It's the best one I have." She laughed softly. "Fair enough." Then she looked toward the three women fading into the light. "At least they're going home." Konrad nodded. "Yes." A pause. "That's what matters." --- Panam felt something soft beneath her. Warmth. A familiar scent. The distant sound of traffic. The comforting weight of someone lying against her side. And another familiar presence beside her. The golden palace was gone. The impossible sky had faded. Dreamlands was slipping away. But the memories remained. Every word. Every absurd answer. Every fucking cushion. Panam made a small, sleepy sound. And somewhere between dreaming and waking, one final thought drifted through her mind. _If Mandi mentions those fucking cushions at breakfast, I'm going to kill her._ Then the last light faded. And Madame Panam went home. --- ## Chapter 12 — A Very Strange Morning Panam woke up. That, by itself, was an improvement. No golden columns. No impossible Egyptian sunlight. No enormous throne. And, most importantly, no cosmic asshole sitting beside her with the most infuriating smile in existence. Instead, there was a ceiling. An ordinary ceiling. A slightly uneven ceiling, actually, with a tiny patch of paint Nadia had been meaning to fix. Panam stared at it. For a long moment, she didn't move. Then she slowly turned her head. Shammy was sleeping against her left shoulder. Nadia was curled comfortably against her right side. Both were warm. Both were breathing normally. Neither was wearing a collar. Panam closed her eyes. "Oh, thank fuck." --- She remained perfectly still. Listening. Traffic murmured beyond the apartment windows. Somewhere in the building, a door closed. A ventilation fan rattled. Everything was wonderfully, gloriously ordinary. Panam took a deep breath. Then another. Her right hand moved carefully toward Nadia's neck. Nothing. No collar. No leash. Just warm skin. She turned toward Shammy. The same. Panam's shoulders finally relaxed. "Okay," she whispered. A pause. "Okay." She closed her eyes again. And immediately remembered nine women sitting at her feet. Naked. Collared. Perfectly content. Mandi arguing about cushions. Nova explaining one hundred and fifteen household regulations. Kiro complaining about uncomfortable food. Yukari discussing the philosophical implications of royal devotion. And Nyarlathotep laughing. Panam's eyes snapped open. "FUCK." --- "Owner?" Nadia's sleepy voice came from her right. Panam froze. Nadia lifted her head. Her hair was a magnificent disaster. One eye remained mostly closed. "Something wrong?" Panam stared at her. Nadia blinked. Then frowned slightly. "Panam?" Panam swallowed. "Nadia." "Yes?" "Do you..." She stopped. Nadia waited. Panam tried again. "Do you remember anything strange?" Nadia considered. Then her expression changed. Completely. Her eyes widened. "Oh." Panam closed her eyes. "Yeah." Nadia sat upright. "Oh, GOD." "Yep." "The palace?" "Yep." "The Pharaoh?" "Yep." Nadia looked down at herself. Then toward Panam. Then very slowly touched her own neck. Panam watched. Nadia's expression became an extraordinary combination of disbelief and embarrassment. "Oh, no." Panam sighed. "Oh, yes." Nadia covered her face. "I remember EVERYTHING." Panam nodded grimly. "Welcome to the club." --- A small movement came from Panam's left. Shammy opened one eye. Looked at Panam. Then at Nadia. Then toward the ceiling. For approximately three seconds, she said nothing. Then: "...The cushions." Panam turned. "NO." Shammy blinked. Nadia made a strangled noise. Panam pointed at Shammy. "Don't." Shammy's mouth twitched. "Good morning, Owner." Panam narrowed her eyes. Shammy smiled. And Panam knew. Immediately. "YOU REMEMBER." Shammy nodded. "Every moment." Panam dropped her head back against the pillow. "Oh, for FUCK'S SAKE." Nadia started laughing. Panam looked toward her. "YOU TOO?" Nadia shook her head helplessly. "I'm sorry!" "No, you're not!" "I'm trying!" Shammy moved closer. "Would you prefer I brought you a cushion?" Panam sat bolt upright. "SHAMMY!" That did it. Nadia collapsed against the pillows. Shammy burst out laughing. And Panam stared at the two women she loved with the expression of someone seriously reconsidering every life decision that had led to this moment. --- Eventually, the laughter faded. Not completely. Nadia still giggled occasionally. Shammy was doing an exceptionally poor job of maintaining a serious expression. Panam folded her arms. "All right." Both women looked at her. "New rule." Shammy tilted her head. "A royal decree?" "NO!" Nadia started laughing again. Panam pointed at her. "NADIA!" "Sorry, Owner!" Panam closed her eyes. "This is going to be a very long day." --- A few minutes later, all three were sitting against the pillows. Panam had acquired a large glass of water. Nadia was curled against her side. Shammy sat on the other side, holding Panam's hand. For a while, nobody spoke. Then Panam looked toward Shammy. "Seriously, though." Shammy turned. "Yes?" "Are you okay?" The question changed the atmosphere. Shammy's smile softened. "Yes." Panam studied her. "Really?" Shammy nodded. "Really." Panam hesitated. "Because back there..." She stopped. Shammy waited. Panam looked down at their joined hands. "You were so calm." Shammy's expression became thoughtful. "Yes." "Too calm." A pause. "Honestly, sweetheart, you scared the shit out of me." Shammy looked at her. Then slowly nodded. "I know." Panam frowned. "You do?" "Yes." Shammy squeezed her hand. "I was very angry." Panam gave a short laugh. "Understatement of the century." Shammy considered. Then smiled faintly. "Possibly." Nadia leaned closer. "I've never seen you like that." Shammy looked toward her. "I don't often have a reason to be." Panam studied her. "And Yukari?" Shammy's smile disappeared. "She was angrier." Panam stared. "ANGRIER?" Shammy nodded. "Much." A long silence followed. Then Panam shook her head. "Remind me never to find out what happens when you two actually lose your tempers." Shammy smiled gently. "You won't." "Good." A pause. "Very fucking good." --- Nadia rested her head against Panam's shoulder. "Owner?" "Yeah, honey?" "Can I ask something?" "Of course." Nadia hesitated. "Did it feel real to you?" Panam considered. Then nodded. "Every fucking second." Nadia looked thoughtful. "Me too." Shammy squeezed Panam's hand. "The enchantment was very thorough." Panam turned toward her. "That's what I don't understand." Shammy waited. "You knew him." "Yes." "Yukari knew him." "Yes." "You're both..." Panam gestured vaguely. "...you know." Shammy smiled. "Very old?" "That's ONE way of putting it." Nadia giggled. Panam continued. "And yet he managed to convince both of you that sitting on the floor wearing collars was perfectly normal." Shammy considered this. Then nodded. "Yes." Panam stared. "HOW?" Shammy's expression became more serious. "He didn't simply convince us that the situation was normal." Panam frowned. "What do you mean?" "He changed what normal meant." Silence. Shammy continued. "Inside that dream, the palace wasn't somewhere we had arrived. It was where we belonged. The arrangements weren't something we had agreed to that morning. They were simply part of our world." Panam slowly nodded. "Yeah." "And because we had no reason to question the world itself, we interpreted everything through its rules." Nadia looked thoughtful. "So when Panam asked us why we were wearing collars..." "We answered honestly," Shammy said. Panam looked at her. "That's the worst part." Shammy nodded. "I know." "You weren't lying." "No." "You weren't pretending." "No." Panam shook her head. "You actually believed every fucking word." Shammy squeezed her hand. "Yes." Panam stared toward the window. Then muttered: "That bastard." --- For a while, nobody spoke. Then Nadia asked quietly: "Did he really think it was funny?" Panam looked toward her. "Oh, honey." She gave a humorless laugh. "He thought it was the funniest fucking thing in existence." Shammy's expression became very still. Nadia noticed. So did Panam. Panam reached over and gently touched Shammy's cheek. "Hey." Shammy turned. "Yes?" "He's gone." Shammy nodded. "I know." "Konrad took care of him." "Yes." "And Seras took care of us." Shammy smiled faintly. "She did." Panam leaned closer. "Then we're done giving him our morning." For a moment, Shammy simply looked at her. Then she smiled. A real smile. Warm. Affectionate. Entirely familiar. "All right, love." Panam kissed her forehead. "Good." --- Nadia shifted against the pillows. Then suddenly frowned. "Wait." Panam turned. "What?" "Everybody remembers?" Panam closed her eyes as the implications landed. "Oh, fuck." Shammy blinked. Nadia looked between them. "Panam?" Panam groaned. "ALL NINE." Shammy's mouth twitched. "Yes." "EVERY FUCKING ONE." Nadia looked thoughtful. Then her eyes widened. "Oh." Panam pointed at her. "Exactly." A pause. Then Nadia began to smile. Panam narrowed her eyes. "Don't." Nadia pressed her lips together. Her shoulders shook. "NADIA." "I'm sorry!" "NO, YOU'RE NOT!" Nadia finally lost the battle. She burst out laughing. Panam stared at her. Then toward Shammy. Shammy had covered her mouth. "YOU TOO?" Shammy nodded helplessly. Panam dropped her head against the pillows. "Wonderful." --- The problem, Panam realized, was not merely that everyone remembered. It was WHAT they remembered. Mandi remembered being Keeper of the Eastern Cushions. Nova remembered inventing a hundred and fifteen household rules. Vega remembered arguing about practically everything. Kiro remembered suggesting that the royal throne would make an excellent addition to the safehouse. Mai remembered providing perfectly reasonable explanations for completely unreasonable circumstances. Yukari remembered offering to change into a fox. Birgitta remembered everything she had said about devotion. Nadia remembered lying at Panam's feet and assuring her that she belonged there. And Shammy... Panam slowly turned toward her. Shammy smiled innocently. Panam narrowed her eyes. "Don't you dare." Shammy blinked. "What?" "Whatever you're thinking." "I'm not thinking anything." "BULLSHIT." Shammy's smile widened. Panam's suspicion deepened. Then Shammy leaned closer and whispered: "Would you prefer me beside you, Owner?" Panam covered her face. Nadia howled. --- Eventually, Panam surrendered. Not to the Black Pharaoh. Not to Dreamlands. Not even to the memories. She surrendered to the obvious fact that the two women sharing her bed were going to be absolutely insufferable for the foreseeable future. "Fine." Shammy looked up. "Fine?" Panam sighed. "You can laugh." Nadia grinned. "Thank you, Owner." "BUT." Both women waited. "No fucking cushions." Shammy nodded solemnly. "Of course." Nadia nodded too. "Absolutely." Panam studied them. Suspiciously. Then she relaxed. For approximately four seconds. Until Shammy added: "Would you prefer a throne?" Panam screamed into her pillow. --- By the time they finally got out of bed, Panam had decided that coffee was the only reasonable response to the morning. Very strong coffee. Possibly administered intravenously. She stood in Nadia's small kitchen while the machine warmed up, staring at the familiar cabinets. The slightly crooked shelf. The collection of mugs. The ordinary, wonderfully unimpressive furniture. No gold. No incense. No fountains. No one hundred and fifteen household regulations. Panam smiled faintly. "Best fucking palace I've ever seen." Nadia, standing beside her, laughed. "Thank you." Panam turned. "Seriously." She gestured around the apartment. "This." Nadia looked puzzled. "What?" "This is perfect." Nadia's expression softened. She stepped closer. Panam slipped an arm around her. For a moment, they simply stood together. Then Shammy appeared in the kitchen doorway. She looked at them. Smiled. And joined the embrace. Panam closed her eyes. There. That. No collars. No leashes. No impossible rules. Just three women standing in a slightly cramped kitchen, waiting for coffee. Exactly where they wanted to be. --- The coffee machine beeped. Panam opened her eyes. "Finally." She reached for a mug. Then stopped. Shammy noticed. "What?" Panam looked at the mug. Then at Nadia. Then at Shammy. A slow smile spread across her face. "Oh." Nadia raised an eyebrow. "What?" Panam began laughing. Not loudly. Just a quiet, incredulous laugh. Shammy looked curious. "Panam?" Panam shook her head. "Oh, this is fucking beautiful." Nadia blinked. "What is?" Panam took her coffee. Then looked toward the two women. "That asshole." Shammy's expression changed slightly. Panam grinned. "He wanted to make me miserable." Nadia nodded. "Yes." "He wanted me to lose my mind arguing with everybody." Shammy smiled faintly. "He nearly succeeded." "Nearly." Panam took a sip. Then her grin widened. "But you know what?" Both women waited. Panam laughed. "He gave us something we're NEVER going to forget." Shammy considered. Then smiled. "Yes." "And something we're going to talk about." Nadia's expression brightened. "Oh." Panam nodded. "At breakfast." Shammy began smiling. "With everyone?" "EVERYONE." Nadia started laughing. Panam continued. "And that bastard can't tell anybody about what happened." Shammy's smile became positively radiant. "No." "Not one fucking word." Nadia covered her mouth. Panam raised her mug. "To Konrad." Shammy lifted hers. "To Seras." Nadia joined them. "And to being home." The three mugs touched. --- Panam's holo buzzed. She glanced down. A message from Mandi. Panam narrowed her eyes. "Oh, no." Shammy looked interested. "What?" Panam opened the message. **MANDI:** _Good morning, Your Majesty._ Panam stared. Another message appeared. **MANDI:** _I trust Your Majesty's royal accommodations were satisfactory._ Panam closed her eyes. "That little shit." Nadia started giggling. Shammy leaned closer. "Anything else?" Panam's holo buzzed again. **MANDI:** _Incidentally, I believe we should discuss the allocation of eastern cushions at breakfast._ Panam stared. Then typed. **PANAM:** _ACE._ The reply came immediately. **MANDI:** _Yes, Your Majesty?_ Panam took a slow breath. Typed again. **PANAM:** _I AM GOING TO KILL YOU._ Three dots appeared. Disappeared. Appeared again. Then: **MANDI:** _Shall I inform Nova that the royal household regulations require updating?_ Panam made a strangled noise. Nadia was laughing so hard she had to lean against the counter. Shammy had both hands over her mouth. Panam stared at the screen. Then, very slowly, she began to smile. A dangerous smile. A wonderfully dangerous smile. She typed one final message. **PANAM:** _Breakfast. Safehouse. Everybody. And I am bringing a very long list of complaints._ The reply arrived almost immediately. **MANDI:** _Excellent. Her Majesty's Royal Council shall convene._ Panam looked at the screen. Then at Shammy. Then at Nadia. And started laughing. --- Somewhere in the waking world, nine women remembered a golden palace. A Black Pharaoh. An impossible royal household. And one extraordinarily stubborn queen who had refused to accept a world where love was indistinguishable from ownership. And in Nadia's little kitchen, Madame Panam raised her coffee mug. "All right, you assholes." She smiled. "Let's see who's laughing at breakfast." --- ## Chapter 13 — Breakfast with Her Majesty The Watson safehouse had survived many things. Corporate conspiracies. Armed confrontations. Supernatural visitors. Highly questionable culinary experiments. And, on one particularly memorable occasion, an argument about stolen french fries that had nearly escalated into a declaration of war. It had never, however, hosted a formal meeting of the Royal Council of Madame Panam. Until today. --- Ace was setting the breakfast table when Iris looked up from her coffee. "Why are there nine cushions on the couch?" Ace stopped. Considered the question. Then smiled. "Administrative preparations." Iris stared. "Administrative preparations." "Yes." "For what?" "A royal visit." Brenda, standing beside the kitchen counter, began laughing. Iris slowly closed her eyes. "Ace." "Yes?" "Please tell me you haven't actually..." "I haven't!" Iris opened one eye. Ace grinned. "Yet." Brenda nearly dropped her mug. "Oh, that's beautiful." Iris turned toward her. "Don't encourage her." "Too late." Mai entered the kitchen carrying a plate of freshly made toast. She took one look at the cushions. Then at Ace. Then at Iris. "Oh." Ace smiled. "Good morning, love." Mai set down the plate. "You're preparing the eastern cushions." "Naturally." Brenda folded against the counter. Iris looked toward the ceiling. "Why do I even live with you people?" "Because you love us," Ace answered. "Debatable." Brenda kissed her cheek. "Not really." Iris sighed. "Unfortunately." --- Kiro arrived shortly afterward. She stopped in the doorway. Looked at the cushions. Then at Ace. Then back at the cushions. A slow grin spread across her face. "Oh, you beautiful bastard." Ace bowed. "Welcome to the Royal Household." Kiro looked toward the table. "Any comfortable food?" Mai made a strangled sound. Brenda burst out laughing again. Iris put down her coffee. "Absolutely not." Kiro blinked. "What?" "We are not doing this." Ace smiled innocently. "Doing what?" Iris pointed at the cushions. "THIS." Ace looked puzzled. "Providing adequate seating for Her Majesty's companions?" Iris stared. Kiro nodded solemnly. "Important consideration." Mai folded her arms. "One of the hundred and fifteen principal regulations." Brenda wheezed. Iris looked around the kitchen. Then very calmly announced: "I am considering moving out." Ace smiled. "Royal decree denied." --- The safehouse's upper entrance announced an arrival. Brenda glanced toward the access display. Then grinned. "Oh, perfect." Iris looked suspicious. "What?" "Her Majesty has arrived." Ace immediately straightened. Mai covered her mouth. Kiro attempted to look dignified. It was not successful. Brenda went to open the upper door from inside. A moment later, Panam entered. Nadia followed, carrying a bag of pastries. Shammy came in last. Panam stopped just beyond the doorway. She looked at Brenda. Brenda looked at Panam. For approximately three seconds, neither spoke. Then Brenda bowed. Deeply. "YOUR MAJESTY!" Panam closed her eyes. "Oh, for FUCK'S SAKE." From the kitchen came an enthusiastic chorus. "GOOD MORNING, YOUR MAJESTY!" Panam stared toward the sound. Then slowly turned toward Shammy. Shammy was smiling. Nadia was already giggling. Panam pointed at them. "You knew." Shammy blinked innocently. "Knew what, Owner?" "YOU KNEW THEY WERE GOING TO DO THIS!" Nadia pressed her lips together. Panam stared at her. "NADIA." "I'm sorry!" "No, you're not!" Nadia burst out laughing. --- Panam entered the kitchen. Stopped. And stared. Nine cushions. Arranged in a carefully organized semicircle around the couch. One particularly elaborate cushion occupied the eastern corner. A small handwritten card rested on it. **MANDI — KEEPER OF THE EASTERN CUSHIONS** Panam looked at the card. Then at Ace. Ace smiled. "Your Majesty." Panam fixed Ace with a murderous look. Mai inclined her head. "Welcome to your royal council." Kiro raised her coffee. "Long may she reign." Brenda leaned against Iris, laughing. Panam slowly removed her jacket. Placed it on a chair. Turned toward Ace. And said, very quietly: "I'm going to kill you." Ace nodded. "An understandable royal response." "ACE." "Yes, Your Majesty?" Panam pointed toward the cushions. "WHY?" Ace looked genuinely surprised. "Comfort." Kiro nodded. "Very important." Mai added: "Particularly in the eastern section." Panam stared at all three. Then looked toward Iris. "YOU." Iris blinked. "Me?" "YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE THE SENSIBLE ONE!" Iris considered this. Then smiled. "Your Majesty, I have already attempted to restore order." Panam narrowed her eyes. "And?" Iris gestured toward the cushions. "I was overruled." Ace nodded solemnly. "Royal household regulations." Panam screamed into her hands. --- Eventually, everyone settled around the kitchen table. There were no crowns. No thrones. No collars. And, despite Ace's best efforts, no ceremonial cushions at the table. Just coffee. Toast. Eggs. Pastries. And enough collective amusement to keep a professional comedy troupe employed for several months. Panam sat between Shammy and Nadia. Ace sat beside Mai. Iris and Brenda occupied their usual places together. Kiro had already stolen a piece of toast. Yukari arrived from the adjoining room carrying a fresh pot of tea. She looked at the assembled company. Then smiled. "Good morning, everyone." Panam narrowed her eyes. "Yukari." "Yes?" "Not. One. Word." Yukari blinked. Then smiled. "Of course, my queen." The table exploded. --- "ALL RIGHT!" Panam slapped both hands against the table. Silence. Mostly. Brenda was still shaking. Ace was biting her lip. Kiro had buried her face in her coffee mug. Panam glared around the table. "Let's get something straight." Mai nodded. "Of course." "NO MORE ROYAL TITLES." Ace raised one hand. Panam pointed. "NO." "I haven't asked anything." "YOU WERE GOING TO!" Ace lowered her hand. Mai smiled. Panam continued. "NO MORE CUSHION JOKES." Ace looked wounded. Panam stared. "AND ABSOLUTELY NO MORE FUCKING KENNEL REFERENCES!" A pause. Kiro slowly raised one hand. Panam turned. "WHAT?" Kiro considered. "Can we still discuss comfortable food?" Panam closed her eyes. Brenda fell sideways against Iris. --- It took approximately ten minutes for civilization to return. Or something vaguely resembling civilization. Panam finally obtained her second cup of coffee. Ace stopped laughing long enough to eat. Kiro was warned twice about stealing other people's breakfast. And Iris made a formal declaration that she would not be maintaining any royal household regulations under any circumstances. "Not even the important ones?" Brenda asked. "No." "The cushion regulations?" "Especially not those." "The sleeping arrangements?" Iris turned toward her. "Brenda." "What?" "I love you." Brenda smiled. "I know." "But I am genuinely considering putting you outside." Brenda kissed her cheek. "Love you too." --- "Actually," Mai said, setting down her cup, "there is something worth discussing." Panam looked suspicious. "Besides the cushions?" Mai smiled. "Yes." "Thank fuck." Mai looked around the table. "Everyone remembers?" The laughter subsided. Ace nodded. "Every moment." Kiro sighed. "Unfortunately." Brenda grinned. "Every glorious, ridiculous moment." Iris nodded. "Yes." Yukari regarded her tea thoughtfully. "All of it." Nadia squeezed Panam's hand. "Me too." Shammy nodded. "Every second." Panam looked toward Mai. "And Birgitta remembers too." Mai raised an eyebrow. "You've spoken to her?" "Messaged her this morning." Panam's expression softened briefly. "She's fine. Couldn't make breakfast, but she remembers everything." Ace glanced toward the spare cushion on the couch. She had kept Birgitta's place in the royal arrangement anyway. She paused. "Even the conversation about wanting a peaceful home." Nobody spoke for a moment. Then Yukari smiled gently. "I'm glad she's all right." Panam nodded. "Yeah." She took another sip of coffee. "Me too." --- Ace leaned back. "Well." Panam looked at her. "What?" "That's two." Panam frowned. "Two what?" Ace raised two fingers. "Nyarlathotep nightmares." The table went quiet. Mai nodded thoughtfully. "Mine first. Then yours." Panam looked toward Ace. "YOUR nightmare, you mean." Ace blinked. "Right." Mai smiled. "Although several of us were involved." "Under considerably less comfortable circumstances," Iris observed. Brenda nodded. "Cages." Ace sighed. "Don't remind me." Kiro looked toward her. "At least you didn't have to deal with a hundred and fifteen household regulations." Iris gave her a look. "Kiro." "What?" "Those regulations were entirely fictional." Kiro grinned. "YOU STILL WROTE THEM!" Iris closed her eyes. "Oh, God." --- Panam looked toward Ace. "Actually, there's something I want to know." Ace raised an eyebrow. "Yes?" "Did your nightmare feel like this?" Ace considered. "Different circumstances." "Obviously." "But yes. It felt real." Panam nodded. "And you remembered everything afterward?" "Everything." Mai looked thoughtful. "The biggest difference was that in Ace's nightmare, we knew something was wrong." Panam glanced toward her. "Yeah." Mai continued. "We were imprisoned. We understood that we were being held against our will." Shammy nodded. "But in Panam's dream, we didn't." Yukari's expression became more serious. "That is the important difference." The table quieted. Yukari set down her tea. "Nyarlathotep didn't simply restrain us." She looked around at the others. "He changed our understanding of ourselves." Iris nodded slowly. "Yes." Brenda's smile faded. "And made us think it was perfectly normal." Kiro leaned back. "That's the part I hate." Panam looked at her. "Really?" "Yeah." Kiro folded her arms. "I remember arguing with you about whether I could leave." Panam nodded. "You did." "And I remember believing I could." "You couldn't." Kiro shook her head. "No." She looked toward Yukari. "I couldn't even understand why you'd want me to." Yukari nodded. "Precisely." --- For a moment, nobody spoke. Then Iris looked toward Panam. "There's something I wanted to say." Panam turned. "Yeah?" Iris hesitated. "Thank you." Panam blinked. "...What?" "For refusing to accept it." Panam stared. Iris continued. "You kept asking questions. You kept trying to make us understand." Panam looked uncomfortable. "Well, yeah." "Even when we were being..." She paused. Brenda grinned. "Spectacularly unhelpful?" Iris smiled faintly. "Yes." Panam laughed. "That's one way of putting it." Iris leaned forward. "You could have stopped arguing." Panam shook her head. "No." "I know." A pause. "That's why I'm thanking you." Panam looked at her. Then at Brenda. At Mai. At Kiro. At Ace. At Yukari. And finally, at Shammy and Nadia. Her expression softened. "Yeah, well." She shrugged. "What else was I going to do?" Ace smiled. "Exactly what you did." --- Shammy reached for Panam's hand. Panam looked toward her. "Yeah, love?" Shammy smiled. "You were wonderful." Panam snorted. "I spent half the dream screaming at everybody." "Yes." "And swearing at an eldritch god." "Also yes." "And threatening to throw a crown at him." Ace raised one finger. "That was a particularly good moment." Panam glared. Ace smiled innocently. Shammy continued. "But you never stopped caring about us." Panam went quiet. Nadia leaned against her. "Even when we couldn't understand why." Panam looked between them. Then sighed. "Well, fuck." She smiled. "Now you're making me emotional." Brenda raised her mug. "Royal decree: emotional support required." Panam pointed at her. "BRENDA." Brenda grinned. "Sorry." --- Yukari watched the exchange. Her expression was warm. But something thoughtful remained behind her golden eyes. Mai noticed. "Yukari?" The kitsune turned. "Yes?" "Something on your mind?" Yukari considered. Then nodded. "Nyarlathotep." The room grew quieter. Panam folded her arms. "That bastard." Yukari smiled faintly. "Quite." Shammy looked toward her. Their eyes met. For a moment, the same terrible stillness from Dreamlands returned. Not strongly. Not visibly enough to alarm anyone. But Panam noticed. She always noticed when Shammy's expression changed. "Hey." Shammy turned. "Yes, love?" "He's gone." Shammy nodded. "I know." "And Konrad made sure he can't brag about it." Yukari's smile widened slightly. "Yes." Panam grinned. "That's got to sting." Brenda laughed. "Oh, that's going to sting for eternity." Kiro nodded. "Imagine being a cosmic god and getting legally prohibited from talking about losing an argument." Iris raised an eyebrow. "Technically, it wasn't a legal restriction." Kiro looked at her. "Don't ruin it." Iris smiled. "Apologies." Ace leaned forward. "Actually, I think it's worse." Panam turned. "How?" Ace grinned. "Konrad didn't stop US talking." Mai smiled. "No." "He stopped HIM." Yukari's golden eyes sparkled. "Precisely." --- Panam considered this. Then slowly smiled. "Oh." Brenda looked interested. "What?" Panam leaned back. "So we can tell people?" Ace nodded. "Apparently." "And he can't correct us?" "Not by revealing what happened." Panam's grin widened. "Oh, that is beautiful." Iris looked thoughtful. "Although perhaps we shouldn't make a public spectacle of it." Brenda turned toward her. "Why not?" "Because attracting unnecessary attention from eldritch entities is generally inadvisable." Kiro considered. "Fair." Mai nodded. "Besides, our own amusement should be quite sufficient." Ace smiled. "Oh, absolutely." Panam looked around the table. Then laughed. "Yeah." She raised her mug. "Fuck him." Nine mugs, cups, and glasses rose in response. "FUCK HIM!" --- For a while, breakfast returned to normal. Which, in this household, meant something that would have alarmed most reasonable people. Kiro stole another piece of toast. Ace accused her of organized breakfast theft. Mai pointed out that repeated offenses suggested a pattern. Brenda proposed establishing a Royal Commission on Stolen Toast. Iris refused to chair it. Yukari offered to provide witness testimony. Shammy suggested that everyone simply have more toast. Nadia began laughing. And Panam watched them. All of them. Her friends. Her family. People she loved. People whose presence mattered more than any golden palace or impossible throne. She smiled. Then looked toward Ace. "Hey." Ace turned. "Yes?" Panam hesitated. "Thanks." Ace blinked. "For what?" "For being there." Ace considered. Then smiled. "Technically, I was on the floor." Panam closed her eyes. "ACE." "With an excellent cushion." "ACE!" "And a rather prestigious title." Panam threw a napkin at her. Ace caught it. Kiro applauded. Brenda started laughing again. Mai shook her head. "Honestly, Ace." Ace grinned. "What?" "Your Majesty is trying to have a sincere moment." Panam stared at her. "MAI!" Mai smiled. "My apologies." --- Eventually, the laughter settled. Panam had finished her coffee. Nadia was leaning comfortably against her. Shammy sat close on the other side. Across the table, Iris and Brenda were discussing something quietly. Ace was attempting to defend the historical importance of eastern cushions. Mai was not helping. Kiro had acquired a third piece of toast. And Yukari was watching everyone with a small, affectionate smile. It was almost peaceful. Then Kiro spoke. "So." Everyone looked toward her. Kiro took a bite of toast. Chewed. Swallowed. And asked: "Do you think he'll try a third time?" Silence. A very different silence. Panam slowly turned. "Don't." Kiro blinked. "What?" "Don't even fucking suggest it." Kiro shrugged. "I'm just asking." Mai considered. "Well, there have been two incidents." Ace nodded. "And both involved people from this household." Iris looked thoughtful. "Both were interrupted by Konrad and Seras." Brenda grinned. "And both ended with Nyarlathotep getting his cosmic ass handed to him." Yukari smiled faintly. "An accurate summary." Shammy nodded. "Although the second defeat was rather more humiliating." Panam grinned. "Oh, definitely." --- Ace leaned forward. "Actually, that's an interesting question." Mai looked toward her. "Whether he'll try again?" "Yes." Kiro nodded. "Exactly." Panam groaned. "Oh, for fuck's sake." Ace continued. "Think about it." Mai smiled. "I'm listening." "The first time, he tried me." Panam nodded. "Yeah." "The second time, Panam." "Unfortunately." "And both times, he involved people we love." Yukari's expression became thoughtful. "Yes." Shammy nodded slowly. "He does seem to enjoy exploiting personal relationships." Iris folded her hands. "Then the logical question would be..." She paused. Brenda grinned. "Who's next?" --- Everyone looked around the table. A long silence followed. Then Kiro raised one hand. "Not me." Ace grinned. "Why not?" "Because I've already done my time as royal furniture." Panam planted both hands on the table. "YOU WERE NOT FURNITURE!" Kiro shrugged. "Felt like it." Brenda laughed. Mai looked toward Yukari. "What about you?" Yukari smiled. "That would be a rather interesting choice." Shammy tilted her head. "Or me." Panam immediately shook her head. "No." Shammy smiled. "Panam..." "NO." Yukari looked amused. "We're merely speculating." Panam pointed toward both ancient women. "That bastard has already had enough opportunities to mess with you." Shammy leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Thank you, love." Panam muttered something about cosmic idiots. --- Brenda looked around. "Well, if we're making guesses..." Iris turned toward her. "Oh, no." Brenda grinned. "What?" "I recognize that expression." "Which expression?" "The one you wear before suggesting something ridiculous." Brenda looked offended. "ME?" "Yes." "Ridiculous?" "Frequently." Brenda considered. Then smiled. "Fair." Ace laughed. Mai looked thoughtful. "Actually, we don't know whether Nyarlathotep follows any particular pattern." Iris nodded. "Precisely." "He might choose someone close to his previous targets." "Or someone entirely unrelated," Iris added. Kiro folded her arms. "Or somebody who's never been involved before." Yukari smiled. "Or perhaps someone he believes will react in an especially entertaining manner." Brenda raised her mug. "Which, given this household, doesn't narrow it down very much." Panam stared around the table. Then slowly nodded. "That's actually a very good point." --- Ace looked toward Iris. "Any predictions?" Iris considered. Then shook her head. "Not really." Brenda grinned. "Come on, love. You must have a theory." Iris smiled. "Several. None supported by enough information." Kiro nodded. "Classic Iris." Iris took a sip of coffee. "And I would prefer not to encourage speculation about who might be subjected to an involuntary eldritch nightmare." Panam pointed toward her. "THANK YOU!" Iris smiled. "You're welcome." A pause. Then she added: "Although I suspect he'd find my administrative procedures rather tiresome." Brenda burst out laughing. Ace grinned. "Oh, God." Mai smiled. "Imagine Nyarlathotep being asked to submit a formal application." Kiro nodded. "In triplicate." Brenda leaned forward. "With supporting documentation." Iris gave her a look. "Brenda." "What?" "Don't." Brenda grinned. "Just saying." Panam started laughing. --- Yukari watched the conversation with evident amusement. Then she glanced toward Shammy. Shammy looked back. For a moment, neither spoke. They knew Nyarlathotep. They knew his nature. They knew that twice-defeated did not mean permanently discouraged. But they also knew something else. Whatever he planned next, he was no longer dealing with isolated individuals. He was dealing with people who remembered. People who talked. People who protected one another. And people who had become increasingly difficult to surprise. Shammy smiled faintly. Yukari returned it. Neither felt the need to say anything. Not today. --- Panam stood. "All right." Everyone looked toward her. She raised both hands. "I am officially declaring this royal council adjourned." Ace immediately stood. "Your Majesty!" Panam pointed. "NO." Mai smiled. "An excellent decree." Kiro raised her mug. "Long live the Queen." Brenda bowed from her chair. "May her cushions remain forever comfortable." Panam closed her eyes. Yukari smiled. "May her household remain harmonious." Iris nodded solemnly. "May the regulations be observed." Iris immediately turned. "NO." Brenda collapsed into laughter. Nadia was nearly crying. Shammy leaned against Panam, giggling. And Ace... Ace looked toward the eastern cushion. Then slowly reached for it. Panam saw the movement. Immediately. "ACE." Ace froze. "Yes?" "PUT. THAT. DOWN." Ace looked at the cushion. Then at Panam. Then at the cushion again. A long silence followed. Finally, Ace sighed. "Very well, Your Majesty." Panam's expression cracked into laughter. Helplessly. Completely. The kind of laughter that came after something terrible had ended and everybody important was still there. She wrapped one arm around Shammy. The other around Nadia. And shook her head. "You know something?" Mai smiled. "What?" Panam looked around the room. At all of them. Her impossible, infuriating, wonderful family. Then grinned. "If that cosmic bastard really does try a third time..." She paused. Ace leaned forward. "Yes?" Panam's smile became positively wicked. "...I hope whoever he picks gives him absolute fucking hell." Brenda raised her mug. "Hear, hear!" Kiro grinned. "Seconded!" Iris smiled. "Unanimously approved." Yukari laughed softly. Shammy kissed Panam's cheek. And Ace raised the eastern cushion triumphantly. "LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!" Panam grabbed the nearest napkin. "ACE!" The napkin flew. Ace ducked. Kiro caught it. Brenda howled. Mai nearly spilled her coffee. And the Royal Council of Madame Panam dissolved into the sort of affectionate chaos that no Black Pharaoh, however ancient or powerful, could ever hope to manufacture. --- Far beyond Night City, beyond the ordinary world and the fragile boundaries of sleep, Dreamlands continued its endless existence. Somewhere within it, the Black Pharaoh remembered. Every collar. Every leash. Every ridiculous argument. Every moment of his defeat. And every humiliating detail of Konrad's final decree. He would remember them forever. He simply couldn't tell anyone. Meanwhile, in Watson, a small group of friends was laughing over breakfast. And wondering who might be next. --- ## Epilogue — The Crawling Chaos, Silenced Somewhere beyond the boundaries of the waking world, in a place where time had never been particularly reliable, Nyarlathotep was having a very bad day. This was unusual. Not because the Crawling Chaos had never experienced setbacks. He had. Occasionally. Rarely. And always, without exception, he had found ways to turn those setbacks into new amusements. A defeated cult could become the foundation of another. A ruined scheme could inspire something considerably more elaborate. An unexpected opponent could provide centuries of entertainment. And an embarrassing incident? Well. Embarrassing incidents made excellent stories. Especially when told from the proper perspective. His perspective. Which was, naturally, the only perspective that mattered. Unfortunately, there was a problem. A rather significant problem. And Nyarlathotep was discovering that it was considerably worse than he had initially imagined. --- The Black Pharaoh stood in a chamber of polished obsidian. No golden thrones. No fountains. No ridiculous cushions. Just darkness, ancient stone, and a vast window overlooking a landscape that had never belonged to any mortal world. He stood perfectly still. His nearly Vantablack skin absorbed the faint light of distant stars. His expression was composed. Regal. Impossibly dignified. At least, that was the intention. The effect was somewhat compromised by the fact that he had been staring at an empty sheet of parchment for the better part of an hour. He picked up a pen. Dipped it in ink. And began to write. _The circumstances of my recent encounter with Konrad..._ The words vanished. Nyarlathotep stared. He tried again. _During my most recent entertainment..._ The parchment remained blank. His eyes narrowed. Very well. A different approach. He wrote: _An amusing incident involving a certain queen..._ The ink rearranged itself. When it settled, the parchment contained a beautifully detailed description of an ornamental garden. Nyarlathotep stared at the words. Then slowly put down the pen. For several seconds, he remained motionless. Finally, he spoke. "Konrad." The name emerged perfectly. Nyarlathotep smiled. "Konrad is an insufferable..." He stopped. Not because he couldn't speak. He could. The words were available. But the moment he attempted to connect them to the events of that particular dream, the connection simply ceased to exist. He could complain about Konrad in general. He could insult him. He could describe previous disagreements. He could even speculate about future encounters. But this one? Nothing. Nyarlathotep looked at the parchment again. Then, with immense deliberation, tore it in half. The parchment repaired itself. He tore it again. It repaired itself again. He stared. "Of course." --- A shadow moved near the entrance. One of his innumerable attendants approached. The creature bowed. "Great Pharaoh." Nyarlathotep turned. "Yes?" "Do you require anything?" For a moment, the Black Pharaoh considered the question. Then smiled. "Indeed." The attendant waited. Nyarlathotep gestured toward a nearby table. "Bring me wine." "At once, Great Pharaoh." The attendant departed. Nyarlathotep watched it go. Then smiled more broadly. He could still issue commands. Excellent. He could speak normally. Wonderful. He could interact with his servants, direct his followers, manipulate mortals, and conduct the innumerable affairs of the Crawling Chaos. Everything worked. Everything except the one thing he actually wanted to discuss. He slowly turned toward the parchment. And remembered Konrad's expression. That small, infuriating smile. _You will remember every detail._ Nyarlathotep's own smile disappeared. _But you will never communicate this defeat to anyone._ He closed his eyes. "Insufferable." --- The attendant returned with wine. Nyarlathotep accepted the goblet. Took a drink. Then looked toward the waiting creature. "Tell me." "Great Pharaoh?" "Have you ever encountered a situation in which..." He paused. The attendant waited. Nyarlathotep tried again. "In which a powerful being was prevented from..." Nothing. The sentence simply refused to continue. His expression tightened. The attendant bowed. "Is there something troubling you, Great Pharaoh?" Nyarlathotep stared at it. He could answer yes. That was permitted. He could say he was irritated. Also permitted. But he could not indicate the particular reason. Not directly. Not indirectly. Not even through a carefully constructed hypothetical example. Konrad had been thorough. Obscenely thorough. Nyarlathotep took another drink. "No." The attendant bowed. "As you wish, Great Pharaoh." And departed. --- Nyarlathotep stared after it. Then slowly looked at the wine. For the first time in a very long existence, he found himself entertaining an entirely unfamiliar thought. _Perhaps I should have listened._ He immediately rejected it. On principle. --- Several hours passed. Or possibly several centuries. Dreamlands was flexible about such things. Nyarlathotep attempted several additional approaches. First, a painting. He conjured a vast canvas. Upon it, he intended to depict two golden thrones, nine familiar figures, and one particularly irritating intervention. The canvas filled with color. Brushstrokes appeared. Shapes emerged. And when the image was complete, it depicted a pleasant landscape containing a river, three palm trees, and a remarkably uninteresting mountain. Nyarlathotep stared. The painting stared back. Metaphorically. He destroyed it. Next came a sculpture. An elaborate arrangement of figures, intended to represent the participants without identifying them. The stone shifted beneath his hands. The figures became decorative pillars. Then flowers. Then a small ornamental fountain. Nyarlathotep looked at the fountain. For a moment, he remembered Panam. Her expression. Her language. Her astonishing capacity for argument. And, most irritatingly, the way she had looked at him after Konrad's intervention. That grin. That utterly intolerable grin. _Looks like you're having a pretty shitty morning._ Nyarlathotep closed his eyes. The fountain exploded. --- He tried a dream. That was his specialty, after all. Dreams. Illusions. The shaping of perception. The manipulation of realities that existed only because someone believed in them. Surely he could construct a dream that conveyed the information without requiring him to say anything. He selected an empty dreamscape. A vast desert beneath a violet sky. He began to build. The sand rose. Columns emerged. A throne appeared. Then another. For one glorious instant, he believed he had succeeded. Then the entire landscape changed. The thrones became hills. The columns became trees. The desert became an ocean. And a flock of entirely ordinary birds crossed the sky. Nyarlathotep stared. One bird landed on a branch. Looked at him. And chirped. He destroyed the dream. --- By the time he returned to his obsidian chamber, the Black Pharaoh had reached a second conclusion. The restriction was not merely preventing him from describing his defeat. It was preventing him from transmitting any information that could reveal it. No clever wording. No symbolic representation. No convenient intermediary. No elaborate deception. No sudden change of form. Nothing. He could remember. He could think. He could rage. He could plan. But he could not share that particular humiliation with another being. Not even a hint. Konrad had not merely forbidden him to tell the story. He had removed the story from everything Nyarlathotep could communicate. And the Crawling Chaos, who had spent countless ages turning other beings' experiences into entertainment, found himself in possession of an extraordinary story. One that he would never be able to tell. --- He sat. The obsidian throne was immense. Ancient. Appropriately magnificent. Nyarlathotep rested his chin against one hand. And remembered. Panam. Sitting beside him with a crown she clearly despised. Nine women arranged at her feet. The astonishment on her face when Nadia had looked up and greeted her. The extraordinary argument about eastern cushions. Nova's one hundred and fifteen household regulations. Kiro's complaints. Mai's relentless logic. Mandi's enthusiasm. Yukari's serene acceptance of the impossible. Shammy's affectionate devotion. Every moment had been magnificent. An extraordinary performance. A perfect arrangement of personalities, contradictions, and carefully engineered assumptions. For hours, he had enjoyed himself beyond measure. And then... Seras Victoria. One touch. That was all. One touch, repeated nine times. And his carefully constructed world had fallen apart. He remembered Ace's expression. Mai's realization. The laughter. The anger. The nine familiar personalities returning to their proper understanding of themselves. And then Shammy. Nyarlathotep's expression grew still. He remembered that voice. _You involved Panam._ And Yukari. _Being gentle is a choice._ He remembered the complete absence of theatrical displays. No supernatural confrontation. No vast eruption of ancient power. Just two beings who had known him for a very long time. And who were no longer remotely amused. Nyarlathotep looked toward the distant horizon. For several moments, he said nothing. Then he remembered Konrad. And the finger snap. His expression became murderous. --- There was one final possibility. A very simple one. He could summon another ancient being and describe what had happened without describing the defeat. Just the amusing parts. Surely the restriction would allow that. After all, the royal household had been an exceptional piece of work. The cushions alone... Nyarlathotep stopped. He stared into the darkness. The cushions. He could not even explain the cushions. Not in the context of that dream. He could discuss cushions generally. He could describe their construction. Their colors. Their materials. Their usefulness in royal chambers. But he could not convey why a particular argument about cushions had been so magnificently entertaining. Because doing so would reveal part of the incident. And revealing part of the incident could lead to revealing the defeat. Nyarlathotep slowly leaned back. For the first time in his existence, the Crawling Chaos found himself defeated by the administrative implications of household furnishings. He stared at the ceiling. Then spoke one word. "Konrad." --- Far away, in the waking world, an entirely ordinary morning had become an extraordinarily noisy one. There was coffee. Toast. Laughter. A collection of cushions that had already become the subject of several arguments. And a woman named Panam Palmer who was discovering that her friends had absolutely no intention of allowing her brief royal career to fade into obscurity. They remembered everything. Every conversation. Every absurd detail. Every moment of their liberation. They were free to discuss it. Free to laugh about it. Free to tell the story however they pleased. And eventually, as the morning unfolded, somebody asked the inevitable question. Would Nyarlathotep try again? Nobody knew. Some thought he would. Others thought even the Crawling Chaos might eventually develop a sense of self-preservation. And a few suspected that someone who enjoyed chaos quite so much would never be able to resist the temptation of another elaborate nightmare. But nobody knew who might be next. Or when. --- Back in his obsidian chamber, Nyarlathotep stood before the window. He watched impossible stars move across an impossible sky. He was still powerful. Still ancient. Still dangerous. Still capable of bringing entire civilizations to ruin. Konrad had not changed his nature. Had not stripped him of his power. Had not made him harmless. He remained the Crawling Chaos. And there were still innumerable ways to amuse himself. That thought comforted him. Slightly. He turned away from the window. Perhaps there would be other dreams. Other encounters. Other opportunities. The possibilities were endless. But one particular story would remain forever trapped inside his own memory. A story involving a stubborn nomad. Nine extraordinarily cooperative women. A vampire queen. Two terrifyingly calm ancient beings. And a man who had snapped his fingers. Nyarlathotep closed his eyes. Then opened them again. His expression settled into something resembling dignity. He would endure. He would plan. He would find other entertainments. And he would never, under any circumstances, mention this particular incident. Not because he didn't want to. Because he couldn't. --- A final thought occurred to him. Somewhere in Night City, those infuriating mortals were probably still laughing. About him. About his palace. About the collars. The leashes. The throne. And those... Those... **FUCKING CUSHIONS.** The Black Pharaoh stood motionless. For one long moment, the entire chamber seemed to tremble. Then he took a deep breath. And quietly said something that would have delighted Madame Panam beyond measure. "Fuck." --- Somewhere beyond his reach, life continued. Friends loved one another. People made their own choices. Morning coffee was poured. And laughter filled a small safehouse in Watson. The Crawling Chaos could never fully understand why such ordinary things mattered so much to the people he tormented. But he was learning one thing. Very slowly. Very reluctantly. And at considerable personal expense. **Some people were simply not worth annoying.** Unfortunately, Nyarlathotep had never been particularly good at learning lessons. And somewhere, someday, there would undoubtedly be another dream. But that... That was a story for another time. --- **THE END.**