An Experimental Afternoon

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ÝÝÝÝÝ Makoto Kino stared at the door to Ami Mizuno's house, as if the wooden board would reveal some secret.Ý She had certainly come here looking for answers.Ý The last week had been full of mysteries.Ý Ami and Usagi Tsukino had been very obviously trying to keep something a secret.Ý Ami's usual calm had been absent and, well, no one was as suspicious as Usagi trying to not be suspicious.Ý The biggest shock was that, after failing to call for the usual last-minute cram-a-thon before their most recent test, Usagi had pulled off a 70%.

ÝÝÝÝÝ So when her demands for an explanation were met with a lot of hedging, and only reluctantly with promises of an explanation and the demand she come alone, it wasn't really surprising Makoto was imagining body-snatching pod people.Ý It wouldn't be the first time some villain had brainwashed or impersonated someone she knew.Ý Still, she wouldn't find out anything without at least attempting to investigate, and if there was nothing wrong with Ami and Usagi, they'd be really hurt if it looked like Makoto didn't trust them.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Steeling her resolve, Makoto stepped forward and knocked on the door.Ý A loud, shrill voice yelled "She's here!Ý I'll get the door!" from somewhere inside the house.Ý This announcement was followed by a short pattern of thunderous footfalls, a shocked scream, and a series of crashes.Ý The door opened awkwardly, and Makoto noticed this was because the person turning the knob was lying prone on the floor with a shoe on her head.Ý Unable to help herself, Makoto broke out laughing.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Usagi looked up at her with a hurt expression.Ý "Mou, Mako-chan, don't laugh at me!"

ÝÝÝÝÝ Makoto's laughter trailed off into a wide grin.Ý "Sorry Usagi.Ý It's just that somehow you've managed to be completely reassuring."Ý Makoto was convinced that no imposter could 'pull an Usagi' that convincingly.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Leaping to her feet, her embarrassment completely forgotten, Usagi grabbed Makoto's hand and pulled.Ý "Come on come on come on!Ý Ami-chan wouldn't let me tell anyone about it but it's soooo cool and I can't wait any longer so hurry up Mako-chan!"

ÝÝÝÝÝ The tall brunette allowed herself to be dragged indoors by her hyperactive blonde friend.Ý After taking off her shoes and being pestered continually to hurry, she followed Usagi upstairs to Ami's room.Ý Ami was working at a desktop computer; she turned her chair around to face the other girls as they walked in.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Thank you for coming, Makoto.Ý I know this must seem really suspicious, but I really wanted to keep my research a secret.Ý I wasn't sure how any of you would react; especially Rei.Ý I'm certain she would disapprove of what I'm working on."

ÝÝÝÝÝ Ami took off her reading glasses and laid them on the desk.Ý "I've been curious about the way our transformations and attacks work for quite a while.Ý Partly it's for simple practical reasons; our costumes are amazingly light and flexible for their strength, and being able to mass produce such a material would be really useful.Ý A lot of it, however, is frustration.Ý Why are we limited to a few, specific manifestations of our power?Ý That is, why can we only perform a small number of specific attacks?Ý Why can't I, say, make a wall of ice?Ý Why can't you charge a battery?"

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Well," Makoto's forehead wrinkled in thought, "we're just remembering the attacks we used in our previous incarnation, right?"

ÝÝÝÝÝ "That's what we were told, true.Ý However if that were the case, if we were just remembering techniques we'd invented previously, there wouldn't be anything stopping us from inventing new techniques on our own in this life.Ý Thinking of that, I tried to create a new technique.Ý I failed completely.Ý The reason I failed is that I have no idea how to use my power." Ami spoke each word of the last sentence with more force and conviction.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "We know how to perform simple rituals that produce a small number of specific effects.Ý We only know those because we were instructed how to... no, we were COMPELLED to go through the motions the first time.Ý Just like we are compelled to announce our presence, pose, and challenge our enemies."

ÝÝÝÝÝ "I'm not sure 'compelled' is the right word." Makoto laughed nervously, rubbing the back of her head.Ý "It's just... well, jumping someone from behind is dishonourable, right?Ý We're the good guys.Ý We don't do stuff like that."

ÝÝÝÝ "Have you ever tried not to?Ý I have.Ý It didn't work; I still went through the motions, I still made the 'I won't forgive you' speech.Ý The Outer Senshi seem to be immune; though that may have to do with their different role.Ý They're defenders of the Solar System, not the Princess' bodyguards.Ý It may have been decided that invaders from beyond are less worthy of mercy than members of a would-be-coup."Ý Ami waved her hand, "But that is not the point right now.Ý You came here wondering why I'm being so secretive, and how Usagi did so well on her test.Ý So here's my answer."

ÝÝÝÝÝ "I've been trying to figure out how our costumes are compelling us to act in certain ways, in the hopes of making it stop.Ý So far, I've only been half-successful.Ý I've figured out how it works, but not how to escape the compulsion.Ý I was really frustrated at my lack of progress, and Usagi noticed; she's always been the first to know our hearts."

ÝÝÝÝÝ Usagi blushed a bit.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "She made me admit to what I'm telling you now and, surprisingly, volounteered to help me with it."

ÝÝÝÝÝ Usagi nodded.Ý "I'm always worried about all of you when we go into a fight.Ý If Ami-chan can help us all use our powers better, and not do such risky things as stand out in the open in front of a dangerous crazy man from outer space in the future who wants me to be his evil wife while we give a speech, then I would feel a lot better."

ÝÝÝÝÝ Makoto took a second to decode that bit of Usagi-speak. Ý"Okaay.Ý So...?"

ÝÝÝÝÝ "So we've been experimenting.Ý Compelling each other to do things we wouldn't normally do, trying to resist or prevent it in different ways, and noting the results.Ý Along the way, we've found some practical side-benefits.Ý That's where Usagi's unusually high test mark came from; compulsive studying."

ÝÝÝÝÝ Makoto was shocked.Ý "You're kidding me."

ÝÝÝÝÝ Usagi clung to Makoto's arm, eyes misting with tears.Ý "It was so boooring Mako-chan!Ý I couldn't take Manga breaks or eat snacks or talk about Mamo-kun or play with my hair or watch TV or eat snacks or ANYTHING."

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Wow," Makoto tried to process this idea, "that compulsion stuff must be really strong."

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Why?" Usagi asked, confused.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "For all my progress in finding out how it works," Ami changed the subject, "I still have no access to our costumes' compulsion systems, so I can't change them or turn them off."

ÝÝÝÝÝ Makoto looked confused.Ý "But then, how have you been compelling Usagi to study?"

ÝÝÝÝÝ Usagi grinned, and dashed to the closet, where she started rummaging.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "I've built a simulator; actually, more than one since they have to be custom-fit." Ami explained.Ý "It's sort of a dummy costume.Ý Of course, that's part of what I was trying to keep a secret.Ý The idea that I've built a device that can control people's behavior would probably upset Rei a lot."

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Especially considering the number of times we've had to unbrainwash people." Makoto nodded.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Still, Usagi and I have continued our experiments; both out of the faint hope that I'll learn something, and because there ARE useful applications, like helping Usagi study."

ÝÝÝÝÝ "And because it's FUN!" Usagi cried triumphantly, having found what she was looking for in the closet.Ý Usagi held a fairly large, shiny chrome object.Ý Sort of egg shaped, it was open in the front and bottom, and had two holes on the top with a short straight antenna between them.Ý With no more hesitation, Usagi plunked the object on her own head, and started pulling her long blonde pigtails through the top holes.Ý Makoto immediately realized it was a helmet.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "That's the 'tiara' of the simulator." Ami explained.Ý "The head piece of the system is the most complex, and I couldn't manage to miniaturize it more than that."

ÝÝÝÝÝ Now Makoto noticed that the front of the helmet, above Usagi's eyes, dipped down to a point like their costume's tiaras.Ý There was even a crystal-like object set in the forehead, though it was larger than the ones on the real tiaras, and appeared to have circuitry embedded in it.Ý However, much unlike their tiaras, the helmet covered the whole head except for the face (and, in Usagi's case, two openings for her hair).Ý Usagi's ears were covered by flat cones, and she was fastening the strap on a chin cup.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Isn't this cool looking?" Usagi posed for Makoto.Ý "It's all Sci-Fi and stuff."

ÝÝÝÝÝ Makoto didn't quite know what to say to that, so instead she went after an earlier comment of Usagi's.Ý "What do you mean by 'fun', exactly?"

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Well, you know how Ami-chan was making me study because it's not something I like to do so I would resist it more which would make a better experiment?Ý Well since she also sometimes is the test subject I thought it would be good to make her do crazy goofy funny things because that's something she doesn't usually do.Ý And this kind of went back and forth for a while and we realized we were playing a kind of game and having fun."

ÝÝÝÝÝ Ami looked a bit embarrassed.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Makoto only raised an eyebrow.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Ami hung her head.Ý "Well, I'd gone to the trouble of building the simulators.Ý They're full of fail-safes, so there's no risk and..." Ami's voice dropped in volume until it was nearly inaudible, "andI'mmuchbetteratKareokewhenIcan'tbeselfconscious."

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Kareoke?" Makoto was incredulous.Ý "Usagi used a behaviour-controlling Senshi-uniform simulator to make you sing Kareoke?"

ÝÝÝÝÝ "And finger painting!" Usagi giggled, digging more things out of the closet.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Ami looked mortified.Ý "Aha.Ý Well, ah, it turns out the compulsion system works on a conceptual system.Ý That is, the subject gets an abstract compulsion, like 'sing Kareoke' or 'challenge an enemy', and their own mind comes up with a way to do it.Ý If the subject can't imagine how to do something, or has no knowledge of something, the compulsion doesn't work right.Ý We've tried things like trying to play the guitar, or having Usagi bring me a ring I've hidden under one of three cups without touching the wrong cup.Ý In the first case we just made noise, and in the second case I had to stop the compulsion before Usagi dumped the whole table over.Ý Anyway, the upshot is that creating compulsions is fairly easy.Ý I've built a simple computer program so that anyone can do it, really."

ÝÝÝÝÝ Makoto risked a glance over at Usagi, who was pulling three fairly large cardboard boxes out of the closet.Ý Ami smiled ruefully.

Ý "Usagi has a very varied idea of what 'fun' is."

ÝÝÝÝÝ Usagi upended one box onto the bed.Ý Several pieces of silver material slithered out in a pile.Ý Carelessly tossing the box aside, the blonde leader of the Sailor Senshi pulled her shirt over her head and dropped it too the floor.Ý Her simple cotton bra followed the shirt in short order.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Usagi?Ý What are you doing?" Makoto stared at the quickly-stripping girl.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "These don't work over clothes, and Ami didn't build any transformation-pen-type-things to make our clothes vanish and come back.Ý So I have to change the old fashioned way."Ý Usagi hopped around madly on one foot while trying to remove a sock from the other.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "But why are you putting it ON?" Makoto asked.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "So you can see what it's like, silly!" Usagi had her legs into the sleeveless leotard that made up the body piece of the costume, and was pulling it up her body.Ý "You two put yours on, too. We can all play!"

ÝÝÝÝÝ "'You two'?" Makoto turned to Ami with a searching look on her face.Ý Behind her, Usagi had got her arms into the leotard, and was vigorously stuffing her hands into the elbow length silvery gloves.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "When we decided to show you all this, Usagi insisted I make a simulator for you, too.Ý They're her favourite toy ever; somewhere between playing with dolls and a video game.Ý She just wants you to have as much fun as she's having."

ÝÝÝÝ Makoto, skeptical, pulled a glove from one of the boxes, and ran it through her fingers.Ý "So I'm supposed to put on this crazy robot suit and let you run me around like a doll, and it will be fun?"

ÝÝÝÝÝ Ami shrugged.Ý "Usagi thinks so, and I would be lying if I said I wasn't having a good time when she made me sing and dance.Ý Besides, if you try to refuse, Usagi will just use her sad puppy look on you."

ÝÝÝÝÝ Makoto thought back to previous occasions when that tear-filled face had been turned on her.Ý "That's more compelling than this costume ever could be." she admitted grudgingly.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Usagi had put on the simulator's boots, and dashed over to Ami.Ý Turning her back on her friend, she demanded "Zip me up, zip me up!"

ÝÝÝÝÝ Ami obliged, closing a zipper from the middle of Usagi's back up to the base of the suit's high collar, then clicking the collar closed.Ý Finally, she connected a springy coil of wire from a small box on one of Usagi's shoulders up to a port on the back of the helmet.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Makoto watched with some interest.Ý "Say Ami?Ý Why is the costume all chrome?Ý Wouldn't it be better to use a plainer fabric?"

ÝÝÝÝÝ Usagi grinned mischievously, and Ami stood up next to her.Ý "The suit looks like metal because it IS metal."Ý She rapped her knuckles against Usagi's stomach, producing a solid sound.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "That is the big secret of our costume's armour abilities.Ý Being rigid armor is actually their normal state; feeling soft like cloth is something that is induced in them.Ý That way, in a bad situation where the suit's power is cut off, it defaults to being hard and protective."

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Ah." Makoto thought about that.Ý Then she held up one of the costume's boots.Ý "And the stiletto heels?"

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Well, I had to mount an antenna to the boot, to receive the signal for the lower body.Ý It just seemed like the most logical place to put it."

ÝÝÝÝÝ Makoto wasn't entirely convinced by Ami's explanation, but wasn't smart enough to argue it, so she let it slide.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Sighing in resignation, Makoto started unbuttoning her jeans.Ý "Okay, which one of these is mine?"

ÝÝÝÝÝ Not much later, Makoto and Ami had removed their street clothes, and had started donning the silvery costumes.Ý Makoto was amazed at how the leotard felt.Ý It was soft and elastic, like a swimsuit.Ý Somehow its elasticity was not squeezing her or flattening her breasts; instead the material clung tightly, shaping itself to her curves.Ý On top of that, the material was smoother than anything she could remember wearing.Ý Makoto was a bit worried about sweating, since the smooth metal wouldn't breathe, but since they weren't going to be wearing them for long, and the room was air conditioned she didn't think it would be a problem.

ÝÝÝÝÝ The boots took a bit of getting used to.Ý Being more than a little tomboyish, Makoto hadn't had a lot of experience with high heels.Ý She had to admit that the posture change they caused really flattered her hips, though.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Makoto's helmet had been built with a small opening in the back for her ponytail, which was flanked by a pair of small, straight antennae.Ý Makoto put it on and buckled up the chin cup, snugging the helmet firmly in place.Ý The helmet's weight and the cool touch of the metal really brought home what she was about to do for the sake of friendship.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Lost in the moment, Makoto didn't immediately notice Ami walk up to her.Ý "Makoto, could you zip up the back of my suit?Ý You're not wearing your gloves yet, and it's easier with bare hands."

ÝÝÝÝÝ While Makoto and Ami were finishing dressing, Usagi had opened the compulsion program on Ami's computer.Ý "So how do you want to do this, guys?"

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Hmm, why don't we try that 'roulette' routine from last week?Ý We both enjoyed that, and I think it would be even better with three people."Ý Ami finished Makoto's dressing by plugging the cable from Makoto's back to her helmet.

ÝÝÝÝÝ The effect of this connection was immediate.Ý Instantly, the metal of Makoto's costume lost all flexibility, returning to its natural rigid state.Ý Makoto wobbled frantically for a moment in her heels, before steadying herself with a quick grab for the computer desk.Ý Makoto flexed her fingers and bent her elbow experimentally.Ý The suit now only moved at the hinges and joints that had been built into it.Ý She ran her fingertips over her thigh and her belly.Ý She couldn't feel a thing other than the pressure of her fingers on the inside of the glove.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Why do you have it turn solid after it's on, anyway?" Makoto asked Ami, who had plugged in her own helmet and was now helping Usagi at the computer.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Necessity.Ý I wasn't able to make a small power supply strong enough to run both the metal softener and the compulsion system at the same time."

ÝÝÝÝÝ "I guess that makes sense." Makoto looked herself over in Ami's full-length closet mirror.Ý The tightness and reflective shine of her metal 'skin' and the limited range of movement it allowed, really made her feel like a robot.Ý The antennae rising from her head didn't counteract the feeling.Ý Makoto bit her lip nervously, again wondering if letting a computer run her body for 'fun' was a really good idea.Ý Her heart was racing, but somehow she wasn't sure it was all nerves.Ý Makoto struck another pose, and the light gleamed off of the chrome curves of her forehead and breasts.Ý She had to admit, as weird as this costume was, it certainly made her look sexy.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Okay, Mako-chan!Ý It's your turn!" Usagi cried, hopping out of the computer chair more nimbly than her restricted movement would suggest was possible.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Makoto swiveled her head around to look at the hyper blonde.Ý "My turn for what?"

ÝÝÝÝÝ Ami offered the empty chair.Ý "Your turn to input some routines for the game.Ý The way this 'roulette' works is that each player inputs a selection of routines they think it would be good for the group to do.Ý Studying or Kareoke, for instance, to give two routines we've already mentioned.Ý Then the computer randomly selects six from all the ones input, and runs us through them all one at a time, or until our preset time limit runs out or one of the failsafes kicks in."

ÝÝÝÝÝ "What, all of us will be under compulsion at the same time?Ý Is that safe?" Makoto looked doubtful.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Quite safe.Ý I've built a lot more and better failsafes in since the 'Usagi throwing my table' incident." Ami patted Makoto's shoulder reassuringly, which produced a loud click of metal on metal.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "And it's much more fun when everybody's doing the same thing!" Usagi chimed in, "Especially if it's something you're embarrassed about, because then everyone is just as embarrassed and they can't laugh at you at all."

ÝÝÝÝÝ With a resigned chuckle, Makoto sat in front of the computer.Ý "Okay, fine.Ý What do I do here?"

ÝÝÝÝÝ Ami explained how to use the compulsion script software which, since she'd written it so even Usagi could figure it out, Makoto picked up on very quickly.Ý Soon, all three of them had put four routines into the pool for selection.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Well," Makoto said nervously, "I guess we're all ready."

ÝÝÝÝÝ Ami looked around to see if everyone agreed.Ý Then smiling, she clicked 'go' on the screen.

ÝÝÝÝÝ The computer hummed for a few seconds, compiling the routines, then dinged happily and displayed the number 1.Ý Immediately, all three girls stood at attention.Ý They marched stiffly into a single-file line, Makoto in the lead, and turned to face the door to Ami's room.Ý

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Maid droids ready.Ý Identify tasks.Ý Unit M, Vacuuming." Makoto said, her voice flat.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "U-nit A. Ba-throom Sa-ni-ti-za-tion." Ami said, in a very convincing robot voice.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Unit U! Picking stuff up!" Usagi chimed in.

ÝÝÝÝÝ The three young women filed out of the room and spread through the house.Ý Usagi started working immediately, putting books away in the bookshelf, straightening the cushions on the couch, and generally tidying.Ý Whenever she carried something, she held it at arms length, or at least she did until her arms became too tired.Ý She also said a lot of whirr and beep sound effects.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Makoto moved with some stiffness, and stared straight ahead as her hands moved the upright vacuum over the carpet, her free arm held out away from her body, elbow bent.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Ami moved deliberately and efficiently, with the skill of a professional mime.Ý Her every movement planned and measured, she cleaned the bathroom to a shine; all the while verbalizing her current task and percentage progress in her buzzing robot monotone.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Robotic efficiency rendered the job a quick one, and the house was soon spotless.Ý The three 'Maid droids' returned their cleaning supplies to their storage places, and marched back to Ami's room.Ý After lining up with their backs to the wall, Makoto spoke.Ý "Status Report.Ý Unit M, Vacuuming complete."

ÝÝÝÝÝ "U-nit A.Ý Sa-ni-ti-za-tion Com-plete."

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Unit U!Ý Finished!"

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Cleaning complete.Ý Maid droids shut down to sleep mode." Makoto closed her eyes.Ý Ami stared straight ahead, glassy-eyed.Ý Usagi hummed, growing quieter as she slumped over forwards at the waist.

ÝÝÝÝÝ The computer on the desk hummed, dinged, and displayed the number 2.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Makoto's eyes opened, and she stretched her right shoulder.Ý Ami mimed hooking her thumbs into the waistband of imaginary pants, and swaggered over to Usagi, who had straightened, but not moved.Ý "So this is the lamp we've been hired to move?"

ÝÝÝÝÝ "That's it, boss.Ý The rest of the furniture is downstairs." Makoto said.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Ami held Usagi's wrist, and raised the blonde's arm above her head. "Looks like it needs a new bulb."

ÝÝÝÝÝ "We should do that after we move it; less chance of breakage."

ÝÝÝÝÝ Usagi, expressionless, stood rigidly in place.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Okay, grab the base, will you?" Ami put her hands into Usagi's armpits, and got a good grip.Ý Makoto bent and grabbed Usagi's ankles.Ý With a heave, Usagi was suspended between her two friends, stiff as a plank, and with her arm still raised.Ý The trio left Ami's room and headed downstairs.Ý Taking care on the steps, Ami went down first.Ý Usagi was carried head-down to the ground floor and into the living room.Ý Finding a clear spot next to an armchair, they set her on her feet again.Ý While Makoto 'adjusted' Usagi's facing and the angle of her arm, Ami had left the room to search for something.Ý A moment later, she returned with a flashlight and a lampshade, both of which she promptly attached to Usagi's raised hand.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Ami sat in the chair under the Usagi-lamp, and crossed her legs.Ý Drumming her fingers on the chair's arm, she surveyed the room.Ý "A good reading spot, but it needs something.Ý Hmm... An end table, to put your book and drink.Ý That's what we were supposed to move next."

ÝÝÝÝÝ Standing, Ami turned to Makoto, who was standing at attention next to the chair.Ý Placing her hands on Makoto's shoulders, Ami pushed down. ÝMakoto sunk to a kneeling position, sitting on her heels.Ý Ami took each of Makoto's arms, in turn, and raised them until they were parallel with the floor and each other.Ý Then, after pushing the tall girl's head back until she was looking at the ceiling, Ami headed for the kitchen.Ý She returned shortly after carrying a wooden tray, on which was a few paperbacks, a folded cloth, and a glass of lemonade.Ý She rested the tray on Makoto's arms, and moved the books to the chair's cushion.Ý Then, lifting the lemonade with one hand, she spread the tablecloth over Makoto and the tray before replacing the lemonade and books on the now-covered tray.Ý

ÝÝÝÝÝ Getting comfortable in the chair, Ami drank her lemonade and did some reading.Ý When the lemonade was finished, she put it back on the tray.Ý "I should put these books back on the shelf."

ÝÝÝÝÝ Usagi walked over to the 'table' and put the flashlight and lampshade on it.Ý Picking up the tray and its cloth, she headed to the kitchen.Ý "I think the bookshelf would look best across from the window, Mako-chan."

ÝÝÝÝÝ Makoto stood up.Ý "You're right, Usagi."Ý Makoto scooped Ami, who had frozen in her sitting position, easily up into her arms and carried her to the other side of the room.Ý She laid the short-haired girl on the floor, on her back.Ý Makoto straightened Ami's right leg out along the floor, but pointed her left one, as well as Ami's left arm, straight up.Ý Usagi re-entered the room as Makoto was picking Ami up again.Ý After their host was leaned against the wall, one arm and the matching leg held out straight, Usagi stacked the paperbacks on Ami's outstretched limbs.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Well, that's that." Makoto dusted off her hands.Ý "All furniture moved."

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Let's go see what the chief has for us next." Usagi took the books off of Ami and put them on a nearby real table.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Returning to a normal posture, Ami led the trio back upstairs.Ý "Okay, chief, that job's done.Ý Who's hired us next?"

ÝÝÝÝÝ On the desk, the computer dinged and switched to the number 3.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "I can't believe one of you made us clean the house!" Usagi complained.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Well, because of the way these costumes look, I couldn't get the idea out of my head." Makoto explained.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Besides," Ami explained a bit haughtily, "you're guests in my house and I'm letting you use my experimental equipment.Ý It's only right that you pay me back somehow."

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Besides, Usagi," Makoto teased, "I think if you weren't periodically forced to deal with dirt and mess, you'd forget what clean looked like."

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Oh, so that's how it is?" Usagi fumed, though she was grinning wildly.Ý "Well there's only one way to respond to that!Ý Shuriken!"Ý Usagi grabbed a pillow off of Ami's bed, and spun it through the air at Makoto's head.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Makoto dodged to the side, and scooped up a stuffed dog.Ý "We just tidied up!Ý Undoing someone's hard work is unforgivable!Ý In the name of neatness, I will punish you!Ý Makoto bomber!"

ÝÝÝÝ As Usagi took a canine to the chest, Ami stomped from foot to foot.Ý "Oooh, you meanies, leave Mr. Peabody out of this!"

ÝÝÝÝÝ Usagi responded by chasing Ami out of the room while crying "Pillow Axe!" and evading a re-launched Mr. Peabody.Ý And the game was on.

ÝÝÝÝÝ The three young women raced through the house, shrieking and giggling, tossing pillows, cushions and stuffed animals at each other.Ý They yelled silly made-up attack names, formed and broke alliances willy-nilly and only refrained from tickling each other to tears because the rigid metal costumes made it impossible.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Eventually the three collapsed, panting and sweating, in the living room.Ý Draped over the furniture and surrounded by discarded pillows and cushions, they all grinned red-faced.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Upstairs, unnoticed, the computer cycled to number 4.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Rising swiftly, Ami went to the cabinet where their stereo was kept.Ý Usagi started tossing the pillows out of the way, and Makoto moved the larger furniture.Ý In short order, there was a large space in the middle of the room.

ÝÝÝÝÝ When they were finished, they strutted to positions near the middle of the room, and turned their backs on Ami while striking sexy poses.Ý As the stereo queued up the songs, Ami moved between the other two girls, and posed herself.

ÝÝÝÝÝ The music began, and Ami snapped her head up to look at the 'audience'.Ý "What can I do for you?" she sang, taking Yuna's part in the Gullwing's rendition of "Real Emotion".Ý Usagi and Makoto sang Rikku and Paine's backup parts, respectively.Ý

ÝÝÝÝÝ The three girls took turns fronting the 'group', belting out pop hits with style and talent.Ý They danced with precision choreography, the room lights flashing dramatically off of their chromed bodies.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Finally, Usagi segued into "Butterfly", her voice coming across as floaty and ethereal.Ý More reminiscent of the moments when she was Princess Serenity than Usagi's usual shrill giggling.

ÝÝÝÝÝ As the song ended, the three bowed deeply to their imaginary listeners.Ý Then without sparing a thought to the stereo, which had reached the end of its program, they walked into the kitchen.Ý After all, their program wasn't finished.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Program 5 had begun, and Makoto directed the other two girls around Ami's kitchen.Ý Ingredients were fetched, pans and utensils were found, and aprons were tied.Ý Usagi was set to mixing the dry ingredients, Ami the wet ones.Ý Makoto supervised and gave pointers, while also shelling and chopping nuts.

ÝÝÝÝÝ The cook's two friends, compelled by their costumes to pay vigorous attention, were given a detailed lesson in the preparation of Makoto's famous walnut-chocolate chip cookies.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Usagi struggled fiercely against the suit's control, to no avail; she simply could not lick her fingers as she spooned even measures of batter onto the cookie sheet.

ÝÝÝÝÝ After the cookies were in and baking, the three then cleaned up after themselves.Ý Ami was internally amused by wearing lemon-yellow rubber kitchen gloves over her metal hands.Ý She supposed it was better than risking a short, no matter how unlikely that was.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Finally, they finished cleaning, and not long after the oven's timer went off.Ý They moved the fresh cookies to racks to cool.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Upstairs, the computer rolled over to the final routine of the day, number six.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Chased by the enticing aroma of hot cookies, the three girls walked up the stairs to Ami's room.Ý Usagi and Makoto paused by the door.Ý Ami walked to the middle of the room, turned, and bowed to the other girls deeply.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Please, Teachers.Ý I require instruction."

ÝÝÝÝÝ "You have the lesson materials?" Makoto asked in a stern voice.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Of course, Teacher." Ami walked to her desk, and tipped out the jar she kept pencils and pens in.Ý A small key fell out.Ý She unlocked the bottom drawer of her desk, and stepped back.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Makoto walked forward, opened the drawer and extracted three items.Ý The first, a flat, black rubber paddle, she handed to Usagi.Ý The blonde moved to the far side of the room and took a couple of practice swings with it.Ý The second, a strap-on dildo, she handed to Ami, who bowed over it and stepped back.Ý Makoto herself took out a leather collar on a lead chain, with the word "Petgirl" picked out on the front in small studs.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Kneel." Makoto commanded, and Ami moved to her knees in the middle of the room.Ý Makoto walked close to Ami, and bent at the waist to fasten the collar around the brunette's neck.Ý At the same time, Ami reached up and buckled the dildo harness to Makoto's pelvis.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Makoto stepped back, pulling on the lead chain and drawing Ami onto all fours.Ý Usagi took up position behind Ami, holding the paddle easily.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "You will learn to suck dick.Ý You will learn to tease the tip, and you will take it all.Ý I expect you to use your tongue, your lips, and even your throat.Ý You are learning this because you are a petgirl.Ý A toy.Ý You're only kept around for what you can do for your owner.Ý The better you can suck dick, the more value you have.Ý I don't care if you like sucking dick.Ý I don't care if you like eating pussy.Ý Nobody cares if you like anything; you're just a petgirl.Ý Just a toy.Ý If you do a good job pleasing your owners, you will be valuable; you might be treated better, and you won't be thrown away.Ý Do you understand?"

ÝÝÝÝÝ Ami bowed her head, blushing furiously.Ý "Yes, Teacher."

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Then explain what you are, and why we're here."

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Puppy is a petgirl.Ý Puppy is a toy.ÝÝÝÝ Puppy only exists to please its owner.Puppy is learning dick sucking to please its owner better.Ý Puppy wants to be a good dick sucker." Ami recited, trembling.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Puppy _wants_?" Usagi asked, tapping Ami's bottom gently with the paddle.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Puppy is _required_ to be a good dick sucker.Ý Puppy will be a good dick sucker." Ami's breathing became slightly laboured.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Good," Makoto pulled on the chain again. "Then we'll get started.Ý Usagi, give her 'encouragement' as necessary."

ÝÝÝÝÝ Makoto used the chain to pull Ami's face to her crotch, where the strap-on dildo stuck out proudly.Ý Ami hesitated, and Usagi slapped her loudly across the bum with the paddle.Ý The metal costume absorbed most of the blow, but Ami did feel it, and she certainly heard it.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Ami kissed the tip of the false penis, and then worked her way down the shaft, planting feather kisses along its length to the base.Ý Then, extending her tongue, she licked it from base back to the tip, and took it in her mouth.

ÝÝÝÝÝ The instruction continued for nearly an hour.Ý Ami was given instruction in many techniques, and was forced to practice them over and over.Ý Usagi used the paddle whenever Ami showed signs of hesitation or slowing down, or if she was having trouble taking the invader deep enough.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Eventually, Makoto was satisfied.Ý She stepped away from Ami, and placed a hand on her head, her fingers splayed around Ami's antennae.Ý "Enough.Ý You've learned today's lessons as well as can be expected for a toy.Ý Your owner will see much improvement, and praise you."

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Thank you Teacher." Ami gasped, red faced and sweating.Ý

ÝÝÝÝÝ Makoto removed the dildo harness and Ami's collar, and casually threw them into the drawer.Ý Usagi returned her paddle there as well.Ý The drawer was shut and locked.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "If your owner requires you to learn anything else, he knows how to contact us."

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Yes, Teacher, thank you, Teacher." Ami bowed deeply.

ÝÝÝÝÝ The computer dinged.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Makoto rounded on Ami; seizing her by the shoulders and giving her a shake.Ý "What the hell was that?Ý I sure as hell didn't program that, and I'd never believe Usagi did it.Ý So what the hell were you thinking?"

ÝÝÝÝÝ Ami was terrified, and crying freely in shame.Ý "I didn't- it wasn't- I never- accident-"

ÝÝÝÝÝ Usagi, also with tears in her eyes, grabbed Makoto's arm. "Mako-chan, MAKO-CHAN, stop it, please.Ý This is my fault!Ý Stop hurting Ami-chan!"

ÝÝÝÝÝ The tall girl swung to face Usagi, disbelief and confusion in her face.Ý "Your fault?"

ÝÝÝÝÝ Usagi nodded.Ý "When I was putting in routines I thought it was a lot of work.Ý So I started poking around looking for any that had already been programmed and saved.Ý I found one that was kind of hidden called "Ami's very special Lessons", and I thought it was some super-special study technique Ami uses to be a genius.Ý I didn't even look at the file.Ý It's my fault; I'm sorry Mako-chan."

ÝÝÝÝÝ Makoto turned her attention back to Ami, still scowling, but she'd stopped shouting for the moment.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Ami looked drained.Ý "Those files are double-password protected and in a hidden directory, I cannot believe she found it, let alone added it to the queue."

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Why does it even exist?" Out of friendship, Makoto was willing to give Ami a chance to explain herself.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "When I built this machine, I... I started having these... fantasies.Ý It's so hard for me to be open with my feelings, the idea that a machine could strip away my inhibitions was exciting, I suppose.Ý The idea that I could put all of my responsibilities away, and be a naughty girl for a little while... I had never had feelings like those.Ý They made me feel strange.Ý I was ashamed of wanting it, but I DID want it.Ý It was driving me crazy.Ý I thought writing the fantasies down would help me work past it, and it did.Ý Once I wrote those scripts, and sealed them away, I could think straight again.Ý The fact they existed was enough; it satisfied my need to feel naughty.Ý I'd done a bad thing, a forbidden thing, but it was harmless.Ý It should have been harmless."Ý Ami started crying again.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Usagi was concerned, looking between Makoto and Ami.Ý She wanted to comfort Ami, but she didn't know if she would have to intervene with Makoto again.

ÝÝÝÝÝ Makoto sighed deeply, and unplugged her helmet.Ý She undid the chin cup, and took the metal orb off of her head.Ý "Ami... I'm not sure I'm comfortable with you having these kinds of thoughts about me; but if a person can't be free inside their own head, we've lost the war we were reincarnated to fight.Ý The problem happens when what's inside your head gets out and messes with people."

ÝÝÝÝÝ The tall girl ran a metal-covered hand through her sweaty hair.Ý "I'm not explaining this well.Ý Look, I've always thought you were really smart.Ý But you KNOW these suit things are potentially dangerous.Ý Putting your fantasies into compulsion script format, on the same machine we would use today, was really stupid."

ÝÝÝÝÝ Ami nodded.Ý "I'm sorry, Makoto."

ÝÝÝÝÝ Usagi unplugged both her own and Ami's helmets.Ý The softened costumes made it much easier to give Ami a comforting hug.Ý "Don't worry, Ami-chan, we forgive you.Ý I think there are better ways to be naughty, though."

ÝÝÝÝÝ Ami grinned ruefully.Ý "Maybe."

ÝÝÝÝÝ Usagi leapt to her feet.Ý "This is all too gloomy.Ý We'll think of a punishment game for Ami-chan later.Ý Right now I want to eat cookies!"

ÝÝÝÝÝ As the blonde charged out the door, Ami and Makoto looked at each other seriously.

ÝÝÝÝÝ "I think..." Makoto began, but trailed off as she had trouble constructing the thought.Ý "I think you should have a talk with Michiru.Ý She might have some insight into the whole 'having strong feelings that make you feel ashamed but you can't ignore' thing.Ý And she's less likely to tease you than Haruka, I think.Ý Or something."

ÝÝÝÝÝ Ami shrugged out of her helmet, and smiled weakly.Ý "Thank you.Ý I will try that.Ý Now, let's go get some cookies before Usagi eats them all."

ÝÝÝÝÝ "Your wish is my command." Makoto teased, marching robot-stiff out the door.