Chrysanthemum was expected at the Atlantis soon, but she was never one to rush. She promptly arrived to her appointments, but Syndicate just knew to anticipate her. No one was going to convince her to move at anything other than her own pace. For anyone, it was a good rule of thumb to let Chrysanthemum set her own rules.

A certain blonde-haired moon girl was learning this lesson first hand. Chrys wondered if Tses would run one day. Come to her senses, as one might accuse, and abandon this experimental new life Chrys was putting her through.

It would not have been a monumental shock, and yet, much to her surprise, Tses found her way back home and into her bed each night. Tses had the autonomy to do as he wished while she was out in the city, provided she followed any conditions Chrys set for her along the way. And boy, were some of those conditions fun.

One thing Chrys did love exerting her control that was non-negotiable came each morning. The stood there in the walk-in closet Chrys was now using exclusively for the expanding wardrobe she was building for Tses. After all, what fun was a doll you could not dress up.

Chrys analyzed her options while Tses waited in the lacy underthings her mistress had already picked out. ”When we arrive at the club, it’s early, so it should not be busy. Still, you’ll be staying close to me unless I say otherwise, is that understood?” Before Tses could reply, (and Chrys did still expect a reply,) Chrys muttered to herself, ”This should work for those legs.”

Striding over, Chrysanthemum pressed her hand lightly on Tses’s chest to guide her so she would sit on the small bench. Chrys had picked out a pair of leggings and she could not slip them on Tses while the young woman was standing.

Today would be an interesting test, because Chrys had kept the details of their appointment today secret. Tses had to learn how to be a good pet, and that meant trusting her even when she said nothing.

Tses has never been one for obedience. Heck, she spent half her life getting beat up because of her insistence to do things her own way. She liked to think of those things as remnants from life 1. Life 2 had sent her back to Chrys, and the strange world expected there.

She did her own thing during the day, but at the end, she had somewhere to return to. Someone to return to. The person who pierced her back together in a literal and figurative way. Tses would only obey her. Chrys was hers. Even when it meant being treated like a doll and allowing Chrys to decide what she wore. Tses did not fight it. She was seduced by the game of rewards Chrys had begun.

Fractured. She was a thousand jagged splinters and half-formed feelings. But Chrysanthemum made her feel whole again. All she wanted was that silly thing: obedience. So Tses tried her best to learn.

”Understood,” Tses felt nervous. Whether it was the act of standing there waiting or the idea of being dragged someone with Chrys, she was anxious. She sat, trying not to cover herself with her crossed arms. She hated her skin. Hated every scar and ugly feature. But she let Chrys approach with the stockings, coaxed to sit down. Hmm. Putting on clothes was much less entertaining than when they went the other direction. That was another thing she was learning to enjoy. Her world was turned on end by the shared touch Chrys helped her experience.

”Why am I going with you?” the words came out before she could stop them, and she felt better that it happened now rather than later. Damn. Obedience. She could do this. She hoped...

Chrys’s gaze moved from the wardrobe to Chrys’s gorgeous, scarred figure, and back to the clothing. She had hangups when it came to her appearance. Chrys could understand that, even if she could not emphasize; her power kept scarring from being an issue for her.

Still, Chrys wanted her favorite plaything to feel more confident in her skin. There were things she could make Tses do on command, but occasionally, subtlety was worth employing. Easing Tses into certain changes would help her accept them naturally and willingly.

After the opaque stockings concealed Tses’s legs and hips, Chrys allowed herself an indulgence, kissing a trail up Tses’s waist. This triggered her power of course, and she felt the sensitive tingling of her own kisses along her midsection.

”You’re going with me because I’m telling you to,” she replied clearly, wanting to remind Tses that this was the dynamic she willingly accepted. ”I am taking you with me because there are certain… projects I am involved with outside the corporation. Projects that need attention I can’t always provide.”

After some deliberation, Chrys found the piece of clothing she was looking for: a long-sleeved knitted dress. It was light blue, complimenting Tses’s eyes and blonde locks, but it also had cut-out sections at the shoulders and a neckline dip that went nowhere near cleavage but would at least expose collarbone. It was a small amount of skin to experiment, so hopefully Tses could handle it.

Chrys walked over and gestured with her eyes for Tses to raise her arms so Chrys could slip the dress over her head. ”Clearly I need someone I can trust. Discretion, competence, loyalty. Who else would I pick but you, kitten?”

Chrys straightened out the dress once it’s soft fabric clung to its wearer. ”Perfect,” she purred, feeling the knitted texture against her own skin.

It was still surprising Chrys displayed a level of understanding to Tses' discomfort toward her figure. While their relationship already had very clear roles and expectations, Chrys seemed to know the difference between challenging Tses and making her unhappy. So while Tses may not have been a fan of some outfits, she was never pushed to a point she wanted to fight it.

Tses shivered slightly as Chrys kissed her, feeling the effect of the other woman's power take control. It made accepting the dress easier. Sometimes, Tses felt she leaned on Chrys power as an excuse to relax and let go of her own anxieties. While the ability only shared physical sensations, Tses had come to appreciate the feeling of connection.

She no longer questioned where she was going, just nodded to say she was willing. She reached up a hand to touch a bare shoulder, finding she almost liked the look. Then again, Chrys managed to make such flashes of skin rewarding in the end.

"I will always help where I can," she remarked, glad for now nothing had been asked outside her abilities. She had her own limits thanks to her lack of schooling, but she had been a doll so far, and dolls weren't required to be terribly smart.

In many ways, particularly in business, Chrysanthemum developed the reputation for being cold and unfeeling. Her habit of… breaking some of her toys did not help her image. It was a fine persona to give to the outside world, but she did have the capacity for warmth. Yes, her conditions for sharing warmth were unique and some may say twisted, but she liked to believe this was the best side of her. She owned Tses, but Tses could leave. She pushed Tses, but she was mindful of what she could or could not handle. Tses was not her victim, and Chrys wanted to make her better without toeing the lines of abuse.

Wen Tses touched her own shoulder, Chrys felt it and smiled. She stepped forward to her fully dressed doll and kissed the bare shoulder offered by the dress. The owner beamed as Tses proved to be willing to help her in any way she could. ”I know you will, darling.” She offered a single tender kiss to Tses’s lips and pulled back. ”And that’s why you’re my favorite.”

They were almost ready to go. Chrys just had to pick out a warm coat and shoes with a manageable kitten heel to make sure her pride and joy was ready for the outside world.



The trip to the Atlantis Club in Chrysanthemum’s private car was a quiet one. As with most trips where she took Tses along, she spent much of it making sure strands of Tses’s hair fell just so, and otherwise offering small touches to the blonde to remind her she was in Chrys’s thoughts.

When Chrys stepped out and assisted Tses in doing the same, the pair was met by a young woman in neat, professional dress with a clipboard. ”Good day, Willow.”

“Mistress Ivy. We appreciate you making an appearance today,” the site manager greeted politely. “And your companion. Is this fine?”

Chrysanthemum expected the question, but she would not have brought Tses if she was not certain of her choice. ”It is. This is my precious Moonstone. I trust her implicitly and her loyalty is unquestionable.” Chrys brushed her fingers beneath Tses’s chin as she praised her, affirming that no one should question whether Tses belonged there. ”She will be my eyes and ears in this operation, and will be respected as such, understood?”

“Of course, understood. Then if you can both follow me, we have much to review.”

Letting Willow lead them into the club, still preparing for its daily opening, Chrys hooked her arm around Tses’s elbow. She was not going to be shy about proclaiming the woman as hers in public. ”Are you doing alright, dear? There is much about my operations you will be learning, so I want you in the right headspace.”

Tses felt her eyes shut closely for a moment as the kiss touched her shoulder. The tiny trails of pleasure sparked in her brain and chased away the anxiety that threatened to build. The gentle words of praise continued the effect, a drug leaking through her veins and filling her body. You're my favorite... Such simple things had such profound meaning to the woman. Her childlike personality made her feel drawn to rewards, encouragement and confirmation. Keeping Chrys happy meant Chrys would stay. Tses would do what it took to stay in a place where this one person wanted to keep her.

With the manageable shoes, and the woven thread of powers linking them, they left. Tses didn't care where, that didn't matter. It wasn't her job to care, it was her job to obey.

Tses let Chrys make adjustments to her appearance where necessary. She relied on the other woman for confirmation she was up to standards. Tses had little experience with this lifestyle, much more adapt to a world of fighting, stealing, and trickery. Perhaps it was that darkness behind her eyes that caused the assistant to question her. It was easy to make someone presentable, but harder to hide the edges life had carved into them. It could have been easy to assume she was there as a bodyguard, had she not been with Chrys. Tses was certain Chrys needed no one to protect her. If Tses ever got the chance, she felt it would probably for the other woman's amusement, and Tses' fun.

Moonstone... The word sounded pretty coming from Chrys. Tses felt a small spark of pride at the title, her ego preening like a cat who got a good scratch. Chrys was claiming her, making sure everyone knew she belonged. Tses walked a little taller, possessive mind feeding off the contact even while keeping her thoughts masked.

"I can handle it." Tses answered Chrys with the statement. She didn't like being in these types of places, but she wanted to be there. She wanted to prove she could do this. She had sharp eyes, except when they faced Chrys. They had a way of looking wistful when she turned. Waiting, expecting, hoping for approval.

Chrys had plenty of toys over the years, but she rarely kept them as long-term projects. There were a few willing players she kept around longer and might have even brought out into public. No one batted an eyelash when a rich socialite had a pretty thing on her arm. Chrys still liked Tses being the one on her arm. Maybe it was their more personal origins, but Tses was welcomed company, even without the unique quirks of their connection.

A steady pet also gave her time to play with pet names and decide how she liked things. Tses was her treasure, so she tossed around Moonstone to see how it felt. She played with Tses’s hair a lot, but had decided she still enjoyed Tses’s trademark look sporting half-pigtails the most. Sure, she would change her up to suit her whims, but that one felt nostalgic.

Tses, to her credit, had the desire to be attentive and helpful. This was why she was being brought into the fold; she had talents, but she was also loyal. That was a key for people who would be included to this degree. ”That is why you’re my favorite, my pet,” she rewarded, leaning over to kiss Tses’s cheek.

The lavish club was empty with the exception of employees preparing for a busy night. Any employee knew enough to be aware of what Chrys needed to explain-- the basics, at least. ”Since the Rift closed, The Syndicate has been working its way into the criminal underworld here.” New York, America, this Universe. The reach would continue to spread. ”It was a crime family, but under proper guidance, it’s being turned into a more useful network. This is my project outside of the company.” Everyone needed diverse interests, right?

Chrys wanted to give Tses a moment to process her mistress’s role in New York’s crime scene, but Willow chimed in just ahead of them. “Mistress Ivy has been working with The Syndicate’s leader to spread out our influence, establishing hubs and connecting with the talented individuals of New York and beyond.”

Glaring at the woman for stealing some of her thunder, Chrys settled down; Willow was vital, after all. ”We want The Syndicate to be what someone searches for when they have a need. Arrange a theft. Commission a hit. Blackmail. A mutant first organization through which crime inevitably passes through.”

The got to the bar at the back, currently unmanned. Chrysanthemum took a seat on one of the stools, crossing one leg over the other. Willow retreated behind the bar to fiddle with the register. ”Now if I remember my old friend right, you were not shy around questionable legal actions, yes? My pet, please, tell me your experience. Your skills. I want to know the trouble you learned to get into in my absence.”

Simple things were the easiest to keep Tses happy. Chrys was very good with simple systems. Praise, reward. Encouragement. Why complicate something that in it's essence could be so functional? Things in the organizations would have plenty to understand and adapt to, but the relationship itself between the two women could not be easier to work with. This was their strength. Everything else could be carried by that.

Led through the room, Tses listened and noted what was being said. She knew very little about the Syndicate in the past, but the basics was a system thieves had used for years. In her days living in Chicago, Tses was part of a large group of criminals. Once she reached New York, she split away, but much of those habits remained. For someone with roots as deep as Tses, she would never be law abiding, even with a fresh start. She could shed a name but not her whole character. Chrys didn't try to change that. In many ways, they embraced that flawed person she had been.

Tses did not feel discomfort talking for once. To her, she treated this like she would answer Chrys in any environment: obedient, honest. "I worked with an underground group. I did hacking for a number of years, before it became a more risky talent. My mentor taught me to fight, and I survived most of my adulthood pick-pocketing my way through the city. After my secondary powers developed, that became easier. I can walk through walls, solid objects. Having an energy based form also makes fighting easier. Phasing in defense, solidifying to execute attacks." she wondered which, if any, of this information might be useful.

Tses was confident in what she had to offer, but also cautious knowing cockiness had been her downfall before. She knew she was human, fragile, prone to breaking. Having an energy form was her saving grace, a string of mercy her genetics had offered.

The explanation of The Syndicate’s purpose did not bother Tses. Rather, the former delinquent seemed to feel natural in a setting like this. Not the club; she clearly needed to adjust to that. Dealing with a network of criminal fronts and illegal networking, though? This was apparently in her wheelhouse.

The mistress expected Tses to hesitate with Willow nearby, but she made Chrys proud by following the order. That pride grew, because Tses had a wide range of talents. Her little doll was quite useful… and did Chrys not promise to help her be a better version of herself?

Willow actually whistled low, her expectations clearly surpassed. ”I know, right?” she agreed. ”My darling here has a lot to offer. Boundless potential.”

With a nod to Willow, the record-keeper of The Syndicate tossed a coin to Tses. ”Well, this decision I leave to you, pet. The Syndicate wants you. Not just in the network, but so much more… if you’re willing to join and hear more, of course.”

Tses had a strange feeling when Chrys complimented her. It was a warmth, a little gush of affection that came from being praised. The sensation was so new it took a while to process, and she realized she had never really had someone proud of her before. This was the craving that Chrys had discovered and stoked so quickly. The other woman knew how much Tses longed to be wanted, and the praise and words kept drawing Tses in close. She was hungry for belonging, and this opportunity was a chance to continue it.

Then, came a coin. Tses caught it with quick reflexes, holding the object carefully. She was being given a choice to join something, to be a part of it. She glanced once at Chrys, wondering if the smoldering in her heart carried to her eyes. This was a challenge, something she wanted to succeed at. She was taking it very seriously, and nodded her head with a decisive look. "I am willing to offer what abilities I have to The Syndicate."

Chrysanthemum did not doubt Tses’s choice, but she did want it to be her choice regardless. Tses wanted a place where she belonged, and she had that in Chrys. Her mistress wanted The Syndicate to be that for her, as well.

”Lovely. Keep that coin on hand at all times, pet. It’s encoded to identify you and grant you access to any Syndicate hub or safe house in New York. There isn’t much worry of you spending it-- well, unless I take you on a wild trip to Montreal.” After deliberating between which kind of coin they would use for RFID access, they settled on a Toonie. Primarily because it would not get lost in a thief’s pocket change, and secondarily because the coin was called a Toonie and was objectively better than other coins.

Looking over her shoulder at Willow, Chrys nodded and the other woman vanished into the backroom to allow the pair time alone. ”There’s so much you can do as a soldier just using Syndicate resources. Right now, you’re legally deceased. Think of how much trouble you can cause as a ghost.” A thief, a hacker, and a competent fighter everyone assumed was dead? She could have her pick of jobs.

Except that was not all Chrys wanted from Tses. ”But there’s more I’d ask of you. While The Syndicate has diversified its bases, this club is the epicenter of organizational activities. More people will come in and out of this place looking for work, and more people might come looking for trouble.”

Chrysanthemum tugged on Tses’s dress, pulling her in, guiding the blonde into her lap. It was practical for a hushed conversation. She also liked Tses in her lap. ”I need someone who can keep a discrete eye on this place. Recognize when soldiers come in. Keep the club work and gang work separate. And if trouble walks in… I need someone to either call me or deal with the problem. Depending on the nature of the problem. ”So what I am asking is if you are willing to be my eyes and ears. The Gatekeeper of Atlantis.” Yes, she just made up the title, but it did have a lovely ring to it.

Tses glanced down at the coin once more, rolling it across a finger as she considered the appearance. She didn't carry money in general, but even if she did, the Toonie would have been something she would not spend on accident. Either way, she would do as she was told and keep it safe.

Since Chrys hadn't given her any of her normal pouches to use today, the alternative was to drop it into her bra. Eh, it wouldn't get lost there for the moment, but it took a second for the cold sensation to go away as her skin warmed the coin.

The comment about being dead actually made Tses smile. It was a twisted sort of smirk but she was somewhat amused by the notion nonetheless. "There wasn't much of me that was legal in the first place. This is my second life as a ghost. The first me died in Chicago. They may have had a name and identity before I was shot, but if you look closer to my past records, beyond a list of crimes, there was nothing more."

They were putting cards on the table so Tses was not withholding information that could be useful to Chrys. She let herself be seated, finding it strange how comfortable she felt there. She was being tamed in many ways by the other woman, but to the rest of the world, she was still dangerous, if not moreso. "I had no drivers license, no school enrollments, no public record other than the burglaries or fights they wanted to peg on me. You already had a ghost willing to help you."

The conversation looped to work, and Tses grew serious. She considered what was being said. Looking for people, deal with problems. Be eyes and ears. Could she do that? "If that is where you think I will do best, I can help...but, around so many people? I'm sure you know my social skills are lacking." She rolled her eyes. She was an ass, quite frankly. She wasn't sure how that would factor into this plan.

With the Canadian coin deposited in Tses’s bra, Chrys felt the cool surface of the coin on her own skin. It was a nice reminder they were still sharing their bond.

Raiding the coroner’s office was proving to be one of Chrys’s better decisions. She was happy to have Tses around and their connection had deepened since the resurrection, but she kept finding new benefits from a practical standpoint. Tses was skilled, practical, and evidently comfortable with existing as a ghost. This gorgeous woman was multi-talented and Chrysanthemum had yet to be left unimpressed.

Social skills were not part of Tses’s repertoire yet, but her mistress only smiled. There would be time to improve those, but it was not a priority. ”Oh love, you don’t have to turn on the charm unless you want to. Or I ask you to, but we can work on that.” After all, in a position like this, it might be nice to have Tses lure people back to her. ”Though for your cover here, I have two questions: first, do you have any preference on a fake name?” Ghost or not, Chrysathemum would not have Tses burned if The Atlantis fell.

Chrysanthemum smirked, resting her hand on the surface behind her. ”And second, how quickly do you think you can pick up bartending?” Tses could be a bouncer, but she would stick out like a sore thumb doing that and it would not keep her where Chrys needed her. ”From behind this bar, you have a clear view of much of the club. You’ll also be the one who knows when a coin handed to you trips the RFID scanner in our registers. Plus, I think it’ll be hot having you serve me when I visit.” Not the most important benefit, but it was a benefit.

A name? Tses had yet to really consider that, but a moment or two brought a name to her lips, ”Artemis.” it wasn’t as affectionate as moonstone, it was neutral, not too feminine, and still had routes tied in her moon based powers. She felt it was a decent suggestion given the short notice.

Then, things shifted.

Tses had many situations when she found she was over her head. Usually, it was a fight, sometimes it was an intellectual encounter. This particular moment involved a job: bartending. If the two questions, that was the one that seemed to catch her concern the most. ”I feel I’m a fast leaner for the most part, but I may not be on the best foundation to begin with. The only time I ever drank was with you.” she looked behind the bar at the various labels, and a weird twist of anxiety filled her. There was another small problem with the task as it was presented: Tses has never learned to read.

There was a time someone considered teaching her, but it got pushed to the wayside. She knew numbers and math, and was fast with codes but there was a difference between knowing to type a string of commands and reading a book. Some of the labels had words she could recognize, but if she was forced to identify something on the fly, she wasn’t prepared.

”There...is one area I am going to be a problem for you, unfortunately.” Tses was glad they were alone for this admission. After all the praise she felt small now. ”I never went to school, so, I never learned to read properly. I recognize a bit from coding and hacking but bartending involves IDs, and ingredients I could really screw up.”

Artemis suited Tses, which pleased Chrysanthemum. It was beautiful without being fragile; she could not have picked a better name. Chrys kissed the back of her hand so Tses could feel the act of affection and approval. ”My mighty Artemis.”

The role she offered Tses would not be a natural transition for her and Chrys was prepared for that. Tses was not alcohol-savvy. More importantly, she could not read. Her mistress responded with a warm smile. ”Oh, darling, you learned to be a hacker without first learning to read. Do you know how impressive you are?”

On cue, Willow returned and stood behind the bar over Chrys’s shoulder. ”Willow can help you learn your way around the bottles and orders. She’s a resource to you here. She is mentally tied to over a dozen other Willows in various Syndicate establishments, so she can keep you filled in on trouble to look out for and verify potential members. She’s also a competent drink maker, which is nice.” But they did not want her being too visible to the point where people would connect her with her other identical selves.

Chrysanthemum stood from her seat and placed her hand beneath Tses’s chin, leaning in for a surprisingly chaste kiss. She spoke quietly for the sake of Tses not having to feel like her secrets were being broadcast. ”As for reading, I will be getting you a discreet tutor. This is just one more skill to add to the Tses we are building up together. And just like with everything else I've seen from you, I have no doubts you will impress.”