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Dr. von Wittgenstein's Logs

Written by Akane :: [Saturday, 04 December 2021 00:50] Last updated by :: [Sunday, 12 December 2021 00:01]

Art by GourmetPapermoll3njogja2 and AmidaSk

Edited by Rhys86

Proofread by Delta7447


“It’s time, Mistress Hilde.” The maid announced. Her gloved right arm had to push against an expanse of her exquisite, hefty breasts in order to properly reach what she was now pointing at, the timepiece on her left wrist. The device possessed a singularly complex design, far too alien to properly describe, consisting of dials within dials, synchronised to every single potential timeline. Countless hands crossed maddeningly across and through one another, and instead of a steady tick the watch seemed to hum from within, as if the axis of time itself had been twisted about its mainspring. To the regular human eye it would well be unreadable, but not for this maid. Her name was Esther, and she was a high level Enhanced, a human being infused with powerful magic and elevated to the status of a demi-goddess, a being capable of restitching reality as easily as she might darn a hole in a comfy old sweater.

Yet for all her power she was only a maid. As for the woman she served...

“Very good… thank you… Esther...” Lovely lips hidden behind the brim of a disproportionately-oversized hat smiled in serene calm. The hand of their owner slowly descended from her lips, resting a cup of carefully-prepared milk tea on her coffee table. The cup itself was vintage china, and the set of which it was a part was insured to a sum greater than what an average executive might earn in a year.

This excessive style of lavish living was not strange to Brünhild von Wittgenstein, lady of her house and one of the richest people to be counted among the ranks of mankind. Rarer still, she was also one of the elite Super Goddesses, a status which came with benefits that money simply could not buy, such as managing to look like a young woman of twenty despite having walked the Earth for more than ninety years.

Plus she was omnipotent. That was definitely a perk.

The gorgeous matron rose elegantly to her feet, one dainty hand holding onto her ornate red and blue skirt so that its lavish fabrics and many frills would not be dirtied from by being dragged along the floor. Ready to go, she raised her other hand towards the maid, eyes closed and a gentle, demure smile gracing her lip. Esther knew exactly what to do and dutifully took hold, leading her mistress through the cavernous corridors of the mansion.

As they passed through, the goddess greeted her noble ancestors, each personified at their prime in the canvas portraits hung on every wall. Her parents had recently joined their ranks. Although Hilde herself was immortal, her sires were not, and not wishing to live beyond the years nature had granted them, had gently declined her offer of eternal life on Earth. Their choice had pained Hilde of course, but as a good daughter she had respected and honoured their wishes. Besides, her immaculate memory allowed her to remember and revisit them any time she wanted.

Eventually, the two voluptuous women reached an enormous chamber, one sealed by an equally-gargantuan safehouse door. It was forged from Neutronium, the densest material in the known universe, recently discovered inside a collapsed neutron star by the Intrepid, a ESA exploratory ship. Few indeed could manipulate the hyperdense material, one teaspoon of which weighed as much as Mount Everest.

Luckily Hilde’s maids numbered among the strongest beings in the universe, and Esther was no exception. The Rapunzel-haired beauty briefly parted from her mistresses’ side, and with seemingly no effort swung open the great portal. It was a mightier feat than any of the labours King Eurystheus had demanded of Heracles, requiring strength sufficient to shatter worlds to atoms, but was just one small domestic duty in the household of von Wittgenstein.

“My Lady,” the maid bowed as Hilde stepped forward to admire her handiwork.

“Magnificent job… my darling, Esther...” The ladylike Super Goddess spoke in her usual mild tone, taking her time to sound out every word and its place in a sentence. A person such as herself possessed all the time in the world after all, so why rush stumbling over those words she chose to speak. “You have developed much… grown… matured into a wonderful Enhanced… and I could not ask for a more… capable… helpmate...” The blonde divinity bestowed a radiant smile upon the maid, who instantly blushed at such words of praise. Surely the Mistress was jesting, yet the earnestness in Hilde’s gentle emerald eyes was very convincing. “I once promised you… children… the family you desired… in return for your service… you have more than earned… your reward...”

“Mistress Hilde, I-” Esther’s response was instantly silenced by Hilde’s finger, which landed gently on her open lips. The result was immediate. To be touched sensually by a Super Goddess was orgasmic in of itself. Even a cosmically-powerful being like Esther, trained and moulded into the most perfect and professional of servants couldn’t restrain herself from letting go there and then. Liquid arousal escaped her bulging pussy and seeped through her cotton panties, her nipples stood up proud through her uniform, and her eyes rolled back in their sockets with sheer pleasure.

“You are… going to… bear my babies…” Hilde pronounced between tender little kisses, cradling the suddenly-limp Esther in her arms and guiding her down to the floor. “Come tonight… I’m going to fuck you… fuck new life into you… and raise those precious new lives... alongside you... may they be as kind and beautiful as you, my dear... From tonight, you will no longer be a maid… but a mother… mother of my children… and a lady of this household...”

She left Esther there, convulsing in sexual ecstasy on a conjured feather eiderdown. When she woke, the wonderful maid would find herself in Hilde’s own quarters, her fellow servants attending to her in preparation for a romantic evening with the love of her life.

Brünhild herself continued onwards through the great doors, telekinetically swinging them shut behind her. The room within was a cathedral-like space. Like the doors it was shaped from pure Neutronium, and extended over a deep and tranquil pool, which Hilde now approached. She extended her arms and her half-Earth earrings glowed intensely, before her elaborate dress began to melt, literally sliding off her body to leave her buck-naked. As noted, for a woman of ninety-two she did not look it, her ridiculously massy breasts showing not a hint of sag, and all the firm, velvety texture of youth, crowned with pretty pink nipples.

Striding along the poolside with an exaggerated, sensual swagger, she tossed her voluminous hair back, pondering the day ahead. Beneath the still surface were stored thousands of different moulds, racked vertically like nuclear rods in a spent fuel pool. Shaped perfectly to her contours, each contained the imprint of a different identity, personas she liked to inhabit from time to time. Her experience decades ago with Sofia and The Factory had taught her the value of individuality, and how essential it was to search for her own identity, but that had done little to diminish this, her favourite hobby, jumping into other points of view, for her thirst for new experiences was quite unquenchable.

However…besides these personas and her position as the matriarch of House von Wittgenstein, there was another role that she often inhabited. Something that started as a whim, but which in time had evolved into what Brünhild considered her true vocation, the truest realization of her personality. And today it was time to live that life.

The Super Goddess smiled, closed her eyes and dived into the pool of clones. Landing into the mould she desired, she was impeded by a thick orange membrane. With a tiny exertion she tore through the barrier, and slipped into another life.

When Hilde opened her eyes, she was wearing a different outfit, or rather, a new personality. A long, blue overcoat that made her look three times larger than she was, worn over opaque pantyhose and blue heels Her magnificent locks had been constrained into a surrealistically aesthetic ponytail that could have been mistaken for a golden cloud, and a pair of lensless ‘sexy-librarian’ glasses, complete with a reading chain, had materialized in front of her eyes.

 

A snap of her fingers transported her effortlessly into the heart of Cologne, surprising the pedestrians and motorists present with her casual radiance and beauty. It was raining today, but that just simply would not do - she had neglected to bring her umbrella. Conjuring one from nothing would be as simple as a card-trick, but Hilde was not a fan of that mentality. Rather, she preferred the mountain come to her.

Raising a delicate hand, the blonde goddess closed her eyes again, feeling the air with her fingertips, sensing its currents and motions, its language. A twirl of those same fingers began to manipulate the threads of reality itself, calling on the climate itself to follow her command. In just about a minute, every single cloud had dispersed, leaving a perfect blue sky over the city on the Rhine. Bystanders were wowed by this casual display of mastery over nature, but for Hilde it was just a regular Tuesday.

Her heels clacked all the way to the rather conventional office building where she spent her working hours. Right now she was Dr. Brünhild von Wittgenstein, Super Goddess and mental health therapist. Her time at The Factory didn’t just remind her of the importance of her own individuality but the value of helping others deal with their worries and troubles. Being fused with Paige for a little while had given her the understanding of the nuances of trauma and despair and insecurity that every day preyed upon mortals and divinities alike, a silent pandemic that needed tackling. Hilde, benefitting from the cumulative life experience of billions of assumed identities, had thus become the perfect person to assist fellow super powered individuals in their ordeals. The Enhanced and their patron Super Goddesses might have been resplendent, demi-divine beings, with capabilities beyond mortal understanding but they also harboured legitimate and extremely human issues and concerns, and Hilde was willing to provide therapy where others could not. With that goal determined, it had taken her just a (real-time) week of study to qualify for her psychology and psychiatry degrees.

As she ascended the front steps of the building, Hilde noticed the neighbouring garden, as always being tended to by the same cute boy.

“Good morning, Noah…” She smiled pleasantly and blew a kiss towards him. In response, a new row of beautiful flowers burst from the ground into full bloom, and a blushing Noah was gifted with a raging erection. Hilde loved to enrich people’s daily lives with these little gestures. Not feeling particularly inclined to use the door, she simply phased through it, then UP through the ceiling to reach her office practice. Once inside, her heavy coat hung on the door, she basked in the utmost silence that reigned supreme here, thanks to a sonic bubble around the suite of rooms that prevented any external noise from entering to disturb or distract her patients. A perfect, hermetic, calming atmosphere, one that she benefitted from as much as her clients.

With her overcoat discarded, Hilde’s real therapist outfit was now exposed. It was a sexy fusion of a beige turtleneck sweater and leotard, which combined with her thigh high pantyhose created a deliciously raunchy image.

 

Then, to business. Having a perfect, eidetic memory was pretty convenient for keeping tabs on appointments, and Hilde exploited that to its fullest extent, easily distilling her program for today. It was going to be an unusual one, with only a single client on the docket, and an Enhanced at that. Hilde had found that the Enhanced could in some ways make for more challenging sessions than her Super Goddess sisters, being subjects walking in the liminal space between the mundane and the divine, and thus prone to the stresses and concerns of both. Today’s patient was just such a case, and celebrated in the name of Bianca Jaime Aria Jensen-Campbell y Laren-Fowler y Cudna-Wyrwal.

“Oh my… and I thought that my name was long…”

Hilde’s mental notes had annotated Bianca as presenting a fairly challenging case, so she decided to spend the next half an hour doing some practice prep. The best method that she knew involved recollecting previous therapies. The most challenging of these, and therefore the most fun, were the rare ones in which she got to explore the minds and issues of her fellow Super Goddesses.

Calling up a set of mental logs, the omnipotent therapist projected the relevant memories into reality as a hologram simulacra. Seating herself on her favourite chair, she conjured a mug of her favourite coffee blend. It was a very expensive brew, but the mug itself was a cheap souvenir, emblazoned with a heart and the words I love the 90s. It was a plain, almost tawdy thing, but it was dear to Hilde. Like herself, the mug was a product of the 2090s, the decade in which she was born, though Hilde admittedly had little recollection of it, having come into this world in the very last year of the 21st century.

The logs themselves were ordered from oldest to newest, spanning a period of about a month and a half, and she chose to focus on those sessions where she felt true progress was made.

“So then, M’Wela… you go first… fits you…” Hilde murmured under her breath with a hint of respect and reverence. And yes, just a trace of humour.


M’WELA - THERAPY SESSION #1 - 02/04/2191

Brünhild was about done with her morning appointments and ready to enjoy some lunch when a potent lavender fragrance wafted through the open windows. Quickly, the patch of carpet around her couch began transforming into very real grass, garnished with violets and the previously foreshadowed lavenders. The divine therapist needed no further clue as to who had come to visit her, and was pleasantly surprised.

BRÜNHILD
Of all people… I didn’t expect you… M’Wela...

M’WELA
(faintly smiling)

I am truly sorry to disturb you in your break, Hilde. If I am inconveniencing you in any-

BRÜNHILD
Heavens, no, M’Wela… we are practically family… What is it… that has you worried...?

M’Wela Mutegaraba, the dark-skinned African goddess, reclined on Hilde’s therapy couch, striking a pose of effortless sensuality.

M’WELA
Hm. I can’t quite pinpoint it. Life has been really good to me these last few centuries, but there’s something....

BRÜNHILD
(concerned)

Your early life… Those first rough years. They still haunt you… don’t they...?

M’WELA
Well reasoned, given you were not even close to conception when those events happened. The world was quite different back then, I assure you. For more than a few unlucky individuals, it was a rather unsavory place.

BRÜNHILD
So I have heard...

Hilde produced a notebook out of nowhere, and dispatched a clone of herself to attend a scheduled working lunch with other experts in her field. She suspected this session was going to go on for quite some time, but she wasn’t afraid of a history lesson.

M’WELA
Have you never felt the urge to see those days with your own eyes? A jaunt into the past would be easy for a Super Goddess after all.

BRÜNHILD
I am not… the time-travelling type. Please… tell me more…

M’WELA
What can I tell you that has not been discussed to death already? A decaying environment, rapidly-expanding poverty gap, whole regions of the world being left to rot? Plus all the rampant discrimination. I won’t lie, some of humanity’s finest traits were on full display in that time, but you also saw a lot of the worst, especially in some people.

BRÜNHILD
And into this world, you emerged… one of the first Super Goddesses. You could have easily changed everything… set all those wrongs to right.. in a heartbeat. So the question arises… why didn’t you? Why did you choose your path... a watching observer… rather than play the tyrant...?

M’WELA
(sighing)

I learned pretty early on what it means to be vulnerable, to be dealt a bad hand. Unlike most of you I was alone, and both my parents died before I came into my full omnipotence.

BRÜNHILD
I was told that, yes… that your mother died… soon after giving birth to you. Did that have an ‘impact’ upon you...?

The African Super Goddess chuckled and turned to face Hilde. There was love and pride for the blonde in her gentle, motherly eyes.

M’WELA
Not at all, aside from making it a little less likely that I'd survive long enough to reach my apotheosis. I didn’t get to properly know her, so I could never properly grieve her, though it would have been nice to do so. I mean, I could go back in time and get to know her, perhaps even prevent her death. But when I came into my power, stuff like that just felt pointless, unnecessary, even redundant.

BRÜNHILD
Really...? Yet consider… if your mother had lived… she might have helped your younger self... Consider that… as a child… you nearly succumbed to that ‘malaria’ disease... You might have been spared that… with a living mother...

M’WELA
(smiling sadly)

I doubt it. My family was poor, pretty-much destitute. If anything, dying young possibly spared my mother further suffering. Besides, even as a toddler my powers were beginning to assert themselves. I doubt some puny disease would have knocked me down.

BRÜNHILD
I see. And what then… of your father...?

M’WELA
Dad was rarely around. He kept a lot of bad company, and died because of that. I was completely on my own long before I realized my true potential.

BRÜNHILD
As a modern Super Goddess… I don’t quite know how it feels... to truly suffer. Did your experiences… with illness and pain… bring you… closer to humanity...?

M’WELA
In a way, yes. It’s easier to see yourself in others when you’ve walked a mile in their shoes. There were tons of kids in Africa who suffered just as much as me, but without the privilege of superpowers. I was the lucky one, and for that I am grateful.

BRÜNHILD
So, you decided… not to rule over humanity… because of that insight...?

M’WELA
Not really. Back then I was not the woman you see now. I was very rough around the edges, with a pretty rotten personality. Still, I was decent enough to know that hurting people was bad, and that I should hide my powers to avoid drawing attention. I survived by disguising my powers as street-magic, performing tricks for small towns and villages. Always moving around, never settling down in case I tripped up and exposed myself as more than just a performer. That was the pattern of my life, until I met Irina…

A gentle smile resurfaced on her gorgeous face, reflecting upon the day she met someone like her for the first time.

BRÜNHILD
It is hard... to imagine you two. All alone in the world… What was it like...?

The therapist goddess adjusted her glasses, expression expectant.

M’WELA
She was different back then too, an adorable child. Much less afraid of people, and willing to bond with me. I was the first person to beat her at chess, which both angered and captivated her. Her parents were kind enough to let me guide her along her path to ascension. Looking back, those were some truly happy years we spent together.

BRÜNHILD
So. Did your time with Irina… influence the woman you are now...? It is well known… you see... that you are a very ‘motherly’ person… It is a sentiment… with which I agree….

M’WELA
I said I was rough, and I mean it. I was brutish, unrefined and irresponsible. I won’t deny that looking after Irina helped in my mental development, but I believe I owe my current maturity to Prosperia more than anything. After all, my relationship with Irina went far beyond the part of a caretaker…

The ebony Super Goddess snapped her delicate fingers, and a photograph appeared in Brünhild’s hand. It was about one hundred and sixty years old, and portrayed a younger, short-haired M’Wela embracing an equally fresh-faced version of Irina. The picture had been captured mid-flight. Both of them were kissing, and Irina was crying in sheer happiness.

BRÜNHILD
Wow…

M’WELA
That was our first kiss, and we went at it so hard that the Universe was almost shaken off its frame. I think that was a first for mankind too, the first time it got to experience the true power of the Super Goddesses. That was the moment we truly revealed ourselves, and a lot of people got pretty freaked out. I don’t blame them, considering we came pretty close to irreparably damaging the space-time continuum.

BRÜNHILD
(flabbergasted)

Lovers. The two of you… were lovers...? This is… unexpected. How come… given you two are now apart...?

M’WELA
(candid)

Not every relationship lasts forever, even the happy ones. We were alone with ourselves back then, with no-one else of age to share our true nature. We really needed each other. That’s not the case nowadays, when there are more Super-Goddesses, more opportunities for romance, more partners to choose from. That doesn’t mean I ever stopped loving her - actually I still pay her visits from time to time. And I for sure hope that she still loves me. But even if she does, it would not be in the same passionate way she did when we were young..

BRÜNHILD
Do you miss that… passion? Even when you are with… Elza...?

M’Wela gasped and brought a hand to her mouth, as if scandalised. Here she was, using Hilde as a therapeutic release for events and feelings she had never discussed with anyone, and with her marriage to Elza imminent, she had mentioned that petty teenage romance she had with Irina eons ago.

M’WELA
Not in that sense. I am totally in love with Elza, and I am going to marry her. But I still feel like I did Irina dirty, and we never had the talk we needed to clear the air. We just… drifted apart, and seemed to forget about it.

BRÜNHILD
Perhaps, it would help… if you told her how you feel. Perhaps… you should do so… after this session…

M’WELA
Alright, I’ll try to. Sometimes I feel responsible for Irina’s asocial tendencies. Perhaps if I had stayed longer at her side, things would have been different for her.

Hilde transcribed a complicated set of notes from memory, her magical hand taking a couple of seconds to scribble everything down.

BRÜNHILD
In my experience… it is better to voice these things… rather than keeping them all ‘bottled up’ inside… Moving onwards… did your rough childhood influence your… decision… to create Prosperia...?

M’WELA
Absolutely. Surviving malaria and having to fend for myself as a mere toddler gave me a very bottom-up perspective on nation-building. I wanted to create a safe haven for those people that were even less fortunate than me, those without powers I mean. But I had to wait until I felt humanity had a more positive impression of us Super Goddesses before I displayed my full powers in public, or entered the political sphere.

BRÜNHILD
How did you feel...? About the international tensions that resulted...?

M’WELA
(smiling)
I remember I was scared, a lot. My fear of using my powers to directly shape human society were rooted in precisely that type of situation. But all things considered, I’m happy to say a majority of nations supported my cause. That day I was reminded of the beauty that resides in the souls of most people. Looking back on it though, I could have acted in a less deliberate and unsubtle way.

The mood in the room was getting a bit lighter. Hilde set her notebook aside and casually crossed her shapely legs. It was time to slide a big one through M’Wela’s defenses.

BRÜNHILD
Do you think… being practically an orphan… that those experiences influenced your choice to organize Prosperia as a… family...?

M’WELA
(raising an eyebrow)

Where did THAT come from? Ha! Well, now that you say it, I think it does have a lot to do with it. I never had a proper family, so I missed out on that vital experience of human socialization. Why not make sure other unfortunates not only get to experience it, but experience it at its fullest? In Prosperia, everyone would be figuratively related, and that created a strong sense of community. That is what I would have wanted as a child, and it makes me happy to give it to others.

BRÜNHILD
Despite that… I can feel your inner turmoil... You regret establishing yourself… as a ruler… Some part of you… is afraid, afraid that you are just a tyrant… forcing others to live out your fantasy...

Hilde’s Super Empathy was spot on. She placed a comforting hand on M’Wela’s own. She had known this woman for decades, considering her a constant inspiration and a role model for the other Super Goddesses. For M’Wela to harbour such concerns only further evidenced her honest and kind hearted-nature, and affirmed that she was deserving of her position.

M’WELA
(uncertain)

Mhm, you think so?. While I am happy with the current course of mankind, I cannot ignore the feeling that I have overstepped a boundary. How do I know that we’re not impeded humanity’s development. Might they have reached this point without our aid, without having to be helped or coaxed along the path.

BRÜNHILD
Oh dear… You know, better than anyone, that some… people… are not exactly ‘appreciative’ of our help… No, I believe… there is something ‘else’ behind your concern…

M’WELA
(smirking)

Nothing escapes you, Hilde.
(expression turns solemn)
There is something else. Ever since we became aware of alternate realities, I’ve not been able to shake away the thought of those worlds in which we manifested ‘differently’, where countless people suffer at the hands of...

BRÜNHILD
(grim)

Super Witches...

M’WELA
Yes. And we learned not only that those worlds exist, but that we’re completely powerless to intervene in any meaningful way. It’s been a heavy burden on my mind.

BRÜNHILD
M’Wela, I think… none of us are happy… with the current ‘status quo’. However...

M’WELA
(bitterly)

It can’t be helped. Language’s become a lot funnier since weabooisms were officialized, don’t you think? And just like in all those anime, claiming the power required to stop those Witches would turn us into something not much better, going by what happened to Jennifer. And who’s to say that we don’t seem like tyrants in the eyes of some other, more enlightened versions of ourselves, looking on with disapproval from a higher plane? The thought alone is dreary.

BRÜNHILD
Your concern… about this situation… it is living proof that you are ‘not’ like the Witches, M’Wela... Also, this is not the first time… you have been confronted with real… ‘limitations’ before. Among us… among all of us… you are the best suited to this kind of introspection...

M’WELA
I guess you’re right. At the very least, talking about it makes me feel a bit better.

BRÜNHILD
That, M’Wela, is the very point of therapy...

The African goddess checked her perfect biological clock, and realized an entire half hour had vanished during their conversation. She gasped and clasped her hands together in apology.

M’WELA
My bad, Hilde. I’ve kept you busy for way too long. I’ll leave you to your next appointment.

BRÜNHILD
Alright, but I think that this… has been good for you, M’Wela. Please, remember to have a talk… with Irina… and Elza… hmm...?

The blonde omnipotent absentmindedly jotted down the last notes from this session..

M’WELA
I will.

BRÜNHILD
Oh, and M’Wela… one last thing… Take care of yourself… and try to have a good night’s sleep, ok...? Allow yourself a little… mental break. You’re laboured under considerable stress… and I believe you would… benefit… from some rest...

M’WELA
How could I say no to that gorgeous face of yours?

And with those words and a hearty chuckle, the Prosperian Mother-Queen disappeared in an elegant purple fog.


IRINA - THERAPY SESSION #4 - 05/04/2191

Hilde laid down a human-sized mannequin on the couch and sat with her legs crossed on her armchair, waiting for her next patient. It didn’t take long before the doll began to slowly morph, growing human skin, hair and clothes. In just thirty seconds, the mannequin had been completely transformed from inside out.

BRÜNHILD
Welcome back, Irina…

The gothic Russian definitely had bizarre ways of getting about, but her therapist was happy enough to accommodate her. All the Super Goddesses knew that Irina had socialization problems; they defined her as much as her special interest in science. Despite this, she had made great strides over the years in becoming closer to humans and more functional in public. Still, for all those gains, she jumped at the opportunity of some good old therapy at the hands of her fellow Super Goddess.

IRINA
I have some baggage to unpack today. Hey, Hilde.

BRÜNHILD
I am confident… Irina… that we can do something about it… The fact alone… that you have chosen to come for a fourth session… gives me great hope…

IRINA
I’m still not totally convinced this is a fully effective method to treat my issues. But at the very least I get to spend time with you and vent…

BRÜNHILD
(laughing)

Venting… is always a good start… So what do you want to talk about today… my dear...?

IRINA
(turning)

The incident.

BRÜNHILD
(amused)

Which one...?

IRINA
Ha-ha. Ok, let’s start with the most recent one. The ascension formula.

BRÜNHILD
Ah, so you are still blaming yourself for that one... From what I was told… it was an honest accident…

IRINA
I don’t believe in accidents, Hilde. The truth of the matter is that my negligence led to Jen’s ascension and put everyone in danger. I should never have listened to her in the first place.

BRÜNHILD
It wasn’t really your choice… and besides… everything turned out alright, yes...? And now we know… not to attempt artificial ascenation… Does science not teach… a failed experiment is still an opportunity to learn...?

IRINA
Oh, things turned out alright. But not because of me.

BRÜNHILD
Is it a problem...? That Paige fixed the situation… instead of you...?

IRINA
I… I don’t know. But I think about it a lot.

BRÜNHILD
Remember, Irina… how much progress we have made… these last three sessions...

IRINA
Progress? In our first meeting I couldn’t even talk about anything. We sat here awkwardly for an hour until you started bringing stuff out with basic maieutics. It was quite embarrassing, considering the progress I’ve made in the last century with… you know…

BRÜNHILD
Yes, it is true… you do have your own pace… but I’m going nowhere. What if we talk about your recent progress in that field…?

IRINA
Socializing with humans? Lately I’ve been reducing the opacity of my veil. My eyes seem to affect people far less than before. Also, uh, since my whole Factory research started, I’ve been exploring my gynoid’s feelings and allowing them more freedom. A few of them have already left the castle and are living independent lives out there. I check on them when I can and…

Irina had been displaying a neutral, almost distrustful expression since she arrived. In fact, she hadn’t removed her veil yet, which she tended to do in the presence of other Super Goddesses. But now, reminiscing, she couldn’t help but smile earnestly, something quite rare for her.

BRÜNHILD
What is it...?

IRINA
One of them, one of my gynoids, she’s married and has children now. Seeing her like that inspired a weird new feeling in me… like a mixture of happiness for her joy… and pride.

BRÜNHILD
(smiling)

Ah... Is it safe for me to assume… that this is not just your Super Empathy at work… Might it, instead, be the feeling of a delighted mother...?

IRINA
Perhaps. They might as well be my daughters. I know they are sentient and sapient. I made their AI so advanced that it is not strange for them to have developed individual consciousnesses. But still, watching it all unfold was very thrilling, and gave me hope.

BRÜNHILD
And what about… the Avidyne...?

IRINA
Some still live in the castle, and get along with us well enough, but most have already spread out across the planet and even to some of the new space colonies. I believe they have been instrumental in my growing understanding of other people.

BRÜNHILD
Is that the case...? So you have actually performed the exercise… the one that I recommended last week, yes...?

The omnipotent therapist willed a pen into existence and prepared herself to write as fast as she could. In their last session she had recommended the Russian goddess make a giant proactive step. She was scheduled to attend this year’s international chess championship, but rather than project herself into a mannequin or gynoid proxy, Hilde had suggested Irina attend in person, and try to at least verbally socialize with another one of the participants.

IRINA
I did. I like to think I didn’t do all that badly.

BRÜNHILD
Please, tell me about it…

In the past Irina had to be physically dragged by her fellow Super Goddesses to social events, with usually mixed but progressively more positive results. However this was the first time that the decision had been placed in her own hands. To challenge her shyness on her own terms, go to the tournament, and interact with her competitors face-to-face.

IRINA
Well… this Enhanced guy I played against in the final was genuinely delighted to meet me. I was quite taken aback. As expected I destroyed him, and it was easy as always. But this time felt much more.. .personal.

BRÜNHILD
And what did he say… when you trounced him...?

IRINA
(blushing)

That it had been the greatest honor in his life to play against me, even if he lost. That I had been his inspiration since childhood. I could see it in his playstyle, how it was heavily grounded in the strategies I’ve developed over the years.

BRÜNHILD
Those are incredibly… validating… statements, yes...? How did that make ‘you’ feel...?

IRINA
It’s strange. Some of my other opponents seemed to be really angry, as if my beating them was a personal insult… but that didn’t matter to this guy. He was happy just to lose to me.

BRÜNHILD
Perhaps… he was happy… to meet his heroine in person. A luxury not everyone is afforded…

IRINA
Heroine huh… that makes me feel so old!

Irina crossed her arms in denial and turned her back on Hilde, facing the wall and exposing her delicious alabaster back, barely covered by the thin web of her dress. She had always struggled with positive reinforcement, with recognizing the genuine love and praise others expressed for herself and her achievements.

BRÜNHILD
Irina, dear, you are 173 years old…

IRINA
Only by human reckoning. Taking all variables into account I’d be… well, the readers of this story would die trying to comprehend that number, so let’s maintain a safe distance from actual figures. The point is that I still feel young, ok? This guy I beat in the final looked older than me!

BRÜNHILD
Of course he did… he was mortal... But regardless of how weak their bodies are… how slow their minds seem… you must admit that people are… beautiful, lovely, and our kin…

IRINA
They really are something special, even if that’s just my Super Empathy talking… Still, you were right to encourage me to attend that tournament in person. Since then I’ve felt much more comfortable about the idea of meeting humans face to face.

BRÜNHILD
Wonderful… I have many further… exercises… planned out for you, darling… However… now that the mood is a little less… tense, let us return to our little ‘ascension’ problem… 

IRINA
(somber)

Sure. So yeah, Paige fixed my fuckup. And it really should have been me.

BRÜNHILD
Do you say that out of pride...? Or do you wish… that it was you… who saved Jennifer...?

Irina’s face contorted in self-loathing anger and disgust.

IRINA
Yes. Jennifer has done so much for me that I wouldn’t have time to compensate her properly, for all my immortality. Then, when the time came to actually help her, I found myself powerless to do anything.

BRÜNHILD
Maybe. But that doesn’t preclude you from… compensating… her in the future, right…? Why does it matter so much… that you return her generosity, anyway...?

IRINA
(suddenly screaming, almost sobbing)

BECAUSE I CANNOT STAND THAT SHE HAS ME BY THE BALLS WHILE PUTTING ON THAT DAMN SMILE OF HERS!!!

Silence fell upon the room. Hilde stared at the mess that Irina had exploded into. She felt both confusion and pity for her, but also empathy, because right now she understood what it was like to want to help someone, but struggle to do so. The German therapist was a very earnest and outgoing person, so one might assume she had little in common with someone like Irina, her polar opposite. If anything, she had more in common with people like Jennifer. Luckily, that was the crutch she needed for just this situation.

BRÜNHILD
Irina, sweetheart... Do you honestly believe… that Jennifer thinks that way of you...? Of your relationship...?

IRINA
(composing herself)

If she didn’t, then why does she tease me so much all the time? I know I’m not like her. I’m not Little Miss Perfect Social Butterfly. She knows that without her I’d still be a recluse.

BRÜNHILD
You know that is not the case… Irina. Jennifer cares for you… cares deeply about you… for the simplest of reasons: she loves you… wants to help you… help you open up…

Irina curled in a fetal position, arms wrapped around her knees. Hilde started taking notes.

IRINA
Then she’s doing a terrible job. But hey, she’s excelling at making me feel indebted and inadequate…
Halting the scribble of her pen, the therapist cleared her throat.

BRÜNHILD
Irina… do you feel ‘something’ for Jennifer...? Something... deeper than friendship… than sisterhood…

Irina made a noncommittal shrug.

BRÜNHILD
(gently pressing the issue)

Irina… do you… love Jennifer...?

IRINA
I always told myself “no”. But at this point I don’t know if that’s just my way of coping. I might as well have fallen completely for her… honestly, how could I not. Jennifer is...sigh...is simply gorgeous, radiant and perfect, as everyone knows. A beautiful butterfly. The opposite of my cathedral gargoyle. But butterflies and gargoyles don’t go well together.

BRÜNHILD
Do you know that… for a fact...? Have you asked Jennifer about… her… feelings...?

IRINA
No but it’s obvious to m-

Hilde broke the code that any good therapist followed, electing to not let her patient finish her sentence.

BRÜNHILD
That is poor science, Irina… I never thought you would be one… to act on assumptions… any presupposition must be… rigorously tested… before it can be treated as fact... If you seek the truth… you should make sure to… consult… with the original source… don’t you think...? That’s part of the empirical method… is it not...?

IRINA
(smugly sardonic)

Heh. You know me so well, Hilde. Still there’s a long gap between the physical and social sciences. If you think appealing to my intellectual vanity will change my opinion, I have bad news for you. You’re right, I do resent Paige for solving a problem I couldn’t. Devising solutions to quandaries is what I live for, and when someone beats me to the punch I get cranky. Call it ‘natural’ or ‘human’ or whatever you like, but my only role in this world is to create and fix stuff, and in the crucial moment I choked. Makes as much sense as anything else, right?

BRÜNHILD
Irina, if you see… everything around you as a problem… to fix… then maybe that’s why you are… struggling to relax. This is not a broken mechanism that can be repaired… but a wound that needs to heal… that takes time… and the help of others…

IRINA
Fixing stuff is the only thing I’m really good at, Hilde. I’m not cut-out to be a healer, or to be healed.

BRÜNHILD
(serious)

Do what you will... This is just my honest advice… I want to help you, Irina. But for that process to work… I need you to help yourself… so, please, listen... I suggest you talk to Jennifer… and Paige… and make things clear… as soon as possible. You must put your feelings in order… if you are to come to terms with them…

IRINA
You won’t get off my case until I do talk to them, is that it?

BRÜNHILD
You are already an adult, Irina… so it’s entirely your choice…

IRINA
(sighing)

Well, it’s not like I have anything better to do right now anyway. I’ll talk to Jennifer and report back to you in the next session. Not Paige though, that’s one short-circuit I’m not ready to trace just yet.

BRÜNHILD
There’s nothing wrong with setting limits... so long as you don’t abandon the goal. Come back next week...and we’ll have another chat… Oh, and one last thing… Has M’Wela talked to you… recently...?

IRINA
(arching an eyebrow in both curiosity and confusion)

No, why?

BRÜNHILD
I asked her to talk to you… about something important. Something you both need to discuss… Since she… sadly… doesn’t seem to want to face you… then perhaps you should take the initiative…

IRINA
Oh, come on now. More socialization homework? You are killing me, Hilde!

BRÜNHILD
(smiling)

Let us put it this way... What doesn’t kill you… can only make you stronger... And we cannot die… so we stand nothing to lose by trying, yes...? 

IRINA
(joking)

I really hope this therapy stuff is worth the cost of enduring your turtle-speak for hours at a time. See you next week, Hilde.

And with that, the mannequin that was the temporary vessel of Irina’s flesh and soul reverted to its original state. Just a doll.

Turning her telescopic vision to the wonder, Brünhild scanned her eyes across the city until they settled upon the gothic magnificence of Cologne’s cathedral, and a butterfly that had chosen to rest atop one of its many sculpted stone demons.

The blonde goddess grinned to herself.


PAIGE - THERAPY SESSION #2 - 19/04/2191

The German Super Goddess had come to work half an hour earlier today. She found it useful to occasionally prepare her office for the coming therapy sessions the old-fashioned way, ordering things with her own two hands and no powers. A sheltered, rich person like herself could easily become uncoupled from humanity being waited-on hand and foot, and that was before her divinity was taken into account, so a little domestic labour was useful to keep her grounded.

Humming happily, she watered the flowers on the office balcony, while people gathered in the street below to marvel at her world-famous voice, or fall in love with her radiant features. This was the scene that her blue haired, American sister-goddess Paige entered into, flying at a relaxed pace. Her leather boots landed on the rail of the balcony, obstructing Hilde’s view of the crowd. Both women smiled tenderly at each other.

PAIGE
Hey there Hilde. How’s it going?

BRÜNHILD
Paige. How wonderful of you… to visit again… I’m feeling quite well, thank you... I’m sure you’ve heard of the good I’m doing… with this practice…

PAIGE
(beaming)

I sure have! I was your Patient Zero after all, and honestly, working through my issues probably taught you the patience of a saint.

BRÜNHILD
Oh… don’t belittle yourself like that, Paige... Our first session together was quite the...edifying...experience... if I do say so myself… Besides… you were very much in need of help… back then...and I was glad to provide some counselling...

PAIGE
(suddenly hesitant)

Speaking of, uh… can I come in? If I’m not bothering you too much of course.

Hilde didn’t answer, instead choosing to offer the sky-blue haired Super Goddess a hand and lead her into her office. Paige floated down and let herself be carried to the couch. As Hilde laid her sister down, the busty blonde summoned a teapot which promptly poured a sweet and delicate Indian blend into cups conjured from her imagination. All with a little telekinetic assistance of course.

Invisible and intangible the cups might have been, but Paige could easily detect such non-existent constructs with her magical eyes and gladly accepted the offering, neatly gripping the space where the handle should have been. A sip of the tea was enough to fill her with warmth, and admittedly rile her up a little. A timid smile accompanied by blushing cheeks betrayed the feelings that the adorable omnipotent held for her equal in power, though these emotions weren’t enough to cross the barrier of platonic affection that defined her relationship with the fellow attractive deity.

PAIGE
Just as delicious as always Hilde... In fact, even better.

BRÜNHILD
Thank you… I’ve been getting better… at mixing blends. All thanks to my darling maids… and their expert advice…

PAIGE
(cheerful)

I believe it!

There was an awkward pause of some ten seconds, only broken by Paige taking another sip, while her expression degraded slowly into sadness. She was about to speak when the German omnipotent interrupted her, quite uncharacteristically.

BRÜNHILD
The decision that we took… back then... It’s become… hard for you to keep, yes...? Paige, is that why you are here...?

PAIGE
You could say that. Our experience at The Factory was both traumatic and enlightening, and I know I swore to learn how to live by myself, to not depend on others, but…

BRÜNHILD
Don’t be afraid... Tell me about it… We have time… all the time in the world…

PAIGE
For a normal person, keeping an oath of total independence would be difficult, but achievable. But I don’t think Super Goddesses are made for that.

BRÜNHILD
So did I… until we fused... What makes you think that way…?

PAIGE
Well… You, and every single one of our sisters have multiple individuals to safely express your love with. I don’t want to sound jealous, or bitter, but it is obvious that there is something within us that compels us to give and take love, in quantities and intensities that go beyond those of normal people.

BRÜNHILD
(pensive)

Hmm… It might well be so… just as you put it... Even Irina has her gynoids… and after I gave up my previous lifestyle… I still continue to bond with my maids… and many other people…

PAIGE
See, for me that’s not an option. I don’t know why I am so different from you all, but the idea of dating many people simultaneously doesn’t sit well with me.

BRÜNHILD
And the alternative… as we know… is…

PAIGE
Agape. It stands to reason that a person already elated at becoming a Super Goddess’s suitor, would feel that multiplied when they are the only one.

BRÜNHILD
Darling, are you sure...? Might it be that you are such an… incredible person to begin with... and to be with…? Perhaps you could avoid these… losses… if you acted less like… well… the nicest angel to have ever lived...

PAIGE
(reddening like a tomato)

That’s certainly an... interesting thought but I prefer my theory. Mostly because if you are right, then there would be no way of getting me a life partner without essentially changing the person I fundamentally am.

BRÜNHILD
(smug)

It’s not your fault... You are quite simply perfect, sweetheart…

PAIGE
Oh come on! If I were perfect I could actually date the people I love, and not worry about assimilating them into me!

Hilde had to fight to not laugh (in her own, parsimonious way) but she couldn’t help it. Paige was cute even when frustrated, especially with her angelic face screwed up in a pout.

BRÜNHILD
Sorry. I didn’t mean to tease you, Paige... That was uncalled for… and quite unprofessional of me…

PAIGE
I...uh...It’s ok. Make fun of me for all I care. We’ve fused together, so I can’t exactly hide anything from you.

There was no sting in her words, and the atmosphere became less tense and more informal. To Hilde’s eyes, Paige was noticeably more relaxed in mind and body. It had been a useful lesson, that a little safe confrontation could break the ice between doctor and patient when handled correctly, and Paige really needed to feel more comfortable if she wanted to be positive about her prospects.

BRÜNHILD
Understand where I speak from, Paige... It is precisely because I have been a part of you… and you have been… a part of me… that I can say… with all honesty… that not everything is lost here…

PAIGE
Wait, what do you mean?

BRÜNHILD
(smiles)

It’s very simple, actually... The moment we became one… I acquired the knowledge… and memories… of everyone you have agaped…

PAIGE
(curious)

Soooo? What did you see?

BRÜNHILD
That those people… had fallen in love… with a person that... no longer exists...

Paige, like any other Super Goddess, possessed a gifted brain that could out-process supercomputers, so she didn’t have trouble figuring out where Hilde wished to take her line of reasoning. Still, she held little hope that such a simplistic argument could give her inner peace, in as much as her hippie pendant could.

PAIGE
You mean, that since our shared experience, I have become another person and thus those people could have had stable relationships with me?

Hilde was writing down further notes, making sure to register their train of conversation and smiling knowingly at Paige’s reaction.

BRÜNHILD
Partially… Though let’s set that subject aside… for the moment... I’m more interested in your... loss of trust… towards the shared oath we made… back then…

PAIGE
You mean when you said you wanted to work more on yourself, and stop living vicariously through other people’s lives? And I, on the flip-side, said that I had to learn more from others to truly understand them. I thought that would be the cure for my Agape problems but…

BRÜNHILD
Paige, has it not been working...? I gave you some exercises to work through, last time...

PAIGE
Hilde, please understand that I didn’t feel ready to jump to attempting relations with a real person right away. Not without their consent anyway. So I practiced those exercises, but with a synthetic person I created, a really cute boy named Danny. And uh… well, let’s say that every single iteration of Danny met the same end, regardless of whatever personality, hobbies or mindset I assigned them.

BRÜNHILD
I see. Irina would probably… approve… of your methodology… but a self-aware flesh golem is still not the same as a human… so results may vary. What conclusion did you come to…?

PAIGE
That there are probably no human beings that I can date.

BRÜNHILD
Paige, you are a… hardworking… and optimistic person. So, I don’t quite believe… that you would have… surrendered… to fatalism… quite so easily. Is there more…?

PAIGE
(awkwardly)

Mhm! I thought a more grounded viewpoint would help things, and so asked a coworker if they were willing to share their perspective with me. Instead of going out on a date, I lived within him for a week, to see the world through his eyes, experience how he did his job, share his feelings on life, and so on.

For a moment it seemed Paige slipped back into her usual bubbly self, excitedly gossiping about common events, the riveting technicalities of this man’s life, right down to how he did the laundry. It sparked a sense of nostalgia within Hilde, who had not so long ago enjoyed this side of Paige on a daily basis.

BRÜNHILD
And despite all that… prep… the date… went wrong...?

PAIGE
(nodding left to right)

The date never happened. He straight up told me he didn’t feel worthy of dating me.

BRÜNHILD
And what… did that tell you...?

PAIGE
That I seem to be too much for anyone to handle when they know anything about me beforehand. The only people who’ve gone out on dates with me were unaware I was a Super Goddess at the outset, and even then, they sooner-or-later experience Agape after seeing the truth with their own eyes.

BRÜNHILD
You are… usually.... pretty humble, Paige… Were you… perhaps… unaware of this before...? 

PAIGE
Well, I wouldn’t put it that way, but it’s totally crazy to believe something in defiance of the facts once you’ve seen those facts manifest in reality, like insisting the Earth is flat after seeing it from space with your own eyes.

BRÜNHILD
So… you perceive the only alternative… to Agape is... to abandon romance entirely… effectively… eternal celibacy... That is a cruel injustice to inflict upon yourself, Paige...a sweet and ideal person… with so much love to give…

PAIGE
(bitterly)

Either that or I abandon myself. Stop being the ideal, as you put it.

BRÜNHILD
And that… would be betraying yourself… becoming someone else… effectively living a lie... That is not only cruel… but no foundation for a genuine relationship…

PAIGE
(lips trembling)

At times I feel my being the only monogamous Super Goddess is some kind of punishment.

She was a pure soul, a person of truly heartfelt emotion. Easy validation was not the purpose of therapy, but in this case, Paige she was clearly in need of some comforting.

BRÜNHILD
No, Paige. I believe it is actually quite the gift… you can enjoy something… unique… something that the rest of us… shall never be able to…

PAIGE
You say that, but how can I ‘enjoy’ it when every significant other effectively abandons me?

BRÜNHILD
(knowingly)

Ah… then now it is time… time that we explore a vital detail… the one I mentioned earlier. I noted… when we fused… that your soul was… different... that it had… changed… from what those Agape persons fell in love with...

PAIGE
Your theory that I am not the same person as before, and therefore should potentially be able to date people that I wouldn’t before?

BRÜNHILD
It seems… likely. Certainly… these events have left you… changed, substantially. I can’t imagine the Paige of the past coming here… acting like this...

PAIGE
Because I was an immature cinnamon roll, right?

BRÜNHILD
The second part… hasn’t changed… at all… yet. But you have matured… These experiences have clearly… shaped you… into someone wiser… someone more aware of others… and herself… and her place in the world…

PAIGE
Do you truly believe it makes sense for me to keep trying because of this? I don’t distrust you, Hilde. I love you and respect your skills as a therapist. But do I have any guarantee that I won’t keep getting hurt for nothing? That I won’t keep ripping people away from friends and family who must now grieve a death, even if the ‘victim’ lives forever in me.

BRÜNHILD
(warmly)

I can’t guarantee anything… However… I do believe… truly believe… that you have a chance. Maturity is… a two-way street. Not only have you become… desirable… to a different kind of suitor… but I suspect you will also feel attracted to a wider range of people. That actually doubles your chances... And I also believe… that you are still growing... evolving... refining your tastes. All of which will… eventually… lead you to… The One...

PAIGE
(hopeful, smiling)

Oh come on, you’ve almost got me believing too. Ha! So you say it’s just a matter of time before the person I’ll spend my life with eventually appears, but for all I know, they might not even be born yet! It might be weeks, or centuries, or eons, with lots of heartbreak along the way.

BRÜNHILD
You have been searching… for over a century, Paige. At this point… is it too much to ask for a little more patience… from yourself...? Speaking plainly… this is a complex issue… I don’t doubt working through it will require time… and more therapy. We might have to see each other regularly… for years… and keep track of your progress…

PAIGE
(sighing, then laughing)

Sure. I guess I can endure some more waiting. I am not the kind to just give up!

BRÜNHILD
With each day that passes...your chances of finding a match grow...stronger… And take comfort... You are not alone in this... We are all your sisters… and confidants… and we will always… care… for you. The same way you care… for us… and we won’t abandon you… in your search for true love…

PAIGE
(touched, hugs Hilde)

Thanks, sis.
(crossing arms, laughs)
And who knows? I might even get tired of waiting and reject monogamy.

BRÜNHILD
(grins)

That would be as… respectable… a choice as any… but somehow I doubt you’ll give up… so easily… But for now… let’s focus on the issue at hand... Alright...?

PAIGE
(visibly happier)

Sure, Hilde. I feel a bit more confident thanks to your support. If you believe in me, then I have to believe too!

BRÜNHILD
I’ll call you back here… in one month… By that time… I would like… for you to repeat that exercise… with another coworker...

Paige nodded and both women stood up. There was another silence, but a comfortable one, broken by a loving hug between the two, and kisses on the cheeks.

PAIGE
(disappearing in the form of a warm breeze)

See you next time, Hilde!

BRÜNHILD
(giggling to herself)

I have a feeling… next time… shall be the last time… dear Paige...

And with that she went back to her tea.


PRINCESS - THERAPY SESSION #1 - 22/04/2191

Hilde was a very patient individual. She had to be to not fall asleep at hearing her own speech. Yet sometimes, some patients could be tough cookies indeed for the sweet German therapist.

Truth was, healing the mind (without any reality-warping cheats) happened to be much more difficult and nuanced than she had expected when she set out on this choice of career. And despite Hilde’s great social skills, heavyweight intellect and extensive training in the fields of psychology and psychotherapy, she sometimes felt woefully unprepared to treat people. At those times, she lamented abandoning her life-skipping lifestyle, actually living in the flesh of the people she most cared for.

In any case, she was due a rest. Super Goddesses were physically tireless, but emotional wear was a completely different story. Sighing after a particularly trying case, Dr. von Wittgenstein phased through the wall to reach a room adjacent to her office, a perfect copy of her estate’s master bathroom.

Arching elegantly, the goddess bent over and touched her fingers to her toes with gymnastic grace. Then she straightened slowly back up, sliding her fingertips up first her legs and then her torso. As she did so, her sexy therapist outfit peeled away like the unzipped skin of a banana, revealing more and more skin, the process sensuously exposing her deliciously meaty, hourglass body. Now freed from constraint, her humongous boobs jiggled happily and her golden mane tumbled loose.

A single snap of Hilde’s magical fingers was enough to fill the expensive bathtub to the brim, not with water, but warm milk. Not that her perfect skin needed the treatment, but she welcomed it as a course of personal therapy. Hilde’s eyes drifted closed as she slipped into tub, a sound of pure satisfaction coaxed from her throat as the warmth enveloped her body.

BRÜNHILD
Ahhh… this is the best...

But something suddenly seemed out of place. There were far more bubbles in the milk now than usual. And the consistency of the liquid was getting denser and denser, almost soupy.

Hilde knew something was definitely off when she lazily checked the molecular composition of the milk with her zoom vision. The liquid had indeed changed, and was getting more different by the second, becoming gooey and sticky and taking on a bright turquoise color, emanating a sweet smell that was getting almost overpowering.

At this point it was obvious what was happening

BRÜNHILD
(sighing affectionately)

Princess… who else?

Princess was a rarity, being both an extremely cute Super Goddess and an alien being, born to the AnGel species. She had materialized into the tub and transmuted the milk into her own gelatinous body. Hilde was starting to get somewhat flustered and horny with the way the goo was sticking to her body, touching places it shouldn’t.

As her arousal began to peak, a pair of intense, energy-filled purple eyes opened in front of the blonde bombshell, part of a face that had suddenly manifested in the gel. Their owner seemed quite excited.

PRINCESS
Hi Hilde!

BRÜNHILD (blushing)
P-Princess… I was not expecting you… at all...

PRINCESS
Oops! Were you perhaps busy with something? I can come back another time if you wish!

BRÜNHILD
N-no… it’s fine…

The cute face smiled brightly and the goo around Hilde slowly took a different shape, sliding over itself, becoming more solid, moving to embrace her. Quickly Hilde found herself hugged by her winsome alien sister’s adorable humanoid form, though the lack of a proper epidermis and skeletal structure meant her body remained as gelatinous as ever though, like jelly that had set. Even in this form however Princess had managed to convincingly recreate details like her novelty flying-saucer earrings and crystalline hair, her signature ahoge as straight as always (unlike Princess herself).

PRINCESS
It’s so good to see you!

BRÜNHILD
(returning her hug)

You too, dear Princess... But am I right in guessing… that this is not a social call...?

PRINCESS
Smart as ever Hilde! After a lotta’ introspection I’ve begun having doubts about how to progress my current relationship with humanity. I was told that you could give me the answers. Is that right?

BRÜNHILD
(smiling candidly)

I can try. But first… would you mind if we… relocated this session... to my actual office...? Staying here... would leave us a little… cramped.

PRINCESS
Sure!
The room around them was quickly warped by the therapist’s almighty magical powers, slowly transitioning them back into her office. Once again dressed appropriately, Hilde sat on her usual chair, while Princess laid down beside her on the couch. In order to prevent her not-entirely solid form from spilling onto the carpet, the alien omnipotent materialized a glass tub and fused it to the seat of the couch. Most of her gooey form relaxed and filled the bottom of the container, allowing her head and torso to extend up along the inclined backrest. 

PRINCESS
(squirming in comfort)

Hmm, this feels yummy!

BRÜNHILD
(readying her pen and notebook)

Nice and comfortable...? Good… now then… what seems to be the… problem...?

PRINCESS
Mmm… You know, I have quite a few actually. But I guess I am mostly looking for more nuanced information about how to live here on Earth, among humans.

BRÜNHILD
Makes complete sense... You have only been living here a short while…

PRINCESS
Mm-hmm! Lots of human stuff and society things still confuse me! But still, it’s so refreshing and exciting to partake in a new world’s different cultures!

BRÜNHILD
I can imagine… but why have you chosen to come to me...? I understand that you are confused… a fish out of water… but do you think… therapy… is the best means of resolving your... ‘unique’ situation...? You could always… go to a library… or make new friends…

PRINCESS
(worried)

Oh?! Am I going around this all wrong?! I’m so sorry for bothering you with this! I’ll-

Hilde couldn’t say no to that cute face. Yes, this was only tangentially psychological but Princess clearly needed some guidance, and this session had the potential to be fun, or at least less depressing than her usual patients. Besides, since she hadn’t attended Princess’s discovery, she felt a deep need to spend some more quality time with her new sister.

BRÜNHILD
No, no... It’s perfectly alright, my dear... But it would be easier… if we focused on one issue... one at a time…

PRINCESS
Uhm....Ah! Sure! Makes total sense! So the social aspect is hard for me. I’ve read tons of books on relationship and interpersonal dynamics, now that I can do stuff at the speed of light, but it's all very confusing. I find it very strange how, for example, people often seem to lie to prevent others from being hurt. I say this because some books strongly assert all lying is bad, and unhealthy, but when I or others tell inconvenient truths, I can see the recipients often display all the physical signs of someone that is sad or in pain. I...uh..kinda ruined a couple of friendships over this issue. One because I lied, and the other because I told the truth. 

BRÜNHILD
Ah, I see. Well… I’m sorry that you had to endure that... Human beings are… really highly contradictory creatures... It might sound… illogical… but sometimes their social practices are… not… grounded in rationality. To be fair… this is no different for Super Goddesses… for our very ‘unique’ empathy reflects humanity’s own empathic bonds… just super-powered…

PRINCESS
That’s another thing I have noticed. Before, back on Undine, I never experienced these complicated feelings. Maybe it was the advantage of living in a hivemind of sorts, but we acted quite logically and never hurt each other with truths or lies like humans do. However, the more time I spend here with you girls, living as a humanoid, the more my Super Goddess powers evolve, and I have changed with them.

BRÜNHILD
Do you mean that… hurting others… or lying… makes you feel… bad? Is this because you see yourself in others...? If so… then yes… you might truly be developing what we call… ’Super Empathy’...

PRINCESS
(sighs)

Seems to be the case. What should I do in a situation like this? I really want to solve these conflicts meaningfully, and to make people happy, but sometimes it seems impossible at best, and friendship-destroying at worst.

BRÜNHILD
First of all… I would recommend... patience… especially when dealing with truths and lies. Sometimes… it might seem like people dislike you… even hate you… but human emotions are malleable. In time… those friends you’ve lost… might not be angry at you. Better yet… they might forgive you...

PRINCESS
Is that so? Well, I hope you’re right… but is there anything within human decorum that could prevent this situation from happening again in the first place? I would rather not anger my friends period. Considering how hard it is to befriend people, given my looks and personality…

BRÜNHILD
(fixing glasses)

I’m afraid… even we Super Goddesses cannot rule over others… not like that… even when... no... especially when one is omnipotent… We have to allow others freedom… to express themselves… and accept the… fallibility… that comes with that freedom. Sad as it seems… social faux-pas will happen sometimes… and people will get angry… or sad. This is a lesson that everyone must learn… so you are not alone in this… 

PRINCESS
(pouting)

It isn’t really fair. Social life is really so much more complicated here on Earth…

BRÜNHILD
Hmm... And, speaking of faux-pas… you just mentioned something... interesting. You said yout struggle… when making friends.. Why is this...? Can you please elaborate…?

PRINCESS
I’ll try to. It hasn’t passed my attention that humans are a very diverse species, much more so than mine. There are many distinctive cultures, morphologies and genetic variants. Yet they don’t seem very receptive to those that fall outside expected norms. I say this because most of the rejections or bad treatment I have received from people are due either to my appearance or my lack of knowledge about human interactions. It’s quite puzzling, honestly, how such a diversified people can be so indrawn.

BRÜNHILD
Ah, this is an old story... It is not your fault, Princess… You still have much to learn… and yes, some of that involves how to… ‘fit in’... but also about how to express your difference… your uniqueness… There is no perfect balance of the two… and it’s true some people sadly have no… patience… with those… that are different. Things are better than they were… but it is still an ongoing process... Do you feel… discriminated against… for something in particular...?

PRINCESS
(shifts up and down)

Well, I don’t know if ‘discrimination’ is the correct word here. But I have observed there is only a small fringe of people that are comfortable hanging out with me. The others either avoid me or display reactions very similar to worship. I don’t like that last one either, because it reminds me of my time as princess of Undine, and that was really not my vibe. It just makes interactions really awkward for both parties…

BRÜNHILD
Have you any examples...? Perhaps someone has… accused you… called you wrong in some way...?

PRINCESS
My default gel form unnerves many people, so I tend to encase myself and assume humanoid shape. Still my uh… greeness… if you will, really breaks the deal for most.

BRÜNHILD
Hmm… and despite being able to shapeshift… to assume a completely human form… you choose not to… correct...?

PRINCESS
Yep yep yep! I told my mother I wished to be more human, but that’s because you girls are human, and I consider you my sisters. Retaining some of my original features is the optimal way to celebrate both of my heritages, but I wouldn’t be comfortable going much further. Besides, performing that kind of bullshit feat is what makes some people worship me.

BRÜNHILD
(chuckling)

Fair enough… and I see you are rapidly absorbing human idioms... What else is there… about you… that bothers people to your knowledge...? Your appearance is… understandably exotic… but what about your mannerisms...?

PRINCESS
You mean the way I interact? Honestly I’m always looking for more knowledge about proper human social etiquette. But it’s a struggle, since there are so many philosophies of thought, and none that all humans agree upon.

BRÜNHILD
(puts hand on Princess’s shoulder)

That is the case, indeed… other Super Goddesses learned this… the hard way, early on. This is because… of all humans… we are the most unique. Our particular gifts set us...apart... and mark us as… different. I can see why it would be… even harder for you… as an alien. I empathize… so much with you here…

PRINCESS
(smiles warmly)

So you girls have gone through similar experiences? And yet you came out of them famous, surrounded by good friends and beloved by all. That’s uh...very encouraging. Thanks, Hilde.

BRÜNHILD
No problem, Princess… Now… Can you name something… anything else… you have done… that might unsettle others...?

PRINCESS
I have been told that I talk a lot, and am a bit intense…but I can’t help being curious when there’s so many wonders to explore here! It does seem to get on people’s nerves though. But if I became passive in conversation it would be counterproductive, since I wish to learn more through interaction.

BRÜNHILD
Some humans have that problem too… In fact… quite a few humans. And certain mannerisms will… bother… certain people. Take me… as an example… the slow manner in which I speak drives some people… crazy. The same way that I bother… impatient people… you bother introverts. Your energy and exuberance… would feel to them like an invasion… a trespass of their personal space…

PRINCESS
(curious and excited)

Personal space, huh? An interesting concept! I will take this to heart, thank you, Hilde! Damn, I didn’t know you girls have had it rough too… It’s been quite educational, to converse with you and learn about all these paradoxes and parallelisms. I don’t feel so different now!

BRÜNHILD
(giggles)

Less ‘alienated’, perhaps...?
(they laugh together)
I’m grateful to hear that, sweetheart… very grateful. Do you have anything else for me… anything at all...?

The general vibe of the therapy session had reverted back to its original tone, cheerful and casual. Hilde had to admit this was not only fun but much more positive than many patients she had treated previously. It was proving educational for the both of them, and it felt like she was providing the cute alien girl with more useful and pragmatic knowledge than she might otherwise receive.

A now uncharacteristically blushing Princess turned her head and confessed.

PRINCESS
This is really embarrassing, but I’m still failing to grasp basic table manners… 

BRÜNHILD
Oh...? So you are attempting to eat… and drink… despite not needing to…?

PRINCESS
Well, it goes beyond that. Communal dining is an important human social ritual, and I want to participate in that, but there’s also a biological issue. You girls at least have the necessary physiology to properly consume and digest human foodstuffs. I don’t.

BRÜNHILD
Well… if you wish to share in a meal… with friends… you could ingest the food and… disintegrate it inside your gel…

PRINCESS
(embarrassed)

There are two problems with that. One is that other people can see the food being processed, and that really puts them off their own meals. The second is that I can’t estimate proper portion sizes, and I end up looking really gluttonous and animalistic.

A peal of laughter erupted from the blonde goddess’s kissable lips, filling the room and confusing the alien princess.

BRÜNHILD
(almost crying while laughing)

Oh, come on! Princess… you are just...the best...

PRINCESS
H-Hey! Don’t laugh! This is a real problem, I don’t want people to think badly of me!

BRÜNHILD
I’m not trying to… trivialize the issue but… are you actually suggesting that these therapy sessions… focus on instruction in… wining and dining...?

PRINCESS
Well, I want to not make a fool of myself in human social situations, and that includes learning how to properly eat!

Hilde wiped away happy tears and rose up, offering the turquoise omnipotent a hand. Princess took it and slopped over the rim of the glass tub on the couch, gooey boobies jiggling as she coalesced herself into her humanoid form, sheathed in a crystalline ;skin’.

PRINCESS
(curious)

So, where are we going?

BRÜNHILD
Out for a meal... I’m taking… as of now… the rest of today off with you… Let’s go find somewhere nice… and eat out. My invitation... My treat. Come on...

PRINCESS
(moved)

Yes, yes, yes! Thank you so much, Hilde! You are the best! Can we eat spaghetti? I love when the tomato sauce tints my body orange!

Her almighty sister nodded, wishing to treat the alien cutie.

BRÜNHILD
I know the perfect Italian restaurant… the ‘Antonia Graza’. Their cooking is to die for…

PRINCESS
...or dye for, in my case?

And together, the two Super Goddesses left the office hand-in-hand, Hilde confident that Princess would not be needing to schedule a follow-up appointment.


Of course, world-renowned therapist Dr. Hilde von Wittgenstein wouldn’t spend the rest of her business day revising holograms of her old sessions. No, the time had come to treat Bianca, one of the few really powerful Enhanceds to have preceded Hilde’s own birth. Rare indeed was it for her to provide therapy to someone older than herself who was not a Super-Goddess, but Bianca pulled off a damn good impression of one, being impressively tall and sexy, and carrying with her a truly intimidating presence.

The ultipotent woman had a very traumatic and complex life, without a doubt presenting one of Hilde’s hardest cases to date. And for some reason Bianca was consumed with an unhealthy obsession with Irina, and a need for revenge. Definitely another thing for Hilde to bring up in her next session with the Russian Super Goddess.

The session went on for an entire day, with only a break for lunch. Those hours were spent in almost constant discourse, sometimes gentle and affirming, sometimes frank and challenging, turning over painful memories of century-old grudges. Finally Hilde was set free… and Bianca was sent on her way, hopefully feeling a little better about herself.

Her work done, Hilde floated towards the balcony and contemplated the oncoming twilight, thoughts about the pressures of her chosen profession crowding her mind. Had she been mistaken in pursuing this career? What if she had misinterpreted the lesson of The Factory?

However, once she recalled the pretty obvious improvement that her therapy brough to those that came to her, those doubts dissipated for a while, even if they never fully disappeared. Being a psychologist was edificant, and Brünhild certainly loved it. Letting out a breath she did not realise she had been holding, Hilde decided that she felt content.

Or at least, that was the case, until she felt a very discomforting breeze come from behind her, from inside the building, carrying an obnoxiously fishy scent to it. This was enough to send chills down the spine of the omnipotent woman, who chose not to turn around.

She was here, and Hilde did not need to look to know that the intruder was sitting on her favourite armchair, and was not in a good mood.

“Yo. I’m actually impressed. To think that a spoiled airhead like you would last more than a week in this job is commendable.”

That cruel and sensual voice had an obvious owner, one that had made Hilde go through hell. Slowly, purposefully, she turned and addressed the trespasser.

“Sofia…”

“Well, if you’re going to restrain yourself to monosyllabic responses then I’m more than grateful. I don’t have the fucking patience for your slowpoke speak.”

Sofia stood up, clad in her usual red latex bunny suit, and the fishnet stockings that only accentuated her neverending legs, accessorised with an elaborate cane.

“Are you here for business… or pleasure...?” Hilde asked. She wasn’t entirely comfortable dealing with this particular individual, despite having had more than half a century to cope with the incident at The Factory. And since that day, Sofia had suspiciously retreated into her own dimension, maintaining only the most limited contact with the other Super Goddesses. She was dangerous and unpredictable, and she was in Hilde’s office! “What is it that brings you here...? I thought that you… hated us…”

The mischievous redhead strutted towards the blonde therapist, clearly relishing in how intimidated Hilde was, the blonde almost shaking like a leaf. “Oh, I just wanted to check in on you, girls. You seem to be doing well, though I don’t think you are going to be very successful with Bianca.” The outcast goddess smirked devilishly. “People that have been fucked over by Super Goddesses are particularly hard to fix, you see…not without going straight into their minds and fucking them over again.”

Hearing that, Brünhild’s eyes glowed, along with her earrings, and she found steel in her voice when she answered. “I’m sorry to hear you believe that… yet I am also… unsurprised. But… I do believe… in people… in their ability to recover and get well… no matter how badly they’ve been… damaged…”

“If you say so.” Sofia snorted, eyes narrowing in wicked glee. “If you’re such a believer and miracle worker, how come dear Jennifer hasn’t made an appointment with you? She has some issues, and boy, if anything should be the first one to resort to...whatever shrink-wrapped woo you’re peddling here.” Arms and cane resting over her shoulders she glanced back at Hilde. “Gee, you’re trembling like a wet kitten. I like this whole ‘vulnerable’ look. Fuck, if you weren’t so beneath me I would impregnate you right now~”

“You are… trying to… look tough...” Hilde kept her tone level, professional, refusing to rise to the bait. “But… I know you are here for a reason… though you’d never admit it… Does it… have anything to do with… Jennifer, mayhaps...? You are always mentioning her… bringing her up in conversations… It sounds awfully obsessive… yes...?”
Sofia didn’t like such a show of valor from the gentle omnipotent. Not one bit. “Careful with your words, worm. I’m in a good mood right now, but I will strike you down if you say something like that again.”

“If so, then… what, exactly, are you here for, Sofia...?”

“Why, isn’t it obvious?! I’m planning my comeback tour, my grand return. There’s been some interesting developments, and I am so eager to play with you girls again. You should feel honored, Doctor.” Sofia grabbed an apple from the table and consumed half of it in one munched bite. “You’re my first stop, my number-one gig.”

“Is that the case...?” Hilde responded as she would with any client, with probing questions, letting the other party set the pace and line of enquiry. “If it was just that… then you would have already been… and gone. Played some cruel prank… and left, laughing… But here we find ourselves… still talking… Cut the meaningless posturing… the prattling… Speak your mind, Sofia…”

“Direct. You’ve changed from the spineless princess you once were. Huh, I guess my little invention gave you a lot to think about.” Sofia sighed, sounding surprisingly wearied, and stepped into the light, a pair of old-timey glasses materializing in front of her eyes, denying Sofia any view of the windows to her soul. “Ok… I don’t like to admit it but you’re right, I am looking for Jennifer. I assumed she would be here 24/7 after all that happened but instead it looks like she is actually living a normal life. Of course a shitheel like her would do that, instead of mourning and atoning for what she did-ACK.”

Sofia suddenly found herself slammed against the wall behind her, Hilde having come into her personal space with such determination as to drive the other Super Goddess backwards. Their titanic breasts pressed against each other.

“Jennifer is great… one of the greatest people I know… and I won’t let you insult.her.like.that!” The German answered, punctuating each word with righteous anger and contempt.

“The fuck?!” The Spaniard bit her lip and barked back a savage laugh. Her glasses had been knocked askew, and Hilde could see shock in her eyes, and pain. Actual hurt and pain. “What the fuck do you know about Jen?! Shit, that’s what, fuck-nothing! Shut your trap before I do it myself!”

“You said before… that Super Goddesses ruin lives. Now I can see it… deep inside. You speak from experience… I don’t know what it was… whatever Jennifer has done to you… but whatever it is… I’m sure you can fix it… together… Listen to me, Sofia… I don’t hate you… none of us do… not one of our sisterhood hates you… except, perhaps, for you. You, hating you… If you want this… to keep acting so… childishly… then so be it. But… it’s my duty as a therapist.. to offer you… an alternative. Come back, come back to us and get well… I’ll try my best for you… to help you tackle the...turmoil… in your heart… As Super Goddesses… we need this… to stand together. I’ll even bring Jen… so you can both talk… talk things out…”

“You think you know so much, all because you read some cheap psychology books.” The all-powerful redhead was getting angrier and angrier the longer Hilde spoke. The grinding of her teeth were audibly loud, as were the growls mounting in her throat. She wasn’t used to being confronted like this, especially by goddesses she deemed weaker, meeker, lesser. “Your methods mean nothing to me! It’s all jackshit, and you’re fulla’ horseshit! You don’t know! What it means to have your life ruined, to lose everything… to be betrayed… abandoning everything you thought you were, after discovering everything you knew to be was a lie… To find yourself with nothing, with no one!”

“Yes, I admit it… I don’t know what you are feeling… what you have suffered… but whatever afflicts your heart… I am sure can heal… You only need to take a step… the most important of all steps… The first one towards recovery… towards wellness… Towards someone who you can trust… trust to share your troubles with…” Hilde stepped back from Sofia and the wall, allowing the other woman space in which to move. “Otherwise… you will only remain you… the you I see before me… alone, and bitter… forever and ever…”

“Trust!” Sofia howled a disbelieving laugh. “Who? You? I would rather die first. Tsk, I’m wasting my time and losing my composure, dealing with an ignoramus like you. I’ll say it here and now, I won’t reconcile with any of you, and that’s final. Try to sway me again with this therapeutic chickenshit and you will face the consequences.” She put on her tophat and faced away, refusing to maintain eye-contact. “Tell Jennifer I won’t be building any bridges between us, ever. I ain’t in the mood to play her games any longer.”

“Leaving so soon...?” Hilde challenged her, but gently, encouragingly. “And here I was... thinking that we had… made progress…”

Sofia started fading into nothingness, still declining to look at Hilde in the eyes. “Whatever, see you never.”

“You will… come back…” Hilde said willfully, insistently. “I still… believe in you…”

“Yeah, yeah. Sure.”

Then Sofia was gone, and Hilde sat on the floor, her knees failing her. Her desire to help Sofia was the only thing fueling the bravery she’d needed to face the witch of the tophat. Yet she still considered Sofia a true sister, wished for all the Super Goddesses to live together in harmony, no matter how difficult and desperate their situation currently seemed.

And despite everything, despite how scary that encounter had been, the Spanish Goddess had given Hilde her some clues as to the crux of her burdens. Everything seemed as nebulous as ever, but from the looks of it, Jen was somehow involved.

One thing was certain in Hilde’s mind, one thought that gave her the strength to stand up, close up the office, and head back home for a promised evening with Esther. She intended to make that date, and to be held close and tight in the lovely Enhanced’s beautifully strong arms.

That thought was this: sooner or later, Sofia would be back for another ‘session’. Hilde had absolute faith in that, and that one day, if she reached out and worked her hardest, she could turn Sofia’s heel back to the side of good.

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