Even weeks after Svenja's loss against Sarolta, the tension in the Meteor Corp HQ was still thick enough to cut with a knife. The air felt heavy, charged with unspoken hostility as Trixie lingered near Sarolta’s side like a shadow.

  Sarolta, her eyes cold and calculating, sat in her high-up chair, a condescending smirk playing at her lips as she observed the others in the room. Meanwhile, Trixie knelt beside her, her head lowered submissively, her gaze fixed on the floor. Her puppy costume, complete with a dog collar engraved with 'Agent Trixie' around her neck, marked her new role and status within the corporation.

  The other members of Meteor Corp were clearly uneasy, their eyes flickering towards Trixie and Sarolta. Some looked uncomfortable with the display of power and control over the once stubborn young agent, while others just appeared uneasy in the oppressive atmosphere that the boss emanated, even while being silent.

  Sarolta leaned back in her chair, her smirk growing wider as she looked at the uncomfortable group.

  "I must say," she began, her voice cutting through the heavy silence like a knife, "I'm quite pleased with how things have turned out. Don't you think so, Agent Trixie?" The words dripped with condescension, emphasizing the new and subservient role that Trixie had now taken on.

  Trixie's head snapped up at the sound of her name, her expression blank but obedient. She gave a small nod, her voice quiet and subdued. "Y-yes...Ma'am." The words left her lips with no hesitation, no defiance, as if she had truly accepted this new role without question.

  The others in the room shifted uncomfortably, some even glancing away from Sarolta’s smug gaze as it swept over them like a predator sizing up prey.

  Sarolta let out an amused chuckle before leaning forward slightly. "Good girl." Her tone was mocking yet satisfied; it was clear to everyone present that Trixie would not be getting any real autonomy back anytime soon, not while Sarolta had control over every aspect of Meteor Corp...and now her.

  The room remained silent for a moment, the tense silence only broken by Sarolta's satisfied chuckle once again. She knew full well the power she now held over everyone present, but especially over the young agent by her side.

  With a slow and deliberate movement, Sarolta reached out and gently patted Trixie on the head, almost like you would a pet. The gesture was demeaning and belittling but also served to further highlight Trixie’s newfound...pet-like role.

  "In fact... You've been such a good girl that I'll give you the first mission I've given you in a long while. Now how do you like the sound of that?”

  Trixie's eyes flickered with a hint of something, something uncertain, almost like an echo of her old self, but it was gone just as quickly. Her voice remained obedient, devoid of the defiance she once had. "Y-yes...Ma'am."

  Sarolta smirked wider at that response before leaning back again in her chair and folding her arms over each other smugly.

  "Perfect. Then you'll be my personal weapon for this little assignment I've got planned out..." She gestured towards a tall woman with a wheatish brown complexion and a fennec tail and ears, dressed in a bodysuit with military motifs.

  "You will accompany the general of TIFA," Sarolta continued coldly, "Her name is Dodeka. She will ensure your safety in the destination you're headed to."

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  "...What's TIFA...?" Trixie asked.

  Sarolta's smile sharpened, almost amused by the question, as if she had expected Trixie to forget basic things.

  "Tactical Intelligence division of the Fennec Army," she answered smoothly, her tone dripping with condescension. "They’re a special military force we occasionally collaborate with when their skills are needed." She waved a dismissive hand toward Dodeka before adding coldly:

  "And you won’t be asking questions unless I permit it. Understood?"

  Dodeka herself remained silent in response to Sarolta’s words; only the faintest flicker of irritation passed over her face at being called out like that—but otherwise, she stood still like an obedient soldier waiting for orders.

  Trixie flinched slightly but nodded again quickly after hearing Sarolta's warning about questioning things too much anymore… "Understood...Ma'am."

  Sarolta's smirk grew into a dark smile as she looked at Trixie. "Good girl... You're learning your place well," she said with a hint of satisfaction, her gaze almost proud. She leaned forward again, her expression becoming more serious. "But remember...if anything goes wrong on this mission, there will be consequences. Understood?”

  Trixie's breath hitched slightly at the threat, her fingers twitching against her thighs as if she wanted to clench them, but she didn't. She just bowed her head lower in submission.

  "Understood...Ma'am." Her voice was barely above a whisper now, stripped of any defiance left, just hollow obedience remaining.

  Dodeka’s sharp eyes flicked toward Trixie for a brief second before returning to Sarolta; there was something unreadable in that glance—maybe irritation? Maybe pity? Either way, it vanished quickly as she straightened up again into perfect military posture.

  Sarolta hummed approvingly and waved Dodeka forward with one hand while keeping the other resting possessively on Trixie’s shoulder like an owner reassuring themselves their pet wouldn't run off anytime soon…

  "You two will leave immediately," Sarolta ordered coldly.

  Trixie felt a shiver run down her spine at Sarolta's last words. She didn't say anything; instead, she simply nodded her head as a sign of understanding.

  Dodeka's expression remained unreadable as she stepped forward, but there was no doubt that she had heard Sarolta's words. She kept a close eye on Trixie before turning her attention back to Sarolta, her body poised in perfect military position. "Understood...we will leave immediately.”

  Sarolta nodded in satisfaction, her expression satisfied and smug. "Good," she replied coolly, taking her hand off Trixie's shoulder. "And I hope I don't find out that you have let anything happen to my pup on this mission. I've been working too hard to get her this trained and obedient to have her come back to me broken or damaged in any way."

  Dodeka nodded in a crisp gesture, taking a deep breath to mentally prepare herself for the long mission. "She will be returned intact. I will ensure it.”

  Sarolta's smirk widened at Dodeka's response, impressed by how well she could keep a level of composure. "You have a reputation for being efficient, Dodeka. So I expect nothing but perfect results from you on this mission."

  She turned her gaze back to Trixie, her gaze sweeping over her with a predatory glint. "And you," she said, her tone commanding and sharp. "You will be on your best behavior. No more questions, no more resistance, and most importantly...no more defiance. Remember: you are mine. Good luck, you two.”

  Trixie nodded weakly, her eyes fixed on the floor as she absorbed Sarolta's command. It was a harsh reminder of where her place was...a pet, no more or less. Her resistance was long gone, replaced by a mindless obedience.

  Dodeka remained stoic, her expression unchanged as she took in Sarolta's words. "Understood. We will be heading out now," she said curtly, her voice professional and measured. She waited a moment as if expecting to be dismissed before looking at Trixie again. "Agent Trixie...are you ready?”

  Trixie lifted her head, her eyes meeting Dodeka's for a moment, giving a small nod.

  "Y-yes...I am ready."

  Dodeka nodded back and gestured towards the door, signalling that it was time to go. "Let's get moving then," she said simply, already walking away in the direction of the exit.

  Trixie took a deep breath before standing up, her movements slow and slightly stiff. She stole one last glance at Sarolta, who was still sitting in her chair, before following Dodeka. The weight of her new reality was settling on her shoulders like a heavy cloak.