(Chapter originally written by worstfailure)
As the other models gathered around the box to collect their tinies, Cass remained rooted to where she stood, she looked like she was going to be sick.
"Something wrong, Ms. Jacobs?" Steph asked.
Cass took a deep breath as if steeling herself, then looked Steph dead in the eye.
In a voice calm yet clear enough to be heard across the studio, Cass said, "I won't do this. I don't agree with the CTC's policies, their abhorrent treatment of tinies or their vision for the future. A world where tinies can just be scooped off the street and turned into property for complete strangers?! The dangers tinies face on a daily basis are bad enough! I refuse to serve as a spokeswoman for a movement advocating for eliminating tiny rights and ignoring their safety!"
Steph was very aware that the other models had paused in their tiny selection to turn and watch. The crew was watching their discussion too. After her speech about a bright new future, Steph couldn't afford to show hesitation. Instead her tone turned calm but pitying, like a patient parent gently telling their child if they don't eat their vegetables, they won't grow up big and strong.
"Ms. Jacobs," Steph said patronizingly, "I think you have entirely the wrong idea about the CTC. They aren't some cackling cabal of cartoon supervillains. They're a purely altruistic organization dedicated to helping tinies find their rightful place. That their rightful place so often benefits the unaffected is just a lucky coincidence that allows for a symbiotic relationship. Besides, even if you walk away from this project, another will just take your place. The CTC's program is already well into effect. One person like you can't stop it. Think about what you have to lose instead. You're already popular but you have the potential to go so much further! Vivid Videos is offering you an incredible opportunity, a chance to kick your career into hyperdrive. Be reasonable, now. Does that really sound like something you can afford to throw away over nothing?"
"Tiny rights are not nothing, Ms. Brigg," Cass said coldly, the attack on her intelligence having not gone unnoticed. "I have my principles. And even if I can't stop something from coming, I can still refuse to be a part of it. Good day."
With her head held high, watched by every person inside the studio from the crew to the models, some gazing at her in confusion for her decision, others in contempt at what they regarded to be self-righteousness, your Aunt Cass strode out the door of the studio without a backward glance.
It was a moving, inspirational demonstration of your aunt's integrity and moral fortitude, considering she'd give up a chance at surefire wealth and fame for the rights and safety of tinies everywhere. It you had to nitpick, there was just one part of her speech you had a teensy problem with... SHE'D LEFT YOU BEHIND IN THE BOX!
When you'd first heard her speech, you'd been pumping your fists, cheering her on! When you heard her footsteps approaching you'd never felt so relieved in your life! That relief turned to confusion as you heard the footsteps then walk right past you and grow further away. Confusion turned to worry as you heard the door open and close. And as seconds ticked by and your aunt did not come back, worry turned to horror.
"I suppose some people don't know the future when they see it," Steph said, maintaining her pitying tone of voice, as if Cass was a fool. On the inside she was a fuming at being publicly disrespected, but she wouldn't let that show. "Ladies," Steph said, turning back to her professional tone as she addressed the models, "one moment before you indulge."
Steph beckoned Izzy closer, whispered something in her ear, then set her assistant over to the box of tinies. Her cruel eyes looked in and scanned the faces of your fellow affected. You had a terrible feeling you knew who she was looking for, a feeling that was confirmed when she saw you, scowled, then grabbed you between two fingers as easily as a martial arts master grabbing a fly out of the air.
"Got him," Izzy said.
Steph nodded at the other models. "As you were."
The models were like foxes given free rein in a henhouse. You heard tinies screams and models giggling as Izzy carried you over to Steph.
"Mr. Jacobs," Steph said coolly, "I'm so glad that even though your aunt has declined to join us, you've still decided to volunteer."
You opened your mouth to say something but at a nod from Steph, Izzy enveloped you completely and crushed you in her fist.
"So what do we do with him?" Izzy asked, keeping her voice down but looking uncomfortable. "He was in the box. We were talking about the papers right in front of him."
"I know, Izzy," Steph said calmly.
"But his aunt's bound to remember him and come looking for him!"
"I know, Izzy," Steph repeated a smidge less calm.
Izzy sighed. "It's a shame she walked. She was a huge draw! The CTC spokesperson asked for her specifically--"
"I know, Izzy!"
Steph's irritation was enough that her assistant finally kept quiet and allowed her time to think. There's was no way you could ever be allowed to return home, that much was obvious. Vivid Videos already had the forged papers signed so it wouldn't be hard to argue your ownership if Cass and the rest of your family pressed them on it. And if it went to court? Well, the CTC could make it so that a true license was in your file instead of a fake one. But that wouldn't make Steph's new friends at the CTC very confident in their business arrangement if she fumbled the ball this early in the game.
Probably the safest way to be rid of you was to send you to another shoot in another part of the studio. That way, if Cass came looking for you, Steph could just claim they offered you a ride home and you turned them down due to sharing Cass's "irrational" fear of the CTC. She could say you asked to be given directions to the nearest bus stop and once you were out in the world? Well, Cass was right about one thing. Tinies faced so many dangers in the world. It would be very plausible for people to believe a tiny never made it to the bus stop on his own. Once that story was given, you could remain property of Vivid Video and used in all kinds of shoots. Though, because Cass had really ticked Steph off, she was tempted to make sure Cass's nephew's first shoot was for something truly painful and demeaning.
On the other hand, the CTC spokeswoman had requested Cass specifically. And the papers Vivid Videos had were convincing enough forgeries that Steph might be able to trick a truly desperate woman into joining the shoot, no matter what her guilty conscience said. In the mean time though, Steph was a model shy of the required ten for the shoot. Even if you could be useful in getting Cass back onboard, Steph would have to call in a replacement until she could broker a deal with her. And this time it'd need to be someone she knew for a fact wouldn't think twice about tinies with Usage Licenses.
Steph looked at the fist containing you in contemplation as she tried to decide the best use for you.
Choice 1) Steph decides to be ambitious, keeping you around to force Cass back onboard later. In the meantime, she has the perfect person in mind to model using you until Cass comes back.
Choice 2) Steph decides to be cautious in ordering you to be taken to another shoot, but petty and spiteful by sending you to the most painful and demeaning one she can think of.
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