“Come now baby doll, we haven’t got all day.”

 

Elizabeth examined her cards apprehensively, her hands trembling as she looked at the table one final time. She held the 2 of spades and hearts, with the community pool consisting of the 4, 7 and 8 of hearts with the addition of the king of diamonds. Her eyes glazed over Nyx’s pot, six times larger than her own; held in reserve with a small portion pushed forward, taunting her to call. If she folded, she knew she wouldn’t last longer than another round or two. That left her with one choice, bet everything on the river.

 

“All in,” Elizabeth said, pushing her chips forward.

 

Nyx eyed the desperate girl eagerly; starting at her chips, moving to her hands, up her arms, her breasts, down to her waistline and the more luxurious assets she had to offer. In that split moment, he took stock of which outfit would be the most flattering, while also teasing his guests just enough so they’d keep coming back for more. To him, this girl wasn’t a person, she was an object, to be used to his ends. She just didn’t realise it yet. He flashed a grin at the newcomer before giving a nod to the dealer as the river was played. All eyes were fixed except Nyx’s who whispered honey words to his nearby serving girl before he extinguished his half-used cigar against her bare skin.

 

“As agreed, your father’s debt has been transferred in your name. The term will be for 5 years starting tonight where you’ll entertain me as I show you the ropes for your new role,” Nyx announced, eyes still cast away from the table.

 

“What?!” Elizabeth yelled. “We haven’t shown our hands! I haven’t lost yet!”

 

Nyx sighed and waved one arm dismissively. “You lost the moment you walked through that door.”

 

“I have not!” A loud thud cut across the room as two hands slammed against the table. “Flush!”

 

“Tch. That’s an expensive table, doll; if I find you’ve damaged it, I’ll be adding it to your debt,” Nyx warned, before throwing his cards lazily across the table. “Straight flush.”

 

The surrounding spectators murmured, some in surprise, others in more confident tones as funds were exchanged and the excitement surrounding the table began to dissipate.

 

Elizabeth took a reflective step backwards, before grabbing the table to keep herself upright. She looked at her sides, the armed guards ensuring she wouldn’t run. How had this all gone wrong? She had started so strongly! What would they do to her now that she was

the casino’s property? Her mind was plagued with these thoughts and countless others as she became paralysed with fear, her legs giving way as she crashed to the ground, tears forming before giving way to a torrent.

 

How unsightly, Nyx thought to himself. “Rosalina, take our new employee and get her comfortable upstairs. While you’re at it let Jax know I want her in red,” Nyx commanded to his nearby serving girl. She gave a modest bow, moved to the opposite side of the table and helped a broken Elizabeth up as the two headed for the nearby stairs.

 

Nyx relit his cigar, carefully watching the two girls as they left. “Women, always so emotional,” he joked aloud, eliciting a few laughs from the last of the bystanders.

 

 

“Now see, that’s going to be a problem,” Nyx said, tapping his glass against the bar. Instantly a serving girl arrived to top up the empty glass. He held it up against the light, inspected the colour quality from beneath; swished it once, then twice before taking a ceremonious sip. He was pleased, finished his glass of whisky and held it out again where it was refilled before he shooed the girl away. “I don’t take kindly to people taking what’s mine.” He placed the glass down and eyed the plant creature distastefully.

 

“As I have explained Mr Nyx, I am here on business to notify you that your establishment has been registered for decommission and to assess the safety of your employees. Neither I nor the compact recognises your claims to my floret, nor the other girls and they will be taken under custody shortly.” Iris dictated; her voice not entirely pleasant.

 

Nyx nodded to himself slowly. He took another sip from his glass and spat it out, the taste now soured by his company. “Let’s not be too hasty here,” Nyx warned. “I feel it prudent to warn you that after your pet escaped, I took measures to ensure I wouldn’t lose any more merchandise.” He paused for effect.

 

Iris’s eyes narrowed and she looked down at the Terran with caution. “Go on.”

 

“Wendy!” Nyx yelled.

 

Another serving girl quickly ran to his side. She looked at Elizabeth safely hidden away in Iris’s vines and mouthed a silent, ‘I’m glad you escaped’, before bowing to her guests and then kneeling on the floor beside her owner. Nyx took hold of her collar and yanked it towards him, holding it up for the plant to see.

 

“Isn’t it beautiful! I particularly love the coarse leather that chafes against their neck, reminding them who they belong to,” Nyx taunted.

 

“You’re doing little to improve my impression of you, Terran,” Iris spat.

 

“That’s because you haven’t found out the best part! You see, in each of these collars is a little device, a bomb if you know what that is. If you even attempt to touch one of my girls without my permission all the collars in this building will go off simultaneously.” He took another sip from his glass. “I should note that I don’t have the trigger but someone I trust is watching us in the crowd. If you try figuring out who it’s, they’re under instructions to detonate the collars.” He took another casual sip before smiling gently at the plant.

 

“You’re forcing my vine, Terran. The compact does not take such threats lightly.”

 

“So I have heard.” Nyx let go of the collar. “It would appear to me we’ve both been forced into a corner. If you understand my meaning?”

 

“Do you have a solution in mind?” Iris asked.

 

“I’m so glad you asked!” Nyx relit his cigar, inhaled and then exhaled blowing the smoke towards Iris. “I propose a wager. I win, you find a way to legalise my business and then get out of my hair. I lose, I give you the controller to the collars and I close shop. That seems fair to me, wouldn’t you agree?”

 

“I cannot endorse any wagers that would put sophonts in danger, Terran.”

 

“Sophonts? Do you mean the girls? Look, if that’s the only issue I can add their freedom to both sides of the wager on the basis we agree on appropriate compensation upfront,” Nyx chastised.

 

“That sounds acceptable; however, I’d like to add another condition in the event you lose,” Iris said.

 

“And what would that be?”

 

“You,” Iris added.

 

Nyx looked at the plant donning a mask of certainty and found his mouth curling up into a genuine smile. “Sure! I’ve always wanted to know how it feels to bet your life on a game. Since I have more to lose here, I’ll be choosing the game. I presume that’s acceptable?”

 

“It is,” Iris agreed.

 

“Delightful. I’ll arrange something for this afternoon. If you want to bring friends to oversee the wager that’s fine, but I’m limiting it to two of your kind. If you try any funny business-“

 

“That threat won’t be necessary. I will see you this afternoon Mr Nyx. Until then.”

 

Nyx watched the plant and her pet depart. As soon as they had left the building, he finished his glass, stood up and threw it hard against a nearby wall. “Fuck!” He looked at the crystal glass now in shards by his feet. “Someone clean this up!” The girl by his feet panicked and quickly stood, seeking to find something she could use to clean the mess.

 

“Kaichou?”

 

Nyx let out a long sigh, crushing the cigar in his hand before adding it to the mess on the floor. He turned to face his second in command. “Alex, we have work to do.”

 

 

“Sign here if you agree to the terms.”

 

Nyx examined the tablet a final time and then, satisfied, signed his section before returning the tablet to the plant.

 

“Is everything in order, Culiver?” Iris asked from across the table.

 

“It’s Iris,” Culiver acknowledged before rising to his full height and addressing the room. “I will now announce the final agreement. The game of choice will be Poker, Texas hold ‘em, with each player being given 500 chips. The agreed minimum blind will be 10 chips for each player and all other rules will remain the same. If you’re unsure as to the rules of this game a leaflet explaining them is available at the bar.”

 

A few of the serving girls made their way to the bar to grab a leaflet, but the majority stayed behind. Culiver took notice that there were also some patrons present and forwarded a hidden request to increase the number of Affini on hand after the event had finished.

 

“Your dealers today will be myself,” Culiver continued. “and Alex Knight. Mr Knight will start and deal 5 hands, where I will then take over and deal 5 of my own. After I have finished we will take a 10-minute intermission before repeating this process until an eventual winner is declared. Finally, the stakes.” The crowd went quiet. “In the event Nyx wins, the establishment will be recognised as legitimate by the Affini Compact, the contracts attaining to its employees nullified with the establishment being compensated 1 million credits per contract nullified.” The crowd picked up but was quickly shushed by those eager to hear the other side. “In the event Iris wins, the establishment will be closed, the contracts of its employees nullified without compensation and one Nyx logged for domestication; the terms of which have been agreed on privately. That concludes today’s wager.”

 

“Have you played this game before, Iris?” Nyx asked not unkindly.

 

“I can’t say that I have, although the rules seem simplistic enough. On the surface, it seems to be a game of pure chance,” Iris replied, taking her freshly dealt hand and examining it within eye’s view of the crowd behind her.

 

Nyx took his own hand and gently lifted the corners of his cards before laying them flat. “There’s more going on than just chance. The intricacy of the mind games involved is awe-inspiring and it can take one an entire lifetime to master. I do hope you learn quick.” He pushed forward 10 chips. “Raise, 10.”

 

“I’ll call,” Iris said, pushing in 10 of her own chips; bringing the total pot to 40.

 

Alex turned over the flop revealing the 2 of hearts, 7 of diamonds and the jack of clubs. Nyx let out a ‘tch’ sound and knocked on the table twice.

 

“I don’t understand that motion,” Iris stated.

 

“It refers to checking, if both players agree to check, the pot will stay as it’s and we’ll move onto the next stage of this round,” Nyx clarified.

 

“I see. I think I’d like to raise though; I’ll add another 30,” Iris said, pushing her chips forward with one vine.

 

Nyx let out a low pitched whistle. “That’s a ballsy play this early in the game.”

 

“There are no balls in this game Mr Nyx,” Iris said.

 

Nyx gave a look of confusion before it turned into a deep laugh. “Ballsy, as in high risk.”

 

“I see. Why was that a high-risk play?” Iris asked.

 

Nyx gave the plant a questioning look and came to the conclusion this wasn’t a front. “Presuming I call, then whoever wins this round will be walking away with at least a 100-chip advantage. You’re new so I’ll give you this one for free. In poker, the player with the largest pot can use that to bully their opponents. If you have fewer chips you need to take more risks later in the game. The later these risks take place, the higher the price of failure.”

 

“That works both ways though. If I win it puts you on the back foot.”

 

Nyx nodded to himself and lit a cigar. “True. But neither of us knows each other’s tells, nor do we know anything about how the other plays. This isn’t quite a coin toss, but it’s damn close.”

 

“Thank you for your concern, Mr Nyx. Though I’d advise worrying about yourself before worrying about me,” Iris said.

 

“Just trying to give my opponent a sporting chance,” Nyx laughed, flashing a toothy grin. “Call.”

 

Alex moved to the turn revealing the 3 of clubs. Both players checked, taking the game to the river as the final bets were placed.

 

“Check,” Nyx said.

 

“Raise 50,” Iris said.

 

“50!? Are you mad!?” Nyx yelled, half choking on the inhaled smoke in his lungs. “I’ll let you take that back if you want, don’t say I’m not a forgiving soul.”

 

“That’s quite alright Mr Nyx, I am happy with my decision.”

 

Nyx examined the table, the newest card being the King of hearts.

 

“Are you sure? There’s no shame in retracting that bet,” Nyx insisted.

 

“Again, I thank you for your concern but I am happy with my hand.”

 

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you. I’ll call,” Nyx announced.

 

The total pot was now 200 and both players were asked to reveal their hands. Iris had the 2 of spades and the seven of hearts. Nyx had both the jack of hearts and spades. “Three-of-a-kind wins,” Alex announced, pushing the pot towards Nyx.

 

Nyx collected his share and sighed. “It wasn’t a terrible hand I suppose, but your bets are far too high this early in the game.” He sighed again. “I was looking forward to a risk it all game, but I see now I was too presumptuous. What do you say to adding some fun back into this game?”

 

“I enjoy fun,” Iris agreed.

 

“Great. How do you feel about adding temporary commands the other has to follow for every 100 chips they lose from their original pot? Nothing permanent of course.”

 

“Can I have an example?” Iris asked.

 

“See how you’re now at 400 chips in comparison to the 500 you started with?” Iris nodded. “You have lost 100 chips and, in this instance, I would have you refer to me as your Majesty for the remainder of the game.”

 

“Are there any limits to what we can request?”

 

“Yes. It can’t directly affect the game and it must be something the opponent can fulfil while at the table or during an intermission,” Nyx said.

 

“Interesting,” Iris mused. “If I was to regain my hundred chips and then lose them again, would another request be forfeit?”

 

“No. We’ll only account for the amount lost against your original pot, and this can trigger only once for each interval; 400, 300, 200, and 100 to be exact. The maximum number of requests would therefore be four. We’ll also add that if a request isn’t fulfilled provided both dealers find it legal, the opponent automatically forfeits the main game.”

 

“I do like the sounds of that,” Iris chuckled. “Very well, your Majesty, I agree.”

 

 

“That concludes the round. As agreed, we will break for 10 minutes before resuming the game,” Culiver announced before departing from the table. The service girls flocked to the bar, quickly grabbing people’s orders and keeping the crowd entertained leaving Nyx and Iris alone at the table.

 

“You’ve surprised me, Iris,” Nyx confessed. “I was certain after that first round this would be a clean sweep, but you’re not half bad.” He turned to face one of the girls. “Wendy, be a dear and top this up for me, won’t you?” The girl took the glass, bowed and hurried to the bar.

 

Iris took careful stock of how each girl was treated and made a mental list of which would likely need domesticating or put under wardship. She regretted that the list would be over half of the total girls, but assured herself that their new lives would be far better than their current treatment. She finished her examination and gave her soon-to-be floret her full attention.

 

“You’ll find I’m a quick learner, your majesty.”

 

“Clearly!” Nyx laughed, eyeing the pot across the table. It stood at 420 chips, 20 more than it had after Iris’s first gambit. “While we have some time to ourselves, I was hoping you could answer some questions.”

 

“Provided they’re mine to give I have no qualms,” Iris replied.

 

“Excellent. First, where is my dear doll that you’re so fond of? I haven’t seen her since this morning.”

 

“Knowing the risk this establishment presents and the threat you made earlier I have decided not to bring her.”

 

“Shame,” Nyx groaned. “I was looking forward to having her service me in front of you. She’s quite good at it you know,” he taunted as he slowly licked his lips.

 

“I am willing to play this charade of a game out of necessity for the girls’ lives,” Iris said, her vines coiling around the edges of the table with clear hostility. “But hear this. If you make one more suggestive comment about my floret, I will ensure that the person you are ceases to exist. I will break you, put you back together and break you again. This is my promise to you.”

 

Nyx involuntarily flinched, a bead of sweat dripping down the back of his neck. He removed his feet from the table and leant forward, reassuming his smug persona.

 

“That doesn’t sound benevolent to me. I thought your kind was focused on making everyone happy?” Nyx taunted.

 

“Oh, you certainly will be. If it’s what I want, you’d wag your tail at my presence, stare at me with eyes of pure adoration, and serve me like the girls in this establishment. What’s more, you’d beg me to let you. So, your majesty, make the comment.”

 

Nyx searched the plant’s face, looking for any source of deceit and was disturbed to find none. He leaned back against his chair and took a long breath to ground himself.

 

“That does not sound ideal,” Nyx relented. “Very well, I will refrain from such actions going forward. Now if you’ll excuse me, nature calls.”

 

Iris watched the Terran leave, the smug aura surrounding him still potent, but diminished from its previous strength. She smiled to herself and thought fondly of how she would reform the troublesome pet.

 

 

“High pair wins,” Culiver announced. Nyx slammed his fist against the table, enraged.

 

“Your majesty, that is no way to behave,” Iris taunted, scooping her winnings and adding them to her quickly growing pot. Nyx scowled at the plant but refrained from retaliating, instead preparing himself for the request that would quickly follow. “Let’s see…” Iris continued. “My pot currently sits at 720, as opposed to your 280. I believe a forfeit is in order.” And there it was… Nyx tutted.

 

Iris removed a fluffy dress from beneath her vines and placed it on the table within arm’s reach of Nyx. It was sparkly pink, with white rabbits printed across the skirt. Nyx stared at the outfit in horror with more than a few of the spectators laughing at his expense. “You can’t be serious,” Nyx spat.

 

“I certainly am,” Iris confirmed. “Go and put that on, the game can wait until you’re changed.”

 

“I am not wearing that!” Nyx yelled, picking up and throwing the dress across the room. Iris stood up, extended a vine, patted the dress down and placed it back on the table in its former position.

 

“You will, or you will forfeit the game,” Iris warned.

 

Nyx went silent, his mouth quickly shutting before another protest could be formed. He ground his teeth and stared daggers at the dress. “You weeds have a twisted sense of humour! Was that your plan, to make me a laughing stock?!”

 

“Oh, certainly not,” Iris rebutted. “I for one, think you’ll look positively adorable in that outfit. As for our crowd, I presume they’re laughing because they would also like to wear a cute outfit. Not to worry, I have plenty of spares~!” She removed more clothes from beneath her vines and laid them across the table while simultaneously searching the crowd. The laughter died down and many averted their eyes, keen not to bring attention to themselves.

 

“You’re insufferable,” Nyx hissed. “Tch! Expect my next request to be far worse,” he huffed and removed himself from the table. He made it halfway to the bathroom before being stopped by Iris’s vine.

 

“Your majesty, I’ll need you to wear this as well.” She produced a wig, dark brown and tied back into a small ponytail. Nyx grabbed the wig and stormed off without a further word, later returning in his assigned attire.

 

“Look! At! You! I was right, you’re positively glowing~!”

 

“Mark my words weed, you’ll regret this,” Nyx seethed.

 

“My only regret is that I didn't get you in that outfit sooner. Not to worry, once you’re mine, I’ll dress you up in lots of wonderful clothes~.”

 

Iris would go on to win the next two hands taking her pot up to 790 before breaking up for the fourth intermission.

 

 

“Kaichou, I can’t do that. What if they find out?”

 

“Alex, I am losing!” Nyx yelled. He collected himself, breathed deep and lowered his tone to a bare whisper. He placed one arm on Alex. “You care about your brothers, right? Do this for me and I’ll clear their debt as well as your own. You have my word.”

 

“I don’t…” Alex trailed off unconfidently.

 

“Look. The agreement only specifies the girls, regardless of if I win or not. That means you and your brothers are still up for collateral; if I’m taken down the debt transfers to the 2nd bidder, you know this,” Nyx said.

 

Alex remained silent.

 

“Alex, I need you. If things don’t change soon, I will lose and you’ll have your undecisive nature to blame,” Nyx continued. “Make your decision. Are you in or out?”

 

Alex tapped his leg in frustration before scratching the back of his head. “Agh! Fine, I’m in.”

 

Nyx’s eyes beamed with hope and he slapped the young man hard twice on the back. “You won’t regret your decision. Right, here’s what we’ll do. Let me lose the first round, then in rounds two and three you’ll give us both small hands, with mine coming out on top. I’ll blame my loss streak on some bad luck and feign overconfidence into round four, where you’ll deal the weed a flush or full house. She’ll fall right into our trap and I’ll even the playing field.”

 

“What do I do if they get suspicious?” Alex asked.

 

“It doesn’t matter if they suspect something. So long as they don’t figure out you fixed the deck, they can’t do anything. I trust you, Alex. Stick to the plan and you and your brothers will be free before the day’s over.”

 

Alex gave a nervous glance towards the table where the two aliens were seated in mid-conversation. “Ah fuck! Let’s do this!”

 

Nyx gave the man a nod of approval before rejoining the table as the game went into the 7th stretch.

 

 

“Jack of hearts!” Alex announced much to the delight of the crowd. The river had been revealed leaving on the board, the ace of spades and hearts, in addition to the 7, 10 and Jack of hearts. Nyx tapped his cards with clear agitation at this new development. Had Alex given Iris a four-of-a-kind, with early pocket rockets? That would certainly explain the aggressive bidding, so why was he threatening the royal? If Iris pulled out now this would have all been for nought! Unfortunately, he was left off the dealer which meant he’d play first. He cursed inwardly and reached for his pot. “Raise 30.”

 

He reached for his drink and had barely taken the first gulp before Iris chimed in. “Counter raise 80.” Nyx spat his orange juice out as it sprayed across the table. “You…” he choked down the last of the orange juice. “You’re acting awfully confident there.”

 

“I believe I have a winning hand,” Iris replied.

 

If he called, the combined pot for this round would total 440 chips; this along with the 40 chips in his reserve would bring him to 480; enough to be back in the game. He couldn’t risk looking at Alex in case he gave them away, but stars did he hope Alex hadn’t made a mistake.

 

“Fuck!” He yelled aloud. “If I fold here, I’m as good as done anyway. I call.” The worry in Nyx’s voice wasn’t entirely feigned.

 

“Your majesty.”

 

Nyx moved his focus from the table to Iris. “Yes?”

 

Iris removed a black collar from beneath her vines and laid it flat against the table. “After this round, I’d like you to put that on for me.”

 

Nyx picked up the collar, inspecting it; on the back, his name was engraved along with the term 6th floret. He shuddered, and then shuddered again when he saw the leash hook at the front. He placed it back down perhaps a bit too delicately to the careful observer.

 

“I appreciate your confidence, but this isn’t the round you beat me,” Nyx half boasted, revealing the eight and nine of hearts. The crowd exchanged quick bouts of gossip before it slowly died down, the focus shifting to Iris who was yet to reveal her cards.

 

Iris let out a delighted laugh and lay one card on the table, revealing the King of hearts. “Are you sure about that, your majesty?”

 

Nyx’s heart dropped; the room went deadly quiet. No! Calm down, if she had the Queen, she’d have shown it. She was baiting you, trying to get in your head. Calm down Nyx, you’ve got this. He took his seat a little more confident, Iris watching him the whole time.

 

“That’s what I wanted to see~!” Iris sang before revealing the Queen of hearts. The crowd went into an uproar but Iris had eyes for only one. Nyx stared at the cards, face blank as his skin went deathly pale. He watched as the chips were slowly and deliberately dragged away from him. He watched Iris’s condescending smile form and give way to a predatory hunger. He watched as her vines tapped the collar twice. Finally, he watched his life crash around him, the 40 chips wouldn’t be enough and he knew it. Nyx sank into his chair nursing his head, his body slumped.

 

A minute passed, then two and then three. Finally, Nyx reached out, took the collar and clicked it into place around his neck. “I forfeit this game,” he declared, before sinking back into his seat. The uproar of the crowd multiplied ten-fold, a combination of anger and confusion along with the soft sobbing of three dozen newly freed Terrans.

 

From the corner of his eye Nyx caught Culliver producing a device from beneath his vines. It hummed with the central light slowly shifting from red to green, once completed it gave a single beep and the girls’ collars deactivated; clanging against the floor, a stark contrast to the weight now pressed against his neck. He laughed to himself at the irony. He was never playing for the girls’ freedom he realised; he was playing for his own. A looming shadow broke his thoughts, as he looked up to see Iris towering over him, wearing a genuine gentle smile. She took one vine, interlocked it with his collar to form a leash and pulled him gently towards her.

 

“You played well, but as agreed you’re now mine. Allow me to introduce myself properly. My name is Iris Diervestia, Fifth Bloom, but from henceforth you will refer to me as Mistress.”

 

 

“Sweetheart, this won’t hurt,” Iris reassured her newest floret to little success. Nyx scrambled backwards across the bed, away from the plant and her two florets, reached the wall blocking his escape and shrank into himself pleading all the while. The vines on either side closed in until there was nowhere left for the Terran to escape as the vial containing a particularly potent class-A edged closer and closer. “Sweetheart, hold your arm out, please.” The protests continued and degraded into sobbing, but an arm was raised and the drug administered.

 

“There, give that a minute and you’ll find all your worries floating away~, Iris chimed.

 

Nyx watched as the world started to dull, his movements becoming sluggish and his eyelids heavy. Vines started to coil at the edges of his body and he found himself without the strength to beat them away. At first, the sensation was an irritant; a reminder of his place and all that he had lost. Then the sensations became more sensual as he squirmed under their touch, his breathing turning into small gasps as the last of his resistance gave way to a rising pleasure. Iris toyed with her pet for a full 5 minutes, building the pleasure, ramping it up to a peak and then letting it crash down before starting all over again. The man, no more than a whimpering puddle, looked up and begged for her to continue, his eyes glazed over and drool leaking from his mouth. Iris giggled and removed her vines, much to the anguish of her pet.

 

“Girls, I believe Nyx here is in need of some loving attention. Won’t you forgive him and give him the attention he deserves?”

 

The two florets on either side gave an enthusiastic “Yes Mistress” before crawling close to their new Connivent. They ran fingers against skin, nibbled on ears and gave enough pats to make a pet cafe envious.

 

“Well, your Majesty. How do you like the gift our Mistress gave you?” Rebecca teased, running her finger down the inside of his thigh. Nyx let out a long moan in reply and mumbled something unintelligible.

 

“Your Majesty? Hardly! He’s more like a pretty princess in that get-up,” Elizabeth laughed. “Oh? Does someone like the term pretty princess?” She noted, seeing the blush deepen on Nyx’s face. “Well, princess, I haven’t completely forgiven you, but Mistress wants us to get along so that’s what we’ll do.” She leant forward and kissed him against the lips, holding the exchange far longer than was entirely reasonable. “I think we’re going to have a lot of fun!” she said finally, coming up for air.

 

Iris watched her 3 pets with joy, proud of the resolution she had achieved. No Terran was beyond redemption and she would ensure Nyx and the girls grew to love each other almost as much as they loved her. She produced 2 more vials and slyly injected the girls unaware. The look of confusion they both gave as their movements became sluggish was adorable, and she would have saved them if not for a greater need burning in her heart. She flocked forward and ambushed the cuddle pile driving forth three distinct cries of pleasure that would continue late into the night.