“Can I play tonight?” she asked as we were preparing the finger foods for consumption during the mid-game break.“You want to play poker?” I ex...claimed in amazement. Melanie's only usual interest in poker was the strip variety!“No, silly,” she replied, giving me her most dazzling smile. “I want to play with the poker players!”“Oh,” I said, getting it now. “Well, as long as you confine your playing to the mid-game break and after the game, sure.”“Thank you, darling,” she purred, throwing her arms. Neutral merchantmen were infrequent visitors and most had been diverted by news of the increased Harbouriaite activity but some hadn't received the news. The "Hebrides Trader II" had just cleared Gorgipest the day before the raid and had arrived in Settlement after Admiral Higgins' return there, so she was no help.The survivors of the raid understood full well what a return of Harbourian forces would mean, but they accepted it because it was out of their control. "Shriek" was worked hard with. I lay crying through the wet boxer shorts Master had forced into my mouth, taped heavily in place dreading Master returning.After laying there for what seemed an eternity but must of only been half an hour more, Master walked in.Master walked in and just walked straight past me as if I wasn't even there, going into the kitchen and making sure his dogs had fresh food and water. I know Master cared for the dogs more than me he made it very obvious, he had 2 male Alsatians.Master returned to where. .. lemme give you some background. My name is... well my name doesn't matter but let's call me Stuart. I was 16 at the time, about 5ft 6, the makings of a 6-pack. I was basically your scrawny little half-nerd with glasses and a brown belt in karate. I had a girlfriend (hard to believe but true) who was... alright I guess, wasn't that sexy but wasn't ugly. She'd actually been my best friend until I had the guts to ask her out. But more important than her was her sister. A mixed race 12 year old.