To all of us. And it was obvious by the reactions of all the species as they milled around the commons area of the settlement. The day before we were ...in the fight of our very lives. Although I gave us even odds for the initial battle as I had it planned, even odds is also just as good that we would lose. Then, when it was clear they had held back half of their force, I believed we were doomed. If not right there on the field of battle, after many months of skirmishes and fear haunting our days. Clang! Bamp-bamp, thunk!I grabbed the basketball as it thudded off the backboard on the garage. A quick dribble back to the crack I called the foul line, a spinning jump shot... nothing but concrete."You're pitiful, Rich! You couldn't score with Betty and you can't even score on your own court."It was Potsie, my friend from high school. Running up the driveway, he snatched the ball out of my hand and we started up a one-on-one. Potsie was even worse than me, usually, but he was right -- this. "Well you're a little slut, aren't you? Walking in here, thinking you own the place. You haven't even got a fucking ticket," he said, glaring at me. "I left it at home," I said, sitting on the edge of one of the couches, my legs spread apart slightly, "but I really want to see this concert," I continued, stroking the inside of my legs slightly. "We'll see about that, now spread you're little slutty legs," he said, leaning on the couch, positioning his head between my legs, "look at that, you. Melanie noted as she watched that they both looked younger, probably early twenties. Melanie was in her early thirties herself & Pamela mid thirties.Pamela returned with the drinks plus the two men behind where she introduced them as Barry & Wayne. They got chatting or rather Pamela was with the men as Melanie felt awkward being with strangers. Once the drinks were drank, Pamela got up as did the men where she told Melanie she & the men arranged to go to Barry's fiat around the corner to finish.