"Turning the Tables, Part 1"
By: Dani
Nieme Yaresh-Selrid
Ferrig Mullerin
Raeila Mullerin
Pack and other Feltreys [NPC]

Location: Feltrey gang headquarters, Thanatos
Date: Niothe 9, 4 ABY

***

Dani lay atop Raeila's bed, her body a dull throb from the welts put there by the wide leather strap her mistress had used on her. She couldn't help the excitement that still buzzed through her body. When she and Raeila were together anymore, her empathic senses seemed to overload. She had never realized that pain could be so pleasurable, at least until Raeila. But, the pain that Raeila inflicted brought immense pleasure, and Dani picked up that pleasure as if it were her own. She would have never imagined that violence such as Raeila's could bring her the ecstasy she found with her mistress. To continue to feel such bliss, she had fully embraced her new position in life. And, she could also sense that Raeila genuinely liked her, and there was even some true affection beneath the surface.

Dani opened her eyes and shifted until she was facing Raeila. "Is there anything more I can do for you, my mistress?" she asked.

Raeila's languid gaze moved to Dani and a pleased smile curled her lips. She casually tapped her right breast, indicating the spot Dani knew she liked to have kissed. "The collar isn't too tight, I hope," she mentioned offhand. "I had it bought especially for you, Purple."

"It's not too tight at all," Dani said as she curled up against Raeila and pressed her lips to her mistress's breast. One hand brushed across the collar she wore with its silver rings perfect for the chains Raeila liked to attach to it. "It was a most wonderful purchase, my mistress."

"And do you know why I bought it for you, Purple?" Raeila craned her neck forward and brushed her lips against Dani's ear. "It's because you're a good slave, and because you like pleasing me, don't you?"

Dani looked up into Raeila's eyes. "I like pleasing you very much, my mistress," she whispered. "And, thank you. I try to be very good for you, and that you think I'm a good slave makes me only want to be better for you."

"You're improving faster than I could imagine, Purple," Raeila commented as if praising a child. "But one thing that does displease me," she added while running her fingers roughly over Dani's welts, "you don't bruise very well. What happened to all those I gave you last night? I really wanted to show you off to the guys, all colourful like that."

"I heal quickly," Dani said softly. "I am sorry, my mistress. I wish I could bruise better for you. I would; please believe I would. But...but I've always healed fast."

"Well then," Raeila purred as she pushed Dani onto her back, "I'll just have to try harder, now won't I?" She straddled Dani's legs and crawled along the length of her body, placing kisses upon her thighs and hips as she went. "Maybe I should let the boys hit you. They're stronger than I am. You'd like that, wouldn't you, Purple?"

"Only if it pleases you, Mistress," Dani said. "As long as it pleases you, then I would like it very much."

"Of course you'll like it." Raeila ran her hands along Dani's arms lightly as she ran her tongue deliberately over the welts upon her breasts. "You're a much better slave than Rat. She refuses to be shared by the others. Not a very nice slave at all. But you, you're a good slave, and I'm a good mistress, right?"

"You are the best mistress," Dani said, a slight purr in her voice. "At first I was scared and wanted to leave, but I like it here now, here with you. I like being your slave, Mistress Raeila."

"And you'll never leave me, right, Purple?" Raeila's face hovered above Dani's as she smiled expectantly at her. "Promise you won't leave me, Purple. If you want to please your mistress, you'll promise."

Dani looked into Raeila's eyes and she smiled. "I promise," she whispered. "I couldn't ever leave you, my mistress. I love you."

Raeila sat upright quickly and stared down in utter disdain at her slave. "You what?" she said through clenched teeth. With her hand balled into a fist, she cocked her arm back and loosed a pummelling blow across Dani's cheek. "You don't love me! You're supposed to worship me, you little bitch!" She sent another savage punch to Dani's face, then scrambled off the bed and tugged fiercely on her collar. "Get up!"

Dani gagged as the collar was tugged. "I'm sorry," she pleaded. "I'll never say it again. I'm sorry, my mistress." Her tears trailed across the new bruises forming on her face. "I'm sorry." She scrambled to comply with Raeila's wishes, terrified of displeasing her mistress any more than her admission of love had.

Raeila dismissed Dani's pleas and forced her down upon her knees roughly. She marched with rage to the bedpost and retrieved the leash hanging from it. The chain was clipped to Dani's collar and Raeila jerked it until Dani was forced into motion. "We're going for a little walk, pet," she said with a malevolently gritty smile. "I really do like how you bruise," she commented as she pulled Dani through the door. "I think I'll let them play for a while, and you'll do whatever they want you to do. Won't you?"

"I will," Dani said quickly. "Whatever they want to do. I only want to please you, my mistress. I will do anything to please you."

"Damn right you will, you little slut." Raeila stormed into the designated lounge area of the compound, naked from head to toe and paying no heed to the whistles and thick laughter being directed at her. "Boys," she said as she tossed down Dani's leash. "Here's something to munch on for a while." Not waiting around to admire Dani's work, Raeila turned on her heel and headed back into her room, slamming the door shut behind her.

Dani knew better than to complain, and quickly moved into position to please the men in the room for the next several hours. It took the Feltrey's little time to shed enough clothing to get themselves inside her. At least she wouldn't leave any of them disappointed.

***

Humming a whimsical tune of her own imaginings, Nieme gazed up at the ceiling speckled with glimmering lights and reached up her hand to touch each and every one of them. Her other hand was busy sating the throbbing between her legs, and the wafting aroma of freshly burning spice meandered into her nose and induced a ravenous hunger that was only subdued by the blue beebleberries Ferrig had been feeding her.

Her humming grew discordant as she thought about the sweet, delectable treats he rewarded her with after an hour of commendable service, but he was late with it this time, and Nieme was feeling the effects. She writhed not with pleasure atop the bed, but with the beginnings of unbearable yearning that would soon transform to pain if she didn't get her beebleberry soon. She moaned softly and looked around the room in confusion as the stars above began to dim and the reeling pain in her stomach began. "I need some," she whimpered. "I need to bake my pie... I need some beebleberries."

Ferrig opened his eyes and glanced at Nieme. "More?" he asked with a smile. "Okay." He rolled over so he could reach the box on the side of his bed and pulled out one of the small blue pills. He rolled back to face Nieme and held it up. "Here you go, my beautiful little rat."

Like the obedient, willing pet she was, Nieme reached up and closed her mouth around the pill between Ferrig's fingers. She pushed it around in her mouth to savour its very presence and awaited the deliverance of its potent magic that would cease her body's trembling and aches. Her head settled back upon the pillow and she sighed in relief as finally, her blood absorbed the intoxicating spice. "Oh, thank you, Master," she whispered. "You're so very good to me."

Ferrig smiled. "Well, you're a very good slave," he said. "So, you deserve to be treated good. And, these past couple days, you've done very well. I didn't think you'd get so good at pleasing me so fast. That says something very special."

Nieme smiled serenely and swayed gently upon the bed as she was enraptured by the rejuvenating effects of the drug. "I like pleasing you," she said with a gentle moan. "It makes me so happy." She opened her eyes lazily and glanced at Ferrig as her hands came up to caress her breasts sensually. "Is it time to please you again, Master? Please say it is... Please."

Ferrig smiled as he watched Nieme. Damn the girl had changed in just a few days. So very nice. "Yes," he said. "Since you want to so much, it's definitely time to please me." He stretched out on the bed so that she could give me the attention she desired to.

Like a glutton deprived of food for weeks, Nieme wasted no time and attached herself to Ferrig's body. Her hands wandered about his flesh, teasing it and tracing out the finely shaped muscles upon it. Moans formed in her throat as her mouth sought out the erect object she had found such fascination with over the past three days. Stimulating it gave her master great joy, and in return, she was bestowed with the same exaltation. And beebleberries. She found she could no longer go an entire hour without a small helping of spice. The warmth in her body would drain and she shook violently, but once the sweet drug wrapped itself around her, all pain vanished and she was filled with only elation and euphoria.

Ferrig supplied her with the drug, and whenever she had the chance, she gladly showed him her gratitude...as he just had her with a glorious cry. Nieme no longer gagged or pulled away from the physical manifestation of Ferrig's pleasure. She took it in graciously, hoping to gain greater approval from Ferrig. She kissed the tip of the throbbing shaft lightly then pulled herself atop him to press her lips to his so he too could share in the products of her zealous labours.

Ferrig shared willingly, just as he'd done so many times with Raeila. "Oh, that's my girl," he said. "You're going to earn yourself a whole bowl of beebleberries the way you're going. You know, if you keep going at this pace, my little rat, I'm going to have a difficult time keeping up with you." He kissed her again. "But, I'm sure going to enjoy trying."

"I have to please you, Master," Nieme said worriedly. "If I don't, it'll hurt. Why does it hurt so much without the beebleberries, Master?"

"Because you like them so much," Ferrig said. "And, because your body craves them. It's alright though. And, if I'm too exhausted for you to please me, maybe you'd like to please someone else for me. I'd like it if someone else could come in here and you'd please them." He kissed her again. "That would please me too."

Nieme nodded her head slowly while her fingers played with Ferrig's hair. "If I do...will I still get beebleberries? If not, I think I'd rather spend my time pleasing you, Master."

"Of course," Ferrig said. "You'll get beebleberries for everyone you please. Though, I like it best when you're pleasing me." He kissed her throat as her hands roamed through his hair. "But, yes, Nieme, if you please someone else, and I approve...you'll definitely get lots of beebleberries."

Nieme's breathing grew rapid and her heart leapt into her throat at just the thought of having all the beebleberries she wanted. "I want to do it now, Master," she said as she began rubbing her body sensuously against Ferrig's. "Can I please them now? Then I'll have more time to please you..."

"I don't think I could ever refuse when you ask that way," Ferrig said. "Come, they'll be out in the main room. And, when you're done with them, you'll practically be able to take a bath in beebleberries."

She cooed happily then kissed Ferrig deeply. With a giggle, she rolled off of him and landed with her feet upon the ground. "Shall I go now, Master? I need it," she begged as her hand once again went between her legs. "It burns, and I need it."

Ferrig rolled off the bed and grabbed a pair of pants. He slipped into them quickly and nodded to Nieme. "Come on," he said. "Let's go satisfy that burning. They'll make you feel all better, my sweet. And, then you'll have beebleberries like never before."

Nieme's excitement exploded and with a squeal she rushed from the room. She didn't stop until she was in the main room, and only then because what she saw infused her with such shock and anger that she could no longer move. Huddled in a circle, the gangers were taunting and cheering as Dani split her attention amongst them all, pleasuring them however they desired. She was supposed to be the one to make them happy. If she didn't, Ferrig would be angry and there would be no more beebleberries.

Her eyes darkened with rage and she frowned savagely as she stormed over to the group of men and burst through the circle. Dani was on her knees with her face pressed to a ganger's groin. She snarled in fury and grabbed Dani by the hair. With a shriek, she jerked her away from the ganger and tossed her to the floor. "Go away! You'll ruin everything!" she cried out furiously.

"Ow," Dani cried out as Nieme yanked at her hair. "What are you doing, Ni-- Rat? My mistress told me to do this, and she'll be very displeased if I don't. There are more than enough for both of us. We don't have to fight. Please, you take some and I'll take some, and we can swap them. Please?"

Nieme's nostrils flared with the force of the air she was expelling. Her hands were clenched into fists by her side as she towered over Dani. "Master told me to do this. If you interfere, I'll...I'll..." Nieme cried out again and sent her foot into Dani's side then reached down and grabbed her by the hair again. "Leave! I don't want you here!"

"Ow, dammit, rat," Dani shouted and grabbed one of Nieme's ankles, "let go of my hair." She tugged hard, pulling Nieme's leg out from under her. Once she was down, Dani leapt onto Nieme. She knew she was slow due to the pain of her earlier beating, but Nieme's rage was fueling her own. "I won't leave. I'm going to fuck everyone here and suck them off and there's nothing you can do to stop me!"

"No!" Nieme cried back. She grabbed Dani's wrists to restrain her arms, but keeping Dani from punching her was proving difficult. "I'll stop you even if I have to kill you! Master said they're mine, so they're mine!"

Dani struggled beneath Nieme, fighting to get free. Around them, the gangers were cheering and crying out as the two girls beat each other up. As Nieme flipped her over and drove a balled fist into Dani's jaw, she spotted several of the gangers stroking themselves as they watched. "My mistress told me they're mine to please! You can't take them all; you're not good enough!"

"My master says I am!" Nieme wrapped her fingers around Dani's neck and squeezed. She used all her rage and fear of usurpation to imbue her with strength enough to smother Dani. She'd threatened to make Ferrig disappointed with her, and if that happened, he'd take away her beebleberries. "You will not," Nieme said between clenched teeth, "fuck this up for me, Purple!" She shifted all her weight to her hands and bore down upon Dani's neck with it. "Die," she whispered fiercely. "Die!"

"Ferrig!" Raeila rushed into the room, staring agape at what he was allowing to go on. "What the fuck is this? Make them stop!"

Ferrig laughed. "It's priceless," he said. "I want to get a big tub in here and fill it with wet sand and let them go at it. Don't they look great there? Beating the shit out of each other for the honour of fucking and sucking all our boys. Almost brings a tear to my eyes. I really like those bruises you've given Purple, though Rat's giving her a few new ones."

Raeila watched warily as the two fought. She did approve of the dark purple splotches forming on Dani's thighs and arms, but her movements were growing lethargic and her face was becoming a frightening shade of blue as Nieme throttled her. "I don't mind them fighting, but tell your bitch to stop playing so rough. If she kills her, I'll have no one to play with."

Ferrig glanced over at Nieme and Dani and laughed. "Rat," he called out. "You won. Stop choking the purple bitch, and claim your prize. Beebleberries await you when you're done."

Nieme shook her head rigorously and tightened her grip on Dani's neck. "She'll just try again," she hissed. "She'll try again and I can't let her!"

"Obey me," Ferrig snapped. "Let go of that little slut now, or you won't get any beebleberries. Raeila will take care of her, you take care of getting beebleberries."

"Get off of her, Rat!" Raeila stepped into the circle and slipped her arms under Nieme's. She tried to pull her off of Dani, but Nieme screamed and writhed furiously in Raeila's arms to break free and finish what she started. "Ferrig! Discipline the bitch or get rid of her!"

Ferrig moved forward, took Nieme's chin into his hand and pulled her face up to meet his. "If you ever want to see another beebleberry, you'll stop right now. You kill Purple, and I'll have to give you to Raeila, and I know you won't like that."

Nieme's body began trembling violently as she thought of her precious beebleberries being waved over head, but pulled away the moment she reached for them. She wailed fearfully and threw herself into Ferrig's arms. "I'm sorry, Master! I just... I couldn't let her... Oh gods, don't take them away from me. I need them. I'll d-die without them!"

"I won't take them away from you," Ferrig whispered into her ear. He pulled one of the small pills from a pant pocket and held it out for her. "You did good letting her go."

Nieme looked at the blue pill with a gasp, and wasted no time in taking it from Ferrig's fingers and popping it into her mouth.

"Great, Ferrig," Raeila said sourly as she moved to Dani's side. "She almost fucking kills Purple, and you reward her. Nice." She cradled Dani's face in her hands and used her voice to coax her back into awareness.

It took several minutes before Dani's eyes opened again and gazed up into Raeila's "I'm sorry," she whispered and weakly wrapped her arms around her mistress. "I tried to fight better to keep doing what you put me in here for."

"It's okay, Purple," she said soothingly. "Rat's just a psychotic bitch. If she weren't so intoxicated with spice, you could've kicked her ass." Raeila encircled Dani's waist with her arms and helped her pet to her feet. "Let's go to my room and I'll make you feel all better."

"Thank you," Dani whispered. As she moved, she was wobbly on her feet, but with Raeila supporting her she didn't fall back to the ground like she would have done normally. "I was doing good with them, my mistress. They were very pleased until the Rat came."

"She was jealous, my pet, that's all." Raeila kissed Dani gently upon the cheek and shot Ferrig a seething glare as they passed. "You're better than her. But I'd rather have you all to myself anyway. Can't have that crazy bitch killing you, now can I?"

"I wouldn't like that," Dani said with a smile. "I'd rather be all yours, my mistress. I want to please you."

"Then come to my room and you can do just that, Purple." Raeila and Dani disappeared into her room, but Raeila managed one final, fierce look at Ferrig before she shut the door behind her.

Ferrig gave Raeila a look that would have said, "We have to talk later" if she'd still been looking in his direction. They couldn't let their slaves come between them, and he'd have to talk to Nieme later. Maybe they could lock the two sluts into a room together and let them do whatever they wanted. The only fear would be that Nieme would try to kill Purple again, and that would be really bad. He'd talk to Raeila later. No, he told himself, do it now.

Nieme was looking up at him with the same lust and unbridled desire he'd gotten used to. He brushed a hand through her hair and smiled. "Okay, Rat," he said. "Make them happy, and you'll get lots of beebleberries. I'll be here for a minute or two, but then I need to go talk to Raeila. You'll be alright with them on your own? More beebleberries if you are."

Nieme nodded her head briskly and lowered her lips to Ferrig's feet, kissing each of them. "I'll make them so happy for you, Master." With a smile, Nieme hobbled over upon her knees to the nearest Feltrey and used her mouth to help him with his self-pleasuring.

Ferrig watched the girl as she voraciously put herself in a position for half the gang to try to sate the desires burning from the spice. He watched for a moment longer as Rezzo slipped himself inside her while she pleasured Pack with her mouth. Pack was large and the girl was taking him all the way in. Damn, he thought. The girl is a dream. With that, he slipped out of the room and off in search of Raeila and Purple.

***

Raeila stroked Dani's hair affectionately while kissing the bruise forming upon her neck. "She won't touch you again, Purple. I swear it. The bitch is insane. Ferrig better put her on a fucking leash or I'll kill her myself."

"She just wanted to have sex with them," Dani said softly. "She wanted to please her master, but...she's insane. I hope she doesn't do that again. She's come a long way as a slave. She was willing to go into that room to have sex with everyone so Master Ferrig is progressing with her. But, I am glad I have you to keep me safe from her."

"Can't have my favourite slave going and getting killed because Ferrig couldn't keep his bitch under control." Raeila sighed sharply and lay back upon the bed with Dani held close. "She's messed up, Purple. It's those drugs he keeps giving her. They're getting to her head, and without them, she gets crazy. Just...watch out for her. She'd kill you and not give it a second thought."

"I'll be careful," Dani said softly as she curled up against Raeila. "She used to be my friend, but I don't think so anymore. She's...she's mean--"

Before she could say more, there was a knock at the door.

Raeila pushed herself upright and lay Dani's head upon her lap as she continued stroking her hair. "Who the fuck is it? I'm busy."

"It's me." The voice was unmistakably Ferrig's. "We need to talk, Rae."

"You're damn right we do, Ferrig. Come in...and you better be alone! I don't want that Rat in here."

"I'm alone," Ferrig said, and then pushed the door open. He stepped inside and then closed it. He moved closer to the bed where Raeila and Dani sat together. "Is she alright?"

"She almost died. How do you think she is?" Raeila smoothed a hand over Dani's shoulder and leaned over to plant a kiss upon her head. "Rat is completely deranged, Ferrig. What the hell are you doing with her?"

"Making her mine," Ferrig said. "Or ours. She's just a little...strange. Remember her the other day? Would you believe she's out there right now with ten guys? By herself voraciously trying to please all of them?" He moved closer and sat on the edge of the bed. "Selrid's not gonna want her after this. I'm breaking her down for you, little sister. When Kael gets here, that little bitch won't be competition for you getting him back. He's yours, and the Rat isn't going to lay claim to him after this. She'll be far too hooked on spice and sex to care about Kael Selrid, which leaves him wide open for you."

Raeila looked down, staring at Dani's bruised cheek but thinking only of having Kael back in her bed again. "What if he only hates us more for turning her into some spice whore? And what if you kill her, Ferrig?! He'll murder you with his bare hands, and he won't want anything to do with me!"

"Well, I'm sure nabbing the two of them would endear him to us as well," Ferrig said. "We'll make it work. Me and Kael were always close, and he could never resist you. And, I don't think he would hurt either of us when they could get hurt. During that time, when he can't hurt us without us doing something bad...worse to them, that's when you get close to him and work your magic. You're damn good, Rae, and if you want him, you'll get him back. Just think of him in your bed with you, and the two of you like it always was."

A wistful smile stretched across Raeila's face and finally, her good humour returned. "You always said you'd take care of me, big brother. When Kael does come back to me, don't think for a second I'll forget about you." She patted Dani on the rear. "On the floor, Purple. I want to show my appreciation to my brother."

Dani quickly scurried off the side of the bed after giving Raeila a grateful kiss.

Ferrig slid up onto the bed with his sister and smiled. "It hasn't been us for quite a while," he said. "I've missed you, little sister."

"You know I get edgy when I haven't been with you for a while." Raeila grinned and wrapped a leg around Ferrig's waist to pull him closer. "You'll always be better than any slave bitch. After all," she said as she slid a hand between his legs, "you've got things a slave bitch could never give me."

"Oh, and that thing is all yours, little sis," Ferrig said. "Let's get ourselves reacquainted." He kissed her soundly while he slipped a hand between her legs, mirroring her movements between his.

One touch from Ferrig, and Raeila found her desires go awry. She clawed at the fastenings on his pants and hungrily moved her kisses to his chest. "I want you to watch this, Purple," she said quickly. "I want you to watch and learn." With a wild laugh, Raeila pushed down Ferrig's pants and hopped atop him. "You see, Purple," she said as she began swaying against Ferrig, "if a woman is good enough, it doesn't take much to make a man hard. No pheromones...just pure, natural sexual energy."

From the floor, Dani writhed slowly as she watched Raeila and Ferrig. "You are very good, my mistress," she whispered as she leaned closer. She felt swallowed and consumed by the feelings the two generated, her hands clenching and unclenching as she forced herself not to displease her mistress by touching herself.

"You definitely have her trained well," Ferrig said with a grin. "I wish I could get Rat like her. So good, and so willing. If Rat's not doped up, she fights everything. But, oh Rae, when she's doped, she's insatiable."

"But I bet she could never be as unpredictable as I am, and I bet she knows even less tricks." Raeila ran her hand along Ferrig's shaft, steadied it, and finally eased herself atop it. Her motions were deliberate and slow, and as she clamped down on Ferrig's nipple with her teeth, she laughed throatily. "Rat never does that, does she?"

Ferrig let out a cry of pain and pleasure. "Oh gods no," he rasped. "Maybe I should leave her with you for a day to get her trained up really nice. And, even if she knew some of your tricks, she'd never be as good as you. No one could be. The bitch performs tricks like a dog, repeating what she's told but never trying anything else. Oh gods not like you, Rae."

"Never like me, Ferrig." Raeila grinned down at her brother and brought her breasts to his face. She laughed breathlessly as he began devouring them with his mouth. "I could teach her a lot, Ferrig," she purred mischievously. "Let me have her. After she's done with the boys, let me and Purple have her."

"Promise to get her back to me intact and with most of her blood inside, and she's yours. I think she needs to learn a little discipline, and I know you're the best for the job."

"I'll teach her some discipline," she replied, letting the malice underlying her words to be conveyed. "I'll make her scream, Ferrig. But I promise not to kill her." A guttural moan filled the room as Raeila hastened her movements. "Maybe along the way, I'll teach her a few ways to please you as well."

"Oh little sister," Ferrig said with a laugh, "you really know the way to get me going, and now you're gonna get yourself a treat. Just a little bit more, and I'll give it to you wherever you want."

From the corner of her eye, Raeila could see Dani writhing by the bedside, watching them with mouth trembling and her eyes glazed over with lust. Raeila laughed then kissed Ferrig roughly. She moaned into his mouth, then pulled away and whispered, "In Purple's mouth. That's where I want it."

Ferrig smiled. "Gladly," he said. It only took a few more strokes before he was ready. He pulled out, and Dani leapt up to take him into her mouth, sucking him inside greedily. Her expert tongue and lips quickly knocked Ferrig over the edge, and he filled her mouth and throat with his seed. As she proceeded to clean him off, he glanced back at Raeila. "She's damn good."

"And that's without spice, brother," Raeila said thickly as she administered to her own stimulation. "And she knows a lot more too. The things she can do with that tongue..." Raeila cried out with her own release and fell back against the pillows with a long sigh.

Ferrig laughed as he glanced between Raeila and Purple. "I think you got the better deal in this little slave trade. Well, I heard the two of you in here last night and it really sounded like you were having a good time."

"I was sampling the product," Raeila replied. She laughed huskily and motioned Dani over to lay with her. "I heard you and Rat as well. She has a lovely scream."

"She does, doesn't she? I try to get as many of those good screams out of her as I can. She doesn't disappoint. I imagine she's out their screaming like nobody's business. Well, except that she's probably got someone's dick in her mouth."

"A dick that should've been in poor Purple's mouth." Raeila cradled Purple in her arms and smiled as the girl spread kisses upon her breasts. "I'm still a little upset that your bitch thinks she has some right to those boys Purple doesn't. I think I'm really looking forward to informing her of otherwise."

"I'm sure she won't make that mistake again," Ferrig said as he ran a hand along Purple's thigh. "Nice skin. You two will teach Rat good, won't you? She needs it. I can't wait to see Kael's face when she comes to me on her own. We'll convince him he's yours and should never have left, Rae."

"You're so good to me, brother," Raeila said. She caressed his cheek tenderly, then glanced down at Dani. "You can have her tonight if you want. I think it'll be good for Rat if she's without spice for the entire evening. She'll be in so much pain by morning, she'll come running to you. It'll just help reinforce to her that you're her saviour, that she can't live without you. The stupid little slut..."

Ferrig grinned and slid his hand up further on Dani's thigh. "I like the idea of a full night with this one," he said. "And, I will be the rat's saviour, and she will worship me. Make sure to treat her right, little sister. She needs discipline."

Raeila gave a derisive snort. "Oh, I'll treat her right. But I promise to leave no visible scars." She gazed down at Dani, whose purple body was flushed with arousal and desperate yearning. "Would you like to go with Ferrig while I take care of your friend, Purple, or do you wanna stay and help me out?"

Dani looked up Raeila. "I would like to stay with you, my mistress," she said. "But, if you wish me to, I will go with Master Ferrig to please you."

"See, Ferrig?" Raeila said with a large, proud smile. "If I wish. So, what'll it be, Ferrig? Would you like a new toy to play with?"

"Who am I to deny such devotion?" Ferrig said with a smile. "I'll just hang out with the boys tonight, and you can have both our slaves."

"You don't know how much I love you right now, brother." Raeila leaned forward and kissed Ferrig fervently. "Bring her to me," she whispered when their lips parted. "And make certain she knows I'm to be obeyed."

"I'll make sure," Ferrig said. "And, I'll be back soon with her." He kissed both Raeila and Purple, and then slipped out of the room holding his pants in his hand.

He paused in the hall to put his pants back on, then went back out to find Nieme.

---

"Turning the Tables, Part 2"
By: Dani
Nieme Yaresh-Selrid
Ferrig Mullerin
Raeila Mullerin
Pack and other Feltreys [NPC]

Location: Feltrey gang headquarters, Thanatos
Date: Niothe 9, 4 ABY

***

The room was spinning hypnotically and combined with the euphoria generated by receiving and giving so much pleasure, Nieme was reduced to a giggling, writhing Rat. The ganger penetrating her presently cried out, tensed as he filled her, then collapsed atop her with a grunt. Her peels of laughter filled the room and the gangers seemed to respond to it by moving in and pulling their grinning comrade away from her so they too could have a turn.

"Come on, Rat," Pack said as he moved in. "I'm ready again." He kissed the girl, ignoring the strong scent of sex she exuded. She was covered with the mess they were making, and loving it. He pushed himself inside of her, causing her to cry out lustfully. "Oh, you're nice and tight, Rat, just the way I like."

The pain infused her with greater ecstasy than merely the spice alone could have. She'd taken Pack with her mouth and knew firsthand how truly endowed he was. Having him inside of her merely made it blatantly clear. "Please tell Master how happy I've made you." Nieme dragged her nails along Pack's back and vocalized a thick, reverberant cry. "Oh, please tell him. Oh gods...he'll be so pleased."

"I'll tell him, Rat," Pack said as he continued thrusting inside her. "I'll tell him you're very good. And, I'll leave a thick reminder of just how good you are all over those little titties of yours."

Nieme giggled. "I'll make you especially happy by licking you afterwards, Pack. If you'll let me."

"Oh, I'd like that very much, Rat," Pack said. "You do that, and you'll be my favourite." Suddenly he pulled out of Nieme and sent a hot stream of liquid splashing onto Nieme's chest. "I hope you can do this more often, Rat, because this is a damn nice way to spend the day."

Leaping like a feral animal, Nieme wrapped her arms around Pack's waist and closed her mouth around his shaft. She fed from it with insatiable hunger and felt behind her another ganger moving into position to take her.

"Clean him up," Ferrig said as he stepped out of the shadows at the edge of the room, "and then we've got somewhere to go, Rat." He brushed a hand through her hair as she continued to feed from Pack's groin. "Don't worry boys, I think she likes you all, so you'll get another chance tomorrow."

Hearing Ferrig's voice was a signal for Nieme, one she'd been conditioned to recognize as meaning an opportunity for more spice. She pulled away from Pack rapidly and leapt to her feet, only to encircle Ferrig with her arms and kiss him desperately. "I did good, Master. I did it all for you."

Ferrig kissed the girl and smiled. "You did very good," he said. "Come on, my sweet little Rat, we have to go for now."

"More beebleberries?" she asked expectantly as she moved with Ferrig out of the main room. "More beebleberries and then I can show you how grateful I am for them."

He pulled out one of the pills and held it out to her. "Here," he said. "For being a good girl with the boys."

Nieme never wasted time when Ferrig offered her the blue pills, and pulled it from between his fingers quickly. "Oh thank you..." she said with a heavy sigh. "Oh Master..." She closed her eyes and completely melted in Ferrig's arms. "I'm so ready to please you, Master. I'm ready now."

"You were very mean to Purple earlier," Ferrig said as he opened his pants for her. "And, you didn't stop when I told you to. Please me now with your mouth, and then you're going to spend your night with Purple and Raeila for your disobedience. You will do everything they say, and without hesitation. If Raeila is not pleased tomorrow morning, you will be punished again. Now, please me, and then I will take you to them."

"But..." Nieme looked up imploringly at Ferrig. "Please! I only want to be with you tonight. I'm sorry I was bad." She kneeled at Ferrig's feet and reached into his opened pants to attempt appeasement through pleasure. "I won't ever do it again. Just please let me stay with you tonight, Master."

Ferrig brushed his hand through Nieme's hair and smiled. He sighed as she engulfed him in her mouth and tried her best to make him change his mind. "Oh, that's a good little rat," he said as he used his hands to guide her.

Nieme sobbed as she stimulated Ferrig with her mouth. She knew if she went to Raeila, there would only be pain and no spice. She scorned Raeila merely because Kael had chosen her instead. If she was left alone with her, there would be no one to keep her from harming Nieme. "Please, Ferrig," Nieme said breathlessly as she looked up at him. "Don't make me go to her."

"I have to," Ferrig said gently. "If I don't, you won't learn. But, if you're good after tonight, I won't ever have to do that again. And, if you're a good girl tonight, you'll get extra beebleberries tomorrow."

"You promise?" Nieme smiled, her mouth salivating at the thought of what bounty she would receive if she pleased Raeila tonight. "I'll go to her if that's what you want, Master Ferrig. I'll go to her and show her I'm much better than Purple."

"That's my girl," Ferrig said with a smile. "Now, finish there, give me a kiss, and go see Raeila. You're definitely a good little pleasure girl, Rat. You're the best."

With Ferrig's praise to motivate her, Nieme did as he ordered and resumed pleasuring him orally. She'd grown to await the salty manifestation of his arousal and now encouraged his release by hastening her actions. When it finally came, Nieme took it down gratefully until there was no more to feed from. She stood upright with a lazy smile, sliding her body against Ferrig's until she had pulled herself into his arms and was kissing him needfully. "I'm ready to go to Raeila now," she said with a gentle moan. "Anything for you, Master."

"Good girl," Ferrig said, and kissed her once more. "Now, remember to do everything she says, and if she hurts you, just think of the beebleberries tomorrow. I'll make everything better."

Nieme shuddered involuntarily and clung tighter to Ferrig. She knew the volatility of Raeila's temper, and also knew if Ferrig wasn't there, there would be no one to restrain her. All Nieme could picture was Raeila's knife being waved before her face, ready to be plunged into her. She whimpered and buried her face into Ferrig's shoulder but knew she had to obey. "I'll be good," she said to Ferrig quietly. "And I'll see you tomorrow, and then I'll show you what a good little slave I am."

"That's my girl," Ferrig said. "Now, go along, and I'll see you in the morning." He gave Nieme one last kiss, and then patted her behind to get her moving.

She walked trepidly towards Raeila's room, looking back at Ferrig with a worried frown the entire way until the wall of the corridor blocked him from sight. She began to weep quietly as she stood before the door, contemplating whether she should knock on it or run. If she fled, there would be no beebleberries and Ferrig would be so angry with her. Nieme knew her only choice was to appease Raeila, and her first step towards that was by rapping on her door.

After a moment, the door opened and Dani stood there watching Nieme. She was flushed with arousal and her hair hung into her eyes. She motioned for Nieme to enter, and gestured toward where Raeila waited on the bed. "Our mistress will see you over there," she said softly, and then she closed and bolted the door.

"Come closer," Raeila commanded. She was reclined on the bed with a smug grin on her face as she motioned Nieme over towards her.

Nieme obeyed with only a moment's hesitation and scurried quickly over to Raeila's side.

"Kneel," Raeila said. Her eyes wandered over Nieme's frame as the girl dropped to her knees by the side of the bed and watched the floor with her eyes. "You're mine tonight. Did Ferrig tell you that?"

Nieme nodded her head, but dared not look up into Raeila's unforgiving eyes.

"He didn't tell you what I'd be doing to you though, did he?"

Nieme paused for a moment, overcome by fear and anxiety, but she managed to shake her head stiffly.

"Well then," Raeila said with a grin, "you're in for a surprise. Purple, get my whip."

The word itself made Nieme's body tense. If she wasn't so afraid, she knew she'd be running.

Dani nodded, and scampered into the closet where Raeila had thrown the large leather strap. She rushed back to the bed with it, and handed it reverently to Raeila.

She slid the long, smooth leather strap through her one hand, eyeing Nieme and calculating in her mind how many strikes it would take to make her bleed. In her musings, an idea sprang to mind and she looked at Dani with a grin. "Here," she said as she handed the strap back to her slave. "I want you to do it. Rat, come up onto the bed."

Nieme's lips trembled and her eyes glistened with tears, but she did as she was told and mounted the bed. She had no clue what Raeila had in mind for her, until she laughed throatily and spread her legs wide open. "Pleasure me with your mouth, and Purple, I want you to beat her while she does."

"Please," Nieme begged timidly, "don't do that. I'll be so good...just don't do that."

"Shut up!" Raeila hissed. She brought her open palm across Nieme's cheek and knocked her off balance, but she remained upright. "Purple, hit her to get her going."

Dani nodded, and let the leather strap fly across Nieme's backside. She sent another lash across Nieme's thighs, when the girl didn't do as Raeila commanded. Once the leather kissed her skin for a second time though, Nieme got moving.

Raeila laughed and threw her head back as Nieme dove between her legs, administering to her wishes almost willingly. "That's a good slave," she said while stroking her hair. She looked up at Dani and nodded. She wanted to see Rat squirm, wanted to hear her crying out in pain. She would learn not to steal from what was rightfully Raeila Mullerin's.

As Nieme continued to pleasure Raeila, Dani continued to swing the strap, leaving blistering welts across her back, buttocks, and thighs. As she kept swinging at Nieme, bringing out cries of pain from Nieme and pleasure from Raeila, she slipped a hand between her thighs. Part of her was screaming at the idea of whipping Nieme, but the other part was in bliss over the emotions coming from Raeila.

"Oh, you're beautiful, Purple. And you, Rat...I think you're coming along nicely." Raeila clutched at a handful of Nieme's hair and drove her face into her mound. She moaned and swayed her hips gently to intensify the experience. "More, Purple," Raeila said in a voice thick with lust. "Hit her harder. When there's blood, tell me."

Dani nodded and continued slapping the whip across Nieme's back. After another dozen lashes she let out a laugh. She looked up at Raeila and grinned. "Blood," she said with a giggle.

Raeila smiled with satisfaction then pushed Nieme's head away from her. Nieme fell back upon the bed with a wince as the pain from her wounds flared. She scrambled back as Raeila got to her knees and began moving towards her with a predatory gleam in her eyes. "Make sure she doesn't go anywhere, Purple. We're hardly done with her."

Dani smiled and put her hands down onto Nieme's shoulders to keep her in place. She lowered her face to her friend's -- though, at this point she had to question that friendship -- and kissed her slowly. "It's okay, Rat," she said. "We won't let you die. You're too special to let die. Just try to find the pleasure in the pain; open your senses and you'll feel it."

Nieme shook her head profusely and tried to wriggle from Dani's grasp. "P-Please don't hurt me anymore, Mistress. I'm trying to be good. I will be if you just don't hurt me."

"Shut up, Rat!" Raeila pulled the strap from Dani's hand and sent it across Nieme's cheek. The girl shrieked and fell against the bed again as pain erupted throughout her face. She sobbed and wrapped her arms protectively around her face. "I don't think so, Rat. I want to see how much Kael likes you after I mess up that pretty face of yours. Purple! Get my knife."

Nieme looked up at Raeila with stark terror and hollered a plea, but she was deaf to them and set on her vengeful path. "Why are you doing this? All I did was love him."

"And that," Raeila hissed as she bent low towards Nieme, "was the biggest mistake of your life."

Dani hesitated only a fraction of a second before rushing to get Raeila's knife. She quickly returned it to her mistress despite the overwhelming discomfort caused by Nieme's terror. Palpable waves seemed to assault her body and senses as she sat rocking silently at her mistress's side.

Raeila kissed Dani tenderly upon the cheek, but kept her gaze on Nieme as she turned the knife in her hand while deliberating on which part of Nieme's face to slice up first. "Purple," she said smoothly, "what shall it be? Shall I carve up her pretty cheeks?" She passed the blade of the knife lightly over Nieme's flesh, tracing out the gentle curve of her cheek. What better way to alienate the two further by having one choose the punishment of the other? "So tell me, Purple, which part of her face do you like the least? I'm sure I can do a pretty good job of fixing it up."

Dani looked at Nieme's face and shuddered. "Oh goddess," she whispered as she doubled over in pain. "Her-- it hurts so much, her fear." Another roiling surge of emotion hit her, and she quickly covered her mouth. "I'm sorry, my mistress. Her emotions are so...they hurt..."

Raeila looked at Dani and her eyes narrowed to slits as she watched her once perfect slave disobeying her orders. "What the fuck is wrong with you, Purple? Answer me!"

"I'm empathic," Dani sobbed. "I can...can feel emotions. She's terrified, and it hurts." She turned her gaze on Nieme and her lips peeled back in a near snarl. "Stop hurting me, you ungrateful slut!" She sobbed and looked up at Raeila. "Put your initials in her cheeks, my mistress. But please let me wait in the hall, or else she'll make me throw up."

Raeila scrutinized Dani's face for any signs of insincerity, but she really did like her suggestion, so with a wave of her hand, she dismissed Dani. "But stand by the door. I want you to hear her screams, my pet."

"No!" Nieme attempted to crawl her way off the bed, but Raeila's hand was around her throat in an instant and she straddled Nieme's waist to restrain her.

"Go, Purple," Raeila said in cold whisper. A slowly curling smile formed on Raeila's face as she brought the tip of her blade to Nieme's cheek. "Let's see how blind Kael's love really is."

Out in the hall, Nieme's first scream pounded into Dani with the force of a hovercar at top speed. She sank to the ground and her stomach disgorged its contents onto the floor. She sobbed piteously as she could do nothing to escape the screams coming from the other room. Mixed with Nieme's screams, she could hear her own. Inside, she could feel a part of herself dying in Nieme's torment, withering away. Her beautiful star...and now they were slaves. No, a part of Dani screamed out. She pushed back into the room, waves of pheromones coming with her. "Please, stop," she cried out. "Please stop hurting her."

Raeila pulled the bloodied knife tip from Nieme's face and stared at Dani with smouldering rage. "What did you say to me? Shut up and wait outside, Purple, or you're next!"

Dani's eyes narrowed. "No," she said, her emotions darkening like they never had before. She reached out a hand and the knife, as if alive, flew from Raeila's hand and into Dani's. "You promised no visible scars. You can hit her with the strap, you can slap her and hit her." Dani stepped closer. "But, you can't cut her."

"What the fuck are you!" Raeila pushed Nieme away to provide a physical barrier between herself and Dani. The air felt chilled and it seemed as if night had swallowed the room, but Dani remained visible in the encroaching darkness, except for her eyes which were now merely black slits exuding no light. Raeila fell from the bed and clambered away from Dani. She cried out as her back hit the wall. "Ferrig! Ferrig help me!"

"I am going to be a Jedi Knight," Dani said. "They will come for us, and cut you all down with laser swords and the powers of their mind. If you ever try to hurt us again, I will do nothing to stop them from doing so." She pointed the small blade and Raeila. "We have powerful friends, and they will destroy you if you hurt us."

Ferrig suddenly burst through the open door, saw Dani pointing a small, bloodied knife at Raeila who was cowering against the far wall. At first, he thought the purple bitch had hurt his sister, but then he saw Nieme. "Fucking Thana," he cried as he rushed to his slave. "What did you do to her?"

"Ferrig?! What the fuck is wrong with you?" Raeila gazed cross-eyed at the tip of the blade hovering near her face and dripping globules of blood. She imagined hers would soon be mixing with Nieme's if Dani didn't back down. "I didn't kill her, did I? No! Now get this bitch away from me! She's talking funny... She's fucking crazy like Rat!"

Dani took a step back as Ferrig moved to stand near his sister. "Put the fucking knife down, Purple," he said. "You don't know how to use that, and you'll only end up getting yourself cut up like Rat."

"If she ever tries to hurt me or Nieme agai--"

"Rat!" Ferrig stood to his full height. "You will call the bitch Rat. She's not Nieme anymore!"

Dani's eyes flashed. "If your sister ever hurts Nieme or me again," she said, her words carrying an edge much sharper than any knife ever could, "she will die."

Ferrig could have almost laughed as he looked at the naked, purple girl staring him down with a blood-soaked knife in her hand. And, he would have laughed if her words and her stare hadn't chilled him to the bone. He swallowed hard. Suddenly, their slaves didn't seem much like slaves.

"Take your sister from this room now," Dani said, "and leave me with Nieme." Despite her youth, or her state of dress, Dani spoke with an air of command and authority that they could little help but obey. "And, you will bring me medical supplies."

Ferrig moved to help Raeila up. "We should leave them," he said.

"We should tie them up with chains, that's what we should do," Raeila said with fear coating her every word. She clung to Ferrig's arm as he pulled her up from the ground and the two began edging their way out of the room. "I always thought you were a good slave, Purple. You're just like Rat... You're both insane!"

"I was happy being your slave until you hurt her," Dani said. "You bruised me and hurt me, but that was okay because you were getting pleasure from it. But, you were hurting Nieme... And, you made me hurt her."

Raeila laughed shrewdly. "You did that all on your own, Purple! Don't blame me because you're feeling guilty about hurting your little girlfriend." Raeila stumbled as Ferrig resorted to dragging her forcefully from the room, but truth was, she couldn't wait to be safely outside. "It's her own fault anyway. The bitch should've stayed away from Selrid. She will now, though. She won't ever go near him again!"

Dani took a step closer to Raeila, chasing her from the room. Once she was gone, Dani turned toward where Nieme lay on the bed. She quickly tossed the knife aside and went to her friend. "Oh goddess, Nieme," she whispered as she took her Nieme into her arms. "Oh, what have I done?"

"It hurts so much, Dani," she whispered. Nieme gazed up at Dani with tears streaming from her eyes and blood swelling from her wounds. "I need... I need some beebleberries." She writhed gently on the bed and gripped Dani's arms with trembling hands. "They'll make all the pain go away, Dani. If you're good...Master will give you some too. All the hurt will go away."

Dani felt tears welling in her eyes as she looked at Nieme's face. "I'll get some," she said. "But, I need to clean your wounds, my love." She knelt down with Nieme and ripped off a corner of the bedding. "Hold still, and I'll see what I can do."

Nieme groaned and shrank back as Dani touched the sheet to her wounds. She breathed in sharply, fighting the pain, and let her friend take care of her. "He went away," she said shakily. "Kael...he got mad and he went into the dark. I think he's lost, Dani, and it's all because of me."

"We'll find him," Dani said as she cleaned Nieme's wounds. "We'll find him again, and everything will be alright. We'll find him, Nieme." She could feel hot tears streaming down her cheeks as she practically willed her own life force into her friend. She had to make Nieme alright again. She had to correct the damage Raeila had caused. As she continued to clean Nieme's wounds, she gasped as she saw what appeared to be the skin beginning to knit itself together again, to heal right before her eyes.

"Dani?" Nieme looked up into her friend's stricken face and reached out a hand to touch her cheek when she felt and saw the pulsating waves of Force energy radiating from Dani. Her colours grew vibrant and filled Nieme with a comforting warmth. The pain she'd felt all but dissipated and with it went the fear and anguish she felt knowing Kael had abandoned her. "What... Dani...what are you doing?"

"I don't know," Dani whispered. "I think it's healing you, Nieme. I think I'm making you better. It think it's...I think it's the Force."

"I know it is," Nieme said with a gentle gasp. "It...it feels like you. It doesn't hurt anymore... It must be working!"

"I'm so sorry I hurt you, Nieme," Dani said with her tears starting again as she remembered what she'd almost done. "I hate myself for that, and I'm...I'm so very sorry."

Nieme focused on Dani's glazed over eyes and with a whimper, she sat upright and wrapped her arms around her friend. "I was bad too... It's okay, Dani. I was mean to you too. But it wasn't our fault... They did it. They're trying to turn us against each other. We can't let them, Dani. We can't."

"I love you, Nieme," Dani said. "And, I'll never do anything mean to you again. They won't turn us against each other. We'll be together." Dani slipped her arms around Nieme and sighed as she kissed her friend. "We won't let them hurt us like that again."

"It...it was the beebleberries, Dani. I need them so badly. It hurts when I can't have them. They make me do those mean things. But I just can't stop. How do I stop, Dani?"

"The pills Ferrig gives you?" Dani frowned. "He's been giving you spice, Nieme. That's probably what makes you so aroused too. We'll have to find a way to help you, but he's probably giving you one that's addictive, and your body needs it. Maybe we can start reducing how much you take until you don't need any anymore. We'll make you right, Nieme. I promise to help make everything right, my beautiful star."

"I know you can fix everything, Dani," Nieme said as she pressed her face against her friend's bosom. "You're so strong. You scared away Master and Mistress. You're going to be a good Jedi, Dani. And for you, I'll try and stop the spice...but it helps me. I can go to the waterfalls and forget where I am. It's so much nicer at the waterfalls."

"Ferrig uses it to make you do things," Dani said. "If I can get some from him, then you wouldn't have to do that because I'd be here to give it to you. That would be better, right?" Dani held Nieme close and sighed softly. "Do you need some now?"

"I don't...think so. I feel so calm now...so happy in your arms." She looked up at Dani and smiled as if doing so pained her. "I'll try to live without it, but if I can't, I don't want Ferrig to be the one to give it to me. I don't like doing those things he makes me do to get the spice...but I have no other choice."

"I'll get it for you," Dani said softly and kissed Nieme. "And, all you have to do to get it is get better. And, if you want, lay in my arms with me, but that isn't required."

"Okay," Nieme said with a slow nod, "but I think I'd like to do that anyway." She curled up against Dani and kissed her friend's neck lightly. "You'll get us out of here, won't you, Dani? You're so strong... I know you can do it."

"I'll do whatever I can," Dani said quietly. "I don't know how long Raeila and Ferrig will stay scared of me and what I did, but we'll have at least that long before they decide they want to punish us. Maybe by then, someone will be looking for us. Maybe Orn will try to save us. He loves you very much, and he'll try to save us, Nieme. He's a very good man."

"But they'd kill him. I hope he doesn't come searching for us. Maybe Jae Dyn Brael will. When she comes to train us..." Nieme gazed up into Dani's eyes, looking for reassurance, but her friend appeared as hopeless and uncertain as she did. "We can't be here forever, Dani. We just can't."

"We won't," Dani said, pressing her lips to Nieme's temple for reassurance. "We'll get out. Jae Dyn Brael will rescue us, or we'll get out of here ourselves. I'll just need to use more of my power, and then we can run away. And, then we'll go far away so they'll never find us again."

"For real this time, Dani. We'll run away, and we'll leave this planet, then we'll never be hurt or afraid again. I love you, Dani." Nieme sighed, hearing the unsteadiness of her breathing as she exhaled. She knew the calming effect of the Force was wearing thin and her yearning for the spice was returning. But for Dani, she would combat it. As long as she had Dani, she could overcome anything.

"We'll find a safe place to live, Nieme," Dani said. "And, it will be just like we dreamed. No more fear or pain, just happiness. Now, try to sleep, my beautiful star. Sleep and I will hold you safely in my arms."

Nieme nestled against Dani and closed her eyes tightly. "I'll dream too, Dani. I'll dream of the waterfalls and you'll be there with me. And we'll both be safe. That's what I'll do..." Nieme trailed off, mumbling incoherent thoughts and wishes while willing sleep to come before the pain of withdrawal began.

***

"What the fuck happened in there?" Ferrig said as he rifled through his clothing to find something for Raeila to put on. "And, why the fuck were you cutting open the rat?"

"It was only a scratch!" Raeila contested. "And why the hell is it that you went to Rat's side first while that purple bitch practically had a knife at my throat?"

"You weren't bleeding all over the floor at the time," Ferrig snapped. "If the bitch had cut you open, I would have snapped her neck. If the Rat died from blood loss or anything, I really don't think any amount of sweet talking would stop Kael from cutting off our heads and pissing down our throats. I'm not sure he'll take too kindly to having the Rat's face mutilated either. The thing we need to figure out now, though, is what the fuck to do about them."

Raeila jerked free from Ferrig's hand the shirt he had pulled out from the pile. "I'll tell you right now I am not staying in the same room alone with that purple freak." Raeila threw on the shirt aggressively and added, "She's got some fucking magic. You should've seen her! That knife floated from my hand into hers."

"I just saw the way she looked at me," Ferrig said. "You're right; she's got some magic freakish shit. Who knows what she can fucking do. My guess is she likes all that pain and bondage shit you were throwing at her, so she never complained, but as soon as you sliced her girlfriend, she went psychotic. I guess our dilemma is what to do to the two of them now. Though, part of that depends on what they do. Should we just kill them and bury their bodies in the deep desert? If Selrid shows up, we tell him they ran off."

Raeila flounced upon the bed with a heavy sigh and swung one leg lazily over the side of the bed. "What if something digs them up? If we kill them, we've gotta find a real good hiding spot...or maybe chop them up into little pieces and sell them as dog food or something."

"The Dunes of Rhe'Than," Ferrig said. "Most people will avoid that place like it's a Stormtrooper garrison, and we can chop them into bits and scatter them over the sand. No one will ever find them, and you can cut up the Rat as much as you want after Purple's dead."

Raeila sighed and shook her head slowly. "The boys are not gonna be happy. They were having so much fun with those sluts. But we can't afford to keep them around anymore, especially after that shit Purple pulled...and it's not as if Rat is any more sane."

"I've got the bitch addicted to stemra spice," Ferrig said. "One pill, and she wants to rut." Suddenly he smiled. "They're gonna have to eat, right? What if we powder some of it and put it in their food? And, in their water. Get them both hooked, and they'll be easier to deal with. I think Rat reacted the way she did because she's psychotic, not because of the spice. It should only drive her arousal through the sky."

"I don't want her aroused," Raeila said testily, "I want her dead! I want both of them dead, Ferrig! Why the fuck should we waste perfectly good spice on them when we're just gonna kill them?"

"What happened to your knife in there, Rae?" Ferrig asked. "When it comes time to kill them, they'll be so doped up all they'll think about is fucking. Then, we let the boys have some fun while we all fuck the two bitches until they're dripping out of every orifice, and then we haul them out into the desert to be killed. The purple bitch won't fight back or steal any knives when all she wants to do is get a dick shoved into her cunt. Besides, I've never had any alien pussy and would like to fuck her at least once before I slit her throat."

Raeila crossed her arms over her chest and looked sullenly across the room. "Fine. As long as there aren't anymore flying knives." She sighed loftily then gazed up at Ferrig with a sultry smile as she patted the bed. "So, when do we get to kill them, dear brother?"

"How does tomorrow sound?" Ferrig asked with a smile as he moved over to the spot she indicated. "And, when it's done, we can bathe in their blood."

Raeila laughed and edged closer to Ferrig. "I have a better idea of what we can do in their blood." She smiled suggestively and pressed her lips to his. "The sooner the better, brother. Wouldn't want your pretty sister getting messed up by some purple alien freak, would you?"

"The purple alien freak won't be touching you," Ferrig said as he slipped his pants open. "And, we may have to wait a couple days to make sure they're nice and spiced up. Get them completely wasted, and then they won't fight. No matter what they eat, it'll be so completely laced with spice that they won't be able to help but get high. Of course, they'll probably be having sex in there until we drag them off to their death."

Raeila deftly removed the shirt she'd only just placed on and tossed it aside. "They probably won't even know they're dying until their blood runs out." She grinned ferally as she peeled back Ferrig's pants and straddled his waist. "At least they get to go out fucking."

"That's the best way to go," Ferrig said as Raeila slid down his shaft. "Oh gods I love you there, Rae. Nothing could ever beat you in bed, sweet sister. Oh, this is going to be damn good. I think I'll want to fuck you again out there on the sand with the sound of their voices in the background."

"Their screams ringing through the desert, but with no one to hear who actually gives a shit." Raeila chuckled and wrapped her lips around Ferrig's earlobe. She giggled exuberantly, then whispered, "Make love to me, Ferrig. Make love to me like you will when their warm blood is spilling from their necks and makes us a lovely red blanket to have sex upon."

Ferrig cried out and thrust himself deep inside Raeila. The only images in his mind were of him and Raeila, their bodies stained crimson from the blood of the two sluts, as they frantically made love. It was the greatest thing either of them would ever experience. The idea of all that blood just sent them both over the edge, and there could be no comparison. They were drawing close to their goal, he could feel; soon they would rule Thanatos through blood, and all would be theirs.

---

"Little Bundles of Terror, Part 1"
By: Merrick Braston
Maeren "Shiv" Shivral
Zale Tregat
Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat
Moril Astren [NPC]

And Introducing: Keeve Zenarr [NPC]

Location: Yesdol Central Medical Centre - Yesdol, New Plouton
Date: Niothe 9, 4 ABY

***

Maeren Shivral jerked awake at the sound of the door closing. She focused her eyes into the dark and sighed.

"Sorry," Merrick whispered. "I had to get something to drink. Didn't mean to make so much noise."

Shiv nodded. "It's alright," she said. "I was starting to have a dream again anyway. So, it's good."

"How is she?"

Shiv sighed and put her hand up onto the bed so it covered Kaysa's. "Still asleep," she said. "The doctors said she'd be like this for awhile. They think they repaired all the damage, but they say it's still early. I'm just glad they don't have her floating in bacta anymore."

Merrick nodded and moved to the seat next to Shiv. He took her into his arms and pulled her close. "It'll all be fine," he said. "She's a strong woman, and she'll get better just so she can protect us. What do any of us know about raising kids, Shiv?"

"Keeve won't be that bad," Shiv said with a giggle. "He's just a little boy, and he's Kaysa's."

Merrick grinned. "Yes, Kaysa's."

"He won't be that bad! Oh you! I'm sure he's a wonderful little boy who looks exactly like her."

"Any word from Moril yet?"

"According to the spaceport people, the transport should be arriving really soon. I hope everything went alright. I imagine after all that time cramped in a starship, Keeve will be all high strung and bouncy. I just wish we had more time to get his room fixed up. But, we can take him out to buy things for him."

Merrick laughed. "You're going to spoil him, aren't you?"

Shiv giggled. "Of course. I'll be his Auntie Shiv."

"I'm sure you'll do fine," Merrick said. "And, I'm sure he'll love you like everyone does."

"I hope so. He's Kaysa's, and that means so much to me. And, I want to love him, and for him to love me. And, I want us to be a perfect, abnormal family."

Merrick grinned and pulled Shiv into his lap. "We've got the abnormal part down. I'm sure we'll hear from Moril soon, and everything will be fine."

"I hope so," Shiv said. "I wish I knew what he liked. I would have got him something."

"Well, after you talk to him today, you can spoil him rotten tomorrow."

"I hope so," she said. "I'm sure everything will be perfect."

***

At the spaceport, Moril pulled his cloak tight around him as the wind from the descending ship's thrust kicked dust around him. As the ship settled, Moril waited.

The freighter finally rocked into place in its berth and the ramp slowly lowered. Jegge was the first down the ramp, and what he saw made Moril wince. Jegge looked like he hadn't slept in a week, and he had a large black ring around one eye. His mouth was drawn in a hard line.

Next to him, Tranin wasn't much better off. Her body armour was decorated in black and green markings depicting various scenes. She too appeared to have not slept since her departure from Tae'Karada and the look she gave Moril nearly chilled his blood. What the hell had happened? Suddenly he found himself fearing for the life of Keeve, Kaysa's son. As he started forward, he heard the sound of small feet hammering on the deckplates. At the top of the hatch, a small form appeared and Moril gasped.

His lower lip protruded in a permanent pout and his brow knitted as if everything he looked upon struck a cord of displeasure in him. He scanned the docking bay slowly, then with arms folded over his small chest, he marched down the docking ramp in a series of stubbornly petulant steps. The small boy reached the bottom of the ramp and pushed past the two guards standing on either side of it with tiny hands. Upon his fingers were green and black blotches, colours matching those on Tranin's armour. He spotted Moril awaiting him and continued his tramping until he was directly before him and staring up at him with a sour frown.

"You must be Keeve," Moril said, pushing his misgivings aside. "My name is Moril and I'm a friend of your mother's. Would you like to go see her now? She's in the hospital right now because a bad man tried to hurt her, and I'm sure she'd love to see you now. I'm sure having you there will brighten her day considerably."

Keeve closed his eyes as if drawing on quickly fleeting patience, then opened them again with a weary sigh. "My mother is on Bespin...where I would much rather be right now." His eyes wandered over Moril's form, his frown deepening the longer he studied the rugged, carelessly dressed man. "You're a friend of my mother's? I hardly think that is possible."

"Your mother's name is Kaysa, and she is my friend," Moril said. "Would you like to meet her?"

"Do I have a choice?" he asked bluntly.

Moril looked the boy over, and then shook his head. "No," he said. "You don't have a choice. But, I'll try to make it as pleasant as I can for you. And, when you meet your mother, you'll meet Shiv too. Maybe she can draw you a picture; she's a very talented artist."

Keeve smirked at Moril and said, "Yes...I'm sure she is." He folded his arms over his scrawny chest again and looked past Moril. "I do hope you have transportation...something more comfortable than that ship."

"I have a hoverlimo," Moril said with a smile. "Will that be adequate, young sir?"

Keeve's eyes narrowed contemptibly at Moril's sarcasm, but soon his lips curled into a smile, revealing a missing front tooth as well as his truly mischievous nature. "Your guards may escort me while you retrieve my bags." He stepped past Moril without awaiting his reply and wandered confidently, yet aimlessly towards the presumed direction of the hoverlimo.

"Like hell I will," Moril muttered under his breath. He stepped forward, apologized to the guards for their ordeal, and instructed them to have Keeve's bags delivered to Kaysa's apartment. At their acknowledgement, he turned and quickly followed after Keeve, hoping he hadn't found his way into an equadi shop. "There's no doubt that that child was Kaysa Zenarr's."

***

"I don't need more medication," Zale Tregat growled. "I already feel like a spice addict as it is, I don't need more of that shit. Now, leave me be; I want to see my wife."

"The circuitry needs to be checked again, Mr. Tregat," the nurse said, trying to catch up with his long strides.

"My arm is fine," Zale growled. "If you could rig it up to make kaffe, it'd be perfect."

"Please, Mr. Tregat," the nurse said, nearly running. "Mrs. Tregat is sleeping, and really needs her rest, as do you. Please return to your bed." As Zale continued on, the woman stamped her foot. "Fine! No sponge bath for you!"

Zale stopped and turned around. He looked at the small woman in nurse's uniform fuming at him, and laughed. "You want me to skip seeing my wife, spending time with her, so you can give me a sponge bath?"

The woman blushed. "It was worth a shot," she said. "We really must check the prosthetic, sir. And, then you can visit with Mrs. Tregat."

Zale smiled at the woman. "Very well," he said. "You may check my arm, and I get to see my wife." As she started leading him back down the hallway, he laughed. "But, no sponge baths."

***

The hoverlimo sped through the city as Keeve stared out the window. Moril held his sigh in, not wanting the brat to know that he'd gotten to him at all. But at least he wasn't singing anymore though.

"Are we still not there?" Keeve asked in his crisp, prepubescent voice.

Moril glanced at the child and put on a smile. "The driver tells me we will magically get there just after you stop asking that question."

Unappreciative of Moril's humour, Keeve twisted his head around and faced the man with an expression of utter disdain. "You're not one of Kaysa's men, I hope."

"Actually, I am one of Zale's men," Moril said with a smile. "His assistant to be exact, and soon to be one of your benefactors." He studied the child for a moment. "So, what makes you happy, Keeve?"

The boy gave Moril his most innocuous smile and replied, "Getting out of this limo so I no longer have to have this conversation with you." He folded his arms across his chest and stared ahead with a sour frown. "And going back home to Bespin with my mother and father."

Moril kept his smile in place. "Well, you're going to meet...Kaysa today. I think you'll like her. The two of you have so much to talk about, and I'm sure you'll become good friends very fast." He looked toward the front of the limo as if to will the driver to get them there faster. "And, I think you'll love Shiv. She's a beautiful girl who will, I'm sure, have you smiling in minutes. I'm sure she'll be just like an aunt before you know it."

Keeve shifted his gaze slowly to the man, narrowed his brow at him, then gave a wry laugh. "I have nothing to talk about with that woman. And I really don't need an aunt. I had one on Bespin. She bought me my favourite toys and gave me credits for my birthday." Once again, his mouth twisted into an acidulous frown as he added, "I imagine for my birthday, Auntie Shiv would paint me a lovely picture. Won't that be nice?"

"If she knows that you want toys and credits for your birthday, I'm sure she'll get them for you," Moril said. "And, a picture. And, you should really wait until you meet Kaysa before you decide you have nothing to talk about."

"Oh really?" Keeve's mouth once again turned up into a sharp grin. "Well...I know something we can talk about," he said thoughtfully. "We can talk about how I did this!" His small, seemingly harmless foot flashed into sight as he brought it up into the air, then down again upon Moril's. He ground his heel repeatedly into Moril's foot, laughing with glee all the while, and would have continued to do so if the limo hadn't halted and provided him with an opportunity to escape punishment and end Moril's torment. With an exuberant, mischievous giggle, Keeve pushed open the door of the limo and fled towards the hospital.

Once the child was safely gone from the limo, Moril let out a string of curses that would have made Zale blush. He thanked the limo driver, and slipped out to follow after Kaysa's bundle of terror. "Perhaps they can give him a sedative inside," he said to himself as he hurried toward the doors.

Entering the hospital, Keeve's flight of delinquency left in its wake screams and shouts from unsuspecting nurses whose trays of food were knocked from their hands, never making it to their intended destinations; patients daring to leave their beds and stroll in the corridors they had the audacity to believe were safe were proven otherwise as the little scourge shouldered past them. If they weren't directly in his path already, he readjusted his course to ensure anyone who caught his eye was made a victim of Keeve Zenarr's impetuous whim. Chaos erupted wherever he passed, and above all the clamour and shouting was Keeve's distinct, boisterous laughter.

"Damn you, you little urchinous shit!" an old man -- who had been walking in the hall, now only laying there -- called out as he shook his fist. "How dare you! I hope you step in someone's bedpan!"

Similar cries followed through the hall. One man, so enraged by having his walker upended, hurled his teeth after the demonic child.

The nursing and custodial staff was suddenly thrust into emergency mode as they cleaned up the clear swath the boy had left through the entire hospital. Through it all, Moril walked as calmly as he could, apologizing to all he could see. Perhaps it would have been best if an Imperial patrol had seized the ship. Zale would have lost some good men that way, but most likely after that ordeal they'd be quitting anyway. With a sigh and another string of apologies, Moril trudged on. Right about now, he could really use one of Shiv's smiles. Though, after experiencing Keeve, he had to wonder if even Shiv would still be smiling.

The shouts and curses only added motivation to Keeve's reckless charge through the hospital. He ducked under the hands of a nurse who attempted a brave capture, but it only earned her a collision with an onrushing gurney set into motion by the little hellion.

Keeve giggled again, then emitted a shrill, triumphant whoop as he continued down a new corridor with fresh victims awaiting him. He proceeded to recite a rather vulgar song containing curses and lewd references that no child his age should have had knowledge of, while sending nurses rushing away from his path of destruction.

He spotted a large, dark haired, dark-eyed patient who had come out of his room to investigate the source of the disturbance, making himself a target in the process. With an undulating war cry, Keeve sprinted towards the dark-skinned man and rammed him with his slight, scrawny body. "Pardon me...sir," Keeve said jeeringly before he swung his foot into the man's shin.

Zale looked down at the small child who had just rammed into him, and told himself not to laugh. When the child kicked his shin, Zale tried not to laugh again...mostly succeeding. "You've got quite a kick there, soldier," Zale said. "Though, it's best not to go kicking people, lest they kick back. You don't want me to kick back, trust me."

Keeve's nose wrinkled and his eyes narrowed as he scowled at the man. "You wouldn't do it! I'm a little kid and if you did, I could have you arrested."

"Nice try, kid," Zale said with a smile. "I'm a crimelord, and we generally don't abide by the laws. Besides, with the Empire collapsed, no one really knows who's supposed to be doing the arresting around here. I think I had a little kid like you for dinner last night. Your kind go down with a nice beebleberry and wine sauce."

"You're lying!" Keeve studied the man's eyes, searching for that one sign that would convey his jest, but all he found were hard black eyes that didn't soften, even with his smile. The boy stepped back a pace, letting his fear almost escape, but instead he placed his hands on his hips with haughty arrogance and said, "My new mother is Kaysa Zenarr and she's married to a mean crimelord. If you even touch me, he'll be the one eating you with beebleberry sauce."

Zale tried to keep his reaction from his face and wasn't sure if he entirely succeeded. "Well, is he now?" he asked. "I wonder if I know this man. All of the crimelords on Tae'Karada got together the other night for a big party. As you can imagine, there was lots of beebleberry sauce there. Who is this new crimelord stepfather of yours?"

"The two lackwits who escorted me to the planet said his name was Zale Tregat," he said with overweening pride. "He's my new father now, and if you threaten me again, you'll be sorry."

"Will I?" Zale asked, his dark eyes glittering. "Perhaps I'll have to kill him myself." He lowered himself toward Keeve and smiled. "Perhaps I should kill him and take his name and wife for my own. Then I would be Zale Tregat."

Keeve shrank back against the man's menacing smile. He tried to take comfort in knowing he was in plain sight, with many witnesses, and the man couldn't do anything without dozens of people seeing...he hoped. "Y-You can't. That's not allowed," he said stubbornly. "And...and he's not really my father anyway. A-And she's not really my mother. So...kill him if you want-- Kill them both! I don't care."

"She gave birth to you," Zale said. "But, I guess she hasn't been much of a mother, has she? But, she wants to be now. Do you want to see her?"

Finally, using his shrewd mind to figure out the man's ruse, Keeve stepped back and smirked. "You're Zale Tregat, aren't you? I knew all along," he said as he kicked at an invisible object upon the floor to express his triumph. "And I guess I have to see her, don't I? My mother said to be nice to her because she's had it rough, but it doesn't mean I have to call her Mommy. And I don't have to call you Daddy either!"

"She almost died the other night," Zale said. "A bad man stabbed her, and we almost didn't get here in time. I don't think she's awake yet, but if you'd like to see her, I can take you in. And, I am Zale Tregat, and you don't have to call me Daddy. You can just call me Zale if you'd like."

Keeve tapped his foot upon the white, hospital floor rhythmically, then sighed and shrugged his shoulders. "I'll see her, Zaletregat. But if she expects a kiss from me, I'm leaving."

"Well, we'll see what she wants when we get in there," Zale said.

As he stood, Moril suddenly rushed into view. "Zale, Kaysa's-- Oh, there he is. We'll need to do a credit transfer to the hospital for three thousand seven hundred credits." He glanced at Keeve, and then back to Zale. "He caused a mess on the way in."

Zale looked down at Keeve and sighed. "That's coming out of your allowance."

"The one you'll be giving me or the one Kaysa will be giving me?" Keeve arched his brows innocently and said, "Two parents, two allowances." With a grating giggle, he pushed past Zale and skipped down the corridor, causing the nurses to cower and seek cover behind their desks.

"Get back here," Zale snapped, his voice ringing with authority. "You'll get one allowance, and that allowance will pay off the damages you've caused. If you keep acting the way you are, you'll never see another credit in your life."

The boy stopped in midstep and slowly turned to face Zale. His eyes were wide with shock and held mild confusion as he attempted to decide his next course of action. No one had ever raised their voice to him in that manner before, and frankly, he had no idea whether to run and wreak more havoc, cry, or kick Zale in the shin again. Before he could make the decision for himself, Keeve's tiny feet were taking him back towards Zale, with his eyes large brown spheres of fear and uncertainty. He stopped before the stately, intimidating man, and lowered his head.

"That's better," Zale said. "Now, let's go visit your mother. She's this way." He started off back down the hall, opposite of the direction Keeve had been rushing off in, and moved to a door with Zenarr-Tregat stencilled on the outside placard. With a deep breath, Zale pushed the door open and ventured inside. Shiv and Merrick were curled up together in one of the chairs near Kaysa's bed, a half finished drawing resting on the table next to Kaysa.

Zale smiled at the image of the two nestled close together near Kaysa, and moved closer. At the movement, Shiv's eyes opened. When she saw Zale, she grinned. "Hi, Zale," she said softly. "You're looking suitably studly with a touch of caring husband today. It suits you." Shiv's eyes found Keeve, and she broke into a big smile. "And, this must be Keeve. Kaysa never mentioned how handsome you are, you know."

Keeve turned his head away petulantly and sighed as if the entire situation caused him much boredom. As his eyes settled upon the recumbent form lying motionless beneath draping white sheets, something stirred within him, but it was too subtle to affect the stubborn boy. "She's not dead, is she? She looks dead. You might want to have someone check her out, you know."

Zale put a hand on Keeve's shoulder and leaned down. "We can try sticking a knife in your gut, and see how still you lie," he whispered. "That, you insolent little wretch, is your mother, and it's so heartening to know that you are such a good natured and caring boy. It's no wonder Kaysa's parents were so quick to give you up."

Keeve jerked his shoulder away from Zale's hand and spun around to face him with renewed gall. "She's not my mother! I don't know who that woman is. My mother is back on Bespin and she loved me! She's just some stranger who stole me from them. And I'm glad she got stabbed. She was supposed to be dead anyway. My mommy told me so!"

"I've got a blade in my boot if you wanna show the little monster what it feels like, Zale," Shiv said from behind him. "I can't believe any child of Kaysa's could be so-- Wait...okay...well, still...what an ungrateful little twerp! And, that's a mean thing to say, Keeve. She's a good woman, and didn't deserve that. And, she certainly deserves a nicer little boy than you."

"If your mommy back on Bespin loved you so much," Zale said, "then why did she let you go so easily? She may have loved you, Keeve, but she knows you belong here with Kaysa. Your grandparents gave you away, Kaysa didn't steal you. Though, when you act this way, I find it hard to believe you haven't been dropped into a Tibanna gas mine by now."

Keeve's lips smacked tightly together and his eyes became but slits as he sneered at Zale. "They love me. That woman doesn't. None of you do!" His eyes slowly opened, and his mouth sagged into a frown as he turned away and trudged sullenly to the nearest chair. He sank into it with a sigh and said quietly, "I just wanna go home."

Shiv approached him slowly and sank down next to him. "We want to love you, Keeve," she said softly. "And, Kaysa loves you very much. She talks about you all the time. She wants to be a real mommy for you again, and she wants to show you how much she loves you." She gave him a smile. "Please give us a chance."

He looked at Shiv as if weighing his decision, then finally said, "If I do...will you give me credits for my birthday instead of some stupid drawing?"

Shiv smiled. "Either credits or something else you want," she said. "They have this new hoverboard out now, have you seen them? Some of the kids around our apartment have them, and they look really fun. And, lots of other things. If you'd rather have stuff, then I'll get you stuff for your birthday."

"Really?" Keeve's face lit up and he bounced in his seat. "Can I get a blue one? Blue's my favourite colour. And I want it to be fast too! My mommy said I couldn't have one because I was too small, but you promise you'll get me one?"

"Promise," Shiv said with a grin as she ruffled her hand through his hair. "A blue one. And if the way the kids go zooming around is how they all are, fast is definitely what you're getting. Maybe if I get one too, we can ride them together."

"Then I'll race ya!" Keeve smiled at Shiv, but made a point of patting down his disturbed hair. He'd have to pull hers after to make up for it, but he wanted his hoverboard first. "Can I call you Aunt Shiv, do you think? That's a funny name. I think it would be cool to have an Aunt named that."

"My real name is Maeren," Shiv said. "But, people call me Shiv. When I was growing up, we had this game we played with knives, and I was really good at it. So, they started calling me Shiv. And, it stuck."

"Maybe you could teach me that game sometime." Keeve's eyes seemed to gleam as thoughts of handling a sharp object formed in his mind. Once again, though, his mouth reverted into a frown and he looked somberly upon the ground. "Can I be alone with Kaysa? I-I want to say hello...but alone."

Shiv looked up at Zale who stepped forward at Keeve's question. "You can have some time with her," he said. He glanced over to Merrick, and Shiv slipped over to wake him up. They spoke quietly, and then Merrick nodded and the two of them slipped toward the door with Shiv pausing long enough to pick up her boots. Once they were out the door, Zale moved over and closed it. He glanced at Keeve, and then motioned over to Kaysa on the bed. "Say hello," he urged gently.

Keeve hesitated for a moment, then scooted off the chair and began slowly towards the woman on the bed. His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied her, tilting his head to the side as if she were an oddity to him. He came before her and stopped, still watching her with a quizzical gaze. "She's supposed to be my mother? She doesn't look like me at all, does she?"

"I wouldn't say that," Zale said. "You have her eyes, and there's a strong resemblance in your facial structures. You definitely have her cheekbones, and nose." He took a couple steps closer. "So, yes, you two definitely look alike in places."

Keeve shrugged his shoulders as if the passing resemblance was merely coincidence, then sighed and took a step closer. Her otherwise delicate features were made severe and garish by her pallor, but the rest of her body seemed fragile and in danger of withering if even the gentlest breeze swept across it. "My parents said I look more like my biological father, but I wouldn't know anything about that. They said he's probably dead too, but that doesn't matter to me. I like the father I have much better."

"From what Kaysa's said, your biological father skipped out as soon as he heard you were on the way," Zale said. He should have waited a few years, he added as a thought, then he would have had a real reason when he realized what a terror this kid is. "Kaysa wasn't much better, but the guilt has torn her apart for the last ten years. She finally had to see you again, though I imagine she wishes she looked a little better for your arrival."

"It's too bad she's not awake," he said with a sigh. "I bet I could convince her to send me back." His lips twisted into a mischievous smile as he added, "I can be very convincing when I want to be."

"And, she can be very stubborn when she wants to be," Zale said with an equally mischievous smile. "If she's decided she wants you here, the only thing that will get you out of here will be if another Empire rises and they draft you into military service."

The boy frowned, but his determination refused to be quashed. In that aspect, he was just like his mother as well...unfortunately for Kaysa. "Well, we'll just have to wait and see, won't we, Zaletregat?" He glanced sideways at Zale, then gave a short, dry laugh. "If she never wakes up, you'll send me back though, won't you?" he asked while prodding Kaysa's limp arm with his stubby finger.

"You'd like that too much," Zale said. "I'd have to find another use for you in my organization. Possibly a firing range target dummy, or maybe put you in one of the labs as a test subject. Don't worry, kid, you won't be leaving here for a very long time."

"Yeah, well apparently neither is she," he muttered as he jabbed her in the side with his forefinger. "She's barely even breathing. Zaletregat, you have a corpse for a wife." He smiled sweetly at Zale and strolled casually towards the beeping machinery serving as Kaysa's lifeline. "Where will I be living?" he asked as he began swatting at the tubes coming from the units and feeding into Kaysa's arm.

"Get away from there," Zale said, his voice a menacing growl. "You touch any of those again, I swear to every deity in this existence that you will not be able to sit down for a month when I get done with you."

"You can't touch me! If you do, when Kaysa wakes up, I'll tell on you and she won't be happy. And if you do, I'll make sure she knows I don't want you as a father!" Keeve stuck out his tongue at Zale and batted the tube with one final, sharp blow, then ran.

Despite his size, Zale was extraordinarily fast. As Keeve struggled to get the door open, he grabbed the insolent child by the scruff of the neck and pulled him back. "You can tell Kaysa whatever you want," he said, "though, I recommend you do it standing." He pulled Keeve back with him and pulled the brat across his knee as he sat down in the chair. "I told you, Keeve. And, now you'll learn that I always carry through with my promises." A strong hand held the boy in place as Zale brought his other hand swiftly down onto the boy's backside.

Keeve kicked and whined peevishly. "Let me down! Ow!" He tried to cover his rear with his hands and squealed like a stuck Ginta swine as Zale dealt him another thwack. "I'm telling!"

"If you. Tell. Then I will. Too." Zale's hand continued spanking the boy. "Your mother. Wouldn't like it. That you tried to hurt her. Now, you'll think twice before doing things you know are wrong."

"I was only playing!" Keeve whimpered and squirmed uncomfortably in Zale's lap. "I'll be good! Owie! Stop!"

Five more hard spanks landed on Keeve's behind before Zale finally released him. "I hope you will be good," he said. "Because next time, you'll get thirty, and harder."

Keeve rolled off Zale's lap and moved away from him with a miserable pout. "You didn't have to spank me... I was bored, that's all!" he said while rubbing his sore rear.

"That equipment you were playing with is what's keeping your mother alive," Zale said. "Your playing around could have killed her. If you find that you're bored again, tell me and I'll find something for you to do so you won't be bored. You really don't want another spanking every time you get bored, do you?" He watched the kid for a moment, wondering if it truly was boredom or if the kid truly did enjoy making mischief. "I think it's time Merrick and Shiv took you home."

"No! I don't want to go with them! She looks barely 15 and he's a simpleton. They'll most likely forget to feed me and I'll end up starving to death!"

"He's very tired," Zale said. "They both have been here since Kaysa was hurt, and neither have gotten much sleep. Now, you will go with them, they will feed you, and I don't want to hear one report of you misbehaving. But, if they do forget to feed you, you tell me and I'll take care of them, okay?"

Keeve's narrowed eyes widened slowly and a skeptical smile crossed his face. "You will? You'll punish them and make sure they're good to me?"

"I will," Zale said. "If they don't feed you or take care of you, I'll punish them. You can even watch me spank them if you want. Heck, kid, if they don't feed you, I'll hold them over my knee and you can spank them."

"Can I?" Keeve hopped up and down, cheering wildly at the prospect of whacking Shiv and Merrick in the rear with a large paddle. "I promise to be good, Father Zale! And I promise never to try and kill Kaysa again."

"Good," Zale said, stifling a laugh at the kid's sadistic nature. What had happened to him on Bespin? "Now, come on. It's time for you to go home with Merrick and Shiv." He stood up and started toward the door.

Before Zale could grab the handle, Keeve scurried up to the door and pulled it open for him. "Here you go...Father."

Zale glanced down at Keeve and grinned. "Thank you, Keeve," he said and indicated that Keeve should go through first.

Out in the hall, Shiv and Merrick sat on a chair together, her head resting on his shoulder as she sat in his lap. When she saw Keeve coming out of Kaysa's room, she beamed a smile at him. She looked up at Zale and noticed the look in his eye. She patted Merrick's knee and slid off his lap. Once free to get up, Merrick did and approached Keeve.

"Hi, Keeve," he said. "Kaysa's been very excited about you coming to live with us. We have a room ready for you and everything. If you'd like, tomorrow we can go shopping for some new things. There are some great toy stores here, and I'm sure you'll love them."

"I'm sure I will," Keeve replied with an amiable smile. "Shiv promised me a hoverboard for my birthday, but I think I'd like one sooner than that. Tomorrow, you can buy me one."

Merrick looked up at Shiv who shrugged, and then back down to Keeve. "Okay. Tomorrow you get a hoverboard then. We'll let you pick out whatever you want. How does that sound?"

"I think it'd be a good time for Keeve to see the apartment and his room," Zale said. "It'll give you guys a chance to grab a bite to eat too. And, clean up." They all had managed to change out of their clothes from the party, but that was about it. No matter how many times Zale and Merrick told Shiv to go home and shower, she wouldn't. They all knew Shiv had only used a damp cloth to wipe off Kaysa's blood from the other night, and refused to be away from her love for more than five minutes.

Shiv looked up at Zale with sad eyes. "I don't want to go, Zale. I need to be here in case she wakes up."

Zale pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head. "You need to get out of here," he said. "You need some time to unwind, and clean up. Put on some of your own clothes, and try to feel good. I promise she won't wake up until you're back here. Now, the three of you go, and I'll watch over Kaysa for awhile."

"Thanks," Shiv said, and gave him a quick kiss. "I'll see you later. And, if there's any change, you'll comm us immediately?"

"I promise, now go."

Shiv smiled and slipped out of his arms. "Come on, Keeve," she said. "Let's go see our apartment."

"Bye, Father Zale," Keeve said with a vigorous wave of his hand. "And I promise to be good if you keep your promise." He gave a satisfied, knowing grin to Zale, then started off with Shiv.

Zale waved to them all and gave Keeve a big smile. "I'll keep my promise, kiddo," he called after them.

As they neared the area where a small snack bar was nestled, Shiv looked around and then grinned. "Moril," she called. She waved him over.

"Kaffe, my dear," he said, handing her a cup and one to Merrick. "You guys heading out?"

"Zale asked us to take Keeve back to the apartment to get him settled in." She gave him a sweet smile. "You can come too if you'd like."

Moril grinned, and his face flushed slightly. "I'd love to, but I probably should get back to the office. With Zale out, someone needs to watch over things."

Shiv nodded and gave him a kiss. "Call me later," she said. "Bye, Moril." She kissed him again and then stepped back toward where Keeve and Merrick waited. "I love you," she mouthed to Moril, causing him to blush even more. With a giggle, Shiv spun around, grabbed Keeve's hand and started toward the door.

Keeve looked back at Moril as he was lead away, and with a grin, he gazed up at Shiv and asked inquisitively, "Are you having sex with that man?"

Shiv looked down at Keeve, her eyes wide. She opened her mouth, and could only laugh. "No," she said. "I'm not having sex with him. Yet. But, that's none of your business, Keeve. You're too young to know anything about that anyway."

"Well, I know lots about sex. I know Kaysa had sex with my real father to have me. And I know you probably have sex with Merrick too because his face is all red." Keeve smiled innocently and asked, "Am I right?"

"You're too smart, Keeve," Shiv said. "And, that's none of your business either. And, don't even ask about me and Kaysa, because I'm not saying anything."

Merrick laughed. "Good one," he said. "Now, let's get out of here before the Morality Guard hears these questions and answers."

"Morality Guard? And what about you and Kaysa?" Keeve shook his head and sighed. "I think I have to have a long talk with both of you very soon. There is so much I must know. Like why those women outside walk around naked. On Bespin, they'd be arrested for that."

"They're not completely naked," Shiv said. "Just mostly. And, it's alright here. There used to be a high prince, and he pretty much required all of the women born here to wear those. I think it's because the men like to look at the women. Though, because of the Morality Guard, they can't touch...at least not out in public."

Keeve passed his eyes over Shiv's body from head to toe, then grinned slyly. "I bet you wear one, don't you, Auntie Shiv?"

Shiv looked over at the boy and felt herself blushing slightly. "Not usually," she said. "But, I have worn them from time to time. I wore one to the party the other night, but...but only on special occasions."

He turned his attention to Merrick, or rather, his torment, and asked, "And you let her walk around like that? Doesn't it bother you that other men get to see her naked?"

Merrick glanced at Shiv and then smiled. "She looks very nice in an equadi," he said. "And, I don't mind other people looking as long as they don't touch. Besides, she's her own person and I don't feel it's my place to dictate what she can or can't wear. As long as Shiv's comfortable with people seeing her naked, I'm fine. And, as long as they all keep their hands to themselves, then I'm not complaining."

Keeve furrowed his brow in deep thought for a moment, then asked, "Well...what about that man back there? He didn't look like he wanted to keep his hands off her." His mouth twitched with the hint of a smile. "Are you two going to fight over her? With fists and everything?"

"There are a few people I don't mind if Shiv's with," Merrick said. "Moril is one, Zale's another, and your mother is the third. So, no, I'm not going to fight with Moril over Shiv. They care for each other very much, and I'm not going to stop them if they want to be together. It's very confusing, and different from most other relationships you'll find. But, we're all happy with our arrangement, and we haven't had any problems with it. Now, that guy standing over there by that kaffe machine, he can't touch her."

Shiv giggled. "But he's so cute." Merrick looked at her and she grinned. "Kidding, love."

Keeve's mouth twisted into an expression of his disgust, which was an artifact of his modest upbringing, and as well of his grandmother's intolerance for dissolute behaviour, something he was certain his mother engaged in. "Disgusting creatures," Keeve quoted, hearing his grandmother's voice in his head, and speaking with as much vigour as she would have.

Shiv glanced down at Keeve and nearly laughed. "Nothing disgusting in that," she said. "We all love each other very much, and express that love. It's not like we just go out and have sex with whoever we want, only the people we love." She wondered how soon it would be before Keeve was trying to join the Morality Guard. "Anyway, it's all private, in-the-bedroom kind of stuff, so you won't have to worry about us."

"I should hope not." Shifting an eye askance at both Merrick and Shiv, Keeve crossed his arms over his chest and jutted out his chin as he marched away from the two lechers.

Both Shiv and Merrick hurried to catch up with Keeve before he could get too far ahead. Each moment they spent with the child told them this was certainly going to be an ordeal. The child seemed to exude an air of mischief, and completely disapproved of the lifestyle they all shared. Shiv couldn't help wondering what sort of trouble might await them in the tiny hands of the little demonic child spawned from Kaysa's womb. She shuddered at the thought.

---

"Little Bundles of Terror, Part 2"
By: Merrick Braston
Maeren "Shiv" Shivral
Zale Tregat
Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat

And Introducing: Keeve Zenarr [NPC]

Location: Yesdol Central Medical Centre - Yesdol, New Plouton; Merrick and Shiv's apartment - Yesdol, New Plouton
Date: Niothe 9, 4 ABY

***

Once Shiv, Merrick, and Keeve had gone, Zale moved back toward Kaysa's room. He slipped soundlessly inside and made his way over to the chair next to her bed. He reached up and took her hand into his and lowered his lips to it.

"Your son's here," Zale said softly. "He's got your looks, and your free spirit. We're going to have to watch him close. I didn't expect to have to spank him so soon after he arrived, but hopefully he'll learn his lesson."

The sound of the life support equipment was the only response to his words. He smiled and nodded. "You're right," he said. "He's your son. It'll take many more spankings to get him straightened out. He feels torn away from your parents, who he claims are his real parents. Hopefully it won't be long before we can make him realize we're good parents too.

"I want to be a good parent with you, Kaysa. That means you have to come back to me, and we have to let Keeve know that we're both going to love him more than anything. He needs that. I don't want him to resent us for too long."

Zale watched Kaysa's chest slowly rising and falling as she lay on the bed, still and silent.

"I know we can make him love us. It may just take some time. You got me to love you pretty easily, and I'm sure he'll love you too." He kissed her hand again. "Come back to me soon, Kaysa. There's so much we have to talk about. You, me, Dargus, what happened at the party. Shiv and Moril haven't made love yet, by the way. Since you've been in here, Shiv and Merrick have been by your side the whole time. I just sent them home with Keeve. At least Shiv will be able to change out of those clothes. She's been wearing them since the morning after the party. The entire previous night she was wearing her equadi. But, hopefully she'll shower, have a decent meal, and bond with your son...our son. I want him to be ours, Kaysa. Whatever we have to do."

He sighed softly and lowered his forehead to press against the back of her hand. "I love you," he whispered. "Come back to me soon."

***

Merrick pushed the door open to the apartment and indicated that Keeve should go on inside. They hadn't been back here since before the party, but at least the maintenance droids had picked up after the mess they'd left. "Here's your new home," he said once they were all inside. "Would you like to see your room, Keeve?"

"You mean I won't be sleeping on a mat on the floor?" Keeve smirked at Merrick and strode into the apartment. He inspected the interior with his usual frown of disapproval. He made his way to the small kitchen connected to the living area, and opened the refrigeration unit. The amount of food within was meagre and hardly enough for a growing boy to survive on. "You'd better go buy me some food to eat. I'm hungry." He slammed closed the door and turned to them. "Show me my room now."

Shiv stepped close to Merrick and pressed her lips to his ear. "You want to order some food, and I'll show him to his room? Get it from the place on the corner, they have some good stuff there." She kissed his earlobe.

Merrick nodded.

Shiv grinned and stepped back. "Come on, Keeve," she said. "I'll show you your room. And, tomorrow we can decorate it however you want."

Keeve shrugged and followed Shiv past the living area and into the hallway. "Where do you sleep? Do you sleep with Merrick in his room? Where does Kaysa sleep? I do hope she has her own separate room."

"We each have our own rooms," Shiv said as she led the way down toward the room next to hers that they'd decided would be Keeve's. "Yours is right here." She pushed the door open and motioned him inside. His bags were already on the bed. For a boy as young as Keeve, it was quite large for a bedroom, though as yet undecorated for his likes. Having never really met him, no one knew what he would have liked. "We'll go on a big shopping spree, and buy you lots of things tomorrow. And, then we can decorate your room exactly like you want it."

Keeve poked his head inside and looked upon either side of the room. "I imagine a room like this will require a lot of decorating to make it tolerable." He sighed and turned back to Shiv. "I'm bored. Is there anything to play with?"

"We'll get you everything you need tomorrow," Shiv said. "And...I don't think we have anything. Do you want to go to one of the stores and get a toy now? Me and Merrick can take you up to one of the stores for a welcoming present for you if you want. Would you like that Keeve?"

"After dinner, maybe." Keeve wandered away and started down the hallway again. Upon the walls were framed paintings, mostly of the man Merrick and some abstracts, but there was also one of Kaysa. He stood before the picture and studied it with a passive gaze. The sight of her inspired only disinterest, but there was also a twinge of resentment towards her for taking him away from his comfortable life on Bespin. "You did that?"

Shiv smiled and stepped forward. "I did," she said. "I just finished it last week. I'm working on one of Zale and Kaysa in my studio, but it still needs more work before it can go up. I also want to do one for Zale's office. Maybe I can do one of you, and we can put that up here. Or one to send to your grandparents."

"My parents, you mean." He glared at Shiv and started again down the hallway. "Is this how you make money? Drawing pictures? And what about Merrick? What does he do?"

"Merrick's a musician," Shiv said as she followed the boy. "He plays at a club in town called the White Noise, but his managers are talking about getting him a gig in one of the larger stadiums. Possibly even touring to other cities, and maybe the other continents. And, I make money with my artwork. Right now, I'm doing a lot of stuff for Merrick's music company people. And, there's this other company in the city that wants me to do some stuff for them too. I also help Kaysa when she needs it. I used to fly freighters for her, and every once in awhile, I fly stuff in-system. Though, I haven't for a month or so... Merrick and Kaysa like having me around, and not going out." She didn't want to tell Keeve about Dargus; she didn't even want to think about Dargus. "We should listen to Merrick's music sometime, Keeve. He's really good."

"I'm sure he is, but I don't think he'd be much to my liking." Keeve reached the end of the hallway and sighed loudly. "I'm tired. I'm going to my room to sleep." He began down the hallway again in the opposite direction and called back to Shiv as he entered his room, "Don't disturb me unless it's to tell me when the food's arrived." And without another word, he closed the door behind him.

Shiv watched after the boy and sighed. She returned to the main room where Merrick was talking into the comm. As he finished up his conversation, she slipped her arms around him and started slowly kissing his neck.

"You know it makes it very difficult to talk when you do that," Merrick said after disconnecting.

Shiv grinned. "I know."

"That was Chrik. I'm going to have to go into the club in a bit. They need me to work through some of the new stuff for tomorrow night's show."

"You ordered food?"

"It should be on its way soon."

Shiv kissed him. "You're too good to us. Do you mind if I jump into the shower? I feel very gross, and--"

"Go take your shower, my love," Merrick said. "I'll take care of the food when it arrives. How's Keeve?"

"In his room. He's sleeping and doesn't want to be disturbed until the food arrives."

Merrick laughed. "You go get that shower, and I'll get things ready out here."

They kissed again before Shiv slipped off back down the hall and into the refresher. She stripped off her clothes, and turned on the steaming water and slipped into the stall. After their ordeal, it felt wonderful. With a long sigh, she closed her eyes and just stood under the cascading water.

***

Keeve stood in the centre of his bedroom, looking at the bare walls and the lack of accessory furnishings. At least there's a bed, he thought. He paced towards the window on the far wall, a window without curtains and not even a ledge to perch upon. Staring out upon the bustling streets set firmly upon a foundation of earth and not floating upon a cloud of gas, he more than ever missed home. It wasn't fair to be torn from the tender embrace of the two people who had cared and nurtured him for ten years, the two people who deserved to be his parents, not that cadaver lying listlessly on a hospital bed. He'd find a way back home. He'd pester and bully them all until he had his way, and he was going to start as soon as possible.

Peeling back his lips into a mischievous smile, Keeve turned and started out of his room. He'd start with Shiv and Merrick, make their lives hell until they turned him out, then when Kaysa was well, he'd start in on her.

***

The sound of her own voice filled Shiv's ears as she sang through the second verse of 'Whispers After Midnight.' She'd been singing it the night before, hers and Merrick's voices joined as they sat next to Kaysa's bed. He'd told her that she was getting very good and if he wasn't careful, she'd be taking his place on the stage. At first she thought he was just teasing her and trying to make her feel better, but the look in his eyes told her that he meant what he'd said about her singing.

Shiv turned around in the shower to let the water spray down her face and front, but as she did she spotted a shadowed figure standing beyond the clear glass of the shower door. Suddenly the figure's face came into focus. Shiv let out a choked scream and glared at the leering face of Keeve Zenarr. "What are you doing in here, you little monster?"

Keeve made no reply. He simply continued staring at Shiv with a small grin on his face. His hands were hidden behind his back and he took a step towards the shower, then stopped again.

"Keeve," Shiv said, trying to keep her voice calm. "Get out of here. You're not supposed to be in here. Go back to your room, or go see Merrick. Merrick's getting food. Just...just go away until I'm finished!"

His smile grew larger as he took another step towards Shiv and said in a sing-song voice, "I wanted to show you something. Don't you wanna see?"

"You could have waited," Shiv said and then sighed. "Okay, what did you want to show me?"

"Merrick's sleeping, you know. He likes to sleep a lot, doesn't he?" Keeve moved forward at a slow, deliberate pace, all the while keeping a smile frozen upon his lips.

"He works really late at night," Shiv said. "And, besides, we both haven't gotten a lot of sleep in the last couple days. We've been worried about Kaysa." Shiv reached over and turned off the water. "What did you want to show me, Keeve?"

"A little trick, that's all." Keeve stopped before the shower and let his eyes roam over Shiv's nude body. He giggled quietly. "Those things... Are those breasts?" Before Shiv could answer, Keeve pulled one hand from behind his back and raised it above him. From it dangled a black, lacy bra he'd stolen from her bedroom. "Do they go in this?" His other hand appeared, holding a lighter beneath one of the straps of Shiv's bra. "Well...not anymore." A loud laugh erupted as did a flame from the lighter. The bra caught fire easily, then fluttered to the ground as Keeve fled.

"You little--!" Shiv pushed the shower door open and quickly grabbed a towel. She pounced on the small flame, smothering it with the towel before too much could burn. "That was my favourite one too, you perverted, little wretch!" Once she was sure the fire was out, she grabbed another towel and dried off quickly. Then, she quickly wrapped it around herself and fled after Keeve. She just hoped he wasn't burning down the entire apartment...which was too much to wish for. Gray billows of smoke rolled out of Shiv's studio while through the apartment, shouts of "Fire! Fire!" rang out.

"Oh gods no!" Shiv raced toward her studio. She could feel the sting of tears rolling down her cheeks. When she reached the door of the studio, she cried out as she saw the flames licking up across her paintings. She watched as the painting of Kaysa and Zale blackened and crumbled before her eyes. "Merrick! Merrick! Help me!" She grabbed the flame suppressor from the wall, and quickly started spraying it in toward the flames.

As the sleeping Merrick began to rouse at Shiv's shrieks, Keeve threw down the jar of paint and the paintbrush in his hands and sped away with a boisterous giggle.

Merrick sat bolt upright and coughed. He put his hand to his face and it came away stained green. He could still hear Keeve's laughter from off somewhere in the apartment. What had the little brat done? And, the smoke. The apartment was on fire! "Shiv, call emergency services," he shouted. "I'm calling Zale!"

Keeve's laughter turned to squeals and he ran back towards Merrick. "Not Zale! I'll be good!" He dove at Merrick's feet and wrapped his arms around his ankles. "He beats me! I'm afraid of him! Please don't call Zale!" For effect, Keeve sulked and whimpered, hoping to elicit some pity in Merrick.

"You set Shiv's studio on fire," Merrick said, trying to stay calm. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't call Zale."

Shiv stormed into the room with one hand holding closed the towel wrapped around her body, the other hefting the empty suppressant canister. She threw it into the middle of the floor and glared at Keeve. "The little brat also came into the refresher while I was showering and burned one of my bras right in front of me. And, he painted your face."

Merrick looked down at Keeve and gripped the boy's shirt. "As I said, give me one good reason why I shouldn't call Zale. You destroyed Shiv's work, and her property. That spanking Zale gave you earlier didn't do nearly enough to calm you down. And, I think you need another. Why don't you tell me why, after what you did here today, you don't?"

"Because," Keeve said, all tears ceasing to flow and a smile transforming his pout. "You love Kaysa, don't you?" His large brown eyes still glittering with wicked glee fixed upon Merrick's. "If you aren't nice to me, I'll make sure she has to choose between me and you. Who will she choose, do you think?"

Merrick grabbed the collar of Keeve's shirt and pulled him close. "Then why don't we leave Shiv's studio exactly like it is, and when Kaysa comes home, she'll see what you did. Who do you think she'd rather spend time with? Me, or the brat who tried to burn down her home?" Without taking his eyes off Keeve, he smiled and added, "Shiv, go comm Zale. Let him know that Keeve needs disciplining immediately. Also let him know we're cancelling that shopping trip tomorrow."

Keeve screamed and kicked at Merrick's shins fitfully. "I hate you! I hate you all!" He tried to wrench his shirt free of Merrick's grip, then finally resorted to taking his hand between his teeth.

Merrick cried out and tried to pull his hand free of Keeve's mouth, which only aggravated the situation. When he finally got his hand freed, he could see blood running between his fingertips and down Keeve's chin. Before Keeve could get away, Shiv had grabbed him from behind and quickly turned him over her knee. She brought her hand down hard on his backside, eliciting a cry from the boy. She brought it down again and again, harder and harder. She wasn't as strong as Zale by any means, but she was definitely stronger than she looked.

"Stop it!" Keeve let out a scream that increased in pitch and volume until it was shrill enough to rattle the glass in the apartment. He flailed his arms and legs, until he clutched at Shiv's hair and began pulling. "Let me go! I'm telling! Kaysa's gonna know!"

Shiv cried out again, and quickly grabbed a handful of Keeve's hair. "How do you like it, you little spoiled brat!?" She stood up and brought him with her. His flailing had knocked her towel loose, and it fell free where she'd taken Keeve over her knee. Despite his flailing and screaming, she managed to march with him into his bedroom and pushed him down onto the bed, holding him there with her hands. "I'm going to lock you in here until Zale gets here, and then he's going to come talk to you. I should just take you up in my ship and shove you out into space, but you're Kaysa's brat so I won't. Now, stay here, and try to behave like a normal child."

"You're not normal!" he hollered back. "You sleep with different men! And...and you're body is shaped funny!" Keeve wriggled on the bed, jerking his arms to free them from Shiv's grip.

"I sleep with the men I do because I love them," Shiv said. "And, my body is perfectly normal, you silly boy." She looked down at him and sighed. "I'm not all that normal, but I don't set people's things on fire either. You could have hurt all of us, including yourself and the other people living in this building. I know you don't like me or Merrick, and spanking you didn't help. But...I want to be your friend, Keeve, and I can't if you do things like that. Why can't we be friends, Keeve?"

"Because," Keeve growled, "you're not my mother and neither is Kaysa! She shouldn't have stolen my from my mommy and daddy! She doesn't even love me! I don't wanna be here!"

"I don't wanna be your mother, sweetie," Shiv said. "I just want to be your friend. And, Kaysa does love you very much." She looked down at him and sighed. "Will you try to be my friend if I buy you a frazzie?"

Keeve's struggles ceased and he grinned from ear to ear. "Can I have a beebleberry one?"

Shiv smiled. "Of course," she said. "I have to get dressed because I can't really go out there wearing nothing. But, I'll get dressed, and then we'll go get you a beebleberry frazzie. How's that sound?"

He glanced at Shiv's assets, dangling close to his face and gave her a crooked smile. "I'll be good," he said as his eyes slowly shifted up to hers.

"Good," Shiv said, and kissed him on the forehead. "I'll be right back then." She slipped off the bed, and out of his room toward hers. She quickly went through her clothes and began pulling on something so they could go out to get Keeve the frazzie. She found herself smiling at the prospect that she may actually be able to make peace with the boy.

Never seeing a naked woman before up close, Keeve decided he needed another peek at Shiv. Her body fascinated him, with all its shapely curves and interesting anatomical parts he himself didn't bear. So, when she left him, he sneaked to the doorway of her room, and keeping his body obscured behind the wall, he watched Shiv as she dressed. She crooned the tune he'd heard her humming in the shower, and watching her now as her flesh bounced softly while she changed, he knew he'd sneak into the shower again and watch her the next chance he got.

With a smile, Keeve appeared in the doorway, his eyes surveying her body slowly. "I lied," he said, causing Shiv to spin around with a start. "You don't have a funny shaped body."

Shiv felt herself blushing as she pulled down her tank top covering up the breasts Keeve had been so intent on staring at. "Thank you," she said. "I happen to like my body exactly the way it is. Are you ready to go?" She grabbed a pair of sandals from next to her bed and held her hand out to Keeve. "Let's go get you a beebleberry frazzie."

In a manner much more gentlemanly than expected of a boy his age, and a brat such as him, Keeve stepped beside Shiv and held out his arm to her with a charming smile. "I'll be your escort and Merrick can walk behind us."

Shiv slipped her arm into Keeve's and smiled at him. "Thank you, good sir," she said. "Let's go find Merrick so we can go."

"I hope he's managed to get that paint off," Keeve said, "because I certainly don't want to be seen in public with him looking like that." Covertly, Keeve craned his head around to catch a glimpse of Shiv's rear. "But I don't mind being seen in public with you, Shiv."

"I don't mind being seen with you either, Keeve," Shiv said.

They reached the other room, and Merrick had in fact been able to remove the paint from his face and bandage his hand where Keeve had bitten him.

"We're going to go get beebleberry frazzies," Shiv said. "And, we were wondering if you'd like to join us."

Merrick glanced between the two, but didn't question the sudden change. He trusted Shiv enough to know that things were alright. "I'd love to," he said, "but Chrik wants me up at the club. Maybe we can go get another one tomorrow."

Shiv smiled and nodded. "Okay," she said. "See you tonight then?"

"Tonight," Merrick said, then leaned in and gave Shiv a kiss. "You two have fun. If you want, there's also a new holofilm playing down in Central. There might be something there Keeve would like."

Shiv grinned. "We'll look into it," she said. "See you later, Merrick." After another kiss, Merrick headed toward the door followed by Shiv and Keeve. She glanced down at him. "Maybe we can also get you that hoverboard today."

"Really?" Keeve laughed and wrapped his arms around Shiv's waist. Grinning mischievously to himself, he allowed his hands to clutch at Shiv's rear. "Oh thank you, Shiv. You're going to be my favourite Auntie ever."

Shiv gasped as his hands almost seemed to grope her. "I want to be your favourite auntie," she said as she lowered herself down to his height so she could hug him to her. She kissed him on the cheek again and grinned. "Let's go have some fun."

Keeve looked up at Merrick and gave him a wink as he rested his head upon Shiv's shoulder. "I can't wait," he replied with an allusive smile at Merrick.

Merrick raised an eyebrow at the boy, but said nothing. Even Keeve wasn't immune to Shiv's charm. It was cute that he'd developed a crush so fast. "I'll see you two later tonight," he said, and then slipped out of the apartment shaking his head.

Once he was gone, Shiv looked at Keeve again and smiled. "No point in waiting," she said. "Let's go."

"I agree." Keeve smiled up at Shiv sweetly and slung his arm across her waist. Along the way, they passed the delivery man heading towards the apartment to drop off the food they'd ordered. He smiled at the two and gave them a nod, which became a double take as a small hand stained with green paint covered the young woman's left buttock. Keeve glanced back at the delivery man with an impish smile that left him laughing and shaking his head.

"Trouble, that one," he said to himself. "Definitely trouble."

---

"Hibernation Sickness"
by Amren Kidr'al
and Grel Horan

and introducing Koran Darr

Location: The mansion of Crimelord Tomari Ishaida, Euphraxis
Date: Niothe 9, 4ABY

***

Two shadowy forms stood outside the side entrance of the sprawling mansion. One of them hunched over the keypad at the side of the door while the other scanned up and down the street.

"Tsst," the one watching hissed. "Someone's coming."

"Almost got it," the other rasped in response.

"They's almost here. Hurry."

"Almost."

The sound of footsteps loomed closer.

"Hurry, Grel," the watcher whispered in a hoarse voice.

"Almost, Amren," Grel responded.

Amren Kidr'al's heart pounded heavily in his chest. He was certain the owner of the approaching footsteps could hear his heart beating in counterpoint to each step.

"He's almost here!"

"Got it!"

The door slipped soundlessly open and both burglars quickly fled from the street and into what they hoped would be a very lucrative evening.

Just as the door slipped closed, the black-clad patrol officer stepped into view. He peered into the darkness near the door, and figured he'd only been hearing things.

***

"Back this way," Grel said as he waved his partner along. Grel already had his pack partially filled with some of the valuables they'd found in the first room. "He keeps the most valuable stuff back this way. And, they say his prize is here too."

"Prize?"

Grel grinned. "You got me," he said. "But, I'm certain it's gotta be very valuable. This guy practically had gold-lined undershorts. Come on."