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Part of my ongoing trades with \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTerraMGP\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTerraMGP\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
set in her Great Tree universe. If you haven't read her stuff, check it out. She's even doing commissions.

Characters presented are of legal age of consent.
", "writing": "Her new room as it was, was smaller than the shipping container. Skiv found herself tapping against the ceiling of her personal plush coffin, unable to sleep. Not that it was the worst area she's slept in. The rabbit had spent at least a few nights coiled up in an empty fuel drum for some shut-eye back on the outskirts. She'd been used to how it hurt her body when she drifted. Without that discomfort, everything felt too...off. \n\nBarely any room to do much of anything beyond sitting up or laying down, the rabbit found herself fiddling with several buttons that meshed in with the white walls. Screens popped up before her eyes, holograms she couldn't read. Guessing that the different colored blocks presented were options, the black bun started poking away at them. Her bed rumbled underneath her, with dull prods against her back. Panicking, she hit another option, which turned out the lights.\n\n``Facking piece of shite.'' she mumbled, pushing her ceiling only to find it locked. ``Oh, you dirty black tongued cunt,'' the rabbit swore, forcing her foot against the ceiling. If the bitch tricked her into being locked into a brainwashing pod or some kind of crazy thing like it, she'd have some choice words to say to her. \n\nThe door opened, letting Skiv's foot fly out into the open air to just miss Mallory's face. ``Really? Do you need to make a racket when trying to sleep?'' she asked, exasperated at the rabbit's antics. Skiv shot out from the pod, rolling to the floor and bracing herself against the wall.\n\n``Did you lock me in there?'' she asked, pointing towards the white pod, ``I couldn't get out!''\n\n``Of course you couldn't get out,'' Mallory said with a roll of her eyes, ``These pods are designed to give the occupant as much of a sleep cycle as necessary, with only emergencies or override commands from superiors forcing the occupants out.''\n\n``No,'' Skiv said, shaking her head violently, ``I am not going in a box I can't go out of. I'd be better on the floor.''\n\n``And let you dirty floors that I spent so much effort cleaning? Preposterous. Don't be such a child.''\n\n``You've got drones doing most of the cleaning,'' Skiv hissed, ``Besides, why do I need to be in a pod anyway? If I'm Drips-.''\n\n``Young Master Eric,'' Mallory corrected.\n\n``Drips's,'' Skiv continued, ``Bodyguard, shouldn't I be with him at all times?''\n\nSkiv would have smiled at the scowl across the coon's face, if it didn't terrify her just a little, ``Because you are barely that, Sarah. You are an unrefined lump of ore. If the young master wishes a weapon near him when he sleeps, it should be a carefully forged blade.''\n\n``Wouldn't a gun be better?'' she asked, not getting the allegory.\n\nSighing, the raccoon closed the pod, ``Look, it's just that you lack the proper discipline and skills to be truly effective. You can fight, sure, but not enough to deal with being surrounded by mall cops. The strategy of running away will not always be available when protecting someone, so you need to be better.''\n\n``What's that got to do with sleeping in a coffin?''\n\n``It's...'' Mallory crawled her hand across her face in frustration, ``Ok, you know what? I don't have time for this, why don't you just make yourself useful and come with me so I can properly make sure things are fine for the lord and lady of this house.''\n\nHaving nothing better to do, and not wanting to really get into a fight with the raccoon, Skiv followed along. Even though she'd only been in this home for a day or so, the actual size of it boggled her. ``How do you clean this whole place by yourself?'' she asked, more to break the tension that had been filled by the echoes of their footsteps.\n\n``I don't.'' Mallory stated, ``As much as I'd love to give myself such an accomplishment, there are several other maids working in this facility. I did tell you I'm used to slaves that try to escape.''\n\n``So, where are they?'' Skiv asked, balling her fists in the pants she stole from the mall, ``They being brainwashed?''\n\n``The Karbon's do not believe in overriding their servants unless it is completely necessary for their wellbeing.''\n\n``Sure,'' Skiv nodded, ``And when will I be deemed necessary?''\n\nThe raccoon stopped a wall near the end of the hall and waved her hand through the air, pressing something Skiv couldn't see, ``When you start hearing voices and see things that clearly don't exist,'' Mallory explained. The wall opened, letting several small drones pour out. At least three flying ones, and four little wheeled ones that shuffled between her and Mallory's feet, ``Move out of the way, the drones need to do their work.''\n\n``Work?'' Skiv stepped aside, ``I thought you were cleaning?''\n\n``I am. The drones do the first and second sweep, whereas I do the third sweep. Although,'' The raccoon opened another AR array that Skiv couldn't see, ``Hmm...seems Jennifer is still sleeping. Punishment is in order. Come along.''\n\nLetting the drones do their work, the two ventured downward to a basement level. In no time at all, Skiv found herself presented with several little coffin boxes not dissimilar from what she awoke from, ``Why they down here?'' she asked, confused as to why she was upstairs in hers.\n\n``Yours hasn't arrived yet. So I let you sleep in mine,'' she says, already tapping keys on the side of one box, ``These are the servants quarters, with each maid being assigned a different shift in the day.''\n\n``Yet I haven't seen any of em.''\n\nMallory nodded, ``A good maid is only present when needed. They are trained to keep out of sight unless asked for.'' she explained as the pod opened. Skiv heard it before she smelled the aroma. The rapid fingering and moaning escaping from a diminutive bat as the door slid off.\n\n``Oh,'' the bat uttered, unaware of her surroundings, ``Mistress Mallory...yes, so-''\n\nThe head maid cleared her throat, ``Jennifer. You are late for your duties.''\n\nThe redheaded bat blinked, blush enveloping her face as her nearly naked form covered in reddish-brown fur stepped out of her pod. ``Mistr...Head Maid Mallory,'' she stammered out, keeping her feet together and bowing, ``I'm sorry, I must have forgotten the time, I will-''\n\n``Show me your hands,'' Mallory commanded. Without hesitation, Jennifer brought out her hands to the raccoon, revealing full metallic cyberarms to Skiv and Mallory. The rabbit looked on in awe, having only seen busted up or trashed cyberlimbs back in the outskirts. These were shiny and maintained, barely any damage or wear on them. But they weren't designed for a bat, lacking the wings that came naturally for the flying mammal. One finger dripped her juices onto the floor. A sharp slap echoed through the corridor as Mallory struck the bat across her cheeks, ``Do I have to belt you again, you nocturnal whore?'' \n\nJennifer didn't seem fazed by the strike. In fact, she looked almost happy to Skiv, ``If that is what the head maid wishes, then I shall accept such a punishment. My body is hers to command and use as-''\n\n``Clean up and get dressed,'' Mallory commanded, ``Report to me when your shift has ended, and I will deliver your punishment.''\n\nGiving a naked curtsey, the maid rushed off deeper down the hall and disappeared into a side room. Skiv blinked, ``So your maids ain't allowed to touch themselves.''\n\n``The Karbon's have not made any restriction to self-pleasure, and while it is not something I deem punishable on its own, it is something I'd rather they not do. She is being punished for letting her fantasies get in the way of her duties.''\n\n``Sounds like she's looking forward to it,'' Skiv said with a smirk, ``Mistre-'' Mallory fingers were around the rabbit's throat before she could finish.\n\nCold cybernetic eyes stared at her through the raccoon's glasses, ``If you ever dare call me by such a title I will make your ass glow red, to hell with the consequences.'' she growled, ``Only the member's of the Karbon family are allowed such a title. That masochistic little bitch will be reminded of this later tonight.'' she let go, giving Skiv a chance to breathe while Mallory straightened herself, ``Now come along, I have rooms to clean and you need supervision.''\n\n``Thought,'' she coughed out, rubbing her neck, ``I thought the drones cleaned everything?''\n\n``They do. They've already finished the master bedroom. I need to make sure it is perfect.''\n\nThe master bedroom, as it were, was like stepping into another home. Two floors, several pieces of art stretched across the walls. A kingsized bed sat against a massive window in place of a wall, giving Skiv a bird's eye view of the lower arcology dark morning sky and busy streets, but without the light getting in the way. Drips's room was spacious sure, but that still felt like a room given Skiv's experience around this home. \n\n``The fack do they need this much space for?'' she asked aloud, following Mallory casually as the drones did their final rotation through the room. \n\n``Whatever they desire for it,'' Mallory said, ``Don't touch anything, we've already had it cleaned.''\n\n``Haven't I been cleaned already?'' Skiv snickered, earning herself a cold glare from the raccoon, Enough to keep the rabbit's hands in her pockets, ``So...what are his parents like? Dr...Eric seemed a bit nervous when you brought them up.''\n\n``As should any child when their lies catch up with them,'' Mallory stated, typing into the air, ``Though the Lord and Lady of this estate are fair masters. Lady Juliet is a kind soul despite her work. She gives a warm presence in whatever room she enters and genuinely wants the best outcome for both parties in whatever deal she does. Though that kindness is not there to be manipulated,''\n\nThe walls opened, revealing several revealing outfits of black synthleather and latex. Paddles, gags, dildos, and other toys lined the walls, ``People like to think her kindness makes her weak. But she is a ruthless individual when the proper lines have been crossed.''\n\n``She enjoy training slaves personally?'' Skiv asked, sneering at the synth leather clothing but unable to look away, ``She like to last a leash around you and make you worship her cunt?''\n\n``These are for personal use,'' Mallory stated, ``Between the lady and the lord. Their children are more likely to make use of servants for carnal pleasures,'' the raccoon tapped more keys in the air, opening another wall to reveal several more masculine appropriate synth leather clothing, ``The two are too romantically inclined to find much pleasure in the use of others.'' \n\nSkiv found her pants tighter around the crotch as she saw the male clothing, slowly imagining Drips's in the tight leather, or with a collar locked tight around his neck. If they stayed back home, she'd have found something to mark him as hers. Not her slave, but under her protection. ``Really? Well what's so special about the father?'' Skiv asked, eyeing a strange little device that looked like it could fit over a flaccid cock. Didn't look too comfortable, like whoever wore it would be in constant reminder. Sneaking a peek around her shoulder, the raccoon wasn't looking at her, ``He got a big cock or somethin?'' She asked, swiping the cage and stuffing it into her pants. Not her first time sneaking something through them.\n\nMallory sighed, ``Lord Karbon's genitalia size has nothing to do with their arrangement,'' she said without turning over, ``He is a fair man who listens to both sides and is more than willing to negotiate peace, but is not incapable or hesitant to draw his blade when necessary.''\n\n``So they're both peace lovers who can throw down. Sounds like good propaganda.''\n\n``It's not propaganda if it is true. I would not be alive or in such a position if not for Lord Alfred's mercy.''\n\n``Right, cause he enslaved you at a young age after your parents died?''\n\n``He should have killed me,'' Mallory said, coldly while looking at the bed, ``It was not right after my parents had died. The terrorists took many children of the dead, in the hopes to brainwash them into fighting for their cause. The ones that agreed were given weapons. Those that didn't were given bombs.''\n\nSkiv stood silently as Mallory continued, feeling a noose around her heart, ``I was barely six years old when he found me, eyes streaming down my face as I walked up to him with a bomb strapped to my chest. Like a fool, he dove for me. I thought he was protecting his squad, and in many ways, I'm sure he was. But as soon as he rammed into me, his knife cut into the trigger. It should have gone off, but by the grace of Baldur, it didn't. The next thing I knew, he was ripping it off of me and holding me tight.''\n\nShe turned to Skiv, tears in her eyes with a smile across her lips, ``You may think the Karbon's are monsters for enslaving you, but the young master risked his life to save you. Just like Master Alfred did for me. I can never repay that debt, and I'll continue to serve them to the best of my ability until I can no longer.''\n\nThe rabbit didn't know what to say. A part of her believed there had to be more to the story, that Alfred's actions weren't as self-righteous as Mallory claimed. But Eric did something similar, risking his life for her when so many others would have run. The worst part is that if Drips's or any other classless ran, she wouldn't blame them. It was natural, but if a classer ran, she'd blame them because of her own hatred of them. She'd justify it, she always did. But there was more to it now than she realized. \n\nThankfully, this deep thought helped reduce the swelling of her cock. ``I...I see. So what's the rest of the family like?''\n\n``Like apples, they do not fall far from the tree. In their own ways,'' Mallory stated, motioning for Skiv to follow along, ``Their first child, Mavis, grew up obsessed with her father's military legacy and the company image. As soon as she was able, she applied for service within Spartan Inc, demanding she start in the same spot as everyone else and that her father have as little to do with her advancement as possible.''\n\n``Did he?'' \n\n``I believe so, but I do not have such confirmation. Mavis has proven herself very capable, and I can't help but feel a smidge of pride whenever I hear of her latest accomplishments.''\n\n``That cause you raised her?'' Skiv asked.\n\n``I...stood in for when Lady Juliet, and Lord Alfred, were unable. As I did with all their children. Though much of Mavis's basic combat skills were taught by me.'' Mallory answered with a small hint of pride, ``She moved on to more advanced teachers rather quickly because of it.''\n\n``Ok, so what about the rest? You haven't talked about Drips, or his other sister.''\n\n``So impatient,'' the raccoon chuckled, ``We'll need to teach you some discipline. Young mistress Harriet is an artist of many fields, and the personal owner of Jennifer.''\n\n``What kind of artist?'' \n\n``She dabbles,'' Mallory waived for Skiv to follow as they left the lord and lady's bedroom, ``Art, music, acting, etcetera etcetera,''\n\n``What's etcetera?'' \n\nThe maid stopped, muttering to herself about Skiv's lack of education before taking a deep breath, ``The point being, Harriet is interested in a great many forms of self-expression, and is in the middle of discovering which path best suits her.''\n\n``So she's a bum.''\n\nMallory shrugged, ``Your words, not mine.'' She said, not really disagreeing with Skiv's assessment, ``Though if you ever say such a thing to her or in a public manner I'll personally be the one to cut out your tongue.'' \n\n``And she personally owns the bat? She cut off her wings for the sake of art?'' The rabbit asked, being rather aggressive in the accusation. \n\n``So was acquired without the wings. The cyberarms were paid for by young mistress Harriet, as was the therapy and psych evaluations.'' \n\n``Therapy?''\n\n``It's something I might consider getting you once you've calmed down more.''\n\n``I'm plenty calm.''\n\n``Oh, Sarah, don't lie to me,'' the maid smirked, ``We both know the only reason who haven't gone against my orders is because I've proven to you at least twice how capable I am at not only restraining but ending you.''\n\n``Third times the charm,'' Skiv muttered, keeping her expression away from Mallory's glare. She really did hate that smug little face, but the rabbit couldn't exactly do much. She was an unaugmented bun without a good weapon, what could she do against a damn cyborg? ``So...they got a killer and a hack, what's Drips? The con artist?''\n\nMallory didn't attack her for the insults. She looked out in the direction of Drips's room, a concerning look across her face, ``A worry.''\n\n``Huh?''\n\n``Young master Eric has been...unactive,'' the maid explained, ``He had expressed no interests beyond surfing cyberspace and losing himself in games or pornographic activities. I suspect the only reason his hacking skills are as they are is because of a desire to win games without putting much effort or to overpower others. I am unsure. When he was going to school, he had spent every minute home jacked in, putting little effort into his assignments. I had to be strict to make sure they were up to code, but soon he found ways around that.'' she looked over to Skiv, ``He used to be a sweet child, but something hit him in his teenage year and it killed his drive. You're the first thing I've seen that actually motivates him. And it's why I haven't just disposed of you.''\n\nSomething pinged through the halls before Skiv could answer. Mallory blinked, frowning as she read a message displaying before her, ``Fack,'' the raccoon muttered, grabbing Skiv by the arm and dragging her along with strength the rabbit still wasn't used to, ``She's early.''\n\n``Who?'' Skiv asked, struggling in the maid's grasp, ``Can you lighten up? You're crushing it.''\n\n``Mavis,'' Mallory answered, throwing the rabbit into a room, ``And worse will happen if you show yourself in her presence as you are now. Stay here until I or the young master deems it safe.'' she ordered, closing the door immediately.\n\nFirst thing the rabbit did was check if her acquisition in her underwear had been damaged. Sure enough, the little flaccid dick-shaped device had proven to be more durable than she believed. Looking around, she saw Drips napping under his covers. She thought about waking him up and asking the fox what the device was, but after a quick yawn, she decided that it could wait until morning. Picking out a spot in the corner, Skiv huddled up and closed her eyes, resting against the cold, hard ground. Like she'd done all her life.\n\nShe drifted immediately, missing the sunrise arriving soon after.\n\n***\n\nHe didn't notice her at first, all slumped up in the shadowy corner. The light pushing through the window helped shift the shadows, giving the fox the slightest hint of black fur curled up into a ball. Rubbing his eyes, Eric stepped off the bed and pulled his blanket off, covering Skiv as she rested. He wasn't sure what she was doing in his room, or how she got out of the pod, but he was happy she was there when he woke up. \n\nMaybe one day she'd be on the bed with him.\n\nYawning, the fox pulled a white teeshirt over his chest and mosied on into the kitchen, hoping to maybe start the day with some printed eggs and toast. Harriet met him there, more tired and frustrated than usual, meagerly pushing her fork into a sausage as the augmented bat maid kneeled on the floor to her side. ``You're up early,'' he said with a smirk, ``You not get any `inspiration' last night?'' \n\nHarriet responded with a middle finger raised politely to her brother, ``It's not my idea to be up this early.''\n\nA familiar but unexpected voice followed, carrying a tone with a stick so far up its ass that it could be ruled as death by impalement, ``It's barely even early, sister. You should aim to rise before the sun more often. The colors of the natural sky might do you some good.''\n\nHe froze. Every fiber of his being told Eric that she couldn't be here already. His protocol loving hardass soldier of a big sister couldn't have arrived before mom and dad. If anything, she'd have waited for them to arrive and escorted them personally. \n\nTurning to the side proved him wrong. Mavis was here, dressed in generic if not formal military uniform with a custom short saber hanging from her side. How she was his sister or even a member of the family genetically was a mystery to Eric. Rather than the soft orange fur shared by everyone else, Mavis carried a white coat across her body, while standing at least a foot taller than their father, letting her tower over Eric and Harriet like they were nothing. He used to half-joke that his sister was built to be a solider, something his parents laughed off. But given the genetic makeup of the family, she was an outlier. \n\nEverything else about her was dedication and sacrifice. Lean muscles that carried strength to rival wolves, a standard-issue cyberarm that she'd modded heavily with her own resources, as well as cyber eyes that actually fit her eye sockets this time. Last time he saw her, her cybernetic vision was based around an implanted visor that ruined much of her expressions. Seeing her eyes match her smile only made her all the more unsettling. \n\n``Mavis?'' he asked, forcing out a smile, ``What a surprise. You're a lot earlier than I expected.''\n\n``And when did you expect?'' the white fox asked, taking a bite from her printed bacon, ``My last assignment had me much closer to the planet than mother and father, so it only stands to reason I arrive first.''\n\n``Sure, but-''\n\n``And furthermore, I decided to arrive home before our parents so I can make sure you both are good and proper before they arrive. If you had taken any longer, I would have come into your room myself.''\n\n``Why does he get special treatment?'' Harriet mumbled, scratching a finger behind Jennifer's ears. The bat smiled and closed her eyes as his sister worked, almost resting into her hand.\n\n``Because Eric, dear sister, actually knows to get up early for school. Unlike you, who has been sleeping in until noon, or, even worse, waking up at reasonable hours but not even moving from your bed.''\n\nHarriet didn't bother denying it. She just waived off the analysis and continued to enjoy her meal. ``Not like you'd know how art works, Miss `Paints within the lines'.''\n\n``Lines have stability, maybe you should find one instead of just coasting on mother and father's resources. You'd more than capable of living on your own if you took a job, as much as I'd rather you earn it.''\n\n``Why?'' Eric said as he casually reached for some orange juice in the fridge, ``Just because you have a complex doesn't mean we do.''\n\nMavis slammed the fridge door closed after he pulled the juice out, ``What was that, little brother?'' she hissed, staring down at him with cybernetic amber eyes.\n\nAfter three months of seeing the worst of this station had to offer, Eric figured he'd be less afraid of seeing her angry. He wasn't, finding his courage lodged in his throat and strangling him as she watched and waited for his answer. \n\n``Your tea, Mistress Mavis,'' Mallory said, entering the room with a fresh cup of tea, ``I apologize for the wait, I wanted to get you real honey from our reserves for your arrival.''\n\nNot smiling, but more relaxed, Mavis removed her shadow overcasting her little brother and took the teacup, ``You really shouldn't have, Mallory. It is a waste of resources to use it on me.''\n\n``It is a special occasion,'' the maid said, ``Seeing all three of your together, I figured I'd make each of you your favorite breakfasts.''\n\nYawning, Harriet stepped up from her chair, ``That's ok, Mallory. I'm already finished, so I'll be heading back to my-''\n\n``Jennifer,'' the maid stood straight at the white fox's call, arms behind her back and chest out, ``Is my sister's room clean?''\n\n``No, Mistress Mavis,'' the bat said, ``Mistress Harriet has barred entrance to the cleaning drones from her room and workshop. She has also disallowed me to clean it under circumstances of `ruining her system'.''\n\n``System?'' she turned to Harriet, ``Is this your, `everything in a pile' system, dear sister?''\n\n``It's my room, I may do with it as I please.''\n\nMavis stood tall, arms behind her back as she corrected her sister, ``It is mother and father's room, you will treat it with respect.''\n\n``It is their room they have given me. Ergo it is my to do with as I please.''\n\n``And your thanks is to make a mess of it?''\n\n``My thanks is my art.''\n\n``Are you two going to keep bickering?'' Eric asked, ``Cause I can have my breakfast to go if that's the case.''\n\nThe two foxes glared down at their younger brother. With a sigh, Mavis turned to Jennifer, ``Maid, you are to clean my sister's dwellings immediately. She may supervise you, but I want that floor to be clean within the next hour. Is that clear?'' \n\nJennifer nodded, ``Yes, Mistress,'' and turned to walk away. Harriet grabbed her shoulder before she could leave, ``Jennifer, were you going to leave before I could reward you?''\n\n``Reward, Mistress?'' Jennifer asked, ``I don't believe I have done anything to deser-'' Harriet's hand whipped across the bat's face, echoing a heavy sting through the kitchen. Eric winced at the sound of it, but that wasn't what bothered him. No, the bat's insatiable giggle and cry is what made his fur stand on end. One little slap and Jennifer was all but mush to Harriet.\n\n``That is your reward for printing my breakfast for me,'' she say, giving a quick kiss on the reddened cheek of the bat, ``Now go and get started. Don't touch any sculpture. I'll be with you shortly.''\n\n``Yes...Mistress.'' Jennifer muttered out, moving along quickly with a hint of arousal wafting into the air. Out of all the slaves they owned, Eric didn't understand Jennifer. Hardwired masochism was a cruel fate in his mind.\n\n``You should not reward your servant for doing the bare minimum, sister.'' said Mavis, ``It makes them lazy and ill fit for more strenuous tasks.''\n\n``I can reward my precious bat as I see fit. She is one of my many muses after all.'' \n\nAs much as Eric would love to stay and listen to another argument, he had better people to talk to. Grabbing a printed blueberry muffin and wishing Mallory a good day, he made his way towards his room, hoping Skiv would have awoken by now and might enjoy the muffin. Before he could actually leave the kitchen, the arrival ping went off in all of their HUDs. ``Oh come on,'' the fox muttered, wolfing down his muffin and making his way to the front door in nothing but his teeshirt and boxers. His sisters followed suit, Mavis carrying a frustrated expression at what could only be her inability to get everyone nice and ready for their parents' arrival. \n\nTwo foxes already entered the front hall by the time they all made it. One carried long orange headfur and a tight business suit with a short skirt and leggings over pants. Her smile warmed the hearth in Eric's heart as she stepped up and gave him a hug, ``How is my wonderful boy today?'' she asked.\n\n``Fine, mom, just fine,'' he said, trying to pull himself off of her so he'd stop feeling his mother's cock brush up against him through her skirt. He brushed himself off when she let go, hiding a gulp as his father approached. A few inches taller than Eric, his father was rarely one to use his height to be imposing. Like Mavis, he wore a formal military uniform, and carried a full saber at rest on his side. \n\n``Greetings, son,'' he said in a calm and neutral tone while reaching for a handshake, ``I expect things have been interesting in our absence.''\n\n``Interesting?'' Eric asked, ``I wouldn't say that.''\n\n``Oh? I'm sure you'll find something to bring up during dinner,'' the older fox said, resting his hand on Eric's shoulder, ``After all,'' he leaned in and whispered, ``I have several questions about a few documents signed in my name.''\n\nWas his father's grip always this tight? Eric found himself pondering on such little things if only to avoid freaking the everloving fack out at his father's words. How much did he know? How much had he seen? How much danger was Skiv in? Each thought brought him closer and closer to breaking his neutral expression formed for these bald-faced lies he told, ``I'm sure it must be some sort of error,'' he stated, watching his father's brown eyes for any sudden shift. Any little tell that could hint him his next best move.\n\nAlfred smiled, ``Maybe. I'm sure it'll make a good dinner topic,'' he stated, letting go of the young fox and greeting his sisters, ``Mavis, I read your report on your attack against those pirates on Heimdall. Care to share the story at dinner?''\n\nEric took a deep breath and brushed passed his family, ``If you'll all excuse me, I'll be getting dressed,'' he said, trying quickly to formulate a plan while opening up his HUD. A lock appeared over the screen, followed by a message, `Do interact with us today. It's not often we're all together.' signed by his mother. \n\nOh fack me.\n\n", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "Her new room as it was, was smaller than the shipping container. Skiv found herself tapping against the ceiling of her personal plush coffin, unable to sleep. Not that it was the worst area she's slept in. The rabbit had spent at least a few nights coiled up in an empty fuel drum for some shut-eye back on the outskirts. She'd been used to how it hurt her body when she drifted. Without that discomfort, everything felt too...off.

Barely any room to do much of anything beyond sitting up or laying down, the rabbit found herself fiddling with several buttons that meshed in with the white walls. Screens popped up before her eyes, holograms she couldn't read. Guessing that the different colored blocks presented were options, the black bun started poking away at them. Her bed rumbled underneath her, with dull prods against her back. Panicking, she hit another option, which turned out the lights.

``Facking piece of shite.'' she mumbled, pushing her ceiling only to find it locked. ``Oh, you dirty black tongued cunt,'' the rabbit swore, forcing her foot against the ceiling. If the bitch tricked her into being locked into a brainwashing pod or some kind of crazy thing like it, she'd have some choice words to say to her.

The door opened, letting Skiv's foot fly out into the open air to just miss Mallory's face. ``Really? Do you need to make a racket when trying to sleep?'' she asked, exasperated at the rabbit's antics. Skiv shot out from the pod, rolling to the floor and bracing herself against the wall.

``Did you lock me in there?'' she asked, pointing towards the white pod, ``I couldn't get out!''

``Of course you couldn't get out,'' Mallory said with a roll of her eyes, ``These pods are designed to give the occupant as much of a sleep cycle as necessary, with only emergencies or override commands from superiors forcing the occupants out.''

``No,'' Skiv said, shaking her head violently, ``I am not going in a box I can't go out of. I'd be better on the floor.''

``And let you dirty floors that I spent so much effort cleaning? Preposterous. Don't be such a child.''

``You've got drones doing most of the cleaning,'' Skiv hissed, ``Besides, why do I need to be in a pod anyway? If I'm Drips-.''

``Young Master Eric,'' Mallory corrected.

``Drips's,'' Skiv continued, ``Bodyguard, shouldn't I be with him at all times?''

Skiv would have smiled at the scowl across the coon's face, if it didn't terrify her just a little, ``Because you are barely that, Sarah. You are an unrefined lump of ore. If the young master wishes a weapon near him when he sleeps, it should be a carefully forged blade.''

``Wouldn't a gun be better?'' she asked, not getting the allegory.

Sighing, the raccoon closed the pod, ``Look, it's just that you lack the proper discipline and skills to be truly effective. You can fight, sure, but not enough to deal with being surrounded by mall cops. The strategy of running away will not always be available when protecting someone, so you need to be better.''

``What's that got to do with sleeping in a coffin?''

``It's...'' Mallory crawled her hand across her face in frustration, ``Ok, you know what? I don't have time for this, why don't you just make yourself useful and come with me so I can properly make sure things are fine for the lord and lady of this house.''

Having nothing better to do, and not wanting to really get into a fight with the raccoon, Skiv followed along. Even though she'd only been in this home for a day or so, the actual size of it boggled her. ``How do you clean this whole place by yourself?'' she asked, more to break the tension that had been filled by the echoes of their footsteps.

``I don't.''  Mallory stated, ``As much as I'd love to give myself such an accomplishment, there are several other maids working in this facility. I did tell you I'm used to slaves that try to escape.''

``So, where are they?'' Skiv asked, balling her fists in the pants she stole from the mall, ``They being brainwashed?''

``The Karbon's do not believe in overriding their servants unless it is completely necessary for their wellbeing.''

``Sure,'' Skiv nodded, ``And when will I be deemed necessary?''

The raccoon stopped a wall near the end of the hall and waved her hand through the air, pressing something Skiv couldn't see, ``When you start hearing voices and see things that clearly don't exist,'' Mallory explained. The wall opened, letting several small drones pour out. At least three flying ones, and four little wheeled ones that shuffled between her and Mallory's feet, ``Move out of the way, the drones need to do their work.''

``Work?'' Skiv stepped aside, ``I thought you were cleaning?''

``I am. The drones do the first and second sweep, whereas I do the third sweep. Although,'' The raccoon opened another AR array that Skiv couldn't see, ``Hmm...seems Jennifer is still sleeping. Punishment is in order. Come along.''

Letting the drones do their work, the two ventured downward to a basement level. In no time at all, Skiv found herself presented with several little coffin boxes not dissimilar from what she awoke from, ``Why they down here?'' she asked, confused as to why she was upstairs in hers.

``Yours hasn't arrived yet. So I let you sleep in mine,'' she says, already tapping keys on the side of one box, ``These are the servants quarters, with each maid being assigned a different shift in the day.''

``Yet I haven't seen any of em.''

Mallory nodded, ``A good maid is only present when needed. They are trained to keep out of sight unless asked for.'' she explained as the pod opened. Skiv heard it before she smelled the aroma. The rapid fingering and moaning escaping from a diminutive bat as the door slid off.

``Oh,'' the bat uttered, unaware of her surroundings, ``Mistress Mallory...yes, so-''

The head maid cleared her throat, ``Jennifer. You are late for your duties.''

The redheaded bat blinked, blush enveloping her face as her nearly naked form covered in reddish-brown fur stepped out of her pod. ``Mistr...Head Maid Mallory,'' she stammered out, keeping her feet together and bowing, ``I'm sorry, I must have forgotten the time, I will-''

``Show me your hands,'' Mallory commanded. Without hesitation, Jennifer brought out her hands to the raccoon, revealing full metallic cyberarms to Skiv and Mallory. The rabbit looked on in awe, having only seen busted up or trashed cyberlimbs back in the outskirts. These were shiny and maintained, barely any damage or wear on them. But they weren't designed for a bat, lacking the wings that came naturally for the flying mammal. One finger dripped her juices onto the floor. A sharp slap echoed through the corridor as Mallory struck the bat across her cheeks, ``Do I have to belt you again, you nocturnal whore?''

Jennifer didn't seem fazed by the strike. In fact, she looked almost happy to Skiv, ``If that is what the head maid wishes, then I shall accept such a punishment. My body is hers to command and use as-''

``Clean up and get dressed,'' Mallory commanded, ``Report to me when your shift has ended, and I will deliver your punishment.''

Giving a naked curtsey, the maid rushed off deeper down the hall and disappeared into a side room. Skiv blinked, ``So your maids ain't allowed to touch themselves.''

``The Karbon's have not made any restriction to self-pleasure, and while it is not something I deem punishable on its own, it is something I'd rather they not do. She is being punished for letting her fantasies get in the way of her duties.''

``Sounds like she's looking forward to it,'' Skiv said with a smirk, ``Mistre-'' Mallory fingers were around the rabbit's throat before she could finish.

Cold cybernetic eyes stared at her through the raccoon's glasses, ``If you ever dare call me by such a title I will make your ass glow red, to hell with the consequences.'' she growled, ``Only the member's of the Karbon family are allowed such a title. That masochistic little bitch will be reminded of this later tonight.'' she let go, giving Skiv a chance to breathe while Mallory straightened herself, ``Now come along, I have rooms to clean and you need supervision.''

``Thought,'' she coughed out, rubbing her neck, ``I thought the drones cleaned everything?''

``They do. They've already finished the master bedroom. I need to make sure it is perfect.''

The master bedroom, as it were, was like stepping into another home. Two floors, several pieces of art stretched across the walls. A kingsized bed sat against a massive window in place of a wall, giving Skiv a bird's eye view of the lower arcology dark morning sky and busy streets, but without the light getting in the way. Drips's room was spacious sure, but that still felt like a room given Skiv's experience around this home.

``The fack do they need this much space for?'' she asked aloud, following Mallory casually as the drones did their final rotation through the room.

``Whatever they desire for it,'' Mallory said, ``Don't touch anything, we've already had it cleaned.''

``Haven't I been cleaned already?'' Skiv snickered, earning herself a cold glare from the raccoon, Enough to keep the rabbit's hands in her pockets, ``So...what are his parents like? Dr...Eric seemed a bit nervous when you brought them up.''

``As should any child when their lies catch up with them,'' Mallory stated, typing into the air, ``Though the Lord and Lady of this estate are fair masters. Lady Juliet is a kind soul despite her work. She gives a warm presence in whatever room she enters and genuinely wants the best outcome for both parties in whatever deal she does. Though that kindness is not there to be manipulated,''

The walls opened, revealing several revealing outfits of black synthleather and latex. Paddles, gags, dildos, and other toys lined the walls, ``People like to think her kindness makes her weak. But she is a ruthless individual when the proper lines have been crossed.''

``She enjoy training slaves personally?'' Skiv asked, sneering at the synth leather clothing but unable to look away, ``She like to last a leash around you and make you worship her cunt?''

``These are for personal use,'' Mallory stated, ``Between the lady and the lord. Their children are more likely to make use of servants for carnal pleasures,'' the raccoon tapped more keys in the air, opening another wall to reveal several more masculine appropriate synth leather clothing, ``The two are too romantically inclined to find much pleasure in the use of others.''

Skiv found her pants tighter around the crotch as she saw the male clothing, slowly imagining Drips's in the tight leather, or with a collar locked tight around his neck. If they stayed back home, she'd have found something to mark him as hers. Not her slave, but under her protection. ``Really? Well what's so special about the father?'' Skiv asked, eyeing a strange little device that looked like it could fit over a flaccid cock. Didn't look too comfortable, like whoever wore it would be in constant reminder. Sneaking a peek around her shoulder, the raccoon wasn't looking at her, ``He got a big cock or somethin?'' She asked, swiping the cage and stuffing it into her pants. Not her first time sneaking something through them.

Mallory sighed, ``Lord Karbon's genitalia size has nothing to do with their arrangement,'' she said without turning over, ``He is a fair man who listens to both sides and is more than willing to negotiate peace, but is not incapable or hesitant to draw his blade when necessary.''

``So they're both peace lovers who can throw down. Sounds like good propaganda.''

``It's not propaganda if it is true. I would not be alive or in such a position if not for Lord Alfred's mercy.''

``Right, cause he enslaved you at a young age after your parents died?''

``He should have killed me,'' Mallory said, coldly while looking at the bed, ``It was not right after my parents had died. The terrorists took many children of the dead, in the hopes to brainwash them into fighting for their cause. The ones that agreed were given weapons. Those that didn't were given bombs.''

Skiv stood silently as Mallory continued, feeling a noose around her heart, ``I was barely six years old when he found me, eyes streaming down my face as I walked up to him with a bomb strapped to my chest. Like a fool, he dove for me. I thought he was protecting his squad, and in many ways, I'm sure he was. But as soon as he rammed into me, his knife cut into the trigger. It should have gone off, but by the grace of Baldur, it didn't. The next thing I knew, he was ripping it off of me and holding me tight.''

She turned to Skiv, tears in her eyes with a smile across her lips, ``You may think the Karbon's are monsters for enslaving you, but the young master risked his life to save you. Just like Master Alfred did for me. I can never repay that debt, and I'll continue to serve them to the best of my ability until I can no longer.''

The rabbit didn't know what to say. A part of her believed there had to be more to the story, that Alfred's actions weren't as self-righteous as Mallory claimed. But Eric did something similar, risking his life for her when so many others would have run. The worst part is that if Drips's or any other classless ran, she wouldn't blame them. It was natural, but if a classer ran, she'd blame them because of her own hatred of them. She'd justify it, she always did. But there was more to it now than she realized.

Thankfully, this deep thought helped reduce the swelling of her cock. ``I...I see. So what's the rest of the family like?''

``Like apples, they do not fall far from the tree. In their own ways,'' Mallory stated, motioning for Skiv to follow along, ``Their first child, Mavis, grew up obsessed with her father's military legacy and the company image. As soon as she was able, she applied for service within Spartan Inc, demanding she start in the same spot as everyone else and that her father have as little to do with her advancement as possible.''

``Did he?''

``I believe so, but I do not have such confirmation. Mavis has proven herself very capable, and I can't help but feel a smidge of pride whenever I hear of her latest accomplishments.''

``That cause you raised her?'' Skiv asked.

``I...stood in for when Lady Juliet, and Lord Alfred, were unable. As I did with all their children. Though much of Mavis's basic combat skills were taught by me.'' Mallory answered with a small hint of pride, ``She moved on to more advanced teachers rather quickly because of it.''

``Ok, so what about the rest? You haven't talked about Drips, or his other sister.''

``So impatient,'' the raccoon chuckled, ``We'll need to teach you some discipline. Young mistress Harriet is an artist of many fields, and the personal owner of Jennifer.''

``What kind of artist?''

``She dabbles,'' Mallory waived for Skiv to follow as they left the lord and lady's bedroom, ``Art, music, acting, etcetera etcetera,''

``What's etcetera?''

The maid stopped, muttering to herself about Skiv's lack of education before taking a deep breath, ``The point being, Harriet is interested in a great many forms of self-expression, and is in the middle of discovering which path best suits her.''

``So she's a bum.''

Mallory shrugged, ``Your words, not mine.'' She said, not really disagreeing with Skiv's assessment, ``Though if you ever say such a thing to her or in a public manner I'll personally be the one to cut out your tongue.''

``And she personally owns the bat? She cut off her wings for the sake of art?'' The rabbit asked, being rather aggressive in the accusation.

``So was acquired without the wings. The cyberarms were paid for by young mistress Harriet, as was the therapy and psych evaluations.''

``Therapy?''

``It's something I might consider getting you once you've calmed down more.''

``I'm plenty calm.''

``Oh, Sarah, don't lie to me,'' the maid smirked, ``We both know the only reason who haven't gone against my orders is because I've proven to you at least twice how capable I am at not only restraining but ending you.''

``Third times the charm,'' Skiv muttered, keeping her expression away from Mallory's glare. She really did hate that smug little face, but the rabbit couldn't exactly do much. She was an unaugmented bun without a good weapon, what could she do against a damn cyborg? ``So...they got a killer and a hack, what's Drips? The con artist?''

Mallory didn't attack her for the insults. She looked out in the direction of Drips's room, a concerning look across her face, ``A worry.''

``Huh?''

``Young master Eric has been...unactive,'' the maid explained, ``He had expressed no interests beyond surfing cyberspace and losing himself in games or pornographic activities. I suspect the only reason his hacking skills are as they are is because of a desire to win games without putting much effort or to overpower others. I am unsure. When he was going to school, he had spent every minute home jacked in, putting little effort into his assignments. I had to be strict to make sure they were up to code, but soon he found ways around that.'' she looked over to Skiv, ``He used to be a sweet child, but something hit him in his teenage year and it killed his drive. You're the first thing I've seen that actually motivates him. And it's why I haven't just disposed of you.''

Something pinged through the halls before Skiv could answer. Mallory blinked, frowning as she read a message displaying before her, ``Fack,'' the raccoon muttered, grabbing Skiv by the arm and dragging her along with strength the rabbit still wasn't used to, ``She's early.''

``Who?'' Skiv asked, struggling in the maid's grasp, ``Can you lighten up? You're crushing it.''

``Mavis,'' Mallory answered, throwing the rabbit into a room, ``And worse will happen if you show yourself in her presence as you are now. Stay here until I or the young master deems it safe.'' she ordered, closing the door immediately.

First thing the rabbit did was check if her acquisition in her underwear had been damaged. Sure enough, the little flaccid dick-shaped device had proven to be more durable than she believed. Looking around, she saw Drips napping under his covers. She thought about waking him up and asking the fox what the device was, but after a quick yawn, she decided that it could wait until morning. Picking out a spot in the corner, Skiv huddled up and closed her eyes, resting against the cold, hard ground. Like she'd done all her life.

She drifted immediately, missing the sunrise arriving soon after.

***

He didn't notice her at first, all slumped up in the shadowy corner. The light pushing through the window helped shift the shadows, giving the fox the slightest hint of black fur curled up into a ball. Rubbing his eyes, Eric stepped off the bed and pulled his blanket off, covering Skiv as she rested. He wasn't sure what she was doing in his room, or how she got out of the pod, but he was happy she was there when he woke up.

Maybe one day she'd be on the bed with him.

Yawning, the fox pulled a white teeshirt over his chest and mosied on into the kitchen, hoping to maybe start the day with some printed eggs and toast. Harriet met him there, more tired and frustrated than usual, meagerly pushing her fork into a sausage as the augmented bat maid kneeled on the floor to her side. ``You're up early,'' he said with a smirk, ``You not get any `inspiration' last night?''

Harriet responded with a middle finger raised politely to her brother, ``It's not my idea to be up this early.''

A familiar but unexpected voice followed, carrying a tone with a stick so far up its ass that it could be ruled as death by impalement, ``It's barely even early, sister. You should aim to rise before the sun more often. The colors of the natural sky might do you some good.''

He froze. Every fiber of his being told Eric that she couldn't be here already. His protocol loving hardass soldier of a big sister couldn't have arrived before mom and dad. If anything, she'd have waited for them to arrive and escorted them personally.

Turning to the side proved him wrong. Mavis was here, dressed in generic if not formal military uniform with a custom short saber hanging from her side. How she was his sister or even a member of the family genetically was a mystery to Eric. Rather than the soft orange fur shared by everyone else, Mavis carried a white coat across her body, while standing at least a foot taller than their father, letting her tower over Eric and Harriet like they were nothing. He used to half-joke that his sister was built to be a solider, something his parents laughed off. But given the genetic makeup of the family, she was an outlier.

Everything else about her was dedication and sacrifice. Lean muscles that carried strength to rival wolves, a standard-issue cyberarm that she'd modded heavily with her own resources, as well as cyber eyes that actually fit her eye sockets this time. Last time he saw her, her cybernetic vision was based around an implanted visor that ruined much of her expressions. Seeing her eyes match her smile only made her all the more unsettling.

``Mavis?'' he asked, forcing out a smile, ``What a surprise. You're a lot earlier than I expected.''

``And when did you expect?'' the white fox asked, taking a bite from her printed bacon, ``My last assignment had me much closer to the planet than mother and father, so it only stands to reason I arrive first.''

``Sure, but-''

``And furthermore, I decided to arrive home before our parents so I can make sure you both are good and proper before they arrive. If you had taken any longer, I would have come into your room myself.''

``Why does he get special treatment?'' Harriet mumbled, scratching a finger behind Jennifer's ears. The bat smiled and closed her eyes as his sister worked, almost resting into her hand.

``Because Eric, dear sister, actually knows to get up early for school. Unlike you, who has been sleeping in until noon, or, even worse, waking up at reasonable hours but not even moving from your bed.''

Harriet didn't bother denying it. She just waived off the analysis and continued to enjoy her meal. ``Not like you'd know how art works, Miss `Paints within the lines'.''

``Lines have stability, maybe you should find one instead of just coasting on mother and father's resources. You'd more than capable of living on your own if you took a job, as much as I'd rather you earn it.''

``Why?'' Eric said as he casually reached for some orange juice in the fridge, ``Just because you have a complex doesn't mean we do.''

Mavis slammed the fridge door closed after he pulled the juice out, ``What was that, little brother?'' she hissed, staring down at him with cybernetic amber eyes.

After three months of seeing the worst of this station had to offer, Eric figured he'd be less afraid of seeing her angry. He wasn't, finding his courage lodged in his throat and strangling him as she watched and waited for his answer.

``Your tea, Mistress Mavis,'' Mallory said, entering the room with a fresh cup of tea, ``I apologize for the wait, I wanted to get you real honey from our reserves for your arrival.''

Not smiling, but more relaxed, Mavis removed her shadow overcasting her little brother and took the teacup, ``You really shouldn't have, Mallory. It is a waste of resources to use it on me.''

``It is a special occasion,'' the maid said, ``Seeing all three of your together, I figured I'd make each of you your favorite breakfasts.''

Yawning, Harriet stepped up from her chair, ``That's ok, Mallory. I'm already finished, so I'll be heading back to my-''

``Jennifer,'' the maid stood straight at the white fox's call, arms behind her back and chest out, ``Is my sister's room clean?''

``No, Mistress Mavis,'' the bat said, ``Mistress Harriet has barred entrance to the cleaning drones from her room and workshop. She has also disallowed me to clean it under circumstances of `ruining her system'.''

``System?'' she turned to Harriet, ``Is this your, `everything in a pile' system, dear sister?''

``It's my room, I may do with it as I please.''

Mavis stood tall, arms behind her back as she corrected her sister, ``It is mother and father's room, you will treat it with respect.''

``It is their room they have given me. Ergo it is my to do with as I please.''

``And your thanks is to make a mess of it?''

``My thanks is my art.''

``Are you two going to keep bickering?'' Eric asked, ``Cause I can have my breakfast to go if that's the case.''

The two foxes glared down at their younger brother. With a sigh, Mavis turned to Jennifer, ``Maid, you are to clean my sister's dwellings immediately. She may supervise you, but I want that floor to be clean within the next hour. Is that clear?''

Jennifer nodded, ``Yes, Mistress,'' and turned to walk away. Harriet grabbed her shoulder before she could leave, ``Jennifer, were you going to leave before I could reward you?''

``Reward, Mistress?'' Jennifer asked, ``I don't believe I have done anything to deser-'' Harriet's hand whipped across the bat's face, echoing a heavy sting through the kitchen. Eric winced at the sound of it, but that wasn't what bothered him. No, the bat's insatiable giggle and cry is what made his fur stand on end. One little slap and Jennifer was all but mush to Harriet.

``That is your reward for printing my breakfast for me,'' she say, giving a quick kiss on the reddened cheek of the bat, ``Now go and get started. Don't touch any sculpture. I'll be with you shortly.''

``Yes...Mistress.'' Jennifer muttered out, moving along quickly with a hint of arousal wafting into the air. Out of all the slaves they owned, Eric didn't understand Jennifer. Hardwired masochism was a cruel fate in his mind.

``You should not reward your servant for doing the bare minimum, sister.'' said Mavis, ``It makes them lazy and ill fit for more strenuous tasks.''

``I can reward my precious bat as I see fit. She is one of my many muses after all.''

As much as Eric would love to stay and listen to another argument, he had better people to talk to. Grabbing a printed blueberry muffin and wishing Mallory a good day, he made his way towards his room, hoping Skiv would have awoken by now and might enjoy the muffin. Before he could actually leave the kitchen, the arrival ping went off in all of their HUDs. ``Oh come on,'' the fox muttered, wolfing down his muffin and making his way to the front door in nothing but his teeshirt and boxers. His sisters followed suit, Mavis carrying a frustrated expression at what could only be her inability to get everyone nice and ready for their parents' arrival.

Two foxes already entered the front hall by the time they all made it. One carried long orange headfur and a tight business suit with a short skirt and leggings over pants. Her smile warmed the hearth in Eric's heart as she stepped up and gave him a hug, ``How is my wonderful boy today?'' she asked.

``Fine, mom, just fine,'' he said, trying to pull himself off of her so he'd stop feeling his mother's cock brush up against him through her skirt. He brushed himself off when she let go, hiding a gulp as his father approached. A few inches taller than Eric, his father was rarely one to use his height to be imposing. Like Mavis, he wore a formal military uniform, and carried a full saber at rest on his side.

``Greetings, son,'' he said in a calm and neutral tone while reaching for a handshake, ``I expect things have been interesting in our absence.''

``Interesting?'' Eric asked, ``I wouldn't say that.''

``Oh? I'm sure you'll find something to bring up during dinner,'' the older fox said, resting his hand on Eric's shoulder, ``After all,'' he leaned in and whispered, ``I have several questions about a few documents signed in my name.''

Was his father's grip always this tight? Eric found himself pondering on such little things if only to avoid freaking the everloving fack out at his father's words. How much did he know? How much had he seen? How much danger was Skiv in? Each thought brought him closer and closer to breaking his neutral expression formed for these bald-faced lies he told, ``I'm sure it must be some sort of error,'' he stated, watching his father's brown eyes for any sudden shift. Any little tell that could hint him his next best move.

Alfred smiled, ``Maybe. I'm sure it'll make a good dinner topic,'' he stated, letting go of the young fox and greeting his sisters, ``Mavis, I read your report on your attack against those pirates on Heimdall. Care to share the story at dinner?''

Eric took a deep breath and brushed passed his family, ``If you'll all excuse me, I'll be getting dressed,'' he said, trying quickly to formulate a plan while opening up his HUD. A lock appeared over the screen, followed by a message, `Do interact with us today. It's not often we're all together.' signed by his mother.

Oh fack me.

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