The room was dark as Arclight entered, the door slamming shut behind him. All around the darkness was broken as torches flared to life.

As far as he could see, there was nothing in the room, as far as the torches could light up. The sound of rattling chains could be heard at the other end of the room. There, a large black set of doors opened to reveal a giant hulking form.

Eyes small and red, surrounded by brown fur, ears rounded and low to the head. It’s features were long and slightly distorted. A snout ended with whiskers, and a pink nose. Its body large, and muscular, claws sparkling with a strange blue energy.

The creature was a large rat, obviously meant as the first, and weakest boss. Arclight looked it over, and deduced the story had it set that this rat, or perhaps even wererat, had been distorted by the evil magic that was permeating the land his quest had lead him to.

“Vrock kill kill.” The creature snarled.

Arclight tilted his head slightly, before miming a facepalm. “Dear god, someone is going to sue us for ripping off T.H.U.”

The air in the room was filled with the sound of battle music, the creature, Vrock, stepped forward and threw its hands out. A flare of blue fire engulfed a small area as a rat creature with a sword and some tattered clothing appeared.

Arclight groaned, before shaking his head and working out his first spell.

Time passed as the two combatants clashed at each other, Arclight throwing out bolts of lightning in attack, wind spells to knock back the enemies, and occasional summons. Vrock would continually summon other rats of various kinds to attack it’s opponent before trying to move in to attack directly.

He never noticed, until he felt a tug at his waist that something was amiss. Missing the time to cast his next spell, Arclight looked down to his waste.

There was nothing he could immediately see that was off. He shook his head, taking the damage from two rats while he was distracted.

He began to cast an area effect spell, to throw off his opponents when he felt another, bigger tug at his waste. He could feel his pants being forced down his legs, and the sudden cold of air hitting his now bare skin.

“What the hell?” He asked aloud as he once again looked down. He could see nothing wrong, and it took a full ten seconds before it dawned on him he was still wearing the gaming gear and someone was messing with him.

He took several more hits, his summons no longer being held together, falling apart in the boss room. He didn’t care, Arclight was going to stop this game.

“Sonata, what are you doing? Game pause.” Looking up, he could see the room’s boss swinging a sword down at him suddenly stop.

Raising his hands, he attempted to remove the helmet, only to find his hands smacked away.

“Hey, what the hell? Wha-” Max’s breathe caught in his throat as he could feel feminine hands slowly moving down his body, caressing him.

After the hands reached his legs, he could feel a slight pressure as, he assumed Sonata, leaned forward and began kissing him along his stomach, having raised his shirt slightly.

No longer did he want to question, he just sat back and relaxed to enjoy what was coming his way. She stopped just at the top of his waist, and moved back up along his body, pressing hers against his.

It was definitely Sonata, playing with him, he could tell from how light her form was, and the scent of her body wash.

“Hey, Shouldn’t you be playing, game master?” She whispered into the side of the headgear where his ear was.

“Well, if someone wants to distract me, I would rather play their game, than this one.”

“No, I want you to play your game, while I play with mine. You see, I have a very sensitive joystick,” Sonata explained as she slipped a hand into his briefs grabbing him, her smile unseen by Max as he took a sharp breath. “And I want the special prize and high score.”

‘Damn, Sonata talking sexy game speak is a hell of a turn on.’

“Mmm, that’s my man.” Sonata whispered, feeling Max’s reaction, “Now, get back to your game.”

Max licked his lips as he tried to work his brain.

Taking a breathe, he opened his mouth, “Game resume.”

Arclight was trembling, as he gazed up to the creature, it’s sword continuing its course down at his body.

He barely took damage as he had previously cast a spell bubble to absorb as much physical damage as possible.

He moved his character and began his next spell. He could still feel the lingering tingles of anothers flesh against his, tearing at his mind as he tried to focus.

He removed a few pebbles and began a higher leveled summons to help give him some room to focus and move.

As he began the spell, the stones rose into the air above his hands, glowing a light blue. He began to recite the words as though from memory, yet at the same time as if it were the voice of another person altogether.

While the he worked the spell, he began to set up for the next, a minor healing spell he had picked up from his last battle, it would help him recover most of his depleted health. His mind set, he waited patiently.

That is, until he felt something that sent his mind reeling. A pair of soft plump lips sliding down over the head of his cock.

Max nearly let loose a squeak. He closed his eyes and savored the feeling, shivering slightly.

He tried to refocus on the game, opening his eyes, seeing that the spell had already completed and his golems were protecting him already. He attempted to give his next command, but instead his mouth opened and nothing came out.

This game Sonata was playing at was driving him up the wall. He couldn’t think or do much of anything as his body responded to the feeling of her lips working their way slowly down his shaft. The way she moved, allowing him to harden in her mouth as she continued, without going too fast and choking ensuring he was enjoying every bit of her endeavors.

It was not much more before she began to pull away, working her way back up slowly. She stopped at his head and bobbed up and down a few times. As he swelled in her mouth, she pulled him out of her mouth, a string of saliva connecting her to him. She glanced up to see him having trouble with the game and smiled.

She looked back at the prize in her hand and moved back in, allowing her tongue to work around his head. She played the tip of her tongue under his head before resting the flat of her tongue up under his cock. As she continued, she began to take longer licks, moving further down to the base of his waist and sliding her tongue up.

She could feel herself becoming turned on as she continued, her mind giving in to the want of her carnal desires.

Sonata began to slowly stroke Max as she pondered her next move. Smiling to herself, Sonata stood up and began to remove her clothes, and setting them to the side. She looked down at Max, his erection slick and wet from her working. She leaned down, hands settling at the side of Max’s head, readying to remove the headgear.

Looking over his body, her mind going back to their time together. Sonata fought the feelings in her, as her heart wanted to ache, yet rejoice at everything they had been through together.

Sonata lifted Max’s chin up to her, as she leaned down and kissed him, softly, passionately.

Sonata smiled as she pulled away from the kiss. She looked to see a similar smile gracing his features. Sonata went ahead and removed the headgear carefully, before helping with the gloves next.

The equipment now set to the side, forgotten. Max took Sonata’s hand, and drew her down onto his lap. It did not take much convincing for the two lovers to remove their shirts.

Sonata used her legs to give her leverage as she took Max in her hand once again and guided him to her lips which had been growing increasingly wet.

Both shared in the warmth and pleasure as they began to make their bodies one. They held each other close, their lips seeking each other. As their minds cleared from the initial pleasure, Sonata wasted no time in moving her body.

Max worked his body back against the couch, allowing the two a better position, as he now began to thrust his hips in time with hers. The sensation of her insides gripping squeezing him for all he was worth, eliciting an almost primal instinct from him and his body as his cock flared inside her. The moan she let out pleased him as they continued.

Minutes passed as the two worked out their carnal desires, their bodies working together, finding ways to maximize their pleasure.

Whispers of love were passed to one another in throws of passion.

Max moaned, before speaking to Sonata, and she worked in time with him, moving her body faster over his.

She wanted him, all of him, she couldn’t think, there was no need for thought, only movement of their bodies together.

Their climax was fast in coming, but for them it felt it was their whole existence.

“MAX!” Sonata screamed, barely catching her name moaned out as thye reached their climax simultaneously.

With shortened breath, Sonata carefully settled herself down against Max, who wrapped one arm around her and used the other to push the gear to the floor. The clatter went unnoticed as the two now lay across the couch, Max, still settled inside of Sonata as she lay on top of him.

Sonata turned her head, looking up at Max, who smiled down at her. A hand carefully caressed her skin as he ran his fingers down her back.

Despite the shiver at feeling his touch, Sonata settled down comfortably on him, her hand on his chest as she closed her eyes.

“Oh, don’t fall asleep on me, now, my love,” Max warned.

“But you’re so comfy,” Sonata playfully whined.

“Mhm, sure,” Max said unbelievably as he moved his body, allowing her to fall next to him on the couch. He held her close though, not wanting to let go.

Sonata snuggled up as close as her body could get to his as she once more closed her eyes.

For some time, Max laid there, watching her in his arms. He began to think about what was to come and sighed, he had to do better, for her, for them.

Another minute passed before his eyes began to close, sleep overtaking him.

The last of his thoughts, were of Sonata, Aria, and Adagio, the three of them looking to him.

Adagio laid the last bag in her room, between her bed and the closet. She raised up with a light huff before stretching out her back. To say she was a little upset was an understatement, though what she saw when Aria happened along and let her into the apartment. Well, she couldn’t bring herself to interrupt anything what had apparently been a very good afternoon.

Turning, Adagio made her way back into the living room where Aria was lazily sitting back on the arm of the couch at the feet of the two asleep.

“Well, let’s wake them up, then.” Adagio said shaking her head as she looked over to Max, an arm protectively wrapped around Sonata.

Everything felt at peace, yet, at the same time it didn’t feel right either.

Max looked up from the seat he found himself in, a deep frown etched on his face.

The grass was green, the lawn chairs and matching table were white, the back patio he was on a nice deep brown, a tree with a tire swing, a disused sandbox to the other side where the roots of the tree had broken one of the boards, sand having settled around the root.

“Is there something wrong, darling?” Came a soft voice at his ear, a she felt a pair of hands touch his shoulders before he could see in the corner of his eyes a pair of slender arms rove over and down his chest. The soft lips that came with them, touching lightly, playfully on his neck, leaving a small chill down his spine. Even the scent he recognized tantalized his nose as it tickled his senses.

Her turned to see a young woman he recognized, beautiful, blue hair, her eyes held a kind of playful light, and intelligence, but beyond them, he could see the years of knowledge and wisdom no other human could understand.

She tilted her head, her bright smile falling slightly as she waited for a response.

Shaking his head, Max worked to bring himself out of his thoughts, “Uh, just...” he stopped unsure of what to say next. Once again he shook his head, turning away from her and looking down, “Its nothing.”

He could hear a thoughtful sound, as though the young woman didn’t believe him, but accepted what he said anyways.

After a second of silence, Max was surprised by the sound of laughter. It wasn’t the laughter he was expecting, not from the woman next to him, no this was something hauntingly familiar, yet also alien to him.

Turning, Max watched, his eyes widening ever so slightly in disbelief as two children laughing, ran past towards the tree and the swing tied there.

He watched as the boy and girl raced to see who would reach it first, the girl, having slightly longer limbs than the boy grabbed the rope, jumped onto the wooden plank and allowed her momentum to take her high. He squeals of joy echoing loudly, yet also sounding distant.

“Joy, be sure to let your brother have a turn.” She woman called out from next to Max. He glanced up to see her smile down at him and give him a wink.

He could do nothing more than to offer a hard pressed smile of his own, though she didn’t seem to catch the lack of enthusiasm.

Max turned once again to the two children as the girl said something, but Max couldn’t quite hear it.

His frown returned, deeper than it was before. But that was not all, he was now beginning to have a slight pain in his head. There was something off about everything and he was now starting to realize it. The light, despite it seeming to be cloudy, as far as he could tell, was very bright. Worst of all it was making the table and chairs seem brighter than they needed to be as well.

As he looked down, the ground itself seemed to be off as well. The grass felt too dark, almost as if it was blended somewhat with the brown of the wood beneath his feet.

As he tried to think on this, the pain in his head began to increase; raising a hand he held his head in it. It was then he began to feel something else, not pain, but it was as constant and persistent as the pain in his head.

It felt like something pressing against his side, and he could faintly hear his name being called.

With a groan Max stirred on the couch, his eyes fluttering open until the light got a good hit on them.

“Oh crap, what the hell? What is with the fucking light being so bright out here?”

Adagio and Aria looked at each other, their faces scrunched up in confusion.

“Hun, we are not outside.” Adagio explained.

Raising a hand, Max covered his eyes for the most part to shield them from the light coming in from the window a she tried to look around.

“Well, then where is Joy?”

Aria turned a fierce haze at Max before she spoke in the most frighteningly calm voice, “And who exactly is Joy?”

Max had raised his head ever so slightly, as he turned it from one direction to the other, “Uh, my daughter, I guess? She was just on the swing with her brother.”

Adagio placed a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing out loud, though when she spoke it could still be heard in her voice. “Hun, you really gotta wake up, that was just a dream.”

“Oh, thank god. I’d be a horrible father.”

At this, the two women couldn’t help but to bust out laughing.

“Mmm, I’ll call you daddy,” Sonata spoke out tiredly as she absently padded his stomach.

Adagio doubled over in laughter, as Aria fell off the arm of the couch.

“Now it’s just weird.” Max commented as he dropped his head back down with a groan.

It took a few minutes before everyone was able to collect themselves.

“Oh, Max, I must say, if I am your personal secretary I want a raise, and some vacation days.” Adagio said, with a hand on her hip, and a grin on her face.

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“Well, I got this call-”

“No, I mean, you’re not with a union, and we live together, if I pay you for rent, that I think we could technically say is your pay. Also, I can’t condone vacation days right now, corporate has some issues with that sensitive subject. You’ll have to speak with HR.”

“Ow, my head. Max, I want to slap you.”

“I think I;d rather you just sleep with me, but HR and corporate will have an issue with that as well. I don’t think you want others to think of you as the office slut.”

“Really?!”

“Well, I’ve told you how bad working in a cube farm is. You got to take a little abuse with my horrible jabs and jokes.”

“I think I’m going to shoot this asshole.”

“Going postal now?”

“Shut the hell up!”

With a shit eating grin, Max nodded, and held up a hand. “Okay, okay, I’m sorry, but my head is a little fucked up at the moment after that weird ass dream.”

Adagio pinched the bridge of her nose for a few seconds as she let out a frustrated sigh.

“Since you’re done... You are done right?” Adagio glanced at Max, moving her hand from her face. When he said nothing, she continued, “Your boss called and wants you to bring the game and all of the equipment back first thing tomorrow. At least, I think she said first thing tomorrow. She was a bit brash.”

Max cringed a bit, “I’m sorry Adagio, if I knew it was my boss that called you, I wouldn’t have fucked with you so much. Uh, yeah. Not really sure what to say on that, except I am really, really sorry. But, thank you for giving me the message, despite, uh-”

“Despite being a colossal prick?”

“Yeah.”

To serve out punishment, or as an apology, Max worked to clean up the house and prep everything he had for the next morning.

Aria was working on dinner for them when they set up the table in the middle of the living room. They had, after some time of Max being with them, gotten a larger folding table and some nice table cloth to fit over it.

Max, by now, was diligently typing away as fast as he could at his laptop on the couch, only slowing when he had to look over his notes and copy anything into his presentation.

The scent of spice, along with the sound of meat cooking on the skillet wafted in from the kitchen.

It brought a smile to his lips until both he and Adagio froze, before turning to look at the bedroom.

Adagio tilted her head, a slight frown coming to her face, before raising a hand and began to count down from five. As she reached three, there was a thundering nose of something heavily hitting the floor in the bedroom before scrambling for the door. As Adagio reached her index finger, the door was thrown open violently and a blue blur shot out from the room, towards the kitchen.

Adagio shook her head before leaning down, running a hand over the table cloth to ensure it was smoothed out. The two could hear Sonata’s voice rambling on so fast they could no longer hear her words.

“Damn it Sonata, put me down or the meat is going to burn!” Aria screamed from the kitchen.

“ILOVEYOUILOVEYOUILOVEYOUILOVEYOUILOVEYOU!” Came the response.

“Fine, I feel the bone crushing love, now put me down and get to chopping the veggies.”

Despite the previous fury at which Aria had responded to Sonata’s reaction, this comment seemed more of an acceptance, almost returning the affection. At least, in Max’s perception.

Dinner was enjoyable as the four talked, laughed, and tossed out ideas about what to do for the Christmas Holiday right around the corner.

“Naw, I’ve already got my shopping done.” Adagio mentioned, before biting into another taco, the loud crunch of the shell seeming to place a finality to her comment.

Max looked up form his plate, an eyebrow raised.

“Really? I wouldn’t have expected that.”

“Well, if someone hadn’t fucked each other into slumber, you would have been able to help me bring in everything.”

“Aww, don’t be like that Dagi, we were just having some fun, all alone.” Sonata responded, a hand gliding under the table and squeezing when she found her destination.

Max jumped ever so slightly, his knee smacking the table.

All, except Sonata, reached out quickly to steady the table and keep the food from spilling out.

With an exasperated sigh, Max reached over a hand to her, and wiped away some bright liquid from the corner of her mouth.

“Maybe next time to try to be sexy like that, you don’t have hot sauce dripping from your mouth.”

“Well, maybe someone should be more concerned with changing diapers.” Dagi jabbed.

Max rolled his eyes, “I’m not living that down, am I?”

Adagio glanced at Aria who smugly grinned, and the two agreed, “Nope.”

Max slumped back in his chair, his eyes briefly glancing over at Sonata who seemed too busy eating another taco.

Despite being focused on it, Max could see something in her eyes, but he wasn’t sure. Concern perhaps? With a shake of his head, Max went back to fixing his next soft shell, which bulged as he folded one end and lifted the side.

The rest of their night went without incident, Max even offering to wash dishes.

By the next morning, Max was waking up to his alarm. The bed was warm and spacious with just him and Sonata together, their arms wrapped comfortably around each other. During the night, she had snuggled her head up to his chest and remained there.

Watching her, Max could not help but to smile, a hand lovingly caressing her arm, before he leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the top of her head.

With careful movements, Max worked to untangle himself from her grip, only to stop as he turned, hearing a soft mournful whimper. He glanced back to see Sonata sleepily reaching with a hand at the empty space he was making, searching for him.

With a pang of regret, he turned his pillow around allowing her to find it and draw it close to her. He watched as she nuzzled it, a strange light purring sound coming from her.

He eased himself from the bed, trying his best not to disturb her again. He busied himself with getting ready, a quick hot shower, reminding him of his bed. Followed by dressing, ensuring he had a decent suit, despite this being a holiday, and the urgency with which he felt for returning everything along with his notes, he prayed silently for this to be nothing more than a quick deposit and a speech of everything he had found.

‘Maybe,’ he thought to himself as he grabbed his keys, cell, and wallet, ‘Nina is too busy with some last minute things for the office and is in a hurry herself. She may be willing to allow me to just dump the stuff off with all my paperwork and just let me go at that. No more than a few minutes.’

He glanced back at the form in the bed, the light of the early morning making shadows across the bed as she slept. With a sigh he turned and silently closed the door.

“Yep, busy working man, off early. Hope to see you back soon.”

The voice that suddenly spoke up made Max’s heart jump into his throat as his body jerked slightly from the surprise.

“Damn it, Adagio.” Max let out quietly.

Adagio was there on the couch, reading a book, with a cup of coffee in her free hand.

She tried her best to hide the smile at his reaction as she looked up, but failed as a hungry passed over her features briefly.

Max shook his head, “Well, I’m hoping this is nothing more than just asking fore the equipment back and allowing me a quick discussion. Or, if Nina is in a hurry since she is finishing up last minute things in the office, she will be fine with me just leaving everything there to be looked over after the holiday.”

“In a hurry to get back? Can’t say I blame you.” Adagio said as she watched him moving to gather up his stuff. He held a small briefcase of his papers, and his laptop, then worked to fit the equipment under his other arm.

She watched him turn about to make sure he wasn’t snagged on anything and the cords were tucked up.

She remembered his loathing of carrying a briefcase, but only kept his grumblings to a minimum since he had conceded it was easier than carrying all of his papers and constantly having to pick them up as they fell out of his grip.

She smiled, and wished him a good day a she headed out the door.

The drive to the office where the company was set up was a fair and long one, as he had to drive past the college, and then make his way to the highway to make his trip faster as he headed downtown.

Fourty minutes, and plenty of glances into his rear view mirror for potential police, he made it to the parking lot. He saw the parking lot nearest his building practically empty, except for a few vehicles here and there, no doubt for the cleaning crew. The area of office buildings was set off to the side from the rest of downtown to hold a look of class with all of the businesses set up in these shorter high rises, made of steel and glass.

Minutes of walking, and riding the elevator, Max found himself stepping out onto the soft carpeting of the twenty first floor out of twenty four floors of the whole building.

The company he worked for, actually owned the entire building for their share, but only took up the top six floors, as well as a sub basement, the rest of the offices were rented out to smaller companies, one of which being a temp office, others ranging from a construction offices headquarters, to a law firm; And a couple in between.

Max walked swiftly through the glass doors to the offices and then headed towards the back where he knew Nina’s office would be.

He could see no one else, from his quick glance around, before coming to a stop before the solid wood door with the dark carving of her name, with the words ‘President, and CEO’ which underneath was also etched the name of her company she had seemingly raised from the depths of nothingness.

With a steadying breath, Max reached up and knocked loudly on the door.

At first he waited, making small noises with his mouth as a nervous habit, bouncing on his heels as he waited. After what he felt was more than long enough, he rapped on the door, even louder, expecting someone to hear him now.

‘I don’t think I knocked that quietly, and this door is thick, but not made of metal.’

“Max?”

He turned at the sound of Nina behind him, she graced him with a patient smile.

“I’m sorry, you weren’t down here for long were you? I would have told you the time, and exactly what floor to meet me on, but I wasn’t able to reach you. For that I apologize.” She explained, as she looked at him.

Nina held his gaze, with her dark brown eyes, framed by a pair of thin glasses. She had her hair up in a bun, a light amount of makeup, which was normal for her, though it was odd to see her with such bright red lipstick. She wore her usual attire of blouse and skirt that reached to her knees. Her heels were also a bit of a surprise to him, as he had never seen her with heels before.

“Uh, no. It was only a minute or two. I thought I was meeting you in your office, and not in the meeting room.” he explained quickly.

Nina looked him over briefly, her mouth quirking up to the side in thought.

“No, not today. There is still much to do, but I have surpassed my goals, and have more than caught up in the last few days.”

“You’ve been working non stop since everyone else left?” Max asked, credulously.

“You designed your own game, and I recall there being mentioned you had many sleepless nights as you painstakingly worked on everything on your own to keep it going, is that correct?”

Max shrugged, but acknowledged her point.

With a nod, Nina turned crisply, almost with a military about face, before walking forward. He had missed the cup of steaming coffee in her hands as Max, moved to follow her.

“We are not going to the meeting room. We are going to the top floor, to my actual office.” Nina explained briefly as she halted in the elevator and pressed a button.

“Uh, your actual office?”

Nodding she glanced over at Max, “Yes, as you are aware, I usually work at this office with the door open so I can easily get to anyone who needs my input on anything they are doing, and is far easier than having to go all the way up to my actual office, or using those office messengers.”

Max made an “O” shape with his mouth as he remembered this being explained once before. He had forgotten the reason why, was she enjoyed being so high up and looking out her window at the clouds, and the city, with the sparse trees of the parks between them. She had said that was where she felt free to contemplate as much as she could, trying her best to come up with new ideas for new games.

Of course, she did have her own group of minds always working things out, but it seemed they always paled in comparison to the ideas she had launched with her own ideas.

Max knew it wasn’t they approved whatever she brought to their attention just because she was the boss, she really often had many good ideas for games which was beginning to turn the curve of the gaming industry once again.

Nina herself was held in high regards by the media, and fans, and begrudgingly by their competitors, many of whom had chomped at the bit and regretted not hiring her way back when she had pitched a few of her earliest game ideas.

In a personal interview when she had actually been brought to light by one of the games she had launched when she found the backing for her company, she had easily shrugged off any attempt to get her riled up, or to confess any ill will towards the companies she had applied for.

“’When you’re fighting against hundreds, if not thousands of others, its hard for a company in the gaming industry, and probably any other company when they have everyone coming to say the same thing, they have the next big hit for a game, theirs can change the way people play, on and on. Honestly, you can’t expect anyone to be a mind reader and gaze into the future and easily divine who really is the best in the field of up and coming talent. It is as it is meant to be. We strive forward with what we can create, giving jobs to talented artists, computer technicians, writers, animators, and more. With so many working together, the world of gaming is a whole universe unto itself that anyone and everyone can experience with their own enjoyment.

‘A foundation such as this, also allows us to be more than capable and flexible with our content, giving a wider range of possibilities.’”

Many had tried after that interview to try and bring Nina down, saying she was full of herself, and only had what she had because she had stolen it all from others.

Surprisingly, she weathered through this, as a warrior facing an oncoming storm, the games her company put out, more than a capable weapon against them as she cut through everyone else to stand on her own where she was today.

At times, Max felt that she was strength that he lacked, he felt that what he ahd done was just buckled under the law of others, knowing he had crossed boundaries, despite all of his best intentions to cover his ass.

The ding of the elevator, bringing them to their destination, as the feeling of everything around and within him settled, brought him out of his thoughts.

“You seem distracted, Max.” Nina observed.

“Oh, my apologies, just thinking about some things is all.”

“Was it because of what I brought up?”

He looked forward as the doors opened and he stepped out first and turned to offer her a hand.

“It doesn’t matter.” He stated as he looked to the floor.

“You know, I notice you are a very odd man.” Nina commented as she stepped out of the elevator, ignoring his outstretched hand.

Max felt this was not a compliment, and wondered what she was getting at.

“There are times where your personality seem to collide with itself. You are intelligent, honest, and at times blunt and straight forward. Often, you end up immediately backtracking, apologizing, and acting like a dog with its tail between its legs. Other times, you are more than just intelligent, like you’ve seen things no one could ever possibly imagine, I can almost at those times see your shoulders sagging as if with a great weight upon them. Other times you are quick witted, and silver tongued, though you don’t seem to have that unless you are around people who are a bit less than mature, but are accepting of things many seem to still have problems with.”

Max recoiled physically, ever so slightly, as if each assessment was a wound to his person, which in fact it felt that way. He could feel a low smoldering anger building within him, his eyes narrowed slightly, his brow furrowed an d his jaw locked, his teeth pressed firmly together till there was an ache he ignored all the way to the bone.

“But, what has caught my attention the most, is when you are working diligently on the projects here with everyone. You stand with your back straight, a look of command on your face. I thought at first, you were angry. Angry that you were not working on what you wanted. Others, I will admit actually admitted when you have that look they are afraid of you, like a father they have disappointed and cannot impress. I admit, when I saw that look the first few times, I wanted to slap you, and demand you leave here immediately. But I tried my best to give you the benefit of the doubt.

“And you did not disappoint in this one bit. As I continued to watch you as you worked, I began to realize you saw everything and everyone around you differently than the rest of us do. I am willing to bet you even see the whole world differently than we do. Once I was able to piece this together, it felt as though you seemed to change, a new persona I was not aware of seemed to stand before me. I saw you, for what I was sure was the real you; the you, that you hide from everyone. A man who is strong, and can stand for what he believes in, and will not falter no matter what. A man who is not easily broken.”

Max was taken aback by this, he looked at Nina as she stood by her door to her office, working slowly to unlock the door, and opened it.

The room was fairly large, with a solid oak desk in the middle of it, several book cases lined the back wall all the way to his right side. A couple of plants could be spotted, one small ivy that hung over the edge of the potter, as well as the desk itself, and a small tree in the corner just fitted into a small space between the last bookshelf and the wall that lead to the door.

Upon the desk was a computer screen and keyboard with a matching wireless mouse, that held a blinking red light atop of it.

Max was not sure what to do at the moment, his mind was working overtime trying to figure out why of all things his boss had unloaded this perception onto him. He wanted to feel flattered, but at the same time, it felt wrong with the way she was talking. He refused to look at her for as long as he could, knowing she was still standing there, hand on the door waiting for him to enter.

He did so, reluctantly, suddenly feeling like he had just been verbally punished for being no more than just himself. There was a reason he had so many facets to his personality, it was because he knew what she said was true. Seeing the real him somehow pissed people off, many had previously claimed he was full of himself, and thought himself better than others with how he always looked down on them.

This was not how he meant for others to see him. He had just worked hard to be as open and honest as he could, and many had immediately hated him for it, so he did his best to change for others. He had hated it until he came into his own with his skills in developing games, then it just didn’t matter anymore.

“So, where would you like me to place this? I was hoping, considering the holidays we could perhaps put off the discussion of the game and the equipment until after.” Max quietly spoke, trying to fight against the storm of anger in him.

“Max,” Nina began, closing the door as she approached the desk, “I know it seems as though I have insulted you, and I suppose on many levels I did. But it was not intentional. I was just wanting to let you see how things have been. You are apart of this office, this team, and everything we do here. You are more than intelligent and skilled to be here and I want you to know how I appreciate everything that you have done.”

“I don;t think any of that matters. I know how I seem to many people. It can;t be helped, what I have done to try and get others to feel more comfortable around me, is me working hard to let them no I am no different than they. I don;t like people to believe I consider myself anyone’s better. Now, I know this is rude, but I am just going to leave this here with you and be done. I will see you in the new year, Miss Newmont.”

Max set the equipment down, allowing it to drop a few inches, not caring if it was damaged, before he dropped the whole briefcase onto the desk and turned to leave.

“Once again, you surprise me, with the facet of yet another personality you can bring out. It’s strange how easily you can shift from one to another so easily. I swear if we were in some other world or universe, you would be a creature that could easily slip into any form you desire just so you could find a place to belong.”

Max halted, thinking back to some of the stories the Dazzlings had told him of some of the creatures from their world. One of the most dangerous creatures they had ever come across before they were expelled to this world were a bug type of creature they called changelings, which could change not just their very appearance, but everything about them, including their own internal organs. Which enabled them to appear as any race they desired, male or female.

This peaked his interest, but only momentarily as he stopped at the door.

“I was hoping we could spend a little bit of time to at least talk, Max.” Nina let out a small sigh, as he could hear her rummaging around in her desk.

“Well, this is the time for sharing, but I’m sorry I don’t have anything more than my reports for you.” Max too a second to close his eyes and take a breath to calm himself, “If you don’t mind I think I will be leaving-”

Before he could finish, something came around his face, covering his mouth. So surprised he took a quick short breath, and suddenly became very woozy. There was a strange smell, and he began to panic as he tried to turn his head away. It seemed to try and follow.

As he turned he stumbled away, out of Nina’s grip.

“A fighter, and again I am surprised, but also, I feel very excited to have you. It will be a pleasure to break you, Max.” Nina seemed to gloat as she came towards him once more.

Max was doubled over, the room shifting and tilting first to the left, then to the right, his head felt slow and sluggish, but he sensed more than saw movement coming up next to him. He moved a hand out to try and push her away from him so he could fight through whatever happened and get the hell out of the office.

Nina easily moved out of reach of his outstretched hand and looked down to him as he took a knee. The look on her face was frightening in of itself, a sadistic gleam on her eyes, and a primal, predatory smile on her red lips.

She dabbed the cloth again, and moved forward, lowering herself enough to catch Max, as she went to subdue him.

Max looked up, his sight straightening out ever so slightly, as his head pounded with the anger in him. He was feeding it now, knowing he needed to. He didn’t want to hurt Nina, since she was a woman, but if push came to shove, and his survival depended on that, the voice in his head which cautioned him would turn and allow him to do what was needed.

He carefully, but firmly grabbed her arm, to keep her from pressing the cloth to his face again.

“What the fuck are you doing?”

“You are very much like a wild stallion that wants to buck, and I am here to tame you, Max. I hate and despise men like you, who think women like me are weak and stupid. I want to prove who the stronger force on two legs is. For that, I need to break you.”

That was it, the one thing his mind waited for, and yet feared at the same time. His natural instincts were permitted to take full control in that instant.

Max grabbed Nina around he throat with one hand and began to squeeze, the look in his eyes were frightening, the savagery there. She could feel her arm that was in his other hand being slowly squeezed and pulled away, twisting slightly until she let out a light scream and dropped the wrag.

She worked to breathe as he stood with her in his grip, a look of pure hatred, she could feel a wave of heat coming from him as he looked at her, unmoving. She knew how to keep from passing out immediately, though she was losing time quickly, since he was stronger and more resistant than she would ever have thought, she had to use her backup plan.

Max saw the movement, but releasing her arm to stop her other hand was his only chance, his mind was not working fast enough, it only knew of a threat and was acting towards it, so Nina was free to use her now bruised arm to swing and beat a fist over his head. The hand around her throat seemed to tighten further, beginning to crush her windpipe, as she stuck him in the neck with the needle she had in a back pocket.

Max grunted and grabbed the hand with the needle, too late as she injected the tranquilizer into him.

He began to pull her hand away, it took all her strength to keep the needle from being broken in him, and as soon as her hand was pulled away she began to feel excruciating pain as he tried to crush and twist her hand.

She was a little concerned that the drug would not take when she felt his grip loosening on her throat and hand. His eyes went unfocused before his arms dropped and his body slumped to the side. Whatever was going on, the tranquilizer seemed to have worked through him far faster than normal.

Nina moved back and leaned against her desk, closing her eyes as she worked to calm herself and get her breath back.

Once a few minutes passed and she was sure she could, Nina worked her way to a pair of shaky legs, and moved around her desk to the drawer that was still open. She pushed aside a glass bottle of liquid and grabbed a mirror that was shoved to the back.

Holding it up, she looked to the dark red marks slowing fading to blue and purple on her throat. With a raised eyebrow, she admired herself with a smile, “Not one of the best marks I’ve ever had, but it will be a while before this one goes away. You will pay for this, my new little slave, I will make sure of that.”

With that she turned, dropping the mirror on her desk and grabbed a book and pulled it from the bookcase. It didn’t come completely out before there was a click and the next bookcase opened as a door. Within it she grabbed a small cloth and wrapped it lovingly around her neck, before tying it and returning to the mirror to ensure it covered his marks on her completely.

Once this was done, she looked down at her hand, and flexed it lightly, wincing ever so slightly as she looked at her knuckles which were somewhat red, but unlike the marks on her throat, these were fading. She then turned her attention to her arm where he had kept her from using the cloth o him. She had only wanted him out long enough to tie him up and change. But now he would be out a good hour or more longer than she wanted.

She grabbed a small bottle of pills from out of the drawer and downed a coupe for the pain. She then dropped into her chair and leaned back.

“You are going to be hard to break, but like every man before you, you will break.”

Sonata came out of her room with a large yawn, and looked around, her hair somewhat plastered around her face, while the rest of it lay haphazardly behind her.

“Where’s Max?”

“He left a few hours ago to drop the stuff off at his job. He was hoping he would be right back.” Adagio explained, still not looking up from her book, an empty coffee cup at the side of the couch.

Sonata walked over and climbed onto the couch and snuggled up against Adagio, closing her eyes. The elder siren moved an arm about the younger and comforted her as she drifted off back to sleep.

Nina admired herself in the full length mirror. She had her hair, still up in its bun, around her throat was a single leather collar that could be tightened with a single tug, her chest was barely covered with a tightened leather vest, that held a deep V shape down the center, barely holding her breasts, with strings reaching down across her tight abdomen to a simple g-string.

As per her usual form when first breaking in a man, she preferred to go without her high heeled boots that would normally hug her legs and thighs.

She felt it was better since she could move her toes about in a way that allowed her to practically grab things with them, it was so much more fun to use her toes to grab a man’s balls and crush them with so little effort until they became used to it and then level up to her heels.

She looked over to the wall where Max was held, now nude, arms and legs chained, with a dog collar wrapped around his neck, another small chain leading to a handle for his master. The chains holding his arms and legs bound him to the wall, she wanted to ensure he would learn where and when he was to do anything by her command. Allowing a pet that wasn’t fully house trained to roam about was never a good idea.

Author's Note

So, this was supposed to be one large chapter which was supposed to include a resolution, but, it doesn't. What am I going to do about it?
Probably nothing.
I would say what is wrong, but it doesn't matter.
So, here is this chapter, unedited, uncorrected.