Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 This is a slightly different take on the BDSM dynamic then most stories. 
If you are looking for hot and fast action this is not for you.

   In Darkness We Trust (MF+?, BDSM, Slow) ****************

   "It is time for a lesson, pet," you hear called to you from the other
room.  In the flat level voice you have come to know as Sir you hear the
command, "Come here." No hint of doubt in that voice, you will obey and you
both know it.

   Your heart starts to race as you wonder what the lesson might be.  Are
you about to be rewarded?  You try to think of anything you might have done
to please me and earn a reward.  Maybe you are about to be punished?  Your
heart beats a little faster as you try to remember if you have broken any
rules.

   Realizing that you have not answered Sir even though you are on you way,
you blurt out, "Coming Sir." Thinking of how close you just came to having
poor manners, you shiver a little.  If there was one thing you had come to
learn over the last few months it was that Sir did not put up with poor
manners from his pet.

   You can't help but hope that Sir will be proud that you remembered in
time.  There was no doubt that he had noticed; it was a source of pride for
you that Sir did not miss the small details.  Every time you received a new
rule the first thing you did was look for loopholes, and from the first day
you had started your training he had been slamming the door on them before
you could use them.  Some times you couldn't help but wonder if the other
loopholes you saw were left there to test you.  Some day you would feel
brave enough to find out.

   As you are about to walk through the door you hear Sir's command,
"Stop." You obey and try not to fidget as you wait.  From the doorway you
notice the flickering light of a candle, cinnamon from the smell.  Inside
you hear all manner of noises that you try to place.  There is a clink of
metal on metal.  Another clink that you can't quite place.  A silken
rustling noise.  Then several small noises you can't seem to identify.

   As you are straining to hear more a loud smack of leather hitting
something startles you and you jump a little.  Sir knows that you would try
to guess what is coming and is toying with you.  You smile a little as you
appreciate how well Sir knows his pet.  Then you realize that everything
you are hearing, seeing, smelling could have nothing to do with your
lesson. Or maybe the lesson already started and you aren't sure what it is.
As these thoughts race through your mind, and time stretches on you start
to fidget.

   "Close your eyes and come 5 steps in." Sir's voice is calm and
controlled, always a promising sign.

   You close your eyes and slowly walk into the room.  Counting your steps
as your mind races.  Your breath is already coming a little faster.  Your
breasts have started to warm.  You can feel your nipples starting to
stiffen, and that tense feeling you get in your stomach that has a way or
turning into lust or fear has already begun.  You have started to learn
that there is no sharp divide between the two; they can flow from one to
the other as quickly as a word or a touch.

   Around you the air stirs.  You can smell Sir's cologne carried to you on
the disturbed air.  Hands lightly brush your hair back, before pulling
away. You hear the rustle of cloth once again and feel something silky
pressing against your eyes.  A blindfold!  Your heart skips a beat.  Sir
has never blindfolded you before.  It is hard enough to please Sir even
when you can watch him for the smallest signs of approval or disapproval
that he lets show.  You remember back to your first days of training where
Sir was nothing but written words and a voice.  Where his will was carried
out by you, with your husband being Sir's arm when needed.  Oh god!  It had
been awhile since you felt so helpless.

   Strong hands tighten the blindfold and the feel of Sir's warm breath
hitting your neck as he moves closer makes you shiver.  Now you can feel it
on your cheek as he lets his lips almost touch your ear.

   "The lesson begins.  Stand still."

   As you stand there trying to control your breathing you Sir's arms slide
under yours and his fingers find the top button of your blouse.  You can't
be sure if he is holding his fingers there to tease you, or simply because
he has a lot on his mind.  It is so hard to tell with that flat voice he
uses.

   "What is the first rule?" he asks.

   "I am not allowed to wear or use masks around you Sir." An easy question
for you to answer but you wonder where this is going.

   "Correct," comes the reply.  Flat.  Level.  No hint or approval at a job
well done.  Simply an acknowledgment of job done.  Sir is almost distant.

   "What could that mean?" you wonder as he slowly undoes the top button,
then moves his fingers to the next.

   "And yet here you are in front of me, and I believe you have one over
your eyes.  So, how do we define a mask then for the sake of the rule?"

   Another easy one.  "A mask is a front I put on to please other people
Sir," you reply.

   "Correct." Another button is slowly undone and you feel Sir's hands move
to the next.  "Do you know why you are wearing a mask now?"

   "No Sir," you respond as you try to resist the urge to fidget.  Your
mind is racing.  The smell of Sir behind you, the warmth of his arms
against your sides, the breath against your neck and ear as Sir speaks. 
Your whole body is flushed now.  Smell, touch, sounds, tastes.  "Oh please
let there be tastes," you silently beg.  Everything seems so much more
focused when you can't see what is happening around you.  A noise in front
of you makes your breath catch.  You realize that you can make out someone
else's breathing somewhere in front of you, the noise must have been them
shifting in a chair.

   You must have answered correctly because Sir undoes another button and
moves to the next.  "Today you will learn about masks," says Sir.  "From
your breathing I see you have noticed that we have a guest with us
tonight."

   As if it is of no concern, Sir continues.  "Do you wear masks around
your friends?"

   "Yes Sir," you reply.  Another button is undone.  Sir is now at the last
button before the waist of you skirt, palms resting against your stomach.
You have so many thoughts and feelings swirling around now that you are a
little lost.  You stand there trying to get them under control.

   "Do you wear masks around your children?"

   "Yes Sir," you reply.  Slightly embarrassed.  Control is slipping
farther from your grasp.

   You feel Sir undo the button, then slide his fingers along each side of
your blouse, slowly pulling it open a little more as he works his fingers
up your stomach and over the swell of your breasts.  Your exposed nipples
send a scream of joy into your brain as Sir lets his hands brush against
them.  As the cool air hits your flushed skin you want to shake a little.

   Sir's hands reach the base of your neck and he pauses to let one finger
lightly brush the side of your neck.  This time your whole body does shiver
a little.  You know that touch is one of the few ways Sir allows himself to
tell you that he cares for his pet.  You feel better now knowing that Sir
is the one who is in control, all you have to do is obey and Sir will take
care of things.

   Feeling his hands slide back down, you breath a little faster.  His
hands slip below the waist of your skirt to rest on the last button.  You
want so badly to raise up onto your toes to bring Sir's hand closer to your
warm, swollen pussy, but you know better than to act without permission.

   "Do you wear masks around your husband?"

   You blush bright pink as you hear the question.  You know better than to
lie.  When you answer the words come out just loud enough to be heard. 
"Yes Sir."

   "Good girl," comes the response.  Sir knows that you were tempted to
lie. This is the first sign of approval tonight, and you know that you have
done well so far.  "You have earned a treat."

   You feel your blouse slowly pulled out of your skirt's waistband.  Sir's
hands slowly pull it off your shoulders and behind your back, down your
arms.  Where Sir's warmth was you now feel the chill of the air conditioner
raising goose bumps on your skin.  You hear Sir move to the wall and hear
the sound of something skittering along the wood, followed by a clink of
something small and metallic hitting a twin to itself.  You don't know what
the sound could be as you have never heard it before.  You feel the air
stir as Sir returns and comes to stand in front of you.  The next thing you
feel is some ice-cold and metallic brushing against your right nipple. 
Both of your nipples ache and throb as you pray for Sir to touch your
nipples.  Your wish is granted as you feel first one, then the other ice
cold metallic clip bite into your nipples.

   "What pet has there are new presents.  Nice metallic clothespins that
have been chilled in the freezer." Sir flicks one of them, causing you to
gasp.  "Does pet like her new gifts?"

   "Yes Sir," you gasp while trying to not moan.

   "Good." You feel Sir move and hear him once more go back to the wall. 
Once again there is the scraping of metal on wood, this time sounding much
heavier.  Footsteps herald Sir's return, once more behind you.  You feel
your left hand pulled roughly behind your back, followed by something
hitting your wrist and closing.  As Sir squeezes it closed and you hear the
clicking, you realize it is a pair of handcuffs.  When Sir pulls your right
hand back you feel your chest pushed forward and the clothespins move as
you shift, causing you to gasp.  The sting of metal hitting your wrist
brings you back as the other cuff is tightened.  In the background you hear
the Watcher's breathing has gotten faster.

   "The lesson continues."

   "My pet will be still," says Sir as he walks away from you.  From the
wall you hear the sound of something sliding against wood again.  This time
the sound is light, but goes on for a much longer time then the previous
noises.  You sense Sir returning to you followed by a sharp smack against
your left thigh.

   "One," you call out automatically as you feel the sting warming up on
the back of your leg.  Sir softly rubs the tip of his crop against the spot
it just hit.

   "One of the things my pet needs to consider about masks is their
inherent disregard for what they do.  A mask does not care what it hides,
or who it hides it for or from." Smack!

   "Two," you say as the crop is pulled away.  Sir landed that one exactly
where the first one hit.  Not as hard as you know Sir can, but hard enough.
You can tell Sir is trying to make sure you are paying attention.

   "The person wearing the mask has a belief that there is safety behind
it. That it somehow protects them from something.  However, masks also bind
you to their need.  The need to act or behave a certain way in order to be
allowed to keep wearing the mask." Smack!  This time the sting is on your
right arm.

   You are unsure if you are to count totals or for each spot to take a
gamble.  "Three," you venture.  Sir's words are buzzing around your mind as
your body reacts to his teachings.  The clothespins on your nipples have
warmed from the heat of your body and now are starting to bite into them
more.

   "This creates a situation where the wearer begins to believe parts of
the mask they wear.  The more masks, the more fragments work their way into
the wearer's mind." Smack!

   "Four," you say as this stroke sears across your left thigh.  This time
against the outside.

   "Soon, the wearer not only feels safe behind their masks, they also feel
in some ways superior.  'I can do this thing that others can't.' They start
to take pride in knowing that they can play the role they choose while
their self stays safely tucked away." You listen as Sir slowly comes around
to stand in front of you.  "And pride is the only warning sign you will see
that there is a problem." Smack!  Smack!

   "Five, Six!" Gasping slightly you feel the sharp sting heat up where
Sir's crop has bit each breast.  The outsides sting, but Sir placed the
strokes just close enough to the nipples to make them move.  The
clothespins are now causing your nipples to throb.

   "What the wearer won't see is that the masks really leave them exposed.
The pride in being able to hide in plan sight means that you don't see
where you are exposed.  You come to believe that even though you know where
you are weak, no one else will see it because the mask is between you and
them." Smack!

   "Seven," you say as you feel the blow land on your left hip.  You try
not to move.

   "So here you are safe behind a mask." Smack!

   "Eight." This one landing on your right hip.

   "You are blind to the source of your pain." Smack!

   "Nine!" you cry out as the blow lands against the small of your back.

   "You are safe from people who can only see the mask, like our guest
here." Smack!

   "Ten!" A stinging patch of flesh your left shoulder marks the crop's
passage.

   "However, you are totally exposed to people who know what a mask is."
Smack!

   "Eleven," you say as this stroke is somewhat deadened by the fabric of
your skirt.

   "You leave yourself open to those who can see right through your masks."
Smack!

   "Twelve," you gasp as you feel the crop land just below your left
breast, making the clothespin move.

   "In this case you are lucky, because that person is me." Smack!

   "Thirteen!" another stroke just like the last lands below your right
breast.

   "Some might use this knowledge to simply use and hurt you." Smack!

   "Fourteen," you almost scream as this one lands squarely on your left
nipple, knocking the clothespin off.

   "I would rather help you learn that it is a weakness." Smack!

   "Fifteen!" This time you do scream it as the last blow lands, knocking
the right clothespin off.

   "In the end masks are as dangerous to wear as to not.  There is no true
safety.  You can take the easy way out and wear a mask.  Or you can take
the harder way and live without them.  Neither way is better then the
other. Both have risks and benefits.  But not knowing the weakness of
masks, you can't make an informed decision of which is more appropriate."

   You hear Sir move back to the wall and hear what sounds like the crop
being laid down.  Then you hear Sir returning.  Your mind is struggling to
reject the lesson.  You let the words bounce around but you don't want to
believe them.  The thought of what it means is difficult to accept.  Your
body feels like it has patches of fire where the crop has landed.  The
first ones dull, the latest burning hot.  You almost don't notice that Sir
has come to stand in front of you until you hear his voice right in front
of you.

   "That was the first part of your lesson.  I know you don't know what to
think about it.  I know you don't want to believe it.  But it is the truth.
Masks also blind you to something else.  Would you like to know that is,
pet?"

   You aren't sure if you really want to, but you also aren't sure you can
afford to miss what Sir has to say.  "Yes Sir," you answer.

   Your knees almost want to collapse as you feel Sir's warm mouth softly
kiss the left side of your neck as his fingers lightly brush the right
side. His lips are parted just enough to let you feel the smallest amount
of moisture left on your skin to cool as his soft warm lips pull away and
he brings his mouth up to your ear.

   "It can also blind you to pleasure and joy." You feel Sir ever so
lightly nibble on your left earlobe.  The patches of skin that felt on fire
before are now just a dull burn compared to the heat that sweeps through
your body.

   As Sir's hands lightly rest against your skin, you almost sigh happily
as you hear him say, "Time for the second part of your lesson.  I think we
can do without this," you hear Sir say as his hands roam once again down
your body.  Fingertips leave little trails of fire along your stomach as
they work their way back down to rest once again against that last button.
You feel Sir slowly work the button loose to let your blouse fall to the
floor.

   You moan a little as Sir lets his hands roam across your torso, feeling
his palms laying flat against your stomach and slowly sliding upwards
before turning outwards to cup your breasts and ever so slightly lift them.
"I think a little fun is in order before we continue."

   As you stand there wondering what is going to happen, you feel Sir's
lips brushing the outer edge of your right aureole.  Your body gives a
little jump as you feel Sir's tongue rest lightly against the nipple.  As
it slowly starts to move in little circles, you feel a moan build in your
chest.  You know if he keeps going he will have you gasping and moaning and
begging him to give you release.  As the tongue slips down and begins
circling the base of your nipple, you hear the moan slip from your throat.
Feeling it moving your pert nipple, you can't help be let your pleasure be
known.

   A creak cuts through the fog that had started to slip around you as you
enjoyed the sensation.  Watcher must have moved in the chair when you
moaned.  You feel the flush of embarrassment well up inside you as you once
again realize that someone is seeing everything that is being done to you.

   You feel Sir's lips move together and gasp as he sucks your nipple into
his warm mouth and begins to massage it with his tongue as he pulls back.
You gasp as he pulls back far enough that it pops out of his mouth.  "Look
at my pet blush.  Isn't she cute when she is embarrassed?" You feel Sir's
right hand reach up and give your left nipple a nice hard pinch and slight
pull, forcing you to whimper just a little.

   You feel Sir's fingers release your nipple and take a deep breath as you
try to recover your composure.  A sudden touch against the inside of your
right thigh causes a little shiver to course through your frame as Sir
slowly slides a hand up the inside of your skirt and allows a finger to
trace you wet, silky lips.  "It looks like my pet is enjoying her lesson so
far.  Lets see how she feels about being embarrassed a little more." You
feel Sir slowly slip two fingers inside your pussy, letting you feel the
pressure against your walls.  You feel your body respond and an almost
overwhelming need to be fucked like the naughty girl you feel like sweeps
through you.  Sir moves his fingers around just a little inside of you,
causing your juices to flow even more.  You can feel some starting to slow
down your thighs and almost beg Sir to put them back as he removes his
fingers, pausing only for a moment to give your clit a small pinch.

   "My pet is really excited.  I think she is enjoying the thought of
someone else seeing her being a naughty girl.  Let's find out."

   You feel Sir's wet fingertips rest against your lips and you know what's
expected.  Your mind screams at you to rebel.  'Good girls don't behave
this way,' you find yourself thinking.  You can smell your scent on the
fingers just below your nose and know you only have a moment to decide what
to do.  You feel ashamed and naughty as you realize that Sir already knows
what you are going to do.

   You part your lips and lean forward a little to clean off Sir's fingers.
It had become so routine that you had started to not think about it, but
now as you know someone is sitting there watching, you feel so embarrassed
that you can't stop blushing.  Making matters worse is that you know it is
really turning you on to be so naughty, and that Sir knows this.  'Oh lord,
what else does he have planned,' you wonder to yourself.  As your mind
thinks up things you get more and more embarrassed and more turned on.  You
can feel the juices almost flowing from your pussy as you suck and lick
Sir's fingers clean.

   You almost feel ashamed as Sir withdraws his fingers.  You want him to
show you and Watcher what a naughty girl you are.  You know deep down that
you are very naughty but have such a hard time admitting it or letting it
free.  You can feel the little imp that gets you into trouble wanting to be
let loose so that you can be punished and made to be a good girl.  But it
is having to fight against your sexual beast that you keep caged.  Sir is
working you up and making all three sides fight for control and your body
is left getting more aroused.  Your desire to please and be good, your
embarrassment at being sexy and naughty, and your need to be controlled are
all keying right into your body.  Each part feeds the others.  "Please
Sir," you hear escape your lips.  You pause and can't think of anything to
add to it.  Those two words seem to sum up everything right now.  Not
please anything, but please everything.  You need Sir to continue, you need
to see where this leads, and you need Sir.

   "Please Sir," you repeat.  With a slight tremble in your voice you hear
yourself say the words that express everything for you right now.  "Please
Sir."

   You feel Sir softly kiss and stroke you neck.  And then you hear him say
the words you have heard a thousand times before.  "My pet." You hear
understanding in his voice.  You know he isn't going to let up or give in.
You know he isn't going to stop, and you know he is going to do exactly
what he set out to do tonight regardless of this moment.  You hear the
total ownership in that voice.  He is not your husband who loves and adores
you.  He is your owner, and while he cares for you and understands you, he
does not have to ever bend or yield because of love.  He only claims a
small part of your life, but now you understand that claim completely.

   With tears of joy in your eyes hidden behind the scarf, you say three
more words.  Words you have said so many times you lost count.  But now you
say them with new feeling.  "Thank you Sir."

   "You are welcome my pet.  It is time to continue."

   The next thing you know you feel Sir grab you by your hips and pull you
close, forcing your breasts right up against his chest.  The hands leave
your hips and you feel them grabbing the handcuffs.  You feel Sir's hot
breath against your neck as he undoes first one cuff, then the other before
pulling away.  You hear him walk over and put the cuffs down, clinking and
rattling on the wood once more.

   Suddenly you feel hands grabbing your hair and pulling you forward.  You
are shocked for just a moment, but the pain of your scalp brings you
quickly back to attention and you begin to move where you are being
directed.  Right towards Watcher.

   "Reach forward," you hear Sir say.  When you hesitate for just a moment
you can feel his hands grip tighter on your hair and give it small tug and
shake.  Instantly you reach forward and down towards Watcher.

   "Stop." You feel awkward and almost foolish standing there with your
arms reaching out, waist slightly bent.  You feel Sir's hand grab you by
your wrists and begin to move your hands where he wants them.  Under your
palms you can feel the warmth from Watcher and feel a little flutter in
your stomach as your heart speeds up.  Sir drops your hands down to make
contact with Watcher's legs, and you are shocked to feel soft, smooth nylon
under your skin.  You can feel Watcher's thighs under your palms, the
little tremors going through them as you try to regain your balance.  You
almost pull your hands away in shock, but Sir's grip holds your hands still
against Watcher's thighs.

   You hear Sir chuckle that with that evil laugh of his.  "Pet, I would
like to introduce you to Slut.  Her master Jake has kindly agreed to be my
sponsor at the club.  He was supposed to be here tonight to review your
training and make sure that you were well behaved, but regrettably work
called him in tonight.  He sent Slut here to watch instead, and report back
to him on if my pet is well behaved enough for the club."

   "Stay," You hear Sir say as he moves away, leaving your hands resting on
Watcher's....  Slut's, you correct yourself, thigh.  You wonder what is
going through her mind, who she is.  You fight down a little pang of
jealousy by reminding yourself that Sir is not here for her and that he was
expecting her master to be here instead.  You want so badly to be good and
behave, but you feel yourself slipping out of balance.

   SMACK!  You feel your legs almost give out as a searing hot line of pain
shoots across the back of your legs.  After a moment you feel your breath
come back and the searing line of fire turns into a warmth spreading up and
down your legs.  You just a little as you feel Sir's hands lightly rub each
leg where he hit you.

   "You forgot something pet." You can hear the slight reproach in his
voice.

   "One," you call out, blushing as you realize that you are already
slipping up.  "Sorry Sir."

   "I have no doubt that you will be even more sorry when I am done. 
Spread your legs another foot and a half my pet.  Slut, my pet has never
been caned before, so you will help her and advise her."

   As you move your feet to comply with your order, you feel Sir slowly
slipping your skirt off to get it out of the way.  You take special pride
in having worn that skirt today because it is the single shortest skirt you
had ever worn, coming just two inches down past the curve of your ass when
you were standing.  You smile thinking about how far you have come, before
your mind focuses on where you are again.  You feel Slut's cheek against
yours as her mouth hovers close to your ear.

   SMACK!  "Two!"

   "Try to not lock your legs," Slut whispers into your ear.  "Don't tense
up.  Lean in to me and lower your upper body just a bit." You consider
ignoring her, but you heard compassion in her voice and suddenly realize
that she is trying to help.  Gratefully you adjust as she told you and try
to wait for the next one while remaining loose.  "That's better hun, just
focus on the warmth and you will be ok," Slut breathes into your ear.

   SMACK!  "Three!"

   SMACK!  "Four!"

   SMACK!  "Five!"

   "Make sure you breathe, hun.  Those weren't as bad as the hard ones,
just try to focus on the sting and warmth spreading." You feel Slut's hands
rest on top of yours.  "You are beautiful and doing wonderful, just try to
relax and enjoy it.  Don't fight the pain, try to let it wash over you and
become a part of you."

   SMACK!  "Six!" you scream as you feel this one almost drive the air from
your lungs.  You feel your head get light, then clear as the heat spreads
all through your body.  You almost laugh as you feel like a shock has
driven through your body.  The pain is still there, but you can feel it
slipping into the background as your body and mind begin to slip into their
own world of pleasure and pain.

   SMACK!  "Seven!"

   You feel your pussy throbbing in time to the lines of fire on your ass.
You can feel your pulse rushing through your clit and your blood pounding
in your ears.

   "You may help her cum, Slut," You hear Sir say.

   SMACK!  "Eight!"

   You feel Slut's hands reach out and cup your breasts.  "God, I wish I
had nice breasts like yours.  I can only imagine all the fun he has playing
with them.  My master always has lamented how small mine are." You feel
Slut pinch your nipples and pull them a little.

   SMACK!  "Nine!" You start to shiver as you get your body back under
control.  The pain from having your nipples pinched and pulled as you took
the last one has you wishing Sir would just fuck you already and let you
please him.

   SMACK!  "Ten!"

   SMACK!  "Eleven!"

   You try not to pay attention to the next swing as you feel Slut's hands
roaming over your body, leaving little trails of electric intensity where
they pass as they slowly work their way towards your pussy.  As her fingers
slide along the slit, you sigh with pleasure.

   SMACK!" Twelve!" The pain from the slowly raising welts on your ass
takes a back seat to the pleasure Slut is working through your body as she
plays your clit and pussy like it was a guitar being strummed by a Spanish
virtuoso.  You feel the waves building as Slut teases your body.  The heat
from the cane, all the excitement, and the pure pleasure of submitting all
start to overwhelm you.

   SMACK!  "Thirteen!" you cry between moans.

   Then suddenly you feel a hand wrap around your throat and begin to
squeeze.  You keep trying to breathe but it's getting harder as the hand
squeezes tighter.

   Smack!  This time you feel the palm of Sir's free hand smack against
your ass.  "Fourteen," you manage to squeeze out before realizing you can't
get any more breath.  A second later you feel your body explode as the
orgasm tears through you.  You gasp, Sir's hand has relaxed and as you pull
in a breath your pussy pulses again.  You spend god only knows how much
time there, your body taking control and blocking every thing out except
the waves of pleasure washing over you again and again just as the waves of
pain had earlier.  When you finally can think again, you realize you are
sitting on the floor with you head cradled in Slut's lap as she strokes
your hair.  You feel her mouth get close to your ear again and feel her
breath caress your cheek.  "You are a very lucky woman to have found
someone like him."

   "Slut.  You have seen enough to judge if my pet can behave.  Go get
ready to greet your master when he gets home.  It is time for my pet to pay
for her lesson."

   "Yes Sir," you hear her say and she lays your head down on the ground.
"Take good care of your Sir, pet." Without another word you hear her leave
the room and a few moments later hear the front door open and close.

   The next thing you know, you feel Sir kneel down and remove the
blindfold.  His lips pause to lightly kiss your neck.

   "You did good today my pet.  We will talk about your slips later."
Saying so, Sir gets up and looks into your eyes, slowly unzipping his
pants, an evil grin on his face.
   It looks like the night has only begun...