Shadow tended the bar with little effort at all. His last job before being granted freedom was working the upscale lounge at Proton Electro's private estate. He'd managed to kill a few assassins, and gambling cheats, which after a few years on the job finally lead to him receiving his extra brand, on his left shoulder, showing he was set free.

"Free my ass." Shadow thought as he looked around at the degenerates he was now forced to serve for the next few years before he got a hefty payment that would really define his freedom. He knew he shouldn't bitch as Proton could have kept him on as his personal protector for the rest of his life. This lesser job would end up being worth it's while once he was finally able to afford to do as he finally pleased. He just had to wait it out. He'd been through far worse, so this was over all nothing... He wasn't about the admit that the last 2 years of lavish living had dulled his strength or wits. He didn't need the finer things in life. He just yearned to finally have his life truly be his own.

"Sooo, Shadow!" Gunner laughed at the man who was talking over his job as he sat at the bar helping himself to free drinks. "Have you decided which one you'll be taking to bed tonight?" The tall squirrel laughed while picking up his glass and spilling half of it on his shirt.

"I'd prefer to focus on keeping things going smoothly through our transition for now." Shadow tried not to bark too abruptly at his predecessor.

"Oh, come on now. That's the best perk of keeping this place running. A few free bottles to yourself every week and your choice of whore to fuck after closing." The large squirrel laughed again. "I'm not going to lie. I'm really going to miss the constant company."

"Your coin is always welcome here." Shadow responded while cleaning up a glass and setting it behind the counter.

"Yeah, but..." Gunner sighed. "When you're in control... they give you all they have."

"I'm sure you'll still be able to live that up for a while, and you'll just have to pay for it while you cause them to relive the trauma of you controlling them."

"I'm holding you to that Mr. Shadow." Gunner raised his glass that was nearly empty and then finished it off.

"Lunch." Sandy called out as she came up to the bar and sat two plates down for the two men. Gunner looked at her with detest and knocked is plate on to the floor where it broke.

"Clean it up, and bring me another!" He ordered to the female while about to stand up before Shadow grabbed his arm and pulled him back down to his seat.

"I'll handle this." He stated but not really addressing either person. "Come." Shadow pointed to the door of his now office.

Sandy nodded and walked inside while Shadow held open the door and then slammed it closed behind them. The female squirrel readied herself for a verbal beating while she looked down at the floor. She wanted to protest that she'd done nothing wrong, but she knew far well this new ruler would take the old rulers' sides.

"Clean up the mess and then make me a plate and set it aside." Shadow demanded softly causing Sandy to glance up confused.

"But I made ya a-"

"I'm going to give him mine and if he throws that on the floor it's an insult to me and I will respond accordingly. I'm hoping he isn't that daft, but if he is I'm more than ready to throw him out. Now... do as you've been told."

"I... I ain't sure I'll be able ta heat it up fer ya later if da town is now as busy as some of da girls were saying." Sandy warned as Shadow opened the door for her to leave.

"Cold food is still nourishment, and I thank you for attempting to give it to me at its peak taste. I just need you now to do your job and let me deal with the problem patrons for the time being." Sandy started out the door and made it to the back to gather the cleaning equipment before her new master shouted out once more. "You can make up for the lack of quality at dinner!"

Sandy smirker... of course he wasn't going to totally take her side. Gunner was still going to be in town and had friends in high places as far as the Electro slave encampments went. Still... he could have totally taken Gunner's side. She just hoped this odd since of compassion stuck around with this Shadow, as she was sick and tired of seeing girls try to off themselves. She tried to play herself off as the rock they could all look too, even to those that treated her poorly, but as of late even she found herself wishing for death while fighting off the nightmare that took hold of her during both sleeping, and waking hours.

It luckily didn't take long for Sandy to clean up the mess that Gunner had made in an attempt to show he still held power over her. He cussed at her more than a few times while she was in his precents but also didn't cause a bigger mess after Shadow gave him his own meal to eat. She couldn't get into the back soon enough and leave her two masters behind. The establishments lone female squirrel barely had enough food to prepare Shadow another plate, as it seemed some of the other girls had helped themselves to a bit more after she'd stepped out. She honestly couldn't blame them as Gunner almost always took money out of their food funds to gamble with at the smaller bar on the other side of town. There were days where it felt like they were nearing being starved, but the male in charged didn't pay any mind as he was always granted an overflowing plate. God, she hated him...

"Your services are requested with the other girls." Sandy looked up from scrubbing pots to see the towering hedgehog who had just spoke to her.

She sighed and then looked back down while continuing to clean up from making lunch for everyone. "I'm almost done here. I'll be out soon."

"Making him wait doesn't sound like the best idea." Shadow sighed as he pushed himself off the doorway he'd been leaning on and made his way to pick up the plate of food sitting behind Sandy.

Sandy laughed with irritation already starting to dislike the new bar ruler again. "Don't matter what I do he ain't gonna be happy. I'll either get beat fer being late out there, or fer not cleaning up proper in here." Sandy stopped what she was doing and then turned around to look at Shadow as he slowly ate seemingly not paying her much attention. "So, I might as well finish what I'm doing in here now, so I got less work come dinner wearing my new black eye." She then turned around and started cleaning again not really caring if this outburst caused both men to beat on her for punishment.

"It's good." Shadow stated plainly as Sandy looked over at her shoulder at him a bit confused while he continued to look at his food and slowly eat.

She couldn't think of the last time she was paid a complement. Especially, from a man. She looked back down at her work and continued cleaning up but now with an odd since of unease. Was this some kind of trick? Was he waiting for her to let her guard down so he could knock her down harder?

"I'm surprised you found time to eat." Shadow started talking again while still trying to give the impression he wasn't really that interested. "What with all the work he has you doing all alone."

"I didn't." Sandy reluctantly admitted as she finished up the last pot and whipped it dry. "Ya got da last of it."

Shadow had nearly put another spoonful of food in his mouth but stopped after the young woman's admission and then put the utensils back down on his plate. "If that's the case..." Shadow sighed before grabbing onto the female's shoulder in an attempt to get her full attention. It worked, as she turned around seemingly surprised seeing the man hold out the last half of his food for her to take. "Here."

"It's yers." She attempted to turn and walk off only to have the man grab onto her shoulder again, but still gently, causing her to stop and look back at him still obviously not fully trusting this seeming odd offering.

"I'm far from a good man, miss." Shadow kept looking at her blankly. "But I'll be damned if anyone under my watch goes hungry." The two looked at each other trying not to give way to what was really crossing through their minds. "From one slave to another I'd think you'd find that fact easy to accept." He finally spoke again pushing the plate closer to her as she finally gave in and took it.

"Thank ya." She spoke still not trusting this good deed and trying desperately at keeping her eyes on him. She wouldn't be shocked if as soon as she looked away from him his fist found it's way into her face. But it never happened... even after she finally did look down at the plate to eat up every last bit of food. She had no idea how hungry she was until finally taking her first bite. She had missed breakfast, and barely had any dinner before being bombarded with her usual nightly beating.

"Now you better get up stairs and make yourself proper. I'll keep your biggest fan busy for as long as I can." He gave her an almost grin as he walked out of the kitchen area to deal with her soon to be ex-boss.

"Dis guy!" She sighed out loud finding herself completely unsure of what to think of him.