Great story done in your usual incomparable style. Those descriptions of the Dark Lord undercover in the beginning are to die for. You make him so appealing, while making the reader think, "Oh, no! Watch out! Here's trouble." I am impressed at what one can do with pineapples. I keep thinking back to those first beginnings a few months ago when I first read about his small pineapples. Now that I know it was for Binky, I am, of course, wondering if she had that in mind all along? Hmmm. Love the twist at the end also. Great way to end the story. Yes, I agree with what Binky said above, about the gradual shift of balance of power and control. (Exhausted, as you know, since I tried to read stories much too late last night!) Anyway, I've said it all to you a thousand times. Oh, the bat was brilliant.