Two more tasks and her clothing

"You have 16 strokes to go", the host continues. "I have four... items you can accept in exchange for your caning being reduced. To make the balances fair... Let us say each item will get you four strokes off. Let's not busy your pretty head with mathematics." He lets Ellie swallow the blatant sexism with no reaction as he knows she would do, as she is still getting herself together. After a small pause he starts listing what he wants.

"You have two items of clothing left on. I'll be nice and count them separately. You can trade four strokes for each. Furthermore, I would like you to invite to stay for up to two more tasks. Obviously I'd rather you stay much longer, but... I understand commitment must be made carefully. You can choose to accept all and the caning ends now or any combination you wish to."

Ellie's mind is doing its best to analyse the offer and find the pitfalls. It is not easy; her bottom hurts too much, she wants to rub it and curl up in pain too desperately, the humiliation of her position and the self-loathing for the stupid overconfidence still burn too hotly, the pain notwithstanding.

"How do I know you will not just have me spanked more until I cannot take it again in those new two tasks?", she finally asks, trying her best not to sob. "You will then make me able to do whatever you like."

The host's tone could well be mistaken for that a wise teacher would take with his star student. "What a clever girl", he says, knowing that the phrase he would have been slapped her earlier would again go ignored. "I can confirm, however, that you will in the next two stages be given at least one guaranteed option that will not involve any pain for your lovely backside." Somewhere deep in her rational mind Ellie knows this is just another way of saying that they can indeed make her do whatever they like at the threat of more pain... But the reassuring tone is still welcomed by the girl in her distress.

"And if I just finish the caning or only trade clothes I can go?", she asks, knowing the answer but wishing to delay the choice and the pain or the humiliation (or indeed both) that will come afterwards. The host, however, seems to sense that she is now playing for time and his reply, while still polite, is delivered in a much cooler tone. "As per rules, you will have to listen to the next offer, as I am sure you well remember", he says. "Now kindly let me know if you wish to make the trade."

He swishes the cane through the air as if to emphasise his point and the near-naked girl flinches. She is thinking very hard... Or at least trying to.