The munch is going great, just like the other munches Maria has hosted. People seem to enjoy themselves, chatting and mingling. That's exactly what Maria wants - for everyone to relax and enjoy themselves. Maria's eyes scan the room, taking note of both new faces and familiar ones. "Hey! Nice to see you here again!" she greets attendees occasionally.

She knows her bar, her club, and her community well. Her confidence in her role as bar owner, BDSM club owner, and dominant in the scene is evident in her posture and interactions. Yet if she's honest with herself, a small part of her misses the connection she used to have with her submissive. Overhearing attendees - some already exchanging contact information for potential future sessions - she can see which pairs seem well-suited. But what about her? When was her last session with a submissive? It's been half a year. Since then, none of the submissives who tried sessions with her ended up matching well with her.

Those submissives did offer to be her submissive, but she never agreed. "I'd prefer to try a few more sessions before agreeing to a long-term DS relationship," she always said. Maria isn't one to rush into long-term commitments and has become firmer than ever about this stance. As weeks went by and she declined one submissive after another, no one wanted to try with her anymore. Her reputation preceded her. When was her last session? She struggles to recall - it's been months.

Why did she reject them? Deep down, she knows. She doesn't want to risk another betrayal, so she must be absolutely sure before agreeing to an official DS relationship. She won't settle for anything less than a perfect fit. The scars from her last submissive still linger, but she's moved on and determined not to let past hurts affect her.

Maria doesn't let her thoughts show on her face. She continues mingling, occasionally sipping her wine. There are several new attendees tonight, but she focuses on her role as host for now.