Hm, I guess I should word it differently. I didn't mean 'realistic' in the way that fantasy-slavery has anything to do with real-life slavery, but that, in direct opposite to what excessive torture/gorn does for you, it breaks the suspension of disbelief if it is *too* fluffy. I guess I'm wondering how to keep the balance, and where the lines can be drawn. I do agree with the other poster that understatement is a great way to go, often probably more powerful than downright stating what is going on, but even that is of course not always easy.