chattel - I don't think cyber equals lack of emotional connection. It's just a different form of connection. True, you can't hug a person or watch them for clues as to how they feel...but you can still touch through words. I didn't think this was possible before I tried it...but I can literally feel my Master by now and he can make me cry, drool, wet, desperate, frustrated...or jump around with joy only with his words and the pictures he paints.

Granted, I'm still missing out on extremely important things...I'd love to feel him, smell him, cuddle, drown in his eyes, whatever...but the *emotional* connection couldn't be greater than it already is - only the physical one.

Same with aftercare...you can't touch and you're missing out on clues, but you can make the person on the other end feel loved, accepted, cherished, valuable, whole...you name it. It's possible, just a little different and maybe harder.