The Cellar

"Good to see you Megan! You look lovely. I love your outfit" said Lester, in a joyous tone.

"Why are you two here together? Don't tell me she's..." Megan started, but Lester interrupted her.

"I had sent Sophie an e-mail about her phone. She saw it and asked if she could come over to pick it up. We talked a bit and she told me she was coming here tonight, so I offered her a ride. Beats getting a rideshare!"

This is the same place Sophie goes to?! And she's meeting up with someone here? Okay, once we're inside, I'm asking Lester that we go somewhere private. I'm not keen on seeing...well...whatever Sophie is going to get up to in there.

Lester gave a quick kiss on both of Sophie's cheeks. "Enjoy your date, friend. And please be safe." Lester gave her a look she recognized as "go along with it, I'll meet you inside".

"Thanks Lester! And make sure you keep my bestie safe now, okay?" Sophie winked at Lester and then proceeded inside.

Lester turned to his date. "Well, Megan, let me tell you a few things before we go inside. As you said, this is your first time in a place like this, so let me give you a few pointers. First of all, you do not have to participate in anything or try anything that you see here today. We're only here to have a date in a more open setting. If you're ever uncomfortable, just tell me and we'll go outside. Good so far?"

He could tell Megan was nervous. She was avoiding eye contact with him, mostly looking down at the ground. She was also fidgeting.

"That sounds reasonable enough. Um....is there maybe a way to get a spot where we can have some privacy in there? Maybe somewhere away from all the...huh....action?" questioned Megan.

"Oh dear Megan, I'm ahead of you. I booked a private booth so we can discuss in peace. I wanted to make sure you felt comfortable for your first time here."

"Thank you, Lester. I'm grateful. This is a little nerve-wracking already."

"This brings me to my second point. I know most of your knowledge of the community comes from reading things online, but have you ever heard of Protectors, or Guardians, in relation to the BDSM community?"

"I don't believe I have. What are they?"

"A Protector is a person who watches over a person, who we call a Charge, and ensures their safety. There are lots of different responsibilities that can come with that, but for now, we'll leave it at that. Because for tonight, you can consider me your Protector, if you don't mind. Stick close to me, I will make sure no one bothers you. And if someone does, come to me and I'll handle it. Are you good with that?"

Megan thought back to their first date. She trusted Lester. She was safe with Lester.

"Thank you. I appreciate that. I'll take you up on the offer."

"Good! Now, last thing. I'm going to be introducing you to someone very important to me tonight. I have been in a dynamic with my submissive for a few years now. That being said, our dynamic has a certain set of rules. Some protocols to respect, some expectations we have towards each other. I'm in a position of power over her, and it shows in our interactions. We will not be doing anything sexual in front of you, don't worry about that. But I thought it fair to warn you beforehand"

Wow, he's being really thoughtful about this...thought Megan.

"I appreciate it. Thank you Lester, for all of this. I feel a little calmer now."

"Good! Then, how about we head on inside, huh?

Megan nodded and followed him. The security guard at the door gave him a nod and showed him inside. Something told her he was well known here. Did he bring a lot of dates here? 

They walked through a short corridor, then down a set of stairs. Lester then opened up a very heavy door, which almost seemed airtight. It would makes sense they would put effort in sound proofing the place. Once inside, the place really did look like a dance club. Flashing lights, purples, whites, light orange all over the dance floor. What was very different from your average dance club was the various tables settled in more remote corners of the floor, covered in various implement likely used for play. Then, there was this large St Andrews cross set up on what looked like a stage. Lester grabbed her hand and guided her to the back of the room, but she swore she could see someone being tied up to that cross as they both entered another dimly-lit corridor. They stopped in front of a door with the words "Master's Suite 01" engraved in gold on an obsidian plaque. Lester took out a key and unlocked the door, motioning Megan to go inside.

This room had very dim purple lights all around it's circular walls. Some cabinets also lined the walls, as well as a sink and a refrigerator. A large black leather circular couch filled the middle of the room, with a circular mahogany table in the center. On the table were three glasses of water, with a few ice cubes in each, as well as a glass pitcher filled with ice water. A few black cushions lined the floor, and on top of one lied a bundle of fuzzy black blanket. Upon further examination, Megan was sure the bundle moved. Lester didn't seem too bothered by it as he sat on the couch, inviting Megan to join him.

She sat down on the extremity of the couch. For now, while she trusted Lester, she did not want to be too close to him physically. She was a little worried what kind of impulses could take over, given the setting of their second date.

"What's under the blanket, Lester?" inquired Megan.

"This is my good little slave who set up the room for us." said Lester, as he petted the bundle. "I hope you don't mind, but I figured we should talk a bit before I introduce you to each other."

"I guess? What did you want to talk about?"

"A few things. You seemed a little bothered when I mentioned hypnosis to you the other day. Why is that?"

"I'm not bothered by it. I just don't believe in that stuff. It's all stage stuff, pretend."

"My, you sure seem confident about it!" laughed Lester.

"What are you laughing at?" pouted Megan. "I just don't think it's real."

"Well then, what if I told you I could hypnotize you? That you only really needed to open up your mind to the possibility. And that using words, I could make you feel really cozy and happy. I've done it before, you know?"

Megan remained skeptical. How could someone do that just with words? That's absurd.

"Well, I would say that I wouldn't believe you until I saw it with my own eyes."

"In this case, would you like a demonstration? If, as you say, it's all fake, then you have nothing to lose, since nothing will happen and you'll have a good laugh at my expense! On the other hand, if I'm saying the truth, you'll be able to live a wonderful experience that will make you all fuzzy and happy. In both cases, you come out as a winner, wouldn't you say?"

What do I have to lose anyways, thought Megan. Might as well indulge him. Who knows, this might be fun.

"Alright, you have a good point. Fine, what do I need to do?"

"Just sit back and relax. Just listen to me talk, listen to my words. Listen to my voice, feel it enter your mind. Become aware of your breathing, feeling the air going in...."

As he said that, Lester took a deep breath, and Megan followed along.

"Aaannnnd ouuuuut", both exhaled, in complete synch.

"That's right. Breathing in and out. Listening to my voice, wrapping around your mind in a warm, cozy blanket. Feeling so calm, so relaxed."

Where Megan was a little tense before, all of her muscles felt like jelly. She couldn't help but smile. This was kinda nice after all. Kinda like guided meditation.

"And as you feel all tension leaving your body, your mind begins to drift. Your thoughts muted by the sound of my voice. My voice, the only thing in your mind right now. The only thing to focus on. Nothing else."

She felt as if she left the room, or rather forgot it existed. There was nothing but Lester's presence. And it wasn't even feeling him close by. It was his voice, the only thing she could perceive.

"That's right. Your mind is blank, such happiness. No need to think, no need to worry, just happiness. Feeling the warm embrace of my words, feeling safe and comfortable. Feeling safe...and...comfortable."

"Safe....and....com..table" repeated Megan. Without realizing, she had closed her eyes and slumped a little in the couch.

"Feeling yourself drifting, dripping...and....dropping now, drop." said Lester, emphasizing the word "drop".

And just like that, the skeptical Megan was now entranced by Lester, who motioned to the bundle of blankets to come out.

"My dear Megan, I think it's time I had a little chat with your mind."