Sleep eluded me the next day. Images from Elysium replayed in my mind: Jennifer's measured flogger strokes, the tranquillity of the Shibari suspension, Victor's penetrating gaze. By afternoon, I gave up on rest and instead reread my scribbled notes, their crisp reporter's shorthand now blurring with personal musings. The line between observer and participant was no longer clear. I felt a pull, a magnetic force drawing me back to the velvet-lined halls. I was no longer just a journalist seeking a story; I was a woman on the edge of a new discovery.
I returned to the club at the appointed hour, greeted by Marco's easy smile. "Welcome back," he said, offering his arm again. "It's a quieter night. Perfect for learning the ropes."
I laughed at his pun despite myself. Something was grounding about Marco's presence; he exuded warmth without crossing boundaries. He led me through the main lounge to a side room with plush chairs and a chalkboard where other newcomers sat with notebooks. A stylish couple in their fifties—Nadia and Rafael—stood at the front. Their presence radiated a calm confidence that made me sit up straighter.
"Good evening," Nadia said, her voice soft but firm. "Tonight, we'll talk about etiquette. BDSM is more than what you see in movies. It's built on mutual respect. 'Safe, sane and consensual' means we negotiate everything. Before play, we discuss desires, hard limits, soft limits. We set safe words—words or signals that can pause or stop a scene immediately."
Rafael chimed in, his tone warm. "A scene without negotiation is not BDSM; it's abuse. If someone won't respect your boundaries, leave. We also talk about aftercare—what you need to feel grounded after play. Blankets, water, cuddles. Don't assume. Ask."
I scribbled notes even though I'd read this information before; hearing it from experienced players made it feel real, tangible. They went over the traffic light system again—green for "keep going," yellow for "slow down or adjust," red for "stop now." They practiced scenarios, with participants role-playing both top and bottom. I felt a flutter in my stomach when I voiced "yellow" during a mock scenario, even though no one was touching me. The power of that word was palpable, a tiny key to a lock I was just beginning to understand. It wasn't about being weak; it was about wielding ultimate control over my safety and comfort.
After the session, Nadia and Rafael sat with me, sipping water. "You seemed nervous but curious," Nadia observed kindly.
"I am," I admitted. "I'm a journalist. I've written about art and theatre. This is…something else."
Rafael smiled. "It's still art. The canvas is just a living person. When it's done well, it's as moving as any painting."
Nadia leaned in conspiratorially, her eyes holding mine. "You will hear whispers about scandals. But the truth of what we do is negotiation and care. The problem is outsiders often focus only on the leather and the whips, not the humanity." She held my gaze. "If you write about us, write about that."
My chest tightened. The responsibility felt heavier now, tempered with the knowledge of the trust I was being given. They were offering me a window into their world, and with it, a burden of truth. "I'll keep that in mind," I said quietly, the words feeling like a promise. My old article, the one about secret societies and power-plays, felt cheap and sensational compared to the profound sincerity of this place.
Later, Marco led me back into the main lounge. Tonight, a new demonstration was underway: two women, one in a flowing gown, the other in a simple linen dress, engaged in a scene with a single silk rope. The Dominant looped the rope around the submissive's wrist and guided her through a slow, sensual dance. The rope became a tether, a way to direct and communicate nonverbally. I marvelled at the intimacy, the way a simple tug or release of tension could convey a world of meaning. When the scene ended, the Dominant removed the rope with care and wrapped her partner in a blanket, whispering words I couldn't hear. The submissive smiled, eyes closed, looking utterly content. The moment was so quiet and full of affection, it felt like I was intruding on something deeply personal.
"What did you think?" Marco murmured at my side.
"It looked like a conversation," I said, my voice barely a whisper. "Like she was listening through the rope."
"Exactly," he replied. "Kink is communication. The tools are just…tools. The connection is what matters." He paused. "Would you like to try something small tonight? No pressure. Maybe just a guided meditation or light restraint? We can go over your boundaries first."
I hesitated, my pulse quickening. Part of me wanted to dive in, to feel that connection for myself, to understand what it felt like to surrender. Another part of me needed more time, more observation, more understanding. The thought of stepping out of my role as a journalist and into a scene was a leap I wasn't ready to make. "Not yet," I admitted. "I think I need to watch a little more."
"Good," Marco said. "Listening to yourself is important. There's no rush." He flashed his charming smile. "Why don't I introduce you to someone else?" He steered me toward the bar where a man in an impeccably tailored suit sat nursing a club soda. His dark hair fell over one brow, and his glasses gave him an almost academic air.
"Cassie, this is Leo," Marco said. "Leo, this is Cassie. She's new."
Leo offered his hand. "Nice to meet you." His grip was firm but gentle.
"You too," I said. "How long have you been coming here?"
"A couple of years," Leo answered, glancing around as if to make sure no one was eavesdropping. "It's my…escape. My other life. By day I'm a hedge fund manager. By night…" He shrugged. "I don't have to be in control."
His vulnerability touched something in me. I understood that desire to shed a persona, to be someone else, if only for a few hours. "Does anyone know?" I asked.
"Only here. And my fiancée," he said, then winced. "Ex-fiancée now. It's complicated." He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Look, the point is, Elysium lets me be all parts of myself without judgment. Outside, people see me as one thing. In here, I can submit and be cared for." He gave a sheepish smile. "And Marco makes sure no one spills champagne on my designer shoes."
Marco slapped Leo lightly on the shoulder. "Someone has to keep you humble."
I smiled, feeling the camaraderie between them. I realised I was being accepted not as a spectacle, but as a person. That acceptance warmed me in a way I hadn't expected. It was a space where everyone, from the dominant Jennifer to the submissive Leo, was treated with respect and care.
On my way back to the balcony, I spotted Victor talking with Jennifer. Their conversation looked intense—Victor's brows drawn together, Jennifer gesturing with her whip hand. I couldn't hear the words, but the tension between them crackled. There was history there, sharp as a blade, and it had nothing to do with rope or floggers. I made a mental note, the journalist in me perking up even as the newcomer in me wanted to look away. This was a private moment, a side to them the rest of the club didn't see.
A shadow flickered in the corner of my vision. I glanced up toward the second-floor walkway lined with privacy screens. For an instant, I thought I saw a gloved hand slip behind a curtain. I blinked, and the hand was gone. A chill danced down my spine. Elysium felt safe, but Victor had warned that trust was fragile. Someone was watching, and it wasn't out of respect.
"See something?" Lena's voice startled me. The voyeur appeared at my side as if conjured from the shadows.
I shook my head. "Just…thought I saw someone watching."
"We're all watching," Lena said with a wry smile. "That's kind of the point. But yeah, there are rumours of someone snooping. Cameras found. Victor's pissed." She dropped her voice conspiratorially. "I stick to my cameras. Trust me."
I laughed softly, and the tension eased slightly. "Thank you for the tour earlier," I said. "I feel less like a deer in headlights now."
"Come back tomorrow," Lena urged. "There's a flogging workshop. You don't have to participate, just listen. It's fascinating. And there's always tea on the balcony if you need a break."
I nodded, gratitude swelling. "I will." I glanced back toward Victor, who had moved away from Jennifer and was now speaking with another member. He sensed my gaze again and looked up, his expression unreadable. I gave a small nod. He inclined his head in return. There was a silent understanding between us, a shared recognition of the unspoken rules of this world.
I spent the rest of the evening wandering, watching scenes unfold like vignettes in an opera—each with its own tempo and tone, each preceded by whispers and followed by embraces. As I left in the small hours, Marco walked me to the door.
"You're doing well," he said. "Take it at your pace. Remember, you always have the right to stop or change your mind."
"Yellow for 'slow down,' red for 'stop, '" I recited, a smile tugging at my lips.
Marco grinned. "Exactly. Sleep well, Cassie."
Outside, the night air was crisp against my flushed cheeks. I paused on the sidewalk, taking a deep breath. I felt like I had stepped deeper into the labyrinth that was Elysium and found not a minotaur, but a mirror reflecting parts of myself I hadn't yet acknowledged. I wasn't sure where this path would lead. But for the first time in a long time, uncertainty felt intoxicating rather than frightening.