Part 21 Party time, but not
the
party
The party was coming up, and everything about it was handled with the same secrecy that had surrounded my visits to Dragon Studio. Normally I would've been the one doing all the legwork in advance of Mistress entertaining guests, but She had contracted the services of a party planner and I was kept in the dark. Cheerfully, lovingly, kept in the dark.
All this got me into a long think about how D/s relationships, while simple on the surface, are riddled with complexity. The simple part: She says, I do. Many a sub (and Dom/me) could learn a lot from that dictum.
Then there is the complicated part. One can become more and more submissive, one can truly
surrender,
and I thought of myself as surrendered to Mistress, without a doubt. But life isn't a Gor novel -- no matter how deeply one submits, one continues to be a person and doubts, dreams, desires that never go away. And they shouldn't -- one has to have something of substance to offer to the Other. And surrendering parts, or all, of oneself, doesn't mean denying that some parts continue to exist.
I had to laugh at myself a little bit -- all these mental calisthenics to approach the idea of asking Mistress about why all the secrecy concerning the party. But this is the value of what I have surrendered. Never blind; eyes wide open. Trusting and willing, but eyes wide open. In my estimation that made what I was giving over worth giving.
So, I asked, framing the question in terms of I wish I were involved because getting ready for the party felt like something I should be doing as part of serving Her. This
was
a real concern, albeit a convenient hook for my questions.
Katherine laughed softly, most likely in appreciation of exactly that convenient hook. "Normally, slut, you would of course be doing all the running around and arranging and whatnot. But this gathering is
different
."
The word hung in the air. She let it sit there a long moment, the silence making that word seem to echo and fill the room. Different.
Finally, Mistress picked up the thread again. I exhaled, not even aware that I'd been holding my breath. "This party is really about
you
, pet. And you shouldn't be arranging your own party, should you?"
Nothing much else to do but nod and say "yes, Mistress," which is what I did. "Good girl," She said with that smile that just melts me.
Mistress' tone turned a little more businesslike. "I need you to run a couple of errands while the party planner is here. She's due shortly."
My phone beeped. Katherine got up, so I checked the phone:
Dry cleaners
Pick up My order at Vintage Expressions.
Jade will have it for you.
I'd never heard of Vintage Expressions, but there was a map link next to the name. The store was in the city, half an hour's drive perhaps. I'd do the dry cleaners, which was local, and then head there.
X X X X
Vintage Expressions was in the part of the City known as Bravo, referring to
Below Rachel Vane.
Rachel Vane Boulevard, named after the daughter of a long-ago multi-term mayor and (reportedly) major gangster, separated the original city from the area to the north that the city had over decades expanded into.
For a long time, Bravo was a neglected and mostly deserted neighborhood, the kind of place one wouldn't want to be caught after dark. But as is the cycle of urban growth, death, and renewal, sharp investors saw low prices and a place that could become hip with the right sort of changes, and now Bravo was an area with good nightlife, quirky to somewhat upscale retail, and interesting new restaurants. In the mood for Korean/Mexican mashup on a Friday night? Bravo was the place to go.
What Bravo didn't excel at was having a lot of parking available, but today luck was with me and I found a spot on the street not too far from the shop.
I reached Vintage Expressions and it looked closed. Hmm...not promising. Then I spotted the sign on the door:
BY APPOINTMENT -- CALL ...
I dialed the number and a woman answered after two rings.
"Vintage Expressions."
Her tone didn't seem particularly welcoming, but I was here to pick up Katherine's order, not make new friends.
"Hi... I'm picking up an order for Katherine Blackwell. I was told that Jade would have it ready?"
"Be there in a minute." She hung up.
I put my phone back in my purse, thinking that Vintage Expressions could stand to improve their customer service a bit, when I heard some noises from inside and saw a light go on.
A woman emerged from the back and came to the door and unlocked it, letting me in. "Come in," she said, her tone not exactly icy but not extremely welcoming either.
I entered and studied the surroundings a moment. As one would expect, a lot of vintage clothing. I mused that this place was popular on Halloween, and with the Steampunk crowd.
"I'm Jade," the woman said by way of introduction. I introduced myself and she nodded.
Jade was probably in her mid to late 20s. Tall ... 5-10 at least, with long jet-black hair, punctuated by three full-length streaks of bright pink. The effect was striking, captivating.
She was wearing a casual leather ensemble, real from what I could tell. A short-sleeved top that reveled the full sleeve tattoo down her left arm, and a few individual tattoos on her right. The top was low cut enough that I was able to appreciate Jade's very well-done boob job; money well spent, whatever it cost.
Jade's tight leather pants hugged her perfectly. The bare midriff made more ink somewhat visible. I resisted the urge to look down; as obsessed as I was with shoes and boots, I probably had been staring at her too long already.
Jade's brown eyes looked at me intently a moment and I felt vaguely uncomfortable. She allowed a little smile to crease her lips. "How is Katherine, by the way? I haven't had a chance to talk to her lately."
OK, a friend of Mistress'. I had to absolutely be on my best behavior here...not that I wouldn't anyway. "She's great, thank you."
I smiled, deciding not to ask Jade how she knew Mistress...perhaps Jade would volunteer the information in the course of pleasant conversation.
My phone went off. I was going to ignore it, being polite.
Jade kept looking at me. "You may want to get that."
I thought that was a somewhat odd thing for her to say, but I absently pulled out my phone. I looked at it.
9070 6627
Jade giggled wickedly. "Let me guess. Your phone just said 9070 6627."
I gulped softly and nodded.
She quite boldly looked me up and down. "It is my lucky day!"