The Viewing

The Velvet Room: The Viewing Pt. 04

Ch. 7

Victoria waited nervously in the private chamber of the Velvet Room. As per her training, she was completely naked- on her knees, her thighs parted and her hands palm up. Had Elena forgiven her or would she have to endure another one of Mistress Rhea's cold, clinical training sessions? She heard the sound of heels approaching the door and her heart thudded in her chest. The door swung open. Victoria longed to look up and see who had entered but she knew better. Mistress Rhea had taught her better than that.

Then, instead of the tactical military boots she had grown accustomed to seeing, an elegant pair of heels came to a stop in front of her.

"Hello pet."

At the sound of Elena's voice Victoria felt her heart soaring. She longed to look up at her to gaze upon Elena's face but she controlled herself.

"Hello Mistress Lenore."

Mistress Lenore reached down with a gloved hand and gently lifted Victoria's face to look up at her. "Did you miss me, pet?"

Victoria looked up at her, ecstatic at even the smallest touch. "Yes Mistress." She said with all her heart. Those last few days without Elena had been torture. She had found that those lashes with the crop she had endured, the orgasms she had been denied, the humiliating positions she had been placed in, all of those paled in comparison to the pain of Elena's absence. That had been the true punishment.

"I see you've learned the proper way to greet your mistress. I'm glad to see Mistress Rhea's training was not wasted on you." Said Mistress Lenore. She stroked Victoria's hair.

Victoria smiled happily as she felt Mistress Lenore's delicate fingers caress her cheek. "Yes Mistress."

"Let's see how much you retained." Said Mistress Lenore. Her voice turned more stern and she stepped back. "Inspection."

Victoria rose to her feet gracefully eager to show Mistress Lenore the product of Mistress Rhea's training. She had practiced at home as well over the week, not at the behest of Mistress Rhea but on the hope that she could impress Mistress Lenore if she ever had the chance.

She stood before Mistress Lenore with her feet shoulder width apart and her hands interlocked behind her head, looking forward. She pushed her chest out and arched her back slightly. Mistress Lenore circled her slowly, examining her posture as Victoria held her breath in anticipation. Mistress Lenore traced Victoria's spine with the tip of the riding crop bringing it to a rest on the curve of Victoria's ass. Victoria shivered as she felt the familiar touch of the leather against her skin but she didn't move.

As Mistress Lenore circled back to the front, Victoria felt the tip move slowly, lightly across her skin, across her hip, to travel to the intimate space between her legs pressing against her sex. Victoria's lips parted slightly as she tried to maintain her composure.

Mistress Lenore nodded approvingly, maintaining the pressure between Victoria's legs. "Very good. I'm glad to see you've taken your lessons to heart. Your posture is excellent."

Victoria felt a warmth spread through her chest at her words. "Thank you Mistress."

Mistress Lenore stepped closer until she was standing so close, Victoria could feel the warmth of her body radiating from her. "But, I think you've forgotten one thing."

Victoria looked at her nervously. "Mistress?"

"What were the rules I told you to follow?"

Victoria felt the tip of the crop pressing against her pussy lips as she struggled to remember the rules Mistress Lenore had told her to follow. The pressure between her legs was not helping. Rules? What did she mean?

"You told me to never humiliate you like that ever again?" She said uncertainly.

"No, that's not it. Think back. To our first session," pressed Mistress Lenore, watching her intently. "I told you something in particular."

Victoria frantically searched her memories. "You told me that here you are Mistress Lenore and to always address you as such, Mistress."

"Yes. You're getting closer. There was one other thing." Said Mistress Lenore. She moved the crop away and replaced it with her gloved hand, her fingers gripping the fine strands of Victoria's blonde pubic hair and twisting them slightly.

It all came flooding back and Victoria's heart sank. In all the events of the past week, what with the intensity of her first session, Elena's absence, the training with Mistress Rhea, she had forgotten Mistress Lenore's words.

"You told me that you expected all of your submissives to be completely bare below the neck, Mistress." Her breath hitched as she felt Mistress Lenore's grip on her pubes tightening.

"Then what is this?"

Victoria gulped. "Hair, Mistress."

"And why is there hair here?"

"I- I forgot. I-I'll shave it today, as soon as I get home, Mistress." Victoria said quickly.

Mistress Lenore looked at her steadily. "That won't be necessary."

She let go of Victoria's pubes and Victoria let out a shaky breath.

"Put on your mask, pet."

Victoria straightened from her pose and obediently picked up her mask, placing it over her face. She wondered what Mistress Lenore had in store for her. Was she going to take her to the training room for more punishment? She waited for Mistress Lenore to tell her to put on her robe.

Instead, Mistress Lenore took a lead from her waist and slipped it around Victoria's neck. She took the end and led Victoria like a pet towards the door. Victoria followed behind her.

When she realized they were heading out the door Victoria asked nervously, "Mistress, should I put on my robe?"

Mistress Lenore turned to look back at her. "No, you won't be needing it, darling."

Victoria paled. Did she intend to lead her down the hallway completely naked? The hallways weren't very crowded but there was still a chance someone could walk by and see her.

"Mistress..." She choked out, her stomach twisting into knots.

Mistress Lenore gave the leash a slight tug with her gloved hand.

"Are you questioning me, pet?" Asked Mistress Lenore, her eyes staring directly into Victoria's.

Victoria's mouth opened then closed. Beneath her mask, she stilled her nerves. The hallways had always been empty when Mistress Rhea had taken her, and the training room wasn't far. Besides, she still wore the mask, no one would see her face. She followed Mistress Lenore through the door.

As they exited the room a naked and very pretty collared girl was waiting outside, standing submissively with her hands folded over her sex. Mistress Lenore whispered something in the girl's ear and she nodded before walking off. Victoria watched the girl leave her eyes on her retreating figure, wondering what Mistress Lenore had whispered in her ear. Mistress Lenore tugged on her lead. Instead of heading towards the training room they walked in the opposite direction, back towards the private lockers.

Victoria was surprised as she followed closely behind her Mistress. Where was she taking her? They walked down the plush hallway, her feet enjoying the feel of the soft fibers as she walked. They neared the large public area where a few Doms and subs sat around on various couches and tables, resting between sessions. Victoria felt her pulse quicken as she saw the number of people milling around. She shot a panicked look at Mistress Lenore expecting her to continue down the hallway around the lounge but instead she walked directly into the common area still leading the collared and naked Victoria.

Victoria felt dread in the pit of her stomach as Mistress Lenore headed straight for the elevated stage in the middle of the floor. Victoria kept her head down and tried to walk closer to Lenore for protection, hyper aware of her naked body on display for the assorted members and employees. As Mistress Lenore approached the center, Doms and subs alike made way for her respectfully, some even bowing their heads politely as she passed. Victoria couldn't help but notice that her Mistress, despite her young age and small stature commanded such respect in the Velvet Room. Despite her exposed position, Victoria couldn't help but feel her own respect for Mistress Lenore grow, and just a little pride at being a sub chosen by Mistress Lenore.

One of the more senior Doms, a man with greying hair, gave Mistress Lenore a warm smile.

"Ah Lenore. Good to see you here. I see you've finally chosen another submissive after all this time." He sat at a table, his own submissive, a masked girl with long black hair and a statuesque figure kneeling at his feet- a golden collar about her neck.

Mistress Lenore returned his smile with one of her own. "Atraxes, it's been a while."

"Are you taking a break?" Asked Atraxes, eyeing Victoria's naked body with curiosity. His eyes slowly traveled up her naked body, drinking her in from head to toe. His gaze contained unmistakable lust and Victoria shivered in spite of herself. "Or is this a punishment?"

Victoria looked at Mistress Lenore, trembling slightly at his question. Unable to help herself under the penetrating stare of Atraxes, Victoria subconsciously let her hands cover her nether regions trying to make herself smaller.

Atraxes grinned. "It appears this one is a little shy." He said, causing Victoria to blush crimson.

"A demonstration." Said Mistress Lenore, ignoring his comment. "She will be shaved."

Victoria felt her stomach flip at Mistress Lenore's words.

Atraxes's grin widened and he leaned back in his seat. "I'll just enjoy the show then."

Victoria felt her heart pounding in her chest as they approached the stage. In the center, a young Dom was in the middle of fucking his sub who was hogtied on a bench. Despite the scene happening on the stage, all eyes were on Mistress Lenore and Victoria. An air of anticipation seemed to have filled the room. Victoria felt her breathing become more ragged and panic setting in. Mistress Lenore seemed to sense this and she turned and placed a calming hand at the small of Victoria's back.

"Don't be afraid, pet. I'm right here." Mistress Lenore whispered in her ear. Victoria felt her breathing slow and though her heart still raced, Mistress Lenore's simple touch helped ground her in the present.

Then louder, Mistress Lenore addressed the pair on the stage. "Clear the Ring." Her voice rang out, sharp and clear. The young Dom who was mid thrust looked back annoyed to see who had interrupted him. When he saw who the voice belonged to, his eyes widened and he hastily pulled out, getting dressed. "Yes, Lenore." He said. Two naked and collared subs, one blonde and one brunette, stepped forward to help him untie his sub and clear the stage.

Mistress Lenore removed the lead around Victoria's neck and guided her over to a cushioned chair in the center of the room.

"Sit, pet." She commanded, squeezing her shoulder reassuringly. Mistress Lenore moved to the front of the stage and the lights in the atrium dimmed. A single spotlight shone brightly down on her, illuminating her.

Victoria sat gingerly on the soft chair feeling deeply self conscious to be naked in front of so many people. Though her face was still hidden behind the golden mask, it was still deeply jarring to be so exposed. Grateful that the attention of the crowd was now focused on Mistress Lenore, she crossed her legs and placed her hands in her lap. Butterflies fluttered about in her stomach.

Mistress Lenore stepped forward to address the people around the common area. A hush settled over the room and the chitter chatter died down. The lights in the atrium dimmed and a spotlight shone down on Mistress Lenore.

Mistress Lenore began to speak, enunciating her words clearly, her voice echoing slightly in the silence.

"I am Mistress Lenore. Many of you assembled here may know me and are familiar with my rules. Aside from the rules that all subs of the Velvet Room must follow, I have some particular ones that apply only to my own submissives. My subs must be bare from the neck down. Today, a submissive of mine has failed to follow this rule and thus we begin the Shaving Ceremony."

A ripple of excitement ran through the onlooking crowd.

Mistress Lenore snapped her fingers. The spotlight swiveled to shine directly on Victoria. The bright lights blinded her and the rest of the room darkened until she could no longer see the assembled audience. The two subs that had helped the young Dom clear the floor now came to stand on either side of her. Victoria gasped as they took her by the ankles and held her legs in the air, gently uncrossing them and spreading her apart for all to see.

Victoria felt terrified. She had never felt so utterly exposed. So vulnerable. The silent submissives who flanked her, held her firmly but not cruelly, almost as if in reverence. Victoria felt shame and humiliation welling inside of her and yet, through it all, an excitement she could not quite explain. She felt so free. Her fate now lay in another's hands, her legs spread for her, she had no responsibilities to attend to and no decision to make. This was the true power of surrender.

The sub that Mistress Lenore had whispered to outside of the private room had now returned. She returned bearing a silver tray which gleamed in the light as she walked onto the stage. She glided up the steps and knelt at Mistress Lenore's feet, the tray held above her head in supplication. Victoria, squinting her eyes, could see that on the platter was a washcloth, a bowl of shaving cream, and a shiny straight edged razor.

Mistress Lenore removed her gloves, placing them on the offered tray. Then she picked up the damp washcloth. She ran her fingertips along Victoria's stomach then knelt between her legs. Victoria's muscles rippled beneath her skin at her touch. Carefully she dabbed at Victoria's mound, cleaning it. The move was so intimate and done with such tenderness that Victoria found it hard to breathe. The bright lights and the darkened room made it easy for Victoria to imagine that she was alone with Mistress Lenore. She had only eyes for Mistress Lenore.

Mistress Lenore set the washcloth down and reached for the bowl of shaving cream. She dipped her fingers in the cream and smoothed it gently over Victoria's skin, spreading it with slow, deliberate strokes. The coolness of the cream against Victoria's flushed skin made her shiver. When she had finished, she put the bowl on the ground. Mistress Lenore took the silver tray from the submissive and placed it between Victoria's thighs, positioning it perfectly to catch any falling hairs.

Then Mistress Lenore picked up the razor from the tray. The sharp edge glinted in the light and Victoria's followed the blade as Lenore laid the edge against her mound. With extreme care and utmost precision, she began- dragging the blade with expert strokes. The room was hushed except for the scraping of metal against hair. With each pass, tufts began to fall upon the silver tray.

Victoria didn't dare move. She felt fixed in place as if by a pole. Her knuckles turned white from where she gripped the armrests of the chair tightly. She should've felt embarrassed, only moments ago she had felt mortified at the prospect of being exposed so explicitly in front of dozens of masked strangers. Her body splayed and held open by strangers. And yet, in this moment, she felt alone in her own world, save for her Mistress. Her beloved Lenore. Her Elena.

Mistress Lenore rinsed the blade in a small bowl of water placed discreetly beside the chair, then leaned in for the final stroke. Her hands were sure, never faltering. When she finished, she set the razor gently back onto the tray, and reached for the damp cloth once more.

With delicate, unfaltering care, she cleaned the last remnants of shaving cream from Victoria's skin.

Then, she sat back on her heels, hands resting lightly on Victoria's thighs, and gave a small, approving nod.

"It is done," Mistress Lenore said, her voice soft but firm, carrying through the stillness.

Ch. 8

The crowd murmured its appreciation. It wasn't raucous- no hooting or cheering- just a ripple of admiration. A few Dominants inclined their heads in respect at Mistress Lenore's performance. The more seasoned ones realized that this was not a demonstration of discipline or a punishment. It was art. Control, trust, surrender - all of these blended into one solemn, well-orchestrated ritual.

Victoria barely registered them. Even as the lights brightened once more and the spotlight was removed.

She saw only Mistress Lenore.

She sat there, in a daze, still in aftershock.

When Mistress Lenore rose to her feet, fingers trailing one last time over Victoria's newly bared skin before reaching for the lead once more, Victoria looked up at her--not with fear, but with a quiet, burning devotion.

She spoke to the crowd.

"Submission is not a weakness. It is a gift. A beautiful treasure. One freely given. It is a sacred bond of trust that must be treated with care."

She looked down at Victoria who still gazed up at her, her eyes shining with adoration. Cupping her chin in her hands, she continued to address the crowd, though her eyes were fixed on Victoria.

"Tonight, that gift was given and I accepted."

A moment passed. Then one person began to clap, then more. Soft at first, but it swelled.

The two subs that held Victoria's legs aloft, gently set her down before helping her to her feet. Victoria stood shakily, her legs trembling.

A few submissives leaned against their Dominants, their eyes glassy with awe, while others watched Victoria with barely disguised envy.

Victoria paid them no mind. She barely noticed them. She barely noticed anything.

Mistress Lenore attached the lead once more. With a gentle tug she quietly led her from the stage, down the steps, and out of the Circle, to the quiet hallway beyond.

Once they had entered the private chamber once more, the doors swung shut behind them muffling out the commotion outside. Victoria's knees buckled and she crumpled to the ground exhausted. The adrenaline had left her and she was overwhelmed by the shame, the euphoria, and the rest of the jumbled emotions she felt inside her.

Mistress Lenore was by her side in an instant, cradling her in her arms.

"Oh my sweet girl..." she cooed, stroking Victoria's hair. Victoria wept silently. Mistress Lenore gently removed her mask and placed it on the ground, caressing her face tenderly. Victoria clung to her desperately, her fingers clutching at the corset Elena wore.

"I- I'm sorry I'm like this. I- I don't know why I'm crying." She said, tears streaming down her face. Her voice shook as quiet sobs racked her body.

"Mistress Rhea taught you obedience, devotion, humility," she whispered, voice like velvet. "Today, I taught you to surrender."

"I- I'm sorry I lashed out at you. I shouldn't have done that. I didn't mean to, it just-it just slipped out." Said Victoria, burying her face in Mistress Lenore's chest.

"I know, pet. I know." Said Mistress Lenore. She held Victoria tightly in her arms, rocking her from side to side. "I want you to know that this, this today, was no punishment, no training. This was a celebration of your surrender. And tonight, you surrendered beautifully."

Victoria laid against her, finally at ease, all the tension and knots that had plagued her in the last few days left her, ebbing away like the waning tide.

Mistress Lenore ran her fingers down Victoria's spine, resting them lightly just above the curve of her rear. "Would you like a reward, my darling? My beautiful, sweet Victoria," she asked.

Victoria turned her face to Mistress Lenore's and nodded hopefully. "Yes, please."

"Lie back for me."

Victoria laid on the ground. Mistress Lenore parted her legs and slipped her hand inside of her. There was no rush. Her touch was slow and deliberate. She nursed the embers at Victoria's core until there was a fire raging within Victoria. Her fingers circled, coaxed, and caressed her bringing her to the edge time and time again. Every time Victoria whimpered, Mistress Lenore smiled softly, savoring the sound. Only when Victoria was trembling, nearly undone, did she let her fall into the sweet sweet release she so desperately sought.