A Note to Reader: In this chapter a new character is introduced by the name of Mistress Denna as her professional name. We will learn in a subsequent chapter that her birth name is Sieglinde Wagner. The subsequent text in future chapters will utilize either name inter changeably when referring to this character depending on the circumstances. Likewise Ingrid as you will see has an alternative name, Messalina. Plus Alexander Talmann has the alternative name of Caligula. So dear reader, please remember Mistress Denna and Sieglinde Wagner are the one and same person. And the same principle applies to the others.
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Mistress Denna did call Ingrid that next Monday morning, and a mutually acceptable time was set for a late Wednesday afternoon meeting. Sabine had something else planned for that time period, so Ingrid had the entire flat to herself to receive the BDSM mistress. Mistress Denna proved to be a flamboyant woman. She had long red hair cut down past her shoulder blades, half way down her back. She was dressed sharply and had a "je ne sais quoi" appeal to her. She would not be considered pretty but passers-by would take a second look at her anyway, gawking at her positive self-confident demeanor.
She had an unmistakable authoritative voice, but nevertheless it was not threatening to her listeners. There was a sweet feminine lilt when she spoke, which was very appealing especially to heterosexual males. She just exuded a very warm personality that immediately put anyone meeting her for the first time at ease. Ingrid was no exception, and so the interview proceeded as smooth as possible without any awkwardness, and in the same friendly manner as if they had been acquaintances for years.
After the preliminary greetings were exchanged Mistress Denna started the interview by having Ingrid fill out a formal application form. One of the questions asked for the applicant's club name. That was puzzling to Ingrid, and so she asked Mistress Denna to clarify. The latter replied, "I think you were told by your sponsor, Alexander Talmann that der Höllenfeuer Verein takes its name from the British, Hellfire Club of the eighteenth century."
"Yes, he did."
"We like to think we are following in the footsteps of that famous club, and offering our members a different world, a world of fantasy if you will, where one can be naughty. To reinforce the pleasure of indulging in the fantasy, it stands to reason that utilizing an alternative name during the club's activities will elevate the experience. So, we encourage our members to use a name, that will reflect the kind of fantasy one wishes to fulfill while attending the club meetings. Of course, it is not an absolute requirement. You can use your own name but only your first name will be accepted as the official club name."
"Oh OK! That sounds so interesting. What name does Alexander Talmann go by?"
"He goes by the name of Caligula."
"You mean after the degenerate emperor of Rome who had sex with his three sisters and appointed his horse to the Senate?"
"I believe that's how he is portrayed in history. Apparently, our foreign minister believes that is who he would like most to emulate in fantasy."
"Oh my! How sordidly wicked. I love it! That being the case then why don't I take the name, Messalina."
"Who? I don't believe I'm familiar with that name."
"She was the wife of the next emperor, Claudius. She was known to be so promiscuous and brazen, that she challenged the best known prostitute in Rome to a contest as to who could fuck the most in one night. The empress won having serviced twenty-five men."
"Oh, I like your thinking. You sure do seem to be a good fit for der Höllenfeuer Verein. So, Messalina it is."
"I take it Mistress Denna is your club name, so how did you come to choose it?"
"I rather not say at this time. In my capacity as the hostess of the initiation ceremony, I usually reveal that information as part of my opening remarks. Sometimes we have guests who obviously would not know, but in any case, I love advising members of my reason for choosing my club name. Since it's based on a fictional character, and thus, they may be induced to read the relevant novel, if I keep reminding them."
Ingrid replied, "My that sounds intriguing. It looks like this initiation ceremony is truly something to look forward to."
Mistress Denna snorted, "I believe Alexander Talmann did advise you of the endurance test and what it entails."
"Oh yes fifty lashes delivered by five different instruments of pain. But Alexander didn't think I would have too much difficulty with that judging by the aftermath of our engagement at the Palais Hansen Kempinski."
Mistress Denna raised her eyebrows. She was taken aback by Ingrid's cavalier attitude and her euphemistic description of her spanking encounter with Talmann. She thought in her mind, 'This girl is really something else for sure. Probably it's her American nature.' She replied, "Be that as it may, but some candidates have known to fail the test despite their bravado beforehand."
"Fat chance that happening to me."
"I've wouldn't be so cocky it I were you. You see I'll be the one doling out the punishment."
"Are you saying that you are meaner than him?"
Mistress sighed, as she said, "I certainly won't be as harsh as he. According to what he told me about what happened between you two, he seems to have overstepped his discipline control. I of course won't do that, but still, I can assure you that you will feel pain. So just be prepared."
The application form, having been completed, Mistress Denna said, "This application will form part of your file as you become a member of der Höllenfeuer Verein. Before attending any of the monthly meetings you must present a certificate, declaring you are free of any STD, to be placed in your file. The club has a working arrangement with two licensed physicians here in Vienna who will perform such tests free of charge to you. The physicians will forward the certificate to the club's officer in time for the meeting, so long as you make the appointment, prior to the Wednesday before the meeting, and not earlier than the conclusion of the previous meeting, you had attended. You are entitled to utilize the services of any other licensed physician in Austria, but such will be at your own expense, and you will be responsible to ensure the certificate arrives in time for the meeting. I'm providing you with the business cards of the physicians you could use, one of them is quite close to this flat."
Then Mistress continued, "You know where we meet according to what Talmann told me. So be there around eight o'clock, as it is always good not to participate in the club activities on an empty stomach. You'll meet the other three candidates, two women and one man. When we conduct an initiation ceremony, we always have at least two candidates but not more than four. So, any new person wanting to join after you will have to defer to the next initiation ceremony; they would not be added to this meeting.