A Dance of the Hunt and the Prize

Living within a Dream (Part 1- before a masters perspective)

It's not really true. It's all just a dream I'm going to wake up from any minute. It's just a dream, isn't it? My real life is dull!, I think; I guess I don't really want to wake up from whatever this is, but it feels so foreign. Every moment in this delusion is like a sweet little lie... I can't help but smirk at the thought as I enjoy the uncustomary richness assaulting my senses. Just three days ago I had been just another undergraduate slogging through a monotonous schedule of classes, studying, and unfulfilling work as an intern. Somehow he had known I needed to feel alive again. Tiffany had asked me not to come on this trip, but the offer had been just to good to pass up... how long had I been bringing him lunch, preparing reports, running miscellaneous errands, and feeling generally unnoticed. I mean the European coastline; COME ON!! What girl in her right mind wouldn't go.

In his particular manner He had cautioned that this trip would change me; he had warned me that it would be impossible to see life in the same perspective after this. He had mysteriously suggested that life here would feel exceptionally different, and as wondrous as the cosmos if I had the fortitude to adjust to it. And he had warned me to carefully hold in secrecy all that would happen. Wearing that blind fold the last few hours of the trip had left me wondering just what had I gotten myself involved with. But Adrienne had allayed my fears with pleasant company and has hardly left me unattended since we arrived...

"This place is amazing Adrienne. Please tell him thank you for the invitation."

She smiles, "Yes Miss Claire. You do realize that is about the fifth time now, you have asked me to relay your thanks."

"Yes, I guess. But you haven't left either. I'm not used to being waited on like you've been doing."

"Yes, that is true perhaps." She thinks for a moment before her delicious accent chimes, "Life here operates differently from what you have experienced previously. I take my directions from Sir very seriously, and he asked me to see to your care. Besides, you are quite lovely. What reason should you have to be bashful about your body?"

I feel a little red flush creeping into my cheeks and subconsciously attempting to conceal my embarrassment by sliding deeper into the bath. "Yes but I'm naked, and you are here."

"I do not mind Miss Claire." She laughs.

This place is certainly different I muse; wondrous and enticing and full of mystery. The luxury is omnipresent. "Adrienne, will you tell me about this place?"

"What do you wish to know? Miss Claire."

"I don't know. Everything? Tell me about this house. Tell me about him. Tell me why I feel like Alice in Wonderland."

"Cute girl!" She giggles at me again, "There isn't time for ALL that right this moment. We have a party to get you ready for, and Sir insisted that you be presentable in a timely manner. Come now, out of the bath." She walks over to a nearby table and retrieves a long towel, "I will tell you that this estate has been in the master's family for several generations. And most of us who live here or serve him do so of our own free will. Sir has enlightened us in ways we do not typically understand at first, but everything will become more clear in time. Personally, I cannot imagine life without him." She stand by the tub beckoning with the towel she has for me, "Come now. UP!"

Apparently she isn't going to be persuaded to leave and let me do this myself. I sigh as i pull myself up to stand. Adrienne wraps the towel about my shoulders, takes my hand and steadies me as I step out onto the hardwood floor. She gently pats me down running her hands down the length of my body. It's oddly turning me on. Looking around yet again, I feel taken in by the cavernous room; It's like my own personal heaven. The walls are red velvet, I think , with an inlaid argyle pattern in gold. There are several pieces of artwork; even the erotic pieces feel natural. There are a few plants; reeds of some variety I think. There's a large box window on one side adorned with plush pillows and soft white curtains. The Sun will be setting soon, but there is still a golden hue to the light. There are a few heavy bookshelves filled with volumes of material and a few statuettes. And then there's the bed along the wall. OH the bed. It reminds me of an over sized princess bed. Then there is the door to the closet. It's humongous! I don't know of anyone who wouldn't die to have closets like that! There is the heavy oak door which opens in the hallway, a small chest of drawers next to it, and a fine chair after that. The dressing blind almost feels as if it somehow doesn't belong. There is a large standing mirror and a makeup armoire. In the far corner of the room there is a large stonework fireplace and a comfy looking couch. There is another large bookshelf, a door to another closet space, and finally the large water-filled, claw footed tub in this corner. The ceiling is open with several thick beams running the breadth of the room. Adrienne's eyes flit over my naked body as she finishes toweling me off, "That will do for now." She smiles at me. It's hard not to feel self-conscious about this lack of boundaries between us. She steps away with the towel leaving me standing here completely exposed. Not sure what to do I cross my arms in front of me. "Go sit at the mirror my dear, and I'll comb out your hair." I obediently comply not understanding if I really have any other options; Adrienne has such a commanding presence. She returns with a light blue silk robe which I slip over my frame when directed. "Sit up straight, miss Claire. A lady should have good posture," she corrects as she start to comb out my long brown hair.

"Tonight, you will experience a world which few are privy to. At first it may seem a little scary, and overwhelming, but you will be protected and allowed to observe whatever catches your eye. You must remember to be polite, and unobtrusive. Remember that nothing happens without consent of the parties involved. I will warn you that some of our guests are more sexually carefree than other, but everyone will respect your boundaries and that if anyone becomes a bother, simply seek out Sir, or myself, or one of the staff, and we will take care of whatever it might be."

"What do you mean by that?" I ask curiously.

"Dear. In this place we embrace our sexuality, our secret fetishes, and our darkest desires. And we encourage our guests to do the same. There is a hidden world spread out there within the confines of what is perceived as normal life. An undercurrent of hedonism and flirtatious exploration;we simply choose to embrace it as fully as possible on the estate.", She's looking directly into my eyes which feels shocking and challenging, and liberating all at the same time. "Anyway, Miss Claire, you will see. Will you need help with your makeup?" she asks.

"No thank you. I could use a few minutes to digest all of this anyway. That's not something you hear everyday." I laugh off my nervousness.

"That's understandable. You will have questions and you may not feel comfortable with everything you see, but this is all very natural. Most societies lie to their people about the nature of humankind. It takes some time to adjust." Adrienne gives my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "I'll lay out your gown for the party and then give you some time to reflect. I should report back to Sir anyway. Please do continue to make yourself ready. I shall be held accountable for your absence if it comes to that."

She sets the brush down and turns to leave. I grab her hand momentarily, "Adrienne," I look up at the lovely french woman, "thank you for your care."

"You are most welcome, Miss Claire." She curtsies and then steps away leaving me to contemplate this adventure. I think I like it. The mystery of it all is very fresh and unusual. I can feel my pulse quickening just thinking about a more open sexuality. Some of those men I saw earlier were definitely easy on the eyes.

I look over my should as Adrienne sets a red gown on the bed and then exits the room pulling the door behind her. I guess you don't get many opportunities in life like this to let out you more deviant interests. At least for tonight, I'm going to let my insecurities go and give it a whirl.