Second Chance - Episode One - by Lacy Muircastle

Second Chance is book #2 in the Second Life© Love Stories series.  This book is taking the form of a serial.  I intend posting an excerpt of an episode a week in the SL Enquirer.

Here we go:

Second Chance

Episode One

Seb Livingstone

I teleported into the club as I’d done many times since discovering Second Life©.  I hadn’t felt this nervous for a while.  I enjoyed singing covers, but tonight would prove whether I could still hack it with my own stuff. 

My IM pinged.  Damn not now.

Stacey Windsong:  Hey, baby, how’re you? 

Seb Livingstone: Good thanks, Stace, just getting ready for BB’s.

Stacey Windsong:  Oh, I don’t have anything booked for you for today?

Seb Livingstone:  I made the booking myself.

Stacey Windsong:  I see.  And I’m not important enough for you to tell me what you’re doing?

Seb Livingstone:  Please don’t start.  Look, I have to go.  Come here if you want to, if not I’ll catch up with you later.

            More pinging.

Blue Benelli:  Hey, Seb, how're things swinging?

Seb Livingstone: Hey, B, do you really wanna know. Lol.

Blue Benelli: *Laughs* You ready then?

Seb Livingstone: Oh yeah.

Blue Benelli: Break a leg buddy.  Give me a yell when you’re ready for me to announce you.

Seb Livingstone: Cool.

BB’s was a simple, uncomplicated venue that has graced Second Life© since late 2008. It was Blue’s mission in Second Life© to provide one hundred per cent live music all the time.  I was following – The music whisper – Russell Eponym, and after my set, Pol Arida would be taking his thumping set centre stage.   I oriented my avatar on the stage behind the mic.   My breathing became rapid and shallow.  My pulse pounded in my temples.  I sat on the stool in the middle of my home studio. The laptop set up to stream my music in-world.  This was it, make or break.

I typed in Blue’s IM:

Seb Livingstone:  I’m ready to roll B.

Blue switched to voice - “Hey everyone, good to see you all here.  Give a huge round of applause to my boy Dr Livingstone.”

Applause and cheers ran up my screen.  I looked out from the stage, at the packed club.  The buzz was invigorating.   It never got old seeing people waiting for me to start a set.  There was nothing quite like an enthusiastic audience to get the blood pumping.  I loved performing.  I was addicted to the adrenalin rush.  It made me feel alive.

“How are we this afternoon?” 

The crowd erupted.   Chants of – ‘Dr Livingstone, Dr Livingstone’ and ‘Sing ‘Tears’ sing ‘Tears’ and applause rained down the screen again. 

“Yeah, yeah J, it’s in the set, but today I’m launching two new songs. ‘Avatar’ is the first one I’ll sing for you.  No prizes for guessing my inspiration for this song.” 

Cheers flowed again. Then the crowd quietened as my music stream came through.

You’re beautiful, you’re gorgeous

You’re an avatar,

Lifelike, surreal

Ethereal, how bizarre

Here one minute

Gone the next

     The crowd applauded wildly. Catcalls and shouts of TUUUNE ran up the screen.

 

     On my own in my home studio, I fist-pumped the air.  Yes.  The feeling never got old.

     “Glad you liked it, and for my next new song.  No prizes for noticing a bit of a theme going on is called Virtual Reality.”

Humans will always be humans

Whether they be pixels or

Living breathing beings

Virtual reality no responsibility

What an opportunity

     Comments like - Dr Livingstone, is there going to be a new album?” and “Where can we buy those tracks?” ran up the screen like credits at the end of an epic movie.

     I felt stoked that my new material had met with such vocal approval.  I closed my eyes and let the crowd’s reaction wash over me.  It was the jump start I needed and how it was supposed to be.  I still had it. 

     I could take it into the real world.  My second chance was going to happen.           

     My computer continued to ping with comments and accolades — what a rush.

     “To answer some of your questions, you can buy the tracks as singles off iTunes, and it’ll be on Genius and YouTube, and yes, I’ll be working on a new album.  I’m hoping to get signed to a label soon.”

     Requests poured in.

     “Okay everyone here’s the one you’ve been waiting for.  “Tears”.

     I braced myself for the wash of emotion it always launched on me and clung to my microphone as though it could save me from being carried away.

Tears, tears, inevitable
Smiles there were a few
And when the tears ran out
We were numb and so blue

Why, why, why, shattered dreams
Why, why, why, shattered dreams

     The crowd roared in appreciation.  But this song would forever haunt me.  It was a constant reminder of the past, of disappointment and the despair that had followed.  

My IM pinged:

Stacey Windsong: You okay?

Seb Livingstone: Are you here at BB’s?

Stacey Windsong: Obviously.

Seb Livingstone:  Thanks. I didn’t see you. There are so many people here.  And yes, I’m okay.

Stacey Windsong:  Why do you keep singing that song?  You know it’s not good for you.

Seb Livingstone:  It’s difficult to say no to the audience.

Stacey Windsong: Oh, please, Seb, I think you're just masochistic.

Seb Livingstone:  What about the two new songs, did you catch them?

Stacey Windsong: I did.

Seb Livingstone: And?

Stacey Windsong:  They’re not bad.

     I frowned at my screen.  Hell.  Not bad, what the fuck?

Seb Livingstone:  Thanks for the vote of confidence.

Stacey Windsong:  You know that I don’t think you should still be singing after everything you’ve been through.

Seb Livingstone:  And you know that’s not going to happen.

Stacey Windsong:  I’m here to keep an eye on you, make sure you don’t fall off the tracks again.

Seb Livingstone: I can hardly forget since you remind me all the time.

Stacey Windsong:  You should be putting all your effort into getting a real job in the real world.  None of this virtual world malarkey.  It’s a waste of your time and mine.

Seb Livingstone:  I didn’t ask you to be here.

Stacey Windsong: Excuse me, that’s unnecessary.  I too have a vested interest in you, so I want to know that you’re okay.

Seb Livingstone:  There’s no need for you to be in SL to know that I’m okay since you see me in real life.  Please do us both a favour and leave.


For the rest of  Second Chance - Episode One - pop on over to Amazon.  You can pick it up for free on Kindle Unlimited.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YTXCYTF/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Lacy+Muircastle&qid=1570620657&s=digital-text&sr=1-1

Future Episodes will feature graphics by the extremely talented Skip Staheli, so be sure to look out for them

If you feel so inclined, please leave a review in the SL Enquirer, in the comments section.

I hope that you'll enjoy reading Second Chance - Episode One.  I'll catch up with you next week.

Lacy

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Relationships inside SL and Beyond

Join us Wednesday mornings at Whole Brain Health as we discussion topics on Relationships Inside SL and Beyond.

 Topic:  Trust and Expatiation
Date & Time: WEDNESDAY - January 6th  8:30am SLT
Location: Whole Brain Health
Facilitator: Pet Karu

THE SESSIONS ARE IN VOICE SO PLEASE ENABLE VOICE SO YOU CAN HEAR.  I hope to see your friendly faces among the gathering.

Here's your Uber: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Inspiration%20Island/230/148/701

Also, join our group for any new! (Fearless Lovers or Invite Inc.)

Pet's Fearless Lovers group ----> secondlife:///app/group/89a5ceb7-b82d-291b-a514-52272a28aac8/about

Invite Inc. ------> secondlife:///app/group/5e3fb585-ff90-48e8-ee8b-82a21c88909a/about
or contact Muza Waco in world for your questions.

Invite Inc. 501 (c)3 provides lectures designed around tools that help build community. We are dedicated to empowering each individual to thrive where they are, while also growing a supportive, respectful community around them.
We are fortunate to present the powerful transformational work of RL professional coaching Pet Karu. Please join us for this new series to inspire and give insights for personal growth. You are welcome to come and find the tools and resources  that help you meet your goals!!

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A Journey into Roissy by MK (monkeyking2011)

Come with me as we join MK on "A Journey into Roissy: My time at Cafe LaPe'rouse @ Austin, a Second Life sim".

The novel The Story of O by French author Anne Desclos (writing under the pen name Pauline Réage) is a tale of female submission. It involves a beautiful Parisian fashion photographer named O, who is taught to be constantly available for oral, vaginal, and anal intercourse, offering herself to any male who belongs to the same secret society as her lover.

The novel has spawned various movies and sequels, and has also been the basis for several sims and groups in Second Life. The first successful English-speaking Story of O sim in Second Life was founded in August 2007 by Megan Fabre and Marian Wildcat, and this sim passed from owner to owner for a while, before being led by Slint Dezno and closing in 2014. All of the other English-language Roissy areas were derived in one way or another from this original sim, either as a direct descendant or as splinter groups. Roissy Val d'Oise (VDO) opened in 2012, and has been led throughout by Rene (geir Resident), while Roissy-en-France (ReF) was founded in late 2014 by Josephine Ambrose Roux and is based on the life of O as portrayed in the second book, "Le Retour à Roissy" (The Return to Roissy).

The longest running Roissy sim is Cafe LaPe'rouse @ Austin, which was founded in September 2008 by Ratzu Darkstone, and which celebrated its 7th anniversary in September 2015. This article will focus on the organization and history of Cafe LaPe'rouse @ Austin as I know it, as well as my own personal experiences in the sim.

Cafe LaPe'rouse @ Austin sprawls on a full region of 65,536 m², and first time visitors will be amazed at the diversity of environments and settings within that area. Unlike the other Roissy sims, there is no unifying architectural or ecological theme that dominates throughout the entire space. Instead, Austin boasts an impressive variety of venues and landscapes that just beg to be explored by any intrepid Second Life explorer, from a huge tree house perched high atop a magnificent botanical specimen to blue caverns hidden deep underground; from a Japanese-themed Tea Room to a secret place that features erotic depictions of Alice in Wonderland; from a hilltop venue dedicated to sexy cowgirls to an Arabian style bed perched high atop a hill; to name just a few of the many fascinating areas in the sim.

The region itself is dominated by the Chateau. This sits in the center like a regal queen surveying her domain and is off limits to visitors except during special events, and almost all socializing takes place in the southwest quadrant of the region, where the Cafe, stores, and discussion and permanent dance areas are located. A red and gold train circumnavigates the parcel and provides a leisurely way for visitors to see some of the major features and geography of Austin.

The group is structured rather rigidly and along strictly maledom lines, and is dedicated to exploring domination and submission in the context of the Story of O. The intended goal is to provide training for the girls in their total submission, and produce Masters who are comfortable and powerful in their domination and expert in roleplay, and it is not an exaggeration to state that the regimen in Austin is most likely the most rigorous and comprehensive in all of Second Life. Both males and females are assigned two mentors and have to go through a series of levels in their training, culminating in the O-girl status in girls and the Master tag for Doms. Areas of study include Austin Culture, Bondage and control, Discipline and S/M, Safety, Scening and protocols, and Dominance and submission. Due to the somewhat long and arduous training required, as well as the strict application procedures that weed out people who either cannot function well socially with the group or whose dedication is suspect, the attainment of the O-girl and Master tags in Austin is something to be celebrated and treasured.

There have been some controversial aspects to the sim as well, at least to some people. Voice verification and IP address checking of applicants ensures that deception will not be a problem, but the use of software at one time to eliminate the proliferation of alts in the sim created some dissent from outsiders. The sharing of the girls at some point during their training among all the Masters also raises some eyebrows from those outside the group. However, Ratzu notes that Austin is first and foremost a D/s group where the Master-girl relationship is valued above all else, and that the sharing of the girls "is first for their growth and secondly for our pleasure. The poly aspect serves to grow our girls and Masters by allowing us to overcome our own insecurities, jealousy, learn to trust and become trustworthy."

I entered this culture that was based on strict protocols and rules for its members, but one situated in a rather whimsical physical environment, when I had my first full experience with Austin in July 29, 2014. I had met my submissive Linda (LB burnstein) just two weeks earlier, and she had  invited me to join in a Newbie dance being held at the sim. By chance, the host of that event was Melinda Nyn, someone who I would later mentor and take into my protection, and she took the first picture of me and Linda as a couple. I enjoyed the dance, and found the people warm and welcoming, an opinion that did not change when I later participated in several other events at Austin.  I even participated in my first Second Life auction during the 6th Anniversary celebrations, when I won a two hour date with Linda by mortgaging a kidney and a couple of other internal organs that will hopefully not be missed.

In the year since I have come to know the sim and its inhabitants well, and we have become ardent supporters of Austin and its events. We both like voicing and the Tuesday and Friday Voice Chats at the Austin Starbucks is a regular haunt of ours. In addition, Austin holds sit-down discussions where the topics range from theories about BDSM and D/s; to talks about the Story of O; to the more prosaic elements of D/s play such as roleplay, limits, and safewords. It also holds the usual dances which are a common staple of most sims in Second Life, but supplements these with events such as Movie/TV Trivia games, sex board games, a weekly Toy Chest Game, as well as the Undressed or Bound quiz where submissives are given the choice of being bound or removing some article of clothing. Finally, the Austin Revue produces semi-regular plays in Austin's Speakeasy Theater that examine D/s and BDSM concepts, and the troupe and production are second to none in Second Life.

I have also come to love the sim builds. Early on, I had Linda assemble a collection of landmarks of some of the more notable spots in the sim as part of an assignment. She came back with more than twenty LMs, and I have spent quite a bit of time exploring them, marvelling at some of the exquisite builds. All were designed by Ratzu, many times in consultation with the girls, but out of all the myriad thematic wonders of the sim, I would have to say that the Submission Gallery of Austin is by far the most impressive and arguably one of the most important features of the sim.

Austin has what is probably the largest collection of captioned D/s artwork in Second Life. Housed in three floors in the main building and a further six floors in a connected annex, visitors can spend literally hours in the Austin Submission Gallery gazing at the row upon row of images on the walls of the gallery, each with some text included on it about BDSM or Domination and submission. It is a learning tool for D/s practitioners that cannot be found anywhere else in SL, and Ratzu regularly hosts discussion tours of the gallery for members and visitors alike, wherein a participant can select an image and the accompanying text and elaborate on his or her thoughts about it.

In the end, it would not be an exaggeration to say that both my girl Linda and I have come to consider Austin our second home. We even have our favorite spots on the region, with Linda picking a hill that overlooks most of the sim as a frequent spot for meditation, while I like spending time in the refined elegance of the Austin library, ensconced on a luxuriant leather chair among the book-lined shelves. We are comfortable with the kind members of the group, and look forward to getting to know new friends and acquaintances in the future.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Austin%20Island/67/22/37/

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Love is in the air - Lacy Muircastle reporting ....

Skiing Powder Tropical a relatively new, exclusive sim, dedicated to playing cupid, invites you to come and see what they are all about. 

As you rezz in to the sim you are greeted by a pair of statuesque Giraffe.  Make sure your sound option is on, as the background noises of crashing waves and birdsong are realistically soothing.  You will immediately notice that the sim owner, Skiing Powder, has an exceptional eye for detail and all the items on the sim are of the highest quality available in SL.

If you have a penchant for photography, the sim offers two great photo studios to use free of charge. One is a Mesh studio and the other a Memories studio. It is recommended that you dance on the oversized piano keys.

You can bring your significant other to swim in the tropical seas or you can walk hand in hand along miles of artistic oceans, beaches and dunes.  Adult fun is to be found all over the sim, from piers, gazebos, a canopy, rafts, hammocks, beach beds, outdoor showers, to couples hearts dance/sex animators.

They also off the best rezzers for; Speedboats, Hot Air Balloons, Jetskis and Gliders in SL.   Flying and rezzing is unrestricted.

The three open houses, each with hot tubs and top of the grid beds (Loversplayground beds) are available for your use.  Make the picturesque climb up the famous swaying bridge to the tree house, it’s an adventure all of its own, go on we dare you.   Or explore the romantic villa from Venice Italy, which is right on the water.  The Tiki house on mountain has incredible 360 degree views of the sim with privacy curtains.

 To add to the romantic ambiance of the sim there are several water fountains and water shows in the water throughout the parcel.

Skiing Powder is the owner of the sim has an art history background and she studied in Paris France. She currently lives in New England and is involved in the arts scene there.  She began SL as an escape from the world of the concrete jungle. Her curiosity had been piqued after reading an article about SL. She observed “To be anonymous is a drug.”

She said of her time in SL “From noob to noob helper from scared and stupid to knowledge is power. SL is an International community of people looking and experiencing things through anonymity that they may have never experienced before. It’s a blast if you don’t take it too seriously and have fun with the fantasy. MMORPG is still relatively new to the universe and I am looking forward to the next phase of virtual reality. I loved building the sim. I started from scratch 3 times this year. I returned all items at once and got to work to making it better. That moment when you hit the button and everything disappears and returned to your inventory and you look around and there is nothing and total silence, my hair stood up, I cried but was determined to make it better starting totally from scratch. This is Skiing Powder Tropical 4.0 now.”

Ski remembers how frustrated she was when she first started in SL, not being allowed to fly on certain sims, never being allowed to open shopping bags, continually flying into ban lines, getting poofed out by security systems and the terrible laggy sims.  Which is why she owns her own sim and has done so for over four years.   She enjoys SL for socialising, the community, the arts and the fantasy.  She decided she wanted to have a sim to create a fantasy beach world which is luxuriously appointed and which had stunning art.  A place she wanted to visit. In RL she is a snow skier and she loves the mountains hence her name Ski, but when at home she wants to escape into the fantasy world that is SL.  She is now offering you the opportunity to have the same experience.

You will not be met any form of group joining spam, greeter bot or notices of any kind.  The sim is not just a dating venue, it is a place many call home.  The sim is somewhere you can bring your date, significant other and friends to play and relax.

And the sim is available to for the entire SL Community.  The focus is on an audience with a taste for beauty, elegance, and romance that the resort speaks to. Members are assured of a 6 star luxury experience at this tropical beach spa.

The sim is open 24/7.  The venue will be hosting Midnight beach parties once a month which will be open to all, as well as a Couples only midnight beach party, once a month.  Plus Friday parties for all and Saturday parties for couples only.  Don’t miss the holiday season at Skiing Powder Tropical Resort and Spa is spectacular.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Trinacria/52/95/24

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Second Life Love Stories - Lacy Muircastle reporting ...

I undertook to do another of the SL Enquirer’s Avie polls and the question that was to be answered was as follows:  Is it possible to find true love in Second Life and make it in Real Life?

This question struck a chord with me and I decided it has more legs to it than just a straight forward poll, and I obtained permission from Lanai Jarrico, the owner and publisher of the SL Enquirer to turn it into a series of SL love stories

Second Life is not a dating site, but by its very nature it is a social place and for many people it is their third place or third space, which is the social surroundings separate from the two usual social environments of home ("first place") and the workplace ("second place").    The following hallmarks indicate a true "third place" -

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What people will do for love? - Lacy Muircastle reporting ...

Please note that this is an opinion piece, and does not represent the views or opinions of the publisher.

On the back of the release of the Fifty Shades of Grey movie last week, and the storm in a teacup it caused, with those saying it condones abuse etc. I thought I would poke around the lifestyle in Second Life.

I rather like vanilla, don’t you?  Added to milk it makes a refreshing drink, when baking, added to cakes it makes the house smell amazing, but it appears that vanilla has other connotations attached to it that have nothing to do with flavoured milk or an ingredient in cakes.  I understand that to be ‘vanilla’ means to have boring or mundane sexual preferences.  Clearly I am boring then.

I have a friend, a platonic friend by the way, who told me “Oh you are so nice, vanilla, but nice.” A bit of a backhanded compliment to say the least.  I in turn asked said friend to enlighten me as to what it was he thought I was missing out on.  He then proceeded to take me on a tour of BDSM and D/s sims and venues available in Second Life.  Who knew there were so many and that ‘the lifestyle’ was so prevalent in SL?  But I was still not convinced that it was something I could get in to.

Out in the real world BDSM and the D/s lifestyle, think Fifty Shades of Grey, are not very obvious, giving it the air of being erotic and ever so naughty. In my opinion it makes more sense in RL than in SL, as from what I understand, the main thrust (forgive the pun) of it is all about control and domination, with a side order of pain and submission.  Just typing this makes my hair stand on end, I absolutely hate the thought of being punished for something that is supposed to be mutually satisfying and enjoyable, and therefore I am not a good candidate to be a submissive in the true sense of the word, and handing over total control of myself to another person is unthinkable to me.

Okay so now you understand that I DON’T get the concept of the BDSM lifestyle, therefore I asked a couple of people I know who do live the lifestyle to tell me what the appeal is.

From a SL submissive’s point of view:

LM: In your opinion what does the D/s BDSM life style entail and personally what is its appeal?

The D/s part of the lifestyle came naturally for me, I have an innate desire to be controlled in almost every aspect of my daily life. Of course many decisions regarding my work must be made by me, but Master has given His approval on handling those parts of my life. The need to give control to my Master is soothing and is essential for my life's journey. I crave the strong hand of not only a Dominant, but of someone who truly cares about me and my well being. I am not a weak, fragile person, but a strong business woman, and with all that responsibility I tend to immerse myself in a world where I am guided by a partner who is larger, stronger, and wiser than myself.  It is only when I feel the bondage of the collar and the restraint of the leash that I am truly relaxed and at peace with myself and my environment. The Dominant in my life is a main focal point to my happiness, and therefore it is a pleasure to please him.

LM: Are they separate entities (so can you embrace the D/s lifestyle, without the BDSM elements) or are they irrevocably intertwined?

My personal opinion is no, D/s and BDSM do not go hand in hand. Many people I know do not engage in bondage, S & M, or pain play, and they simply live the D/s lifestyle, which is giving control to one partner. I also know of people that enjoy BDSM play but cease D/s relations after the scene collar comes off.

“It’s hard for an educated woman to turn her head off. That's part of the joy of being a submissive. None of the decisions are yours. When you can't refuse anything and can't even move, those voices in your head go silent. All you can do, and all you are permitted to do, is feel. ” 

― Cherise Sinclair, Dark Citadel

From a RL married sub to her Dom on Valentine's Day ....

Inside the bedroom, I am His. Outside, we are great friends, partners and spouses. He completes me, he makes me whole.

Sir:  This is our 14th Valentine’s Day together.  Time flies when you are having fun.  Thank you for being there always.  You are my strength when I am weak, my comfort when I am down, my courage when I am afraid.  Thank you for being patient with me through the years and teaching me to embrace my sub.  Thank You for waiting for me to join you on this journey.  I crave your touch, the sound of your voice as you say “Good Girl,” the look on your face as you come, the Dom that wants to ravage His kneeling sub, thToe delicious pain entwined with pleasure as you play with me, the intricate rope work and beautiful scenes you bring to life, and the unique flavor you bring to our dynamic.  Thank you for your Dom – it is a most beautiful and special gift of self.  Happy Valentine’s Day my Love!  Your SFT.

From a Dominant’s point of view:

LM : In your opinion what does the D/s BDSM life style entail and personally what is its appeal?

There is a somewhat common belief that Dominance entails a lot of shouting and bullying people around, and that Dominants should be belligerent and confrontational, always eager to get their own way at the expense of others. If that were true, then this lifestyle would certainly hold no appeal to me.

What I believe real Dominance requires are traits that are more subtle and constructive, such as empathy, understanding, patience, humor, and a strong urge to care and protect the submissive, as well as guide and teach her. He must remain firm in his behavior, but willing to adjust and adapt as the situation demands. He must be patient with his submissive, but at the same time insistent that she fulfill her obligations and duties to the letter. He must project strength of character and confidence, but at the same time be able to laugh at himself and at all of life's inanities. It's a tightrope act that many new people in the lifestyle may not realize lies behind the somewhat simplistic facade of what Dominance means.

 Slipping into the D/s lifestyle was very natural for me. For example, I am the oldest in the family, and I have always had the strong and innate urge to protect and care for my younger brothers and
sister. This was true even when I was very young, when most siblings tend to be competitive towards one another. My mother told us how one day a classmate in elementary school was pushing around my youngest brother, and I had immediately confronted the aggressor and told him
to never to do that again, and this had been enough to dissuade the bully from bothering my brother.

Finally, D/s appeals to me because it creates a structured orderly framework that enhances and supports the relationship between two (or more) people. As such, it is not essential to my life, merely a tool. But in the context of something greater, like Love, D/s is synergistic and provides an extremely satisfying way to investigate and understand and explore the many niches and secret hollows of a relationship.

LM: Are they separate entities (so can you embrace the D/s lifestyle, without the BDSM elements) or are they irrevocably intertwined?

In my opinion, D/s and the sexual aspects of BDSM are not irrevocably intertwined. Many people engage in D/s interactions, but without the baser aspects of the lifestyle - people can and do derive pleasure from D/s without the addition of sexual play. Saying that, I personally enjoy the full range of BDSM.

 “So you’ll get your kicks by exerting your will over me.” “It’s about gaining your trust and your respect, so you’ll let me exert my will over you. I will gain a great deal of pleasure, joy, even in your submission. The more you submit, the greater my joy – it’s a very simple equation.” “Okay, and what do I get out of this?” He shrugs and looks almost apologetic. “Me,” he says simply. ”
― E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey

So about condoning abuse then, like most controversial issues, you will have those for and those against, and in reality some of the things that go on in the real world make anything in Fifty Shades of Grey pale into insignificance.  In my opinion the real attraction to the 'lifestyle' is control, and if you think about who really has the control in a D/s relationship?  In my opinion it is the submissive who has the control, but in the end it all boils down to that very complicated issue of love and what people will do for love.

OpenCollar is an open source project within SecondLife™

When you freely give your will to someone in Second Life, you shouldn't have to spend hundreds (or thousands) of lindens on a collar to make it more real.  Now you don't have to.  OpenCollar provides a free, high quality collar with open source scripts.

https://modemworld.wordpress.com/ds-essays/the-ten-rules-of-ds/

https://fetlife.com/

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Romance alive and well in SL - Lacy Muircastle reporting ....

Apart from being incurably curious, I am also an incurable romantic, (we all have our failings don’t we.... Just look at my profile inworld and you will see what I mean.)  So it was with the utmost joy that I attended a marriage renewal service of note on Sunday 24^th August.

The beautiful couple that are Blake Hambleton and Shannon Bramlington (Mr and Mrs Hambleton), owners of Sweethearts Jazz and accompanying businesses, have been married for five years and they decided to share their love with those that make their group the most romantic group in SL, their members and friends and reinforce their commitment to one another.

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How Do You Know if He/She is the One? – Nena Dreadlow Reporting…

That is the question we all ask ourselves when we meet someone. How do you know? I asked a couple in Second life that very question and found out how their relationship works. They are not only a couple in Second life but also married in Real life.

  Interview With Shirley89015 & Mush3701

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