Rope Magic
Somewhere in between waves of COVID, there was enough of a drop in case numbers that a small vetted group in my area was able to gather for a rope class.
The class began with working on a simple, down 'n dirty flogging/bondage rope cuff, but the rope started messing with my head. My brain was scrambling as we worked on a basic tie: a double coin knot. My fingers and my brain were just refusing to connect.
Seeing my fumbling, one of our teacher's assistants came over to patiently walk me through. We practiced a few times and then I slipped the knot over my fingers.
This is what rope does to me; it bypasses my lizard brain's hold on subconsciously-bottled stress and throws open the hidden doors in my mind.
Depending on my Top and the moment, there might be an overlay of sensuality involved, but no matter what, my mind empties and the stress just flows out of me, usually accompanied by tears. Environment matters, of course, and here I was in safe and loving company, a safe space, with a tiny little cuff on my wrist.
"See?" my teacher says as they take the end of the rope and gently tug, "With this you can control a limb or lead someone where you wish." Such a simple tie, yet it has the power to take a bottom in hand.
A bit of rope and the gentle tug from a trusted friend was all it took to send me over the edge. The tears began to flow.
My teacher's gentle voice broke through, "Are you okay?" "How can we help?"
I held up my hand still tied in the double coin knot.
"Such a small thing. It has been so long!"
My tears were quiet, but they were persistent.
This is where the rest of the magic happened. I was with people who valued me and I knew I could count on them to keep me safe. I knew it was safe to allow the rope and the energy moving through the rope to take me where I needed to go at that moment.
This is the difference between practicing and learning from practitioners of a craft, versus players just out to have some kinky fun.
Rope, flogging, impact, bondage, wax, needles, and a whole world of kinky delights are not inherently safe. They can seriously damage your body and all those sensations can affect your mind in incredibly unpredictable ways. Playing with people who do not communicate about or respect the inherent danger of an activity or take responsibility for the care and wellbeing of those they are leading either in teaching or play are unethical at best and predatory at worst.
So many things could have gone wrong that night. I was in a very emotionally vulnerable spot. I could have been exploited, mocked, ignored. Instead, I was given space to process. I was comforted.
There was not a formal scene that evening, but I still needed care and it was there for me. I had a good, long cry and then the teacher helped me come down. They made sure I was okay to drive and I knew my phone would have kept ringing if I had not checked in once I was home safe. I got another check-in the following afternoon and I knew they would check in with me the day after that.
It was an educational night, with a healthy serving of rope magic.
About the Author: dragon_fly72 is an evolving bottom who is driven by the need for connection and energy exchange, and an insatiable curiosity.
