Chapter 2: Welcome to My Parlor Said the Spider to the Fly
Once Candy received the call from upstairs, it was her responsibility to prepare the client for the upcoming session.
"Ms. Robbins," Candy called out, "I'm going to take you down and get you ready." Arizona stood up following Candy down a hallway. At the end of the hallway, there seemed to be a kitchen area but that wasn't where she was headed. Candy opened the door leading to the stairs. It was softly lit so you could see your way down safely. Arizona peppered Candy with questions feeling nerves settle in the pit of her belly like a nest of bees. Candy stopped at the bottom of the stairs waiting for Arizona. Once she did, Candy turned around giving Arizona a hard stare.
"It will be a lot easier on you if you learn quickly to speak only when spoken to," Candy said abruptly. Arizona was a little taken aback by the shift in Candy's demeanor, so she didn't respond. Candy resume walking with Arizona following behind her trying to figure out what was going on. Being in control was something Arizona needed. Control was like heroin to her and she was hooked. That was part of the reason she became interested in the services Velvet had to offer. She noticed two black doors on each side of the hallway making a total of four rooms. Candy led her to room number four unlocking the door going inside. Arizona didn't immediately follow. She gave her brain the command, but her brain was staging a rebellion making her legs feel like cinder blocks. Candy turned around to say something but stopped at the look of apprehension on Arizona's face.
"You're nervous or scared, probably both," she said sympathetically, "I was too my first time but trust me, you are in good hands here."
"You've done this before," Arizona asked timidly.
"Many times," Candy replied truthfully, "The first time was the hardest but the staff here are very professional and excellent at what they do."
"Okay," Arizona replied stepping over the threshold into the room.
"Good," Candy complimented getting back to business, "In the bathroom, you'll find an outfit. It was included in your registration fees so it is yours to keep and care for." Arizona was curiously scanning her surroundings but Candy was herding her into the bathroom.
"If you need assistance, just let me know," Candy said before shutting the door on Arizona. Being alone, Arizona was afforded the chance to survey the bathroom. It was luxurious to say the least. The flooring and counter tops were slate colored granite. The walls were a lighter shade of gray. There was a soaking tub and shower next to each other. To the left was a sink, and to the right was a toilet, and a bidet. Arizona noticed a black box sitting on the sink. She opened it to find her outfit. It was made of black leather. It was soft, and suppled not the kind that made it hard to move, and creaked when you walked. The inside was lined with silk. It was very pleasing to the touch and Arizona wondered if it would be comfortable on. After some finagling, Arizona was able to get the outfit on. The top portion fit much like a tank top would with straps over her shoulders but the difference was it was completely open from her back down to her butt. There was a leather strap that fastened to the other side just below her buttocks securing the outfit from flapping around. Essentially, what she was wearing was a female version of chaps. She came out of the bathroom fidgeting with modesty. Candy looked her over in approval.
"I see you managed to get your spanking skirt on correctly," she noted, "How does it fit?"
"It's a little drafty in the back kinda like a hospital gown, ha ha," Arizona rambled nervously. Candy ignored Arizona's rambles turning her around to tighten the strap below her ass continuing with her instructions.
"Over there," she said pointing to a room with a two way mirror, "Is the observation room."
"Wait," Arizona stopped alarmed, "Someone will be watching what goes on in here?"
"Yes," Candy answered, "One person will be working with you while another observes to ensure the safety of everyone involved. The observer will only intervene if things get out of hand."
"Out of hand?" Arizona croaked inadvertently backing up towards the door, "How often is intervention required?" Candy looked Arizona squarely in the eyes before replying, "Never," she said seriously. Arizona took the information in assuaged for the time being.
"You will wait here," Candy said indicating a throw rug on the floor. Arizona moved to stand in the cnter of the rug.
"No," Candy said shaking her head, "You will wait here on your knees with you back to the door," she clarified. Arizona gulped audibly before sinking down to her knees. The act of compliance signaled the point of no return. She wouldn't back out now.
"When you are finished, feel free to use the bathroom for as long as you need," Candy instructed, "Once you are finished there is an intercom system that calls me directly. You will wait until I come to escort you out. We do this to ensure your privacy so you don't accidentally bump into another client on your way out. Do you understand?"
"Sure. Get dressed, wait on this rug, call you when I'm done," Arizona listed off her instructions.
"Yes or no will be sufficient," Candy said sharply rolling her eyes at Arizona.
"Yes," Arizona responded quickly to correct herself, "What happened to the perky, bubbly Candy from upstairs," she wondered in silence.
"Good," Candy said heading to the door, "Someone will be with you shortly...oh and good luck." With those parting words, Candy was out the door.
Finally alone, Arizona was able to study the room in detail. She was on a thick carpet a few feet from the entrance to the room. The walls were a deep shade of purple. To her immediate left was a black leather sofa and a black love seat in an L shaped configuration. The floor underneath the carpet was fake marbled linoleum. To her right a little ways ahead was a four poster bed with various methods of restraints attached to it. Next to the bed, hanging off a re-purposed coat rack were various tools of the trade. Arizona was able to recognize some of the things hanging on the wall, but she shuddered at the sight of the things she could not place. There were multiple racks hanging in various places throughout the room. It almost looked like stations. One station had some sort of bench. Arizona guessed she'd find out what was for eventually. In the corner, closest to the observation room was a cross like contraption that had O rings attached to each corner. That was a little bit daunting to Arizona.
While Arizona looked around thinking she was alone, Callie and Cristina watched her behavior from the confines of the observation room.
"You got your work cut out for you with this one Callie," Cristina commented.
"Type A control freak are just my specialty," she said rubbing her hands together eagerly, "God, I've missed the feeling of taking someone down a notch."
"Go get her tiger!" Cristina cheered her friend, "I got this," she said indicating the observation room. Callie exited the room into the hallway. She approached Arizona's room, gripped the handle, opening the door slowly without making a sound. Arizona was startled out of her musings by a soft, commanding voice behind her.
"You will not look at me unless I tell you to," the voice said softly. Arizona was surprised by how enticing and sensual the voice was. It made her want to look really bad, but she didn't. She kept her eyes glued toa piece of carpet. It seemed like her other senses had heightened. She heard the click of the door catching, and the rasp of a lock being turned. She heard the woman's heel click loudly on the floor, and knew when she reached the carpet when she could no longer hear her footsteps. She smelled the woman as she stood behind her. She carried the subtle smell of sandle wood, and sage. Then she felt the woman's eyes as the raked across her exposed body. Arizona could feel the woman's body head emanating from her as she approached her. Arizona gasped in surprise when she felt a leather collar being strapped around her neck.
"You will speak when spoken to, and you will address me as ma'am," the woman commanded in the same quiet voice, "Do you understand?"
"Yes," Arizona answered too quickly causing the other woman to expel a disappointed sigh. Arizona immediately knew what she did wrong but didn't know how to go about fixing it.
"You will learn my pet," the woman said displeasure seeping out in her tone. Arizona cringed internally. The calm tone of her voice reminded Arizona of when she was a child being told by one of her parents that they were disappointed in her. She would have preferred to be yelled at or spanked. Instinctively Arizona wanted to please the stranger. Callie sensed a shift in Arizona's demeanor which she thought indicated a desire to submit. Callie decided to test her theory taking it up a notch. Arizona kept her eyes on the floor even when she felt the woman's movements next to her. Callie fastened a leash with a click to the collar around Arizona's neck. She moved in front of Arizona pulling the leash taut causing Arizona to tumble forward on her hands and knees. She was face to face with the other womans black leather riding boots complete with a set of silver spurs on the heel. She didn't get to admire the boots for long.
"Kiss them," she ordered simply causing Arizona's temper to flare.
"Who does this lady think that she is," she thought angrily to herself. Callie laughed at the woman's internal struggle knowing it would be difficult for the other woman to do. That is precisely why she asked her to do it. Callie could tell there was something in Arizona that wanted to give it up but the type A control freak in her didn't know how. Callie was going to show her how.
"Did you hear me pet?" she asked her voice holding a subtle threat.
"Yes ma'am," Arizona said through clenched teeth.
"You will kiss my boot one way or the other," she said plainly, "I'm asking you nicely. It won't be nice if I make you do it." Arizona gritted her teeth together, slowly bringing her lips to the shiny, black boot. She stopped an inch away struggling with herself. She did it quickly to get it over with and closer to what she wanted to accomplish.
"Good girl," her mistress said as if complimenting her dog, "Come now," she said tugging the leash pulling Arizona along. Following behind on her hands and knees, Arizona finally got to see who she was dealing with. The woman had dark hair but Arizona couldn't tell how long it was because was tied up in a severe looking bun. She was wearing the black boots which were knee high. Her long legs were encased in black stockings with a seam running up the back. The stockings were attached to her curvy hips by a black lace garter belt. She had on black satin opera gloves that covered her skin up to her elbows. Black lace panties covered her shapely ass. The entire outfit was topped off by a black leather corset that laced together in the back.
"Wow," Arizona thought to herself in admiration, "She takes her job seriously, and she is seriously hot at least from behind." The woman led her over to the couch against the wall. Arizona was perpendicular to the couch. Callie sat down on the sofa using Arizona's back as a foot rest.
"What the fuck?" Arizona seethed internally, "This is not what I am here for!" The anger caused her body to tense up which didn't escape Callie's attention so she decided to call her on it.
"Something wrong, pet?" Callie wondered.
"No ma'am," Arizona said stressing the ma'am part with an attitude.
"Good," Callie said allowing the spur on her heel to dig into the tender skin of Arizona's back.
"I'm gong to explain to you how our relationship is going to work, review your specific preferences, and go over safety with you," Callie explained to the woman literally at her feet.
"Thank me," Callie ordered with a prod of her spur which caused Arizona to hiss softly.
"Thank you ma'am," Arizona replied.
"The first thing you need to know is while there may be sexual aspects to our sessions, this is not about nor will it ever be a sexual relationship," she said sharply, "Do you understand?"
"Yes ma'am," Arizona answered quickly.
"Good," Callie said before continuing, "Your first session usually lasts from an hour and a half to two hours. Every other session will be one hour. Time is kept by my partner in the booth." Arizona looked over to the booth noticing that there were three lights about the one way glass similar to that of a stop light.
"Green initiates the session, yellow will flash on fifteen minute intervals, and red closes the session," Callie explained, "I will not stop unless directed to do so by you," Callie paused purposefully allowing the information to sink in fully.
"I'm verrry good to my pets," Callie purred sensually," So I will check in with you from time to time but I will not stop," she stressed again.
"Do you have a safe word?" Callie asked.
"Yes ma'am," Arizona replied.
"What is your safe word?" Callie questioned even though she already knew the answer from reading it in Arizona's file. She wanted Arizona to say it out loud. Arizona thought long and hard about what her safe word should be. When she was hurting, one of the things she turned to for comfort was dough nuts, so she figured that would be as good a word as any.
"Dough nuts, ma'am," she answered.
"Dough nuts," Callie repeated shaking her head, "So if something gets to be too much for you to handle, what will make me stop?"
"Dough nuts ma'am," Arizona repeated her safe word. To herself, she knew there would be no amount of physical pain that would ever make those words come out of her mouth. Because if something in her life made her desperate enough to do something like this, nothing could stop the monster of pain when it reared its ugly head. Arizona had yet to completely exorcise the monster from within. She didn't know exactly what made the monster appear. She just knew that she had a huge heart. When you have a big heart like Arizona's, you love big, and when you have a heart as big as Arizona's, you hurt just as big as well. So far, she'd only found things to appease the monster, but the peace was short lived, and it came back fiercer and hungrier than ever. That was why she was certain she'd never use her safe word.
"Pay attention," Callie snapped digging her heel in some more.
"Sorry, ma'am," Arizona apologized for getting lost in her thoughts.
"You indicated that safe zones on your body are your legs down to your knees, your buttocks, and back," Callie asked reading out of her file. Callie realized that being a surgeon, Arizona couldn't afford to have anything interfere with her ability to operate, so she chose her safe areas wisely.
"Yes ma'am," Arizona responded.
"You also indicate that you do not want anything that would require medical attention or leave a permanent mark," Callie continued reading.
"Yes ma'am," Arizona agreed.
"Don't worry pet," Callie said stroking Arizona's hair reassuringly, "I won't do anything to mess up that creamy, delicious skins of yours but sitting, yeah that's going to be a problem." So Callie had her parameters to operate within. She could discipline her anywhere from shoulder to knees as hard as she wanted to as long as it didn't cut her deep enough to need stitches or leave a permanent scar. Now she just needed to determine what instruments Arizona would be amenable to having used on her. Callie stood up brusquely tugging Arizona's leash in the direction of one of the stations adorned with tools on the wall.
"Are you familiar with these pet?" Callie inquired.
"Some ma'am," Arizona replied truthfully. Callie could tell Arizona was straining to see from her position on the floor.
"You may stand," she allowed graciously.
"Thank you ma'am," Arizona said rising to her feet. Joints cracked loudly as they released the built up gases being in one position for so long caused. Arizona surveyed the wall intently. There were whips, riding crops, paddles, paddles with holes in them, paddles with words stamped into them, leather straps, belts, bamboo canes, even a yard stick but Callie noted Arizona paying more attention to one or two items dangling from the wall.
"This is a cat o nine tails," Callie said reverence in her voice, "It was the main form of discipline used by the British army and navy. In the wrong hands, it can tear the flesh right off. In fact, using this was so damaging it became against the rules to use it on younger boys. Instead they used a strap. Hence the term 'strapping young man," Callie told Arizona.
"Lucky for you I know what I am doing," she said putting it back on its hook. She picked up another one that Arizona's eyes rested on for more than a few seconds. It's handle was about 12 inches long made of leather. The end split into many different tails also leather more pliant than the handle.
"This is called a tawse," Callie educated Arizona, "Main form of discipline in the Scottish educational system." She picked up a strip of broad, heavy leather with a hard wooden handle.
"This is the called the strap, or as I like to call it Daddy's belt," she continued her lessen, "It was used mainly in prisons."
"This is a birch rod," she said holding up a bundle of leafless twigs bound tightly together by string, "This eventually took the place on the cat o nine tails in the British navy."
"And last but not least, one of my personal favorites the Quirts viper," she held up a potent little whip designed to inflict intense stinging pain shaped like a giant Y, "It makes such a lovely sound when it hits the body." Callie knew Arizona was not the least bit interested in the history behind many of the tools used for discipline, but that is not why she did it. She wanted to add a psychological component to Arizona's session today by delaying the act that Arizona desperately seemed to want and creating anticipation to the point where it almost becomes unbearable.
"Do you have any objections to any of these," she indicated moving her hand in a sweeping motions. Arizona forgot her place for a moment looking at Callie as she answered the question.
"No ma'am," she replied getting a good look at the woman in front of her. She was absolutely stunning. Her figure was accentuated by the bindings of the corset pushing her breasts up high and tight. Her skin was the color of caramel making Arizona wonder where she was from. Her eyes were a rich mysterious brown. Her make up accentuated the mystery giving her a sultry quality. Callie's plump lips were pursed together in an attempt not to laugh. She placed her hand on her hips in annoyance.
"Get your fill now pet," she said posing in order for Arizona to look closely at her, "After today it is going to cost you."
"Sorry ma'am," Arizona replied trying to correct her mistake.
"What exactly are you sorry for hmm?" Callie pondered, "Are you sorry for looking or are you sorry you got caught looking."
"No ma'am, I am not sorry for looking," Arizona said boldly.
"You're sorry you got caught?" Callie asked to clarify.
"Yes ma'am," Arizona replied. Callie eyeballed Arizona until the intensity of her stare began to make Arizona squirm.
"Down," Callie ordered Arizona back down to her hands and knees. She grabbed the leash again leading Arizona to the play area that had the odd looking bench. It was near the wall and there were alls sorts of clasps and rings of varying heights locked into the wall. Callie adjusted the position of the bench slightly.
"Kneel here," she ordered. Arizona complied.
"Lean forward with your chest against upper rest," Callie instructed, "Put your hands out in front of you." Arizona did as she was told to do. Callie knew from reading up on Arizona that she was okay with being bound so she took some soft restraints binding her hands out in front of her. She then clasped the cuffed hands to the wall in front of her. Callie felt this was the safest position for Arizona given her specific boundaries. If Callie came at her from the side, there was no chance she'd get Arizona's arms.
"I need to establish a baseline of your tolerance," Callie told Arizona, "I will not go against your wishes but if it gets too intense, you will use your safety word."
"Yes ma'am," Arizona responded her voice muffled because the position she was in made it hard for her to turn her head.
"If you have any questions, now is the time to ask," Callie offered Arizona one last chance to back out.
"No ma'am," Arizona answered.
"Okay," Callie said walking across the floor her heels echoing loudly as she walked, "Let's get started shall we?" Arizona heard the scrape of something being removed off the wall. It was killing her that she couldn't see what was coming for her first. Her body was coiled taut like a rattle snake preparing to strike. Every muscle was strained in response to what was coming. Callie approached Arizona slowly drawing it out. She then took her tool running it slowly and sensually up one of Arizona's legs, across her back and back down the other leg.
"Wait," Arizona's mind screamed in confusion, "What is that? It feels like a feather." Callie made several swipes with the feather forcing Arizona's body into a relaxed state. The moment she felt the shift from tension to relaxation, Callie switched tools bringing the hand holding Daddy's belt down hard across Arizona's upper thighs. The sound of leather on skis was like music to Callie, she loved hearing it. Arizona initially jumped at the first strike, but then didn't move a muscle. Callie started off with minimal strength gaging Arizona's physical and mental reaction. Once she realized Arizona was okay, she knew she could take it up a notch. She released a barrage of strikes on right after the other each one harder than the next until she got a reaction out of Arizona. The hardest blow caused Arizona to cry out. She tried to hold it in but the pain was very intense. It wasn't intense enough to use her safe word, but it let Callie know just how much Arizona could take. Callie repeated the procedure with most of her tools except for the bull whip and cat o nine tails. With each instrument, Callie pushed and pushed. Arizona kept her eyes locked tight picturing in her mind what motivated her to be here over and over. Eventually, the pain went away physically and emotionally. Logically, Arizona knew her body was doing its job by releasing the body's natural pain killers, endorphins. She was also fairly certain she would hurt once they wore off.
"Good," she thought stubbornly, "It will be good to have a daily reminder." Callie worked up quite a sweat once she got into her rhythm. There was no sound in the room except for the crack of flesh being struck, the occasional grunts of exertion from Callie, or the even rarer groans of pain from Arizona. Callie stopped to survey her work. She was satisfied with the angry, red welts that were scattered across Arizona's body. She felt Arizona could take more, but she decided to ease her into more. She wanted Arizona to come back because truthfully, Callie thought Arizona was one of the most complex yet beautiful woman alive. It didn't help that she could get a read on Arizona's motivation for coming to Velvet. That drove her nuts. Callie cleaned up her area dropping her tools into a basket that Candy would come get in order to clean then and sterilize them for the next client. After doing that, she tended to Arizona releasing her arms from their bindings. Arizona slumped over the bench physically drained.
"Look at me," Callie commanded. Even though Callie sounded so far away, Arizona tried her best to do what she was being asked. Her neck was like Jello so she turned it to the side so she could look at Callie. Callie looked deep into Arizona's eyes to assess Arizona's emotional state. Callie's penetrating gaze was met with eyes crystal blue with clarity. The demons that plagued Arizona laid dormant. Callie knew the session had been successful. But she also knew Arizona was a prideful, driven woman whose demons, for whatever reason would return more blood thirsty than ever. Callie was certain she would see Arizona again. Callie stood in front of her again with her hands on her hips.
"Don't you have something to say?" she asked as a reminder.
"Thank you ma'am," Arizona rasped her mouth dry.
"And?" she clicked her heel on the floor indicating what Arizona still needed to do. Arizona somehow found it inside herself to push forward off the bench. She kissed the boot offered collapsing in a gelatinous heap on Callie's feet. Callie groaned in disgust shifting to get Arizona off her feet. Arizona laid on the floor allowing the coolness to soothe the stinging welts as Callie left the room.
Cristina poked her head of the door way to congratulate her friend.
"How does it feel?" she inquired.
"I'd forgotten the rush, the, the high you get from doing a good job," Callie gushed, "I feel like I could take on the world, and win!"
"Whoa, Trigger," Cristina warned, "Don't let it get to your head. How about we take on Joe's instead of the entire world?"
"Sounds like a plan," Callie agreed, "How is she?"
"Still laying on the floor," Cristina answered, "She'll be okay."
"I wasn't too hard on her?" she asked second guessing herself.
"Nah," Cristina responded, "She could've taken more but you both need to be ready."
"You're right," Callie agreed, "Well I'm off to shower and get on my dancing shoes! Meet me upstairs when you wrap up." Not waiting for an answer, Callie took the elevator up to her office.
Arizona didn't know how long she laid on the bare floor. It took some time for the fire on her back, butt, and legs to diminish. She rolled onto her stomach forcing herself onto her hands and knees. Once she was steady in that position, she moved to just her knees, then to her feet. She stumbled her way to the bathroom. She turned the shower on letting the water run until she got undressed. She stepped into the shower immediately sucking her teeth at the searing pain the hot water created. She adjusted the temperature down to something tolerable. Once she was comfortable, Arizona picked up a soft wash cloth, pouring a generous amount of body wash onto the rag. The body wash assaulted her sense of smell making Arizona curious as to what the ingredients were. One of the main ingredients in the body wash was aloe vera.
"Hmm," she mused to herself, "They really think of everything here." She gingerly washed her sore body taking longer in the shower than usual. Once she was done, she dried off with care. It was then she saw the effects of Callie's ministrations. Welts of various sizes and shapes criss crossed the expanse of her body from her shoulders to her knees. They looked angrier and redder after being doused with hot water. For a moment, Arizona was stunned at herself for allowing desperation to rule her behaviors. She shook it off quickly before the guilt and reproach got its hooks back into her. Truthfully, Arizona felt freer than she ever could remember. If all it took for her to feel unencumbered was some welts, and bruises, then it was worth it to her. She wasn't hurting anyone. Arizona dressed herself in a worn set of scrubs that she packed away in her bag. She placed the soiled towel and wash rag in the basket, and buzzed for Candy. Candy escorted Arizona out using the rear exit. Arizona opened the metal door for once feeling worthy of stepping into the light.