Wrapped in Rubber 2: Adding to the look

Back in April, I described a look Spikeheel Star and I have been working on (and several other now have similar looks). As promised back then, here’s some more information on the look, and an update as to what has been developing since then.

The basic look

First, the look itself. This is a combination of mesh and sculpts, most of it customised to some degree, and all of it from different content creators.

• The basic “suit” is a mesh avatar by Danielravenest Ni, sold through the Tirion Designs brand. At the time of writing, this costs L$250 with Copy
• The boots are also mesh, made by Regan Flasheart and sold under the Random Inspirations brand. I use the ballet-style boots, but there are a range of other ankle / mid-calf boots that are also suitable
• The hood and bust are from Winter Ventura’s Eclectic Randomness range, being the Fetish Doll Hood and Latex Implants (although I’ve recently switched over to using modified VS “”V-string” X_X implants from Hemi Violet, as these have a slightly more natural look to them and are mesh).

The rest really is then up to you. For my outfit I have:

• A communications implant and isolation control, both of which can only be obtained directly from Lust Melody in-world
• The KPU PwrCtr Core & HUD by Vie Kiama, available in-world from her store at The Doll Works or he vendors at Coghaven
• SLiCK bondage mittens
• A cute little “plug”, re-scripted using Real Restraint ballgag scripts
• Hair from Sirena (somewhat modified – but any sculpted or flexihair will do providing it can be sized to fit

The Tirion Designs mesh avatar comes in a number of options. My preference is to use the full body option (everything sans face / skull) for a seamless look to the suit (although you can use the individual body, hips, legs and hands parts if you want). If you opt for the full body, you’ll need to make at least the feet “invisible” (I also hide the hands as well, so I can use the SliCK bondage mittens – when I need hands, I simply swap the mitts for a pair of the avatar’s hands.

The avatar itself needs a little preparation. Note that the look I and Spikeheel use has custom scripts that allow for colour & texture changing. If you have the coding skill, these are relatively easy to produce (we have no plan to market ours); if not, you can opt to default your look to your own selected colour – simply rez the parts of the avatar you wish to use in-world and colour them using EDIT->TEXTURE. For the polished finish, leave the mesh untextured and simply set SHININESS to either LOW or MEDIUM according to your preference. Of course, if you have a suitable texture, you can also apply that. Remember that to achieve the same degree of shine to the rest of your outfit, you’ll have to apply the same level of shininess to part of all of the the remaining items.

To hide the feet / hands of the avatar, rez it in-world and EDIT it. Check SELECT FACE on the Edit floater and then right-click on the feet and apply a suitable transparent texture. Do the same to the hands if you’re going to use bondage mitts & then texture a set of hands to wear when not using the mitts.

Hair also requires the shininess set (flexihair will turn more “rubbery” when shininess is applied) and you may want to apply a suitable colour. Note that not all flexihair works, or you may need to edit a style to get it to work.

Recent changes

The basic look has been evolving. The scripts we use now support around 80 colour tones and up to 24 textures – all of which give a massive set of possible combinations.

More recently, I’ve added an alternative set of options using Groll Greggan’s T-Ease suit, sold under the Grollwerks brand. Like everything else I use, this is Copy / Mod, allowing it to be re-worked to suit my needs. The helmet in particular has come in for attention, with all three supplied styles of the helmet (no hair, a single ponytail or twin ponytails) re-scripted to match the rest of my outfit..

Grollwerk’s T-Ease helmet reworked

Gynoid style

The Grollwerks helmet also comes with detailing that opens up possibilities for customisation, such as including communications restrictions & a gag option – for those who can find them .

Additionally, the Grollwerks suit includes sculpt parts, which are handy as they can be slightly modified to work with the mesh avatar to achieve a somewhat “gynoid” look. These require a slight degree of repositioning and sizing to achieve a decent finish with the mesh avatar (particularly the boots), but they tend to work out OK (at least I think so), and they help present a further, more mechanical finish to the outfit for those who like it.

To be honest, I have mixed feelings about the “gynoid” look – I like things a little more sleek – so it’s not likely to be something I’ll be wearing all the time. It is, however, where having a set of mesh hands to go with the suit comes in  - pardon the pun – handy; the gauntlet elements of the T-Ease suit fit the mesh hands better then they would the SLiCK mitts!

The other change I’ve made is to Lust Melody’s isolation panel. This originally had three green light on it for shutting-off the wearer’s chat, hearing and in-world sight respectively. As I’m not great fan of being “blind” in SL, and the sight option relies on an old-style prim HUD attachment (which I never wore), I removed the prims and scripts for the “blinding” option from the attachment. Hence why the number of green lights changes from 3 to 2 in the pictures here .

The ER Hood, showing the “plug”. Note also the “two button” isolation unit on my chest and the implant in the “forehead” of the hood

I’m not sure how much further the look will evolve, while I’m constantly looking out for ideas – even those that might spark a whole new look – there’s also the fact that what I have here is probably more than enough to suit my needs. However, I’ll give another update if anything else pops up or works out.

In the meantime, hope this update answers questions people have had on the outfit itself and encourages those so interested to have a go – although I will say that time being what it is, I’m sorry to say it’s unlikely I’ll be able to help people seeking assistance with custom scripting; nevertheless, if you do have specific questions regarding putting your own suit together outside of scripting enquiries, feel free to drop me a line in the comments.

An Exotix life: wrapped in rubber

Call me Exotix...

I’ve always had a fascination for latexwear, both fashion and fetish; a big attraction with SL is the ability to indulge myself whenever I want, and sometimes in ways that simply are possible in real life.

Lately, I’ve been playing with a new latex-style look, largely due to the influence of my partner-in-crime in these matters (and overall Thought Leader in matters of fetish style), Spikeheel Starr. It was Spikeheel – Spikey to those of us who know her – who demonstrated a stunning look she’d been introduced to by Oynx, one of her friends – and I was hooked on it from first sight.

It’s a kind of riff on the “bane” look – although I’m not personally into that per se - but with some differences (most noticeably, not having to be isolated from others all the time). The overall look can be see on the right.

It’s an addictive look, and one that I really like; so much so that I haven’t been out of it in a month and have adopted a name-change to go with the look: Exotix (with Spikeheel having set the trend as Erotrix a good while ago).

Of course, no fetish outfit of this nature would be complete without a few kinky twists: communications restrictors, power cell systems and the like, which I may well blog about at a later date, depending on the interest shown . But rather than rabbit on about it here, I’ll cut to some pictures instead.

Just the two of us ... with Erotrix (Spikey), right

Awakenings

Powercell

Twins

Exotix colours: twelve (so far!) to match mood changes

Mirror, mirror on the wall...

Time for a change?

This blog has been left to fend for itself for a while now. Frankly, I’m surprised it still gets any attention at all – but it seems it does, and I’d like to thank all of you who drop by here to see if anything is new.

If I’m honest, what started here was a little bit of a conceit on my part, and attempt to try and bring greater understanding about D/s into the digital world of Second Life  - where things can be misrepresented / misunderstood, but where they can also be played out very well. Over time it has morphed somewhat – non D/s posts began to appear, and were eventually broken off into my Modemworld blog, and I broaden horizons a little here to cover SL fetish fashion and the like.

Over time, trying to maintain this blog and  Modemworld become a little time consuming; as the wider aspects of SL – the people, the politics (small “p”) and so on – fascinate me deeply, this bog was ignored, despite half-hearted attempts to reinvigorate it.

I do still intend to get my old essays on D/s and Second Life moved over to this blog, and promise to put work into that in the coming days in the hope that they do have some relevance. Going forward beyond this, I’m thinking about changing the emphasis somewhat. Both in the real world and in SL, my involvement in D/s circles isn’t as great as it once was; as such, when it comes to SL, I’m probably going to focus more on personal aspects rather than news, views and any form of opinion and will see how well received (or otherwise!) that tends to be. If this blog remains unnoticed, then I have only myself to blame for not tending to it more regularly, and again offer my apologies to all of you who have kept an eye on it over the last year to see if anything is going on.

RLV goes new UI

For RLV users wishing to try-out the new Viewer 3 UI, there is news: Marine Kelley already has a version of RLV out which incorporates the new UI and other bits.

RLV Viewer with new V3 UI

The Viewer, built on the 3.2.2 (0) release of November 7th, includes the new UI presentation of buttons, notifications appearing up in the top right corner (see image), Destination Guide open by default, and so on.

Additionally, it retains the RLV menu option and  includes a couple of familiar sliders seen in other TPVs up in the Navigation Bar: the avatar offset and the Draw Distance (the latter of which I’ve always appreciated in those TPVs that have it in difference to a Quick Preferences button), as well as including the ABOUT LAND and SKY buttons.

Unlike the latest versions of the official Viewer, the mini-location bar is displayed in addition to the Navigation Bar  / Favourites Bar, rather than the option allowing you to toggle between the Navigation / Favourites and the Mini-location. Being the (0) release means the Viewer doesn’t have the new snapshot floater – but given the speed with which Marine got this version out, one supporting the floater may not be far behind!

Performance-wise, on my usual machine the Viewer is on a par with the latest 3.2.2 release, coming in with an average fps around 20-22. Some have reported teleport issues with 3.2, I’ve not encountered any myself – and certain none in this Viewer while hopping around the place.

There’s not a lot to review here that I’ve not covered elsewhere when it comes to the new UI (see the link at the top of this post). All I can say is, kudos to Marine on the speed of her response with the release, and if you are curious about the new UI and want to give it a go but don’t want to crack out of RLV – now you can!

Fetish displayed in Latex Web

"Boots" by Kim Dench

It’s no secret that there is a side of my life that has encompassed D/s & fetish (why else do I maintain (what has admittedly become) an occasional blog on D/s matters within SL?). I’m also well aware that my biggest vanity in this regard is the fact that I look almost as good in fetishwear – corsets, heels, and so on – now, as I did when I first discovered them, despite the fact I’m fast approaching my “second 20th birthday” (and no, I won’t tell you precisely when that is, so don’t ask!). Thank God for rowing machines and swimming…

While I’m not as active in SL D/s circles as perhaps I once was, I do still enjoy the incredible, diverse and amazingly imaginative work that goes into fetish fashion is SL (Jackie, Erik, Chill3, Jinxed, Cheyenne – love you all!), and the devious creativity that can go into various restraints (step forward, Marine Kelley!). I was therefore curious to learn of a Fetish Art exhibition going on at Darkadia, the mysterious home of The Clan of the Latex Web, so I decided to drop by and take a look.

Darkadia is something of a work of art in its own right. The Clan of the Latex Web has its origins in the graphic novels by Michael Manning, and while the novels are not to everyone’s taste (I admit I find them a hard read), the sim is admirable as it encapsulates the aesthetics and other-worldliness of the novels and presents quite a stunning build that can be admired in its own right.

Darkadia

Given the sim has sprung from the world of graphic novels and art, it is fitting that it plays host to this exhibition of fetish-related art.

Teleport sign

There are several teleport options listed for Darkadia in Search, so whichever one you opt for, look for the signs to Fetish Arts 2011 – they are hard to miss and are spread across the sim. Each contains a teleport that will take you directly to the exhibition (SLurl).

The exhibition features displays from a number of artists in Second Life. Some are well-known with the D/s community; others are perhaps less well-known. The artwork itself reflects a wide range of tastes and views on BDSM and D/s. Unsurprisingly, many of the displays feature latex, but others are equally focused on eroticism. It’s a balanced, if eclectic mix  – but then, “fetish” is such a wide-ranging term, one should expect anything less in such an exhibition. BDSM does feature strongly in a lot of the work, so this perhaps isn’t an exhibition for those who have a very narrow perception where such acts are concerned.

Denovo Broome at Darkadia - including a new take on "still life"!

Pictures are spread gallery-like around the rooms of one floor in the main building at Darkadia, with the name of each artist in prominently displayed in the Clan’s stylish Latex Web logo.

Rubber Doll by CS Nijan

As mentioned above, “fetish” is a broad theme for an exhibition, and as such many of the artists have submitted pieces that reflect this, with their displays comprising an assortment of images and ideas. Others have kept to a more specific approach and have works on display that reflect their particular interests.

Many of the images clearly reflect fetishism as it is broadly perceived in SL: lots of shiny, tight latex, all-enclosing hoods and gas masks, thigh-length boots and dagger-like stilettos. Other images point to the harsher, darker side of BDSM – although these are in the minority.

From a personal perspective, I was drawn very much to those images that, rather than being posed, were suggestive of being a moment caught in time – a scene from a larger story – Sacha Audeburgh’s Ama and Din in the light being a case in point.

"Charlot - total latex" by Ainsworth Gastel

As I said, this display is not going to be to everyone’s taste – but those who have no precoceptions on fetish, BDSM and Second Life are liable to find a rich and pleasing diversity of talent and styles in the exhibit that offer a myriad of perspectives on love, Domination and submission – and, frankly, a lot of kinky fun!

So, if you do like a little kink in your life (and as you’re reading this blog, I assume you do!), why not pay a visit to Darkadia? The exhibition runs through until the 14th November.

"Ama and Din in the light" by Sacha Audeburgh

Accessing subspace

In Finding Space, I explored the concepts of subspace and Dominant space. Both are complex subjects to understand in the real world, and are oft-written about in terms of what they are, what forms they can take – so much so that it is very easy for new submissives and Dominants getting too caught up in the idea of the submissive “achieving” subspace rather than experiencing it.

Opening the gates

Entry into subspace (and indeed Dominant space) in rl is facilitated by many factors: setting, touch, taste, sounds, scents, mood, atmosphere, and so on. Very often, a subtle form of foreplay can be used by a D/s couple to enhance the mood and the scene: the Dominant will sit with the submissive, making gentle and repetitive contact (lightly stroking their hair, caressing their cheek, etc.), while talking in a very soft, quiet tone, paying compliments and / or telling how much they love and care for the submissive, all the while generating a relaxed atmosphere of trust and assurance that the submissive is safe.

Such actions in turn cause the submissive to focus their thoughts on the Dominant, and so a flow of energy is established: the Dominant focuses on the submissive through touch and words, and in return, the submissive focuses thoughts and responses on the Dominant – indeed, they begin to reach out to the Dominant. So much so that, many submissives state that they actually start feeling their Dominant inside their thoughts; their own internal voice is quieted as they listen more and more for the voice of their Dominant, allowing them to lead the submissive deeper into subspace and initiate more direct contact (binding the sub, etc.), until they naturally slide into what might be called “fully in-scene”.

The virtual dimension

It’s very hard to reproduce such a situation in Second Life; there are few sensual triggers we can use, unless we are lucky enough to be able to share time completely in private, when it might be possible for both parties to purchase similar scented candles, use the same background music, etc., to create a “mutual” atmosphere which helps sent the mental tone.  Voice is another elements that might be used to enhance the situation; after all, what can be more evocative than hearing the voice of one’s Dominant leading one into deeper and deeper waters? Voice also brings greater immediacy and intimacy, removing as it does the encumbrance of the keyboard from the scene. Sadly, most find the opportunities wherein they can use Voice to be very limited. 

That said, one of the few advantages many SL submissives do have is that they may well have initiated their first steps into subspace simply by logging-in. The very act of sitting down in front of the computer to access Second Life and meet with their Dominant and D/s friends may well help move them from normal space into marginally down space whether they are aware of it or not.

Even so, coming into SL with the anticipation of experiencing subspace and actually experiencing it can still be difficult for some.

Bridging the gap

The first thing a couple wishing to experience “deeper” levels of subspace should do is to take a little time out beforehand to prepare things as far as possible: try to set a time when you can be together relatively free of other “rl” distractions; make sure comfort breaks have been taken care of beforehand & the pets have been seen to; make sure you have something to drink on hand rather than risking a run to the kitchen mid-scene. Obviously, if you can do the other things – the candles, music, etc., so much the better.

Take the time to engage in a little verbal foreplay – and I’m not talking sex here - use chat or IM; use emotes. It is very much down to the Dominant to lead here; simulate touch, describe actions simply and deliberately; use whisper from time to time to add a feeling of intimacy. Again, the idea is to open the submissive’s mind; build a world inside their head, encourage them to mentally visualise and sense what is happening, what the Dominant is doing, drawing their focus away from their rl surroundings. 

The best way of achieving this is to keep chat and emotes short; aim for simple descriptions, “/me brushes a hand lightly over your ass” and simple comments, “You do have *such* a delightful rear….” Keep things to one or two lines. Leave paragraph-length prose and descriptions for later; the aim here is to focus attention and build rapport. Keeping things short and to the point is the by far the best way of achieving this.

The Dominant should also avoid falling into the trap of defining the submissive’s response to anything they do; this detracts from the submissive’s experience and diminishes their role in proceedings to that of observer. Let them respond in their own way and in their own time.

As with rl, a deep scene takes time to build even in an established relationship; the feedback loop between Dominant and submissive must be allowed to develop without it being forced. If a couple are slipping into a scene where one is conscious that time may work against them, it may actually be better to say so and agree to pull back a little to avoid disappointment later.

Alert

At all times, the Dominant should remain alert to the submissive’s responses. The submissive’s state of mind can often be assessed by their responses: they become progressively shorter, possibly down to single-word utterances and their emotes abbreviated; crudeness or profanities may become more apparent. All are generally signs the submissive is in a deeper level of subspace.

Similarly, long silences shouldn’t necessarily be taken as a sign the submissive is bored or engaged in IMs with someone else. Rather, they may also be an indication that the submissive is slipping further into their subspace.

The Dominant should use such cues to progress the scene, perhaps moving it naturally into bondage (and here is where RLV is a marvellous aide, allowing the Dominant to simply slip a pair of cuffs onto the submissive as a “spontaneous” act which can take the submissive genuinely by surprise and massively enhance their excitement & feelings of being controlled).

That said, don’t allow on-screen actions to circumvent  / interfere with the contact that has been established; yes, it’s great to play with whips and chains – but again if  time is being spent hunting through Inventory for this or that or trying to use every toy in your playroom – focus is going to be lost. Far better to craft a scene with certain activities in mind, using playthings in their proper role as props, rather than focus.

Because of the degree of separation involved in SL (people can’t physically see one another), it *is* important that should rl interfere with the flow of things on one side or the other, the person affected by the interference should inform the other. Neither Dominant nor submissive should vanish into silence (unless it is utterly unavoidable). Should such breaks occur, it is important that the link between Dominant and submissive is re-established; don’t simply jump right back into things; the interruption will inevitably upset the focus (especially if it was the submissive yanked back into the mundane needs of rl) – so it is important the emotional / trusting link between Dominant and submissive is brought back into focus.

This may sound like a lot of hard work when D/s is supposed to be fun; but subspace is a multi-layered experience; how far a person enters into it is dependent on a wide range of direct and indirect factors, and thus does require a little effort by both Dominant and submissive. While it is not an absolute requirement for enjoying D/s, it does add depth and dimension to a scene and a relationship.

And finally – as always – any period of play in which the submissives has been exposed and/or entered subspace, should be followed by a natural period of aftercare, cuddles, gentle words, nuances, all designed to ease the submissive back to the “here and now”.

Finding Space Part 2: Dominant Space

In the first part of this article, I examined subspace both in terms of how it can be encountered in rl, and where and how it may spill over into SL. Truth be told, subspace is perhaps one of the most talked-about aspects of D/s in both rl and SL; yet there is another side to the coin – one that doesn’t get mentioned so often in rl discussions of D/s relationships and scenes, and one which I’ve yet to hear mention of at all in Second Life – and that is the concept of Dominant space.

Dominant space in some ways mirrors subspace, although its practical outworkings are somewhat different. Rather than entering a trance-like state, a Dominant in Dominant space tends to experience heightened awareness; they’ll experience a steady upswing of energy and desire as they sink deeper into Dominant space, and overall, become more attuned to the submissive under their control.

Like subspace, Dominant space exists on a number of levels.

Top and Alert space

At the top, as one might expect, is top,  or normal space. The Dominant in this space will function perfectly normally, dealing with the slings and arrows of mundane life. It is entirely equitable with the kind of normal space experienced by submissives.

Beneath this is what I refer to as alert space. The Dominant moves into this space when something happens to shift them away from everyday needs to focus on their submissive. This shift may be triggered by something within the Dominant – a change of clothes, looking at a picture, etc; or it may be an external stimuli – a scent, a sound, a comment. It may equally come from the submissive in the form of a touch, an expression, a look – something that alerts the Dominant to the submissive’s desire to feel their control. Whatever the trigger, the Dominant will maintain an awareness of everything else around them, but their focus will be on their submissive. If nothing further occurs, the Dominant will generally return to top space. Thus, this “alert space” can be equated with a submissive’s “marginally down” space.

Going deeper

If the stimuli that triggered the Dominant into alert space continues, then the Dominant will move beyond “alert” to what might be called active space, where their Dominant nature comes more to the fore. Such stimuli can be as simple as the submissive’s move from top space to marginally down space (itself perhaps the result of the Dominant’s focused attention, thus giving rise to an entirely natural feedback between the two), or could be the continued influence of outside factors.  As the Dominant moves into this space, they feel an upswing in energy; perceptions alter, adrenaline flow will increase and they’ll feel a heightened desire and sensitivity that can trigger a scene.

Once a scene has been initiated, the Dominant may experience a sensation of alert mental detachment; a separation of their emotional responses to everything around them. Some may experience a sense of energy flow from the submissive to themselves; some Dominants have even stated that as they move deeper into this space, they have a distinct feeling of being “inside” their submissive: they experience the scene from the submissive’s perspective and may even “hear” the mind of the submissive.

There is a strong feedback loop established as the Dominant moves into, and through this space, which occupies the span between the submissives “sammy space” and “blonde space”. Indeed, in secure relationships, the playful use of sammy space on the part of the submissive can  – where appropriate – encourage the Dominant to move into their active space. It can help start and/or progress the scene beyond its initial opening, and trigger heightened responses and excitement in the Dominant.

As the Dominant moves deeper into this space, so to their excitement accelerates and their responses become more sharply focused on the submissive and the scene itself. The emotional detachment experienced as the scene moves beyond the playful enables the Dominant to both take actions with their submissive in ways they might find difficult when in top space, and enables them to remain aware of the submissive’s own state of mind and attuned to keeping the play on the safe side of any red line.

Where the feedback loop is healthily established, the further “down” the submissive goes in scene, the higher up the Dominant tends to go; the submissive’s responses to the Dominant’s actions trigger and re-trigger the Dominant. It can be a euphoric cycle for both, with energy flowing back and forth as the scene progresses. However, there is one important difference: part of the intensity the Dominant experiences is due to the need to maintain tight mental and physical control on the scene to ensure the submissive does not suffer harm. This control itself can build to a peak of release within the Dominant that is as intense and satisfying as the release experienced by the submissive.

Aftercare

Aftercare is as important for a Dominant coming out of Dominant space as it is for a submissive returning from subspace.

While the Dominant has not been as mentally exposed as the submissive, they have nevertheless carried a significant mental load and exhibited considerable mental (and physical in the case of rl) control. In doing so, they have removed themselves from reality, and thus need to ease back into it as much as the submissive. Therefore, cuddles, care and attention can be as beneficial for the Dominant as they are for the submissive; the only real difference may be in the way the care is supplied. For the Dominant providing aftercare to a submissive, it is something of a deliberate act, a willingness to take the submissive into their arms and hold them, while for the submissive, it may be a more instinctive response to the love and attention the Dominant is giving them, generating a more subtle feedback loop that comforts both players and enables them to return to top space.

However, the caring submissive should always be on the alert for situations wherein the Dominant needs aftercare. It is perfectly possible for a scene to lead a Dominant into Dominant space even if the submissive doesn’t “fully” experience subspace (just as it is possible for a submissive to slip into subspace without the Dominant really moving beyond alert space). In these situations, the submissive should be willing to offer some aftercare, such as a cuddle and post-scene gentle chat.

Primal space

Dominant space, again like subspace, can include a level of  primal space. As with submissives, breaching this level may be rare, but it can be equally devastating. A Dominant reaching this space in rl can become dangerous – especially if they are new to D/s. Their system can become flooded with chemicals that push them beyond the controlled detachment that is vital to a safe scene, and become completely detached from the welfare of the submissive in their care.

It is unlikely that primal space can be subconsciously reached within the confines of Second Life for much the same reasons it is unlikely many submissives within SL will experience it for themselves. However, the risk is there, and any Dominant experiencing such total detachment within themselves and from their submissive should take steps to exit the scene as quickly as possible. Further, “primal space” should not be offered up as an excuse for wanton cruelty, and submissives within SL who hear any Dominant talking freely about their ability to access “primal space” or pass comments relating to their “Dominance making their cruel and hard” would do well to examine both the Dominant and their motives closely before engaging in a scene.

Conclusion

Space – be it sub or Dominant  – exists in many forms both in rl and SL. While we may not experience all of them in our SL lives, we should all be aware of how they tend to manifest themselves, and we should all understand the need to deal with them responsibly.