Tag Archives: fantasy

The Dragon Prince: A Case Study In Developing (Quality) Romance

The following is a video from my YouTube channel, Jack’s World. It’s my first video about a show I discovered on Netflix called “The Dragon Prince.” It’s very likely it won’t be the last because this show has captured my heart in all the right ways. There are many things that make it great, but one of the best happens to involve romance. Given my fondness for romance and writing romantic stories, that definitely adds to the appeal.

In this particular video, I highlight and celebrate how the show’s main romantic sub-plot involving Callum and Rayla raised he bar for love stories everywhere. Seriously, if you’re a romance fan, this show is worth watching just for that. Hopefully, this video helps make that case. Enjoy!

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Filed under romance, television, The Dragon Prince, YouTube

“Avatar: The Last Airbender” Is On Netflix: Go Watch It!

Every now and then, a TV show comes along that transcends its genre. From “Bojack Horseman” to “Rick and Morty,” these shows are more than just binge-worthy entertainment. They leave a real, tangible impact. You don’t always expect it, but that’s what makes it so exhilarating. The concept of the show may not seem appealing, but it still finds a way to be great beyond all expectations.

We need shows like that now. Given the current state of the world and the agonizing isolation it has incurred, those shows are more critical than we’ve ever been, if only for our mental well-being. I have my collection of shows that help keep me sane during these difficult times, but there’s one in particular that I’d like to suggest to everyone who shares that struggle.

That show is “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” It recently came out on Netflix in the United States and now is the perfect time to discover this wonderful gem of a show.

On the surface, it looks like a typical kids show. It takes place in a fanciful world full of fanciful characters wielding amazing powers. However, it would be irresponsible to call this “Avatar: The Last Airbender” a show for kids.

It’s one of the most underrated shows of its kind. It only ran for three seasons in the mid-2000s and aired on Nickelodeon, of all places, but rest assured this is no “Spongebob Squarepants.” This is a show that has action, depth, heart, and incredible voice acting. It’s a show that finds a way to be dramatic, tragic, fun, and heartfelt.

In fact, I honestly can’t think of any great feeling that this show doesn’t evoke.

It’s a show that deserved much more success than it got. Make no mistake. This show has some passionate fans and for good reason. It really is that good. Kids and adults alike can find something to enjoy. If you need further proof, just binge it over the course of a weekend. You’ll be glad you did.

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Filed under Environment, television

How “Megamind” Subverts Expectations The Right Way (And Why Recent Attempts Keep Failing)

Every now and then, a narrative trend comes along that I neither care for nor understand. I get why many trends catch on. I’ve even been caught up in a few. I remember when stories about asteroid impacts became popular, as well as romance stories that relied on best friends falling in love. Some lasted longer than others. Some burn out. I think “Friends” alone killed the whole friends-falling-in-love-gimmick.

However, certain trends seem to catch on for all the wrong reasons. I’m not just referring to the gimmicky tropes of every sitcom attempting to rip off “Seinfeld,” either. These are narratives that attempt to troll the audience in hopes of a bigger reaction, as though that can somehow take the place of a compelling story.

Lately, the trend that I’ve found particularly frustrating is the idea of subverting expectations. It’s become a major buzzword in recent years, but not for good reasons. It became a big deal after the fan reaction to “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” and only intensified with the final season of “Game of Thrones.”

Now, I don’t want to get into extensive discussions about those emotionally charged subjects. I’ll let the fan bases continue to debate that in whatever way they see fit. Instead, I want to take a moment to look at this trend, note how it can be done well, and highlight why recent attempts are misguided and counterproductive.

While subverting expectations sounds cunning on paper, it’s one of those concepts that’s difficult to make work. The concept is simple. You take an audience’s expectations about a story, build up some narrative tension, and then go in an unexpected direction that changes and enhances the impact of that story.

It sounds simple, but it’s not. When it works, it’s amazing. When it fails, it’s downright toxic to itself. I would argue that neither Star Wars: The Last Jedi nor the final season of Game of Thrones” succeeded in that effort. However, one movie did succeed in this effort and it did so back in 2010, long before this trend even began.

That movie is “Megamind,” a film I’ve praised before for how it parodies the superhero genre. There’s a lot more I can say about this underrated gem, but this is one element that I feel is more relevant now than it was when the movie first came out. To date, I’ve yet to see a movie subvert expectations as well as this one.

The way Megamind” goes about this is not at all subtle, but it’s still powerful. It’s in the premise of the movie. It asks what happens when the evil genius supervillain actually defeats the handsome, square-jawed superhero? What do they do afterwards? Why did they pursue this goal in the first place?

The first 15 minutes of the movie do an excellent job of setting up the basic, generic premise of every superhero narrative since Superman. Metro Man is the hero. That’s how he carries himself. That’s how others see him. That’s how he’s perceived. Conversely, Megamind is the villain. That’s how everyone sees him. The prison warden himself says it before the opening title screen. He’ll always be a villain.

Everything is in place for a traditional hero-versus-villain struggle. Old concepts like justice, hero worship, and public perception come into play. Then, in the first real battle we see between Megamind and Metro Man, the unthinkable happens. Megamind, despite his grandiose boasting and casual bumbling, defeats Metro Man.

It’s not framed as some M. Knight Shamalyan twist. It’s not an attempt to shock the audience. It’s not some minor plot point, either. In fact, the rest of the movie is built around this sudden subversion of standard superhero stories. Every event, choice, and character moment stems directly from this subversion. It’s not just a minor element of the plot. It is the plot.

What makes it work is how this subversion helps tell a very different kind of superhero story. It’s not just about flipping the script for the sake of novelty. It makes a case that superhero narratives are capable of doing much more than simply having the hero save the day from the villain.

Throughout the movie, Megamind finds himself playing a part in every tried and true trope we’ve come to expect in a superhero movie. He starts off being a villain because that’s what he assumes he’s meant to be. He starts questioning that assumption because by defeating Metro Man, he finds himself without a greater purpose. In pursuing that purpose, he find out that those assumptions had serious flaws.

Such assumptions weren’t inherently right or wrong. It was a matter of digging a little deeper into the concept of heroes and villains, finding out along the way that the role he thought was right for him wasn’t the one he ultimately wanted. By the end, he still dresses like a villain. He’s still not nearly as handsome or powerful as Metro Man. However, he still chooses to become Metro City’s greatest hero.

This subversion of expectation works because it’s used to build a story rather than just tweak a few details. Moments like the revelation about Rey’s parents being nobodies or Arya Stark killing the Night King had only minor shock value, but they didn’t really factor into the larger plot.

If someone other than Arya had killed the Night King, then it wouldn’t have changed much in terms of how the last few episodes of “Game of Thrones” panned out.

If Rey’s parents turned out to be someone important in “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” it wouldn’t have substantially altered how the events that followed played out. Rey still wouldn’t have joined Kylo.

Ultimately, those subversions just felt like trolling. These details that people thought were important just turned out to be tricks or ploys meant to get a reaction. It comes off as both dishonest and insincere. They might not have been intended as such, but given the fan reactions, I can understand that sentiment to some extent.

You thought all those prophecies about Jon Snow and the Night King meant something? Well, that turned out to be a big waste of time.

You thought Rey’s parents would impact the course of the movie? Well, that was just a complete waste of time, at least until “Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker” changed that.

At times, it felt like the story was tempting people to get engaged and then slapped them in the face the second the plot went in a different direction. As a result, it didn’t feel at all surprising or engaging. It just felt insulting.

Contrast that with “Megamind.” At no point does the plot attempt to demean the audience or anyone who enjoys the traditional superhero narrative. The subversion is in the synopsis. That same subversion is used to build a larger story that fleshes out characters who started out in generic roles, but ultimately embraced a different role.

This shift never feels forced or contrived. It’s not done just to get a cheap thrill or to stand out. At its core, Megamind” uses the concept of subverting expectations to tell a better story than it could’ve told if it stuck to the traditional superhero narrative. That’s why it works.

Unfortunately, that’s also why other recent attempts keep failing. Whether it’s a movie, a TV show, a comic book, or a video game, the concept has been used in a misguided effort to do something different. Subverting expectations has become synonymous, to some extent, with doing something new and bold. The importance of telling a compelling, coherent story is never more than secondary.

I get the importance of trying new things, especially when that genre has been played out in so many forms. However, doing so does not mean taking audience expectations and defying them in a way that feels blatant. At best, it just makes the story confusing. It’s just different for the sake of being different. At worst, it insults the audience and makes them feel denigrated for enjoying that narrative in the first place.

It can be done and done well. “Megamind” is proof of that. It doesn’t just subvert expectations for the superhero genre. It dares to build a story around it and even have a little fun with it along the way. It doesn’t at all take away from the genre it parodies. It just uses it as a foundation to tell a unique story.

No matter how many expectations you subvert, there’s no substitute for a quality story. Megamind” gives us that and the undeniable charm of Will Ferrell. That’s what makes it so enjoyable.

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Filed under Game of Thrones, movies, outrage culture, rants, Star Wars, television

The Final Season Of Star Wars: The Clone Wars Is Coming (Along With More Ahsoka Tano)

Some things are worth waiting for. At the top of that list are things like finding the love of your life, going on a dream vacation, or having your first legal glass of whiskey. For Star Wars fans, the seventh and final season of “The Clone Wars” is likely at the top of that list.

I’m not talking about the sub-par movie that Hayden Christiansen will never live down. I’m talking about the incredible animated TV show it spawned. Say what you will about the quality of the prequel Star Wars trilogy, and many things have been said, but it still brought us the The Clone Wars.” For me, that was worth enduring Jar Jar Binks.

This show encapsulates everything that’s awesome about Star Wars. Even if you never saw the movies or are only marginally familiar with them, this show has plenty of appeal. From the animation to the story to the voice acting, every details is perfectly refined to maximize everything that’s great about Star Wars.

It’s only flaw was that it ended abruptly after Season 6. There’s a long, convoluted reason for that. It’s not worth getting into, but it doesn’t matter now. The Disney overlords that now own Star Wars are giving The Clone Wars the last season it needed to complete the story.

As someone who fell in love with this show, I couldn’t be more excited. Given that I’ve seen all the Star Wars movies, I know how it ends and where it leads. Anakin Skywalker is still going to become Darth Vader. The republic will fall and Emperor Palpatine will rise to power. However, I’m still excited and the reason for that can be summed up in two words.

Ahsoka Tano

I’ve mentioned her before. I’ve made my case as to why she’s one of the best characters in all of Star Wars. Everything that made her great began in this show. She became the kind of character that Star Wars fans of every generation can root for within this show. Now, she’ll have a chance to further demonstrate her strength in one more season.

Watch the trailer. See all the ominous signs of what’s to come. See the emerging darkness within Anakin. Most importantly, watch how Ahsoka sets herself up for an battle that’s sure to be another epic struggle.

Say what you will about Baby Yoda, but to see Ahsoka Tano battle Darth Maul in a light sabre duel is more than worth a Disney Plus subscription.

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The Ambiguity Of Anti-Heroes And How To Make Sense Of Them (According To Overly Sarcastic Productions)

Certain concepts easy to discuss, but poorly defined. You could get 100 people in a room, get them talking about art for hours on end, and at no point will anyone have a clear definition of what constitutes art. For some, it’s a beautiful painting by a long-dead artist. For others, it’s a banana taped to the wall.

The conflict occurs when discussing anti-heroes. I know because I’ve discussed them before. I’m guilty of throwing that label around and attaching it to certain characters. However, despite having a definition, the concept is still poorly defined. It’s so poor, in fact, that you can argue that almost any character with the “hero” is also an anti-hero to some extent.

Like art, it’s one of those things we think we know when we see. Given the sheer volume of superhero comics I’ve read over the years, I like to think I can point out and define an anti-hero better than most. Even with that experience, I doubt my standards are flawless. In fact, I’m fairly certain most peoples’ standards are ridiculously flawed.

I say this because I recently came across a new video by Overly Sarcastic Productions, a wonderful YouTube channel that I would highly recommend for all aspiring writers. Whether you’re writing adventure, sci-fi, or erotica romance, this channel offers invaluable advice and lessons.

My favorite part of the channel is its ongoing series, Trope Talk. It covers a wide range of writing topics, from paragons and pure evil villains to romantic sub-plots and reformed villains. Recently, it tackled the concept of anti-heroes in a comprehensive, colorful way. What made it even more compelling, in my opinion, are the characters it singled out to make the most important points.

There’s a lot I could say about it. Rather than spoil it, I strongly encourage everyone to watch the video. If you think it’s wrong on some areas or missed something, then please make your case in the comments. As both a comic fan and an aspiring writer, I’m always happy to discuss such topics.

If nothing else, I hope that video convinced you to go watch “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.” Seriously, even if you’re not a Star Wars fan and utterly despised the sequel trilogy, go check it out. It may not have Baby Yoda, but it has plenty to offer, both for anti-heroes and so many other wonderful things.

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Filed under media issues, superhero comics, superhero movies, video games, Villains Journey

Theon Greyjoy and Sansa Stark: How “Game of Thrones” Managed to Avoid Double Standards

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The following is an article written and submitted by DC-MarvelGirl 1997, who is a friend of mine and a talented young writer. She has a website and a YouTube channel that I highly recommend. I sincerely thank her for taking the time to write this, as it relates closely to other issues I’ve brought up on this site regarding gender, double standards, and media depictions. Enjoy!


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In a world of double standards, there comes a point where we should question when something is no longer a joke. With television shows such as “Cobra Kai” and “Married with Children” managing to poke fun at emasculation and male circumcision, after the fact we oftentimes question why we find those jokes funny. If those same jokes were made about women, it would be considered “sexist”. When it comes to men, it is almost as though we are okay with men being brutalized.

It’s pretty hard to avoid double standards in this day and age. However, I would say that there might be an exception to this. Today, I will be discussing the television series “Game of Thrones”, and how they managed to avoid double standards about gender.

Now, I’m not expert on “Game of Thrones”. In fact, I’ve only started reading the first book, and I am halfway through it as I am writing this. When you find a story that genuinely intrigues you and piques your interest, you want to keep reading it. With “Game of Thrones” it is no exception. Additionally, when it comes to issues such as gender, the novels do not hold back. The television series most definitely didn’t hold back when it came to showing brutalization of various characters. The throne room scene where Sophie Turner’s Sansa Stark is being stripped and beaten in front of noblemen forever solidifies for me why she’s such a great actress. In fact, it is my favorite scene to view in general. However, naturally, we as human beings would be uncomfortable seeing women being beaten and brutalized. And I can attest as a woman myself that it is disheartening to watch happen. I think a huge part of it is because we consistently try to protect women and keep them as pure as possible. It consistently shows throughout history, as well, how women are treated in comparison to men.

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In Sansa’s case, she’s received her taste of brutality on more than one occasion. She’s been forced to suffer and endure so much throughout the course of the television series. You watch the scenes where she is being beaten by Joffrey’s men and the scene where Ramsay Bolton rapes her on their wedding night, you cannot help but feel discomforted viewing it. I don’t think any rational person wouldn’t feel uncomfortable watching scenes like that.

However, what is even more uncomfortable is what occurs with the character of Theon Greyjoy – who throughout the course of the show, and the books, has gone through as much brutalization as Sansa. I would argue that what happens to Theon on the show is worse. When I say that “Game of Thrones” doesn’t hold back with showing brutalization of both men and women, this is where I make my point.

Theon2

With the character of Theon, we are introduced to him as the character who is taken pity upon by Ned Stark, who proceeds to take him in as his ward. Theon starts of similarly to that of Sansa – arrogant and overconfident, and the character that is probably one of the least liked on the show in the first season. Nonetheless, he gets a taste of what it’s like to be broken to nothing after he makes mistake upon mistake, betraying the Stark family. This leads to he being captured by Ramsay Bolton – who at that point is leading Winterfell with an iron fist. This leads to Theon suffering his own torture.

As if Ramsay cutting Theon’s fingers off isn’t bad enough, but Ramsay further emasculates him by cutting his genitalia off. It simply gets worse as Ramsay is next shown eating a long and plump sausage right in front of his captive, making Theon believe that Ramsay is eating his genitals. In addition to emasculating Theon, Ramsay proceeds to rename him “Reek” to further degrade him.

Ramsay

With “Game of Thrones” and the way they portray torture so graphically, there is never a moment where emasculation and brutalization are treated as a joke. Whenever you watch those moments, you can hardly help but feel uncomfortable. With “Game of Thrones”, it’s rare that you will find any double standards regarding the treatment of men and women. In Theon and Sansa’s cases, these would be handled differently if these characters were on a sit-com. Sansa’s situations of rape and being stripped and beaten would be treated seriously on almost any cable network show. Unfortunately, Theon’s case would more than likely be turned into a joke about male circumcision and put on an episode of “Married with Children”.

It comes to show that the book series “A Song of Ice and Fire” and the TV show “Game of Thrones” give a truly eye-opening look at how different genders are treated. It displays an old-fashioned viewpoint of the traditional gender roles, which is a given. Nonetheless, it doesn’t display hypocrisy when displaying torture being thrust upon men and women. Theon and Sansa alike are both treated by various characters with a level of brutality to further humiliate and degrade them. It strips them down to being polar opposites of who they used to be before. Sansa starts off as a bratty and pretentious princess who slowly unravels to a woman who is a lot more hardened, yet she manages to not lose her compassion for others. Theon starts off as an arrogant show-off whom after being emasculated is broken to something else utterly. Nonetheless, you cannot deny that there is something to be said here.

With “Game of Thrones”, both men and women alike suffer and get put through more than we could ever imagine. Both genders are shown to receive the same amount of brutal treatment, and there is no sugarcoating anything at all. If anything, the books and the show alike give us material where you don’t need to talk about double standards, because there are essentially none. However, it doesn’t mean it isn’t worth discussing and bringing up.

DC-MarvelGirl 1997

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Filed under Game of Thrones, gender issues, media issues, men's issues, outrage culture, political correctness, psychology, sex in media, sex in society, sexuality, television, women's issues

“The Final Initiation” A Sexy Short Story (For Halloween)

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Firstly, Happy Halloween! I hope everyone has a chance to enjoy the spooky festivities today. Whether it involves going to a sexy Halloween party or just handing out candy to hungry trick-or-treaters, there’s plenty of fun to be had. In the spirit of Halloween, I’ve written one more sexy short story to get everyone in the mood, among other things. Enjoy!

“It’s time.”

Allison Evelyn had been waiting to hear those words for nearly three years. They marked the final step in a process that began the day she made a fateful decision to run from a world in which she never belonged. Many parts of that process had been difficult, strenuous, and downright heartbreaking at times. Now, after all that struggles and strife, she stood on the cusp of her greatest reward to date.

“I’m ready,” Allison said in response, not even looking towards the source of the voice.

“Are you sure?” the male figure replied. “Once you enter the chamber, there’s no turning back.”

“I’m sure,” she said without hesitation. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

The man fell silent. Allison still didn’t look up to greet him, nor did she acknowledge him when he left the room. It was part of the process. She wasn’t allowed to see or identify the face of anyone involved. Even if she recognized the voice, she couldn’t put a name to it. This night and this moment was all about her.

The stage was set. The clock had just struck midnight on Halloween, a date she’d chosen for very personal reasons. She’d donned her ceremonial garb, which consisted of a black cloak and matching black panties. She’d been waiting patiently in a small room, illuminated only with incense candles and several tablet computers that played special music. She spent over an hour, meditating, praying, and preparing herself for what awaited her.

“I’m really doing this,” Allison said to herself. “I’m going to join the Order of Erotes.”

It had been a long journey, but the end awaited her. Tonight was her formal initiation into the Order and those involved in this secretive, tight-knit organization made it worth waiting for.

Rising up from her meditative state, Allison took one last deep breath. She gazed out a nearby window, which overlooked a stormy night sky and a restless landscape. She didn’t know specifically where she was. As part of the initiation, she’d been blindfolded after being picked up from her apartment and driven a half-hour to what the Order called their nexus site.

Near as she could tell, it was a small office building on the outskirts of the city. All the lights had been turned off. The doors had been locked and entire areas had been cleared for their secretive activities. According to some of her friends, the founder of the Order owned the building and several others like it. They even had a saying. The Order of Erotes was never far from private meeting space.

Initiations had to be especially private. They often occurred in basements or some other windowless room. There was a reason for that and Allison understood that reason better than most. Knowing she’d be a different person when the sun rose, she pulled her hood over her head and exited the room.

“She has chosen to partake in the initiation!” announced the same male figure from earlier. “Make way for her arrival.”

Allison still kept her head down, not making eye-contact with anyone she encountered. Again, there was a reason for that and that reason was about to become more important.

Upon walking out into a narrow hall, she was greeted by two rows of cloaked figures. They all wore attire similar to hers, but theirs were colored gray and decorated with the distinct symbols of the Order of Erotes. They all held up lit candles, which helped illuminate those symbols. In addition to their cloaks, they also wore special masks. Some depicted the faces of angels while others depicted demons. Only the one being initiated had to show her face.

“Make way. Make way. Make way,” they all chanted in perfect unison.

Allison nodded, hugging her cloak as she made her way down the hall. With each step she took, those she passed bowed their heads to acknowledge her initiation. Each figure varied in terms of height, age, and gender. She could probably surmise who some of them were, just by their physique. She chose not to. True to the process, they did nothing to identify themselves.

“Welcome, Allison Evelyn. Welcome,” they started chanting as she neared the end of the hall.

Her excitement grew. Her legs grew weak and her hands shook, even as she clung to her cloak. The revealing nature of her attire didn’t make it any easier. Wearing just a cloak with panties left her feeling cold in some areas and hot in others. It was overwhelming, but compared to where she’d come from, it was still an improvement.

As she approached her destination, Allison found herself recalling what had led her to this fateful night. She hadn’t been born into the Order of Erotes, like many of its members, nor had she sought it directly. In fact, she’d come from a very different world and a very different life. However, it was a life that never felt like it had been hers to live.

“This is my path…my choice,” Allison said under her breath.

Just uttering those words carried enormous personal meaning. She’d been born into a strict, conservative environment that centered around church, duty, and rigid moral standards. She was the sixth child, and the first girl, of a family that many saw as the greatest embodiment of those standards. The Evelyn family wielded great influence throughout the community, but only to a point.

That community was largely run by a council of elder male church leaders. They effectively dictated daily life for everyone, from the clothes they wore to the books they read to the times they went to bed at night. In their world, the state and federal laws that were supposed to give people some semblance of freedom didn’t apply. Their laws were the only ones that matter and while she’d followed them as much as anyone, something about them never felt right.

It didn’t help that women in that community were micromanaged to an extreme. They had little say in how they lived their lives. There was even an entire system in place to make sure that young girls didn’t spend too much time alone in a bathroom, lest they discover some “immoral inclinations,” as they called them. That didn’t stop Allison from making her share of discoveries, but that wasn’t what drove her away.

Even as a kid, she didn’t like being told what to do, but did it anyways because that was just what everyone was supposed to do. When she became a teenager, however, she became less inclined to go along with that system. It was around the same time she learned that teenagers get horny, curious, and passionate. She’d been told for years that this was immoral, but she never realized how powerful those feelings wore.

Then, found out how good they felt and how much she hated having others take that from her. That was where the Order of Erotes came in.

“We’re ready for you, Allison Evelyn,” came a collection of voices from behind a door at the end of the hall. “Please…join us, if you wish.”

Her mouth went dry and her hands trembled as she stood at the end of the hall, still feeling the eyes of so many focused on her. She still had a chance to turn back. A big part of the initiation revolved around choice. A member of the Order of Erotes had to choose their allegiance freely and willingly. By doing so, Allison would sever the last remaining ties to her old life.

She hadn’t forgotten how that life had attempted to make her decisions for her. She’d been told by her parents at a young age that they would pick a husband for her. They also told her what to expect from that arrangement. She was to be a loyal, obedient, dutiful wife. She was to serve him, please him sexually, and bear his children. While she’d gone along with it at first, like a good girl from an upstanding family, it never sat well with her.

Those reservations became painfully real when her mother told her what to expect on her wedding night. She’d been told sex was sacred, but sinful. It could only occur a certain way and that was the only way it could be both pleasurable and moral. What she hadn’t been told was how bad it could be when her husband was ugly, impotent, and utterly disinterested in her.

That was the first sign that everything she’d been told about sex, love, and duty was wrong. It certainly wasn’t the last, but it put her on the path that she was about to complete. Upon opening the door and entering the initiation chamber, as the Order called it, she finally chose something that felt right.

“Welcome, Allison,” a chorus of voices greeted. “Thank you for choosing us. Please, will you join us in the final initiation?”

“Yes! Yes, I will,” Allison said eagerly.

Walking into the initiation chamber was the antithesis of her wedding day. Upon taking her first step inside, two cloaked figures came behind her and closed the door. She was now locked in a windowless room, lit only by candles and special lamps, and occupied by approximately two dozen figures.

Like the ones Allison had encountered in the hall, each figure in the room wore a cloak and a mask. However, their cloaks were different in a few critical ways. They were all red and much looser than the others. As a result, she could see their legs, torsos, and arms. She still couldn’t see their faces through the mask, but she could tell they were all men and it, attractive men at that.

The room reeked of masculinity, deviance, and sexuality. She couldn’t stop herself from smiling at such a thought. It was the kind of thought that would’ve evoked dread, fear, guilt, and shame back where she came from. Now, it conjured a very different set of feelings. Those feelings led her to the center of the initiation chamber where one distinct figure awaited.

“Allison Evelyn,” he said in a deep, powerful voice, “step forth into the Circle of Eros, if you so choose.”

“Believe me, High Cleric…I choose,” Allison said, no longer hiding her eager smile.

A new strength found her. Having made her choice and entered the chamber, her hands stopped trembling. Her legs felt stronger instead of weaker. When she made her way to the center of the room, she felt a certainty she’d never felt back home. It further convinced her that she had made the right choice.

The center of the initiation chamber, also known as the Circle of Eros, was the heart of the Order’s initiation. Within that area was an elaborate setup that included six mounted candle stands, a queen-sized mattress draped in black sheets, and a five-sided pentagram that had been etched on the floor in chalk. It was the kind of setup that inspired nightmares in some, especially the people in her former home. For her, it was her hottest dream made real.

“Finally,” Allison said to herself, “a choice a truly desire.”

Her smile widened as she greeted the High Cleric, who was the most important figure in an initiation. Standing over the north end of the bed, his stature was distinct from the other men in the room, as was his attire. He wore a large black cloak that covered him heat to toe. He also wore a mask, but his was just a blank face. The only distinguishing feature that the eyes behind the mask had a distinct hue, almost as though they weren’t human.

When Allison felt those eyes narrow on her, she trembled again. However, it wasn’t out of anticipation this time. It was due to a more basic feeling.

“By entering this circle, you affirm that you’re giving yourself to the Order of Erotes,” the High Cleric said.

“Indeed, I affirm,” Allison said, his voice echoing through the room with uncanny power.

“In doing so, you open yourself to our power, passion, and prowess,” he added. “Swear to the Order that you accept.”

“I accept,” Allison said intently, leaving no shred of doubt in her words.

“Swear that you will honor the secrets, knowledge, and responsibilities of the Order. Swear that you will share in the benefits, privileges, and indulgences of the Order with all your passions. Swear to us through your body and soul!”

“I swear to the Order! I swear it with my body and soul.”

When she said those words, a hot gust swept through the room, which shouldn’t have been possible. The flame on the candles flickered brightly, filling the chamber in a fiery light. The High Cleric, his eyes now narrowed on her, revealed his gloved hand from within his cloak. Within his hand was a ceremonial chalice adorned with erotic imagery, the likes of which would’ve been scandalous back home. Seeing it signaled that the initiation had begun.

“Allison Evelyn…disrobe,” the High Cleric commanded. “Show us your body in all its beauty and glory.”

The young woman obliged with an eagerness that contrasted with who she used to be. Without shame or reservation, she pushed back her cloak, letting her long flowing hair fall freely. She then undid it and tossed it aside, revealing much of her body to the audience of masked men. Her face, breasts, and legs – the same parts of her body she’d once concealed in the name of modesty – were there for all to see.

Allison could already feel the men admiring what they saw. She admired it, as well. The body she had now was different than the one she had when she ran away from her isolated community. She hadn’t just grown into a shapely young woman. She’d actually put time and effort into her body, daring to enhance and improve upon her body. Such vanity was frowned upon back home. Beauty like hers was thought to evoke sinful thoughts. That notion wasn’t entirely wrong, but that didn’t make it any less misguided.

Emboldened by the lecherous looks of the men, Allison shed her black panties. She now stood completely naked, her butt and vagina fully visible under the fiery light. She’d even groomed herself in anticipation, as if to further distance herself from the world she escaped.

The world she’d entered was very different. In the Order of Erotes, the beauty of human flesh was not hidden, nor was it scorned. Instead, it was celebrated. It had taken time, effort, and strife to embrace that concept. The men in the room seemed to embrace it too. She could already see some of them getting aroused through their cloaks.

“Beautiful,” the High Cleric said in his admiring tone.

“Thank you, High Cleric,” Allison said. “You have no idea how much that means to me.”

“I have more than you think, my dear,” he said. “Lie down on the bed. You are ready for the next step…and so are the other clerics.”

“I’ve noticed that,” she said with a half-grin.

It was an indirect way of saying that the other cloaked men – also known as simple Clerics – had growing erections. Some attempted to conceal them within their cloaks. Others didn’t bother. Allison didn’t mind, either way. There would get plenty of opportunities to make use of them soon enough.

Having tossed her attire aside, the young woman laid down on bed. She made sure she was right in the center, which put her at the epicenter of the initiation chamber. In that area, the energy of the room was at its most concentrated. The light from all the candles seemed to coalesce around the area, as though it were guided by darker forces.

“Come, my fellow Clerics,” the High Cleric said. “Gather around our new consort. Shed your cloaks.”

They all obeyed. Without saying a word, they all shed their cloaks, they kept their masks on, but they wore nothing from the waist down. They hadn’t even been wearing underwear. Once the cloaks hit the floor, Allison found herself surrounded by nearly two dozen naked men.

They weren’t just ordinary, average men, either. They had the stature and muscle tone of trained athletes, bearing the masculine features that evoked a very basic reaction in any healthy heterosexual woman. Those features extended to their dicks, as well. Each man was exceptionally endowed, even by the standards of a woman who’d come from a very conservative community. It was a very lurid, yet very sensual seen.

“Beautiful,” Allison said, mirroring the words of the High Cleric. “So many wonderful men…so many passions to share.”

“And you shall share them,” the High Cleric told her. “That, I can promise you.”

As the other Clerics stood around the bed, many becoming more aroused at the sight of her naked body, the High Cleric stepped forth and held the decorative chalice over her. Then, just as another hot gust filled the room, he poured its contents onto her.

“By the power and passions ordained by the Order of Erotes, I christen your body and soul,” he said.

Allison remained perfectly still and watched as a pink, viscous fluid flowed from the chalice and splattered onto her naked body. He started at her chest, just between her breasts, and guided it up and down her torso. It quickly flowed out over her body, dripping down her sides and between her legs. As soon as it cascaded over her skin, it triggered a strong reaction.

“Oohhh! By the spirits of Erotes!” she moaned.

It was like a new energy flowing into her, imbuing her with passions and desires the likes of which exceeded that of any ordinary woman. The fluid itself had the consistency of Olive Oil, feeling hot and slippery to the touch. However, Allison knew from her time in the Order that there was much more to it.

The High Cleric had endowed it with special properties. Some came from the natural world. Some came from the realm of the supernatural. Together, they combined to induce a singular effect. It made her very horny.

“So hot!” Allison gasped. “My body…so hot.”

She could already feel her arousal manifesting. Her nipples became hard. An intense, moist heat formed between her legs. She hadn’t received the best in terms of sexual education, but she knew what an engorged vagina felt like. It was so intense she began shifting her legs and fondling her breasts, her body aching for sexual fulfillment.

“Please! In the name of Erotes…take me!” Allison said intently.

“Do you hear that, my Clerics?” the High Cleric said. “The spirit of Erotes has entered her. She longs for the fulfillment of her flesh…the fulfillment that the world denounces as illicit, immoral, and decadent. On this night, Halloween night, let us fulfill such longing!”

“Fulfill…embrace…in the name of Erotes,” the other Clerics said in unison.

The High Cleric stepped back from the bed, but not before casting her one last knowing gaze through his mask. Without saying a word, he told Allison what awaited her. Again, she showed no reservation or doubt. She just smiled at him with a gracious look, telling him to enjoy the show.

As soon as he was clear of the Circle of Eros, the other Clerics quickly gathered around the bed, surrounding her from all sides. Some were already fully aroused, stroking their dicks and gazing at her naked body with burning lust. Even through their masks, she could tell how much they wanted her.

She was the focus of their lust.

They all wanted to fuck her.

She wanted to fuck them too. More importantly, she wanted to enjoy every fucking minute of it.

“I’ll do every one of you,” she told them in a seductive tone. “Don’t hold back. Be as rough or as gentle as you wish. I want this. I want it so much!”

The masked men didn’t say a word. As per the traditions of the initiation ceremony, they had to let their actions do the talking. That was exactly what they did.

One bold Cleric got things going. Like a trained professional being called into action, he got on the bed and laid down on top of her. He must have been hornier than the rest because he already had a raging boner. Allison could hear him panting heavily with lust beneath his mask. That didn’t stop him from being diligent when he grasped her thighs, pushed her legs apart, and thrust his hips forward to enter her.

A surge of hot, intense sensations followed. It was really happening. This man, whose name she didn’t know and face she hadn’t seen, was having sex with her. His hard, manly flesh filled her hot womanly depths. It felt like the culmination of a long, arduous transition. Allison Evelyn was a new woman and it felt good to be that woman. It felt very good.

“Oohhh Erotes!” she cried out.

“The spirits hear you,” said the High Cleric. “I can too. They want to hear more!”

The masked man on top of her heeded that holy decree. Brimming with lust, power, and desire, he started moving his hips back and forth. Her body moved with his, their naked flesh gliding and grinding in an intimate heat. With each motion, she felt his member slither inside her, stimulating parts of her body that had once been taboo. It started slow, but the pace of their movements quickly escalated.

Grunts and moans soon filled the chamber. It was sex of the simplest kind. One man was on top of one woman, working his body with hers in a basic missionary position. Even with such simplicity, it worked. Allison felt a steady stream of pleasure. She even dared to supplement her masked lover’s efforts. She raked her nails down his back and dug the balls of her feet into his lower back, showing a sexual assertiveness that would’ve been scandalous back home.

“This is it. This is what I’ve been seeking. This feels…right,” Allison found herself saying as their sex unfolded.

Again, her thoughts drifted back to the world she came from. Specifically, she recalled the day after her wedding night.

She’d consummated the marriage that had been arranged between her and an older man. It hadn’t been very pleasurable, but she’d been assured that was normal. She had her doubts. On that morning, she’d taken an extra-long shower. For reasons that might have been fate or divine intervention, she masturbated until she had an orgasm, something she hadn’t gotten with her husband. That was the first time that something wasn’t right.

That same day, which also happened to be Halloween, Allison made a bold decision to make certain. That involved seducing and having sex with her husband’s younger brother, who just happened to be her age. They did it in a closet that had been lit with a single lightbulb. Despite it being cramped, quick, and grossly immoral by the standards of her community, it felt good. It felt so good that she could no longer trust what her parents, pastors, and teachers had told her about sex, love, or anything.

It led to a major scandal once word got out that she cheated on her husband. They tried to make her repent. Allison refused. When it became clear that they weren’t going to listen, she ran away. Had she not found the Order of Erotes, she would’ve been in a terrible situation.

Now, here she was, joining a community that was the polar opposite of the one she’d come from. She was naked, on her back, and having sex with a masked man before an audience of eager onlookers. The fact it felt so good confirmed that she’d made the right decision.

“Yes! Yes! Oohhh yes!” Allison exclaimed. “Spirits of Erotes…I’m coming!”

“Hear her, spirits!” the High Cleric proclaimed. “Hear this woman’s ecstasy!”

Allison made sure she was extra vocal for those spirits. She achieved orgasm so quickly that she seemed to surprise the masked man on top of her. He steadied the pace of his movements, elevating his body slightly so that she could squeeze her breasts when she climaxed. When it hit, she threw her head back, curled her toes, and let every spirit of every realm know how much she loved sex.

“I think the spirits heard you, my dear,” the High Cleric said with a bit of humor.

Some of the other Clerics laughed as well. Allison barely heard any of them. She was too busy soaking in the ecstasy.

It was like a ball of fire that flared into a raging firestorm. It started in her core and erupted in all directions, sending ripples of bliss coursing through every nerve. She was so theatrical with her orgasm that even the man on top of her had to tighten his embrace on her, just to keep her from getting too erratic. She showed her appreciation by laughing and kissing his mask.

“Go on. Share in the spirit with me!” Allison whispered into his ear.

The masked man replied only with an eager grunt, but he clearly got the message. While she continued soaking in the pleasure, he kept hammering away, pushing towards an orgasm of his own. When he achieved it, he let out a deep, manly grunt that filled the chamber almost as much as her euphoric cries.

“Mmm…your spirit,” she purred. “I feel it!”

That was a colorful way of saying she felt him come inside her. He was less animated than her, but he still put on a show for the others. She could sense his dick throbbing inside her as he released his load of manly fluid. She found herself pawing his chest, feeling his masculine sinews as he shared in the pleasure. That idea of intimacy being shared and free, driven by desire rather than duty, made the feeling even more profound.

It also left her hungry for more. Thankfully, the other Clerics had been watching intently. Many had gotten fully aroused by such an erotic sight. Some were already stroking their dicks in anticipation.

“So many strong, handsome men. So many hard, throbbing cocks,” Allison said as she looked around at them.

“They’re all here for you, if that is what you desire,” the High Cleric said.

“Believe me, High Cleric. I desire them. I desire all of them!”

“Then, by all means…fulfill those desires.”

After that, the initiation ceremony became less a ritual and more a free-for-all. Hot sex with one man had just been the appetizer. Now, the buffet was open.

As soon as the first Cleric withdrew from her and slipped off the bed, three more came in to take his place. The first thing they did was turn her over so that she was on all fours. Next, one Cleric got behind her, grabbed her by the hips, and thrust his cock into her pussy, which was still dripping with various sexual fluids. As he began rocking her body with more sex, the other two Clerics got in front of her and angled their dicks at her face, inviting her to taste them. She accepted their invitation eagerly.

The sex that followed wasn’t so simple. While getting fucked from behind, she hungrily sucked the dicks of the two men in front of her. Allison wasn’t shy or reserved about it, either. She licked, suckled, and enveloped their throbbing flesh between her lips as though they were her favorite treat. Oral sex had been another taboo that her old teachers had railed against. It wasn’t always forbidden, but it was supposed to be something that a woman only did to arouse her husband. She couldn’t possibly enjoy it.

Again, they were wrong. Allison enjoyed it. She enjoyed it almost as much as the men she sucked off.

“Mmm…spirits of Erotes,” they both chanted, their voices muffled by the masks.

Their reactions only made her suck and stroke them harder. It helped her get them both off with an efficiency that even surprised the High Cleric. When the first one came, he grabbed the side of her head and gasped as he shot his load right down her throat. Allison made it a point to swallow every drop. When the second one came, he pulled out and sprayed his manly load all over her face. As if to tease him, she gathered up the fluid with two fingers and licked it up.

The High Cleric was even more impressed.

“The spirit is strong in her, indeed,” he said.

Her oral sex skills got the other Clerics waiting in the wing more excited. Just as she finished with the first two, two more took their place. Some tried to shove their way to the front, eager to indulge with her. She cast them grins that were both reassuring and seductive.

“Be patient, you handsome studs. You’ll all get your turn!” she told them.

Shortly after Allison said those words, the man fucking her pussy from behind climaxed. He barely finished depositing his load into her womanhood before another man shoved him aside and took his place. In short order, she was being fucked again by another Cleric. She climaxed again soon after. While not quite as theatrical as the first, the fresh surge of ecstasy left her wanting more.

“Oohhh yes! More! I desire more!” Allison cried out.

“And more, you shall have,” the High Cleric proclaimed.

Her body and her world rocked. On one end, a well-endowed man vigorously pumped his cock into her pussy. On the other, at least two equally endowed men took turns receiving oral sex from her. They got to fulfill their desires. She got to indulge in hers. It was a well-oiled machine of indulgence and she was the fuel that kept it going.

Allison remained on her hands and knees for a while, satisfying as many men as she could with her mouth and her pussy. At one point, a Cleric grew even bolder and thrust his cock into her ass. That triggered a strong reaction, causing her to gasp briefly at the sharp sting that followed. Her body quickly adjusted. That brief discomfort turned into yet another source of pleasure.

It was yet another forbidden source intimacy by the standards of her former home. Once again, those standards were wrong. Like so many other feelings she’d experienced since joining the Order of Erotes, the sensations she had been told were so wrong felt so good. It emboldened her to seek more of it.

“Oohhh spirits!” she moaned. “My soul…my body…every hole…take me!”

A chorus of grunts from the other Clerics told her the spirits had listened. Her desires – the same desires she’d been told were wrong, immoral, and sinful – were going to be fulfilled in the utmost.

As the initiation chamber became thick with the scent of sweat, sex, and decadence, the indulgence took many forms. Now that Allison had shown a fondness for anal sex as well, more Clerics got in on the ceremony. They guided her body into multiple positions, taking her from multiple angles.

In one, she was on her side with a Cleric fucking her ass from behind while another pumped his cock between her tits.

In another, she was on her back again with one Cleric on top of her and two more at her side, taking turns getting oral sex.

In another, she was on top of a Cleric, riding his dick while another fucked her ass in an act of simultaneous penetration. That earned her an especially strong orgasm, but it did little to slow her down.

On top of the humping, there were plenty of other intimate gestures. As her naked body rocked in accord with theirs, a sea of hands reached in to caress her naked flesh. Some fondled her breasts while others squeezed her butt. A few even reached in and fondled her clitoris, demonstrating more knowledge of female anatomy than anyone in her hometown in the process. It was never rough or greedy. At times, it was downright affectionate.

It was as though they wanted her to enjoy it, just as much. That shouldn’t have been such a radical notion, but by the standards and taboos she’d come form, it was.

“Take her…embrace her…touch her,” the High Cleric said. “Don’t just satisfy her desires. Make her feel desired.”

Every masked Cleric took that order seriously. They didn’t just fuck her like some horny animal in heat. They went out of their way to share in the experience. In response, Allison returned the favor by putting in the same effort.

One-by-one, she had her way with every Cleric. She quickly lost count of how many she’d fucked, but she was fairly certain she’d got them all off at least once. Whether it was by fucking her pussy, her ass, or receiving oral sex, they all got to fulfill their desires. She got off multiple times in the process. No matter how decadent it got, it never felt like anything more than people enjoying the rich pleasures of the flesh. It perfectly reflected the spirit of Order of Erotes.

“Love…lust…pleasure…beauty…flesh…all balanced. All in harmony,” the High Cleric said. “What others repress, we celebrate. Tonight, on Halloween, we all celebrate!”

A round of cheers echoed from within the grunts and moans of Allison’s initiation. She would’ve cheered too if she hadn’t a cock in her mouth. She didn’t have to because she was the catalyst for the celebration. By joining the Order of Erotes, she contributed to that balance.

The steady procession of sex acts continued. Allison pushed her desires and her endurance far past the limits that a lifetime of repression had imposed. The flames from the candles burned brightly and the room echoed with the moans, pants, and grunts of their decadent activities. As new limits caught up with her, the pace and intensity of the sex settled.

By the time she’d had her way with every Cleric, her hair was a mess. Her body was covered in a layer of sweat and sexual fluids. She was panting heavily, but even after that last orgasm, a look of contentment never left her face.

“So this is what it feels like…to be satisfied,” Allison gasped as one more Cleric climaxed with her. “Completely…and utterly…satisfied.”

The Cleric on top of her let out one last grunt of his own as he came too. At that point, both she and the other Clerics had gotten their fill of indulgence. Most of the Clerics were already off to the side of the room, catching their breath and watching the rest of the spectacle. After that last Cleric slipped off the bed, she was the only one left.

Lying naked atop the ruffled sheets, literally glowing with sex under the light of the cancels, Allison felt like both a goddess and a demon. She felt like the living embodiment of the spirits of Erotes. What she just did was right and wrong on so many levels, but that didn’t make it any less satisfying.

“Allison Evelyn,” the High Cleric said, his voice echoing with a divine authority, “your initiation is complete.”

“And what an initiation it was!” she said, already sounding like a new woman.

The last Cleric exited the Circle of Eros, leaving her alone in the center of the chamber. With the rest of the Clerics watching, each looking just as satisfied after having their way with her, the High Cleric approached the bed.

He was still completely shrouded. For all Allison knew, he was a demon or some sort of otherworldly creature. He could’ve been the devil himself behind that mask. Whoever he was, his gaze marked the completion of a long, arduous journey.

The world Allison came from was so restrained. Even the larger world around it championed restraint, reservation, and passivity. Order, abstinence, and propriety were championed. Indulgence, decadence, and ecstasy were discouraged. However, those discouraged feelings were what made life fulfilling. For Allison, who’d been denied such fulfillment, the Order of Erotes gave her an opportunity. She simply seized it.

“Welcome to the Order, Allison,” the High Cleric said. “From this day forward, your body and soul are welcome. May your every need and desire be met through our shared power.”

“Thank you, High Cleric,” she said gratefully. “I promise to honor that power responsibly…especially on Halloween!”

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Filed under Sexy Short Story

“My Guardian Vampire” A Sexy Short Story (With Sexy Vampires)

the-story-behind-dracula-the-lady-vampire

The following is another sexy short story in the spirit of Halloween. My previous story included demons. This one has vampires. Yes, I know vampires have had a mixed reputations for reasons I don’t think I need to recount. I’m banking that enough time has passed for people to give them another chance at being sexy. I hope this story helps with that effort. Enjoy!

The darkest nights often reveal someone’s greatest vulnerabilities. It was easy to be brave, bold, and daring in broad daylight. Anyone could present themselves to the world as something greater than what they were. They might even convince a significant number of people. However, when they laid in bed at night, alone and in the dark, their greatest fears often caught up with them.

Howard Hunley knew those fears better than most. He’d lived most of his life dreading such dark nights. Unlike most men, his fears were justified. He was the son Max Hunley, also known as Main Man Max, one of the most infamous henchmen of the Blood Moon Cartel. He’d lived his entire live as a target and for the first nine years of it, he handled it as well as any kid could. If anything, he had less to fear than most because his father was so respected.

That all changed when he was targeted by an ambitious rival. In one fateful night, which happened to be on Halloween, a hit squad stormed his family beach house and slaughtered almost their entire family. They thought they got them all, but he and his father miraculously survived. From that day forward, his life changed, as did his fears.

“We’ll never feel safe again, son…especially in the shadows,” his father often told him.

Those words had echoed in Howard’s mind ever since that fateful day. His father kept him from seeing the dead bodies of his mother, his older brother, and his sister, but there was no hiding the truth.

His father’s life destroyed his family. It came very close to destroying him, as well. In a moment that radically changed the course of his life, Main Man Max turned himself into federal authorities. In exchange for entry into the witness protection program, he offered his testimony and knowledge of the Blood Moon Cartel. He claimed that his primary motivation was protecting his only remaining child, but Howard knew the truth.

He was scared too.

He would always be scared.

No matter where they went or how far they ran, they would always be vulnerable.

In his youth, Howard resented his father for putting him and their family in such a position. Over time, however, he came to admire him. He watched as his father sacrificed everything, willingly going into hiding for the sake of what he had left.

There was only so much that he and witness protection could do. Howard went by a new name, Jason Jermaine Ramon. He was relocated to a small town over a thousand miles away from the home he knew. He’d even managed to make the most of that life, going to school there and eventually training to be an EMT with the local fire department. Instead of taking lives, like his father, he saved them.

Even with this life, Howard never felt self, especially on Halloween. It was usually the night when he locked all his doors, barricaded his bedroom, and just waited for the night to end. That all changed a few years ago when he encountered a beautiful creature named Adelia.

“Good night, guys! Happy Halloween,” Howard said to his co-workers at the station as he completed his shift.

“Later, Jason!” said Darian Drummond, a close friend of his. “You sound excited. Got any special Halloween plans?”

“You could say that,” he replied coyly as he got into his car.

“You said that last year too. Are you ever going to tell us about them…or her, for that matter?”

“Sorry, Darian. But if I told you, then those plans wouldn’t be as special, would they?”

His friend laughed and shook his head. He had no idea how astute his comments were. However, he was only partially right about why his Halloween plans were special. There was a much larger part that he’d never believe.

After waving goodbye, Howard drove off. His home was less than a 10-minute drive, but he couldn’t get there fast enough. The sun was just setting. Various Halloween festivities were just about to begin. He had some festivities of his own, but none of them involved candy, costumes, or parties.

“I know you’re waiting for me, my loving guardian,” Howard said under his breath. “I’m on my way. I have your favorite treat…and then some.”

As he drove through the evening traffic, he looked to the small cooler in the passenger’s seat of his car. It was a special container he got from the local clinic. It was specifically designed to hold donated blood in plastic pouches. He often used it in his work as an EMT, but tonight, he used it to store a packet of his own blood that he’d taken earlier that day.

He did it off-hours and without permission, but it was for a good reason…an intimate, personal reason.

“Howard…my blood mate…my love,” said a soft voice within his head. “I sense you. I’m waiting.”

Howard’s smile widened and he drove faster, running a couple of stop signs to get home faster. That voice in his head echoed with the same alluring tone that had made the past several Halloween nights feel completely different. It wasn’t just in his head, either. Hearing that voice so clearly helped remind him that Adelia wasn’t just the one who helped him appreciate Halloween again. She was a creature not of this world.

Specifically, Adelia was a vampire.

“Blood mates,” Howards said to himself as his house came into view, “you make it sound so intimate.”

“That’s because it is, my dear,” said the voice, still echoing within his head. “It is one of the most intimate terms of endearment that a vampire can use.”

“And you use it with me,” he said out loud. “I wish I had better terms for a woman like you.”

“You don’t need them. Take it from someone older than this town. Words can never truly capture a love like ours.”

His heart skipped a beat. He sensed that excited her. It might have been a signal to all vampires that they’d found a special specimen, so to speak. It just as easily could’ve been his emotions running high on Halloween.

It was so fitting, if not poetic. The one person who had given new meaning to Halloween was a vampire. Most people didn’t even think vampires were real. Even those that did had incredibly flawed assumptions about them. The many myths, folklore, and fairy tales surrounding vampires had fueled many misconceptions, some of which were intentional.

It took Howard a while to learn the truth, but it turned out to be more compelling than any lore. Most vampires were not the cruel, blood-thirsty monsters that traditional stories made them out to be. Some aspects were true.

They drank blood.

They burned easily when exposed to sunlight.

They didn’t age beyond a certain point.

They were stronger, faster, and more durable than an ordinary human.

They could become invisible, hiding in the shadows.

They could communicate telepathically with each other and non-vampires to a limited extent.

Other details were pure fiction. They didn’t have an aversion to garlic, crucifixes, holy water, or wooden stakes. They also didn’t turn into bats or look like some sort of goblin creature. Most looked perfectly normal when walking down a street. They could even retract their fangs.

“We’re still human…just a different kind of human,” Adelia had told him on more than one occasion.

That was the most important aspect of real vampires and one that vampire lore often overlooked. They were human. Specifically, they’d all been human at one point. They became vampires through an arduous process that Adelia described as Blood Genesis. She specifics were vague, but it was something that only a handful of people could survive. Those that did enjoyed the many benefits of being a vampire, but it still came at a cost.

The biggest part of that cost was the need to drink blood. It wasn’t out of malice or bloodlust, either. A vampire’s biology had to operate at such a high level to achieve its many benefits. As a result, blood was necessary. They could eat traditional food, but that only gave them a fraction of the nutrients they needed. Blood was necessary. Without it, they died of malnutrition.

“There’s nothing supernatural about it…not entirely,” she’d also told him. “We want to live, love, and prosper like everyone else. It’s just trickier for us.”

That was an understatement. Like every other vampire, Adelia needed to secure a steady supply of blood, which wasn’t easy. Contrary to traditional vampire lore, hunting and killing humans was not their first instinct. Some vampires went that route. They usually didn’t survive for very long. Beyond killing a steady source of blood, Murder and violence tended to draw attention, which often ended with a vampire being hunted by humans and shunned by other vampires.

Most vampires survived by simply finding humans who were willing to donate their blood willingly and compensating them for it. It was no different than any other market, except that it was largely done in secret. Most of the time, the compensation involved money or resources. When Howard first encountered Adelia, that was the arrangement they sought. It just blossomed into something more.

“I’m home, my blood mate,” Howard said upon pulling into the driveway of his small, unassuming house.

“I’m waiting,” Adelia replied through their telepathic link. “Halloween is upon us and I’m ready to start to festivities!”

“So am I.”

With growing excitement, Howard turned off his car engine and retrieved the canister containing his blood pouch. He couldn’t make it through his front door fast enough. In the past, he’d been so paranoid about returning home, even after going into witness protection. He used to check the windows and doors, looking for signs of forced entry. Since Adelia entered his life, he had no such fear.

Upon entering, he was greeted with the sight he’d been waiting for since last Halloween. Lying there on his couch, wearing nothing but simple set of bra and panties, was his vampire lover. Even in the dim light of a full moon, she looked so radiant.

“Good evening, my handsome stud. I take it you come bearing treats,” she said seductively.

“Speak for yourself,” Howard said jokingly. “No elaborate Victorian lingerie this time?”

“Not tonight, my dear. There are plenty of nights for something elaborate and kinky. This is not one of them…and you already know damn well why.”

There was a seriousness in her voice to go along with the sexiness. Adelia didn’t need any vampire-powered telepathy to know that. When she got up from the couch and approached him, she did so with a sense of caring and compassion in her eyes. It was not a look most would associate with a vampire, but Howard knew it was genuine.

Taken by her stunning beauty and vampiric grace, he was drawn to her presence. He kicked the door shut, not even bothering to lock it, like he once did with obsessive scrutiny. They eventually met in the middle of his living room. He still wore his EMT uniform while carrying the container full of blood. With nothing but underwear on, she affectionately embraced him.

“This night will always be a hard night for you,” Adelia said to him. “You’ve handled it well, lately. You even joke about it from time to time. But I can still sense how much it bothers you.”

“It’s not like I hide it that well,” Howard said a tone as serious as it was sincere.

“I don’t need to be a vampire to see the signs, but you don’t have to hide it from me. I became your blood guardian because you craved greater safety as much as I craved blood. But I only became your blood mate when I learned why that safety means so much to you.”

It was a powerful reminder and one Howard still needed, even after building such a successful life for himself. Adelia gave him another as she deepened their embrace, wrapping her arms around him securely and kissing him softly on the lips.

Her touch was so warm. That was another misconception about vampires. They were not cold, animated corpses. Their bodies were actually warmer than most humans. It was an unavoidable byproduct for having such immense abilities. Their unique biology required more activity, as Adelia. It made their touch hotter than most. It didn’t just provide warmth on a brisk fall night. It got his blood flowing in ways few things could.

“I haven’t forgotten, Adelia,” he told her as soon as the kiss parted.

“I still enjoy reminding you,” Adelia said with a light grin. “But on a night like tonight, I like being more thorough than usual.”

“Then, it’s a good thing I brought extra,” Howard said, holding up the container. “If you’re going to be thorough, especially on Halloween, you need your strength.”

Adelia’s grin widened and she kissed him again. She then took the container and opened it, revealing a large pack of blood that he’d donated earlier that day. It already had a special tube connected to the top, acting like an extra-long straw. He’d prepared it with her in mind. With one arm still securely around his neck, she eagerly put her lips to the tube and drank it.

In doing so, Howard watched with a mix of awe and affection as his vampire lover drank. It never ceased to amaze him, how a vampire could be so energized by a fresh dose of blood. While they weren’t always pale or thin, it was easy to tell when a vampire hadn’t fed in a while. When they ingest blood, they radiated more heat. Their eyes also became bloodshot, becoming more excited and focused. Adelia described it a shot of adrenaline mixed and a surge of awareness.

“Mmm…I can literally taste your love, my blood mate,” she told him telepathically.

“All the more reason to drink up,” Howard said, holding her closer to further encourage her.

Vampires didn’t need added incentive to gorge on fresh blood, but they were at their strongest when they did. It was in that moment, watching Adelia feed while being in her embrace, that Howard felt the safest. Having been on the run from his father’s enemies all his life, it was a special feeling.

He didn’t intend for it to be special and neither did Adelia. When she came to him several years back, having found him huddled in his room with shotgun on Halloween night, she only offered him protection. Being a vampire, nobody could watch out for him in the darkness like her. All he had to do was regularly share his blood. Having been so desperate, it seemed like a fair trade. They just ended up getting more out of it than either of them expected.

As soon as she finished the last drop of blood, her eyes were blood red and her exposed skin radiated with renewed energy. Howard could already feel it flowing into him. It got his heart racing, among other things. Being so close to her, a beautiful female vampire with his blood now flowing inside her, stirred in him those special passions that once felt impossible, especially on Halloween.

“It’s official. I’m full,” Adelia said playfully as she tossed the empty blood pack aside.

“Is that all you are, my love?” Howard teased.

“Not in the slightest,” she laughed. “A fresh dose of blood makes any vampire feel lively. But a dose from the blood of a lover…”

“Makes you horny…really, really horny.”

“I was going to say impassioned, but if we’re ignoring my Victorian sensibilities…”

Her words trailed off. Howard chose to shut up too. He knew what came next and it didn’t involve giving candy to trick-or-treaters. Having nourished her vampiric body and surrounded him in her protective embrace, a different kind of Halloween spirit took over.

She threw her arms around him once more. She also jumped up into his arms, hooking her legs around his waist and pressing her underwear-clad body against his. They kissed again, this time with more passion and fervor. More heat from her unique body flowed into him, exciting him in ways that defied even more of those Victorian sensibilities.

“Take me, my blood mate. Take me to your bed!” Adelia said to him telepathically, their lips still entwined.

Rather than words or thoughts, Howard answered with actions. With his vampire lover securely in his arms, holding her up by her heart-shaped butt, he carried her up the stairs and into his master bedroom. Upon entering, he found out that Adelia had made preparations.

“Wow! You’ve been busy,” he said, still holding her in his arms.

“I tried not to overdo it, but…” Adelia said, allowing her words to trail off in a seductive tone.

“It’s perfect,” said Howard. “Hell, I think I need this.”

That might have been his passions overshadowing his brains, but that didn’t make the sentiment any less true. The room had been decorated with Halloween décor, including orange curtains on his windows, fake spider-webs around the lamps, and an array of orange candles that created a sexy, yet festive ambience. It was even more elaborate than last year, which had been the first time he’d even dared to be festive on Halloween. This year felt even more special.

Adelia made it okay to celebrate this solemn day for him. She even dared to make it fun. He shared in that feeling as he continued following their shared passions. His excitement escalating by the minute, he carried her over to the bed and laid her down with the utmost care. With their lips still entwined, he shed his shirt, pants, shoes, and socks before joining her.

It brought his skin into contact with hers. For a vampire’s lover, it was the point of no return. Feeling their extra-warm flesh, especially after having fed on blood, was like tapping into an unknown well of energy. It got every part of his body operating at a high level. His mind raced as fast as his heart. The simple act of making out with Adelia left him both captivated and aroused to the utmost.

That naturally extended to his lower body, as well. He could already feel his dick becoming fully erect, creating a noticeable bulge in his boxers. Adelia once joked that vampires were natural aphrodisiacs. They could evoke such a powerful reaction in others through simple touch. Even if it was supposed to just get blood flowing for feeding, the secondary effects were just as useful.

“Mmm…you do need this,” Adelia said, their lips briefly parting.

“I’m not afraid anymore,” Howard said as he hovered on top of her, caressing her face. “Thanks to you, I can enjoy a night like this. And I’d like to show my gratitude, as only a blood made can.”

“And how do you plan on doing that?” she asked, as though she didn’t already know.

“Lie back, spread your legs, and enjoy the smell of pumpkin incense while I show you!”

She laughed joyously, an act few would associate with real vampires. Howard had come to love hearing her make such noises. It further motivated him to evoke more of them.

His vampire lover did as he asked, lying back in the middle of the bed, grabbing hold of the sheets in anticipation. While she maintained her playful demeanor, Howard’s actions became more focused and serious. He started by kissing down her face and neck, tasting the heated flesh that was now so freshly nourished.

As he trialed his lips downward, feeling more of her warmth flow into him, he skillfully unclasped her bra and freed her ample breasts. He took a moment to bury his face between them, immersing himself in her cleavage. It got Adelia laughing more. It also got her more aroused.

“Oohhh, Howard! I’m loving this plan of yours,” she told him through her laughter.

“It gets better,” Howard said, sounding dead serious.

He continued his oral trek down her exposed flesh, giving each nipple a nice lick to further her arousal. While she writhed from the sensations that followed, he stealthily grasped the sides of her panties. Her arousal really showed. Like a reflex, she lifted her hips so she could remove them.

“Off! Get my panties off!” Adelia urged.

Howard eagerly obliged. He also stepped up the timetables of his teasing. Vampires were not known for their patience. Given their age and lengthy lifespan, that was understandable. Adelia was more patient with him than most, but he never kept her waiting for long.

Upon tossing her panties across the room, rendering his vampire lover completely nude, Howard quickly made his way towards her inner thighs. He could already feel a moist heat radiating from her womanhood. Adelia once told him that when a vampire got horny, their genitals became supercharged by the rapid flow of blood. She’d never gone into specifics, but the results spoke for themselves.

“So hot and wet,” Howard said distantly, “it smells delicious.”

“Speak for yourself, my mortal stud,” Adelia quipped.

He cast her a humored grin, but he remained as serious as ever. Placing his hands on her thighs, he pushed her legs apart, clearing the path for him. Then, he buried his face in her pussy and began giving her oral sex

“Oohhh, Howard!” Adelia cooed in delight. “I consume you…you consume me…I love it!”

It was oddly poetic. She was a vampire who drank his blood. He was her lover who ate her pussy out. It would’ve been funny if the passions weren’t so real.

Her intimate flesh tasted as good as any Halloween candy. She once joked that vampire pussy aged like fine wine. Having gorged on hers many times, he knew it was no joke. She was so hot and moist, radiating with a sensual energy that defied description. He used his tongue to probe her depths, feeling his way around her most sensitive areas. Vampire women seemed to have a lot of those when they were horny. It made his job easier, but no less rewarding.

It also intensified the same side-effects that had given him a throbbing erection. Whether by some strange spiritual energy or some mysterious properties of vampire flesh, it left him so aroused that his patience waivered as well. While still lapping his tongue over her outer folds, he shed his boxers and threw them aside.

At that point, his plan to express his gratitude was complete. Now, the true Halloween festivities could begin. After giving her pussy one last tease with his tongue, he rose up and crawled back on top of her.

“Adelia,” Howard said as he gazed into those blood-red eyes of hers. “You protect me, love me, and trust me. What you mean to me…what you’ve done for me…even thoughts aren’t enough.”

“That’s how I know your love is real,” she told him as she lovingly caressed his face. “When even a vampire’s telepathy can’t process it, you know it’s special.”

“I know it’s not easy. I sure don’t make it easy, given the circumstances of my life.”

“Having lived multiple lifetimes, I understand more than most. That’s what makes it even more special!”

“That also makes it worth celebrating…tonight…on Halloween.”

“You and your vampire lover,” Adelia said with another playful laugh. “I cannot think of anything more fitting.”

This time, he laughed with her. The laughter gave way to a deep kiss. As their lips became entwined, their bodies followed suit. Adelia eagerly wrapped her legs around his waist, her vampire strength showing every step of the way. Howard skillfully aligned his body with hers, guiding his erect manhood towards her waiting womanhood.

Finally, through a simple movement of hips, he entered her. The shared heat of their bodies became one. The unique features of a vampire woman and a human man supplemented one another in a fateful moment on a wonderfully appropriate night. They were really doing it. They were making love on Halloween.

“My lover…my blood mate.”

That passionate mantra echoed in their minds, shared through telepathic thoughts and reinforced through intimate actions. After soaking in the heat of their union, Howard set the tone for his vampire lover. He began moving his hips, establishing a rhythmic flow to their lovemaking. With him on top of her, their naked skin grinding together with each motion, the intimate energy quickly intensified.

It led to more elaborate forms of lovemaking. Together, they rolled around on the bed, their naked bodies shifting and adjusting in accord with their passion. At one point, Adelia was on top of him, riding his cock. At another, he laid her on her side and spooned her from behind. Vampires were known for their sexual prowess and stamina. What was less known was how it seemed to empower their mortal lovers.

Blissful moans and gasps soon filled the room, coupled with plenty of kissing and caressing. Even though vampires were naturally durable, Howard was often careful and tender with Adelia. They still enjoyed their share of rough sex, but a night like tonight demanded something more personal. The focus was on the love they’d forged and not just the intimate benefits it had inspired.

True to that spirit, he and Adelia willingly lost themselves in the passion and pleasure. They worked up a healthy sweat, which had since covered their naked bodies. In the soft candlelight, it further added to the sensual ambience. It helped make every undulating motion so smooth and seamless. It also brought them to the brink of orgasm with almost supernatural ease.

“Howard, my blood mate!” Adelia cried “Make love to me! Give me your love! Please…I’m so close!”

“Me too, Adelia. Me too!” Howard said with focused grunts.

For that final push, they returned to the simple missionary position in which they’d began. It might have been the old European traditionalist in Adelia, but that was the one she preferred. It was also the one that allowed him to go the extra mile for his lover.

He stepped up the pace for the final push, digging his feet into the bed and tightening his grip on her hips. Adelia did her part too, raking her nails down his back and locking her legs together in anticipation. He could feel the pulsating heat in her pussy around his cock, preparing for that magical release. When she finally got it, a special ecstasy consumed them both.

“Ohhh bloody yes!” she cried out.

Her naked body trembled.

The bed shook violently under the force of their movements.

Howard took her hands in his, closed his eyes, and awaited a feeling that only a vampire’s lover could appreciate.

“Oh Adelia…I feel it too.”

That wasn’t just a romantic sentiment. It was another side-effect/bonus that came along with vampire intimacy. When she climaxed, he didn’t just sense it in the form of her inner muscles contracting around his cock. He literally experienced part of her release, thanks to her telepathic talents.

It was like plugging into a hidden source of power and pleasure. Hot waves of heavy sensation washed over them both, inundating them with intense feelings of raw ecstasy. It was more than enough to get him to climax as well, his throbbing member shooting off inside her with his own release. It extended the orgasmic process even more, allowing Adelia to share his pleasure as well.

“Mmm…I never get tired of that,” she moaned.

“Me neither,” Howard said with a beaming smile.

They remained in an intimate embrace, their eyes lovingly locked onto one another as they soaked in the feeling. With vampires, simultaneous orgasms were the norm and not the exception. Adelia said that, while vampires couldn’t have children, they still had plenty of use for sex. By mixing it with their telepathic skills, they could create a special experience the likes of which no two humans could ever know.

From an evolutionary standpoint, it gave vampires something else to exchange with mortal humans in exchange for blood. From a personal standpoint, it created a whole new level of intimacy. Adelia told him that it was mostly shared among other vampires. It kept them close-knit and united in their struggle to survive. Few ordinary humans could handle it. Howard was one of those select few. It was yet another sign that their love was special.

As they shared in that special feeling, Howard kissed his vampire lover once more. Their intimate flesh parted, but the sensual heat between them had never burned brighter.

“I love you, Adelia…my blood mate…my guardian vampire,” Howard said as he laid next to her in the center of the bed.

“I love you too, Howard,” said Adelia, her glowing red eye flickering with impassioned energy. “I’ve lived a long, long time…doing things my own way…never getting too close to anyone. Then, you came along…a man in need of protection, comfort, and love.”

“And after all those years, you found way to give all of that.”

“And to think, all I wanted initially was a fresh supply of blood,” she said jokingly.

“I know,” said Howard, as he caressed her face. “Love is strange, like that. It starts with something you need. It becomes something you cherish. Whether you’re a human or a vampire, it somehow finds you.”

“And on Halloween, no less!”

They shared another laugh before coming together in another passionate kiss. It still amazed Howard. In his darkest hour on his least favorite day of the year, a vampire came to him, offering something simple. He got her protection. She got his blood. That Halloween night ended up being a fateful turning point.

Over time, she became more than just his guardian and he became more than just a source of nourishment. Together, they blossomed into something so much more. Howard knew he could never live a normal, open life. His father’s crimes would always define him, leaving him vulnerable, no matter where he hid. He used to fear the shadows. Now, he took comfort in them, knowing his vampire lover was there to protect him.

“Happy Halloween, Howard,” she said to him through their telepathic link.

“Happy Halloween, Adelia,” he replied. “Thanks for making this day worth celebrating again.”

“And celebrate we will! That, I can promise you. And a vampire always keeps her promise to her blood mate.”

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Filed under Sexy Short Story

On Nihilism And Love (And How Nihilism Enhances Love)

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Whenever I talk about nihilism, it’s usually in the context of how it could effect an emerging generation or as an excuse to talk about one of my favorite cartoons. I try not to incorporate it into too many discussions, mostly because nihilism has some pretty sullen connotations. Whether you believe it or not as a philosophical principle, discussions about it can get pretty depressing.

Considering the underlying premise of nihilism, which is that life and existence has no inherent meaning, that’s somewhat unavoidable. At the same time, though, nihilism can provide a revealing context. Due to its inherently harsh nature, it can cut through the empty rhetoric and needless complications that overly complicate a subject. That can be exceptionally useful for a concept as broad and powerful as love.

Yes, I am going to talk about love and nihilism. I promise it’s not going to get as depressing as you expect. If anything, I believe that love and nihilism are a potent mixture that, when framed properly, can actually enhance both concepts.

Being an aspiring erotica/romance writer, I’m an unapologetic about my fondness of romance. I like to think I’ve made that abundantly clear. However, the more I write about love, the more I notice how often love gets twisted and contorted into something that undercuts its fundamental value.

That’s not to say I don’t enjoy the occasional fairy tale romance that makes love seem like this unstoppable force that is ordained by angles and guided by unicorn magic. That sort of thing has its place alongside stories of giant robots and superhero movies. In the real world, though, pursing that kind of love is like pursuing actual fairy dust. It’s woefully unrealistic and potentially damaging to someone’s psyche.

That’s where nihilism can provide an important filter, of sorts. At its core, nihilism strips away the magical thinking people ascribe to certain phenomena, be it love, honor, friendship, or happiness. From a purely nihilistic point of view, love is just another manifestation of brain chemistry within a larger manifestation of social dynamics.

On paper, that’s pretty cold. If it were incorporated into a fairy tale or an erotica/romance novel, it wouldn’t come off as very romantic. If you take a step back and go beyond what’s on paper, though, that nihilistic insight actually reveals the larger complexities of love.

To illustrate, think back to some of the most iconic love stories of all time, both classical and contemporary. Look at the epic love of Romeo and Juliet, Jack and Rose from “Titanic,” or Superman and Lois Lane. These are all held up as romantic ideals, the kind that make real world love seem inane by comparison.

However, applying a little nihilism to these narratives and something happens to these ideals. The strength of all these epic love stories is how passionate the characters feel for one another and all the obstacles they overcome to be together, sometimes at the cost of their own lives. That makes for an epic tale, but nihilism exposes a major oversight.

If we’re going to look at love as just a series of chemical reactions in the brain between two people, then we cannot overlook the other reactions surrounding it. To do so would mean ignoring real, tangible manifestations of reality. Since that’s the only manifestation that nihilism acknowledges, it has to accommodate those other feelings alongside love.

This is important, in terms of expanding love, because it establishes that it’s just one of many potential feelings that may manifest within the brains of two individuals. The mechanisms are the same. It’s just brain matter interacting with other brain matter. Sure, that reduces the biology of love to brain chemicals, like any other emotion, but at the same time it incorporates into all the other emotions in play.

In the cold, unfeeling world of nihilism, the mechanisms of love don’t carry any greater weight than the mechanisms of hate, happiness, sadness, and annoyance. While that’s bad news for fairy tales, it’s good news for love in a real world where love spells don’t exist and true romance rarely forms from a single kiss at the gate of an airport.

In that world, the basic brain chemistry of love can’t be enough. It’s necessary for two people to also get along in the sense that they can relate to one another, interact with one another, and deal with one another on a day-to-day basis. Those mundane, unromantic factors are rarely part of an epic love story, but an important part of a healthy romance.

When we conflate the meaning of love to the level of an old Beatles song, we undercut those less fanciful aspects of love. We focus only on those moments of intense passion that find their way into romance movies. Some, like my favorite romance movie, do a better job exploring other moments. Most though, along with music that blurs the line between love and obsession, don’t send that message.

That kind of love gives the impression that it’s the most meaningful experience anyone could have. It becomes the primary goal of every individual, seeking that special love that somehow makes them feel complete and content. To not have it is to be denied your very reason for being. It’s something you should dedicate every ounce of energy to, even at the expense of every other pursuit.

That romantic ideal shatters under the weight of nihilism because in that worldview, nothing matters to that degree. The very notion that anything would matter that much requires self-delusion to an egregious extent. Again, it’s a cold way of looking at the world, but it reveals the true tenants of a healthy, fulfilling love.

By mixing love and nihilism, love can no longer be that one feeling that gives someone a sense of purpose. That’s because, in the world of nihilism, nothing gives anything or anyone inherent purpose. Everything is just there by the random chaos and exists only temporarily, only to eventually perish at the eventual heat death of the universe.

Sure, that means that love can no longer be eternal or everlasting like a typical Disney movie, but that’s actually a good thing if love is to have any value. By rendering love a finite, temporary feeling, it becomes more precious on the basis of its rarity. The fact that it is so temporary is what makes it a powerful feeling to those who experience it.

It also leaves room for all the other feelings that go into a strong, healthy romance. Things like growing together, learning from one another, and complementing each other become part of an ongoing process that two people experience. For some, it can last a lifetime. For some, it can barely last a day.

In the long run, they don’t have inherent meaning in a nihilistic world. Whatever meaning love ultimately has is dependent on those who experience it. That means people can’t just rely on the fact that they’re in love and expect it to solve their problems. It means they actually have to work on preserving that meaning they’ve created in a cold, unfeeling world.

To some extent, that gives love true value and not just the inflated value portrayed in movies. By looking at love through the lens of nihilism, it’s possible to understand it for what it truly is, in relation to other experiences that sentient beings share. It’s no fairy tale, but it’s real in that we feel it and because we feel it, we give it meaning.

As a lover of romance and telling sexy stories, I find that uniquely inspiring. We can’t rely on an unfeeling, uncaring universe to give meaning to our love lives. We, as finite and fragile beings, have to do that ourselves. Those willing to take love as it is and not what we wish it were are better able to craft that meaning. If we can make it sexy along the way, then that’s just a nice bonus.

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Filed under human nature, Marriage and Relationships, philosophy, romance

What Our Sexual Fantasies Say About Us

Before I start another discussion on something sexy, kinky, or whatever other words you want to describe the novels I write, I have a quick thought experiment I’d like to pitch. It involves your sexual fantasies. Compared to some of the other thought experiments I’ve entertained, it’s probably the easiest one I’ve ever posed.

I want you to imagine your favorite sexual fantasy. It doesn’t have to be a dream you once had. It doesn’t have to involve some decadent wedding reception that involves tequila, blackouts, and awkward conversations the next morning. It just has to be something you find very hot. Make it that one fantasy to which your mind drifts when you’re trying to get in the mood.

If you’re still with me and/or have clean underwear handy, then hold onto that fantasy. Having shared one of my own, I know the power of those lurid, yet intimate thoughts. Now, with those thoughts at the forefront of your mind, I want you to contemplate what that fantasy reveals about you.

I’m not trying to offer therapy here. I’m not trying to be too Freudian either. I’m just trying to get everyone to scrutinize something that they probably avoid scrutinizing for all the wrong reasons. I understand that overthinking your sexual thoughts, or any sexual feelings in general, can be uncomfortable. I also think it’s something we need to do more often to mitigate some of that discomfort.

Let’s face it. Talking about sex is hard enough. Thinking about it can be just as hard and not just because it means having to change your underwear or, as I’ve experienced, hiding an awkward boner. If we’re to make sense of this important facet of our lives, then we have to give a little extra thought to those fantasies we entertain.

I bring it up because those fantasies do reveal something about ourselves. Granted, it doesn’t reveal everything or even half of who we are, sexually and otherwise. It is an important component, though. After reading a few articles from Bustle and the Daily Mail, I think it’s worth exploring.

With those fantasies I asked you to entertain, here’s some possible, potentially kinky interpretations of those fantasies that you might find revealing. You may be surprised by what you learn about yourself and your desires.


Sexy Insight #1: Being Dominant (Also) Means Being Laid Back

I know it sounds counter-intuitive, wanting to be a dominant lover and being laid back. Those sound like incompatible traits, like being an Amish hacker. Now, that’s not to say that domination fantasies don’t have some basis in loving control and setting the tone with your lover, whether it’s with positions, whips, or bondage. However, there are more subtle implications at work.

Think about it. To be laid back is to minimize effort and maximize results. Being dominant accomplishes that. When you’re dominant, you don’t have to put the extra energy into setting the tone. That energy comes to you. That’s a major reason why the fantasy appeals to people with laid back personalities.

It seems like an inversion of personalities, being laid back in every other realm except the bedroom. Personally, I think it makes a kinky bit of sense. To be a sloth in everything else, but to be a total boss in the bedroom offers a strange, yet sexy balance to it all. I think that’s both sexy and healthy.


Sexy Insight #2: Being Submissive (Also) Means Having Control Issues

While we’re on the subject of inverted personality types in the bedroom, the same logic applies to those who have fantasies about submission. Again, there are some personality types that just enjoy surrendering control to their lover and trusting them to please them, as only they can. That’s a simple, inherently sexy fantasy that most people can get, so much so that it becomes a best selling novel.

Dig a little deeper and you’ll also find some kinky quirks behind the basics. To be sexually submissive is to surrender control and, believe it or not, some domineering individuals find that uniquely arousing. Think of the most uptight, control freak you can think of. Imagine how stressful that must be, clinging to that control and exercising it every day.

In that context, it’s not too hard to imagine them fantasizing about giving it all over to someone. It’s freeing in a strange sort of way, giving over that kind of control to someone and then having them use it to pleasure you. For once, you don’t have to control everything. It’s a paradox, of sorts, but one that can lead to orgasms. For that reasons, these fantasies can be extra potent and extra revealing.


Sexy Insight #3: Forbidden People Mean (Intensely) Greater Desire

This one really shouldn’t surprise anyone. I’ve talked about the forbidden fruit factor of sex before. It’s part of the reason that Catholic school girls are such a kinky trope. It’s also why they tend to enter our sexier fantasies more often than most will dare admit. I’m not just referring to super sexy celebrities either.

A forbidden person, be it someone who is married or someone who is a friend of a friend, often carries with them this aura that sets them apart. They may not look like John Cena after a cage match, but there’s an obstacle to being with them that no other person has. Us being such a competitive species, a fantasy with a forbidden person carries more weight.

To want to be with that forbidden person requires extra desire. Just having that desire reveals that your breadth for sexuality is greater than you think. Keep that in mind the next time you see your best friend’s sibling/friend/co-worker. That might be your body’s way of telling you that your capacity for desire is much greater than you think.


Sexy Insight #4: Sex With A Stranger Is (Extra) Physical

This is a pretty basic fantasy, as well as a popular premise for under-budget porno films. To be fair, it’s a pretty simple premise in the real world too. A couple of attractive strangers meet, they agree that they’re really horny, and then they have sex. On the surface, that’s not much of a fantasy. Dig a little deeper, though, and you’ll see there’s much more to it.

Hooking up with a stranger is basic in another important way. It’s all about the physical act of sex. Sure, that kind of sex is taboo, but taboos have a knack for gaining a sexual component. By making the intimacy purely physical, it circumvents any emotional entanglements and/or personal ties. In that sense, it’s kind of liberating.

By focusing only on the physical, it all becomes about you and getting that toe-curling pleasure you seek. It’s your chance to be a little selfish while minimizing the entanglements. In that sense, it’s one of those fantasies that’s more pragmatic than most. At a time when Disney movies have convinced us that every interaction between potential lovers has to be emotional, this sort of fantasy can be pretty intense.


Sexy Insight #5: Watching Others Also Means Grading Yourself

There’s nothing inherently subtle about voyeurism. It’s another one of those taboos that isn’t always very kinky, but still has this strange appeal. Even at an age when there’s an unlimited amount of free porn on the internet, there’s still something extra fanciful about watching another couple go at it, even if it doesn’t involve a significant other.

Beyond the appeal of a life sex show, though, it can offer other insights. Unlike the porn on your computer screen, the sex you see in real life isn’t made to be shot on a camera or viewed from a certain angle. There’s a special realness to it and sometimes, that kind of realness can make for a potent fantasy. It’s another paradox, but one that has become even more powerful in the digital age.

Part of that power involves just seeing how other people go at it, compared to you. How do you even know you’re that good at sex if you don’t see other people do it in a non-pornographic setting? Typically, we gauge our abilities by comparing ourselves to others. We do that in everything from video game leader-boards to Yelp reviews. Why should sex be any different?

It may come back to the taboo factor and our inability to break them. Whatever the case, it’s still one of those self-serving fantasies that most won’t readily admit, but enjoy entertaining none-the-less. However, if you’re serious about improving your love-making skills, then it’s hard to call that entirely selfish.


Sexy Insight #6: Spanking Blurs Pain And Pleasure (Among Other Things)

This is probably one of the most basic forms of kink. It was a popular sexy fantasy long before “50 Shades Of Grey” made it mainstream. It might not be as taboo to admit you enjoy being spanked these days, but it’s still a potent fantasy in its own right.

The psychology of spanking may be different for kids, but for adults, it offers a unique experience that blurs the line between pleasure and pain. Blurring that line is a big part of what makes this fantasy so endearing. It reflects that innate desire for excitement and arousal, which is actually hard-wired into us to some extent.

Pain and pleasure reflects opposite extremes of a broad spectrum of novel experiences. Spanking and sex are simple, basic ways to achieve those extremes at the same time. By doing so, the experience becomes a potent mix of both. Just wanting that chaotic blend of experiences says a lot about someone’s hunger for other experiences.

Sure, there’s also a punishment component. That’s kind of the initial intent of spanking. Mixing sex with atonement, thereby alleviating guilt, can be pretty potent as well, not to mention pragmatic. However, it’s the bigger picture of experiences that make that fantasy so profound.


Do you still have that fantasy in your mind? Has it since taken on a whole new dimension? I hope it has and I hope it gives some greater insight into your own personal proclivities. Maybe it’ll help your sex life. Maybe it’ll help you better understand your own nature. Whatever the case, I hope I’ve given you reason to think extra hard about your sexy thoughts.

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