The music of songbirds floated through the morning air from the open window as I was prepared for my collaring ceremony. Cathy had released me from the sleeve and removed the leather collar. They led me to a huge tub and I was submerged in an Egyptian Milk Bath. Christy told me the queens of the Nile bathed in milk, honey and almond oil to soften their skin.
They let me relax while they did up my hair. They twisted and twirled and fasten it with a single clip.
I rose and stepped out of the tub and they patted me dry. My skin felt so soft, and it shimmered as if dusted with gold. Raising my hands away from my body they dressed me in dark green silks that caressed every spot it touched.
The brunette who had been on the wall earlier entered the room as the twins tied the last of the silks in place. Smiling brightly at me she said, "All the guests are here, and Mistress Bergenia said they're ready for you."
My heart was pounding so hard I thought my ribs were going to shatter any moment. Taking in a big gulp of air, I nodded once and moved to follow her as she turned to leave. Cathy stayed me with her hand turned me to her and she and Christy kissed me on both cheeks..
"Come on, I don’t want Mistress Bergenia to think I muffed up this too," the brunette laughed.
"She’s ready, Kelly, lets go," said Cathy as they shuffled me out the door.
We walked down the long hallway and out the French doors to the garden. A bubbling brook flowed gently alongside the stone path we followed. Even in my excitement I sensed everything was ready. The garden was lush and green, overflowing with large weeping willow trees. The gentle breeze carried scents of lavender, jasmine and magnolia trees, mingled with the flowers that were in full bloom. I was floating on air.
The canopy-covered area was filled with guests, a quartet of string instruments softly played a welcoming tune. I gazed around and smiled at Master's and my friends and loved ones who had come for this joyous occasion.
My sight was drawn to a beautiful ornate box centered upon a pedestal, surrounded in dark shimmering green silk to match the one I wore. Master walked over and stood next to it. His wonderful smile beckoning me.
I felt a collective sigh from the crowd and a shuffling as they sat back in their seats. A warm feeling; almost a soft touch seemed to sweep through the canopy, making me aware that everyone knew of the love I had for my Master.
Mistress Bergenia cleared her throat, then greeted and thanked the guest for coming as I moved up the aisle and stopped about three feet from Master. He nodded and motioned to a pillow on the ground and I knelt on it. No one had told me what to expect. I lifted my eyes to his for a moment before lowering them. I listened to what Mistress Bergenia was saying:
"Welcome all to the Academy’s two hundredth and third collaring ceremony. I take great pride in the fact that all are still joined. We strive to match each and every one of our subbies and slaves to the appropriate Master or Mistress. The process at times has seemed long and drawn out to some." She smiled at Master and winked. "But a tried and true method it is. So before I sound like a commercial, let me begin with a bit of history on the Master and subbie we are joining today.
"He and I have known each other for years in the lifestyle. As some of you will know, his dungeons and equipment have been given the Good Dungeon’s seal of approval through the Black Rose and Houston Lifestylers. However, he had never found one that he wanted to make his permanently, until now. Over the years I have dealt with him, he has always been honorable, trustworthy and has shown very high values for himself and his work." She looked to the back of the crowd and I heard a rustling.
"Zack, I'm glad to see you could make it, would you please come up and stand beside me?"
My heart had been beating fast, now it was pounding almost unbearably. I hadn't seen Zack, other then on the monitor, for over a year and a half. He looked great, only a slight limp, when he walked. I wouldn't have known he'd had several operations if Mistress Bergenia hadn't kept me informed. He patted me on my head as he passed and offered his hand to Master. They shook hands, half hugged and whispered to each other for a moment before he moved to take Mistress Bergenia into his embrace.
She once again cleared her throat and moved out of Zack’s arms but they continued to hold hands. "My friends, this is Zack. He is here to give Baby away today. Zack, I was just giving a bit of back- ground before we commenced with the ceremony. Would you do us the honor of telling us about Baby, please." She raised a tissue to her eyes as Zack began to talk.
"I would love to tell you all about Baby. I've known her for many years in the business world. She's a go-getter and tops in her field. In fact, I believe she's an over achiever at times, but as she grew older I could see that something was missing in her life. She lacked direction and focus. She was happy, but not content.
"I brought up the subject of BDSM to her several years ago and she had the audacity to scoff at me." Zack looked down at me and chuckled. "She couldn't understand why a woman in this day and age would even begin to think of giving control over her life to a male. We went round and round on this subject for many months, but as you can see, my power of persuasion, and the draw of the lifestyle, won out and Baby became my submissive in training. Even though I had been retired from active pursuit of the lifestyle I couldn't resist Baby’s charm, eagerness and deep-rooted need to serve.
"Over a year ago my medical problems and Baby’s need to grow and learn forced me to see I could no longer take care of her. I called my dear friend, Bergie, and asked her to accept Baby into her Academy. She was hesitant at first, I know, because taking Baby off my hands so to speak would, in her eyes, say I was done in the lifestyle."
I could see her squeezing his hand tight and she dabbed her eyes once more with the tissue.
"I even had to promise to do a weekly call if she would take Baby in which I was more than happy to do." A soft series of giggles went through the crowd. "I can honestly say I didn't want to let Baby go. She was just coming into her own as a submissive. Each week I did my Friday call to hear of baby’s progress. Pride in Baby's accomplishments and Bergie's delight in her willingness to please her, made my soul lighter, and I was able to concentrate on getting my health back."
Zack moved to my side and placed his hand on my shoulder as he continued to speak. "When Bergie called me a year ago and told me she had found the perfect Master for baby, I was, hmm, how to say it, not prepared." I looked up at Zack and he ran his fingers down my forehead and nose, tapping me on the tip. "Then Bergie faxed me the proposal for Baby’s service. The first time through it, I could see Bergie was correct that this was the Master for Baby. So from there I can say the rest is history, till now."
Zack motioned for Master to stand before me. He again shook Master's hand then placed it on my head. "I give you Baby to guide and cherish. Revel in her giving heart, for it now belongs to you." With that said Zack moved to stand again next to Mistress Bergenia.
Master took my chin in his hand and raised my eyes to his, "Baby, I will look after you and protect you as you grow in your submissive-ness to me. The gift of that submissiveness is a treasure I value and need in my life." He turned to the box and opened it. He removed a silver piece of jewelry and raised it to the gathering. "With this collar, I take you, Baby, as my submissive." He placed the collar around my throat and I heard its lock click. "Only I will be able to remove this, Baby."
He attached a silver leash to the collar and turned to Mistress Bergenia and Zack. "I thank you both for giving me Baby to love and nurture. I will see that her life is full and she is allowed to grow to her full potential."
I felt a slight tug on the leash and I rose to my feet before Master. He took me in his arms and kissed me deeply. Tears of joy streamed down my cheeks and I shook uncontrollably.
He released my lips and brushed away my tears. He turned me to the crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen, I give you my submissive, Baby."
Applause erupted from the group and they were on their feet clapping as Master again tugged on the leash and led me down the path back through the French doors.