The Black Mirror - Before The Mirror (Public Lore Post)

There’s a name.

You can hear it in every kinkster circle, in every fetish club. It’s in every dating app and in every BDSM forum. If you’re looking for it you can always find a post, a comment, a thread… All of them asking the same thing: “What is it?” “Where is it?” “Is it even real?”

For if there’s one myth for those who love the squeak of latex, the creak of leather or the rattle of chains, that’s The Black Mirror.

A mystery whispered in dark rooms; a question in velvet drapes.

And now you have been chosen to learn about its secrets.

So what is The Black Mirror?

Well, first and foremost it’s definitely a place. A household of sorts, located on a huge state somewhere in Europe. So yeah, it is real, and it’s not in a volcano, a space station or some mystical realm… The main reason its placement and existence are shrouded in secrecy is to avoid anyone with just an itch to scratch, or half a bit of curiosity over kink, to go prodding over there. Access to its premises is a very precious gift, and as such, it’s not for just anybody. Another reason would be to protect the privacy of its inhabitants and guests.

And that’s important.

For The Black Mirror is also a sanctuary.

It’s walls are meant to ensure it remains a safe haven for those who feel that life has a lot more to offer when lived in a certain way. Out of reach of the banalities of the rest of the world, of judgemental eyes… BDSM lovers have a safe haven here where they can be free.

The Black Mirror is their sanctuary.

Sure, this would attract all sorts of interesting people and, with time, a tad of forgotten lore; a pinch of arcane wisdom… Just a bit of secret knowledge that has been gathered and archived within its walls. So there’s always those who would toy with the idea of The Black Mirror holding something... more, deep within its halls.

But then again, these kind of rumours would always sprout around a place with enough locked doors. So many locked doors…

The Black Mirror is also something way harder to describe and yet plain to see for anyone looking the right way. It goes beyond its walls. It’s composed of things that have little to do with gear or appliances, of brick or soil… It’s made of people and ideas. Many are the guests that have left The Mirror to go back to their life having changed completely or not at all. Plenty are the friends who would lend a hand to a fellow kinkster because, at some point, someone showed them the same kindness. The Black Mirror, regardless of the limits of its hold, is a community.

All these many things is The Black Mirror. And yet it’s something more.

For behind it all there’s one individual, and this is his dominion. Here he rules supreme as the artificer of it all and Headmaster of its inner workings. The Black Mirror is Lord Black’s empire. When you walk in, he’s your host and you his guest.

The next question is obvious. It’s the one that has been nagging in your head for a while now. The one anyone curious enough to be reading this would ask at this point.

How does one get in The Black Mirror?

Well. To that question, there are actually many answers.

The first and most reasonable is the polite one. You ask nicely.

If you’re in the right circles there’s a chance that someone knows someone. There’s a chance you would get introduced to someone able to convey your word to the right ears. Maybe a former guest at The Mirror happens to run a club in your town. Maybe you’re hiring a specialist to build you a dungeon at home, or some custom piece of gear… Those guys are bound to know people (no pun intended). At any rate, if you ask the right way, your request will be considered.

Another way to enter The Mirror is to be invited. Many people, specially young people, don’t have the means, or the experience, to have a network of contacts, others are just shy. But they’re definitely curious. And thus, they ask questions. The Black Mirror has a net of spotters that are constantly looking for worthy individuals who might be interested in what The Mirror has to offer. Be it the first posts in online forums, fidgety individuals hesitating across the street of fetish clubs, younglings shyly asking for goods in adult toys shops… All of them potential candidates to join, but without the chance to reach out on their own. The Mirror spotters are constantly looking for them and investigating if they’re the right people to be included in the screening process.

For there is a screening process. And quite a strict one at that.

Not everyone with an interest for BDSM is suited to be invited to The Mirror. Only specific sets of traits would grant someone that gift. Someone might have a deep understanding of the human nature and the triggers that would make their subs squirm, but lack the empathy or the care for them to put it to good use. Someone might be so eager to feel abused that would disregard the basics for health and safety about it. And yet, someone might not be used to being commanded, but still can’t deny that very weird feeling they get when they are used for someone else’s pleasure. Or someone might not be experienced at all in how far they can push their subs’ limits and lack the confidence to do so, but they might have a deep wish within them to make others feel good… The kinks and gears of the human nature conform a maze that’s hard to tread. But The Mirror is looking for people who show potential. The nooks and crannies of BDSM practice can be taught, and can be learned. The specific human traits that would make a good Dom or a good Sub lie deep within the human souls.

Of course, others could be included in the screening process. Personal requests by former guests, a tip by a friend of The Mirror… Many are the ways to appear in the radar.

The process might be slow though. Everything works on a very personal, case to case basis. It is said that the Headmaster of the institution checks every single final candidate and he himself decides on the matter, before sending the invitations.

The same way, again on a very personal case to case basis, the Headmaster decides a candidate’s fee. For there’s always a fee.

One of the first things someone learns when dealing with The Mirror is that nothing is free. The second is, usually, that money isn’t the most valuable currency.

At any rate, wealthy individuals are usually asked for a donation. Given how well the screening process works, they usually donate way more than what they’re asked for. They help keep The Black Mirror financially and they’re happy to be able to do so. It’s not an uncommon occurrence, for someone prosperous enough, to set a permanent fund in order to show gratitude for their time at The Mirror.

But money is not everything. Far from it. The ways in which the entry fees have been asked of prospects are many and diverse. Prospects can be asked to commit an act of kindness, to reveal a hidden secret, to bind their stay at The Mirror to a specific promise. There was an instance in which a coy Sub thought he had gotten away easily by signing an IOU to the Headmaster. In another case, some guy went into The Mirror and all he had to give in return was a marble. Each and every time the cost will be a perfectly personal thing for the prospect and, sometimes, not even they understand why what was asked of them was important. Eventually, they always learn the significance of it.

So what happens to those who were to pass this thorough inspection and are admitted to The Black Mirror?

Well, first they will get a letter, hand written by Lord Black himself, summoning them for an interview. Some of them, the ones that showed their interest in their first place, or know the name or the game; will know what the whole thing is about. The others will have to take a step in the dark and show up to a mysterious interview. These letters are personalized, and addressed to each individual prospect, made to stir up their curiosity and to serve as the first test of a candidate’s true grit. Would they not show up, that’s a missed opportunity. Although, if the candidate shows enough potential, they will be given more opportunities in the future.

At any rate, those who decide to take the leap, would meet one of The Mirror’s representatives (there have been instances in which Lord Black himself have taken a particular interest in a prospect and, thus, conducted this procedure himself) and would be introduced into the existence of the institution and the slightest glimpse of its affairs. Those who weren’t familiar with it already, would have a debrief on the basics of BDSM explained to them, and asked a very important question.

Are they up for what The Black Mirror has to offer? This will be the first of three times they will be asked this question.

They aren’t always required to answer immediately, but, be it at that moment or a week later, those who answer affirmatively would be told to wait for further instructions.

And, indeed, after a few days they will get an invitation and a manual. In it there’ll be useful information of different BDSM praxis; the roles of Dom, Switch, Sub, Master and Slave; limits; safewords; forbidden practices…

And with it all, comes a document. This document’s importance can hardly be overemphasized. The Entry Form. The data included in this form will, eventually, help conform the Contract the prospect guest will be offered by The Black Mirror. Roles, limits, gender identity, sexuality (or lack of it), physical and mental health condition and needs, outside premises obligations, preferred stay duration, preferences, consolidated interests… stuff the prospect might be curious about…

All the information that would be required for The Mirror to help their guests have the best possible experience. The Entry Form also informs the candidates that they can allow specific matters (like practices to be experimented on, or the duration of their stay) to be designed and chosen for them, adding a little thrill of mystery to the whole experience. There’s even the option, for the most adventurous, to allow The Mirror decide all the particulars for them, trusting they’re going to be taken good care of, and crafted the best possible Contract for them.

The Entry Form, right before the signature spot, has a disclaimer to make sure whoever’s signing it, is aware of the nature of the document and that, besides its non-binding nature, it implies the person signing understands and agrees to be involved in such practices. That’s the second time a prospect candidate is asked if they’re sure they want what they’re being offered.

When and if, the Entry Form is submitted, all the arrangements for the guest’s stay are set in motion. The Black Mirror grants alibis, pretexts and justifications as needed for friends & family, studies, employment situation… It even provides proper arrangements for pet care (Appropriate visits regimes are settled). Transportation is granted and guests are encouraged to travel light. All the possible commodities they might require will be handled to them, and prospect guests are strongly suggested to leave as much as possible of their regular life behind. In the past, some over enthusiast prospects took this idea too much to the letter and took things as far as starting actions to sell their houses or affairs of similar nature. The Mirror intervened to avoid any damage, and any possible crisis was averted. But it became a hot spot in the access process. So lets stop to elaborate on this concept.

For most people, their stay at The Black Mirror is but a parenthesis in their life. An experience crafted as much for sheer enjoyment as for self discovery and catharsis. It’s a really different experience for each person, so it’s hard to use any kind of general rule, but when asked about it Lord Black once said “People comes to the place with more bondage gear density in the planet for one thing only. To be freed.”

So you aren’t supposed to break off with your previous self. For most people it will be but a pause on their regular existence, to which they’ll get back wiser; if nothing else, about themselves; having experienced a way of living that creates a lasting impression. When they go back, it’s not their world that has changed. It’s themselves.

Others on the other hand, not many, will travel a different path. They will find truths about themselves that, once discovered, cannot be buried again; and the idea of going back to a regular life is something they just can’t cope with. Their minds branded with a new found passion, a new purpose.

Among these people are most of the ones that will cross the black gates of The Main Hall and step into one of The Halls of The Black Mirror. A journey that will lead them into the depths of what BDSM might be. A dive into their own souls. They usually decide to extend their stay in The Mirror, sometimes indefinitely, most times after a pause to take care of their mundane affairs. If they decide to go back to their regular being, more often than not, they will make their livelihood revolve around kinkyness. In these occasions The Black Mirror might help them set things in motion. There could even be a sponsorship relation. The Mirror could always use more spotters after all...

But some times, some very limited times, specific individuals decide their past life has nothing else for them, and they just stay in The Mirror. They dedicate their being to enjoy what this institution has to offer. Usually they end up getting a role there. They might become permanent staff. They might become someone’s slave. They might become part of one of the High Masters/Mistresses entourage… There’s a spot for just about everyone in The Mirror. And you’re always encouraged to find yours. And, if and whenever, you decide you’re ready to go on with the rest of the world, The Mirror will help you with that, and remind you that its doors are light to open for those that part in terms of friendship.

So yeah, prospect guests aren’t encouraged to break with their reality, just to leave mundane affairs behind to be able to enjoy their stay to the fullest.

And then comes the day the new prospect candidates are to actually go to The Black Mirror. The first thing they’ll see is the woods surrounding the state. Big pines will slowly lead to ancient oaks, chestnuts and the occasional willow. And at the end of the road, the big manor that acts as entrance. While unofficially, some people in The Mirror refers to it as “The First Hall”. Guests are welcome to stay in this manor for as long as they need in order to fix any remaining affairs they had to put in order, plus as long as it takes to settle their Contract.

The Contract, despite its name, it’s not the usual master/slave issue often seen in some BDSM circles. The Contract is the document in which all of the preferences of the guest’s stay in The Mirror are recorded. Including… no, SPECIALLY, their limits. It’s this Contract the staff will use to decide what is and what isn’t a valid interaction with a guest. It will be used to stablish a Sub’s regime (the set of rules and obligations that are enforced on a Sub), or what programs and activities will be suggested to a Dom. Even if a couple of Master and Slave will be to go together into The Mirror they will be handed separate Contracts (although, of course, it would account for this circumstance). The main point of The Contract is simple yet vital, to sanction that the BDSM nature of the activities taking place in The Mirror, despite the seemingly forceful and abusive flair, ARE ALWAYS CONSENSUAL.

That’s why it goes way beyond a simple list of limits and everything else goes. It’s a comprehensive document on the various activities a Guest might get involved in. There’s lists of hard limits, soft limits, things where despite the Guest’s reluctance they want to be pushed on, things that would have to be experimented before deciding if they’re apt for a specific Guest, whole areas a Guest wouldn’t want to get involved with and aspect a Guest would allow The Black Mirror decide what they think is the best course of action… There’s even recurrence control actions for a Guest to be able to change some of the terms of their contract afterwards. The level of detail might be as exhaustive or as vague as The Mirror wants. For there are people who would love to just hand the reins and let their fate be decided for them. There’s a whole spectrum of different degrees of control a Guest might have (or lack) once they step in The Main Hall. At the very extreme of this spectrum there’s a very particular type of Contract: the “No Limits”. This is what the people in The Mirror calls a Contract in which, particularly a Sub, leaves EVERYTHING to the staff’s discretion. They won’t have ANY control whatsoever over what’s going to happen or not happen to them during the whole duration of their stay. Once inside, even their pleas will be disregarded, as that would be part of what the Sub signed and breaking that dynamic would break what The Mirror agreed on.

The Contract’s draft will be handed to the Guests as they arrive to the manor. It’s just a draft, but the terms of it are settled for good in it. There’s a little wiggle room to discuss specifics and slight changes that could help put the Guest’s mind at ease. But The Contract The Mirror offers a prospect candidate has been crafted specifically for them, meaning the terms contained in it are what has been deemed ideal for them. Hard and soft limits, mental health issues, previous experience… Everything the candidate has conveyed through their Entry Form (plus anything The Mirror has gathered on its own) would has been regarded. The Mirror will also account for any clause, interaction or limit they deem necessary to ensure the Guest’s security and/or well being.

Thus, The Contract is more like a “yes or no” deal. You either accept the terms The Black Mirror is offering you or you might leave in peace and you would leave in peace having enjoyed, for free, a nice trip and what could, very well, be the best hotel you will ever find.

Sometimes candidates will agree with the Contract they’re proposed at once, but, sometimes it takes a while for them to decide. In the meantime, the prospect guests are encouraged to enjoy the facilities. A long walk through the woods or a calm time in the library next to the fire work wonders to help clear the mind when taking such important decisions. The whole manor would be free for the one candidate (or the couple, threeple, group or harem that are to go in together) and they will meet no one from outside or inside. That’s why some people call this stay: “the limbo”; “Not on earth, but not yet in heaven… or hell.”

The manor is attended by a fistful of maids and butlers (of course, these are all Subs from The Mirror, and this also serves as a very specific kind of training for them), and all its affairs are ruled by a head house-maid, an energetic cheerful woman who’s constantly on top of the guests every need.

There’s one aspect for this stay that many would say it’s weird tho. Despite everyone involved being aware of the nature of the affairs taking place there, there’s no sex involved. No BDSM session will take place during this time. The personnel uniforms don’t have a kinky twist on them (They’re wearing butlers and maid uniforms… But for no other reason than they’re acting as butlers and maids). That’s not to say there’s no eroticism to it. There’s plenty of erotic art through the whole manor and its library might very well hold the biggest printed erotica literature collection in the world. It’s just that it’s all… Quite low key for what the guests might have expected.

On a similar note, when joining as a group, guests are to sleep in separated individual rooms. They’re also informed they can summon the representative at any given time, no matter the hour. This is to allow the candidates the most alone time with their thoughts as possible, but it’s also, yet another layer, of policy to ensure consent is given freely and no authority or control from one person to another might influence any individual decision.

At any rate, sooner or later, the candidates will reach their decision. When in a group they don’t have to take it at the same time nor to decide in the same sense altogether. But when a candidate informs the representative that they agree with The Contract they have been proposed, the last part of the process sets in motion.

The final version of The Contract is presented to them to sign, but before that they will be asked for the third and last time, if they are positive they want to take what The Black Mirror is handling to them. If they decide they are, and sign The Contract, the representative will retire and leave them in the care of the head house-maid. She will lead the newcomer to a hallway in the manor’s back wing.

At the end of this hallway, there’s a stone locker-room like space. The new Guest is asked to shower there, signifying washing away the outside world off from them.

When they come out of the shower all their belongings are gone and only a new, way more intense, outfit awaits them. Doms and Masters will have their instructed belongings moved to their room at The Mews. Subs and Slave will have to keep going with whatever The Black Mirror has decided suits them.

They walk the last stretch of hallway in their new outfit, powerful or revealing as it might be, until they reach the outside of the Main Entrance doors.

Many have later recalled how they held their breath as the doors opened for them, until they finally took their first step into The Mews.

Into The Black Mirror.

_________________________

Many thanks to Zymolxis (@NecroSmol) and Bannon (@BannonHarpsi) for their help in craftin this. I still struggle quite a lot when it comes to writing in English so their help has been unvaluable! :*

Hope this kind of post helps mitigate the horryfying lack of content I have been forced on. Please, comment on what you think on this and pray tell if you have any ideas or suggestions you might have!