Plans involving Art and Fashion#

After the spectacle of the opera, the Freeborn strike again, kidnapping Sonia and Mara. Stripped of her iGuardian, Mara is thrown into a world of raw exposure: forced to walk, eat, and speak like an Unchanged, every moment without her mask and corset feels like filth and collapse. Sonia, locked at her side, remembers her own corrections under Henry—how the chastity belt that once tormented her became her badge of service and her peace. Together, they endure captivity until a desperate escape and their rescue by grenadiers. But survival is only the beginning: Mara can no longer imagine life without her shell, and when Philippe fits her with a new iGuardian Pro Secure, its discipline and rewards restore her to herself. Sonia, meanwhile, chooses her own submission, giving Henry her devotion with clarity. In a Changed world of masks, corsets, and ritual obedience, both women discover that harmony comes not by resisting, but by finding where love and discipline meet.

While their wards relaxed on the veranda, Philippe and Henry sat in the living room, enjoying classical music. Dressed in tailored suits, they sipped their drinks and talked about their love for the opera.

“It’s been ages since I went to a performance,” Henry said, a bit wistfully. “Work’s been nonstop, but an evening at the opera would be perfect.”

Philippe nodded. “There’s something timeless about it. The music, the drama, the elegance.”

Henry’s eyes lit up. “Have you seen Il Seraglio? It’s coming to the Grand Théâtre soon.”

Philippe smiled. “Il Seraglio is a great choice. The themes of captivity and freedom are powerful, and the setting is so rich and exotic.”

Henry leaned forward, excited. “It’s also a chance to dress up and enjoy high fashion. How about we dress our wards to match the theme of the opera?”

Philippe chuckled. “High fashion with a harem theme? That sounds like a fascinating mix of art and discipline. Mara could wear something that captures the essence of Il Seraglio.”

Henry nodded, already imagining it. “I can see Sonia in an outfit inspired by the seraglio, with plenty of veils and elements that symbolize captivity, yet elegant enough for the opera.”

Philippe’s eyes sparkled. “For Mara, something rich, maybe silk and brocade, adorned with jewels to show her status.”

Henry added, “And for Sonia, a gown with layers of sheer fabric, representing the veils of the harem, yet structured to ensure discipline and posture.”

Philippe leaned back, picturing the scene. “It would be a spectacle to see our wards dressed like that, capturing the essence of the opera. It’s settled then. We’ll attend Il Seraglio together in my box at the Grand Théâtre. There’s room for four, so it’s perfect.”

Henry raised his glass. “To opera and high fashion. And to the exquisite blend of art, discipline, and elegance that awaits us.”

Philippe smiled and clinked his glass with Henry’s. “To an unforgettable evening at the opera.” As they discussed more details, their excitement grew, knowing this evening would perfectly blend their passions.

Sonia, dressed in her maid outfit, prepared breakfast for Henry. The white apron and gloves contrasted with her dark dress, and a corset tightly cinched her waist. Having served, she knelt down on her cushion beside Henry, assuming her usual pose—hands behind her back, chest forward, and bottom out. The corset and dress enforced her posture as she waited to be fed.

Henry sat down, smiling as he appreciated her submissive stance. “Good morning, Sonia,” he said, reaching for a piece of fruit. “I received an email from Philippe this morning. We’ll be attending the opera next Saturday, Il Seraglio.” He paused as Sonia accepted the bite.

Sonia’s eyes lit up with excitement. “That’s wonderful news, Sir,” she said, looking up at him. “May I ask if you have plans for my attire? The theme seems perfectly aligned with our shared interests.”

Henry nodded, feeding her another bite. “I do have some ideas, Sonia. You will indeed be dressed to match the theme.”

Sonia felt a thrill of anticipation. “Sir, if it pleases you, may I inquire about my role during the evening? Will I be more ornamental or active?” Her eyes were soft and pleading as she continued. “I’ve grown to love the opera, Sir, and would greatly enjoy wearing a dress that allows me to hear and see the performance. I hope this aligns with your plans.”

Henry looked down at her, thoughtful. “I assure you, Sonia, I’ve considered your enjoyment. You will be ornamental, but I’ve designed something that will let you appreciate the performance fully.”

Sonia’s eyes sparkled with gratitude. “Thank you, Sir. That means the world to me.”

Henry smiled, feeding her another bite. “You will look exquisite, Sonia. The dress will reflect the opulence and exoticism of Il Seraglio while ensuring you remain appropriately restrained and elegant.”

Sonia knew Henry’s plans for her attire would be both challenging and beautiful.

“Now,” Henry continued, selecting the next bite for Sonia, “let’s finish breakfast. We have much to prepare for the coming days.”

At Philippe’s home, Mara sat secured to her chair at the breakfast table. As usual, Philippe had connected her feed bag to her mask himself, gently delivering her meal. He then sat across from her, calm and composed as he began to speak.

“Mara,” Philippe said, breaking the silence. “I have news. We will be attending the opera next Saturday, in ten days. We’ll meet Henry and Sonia there.”

Mara’s eyes brightened with excitement, and she signed her answer. This one looks forward to that, Sir. It will be wonderful to see Sonia again.

Philippe nodded with a smile. “Indeed. The opera will be Il Seraglio.”

Mara’s excitement grew. Philippe continued, “I’m thinking of dressing you as Konstanze, Mara. You’ll be veiled and chained, as befits a captive woman in a seraglio.”

Mara’s heart sank slightly at the thought of being dressed in chains and without a mask. She wouldn’t be able to sign and would have to speak, which made her uneasy. She disliked using her voice. But she knew better than to directly express her discomfort.

Her fingers moved slowly, carefully signing. Sir, your wishes are understood, and of course this one will fulfill her assigned role. However, if it pleases you, she would feel more comfortable masked. Using her voice feels less modest. Hand-dancing is more expressive, and more feminine, she believes.

Philippe watched her closely, noticing the careful way she made her request. He considered her words, then nodded thoughtfully. “I understand, Mara. If it makes you more comfortable, I will reconsider. You will still be chained, but I’ll ensure you can sign, though within limits.”

Mara’s eyes softened with relief, and she signed her gratitude. Thank you, Sir, for your thoughtful consideration. This one is deeply grateful.

Philippe’s smile widened, pleased with her response. “Good. You will look stunning as my Konstanze, and I’m sure you will perform admirably. Now, let’s finish our breakfast.”

Mara folded her hands in her lap, feeling a deep sense of gratitude as she waited for the feed bag to empty while Philippe ate.

Saturday evening arrived with an air of anticipation and elegance. Philippe guided Mara out of the bathroom, where her iGuardian had just completed its cleaning cycle. The cleaning station released her from its locks, leaving her fresh and ready for the evening ahead. On the bed, the rich, dark red silk dress awaited her, each piece laid out, promising both opulence and confinement.

Philippe helped Mara sit on the edge of the bed. He started by gently removing her ballet boots, carefully unlocking the fasteners and sliding them off her feet. Next, he peeled off her stockings. Mara wasn’t used to the cool air on her bare skin, but before she could feel uneasy, Philippe began to dress her for the evening.

He retrieved a pair of silk stockings, their material shimmering. Philippe slowly rolled them up her legs, smoothing out any wrinkles and ensuring they fit snugly. Once the stockings were clipped to the garters of the iGuardian, he reached for the high-heeled knee boots, matching the deep red of her dress and adorned with small gold buckles. He laced them up carefully, making sure each tie was secure before locking the buckles in place.

He led Mara to her vanity, locking her in place so she could apply her makeup and fix her hair while he tended to his own attire. Mara powdered her hair lightly, arranging it into a high, elegant updo. She interspersed the powdered locks with delicate flowers and threads of gold, each piece placed to create a look of aristocratic elegance. Then she laid out her final touches: a pearl necklace and matching earrings, and waited for Philippe to return, unlock her, and finish dressing her.

Philippe, dressed in a distinguished midnight blue velvet tailcoat with gold-embroidered lapels and embossed gold buttons, completed his own preparations. Draped diagonally across his chest was a crimson silk sash adorned with miniature medals and honors. His crisp white silk shirt featured a high stiff collar and a deep crimson tie, perfectly complementing the ensemble. Slim-cut trousers with a subtle gold braid on the outer seam and polished black patent leather Oxfords completed the look. A golden brooch of the Royal Coat of Arms and a black opera cloak lined with crimson silk added the final touches of refined elegance.

He then turned his attention back to Mara. He slipped her hands into the red velvet opera gloves, embroidered with intricate gold designs. The gloves reached up to her shoulders, where he fastened them to the braces of the iGuardian, ensuring they stayed in place throughout the evening.

Unlocking her, Philippe then helped Mara to her feet to guide her into her numerous skirts. The lowest layer was her smooth and narrow Yoyah Sheengzoh, tightly encasing her legs and restricting her step. He layered several petticoats over it, adding volume and structure to her silhouette. The richly decorated and heavy skirt followed, its weight settling around her hips as he adjusted the fabric.

Next, Philippe picked up the stiff embroidered bodice. He carefully positioned it on Mara, making sure it aligned perfectly with the skirt before buttoning it up the back. The final button was locked into place, securing the bodice to the skirt and ensuring there would be no shifting or loosening as the evening progressed.

With the main parts of her dress in place, Philippe then reached for the mask. The mask was a work of art, intricately painted with swirling patterns of gold and crimson, designed to match her dress. It featured a demanding gag, crafted to fit her mouth precisely. Philippe carefully positioned it over Mara’s face, then began the process of working the gag into her mouth. He had to shift it back and forth slightly, ensuring it settled correctly, until Mara could bite down on it. Once it was secure, Philippe clicked the mask to her collar, fixing her head in place. A thin chiffon veil was attached to the mask, insubstantial and semi-transparent, more of an elegant afterthought that allowed the beauty of the mask beneath to show through.

Finally, Philippe took a set of heavy manacles and clasped them around Mara’s wrists. The chains between them were long enough to allow her to sign, though they restricted her movements, preventing her from lifting her hands above elbow level. He fastened the chain to a hardpoint on the iGuardian through a small front opening in her dress, ensuring it was secure while still giving her some freedom to communicate.

Mara stood before Philippe, transformed into Konstanze, a vision of restrained elegance and beauty, ready for the opera.