Summary: With time ticking away before your debut, your Magician master insists on another rehearsal. You’ve got to escape before he shows you off to the world as his puppet…but with his eye on you at all times, and your subconscious under his spell, you know your chances are slim. Will you risk it all to try and win your freedom?

PART 1 PART 2

CW: Possessive language, innuendo, restraints, emotional manipulation, non-consensual touching, non-consensual hypnosis

Usage:

• OK to record & monetize, as long as you give me credit in the video/audio description as the scriptwriter! I would also love to listen to the recording when it’s done–please send me the link on Reddit! Paywalling is okay; however, if you paywall, you must make it possible for me to listen to the finished product.
• Gender-flipping and small tweaks are okay (e.g., changing pronouns, leaving out curse words), but no large edits are permitted.
• Feel free to use music or insert sound effects if you’d like. Any sound effects given are suggestions–use at your discretion. *Sound effects in bold, set apart by asterisks\*
• Any dialogue or reactions given by the Listener are purely for the benefit of the VA, to help them feel like they have something to respond to while they’re acting. Listener reactions in italics.
• Please let me know if you have any questions!

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(slightly muffled) My dove? Are you alright in there? Do you need any help?

The Listener says that they’re fine.

Very well. \chuckle** I swear, it’s almost like you’re doing this on purpose. Is that it, hmm? Keeping me waiting, letting my anticipation build to a fever pitch. \chuckle** You little minx…I’ve taught you well. Do try to hurry, though, my dove…after all, a lion is most dangerous right before it is fed.

\Sound effect—a curtain being pulled back\**

(gasps; awestruck) …Oh. Oh, my dove…you are a vision. Look at you….the color, the sequins, the way it tapers to your figure! It’s perfect. I’d imagined you wearing it so many times, but my dreams are like a child’s scribbles compared to the real thing. Come here, my dear. Come closer.

\Optional sound effect—footsteps\**

Yes. Oh, how I envy that fabric, the way it hugs you close. I’m almost at a loss for words…I can only imagine how our audiences will feel when they see you walk out, shining as brightly as a star. What do you think? Do you like it?

The Listener says it’s wonderful.

Marvelous! I’m so glad. I knew you’d love it. Now…shall we see how it looks in rehearsal?

“Yes, Master.”

Ah, how I love to hear those words on your lips. I don't think I'll ever tire of hearing you call me "Master." Say it again?...

“Yes, Master.”

Very good. Let’s go over the “Levitating Lady”. Have you been practicing with the hoop?

“Yes, Master.”

Well, in that case, don’t keep me in suspense. Show me what you’ve got.

The Listener takes a large metal hoop, and begins to perform tricks—rolling it along their shoulders, stepping through it, etc.

(pleased) Brava, my dove! Your moves are coming along wonderfully! Perhaps, if you get good enough, we’ll even add a second hoop. But, in any case, keep going. As you wow the crowd, I'll just slip up beside you, and…

The Magician grabs the Listener’s waist, spinning them around to face him.

(soft, very close) Oh, my dove…to be this close to you…our bodies flush, your lips mere inches from mine…the thrill is almost too much to bear. Do you remember what comes next?...

“I…I look at you.”

\chuckle** That’s right, my dear. You look into my eyes. Yes…that’s right. Looking deeply into my eyes. Let my soothing voice fill your ears as you relax. Yes…just relax, my dove. Going deeper, and deeper, as you stare into my eyes. The longer you look, the harder it is to look away. Your mind is going beautifully, blissfully blank, my voice pushing out all those pesky little thoughts. You don’t need to think anymore. All you need to do is to keep listening to my voice. That’s it. Keep listening, letting go of everything else but my voice, and my words. Let them fill your mind, pulling you down, as you listen, and obey. Sink for me, my dove. Yes…sinking down, deeper and deeper; drifting down, further, and further. Just sink…sink…sink. \chuckle** Good girl. You’re getting so good at surrendering to me, my dove. Before long, you won’t even need my whispers to put you under. Soon, a single glance will be all it takes. One glance into my eyes, and with one simple word, you’ll…\snaps* Sleep.*

Timeskip.

\snaps** Awake. Marvelous job, my dove. You look so beautiful suspended in midair…like an angel. Now, shall we do another? Yes…let’s go through the “Assistant’s Revenge”. Fetch the rack for me, my dear.

\Optional sound effect—something being wheeled over\**

As the trick begins, I’ll warm up the crowd. I can almost hear them now! I gesture with a flourish, calling you out onto the stage. You step out of the wings, and take my hand. Good—just like that. Now…are you ready?

The Listener steps back, placing themselves against the rack.

…Mmm? You’re trembling, my dove. Don’t be afraid—remember, the rack is perfectly safe. True, I have to strap you in…but it’s nothing you haven’t experienced before. I'll be gentle; don't worry.

Or, perhaps…it’s not fear that you feel, but excitement? \chuckle** Is that it, hmm? Is it thrilling, the thought of being completely at your Master’s mercy? Oh, my naughty little bird…don’t bother denying it. The truth is written right there on your face. Well, far be it from me to deny you, my dove. Hold still for me.

\Sound effect—straps being tightened\**

There we go…nice and tight. After all, if the audience believed there was a possibility that you might escape from your bonds, it would ruin the trick entirely. \finishes the final strap** Now, to secure that pretty little neck. I’ll just put the front piece of the headstock on…and…

\Sound effect—two padlocks clicking shut\**

Perfect. Oh, my dove…I confess, seeing you bound like this…so innocent and helpless, like a bird in a snare…it gives me such devilish thoughts. Perhaps, one day, we might find a use for these straps beyond our show, hmm? Ah, but, of course—we must focus. You remember where the secret latch is, yes? Make sure not to release it until I pull the curtain around. Alright…let’s go!

The Magician pulls the curtain around the rack. Once the Listener is out of sight, they release a secret latch that opens the back of the rack. Hidden by the curtain, the Listener slips out, and the Magician climbs in. Then, the Listener walks out and pulls the curtain open, revealing that they and the Magician have swapped places.

\Sound effect—a curtain pulling around, first once, then again\**

Marvelous! Well done, my dove. Our most seamless transition yet! \laughs** My, this stock is rather tight—your neck is far more slender than mine. Now, let me just—

The Magician tries to release the latch, but it won’t release.

…What? \grunts, sounds of effort** Why won’t it—? \sees** Wait—that glint. My dove—are you missing an earring? I think I’ve found it—it’s somehow gotten jammed in the latch. \grunts** Aaargh—damn it! My dove—won't you give me a hand?

The Listener refuses.

Sorry, what was that?

The Listener repeats their answer: no.

\chuckle** Oh, my dove. Always with that mischievous streak. Ordinarily, I’d find that saucy grin to be charming, but we’re in the middle of rehearsal. Now, come and help your Master!

The Listener shakes their head.

…What!? Enough of these foolish games, my dove! I’ll have no more of this! Get over here, and release this damned latch! Aaargh—damn it! How on earth could it have gotten wedged in there so tightly!?

“Why do you think, a\*hole?” the Listener growls, their fawning smile gone.*

(horrified) You don’t mean…this was no accident? No...no, it—you can't—no! It can't be—I would've seen it! You couldn't have done it on purpose! Nothing slips past me!

“Classic misdirection. You were so busy feeling me up, you didn’t even notice where my hands were.”

(laughs; voice deadly)…Oh, you little vixen. To think, you’d use my own misdirection techniques against me. A clever ploy, I’ll give you that. But what were you hoping for, my dear? Escape!? My wrists may be pinned, but my fingers are perfectly mobile. You won’t get far…not when I can easily make you \snaps* Sleep!*

The Listener stays awake.

…What!? \snaps* Sleep!*

The Listener simply smiles.

No! No! \snaps* Sleep,* my dove! I said, \snaps* Sleep!* Obey me, damn it! Obey your Master!

“You’re not my Master.”

What nonsense are you spewing!? Of course I’m your Master!

The Listener explains that they learned to resist it. Since then, they’ve just been pretending, looking for the right moment to escape.

…No! You couldn’t have simply learned to resist it! Damn it—how long!? How long have you been faking it!?

“Too long.”

(rage) You little lying Delilah! You let me believe that it was true! I thought, at last, you were starting to see the truth, but it was all a poisonous lie! I left your cage door open, trusting you were fully tamed…my own careless mistake. But you forget, my dove…you’re still under my power. Even if you’ve managed to form a mental shield against my immediate triggers, all of my subconscious triggers are still at work in that beautiful mind. You can’t run away. Not without returning straight back to me.

“I won’t run.”

…Huh? What do you mean, you won’t run?

“I’ll walk.”

You’ll walk? What are you—!?

\Sound effect—walking footsteps\**

(getting progressively more unhinged) Wait—no! No! Get back here, my dove! My dove! No! You can’t just leave! Get back here! My dove, please! You can’t! No, please, don’t leave me! Come back! COME BACK! PLEASE! DON’T LEAVE ME!!!...

\Sound effect—door slamming\**

After the Listener leaves, we hear the heavy breathing and sobs of the Magician. After a few moments, he starts to laugh, slowly at first, growing into a wild, maniacal cackle.

…Very well. If that’s the game you want to play, then so be it. Prepare yourself, my dove. You think you’ve escaped me…but I swear on my soul, I will find you. Our little game has only just begun.

~THE END~

Author's Note: Thanks for joining me on this short little series! Like always, y'all rock :) ~Cheers, Savvy