As an enthusiast for all things unconventional, I often found myself in odd corners of Reddit, from birdswitharms to submechanophobia. That's where I stumbled upon Shibari, and after months of lurking, I started chatting with a user named “KnotWizard”. He claimed to be a Shibari artist looking for someone to help him practice new patterns and techniques. His enthusiasm was infectious, and my curiosity got the better of me. After a few weeks of chatting and sharing memes, we decided to meet up.

"I promise I'm not a weirdo," let’s call KnotWizard, Dave lol he texted me on the day we were to meet. "Just a regular guy with a passion for knots."

"I'm the one agreeing to be tied up by a stranger from the internet," I replied. "Who's the real weirdo here?"

We decided to meet at his studio apartment, which he assured me was set up with safety measures and came with an open-door policy for easy exit. When I arrived, Dave opened the door, looking less like a wizard and more like he could've been your average IT guy, which he was.

"Welcome to my humble abode, or as I like to call it, the Knot Lab," he joked, leading me into a surprisingly tidy space filled with rolls of rope and other equipment.

The first hour was spent sipping coffee and discussing everything from our favorite TV shows to why cats are the ultimate pets—not a rope in sight. It was oddly comforting, and by the time he suggested we start, I felt like I was just hanging out with an old friend.

"Alright, let's get you tied up!" Dave exclaimed, more cheerfully than one might expect for such a statement. He had a whole lineup planned, starting with something he called the 'Simple Shell Harness'.

As it turned out, Dave was a meticulous and patient artist, explaining each knot and its purpose as he worked. I stood there, trying to be a good canvas, but every time he mentioned tension points, I had visions of snapping like a rubber band.

"Doing okay?" he'd ask periodically, his focus intense.

"Yep, just enjoying becoming a human cat’s cradle," I’d reply, my attempts at humor veiling my nervousness.

We progressed through various ties, each more intricate than the last. The 'Mermaid Tail' had me wrapped from shoulders to ankles, and I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of shuffling around like a penguin.

"Hey, don't laugh! Mermaids are graceful creatures," Dave admonished, though his eyes were twinkling with amusement.

"Sure, but last time I checked, they didn’t need coffee breaks," I joked, trying to sip a latte while essentially hog-tied.

We spent the afternoon chatting and tying, and by the end, not only had I been twisted into shapes I never thought possible, but I had also made a new friend. When it was time to leave, Dave handed me a small, hand-tied thank you card.

"Thanks for letting me practice. You've been a knot-tastic model!" he said, grinning.

As I left, walking more carefully than usual after hours of being bound, I thought about how bizarre and delightful the day had been. Meeting a stranger from Reddit for a Shibari session might not be everyone’s idea of a typical Saturday, but then again, I was never one for typical…. He asked if I’d be okay with doing some more sexual positions next time… He showed me some of his other work and it looks really sexy but I’m not sure if I’m ready…