Master Maverick's & Lark's Collaring Ceremony
WHO Maverick Broadfoot and Lark Bowen
WHEN Saturday, February 10, 2018
WHERE Chateau Gardens
ADMINISTER Thomas Xue
ROSE BEARERS Sweet and Suzette
by Blue Ronsein, Roissy Journaliste
Photography by Dove
As guests arrived and finally settled into the tufted white seats in the the Chateau Garden, Maitre Thomas began the lovely ceremomy. "Today we will witness the Ceremony of the Roses. Perhaps one of the most moving and meaningful is the “bonding ritual” or Ceremony of the Roses. This ceremony is steeped in symbolism and mystique that dates back for centuries.
"This commitment is without end, depth, breadth or height. It is immeasurable, cannot be seen, touched or felt by anyone more than them. It is a locking of hearts, minds, spirits and souls. It strengthens them and makes them one.
"A couple who has decided to remain together for the duration of their lives and beyond will often opt for this ritual as a symbolic statement of their eternal commitment. It is sometimes used to renew a relationship that has gone through a difficult time and survived the test."
Thomas turns and smiles, "Maverick, my brother over to you"
Maverick turned to face the guests. "This girl resisted me – at least in the beginning. She and I first met just a few days after she arrived here at Roissy; she’d made some comment about my profile. We kept talking, getting to know each other. She’s beautiful, graceful, poised – and I was hooked. I didn’t want this one to get away. I poured on the charm and humor, but she kept her poise and beauty and grace – so much so I was afraid my smolder was broken.
"It was an honor and privilege to a part of the day she took that collar she has now. I was so impressed and so proud of her. However, a few weeks after that, we parted ways. Life interfered and made things difficult – to the point that I decided she’d be better off without me.
Worst. Decision. Ever.
"For about a month I carried on - or tried to. It was a very confusing time for me. Something was missing. It was as if some part of me had been cut off. In time, she and I found a way to talk. Apologies from both of us, explanations, bad stories, a few tears – the words between us came easy again.
"We’ve grown together so much since then. Each of our paths here took on new meaning and new urgency, and we encouraged each other to our best. I was so very proud of her when she made Sister. I know it wasn’t always easy for her. I was glad to help her where I could.
"In time my graduation to Master came. That particular day she was not feeling well – not at all, and it wasn’t easy for her to be there. But I also I know couldn’t have been there, myself, without her. Once I made Master, it was such a sense of accomplishment – as if I could have anything. But there’s just one thing I want. Lark, would you please join me?"
Lark slowly and gracefully walks forward with her eyes sparkling and a soft smile on her face. As she approaches the stand, she lifts the front of her dress slightly so as not to step on it... and fall... which she occasionally does. But oh ... not this time. (Maverick Broadfoot catches his breath)
"Lark, is there anything you'd like to say before we proceed?"
Lark takes a deep breath praising God I didn't trip. "Yes, Master Maverick." and kneels down on the cushion and raises her arms in a familiar position. Lark Bowen mumbles... "i don't even get this nervous before a show...."
"Many months ago, when I truly believed that I wouldn't be able to finish what I started, I found myself in this same position. You sat there and mulled over this for a moment. You sat forward putting my arms down. You denied my plea. You made it clear this was not the right time. You wanted to see me finish what I had begun. You wouldn't let me quit. You were and always have been my biggest supporter
"So Master Maverick, once again, I kneel before you. My arms are raised and I am begging to wear your collar. I want this with my heart, my soul, and all my being. I hope beyond all hope, you want this too."
Maverick pauses on the view of you before me. "That was a private moment between you and me that you took this same position. Lark, you have no idea the inner monologue happening before I responded. It was one of the hardest decisions I ever made. To deny you? But it was my place then to act as your master then, and I choose what I thought was best for us. In hindsight, we both agreed it was a good choice I made for us. Today, seeing you here in this pose again, I know what the right, best, and really, the only choice is for us. Let us go forward together, Lark."
Maverick reaches down and take your hand, helping you up to stand with me
Lark smiles looks down for a moment smiling with another deep breath before looking up to take His hand.
Master asks, "Sweet, Suzette, please approach."
Suzette rises gracefully smoothing my dress and steps to Master Maverick's side, bearing a rose
Sweet says, "Lark, this white rose I hold before me is an unopened white rose. Its color white signifies the purity of your submission and gift to Master Maverick. It has not come into full bloom, and it never will. The still slightly closed petals show that your submission to him has still not achieved full bloom. Submission is ever deepening, ever growing, and profound. You will never reach a place where he cannot open a bit more of you." She smiles at Lark and passed the lovely bloom to her. "Lark. Please take this white rose and offer it to Master Maverick and repeat after me."
Lark reaches over and carefully takes the white rose form her Sister, leaning down softly kissing her cheek whispering, "Thank you."
Sweet continues, "Master, i offer to you this beautiful and pure white rose. It is a symbol of my ever growing submission, my sincere love, unwavering faith, true fidelity, beauty, care, and of course, forever my support."
Lark repeats, ""Master, i offer to you this beautiful and pure white rose. It is a symbol of my ever growing submission, my sincere love, unwavering faith, true fidelity, beauty, care, and of course, forever my support."
"I beg that you accept this white rose with not only all the love I have in my heart, but all of my being." and Lark repeats the words.... then she sets the rose so that it lays across my open palm extending my arms to offer it.
Sweet asks, "Master Maverick, do you accept Lark's rose?"
Mav looks to you and then to the rose in your hand. I reach to your hand and accept the rose, "Yes, Lark. I do"
Suzette smiles and turns to him "Master Maverick, this red rose I hold before me is and almost fully open deep red rose. The color red represents your passion and desire to possess and protect Lark at all costs, though it may require you to spill your own blood to do so. This rose is in nearly full bloom. The rose is almost in full bloom to symbolize that you are ready and mature enough to accept the responsibilities required of you" and passes him the rose beaming a smile
"Thank you, Suzette." and he reaches and takes the red rose from his friend
Suzette continues, "Master Maverick. Please offer it to Lark and repeat after me. "Lark, i offer you this deep red rose. It is not only a symbol of the passion I have for you, but also my strength of will, absolute determination, honest guidance, sincere compassion, unwavering faith, true fidelity, support, care, and eternal protection." He repeats it. and she goes on , "Please accept this red rose with my undying love and all I have to give," which he repeats. She turns to Lark, "Lark, do you accept Master Maverick's Rose?"
Maverick reaches with my right hand, with the red rose, towards Lark
Lark looks into His eyes then down at the Red Rose in His Hand reaching out to carefully take it, holding it very gently. She smiles softly and says, "I do."
Sweet asks , "Lark and Master Maverick, please look at the Red Rose Lark carries. You will both see that it has only a single thorn. Master Maverick, please press Lark's middle finger to the thorn, piercing it gently, and then allow two drops of blood to spill upon the white rose."
Lark pales a little and swallows taking a deep breath.... and Maveric takes Larks hand and finger. I find the thorn. Gently I press her finger to it, regretting the hurt for now.
Lark winces as the thorn pierces her flesh making a small face trying to very quietly hide the word, "ouch." and Mav squeezes her finger slightly, letting a drop of blood onto the rose
Suzette asks, "Master Maverick, please look at the White Rose you carry. You will also see there is also only a single thorn. Please gently pierce your finger and allow two drops to fall upon the Red Rose Lark holds and one drop to cover the drops of her blood upon the White Rose you hold"
Maverick takes a finger to the thorn on the white rose, untl it penetrates my skin, drawing blood. I reach over, letting two drops fall onto the red rose. I then let a drop fall over Larks blood on the white rose
Thomas stands with a smile on my face, and walks to the stage, and says with happiness for my friends, "Pricking the finger of the submissive is symbolic of taking her virginity. She has shed blood to give herself completely to him. The drops on the white rose also speak of the same thing. In pricking his own finger, the dominant shows his willingness to shed his blood to protect and defend her by virtue of his ownership. The drops on her rose show that vividly; the drop that falls on her blood covers it and blends with it, thus indicating their union."
"Pressing the wounds from the thorns together allows their blood to mix, joining them as strongly as their own family blood-lines. They are now of the same flesh and blood. Exchanging the roses is symbolic of their gift of themselves to each other.
"Maverick and Lark, Please press your fingers together."
Lark looks down at the blood on her finger smiling. She extends her arm offering her hand to Him, the warm red liquid still forming a small drop ready to be joined.
Maverick reaches out and puts my finger onto Lark's, feeling her skin and the warmth of our touch. I hold our fingers together letting the blood mingle.
Lark smiles and then moves her finger and hand back turning to pass the Red Rose to her dear Sister to safely hold. Sweet looks up to both Master Maverick and Lark.. smiling.. and carefully takes the red rose
Maverick turns to his friend, Suz, and hand her the white rose for safe keeping
Suzette accepts the white rose smiling brightly as Thomas asks, "Maverick, is it your intent to offer Lark your collar as an outward symbol of her submission to you and your ownership of her?"
"Yes, Thomas, it is."
"Lark, please kneel before me." and she smiles, "Yes Maitre Thomas." then turns her body slightly to face Maitre Thomas. With a warm smile, she lifts her dress ever so slightly to allow herself to kneel again on the cushion. She looks up smiling brightly.
"We are just a week shy of a year when i placed this collar on your neck as you declared your willingness to submit and serve the Dominants of Roissy. Today, I am removing that collar as you will make a new vow of submission. Lark, please lift your chin."
Lark lifts her chin, a sad smile beams through her gaze as the collar she wore proudly this last year is being removed.. Thomas unfastens the collar and gently slips it away from her neck, and slips it in my suit pocket.
Stepping back and looking out to the audience, Thomas announces, "In older times, the collar would have been made of metal and heated to a glow and plunged into cold water to temper it after it was burned of all impurities. This action symbolized the removing of all impurities from the circle of ownership provided by the Dominant.
"All outside influences are burned away in the heat of his desire to protect and defend his submissive. The tempering of the metal that takes place when plunged into cold water shows the strengthening of their commitment by submersion into the waters of life. Today we only symbolize this by passing the collar quickly though the flame, taking care not to damage it.
"Maverick, please present your collar for Lark and pass it through the flames of the candle behind us. Then when you're ready, place it on Lark's neck."
Maverick turns to the candles behind me...passes the new collar across each of the five candles, one at a time, slowly, making sure that each flame passes through the collar, "Lark, you know that I ain’t don’t this before, not like this. Really, all I know is that I do not want to be without you. We tried that once. And we ain’t goin’ back there again. Not if I got somethin’ to say about it." and turns to face the beautiful girl.
"This collar that I put around you neck is a symbol between you and me. It shows your submission to me and your willingness to follow me; it shows my commitment to you to lead us. You’ve presented yourself to me, your heart, your mind, your body, your trust. I accept all this, realizing full well what it means. Lark, you know me. For that matter there ain’t much you don’t know about me. You know that I’m far from perfect. And you and I will continue to grow together. Lark, there is no one here more important to me than you. I love you. That doesn’t say enough, but it is true. And, I will continue to love you.
"I will hold you, I will honor you, I will protect you, I will cherish you. I will provide for you ways to continue to grow. I will listen to you and encourage you. I will also share with you my dreams and my desires. I will have you as mine, and I will enjoy you. I will lead us. You will have my best. Lark, will you submit to me? Will you follow me? Will you have my collar?"
Lark smiles and nods happily, "Yes Master, always and forever."
Maverick smiles. "Do you want to say anything else before I put this on you?"
She smiles, "Yes, Master, i do." looks down trying to figure out where she put that piece of paper, then realizes the had no where to put it.... takes a deep breath and looks at the guests and whispers, "i'm sorry, short in stature, long in words." I look back and up to Master Maverick.
"We've had an interesting journey. We both came here to learn and grow. Neither of us were looking for anything other discovering more about ourselves. And then one day, I strike up a conversation about the SEC. For those of you that don't know, that's the Southeastern Conference and of course our favorite schools play against each other. His football team kicks mine in the tail while my basketball team wipes the court with his. (Which by the way, they play tonight and tipoff is at 5:15pm.)"
LAUGHTER
Lark clears her throat and leans forward... "I don't know what you have planned, but i'm hoping the game is on that list." Winks.
"You were shy and I was nervous. And somehow, during a workshop, I found the nerve to pass you a note... and you actually replied back. Funny enough, i don't remember which workshop because i was too busy passing notes. You made me smile and laugh all the time. You still make me laugh and smile, even when i'm not sure it's possible. Just as you have always done for me, I vow to always do my best to make you smile and my best to forever more make you as happy as you make me.
" We became such good friends. I could tell you anything. You welcomed my thoughts, my funny stories, my hopes, my dreams, my goals, and of course my fears. You always found a way to help calm me when I was scared. I will always remember my initiation.
"From our many conversations, you knew how difficult that experience would be for me. From the time I waited at Samois till the time I waited in the tower, you stayed in my IMs reassuring me. Even before I entered the Library, when i began to panic and cry, you told me i didn't have to do this if i didn't want to. I saw you there, and a flood of relief washed over me. We shared something so special that day. It wasn't just physically intimate, but mentally as well.
"Again, you've always been there to support me. I vow that I will always be there for you and to support you. Whenever life becomes difficult, I will be there. I will be the shoulder to cry one, the ear to listen, and arms to hug, and the compassion to always care.
"I know i'm not always easy to handle. You've heard me at my best and unfortunately at my worst. You've heard me say words that left my lips like the sweetest song. And you've also heard me speak words like a dragon breathing fire when something truly ruffled my feathers. And yet, when I felt as though I was truly going to lose it, you would stop me and make me actually think about my words and actions.
"Being yours, I vow to always heed to your wishes. I will forever more follow where you lead. I will learn from your advice and listen as you guide me. I will do as you ask or demand. I will do my best to be the girl you want me to be. I will do my very best to never cause you to cross with me, though i'm sure there may be times it will happen. I will accept whatever discipline you deem necessary." Lark clears my throat and mumbles... "the paddle is my favorite." and Mav grins
"And I will do my best to never embarrass you. I will always try to be the best that i can possibly be, to be the girl you always have encouraged me to be. And I vow to be the girl you know i can be.
"Our Journey has not been an easy one. The past year has had happiness, love, joy, as well as disappointment, sadness, and unfortunately, heartache. Just as we found our path to each other, it seemed to fork and we walked our separate ways. I felt that i needed a break and my life was pulling me in a different direction. What had pushed me to find my new home had pulled me away.
"Someone once told me that sometimes, you will love something so much that you might have to let it go. If it doesn't return, it was not meant to be. But... if it comes back back to you, that love will last forever. You never gave up on me. You stayed close by as i would cry my eyes out from the wrong decisions I made time and time again. But still, you would welcome me back with open arms.
"I hurt you so many times. And at one point, you almost gave up. I will never be able to tell you how sorry I am for not following my heart, as it always led me back to you. But I vow that I will spend the rest of my life showing my appreciation. I will forever give thanks that no matter how many times i tried to walk away, I found my way back to you. I guess that means, it's meant to be.
"This collar means more than I can ever express or say. It is an outward symbol of not only my love, but the gift of my submission I give to you this day. I vow to love you and be yours as long as you will have and keep me. I give you my heart, my mind, my body, and my soul. I hope you will accept all that i give and all that i have vowed to you this day. And I promise, now and forever more, i will never again fly away.
So... from the musician in me. At Last I See the Light and Time After Time, for A Thousand Years, I Will Always Love You, and to me you will always be, Perfect." :)
Maverick looks to you with a mix of joy and laughter and love on my face, and pride... leans forward, towards you with the collar. I touch your face gently, and move a stray hair to behind your ear ... takes the collar, and I slip it around your neck. The lock closes with a soft 'click' and smiles at the collar around your neck. I offer my hand to you to help you stand next to me
Lark takes your hand smiling and uses it generously so not to twist her ankle. Stilettos, soft cushions, and long dresses don't mix well. "Thank You, my Master." Grins and throws her arms around your neck kissing you hard on the lips.
Maverick returns the kiss, heartily. Lark reaches up and flicks the tag.... "there ya go... good tag."
Bursts of applause and congratulations follow-- loudly!
Thomas puts my hand on Maverick's shoulder and Lark's shoulder., smiling. "Maverick and Lark, today, before your friends and family, you have shared your love and devotion through words and deeds."
Thomas smiles,"I have watched these two lovely people grow together here in Roissy, and it has warmed my heart to see them endure and wait till the time was right to be together."
Lark, a.k.a orange breasted Oriole or Rockin Robyn..she knows I joke with her with friendship.
My sadie and I couldn't be happier for Maverick and Lark. Our best wishes are with you as couple always." Lark frowns at Maitre Thomas narrowing her eyes, then laughing
He continues, "I can say that when other things become more important, such as careers, and personal pursuits, trouble can set in. I know you will ..Always make your relationship your top priority. When you do, the relationship flourishes and always will overcome any drama.
"Please join us in the ballroom immediately following for Maverick and Lark's collaring celebration! Everyone is happily dismissed.
Lark smiles warmly at Maitre Thomas and then happily at her Master. Maverick still keeps her hand in mine, "as Lark says, "Thank you everyone for coming and supporting us"
