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So, umm, these
punishments … What exactly happens if we break the rules?
Riiight, this is where things get complicated . . . You see, we don't actually have any evidence of any punishment taking place. Sure, we've heard stories and rumors, but we have no first-hand experience.
…So does that mean that the punishments aren't actually true?
*giggle* Who knows～ ? The biggest reason why we have no experience is because we've never broken any rules! Sure, we like to cause trouble, but we're good, good girls, and nobody has ever tried to break the rules at our expense either!
Besides, I certainly wouldn't want to be the one to test the patience of gods…
Yeah, me neither… N-not that I actually believe in any of this superstitious nonsense… I just follow the rules because they make this game fun and safe. Besides, it's OUR job to make sure rules are followed. Remember?
Milka, the booklet! …See,
right here! It says,
"you have a right and a responsibility to enforce the rules."
So if
they break the rules, it's our responsibility to let them know and make them stop, or…?
That's how this stuff works in my opinion, yeah.
If we don't say anything?
"No harm, no foul". But really, you
should say something if you're feeling uncomfortable…
And if they don't listen?
Well, we call the cops on their asses, and they end up in jail. Or worse…
What? I'm just a little skeptical, okay? Besides, we DO have a responsibility.
Yeah, of course we do, but who punishes us when we break the rules?
We … just don't break the rules.
But what happens
IF we do, Heidi? And what will happen if someone gets away with hurting you? Your
"LoGiCaL tHiNkInG" can't answer that.
Am I seriously being mocked for trying to be logical? For advocating personal fucking responsibility?
Nuh-uh, I'm not trying to mock you or anything…
Look, I'm just not a big believer in the supernatural, okay? I KNOW the rules are important to keep the game fun for everybody involved, but I'd rather not feed her lies and fearmonger.
It's SO not fearmongering! The rules, the gods, and the punishments … they are all real!
How do you know it for sure?
Weeeellll… Like you just said before… There are stories and rumors…
But how do you know they're "real" stories, and not just made-up ones?
L-let's just assume they are all true… What even are these stories and rumors, then?
Well, the stories of us Star-Bearers being punished are rare. It's not that the rule-breaking doesn't occur; it's just that the people who break them are typically too ashamed to admit it, so it remains a secret.
I can't believe you actually buy that argument…
One such story comes from my granny. Back when she was young, she had a close friend who quit wearing the star after she got cursed for breaking the rules far too many times. It freaked her out, she tried to hide it and pleaded for forgiveness, but her violation had been severe. When the locals finally caught up to her, she was punished and taught the -
Milka, just stop. She didn't quit because she got
punished. She was fucking RAPED.
I-I know that the villagers went WAY too far, but that still WAS her punishment.
No, Milka. This is not just me speaking. It's what your grandmother told us.
J-just, stop arguing… I just… I want to, no… I NEED to know what will happen, so that I can stay safe…
*sigh* Fine, I concede defeat. Besides, it doesn't hurt to tell, especially since there are important lessons to be learned.
Please do, but before that…
I'm almost afraid to ask, but how exactly
was she punished then to warrant something so horrible?
Well, we already told you about the "Black Star" and what it means to wear one. That's how we get punished most of the time, by being
"cursed" with it, and forced to wear it.
But like, what does the punishment
actually mean? What will they do if they can punish us?
Well, just a second, I'm gonna skip a few pages to read it word for word:
"★ You will typically be punished simply through having sex; through vaginal or anal intercourse, by giving or receiving oral, or by being groped and fingered. Both spanking, sex toys, and being tied up are also on the menu. It's all standard stuff you'll probably be doing with your clients anyway if you end up wearing a normal star, with the only difference being that they will not have to ask for permission before they do you!"
T-that sounds a little extreme…
Yeah, it is extreme. Most rules go flying out of the window once you're discovered with a black star, but only for as long as the black star is visible. Once it disappears, once you've been punished, you're free to go.
Well, the rules about the secrecy of this game also apply, for example.
B-but our consent is also part of the rules! Could
THEY violate those rules then?
"The one who breaks the rules first must also accept to have their rules violated", or something like that.
Yeah, I mean, it sounds terribly unfair, doesn't it? But the fact remains that you violated someone's rights in this game first. Even if you don't believe in this stuff, you need to take responsibility for that.
That's so scary … but maybe I'm overreacting a little. If I don't break the rules, I won't get punished…
…And that's assuming this is real … and that I'm even going to participate in this game … which I might not…
Why not just read the whole thing from the top, Milka. Otherwise, we'll be here sitting all freaking day.
Sure! *rustle* Let me just find the right page:
"Just as the society enforces laws that must be followed in order to maintain a just and fair society, so does the game the Star-Bearers and those who seek them play, and just as every crime has an appropriate punishment attached to it, so does every rule the Star-Bearers and those who seek them play under. It is of utmost importance for those playing to know the rules perfectly to guarantee a "safe", a "fair", and most importantly, a "fun" environment for everybody involved." "The rules, as we mortals understand them, come directly from the gods, their interplay with each other, and their conflicting opinions. Similarly, the punishments we will receive for our potential injustices are born of conflict between us and our differences of opinion regarding what can and can't be considered "fun". As long as everyone involved is having "fun" and "enjoying themselves", no conflict can be considered to have taken place, and thus no godly intervention can be deemed necessary." "However, it is of utmost importance to understand that gods see everything, hear everything, and feel every emotion, both strong and weak, positive and negative. They see what mortals can not, and based on this information, they may try to dial down, warn, and even discourage those they deem as threats to the overall stability of the greater environment of this land and its residents."
…And that's the introduction and overview. Does it sound scary to you?
It does, a little, but… I…
I-I mean, I initially got the impression that to be punished with a Black Star is like walking around with a "rape me" sign written on me or something, and I got so scared…
It's really,
really not like that…
Still, there IS a distant possibility to keep in mind, but then again, it shouldn't be any different from any other color or marking. If someone is deadset on hurting you, they will probably find an excuse to do so, star or no star.
Besides, even though what happened to that girl we talked about was horrible, it was a different time back then, and if the story is to be fully believed, she had made Kostikki blinded with rage. It's not an easy thing to do, and Milka's granny could've just told that story to us to scare us.
Besides, the people here have it in their best interest to keep us happy and make sure we continue playing
EVEN after being punished. You know, because there are so few of us.
Yeah, if someone
ACTUALLY raped us while we wearing a Black Star and made us quit altogether because of it, a punishment from the gods would be the least of their worries. There would be angry mobs marching with torches and pitchforks shouting
"Off with their heads!"
Hahaha, right… They don't want us to quit…
Exactly!
Still, I guess the lesson of that story is that while it
CAN happen, it's pretty much only the absolute worst-case scenario.
Makes me think, is there a chance we could be forced to quit by the gods themselves?
There is, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. Listen up, this is about the nature of punishments:
"The punishments themselves take many forms and will always be enforced case by case, meaning there is no absolute rule book on what may and may not happen. Different violations can be categorized based on severity, and the same violation can even result in a different kind of punishment based on the wrongdoer's past. Violating "the pact of secrecy" is very different from "violating one's consent", as is "refusal of service" from "continuous refusal of service". Intent also matters, meaning that accidental, unintended violations can be shown leeway towards and sometimes even wholly excused. However, not knowing the rules is never an excuse, especially when it comes to the strictest rules, such as blackmail, various violations of one's consent, and the act of getting someone in legal trouble on purpose."
That eases most of my worries even more. I mean, it just wouldn't make sense for the gods to get pissed at us for refusing service once or twice…
Any questions? If not, let's talk more about the "Curse's" nature.
I guess that's the most important part for us…
I'll skip through the part where the Black Star is explained, but it'll be referenced a lot here:
"Star-Bearers have two different punishments they can receive, but there's still a lot of nuance involved." First punishment is called the "Curse of the Black Star". The length of the curse is always determined case by case, but the punishments will always ramp up on repeat violations. As a beginner, and in case of minor violations, you may receive a Black Star that can be removed immediately, which basically means that you're being warned for doing something wrong. It's Kostikki's way of telling us to "cut it out, or else". Lauhatar may also warn us in this way, which is her way of saying "be careful, or you'll get in trouble"." "But then, maybe you didn't heed the warnings, or you broke a more strict rule; now Kostikki has taken attention, and he does not like to have his patience tested. He will curse you with the kind of star you can't simply wash off, and now you're stuck with it."
…Yikes…
So, how to get rid of it then?
Well, the book says that the punishments are timed, meaning you might have to wear it for one day straight, for example. It could also be just an hour. It may even take a month…
But like, is there a way to make it go away faster?
Of course there is: by actually getting punished!
"You can hide it and repent over your crimes in silence, similar to how a real criminal would serve their time behind bars. To remove the Black Star faster, you must perform a sexual service. Either find yourself a partner of your own choosing or let yourself be discovered by someone in the know. Just be warned that Kostikki will allow the "punisher" to take certain liberties with how you will be treated after you're discovered. This may even make you feel uncomfortable, but a trusted and reliable "punisher" will always do their best to discipline you responsibly. Their job, first and foremost, is always to correct your ways and steer you back on a lawful path, not to rape you and make you quit out of fear. They will know when to stop, for Kostikki will remove the star the second he thinks you've had enough."
My tip, do what the booklet says regarding finding a partner. Find someone you can trust and tell him you've been a bad girl. Show them the star, apologize for what you've done, and say you won't do it again. They will punish you, and that's that. It's literally the best way to get rid of the star, according to my granny.
I don't know if I know anyone I would trust that much, except maybe my parents…
Ooooh, you can also trust me! I'll spank you silly if you ever show up with a black star in my goddamn presence!
And I won't leave you off that easy! Spanking is simply the beginning of what you deserve!
*giggle* Maybe that's what you want, huh? Is that why you're asking so many questions?
A-as if! Stop teasing me like that! I'm just asking to be cautious!
Speaking of enjoying to be punished:
"Lastly, Kostikki can and will sometimes interpret your actions as you "asking" to be punished. If you break the rules with the sole purpose of wanting to get into trouble, he will gladly answer. He won't be angry, but he'll punish you nonetheless because it's exactly what you want and deserve. He may even look at you more favorably if you do so."
I won't judge. Just sayin'.
Yes, I . . . I guess I can trust you two then…
S-so, wasn't there a second possible punishment…?
"You can be expelled from the game - either temporarily or indefinitely - if the gods consider you an overall risk to the safety or the secrecy of this community. Once expelled, you are no longer allowed to participate in the game in any way, meaning that any and all markings you may try to draw on yourself will disappear on sight. It will also mean that you will no longer be able to see the markings worn by others. This punishment is exclusive to those who can't play this game responsibly enough to keep it secret from outsiders, especially those who try to get others in trouble with their antics by getting malicious outsiders like "police" involved. This punishment CAN be paired with the curse, meaning that as you get expelled, you will receive a Black Star as a parting gift. This punishment is also NOT unique to the Star-Bearers."
That doesn't sound too bad, to be honest.
Yeah, and it's really reserved for those who recklessly advertise this game … I also guess those who purposely try to get others in legal trouble, but let's be honest. Nobody's actually enough of a cunt to actually do that. I mean, can you imagine? Sending an innocent man to jail on purpose?
Yeah, that's eff'd up.
Actual laws don't play well with this game, do they?
No, sadly not . . . Some people just won't understand.
Oh, and that reminds me. Can the other markings be black?
Of course they can, you kinky little thing!
I wasn't asking because of I want to, okay?
It's just… Can we be cursed with them? The booklet seems to describe what they all mean, but…
No, you can't. Not by Kostikki anyway. You can only draw them as "self-imposed" punishments.
Take a hint. It means you're
REEEAALLY perverted.
On a more serious note, read the part where I explained how the act of being "punished" and "disciplined" works. The point is to correct your ways and steer you back on a lawful path, not to rape you and make you quit.
Hahaha, right… A black spade would probably make me lock myself into my room, never come out, and quit…
Exactly! The gods don't want you to be sad, they don't want you to suffer. A black star is enough for that. Reformation is the keyword here.
…And if I'm asking for it…? Can he then…?
And since you're so interested, here's what the booklet says on self-imposed punishments:
"Just because the color black is the color of the Raven, and the color of his curse, does not mean that the color has to be exclusive to his curse. For you to draw a black marking on yourself, out of your own volition, or to let someone draw one for you, is a perfectly valid way to seek sexual fulfillment in this game we play. This act is called "Self-Imposed Punishment", and it's meant for the ultimate thrill-seekers among us. Be warned, however, that wearing one in public is tantamount to throwing oneself at anyone's mercy. The gods do not have the authority to remove it either, not even when they may think you've had enough. Only you can be the judge of when the marking should go away."
Okay, that makes sense, but what if I want to remove it and can't for some reason?
…What do you mean, "can't"?
Like, if someone literally ties me up or something, like in TV or something…
What kind of channels have you been watching?
Oh, for fuck's sake… *sigh* Police dramas? Like, handcuffs?
"Pray to your lucky stars", I guess.
I dunno. Are you religious?
What she
means to say, Emilia, is that we have no clue what to do if you get tied up or can't scrub off the marking by yourself for any other reason. Just another one of the reasons I'm not interested in wearing black. Period. It's too scary for me.
I still want to ask some questions about them, even if I don't end up wearing them… For curiosity's sake…
Since the different markings have different meanings, do different "Black" markings have any special meanings then?
No, not really, but it doesn't take a genius to figure it out. Here's what my granny has written on different black markings:
" ♢ Admittedly, there is not much of a difference with a black star or diamond. The only real difference with the diamond is that you're a pervert on top of being a bad girl who needs to be punished. The simplest way to interpret it is to say you want and like to be punished, and to tell the person taking advantage of you that the symbol has indeed been drawn by you, not the gods. A black star or a diamond with initials symbolizes your willingness to go to any lengths with your partner and constantly trying out new things."
" ♡ The black heart is the most paradoxical of all the possible mark-and-color combinations. Punishments are meant to be temporary, while the heart is all about long-term commitment. The most popular way to interpret it is to simply become a lover to the first person who asks, while a black heart with someone's initials signals undying, lifelong love and partnership." " ♤ ♧ The club and the spade are often interchangeable, and signal unyielding, unquestioning submission and your commitment to follow any and orders you're given, and your willingness to do absolutely anything. Nothing is off-limits to you. Without initials, a black club or a spade is a one-off thing with someone you can trust, while with initials, they signal submission to a single owner and their will."
My heart feels like exploding just at the thought… I can't even begin to think what I would do if I was literally forced to wear a black spade tattoo… It sure is a massive relief that the suits are off the standard punishment table…
One thing that really puzzles me about all of this though… What incentive is there for anyone to punish us on Kostikki's behalf, then?
An excellent question, little miss Björnquist! But I also feel that I have to keep repeating myself here.
It's reformation, Emilia. REE - FOR - MAY - ZON! Nobody wants those kinds of troublemakers in our midst.
Well yeah, but like… Why do they feel the need to act on Kostikki's behalf?
It's because they fear Kostikki and what he could do if his will is not fulfilled.
As you heard from the history lesson, he can play sexual pranks on everyone, possess individual villagers, and even control their minds on a large scale to do his bidding. All of these are things he might resort to if his anger remains unquenched. He did it in the past, and he might do it again. That's why people tend to listen and obey when he curses someone as a subject for punishment.
Hmmmm… Okay… I guess I understand everything now…
As you can see, there is still one last spread with information about the punishments that those who wrong us.
That's very little compared to what we have, is it not? I thought you said their punishments tend to be even harsher than ours.
That is true, but Lauhatar … to put it kindly, she's way more fickle, unpredictable, erratic, and above everything else, emotional. There are SOME general trends she follows, as you can see here, but she doesn't have as thick of a rulebook as we do. I think my granny explains it a lot better:
"If Kostikki is a French baker who follows his recipe to the gram with not even the slightest deviation, then Lauhatar is the erratic chef who simply tosses ingredients and spices together based on feeling. She has a recipe, yes, but she does not care about weighing every gram, nor is she afraid about trying out and adding new things."
*giggle* Sounds about right!
Yeah, hahaha… What are these general trends then?
That'll be the last bit of information I read out for you:
"For Lauhatar, the Star-Bearer's right to absolute self-determination, safety, and enjoyment are of utmost importance, and she is always on the lookout for threats. She will NOT act against corrupting forces wishing to lead you astray so long as you're excited to learn. She can warn those Star-Bearers who she thinks could be in danger in an attempt to help them, but can NEVER threaten those who are yet to commit any crimes against you. And finally, she WILL curse anyone who disrupts these lands by hurting a Star-Bearer. These are her subjects to be punished and sometimes even removed, either temporarily or permanently, often peacefully, but sometimes violently." "Lauhatar is not powerful enough to bestow long-lasting curses as punishment, but she can mimic Kostikki's "Curse of the Black Star" by placing it on rulebreakers, even non-Star-Bearers. By placing it on the skin of a person breaking the rules, she will essentially try to make them have a taste of their own medicine. However, as her curses are never long-lasting, these stars can always be removed immediately." "Her most powerful ability, however, is a human-level understanding of speech and an ability to communicate verbally with the material world."
Wait, so these gods can speak to us?
That's definitely horseshit.
I for sure have never heard her voice.
That's probably because you don't believe in her. She's moping at you…
Oh, so you
have heard her voice then?
No, definitely not…
The only person I know who even claims to have heard her voice is my own grandmother. I mean, that makes sense since she was chosen by Lauhatar to be a Star-Bearer, but… I don't believe they're in regular contact or anything like that… She probably has only heard her voice once or twice, based on what I know…
But what good can an ability to speak do?
Ever heard the saying,
"The pen is mightier than the sword?"
"As described earlier, Lauhatar can warn Star-Bearers in an attempt to save them from danger, but her speech can also be used as a weapon. In the right hands, knowledge of a rulebreaker in our midst will spread quickly so that the person will become ostracised by the larger community. Knowledge about unseen crime taking place in these lands can also be brought to the public in this way. Lauhatar may even assign Star-Bearers she trusts to carry missions on her behalf and permit them to lure rulebreakers into trouble, so they can be arrested and dealt with. Lastly, she can haunt people, make their nights sleepless by harassing them constantly, and manipulate animals through sounds they don't understand. A moose weighing half a ton can run fast and appear in front of one's headlights faster than a human can react."
I mean, wild mooses, wolves, lynxes, bears, the lot … they are terrifying and all … but if there's one thing scarier than these gods, it sure is the "Swedish Government". If they came to know of our secrets, they would have every adult in this village arrested and us kids thrown into psychiatric wards in straight jackets.
I'm sure there are people amongst them who know. They just don't care because they might be interested in us themselves.
Also true! Henna supposedly fucked some mainstream news anchor during the
"Ski World Championships" two years ago. Didn't disclose who it was, but that's a career killer right there.
Why? Sixteen is legal to fuck!
That's still sex outside marriage with a minor! That's trouble for any family man!
Not in this village it isn't!
Either way, that about wraps this shit up.
That's quite a lot to take in…
*snicker* That's what she said.
Still, I'm not kidding… It's so much to take in, especially regarding the punishments. As for the rules, if these gods are real, then yeah, rules MUST be followed. If not, well… The rules are sensible, so they should probably be followed anyway.
Admittedly, all this still sounds unbelievable… But I'm reserving my judgments, staying both cautious and skeptical at the same time…
One final question on punishments: Kostikki and Lauhatar are obviously local spirits, so how far does their influence reach? And how does that factor into punishments?
Oh, right! I totally ignored that important fact! Since Kostikki is tied to the little mountain the village is next to, he can only influence the surrounding area. I remember my granny saying it reaches from the shores of
Storsjön to the Norwegian border or something like that.
So bigger population centers like Östersund and Trondheim are both outside the area, but everything inside is?
Yep! Even the ski resort!
Since those places are unprotected by rules, it's not safe to wear stars there. Yes, you can get away with breaking the rules, but so can everyone else…
Is it possible to escape the punishment by leaving this area then?
Well, yes and no. Obviously, if you're cursed with a "permanent" black star and leave for a big city, Kostikki's magic cannot stop you from washing it off, but that doesn't mean you're off the hook. He will know if you're removed it once you return, and he will put it back on you.
Okay, makes sense. I think that's enough information about the rules and punishments then.
