From All The Fallen Stories
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So, is there more to all of this? Like, is this a thing that only girls do with men, or…?
Oh right, I suppose that should be explained next, as it's a very important detail…
Wait… Are you actually into girls?
W-well, not particularly… Not really…
*giggle* Maybe you're a little bi-curious but just afraid to admit it～ ?
It's totally cool if you are! I'm into girls too!
No, it's not like that, I'm just asking in general…
Well, it's all linked to the star's color, actually. Different colors signal your sexual orientation, and you wear one based on your own preferences. For example, the one I was wearing yesterday is pink.
★ A pink star means you're looking for a male partner.
★ A blue star on the other hand means you want a female partner.
★ A purple star means you're bisexual and fine with a partner of either gender.
★ And lastly, there's the black star. It's special, as it's not tied to sexual orientation. It means you've been a bad girl and need to be punished.
…And the same in Swedish? Like, what do you mean by "punished"?
Well, since this is technically a "game", there are certain rules, and the black star means we've broken them. Of course, you can wear it without breaking any rules too, but…
I … wouldn't recommend it. We can talk about it later.
Okay… So, what are the rules then?
It kind of depends on your role. You know, whether you're the one wearing the star or taking advantage of the one wearing it. In fact, Milka, why won't you fetch me that other book just in case?
Way ahead of you! Here it is, boss!
Don't worry, this one is smaller. In fact, it's just a home-printed little booklet like this.
Let me guess, your grandmother wrote this too?
If you have questions, don't be afraid to ask!
"If you are reading this, that means you are one of the very few boys and girls who have worn or are interested in wearing the Star of Lauhatar. It doesn't matter whether you have been chosen or have made this decision on your own; I have my ways of finding out. Don't worry, your secret will be safe with me." "As a Star-Bearer, you have a duty to know, understand, and follow the rules perfectly. You also have a responsibility to ensure the Star-Gazers, those who seek you out in hopes of employing your unique services, understand the rules perfectly, so they will not be broken. Most importantly, you have a right and a responsibility to enforce the rules. If you come across a "client" who, without knowing, breaks the rules, and you fail to notify them of their misconduct, you are the one to be held responsible."
I actually have one question already.
Why is this rulebook specifically meant for us, and not, you know … a more general audience?
Like the granny's booklet suggests, the Star-Bearers are few and far between, so it simply is easier to make sure they all carry one, instead of spreading these booklets around like advertisements.
But if
everyone needs to know the rules, then isn't it a little unfair to put the whole burden on just a small handful of kids?
It may seem like that at first, but trust me, most people who seek us out already know all the rules perfectly as well, and they - for the most part - are scared shitless of what the gods will do to them if they break the rules. Everyone typically behaves well.
Still, you can't expect everyone to be familiar with the rules right off the bat, especially when there are SO many people employing our services compared to us.
Yeah, like your brother, for example. He learned about the game on the internet…
…From some irresponsible blabbermouth…
…So it'd be a little unfair to assume he just knows everything. That's where we, and the people who have played this game much longer, come to play.
*ahem* Introduction is still a little bit longer.
"Every single rule in this "game" has been conceived with the spirit of having fun in mind, and by having fun, I mean for everyone, not just for one party. Yes, love and sex, and everything that relates to them, can take many forms, even extreme ones that may seem uncomfortable to others. Still, the joy of love is meant to be shared and felt together. Keeping it fun for everyone involved is, at the end of the day, what's most important here." "There are three general rules of play. Firstly, anyone who knows about the game can play it. There's no age limit, and it's not restricted to any gender or sexuality either. This basically means that as a Star-Bearer, you may be approached by both young and old people, and you can also approach those who wear stars that match with you."
So if a boy wears a blue star, I can approach him. Got it, but do I also need to wear one when I do it?
No, only the "target" needs to have one. Of course, you can wear one too, and if your colors match, it's a pretty good thing as you're both signaling interest!
"The second general rule is that you should only wear the star if it's considered somehow "unacceptable" or "taboo" for you to be having sex. If it's not taboo, it doesn't need to be kept hidden, if that makes sense. That is why it's mostly worn by children, as sex with kids is perhaps the biggest social taboo of them all."
I should add that since these are just general rules, they
really can't be broken. They're more of a heads-up of what to expect when partaking in this game.
Well, technically, you can break the second rule by wearing a star as an adult, no?
It's courteous for adults not to wear one, if you catch my drift.
Now, we get to the
actually important stuff, the rules that
WE - as Star-Bearers - are not allowed to break.
Wait, wasn't there a third general rule?
Let's save it for later, okay? It makes more sense to hear
AFTER you know all the rules.
I'm mostly gonna explain the next few rules instead of reading them
verbatim.
So, the
rule number one is what my sister likes to call the "Fight Club" rule.
"YOU DON'T TALK ABOUT FIGHT CLUB."
*chuckle* I watched that movie with the girls back in Stockholm at a slumber party…
But I still don't get what you mean anyway…
Right, so the rule basically means we do not talk about the stars or advertise them outside, well … these kinds of "safe" environments. It also means that we do not seek out partners wearing the star being all like
"Look at what I have", and instead, we let
THEM come to
US.
As for what the book adds:
"As you might know, this area sees a lot of tourism, and some of the outsiders may not be so understanding of our games and traditions. We just try not to talk about the game or any aspects of it to avoid unwanted, negative attention from annoying, moral busybodies and law enforcement. These marks are quiet, silent signals for those in the know, and it MUST stay that way." "If you know about the star, you know, and if you don't, well … you stay in the dark."
How do people learn about the stars then?
These secrets have a way of spreading around on their own.
Rule number two is the most relevant rule to this whole shebang, but the gist of it is that once discovered and approached, you have a duty to serve your date. How you choose to serve depends on your
personal boundaries, but the basic idea is that you must
have sex.
You know . . . Penis in vagina, anal, fellatio or a handjob … make someone cum…
T-that is kind of an extreme rule to be forced like that, no?
Oh, no no no no, now you misunderstand. Nobody's forcing you. If you
choose to wear a star of any color, you are by definition signaling your interest in casual sex, even with strangers.
Choose is the key word here, because nobody else can make that choice for you.
YOU wear a star out of your own free will.
If you have even the slightest shadow of a doubt that you might not be okay with what could happen, do not wear a star. That way, you save the people who "discover" you from disappointment, and most importantly, save yourself from getting in trouble.
Can't break the rules if you ain't playing!
Okay, that makes perfect sense. But still … can I
EVER say no then?
Generally, you should only say no when
they try to break the rules. We'll teach
their rules to you later.
There are other exceptions as well. Like, what if the risk of being discovered is too great? We've got to protect our secrets, and we've got to protect our dates too. We don't want anyone to end up in jail for a little bit of fun, now don't we? It's advisable to share contacts in such situations so you can meet up later, but it's not a requirement. It's just a nice courtesy and what I prefer to do personally. The same can be said about being hit on when you're already claimed by someone else. If you want it to turn into a threesome, that's fine, but you don't have to, especially not if your original partner doesn't want to share you. Here, I'd recommend sharing contacts too, so you can hook up later. We don't want to leave anyone hanging dry.
All that said, you obviously shouldn't lie about being busy, or about having to go home, your parents being nearby, et cetera… That shit's not cool. There are also many "bad excuses" one should avoid. For example, saying you forgot you had a marking on you, or trying to erase the star after it's being seen, are dick moves.
I obviously can't go over every single example here, and neither can the booklet, but don't be afraid to ask if you got more questions. I'm sure Milka's granny will be glad to guide you too, and she knows way more than we do. Some disobedience will be tolerated, but not in the long term. Basic situational awareness goes a long way here.
Anyway, shall we move on?
Don't worry, the remaining three rules are much more straightforward.
Rule number three, never request money or any other payment. We're not prostitutes. This is all for fun, all for free, with no strings attached. You shouldn't ask for favors in return either. Not too strict of a rule to be honest, and there are exceptions. If, for example, you're offered a favor or a little gift, you can take it. Just never ask for one.
Rule number four, we must NEVER use the stars as means of trying to lure people into trouble. NEVER EVER.
And
rule number five, NEVER draw these markings on other people without their consent. ONLY - DRAW - ON - YOUR - SELF!
The last two rules are extremely strict. They're heinous crimes for us to commit! Breaking them will result in an extreme punishment!
No questions about the last three.
I guess the rules for our "clients" come next then. Just so you know, they are A LOT stricter than ours.
Yep. There are five rules for them, and they're made with our well-being and protection in mind. That's why they're just as important for us to know as our
own rules.
And like the booklet earlier said, we have a responsibility
and a right to enforce them.
Yep. There are five rules for them, and they're made with our well-being and protection in mind. That's why they're just as important for us to know as our
own rules.
The first rule for them is same rule as we have. Do not advertise the game to those that do not know. Simple as. The rest are a little different, so I'll continue reading from the book:
"Two, respect Star-Bearer's consent.""They must always make their intentions known when they approach you, a Star-Bearer. Yes, sex is expected from you, but the star is NOT a "free use", "rape me", or a "have your way with me" sign for them to take advantage of as you please! No surprises, no white vans without license plates, and preferably not even touching before consent has been given! Consent does not have to be signaled verbally, but the client must listen when the Star-Bearer says "no". Never forget, YOU are doing this for THEM, and just as you have a duty to guarantee their safety, they have a duty to guarantee your well-being, protection, and happiness. If this rule is broken, you have a right to refuse service immediately."
Nah, that made everything pretty clear.
"Three, RESPECT Star-Bearer's consent.""Do not let anyone force, trick, or gaslight you into doing something you're uncomfortable with. Know your limits, and enforce your rights. Stand your ground. If you say anal is off-limits, they can't do that. Simple as. Still, do not forget that you must serve in some way."
Now, like the last sentence says, this rule kind of comes back to what the "wearers" can do as well since we can't just say everything is off-limits. That would just be considered a refusal of service and us breaking the rule number two.
"Four, respect the privacy and secrets of the Star-Bearers." "Taking photographs for personal use is fine if you allow it, especially here in the information age where sexting, nudes, and such are a fun way to spice things up when you're not close to each other, but if they try to get you in trouble or expose you with these photographs, don't let them get away with it. Serious, malicious blackmail against a Star-Bearer deserves a harsh punishment."
I almost feel like taking pictures itself should be against the rules then.
Don't be silly! Pictures are fine!
Yeah, pictures and videos are also okay in my book, as long as they're not uploaded anywhere.
Yeah, and you can still say no if the idea makes you uncomfortable. Anyway, the last rule is the same one we have, but worded a little bit differently here:
"Five, respect Star-Bearer's right to NOT wear a star." "The star is not a burden. It's a choice. Similarly, for a client, to discover a star is a privilege. It is not a given right. Just because they know you have worn a star in the past, or have even taken advantage of your services in the past, doesn't mean you must serve in the future as well. If they approach you when you're not wearing a star, you can still accept if you want to, but you're under no obligation to do so. Similarly to rule number three, do not let anyone force, trick, or gaslight you into wearing a star, and do not let anyone claim some kind of imaginary authority over you. You CAN let people draw on you, but they will need your consent first. YOU will always have the final say on whether you wear a star or not."
All these rules make sense to me. I mean, it's all about protecting ourselves and our secrecy, as well as those who use our, erm . . . "services", right?
Exactly! The rules may seem restrictive at first, but they still allow for a lot of fun, and at the end of the day, they're there for the protection of us all.
And since you already asked about this before, our "duty" to serve is obviously most affected by the two rules of consent. Yes, we
MUST serve if we
CHOOSE to wear the star out of our
OWN free will, but how we choose to perform the said service is dictated by our boundaries and what we're comfortable with. That, along with your right to decide when to wear a star, are the most important things to remember. Got it?
That's so reassuring to hear…
And that brings us nicely to the last general rule.
Exactly! If the rules have been broken somehow, but the parties involved don't care or even prefer the outcome, no foul can be considered done.
Say, your boyfriend draws on you in your sleep, and you find it kinky? No foul. Someone molests you after seeing you wear a star, and you're all for a fun little surprise? No foul. You get the point.
Yeah, can't get too anal about a little bit of fun with
"all them pesky rules and shit", now can't we?
The point is, and always will be, to feel good and have fun.
I guess that makes sense sometimes.
I hope your brains aren't overloaded with information yet, because there are also other symbols, not just stars…
We're not done with the rules?
I mean, they aren't super important to know for a newbie. They're basically worn to signal more specific interests. Wanna learn about them?
Eh, whatevs. Might as well.
★ As I already explained, a star means interest in casual sex. All rules I mentioned apply, no special rules here. It's what we always wear and what's more recognizable to everyone around us. The four other markings are based on the "suits" of a playing card deck and are meant to signal more specific interests:
♡ "We start of mild with the romantic heart. Want yourself a girl or a boyfriend? This is what you wear. It means you're looking for a long-term romantic partner. Here, refusing service is considered acceptable, as you're not actually looking to have casual sex with just anyone, but rather an actual lover and a long-term partner. You should still consider that using the heart to lure people into trouble will also get YOU in trouble."
That sounds actually super nice. Maybe I should wear a heart to find a boyfriend then, instead of subjecting myself to having sex with strangers…
It's not specifically mentioned on paper, but the heart, just like every other signal, is still primarily used as a signal for adults.
Must I only accept adults as partners, then?
Nah, you can still accept advances from other kids, but the point is to seek out romantic child-adult relationships.
You know, because it's taboo.
♢ "Diamond signals experience. It means you're open to suggestions and trying new things and that you're just looking to try kinkier things in general. In plain Swedish, it means you're a pervert. An additional signal to our targets, if you may. There aren't really any additional rules here, nor are there any rules that don't apply, but rules also become stricter. You are still allowed to have your boundaries and can refuse acts based on your own kinks, but generally speaking, once you cross into this territory, refusal of service begins to turn more and more unacceptable." ♤ "Spade specifically means you're a slave looking for a master."
Hahahahaha! Calm down, it's just games and make-believe! You're not
literally about to become anyone's slave if you wear it!
"As a make-believe "slave", you signal wanting to take orders. It also signals interest in restraints, torture, humiliation, sadomasochistic stuff, et cetera."
How does consent even play to this?
*giggle* Let me read, okay? It applies in the same way it does everywhere else. You set and discuss your boundaries with your partner, and then you fuck. Same rules, same restrictions. The book also adds that it's highly recommended to come up with a safe word. It's basically a word you can use to "force" your partner to stop if you feel like they're going too far.
Finally, the last suit is very similar to the Spade:
♧ "Lastly, the Club means you're a pet looking for an owner, and are interested in pet play. Regarding rules, the Club is identical to the Spade, and you're still entitled to a safe word."
If you want to release your inner animal, this is what you want to wear. If you do, you better like wearing a collar and being naked, because you'll be doing that a lot!
Hahaha, I know, I know. And it gets better. Remember the rule about not being allowed to draw on others? Well, you
CAN consent to being drawn on, and when you do, you can turn a spade or a club into a semi-permanent one, essentially allowing yourself to become someone else's "property" with the owner's initials written on the drawing. That, my girl, is called commitment.
A heart with someone's initials sounds a lot better to me…
Yeah, it does! And you can totally do that too!
Anyway, like I said before, these symbols aren't super important to know, so if you wanna wear something, just wear a star, okay? There's no progression system or anything. You can keep it as "vanilla" as you want for as long as you want. Nobody can force you into wearing a "lewder" marking if you don't want to. Do what you want, do what you feel comfortable with.
Not sure if I want to wear anything, but at least it's good to know…
I almost don't want to ask, but what if I want to be the owner…
Well, you may want to wear a diamond and talk about and discuss your interest with the one approaching you. Like, just say you're a "dom" or a "top" or something like that. There totally are submissive adult men out there who would love nothing more than to be dominated, berated, and bossed around by a little girl, so you might get lucky if that's what you're looking for!
Or, alternatively, just find someone who wears spades or a club that matches you. You might also get lucky here.
Then, why are the children wearing these marks called "Star-Bearers" when most of them are not stars?
It's just a traditional title because the star came first, with the other markings being later additions.
Yeah, that's pretty much it. The traditional "Star of Lauhatar" was the first symbol she chose to mark the children she chose as sacrifices, while the other markings were later added by Kostikki and
HIS most loyal followers to corrupt us further. Kostikki, you see, very much wants to control us.
So, does that mean that they are bad markings and should be avoided, or…?
Not necessarily. It's not inherently a bad thing, y'know. Sex can take many forms, and some may even prefer to be controlled… Some may even enjoy the idea of being a slave…
Consent takes precedence over everything else, so as long as you consent to what's happening to you, it doesn't matter what way you swing.
Yep. These two gods aren't meant to be seen as "good" and "bad", if that makes sense.
Right… I'm not sure if I understand, but at least that explains what I wanted to know.
How about time? How does that factor into this?
For that, there are no real rules beyond "as long as you're okay with it" or "as long as you're wearing the star". Like I said before, according to the rules we shouldn't refuse, but that doesn't mean we should just allow them to have their way indefinitely. Just put a stop to it after you feel done.
Right. I think that's all for this topic then.
Oh, and keep the booklet.
Are you sure? I mean, it's yours, isn't it?
I have memorized every part of it. Besides, it's just printer paper and ink! What does that cost to make? Less than one
Svenska Krone! Shit's dirt cheap, but the information is priceless!
See? I already have another one here!
♪
Yeah, and
"keep it secret, keep it safe".
*giggle* Let me guess: Gandalf?
I wonder what else I should ask about…
