Venetian Carnival 1

One of the greatest advantages of being rich was to have lots of time; one of the disadvantages was you had to fill this time with something entertaining. It was a lesson Erik had learned quite early; like he had done, his father had also inherited his wealth instead of working for it, and so, he had never insisted on Erik becoming his successor in his company or to prove himself, or other boring things for those who had to work to stay rich. His money was managed by the bank, and though he was sure that they were betraying him, the rest was enough he didn`t have to care about it.

Erik had, nevertheless, attended the best schools and colleges, he could be called a snob, but not an uneducated snob. He was cultured, though it bored him. In his teens, he had learned about the meaning of decadence, and now, he was living it. Being 41, he was perhaps too old to pass as a Dandy, but he could live for his hobbies – or, even better, his obsession. It was what could still thrill him, and the more time he invested in it, the more the evil seed bloomed in his soul.

It had started harmless enough, some ten years ago. Erik, not completely unaware of what to do with his money, had done some investments, and so, he had come to learn his bank broker well enough to invite him to some of his parties. On one occasion, Thomas Gutermann had introduced him to his newly wed wife, Marlene. Erik had considered her attractive, but he had only been triggered when she had not responded to his flirting. In fact, when he had become more direct, she had openly refused him.

He had shortly after stopped his contacts with Thomas Gutermann, and he had been sure he had forgotten about Marlene, but over all these years, there had been this sting in his soul, this one woman that had not just fallen for his wealth, or his charms. Erik had no problems in getting women – except for this one. Or, at least, it was the only one he somehow cared about. And then, a few months ago, it had happened. That one morning, when he had returned from a trip, he had seen her on the airport in Berlin. Marlene!

She had either not noticed or not recognized him, but it had struck him like a lightning. Marlene had looked a bit dishevelled and tired, but it had not diminished her charms, and in his eyes, she had aged like good wine. The few wrinkles around her eyes underlined her attractiveness, and though she perhaps did defy gravity a bit less than ten years before, he had felt a tingle in his loins when Marlene had bent forward to put her suitcase on a trolley.

Erik had not introduced himself, though he had been standing close to her. Marlene had been accompanied by two girls half her age, but neither of them resembled her, and they were a bit too old to be her daughters. There had also been no sign of Thomas, and so, he had done some research. Somehow, he had decided from the very beginning to go alone, and so, he hadn`t hired a private detective, but he had found out a few things via the internet: Marlene was living in Würzburg, and she was working as a primary school teacher.

More and more, he had allowed his way of passing time to grow into an obsession, and so, he had changed into an alter ego to be able to follow her: a small Volkswagen instead of a Bentley, ordinary clothes, the appearance of an average Joe. Oh, he had been careful, not hanging around on her schoolyard or following her car for hours, but more and more, the puzzle completed, so he could tell more or less 24/7 where Marlene was.

Fate had been on his side, for in late December, he had found out that Marlene attended a gym, together with one of the girls he had seen her with at the airport. This gym had wanted a help, and so, Erik had changed once again: cheap clothes, an old car, a badly groomed beard. In other words, he had become a man who looked like he really was happy to become a janitor at a gym for a few hundred Euro a month.

»Janitor« was a euphemism for cleaning boy, but Erik hadn`t complained, not even when his new boss had asked him if he could do some extra work for minimum wage. He even worked more than he was paid for, even paid quite a sum for some items, but in the end, he had a few well hidden cameras in the Ladies` dressing room and in the shower.

He had then quit his job, for now, he had a new occupation as editor and cutter. Of course, the gym was not only visited by Marlene, and his cameras delivered him a clear picture, but they lacked a zoom or a possibility to move. So, there were lots of shots ruined by some old hag stepping into the scene, or by Marlene standing in the wrong corner. However, after a long night of cutting, he had a video of highlights that now: Marlene wriggling down her tight leggings; Marlene unclasping her bra, and, after an unnervingly long talk with some other woman, finally revealing her ample boobs; Marlene in just her sweaty underwear, and the grand finale, Marlene in the shower, soaping herself. The shower scene lasted for three minutes until some other woman stepped into the picture, but these three minutes, Erik could have watched endlessly.

The cameras had offered no sound, but he had added some music: Vivaldi, who wasn`t his favourite musician, but on the one occasion he had been at the gym and Marlene and the blonde had talked beside him, he had heard where they wanted to go: The famous Carnival in Venice!

Venice! An appropriate location to allow his obsession to come to life!

***

»Well, and that is that!«

Silvana sighed, looking down on her coffee mug. She and Marlene were sitting in the small café close to the gym. During the last few months, after their encounter at the Residenz, their lives had been occupied by routine: Silvana had come to terms with being a student, and Marlene had needed to get adjusted to working again. So, they had only seen twice a week, for their Zumba training, followed by a trip to what had become their favourite café, just because it was close to the gym.

Marlene had left her apartment, no longer feeling well and save there, after she and Silvana had been assaulted and left naked, bound and gagged. She had found a small flat in the suburbs, but she considered it only a temporary solution until she had found something decent. So, they no longer met at her place, but at the café, and now, Silvana had just told Marlene her dilemma.

At her dormitory, she had learned to know Marcus, and the adventure with the Lost Library had ended up with them becoming a couple. However, after a few weeks, both of them didn`t really seem to feel it. They didn`t quarrel, and they occasionally still spent the night in the same bed, but somehow, the magic was gone.

»Am I expecting too much? I mean, he`s my first real boyfriend, and I really like him, but it`s all just so – casual!«

Silvana knew that this was a bit unfair: the first time she and Marcus had had sex – the first time Silvana had had sex at all – had been whilst she had been bound and gagged. It had been a consensual act, nevertheless, and she had definitely considered the loss of her virginity an actual win.

»Sometimes, the fairy dust becomes – well, ordinary dust. Thomas cheated on me, but he also wasn`t a monster. Maybe, you have just realized earlier than me that you are not meant for each other. What does Marcus say?«

Silvana sighed again.

»We haven`t talked yet! Somehow, I am sure he thinks the same! When I told him about Venice, he just said ›Okay!‹, and that he would use the days to work on his thesis! That`s definitely not how I spell romance!«

She had seen the offer a few weeks ago: an overnight bus trip to Venice, to visit the famous Carnival. There, she would have two days and one night to explore the city, before the bus would leave in the evening. It was a package trip for just 200 Euro, and so, Silvana had bought two tickets, one for herself and one for Marlene who, in Silvana`s eyes, needed to be cheered up.

Now, it was Marlene`s time to sigh.

»Talking about Venice – I am afraid I can`t come with you!«

Silvana`s eyes widened.

»Why? A-are you okay?«

Now, Marlene`s cheeks reddened slightly, and she couldn`t hide a smile.

»I – I`ve met someone!«

Of course, Silvana`s disappointment was now overwhelmed by curiosity, and Marlene told her that during  a parents evening of her school, she had talked to one of the few fathers and it had ended with them having a drink. Hilmar was an engineer two years her senior, and he had only been at the parents evening because his ex-wife didn`t have time and he also took care of his daughter who was in Marlene`s class.

»Well, we met again – and at the Carnival weekend, I have to attend a Carnival parade, to see how his daughter will cope with the fact he`s dating her teacher! After all, it could mean she will have to change her class, if things get serious!«

»That already sounds serious!«, Silvana replied, and she had to bite her lips not to ask Marlene if there was a connection between there being a new man in her life and the strange abrasions on her shins. She made a decision: today, she and Marcus would have »the talk«. If they discovered that they still had feelings for each other, she would persuade him to come to Venice with her. If not – well, a free trip to a beautiful city would perhaps attract one of her other friends she had made during her first term.

»So, you will see the Canal Grande before I do, but maybe, I will also find some joy between clowns throwing sweets and children yelling beside me!«, Marlene concluded. The two hugged each other and left in different directions.

None of them noticed the man who had been sitting beside them, and none of them would have thought that a few weeks ago, this man had been working as a janitor at their gym. Of course, Erik now wore different clothes and had removed his beard. He also paid his coffee and there was a smile on his face.

Marlene would come to see Venice quite soon, though it would be not quite the way she would have expected!

***

Thursday before Carnival was also called »Altweiberfasching« (Old Women`s Carnival) in Germany. It was not only celebrated by elder women, and one tradition was that they were allowed to play pranks to their male superiors, most commonly the cutting of their ties. At Marlene`s school, the principal, being the only man beside the janitor, had turned it into a little game to amuse the pupils: he would assemble them all and give a speech that running around with scissors was very dangerous. Then, the teachers would show up with scissors and chase him around, much to the joy of the kids, and then cut his necktie. After that, each kid would be given a sweet treat.

Marlene was a bit absent-minded during her lessons, for she was expecting her own sweet treat in the evening. Hilmar had texted her, promising a »little surprise«. She looked over her class that was just busy reading a story, and her eyes landed on Carola, Hilmar`s daughter, though she lived with her mother. On Saturday, Carola would be informed that her father was dating her teacher. Marlene hoped that this would not turn out to be a problem. However, she now was anticipating the evening and waited for the bell as longingly as her pupils.

So far, her affair (she didn`t yet call it a relationship) had been uncomplicated, and yet intriguing. It hadn`t taken a third date until they had landed in bed (and also on her carpet), and she definitely hoped that the »little surprise« would get physical.

Since Friday was her day off, she was now facing ten entire days without school. Marlene had sold one of the diamonds that had been her share of their latest adventure, and the little gem had been worth 3.000 Euro. She considered it to be her pocket money, and she decided to invest some of it into a little surprise for Hilmar.

Marlene wasn`t too much into online shopping, and though she had looked twice before she had entered and left a specific little shop, she was smiling when she was thinking of the boxes she had hidden in her bags.

She would have loved to have a long hot bath, maybe even with candles and rose petals, but her new apartment she still only considered an interim solution only offered a shower. Well, at least, she could make sure she looked her best.

Marlene carefully shaved her legs and armpits; for a moment, she looked at her thatch of pubic hair and considered removing it, too. Hilmar would be surprised, most likely, he would like it. However, the combination of her intimate parts and a razor were a bit intimidating and so, she just took a long shower and then air-dried and brushed her hair, so it fell in cascades over her shoulders.

Still naked, she then entered her bedroom and put the boxes on the bed. The label on them was discreet:

»Claudia`s Sex Shop«

Marlene smiled. Whenever she visited that shop, she felt like she was getting away with something. The last time she had been there, she had bought a certain electric toy, but this time, it had just been lingerie. Bright red, with black lace.

She started with a red garter belt, then put on black transparent stockings with a lace trimming and clasped the garters to them. In her bedroom mirror, she admired how the garment framed her nude middle, and she knew Hilmar would admire the look, too. Nevertheless, she then put on a pair of silk knickers. It felt a bit strange to wear them above the garters, but like that, Hilmar could peel them down whilst she still wore the stockings and garters.

The next item was a red babydoll with spaghetti straps that was transparent enough to show her belly button and that ended at the top of her thighs. A pair of red high heeled bootees completed the ensemble.

»Let`s hope he will be bewitched!«, she thought as she put on some perfume and jewellery before she posed in front of her mirror. Suddenly, the bell rang.

»He`s really early!«, Marlene thought. For a moment, she considered opening the door like she was, but if it was just a delivery man or one of her neighbours, this would have been a bit embarrassing. She sneaked to the door and peeked through the door viewer.

On her doormat stood a tall man wearing a trench coat and holding a huge bunch of roses in his hand. His head was hidden under a jester`s mask made of rubber that was brightly coloured and showed a somehow creepy grin.

»All right, if that`s your little surprise, be prepared, Hilmar!«

She rushed back into her bedroom and quickly put on the other part of her costume, bought in a regular shop and nothing her pupils would have had questions about. It was a long black cloak with arcane symbols on it, a witch`s hat and a wand with a star on its top. She once again checked herself in the mirror and then pranced towards the door, just as Hilmar, obviously impatient, pressed the bell for a second time.

»Who dares knocking on my door?«, she asked in a shrill falsetto and crouched, pretending to have a huge hunch on her back. Hilmar just stared at her, still holding the flowers as if he was hiding behind them.

»Well, enter those who dare – though I haven`t eaten yet!«, Marlene snarled and stepped back, squirming her index finger at him. Hilmar entered and closed the door behind him. Marlene straightened and arched her back a bit, allowing the cloak to gape, so it revealed her stocking-clad knee. Cocking her head, she breathed with a hoarse voice:

»One could even say I am ravenous!«

The man lowered the bunch of flowers, revealing the gun in his right. Marlene scoffed.

»Uuuh, are you a witch hunter?«

As the man just stood motionless, the smile on her lips froze. Now, she noticed his eyes under the mask. Glistering blue eyes – and Hilmar`s were brown, like hers. In a voice that sounded strange under the mask, but definitely wasn`t Hilmar`s, he ordered:

»Get into your bedroom, Marlene!«

***

Silvana had had »the talk« with Marcus – and it had turned out that he had felt more or less the same. He had seemed almost relieved that she had brought up the topic, and though she had cried a little when she had been alone, it had been a long and good conversation and they had parted on good terms. Still, it was a bit awkward if they saw each other on the corridor, but she had no problems in having small talk with Marcus, and she hoped that the last remnants of regret and loneliness would soon cease.

This evening, however, she would definitely be able to forget, for then, the trip to Venice would start. She would skip the one lesson she had on Friday, but that wouldn`t matter much, for she would definitely not be the only one to do so, for the Carnival weekend was lying ahead. Silvana had even found someone to come with her.

The week after the encounter at the Residenz, where she had ended up naked, bound and gagged once again, Silvana had decided to attend a self defence or Martial Arts class, to learn at least a few skills. By accident, she had heard one of her fellow students in her history course talk about her doing Karate, and since Mariko was born and raised in Germany, but of Japanese origin, Silvana had considered her an expert.

»So, just because I look East Asian, you assume that I am a skilled Martial Arts fighter?«

Mariko had laughed at Silvana`s perplexed look and invited her to attend her dojo. The first lesson had been strenuous, and it seemed that Mariko had found some glee in showing her superior skills (she sported a green belt) to Silvana, but the blonde had sensed that she was actually trying to be a good Sensei and so, she had persisted and though she had paid with aching muscles, sometimes having bruises and once even a black eye (a clumsy accident she could blame no one but herself for), she had continued to attend the training sessions. Two weeks ago, the Sensei had told her that she would be ready for the yellow belt examinations in April, a fact that had made her proud.

In another condition, Mariko didn`t fit the Asian cliché: she was as bad at Maths as was Silvana, and so, they had built a learning group for the one mandatory course they both attended. So, the two girls spent some time together, and more and more, they became friends. So, Silvana had offered her the second ticket to Venice.

»It`s a double room, but since it`s only for one night, I think it`s okay!«, she had added as Mariko hadn`t shown whether she was glad about the invitation. Mariko had let her eyes wander over Silvana`s body for a few seconds.

»Well, since I have seen you in the dressing room quite often, I know what I will get! So, if you don`t snore, I think I will survive sleeping next to you!«

Then, she had hugged Silvana.

»Thanks for the invitation! We will conquer the city!«

Silvana smiled as she thought of Mariko who now had to sit through a rather boring lesson in literature. Most likely, the trip would be fun, even without Marlene.

***

Of course, Marlene had asked the man who he was and what he wanted from her. She feared that she already knew, especially when he had directed her into her bedroom, and now, he ordered her to take off the hat and cloak. Marlene obeyed, feeling exposed in her red lingerie.

»Seems like you`ve expected me, Marlene!«

»He knows my name! But who is he?«

The intruder`s voice was slightly distorted by the mask, and she had no idea who it could be. For a short moment, she had hoped that Hilmar had hired someone to prank her, but then, it would have been something funny, not someone causing her to pant and cross her arms defensively in front of her ample boobs.

The man made her raise her arms and fold them behind her head, allowing him to admire her forms. Marlene blushed, though she still hoped to get out of this ordeal soon. As long as he just looked at her, he didn`t do worse, and soon, Hilmar would arrive.

»Where do you keep your dirty laundry?«

»I-in the b-bathroom!«

He made her get the aluminium barrel in which she kept her dirty laundry, and then, Marlene had to sort out her worn panties and pantyhose. He then made her get the remaining pantyhose from her drawer. Then, he handed her a pair of scissors.

»Cut the clean ones in half!«

Marlene did as she was told, making ten nylon bands out of the five pairs. The man ordered her to get on her knees, and then, he said:

»Now, stretch your arms to your sides! And don`t forget that I still have the gun, though I am now using both hands!«

Panting, Marlene could see herself and the masked intruder in her bedroom mirror. He took one of the cut pantyhose and put it over her left shoulder. Bringing the dangling end between her breasts, he then knotted it off under her right armpit. Marlene shuddered as the dangling ends brushed over her sensitive skin, triggering her ticklishness.

He slung a second nylon band over her right shoulder and knotted it under Marlene`s left armpit, so the two bands crossed between her breasts. She then had to lower her arms, and he tied her upper arms with the dangling ends. She then had to get up, and he tied a third pantyhose leg to her right elbow and then tied the ends around her upper body, further pinning her arm to her side. He repeated the procedure to her other arm, and then, he ordered:

»Spread your legs!«

Marlene gulped, but instead of groping her pubic mound, he took a fifth nylon band and tied it around her waist, pulling it so tight she ached. Then, he took two more pantyhose legs. Hanging one loosely over her shoulder, he brought the other one between her legs.

Marlene gritted her teeth, expecting to be crotch-roped, but he pulled it up diagonally, so it cut into the top of her thigh. Then, he threaded the pantyhose leg through her nylon belt and then tied off her wrist to her side, pulling the knots tight. Her other wrist was fixed the same way, and Marlene now could only do some fluttering with her fingers.

Pantyhose leg number eight was now tied to her belt and she gasped when he pulled it between her legs. The crotch rope was upholstered by her silk panties, but it bisected her pubic mound, and she whimpered as he tied it off.

»Just to remind you who`s in charge now!«, he said, slapping her rear. Then, he used the nineth nylon band to tie her legs right above the knees, leaving a small gap, so Marlene could walk slowly, but not run.

»Now, I need your help, Marlene! I can`t remove the mask yet, so, I need your judgement!«

He picked up the two pairs of used panties, a plain white cotton one, and another one in emerald green. He took each in one hand and then, he held both close to her face.

»Which one has got the stronger fragrance?«

Marlene stared at him.

»Wha-what?«

»You heard me! Tell me which one`s smellier!«

Reluctantly, Marlene sniffed. The answer was quite easy: the emerald pair, she had worn during the last Zumba training. So, she whispered her answer and the man nodded.

»You are still doing Zumba, Marlene?«

Her eyes widened. The intruder not only knew her name, but also about her private activities! Who was this man?

Her thoughts got distracted as he now threw the white pair onto the bed and then balled up the other pair. She knew what was coming, and she gulped before she opened her mouth, not wanting him to make her by pinching her nipple or yanking on her crotch rope.

He seemed to enjoy gagging her, working slowly and putting his left hand at the back of her head whilst his strong fingers pushed the fabric deeper into her mouth. He crammed it all behind her teeth, ignoring her chortles and her slight wriggling. Once he couldn`t get the panties any further, he took the last pantyhose leg and tightly cleave-gagged Marlene.

»Don`t go anywhere!«, he joked whilst Marlene was trying to cope with the mouth-filling gag and the tight band between her legs. He rummaged through her cupboards again and grabbed three silk scarves. Then, he also picked the white panties from the bed.

»As you said, these smell better!«

He pulled them over Marlene`s head, placing the crotch part over her nose. Then, he gathered them at her nape, so the cotton clung tight over her face, and secured that with a small zip tie. Then, he tied one of the scarves over her mouth. The second, he placed over her mouth, chin and nose before tying it off. Marlene now had to breathe through two layers of cloth, one of those being her used panties. Her chest heaved, but the intruder was far from being finished.

He draped the third scarf over her head, like a headscarf old women wore, and tied it under her chin, pulling the knots tight so Marlene had to bide down hard on her gag. Also, the headscarf would prevent the other scarves from slipping down.

»Uuhhmph! Mmhhmmm!«

»Don`t be impatient, we are about to go!«

Marlene shuddered. About to go?

Once again, he went for her cupboard, this time taking her long black winter coat. He draped it over her shoulders and carefully closed the buttons. Then, he pushed the empty sleeves into the pockets. In the mirror, Marlene could se it hid her bonds, as it reached over her knees. Except for her gagged and hooded head, she looked normal.

»Now, for one last thing! I hope you won`t take it as an insult, but when I had the idea, most other masks were sold out!«

From his trench coat pocket, he produced a green rubber mask, and as he unfolded it, Marlene recognized Shrek, the Ogre. Carefully, he pulled it over her head. Now, the stale scent of rubber added to what she had to  breathe, and to her horror, everything went dark. Marlene mewed and panted heavily. The man grabbed her arm and said:

»I had to tape the eyeholes shut, but there are others at the nostrils, so, if you don`t hyperventilate, you`ll be able to breathe!«

»Gghhmmph!«

Marlene`s chest heaved, but after a while, she was able to control her upcoming panic. The air smelled disgusting, but she could get enough of it into her lungs not to faint. Now, the man pushed something into her ribs she recognized was the gun`s barrel.

»Now, before we go, some simple arithmetic: the magazine of this gun keeps eight bullets, but I need only one for you. You can follow me so far?«

With a mew, Marlene nodded.

»Good! Because on the way to my car, we might meet other people. Men, women, children, I don`t know. And I still have seven bullets left. So, please, don`t make me use them on innocent people, just by trying anything silly!«

The gun`s barrel disappeared. Instead, he grabbed her arm and directed the blindfolded Marlene forward. With her knees tied, she could only take small steps, and on each, the crotch rope sawed through her pubic mound. Marlene ached, but she could not help it to be led into the corridor and then out of her apartment.

»This can`t be happening! Someone must see me!«, she thought, desperately trying to see something as they were waiting for the elevator. However, there was just a small glimpse of light coming through the holes at the nostrils, barely allowing her to see the inside of the mask, let alone peeking at the outer world.

The elevator opened, and he led her inside. It stopped soon after, and Marlene felt the man get closer to her.

»Remember what I told you!«, he hissed, barely audible, as someone entered the small cabin, grunting a »Hello!«. Marlene had to fight the urge to scream and buck. There, less than a yard away, was a potential rescuer! However, she remembered his words all too well: if she tried to alert the other passenger, he would not only kill her, but the man, too.

In the lobby, the other passenger disappeared, and Marlene was led outside. Again, she heard voices, children`s laughter, the sound of the street. One even yelled »Hey! Shrek and the Clown!«, but obviously, the person referring to them was not interested in an answer, for he walked away and then, the man once again stopped. She heard the opening of a car`s door, and then, he made her sit down on the passenger seat. Marlene moaned and reared up as sitting down on the deep seat made the crotch rope bite harder into her soft flesh, but he just placed her feet inside and then fastened the seat belt around her. The door was closed, and a few seconds later, he entered the car.

»Phew, finally, I can take off this mask! You, however, will have to wait until we are – there!«

He started the car, and soon, Marlene realized he had an automatic, for whenever he didn`t need both hands for steering, his right hand caressed her knee.

***

By sheer coincidence, Hilmar Steiner also had a bunch of roses with him as he rang at Marlene`s door little later. He frowned as he pressed the bell button for a second time. It was 6 pm now, maybe, a bit early for dinner, but Marlene had agreed upon meeting with him, and she had no idea what his surprise was. So, he had expected her to be at home and he had come here without calling or texting her before, thinking she would be at home in any cases.

He had booked a suite at a wellness spa for the two of them – just for two nights, because on Saturday, he would belong to his daughter, but it would be 48 hours in luxury they would have all to themselves, before he would try if Marlene and Carola, the most important women in his life, would get along well with each other.

He thought of ringing a third time, but decided against it. Marlene wasn`t hard of hearing, and even through the door, he could hear the bell, so, even if she was under the shower, she would have heard it.

»Maybe, she is just out shopping! I hope she doesn`t buy anything for dinner that spoils easily, for I have ordered a table for us!«

Hilmar took out his phone, thought whether he should send a message, but then decided to call her instead. After five rings, he heard the automatic voice of Marlene´s mailbox. Oppressing an annoyed sigh, Hilmar said:

»Marlene, it`s me! I am standing on your doormat, but I have ordered a table for 8pm. So, if you got stuck somewhere, please, call me! I can either pick you up or cancel the dinner and wait for you! Kiss and Goodbye!«

Had Marlene not put her phone on soundless, Hilmar would have been able to hear the ringing through the door, for the phone was still resting in her handbag, dangling from her cloak hook, less than a yard from the impatient man.

***