The Masochist.

I started writing this in response to the 100 sensory stones thread, but it came out way too long -- ~60 lines, ~505 words.

The Masochist

When you come to, it is completely, stiflingly dark. That’s all right – not even all that unusual.

You can’t move, either. That’s not unusual at all. What's strange is that you can’t really feel the restraints against your skin – not metal or leather or silk or any of the other materials you’re familiar with.

Restrained by magic, then?

You don’t feel the fear or dread that others would. Uncertainty about the unknown, but nothing more than that. Indeed, you are almost laughing inside.

You try to speak, and find that at least you can do that. “I am a Loviatan. Pain is the blessing of the Maiden, and gives me power. Do you think I can possibly be frightened by whatever childish technique you have in mind?”

There is silence for a long time. Minutes, hours, days? There seem to be no demands of hunger or thirst, or even any discomfort from staying in the same position for such a long period of time.

You can’t pinch or cut or even scratch yourself like this; after a while, it’s maddeningly frustrating. How can you show the Maiden your devotions when you can’t inflict pain on either yourself or someone else?

You chant litanies to Loviatar as you wait for something to happen. Even the sound is deadened to some extent.

The darkness becomes even more stifling.

After another eternity of time, there is a voice.

“How does one, realistically, torture a Loviatan in good standing with her deity? Suffering gives them power. Extremes of pain that would break anyone else are merely received by them as a divine ecstacy of the goddess.”

You try to speak, but find you are unable to. It seems that someone doesn’t want to be interrupted.

“I’ve given the matter some thought.

“The antithesis of pain is not really pleasure. Really, there’s little difference between the two, save that one is usually sought after and the other is usually avoided.

“No, its opposite is boredom – apathy -- lack of stimulation.

“You are a little bit uncomfortable right now, but you are not really in pain. You are frustrated because you can’t whip or flog yourself into a state of divine communion. Nor can you lure someone else into inflicting pain on you and addicting him to the Maiden of Pain in the process. Your upstart goddess is all attention and gross physical sensation; once we’re done this conversation, you’ll have little of either.

“Imagine being unable to move… or feel pain… or pleasure… or provide them to others. Neither scorn, nor terror, nor desire, nor unhealthy curiosity fill the eyes of others around you… instead, you moulder alone in the dark.

“Forgotten… and unimportant. For a year, or a century, or until time ceases to have any meaning… I haven’t decided. Your stomach will not turn on itself from hunger, nor will fire ever touch your flesh, nor will your bones ache with cold. Instead, I give you the thing even a Loviatan cannot stand. Nothingness…”