Alyssa moved to stand in front of Tuyot, who had not moved from their obedient position.
“First and foremost, as with all things, communication is key. Always begin by establishing boundaries. Decide what exactly you want from the experience and what you don’t want. If something is uncomfortable, or too tight, or you just don’t want to do it anymore, speak up. For the rigger—the person tying the knots—it is your job to continuously check your partner’s comfort. This includes monitoring their circulation. We do not want any purple limbs or broken scales. Well. Not today, anyway.”
Alyssa smirked and the crowd tittered.
“In general, we want to avoid discoloration and numbness,” she went on. “This can be trickier to spot on Mer scales. If you are rigging a Mer, watch carefully to see if scales are bending. The finer scales at the wrists, for example, are flexible, but larger scales, in general, shouldn’t be bending. Check in with your Mer partner often to ensure there’s no numbness.”
Keld bent down again. “Don’t worry, I’ve done this before. I’ll make sure you feeleverything.”
Grayson refused to turn, but Keld saw his cheek darken.
Alyssa gestured to various points on Tuyot’s body. “We mostly want to avoid excessive pressure on joints and nerves. Stick to the meatier parts of your partner.” She winked.
Keld held his tongue this time.
“That about covers it!” Alyssa clapped her hands together. “So, if you want to be the one getting tied up, please face your partner and hold out an arm. We’ll be starting with a foundational knot called the single column.”
Keld waited, but Grayson didn’t turn.
“Want to tie me up instead?” Keld suggested. “Not my usual position, but I’ll try anything once.”
Grayson let out a sharp sigh and thrust his arm out toward Keld.
“Good,” Keld murmured.
That sweet, flowery smell cloyed in the air around them, rolling from Grayson’s scent glands and into Keld’s bloodstream. It mingled with the scents of a dozen other excited Omegas’, filling the entire room in a sugary cloud.
“Can you smell that?” Keld whispered, looping the rope around Grayson’s wrists. “All the Omegas?”
Grayson pressed his lips together. “Yes,” he muttered. “I feel like I’m at a combination florist and bakery.”
Keld barked a laugh. “Funnyandpretty? The world is an unfair place, isn’t it?”
Grayson’s entire face went beet red, and the air around him grew even sweeter. “I’m not pretty.”
Keld hooked a finger under his chin. “I beg to differ.”
Grayson’s pale blue eyes met his. Keld held him there for a few moments before releasing him. On stage, Alyssa was demonstrating the knot on Tuyot. The enormous Alpha’s tail flicked side to side. Nervousness. Excitement. Maybe both.
Keld finished the knot with a flourish. “Done. What do you think?”
Grayson lifted his wrist closer. “It’s kind of pretty.”
“Only because it’s on you.”
Grayson glared, but the look had less bite than mere moments prior. “Don’t overdo it.”
Keld chuckled and loosened the knot. “Give me both your wrists.”
Grayson glanced up at the stage, where Alyssa was showcasing her completed knot. “She didn’t say both wrists.”
“True, but she will in just a few minutes.” Keld’s eyes roved over the delicate line of the Omega’s neck and shoulder. “We can wait if that would make you more comfortable.”
Grayson didn’t answer at first. Keld watched the Omega’s gaze flicker between his scaleclad body and the floor.
“Fine.” Grayson offered both arms, but kept his eyes on the ground.
Keld wrapped the rope around both forearms. “Not used to seeing Mer without clothes?”
