Sub-Rosa

31.1 - Secrecy

The conduct of all play under this Code, along with all the proceedings and business of the Guild of the Black Pearl, shall be regarded as sub rosa (secret) and is not to be made the subject of unnecessary public curiosity. All players are to appreciate the delicate and controversial nature of odalisque slavery in the modern context and should not disclose details of any activities that might create scandal for persons or parties liable to misunderstand or sensationalize the nature of sexual service under this Code.

To say that consensual slavery is beyond the experience of the average man-in-the-street is an understatement. It hardly needs to be said that such lifestyle activities as consensual slavery – and especially odalisque slavery – are liable to be frowned upon or at least be misunderstood in ‘vanilla’ society. Such things are sub-cultures because the dominant culture has no place for them. Modern man prides himself on the abolition of slavery – he can’t understand why anyone would want to perpetuate it in a consensual form. Moreover, Code d’ Odalisque is a system of consensual sexual slavery. As soon as the man-in-the-street hears the words “sex” and “slave” in the same sentence he thinks of criminal prostitution rackets.

This is why Code d’ Odalisque includes provisions for a code of silence and secrecy. Discretion is required. Players should not discuss Code d’ Odalisque and odalisque slave play in public situations – or at least they should be fully aware of what a taboo subject “sexual slavery” is and not engage in debate with “vanilla” people on the matter. We should be realistic. Most people don’t and won’t understand. It is therefore wise not to be overt about odalisque slavery. It is not something that should be done openly. That would only arouse hostility, suspicion, unwanted attention. As the Code says:

All players are to appreciate the delicate and controversial nature of odalisque slavery in the modern context and should not disclose details of any activities that might create scandal…

This does not mean that Coders can’t discuss their activities in appropriate forums. Discretion is the watch-word. Forums, blogs, websites, clubs – all OK. It is good to provide information about and to promote Code d’ Ode in appropriate circles. We strive to create a “Code culture”. But a slave cannot go on mainstream talkback radio to blab about their training as a fellatrice! Nor should they appear on reality TV or similar. Code d’ Ode should be kept as an adults-only consent-based sub-culture that exists happily without the knowledge of the mainstream.

Odalisques are kept in secret, occluded, in any case. It is a condition of their slavery. Occlusion means “hidden”. If you are a Keeper of can odalisque it is important that your neighbor, your local shopkeepers, your friendly local police officer –all locals – do not know about her. She is not on public display. She is a hidden treasure that you enjoy in secret in the dead of night. That is the whole nature of odalisque slavery. It is a hidden fantasy world. A Slavekeeper should not announce to all and sundry that he keeps a slave. He is ultra-discrete. It is proper that his activities are “sub-rosa”.