Theatre and democracy in Second Life

Everyone gets a part

Interestingly, the sight of Destiny 2.0 in that poofy pink outfit made me uncomfortable. And I think this reflects my tendency to remain in character while playing in SL. It's a matter of my observing the character’s own internal logic, sanity, consistency - of maintaining her integrity. As the one who created the role, and the one who plays her, I've developed a sense of loyalty: I simply do not want her presenting herself in a way that would be inconsistent with her, well, with her feelings, actually.

Because, she does have feelings, and they're not always my feelings. Certainly she's not real in the sense that you and I are real, but she is a fairly well-developed character nevertheless. I'd say she is real in the sense that a well-drawn character in a book or a movie seems real. And some very authentic RL emotions can be involved here, because, ultimately, there are real people behind the avatars. Sometimes, SL Destiny's experiences can affect me, and the people I contact in SL through her, emotionally, much the way that a movie or a book can affect our real-life feelings. We all know it's fiction, but anyone who hasn't laughed aloud or wept aloud while reading a book or watching a movie really ought to seek professional help.

Art and fiction do generate real emotions. The actual source - a book, movie, painting, etc - is the product of someone's imagination, but the effect it can have on us is absolutely real and the emotions we experience are perfectly authentic. And I think that games like SL can work in a similar way, only here you are not only a witness; you're also a contributor. Everyone is audience member and player at once.

Naturally, if one intends to be loyal to one's character, one will be conscious of presentation. We present ourselves in many ways; clothes are merely one element. Still, if you're going to play a character with integrity, you are always quietly conscious of what they would say, how they might interact with others, how they would respond in a certain situation, and of course, how they look. Ideally, you learn to play your character well enough not to think about any of this: it all becomes second nature.

While I searched for a way to explain to my in-world friend why SL Destiny would never wear such an outfit, and why I, the real-life person playing her, am actually uncomfortable with it, she raised several good points. Where is the harm to a Domme in showing a softer, more feminine side? Would it seem like weakness? Can't you let your hair down among family and close friends? Does a Domme always have to be so strong? If you can instruct your subs to top you occasionally, why can't you wear a pink party dress?