You’d heard about it just from unsubstantiated whispers and rumors at first, but then you saw the effects. The early warning signs before a victims fall. It happened to so many of your mutuals, and people you followed. And it always started off the same. A simple “boop” in their ask inbox. There were different initial reactions to seeing it. Some confused responses, asking about the meaning and reasoning for why they were booped. Others were a little more inviting, responding with a boop of their own, or with a silly affectionate response. The fools, they didn’t even realize what was to come in the coming days or hours. It was always the same, after the boop came the post. The strange one. The one where your friends always talked about a mysterious director turning them into a doll/puppy/toy/plaything of sorts. The post was strange, almost as if they weren’t themselves. They referenced a mysterious Theatre that they visited. Sometimes claiming that mysterious curtains had claimed silenced their minds. They then went on to say they were a mindless actor/actress/play member. Saying that their mind belonged to the Theatre. It was a bit alarming, seeing one by one your following list claiming that their minds had been surrendered to the Theatre. Was this some new hypnotic cult. Was this some supernatural phenomenon, some sinister entity assimilating your friends into its Theatre mind space? You thought you’d never figure it out, because you were safe in your little part of hypno tumblr.
That was until you got the notification in your inbox. A one word message. “Boop.” You got a chill down your spine. Was this the start? Had you been chosen? Maybe this was completely unrelated and just a cute greeting. Even if it was, would you even be able to resist? You weren’t quite sure how to respond at first. But putting your most polite foot forward had always been your policy. You responded with a polite hello, and asked the strange anon how they were. They responded in kind, saying their day was fine. You exchanged pleasantries for awhile, before it happened. They simply asked “Would you like a ticket?” This couldn’t possibly be an unrelated anon. The question gave you pause, if you said yes, this might be a road you couldn’t turn back from. You might have your mind forever changed if you accepted. But if you refused, you’d never know what all your friends saw. What rendered them mindless. What compelled them to swear fealty of their minds to some mysterious Theatre. Against your better judgment, you said yes. A mysterious new blog followed you. It was put together and hypnosis themed at least. Active enough that you were pretty confident it wasn’t a bot account trying to scam you. Then the DM came. And that’s when everything changed, for better or for worse.
The new blog greeted you rather old fashionedly. Almost like an rp. They were polite, and introduced themself as the Ticketmaster. They explained how they were glad you accepted their invitation. And they assured you that no matter what you were looking for, the Theatre would happily provide. You questioned them, asking about all your friends who mysteriously made posts about how their minds belonged to the Theatre. To which they responded, that they all had a satisfactory experience, and wanted to express their joy from visiting the Theatre. This seemed fishy, but you couldn’t turn back now. How else would you understand what took their brains away. The Ticketmaster explained that the Theatre was welcoming to all, but you must remain completely silent before entering. That included your noisy thoughts. They claimed that they had a special preshow that would quiet your noisy thoughts. You rolled your eyes, you’d seen your fair share of terrible scripts and flashy images that claimed to “hypnotize” you in your DM’s. Surely this would be no different and you’d just laugh it off, and get back to your life. But then they showed it to you. Pulsing rings of velvet. Swirling, writhing, expanding, and shrinking. So busy, yet also easy to observe and stare. Taking up almost all of your brain power, sifting through the endless folds and waves. While you were staring helplessly, the Ticketmaster was talking to you. Some deep part of you that seemed to absorb every single on of their words. The Ticketmaster said this writhing, pulsing mass of velvet was called the Curtains. They were so very good at absorbing and muffling noise. They were very good at putting the usual noise in your head on mute. The Ticketmaster went on and on, saying it’s okay that your thoughts were slipping away. That it was natural to feel your brain become foggy and fuzzy. They gently guided you to your seat, preparing you for the play. But you were dimly aware of all this. The Curtains were dominating your mind, leaving you feeling empty, brainless, and blissful. You couldn’t really form thoughts of your own. But you didn’t need to worry, the Ticketmaster had so kindly guided you to your seat, and even told you what to think while your mind was blissfully absent. But the Curtains had done their job. The lights in your mind were dim, your thoughts were muted. You were positively mindless, slumped back in your chair. You were ready for the show.
The curtains finally opened, and the Director appears center stage. They looked elegant, with a comforting air of authority. You felt as though every word they said was law in this Theatre. It’s why you didn’t really resist when they called you up onto the stage. They ordered, you obeyed. You felt yourself effortlessly approach the stage, nary a thought in your head. The Director was wearing a dapper suit and had brown skin, and an androgynous look about them. They presented you to the audience, introducing you as the plaything for the night. Their hands were gentle. Their voice gentle, yet firm, easily swaying you to their whims. The performance was a blur, you danced with the director, were their hypnotized dancing thrall at some point. You confessed innocent little secrets to the audience at their command. Even a grope here and there. They made you do mindless tasks, some innocent, other times lewd. But always well within your boundaries. After a dizzying display of mental dominance, the Director turns you towards the adoring crowd. You were receiving a standing ovation and praise. You were such a good, mindless thrall! Feeling such satisfaction for serving the Director, you give a bow to the audience. The Director kindly requests you give a review of the Theatre, something they ask of all their patrons they claim. Of course you’d give a good review! You had a wonderful experience being a mindless thrall. All of a sudden, you awoke with a start, hearing the last number in a count up from trance. You felt so relaxed, like you had taken a long nap, you had drooled over yourself. And were slightly horny(?) You checked your blog, a new post was there, made by you(?) At some point. It said you were a mindless thrall for the Director, and that you were a mindless plaything whose mind belongs to the Theatre. Just seeing this post made you feel strangely fulfilled? Euphoric? Complete? Your subconscious was still somewhat compromised. You had to tell everyone about how nice the Theatre was, and how the Ticketmaster meant no harm. And that they should let the Director play with them. You made another post raving about how good the experience was, and how you hoped your friends would join you in the Theatre. You couldn’t wait to see the posts from your friends. The ones saying they surrendered their minds to the Theatre. After all, you surrendered yours, and it was the best decision you ever made.