02 - Pre Talk

Negotiation

In kink, negotiation is planning out what you want to do to each other. So long as both of you are sober, you can get consent and get rolling. Since this is one of your first sessions, there isn’t much you need to negotiate beyond asking them permission to hypnotize them.

This is a good time to check for topics to avoid. A slew of deepeners mention sinking below the water, and that’s a sure fire way to get someone to nope the fuck out if they’re afraid of drowning.

As I mentioned earlier, an easy way to do this is just cover the content of the session you’re going to give, improvised or not.

Talkin’ about Pre - Talk

Other things you might want to talk about - up to your discretion:

How are you feeling about all this right now?
Anything else you’re unsure of?
Later - when you have the chops for it - an offer to demo a hand-stick or magnetic hands.

Vibe Check

Before you get started - it’s important to check the vibe and make sure it’s well charged. We can do this by…

Framing this as a fun and playful experience where you both get to try something out, there’s no wrong responses, just more data and something to giggle at if things fail.
Mentioning that while there’s a dynamic between the hypnotee and hypnotist, it’s ultimately up to them to create and enjoy their experience. You’re more like a coach than a mind-control device.
Hypnosis can feel like roleplay when you’re starting. But, it’s a gradient. Ask them to notice how automatic their responses feel, and the subtle changes in that feeling over time. They may even be surprised at some point how automatic their responses are.
Create an inviting atmosphere. Quite literally. Invite them to notice what they notice, feel what they feel, and experience what they experience.

Give this video from Etheri does hypnosis. All the advice here is solid - but I’d like you to notice something else about the video. But - I’ll get back to that when you’re done watching.

Done? Good job!

How did you feel while watching this video? Relaxed? Calm? Did you feel like you were welcomed to try things? Did you feel invited to enjoy or immerse yourself in an experience?

This is the sort of vibe you want to shoot for - you’re trying to collaboratively create a fun and immersive adventure. There is so much more to this than following some guidelines or doing things “correctly.” Go create the emotional space for you and your subject to enjoy your time together.

Prepare to Avoid Bullshit

Make sure you won’t be interrupted by notifications, your body needing a bio-break, or your phone for a little bit. This is also a good time to check in with yourself and ensure you’re not pressured into something you’re not ready for or don’t want. Don’t get bullied into being someone’s next drop.

🦈 Not sure what I mean?

Take a leak, mute notifications, go on red if join requests distract you, and consume your meds. Go make sure your roommate isn’t going to yell through your headset and ask if you want to get some Taco Baco. They’re probably piloting a meat-mech; check and ensure they’ve used the restroom. If they’re a Protogen, ask them if they need a quick oil change before you get started. If they can’t take the joke, don’t play with that toaster.

In one of my first sessions, I took a subject off to the side in a semi-private location. I wanted it to be open so folks could watch (or, frankly, provide feedback.) Folks were respectful! But even just watching someone adjust their avatar position in the background was enough to knock me out of my train of thought. So be aware of your own distractions, too.

### Flight Check! Speedrun this shit: - Phone out of pocket - Notifications muted - Messengers closed - In VR - distractions off. (If someone starts playing Nickelback in the middle of one of my sessions there's gonna be a dead body somewhere in that instance.) - Pee pee poo poo break - Pets fed, out of the room - Privacy - Medications taken - Smoke break

Strapping in!

Mandatory things to talk about:

Provide an outline of the content of your planned session.
Consent to hypnotize.
Do you have safeties in place? (When you get the experience to provide these, this is a nice thing to stack on to a session.)
Comfort check.

Ask them about their immediate area. Ensure they won’t slump and fall off their chair or bed. Tell them that when they enter hypnosis, they may notice their body becoming deeply relaxed, and slipping off a seating implement is only entertaining so many times. Suggest they sit, not lie down - you’re wasting your effort if they pass the fuck out.

Confidence comes later. Don’t do your best - get it done and have fun.