The Black Rose

Prior to my arrival in 3DX Chat, I had spent six months of lockdown time wandering the free, pirated, bootlegged version of the same platform. It was exactly the same thing as “the real deal” – with the same repetitive playlist in Sin Club, the same cuddle bugs, the same spelling mistake when using the /roll command, and the same waves of cold requests or “hi”s when arriving in the naughty rooms – but the game was based on outdated code, had less active users, and was running on a laggy server which seemed to be a flash drive in a laptop of someone using the free Wi-Fi at a Starbucks in Kalimantan. During that period, I took pride in crafting and hosting my own classical concert hall. It was a vast, neo-classical marble building with a grand piano on stage, and with enough seats to accommodate about 500 visitors. It, however, was only frequented by an average of five to ten visitors per day; mostly just friends paying me a courtesy visit. I sulked and pouted, and professed that a room theme like that could never compete amidst a plethora of fuck rooms and EDM halls. Consequently, I soon abandoned the whole idea.

Fast-forwarding to November 2020, I took to the greener pastures of “Official,” lured in by the promise of smoother gameplay, better graphics, more clothes and hairstyles, a larger community, and less bugs. Browsing through the list of active rooms, I noticed that it was much of the same as on the other game, just more of them. Of course there were such gems as Havasu Falls and Eyes Wide Shut, but the rest was the same old “COLDS OK” kind of stuff. Then one day, between all the raucous, capitalised room titles, I discovered the elegant “Black Rose Theater – Classical Music” beckoning me to take a look. I entered a kind of L-shaped, bricked room, and a pale girl with raven hair greeted me in Local Chat with the words, “Sorry hun, we’re just closing,” but told me that she would be opening again next week.

A week later I arrived on time to hear the full concert. And I was pleasantly surprised by the selection of musical pieces that were played, by the substantial turnout of attendees, and by the fact that they actually were there to listen to the music; not to hook up and shag in some corner of the room or blatantly do their deed in the dead-centre of it. After the concert I struck up a conversation with the raven-alabaster hostess Arsinoe, and told her of my previous thwarted attempt to host a classical room. I invited her over and showed her the venue that I built. She told me she was very interested in using my piano for her hall – a proposal I gladly endorsed. So with great pride I saw my instrument being used during the wonderful, weekly concerts at the Black Rose Theater. And in the following months, I added some violins and a cello to the collection of instruments.

After a year, just in time for the anniversary of the theater, I secretly decided to build a new venue that Arsinoe could use, but not telling her of my intention. I casually showed her around the new build, and she seemed startled, thinking that I decided to (re-)start my own little classical concert hall. I chuckled and said to her, “But doesn’t this layout remind you of some other place we know?” – “Well yes, it looks a bit like BR.” – “So then, wouldn’t you like to use it?” – “Wait, this is for me?” I giggled, enjoying the fact that my little plan had worked.

Yet another year in – the whole theater has been revamped once more, and its community is still thriving, with a turnup of 50-80 visitors during every concert. And we unequivocally owe it all to Arsinoe’s unbridled commitment, effort and dedication. She consistently curates an exquisite selection of music; music that brings people together, ensuring their weekly return to this oasis of beauty amidst a desert of lewdness which is 3DX Chat.

I first discovered ‘The Black Rose’ when a friend brought me there on a ‘date’. I was immediately captivated by the classical music and the atmosphere that was so different than anywhere else in 3DX. It was such a wonderful experience as an audience member that I kept coming back week after week to enjoy. It became part of my regular Friday 3DX routine.

Then one night, a member of the orchestra disconnected in the middle of the show. Apparently she wasn’t coming back because suddenly I got a message from Arsinoe. She wasn’t my friend, and I barely knew her at the time, but she asked, ‘Would you like to come up on stage and fill-in?’ I was stunned. Would I? Are you kidding me? I immediately said ‘Yes’ and hurried to take the empty seat. I was invited into the Group Chat and met all the wonderful people there (and was introduced to the rather unique orchestra characters and conversation … but that is another story). Wow, I was so overwhelmed and nervous, but also excited and happy. I still feel the same way every week, each time I join ‘The Black Rose’, all these months and years later.

Thank you Arsinoe for creating such a wonderful experience. ‘The Black Rose’ is a treasure that you give from your heart. You are the beautiful black rose among us, and we are blessed and thankful for you and all that you share with us.

We love you!