Bawdy Storytelling – Episode 18: Carnal Cosplay
Date: February 16, 2017 | Host: Dixie De La Tour

Episode Overview

This lively episode of Bawdy Storytelling, titled “Carnal Cosplay,” delves into the liberating, imaginative, and utterly sexy world of costume play—where ordinary people become extraordinary, and fantasies are embraced in full, sex-positive color. Host Dixie De La Tour explores how cosplay at parties and in private moments allows people to step outside their everyday identities and tap into hidden parts of themselves, with two vibrant true stories told live on stage: one from first-timer Kara Adele, the next from cosplayer and sexual adventurer Ann Lynn Bond. Between stories, Dixie’s anecdotes and commentary thread everything together, celebrating self-discovery, creativity, and unabashed sexual bravado.

Key Discussion Points & Story Summaries

What is Cosplay & Why It Thrills (01:14–02:22, 16:45–18:17)

• Dixie De La Tour explains the freedom and self-expression found in cosplay—especially for introverts and those exploring gender and sexuality:
  • “Cosplay is a word that's a contraction of costume and play. And it is a really fun way to be somebody else for a little while. It's liberating if you're an introvert.” (01:14)
  • She highlights how sex-positive, costumed environments showcase people’s inventiveness and allow flirting to be about admiration of creativity rather than tired clichés:
    • “It's so much nicer to have somebody come up and say, ‘That is some feather work right there. Wow. Vegas showgirl headpiece. Good job.’ … rather than, ‘You've got nice tits,’ because that's a lackluster compliment.” (16:45)

Story 1: Kara Adele – “Buttercup Goes Bold” (02:22–16:45)

Setting & Lead-Up

• Kara Adele shares her never-before-shared story; even her friends haven't heard it.
• The scene: a superhero-themed graduation party in Arlington, VA, attended mostly by women from her expressive arts therapy cohort.
• Kara, dressed as Buttercup from The Powerpuff Girls—the “bad bitch” of the trio, in lime green—reminisces about her growing awareness of queerness, past crushes, and the power of costumes to let hidden traits surface.

The Flirtation

• Allison, the curvaceous, alluring host dressed as Black Widow, flirts with Kara—first a kiss on the cheek with bright lipstick, then mutual lingering, and a building sexual tension:
  • “We linger in that moment, our lips just resting on each other's cheeks. And for a second, it's just us.” (10:21)

The Encounter

• Allison invites Kara to her bedroom, despite her boyfriend being at the party. Kara, normally not about infidelity, seizes the thrilling opportunity:
  • “Every now and then, when an opportunity presents itself, you have to have sex with it.” (11:47)
• The two dive into a passionate, uninhibited sexual encounter, costumes gradually coming off, inhibitions dropping:
  • “My inner Buttercup just took over and I threw her down on the bed and I pinned her arms above her head with one hand.” (13:28)
• A playful, transformative dynamic—Buttercup meets Black Widow with lipstick-stained bodies, laughter, and a secret all their own.

Aftermath & Insight

• The realization: seizing the moment matters. This wasn’t about falling in love or “best sex ever,” but about agency and daring.
• Notable quote:
  • “I learned to live vicariously through me...I realized if an opportunity presents itself, you should seize it, because you never know where it will take you. So seize the opportunity—but just remember to take off your lipstick first.” (15:53)

Commentary: Host on the Power of Dressing Up (16:45–18:17)

• Dixie reflects on her journey through poly and kink spaces, and the unique, liberating aspects of themed sex parties.
• She encourages listeners to “throw your heart into it” with costumes at sex parties and try new identities.

Story 2: Ann Lynn Bond – “Becoming Captain America (and Getting Avenged)” (19:57–32:59)

Geeky Origin Story

• Ann Lynn Bond describes her journey from bullied young nerd, mocked for writing elvish runes (@19:57), to Harvard student, and eventually major film buff and sex-positive explorer.
  • “I was a clarinet playing, co president of academic bowl and poetry club geek who was like really big into Lord of the Rings and Star Wars.” (19:59)

Finding Community & Self-Acceptance

• First transformative sexual experience: a threesome with two fellow Lord of the Rings and Buffy geeks in LA.
  • “I lose my virginity to them in a threesome, which is awesome.” (22:28)
• After working in film and yearning for real-life adventure, Ann moves to San Francisco, discovers the famed Mission Control sex-positive community, and indulges her inner geek at themed parties.

Epic Cosplay, Epic Fantasy

• Ann finds herself thrilled by the emotional resonance of Captain America in “The Winter Soldier.”
  • “He drops his shield because he would rather honor his commitment to who he is and what he believes in than to win a fight ... I want to be that. Like, that is awesome.” (24:47)
• Commits to “Project Captain America”—making her own costume, building muscle, and planning for the Avengers movie premiere.

The Gangbang Birthday

• Ann decides her birthday party dream is an Avengers-themed gangbang (“gangbang Captain America”), which her friends embrace enthusiastically.
  • “They are all gathered to fuck me silly.” (26:51)
• Hilariously and hotly narrated: Loki, Thor, Agent Coulson, Hawkeye, and more participate, complete with roleplay, blindfolds, impact play, and group sex.
• Ann’s perspective merges geek fan fantasy and sexual liberation:
  • “In my head, like, the Winter Soldier is fucking Captain America. This is like all of my geeky fan fantasies come true. This is incredible.” (28:50)
• The climactic moment is one of total belonging and self-acceptance:
  • “I just feel so, so loved and appreciated like I never have before. … For years I just thought, like, oh, I'm a freak and a geek and I'm just kind of like all out here alone. But I realized I'm so not alone and there are so many other people out there like me, and it makes me so happy.” (31:52)
• Ann’s resolution: “to never be any less than my full self … and to never cower in front of another bully ever again.” (32:40)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dixie De La Tour:
  • “Cosplay is a word that's a contraction of costume and play. And it is a really fun way to be somebody else for a little while.” (01:14)
  • “It's so much nicer to have somebody come up and say, ‘That is some feather work right there…’ rather than, ‘You’ve got nice tits.’” (16:45)
• Kara Adele:
  • “My inner Buttercup just took over and I threw her down on the bed and I pinned her arms above her head with one hand...” (13:28)
  • “If an opportunity presents itself, you should seize it…” (15:53)
• Ann Lynn Bond:
  • “For years I just thought, like, oh, I'm a freak and a geek and I'm just kind of like all out here alone. But I realized I'm so not alone and there are so many other people out there like me, and it makes me so happy.” (31:52)
  • “The Winter Soldier is fucking Captain America…this is like all of my geeky fan fantasies come true.” (28:50)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Cosplay Explained/Context: 01:14–02:22
• Kara Adele’s Story – Buttercup: 02:22–16:45
• Dixie on Costumed Sex Parties: 16:45–18:17
• Ann Lynn Bond’s Story – Captain America: 19:57–32:59

Episode Tone & Final Reflections

The tone throughout is irreverent, celebratory, raw, and honest, balancing humor with heartfelt insight into why sexual and personal liberation is so important. Both stories show how cosplay—whether as extravagant as a Captain America gangbang or as intimate as a lipstick-stained secret between friends—can unlock identity, connection, and joy.

For fans of sex-positive storytelling or anyone interested in the intersection of geekdom, community, and erotic adventure, this stand-out episode delivers entertainment, wisdom, and plenty of laughs. “Carnal Cosplay” reminds us all: you can be the hero, the villain—or both—of your own story.