It's always an interesting experience, getting into contact with people here.

Some send a message and never follow up. Some send a few and then peter out.

And then some stick around,  messaging, responding, a back and forth. And slowly you start getting to know them. You learn what they like, what they yearn for, what they're nervous about. And you open up as well, telling them about yourself. And not just the kinky stuff, but more everyday things. And after a while, you start feeling like maybe you've made a friend.

And then someday you haven't heard from them in a few days and you check their profile. And it's closed. Gone.

You know that's the nature of a site like this. People join, and people leave. Sometimes but a mere moment, like a ship passing in the night. Fleeting.

But a part of you still feels bad. You pushed past your reservations and opened up, and now they're gone. And you know it's still good practice, and the more you do it, the easier it will be in the future. And you refuse to let it push you back into loneliness.

But it still makes you sad.