mechanics
Escalating play
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When wanting to escalate or de-escalating a scene, there are several ways to do so. One is by simply playing and provoking a more extreme reaction from your playing partner.
However, this may not always be a reasonable thing to do for your character in-game, while you off-game would very much like to steer your play up or down. Therefore, we will be using the taunting wave and the tone-it-down movement to non-verbally and off-game communicate that you would like to escalate or deescalate the scene with your playing partner.
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The former is a hand gesture, comparable to the "Oh yeah? Come at me, bro!" ones used in movies, most iconically by Morpheus in The Matrix. The latter is a downward motion with your flat hand as if you ask someone to tone the music volume down.
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Alternatively, if you are physically too close to your playing partner to use the tone-it-down movement, we will be using Tap Out to deescalate. It's a double-tap on the shoulder or arm of your opponent, to which they will physically step away from you and you will de-escalate it from thereon.
Cut & Lookdown
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When you want a scene to end and be able to leave it without further ado, you say "Cut" loud and clear and accompany it by making the "T"-Time out movement with your hands. The reaction of hearing "Cut" from your playing partner is to stop playing, take a step back, and let your partner leave without questioning it. If they need something off-game from you, they will communicate it to you and you can then accompany them to the organisers if need be.
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If you wish to pass through a scene without joining it - because you are on your way to the organisers, the toilet or for whatever reason do not want to be part of what's happening around you as you pass through - you can shield your eyes with one hand and simply walk through.
Do not play on someone using Look Down, simply ignore that they are there.
If you need to speak to someone off-game, you may also use Look Down. We trust that you won't abuse this mechanic to form off-game clouds in the middle of an in-game room - take it to the side or a private room, be discrete and don't disturb others' play.
Physical touch & conflict
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Regarding touching other participants, we ask that you do so respectfully - if possible, ask if it is ok in character. Never initiate a touching movement without your playing partner being able to see you do so and always leave room for them to not engage in the touch. Use slow movements and do not be offended if someone wishes to not be touched. Simply move on.
It might happen, that characters get into a physical conflict, like a fight or someone being restrained.
We ask that you check with your playing partner before you engage in these kind of scenes, as people have varying levels of what is comfortable to play for them, what might send them e.g. into an off-game shock-freeze, and render them unable to communicate their off-game needs. Therefore, we ask that you check with each other's boundaries before engaging in physical conflict and then use the above techniques to navigate it further if needed.
Yes, this takes the spontaneity out of physical conflict scenes - but we prioritise safety in this case.