Blood from Stone [AU]

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one... is not... good at reading situations. Perhaps... perhaps I could have them and yourself over for tea tomorrow? I may have... left the situation early."

[Tethras Clan]

"Ah. That is... not entirely- well, I can sympathize with wishing to flee uncomfortable situations, dear Seeker," he says with a wince. "But... given our past relationship, it would not be out of place for me to stop by their house for a visit tomorrow. She might be less... wary around just me, as you were there while Merrill made her accusation. How did that... resolve?" Merrill is a sweet girl but a bit slantwise in her approach...

[Helene Dakesh]

"She denied the accusations. Merrill believed her."

[Tethras Clan]

"And how would you rate Merrill's judgement in such matters?" Zevran asks curiously, not being overly familiar with the elf woman.

[Helene Dakesh]

"She is... a very trusting soul."

[Tethras Clan]

"But loyal, no? To her found family."

[Helene Dakesh]

"True," Helene concedes.

[Tethras Clan]

"So... certainly earnest but possibly she has missed something or read something she merely wished to see," Zevran concludes. "I see. Then yes, I shall play a visit on the good couple and see what I can see. I suspect, however, you have more questions on the subject in general?" he asks with a grin. Chandra, as interesting as she is, comes second to the good Seeker. By her own valuation as well, evidently. I do wonder what that is about?

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "This one understands that this one's husband does not wish to discuss the particulars. This one is, however, very curious how the game is played, how pleasure is derived from it. There seems to be no mechanism for it."

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran smiles faintly. "Yes, I suspect he would not. Well... a disclaimer to start. This is not a thing of which I often indulge in, thanks to... past experiences of a related but very different sort. So while I have first hand experience, it is limited." He waits for them to nod in understanding before he continues. 

"There are numerous reasons for why people enter into a dom/sub partnership, just as there are many reasons why people would get married or enter a clergy or profession. Some common ones I have run into are related to power. Sometimes, a person with a great deal of power and responsibility in their outside life- their work for example- craves the time and chance to give up control to another. Others simply enough enjoy the strictness, the forced adherence to rule and orders. Still others like the thrill of doing something outside the norm. Some prefer to not have to decide or choose." He sips his wine. "All of these are based- in healthy relationships- on a foundation of extreme trust."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "Trust seems crucial. If the submissive cannot trust the dominant.."

[Tethras Clan]

"The reverse is also true," Zevran replies after nodding. "The sub has to trust that the dom will not go beyond the limitations they establish- boundaries and limits must be established before entering into this sort of thing and then checked on periodically- but the dom must trust that the sub will be honest about what those boundaries and limits should be. And that they will safe word- a phrase or action that informs the dom that something has gone amiss and that they need to suspend things for a while- should it be needed."

[Helene Dakesh]

"Oh!" says Helene, suddenly. "Boundaries and limits and safe words -- if they are established, it is play, and if they are not, it is true abuse?" they asks, keen to draw a clear, bright line. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Yesssss," Zevran says slowly, hesitantly. "It might not be... intentional abuse, as it is possible that the participants are simply ignorant of the proper- of the safe and healthy manner of doing such. But that does not undo or mitigate the damage that could be done."

[Helene Dakesh]

"Understood. So all we must do is ask Liz about the boundaries and safewords to ascertain if intervention is needed."