A slave's perspective

When a Master uses rules to "rule his household" he excercises power in enforcing obedience to his own ideas of what is preferable. Rules, generally, are used to enforce practices which are pleasing (or to forbid practices which are not pleasing) to the Master, who has the authority to enforce them.
For example, Monday to Saturday I have to get out of bed at 7am (by the time the last "pips" go on the radio.) This is a rule which Tanos introduced because he prefered me to be up (and out of the bathroom) before he needs to get up. He also prefers his breakfast on the table when he comes downstairs. (So the order not the act reminds me of my status.)

The word ritual can be applied to any method of doing something in which the detail is always, faithfully, repeated. Rituals (within a Master-slave context) are used more often to re-enforce status and foster a particular "mind-set".
The ritual of chaining me to his bed is one example I can think of. Tanos doesn't need to do this to keep me in the bed (if he ordered me to stay in there I would not disobey.) What it does achieve is to remind me that my choice to leave his bed is removed. In the morning I am unable to leave his presence without his permission. This act has become so much a part of my bedtime ritual that I find it hard to get to sleep on the occasions we have slept away from home and were unable to perform it. (So the act itself reminds me of my status.)

Sometimes the ritual can merge with the rule. I am expected to be barefoot in Tanos' presence. This rule has developed into the ritual of me removing my footwear whenever I enter the house (or his presence). Being barefoot in Tanos' presence has significance to us, to us my being without shoes is a sign of humility, but in this case both the act and the order reminds me of my status.

Broadly speaking rituals have an effect on the mind-set of the Master and the slave. They are an effective reminder of our status in relation to one another.

Rules tend to be set by the Masters preferences, although having to live by rules does have a broad effect on the slave. I certainly like living within the boundaries of clearly defined rules. I feel that the structure created by rules is an important part of a slaves life. In order to be of any effect, rules must carry consequences and this has to be strictly adhered to (and actioned) by the Master.

Objectives are far more flexible than rules, (here is an example of one of ours): "Slaves should cultivate the habit of prompt, unquestioning obedience". Tanos and I regard these as objectives rather than rules.

There are times when non-compliance to an objective would not result in punishment, for example, I have disobeyed the "unquestioning obedience" objective at times when I have been experiencing periods of resistance (or reactance) to Tanos's authority. Punishing reactance could be extremely damaging to the slave. There are occasions when maintaining enslavement and fostering trust is more important than enforcing a "rule".

lili (October 2000)