I pondered surprises this morning: how much I don’t like them where playing spanking scenes is concerned. I’m not sure if it’s always been this way, but these days unless the scene is following very specific logic, I feel uncomfortable and thrown.
I’m not saying that I want to know exactly and in advance what’s going to be happening to me: there should be enough room for manoeuvre for the top to use a slipper if he wants to, or a cane if he feels like it, or make me write lines, or whatever. But I really need to be told at the start how many issues we’ll be dealing with, and what the rules are for the allocation of strokes.
For example, “and if you move, I’ll give you an extra one”, before a caning starts, is fine. “You’ve moved! It’s an extra stroke!” is not fine, even if we’ve played before, and I’d had extra strokes for moving in previous scenes.
What particularly throws me is when I feel the punishment has come to its logical end, and I’ve suffered through it, then to hear “I’m not sure I’ve got through to you – I think another six are in order.” I just shoot straight out of character, and feel like I’ve been lied to.
I wonder how it is for you? Do you like to be taken unawares?
Hmmm it’s a mixed thing. I *prefer* to know what the rules are and when something is going to end, but it can be more effective when I don’t…
I don’t like knowing anything. My favorite scenes jsut seem to flow and I have no idea what’s happening I love the relief of finishing or the fear of suddenly realising I’m in for more. Yummy!
Outside of hard limits and considering it must be an experienced top for this, I like the whole play to be a surprise when possible.
Prefectdt
I’m with you, Haron, on this point. If I can use a musical analogy then I prefer the scene to be a waltz rather than a jazz piece.
I’m with Emma on that one, the less know the better. Though I don’t want to be lied to directly. Like ‘right it’s the last one’ and then six follows.
This is a really interesting question. When I’m submissive (mnost of the time) – I like to know what I’m going to get, especially if it’s with a hard implement for me, like the cane. Then I can go with it, breathe and cope with it.
Conversely, if I am topping, I quite enjoy the element of surprise, exactly because I *know* it throws the sub, which gives me an advantage and makes it easier for me to get to them. Oh and I enjoy the sadistic aspects of that as well.
Hmmmm. I am a bad person!
Ah yes, like when someone tells you you’ll be getting four more, and then, oh hey, look at that, here’s another twelve!
… I actually like the surprise of that though. What I don’t like is being asked “how many was that?” when I haven’t been told to count. I mean, come on!