[For this version of Stephen Strange, there are some things he very much takes for granted given his standing in Duplicity.
He takes it as given that he will be able to go effectively anywhere he wants, whenever he wants, and with whomever he wants; the latter of those points only really has limits when it comes to people whose throats are as clear as his own.
He also takes for granted that a Submissive's place is exactly where he tells them to be and expects them to defer to him entirely. After all, it's just his birthright and the way of things. That doesn't mean he needs to be cruel or unpleasant on principle, of course, but it is what he expects.
And in many respects, Essek both seems to understand his role perfectly well in all the right places, and then at the most strategic points can unveil the impression of something transgressive. And for Stephen, it's a difficult line to walk and yet when done right is one of the most enticing things imaginable.
Folding his long fingers together, he regards Essek with a steady, focused stare as he speaks, amused and intrigued by his read of things before giving a low, throaty chuckle.]
I find there's a tendency and an ease with which we can fall over ourselves to grasp onto the crass, as it were. Not that I'm opposed to it, don't get me wrong, but it's as you say--it's a little harder to find something more drawn out and appreciative of some of the finer details. Rather than complain about what's lacking though, I'd rather create it for myself. [He leans in slightly, not too close, just enough to show interest without crowding.] So I have a sneaking feeling we'll both be remembering this night for quite some time to come.
But not all Submissives would be nearly as forward as you have been and I could have very easily sent you packing. What made you bold enough to take the risk with me that you did? Surely not my professional reputation alone--I get very mixed reviews depending on who you speak to.
[Essek leans in a bit as well, his fingers coming to rest under his chin as he considers the very fair question, though the lingering in his thought is, to a degree, performative. He rarely made an unmeasured move, even now with his memories full of a life knowing his place in this world, knowing he would serve and care for his betters. He never once took that to mean being stepped on in the process. A good life could be had, if only with a bit of care and patience.]
You could have, it's true. I could have been very wrong and you'd have been in your right to respond in kind. However, I...pride myself in my observational abilities. My intuition is often a guiding factor and I have learned there are times to be cautious and times to be bold and those instances can switch with each other at a moment's notice.
Simply put: I took into consideration all reputations I could find, mixed or otherwise, noted to had...occasion to be kind, but more than that seemed to like a level of intrigue and suspense and thought perhaps you might enjoy a-hm...particular kind of attention. The kind, perhaps, that is paid in full to you, but not so far as to simply make things easy.
[His head tilts slightly and his smile grows into something almost sweet were it not for the watchfulness in Essek's eyes.] Was I mistaken in any of that?
[In so many ways, Stephen is a model Duplicity citizen. He participates in all the activities expected of him with all the types of people he's expected to do them with, he keeps his head high to show the bare throat he's been given, and he embraces all the specialised work and extracurricular endeavours of a high-flying Dominant working in Duplicity's sex-tech industry.
And then there are the things that tempt Stephen, a taste for the transgressive.
Because he knows about his temptations, Stephen has an excellent poker face, the one he wears across the table from Essek as he speaks through his reasoning, how he came to measure up the pros and cons of the risks and ultimately pegged Stephen as someone worth taking the gamble with on the one hand, but also clearly confident enough with the odds to feel very safe making it at all.
But even Stephen's poker face has limits when presented with something he is genuinely enticed by as his lips slide into a slow smile.]
No, not mistaken at all. Which is probably for the best since we both know there are a lot of Dominants who would relish thoroughly putting you in your place just for this.
[It isn't lost on Stephen that Essek has managed to put him in a pretty unique position where having gauged things entirely correctly means he's got some pretty solid leverage on Stephen socially speaking, if he felt inclined. And he's done it so effortlessly. Damn. Stephen really should feel far more nervous than he is and instead find himself entirely intrigued and impressed as his fingers tap against one another in thought.]
You're not wrong at all. Which makes you more than a little dangerous. [He points his two forefingers toward Essek from the steeple of his hands.] But if you know all this, you know that too. Which has me wondering if you do this often, or if I should consider myself special.
[His lips quirk up at the mention of dominants 'putting him in his place' of course there were, and were he ever caught flatfooted, they'd be in their right. Which was why he did his best not to be caught in a position he couldn't handle. He doesn't say I'd like to see them try, but the thought is there and gone in seconds.
He folds his hands before him in an almost demure act.] Watching your mind at work is lovely, doctor. Do I often watch and learn and file away information on others so that I might know where to step around or near them in social situations? It would be...foolish not to. Do I take an active interest in any of those who fall in my attentions? Not so nearly often as you may think. I may be dangerous, but the fact you've not yet called for anyone to remove me from you, nor taken your leave to smear my reputation, means you might just find that danger appealing. That is also interesting information and not unappreciated.
[If this Stephen knew the reference Danger, Will Robinson, that would be flashing through his head right about now and he wouldn't even care.
Because it's not only true, Essek is proving Stephen's instincts to be increasingly correct. And worst--or best--of all, Essek clearly understands all the implications and can pluck out the treads of meaning with such skill that he's probably weaving a rope together with all of them. And Stephen wouldn't even mind if he gets lassoed with that rope. Maybe it's already happened.]
How do you know I'm not just waiting for you to say something more incriminating still? Something indisputable if I were to call some SIN guards over before contacting the city authorities and your Dominant?
[There's a wicked little smile just at the edges of his lips, though not at the actual thought of doing any of that in reality. It's the anticipation of hearing what Essek has to say, the prospect of getting to see more of his mind at work, because as flattering as it is to hear that his own mental processing is pleasing, the sensation from across the table is evidently mutually shared for Stephen.]
[That falsely demure act splinters with the curve of Essek's smile. A delicate turn that couldn't possibly be a smirk because that just wouldn't be proper.]
My dear doctor...to play such a game, you must no the rules or fall to them. What could I say that would be so incriminating? I am certain that no such thing could fall to this table. I like to think I...have more care than that.
[His head tilts, the jewelry along his ear jingling with the movement.] A care that I may artfully apply when and where I so choose, of course. A counter-question, then. What, do you think, is to stop you from simply making something up and doing as you wish? I have put myself in a vulnerable position with you, you would be within your power to walk away with very little evidence to whatever words you offered. Perhaps you are no less dangerous yourself.
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He takes it as given that he will be able to go effectively anywhere he wants, whenever he wants, and with whomever he wants; the latter of those points only really has limits when it comes to people whose throats are as clear as his own.
He also takes for granted that a Submissive's place is exactly where he tells them to be and expects them to defer to him entirely. After all, it's just his birthright and the way of things. That doesn't mean he needs to be cruel or unpleasant on principle, of course, but it is what he expects.
And in many respects, Essek both seems to understand his role perfectly well in all the right places, and then at the most strategic points can unveil the impression of something transgressive. And for Stephen, it's a difficult line to walk and yet when done right is one of the most enticing things imaginable.
Folding his long fingers together, he regards Essek with a steady, focused stare as he speaks, amused and intrigued by his read of things before giving a low, throaty chuckle.]
I find there's a tendency and an ease with which we can fall over ourselves to grasp onto the crass, as it were. Not that I'm opposed to it, don't get me wrong, but it's as you say--it's a little harder to find something more drawn out and appreciative of some of the finer details. Rather than complain about what's lacking though, I'd rather create it for myself. [He leans in slightly, not too close, just enough to show interest without crowding.] So I have a sneaking feeling we'll both be remembering this night for quite some time to come.
But not all Submissives would be nearly as forward as you have been and I could have very easily sent you packing. What made you bold enough to take the risk with me that you did? Surely not my professional reputation alone--I get very mixed reviews depending on who you speak to.
no subject
You could have, it's true. I could have been very wrong and you'd have been in your right to respond in kind. However, I...pride myself in my observational abilities. My intuition is often a guiding factor and I have learned there are times to be cautious and times to be bold and those instances can switch with each other at a moment's notice.
Simply put: I took into consideration all reputations I could find, mixed or otherwise, noted to had...occasion to be kind, but more than that seemed to like a level of intrigue and suspense and thought perhaps you might enjoy a-hm...particular kind of attention. The kind, perhaps, that is paid in full to you, but not so far as to simply make things easy.
[His head tilts slightly and his smile grows into something almost sweet were it not for the watchfulness in Essek's eyes.] Was I mistaken in any of that?
no subject
And then there are the things that tempt Stephen, a taste for the transgressive.
Because he knows about his temptations, Stephen has an excellent poker face, the one he wears across the table from Essek as he speaks through his reasoning, how he came to measure up the pros and cons of the risks and ultimately pegged Stephen as someone worth taking the gamble with on the one hand, but also clearly confident enough with the odds to feel very safe making it at all.
But even Stephen's poker face has limits when presented with something he is genuinely enticed by as his lips slide into a slow smile.]
No, not mistaken at all. Which is probably for the best since we both know there are a lot of Dominants who would relish thoroughly putting you in your place just for this.
[It isn't lost on Stephen that Essek has managed to put him in a pretty unique position where having gauged things entirely correctly means he's got some pretty solid leverage on Stephen socially speaking, if he felt inclined. And he's done it so effortlessly. Damn. Stephen really should feel far more nervous than he is and instead find himself entirely intrigued and impressed as his fingers tap against one another in thought.]
You're not wrong at all. Which makes you more than a little dangerous. [He points his two forefingers toward Essek from the steeple of his hands.] But if you know all this, you know that too. Which has me wondering if you do this often, or if I should consider myself special.
no subject
He folds his hands before him in an almost demure act.] Watching your mind at work is lovely, doctor. Do I often watch and learn and file away information on others so that I might know where to step around or near them in social situations? It would be...foolish not to. Do I take an active interest in any of those who fall in my attentions? Not so nearly often as you may think. I may be dangerous, but the fact you've not yet called for anyone to remove me from you, nor taken your leave to smear my reputation, means you might just find that danger appealing. That is also interesting information and not unappreciated.
no subject
Because it's not only true, Essek is proving Stephen's instincts to be increasingly correct. And worst--or best--of all, Essek clearly understands all the implications and can pluck out the treads of meaning with such skill that he's probably weaving a rope together with all of them. And Stephen wouldn't even mind if he gets lassoed with that rope. Maybe it's already happened.]
How do you know I'm not just waiting for you to say something more incriminating still? Something indisputable if I were to call some SIN guards over before contacting the city authorities and your Dominant?
[There's a wicked little smile just at the edges of his lips, though not at the actual thought of doing any of that in reality. It's the anticipation of hearing what Essek has to say, the prospect of getting to see more of his mind at work, because as flattering as it is to hear that his own mental processing is pleasing, the sensation from across the table is evidently mutually shared for Stephen.]
no subject
My dear doctor...to play such a game, you must no the rules or fall to them. What could I say that would be so incriminating? I am certain that no such thing could fall to this table. I like to think I...have more care than that.
[His head tilts, the jewelry along his ear jingling with the movement.] A care that I may artfully apply when and where I so choose, of course. A counter-question, then. What, do you think, is to stop you from simply making something up and doing as you wish? I have put myself in a vulnerable position with you, you would be within your power to walk away with very little evidence to whatever words you offered. Perhaps you are no less dangerous yourself.