Above all else, a Dominant cherishes their submissive in the knowledge that the gift the submissive gives is the greatest gift of all. A Dominant is demanding and takes full advantage of the power they hold, but knows how to share the pleasure that comes from such power over another. A Dominant is in control of themselves first and foremost, so that they may control others. As a stern and demanding Dominant, they can cause their submissive to cry real tears; As a consummate lover, they will kiss such tears away without stepping out of character. In times of trouble, a Dominant will leave the roles behind and be a supportive friend and partner, never forgetting that this is still a loving relationship between two individuals. A Dominant is quick to understand the differences between fantasy and reality. A Dominant will never ask a submissive to put them before the submissive’s career orfamily just to satisfy their own pleasure. To win a submissive’s mind, body, spirit, soul and love, a Dominant knows they must first win the submissive’s trust. A Dominant will show their submissive humour, kindness and warmth. A Dominant must always show their submissive that their guidance and tutoring in knowledgeable and deserving of the submissive’s attention, that the Dominant is a person they can learn from in in whom they can trust their direction. A Dominant is romantic enough to be protective and chivalrous. When called upon, they will fight for their submissive’s honour. A Dominant proves to their submissive that they are someone who can be leaned upon and depended upon. When it comes time to teach their submissive a lesson is obedience, a Dominant is a strong and unyielding teacher. A Dominant will accept no flaw; nothing less than perfection from their student. Never does a Dominant use discipline without good reason. When they punish their submissive it is always with a knowledgeable and careful hand. A Dominant is always open to communication and discussion; always ready to hear their submissive’s wants and needs. A Dominant is patient, taking time to learn their submissive’s limits and knowing that as the submissive’s trust in them grows, so to will they grow. A Dominant never has to demand ritual behaviour from their submissive. Their submissive responds to them out of the want of pleasing them. Compliance comes from the desire to please, not the fear of punishment. A Dominant understand the fragile nature of mind and body and never violates the trust given to them. A Dominant is secure enough to laugh at themselves and the absurdities of life; open-minded enough to learn new things. Strong enough to grow. A Dominant’s tools are mind, body, spirit, soul and love. A Dominant understands that E/each partner gains most from pleasuring the O/ther. And B/both of T/them know that love and trust are the only bonds that truly hold.