What a Master/Mistress is .... 

* Above all else, He/She cherishes His/Her submissive, in the knowledge that the Gift she gives Him/Her is the greatest Gift of all. He/She is demanding and takes full advantage of the power given to Him/Her, but knows how to share the pleasure that comes from that precious Gift. 

* He/She is in control of Him/Herself first and foremost, so that He/She may control others. As a stern and demanding Master/Mistress, He/She can cause His/Her submissive to cry real tears. As the consummate lover, He/She will then kiss the tears away, without stepping out of character. 

* In times of trouble, a Master/Mistress will leave the roles behind, to be a supportive friend and partner, never forgetting that this is still a loving relationship between two caring individuals. He/She is quick to understand the differences between fantasy and reality. 

* He/She would never ask a submissive to put Him/Her before her career, or family, just to satisfy His/Her own pleasure. 

* To win His/Her submissive's mind, body, spirit, soul, and love, He/She knows He/She must first win her trust. 

* He/She will show His/Her submissive humor, kindness, and warmth. 

* He/She must always show her that His/Her guidance and tutoring is knowledgeable and deserving of her attention, that this is a Man/Woman that she can learn from, and trust His/Her direction. 

* He/She is romantic enough to be protective and chivalrous. When called upon, He/She will fight for His/Her lady's honor. 

* He/She proves to her that He/She is Someone she can lean on, and depend on. 

* When it comes time to teach His/Her submissive her lessons of obedience, He/She is a strong and unyielding professor. He/She will accept no flaw, nothing less than perfection from His/Her student. 

* Never does He/She use discipline without a good reason. When He/She does, it is always with a knowledgeable and careful hand. 

* He/She is always open to communication and discussion, always ready to hear her wants and needs. 

* He/She is patient, taking time to learn her limits, and knowing that as her trust in Him/Her grows, so will T/they. 

* He/She never has to demand ritual behavior by her. 

* she responds to Him/Her out of the want of pleasing Him/Her. 

* Compliance comes from the wanting to please, not the fear of punishment. 

* He/She understands the fragile nature of mind and body and never violates the trust given to Him/Her. 

* He/She is secure enough to laugh at Him/Herself and the absurdities of life. Open-minded enough to learn new things. Strong enough to grow. His/Her tools are mind, body, spirit, soul, and love. 

* He/She understands that each partner gains most from pleasuring the other. 

* And B/both of T/them know that love and trust are the only bindings that truly hold.