[In truth, it's probably one of the reasons she's ended up with him-- he's good at what he does, can kill with both ruthless brutality and quiet discretion, whatever is required of him (for all that he prefers the former, is fond of a bit of mess), but he also holds on to his impulses better than the rest. There are at least one or two among the Dogs who would have already snapped, by now.
In theory, it should make him perfect-- one must have control to be controlled, and he is, as she's discerned, compliant without fail. And yet, where his creator is concerned, he remains a disappointment (it never quite connects for him that what She wants is raw brutality, likes to see the civilised facade come undone, watch them break-- his unfailing submission, in Her eyes, is a flaw, an offense) and so once again as Sui Feng moves to his side and motions him up with the twist of her hand, he wonders how much of this is honour and how much is subtle punishment.
It doesn't feel much like honour, in this moment.
His face remains wiped clean of emotion as he rises, not quite looking at her, from hands and knees to knees, then feet and he's dusting off his uniform, smoothing down his hair. One should always strive towards elegance-- it's what Mother says, and even though there's little of elegance in this, he'll still carry himself with what poise he can despite what just happened, even whilst being spoken to in such a way.
At least she's made it clear what she thinks of him. Gives him some idea of how he ought to proceed from here on out. How much - or how little - he can get away with. She's hardly the first, and won't be the last, to refuse to call him by name.]
No, Ma'am.
[He has questions, has things he wants to say, but it seems to him that it's better to wait, to give her only blank submission, for now.]
no subject
In theory, it should make him perfect-- one must have control to be controlled, and he is, as she's discerned, compliant without fail. And yet, where his creator is concerned, he remains a disappointment (it never quite connects for him that what She wants is raw brutality, likes to see the civilised facade come undone, watch them break-- his unfailing submission, in Her eyes, is a flaw, an offense) and so once again as Sui Feng moves to his side and motions him up with the twist of her hand, he wonders how much of this is honour and how much is subtle punishment.
It doesn't feel much like honour, in this moment.
His face remains wiped clean of emotion as he rises, not quite looking at her, from hands and knees to knees, then feet and he's dusting off his uniform, smoothing down his hair. One should always strive towards elegance-- it's what Mother says, and even though there's little of elegance in this, he'll still carry himself with what poise he can despite what just happened, even whilst being spoken to in such a way.
At least she's made it clear what she thinks of him. Gives him some idea of how he ought to proceed from here on out. How much - or how little - he can get away with. She's hardly the first, and won't be the last, to refuse to call him by name.]
No, Ma'am.
[He has questions, has things he wants to say, but it seems to him that it's better to wait, to give her only blank submission, for now.]