The Thecla/severian relationship is so many overlapping layers of problematic that it's basically impossible to piece out who's the abuser and who's the victim. What if you were a prisoner and I was your guard. What if you were a famous and beloved aristocrat and I was a nameless orphan, adopted by a pariah guild. What if you were on the wrong side of an unjust law and I was its willing enforcer. What if you were a woman and I was far, far too young. What if I was illiterate and you taught me how to think. What if you were alone and I was your last and only friend. What if I was alone and you used that to manipulate me. What if you were despairing and I reluctantly gave you hope. What if you were suicidal and I gave you the knife. What you were dead and I ate of your flesh, and gave you a second life. What if you were an echo that sometimes becomes a roar, and you took over my body and twisted my memories into yours. What if you let me hit because I'm goofy. What then.
