I’ve been having some thoughts about sub!Eskel. For he is a rare and elusive creature. Geralt? We all know he loves to be tied up, spanked and called baby. But Eskel? He’d look away and grit his teeth.
I usually write him as a dominant partner if I’m going to write D/s (and I know many people are the same, because he exudes the energy), but I think he would be a very good submissive in a very specific set of circumstances. No pet names, careful negotiation and framing of the scene.
Influenced by discussions I’ve had across several servers about different dynamics, so thanks to anyone who has ever chatted with me about this, you the real MVPs.
I don’t think Eskel would want to be babied. He would hate pet names like darling, sweetheart (just the same as I think he would hate ‘sir’ or ‘daddy’, because these are titles awarded to people who demand respect, but don’t earn it; perhaps a leftover from the trauma of his training, or having to grate out ‘sir’ to an alderman who has just spat in his face, so he can get paid and eat).
The baby/pet names would feel patronising. He would feel belittled. That’s not to say he would mind it in an equal scenario; he knows people shout all sorts of things when they’re feelin’ good and he’s down with that. But if he’s feeling lesser than? Inferior? He’d hate it. So, no pet names, you call him by his name. Let him keep his identity, the name he chose, the thing that represents him as a person and not a monster. That would be important to him.
(I imagine this would be thoroughly confusing for a Dom like Jaskier, who might struggle to see the nuance of the situation unless it’s carefully negotiated. I have a scenario where he calls Eskel ‘darling’ in a first scene, and Eskel goes into a severe drop when they’re over because of all the feelings tied up in the context of how the word is being used, anyway...).
At first, he’d hate being made to kneel, to prostrate himself, or to do anything where someone is holding authority over him. Because society makes him kneel in the dirt every single day on the Path. He has accepted it, he’s exhausted by it and he doesn’t fight against it, but he will shutdown immediately in a scene, unless... there’s groundwork done first.
And this is where praise and building up Eskel’s sense of worth (to you, as his Dom) comes in. Again, the customary praise of “oh, you’re doing so well, darling”. He’d give them the side eye, bow his head and tune it out. Not a good move. The praise needs to be genuine, it needs to be sparing and it needs to be worded well. In my head, a lot of it would happen through touch; forehead bonks, a hand in his hair. This is a man who gets touched so rarely in any context, I think a firm, meaningful and deliberate touch would be an excellent reward.
Verbally, it would mean telling him that he is strong enough, he is valuable. And then an acknowledgement of his efforts at the end. These phrases may be similar to things he’s used to hearing, phrases that actually meant something (i.e. he picks himself up after falling on the Killer, that’s a big thing, his efforts are acknowledged).
“Very good. Now do x” - “Make this adjustment. Thank you.” - “You’re strong, even when you’re broken.” - “Only you could be strong enough to take this, Eskel.” - “You have met (and/or surpassed) my expectations, I’m pleased.”
Aftercare would be important (as it always is). Transitioning him back, keeping that feeling of being valued (not belittled), and then preventing a drop. He’d want to be clean, probably dressed in something, even if not completely, and need food (he’s a big guy and would have burned through helluva lot of calories during a scene).
Part of me thinks he would want an opportunity to express gratitude? Perhaps an act of service quite soon after, or something as small as spooning his Dom against him.
He would be a challenging submissive. Not because he’d argue with you, or brat out in the traditional sense, but simply because he wouldn’t deal well with some of the more... uh, widely accepted (?!) approaches. It would be a long, winding road of negotiation, but the moment you get a sub like Eskel to float? That he trusts you explicitly in all ways? Hello, dom space.
