do you prefer whump to take place in a more 'convential' whump setting (a cell/basement/place specifically designed for whumping) or somewhere more unexpected/'normal' (like a luxury setting, a restaurant, or theatre or something)?
ooh what a question!
I really enjoy cells and basements for whump. I think it's a great setting for 'no one will find you' taunts and whumper being able to let the whumpee scream and cry as much as they want, knowing they'll never be found is SOOO GOOD!!
and it also gives the whumper range; cells and basements are usually cold (like ICE COLD), but can be heated to horrible warmth, and they have plenty of space, are usually pretty closed off (meaning whumper can have a whole upstairs life in peace). plus I feel like cells and chains go together so well! and a cell is specifically built for whumpee to be contained (bonus if whumpee is magic/not human and the cell has enchantments to keep them trapped), while basements are made for house life but still have great potential. cells are also damp, dank, and have rats/mice and insects crawling around. so much potential for whumpee getting sick, or a wound getting infected in the cell and them NEEDING whumper's help (intimate whumpers are my favorite type).
cue whumper going all 'aw, darling, do you not feel too great?', stroking whumpee's hair and pressing them into an embrace that whumpee has no choice to accept because they're either too weak to refuse or they realize that they need whumper (or both!)
soo yeah, cells and basements have their appeal, and their aesthetic can be so whumpy! they have a certain je ne sais quoi to them, and it gives me the whumperflies to see a whumpee in a cell!!
BUT
unexpected whump, ESPECIALLY in luxury settings, beats that any day. because for it to last, whumpee has to be actually afraid of whumper (or maybe conditioned, but that takes time and cells/basements work better long-term). when whumpee has to pretend in from of others that 'everything is okay, i promise, don't worry', it's so amazing because they are fully convinced that whumper being exposed will only end with whumpee having it so much worse. they know they can't scream or cry, and they have to lie even though they wish whumper was exposed and stopped hurting them.
my particular favorite (that I don't see much of I'm afraid) is when there's something hanging over whumpee's head, and it's so grave that they appear in a public, luxurious event, WITH WHUMPER, and they pretend to be completely fine. just. completely normal, happy, laughing, drinking and eating. they let whumper pick their clothing, and they don't complain, they don't even flinch. (or do they? whumper notices and punishes them later) and on the inside, they hate themselves for what they're doing, but they also know that this is so much better than whumper's alternative. so. much. better.
and the dialogue options?? whumper spitting threats from behind a polished smile, gritted teeth hushing the threats that make whumpee want to start sobbing: 'that's it, honey, smile, or i'll flay the skin from your fucking back for every second that you don't'
when they sit down at the small table, whumpee grabs whumper's hand and whispers, not to draw attention (or maybe it's televised? not to draw attention and CAMERAS?) 'i tried, whumper i tried i promise, please, please i did everything you wanted--'
and whumper squeezes their hand and smiles (genuinely for once, or as genuine as they can get) and says 'oh, darling, you did good' (whumpee visibly relaxes) 'but you can do better'
intimate whumpers not even letting whumpee have a chair, just perching them on their lap as suggestively as possible, maybe even running their hands over whumpee's legs, torso, throat, etc, with a murmured threat of 'if you flinch from me, dear, i'll have my way with you until this feels like nothing'
or maybe whumper has such a hold on whumpee that they don't keep them that close. whumper mingles and laughs, and lets whumpee get a little drunk, and as long as their darling doesn't venture too far, who cares? when people ask about them, whumper beckons whumpee over and preens and says they're married/engaged/dating/in love/etc and 'oh, isn't it just wonderful news?' 'oh, yes, they've got plenty of energy' (with a charming smile and a wink at whumpee)
ohhhh my gooodnessss i've completely taken control of the ship and started rambling. my example is, btw, not the only type of unexpected whump, @whumblr's 'home is where the hurt is' is a very well-done work that focuses on unexpected whump. but that gala thing is the one i thought of when you said luxury!
anyway
while i do like both types of whump, and absolutely adore when they mix together (ex. whumpee being kept in a cell but dressed up and pampered for big events on whumper's arm) i think unexpected whump, especially when it happens in a luxury setting/around a luxury setting, and whumpee has to pretend everything is fine is my fav.
thank you for the ask, it was amazing to think about this, and i hope my answer made sense!!!