٠࣪⭑ 𝖆 𝖑𝖎𝖙𝖙𝖑𝖊 𝖒𝖆𝖉𝖉 ⋆˚˖

"I'm fine."

-not allowed on furniture. remain standing or kneel on the floor, no sitting

-not allowed to make eye contact 

-being silenced immediately every time they try to speak 

-casual manhandling, being dragged alone because they’re not trusted to move by themselves 

-casual, nonconsensual touch. randomly pulling them closer, absently playing with hair, manually adjusting their posture

-giving orders without explanation 

-giving orders they know are arbitrary, just to exercise power

-talking about them like they aren’t even in the room 

-authorizing other people to monitor and control them

-being kept in restraints 24/7, with movement restricted even further in their downtime 

-degrading their natural behaviors and reflexes. stare is creepy, smile is ugly, flinching is disrespectful, etc…

-putting down their hobbies/interests

chatty characters pale-faced and silent

quiet and reserved characters rambling deliriously

character who always resorts to humour clearly trying to think of a quip but coming up empty

no-nonsense character so loopy that they can’t stop giggling

a stoic character’s hands trembling in panic

an easily frightened character so far out of it that they aren’t aware of what’s happening to them, much less afraid

intelligent characters who can’t think straight

protective (self-sacrificial) characters letting someone else take the fall for them because they’re too weak to object

patient characters snapping at whoever comes near

affectionate character who wants to be alone

Having someone hold them still as they drill/saw a chain off.

Untying them gently to reveal bad bruises and cuts from weeks of fighting.

Whumpee staying still until the second their restrains come off.

Restrains that are actively hurting them.

Rescuers know the restraints are the only thing keeping everyone safe, so they leave them on until sedation kicks in, or whumpee collapses from exhaustion.

Having to move them from chains right on in strapping them down on a gurney.

Whumpee pulling themselves to the end of their chain to keep distance from the strangers in uniform.

whumpee who has to be dragged out of a hiding spot by the chain.

Making sure Whumpee gets a seat from which they can see the exit doors.

Coming up with an excuse to go elsewhere if Whumpee looks uncomfortable in a crowd.

Always having their hands visible if they're gonna try to touch Whumpee (and going slowly so that they can prepare/react).

Avoiding all touch in general if they notice Whumpee tensing up/flinching

Directing conversations from topics that can trigger Whumpee.

Stealing the first bite of Whumpee's food and playing it off as being greedy (it's to show Whumpee that it isn't poisoned).

Making plans or randomly showing up at Whumpee's home on anniversaries that are bound to be rough for them. (!!!!!!!)

Not bringing unnecessary attention to Whumpee flinching or their hands trembling.

Weapons. Trained, tested, forged in steel and fire. Failure is an inevitability that ends in death. Pain should not be felt--it should be recognized, familiar, and inconsequential

Martyrs. In the form of servants and princes, of leaders and underdogs. If blood is necessary, the martyr will lift their hands and offer it all

Shields. Like tempering a sword, but only to bear and not to lash out. Wounds are medals--not symbols of pride, but symbols of worth. A pretty shield is useless; scars mean a job well done

Experiments. Raised on the cold comfort of a lab table. Restraints are only necessary when they're not in their right mind. Is it honorable, to be twisted beyond recognition? Or is it just a necessary evil?

Monsters. Cruelty, caution, and regarding one as a creature beyond reasonable thought is tempering in its own right. But if you keep a leash at the right length, perhaps the massecre won't reach you. One can hope.

Idols. Pretty face, pretty name, pretty hands around their shoulders and throat. There to seduce, manipulate, force any feeling to come to the surface and twist it to their favor. Any genuinity stays locked behind the guilded cage that surrounds their pretty little heart

Trophies. Status and wealth and the traditions that keep someone at their heels, on their knees, to display and serve and decorate one's ballroom.