I wish to give My opinion on this subject. First let Me say that I
have not read the rest of the thread yet although I plan to.

(Tina Turner's What's Love Got To Do With It? just started playing in
My head. lol)

I don't think love need have anything to do with a D/s relationship.
However that does not mean it cannot happen. I just happen to love My
submissive. The impact of that means that I do not act out some
of My darker desires on her. This subject came up when I had her fill
out the new checklist I made. she pulled a SAM and asked if she would
get one from Me. I felt it was only right that I do one. I found
there were many things I would be interesting in trying however an
emotional attachment would prevent Me from doing them. That is not to
say that if she expressed a desire to explore something it would
prevent Me. More like the lack of emotional connection allows Me to
play differantly than when present.

There used to be a male sub who was annoying as hell. he would
usually do something to piss someone off. Usually it resulted in
severe "punishment" in the form of humiliation and other public
displays. By not having an emotional attachment made it much more
"fun" to be able to explore the darker side so to speak.

All in all I must say that the lack or presence of love in the D/s
relationship entirely depends on the relationship and it's purpose.
Of course a sub may feel love towards the Top/Dom/Master regardless of
how they are treated. For some just being collared is enough to evoke
love. However as a Dom I can easily grasp the concept of loving My
submissive yet having another as only a "toy" with no emotional
involvement what so ever. Possibly both could love Me.
 
 

I have finished ready this thread so far and so many wonderful points
have been brought. I would like to go a bit further with My original
post.

<name> spoke of her experience at <somehwhere> with the cc. Let Me play
it out a bit differantly. (SSC of course) you have a Master who does
not love you. In fact you are merely a "toy". you screwed up.
Punishment will happen. It may be extreme. If this Master loved you
you could pretty well count that you won't really be hurt. However
since He doesn't love you then punishment could be severe. Therefore
you now know fear. Perhaps for some this feeling could be just as
intense or even more so than what you felt when you felt His
"displeasure" If this is your cup of tea then you may feel love for
this Master however He does not love you. The presence of love
changes the aspects.

<name> Per My previous post I have played and scened with others
without the emotional attachement. When love is not present another
emotion can take its place in the scene. Usually they are associated
with the darker side. Anger, rage, hatred, although there is caring
and kindness as well. When I play with another sub there is usually
one or the other emotion running.

Respect: normally I think there is respect there in some form. The
male sub I mentioned before had some measure of respect from Me. NO
LOVE. However I must say that I do know of a sub or two that has
"rubbed" Me the wrong way. Would they get My respect? No. Would I
care if I had their's? No. If I were to scene them they would
experience every sadist trick I know. They would know it was coming
as well. When it was over they would be lying on the floor in a heap
as I walked away without a thought. Could I or would I ever do this
to a sub I loved? No.

Now passing the podium on ..............

Prophett,
Lord, The House of Darkwatch

Greetings,

Let Me clear this up then.

Within My "personality" or "make up" I have the capacity to do major damage both physically as well as emotionally especially when provoked.  I could easily unleash the Beast within Me and leave a sub a major basket case.  Usually this would be pushing destroying limits and not very SSC of course.  However the point made here was I would and could do more intensive things to a sub I have no emotional attchement to.  More love does not equal less pain in all cases.  Often I scene My own sub more heavily than other subs.

Read carefully the scenario I set up.  The sub screwed up in some form.  The feelings You have for the sub can and will influence the extent of punishment.

<name> says: "Indeed, my slave knew at all times that I would never HARM her, but I may well choose to hurt her, and hurt her for real ...and I think that concept runs through every D/s relationship I know of." (HARM vs hurt........can't harm because You love her?  could You HARM one You didn't love?  perhaps this sums up the point.  Perhaps there is a differance in terms here?)
 

Of course this is probably true.  I have the capacity to easily destroy My sub and walk away.  Having the capacity to do it is differant than actually doing it.  I won't do it to My sub because I do love her.  Yes I can paddle, flogg, poke, prode, use and abuse her very intensely.  But I don't break her because I love her.  Another sub with no emotional attachement might be "broken".

Ok now the disclaimer because some of what I wrote appears to be on the edge and not normal.  I would take this a bit further to explain a few things.

First.  My sub will tell Y/you that she does not truly get punished very often.  During play time if (for example) she giggles.  I draw on the Beast and fix My mindset to:  The bitch giggled!  I can't beleive she giggled! HOW DARE SHE FUCKING GIGGLE DURING A SCENE!  I let Myself feel an emotion to play on.  In this case anger at something she did.  Did she really do something wrong here?  No.  But I play on it to provide intensity.  I let the Beast out in a controlled way.  I pick up a more nasty toy (usually the plastic ball bat) and yell a bit, grab a bit of hair, and give her a good wallop or two for measure.  All within the confines of SSC.  On this <name> has phrased it much better than I.  I think He understands where I am trying to go with this.

Second.  When Y/you get right down to it in this Lifestyle and playing phyically with floggers and such the object is to provide pain in an SSC confine.  I do not go outside the SSC area ever.  I beleive that philosophy deeply.  When I speak of the things I could do to a sub I did not feel an attachment to it would violate SSC and not something I would do.