I understand her pain and reaction - I had trouble taking my own cropping when I underwent initiation. Indeed, with the final unexpected stroke, I rose so suddenly that I nearly knocked my mistress to the floor. I smile a little at the memories, waiting for Lelika to finish setting the candle back up.<br/><br/>For my own cropping, each stroke brings a sharp intake of breath. It hurts, but I won't deny the pleasure it also brings. I am dripping freely, my nipples hard and ready to be touched, and even that final, terrible stroke, the crop striking my back door, only brings out a low hiss. When offered the implement, I kiss Lelika's forehead and return it to the bed. I return with the whip - not woven, each strand of horse hair hanging free - and the ribbon.<br/><br/>"We are to be bound together anyway, Lelika, but yes, I shall tie you in place for this. For our union is one like that of marriage. We must love one another, trust one another, and care for one another. Though you are free to pursue relationships with others, and encouraged to inflict pain upon others, you are still very much bound to me. Likewise, I to you. Let us live life as lovers from now, sharing in all that we do, bound together spiritually so that nothing may sever our ties."<br/><br/>As I speak the words of the ceremony, I tie the ribbon around her wrist, and then around my own, joining us. I then ease her onto her back, lifting her legs into the air and spreading them. Carefully I tie the ribbon - the same one, without cutting it - around one knee, and then pull back and tie around her shoulder, so that her leg is fixed in place. I then do the same to her other leg and shoulder, leaving her trapped, her legs splayed in a V and her charms on display for me, while I am joined to her by one wrist. I trail the whip down over her smooth mound.<br/><br/>"With pain, there is always pleasure. You will feel the stinging of the lash against your flesh, but as you do so, you will learn that it is good. The pain is good, and it brings you happiness. It is through this that I shall deliver pain to your body until you are enveloped by our goddess' touch and she sends you waves of ecstasy."<br/><br/>I wait for her to acknowledge this though, the hairs dangling against her sex.