snakebites_and_inkPrev
CW: Whumper reader/pov, captivity
You consider. You rather like being addressed by a title, of course, or you wouldn’t have made that a rule for them. But it would probably be best for their recovery to ditch that rule, at least at some point. A healthy, free person would probably feel comfortable calling you whatever they felt like. Maybe it can wait though; would it be better to keep the focus on more pressing issues? It could cause them to stress over what the “right” way to address you is.
Letting Whumpee decide what’s most comfortable is probably the safest bet. You’ll remind them of your name and leave the ball in their court from there. They might be nervous about making the right decision, but you won’t be forcing them into anything.
“Whumpee…” you start.
Their eyes snap back to you.
"One more thing. About the titles rule…You don't have to keep following it if you don't want to. I'm not gonna make you call me 'sir' anymore. My name is Whumper; use it if you like. You can call me whatever you feel most comfortable with, okay?"
"Okay..." they say slowly. They seem unsure, but it’s a start, at least.
They can drop the titles at their own pace, hopefully without too much fear. You expect they won’t take to it right away, but they have the opportunity at least. And whenever they do feel like dropping the title, they’ll know you’re not going to enforce a rule about it.
@snakebites_and_ink
<p><strong>Whumper-Turned-Caretaker CYOA 7</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://goblin.band/notes/a7f9wbdaa143usz8">Prev</a> - <a target="_blank" href="https://goblin.band/notes/a7i3csk2oul2e59l">Next</a></p><p><strong><sub>CW</sub></strong><sub>: Whumper reader/pov, captivity</sub></p><p>With their physical needs met, it’s time to move on to the more complicated issue. You’ve got to give them some explanation. Whumpee might not have reason to believe you right away, but they need to know regardless so they don’t have to be as afraid. Hopefully how gentle you’ve been today will lend at least a little credence to what you have to say.</p><p>“Whumpee, we need to talk.—It’s nothing bad, you’re not in trouble or anything. I just—there’s something I need to tell you.”</p><p>“Okay,” they peep softly. They meet your gaze, nervous as always but giving you their full attention.</p><p>How do you even say this? “I…don’t feel good about hurting you like I have been anymore. I don’t want to keep treating you badly. I’d like to treat you better now. Help you recover, hopefully. I’m not going to harm you anymore, you understand?”</p><p>“Yes sir,” they say, but you can tell it’s an automatic response rather than actual agreement. Still, they seem to mull it over after, searching your words for truth or hidden meanings, as if they are actually considering what you said regardless of how they first responded.</p><p>OK. Whether they fully believe it or not, at least they know. You've got another hour or so until you'll need to turn in for the night. And since you gave them time to rest earlier, Whumpee's not looking too tired yet. Maybe they could use a low stress activity now that their most serious needs are taken care of.</p><p>On the other hand, you could just let them go now that you’ve had the chance to explain yourself. But you are hesitant to risk them going to the police, and you’re not certain whether or not that would be best for Whumpee at this stage anyway.</p><p>You decide you’re going to reassess the titles requirement.</p>