Lol, ninva... I understand what you mean about your Owner expecting you to be able to defend yourself and not put yourself at risk. My Master has shaped me into the person that i am... bitchy, verbose, domineering (except with him, of course), pushy, abrasive and in general very capable of being a very strong, capable person. Additionally, he expects me to fight my ass off if I were ever to be phsyically attacked and he weren't there. He never wanted a simpering, whiney little syncophant of a slave who could not take care of herself and stand up for herself, her beliefs and yes, even to him at the times that he needs to be stood up to. On the other hand, these traits do not (to me) equate with switching. Switching is a very different dynamic within our own heads as much as it is with those who we might play with, own or be owned by. You know... I can't really remember what exactly my point was here... but I'm not about to just erase the post after this much effort lol....hopefully someone can sort out my scattered thoughts and get something out of my words.