Overmistress

21.5. - Duties of an Overmistress

An Overmistress is charged with the duty of overseeing the well-being, safety and proper care of an odalisque under her supervision.

One of the rights given to an odalisque is the right to have an Overmistress, i.e. a female overseer who is independent of the odalisque’s Slavekeeper. The Overmistress is usually an older women. She is consulted for advice and she offers guidance to the slave. She has no claim over the slave and does not command the slave – she is merely a benevolent protectress who acts and advises in the slave’s interest.

This is largely a safety device. Any woman who is immersed in the odalisque role on a fulltime basis should consider having an Overmistress. The Overmistress will look out for the slave’s well-being. By definition, submissive women rarely speak up for themselves; they are compliant and agreeable, as it should be. But where play is serious and the slave is submitted to serious service it is often advisable for her to have an Overmistress, an objective representative who is watching out for the slave’s welfare. The Overmistress acts against abuses, makes sure the slave is not being damaged or hurt and is not being subjected to sadistic domination.

The Overmistress is independent of the Slavekeeper. She is also a non-sexual player. It is important that an Overmistress does not become sexually involved. She is necessarily an outsider to whom a slave might turn if she falls into trouble. A wise Overmistress will not interfere in the Master/slave relationship, but she will be ready and willing to act if the slave was being subjected to violence or abuse. She also keeps a close eye on the slave’s psychological state. Female submissives tend to be mentally fragile, by nature. The Overmistress must watch over the cockslave’s physical and mental health and will provide advice and guidance where appropriate.

Since she is a non-sexual player, the Overmistress can be paid for her services. She is the only person under Code d’ Ode who can take money for services.