I'll admit, I've been better, [ He says, flatly. ] Let's get this out of the way before we proceed - I have absolutely no desire to have sex with you or to act as your social inferior in any way. This city's caste structure is absurd and arbitrary, and I intend to make as few concessions to it as possible. Any contract between us is more an unfortunately necessary formality rather than any real expectation that we carry on differently than before. Do you agree?
[ He doesn't imagine any of this will be an issue, given who he's talking to, but it doesn't hurt to lay all of this out before starting. ]
[ Zexion nods, satisfied, and flips open his folder. ] Good, then we should have few issues going forward.
From what I've gathered it seems uncommon but accepted for some submissives to live separately from their dominants, and I was able to find examples of contracts with clauses for independent living that we can use as a basis for ours. Here. [ He hands Sora a sheaf of papers, which have been liberally applied with highlighter. They're largely impenetrable, but if Sora manages to muscle through he'll see they all have to do with either rent, standards of living - cleanliness, diet, lifestyle, etc - or regular check-ins with the dominant. ]
Most of these assume that the dominant party will be at least partially responsible for paying rent, but as we discussed I should be able to handle that on my own. Now, most leases in this city stipulate that the dominant is responsible for paying for any damages to the property caused by their submissives, but we can either waive that requirement in our contract or I can simply pay you back after the fact - assuming it ever becomes relevant, of course.
[He makes an effort, he really does, but there's just no way he's going to be able to read any of this and make sense of it. He just sort of raises his brow at the paper like he thinks it could do better at making sense and then focuses instead of what Zexion is saying.]
All of that sounds good to me. If anyone gives you hassle for paying for things on your own, we could always make a kind of joint account that is actually all your munny but just has my name on it. [Somehow, it's clear that's how he's pronouncing 'money.']
Like, I want this to be as easy for you as possible.
That could work, yes. Most vendors would still require further verification from you if I were to try to purchase anything, but for day to day things and recurring charges that would be sufficient. [ He pulls a pen from one of his pockets and notes it down. ]
Some particularly permissive contracts include a blanket clause that automatically approves all purchases under a certain amount - either per-day or per-purchase. They're rare, but precedented, and I think something like that would be our best option here, as likewise I'd prefer to take up as little of your time bothering you for permission as possible.
With these comes the expectation that the dominant party will be reviewing the submissive's spending on a regular basis, but since it's required that I check in with you periodically we can say we're going over it then. I believe the standard for parties living separately is every three days, but we could likely push it to a week without raising eyebrows.
[Sora nods, accepting all of that, and then he raises his brow as something comes to him.] You... You came up with all of this just between me asking you if you wanted to make a contract and now?
Or have you been thinking about this a lot already?
Some of the particulars are what I was able to gather on short notice, but for the most part, no. I've been researching this since it became clear there was no easy way to get out of it. [ It's good to be prepared. ]
Something I should note before we proceed is that you will be held responsible for my behavior, to a degree. If I happen to insult another dominant or get caught doing something illegal, not only will it fall to you to decide my punishment, but depending on the severity of the crime you may be disciplined as well. Now, I can promise you that I have no intention of drawing attention to myself and being sent to be reeducated, but you will have to be willing to take my word for it. Do you trust me?
[ He really shouldn't, but somehow Zexion gets the feeling that he will. ]
Yes. [Sora says, and he really should give it more thought, but he doesn't. Roxas's memories say that Zexion is the master of illusion, and that should tell him to be wary too, but he ignores the tinge of concern that seems to come from somewhere inside of his heart.]
Man, I never would have thought I'd say that about a member of the Organization, but Roxas and Lea have made that change already.
Anyway, you've been through a lot too because of Xehanort and I feel like because of that we can understand each other better than others might. You need that understanding as much as anyone, right? [And he offers Zexion a friendly smile.]
[ Well, at least this way no one can say he didn't warn Sora. Zexion seems more than a little taken aback by how little he seems to have to think about it, but he's certainly not going to press the issue. In any case, it's not like he's going to get caught doing anything that might bring down consequences on either of them anyway. ]
Thank you, [ he says, after a long, startled pause. ] I appreciate that immensely. On that note, though, another standard aspect of a contract is rules restricting the submissive party's behavior and punishments for violations of those rules. I doubt we'll be needing anything too extensive, but we are expected to have something. A lower cap on my spending should I happen to exceed it, for example, or a stern talking-to if I'm caught showing inadequate respect for another dominant.
I guess the only rule I'd have is to avoid getting caught doing something shady? [He doesn't seem to realize that 'getting caught doing' might not be the same as 'doing.']
And then we could just talk about, too? [He makes a little face that shows he's uncomfortable with the idea.]
[ This is all just a little bit too easy. On some level Zexion thinks he should feel a little guilty about being so willing to take advantage of Sora's good will like this, but if it gets him out of having to abide by this city's more idiotic conventions... ]
It is, [ he agrees. ] But I think being verbally reprimanded and reminded of the rules is considered an acceptable punishment clause. We may receive some scrutiny for having such a lax contract, but as long as I'm on my best behavior nothing should come of it.
[Sora sits back and puts his hands behind his head, grinning at Zexion while he does.] You let me know if you ever want to change any of this. The contract might be signed, but we can still agree to make changes to it if circumstances change, can't we?
I don't think there should be any reason why we can't make amendments if we both agree to it, but it would be good to get as much of it right on the first pass as we can, just in case there's some arbitrary rule about it. This world does seem to be built on those, after all.
[ He glances at Sora, sidelong. ]
I will note that you seem remarkably confident about all of this.
[ Zexion just looks at Sora skeptically, like he's said something patently absurd. ]
I'd advise more caution, but it seems to be working out for you uncannily well so far.
[ He shakes his head and sighs. ]
In any case, to review; the main aspects of our contract are separate housing, weekly meetings, and a shared bank account from which I can make withdrawals and purchases within limits set by you. We may have to add additional, minor clauses in order to meet the bare minimum of what is required of this kind of contract, but that can be negotiated with the city at the time of signing. It would most likely be small things about acceptable behavior in public - I open doors for you, or other, similarly trivial gestures. Does that sound right to you? Do you think there's anything that I've missed?
Good. [ Zexion makes a few final notes before flipping the folder shut and returning his pen to his coat pocket. ] There are a number of attorneys throughout the city who specialize in drafting and overseeing the signing of contracts. I'm sure we can find one nearby, if you're ready.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
noblankpages) wrote2018-12-22 08:41 am
no subject
[ He doesn't imagine any of this will be an issue, given who he's talking to, but it doesn't hurt to lay all of this out before starting. ]
no subject
That's why I wanted to offer it to you. Because then we both know you'll have someone who won't expect any of that weird stuff from you.
But, you know, if you want to move out of the Down, I can work on getting you a place too?
no subject
From what I've gathered it seems uncommon but accepted for some submissives to live separately from their dominants, and I was able to find examples of contracts with clauses for independent living that we can use as a basis for ours. Here. [ He hands Sora a sheaf of papers, which have been liberally applied with highlighter. They're largely impenetrable, but if Sora manages to muscle through he'll see they all have to do with either rent, standards of living - cleanliness, diet, lifestyle, etc - or regular check-ins with the dominant. ]
Most of these assume that the dominant party will be at least partially responsible for paying rent, but as we discussed I should be able to handle that on my own. Now, most leases in this city stipulate that the dominant is responsible for paying for any damages to the property caused by their submissives, but we can either waive that requirement in our contract or I can simply pay you back after the fact - assuming it ever becomes relevant, of course.
no subject
All of that sounds good to me. If anyone gives you hassle for paying for things on your own, we could always make a kind of joint account that is actually all your munny but just has my name on it. [Somehow, it's clear that's how he's pronouncing 'money.']
Like, I want this to be as easy for you as possible.
no subject
Some particularly permissive contracts include a blanket clause that automatically approves all purchases under a certain amount - either per-day or per-purchase. They're rare, but precedented, and I think something like that would be our best option here, as likewise I'd prefer to take up as little of your time bothering you for permission as possible.
With these comes the expectation that the dominant party will be reviewing the submissive's spending on a regular basis, but since it's required that I check in with you periodically we can say we're going over it then. I believe the standard for parties living separately is every three days, but we could likely push it to a week without raising eyebrows.
no subject
Or have you been thinking about this a lot already?
no subject
Something I should note before we proceed is that you will be held responsible for my behavior, to a degree. If I happen to insult another dominant or get caught doing something illegal, not only will it fall to you to decide my punishment, but depending on the severity of the crime you may be disciplined as well. Now, I can promise you that I have no intention of drawing attention to myself and being sent to be reeducated, but you will have to be willing to take my word for it. Do you trust me?
[ He really shouldn't, but somehow Zexion gets the feeling that he will. ]
no subject
Man, I never would have thought I'd say that about a member of the Organization, but Roxas and Lea have made that change already.
Anyway, you've been through a lot too because of Xehanort and I feel like because of that we can understand each other better than others might. You need that understanding as much as anyone, right? [And he offers Zexion a friendly smile.]
no subject
Thank you, [ he says, after a long, startled pause. ] I appreciate that immensely. On that note, though, another standard aspect of a contract is rules restricting the submissive party's behavior and punishments for violations of those rules. I doubt we'll be needing anything too extensive, but we are expected to have something. A lower cap on my spending should I happen to exceed it, for example, or a stern talking-to if I'm caught showing inadequate respect for another dominant.
no subject
I guess the only rule I'd have is to avoid getting caught doing something shady? [He doesn't seem to realize that 'getting caught doing' might not be the same as 'doing.']
And then we could just talk about, too? [He makes a little face that shows he's uncomfortable with the idea.]
All of this is so weird.
no subject
It is, [ he agrees. ] But I think being verbally reprimanded and reminded of the rules is considered an acceptable punishment clause. We may receive some scrutiny for having such a lax contract, but as long as I'm on my best behavior nothing should come of it.
no subject
[Sora sits back and puts his hands behind his head, grinning at Zexion while he does.] You let me know if you ever want to change any of this. The contract might be signed, but we can still agree to make changes to it if circumstances change, can't we?
no subject
[ He glances at Sora, sidelong. ]
I will note that you seem remarkably confident about all of this.
no subject
When I feel something is right, it makes the most sense to just do it.
no subject
I'd advise more caution, but it seems to be working out for you uncannily well so far.
[ He shakes his head and sighs. ]
In any case, to review; the main aspects of our contract are separate housing, weekly meetings, and a shared bank account from which I can make withdrawals and purchases within limits set by you. We may have to add additional, minor clauses in order to meet the bare minimum of what is required of this kind of contract, but that can be negotiated with the city at the time of signing. It would most likely be small things about acceptable behavior in public - I open doors for you, or other, similarly trivial gestures. Does that sound right to you? Do you think there's anything that I've missed?
no subject
We can probably start wrapping this one up soon
yep! ftb as they leave?
[He moves to stand up, wiping his hands on his shorts as he does.]
Let's go right now! That way you don't have to worry about this anymore.