Chapter 7: Contracts

CW: Talk of self harm, history of abuse, and present day acts of violence.

Lavandula, Tori and Emma were sitting around a human sized table in the kitchen of the Hab unit. It was smaller than all the other furniture. The other new item in the hab unit was a human sized couch.

“So what happens if I don’t sign this?” Emma asked, not trying to be combative, she just wanted to know her options.

“I still take you in as a floret, but you are independent. I’m still responsible for you but you get a bit more latitude to make your own decisions.” Lavandula said.

Tori looked at the paper on table, it was the contract that she had just signed that made her Lavandula’s; there was a calming sense that she felt. She no longer had to worry about her own well being and all of her needs would be met.

“Is there a chance that I could earn my freedom back at a later date if I sign it?” Emma asked.

“Your contract,” Lavandula wiggled her vines. “Has a clause that will let you renegotiate every three hundred sixty-five days. Every one hundred eighty days, you and I will have a discussion about how things are going. The XBWC will get a copy and will get reports during the year about how you are doing.”

Emma reread the contract and found the clause that Lavandula was talking about. “Can I sleep on it and talk to Tori about it and sign it tomorrow?”

“That would be acceptable…” Lavandula said as there was a knock on the door. “That’s probably the datapads…” she got up and went to the door. There was some communication with whoever was at the door and the Lavandula came back, carrying two boxes. She handed one to each of them, they opened them and powered them up.

“When we were in the restaurant, you mentioned rules for the data pads…” Emma said. “What are the rules?”

“You don’t miss much, do you?” Lavandula chuckled. “You are to have your data pads with you at all times, they should not be dying, there is a charging stand in your room, I can always see where you are via the pads and I can see what you’re doing on them. They are connected to both the internet and the overnet. If you go somewhere unescorted, there is a feature where you can check in to tell me that you made it there safely. I want you to use that. The datapads also have a map of the ship, and if we go to another ship, you will automatically get a map of that ship to use while you are onboard. You, generally, won’t be going to other ships without an escort of some kind.”

”I thought the cuffs could track our locations as well…” Tori said quietly. She was feeling like a child again, her parents having enacted similar rules on her when she was little and then for them to just disown her like they did… She hoped that would not be a possible outcome with Lavandula. She had never heard of an affini’s pet being disowned.

“They can.” Lavandula said. “But at some point, you won’t have them on. Once I am confident that you are going to largely behave and I won’t need to administer random Class E’s, they will be removed. The collar can do vitals as well, but it can’t administer drugs or do location tracking, so while I have multiple ways to keep track of you, I get you into the habit of carrying the datapad so that when the cuffs are gone, you’re used to having the datapad.”

“Nothing nefarious?” Emma asked, looking between Tori and Lavandula. She had watched as Tori had signed her life over to what she still considered to be the enemy. She was still worried that they were being tricked somehow and she was concerned that other rebels would be able to locate them and cause them harm. “I’m worried about other rebels causing us harm once they find out that we surrendered.”

“You didn’t surrender, little one,” Lavandula said. “You were captured. As a result of that, you have been domesticated. Besides, no harm will come to you abroad this ship, or anywhere else for that matter. You will be protected.” Tori suddenly raised her hand like she was going to strike Emma. Before she could comprehend what had happened both of her arms were being held in the air and her legs were pinned to the legs of the chair. Vines from Lavandula held firm as Tori struggled. Emma’s mouth dropped. “Tori… We’ve not gotten to what section 61 of the treaty allows for punishments, please don’t make me introduce the punishments before we’ve had a chance to talk about that…”

“Yes, Mistress…” Tori said quietly. “I wanted to show Emma that you would protect her and it would be fast and decisive. I’m sorry, Emma. I will never hit you.”

Lavandula slowly released Tori. “Please don’t do that again…” She turned her attention back toward Emma, who realized that Lavandula’s attention had been focused on her when Tori had acted. “I will protect you against anything that may cause you harm, be it Affini, human, some other species, something that is inanimate or even yourself if necessary. You don’t generally have to worry about an Affini causing you harm. We all look out for each other’s florets.”

“How will you protect me from myself?” Emma asked.

“For the same reason that I didn’t get a choice in being domesticated…” Tori said quietly. “I’m better than I used to be, but I’m still not really able to take care of myself. I never have been. It was why I enlisted to try to escape my parents who had decided to try to get full guardianship of me. I need someone to take care of me… You’ve helped, but I’m probably never going to be able to do it all on my own.” Tori reached up to wipe a tear away and was met with a vine doing that already. “I do need to shave and…” she let her voice trail off. Asking for what she needed was hard.

“I’ll come in with you.” Emma said. “You’ve been shaving with me in the bathroom for…” she paused. “as long as I can remember. I think I know why now…” Emma picked up the pen and crossed out the clause that allowed for renegoation every 365 days and signed the contract. “There are things I’ve struggled with as well, mine just never made it into a file that has been seen…” She glanced from Tori to Lavandula. “How would you like us to address you?”

“Well, Mistress works, but you may also call me Lavandula, Ma’am, I’ll even respond to ‘Lavi’” Lavandula said. “As long as you are respectful, that is what I care about…”

“Yes, Ma’am.” Tori and Emma said in unison.

“So, are we… like yours now?” Emma asked. There was still a little bit of trepidation in her voice, but she no longer sounded scared of the future.

“As soon as these contracts get filed with the clerk, yes.” Lavandula said… “Why don’t the two of you go take care of the stuff in the bathroom that you need to take care of? I’ll run the contracts to the clerk’s office. Be good, little ones…” They watched as she picked the contracts up and left the hab.

“When was your last shower?” Tori asked Emma, who looked at the floor.

“The last one I remember was back on Proxima 20 before whatever had actually happened, happened.” Emma said quietly.

“I have seen video of what happened,” Tori said. “We were rescued by an Affini vessel named the Scorpiris, that would be the vessel we’re on now. Like I told you in the adoption center, They had been looking for me for some time. I haven’t even started to tell you what all transpired before I enlisted.” Tori reached over and took Emma’s hand in hers. “Do you know how long it’s been since we lost the station at Proxima 20?”

“No…” Emma said quietly, giving Tori’s hand a squeeze.

“About two and a half standard Terran weeks.” Tori said quietly. “I don’t know what that translates to in Affini yet, but regardless, lets get you in the shower…” The pair stood up and went into the bathroom to shave and do other hygiene related things.

“I’m glad that we get to be together and that we don’t have to worry about anything anymore…” Emma said. “Can I see your collar?”

“Sure…” Tori said, lifting her chin to show off the collar. She hadn’t really examined it, not having had an opprotunity.

Emma looked at the inch tall metal band that was seemingly welded in place. It was ornately carved with vines and flowers. It was a beautiful work of art. “Wonder if I will end up with a collar…”

“Probably…” Tori said, pulling the dress that she wore over her head and hanging it on a hook in the bathroom. ”I’d imagine that it’s a way for one Affini to tell if a sophont is claimed or not…”

“Kinda like the wedding rings that the Terrans use for a similar purpose.” Emma said, giggling. “Talk about telling everyone you’re taken…” Emma stripped of the brown jumpsuit that she had been wearing. She knew that she hadn’t been wearing it for two weeks straight, but it had been a day or two. “What am I doing about clothing?”

“Uh… I think the stuff in my closet will fit you.” Tori said. “We will ask Mistress when she gets back.”