//------------------------------// // 179. Contract (Pet!Shining Armour II) // Story: Short Shorts // by Coranth //------------------------------// A couple of days later, a saddened Cadance met Shining Armor and I at my house. "So... this is how it is, then?" she stated, sadly. "You 'own' my Shining Armor? As a pet? I... I don't understand! Is... he your slave?" At her harshly-worded question, poor Shining Armor whimpered, a distressed noise, and cuddled closer against me as I brushed along his mane and coat. As his eyes slowly closed - a soft noise, almost a purr escaping him - I gently shook my head, frowning, before I answered curtly, "Of course not! The Pony Petting Association - not to mention the Royal Guard, and the Equestrian Princesses - deal very harshly with cases of abuse! No, what Shining and I have is a contract - an actual written contract - between us, signed by him and me, and witnessed by the PPA; the original is with the Princesses." When Cadance looked confused and skeptical, I gestured to the scroll-case I always carried on my belt. "Get that and bring it here; I'll show you..." I said and when the Princess of Love complied - levitating the case with her magic and bringing it within reach - I gently took it from her magic and opened it. Cadance gasped softly, then, as I carefully brought out one of the finest vellum scrolls she'd ever seen. The gold-gilded vellum-parchment had been printed with the finest human/equestrian calligraphy, and the entire scroll had a shining mother-of-pearl effect. Gently, hesitantly, Princess Cadance took the scroll and then unfurled it to read. "This... is a legitimate contract..." she murmured as she studied the scroll, which - to her surprise - didn't contain any 'legalese' at all; it was written plainly. Shining Armor's agreement to be a pet for an agreed upon time, his "owner's" agreement to host and care for him for said time, as well as a list of all rights the unicorn stallion was entitled to as a pet, along with a list of responsibilities I was expected to uphold when caring for him, along with the extremely severe penalties I would face if I failed to uphold them. Eyes widening with fascination and intrigue, the Princess of Love began to read through the document--but then one particular section immediately caught her eye. "Shiny isn't allowed to speak Equish?" she queried. Her question made me think for a moment; then putting the brush aside to stroke Shining Armor's mane and coat with my hands, I answered, "In certain situations, yes, he can elect to - when it's just him and me alone, when he's with a close circle of friends, and to you if he wishes, your Highness - but most of the time he'll only speak whinny, the ancient language of Ponies, since speaking modern Equish breaks immersion of the roleplay." That said I gently scratched Shining Armor behind the ears and at my touch, he groaned and then nickered softly, Cadance's ears pricking forward at the primal sound. Returning to the Contract, she continued reading. A short time later, she asked, "He... he doesn't... do his business outside?" With a shake of my head, I replied, "No, of course not; it's allowed that he can use the toilet as any non-pet pony would!" Expelling a relieved sigh, the Princess of Love resumed reading--until her eyes widened in shock! "S-Sex between..." As Shining moved to rest in my lap, I gave her a serious look and nodded, "Yes, there's allowances for that, too--but it has to happen naturally, and both owner and pet must consent to it; in addition such 'encounters' must be carefully logged in the Therapy Journal every owner is given as both parties are questioned on it to determine consent and beneficence. During, and at end of contract, all pet ponies who choose to enter into sexual relationships with their owners - as well as the owners themselves - are required to visit the PPA Clinics for regular health checks. Sexual abuse, as well as certain types of sexual play, will not be tolerated; owners under contract who have sexually hurt their pets - even in consensual role-play - have their contracts made void." Stuttering, Cadance shyly asked, "H-How...? When...?" As Shining rose to sit, gently putting an arm about him, I stroked his chest and he leaned into my touch. "Well," I coughed gently, "sometimes, my petting makes him aroused as he has a very sensitive coat, and sometimes when we're in the bath he'll become aroused when I wash him. Sometimes he, well... nuzzles me... to tell me he wants to..." Cadance waved a hoof, blushing with embarrassment--but then she grew somber and serious. "Have you ever..." She stopped, then started again, "Have you ever encountered ponies... who keep on asking for an extension to their contracts?" Satisfied with what she'd read, she put my own Contract back in its case then returned the case to where she'd gotten it from as softly, sadly, I answered, "Yes." Her eyes widened, misted with tears as I continued. "There are ponies out there whose lives are so bad - or who just can't cope, or who are so very hurt, or utterly desperate for simple companionship - that they jump at the chance to be a pet. We... we try to weed those ponies out - try to get them proper help - but... sometimes it doesn't work. Sometimes ponies lie out of desperation to be loved and adored. And... sometimes... there are ponies who just want to leave their lives; to absolve themselves of all responsibility and give it to another. It's sad, but ultimately true." Cadance blinked, nodded; and then, together we sat in silence.