The next morning
Rin read the draft for the umpteenth time. The rules were simple but strict.
Rule 1. Both parties are sworn to secrecy about the Contract itself. Disclosure of any information to a third party requires the agreement of both parties. This rule extends after the cessation of the Contract.
Rule 2. Within the boundaries of the Contractor (DuFall, Gerard)'s Workshop, the Recipient (Tohsaka, Rin) will comply with any and every order that does not threaten their physical and/or mental integrity for all of her permanence within the Contractor's Workshop, which will last no less than an hour each session, at least twice a week. The Recipient is exempt from following orders they don't know how, or the lack the means to execute. Past the agreed hour, the Recipient is free to leave and no attempt to restrain them will be made.
Rule 3. Both parties will do their best to ensure the other's physical and mental health, providing help unless it endangers their own integrity, or unless otherwise required by the injured party.
Rule 4. A Master level fee (£ 150.00) will be paid to the Recipient for every hour of service provided.
Rule 5. After the Mana exchange bond has been successfully established, the Contractor is to refill the Recipient's reserves with each session, by all means necessary, unless in contradiction with the aforementioned rules.
Rule 6. Under no circumstances can Rule 2 be used to circumvent the other rules.
Rule 7. The Contract's duration is one year, starting from the signing of the Contract by both parties, renewable verbally for any amount of time agreed upon by both parties.
Rule 8. Under no circumstances are the parties to seek retribution for events transpired in the course of the Contract.
To the best of her ability, Rin couldn't imagine any loophole that could be used against her and even if she had missed something she was sure that in the worst-case scenario, she would only have to endure it for two hours a week and not without a measure of compensation, however small, in exchange for her wounded pride.
But her pride wasn't what hurt her the most. While she might have acted aloof about it, the truth was that she was going to be cheating on her lovers. Just because her hand had been forced, it changed the truth of it one little bit. Shame didn't begin to cover what she felt.
She shook her head trying to dispel the thought. Thinking of Saber and Shirou was not going to help now. As much as she hated it, to establish a connection with Gerard they had to reach a simultaneous climax, which meant that she had to enjoy herself. Feeling guilty wasn't going to smooth that process.
At least, after that, her enjoyment would no longer be required, for after the bond was established the mere receiving of seminal fluids would allow for the transfer of Mana.
Unlike with Shirou, with whom she managed it at the first try even though it was her first time in every sense of the word, with Gerard, it would likely take several sessions before they managed it.
Those would be hours during which she would be forced to enjoy herself being intimate with a man she loathed. Indeed, if what she was doing could be considered cheating, Rin was fairly sure that the crime itself was its own punishment.
With a sigh, Rin stood and smoothed her clothes, giving herself a last once-over in front of the mirror. She was wearing her usual clothes composed of a red, long-sleeved shirt, a red mini-skirt and her thigh-high socks.
Having passed her own examination with flying colors, she took a steadying breath to calm herself.
She had invested a solid hour to make sure she looked perfect, even though she detested the mere thought of what she was about to do. Her pride didn't allow her to half-ass anything and the sad thing was that she was about to open herself, both physically and spiritually, to a man through a sexual ritual.
Arousal, attraction and confidence were necessary to pull it off.
Satisfied with herself as much as the situation allowed for, Rin left to literally seal her fate.
A sharp pain in her Crest signaled the contract taking effect. In the privacy of an unused room of the Clock Tower, both Magi sighed in relief.
"Well, that's about it," Gerard said, unusually amicable.
"Yeah," Rin agreed, massaging her arm. "So, how do you want to proceed?"
"I'd say we call it a day for now. There's no point in rushing things."
Rin quirked an eyebrow.
"What?" he asked. "You thought I'd expect you to do it immediately? Give me a break. I know what you think of me but I like it better if the women I sleep with enjoy themselves as much as possible."
"Well, thank you, then," she replied sharply, not at all touched by his show of kindness. "You'll forgive me if I don't jump up and down in joy."
"Yeah, yeah. Feel free to go for now. I'll have the instructions to reach my Workshop delivered to your apartment."
"What do you mean? Your Workshop is here at the Clock Tower, of course."
"I never said anything about that," Gerard shook his head. " I research energy exchanges. There's just too much stray and aimless energy of all kinds here to make any amount of worthwhile study. My Workshop is in London."
"And you didn't think about mentioning it beforehand?" Rin snapped. She had barely signed the Contract and there were already things she had overlooked.
"Why would I have told anyone not bound to secrecy where's my Workshop? And what does it matter to you?"
"Nothing! It doesn't matter at all. I'll see you tomorrow."
And with that, she stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
Gerard made sure to wait a few minutes before easing into his seat and allowing a lecherous smile to form on his face. It went way better than he expected.
If Rin had made any demand or seriously questioned the nature of his Workshop, Gerard wouldn't have been able to do half the things he had in mind. Like this though, it was only a matter of time...
His chuckle turned into a full-blown laugh. He was really the luckiest dog in the world.