Pleather-bound Heart

Enigma sat at the table and smiled sheepishly at the two. A delightful vegetable salad, filled with cut up other vegetables and croutons, sat in the middle of the table. “I'm sorry it's nothing too fancy,” Jadewing said with a smile. “We've just been eating a lot of high fat foods lately, I thought this would be good.”

“I-it looks wonderful,” he whispered softly. He swore the two kept looking at each other, having a silent conversation. He had no idea what about. His plate was soon piled high with lettuce and other vegetables and he gently nibbled at it. “What sauce is this? It tastes good.”

“Home made sauce my mother taught me how to make,” Silverchain said gently. “I've taught Jadewing. She's gotten quite good at it. I believe she's even better than I am at it, now.”

“Oh, you flatter me,” the pegasus said with a giggle. “Sooo, what kinds of things did you see? What did he show you?”

The earth pony chuckled. “We talked some more about his relationship.” He froze, closing his eyes and trembling. “But I did see a few of them. They looked interesting.” He let out a sigh of relief. “I was particularly interested in the little... neck and tail one. What was that... thing in the middle?”

“Oh, that was just a little metal quick release device,” Enigma said quickly. “The device itself, well, it could be dangerous if it got too tight. Pulling on the tail and head like that. It's supposed to cause a little pain, but if set up wrong, or if some weight got applied, it would automatically release once too much pressure was put on it. Though, it would mean the wearer could take it off at any time, if they lean forward too much.”

“An interesting idea,” the earth pony said. “Though it seems like it could break easily.”

“Better a broken toy than a broken lover. It's a simple design though, nothing too difficult. I also had another one in mind. Kind of like a... well... I once had these pairs of electric hoof gloves. I thought they were neat, and I was thinking I could do something like that, but a full suit.”

“Oh please no,” Jadewing groaned. “Safe for water use my flank.”

“I-I'm sorry?” Enigma said softly.

“We've had those gloves before,” Silverchain said with a chuckle. “The idea is interesting, but in practice we didn't much enjoy them. But for some customers, who knows? What else did you have in mind?”

“W-well, errr...” He looked to Jadewing. “I... I mean, the thing you're having me design is a bit... I was thinking a mobile version of that. It might... be hard, not as restrictive. But, it could...”

“Allowing my little pet to walk around the house in such a thing? I think that is quite an... intriguing thought. What do you think, darling?”

“I think I want to see this device you're making now,” the pegasus grumbled, blushing into her salad. “What else do you have?”

“Lots of little things, I can show you after the meal,” he mumbled softly, giving a weak smile.

“I'd like that.” Soon, the meal was finished and the dessert was brought out. “Wow, you got so much of it! You really didn't have to go all out like this.”

He shook his head. “O-of course I did! You have both been so nice, letting me join you for meals, letting me come over and talk. I mean, I-I wanted to.” He nervously wiggled in his seat. “I hope I got enough.”

“You got plenty,” Silverchain said with a knowing smile, before giving Jadewing a wink. The other mare giggled as they dug in. Soon, they were full but plenty of the dessert remained.

“You two can have it, really,” he said quickly. “I brought it for you, anyway. So umm, the left overs should stay here.”

“You are too kind,” the earth pony said. “We'll clean up the dishes and then join you in the main room, okay?”

“I-I can help, I--”

“That's quite alright. We can handle this.”

“But--”

“Go,” she said firmly. He let out a soft yelp and scampered off.

Once he was out, Jadewing chuckled and turned to her lover. “You completely called it, all of it.”

“Of course. Was there every any doubt?” Silverchain asked before trotting to the cabinets and pulling out some containers. “However, I do think we should make him some to go. I think he'd appreciate it. I doubt he is eating right where he lives now.”

The pegasus nodded and helped, breaking the remains of the meal up.

“I should also let you know,” the earth pony said with a sigh. “I... did flirt with him. Just a little.”

Jadewing froze. “W-wait, you did? But I thought--”

“I know. I should have held off. But it felt like the right thing to say at the time.” She glanced to her lover. “I asked if he'd ever called anypony master or mistress. Or if he wanted to.”

The pegasus went slightly wide eyed. “I... see. What did he say?”

“Nothing. He froze, then dinner was ready.”

“Froze?”

“Completely locked up. It's a shame, I was curious what his answer would be.” She leaned in to give her lover a nuzzle. “You aren't upset, are you?”

“A little. I was going to make the first move,” she said with a light snort before nuzzling back. “But... I guess it's fine. He's cute. Interesting. But didn't you want to wait until after he was done with the device to get his interest?”

“He's working fast,” Silverchain said with a chuckle. “But, yes. I suppose I should try being more patient. I'd hate to scare him off with the job half finished.”

“Of course.” Jadewing pulled back and helped put the food away. “I'm only going to get mad if you ever decide you like him more than me.”

The mare snorted. “I do not believe anypony, mare or stallion, could compare with you.” She nuzzled the other mare's nose. “I can promise that. Besides, if we invited him... it would be different for him. After all, he'd have to be subservient to you as well. I believe it's been a while since you've been a top.”

Jadewing nodded, a grin on her lips. “True, it would be fun to try some of those toys on somepony else for a change.”

Silverchain froze for a moment, her smile wavering. Her tone turned soft. “Jadewing, you know if you ever need me to be your--”

“Don't,” the mare said with an uplifted wing. “We've tried you being the bottom. It's never fun for either of us.” She gave another nuzzle. “That's fine, we're both okay with it. I always have fun being under you, so there's no need to force yourself to do something you don't enjoy.”

Silverchain nodded before giving the mare a little nuzzle. “I know. But I... don't ever want you to feel I don't care about you. That I don't want you to be--” A hoof was placed to her lips.

“I have never, not for even one second, believed that you wanted anything but the best for me,” Jadewing said with a smile. “I know how much you care for me. How much you love me. I am never, nor will I ever be, upset about the fact you like to be on top only.” She gave another nuzzle. “Besides, you're much better at it than I am and you know how much I love it when you teach me.”

The earth pony gave a little nod, her cheeks red slightly. “Of course. You're such a marvelous student, how could I not show you every skill I know?”

“Exactly.” The pegasus slowly pulled back. “Besides, I know why you're interested in him anyway. I know how protective you are.” She gave a wink. “Wanting to keep others safe is a very attractive quality in a mate, you know.”

Silverchain gave a little snort. “Says the cop.”

“Hey, even cops want to be protected sometimes. We're not all run in, guns blazing.” She then sighed. “Besides, I'm not even really allowed a gun any more. Do you have any idea what the paperwork is to get my gun out of my locker? I have to sign for the gun itself, then all the bullets, make sure each one is cataloged when I get off the shift. Celestia forbid I try to bring one of my home guns on duty. There's a seventeen page form for that! Seventeen!”

Silverchain chuckled and reached out to pat the other mare's head. “I know. And I do enjoy keeping you safe.” She paused. “Well, except for from me.” She grinned. “I do so enjoy being the escaped felon to your prison guard. That's going to be something we're going to be playing all the time, darling. Once this is done.”

The pegasus gave a little whimper. “R-really?”

“Oh, yes. You've been locked into the cell with me due to a clerical error. And I'm going to have a lot of fun tormenting you.” She teased.

Jadewing giggled. “Really, a clerical error? You know that wouldn't really happen, right?”

Silverchain nodded. “Of course it would. For this is kinky naughty land, where naughty little cops like you need to be disciplined.” She leaned in closer, making the other mare yelp as they kissed.

Enigma hummed softly as he went through the designs. He sighed and set some of them aside, shame filling his cheeks. Why did he even bring all of these? Half of them were worthless, even he could see that. They were just the work of a depraved mind. Silverchain was right, he wasn't a part of their community. He had never even been tied up, how could he even begin to understand how it worked? He was just an outsider looking in and hoping to be accepted.

But why would they ever accept him? He'd only ever been with one mare and even then they'd only done things on occasion. The kinkiest they'd ever gotten was with a few strawberries and whipped cream. Even that had just ended with them having to do the sheets early and her yelling at him for being so clumsy.

He sighed and considered tossing them all away. It wasn't right for him to show anypony these. It wasn't right for him to design any of these. But he wanted to be. He wanted to call somepony mistress. His cheeks turned red as he thought about the other side of the coin. Would he have been okay calling somepony master?

“What are you doing?” Silverchain asked, making him jump and scatter the pages all over.

“What? Nothing! Nothing bad, I swear! I was just, there was, things and I--”

“You were staring at those pages so hard I thought they might burst into flame,” Silverchain said calmly as she walked around the room, picking the pictures up. She left out the fact he looked like he was about to cry. “Now, shall we?” She slid in besides him, Jadewing moving to her other side.

“S-sure,” he said with a little nod. One by one they went through the designs, the two occasionally giggling at some of them. A few of them were just unfeasible. At least not without a stronger unicorn, possibly an alicorn. He had nowhere near the magical power nor the knowledge on how to design some of these things or make them work properly. But they had looked like fun.

But after almost an hour, the stack of papers had been reduced to a small hoofful of ones they were interested in. From there, two were selected and placed on the table. One was a special kind of hoof lock that allowed the pony to move them, but other things got tugged on when they did. The other was a small pleather outfit with tiny little triangles on the inside to torment the wearer.

“Those would be simple to make,” Enigma said with a nod. “It shouldn't be an issue, if you'd like to talk to my agent she can--”

“Why?”

“I'm sorry?”

“Why involve your agent? If we pay you directly, can't you do it for cheaper and receive more of the bits?” Silverchain asked with a smile. “Besides, isn't it the agent's job to set you up with jobs, not get paid for jobs you find on your own?”

He stared for a moment before nodding. “I... guess? Errr... what's... fair?” he asked weakly.

She looked down at them. “Let's see... the pleather would be a bit spendy, though the others would probably be a bit more. The enchantments could be quite atrocious.” She licked her lips before finally nodding and leaning in to whisper in his ear.

His eyes bulged at the number. “W-what? In BITS? Are you mad? I could see... well... what?”

Silverchain cocked her head to the side. “Really? It's only about a fourth of what we're paying for the current design, and that would be for both of them. You--”

“Y-you're paying four TIMES that for the...” He glanced to Jadewing. “Toy I'm making? But that's... you think my work is worth that much?”

Silverchain nodded. “Indeed. Didn't your agent inform you?”

He shook his head. “N-no. She usually just pays me and I... she's really charging that much?”

“You really aren't aware of what your agent is charging for your services?” Silverchain asked harshly. “You are aware that this mare speaks for you, are you not? Anypony who tries to buy your services goes through her. And yet you keep yourself innocent of how she does her business?”

He blushed and lowered his eyes before giving a nod. “Y-yes.”

“Then you are a foal.”

He hung his head. “I-I don't, I just... she knows the business and I--”

“You hide behind your ignorance like a shield. Your name will end up being dragged through the mud because of this. There is nothing shameful in asking another pony for help, but it is foalish to not at least try to understand where this help comes from.”

He gulped and nodded. “I... I just--”

“But then, I am just one of your customers,” Silverchain said with a sigh. “If this is how you wish to run your business, that is fine. But do not expect any pity when this one day blows up in your face. And it will.”

He nodded, gulping. “I-I guess. I, errr, h-half of t-that for ummm, b-both would be fine.” He weakly poked his hooves together and squirmed in his seat.

Silverchain watched him for a few moments before nodding. “Very well. And you do understand that I do not, in fact, think you are a bad pony. I apologize if my words were too harsh. But you should not allow other ponies to speak for you if you do not know what they are saying.”

He nodded. “I know. It's just... hard to do it otherwise. I need her to--”

“If she has so much more power over you that you are afraid to ask what she is doing, perhaps it is time you tried to find a new agent. One you can be more equal with.”

He gulped and nodded. “But... I am equal with her. I mean, I supply the designs. A-all she does is find me the clients. She's not using me, if anything, I am using her. I-I don't know how any of this stuff works or--”

“Then you should discuss it with her. If you hold all the power, then you shouldn't be afraid to use it for what is right.”

He nodded meekly. “O-okay.” He picked the designs up in his magic and flipped through them. “Yeah, I can make these no problem. I-I'll do my best after I... finish everything...”

She nodded. “Very good. Now, is there anything else you'd like to discuss?”

He shook his head. “N-no, I can leave. Sorry, I didn't mean to--”

“You wish to leave so soon? Why? Are we not enjoyable company?”

He shook his head quickly. “No! I mean, yes, you are very enjoyable. B-but you're... I mean, business is done so--”

“Would you care to stay and watch a video with us?”

“W-watch a video?”

“Not naughty,” Jadewing said with a chuckle.

He gulped and gave a little nod. “W-well, actually, that sounds quite nice. I haven't... sorry. Thanks.”

Silverchain trotted to the television and turned it on, before popping a video in. After a few moments the three were laying comfortably on the couch, relaxing.

Emigma stared at the contract on the ground besides him. He'd been over it half a dozen times and, he was pretty sure, there would be no problem with what he was going to ask. In fact, the contract made no mention of him having to ask anything. He took a deep breath and called the number.

“Hello, Enigma,” a voice asked after the third ring. “Are you finished with your commission already? I thought it would take longer.”

“N-no. It's almost done, but that's not why I'm calling,” he said weakly. He could do this. He would do this. “I need to... talk with you about something.”

“What?”

“I... want to know the rates you charge people for my commissions. The full rates.”

There was a few moments of quiet, before the woman spoke up. “What?”

“I want to know exactly how much people are paying for my designs. How much you're charging them. I want--”

“Enigma, honey, what are you going on about? Why do you need to know that? I mean, sure I could send you the information, but why do you need it? It's just busywork. Stuff you don't need to worry about. Come on, what's this really about?”

“I-I was talking with Silverchain and... and I found out how much you charged them for the design.”

There was a long, almost dangerous pause from the other end. Finally, she spoke up. “You asked them?”

“N-no. I was just showing them some other things and... i-it came up. I didn't... realize you were charging such... large commissions.”

“Listen Enigma, this is a business. I find you business, you get paid, it all works out. Now, I don't think--”

“My devices aren't worth that much!” the stallion shrieked. “A-and I've been looking into what an agent's normal cut is, t-this is so far beyond--”

“Well, I'm not a normal agent, am I? I take care of everything for you you little ungrateful--” There was a harsh pause. Then after a few moments the mare returned. “Sorry, but very well. I will get these... for you. If that's what you want.”

“Y-yes, it is,” he said softly. “T-thank you, Velvet.”

Velvet stared at the phone, anger bubbling up inside her. How dare they. Enigma was her cash cow and now they turned him against her! She already had three more commissions lined up, waiting for him. But if word got out about how much she was over charging she could be in real trouble. She could get fired and lose her license.

Heck, with some of the rules she'd broken she could be charged. She put her legs on the table and rested her head on her hooves. She could be in real trouble if he decided to push. She needed to distract him. Get his attention off her.

She cursed that stupid sex shop owner. It was her fault. If that mare hadn't gotten involved, he'd have just kept obediently working. What was it about her that made him grow a spine?

Her eyes widened and she sat up. A grin formed on her lips. She pulled out Enigma's file and quickly flipped through it, humming softly until she found what she was looking for. It took a few more calls to get the pony she was looking for, but her grin only got wider when she heard the pony pick up.

“Hello, this is Velvet. Is this Love Tap?” She waited a few moments before nodding. “Good, good. I'm Enigma's agent.” She had to hold the phone away from her ear a few seconds for the shrieking to calm down. “Yes, of course. Oh? I'm just calling because I just talked to your ex. He seemed so sad and I was curious if you'd be interested in talking with him.”

She had to resist laughing. If this didn't distract him, she didn't think anything would.