Just what is a D/s Contract?     Lord Colm, in Contracting 101,The Basic Purposes of Contracts in a D/s Relationship, defines a Contract as a "consensual agreement between a dominant and a submissive that specifies the roles, rights, and responsibilities of the parties involved."   A Contract records the agreement the two have reached, presumably after careful discussion, about how they will live as Master and sub. Is a Contract really necessary?     Yes!     Well, you can do without, but it's really slippery ground.   I won't attempt to repeat arguments here that Lord Colm has given so ably.   Go read him. Do we need Contracts in VP D/s, or only in r/l?     Most of the reasons for Contracts in r/l apply also in VP.   In addition, for those (Dom and sub) encountering D/s first in VP, the experience shared by sub and Master-to-be of working out a contract is a major learning experience.   The parties learn about each other, about themselves, and about D/s.     In one respect a contract has even greater importance in VP.   It is very common (and easy) for people to disappear here.   I have too often counselled subs who felt themselves to be abandoned, and had no idea what to do, or how long to wait.   Every VP Contract needs an Abandonment clause.

What is a contract like, and what should be in it?    Contracts can take a variety of forms, matching the tastes of the writers.  The things that ought to be included fall into three categories: Scope of activities covered, Duration and termination, Expectations of the parties. I've prepared a Checklist of some items under each of the above   and a sample VP D/s Contract.     There are some things that do NOT belong in a contract:   Take for example the following from the second r/l sample contract given by Lord Colm: On days when her Master is at work, the slave will greet Him wearing her collar, wrist restraints, and a shirt belonging to her Master. That's in a Contract where the sub has already sworn obedience.   If the Master wants things that way he need only command.   Putting all that in the Contract is silly -- suppose he decides to change the routine?   He can't!   The Contract is as binding on him as on the sub.   So all this detail has weakened, not strenghtened, the Master's position -- unless they just ignore the clause, and eventually perhaps, the whole Contract.

How do we go about writing our Contract?     The sub is soon to give the Dom her submission, so it is important that she have at least an equal voice in writing the Contract.     Each party should make a list of items that should be in the contract.   Read.   Examine some contracts.     Now meet, compare lists, and discuss items on which you disagree.   This is the time to face questions that could lead to grief later.   Take your time.   You'll learn a lot about your partner, the D/s life, and yourself in the process.     Finally, write it.   This part is fun.   You get to put into words your hopes and plans and love.   Enjoy.

We wish you every joy and happiness together. Kyla T and christina k