Thread: Tea House [Rave and Hahvy]

RE Tea House A Geisha is not free to love. At least, thats what had always been said. The life of forbidden artisans had turned Japan into a world of even more mystery and wonder than could have ever been foreseen. To be a part of such a world was to fall into a river of mist and magic. It was not easy to see a Geisha but now it was like a game to find one. Few were able to stop a man in his tracks, but when they could, they were real Geisha. That was something Nozomi had been taught by her big sister Sayori. It was part of the Geisha way of life. Sayori had been one of the most legendary Geisha before eventually marrying her danna and taking over her familys Okiya. She was still Nozomis big sister and tended to her whenever she needed her. Today, however, Nozomi was visiting a tea house filled with soldiers to offer them comfort and the pleasure of her company since most of them probably would not survive the coming war. Geisha werent supposed to know these things, but they had eyes and ears in every tea house, in every house of entertainment. Nozomi was no different. Stepping from the carriage, Nozomi kept her back straight and head held high to show her beauty and poise. She would never falter. She was living art like she had been crafted to become. She would not fail. As she walked up to the teahouse, she knew her danna was not in attendance tonight and would entertain as she was wont to do. He was off on a trip with his wife and daughters. Most men of tradition were in arranged marriages and did not love their wives and sought out the company of prostitutes and Geisha, but never did they confuse the two. She did not love her danna just as he did not love her. It was a business-related partnership in which they both could escape from the world for a little while and in which she could have more freedom. He did not try to control her just as she did not try to control him. If he sought her company, she would give it, but he never forced it upon her. He was a kind man, someone who helped provide for her, but that was all that could be between them. As she stepped in and bowed to the hostess, she was led to a room with a few other Geisha who were serving the soldiers. It was not vanity that made her believe she was more beautiful than them all. It was mere fact. She did not let herself have doubts or worries about her beauty or attire. Instead, she cast a small smile at the soldiers and helped serve a young man tea. She sat beside a maiko and her older sister and acknowledged them both as she had grown up with the older sister through their training school. Nozomi had never taken on a younger sister and felt no need to do so just yet. She was still a blooming Geisha herself and was comfortable in her space and place in life. She made plenty of money, had beautiful silk kimonos, and apartment all to herself, an okiya she would eventually settle into as her permanent home, and a danna. What more could she ask for? Love , a little voice murmured in a whisper. Yet she ignored it, especially when her eyes fell on a handsome soldier and felt her heart stutter for a brief second in her chest. Her smile never faltered and neither did her hands as she poured sake for a young man who smiled at her with a blush. He asked her name. I am Nozomi. Are you all fresh soldiers? Will you protect me? She asked, smiling at her small joke. Some of the soldiers laughed and nodded, reassuring her that of course they would protect her. Some were awed at her beauty but she didnt allow herself to blush. She didnt allow herself anything except for smiles and pleasantries. Inside, she was dying to be witty and free like a man. But it never showed on her face.