Mizuage

It is not for geisha to want. It is not for a geisha to feel. Geisha is an artist of the floating world. She dances, she sings, she entertains you... What ever you want... the rest is shadows, the rest is secret. - Sayuri, Memoirs of a Geisha (film)

The years of a back-breaking regimen had cultivated her skills into this one moment - the debut as an official contract woman who would cater to the aesthete tastes of Pani men that would be able to afford her.

But, there was one final step in the process in which Mizumi must abide before her anticipated arrival as a full-fledged contract woman... and that was her mizuage.

Like the oiran and ancient geisha of Earth, it is an ancient coming of age custom where a trainee girl's virginity is sold to the highest bidder. It is one of the many secrets which "known Gor" would not be aware of except amongst the Pani elite and particularly it was a business matter that was reserved solely for the privileged or for those who could afford it. Collar-girls are often opened for the pleasures of men, but for a contract woman trainee, it was a symbolization that she was no longer a girl or han'gyoku (half-jewel). With the patron who receives opportunity, he is often to compared to a bee or eel that will "pollinate the jewel-flower" or the eel "who finds his cave and finds satisfaction in it, marks his territory by spitting in it." The entire process transforms the "half-jewel" in a blooming flower or rare gem that will be appreciated and tended to by men. In return, a contract woman provides amusement, relaxation, and grace to anyone who is lucky enough to hold her contract.

One could only guess how Mizumi felt about the entire thing.

The willow which bends to the tempest, often escapes better than the oak which resists it; and so in great calamities, it sometimes happens that light and frivolous spirits recover their elasticity and presence of mind sooner than those of a loftier character - Sir Walter Scott

"I will not do this! I refuse to do this! I am not some writhing, panting white collar-girl who will moan when touched! I am better than that, onei-san!" Mizumi's stubbornness proved adamant in her conversation with her mentor or "older sister", Kuzuki. Like the geisha of Earth, it was not uncommon for an inexperienced trainee contract woman to be afforded a mentor. When not entertaining their clients, their jobs were to focus upon and help the young trainees both nurture their skills and promote them. Ironically, it was similar to that a First Girl on a chain whipping Last Girls into shape when it regarded slaves. But, unlike First Girls and Last Girls, they were a paragon of the apprenticeship that trainees must endure and their contracts were often the most valuable and sought after by the Pani.

"What have I taught you, Mizumi? Contract women do not become what they are because they have a choice. It is will of men that makes us become what we are. If a man chooses, he can make you a collar-girl. But, that is not what you are nor what you will become. You are being primed to be something better than the common animal, but rather a rare and precious jewel that men will pay fortunes to be in the company of. You are living art and with your mizuage, you will become a masterpiece who's services will appeal of the connoisseurs of the Pani."

Yuzuki's words only made Mizumi more obstinate and frustrated with the entire ordeal and she begrudgingly acquiesced to the luring of patrons who were bidding on the prospect of deflowering her.

Of course, there was expected opposition and this came in the form two women: Sumomo and her charge, Hisui who would later become contracted to both Lord Nishida and Lord Okimoto.

Sumomo was a beautiful, prideful woman who was past her prime but displayed vast insecurity when it regarded Yuzuki's success and Mizumi's rising career. It infuriated her that both Lord Nishida and Lord Okimoto were beginning to inquire about Mizumi's upcoming debut. Sumomo was not only wicked, but cunning and would utilize any opportunity to humiliate and undermine Mizumi whenever she accompanied Yuzuki to an ochaya (teahouse) or feasts hosted by Lord Nishida so that she could promote her availibility.

Rivalry is the life of trade, and the death of the trader - Elbert Hubbard

"I wasn't aware that collar-girls were permitted kimono," remarked Sumomo to both Yuzuki and Mizumi. "Perhaps I'll see to Lord Nishida about changing that." Her snark was as sharp as her comeliness. Among men, she displayed her best smile with a sense of submission that could even make a collar-girl's eyes roll. She was a silk robe that maintained its feel, but was of a cheap quality.

"Ah, Sumomo. How good it is see you but you are mistaken I'm afraid. We are not collar-girls, but rather contract women who entertain men. If you like, I can refer you to the physician. But, then again lack of eyesight tends to coincide with age." Yuzuki's wit was just as quick as her observation, if not to situations but to the individual. She was as graceful and lovely as she was clever and the latter part would be a trait that Mizumi and her daughter would utilize in the future when they were both in the steel.

Sumomo snorted with disgust at both of the women and continued with her duties. She had heard about the bidding for Mizumi's mizuage and seized this opportunity to unsheathe her claws and assault Mizumi's reputation with malicious rumors.

A contract woman who did not have a client or series of clients could possibly fall into destitution or become a collar-girl, but this was rare indeed. Only the bottom of the barrel occurred to such and Sumomo sought to make Mizumi nothing more than the common kettle and mat collar-girl who was chained at night to the slaver houses.

Suspicion began to surface regarding Mizumi. Did she have a lover? Was she actually a virgin? Speculation aroused due to Sumomo and her skills with gossip, especially regarding how persuasive she could be. The flippant wagging on her tongue and her facade of expressing false concern over Mizumi's status elicited much talk about the trainee's subsequent mizuage.

Lord Nishida, who was one of the one bidders for Mizumi's "coming of age" experience ordered to have her examined by physician to see if she was indeed in-tact. Most likely, if she wasn't, she would either be expected to take her own life for breaking protocol and dishonoring not only her pleasure house, but herself and ruining the investments that instructors, trainers, teachers, and even bidders placed in her. That or the latter and that would be the collar; which would be a complete loss of identity and sense of self.

Mizumi was examined by Lord Nishida's own personal physician as he certainly wouldn't lie to the daimyo. The process was humiliating, if not dehumanizing for the young trainee but it satisfied Lord Nishida's doubts and essentially quelled the rumors of whether or not Mizumi was a virgin and fit to undergo her mizuage as planned. It was certainly not unusual that he won the bidding war as he had his eye the young beauty since the day she was introduced to him during one of his decadent feasts. He was determined to have her, despite the steep price for deflowering her.

To supplement to the trainee's chagrin, she was instructed to approach the shamaness at the shrine for the prediction of an auspicious date of which the mizuage should occur. The last time Mizumi visited the shamaness was for a reading of her future and was informed that she would bear a daughter would be like a willow - gracious, flexible, and strong and endure much adversity. Though the prophecy remained a constant in her mind, she was more concerned during this time about her impending mizuage. But, to remain on the safe side, she consumed copious amounts of "the wine of the noble free woman" administered to her by Lord Nishida's companion. The thought of a child resulting in her union with Lord Nishida was as unnerving to her as to what she had to endure.

The dictated date arrived and Mizumi spent the time pacing and reflecting. Lord Nishida seemed to be an insatiable, if not crafty man. But, it was not his cunning that nonplussed her, but rather his greed and actions which seemed to be shadowed with ulterior motives. He was like any other Gorean man; voracious and uncompromising. Would he hurt her? A myriad of questions inundated and before she knew it, the fateful evening had arrived and it was time to go to Lord Nishida.

The okasan (propietoress) of the pleasure house selected the chamber and a ceremony quite similar to what Free Companions go through. Lord Nishida attempted conversation to quell her nerves as his voice was smooth like silk and his sleek way with words. Admittedly, his efforts alleviated some of the thick tension between them. Time passed and the moments she had been dreading arrived as he lead her to the futon. He had already undressed himself, Mizumi remained clothed.

His lips claimed hers with a gentle, yet vehement kiss that made her heart palpitate rapidly. It wasn't the kiss of ownership that owners give to their slaves, but something entirely rapidly. It was impassioned, gentle which relieved her trembling and his callused hands took their time in divesting her of her kimono which was the only barrier between them. She was on her back and he loomed over her while his kisses were constant, resembling a butterfly's wings opening and closing. His attempts were to ease her trembling and assuage her fears. A contract woman is no slave and thus was used differently than the average collar-girl.

Everything around me seemed to grow so quiet, as if he were the wind that blew and I were just a cloud carries upon it. - Sayuri, Memoirs of a Geisha (film)

He positioned himself between her legs and penetrated her, sealing her whimpering cry from the painful entry with the same kiss he had utilized to ameliorate her prior fears. The experience was sweet, if not a bit rough, but he treated her with the care as one would handle a rare gem and not a collar-girl.

The evening would be emblazoned in her memory forever and within the following days, her status as well her popularity increased. With her "coming of age" experience, thanks to Nishida, she was elevated not only in status but in favor. Often she became requested to appear at teahouses and banquets. Sumomo fumed and plotted with Hisui. As Mizumi was granted her time in the limelight, there was a cloud emerging on her horizon that would begin a series of bad omens. It would only be a matter of time before she fell from grace.

Success is important only to the extent that it puts one in a position to do more things one likes to do. - Sarah Caldwell

Divination and Destiny

Now I understood the thing I´d overlooked; the point wasn't to become a geisha but to be one. To become a geisha . . . well, that was hardly a purpose in life. But to be a geisha . . . I could see it now as a stepping-stone to something else. - Sayuri, Memoirs of a Geisha (novel)

The contract woman training was intense - five to six years of rigorous training in music, conversation skills, flower arranging, dancing, and whatever else would cater to an elite Pani man's interests. Her focus was not just upon becoming successful, but rather finding the daimyo who had displayed the few momentary fragments of kindness that she would most likely ever experience aside from the common pleasantries of being in the presence of clients.

There were a few moments in which she faltered; such as seeking out her sister who had become a collar-girl of one of the subordinates of Lord Nishida. She was punished severely for her search, having broken her leg from falling from a roof and accumulating a debt to the household which be added to her lessons, classes, clothing, food, and shelter. Such debts occur frequently within okiya as geisha of Earth progress in their training. It is not until she self-sufficient and independent or contracted to a danna that she would be able to clear her ample and cumbersome dues. Despite that umbrage against her pleasure house, she became more determined than ever to survive which oddly enough became one of her strongest traits. Amongst the Pani, failure is not an option and to hesitate even for a moment could cost resilience, training, and one's life.

Hisoka, who had now been thus been now aptly named as "Mizumi" often made frequent trips to the shrine; making her obligatory offerings to the gods, but on this particular day she decided to visit the diviner. Many cultures of Gor have their methods for foretelling the future and in the Pani shrines, the diviners often read palms they do in Japan on Earth.

Mizumi met with the shamaness Kasumi who was an astonishingly attractive young woman with a lart(fox)-like visage: cunning, yet intelligent. Unlike the other miko (shrine maidens) who offer omikuji (fortune paper-telling), she claimed to receive her powers directly from the gods. Kasumi gathered Mizumi's hands within hers and appraised them while the contract woman in training waited patiently for her words.

"This is strange, " remarked Kasumi as her nail traced over the lines of Mizumi's right palm. This made Mizumi tense and she leaned in, "What, shamaness? What is it?" But, Mizumi was unprepared of what she would hear next.

"Despite much, you will suffer... but none so much as the twin you will bear. She should have been your twin but she is returning

to you... she is entirely you, in thought, action, purpose... but she will have her own heart, soul, and determination..."

If you look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents and all generations of your ancestors. All of them are alive in this moment. Each is present in your body. You are the continuation of each of these people. - Thich Nhat Hanh

Mizumi could not believe what she was hearing. A twin?! What twin?! Suffering?! She only had her sister Setsuko who was lost to her now. She opened her mouth to inquire of what the shamaness was speaking of, but the woman held up her hand to silence her while the shamaness pointed to Mizumi's fate line which appeared perfectly normal; with the exception that from the side of her palm, at the angle of where her thumb was was one line traversing it where the shamaness gestured.

"Do you see this? This is the Girdle of Venus which is traversing your fate line. I have never seen this before. Allow me to look at your other hand." The shamaness reached over to grasp Mizumi's left hand and scrutinized the lines, "Your Companionship line is feeble; but the child lines are strong. Though..." She traced one line that connected with Mizumi's middle finger and just to be certain. Poor Mizumi was already anxious and a bit of fear surfaced in her honey-brown eyes while regarding the busy shamaness with a pleading expression. Suspense was never one of her strengths.

"The left hand indicates your Yin, the feminine essence and although you have children lines on both hands, your Yin hand is more dominant. You will have a daughter with the Girdle of Venus always traversing with her fate... but I reiterate; she is your twin. Before you give birth, a new star will appear in the constellation of Phoenix and Venus will align with it. The affect will create something very similar to a supernova. The star signifies your daughter who will always have Venus in her astrological charts."

We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. - Oscar Wilde

Mizumi was utterly perplexed at the divination and her heart rate increased as she had a myriad of questions for the shamaness. But, despite her nonplus expression, the shamaness would continue her reading and the words she spoke dumbfounded the contract woman to where she sought to cover her ears, but her hands were still compromised by the shamaness. Despite the fact her hands were soft, she had a firm grip which never hesitated.

"She will suffer more immensely than you. Although her star will be in the sky, luck does not always coincide with the Mandate of Heaven. But Heaven and the gods will watch her, as she shall have the will and strength of a warrior and the survival instincts of a sleen. She will be like the Empress, but will never become one... no man will ever be by her side... the will of men will rule her but will never apply to her. Your bloodline, your bone... will begin with her. You will have many children... unlucky, unfavored children. But she alone will be the 'son' that most men crave. She is the star, both fragile and bright... no one, nothing can never extinguish her. She will endure many trials, tribulations, and names. But, she will still be, a star and in her way, a blessing to you. This is the will of the gods."

The reading was finished and Mizumi paid the diviner shamaness though a plethora of questions swam about in her head. She had come to discover if she had a future and instead she found out she would most likely have a daughter. What did she mean that she would suffer more greatly than herself? Unlucky children? This prediction was a double-edged sword and it disturbed her immensely.

Confusion consumed Mizumi as she retired for the evening and continued her practicing; she would attempt to put the divination in the back of her mind and focus on her debut as a contract woman. Despite the unsettling reading, she was elated to know that the daimyo's cousin, Lord Okimoto was beginning to display interest in her progress and would be most likely be present for when she emerged among the people as a contract woman.

Diviners were just soothsayers were they not? The white men from Port Kar who resided in tarncamp stated as such.

But Mizumi was still inundated by thoughts of the shamaness' words which would continue to populate her thoughts, speaking of it to no one.

Though she couldn't help but begin to study the mighty night sky and their constellations as the seasons passed. She ruminated often over the divination and thought that the process in which she became contract woman herself; the pain of losing her mother and sister, her father seemingly betraying her and selling her into the pleasure house even though it was her people's custom... but to be reborn as an up and coming contract woman. Was this not enough suffering for a young girl such as she to suffer? No matter how much she tried to suppress it, the divination would not depart her brain. She forced herself to focus on the future and the chance to be in the presence of Lord Okimoto once again.