The Birth of Suyuan

You did then what you knew how to do, and when you knew better, you did better. - Maya Angelou

Mizumi's mizuage opened a doorway for her where she could exercise more liberty in her path towards her prime. She was young, beautiful, and certainly eligible to be even the Emperor's consort or even a Ubar's favored slave. Yet, her formative years in the pleasure house of Honjuku had only taught her what the passions of men would be like and certainly not their will as Lord Nishida certainly exercised his.

Some time after her mizuage, he bought her contract, yet he had the ability to do what he wished with her and thus, gifted her to one of his ashigaru (cavalrymen); a simple a man named Goro, who, admittedly was handsome with leaf-shaped eyes. Yet, he had a manner about him which was beyond austere... dispassionate in some instances if one would describe. It was not that he was hard to figure out, but he certainly a man with his own ambition and direction.

Mizumi was anything but impressed and anything but content with the decision Lord Nishida made. Her heart was harboring and even aching for Lord Okimoto and not this soldier who often found solace in his own company.

It is so easy to talk of ‘passing emotion’ and forget how vivid the emotion was ere it passed. Our impulse to sneer, to forget, is at root a good one. We recognize that emotion is not enough, and that men and women are personalities capable of sustained relations, not mere opportunities for electrical discharge…Yet, we do not admit that by collisions of this trivial sort, the doors of heaven are shaken open. - Howard's End

Simplicity was sovereign in the relationship; yet, the usual advantage that a Gorean man would exercise quite frequently in his relationship whether with a contract woman or slave girl relied more heavily upon an appointment-type basis as he was someone that was strictly self-involved.

Mizumi came to care for Goro despite her own expectations. Though, he had a proverbial wall surrounding him, there were moments when she was able to see "him" aside from the usual detachment that frustrated her. Pani, although they are passionate, maintain a sense of austerity about them almost at all times. It was not that Goro wasn't passionate; he was in his own way with his brutal kisses when he wasn't aloof and the sweetness that imitated warm sunlight poking through the shade of a tree.

A grand adventure is about to begin. - Winnie the Pooh

Apparently, the "wine of the noble free woman" didn't work for Mizumi as expected as her belly subsequently began to swell with child. Now again, it should be reported to Lord Nishida as the child growing within her might be his and he would have the final say of what would happen to Mizumi and her unborn child. Yet, it was not uncommon if Contract Women had children, particularly daughters who could be raised in the pleasure house. Sons were of a different matter; most likely they would be adopted by the father and he and his Free Companion would raise it.

Lord Nishida learned of Mizumi's condition and thus would have gladly sold her contract off to Goro so that they could companion one another; instead, he removed her from Goro's "service" and enrolled her back into the okiya indefinitely. It was a devastating blow for the young mother-to-be. Perhaps Lord Nishida had an inkling that the child might be his or perhaps it was Goro's. Either way, Mizumi was condemned to solitude and separation from Goro who was just beginning to gradually to reveal himself to her.

Imprisonment is as irrevocable as death. - George Bernard Shaw

The cruel reality of man's will was beginning to unveil itself. Goro made no effort to lay claim or even purchase Mizumi's contract. Everyday in her confinement, she couldn't help but gaze from her window at the scenic village, hoping to catch one glimpse of the man she had cohabited with for several Hands. The bustling world never revealed him and she battled with despair. The only thing that helped her maintained hope was the child she was carrying in her belly. She remembered the prophecy manifested by the diviner. Although, some it was unsettling, she resigned herself with the realization that the child kicking rapidly beneath her heart would be strong - the will of men wouldn't rule her as they did her mother.

The time for her baby's birth approached and she continued looking towards the heavens. As the shamaness predicted, there appeared to be a sort of supernova within the sky that burned vibrantly in the Phoenix Constellation. It was a breech birth and albeit there was some difficulty, the child entered the world in fit of healthy crying. The doula laid the baby girl against Mizumi's breast and she rocked her; admiring her unusual amber eyes and pale skin which would make her a target for slavers later on in her life.

There was much to worry about; whether Lord Nishida would decide that the baby belonged with herself and pleasure house or with his family. Regardless of protocol, Mizumi knew that she would fight for her infant daughter. She even took it up herself to name her before the okasan of the okiya could.

It was a name was unusual among the people, but still Pani - Suyuan. She was a light in the young contract woman's life when she was condemned to isolation and had been abandoned.

The dark cloud seemed to have lifted with the arrival of Suyuan - or so one would have thought - Mizumi was still in confinement and had no idea what Lord Nishida had planned for her. However, it was difficult to imagine that her daughter probably might grow up fatherless. Goro was absent and Lord Nishida had his own agenda. From what she detailed in Suyuan's features, she had a feeling her father was Goro as she had his eye shape and the sharp point of his nose. Regardless, if the man she cared for would not come forward - she would raise Suyuan on her own.

For now, the horizon calmed as Mizumi resigned herself with fighting not for herself any longer - but her baby as well.

A daughter is a mother's gender partner, her closest ally in the family confederacy, an extension of her self. - Author Unknown

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