Kikuya Iwasaki (supergeisha) wrote,
@ 2012-01-26 21:52:00

It felt like a long time since she was home, but even as she stood just outside the building that she once resided in Kikuya knew that she was not home. Life had been taken from her not in the functions that made her alive but in the spirit that made her who she was. In the past handful of days she had pieced together what the official story was: very simply the government had "killed" her. The Super Geisha had perished in a terrible accident returning from a goodwill tour. There had been mourning for her and a state holiday, then everyone moved on. Japan had a new cultural hero now, though Kikuya hadn't bothered to find out who or what. She hoped it was Grogg. It would give her friends something to smile about as they grieved for her.

But Kikuya had not died. The details of what had really befallen her were far different and complex. All she knew was that she had her freedom now, though freedom meant no more geisha. Uncomfortable as it was she found herself in street clothes in the hustle of the city. There was only one place she really wanted to go and she turned from the corner across from her former residence and walked a few blocks down to a place that truly felt as though it were home.

She could only hope that Hajime would welcome her now that she was not something that he could have use for or could value. If he did not...well. Honor had other options.

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get_medieval
2012-01-27 07:28 am UTC (link)

As of yet, the government has not seen fit to tell Hajime the truth of the matter. As such, while most have moved on in their own fashion, he's still in mourning. Wearing more white than usual, eating lighter, and praying additional times - though his ancestors can't look after anyone, given that he has not restored his family's honor yet, he can at least hope hers are kinder.

He's kneeling, head bowed, eyes closed when she makes her way in, seeming quite focused on the quiet ritual.

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supergeisha
2012-01-27 12:26 pm UTC (link)

She watches him for a long moment, just behind a decorative screen that half hides her in shadow. Kikuya notices the white and the position of prayer and recognizes it immediately as gestures of mourning. Her fingers ache as she observes, decades of training and practice screaming through her nerves and muscles to prepare the tea, to make the preparations for once he closes the ritual but she can't. She is not geisha, she isn't even properly clad.

After several minutes of watching and increasing pain in her heart Kikuya very delicately clears her throat.

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get_medieval
2012-01-27 05:03 pm UTC (link)

He hears the sound, and for a moment, hesitates. He knows the tone, even with that little a gesture, but like the soft footfalls he heard moments ago, mistook it for his mind playing tricks amidst the mourning.

But no... there's someone there. He rises, composing himself before he turns, his expression schooled. Then he moves towards the screen. Even steeled, his eyes open a bit wider, and a corner of his lip turns upward. For Hajime, wildly expressive. He's surprised, but clearly happy to see her.

"They told me you were dead."

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	supergeisha 2012-01-27 05:08 pm UTC (link)
	"It would seem that they brought you tales of untruth." Her own lips twitched upwardly and her eyes fluttered every so slightly as she wrestled with the emotions of seeing him. "I do not wish to trouble you. I...just had to see you." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	get_medieval 2012-01-27 05:11 pm UTC (link)
	He reaches out, resting a strong hand on her shoulder, looking directly into her eyes. "You are never any trouble, Kikuya-chan, it is wonderful to see you. I will have words with our liason another time." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	supergeisha 2012-01-27 05:26 pm UTC (link)
	"I must ask that you not tell anyone, except perhaps Amiko, that I am here. Hajime...they stripped me even of identity. I am not a geisha any longer." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	get_medieval 2012-01-27 08:16 pm UTC (link)
	He nods. "You have my word, Amiko-sama should know... but none other. As for your identity... then perhaps it is time to begin making a new one." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	supergeisha 2012-01-27 11:57 pm UTC (link)
	Kikuya nods. She had expected as much. A new identity was of course required, but she did not know who she would be. And a samurai had no need for...her not as a geisha, certainly. "Would you permit me to make you tea once more?" She needed to, at least once. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

get_medieval
2012-01-28 06:18 am UTC (link)

He blinks, a little surprised. Then it dawns on him.

"Kikuya-chan... I... would very much hope, whatever your new identity and life is, that you would be willing to include me as part of it. I do not know how it will be managed... but I have missed you, and your tea. I still love you... and hope you will be willing to make me tea many more times in the days to come."

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	supergeisha 2012-01-29 01:52 am UTC (link)
	"I believe in this contemporary world the sort of arrangement you are suggesting is one they call...boyfriend and girlfriend," she says carefully. "I still love you as well. I only want your comfort and happiness." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	get_medieval 2012-01-29 03:45 am UTC (link)
	"I believe that is what they call it, yes. And if that arrangement works for you... the government will have to live with it." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	supergeisha 2012-01-29 03:51 am UTC (link)
	"Any arrangement that allows me to serve you works for me, Hajime-sama." She tentatively takes his hand in hers. "I have missed you desperately." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	get_medieval 2012-01-29 03:56 am UTC (link)
	He offers her his hand readily. "You may no longer be the government's geisha-girl, but you will always have a place with me." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	supergeisha 2012-01-29 04:05 am UTC (link)
	"Would you like me to continue to dress as geisha for you?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	get_medieval 2012-01-29 04:07 am UTC (link)
	"You wear the clothing well, and seem comfortable in it, but I would understand if you would wish to leave the trappings... as long as you will make tea, and aid with my baths, read to me and play for me... that is more important. You are beautiful in anything you wear, or don't." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	supergeisha 2012-01-29 04:15 am UTC (link)
	"I think I will feel even better about wearing nothing for you now, Hajime-sama. It will be odd for me at first...but I would like to be able to truly fill your every need. I want to be a good girlfriend to you." She pauses and inspects his hands. "You have not had a proper bath since I vanished." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

get_medieval
2012-01-29 04:19 am UTC (link)

"I haven't." he admits. "Left on my own, I reverted to my more... simple habits. 700 years of habit... and quick, cold baths and filing the calluses from my fingertips." He knew she wouldn't be pleased with that either.

"But very well... you do not need to be geisha any longer to fulfill your role. You are my... girlfriend... yes. And may serve me. We are both better off for it."

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	supergeisha 2012-01-29 04:21 am UTC (link)
	She was displeased with how he was caring for himself, but her face was still the well-trained mask that betrayed little. She only nodded. "I shall ready a bath for you, Hajime-sama." Without another word she went to preparing the things needed. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

get_medieval
2012-01-29 05:05 am UTC (link)

He knew she would be. The kenku were not big on extensive care or luxuries. Admittedly, he much prefers her style of care - but left on his own, long, long, long established habits are hard to break.

And yet, he's very happy to have her back - on top of simply being overjoyed to find her alive again.

He lets her get to work, returning to quiet meditation to thank the ancestors for this new good fortune.

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	supergeisha 2012-01-31 11:52 am UTC (link)
	It takes just a little bit longer than usual for her to make the preparations, as street clothes fit differently and Kikuya is used to the flow and movements of kimono. Once she is done, however, everything is as perfect and orderly as it ever was. "Everything is ready for you," she says softly. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	get_medieval 2012-01-31 06:30 pm UTC (link)
	He nods his approval, stepping into the room, only observing this type of preparation when everything is perfect. He shifts to make the process easier, but otherwise, lets her help him undress and prepare for the bath. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	supergeisha 2012-02-01 11:26 am UTC (link)
	She undresses him much as she always has, except this time she has a moment of weakness. Trembling a little she wraps her arms around him and just holds him close for a moment without a word. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	get_medieval 2012-02-02 06:37 am UTC (link)
	The gesture is a surprise, but after all she's been through, how he's missed her, how hurt he was when he thought she'd died - not an unwelcome one. He wraps his arms around her, and just holds her quietly. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

supergeisha
2012-02-02 11:43 am UTC (link)

"I missed you," she says very softly after a long moment of simply listening to his heartbeat and breathing. "Memories of the warmth of your skin and your presence are what kept me alive and saved me from grief. I wanted to be released from missing you, but my heart would not let me accept the honor of an end."

She tilts her head and looks up at him.

"I will never leave your service again."

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	get_medieval 2012-02-03 06:41 pm UTC (link)
	He looks down at her, then kisses her gently before replying. "And I missed you. All that you do, all that you are to me, the art anjd beauty you bring to my life." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	supergeisha 2012-02-06 11:41 am UTC (link)
	She smiles at him. "Forgive the forwardness," she says softly, "but I do not wish to leave you side for a moment tonight. Can you allow me that?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

get_medieval
2012-02-06 05:39 pm UTC (link)

"Only if you will forgive me indulging a whim that was... not appropriate before, but our new stations allow for more easily. I do not know if the means to do this has changed... and you have no father to speak to first. So... Kikuya, will you be my wife?"
Which, of course, would allow her to serve, without worry for the station of geisha, and perhaps give her an easier transition of sorts.

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supergeisha
2012-02-08 12:04 pm UTC (link)

Kikuya finds her breath stolen from her when he asks and, for a moment, she wonders if she's heard him correctly. It wasn't that she hadn't heard a proposal of marriage before. She'd had several over the decades and usually from men who did not understand the role of geisha or what an insult it was to her. This, however, was no insult. Quite the opposite, this was an unbelievable honor and the ultimate form of respect.

Her samurai wanted to marry her. He wanted to make decent what was forbidden before. Stripped of her honor and laid bare as nothing, Hajime still wanted her. Tears filled her eyes as her emotions betrayed her and she nodded with a smile.

"I would be honored, Hajime." Pause. "We will need to speak with Amiko about this."

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get_medieval
2012-02-08 01:18 pm UTC (link)

He hadn't expected quite so much emotion, much as perhaps he should have. Seven hundred years among the enigmatic and unpredictable swordmasters had left him somewhat unused to human reaction at times. Still, he does not object or seem troubled by it, just surprised. He holds her close, meeting her gaze directly.

"Of course, she remains my lord. No marriage may take place without her agreement."

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	supergeisha 2012-02-08 01:34 pm UTC (link)
	She nods her agreement. "Your bath is probably starting to get cold. I should warm it for you." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	get_medieval 2012-02-08 05:51 pm UTC (link)
	"Indeed, I am very much looking forward to a proper bath." he agrees. And, of course, as his wife, she will be permitted and welcomed in service, so provided Amiko-sama has no disagreements, he hopes this will ease Kikiuya's transition as well. He relaxes, letting her go and tend to the water. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	supergeisha 2012-02-15 12:21 pm UTC (link)
	She smiles and goes about making sure that the water is warm enough and that everything is as it should be. Once things are again set she invites him to the water, carefully taking his garments from him and waiting until he is ready for her before she gets the soap and the brush. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	get_medieval 2012-02-23 05:06 am UTC (link)
	There is a brief look of surprise - followed by a hint of a smile. Clear sign that he's been taking cold baths out of habit again. This is definitely better, just different. So many things change for the better when she's around. (Reply to this)(Parent)

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