~The Heart of a Geisha~ ((Read OCC))

Subject: ~The Heart of a Geisha~ ((Read OCC)) Sun Sep 13, 2009 7:09 pm

The okiya was bustling with activity as Tsuki rose from her sleeping mat. She wasn’t certain what was going on, but she was annoyed at being woken from it. Unless there was a fire, the members of the okiya knew better than to wake her after she had been out entertaining so late into the night.

As she left her room, the bustling servants instantly quieted, realized they must have woken the beautiful woman. At that moment, all eyes lowered, and fear visibly passed through them all. Tsuki was not a cruel woman, but their fear was more for who she was rather than her personality.

Tsuki is a geisha, a beautiful moving work of art. She rose late in the day because every night she was out entertaining those who hired her for the masterpiece she was. In Tokyo, she was the most sought after geisha in the area, and men from the highest positions desired her company. As such, she had much power over the lives of everyone in the okiya, even the owner, for it was her earnings that paid for everything.

Tsuki however, didn’t waste time with the servants who were obviously following orders. Instead, she went straight to the owner of the okiya, a woman named Tora, though everyone in the okiya called her mother. It was tradition to call the owners of okiya’s mother, and this one was no exception.

With her hair and disarray, and her face clear of makeup she walked into the room to demand what was going on. To her dismay, Mother laughed and said excitedly, “A wealthy client desires your company Tsuki. You are to be ready at once.”

“Is this why the servants were so loud?” Tsuki asked angrily, crossing her arms.

“What better way to wake one such as you, than with noises you despise?” Mother answered gleefully.

Tsuki humphed angrily, and walked back to her room, deciding to simply prepare herself for the day, rather than argue with the insufferable woman.

~Later that Evening~

Tsuki walked with careful steps into the theatre. Her assignment that night was to keep some business men entertained while they enjoyed the production. She had done this on many an occasion, and never once had her training and beautiful appearance failed her. As she entered their top box, she bowed low, greeting them formally.

As per usual the man that hired her greeted her and then formally introduced her purpose to the men gathered. This night would be like every other, she thought to herself taking a seat in the one offered her.

OOC: Okay so since no one wanted to join as it was I figured perhaps I made this a bit to focused. Anyone can join at this point as I have edited my post. I still would prefer a male character to get Tsuki's attention other geisha are welcome as well!))

Subject: ~The Heart of a Geisha~ Wed Dec 08, 2010 6:00 am

One after another introduced themselves to her, eager to catch her attention. They were older men, lecherous with age. Though not Seiji, the youngest of the group of business men. It took the efforts of one of the older men to draw his attention away from the performance on stage. He glanced at her, and smiled lightly. "Maybe you will appreciate art more then my partners here." He paused, not wanting to be rude, he rose to his feet and took her hand to properly introduce himself. Her hands felt soft in his, making him feel nostalgia, though the feeling was fleeting. He let go of her hand from impulse, like he was suddenly afraid to make contact with another human being.

"Don't be rude Seiji." One of the men was quick to speak up. "I love the arts, this just doesn't make much sense to me. Doesn't catch my attention, unlike Tsuki here."

"I am sorry, my mind is distracted tonight."

"You could say that. You're the only one who has actually paid attention to what they've displayed on stage tonight. Not for my taste, I say. It seems depressing, so much blood. And exaggerated none the less."

Seiji, not wanting to argue the point of the beauty that was behind the story- remained quite. He looked from Tsuki, to the stage. The woman who was displayed on stage cried out, playing the roll of a widowed woman who mourned her lover's death. "You cannot make me love once again, I loved once. And only for him." She cried, as a man forcefully grabbed onto her. "I will never be him." Kissing her passionately as blood flowed down from the woman's chest. The tragic love story; never ends happily. How true Seiji though, how cruel.

The crowd erupted with emotion, clapping, and sobbing. The curtains fell, an intermission between performances.

"The woman is a fool." One of men shook his head, not seeing what Seiji saw on stage. "He is gone, I know my wife wouldn't mourn me for too long." A bitter comment from a man in an unhappy marriage.

[OOC: I like it. Just so I dont mess up; what time setting does this rp take place in? Hope this is kinda what you had in mind >.>]

Subject: Re: ~The Heart of a Geisha~ ((Read OCC)) Wed Dec 08, 2010 2:44 pm

[quote="Madness"]

Tsuki had indeed watched the performance, though she had seen it before on a night when she had not been working. She’d found many years ago that trying to pay attention to one’s clients and the plot of a good play was an impossible task. Especially since these men usually wanted her to be the entertainment for the night.

This Seiji intrigued her though. Actually paying attention to the play was one thing for these type of business men, enjoying it, that was entirely different.

“Perhaps your wife would not mourn because she does not know what she would miss.” Tsuki said calculating. She was clever this geisha, her wit spoken of throughout the community. She knew just what to say to put someone back in their place without outright insulting them. In fact, she could make it sound so charming that the men didn’t even realize she was making them change their opinions.

“The woman loves. That is her sin. That is why she is being punished.” Tsuki added thoughtfully, the comment not meant for anyone in particular but one that was heard none the less.

OOC: I figured this would be just before World War 2. So there is buisness and a bit of industrialization, but Japan for the most part is still very traiditional.

Subject: ~The Heart of a Geisha~ Thu Dec 09, 2010 5:13 am

"Exactly." the man retorted to her comment, seemingly lifted his esteem. "How very bright you are, and beautiful." He spoke quite fondly of her, trying to capture her attention more then the others. Even going as far to agree with her last statement, even though he paid no mind of the performance.

Seiji eyed the man, everyone could notice the man's obvious flirtation, though he refrained from making a comment. He depended on these men for business. He didn't want to offend any of them. Though what she said lingered in his mind. The woman loves. That is her sin. That is why she is being punished. The question was if she knew what it felt to live with the sin of love.

A woman came to the booth, presented herself with a tray of delights and treats. Tea, and a variety of sweets. She left the tray, bowing low before exiting their top box.

Subject: Re: ~The Heart of a Geisha~ ((Read OCC)) Thu Dec 09, 2010 4:11 pm

Tsuki bowed to the woman as well, as was her duty and took the tea to start giving it to her clients. Carefully she poured each glass, knowing their eyes were riveted on her every movement. Except for the young man, who seemed more interested in his business partners antics then what she was doing. He seemed almost as if he was calculating something in his head, trying to put something together.

She gave each of the men their tea, ignoring the hungry look in their eyes as they catched a view of her bare wrist. She could already tell this group would ask for her again, and she knew that at least one of them would tip her handsomely at the end of the night.

“Tea?” She asked Seiji, eyeing him closely though she still looked entirely pleasant and of course beautiful. “It is good while watching such tragedy to have something warm to remind us that there is light in every darkness.” She added when he seemed to hesitate.

Subject: ~The Heart of a Geisha~ Fri Dec 10, 2010 5:24 am

"Ah.. Yes. Thank you." He simply replied, making eye contact all the while. He carefully took the cup of tea from her hands, and brought it up to his lips. He felt the warmness of the liquid, the gentle aroma of ginseng and peppermint. He set the cup down, looking at it for a moment before his eye's went back to Tsuki. Though intrigue, he looked away before her eye's could catch his watching her.

"Tsuki, you have been delightful tonight. I do hope we'll be able to enjoy your company again." Mr. Yang, who had been shamelessly flirting with her all night, held up his cup and made a toast. "Tsuki, the most beautiful of all."

Several of the men raised their cups, and drank up their warm tea. "Now I think we need warm sake." The men agreed, while Seiji watched them. Their actions distracting his from the performance that had started back up on stage. The young woman returned with sake, bowing low, and leaving just as quickly as she had come.

Subject: Re: ~The Heart of a Geisha~ ((Read OCC)) Fri Dec 10, 2010 5:35 am

Tsuki only took one glass of sake that the men offered her, learning long ago to not get drunk around old men. They took it as a green light to do rather offensive things and she had no patience for that tonight. Even that one glass however warmed up her insides delightfully, and brought a smile to her face that was a bit less forced.

“Thank you sir.” She said politely at the toast in her honor, her tone entirely humble. There was a spark in her eye that said much more though. That spark said she knew she was beautiful, knew that she had these men wrapped around her little finger, and could make them do quite a lot for her though she never would.

For the rest of the performance she kept the men entertained with well placed jokes and comments. They were a talkative bunch, only requiring a well placed phrase every once in a while and a refill of their sake or tea when they ran out.

Before she knew it the play was over and the men were starting to get ready to leave. Tsuki turned to look over at Seiji who looked confused at the ending of the play. It must have been very distracting for him up in that box with all those men laughing and talking loudly.

“The woman takes her own life.” Tsuki said quietly, so that only Seiji would hear. “She cannot bear to be with another after she lost her love. So she chose death. Thus her sin killed her.”

Subject: Re: ~The Heart of a Geisha~ ((Read OCC)) Sat Dec 11, 2010 7:11 pm

Seiji couldn't help but be drawn in by Tsuki's beautiful, and wise demeanor. Though also trying to keep track of his partner's small talk, and the performance being acted out on stage. Seiji starting to feel overwhelmed, took a sip of his tea, and looked down on stage. Unfortunately it appeared to be over.

He looked to Tsuki as she spoke quietly, looking into her eye's. Her sin. Those word's stuck in his mind. "You seem to know this play well." A small smile on his lip's as he spoke.

Their eye contact soon broke, as a Mr. Yang promptly addressed her about her leaving arrangement's. "Do you need a private carriage called for you? I can assure you make it home safely." He continued to be flirtatious.

Subject: Re: ~The Heart of a Geisha~ ((Read OCC)) Sun Dec 12, 2010 1:21 am

“Thank you Mr. Yang, but my carriage will already be waiting.” She said softly, her demeanor leaving no room for argument as she took away his treat. She knew that he would have been more than delighted to escort her back to the Okiya as well as do many other things that he ought not to even imagine.

“My driver knows when this play ends well.” She added, her seemingly innocent comment answering Seiji as well as the rest of them. The others would merely think that she had a well versed driver, someone who was aware of his mistress’s needs at all time. What she was really saying however was that she had seen this particular play often enough that her driver knew when to pick her up because he’d done it before.

She bowed low to the group of men, showing the proper amount of respect as was necessary. “I hope your evening was enjoyable.” She said solemnly, the proper goodbye for a geisha of her standing. Though she was speaking to them all, her eyes were on Seiji, almost as if she meant it only for him.

Subject: ~The Heart of a Geisha~ Sun Dec 12, 2010 8:04 pm

Mr. Yang looked disappointed, but smiled anyways. "Delightful." He commented, "I rather enjoyed you're company Tsuki, the pleasure was mine." Of course this sparked comments from most of the men, trying to compliment her as well. All trying to be noticed. Mr. Yang then gave her a small decorative envelope, containing a good sized tip. The men stared, appalled they didn't think of that.

Seiji paid no mind to the older men, acting like children fighting over candy. "Do be careful." He spoke softly, looking into her eye's. A small smile graced his lip's, and he bowed his head slightly down to show respect.

The small woman who'd served them drinks previously returned, "Mr. Yang." she bowed lowly, "You're carriage has arrived." She waited at the door for him, and when he fallowed she quickly walked in front of him.

When Mr. Yang arrived at his home, he seemed to be distracted with thoughts of Tsuki. That is, until his wife came storming into the room. "I heard you hired a Geisha, I overheard the staff talking about it." Her voice was low, but clearly by the tone of her voice you could hear she was upset. "You could have told me that. But no, you had me stay home.." She snarled, "I am a perfect wife to you, I serve you. But you hire some whore to show off instead? I am your wife!"

Nami, Mr. Yang's wife, clenched her fist- trying to resist the urge to throw something at him. She knew he was a powerful man, she knew he would have no problem replacing her. But she wasn't alright with that. She didn't want to loose her powerful status of being his wife. Though she was twenty year's younger then him, she was starting to show her aging. Though still beautiful.

Mr. Yang looked irritated, but he let her finish. Once she quit talking, and they stood there staring at each other in silence. He frowned, and stepped towards her, backhanding her face forcefully. "Don't ever talk to me like that." He kept his posture, straightened the front of his suit jacket, and stepped over his wife who now laid on the floor in silence.

--Meanwhile..

Seiji had refused to take a carriage, even though one waited for him. It was a beautiful night, a cool breeze but also the warmth of summer had settled in. He had wanted to clear his head. Being around people often made him feel frustrated, defiantly his business partners. Seiji was incredibly smart, but coming from a common family, it was much more difficult for him to succeed in such time's. Though he still couldn't get that woman off his mind, curious about why he was drawn to her.

Subject: Re: ~The Heart of a Geisha~ ((Read OCC)) Wed Dec 15, 2010 8:34 pm

Tsuki had indeed left the theatre and began making her way home, but the night was warm and with the moon high in the sky she saw no reason to rush back to the Okiya and deal with mother.

It wasn’t that Tsuki didn’t enjoy her life. There were times where she reveled in it, knowing that she was the ideal and what ordinary women could only enviously wish they were. Unlike the common whores on the street she was a moving piece of art, her time expensive and her favor so to speak only sold to the highest bidder. Occasionally when a client would pay enough for the honor she had to spread her legs for him, but such was not usually the case for the price of the most popular geisha in town was too high for most men.

There were of course the drawbacks to the expensive clothes and beautiful flawless face. Living in the Okiya was not easy at the best of times and could be downright disastrous as the worst. Tsuki had been bought as a child like most geisha, originally coming from a poor fisherman who desperately needed the money. So he had sold his only daughter into something that was very akin to slavery. Sure, she made lots of money, and it was her pay that kept the Okiya running, but it was not her own and the price for such pay was very high. She owed everything to mother, and since she’d been adopted she was stuck with the vile woman until she passed away.

‘Then it will be my job to take another poor girl and train her to be like me.’ She thought sadly as she made her way down the street and across the bridge over the slow moving river. She paused at the middle and looked down at the water, the moonlight shining on her black hair. It was times like these where she finally felt alone and secluded, even though her driver/bodyguard was only a little bit away.

Subject: Re: ~The Heart of a Geisha~ ((Read OCC)) Wed Jul 27, 2011 6:27 am

Seiji had come upon a bridge, he stopped. Turning, placing his hands on the ledge. Glancing down at his reflection. Not sure if he liked what he saw anymore. Not that he was one to ponder on his own face, modest in most ways- even though he was very appealing. He saw something ugly.

The sound of someone coming made him snap out of his thoughts, he glanced over to see her face. He thought he was still in his mind. Why would she be here? It took him a moment to realize she was in fact real, and walking straight towards him. She seemed to have not even noticed him. Feeling now awkward, he was unsure as of what to do. For most of his life he focus on business and financial things, and not his personal life. Books, and his ability to be able to talk anyone into a business deal was about all he had on his side.

"Tsuki?" He said quietly, trying not to alarm her. As he was already thrown off guard by her very presence. "Is that you?" He questioned, even though he knew every detail of her face after only spending the evening barely communicating with her.

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