The Midnight Butterfly by Shannon
Prologue
The rays of the sun shot out grasping for the earth, as its failing body sunk slowly below the horizon. The shrill pulls of the cicadas hung in the air with the gentle rustling of the trees; the creation of a breath of wind. A small gong was struck with a skilled hand; the sound falling through the okiya signaled the start of the long pleasurable night ahead of its inhabitants. Two bishonen sat at their mirrors, faces freshly washed. Generous amounts of a special wax were applied to the faces, and then white paste smoothed on leaving a space from the hairline; next came a large powder puff gently patted on the skin setting the make-up beneath. Small dangling green leaves attached to a comb were pushed into coiled hair starkly contrasting the black color, while an auburn haired man set fire to a blackened smudge stick. Red rouge was dabbed against generous lips, and eyebrows drawn on firmly with an artistic grace. They rose and faced each other in silent appraisal. Further down the hall giggling rose as two more Hokan were preparing them selves for the night. A blonde man giggled at his companion who had mysterious purple streaks in his jet black masterpiece of wrapped hair. “Shut up! It compliments my kimono.” The wood doors clacked open and delicate feet made tiny steps from various rooms as the four Geisha made their way to converge in the main chamber and await their blessings. “Minna-san, Konban wa,” the fifth and head member of the house said as he made his quiet way into the room. The four turned to face him with generous bows. Kyo clapped his hands and held them palms together at his chest. “Hokan Geisha of the Imomushi okiya, may the end be of less import than the means, in your travels this night. May your heads be highest, voices brightest, feet and hands nimblest.” Kyo finished, clapping his hands again. Shinya bowed with his knees and head and glided to his zori at the door. “Ganbatte,” Kyo whispered and struck flint to steel, creating a luck spark. Shinya bowed again and made his way from the okiya into the streets of the Gion hanamachi. A moment later Miyavi stepped down into his zori and waited. “Ganbatte,” Kyo said striking the steel. Miyavi turned and bowed then made his own way into the night. Reita giggled more at Aoi who glared in response as the two made their way to the zori outside. “Reita, you’ll have to stop that before I let you out, you’ll set a bad name for us.” Kyo said in a maternal tone. “Gomen mama-san, it is pretty funny though don’t you think?” “I think it’s very fitting, complimenting his features nicely. Now straight faces until you at least get to the Mayonaka Butterfly for some sake ne?” Kyo smiled at them crinkling his nose. “Ganbatte, watashi no bishonen” sparking his steel twice Kyo waited for them to leave the grounds before closing the front doors.
|