Welcome to Gaia! ::

Tora entered into the kimono storage and searched for her section on the many rows of shelfs lined against the wall. She looked at the lables on the kimono and pulled one. She held it close and smiled, thinking of her first day in the Teahouse. I think Aki would love this one: it brought me such luck!

Tora entered back into the Okiya and floated up to her room. She slid her door open and saw Aki standing in the middle. She smiled. "Are you ready?" she asked. "First we much do makeup--you watch and do as I do, okay? We'll put on the kimono last."

Tora smiled. "This is our base," she said pointing to two cups on her vanity. "It's this cream we need to mix with this powder," she said, mixing it up in another cup, and applying to her face. "Now, remember to make the "w" on your neck." Tora finished applying a smooth layer on her face. "Now, this is the eye shadow," she said, pointing to a stick of compacted pink powder. "Apply it to the eyes, like so...." Tora took another brush and brushed it along the stick, getting the pink powder from the stick. She traced the top of her eyelids with the brush. "And this is the eyeliner." She pointed to another stick, this one charcoal black. She took the stick and drew it across her eyes. "And this is our blush," she said, picking up a cup of very fine, pink colored powder. She took a large, soft brush, dipped it in the powder, and brushed the powder across her cheekbones. "And this...," she said, picking up a stick of dark red wax, "is our crowning glory. It tells all about a Geisha." She took a tiny brush, and applied the dark red wax to her full, top and bottom lip. "Now, since you are a Maiko, you will only do the center of your upper lip," Tora said with a smile.

Tora smiled at Aki. "Very beautiful," she said. "You did splended." Tora stood to get the kimono. She unwraped the brown paper to reveal a mass of pink silk laying in folds. She drew the kimono out, letting it fall open.

The kimono was bright pink with a peacock etched in gold on the side. The hem of the kimono and sleeves were done in gold as well, and the peacock was done in colors of vivid red, sky blue, and deep purple.

"Do you like?" she asked.

"I'm glad you like it," she smiled. "My hope is that you'll give it to your little sister when she has her first trip to the Teahouse," Tora added.

((OOC: Sorry for the late reply, I've been busy playing with my new BlackBerry and working. x.x))

"I'm very glad," Tora smiled. "Now, let's get you dressed. I'll step outside while you get your slip on," she said. Tora stepped outside and slid the doors silently behind her. "Just call me when you're ready," she said from outside the doors.

Tora heard Aki call her back in. She stood from her position and entered the room. Tora smiled at Aki and began to help her dress.

She put the first layer of the kimono on over the skip, which was really just a thicker slip; then she placed another, gold trimed layer that had the red collar for Maiko, on that would be seen from under the kimono; then she finally placed the top layer of the kimono on, the one with the peacock, smoothing out each fold and making it flat agains Aki's small frame; she then began to wrap the pink obi tightly around Aki's waist, and tied the gold knot at the back.

Tora stood back and smiled. "Turn. Look at yourself in the mirror. You are a true Maiko," she said with pride.

Tora looked down and smiled at Aki. "Now the real work begins," Tora said. "You are on your way to becoming a Geisha." Tora bowed to Aki. "It's a pleasure having you as a younger sister. I am sure you will do me justice," she added, happy that she could add one more sister to her list that would become a Geisha. "I have high hopes for you Aki, and great dreams I wish for you." Tora leaned over and embraced her. "Now, are you ready to go to the Teahouse? What better training than in the real thing?" she said with a big smile.