Chapter 2 (Levi)
Levi groaned as he trailed after Erwin through the streets of Gion, the famous district where the mysterious geisha lived and worked. Erwin merely sighed at his friend's reluctance.
"Do we have to go?" Levi asked, "I don't particularly want to sit inside some stuffy teahouse with the men while they get drunk off their faces with sake."
"Levi, you have to come." Erwin answered. "It will build morale and comaderie with the men if their commander and their captain join them for a night out on the town. And besides, you already promised me you'd come. So you can't back out now."
Levi scowled and glared at Erwin's back. It was already dark, but the moonlight and streetlamps still allowed him to see the back of Erwin's blond hair. Erwin Smith was the commander of his regiment, and therefore a higher rank than him. So Levi had to do what Erwin told him. But that didn't mean Levi had to like it.
"And you an stop scowling at me." Erwin added.
How does he know? Levi wondered. He wasn't even looking.
"Come on, Levi." Erwin said, letting Levi catch up to him so they were walking side by side. "Just come with me and have a couple of drinks, make some small talk with the lads, and then you can go. Who knows. Maybe you'll enjoy yourself."
Erwin flashed him a smile, but Levi didn't return it.
"I doubt it." Levi told him. "Though I'm not having any sake. I can't stand the stuff."
Erwin grinned. "Fair enough. I'm sure someone can find you some beer."
"Good. Because I'm going to need some."
They reached the teahouse a few minutes later and went inside. The attendant took their coats and the two of them made their way into the main room. It was unusually packed with people. Not just their comrades in the military, but others as well. Men and women of all ages and classes filled the seats, and the loud chattering floated through the room to their ears. As they walked through to find seats, the faint scent of tobacco smoke and incense drifted into Levi's nostrils, along with a faint odour of drink. He followed Erwin towards two spare seats at the back near a handful of their comrades and ordered drinks from a passing server. Levi was grateful they did have beer on the menu. It ad been months since he'd had a stiff drink, and with this rowdy noisy lot in here, he was going to need one. And soon.
Levi frowned as he surveyed all the people. The place really was packed up. Were teahouses always this popular?
He turned to Erwin, who was chatting to some of the men and laughing at their jokes.
"Is it always this crowded in here?" he asked. Levi did not like crowds. Hated them. So he wouldn't be staying long.
"No, this is unusual." Erwin replied. Pausing to thank the server who returned with their drinks. "There must be some event planned. I picked this place because it's usually fairly quiet in the early evenings since I know you hate crowds." he rubbed his chin, thinking a moment. "I wonder what is going on tonight..."
Levi picked up the bottle of beer that had been set on the table in front of him. "Psh. Probably some bad singer coming in to torture our ears." he said, lifting the bottle to his lips and taking a big gulp of the cool beer.
"Levi!" Erwin chided. "I'm sure it won't be bad."
"We'll see." Levi answered back. Clearly he didn't rate this place very well. Erwin just tutted at him and went back to chatting with the others. Levi took another gulp of his beer and tried to join in for Erwin's sake, but making small talk wasn't one of his strong suits.
After a short while, when Levi had drunk about half of his beer his beer, an older gentleman dressed in a dark yukata shuffled to the front of the room. A space had been cleared of tables and chairs to make a stage area ready for whatever act was supposed to come on and perform. This was where the old man stood. He had grey hair that was white in patches , and although his face was wrinkled, he stood tall and confident as he cleared his throat to address the guests. Levi watched him intently, curious to know if it really was a bad singer about to come on stage.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" the old man boomed, "may I have your full attention please?"
He waited for all the clatter to die down as the guests turned to face him. A hush fell over the room and the old man cleared his throat again, covering his mouth with his fist. Lowering it again, he continued.
"Tonight, for your entertainment, we have a special guest performer. I have known her for many years, since she was a little girl, and I've watched her grow and hone her talents with great discipline and skill."
Levi rolled his eyes and groaned mentally. Jeez, get on with it old man. Just say who the act is and go.
"Please forgive an old man his ramblings, but I think of her as my grand-daughter. And like a beautiful flower she has finally bloomed. She dances with much beauty and grace, like a butterfly on the wind. And tonight she is here to dance for you. And show us all the fruits of her hard work and training. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome out new maiko – Hanachiyo! Please show her your appreciation."
Taking their cue, the audience began to applaud as the old man shuffled off the stage. Some of them talked excitedly among themselves about the prospect of watching at maiko debut. Especially here of all places. Levi listened to those closest to him gush in excitement.
A maiko, huh? He mused. That's a trainee geisha, right?
He'd seen them before, the geisha. Walking through the streets like brightly coloured birds in their beautiful kimonos. Sometimes twittering to each other about things. But Levi hadn't either the time or the interest to talk to them, much less pay for their company for an evening. Normally he'd only given them a quick glance in passing, so this would be the first time seeing one up close.
A collective gasp from everyone else around him could be heard as the young woman stepped out, gliding across the room to the stage area. Levi's eyes widened at the sight of her. Tall and willowy, with black hair pinned up in an elaborate bun, gold ornaments dangling from it and catching the light. Her kimono was midnight blue with a white under-robe, and underneath that was a red collar, indicating her status as an apprentice geisha. And even from his place at the back, Levi could see it was made of a high quality silk. Her obi around her waist, holding her kimono securely in place, was also white, matching the under-robe. The dark blue of the kimono gradually faded into a sky blue near her knees, so the hem that trailed on the floor behind her gave the impression she was a floating being. A bird gliding across water. The kimono itself was patterned with cranes among the bamboo stalks, their feet in the sky blue water by her feet.
Levi's eyes followed the line of her neck up to her face, taking in the white mask and red lips painted over her features. Her eyebrows were perfectly drawn, shaping her face perfectly. Although it was her eyes that held his attention most of all. They were a deep shade of blue-grey, and they showed to Levi all of her desire and determination to do well, whatever her task. In this case it was dancing. Traits Levi could find in himself. But there was something else in her eyes, too. Passion. Passion for her work and her dance and her art. Passion for life.
He watched her intently, observing every subtle movement and gesture as she demurely bowed to the audience before taking up her position, ready to begin her dance. In her hand she held a red fan, stark against the deep blue and white of her kimono. Perhaps to symbolise something in her dance, he thought. To mean something. Her slender, tapered fingers gripped the fan tightly. Her hand trembling a little as she held the wooden handle.
She's nervous about her performance. He realised. Of course she is. This is her debut. This is her first time performing for a crowd.
He watched expectantly as she raised her head, her eyes scanning the people in the audience at the back. Her eyes stopped when they found Levi, and he met her gaze.
Go on. He wanted to encourage her. You'll do fine. But his voice had long since disappeared, stolen by her. He could only hope his eyes could convey what his voice could not.
Keeping her eyes locked on his, she breathed a small sigh and began to relax. Her shoulders released all their tension and the slight shaking of her outstretched hand ceased, so the fan held perfectly level. Yes. He'd calmed her nerves.
He allowed himself a soft smile for her, certain she was still looking at him.
Just for her though. No-one else got a smile got a smile like that from him.
Atta girl. He thought. Now just take a big deep breath and begin when you're ready. Keep your eyes on me if you like. If it helps.
To Levi's amazement, she seemed to read his thoughts and heeded his advice and took a deep breath in and out. Glancing over at the shamisen player to the side of the room, she gave her a quick nod to start playing. And on that cue, the music began, and the maiko started her dance.
She moved slowly at first, flicking her wrist to open her fan as the shamisen twanged a low note. Levi watched her, entranced. Every move, every shift and twirl, each and every placement of her bright red fan, was imbued with grace and precision. A result of years of work and practice. Even when she brought the fan down in harsh quick motions, she remained graceful. Delicate and strong simultaneously.
Flicking her fan shut, she paused in a half-crouch, her expression remaining placid, unstrained by the exertion of her muscles. Keeping her body still as the shamisen played on, she opened the fan once more and resumed her smooth motions and steps, rising to her full height. Her arms and hands were flowing and graceful in their movements. Like a painter whose canvas was the air itself. Although she glanced across at Levi whenever she got the chance to.
Finally, with a flourish, she spun around and then tossed her open fan into the air, catching it deftly as it fell. The audience burst into applause at her catch, and with another slow spin as the music slowed to a stop, she stood to face the audience holding the fan in front of her face with one hand while her free arm stretched out to the side. The music stopped and the crowd burst into an even louder applause, punctuated by cheers and whistles. The beautiful maiko looked across all the people and bowed demurely in thanks. Levi just sat watching, mouth agape until an elbow from Erwin and the loud applause from the crowd brought him back to his senses. Reality interfering with the serene floating world the lovely maiko had lulled him into.
"Wasn't she fantastic?" Erwin asked, clapping along with the crowd.
Levi took a moment to reply. "Yeah." he said slowly. "She was."
Blinking a few times to readjust to reality, Levi slowly raised his hands and brought them together, clapping for the talent along with everyone else. But he knew that after tonight, things would never be the same again. This woman had lit a spark inside him. And Levi knew he would not be able to rest until he knew her.