Post by Naughty Girls on Feb 3, 2018 1:12:41 GMT -5
The service at First Church ends and all rise to give their thanks to the Red Lady in allowing this congregation to take place in Her name. The few hundred in attendance utter the same phrase along with Etsuko and Domino lost in this sea of Followers of Red. After everything is complete many take their leave as Etsuko finds herself looking back at a certain blond from the choir talking along with her new friends when a familiar individual approaches the joshi and her handler.
January: Such a lovely sermon, wasn't it? Praise to the Goddess for allowing it so.
Domino: Praise to the Goddess.
Etsuko: Praise to the Goddess.
Etsuko's reply is a little lost as she only glances to Twilight Manor's caretaker who is joined by the mute maid, Sevah. Domino, on the other hand, recites the praise only as a sign of devotion as she isn't too pleased to see her ex-girlfriend approach them. However, knowing that they're in a holy place and that January holds a fair deal of weight, being second to the Red Lady Herself, she keeps her real emotions in check and forces a smile.
Domino: Such a pleasure seeing you again, January.
January: Come now, Trish, I think we're far too familiar with one another for such titles. You may call me Jen again.
Domino: I hold too much respect for your position, madam caretaker,
She says giving a bow.
Domino: To ever do such a thing.
Realizing she isn't getting anywhere on this, January turns to Sevah and holds out a hand. Sevah reaches into her front apron pouch removing a red envelope, which she rests in her Mistress' hand who, in turn, holds it out to Domino.
Domino: What is this?
January: Open it.
Domino accepts the envelope opening it up. There was no note, just a piece of ribbon that's been frayed repeatedly in the middle to cut loose several strands. The sight of it frightens Domino who nearly trips over the pews behind her as she drops the envelope to the floor.
Domino: No.
January: It's been decided by the Goddess that your position of handler is to be put under review.
Domino: What? I...I've been loyal!
January: Loyal or not the handler's job is to make it so the charge is kept on duty. Losing the championship was strike one, Trish, and now I hear your charge is up against a woman she's never even beaten before. The woman who humiliated her, turned her into a servant, couldn't even convince her into the fold, and then was turned down when she attempted to fight to reclaim her honor. For the Oni of the Red Lady this is an embarrassment and you're lucky you weren't expelled from your position upon that last loss.
Domino has nothing to say as Etsuko now takes an interest in the conversation. However, as the charge she holds no ground to say anything and therefore maintains her silence.
January: A third loss against this woman would be strike two and to lose the opportunity in reclaiming the title...that will be the end of your position, Trish.
Domino is visibly shaken by this as January appears pleased. She steps in close and draws a hand down the side of her ex's cheek causing her to shiver.
January: I understand these words might earn me a punishment, but I hope your charge fails. Because when I have you again I'm going to make certain I never let you go again. We're going to be wed.
Domino's eyes lock onto January's.
January: The first day you come back. Unlike your last marriage, this one will be binding because it'll be overseen by our Goddess. And every night...you'll perform your wifely duties as we make love. Again, and again, and again.
January leans in almost looking for a kiss when Domino manages to shove her back only to have the caretaker laugh.
January: Sevah, lower it.
Domino looks down and notices Sevah has the point of a letter opener pressed to her stomach. It had happened in such a way that even Etsuko didn't pick up on it at first. As Sevah slides the opener back in behind her apron, the handler and her charge realize why she wasn't just the maid to Twilight Manor's caretaker but her bodyguard as well. Domino is in such a state of shock it takes January stroking some hair in behind her ear to snap her back to her senses.
January: I can't wait to have you again.
She states before stepping back looking the joshi over.
January: Losing a second handler would be a second strike on your account as well, Oni of the Red Lady.
January so kindly points out before turning to depart with her maid quickly in tow leaving Domino with the frayed ribbon and Etsuko a few things to ponder over as she respectfully bows to the departing caretaker.
Etsuko sits just outside the cabin by the woods as the stars shine down overtop of Summer Lake. However, neither the glistening lake or the bright stars can manage to capture the joshi's attention away from Twilight Manor. The dimly lit mansion just across the vast, open field from her location. It seems all she needs to do is walk right up to it, ascend the stone staircase, and she could be inside. But Etsuko knows her place. She, like the rest of humanity, are forbidden from entry save on special invites from the Red Lady Herself. Something that, despite her years of faithful and obedient service, Etsuko has never been privy to. This forbidden nature, however, doesn't stir feelings of curiosity within her rather it drives her ambition that her hard work will grant her the ability to hear the Goddess' voice for herself. All of this is a reminder though of things she must perform first. Challenges to overcome, mountains to conquer. Namely,
Etsuko: Miss. Maria,
Etsuko's voice is hushed as she speaks to whatever recording device is present.
Etsuko: We have a history. A history of great shame and dishonor, but a history nonetheless. When we were first scheduled to meet you suggested an added stipulation that the loser would serve the winner in whatever means were felt necessary. I lost and so I held my end of the bargain. I served, I carried your bags, brought your coffee, opened your doors every time telling myself that I would challenge you when I was released from the short term contract.
Just a little over a month, if memory serves.
Etsuko: When that time came, the time to bring back my honor...you had changed. It did not matter to me in what way you had, all I cared about was restoring my place. However, not only did you spit at the offer but you also defeated me once again. At this point I was a champion having defeated Miss. Orchid soundly and into leaving this company. Perhaps, riding off that knowledge, I was arrogant. So, in a way, some might construe it as good that you defeated me.
But...
Etsuko: But that was not the case for me. The second loss continued my downward spiral into the depths of shame. Shame, which now follows me wherever I go.
Because the very word is seared into her back.
Etsuko: Shame, which led to my defeat and ultimately losing the title I had worked so hard to achieve. It is safe to say, Miss. Maria, that at the moment you are at the epicentre of my career. I understand this must hurt the feelings of both Miss. Kenzi and even Miss. Maki, but neither the two of you have caused any amount of ripple within my career as she has.
Ouch.
Etsuko: Miss. Maria, I intend in our match to reclaim my honor. I will not suggest any such stipulation of servitude, because after defeating you I will be done with you. You would still hold a victory over me, but beating you just once will tell me it can happen again.
Makes some sense, I suppose.
Etsuko: Miss. Kenzi, I am certain you will be watching this match with a great deal of interest. I am also certain your words from before still ring true here; if I cannot win then what is the point in challenging you? So Miss. Maria will fall and she too will be forced to wear the Red Mask of Sacrifice. I am hoping you will be there as well to witness it all as you were with Miss. Clementine.
Etsuko leans back in her seat and smirks.
Etsuko: Because in a matter of weeks it will be your face covered in red. First one way,
She pauses still keeping her smile going.
Etsuko: And then another.
On the challengers smiling visage, the scene
fades in red
January: Such a lovely sermon, wasn't it? Praise to the Goddess for allowing it so.
Domino: Praise to the Goddess.
Etsuko: Praise to the Goddess.
Etsuko's reply is a little lost as she only glances to Twilight Manor's caretaker who is joined by the mute maid, Sevah. Domino, on the other hand, recites the praise only as a sign of devotion as she isn't too pleased to see her ex-girlfriend approach them. However, knowing that they're in a holy place and that January holds a fair deal of weight, being second to the Red Lady Herself, she keeps her real emotions in check and forces a smile.
Domino: Such a pleasure seeing you again, January.
January: Come now, Trish, I think we're far too familiar with one another for such titles. You may call me Jen again.
Domino: I hold too much respect for your position, madam caretaker,
She says giving a bow.
Domino: To ever do such a thing.
Realizing she isn't getting anywhere on this, January turns to Sevah and holds out a hand. Sevah reaches into her front apron pouch removing a red envelope, which she rests in her Mistress' hand who, in turn, holds it out to Domino.
Domino: What is this?
January: Open it.
Domino accepts the envelope opening it up. There was no note, just a piece of ribbon that's been frayed repeatedly in the middle to cut loose several strands. The sight of it frightens Domino who nearly trips over the pews behind her as she drops the envelope to the floor.
Domino: No.
January: It's been decided by the Goddess that your position of handler is to be put under review.
Domino: What? I...I've been loyal!
January: Loyal or not the handler's job is to make it so the charge is kept on duty. Losing the championship was strike one, Trish, and now I hear your charge is up against a woman she's never even beaten before. The woman who humiliated her, turned her into a servant, couldn't even convince her into the fold, and then was turned down when she attempted to fight to reclaim her honor. For the Oni of the Red Lady this is an embarrassment and you're lucky you weren't expelled from your position upon that last loss.
Domino has nothing to say as Etsuko now takes an interest in the conversation. However, as the charge she holds no ground to say anything and therefore maintains her silence.
January: A third loss against this woman would be strike two and to lose the opportunity in reclaiming the title...that will be the end of your position, Trish.
Domino is visibly shaken by this as January appears pleased. She steps in close and draws a hand down the side of her ex's cheek causing her to shiver.
January: I understand these words might earn me a punishment, but I hope your charge fails. Because when I have you again I'm going to make certain I never let you go again. We're going to be wed.
Domino's eyes lock onto January's.
January: The first day you come back. Unlike your last marriage, this one will be binding because it'll be overseen by our Goddess. And every night...you'll perform your wifely duties as we make love. Again, and again, and again.
January leans in almost looking for a kiss when Domino manages to shove her back only to have the caretaker laugh.
January: Sevah, lower it.
Domino looks down and notices Sevah has the point of a letter opener pressed to her stomach. It had happened in such a way that even Etsuko didn't pick up on it at first. As Sevah slides the opener back in behind her apron, the handler and her charge realize why she wasn't just the maid to Twilight Manor's caretaker but her bodyguard as well. Domino is in such a state of shock it takes January stroking some hair in behind her ear to snap her back to her senses.
January: I can't wait to have you again.
She states before stepping back looking the joshi over.
January: Losing a second handler would be a second strike on your account as well, Oni of the Red Lady.
January so kindly points out before turning to depart with her maid quickly in tow leaving Domino with the frayed ribbon and Etsuko a few things to ponder over as she respectfully bows to the departing caretaker.
Etsuko sits just outside the cabin by the woods as the stars shine down overtop of Summer Lake. However, neither the glistening lake or the bright stars can manage to capture the joshi's attention away from Twilight Manor. The dimly lit mansion just across the vast, open field from her location. It seems all she needs to do is walk right up to it, ascend the stone staircase, and she could be inside. But Etsuko knows her place. She, like the rest of humanity, are forbidden from entry save on special invites from the Red Lady Herself. Something that, despite her years of faithful and obedient service, Etsuko has never been privy to. This forbidden nature, however, doesn't stir feelings of curiosity within her rather it drives her ambition that her hard work will grant her the ability to hear the Goddess' voice for herself. All of this is a reminder though of things she must perform first. Challenges to overcome, mountains to conquer. Namely,
Etsuko: Miss. Maria,
Etsuko's voice is hushed as she speaks to whatever recording device is present.
Etsuko: We have a history. A history of great shame and dishonor, but a history nonetheless. When we were first scheduled to meet you suggested an added stipulation that the loser would serve the winner in whatever means were felt necessary. I lost and so I held my end of the bargain. I served, I carried your bags, brought your coffee, opened your doors every time telling myself that I would challenge you when I was released from the short term contract.
Just a little over a month, if memory serves.
Etsuko: When that time came, the time to bring back my honor...you had changed. It did not matter to me in what way you had, all I cared about was restoring my place. However, not only did you spit at the offer but you also defeated me once again. At this point I was a champion having defeated Miss. Orchid soundly and into leaving this company. Perhaps, riding off that knowledge, I was arrogant. So, in a way, some might construe it as good that you defeated me.
But...
Etsuko: But that was not the case for me. The second loss continued my downward spiral into the depths of shame. Shame, which now follows me wherever I go.
Because the very word is seared into her back.
Etsuko: Shame, which led to my defeat and ultimately losing the title I had worked so hard to achieve. It is safe to say, Miss. Maria, that at the moment you are at the epicentre of my career. I understand this must hurt the feelings of both Miss. Kenzi and even Miss. Maki, but neither the two of you have caused any amount of ripple within my career as she has.
Ouch.
Etsuko: Miss. Maria, I intend in our match to reclaim my honor. I will not suggest any such stipulation of servitude, because after defeating you I will be done with you. You would still hold a victory over me, but beating you just once will tell me it can happen again.
Makes some sense, I suppose.
Etsuko: Miss. Kenzi, I am certain you will be watching this match with a great deal of interest. I am also certain your words from before still ring true here; if I cannot win then what is the point in challenging you? So Miss. Maria will fall and she too will be forced to wear the Red Mask of Sacrifice. I am hoping you will be there as well to witness it all as you were with Miss. Clementine.
Etsuko leans back in her seat and smirks.
Etsuko: Because in a matter of weeks it will be your face covered in red. First one way,
She pauses still keeping her smile going.
Etsuko: And then another.
On the challengers smiling visage, the scene
fades in red