Post by Naughty Girls on May 10, 2016 5:16:05 GMT -5
Somewhere deep within the core of the Red Gym is the altar of the Red Lady, a single table surrounded by red curtains with similar covering overtop of it. A circular table rests in the middle just in front of the altar with a silver chalice and a small locked chest residing beside it. The area is lit with a circle of candles resting along the floor displaying the bottom portion of a massive portrait set against the wall of a painted figure. From the side enter two figures, both in red robes. Etsuko still wearing a white kitsune mask with red features while Nikki behind her wears a hood over her noh mask. As Etsuko carries nothing, Nikki typically grasps tightly to a knife with the blade up in one hand and a heavy looking metal staff in the other. The two stop on either end of the table where they bow their heads to one another and then turn bowing to the painted figure. They then turn back inward as Etsuko extends her left hand this time so that the palm can be cut by the other. As the blood from the cut drips down into the chalice, Nikki rests the knife down and unlocks to chest but keeps it shut before stepping back. Once Etsuko's blood has come to a slow ooze, she brings her hands down to the chalice picking it up and brings it to her chest.
SLAM!
The bottom of the staff connects with the floor prompting the joshi to turn toward the painted figure.
SLAM!
She takes two steps toward the painting and offers out the chalice.
SLAM!
Etsuko brings the chalice back and kneels down before offering out the chalice again, this time resting it on the floor as far as she can reach. She then brings her hands back resting them over her lap.
SLAM!
Etsuko bows down completely pressing her head down to the floor and waits.
SLAM!
As she comes up to her knees once more, Nikki reaches down sliding her palm under the small chest and walks with it over to the kneeling joshi offering down the chest. Looking over it through her kitsune mask, she opens it up and produces two black and red face masks making certain to only touch them gently with her fingers underneath as she draws them out from the chest and turns the pair toward the painting. Nikki goes back as the masks are then held up. As soon as the chest is placed back on the table, Etsuko has bowed her head and begins a prayer.
Etsuko: Humble Goddess, with eyes all seeing and mind all knowing, I ask that you bless these masks with your powers so that more fallen stars may yet shine again. I ask that you bless these masks with a portion of your wisdom that the wearers may be granted an envisioning of their true path. I ask that you bless these masks that the damned be shown redemption.
Still holding the masks, Etsuko goes silent and waits with her head bowed.
SLAM!
She brings the masks back and rises up to her feet.
SLAM!
Etsuko bows her head once more before stepping back where she takes a knee bowing deeply for a final time. She then returns to her feet taking another step back before turning toward Nikki. Nikki opens the chest allowing Etsuko to rest the masks back inside before the top is closed once more. Both then turn back toward the painting, bow, turn to one another, bow, and leave with Etsuko leading the way hoping the prayers will again be answered.
We join back up with Etsuko in her makeshift bedroom, that really just consists of a parachute separating a portion of the Red Gym from the rest, just moments after the ceremony as she removes her kitsune mask and rests it down on the shelf by her cot. She straightens it out then proceeds to remove her robe and hang it on a hook. With that down, the now in the plain red dress joshi drops back onto her cot and lets out a long sigh.
Etsuko: I can only hope that Miss. Eliza has finally seen the light, that she may now fully understand that she does have a home waiting for her. Perhaps one of these days she will be seen again. For now, I am certain that there are concerns from two others. Concerns that shall be addressed. Miss. Estrella,
She begins to herself.
Etsuko: Her primary concern should merely be that of whether I respect to uphold her mask or not, given that I hold a far greater one for her.
Of course the concern isn't whether she even wants to wear it or not, why would it be?
Etsuko: As the Goddess commands, I will leave the mask in tact before resting on my own. But how could that be such a concern? The mask should be a privilege to behold. Her hands should not be clenched to fists ready to fight, they should be left open, willing to accept what is proper. What is infinite. What is absolute. The same with Miss. Williams.
She doesn't sound confident, she just sounds certain.
Etsuko: Miss. Eliza fought, and all that meant was that she would have to wake up in the world I have shown her.
A showing of sympathy comes down across Etsuko's face as she wished for a better way, or at least does so now.
Etsuko: It is not just victory in a match that I seek, but primarily the victory of redemption for others. They have spent their lives thinking only of themselves, where have those thoughts taken them? Friends? What amount of work is put upon them? I know this for certain as I thought I held such things. A life of darkness and emptiness is all that awaited me. Enemies? Differing of opinions reflecting of ones own upbringing. What differing of opinions are made when you all follow the same point? No.
Etsuko shakes her head as she sits up on the edge of her cot.
Etsuko: They will not refuse. They cannot refuse. Goddess,
She looks up with a growing smile on her face.
Etsuko: I will find you two more stars to guide. A brighter future must await us all.
The smile continues as the scene
SLAM!
The bottom of the staff connects with the floor prompting the joshi to turn toward the painted figure.
SLAM!
She takes two steps toward the painting and offers out the chalice.
SLAM!
Etsuko brings the chalice back and kneels down before offering out the chalice again, this time resting it on the floor as far as she can reach. She then brings her hands back resting them over her lap.
SLAM!
Etsuko bows down completely pressing her head down to the floor and waits.
SLAM!
As she comes up to her knees once more, Nikki reaches down sliding her palm under the small chest and walks with it over to the kneeling joshi offering down the chest. Looking over it through her kitsune mask, she opens it up and produces two black and red face masks making certain to only touch them gently with her fingers underneath as she draws them out from the chest and turns the pair toward the painting. Nikki goes back as the masks are then held up. As soon as the chest is placed back on the table, Etsuko has bowed her head and begins a prayer.
Etsuko: Humble Goddess, with eyes all seeing and mind all knowing, I ask that you bless these masks with your powers so that more fallen stars may yet shine again. I ask that you bless these masks with a portion of your wisdom that the wearers may be granted an envisioning of their true path. I ask that you bless these masks that the damned be shown redemption.
Still holding the masks, Etsuko goes silent and waits with her head bowed.
SLAM!
She brings the masks back and rises up to her feet.
SLAM!
Etsuko bows her head once more before stepping back where she takes a knee bowing deeply for a final time. She then returns to her feet taking another step back before turning toward Nikki. Nikki opens the chest allowing Etsuko to rest the masks back inside before the top is closed once more. Both then turn back toward the painting, bow, turn to one another, bow, and leave with Etsuko leading the way hoping the prayers will again be answered.
We join back up with Etsuko in her makeshift bedroom, that really just consists of a parachute separating a portion of the Red Gym from the rest, just moments after the ceremony as she removes her kitsune mask and rests it down on the shelf by her cot. She straightens it out then proceeds to remove her robe and hang it on a hook. With that down, the now in the plain red dress joshi drops back onto her cot and lets out a long sigh.
Etsuko: I can only hope that Miss. Eliza has finally seen the light, that she may now fully understand that she does have a home waiting for her. Perhaps one of these days she will be seen again. For now, I am certain that there are concerns from two others. Concerns that shall be addressed. Miss. Estrella,
She begins to herself.
Etsuko: Her primary concern should merely be that of whether I respect to uphold her mask or not, given that I hold a far greater one for her.
Of course the concern isn't whether she even wants to wear it or not, why would it be?
Etsuko: As the Goddess commands, I will leave the mask in tact before resting on my own. But how could that be such a concern? The mask should be a privilege to behold. Her hands should not be clenched to fists ready to fight, they should be left open, willing to accept what is proper. What is infinite. What is absolute. The same with Miss. Williams.
She doesn't sound confident, she just sounds certain.
Etsuko: Miss. Eliza fought, and all that meant was that she would have to wake up in the world I have shown her.
A showing of sympathy comes down across Etsuko's face as she wished for a better way, or at least does so now.
Etsuko: It is not just victory in a match that I seek, but primarily the victory of redemption for others. They have spent their lives thinking only of themselves, where have those thoughts taken them? Friends? What amount of work is put upon them? I know this for certain as I thought I held such things. A life of darkness and emptiness is all that awaited me. Enemies? Differing of opinions reflecting of ones own upbringing. What differing of opinions are made when you all follow the same point? No.
Etsuko shakes her head as she sits up on the edge of her cot.
Etsuko: They will not refuse. They cannot refuse. Goddess,
She looks up with a growing smile on her face.
Etsuko: I will find you two more stars to guide. A brighter future must await us all.
The smile continues as the scene
Fade in red