White Honey

The Sphinx

Obligation. The purpose of a refine woman is to serve as the founding pillars in her household. If she wavers, the house collapses. Had it not been for this kidnapping, Hase would have been back in Kanazawa serving her elders and awaiting for the eshika's arrival. The old astrologer would find her future husband and they would have tied the red knot of destiny. Yet, her eyes rest on the five prisoners trudging in a white endless passage, I am walking towards an unknown destiny. What fate holds that I fear.

It was finally announced. Their first challenge as 'Flower Maidens' in this mysterious hold. Whatever the purpose of this kidnapping, Hase prioritizes a safe escape. The granary gates had unlocked and slid back open, one by one the anxious victims followed out into the large and endless passage. It is much larger than the small maze that led her into her prison cell from that strange elevator.

It matched the length of her cell, about six meters. She glances back, there were no sight of the gate anymore, once they passed a door but it was locked and they moved on. Hase silently followed, she kept her distance but her eyes were on them despite being buried beneath her bangs. She had already studied each and every of her fellow cellmates. Survival among them is crucial; it had always been that way for her. She grew up serving others, she always ensures to know both her hosts and guests. And enemies. Hase shakes any ill-intentions from her thoughts.

They stand before a door, above had a little LED lamp in a bright light. "Guess this's the one." Ms. Judas, an Australian with a cheerful demeanor and blond ponytail pushes the door open and walks in. One by one the others walk in, Hase was last. She stares at the sliding doors shut and open from the pulls, much like the hospital wards she had seen many before. Where they hold on the other side her mother. Her fingers claw into her thighs, mother...

An anchor tightens her chest, she felt like collapsing to its weight. Don't be a nuisance. Those words jolt her straight. The voice spoke to her again. As silent and small it is it held Hase like a puppet. She steadies herself, history will not repeat, she steps in and the light blinks red shut behind her.

"Welcome to stage one of POT." That woman spoke again, the AI. Hase felt a connection to it, not any sort of history or intimacy but of purpose. It's niche in this world is to serve its master. That Hase shares.

"What's with this place?" Ms. Judas looks around in awe.

"It could be some sort of test." Said Ms. Sun, the Chinese, an upright and prestigious woman she stands like a tall tower of confidence.

The room as Hase observes was small but long. It seemed like an altar room of some sort. Two long desks stood by both sides and straight ahead stairs that lead up a platform where a single chair sits. Even so the room was large from all sides, enough to park two cars sideways. All was in white and brightly lit with long LED lights from the edge of the ceilings. For what purpose were they led to this room, they will soon find out.

"Don't touch anything." Hase watches as Ms. Sun, the fiercest, scold Ms. Cocteau, the poor British. "That's... I didn't do anything... I just picked it up..." She waves a white plastic cup, inside were thin wooden sticks. Hase recognizes those wooden sticks at once, Kuji. She wondered what they would be doing here. And the markings on the tips had something else written on it.

"Insolence! Think, if you can. Go about touching whatever you see recklessly, and it will be us in trouble, not you alone." Ms. Sun snatches the kuji and slams back in its spot. Hase saw it as plain as day how her crude words hurt Ms. Cocteau. She pitied the poor lady, much like how she'd pity the young children or perhaps because she herself grew up been scolded. Being curious and innocent can be pricey at times. Which is all the more she must be avoided. The voice whispered.