Reflections of an Armedia Reflections of an Armedia

Chapter Three

 

Inspired by Memoirs of a Geisha

 

By RKP Hunt and Beans

 

 

I spent a few minutes pondering the fate of Nesy and Rieno’s relationship while I waited for Armedia Devyn in the garden. I wanted Nesy to be happy, but I really didn’t think she could be with him. I had nothing against him, even if he didn’t like me. However, we had been taught many times that an Armedia or a whore that falls in love would never find happiness in her life.

After a few moments, I shook off Nesy’s problem and began to wonder about my own. I wondered what I would be doing today. Armedia Devyn hadn't told me what I would be helping with, but I was ready for anything.

", good job. It's thoughtful of you to be early so as not to keep me waiting. It is also good practice for your clients. Please follow me." We headed off towards the main house. I began to wonder what we were going to be doing.

As if Armedia Devyn read my mind, she spoke. "Tonight, we are going to assist in Armedia Adiba's first night." Madam had picked her up on a trip a year before I arrived, and she was not only gorgeous but exotic looking.

We were not supposed to ask questions but I could not help myself. "Assist? What may I do to help?" I tried to pose my question with humility.

Armedia Devyn glared at me and said, "You know you're not supposed to question me.” Her facial features lightened when I cringed at her scolding, “But since you're trying to learn how to do better, I'll answer. We will help her to relax by massaging her before the client arrives. We don’t want her tense and unable to perform. When we are done, she will be nude, but covered by a sheer robe when the client comes into the room. We will then stay to act as witnesses that her virginity is indeed taken. If, for some reason, it is not, then Madam will decide to refund the gentleman's money or not based on what we have witnessed. After which, the second bidder will have the opportunity. We don't have time to waste letting the same client attempt to perform over and over again. Madam has already found three clients for Armedia Adiba and the rest of her clients await her attention as well over the next few days."

I hadn't heard of this before and figured it was a closely guarded Armedia activity. I listened intently and took it all in.

Armedia Devyn continued when she saw that I was eagerly listening. I think she liked that I was so willing to learn. I wasn’t like some of the other girls who seemed to fight it. "It isn't typical for another virgin to stand in as a witness, but since your client is so eager, this seemed the faster way to introduce you to what will happen and how you should act. Armedia Adiba has shown great skill at exhibiting pleasure for the sake of the man so she is going to be a good example for you, we believe."

I had seen Adiba around before, though she was strikingly beautiful, she felt strange to me. Whenever she came near me she had always touched me, sometimes in places that was more then a mere greeting. I tried to shrug it off as teasing and Nesy even said she was just bullying me. It didn’t matter, as I just continued on with what I was doing. She was a strange woman, but I didn’t pay her any attention.

We had arrived outside Adiba's door and we entered without knocking. She was already nude and reclining on her bed. Her long black velvet hair drabbed over her shoulder. Her eyes always reminded me of that of a cat. She was so beautiful and exotic that she inspired jealousy in many of the other Armedias. The room smelled sweetly of incense and there were several candles placed around the room offering a welcoming atmosphere.

Armedia rooms were always very generous. Large canopy bed with red velvet drapes, beautiful hand woven rugs, dark wood wardrobes and dresses, a table for two near the fire place, and a bath tub in the corner. One day very soon this would be the type of room that I would wake up to.

Adiba seemed plenty relaxed, if a bit flushed, and was busy trailing a peacock feather up her torso and across her nipples. She almost always looked that way though, and whenever I had looked over at her during class she had touched herself in some fashion. Most of the time, I knew she was doing it to bully me, but it was still a strange way to pick on someone.

"Armedia Adiba." Devyn greeted her, "Do you know Armedia ?"

Though I knew her intimately enough, I don’t think the two of us had ever spoken to one another.

"You are beautiful." Adiba said to me, before she licked her bottom lip. "I'm glad you are here." She looked at me through hooded eyes.

I just bowed my head in response. She didn't seem at all to be using any training. Oddly, she seemed to be acting naturally though it all fell into line with what we had been instructed.

"Are you ready for your massage?" Devyn questioned moving toward the bed.

“I don't feel as though I need a massage, but if you would like to, I have no objections." Her eyes had been on me when she spoke those words, even though it had been Devyn who was talking to her. She moved down on the bed until she was laying mostly flat on her back. Armedia Devyn moved around to the side of the bed and Adiba motioned for me to come up on the bed on the other side of her.

"Lay on your stomach." Devyn instructed.

"You can start on the front." Adiba said while still looking at me. She slipped my dress over my leg and had been rubbing my thigh as I knelt on the bed beside her.

"Whatever relaxes you. Armedia , please follow what I am doing as I massage her from this side and mimic it on that side. Use strong, certain movements, but be gentle enough not to harm her." Devyn began by rubbing Adiba's hands moving up her arm. I did the same.

"Mmmm, that feels wonderful." Adiba had closed her eyes and relaxed herself so that her legs were slightly parted.

Devyn moved from the shoulder down the left side of Adiba's chest lightly massaging her breast. I hesitated slightly, but followed.

"Oh yes..." Adiba murmured and started to breath a little bit heavier.

As we continued down to her hips I noticed Adiba's legs moving apart a little bit more. I looked up at Devyn and tried to catch her eye. Devyn kept her eyes on what she was doing and caressed along Adiba's thigh. I copied her.

"Please rub my inner thighs, they feel so tense." Adiba was all but begging us. Devyn kept her composure but moved inside a little bit.

Suddenly I felt my dress being lifted from behind and noticed Adiba rubbing my bottom. Now I was getting a little uncomfortable but I thought perhaps this was part of it.

"Armedia Adiba!" Devyn abruptly stopped massaging. "You must focus on your client who will be here at any moment. Please discuss that with Armedia at another time. Armedia sit over there, while I finish this massage." She pointed at a couple of chaise lounges partially hidden behind a velvet curtain. I sat on the chaise and pondered what Adiba and I were supposed to be discussing when the client walked in.

---***---


Armedia Devyn left us to fetch the client a half hour later. I sat silently on the chaise as I waited for her to return. Adiba watched me from the bed and whenever I looked at her, she grinned roguishly. She made me feel incredibly uncomfortable, and I just didn’t like the way that she had acted during the massage, even when I had stopped assisting.

“You’re so beautiful.” Adiba said, breaking our silence.

“Th… Thank you.” I stuttered.

“I’ve been watching you since the day you arrived. I was so happy when you started to train to be an Armedia. You must have given that Lord Monarial a wild ride for him to have backed you so strongly.” She chuckled.

“I’m a virgin like you that is why I am here.” I told her. “To learn for my first encounter.”

Adiba smiled again and looked me over, “What a pity. I had hoped to invite you to join us when my client arrives.”

“I’m sorry, but I must refuse.” I swallowed.

She stood from the bed even though she was told not to and walked over to me. Reaching down, she grabbed my chin and made me look up at her. “You are so shy and delicate. I like that in women. It’s my complete opposite.”

I shook my head away from her grasp, “You should lay back down beside Armedia Devyn returns.”

“I’ll lay down if you lay down with me.” She winked.

“She told me to stay here. Go lay down before you get into trouble.” I practically ordered her.

“You’re as cold and stale as the other Armedia, you know that?” She mumbled as she went back to the bed.

We sat in silence for a long time, before Armedia Devyn entered the room. “Lord Fedusis, Armedia Adiba.”

I stood as I was told to do when he entered the room. Fedusis was an older man in his forties. He was an average looking man with graying hair and a small belly. His eyes went over to me as I stood up.

“This is Armedia . She and I will be the witnesses, is this to your liking, Lord Fedusis?”

“That is fine.” He looked back toward Adiba.

She grinned at him and arched her back seductively, before wiggling her finger at him. Armedia Devyn walked over to me and sat down beside me, and pulled the sheer curtain behind the velvet one. She motioned for me to remain very silent and still.

I watched Adiba go through her first time with a man as I sat silently behind those curtains. She stripped him down and the two did everything that I was warned would happen. Adiba cringed when the two first united, but Fedusis didn’t seem to be concerned with her discomfort. We had all been told that no matter how much it hurts to pretend that it’s the greatest feeling of your life.

With all the training, I hadn’t expected it to be over so soon. Adiba looked disappointed when Fedusis groaned his pleasure, before he collapsed for a moment on top of her. Quickly, he got up to dress himself, and Armedia Devyn went to check on Adiba.

“That was no virgin.” Fedusis mumbled.

“I assure that she is one.” Armedia Devyn told him, “There is a small amount of blood on the sheets.”

He looked up at her with a frown, “You poured it there to help her. I am going to demand my money be returned.” He snapped before he charged out of the room.

“That’s my virgin blood.” Adiba yelled at him, obviously upset.

“Adiba, did you…” Armedia Devyn began.

“I swear I was untouched. You two witnessed my first moments with a man. I’ve been with women before, yes, but never with a man. I swear it!”

Armedia Devyn nodded, “Don’t worry, I’ll deal with it.” She left the room to go look for Madam, who Fedusis was without a doubt looking for.

Adiba got out of the bed and walked over to the bathtub that had been cooling over the last couple of hours. “Kind of chilly.”

“I’ll ask for more hot water.” I went to head for the door.

“Don’t bother.” She mumbled.

I looked at her and she slide into the water until her mouth was covered. She looked disappointed. Walking over to her, I picked up the wash cloth and lathed it up with some soap. “Sit up, I’ll wash your back.”

“It’s only fair that I sit in your first night, I think.” She said as she sit up.

I began to wash her back, “I would think you would try to join in, and I can’t have that.”

She giggled, “I can’t help that you are so beautiful.”

“Don’t joke at a time like this. Madam could become very angry if she believes Fedusis.” I snapped.

“She won’t.” Adiba told me confidently, “Devyn said she would take care of it, and she will. Besides, it’s rude to change the subject when someone is confessing their feelings for you.”

I shook my head, “Feelings? Armedia aren’t allowed any.”

“Not to a man, but to each other… that’s a different story.” She turned around and got on her knees. “Have you ever kissed a woman?”

I put the wash cloth on the side of tub, “I’ll be out in the hall if you need me.” I frowned, before heading out into the hall to wait for Armedia Devyn to return.

---***---


I stood in the hall as a storm brewed inside me. I felt attracted to Adiba but when she talked of kissing me I was repulsed. What could it mean?

"," Armedia Devyn laid her hand gently on my arm, "I called you from down the hall, but I guess you were lost in thought.” She smiled sympathetically at me, “I'm sorry about Adiba. I suspected her affinity for women but now it's confirmed. There are several of the Armedia who find comfort in each others’ arms and beds, but usually they aren't so forward."

"Did you work it out with the client?" I waved away her apology, as I wasn't ready to talk about Adiba.

"Yes, Madam spoke with him and explained our intensive training. She has soothed his anger by making him feel that he has inside information into the Armedia world. She has even convinced him to pay a little extra for that information." She winked playfully at me.

"Good. I don't enjoy it when Madam is angry. I've been able to stay in her good graces since the incident with my sister and I'd like to keep it that way."

Devyn leaned close to my ear so she couldn't possibly be overheard. "Not only are you in her good graces, but I believe she's grooming you for something special." We began to walk past several open doors of other Armedia and part of our training was to listen to everything going on around us in order to be well informed. Which basically meant we were supposed to listen to calls of help and the way we should react during our time with a man.

"What is it?" I whispered back.

"I don't know, I just know she's given you special training at an early stage."

We walked the rest of the way to the gardens without speaking, lost in our own thoughts. I began to walk towards the Koi ponds to think.

Devyn called to me as I began to walk away. ", a few of us are having a moonlit picnic tonight. Please join us in the southwest corner by the big weeping willow and please, your best dress."

Turning around I merely nodded my response. I spent the two hours before just sitting quietly and trying to reconcile Adiba with what I knew already about the Armedia. She seemed to take pleasure in everything she did but we had been told daily that we would have to act like we enjoyed ourselves. Perhaps tonight would give me the opportunity to ask.

---***---


As I made my walk back to the house, a figure appeared behind me and placed his hand over my eyes. I smiled immediately knowing that it was Kedan. Something soft touched my lips, but I knew they were not another pair of lips.

He began to speak with his lips near my ear and his hand still over my eyes. The other hand help whatever it was against my lips. “You make me count the days, do you know that?” He whispered.

“And why do you count the days?”

His bottom lip touched the edge of my ear lightly, “I count them until I next see you.” He removed his hand from my eyes and they fell upon a red rose.

I smiled as I reached up to take it from him, but he pulled it away, which made me giggle. “Is that not for me?”

“It’s for me.” He came to stand in front of me and smiled.

“And what could you possibly use a rose for?”

The soft petals touched my forehead before running down my nose and over my mouth. I smiled at him as I watched him concentrate on the rose. He swirled the rose at my lips, before slowly dragging it down to my cleavage. He ran it over both breast and then down to my stomach. “It acts as my lips when my lips can not act.” He told me as he brought the rose back up the same path it had fallen. Grabbing my hand, he pressed the rose into it. “Now, it’s yours.”

“Thank you.” I smiled as he leaned forward and gently kissed my lips.

Kedan looked around the area to see if there were any other girls nearby, but it was night time. “What are you doing here so late?” I asked when I realized that it was nearing midnight.

“My father is spending time with Madam, of course.”

“You’ve never visited me at night before.”

He nodded, “I saw you leaving with Armedia Devyn and I followed you.”

Kedan didn’t ever tell me, but I knew that he spent time on the first floor with the whores when his father was here. He liked to pretend that his father brought him here kicking and screaming, but there were several girls that told stories about being with him. All the stories were pleasant, so I didn’t have anything to complain about. Besides, in a few weeks, I would be his Armedia. My heart fluttered at the thought.

“The others are having a picnic and I need to change.” I told him.

He gave a nod, “I’ll wait and walk you there.”

“I probably shouldn’t be seen with a man.”

“I’ll wait anyway.”

I didn’t argue with him as I went into the dorm house. Men weren’t allowed inside under any circumstances. I knocked on the door to my room, and when I got no response I entered. Nesy and Rieno were fast asleep on the bed and I shook my head. If he was caught in this room.

I laid my rose on top of the wardrobe and walked over to the bed, where I gently pressed on Rieno’s body. His eyes slowly opened, and I could barely make it out in the dark.

“The Armedia are out having a picnic tonight, you should leave early.” I whispered to him.

He watched me for a moment, before he nodded and got out of bed. His was nude and tried to cover himself, even though he had been one of the models in class.

I pulled a dress out of the wardrobe and dressed myself to look like an Armedia. I put on make-up using the candle in the corner. When I was done, I looked up to ask Rieno if he needed help escaping, but he was already gone.

Heading back down, I found Kedan waiting for me like he had promised. He smiled fondly at me as I approached, and ran a finger over my cheek. Then he did something he had never done before, he hugged me. He pulled me into his embrace and hugged me tightly. It wasn’t a hug that said he wanted anything more, and I worried what this could mean. I didn’t question him though, as he walked me as close to the willow as he could.

“Good night.” I whispered.

“Good night.” He kissed my cheek before leaving.

---***---


The ladies all sat around under the tree and Devyn waved me over to her. I took a seat beside me, as Adiba and her mentor Salopia sat down with us. Salopia would normally have sat in on Adiba’s virgin night, but she had given up the seat for my own knowledge. Adiba was across from me at first, but she slowly scooted closer to me on the blanket.

Devyn stood up and clicked her nail against her wine glass. “Ladies, tonight Adiba became a true Armedia. She should grace during her first night and even when tested by an angry clients she did as she should have. Let us welcome, Adiba among us.”

Everyone stood up and made a line. They each kissed Adiba on the forehead before returning to their seats. I realized that I was the only one that wasn’t a full Armedia there. I wondered why that was, but Devyn didn’t keep me waiting long.

“And tonight, we also have with us. She was meant to be one of us in two weeks, but after her behavior during Adiba’s virgin night, we bring her into our arms tonight.” She motioned for me to stand up.

As I rose, Devyn continued. "I have been to many first encounters but never with a virgin. Armedia was poised, confident and attentive in spite of some rather unusual circumstances." She glanced in Adiba's direction and Adiba had the grace to look somewhat ashamed. "So now, on this special night, Armedia will take her first man with all of her fellow Armedia as witnesses."

To say that I was shocked would be an understatement. I had expected to have the standard witnesses but not all of the Armedia. I didn’t like this idea at all, and felt it was more of them picking on me then honoring me. I hadn’t even received a room in the main house yet.

"Um, I..." Devyn put her finger to her lips so I stopped.

"Kedan!" Devyn called out quietly. Kedan appeared from around a cluster of trees and walked calmly to me without ever breaking eye contact with me.

"," he breathed into my ear, "I wish I could have told you but they made me swear or lose this first time."

"It's alright." I reassured him. "I think they like doing things like this to make sure we don't get too comfortable." I was very nervous but had enough training to know not to let it show.

"Armedia! Please gather over here." Devyn brought everyone to behind the willow were a sheer curtain hung from the branches and some blankets made a bed underneath. She pointed to one side of a bed. There were several blankets spread out along that side where I assumed the Armedia would take up watch. ", please come with me."

We walked around behind the high, ornately carved headboard where there was a dressing screen set up.

"Remember your training." Was all that Devyn said to me as she removed my clothing and wrapped the traditional sheer robe around me. Loosening the tie around my hair she lightly shook a very pleasantly scented powder over me.

"Yes." I murmured, still in a daze.

"Now go, the Armedia will perform the relaxation exercise."

I came around to find all of the Armedia waiting for me. We had been taught how to arrange ourselves on the bed without looking like we were struggling and clamoring to get there. When I was laying near the center, all of the Armedia trailed past and caressed gently from my neck down to my toes, circled around the foot of the bed and their touch traveled back up the other side. I have never felt anything quite like it before or since. Rather than making me more anxious with that many people, it did in fact relax me. I felt the bed dip slightly as the last hand passed over my shoulder and opened my eyes to see Kedan's form dressed only in an ornate brocade robe, open fully to my view. He was clearly ready for this occasion.

He stretched out next to me, and didn’t seem to have any issue with so many Armedia around. Even though there presence had relaxed me at first, all those eyes bothered me as Kedan began to caress my chest. As his lips descended on my own, I heard the familiar voice of Madam.

“What is this?” She yelled out.

Kedan and I sat up in time to watch Madam and Kedan’s father storming toward us.

Armedia Devyn stood up and ran to stand in front of Madam, who seemed to be charging me. “Madam, allow me to explain. I thought…” Her mouth was silenced as Madam’s hand cracked against her cheek.

“What are you doing, boy?” Kedan’s father asked him.

Kedan stood up confidently, “Armedia Devyn told me that I was to take Armedia tonight, or I would lose my chance.”

Madam’s eyes turned to Devyn, “Is this true?”

Devyn nodded and was once again struck. “Were you aware of this ?”

I shook my head, “They asked me here as a picnic, I swear, Madam, I didn’t know that this would happen.” I was confused in those moments, why would Devyn do this? I thought she was my mentor and my friend, I just didn’t understand.

“Lord Monarial, you are the bidding winner and you will never lose a chance to have her virgin night unless you don’t perform on the night given.” Madam said in a tone that seemed to be submissive. “I beg your humble forgiveness for the trick that was brought upon you. Please, allow me to punish these girls out of sight, and I will indeed ensure you receive your evening with the girl this very week.”

Kedan gave a nod and walked over to his father, that looked like an older version of himself. His father didn’t look pleased with him, and the two walked away. I saw his father smack the back of his head before they were out of sight.

Madam’s furious eyes turned toward us. I didn’t understand how she had come to know we were here, but that would be something that was always left to mystery. Madam had a knack about knowing what happened on her estate. We all knew she had spies and that could be the only answer.

“Devyn,” Madam began, “I believe you should explain this to me. Why did you attempt to destroy the girl?”

I had never heard Madam use my name, she never seemed to call anyone by name unless they were an Armedia.

“Madam, I…” Devyn’s eyes wandered toward me for a moment, before they returned to Madam. “The girl is a menace!” She snapped. “Not only does Lord Kedan push her through training with his money, but there are others who wait for her. It took you months to find enough suitors for Adiba! What is this girl doing to these men? There will only be four positions available, and yet she has at least twenty men waiting in the wings.”

“Some girls are popular no matter what they do. This girl bears innocence and charm that is rare to find among the Armedia. Of course, men wait to be with her. The very presence she offers if attractive.” Madam hissed.

“She’ll cause nothing but trouble!” Devyn snapped and was slapped once more.

“I do not know what you were thinking this would accomplish. Not only would you destroy tradition, but it would also harm the trust our clients have in us.”

“She wouldn’t have been a virgin her first night of witness, and the entire lot of us would have lied about this night.” Adiba spoke truthfully. Her sympathetic eyes looked toward me, where I laid nude with a blanket of me. “You would have sold her off as a slave and considered her a waste of time.”

Devyn glared down at the girl who had come up to defend me. “She doesn’t know of what she speaks.”

Madam turned her eyes to Devyn, “She makes a great deal of sense to me.” She looked over the crowd of Armedia, “For six months the entire lot of you will only eat what the house girls do.” She couldn’t beat them, they needed to be healthy. “In your off hours, you will assist with the chores. Obviously, you need more humility in your lives. I will have separate punishments for each of you. Adiba write down all of their names, and if I catch anyone has slipped away, then they will be caned.” She turned toward me, “, come with me.” She held out her hand.

I stood up, still dressed in the sheer robe and took her head. The women still smelt of heavy perfume like she had the first day I met her. She lead me toward the main house.

---***---


We moved quickly through the house until we reached a room that was only three doors down from Madam’s own bedroom. She opened the door, “I was going to show this to you next week, but it seems our schedule has been moved up.”

I stepped into the room and Madam began to light candles. The room began to come to life and I smiled at the room that looked like the one I had been in with Adiba.

“Is this my room, Madam?”

“Of course.” She told me harshly. “All of your clothing hasn’t been finished, but there is enough to get you by.” She waved toward the wardrobe. "You'll be staying here from tonight forward." Madam started to walk away.

"What about my stuff in Nesy's..." I started to ask.

"That is not your stuff, the next girl who comes will need it. Don't speak of her again either." Madam snapped.

I watched her as she examined my room to make sure everything I would need was here.

“Madam, may I ask you a question?”

She turned to look at me with a frown and waited for my reply.

“Why did…” I sighed, “Why did they…”

She interrupted me, “Armedia are jealous and greedy creatures, you will come to realize this. They will always act as your friends… even your sisters, but they will betray you the first moment they are given the chance. You carry an innocence with you that is unlike any other Armedia. The men find it attractive and they all wish to be your master.”

I frowned, I had no idea any of this was going on. From what I knew Kedan was the only one interested in me.

“I will select your masters, you needn’t worry about that. The other girls shouldn’t have either. I do not know where I went wrong with them that they could not trust me in this.” Her words were angry and not looking for sympathy in the least. “You will have very important masters, . I suggest that you act like a proper Armedia from now on. Do not let them trick you again. Only when I inform you of your virgin night will it be given. Understand?”

“Yes, Madam.”

She nodded with satisfaction and left the room without another word.

I was all alone in my new place and wandered around feeling the rich fabrics and breathing in the sensual aromas of the burning incenses. It was like a dream world and nothing I thought I'd ever experience. I fell exhausted into the bed and promptly fell asleep, dreaming of gatherings in the woods and tender kisses. Before the angry eyes of those I considered my friends appeared, and then my night became restless.

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