Risako's Initiation

[Megaera]

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Kinkaku-ji, Shikoku

Mariko preceeded Risako through the corridor towards the large ceremonial chamber with 15 tatami mats where Risako's Initiation would take place. She walked slowly while explaining the details of the ritual to Risako.

"Sister Mayumi, will take you through the the stages of the ritual to become a full fledged member of the Gen'an Chrysanthemum movement.

I am unsure how versed you are in the san san kudo ceremony, but ours is inspired on it. San san kudo is basicly a ceremony where people form familiar bonds between eachother. Couples use it for marriage, geisha use it to form bonds of sisterhood. During san san kudo, both participants take 3 sips of sake from 3 bowls, afterwards they will have become family. It is more complex that than ofcourse, a whole etiquette has to be followed and ritualistic gestures observed.

But like I said, ours is a modified version.

The first part will be the same as san san kudo. You will both take 3 sips of the bowl of sake from Kyushu presented to you, starting with the elder Sister. The initiate, you, will be second. It symbolises the birth of our movement when Lady Matsuda started her rebellion by trying to assassinate Kyushu's planetary ambassador.

In the second part, you will both be brought a knife. You make a cut on your thumb. This time the initiate begins and the elder Sister after. This symbolises that we shed blood with and for eachother. We fight for the same cause. We do not surrender.

And finally, you both partake in cardamine. This will be done at the same time. Cardamine is our bond and our weapon. It keeps out those who seek to infiltrate and destroy us from within.

Any questions?"

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Matriarch Of the Gen'an Chrysanthemums - Ishikawa Aya
Gen'an Cell Information - Recruitment - Communications Network

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Megaera - Ishikawa Masako
Feedback - Data Storage - Birth of a goddess

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