Anew: Book Three: Entwined by Litton Josie

Author:Litton, Josie [Litton, Josie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-05-31T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Ian

I don’t want to be here. And I do. The contradiction sets my teeth on edge, all the more so because the cause of it is sitting right next to me.

Amelia.

I couldn’t refuse her. And not just because she so obviously wants to learn more about kinbaku. The fact that she does stirs the deep, dark part of myself that has awakened since she came into my life. It scares the shit out of me even as I’m finding it harder and harder to resist for reasons that have nothing to do with my having been dosed with Jekyll/Hyde. Much as I’d like to blame Davos, what’s happening feels like it’s coming from inside me rather than from any outside cause.

We’re seated in a smaller room off the main part of the dojo. Benches are set up along one wall. About three dozen couples occupy them. I recognize everyone although truth be told, a few of the pairings had eluded my notice until now. Everyone looks serious and sober minded, aware that what they are about to see is a rare privilege.

Amelia stirs beside me. She puts her hand over mine and smiles. “Thank you for doing this.”

I don’t make the mistake of thinking that she’s referring to my willingness to come to the exhibition. As hard as it’s been for me to wrap my head around, she truly wants me to face the darkest part of my nature.

After Carnival, and truth be told even before then, she must know what that could mean. The miracle to me is that she isn’t afraid but maybe I shouldn’t be surprised. This is the woman who survived an existence that would have destroyed most people and did it with her sanity, her strength, and her essential goodness all intact.

The main lights dim. Spotlights come on, illuminating a stage that is bare apart from the lengths of rope dangling from pulleys attached to the ceiling. Takashi walks out onto it.

With a smile, he says, “Thank you all for coming this evening. Before we begin, I would like to offer a few thoughts on the nature of what you are about to see. The term kinbaku means ‘tight binding’ but the true purpose of what we do here is release. The kinbaku master and his model engage in an exchange of chi, life force, in a manner intended to be both aesthetically and sensually pleasing. For each of them, and often for those watching, the result creates a sense of liberation and fulfillment. It is my hope that you will share both with us.”

He bows and steps back, the motion drawing attention to Hamako who joins him on the stage. She is wearing a pure white kimono secured around her by the obi at her waist. In contrast to how she usually arranges it, her ebony hair is down but tightly braided. She, too, bows.

I become aware of the soft notes of a flute--low and unobtrusive--playing in the background but my attention is focused on the stage.

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