Health of Coordinator Questioned

Luthien, Kagoshima Prefecture, Pesht Military District, Draconis Combine

With growing concerns regarding his current health, Coordinator Takashi Kurita made a public announcement to the Draconis Combine. In his speech, he thanked the loyal citizens of the Combine for their concern but assured them that he is in good health. The Coordinator had taken a sudden illness which forced him to cancel some appointments. Lord Kurita looked a bit haggard and seemed to not have quite recovered from his recent illness.

Commonwealth Conquers Carse

Carse, Tamar Domains, Tamar Theater, Lyran Commonwealth

Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces completed their conquest of Carse, which is the third Combine world captured in the last two years by the Commonwealth. The 23rd Arcturan Guards is currently garrisoned on Carse. The last DCMS troops evacuated three weeks ago. No other Combine worlds are under attack by the LCAF at this time.

The Geisha Tradition

Geisha are members of an honorable tradition of entertainment dating to ancient Japan. Geisha translates loosely as "person of pleasing accomplish- ments." These artisans, mostly women, are trained to entertain patrons in a number of pleasant, artistic ways. A Geisha learns several different enter- tainment arts such as singing, dancing, and poetry writing and recitation and hostess arts (such as massage, food serving, and flower arranging.) The position of Geisha is one of the most honorable available to a Kurita woman. Contrary to popular opinion, Geisha are not prostitutes, but are closer to bards or court jesters in their entertainment niche. Some women are trained in the erotic arts, as courtesans, but this is not the function of the Geisha.

The Geisha is revered as an artist-server. Most work in special houses, to which patrons go in small groups or alone. One or more Geisha will enter- tain a patron or group, depending on how much the patron paid. Businessmen frequently bring their associates to a local house. The Geisha server food, tea, and wine in an especially artistic way, and entertain with their performing art specialty. Sometimes, a patron will take over one Geisha, setting her up in a separate house for his benefit.

-- From A Business Guide to the Draconis Combine, by Seth McDonald, Commonwealth Press, 3009.

A Lark's Life

My father sold me to apprenticeship in the Geisha school when I was seven. For this, I praise his wisdom and his generosity. In the school, I learned to become a person of pleasing accomplishments, a geisha. Honor smiled on me again because at this school was the most skilled singer of my profession, known to so many as The Songbird. Yes, my native gift was a lilting soprano voice that I trained to cover a wide range of emotions and styles. The deepest instruction given to me by the Songbird was the training of my sentiments that I might not only sing, but sing poetic words and beautiful melodies of my own invention. Even more, she taught me to create these songs at a moment's notice so that my singing was truly that of a bird: effortless, natural, spontaneous.

I learned, too, the arts of dance, flute-playing, massage, artful dressing, delicate manners, serving food and drink, and witty conversation, so that a man might find with me entertainment and sympathetic company. I entertained many visitors to our house in my first year there. Then one day, one of the highest officials of our realm contracted for my exclusive services as his mistress. He took such great comfort in my company that he renewed my contract until the time when he joyously gave his life in combat. My fame had spread, for this man had often brought the great ones of the Court to be entertained by me.

He had named me The Lark, which name I bear proudly to this day, as the chief Mistress of Song in my own former school.

-- From The Geisha Life, by Li-Ann Sung, Imperial Publishing House, 2970.