Characters: Tetsuo | Kurohasu

Name: Asazaki Nae (朝崎渚絵)

Species: Anthro Orchid Mantis (Hymenopus coronatus humanus)

Build: "Petit": very slender, delicate

Asazaki Nae is a young maiko, an apprentice geisha, living her daily routine in the Asazaki teahouse alongside her adoptive family: Asami, her strict mother, and Tetsuo, her protective older brother. She is quiet, reserved and displays a very submissive demeanor, especially towards Asami, who represses every little bit of willfullness Nae attempts to demonstrate. She sorrowfully accepts everything, for she has no other choice.. the outer world is dangerous, full of people wanting to take advantage of the young mantis, at least according to Asami. Nae has been convinced that it's better to be a repressed maiko and live a safe life than to be free and at risk of being crushed by every danger outside.

Her job as a maiko consists of selling her abilities in dancing, singing, playing musical instruments and conversation as a entertainer at parties and tea ceremonies; and contrary to popular belief, not laying down with clients. She lacks any real physical strength but is very smart and quick with words. She was trained to discover what her customers want, and be exactly that. Of course, it’s always just a mind game.

Her calm life turns upside down when she starts seeing horrendous, inexplicable figures that she and only she can see, just a few days before the ceremony that will mark her transition from maiko to full geisha. Doubting her own grip on reality and afraid to seek help for fear of accusations of insanity that could ruin her future as a geisha, she starts sinking into her own mind. Between hallucinations and etiquette, Nae tries to keep sober on her feet and succeed in the trials to become a geisha, as the world outside slowly becomes unrecognizable.

Like I said, I'll be posting each of them individually. It's handy when it comes to having references and since I'm too busy right now, it will be nice as a daily update!

Nae (c) me, from Blade Under Mask

Blade Under Mask is a comic project of my own planned to be released on the second semester os 2013

• As much as I take inspiration from and base my work on real Japanese culture and geisha world, this story is not meant to be 100% accurate. Some cultural aspects are modified or removed to the fit the story, characters and the world better. Do NOT take this as a reliable source of information, as it is made with entertainment purposes only. If you need to research or want to learn more about Japanese culture or geisha world, please look for real informative sources, such as books. If you have any question, feel free to ask me, I'll answer if I can.