edenbound | MOAG: Long Way

Fandom: Memoirs of a Geisha
Pairing: Hatsumomo/Pumpkin
Warnings: Angst
Rating: G
Summary: Hatsumomo comforts Pumpkin. For 10lilies.

"You are crying," Hatsumomo says. She sounds surprised, though Pumpkin thinks she can't really be surprised -- she knows how quick she is to cry, and has provoked tears more often than she has smiles. "Is it because of Chiyo?"

Mutely, Pumpkin nods.

Hatsumomo leans down to her, and for a moment Pumpkin cringes back -- expecting anything; a slap, hair pulling, Hatsumomo's sharp nails digging into her shoulder. Instead Hatsumomo's arms move around her, awkward, as if she isn't made for embracing and comforting. "You must not worry. You must not cry -- it would spoil your looks even more. Instead you must think of some way to get back at her -- and you must not give up so early. Just because Mameha has taken her on does not mean she will succeed."

"I..."

Hatsumomo's arms tighten almost too much, and Pumpkin swallows back more tears. "You are under the care of Hatsumomo, the greatest geisha of all. Dry your eyes. Sayuri has a long, long way to catch up to you."

Pumpkin nods again. There's a long silence and then Hatsumomo pushes her away, getting to her feet.

"Come on, Pumpkin. You need to put your makeup on."