White Blossom 白花
...when pain is over, the remembrance of it often becomes a pleasure.
The White Blossom (白花) also known colloquially as the Yun Pleasure house, is a 4-story Pagoda Tower in the heart of Barrogate Island serving as both a house of pleasures and the Embassy of the Yun Sacred Empire in Edison city.
Architecture and Design
The White Blossom is an expansive, multi-tiered Pagoda built from pale stone and dark lacquered wood, its eaves curling upward in traditional Yun fashion. Ornamental carvings of cranes, blossoms, and dragons adorn its exterior, while intricate inlays of mother-of-pearl reflect sunlight, giving the building an ethereal glow.
The Pagoda is surrounded by an ornate garden, a breathtaking combination of a rock garden, arboretum, and herbal sanctuary. Streams wind through the garden, their clear waters home to brightly colored koi fish, while seating areas invite visitors to linger and enjoy music, tea ceremonies, or performances. The building itself is connected to the garden by covered walkways and wooden bridges, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor spaces.
Inside, the White Blossom is a masterpiece of Yun craftsmanship. Each floor is decorated with silken wall hangings, paper lanterns, and Yun art. Floors of polished wood are complemented by woven rugs depicting scenes of Yun history and mythology. The scent of incense lingers in the air, a calming blend of sandalwood and jasmine.
Cultural Embassy
The White Blossom serves as a diplomatic outpost of the Yun Empire, its primary function being to foster cultural and political exchanges between the Yun Empire and the Eldwell Empire. At its helm is Sensei Uozumi Haru, the cultural ambassador, whose wisdom and charisma have earned her great respect in both empires. Her offices, located on the private third floor of the building, are adorned with Yun treasures, including rare manuscripts and artifacts, and serve as a hub for diplomatic negotiations and cultural discussions.
The embassy regularly hosts exhibitions of Yun art, literature, and innovation, attracting scholars, artists, and dignitaries from across Nyria. These events are instrumental in strengthening ties and showcasing the brilliance of Yun culture.
Pleasure House
As a pleasure house, the White Blossom offers refined entertainment, elevating the concept of indulgence to an art form. Its attendants are masters of music, dance, poetry, and conversation, each carefully trained to embody the grace and refinement of the Yun Empire. Guests can enjoy traditional Yun tea ceremonies, private musical performances, and even partake in lessons in calligraphy or martial arts.
Each floor of the pleasure house is dedicated to a specific form of entertainment:
Ground Floor: A place of relaxation, and exhibition and gala space.
The First Floor: Open spaces for musical and dance performances, featuring Yun string instruments and traditional dancers. Guests are invited to watch, mingle, or relax in the ambiance.
The Second Floor: Private chambers for more intimate gatherings, adorned with low tables, cushions, and silk draperies. Here, tea ceremonies, poetry recitals, and private lessons are held.
The Gardens
The gardens of the White Blossom Pleasure House and Embassy are a masterful representation of Yun horticultural and artistic philosophy, blending natural beauty with intricate design. They serve not only as a serene retreat but also as a testament to the Yun Empire’s reverence for nature, harmony, and balance. The gardens are as much a part of the White Blossom’s identity as its art and diplomacy, drawing visitors from across the Eldwell Empire to marvel at their beauty.
The gardens are more than a feast for the senses—they are a living expression of Yun philosophy. Each element represents a balance of opposites: stone and water, light and shadow, activity and stillness. Visitors are encouraged to reflect on these contrasts as they wander the grounds, finding peace and enlightenment in the natural harmony.
Layout and Design
The gardens extend around the White Blossom, wrapping the building in a verdant embrace. Divided into carefully curated sections, the garden is designed to offer a seamless journey through various elements of Yun culture and nature. Visitors entering the grounds are guided by winding stone paths that meander through the landscape, ensuring a sense of discovery at every turn.
The gardens are illuminated at night by soft, golden lanterns hanging from elegantly twisted iron posts and branches, creating an ethereal glow that enhances their beauty under the moonlight.
The Rock Garden
Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a rock garden meticulously arranged to evoke Yun cosmology. Smooth stones of varying sizes are raked into rippling patterns reminiscent of ocean waves, symbolizing the interplay of stillness and motion. Larger stones, arranged like miniature mountain ranges, represent the enduring strength of the earth. A small pavilion stands nearby, offering a shaded spot for quiet contemplation or philosophical discussion.
The Arboretum
Further into the garden lies the arboretum, showcasing a collection of trees found only in the Yun Empire. These trees, transported across oceans and lovingly cultivated, include sapphire-leaf maples, crimson silk pines, and jade-bark willows. Their vibrant hues create a palette of colors that shift with the seasons, offering visitors a living artwork to admire year-round. The trees are home to exotic Yun songbirds, whose melodies add an auditory element to the garden’s tranquility.
The Herb and Flower Garden
A fragrant herb and flower garden occupies a central area of the grounds. This section boasts rows of medicinal and culinary herbs, such as star anise, moon lotus, and golden saffron, interspersed with flowering plants like midnight orchids and silver bell blooms. The Yun Empire’s belief in the healing power of nature is reflected in this garden, where attendants often gather ingredients for the pleasure house’s tea ceremonies and remedies.
The Waterways
The gardens are crisscrossed by a network of streaming waterways, fed by an intricate alchemical system that ensures continuous flow and temperature regulation. Crystal-clear water flows over polished stones, creating soft, musical sounds that enhance the garden’s peaceful atmosphere. These waterways are home to koi fish, whose shimmering scales reflect the colors of the garden. The fish are considered symbols of resilience and prosperity, and feeding them is a beloved activity for visitors.
Small wooden bridges span the waterways, each adorned with carved motifs of cranes, turtles, and dragons—sacred creatures in Yun mythology. These bridges lead to secluded seating areas where guests can enjoy tea, music, or private conversations.
Seating and Entertainment Areas
Scattered throughout the garden are elegant seating areas, each designed to provide a unique perspective of the surrounding beauty. Low wooden platforms with silk cushions offer intimate spaces for small groups, while larger pavilions with open sides accommodate performances and gatherings.
In these areas, the attendants of the White Blossom perform a variety of traditional Yun arts, including:
• Music: Featuring the qinlu, a Yun string instrument with a melodic and haunting tone.
• Dance: Graceful movements inspired by nature, such as flowing water or the flight of cranes.
• Painting: Live demonstrations of Yun brushwork, with attendants capturing the fleeting beauty of the garden on parchment.
• Seductive Arts: Some seating areas are designed for more intimate entertainments, where the line between conversation and flirtation blurs.
Services and Exclusivity
The White Blossom is known for its discretion and exclusivity. Admission is by invitation or recommendation only, ensuring that its clientele includes only the most esteemed guests. The pleasure house also serves as a neutral ground for sensitive negotiations, often hosting meetings between factions, nations, or powerful families seeking to resolve disputes in a refined and controlled setting.
Tea Ceremonies
A hallmark of the White Blossom is its traditional Yun tea ceremonies, known for their meditative and spiritual qualities. These ceremonies are designed to provide a moment of tranquility and reflection.
• Personalized Selections: Guests are invited to choose from an extensive selection of teas, including rare blends infused with exotic herbs and flowers grown in the house’s own gardens.
• Art of Presentation: The tea is prepared with precision and grace, every movement of the attendant reflecting centuries of tradition. The ceremony is as much about the process as it is about the tea itself, with each gesture carrying symbolic meaning.
• Healing Infusions: The house offers medicinal teas crafted using Yun herbal knowledge. These blends are said to rejuvenate the body and soothe the mind, often tailored to the guest’s specific needs.
Relaxation and Pampering
The White Blossom offers a sanctuary for guests seeking relaxation and renewal, providing a suite of luxurious services designed to rejuvenate both body and spirit.
• Alchemical Baths: Guests can indulge in warm, mineral-infused baths enriched with essences extracted from rare Yun herbs and flowers. These baths are said to have healing properties, easing aches, and revitalizing the skin.
• Massage and Acupressure: Skilled attendants offer massages that blend traditional Yun techniques with modern alchemical practices, designed to release tension and restore energy flow.
• Herbal Treatments: Custom treatments using oils, salves, and poultices crafted from the house’s gardens are available to soothe various ailments.
Private Entertainment
For those seeking more personal engagements, the White Blossom offers private services tailored to the desires of its guests. These interactions are conducted with discretion and grace, ensuring a comfortable and intimate experience.
• One-on-One Performances: Guests may request private performances of music, dance, or storytelling in secluded areas of the house or garden.
• Seductive Pursuits: The White Blossom is famed for its skilled courtesans, who embody both beauty and intellect. Their roles extend beyond mere companionship, offering guests a blend of flirtation, conversation, and genuine emotional connection.
Personalized Experiences
Each guest at the White Blossom receives tailored service to ensure their visit is unforgettable. Upon arrival, guests are paired with an attendant who acts as their guide, companion, and confidant throughout their stay.
• Customized Itineraries: Whether a guest wishes to enjoy a meditative tea ceremony, explore the gardens, or engage in lively conversation, their attendant ensures every moment meets their expectations.
• Exclusive Access: VIP guests are granted access to the most private areas of the house, including secluded garden alcoves and the ambassador’s personal collection of artifacts.
The Gift shop
Before leaving, guests can visit the White Blossom’s boutique to purchase handcrafted Yun items, including:
• Exquisite tea sets and rare teas.
• Calligraphy supplies and painted scrolls.
• Jewelry and ornaments crafted by Yun artisans.
Symbol of Unity
The White Blossom stands as a symbol of harmony and cultural exchange, bridging the traditions of the Yun Empire with the modernity of the Eldwell Empire. It is a place where diplomacy and artistry converge, creating a sanctuary of beauty, wisdom, and peace amidst the bustling heart of Edison.
White Blossom Attendant
The Gardens
When I started to read the article, I thought it is weird that the embassy is in the same building as a pleasure house. But your version of a pleasure house is more like a cultural center, than what I expected of a pleasure house ;) And therefore it makes really sense to combine the two of them.