Hétaïre

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portraite d'un hétaïre by Annemarie Beaulieu

An hétaïre (Gylic transcription: etaír) is a Gylian professional who engages in entertainment and sex work. The profession involves providing companionship, intellectual stimulation, and sex to clients, comparable to modern courtesans. Hétaïres are known for their distinctive appearance, and have a special role in Gylian society and local communities.

Hétaïres are a modern manifestation of the high-class hetairai of the Liúşai League, which emerged as a result of the Golden Revolution's radical liberalisation of gender and sexual norms in a time of widespread prosperity. They are influenced by and have ties with similar professions such as Miranian geisha and oiran, and Megelanese companions.

Hétaïres are trained through an apprenticeship system that emphasises cultivating personality and intellect. They have important roles in community building and as salonnières, and are active both in arts patronage and the arts. Some hétaïres have become well-known artists, public intellectuals, and activists in Gylias.

Terms

The term "hétaïre" is a Francised spelling of hetaira (ἑταίρα), an ancient Hellene term for high-class prostitutes who had long-term relationships with a few clients. In English text, the word takes the indefinite article "an", respecting the mute "h" of French.

In Miranian, hétaïres are also nicknamed guryasha (ぐりゃ者), a punning portmanteau of "Guryasu" (Miranian for "Gylias") and "geisha".

History

Hellene settlement and influence in the Liúşai League led to the emergence of a tiered system of prostitution, of which the hetairai represented the highest class. The system was driven underground under Xevdenite rule.

While prostitution was legalised and regulated in Alscia and the Free Territories, the concept of modern hetairai emerged later, influenced by popular acceptance of the ideal of socialised luxury.

Maléna Laryn is considered the first hétaïre. She was one of the first independent sex workers, and distinguished herself through her well-read personality and formal clothing style. This made her stand out from cooperativised brothels.

Her success inspired others, and she assumed a central role in organising the new profession, establishing the Association Professionnelle des Hétaïres (APH) in 1966. The APH served as both trade union and governing body for the profession, and hétaïres defined themselves as modern descendants of hetairai.

Hétaïres became well-established through their distinctive identity, and ability to meet the needs of the diverse Gylian society produced by the Golden Revolution. The thriving profession was assisted by Arts Council chair Tomoko Tōsaka, who accorded hétaïres a responsibility for distributing arts grants. A role similar to the work of the UOC in Alscia, it cemented their popular recognition for arts patronage.

Gylias' first President Reda Kazan was a high-profile supporter of the profession.

In 1992, the Ministry of Culture officially classified hétaïres as part of the cultural heritage of Gylias.

Training

Hétaïres are trained through an apprenticeship system, under the tutelage of experienced hétaïres. The apprentices live together with their mentors, who provide food, lodging, and clothing. After an initial period of observing their mentor at work, apprentices (known during this phase as assistantaires) learn everything directly from their mentor, who they accompany at all times while on the job. Training emphasises the development of the assistantaire's personal initiative and interests.

Upon successful completion of the training, the assistantaire is promoted to a fully-fledged hétaïre in an official ceremony. This merely ends the formal stage of training, as an hétaïre dedicates their career to the pursuit of refinement.

Due to the expectations of education, erudition, and elegance, being an hétaïre is popularly considered one of the most difficult jobs in Gylias.

Activities

Hétaïres are paid to provide charming companionship and sex to clients, many for extended periods. Hétaïres who complete their training possess a wide range of skills, including music, dancing, writing, calligraphy, and painting.

They also learn multiple languages through their training and education, with French being the profession's working language.

Miranian scholar Isako Maekawa describes the high standards of the profession as promoting "the art of being", and finds its character to be similar to the Miranian ukiyo. Hétaïres cultivate a wide range of interests, talents, and expertise, referred to as the "poly-" ideal: polymaths, polyglots, and polygraphs.

Social roles

Hétaïres have a significant and versatile role in Gylian society. They are generally the pillars of their local communities — they embody the community's history, help create and maintain a sense of community, and fulfill various roles, such as intellectual, artist, educator, and organiser.

Hétaïres are usually also the community's salonnières, hosting erudite gatherings, discussions, and debates, at their homes, in community centres, or in the open air.

As the people who "float among worlds", hétaïres are celebrated for their skills at freely mixing among all walks of life. They have a crucial role in smoothing social interaction, bringing together Gylias' multiple cultures and groups, and coordinating social centres and activities. Owing to their high reputation in society, their patronage improves the image and business of establishments, and thus may enjoy certain courtesies in return.

While earning income from accepting long-term companions, hétaïres are also notable patrons of the arts.

Politics

Hétaïres notably avoid involvement in politics. Due to the profession's emphasis on sophistication, discretion, and "floating among worlds", hétaïres are expected to guard their privacy, and thus remain apolitical and concentrate on social and community engagement.

Reflecting their distinguished and apolitical reputation, hétaïres are often chosen to serve as moderators at communal assemblies.

Appearance

The hétaïre appearance is largely influenced by 1800s formal clothing. Riding habits are a particular source of inspiration and many hétaïre outfits are modeled after them. This makes them a spectacular sight on Gylian streets, particularly for tourists.

A common accessory for hétaïres is a jeweled walking stick, which contributes a regal air to their appearance.

Regional context

The APH maintains close ties with the geisha communities of Kirisaki and Akashi, and the Companions' Guild of Megelan.

Hétaïres also have close links with the groupie community. Many groupies cultivate an appearance and role similar to hétaïres, except itinerant.