A ritual is a form one need not explain, because one sees it. – House Rules, § 9
Reception: the Aspirant opens the door towards the canal for the guest and names his role, not his name. Roll call: the attachées stand in a line in the hall, feet together, hands at their sides, chins at one height; the highest in rank stands at the edge and not in the middle, because the middle belongs to the gaze. Inspection: a Prefect walks the line, close, and straightens a collar. Dictation: the Registrar writes at the desk, another stands beside her and reads aloud. Presentation: one steps a pace ahead of the others, hands folded, and is looked at. Change of register: before the mirror, the collar closed from behind. Fitting of the insignia: the cuff with the steel ring is laid around the wrist, by a higher rank, with one sentence. Audience: the Director sits beneath the lamp, all the others stand before her. Line-up: in the chamber the attachées kneel in a row, heels beneath the seat, knees slightly opened, palms lying as flat bowls on the thighs. Showing: one alone in the con...
From the lore of Das Haus am Kanal.