Dark Edge Village

((You know damn well if you're supposed to be here))

The letter was finished. Suteichi gave it one last look over, ever the perfectionist like his mother. He finished the last of his Iron Benten Blend Tea. He rubbed the bridge of his nose and fought back feelings of sadness. They were there and he tried to suppress them. There was sadness as well as anger. The voice of his grandfather rang out in his mind:

You are better than this! Regret is a sin. Pick yourself up do what must be done!

Suteichi nodded slowly in agreement. He looked around the Yurt and the memories he had in it. He began to wonder if the curse of betrayal could happen in the reverse. He knew the standings, he was aware of the treachery going on, hell, some he even helped in organizing. It was clear that in the end, the outcome that he wanted was not going to happen. He poured another cup of tea and continued his bowl of rice.

Mizuki comes by and scratches at the tent.

Suteichi never once looked up or was startled. He did not even bother to cover up his upper body or put his mask on.

"Enter." he answered simply from his seat.

Mizuki entered. She wanted to see how Sutiechi was doing. Seeing him half dressed gave her concern. "Sutiechi-kun." That was all she said. She knew he would tell her if he wanted to.

Humph! I can always rely and trust in you to show up in the end...

"Please close the flap Yogo-sempai. Lest you wish show the encampment what you once had." he replied and ate more rice.

That stung. She closes the flap and waits.

"Please, sit with me. I have rice and Iron Benten Blend tea." he gave a smirk. "Funny, you're supposed to drink this with a lover. Well, you're here so I'm keeping with tradition. Mother would be so proud."

Mizuki sits. "Glad I could help." Mizuki casually glances around for any clues to the trouble.

"Apologies for the late visit last night. So much is and has been weighing on my mind and heart. The Ninth Kami did not have to curse us, love alone is it's own curse."

Mizuki simply nods. "Hai. I will drink to that." Really we should have sake for this kind of conversation. "Did something happen?"

"We are Scorpion. Something is always happening. A random person entering the field of play to a game you carefully mapped out, a slander given to cause a war or duel, an alliance forged from lies... there's always something happening. The question is, are we controlling the outcome of it? Bayushi kami may have lost the tournament but he learned how to control the outcome. What have I controlled here Mizuki-chan?" he finished the tea. It was almost as if he knew what she was thinking.

"Lovers tea." he spat. He got up and went to his packed travel pack and got a bottle of sake.

"Had saved this from the other night. Prefer some?"

Mizuki nods. "Hai. That does seem more appropriate." Then she answers his first question. "I do not know. I have controlled nothing myself. A puppet for the Fortunes' sick puppet show."

"That's just it. Why are we their amusement?!" he asked pouring sake. "I see why my mother warned me about giving my heart and controlling my emotions. She was afraid of the curse. Rightfully so. She did not want to be hurt." he gestured to Mizuki and downed the contents then poured another cup.

"She did not want me to suffer. I controlled my feelings. Then along came you... and her."

Mizuki took a small drink. "Did something happen with Liu Fei?" Was this because I told her about the Curse?

Suteichi threw a sharp glare at Mizuki.

"Let us continue to enjoy the sake and one another's company for one last time. Do not have me send you out for unpleasantness." his tone was measured but not elevated. It was clear he did not to discuss or hear the name.