Dark Edge Village

((Closed))

Suteichi poured a cup of sochu and drank. He was at his table writing a story. He had a bowl of goat meatballs by his side. Another Unicorn dish he admired.

After a day of little to no word, she decided to do what was most natural. Find out where Suteichi had been all day.

"Hello?" she called out tentatively, seeing if he was in.

His ears perked up but he looked at the flap with a glare.

All day and NOW she shows up!

"Enter." he replied flatly.

Hearing him she raised a brow, looking at the tent flap for a second as she tried to discern what was up with his tone but shook her head figuring she was over thinking it. Damn people had her jumpy.

Entering the tent she glanced about the room.

Liu Fei would see the man of her intended at his table. His kimono opened exposing his chest. His hair was fully down and he was not drinking tea.

"Oh! My Hiomoyasu! Welcome and be welcomed!" he stood and bowed kind of sloppily. "I see you have finally shown yourself. I still have some sochu. That is what you like right?! Or is it...sake?! I bet you had plenty of it! No...no... it's kudos...kumis! Yes kumis.. please... join me for drink. My bride to be... drink with me like you did before. Oh...oh.. shut the flap we wouldn't want the people to tell of our debacuhery."

Fei stood in the doorway, looking at him intensely with eyes that demanded he explain. This wasn't the man she enjoyed, she had no idea who he was or what he was getting at but it was setting off her defenses. Remaining where she was her shoulders rose a little, strengthening her stance.

"You just gonna stand there?! It's rude to refuse an invitation." Suteichi walked up to her. "Is my company not so inviting to you anymore? Prefer to drink with others?"

Fei put a hand up to his chest to block him from getting any closer if he stood up beside her, looking at him with disappointment. "You're acting like a drunken, jealous, fool. I suggest you stop," she said sternly.

Suteichi chuckled and held her hand while seriously beckoning for her to come in. He was pulling her slightly.

It did nothing to settle her concerns, thus she used her superior position to remain standing just where she was until she was answered with an explanation.

"Victory in warfare isn't always achieved with blunt, brute, force. It is sometimes done with subterfuge. You use a naginata, I use misdirection and deception. This little [pageantry is for all those talkers. The Talkers for people with itching ears. Itching ears who will not want to make the decision, a decision that has been mine since I first laid eyes on you. Sorry. Can't tell you all my tricks. But I can assure you, this will all be fixed. Now please, come in."

Fei didn't understand, but that seemed more like himself enough that she turned and closed the flap. Walking more into the yurt and finding a spot to stand. She was ready to listen, but not so ready she was going to get comfortable quite yet. As she stood there it was clear she still held onto the tension he inspired when she first entered.

Waiting for him to make the first move.

He whispered in her ear from behind.

"Listen to me, sometimes one must resort to unorthodox methods. I took your idea of using the public, I just merely modified it. You know that I would never hurt you but what was done was done for us to be together. Please forgive me. What was said will soon be forgotten. People have short attention spans." he attempted to kiss her cheek.

Fei turned her cheek away, wanting a better answer before she let him try to apologize.

"So, you spoke the rumor of myself not being a good Scorpion bride?" she asked, but figured she had the right of it. "What does that serve, at all?" she was more confused than anything.

Suteichi met her eyes. "Settle down." he stated as he held up his finger. "Misdirection. I am keeping others distracted so that they do not take notice of you so that you are all mine. We're entering crunch time and people are getting...too close. I saw an opportunity and I took it. That is what I do. Manipulate the minds, wills, and perceptions of others to accomplish the greater goal. It is no different than taking an advantage in battle. Ends justify the means, my dear."