Dark Edge Village

((SOOOOOOOO Very Closed))

The night came and the music event went rather well and it was what everyone needed to lift their spirits. Bayushi Suteichi returned to his yurt and set his samisen down. He was preparing for his guest. He was tired but not too tired for a nightcap. He changed into something more comfortable, a cotton kimono, not his usual silk ones.

Given the hour, given the promise, Liu Fei simply slipped inside Suteichi's yurt unannounced. Of course, she'd probably kill him if he had done the same but that wasn't really on her thoughts right now. Standing there much as she usually looked, a warrior of a woman but now with a different air to her. Tonight she had different intentions, different things on her mind.

"Suteichi-san," she still announced her presence with his name.

"Ah! Liu Fei-san." he answered as he turned to face her. If she arrived a few moments sooner she would have caught him changing. Instead she would find him dressed. His mask was already off and he was putting together a plate of sweets. Tea of course was brewing, Iron Benten Blend. She would see a sack of kumi on the table with cups.

"If you were anyone else entering my yurt like you did, there would be a knife at your throat." he smiled warmly at her. "I am glad that it is you. Welcome and be welcomed. I had a surprise for you. I do have tea brewing but, since I am taking a Unicorn bride, I figured it would be best if I shared," he picked up the sack, "Kumi with you."

"I am too," she quipped immediately. Then, adding with a smile, "I have always held to the belief that good drink makes anything better."

Fei entered the tent more properly, looking about the whole arrangement. "Who did you manage to get it from?"

He chuckled a bit to himself.

"I managed to get this from...Moto...Khulun-sama. I thank her and I am in her debt. Fortunes help me."

"In her debt?" she asked with a raised brow and a smirk at her lips. "You will have to tell me how that transpires. I am most interested to hear about it, knowing what she seems to think of you Suteichi-san."

"I am sure it is not a pleasant thought. The only thoughts that concern me are the thoughts the woman before me have has for me." he replied and beckoned her to sit at table with him. He started to pour the kumi into cups then stopped.

"Am I supposed to put this in a cup or do you drink from this?!..."

"You can use a cup for Kumis," she said, speaking from the cultural standpoint rather than mere permission. Looking to the cups with the indication for him to pour. "Some of the others like to boast by drinking straight from the skin, I would not suggest doing that however."

Thank goodness!

He carefully poured the drink into the cups and he served her first.

"Kampai." he gestured to her.

Fei took her cup, raised it to him and joined in the toast, "Kampai."

With a smooth, quick motion she downed the liquid. Leaving a satisfied gasp.

Sutichi did not consume the drink as she did.The bitter taste of the kumi came back to him.

"Still an acquired taste." he said examining the cup.

"I would suppose it is, much like your sake and shochu but I have found the merit in the drink," she said, which meant the alcohol of course.

"So," she said setting her cup down for him to refill or not at his leisure. Leaving that control to him. "You know you do not have to force yourself to drink this if you do not want to Suteichi-san, if it makes you uncomfortable. I will think no lesser of you for it."

"I said that I would try and I am. Besides, strong drink should not be wasted." he then finished the contents as she would. The warm sensation was quite a shock but it didn't hit his tongue so it was a bit more bearable.

"Ahh! Ok! Perhaps something sweeter to counter the bitter taste. A drink of your lips would be nice..." he said with a wry smile.

"You are quite the shameless one Suteichi-san," she said with a smile in kind. "I should warn you, partaking in that might lead to you getting more than you bargained for.

"Well, I do like to receive." he held out his hands. "I can take whatever you give me."