(D4 EE, Suteichi's Yurt) The Little Sister

[Bayushi Suteichi]

I am an apprentice courtier. I just can't up and travel on a whim."

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

The Shinjo nodded. "What about the future, Suteichi-san?"

[Bayushi Suteichi]

"I try not to dwell on it. The future has its own worries. I'd much rather live for today and do what I can with the day that I have. Make everyday count...as it were."

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

"You are doing so at the miai," Yue reinforced with a smile. "My sister will make a good wife! I am sure I do not need to remind you of that."

[Bayushi Suteichi]

Suteichi nodded and smiled at Liu Yue. "I thank you for that. Perhaps after this Miai, her and I will go and travel the empire. We both can then learn it together." he thought on that for a moment. "Your sister is very special. It's kind of funny, I am the Scorpion and she managed to sting me." he quipped and took a sip of tea.

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

"Sting?" Yue repeated. She thought on his choice of words and then took a deep breath. A Scorpion and her sting. That is one way to put it.

"I hope you have many adventurers with her, Suteichi-san," she said. Her voice was mixed with both hope and grief. The reasons why were obvious to anyone who knew the younger sister. "She is special."

[Bayushi Suteichi]

"You have reservations?...Don't you? It's fair to have them. You and Liu Fei-san have looked after one another for a long time right?"

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

Yue gave a soft smile. "You have done nothing wrong, Suteichi-san. I would feel the same about any man." She nodded. "We are a powerful team on the battlefield. I cannot imagine riding without her."

And yet, she would be forced to do so in the coming hour.

[Bayushi Suteichi]

"So she feels a way for me then?!" he raised an eyebrow to her letting her know of her choice of wording.

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

The younger sister perked a brow. "I thought that was obvious, Suteichi-san. She," the woman replied until she thought on what the man meant. Instead of speaking more, she decided to fill her mouth with more food.

[Bayushi Suteichi]

Suteichi sat back with a bit of satisfaction.

"Easy on those sweets. They can tell on you later. Especially the daifuku. Red bean paste in overconsumption could...make a mess of things." He reached for his teacup and pot. Refilling his cup he asked, "you were in the middle of a thought, please continue."

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

Liu Yue was not going to be drawn back into that conversation without a fight. "Tell me more about red bean paste, please," she requested with a bow. She then took her tea cup and drank it as she stared at him.

[Bayushi Suteichi]

Stick to swinging the tetsubo, leave conversation to the professionals.

"Red bean paste is sweet. Like your sister. The subject that you were originally here to discuss. The discussion that now you seem so eager to dismiss. In some social cases that would be considered rude and I know that you are not a rude person. You are warrior with a gentle soul. Come now, there is no one here. No danger or anything. Our discussion is our own. You have no need of worry to think that your words will go back to your sister." Suteichi placed his soft hand on hers as she reached for another daifuku.

"You are safe with me. You came here to find out who I am and if I will rightly see to your sister. Your information would only strengthen my success in not only being a right provider for her but also being her confidant. There is no betrayal here. Just simple conversation."

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

Why is he being so... so... AGH.

Yue retracted her hand and kept it at her lap. "My sister," she said, her eyes lowered. "My sister is a warrior too. However, I would not call her gentle." She let out a nervous giggle.

[Bayushi Suteichi]

"Yes. Your sister is proud and fiery warrior. A fire that attracted this moth to her flame." He leaned a little closer. "I just want to know if her embers burn for me? Simple question." he smiled.