The Unicorn and Scorpion (D8 LA) [Mizuki's Room]

[Moto Baatar]

"Oh, but there's many kinds of gaijin," Baatar said. "There must be thousands of them in the Burning Sands and beyond. Is it illegal to trade with any of them? I mean... we've all met gaijin traders before... right...?" He looked a little concerned at the thought.

[Yogo Mizuki]

Mizuki shakes her head. "Maybe some of the Badger, Phoenix and Dragon since they live on the borders. And rumors abound about the Mantis and Tortoise Clans, but no. Most have never seen a gaijin. And certainly, no one would admit to trading with one. Of course, the Unicorn would be the excused for previous actions. I have no idea if the Emperor would reconsider his position now that your Clan has returned home. Who can guess the mind of Heaven?"

[Moto Baatar]

Baatar looked relieved at Mizuki's suggestion that past trading with gaijin wouldn't count against them.

"Well, I think trading would only help our people," Baatar declared. "But I suppose it'll all get decided by people much more important than me."

"Anyway... you said you might sing if I came by," he reminded her. "What sorts of songs do you like?"

[Yogo Mizuki]

Mizuki considers for a moment. "Honestly, I like lullabies. My mother.... besides being a powerful shugenja, she was talented in the arts. Her primary one was painting, but she could do many others. She has a voice that could make the Fortunes weep. I'm nowhere as talented as her, but I could sing for you if you would like."

[Moto Baatar]

Baatar smiled. "I would like that," he replied. "I bet you're more talented than you think."

[Yogo Mizuki]

Mizuki begins to sings quite well even if the song is bittersweet. Just terrible.

[Moto Baatar]

Baatar leaned back and listened raptly as Mizuki sang.

"You're pretty good," he said, after she fell silent. "Better than a lot of people who sang yesterday, really. Your face, your singing; why keep such pretty things to yourself? I don't think you have anything to be ashamed of."

[Yogo Mizuki]

"You are too kind." Mizuki smiles. "I wear the mask because of the typical reasons Scorpions wear our mask. To honor our Kami, show our honesty, etc. Though I guess, you are referring to why I wear a full face mask as opposed to a smaller one like most of my Clan." Mizuki pauses for a second. "Do you know of the Yogo Curse?"

[Moto Baatar]

"Yes, it's like the evil eye, I think?" Baatar said, sounding a little uncertain. "Your eyes look fine though, so maybe it passed over you."

[Yogo Mizuki]

Mizuki shakes her head. Who told him about this? They obviously have no idea what they were talking about. "Ie. There is no evil eye or anything physical. It goes back to the founding of the Empire. Lady Asako's husband, Asako Yogo, was a powerful shugenja and clever general. He won a great victory over the forces of the Dark One. In return, the Ninth cursed him to betray the one he loves most. That is why he came to serve Bayushi. He did not love him. This curse had been passed on to his descendants. I do have this Curse."

[Moto Baatar]

"Oh... huh," Baatar said, trying to understand this new information. Was this better or worse than the evil eye? He wasn't sure.

"What kind of betrayal are we talking about?" he asked, trying to get a better handle on the idea. "Is it 'I forgot and left your boots out in the rain and now they're ruined' betrayal? Or is it more like 'I'm still mad about what you said yesterday so I poisoned your tea' level of betrayal?"

[Yogo Mizuki]

"Both. It depends on the person. Usually it falls somewhere in the middle. You asked why I hide my looks. It's because my father isn't the the who impregnated my mother with me. I am my mother's betrayal. That's why I wear my mask. To stop reminding people of what I am." She watch Bataar to see how he reacts.

[Moto Baatar]

"That does sound like a tough break," Baatar agreed, nodding his head sympathetically. "Are you sure you've got this curse, though? I mean, if your father wasn't a Yogo, maybe you didn't get it."

[Yogo Mizuki]

"One parent is enough. And more importantly, I... I know. I'm not sure how to describe it, but I know. And I'll know when it is broken."

[Moto Baatar]

"Oh?" Baatar asked. "Is there a way to break the curse? Do you have to placate the Yogo spirit somehow?"

From his curious tone of voice, the young Moto sounded like he saw the curse as not so much a thing of horror, but more like a puzzle to solve - as if the curse could be outwitted somehow.