Yogo Meeting (Day 4 LE) [Mizuki's Room]

[Yogo Yuichi]

Indeed, this is a good occasion for some sake.

'' Well, I don't know anything about seduction so I guess It wouldn't be a bad idea. Imagine, Fu-Leng destroyed by his own doing. It is fittingly ironic. ''

After Mizuki talked about her parents, Yuichi expression changed.

'' You are fortunate. At least you have parents...'' He says with a neutral tone.

[Yogo Mizuki]

Mizuki gives a bow. "I am sorry, Yuichi. I wasn't thinking."

[Yogo Yuichi]

'' Don't worry. It is not your fault. It was my own father's fault. He knew what he could cause by falling in love with my mother. '' Yuichi says. He grabs a cup and sip some sake. '' Bloody fool...''

[Yogo Mizuki]

"So, we should just try to feel nothing and have the Curse happen anyways? I can't imagine how you feel about your parents. But if the Curse is going to happen, but shouldn't we have a little happiness?"

[Yogo Yuichi]

'' Like I said before, I can't dictate how you should live with the curse. Enforcing someone to live his life in a way he doesn't like is the same thing that Ol' Fu did to Yogo, and to us. I will never do that.'' Yuichi's tone was a bit more serious.

'' If you want to live searching for happiness, then so be it, do it. But you know the possible consequences, Mizuki. You should also accept the fact that you could, and most likely do, cause terrible suffering to those closest to you. My father tried a similar approach. He utterly failed. Failure that not only caused my mother's death but also his own.''

a pause to sip from his cup. He scratched the back of his head.

'' But... I was raised by the family elders so I'm a bit more, how do I say it... 'traditionalist' in my approach to the curse. Those old fools did quite a good job raising me to virtually hate everything. '' Yuichi laughs.

another pause.

'' Speaking of family, I have never understood the problem those decrepit fools have with you. Yeah, you are an illegitimate daughter, but you are still a Yogo. We have enough problems dealing with the curse and yet they still find time to ostracize you...by the kami I really hate those old bastards.'' Yuichi had contradictory feelings towards the older generation of Yogo. He respected their endurance but he hated them as well.

[Yogo Mizuki]

"I'm sorry. I'm not trying to tell you how to live. I just want you to be happy, even if for a little bit." Mizuki shrugs. "But who knows. Maybe it's better your way." Mizuki thinks about earlier with Sutiechi and their declaring their love for each other. "But I can't help feel I'm letting Him win by trying to deny love."

Mizuki takes a bite of cheese, surprised and a little concerned that she is eating just fine. "I know I cause suffering. My mother once told me her Curse wasn't completed when she conceived me. It was when she told the Shosuro she didn't want any bitter tea. That's why the Family hates me. I am the living embodiment of the Curse. No one can look at me and forget the Curse for even a second. It's not like they tried. I remember father trying to teach me how to talk to the kami. I remember how he taught me to read and write. I know he hates me. He can't help it. He can't even pretend I'm his. Had I looked like mother, he could have pretended." Mizuki grips her hair. "I even got the damn white hair. He tried. I know he did."

Mizuki lets go of her hair and drinks some sake. "So, I am quite used to causing suffering." Mizuki shrugs. "I just want a little happiness." She sighs. "I mean, if I'm going to cause suffering anyways." Then why did it take you so long to admit your feelings to Sutiechi? To yourself? What did she believe? Mizuki thought she knew. But after today....

Maybe Yuichi was just a better person. Maybe she was just selfish. Events that would happen later tonight would support this theory.

[Yogo Yuichi]

Yuichi listened to Mizuki. '' Still I don't get it. I don't see you as the embodiment of the Curse. You are not the curse. While I can understand your father's hate, I don't understand why the rest of the family treat you like they do. '' He shrugs. '' Guess I'm just different in my approach to the curse, afterall... by the way if it is any consolation, I do like your hair''

He continues.

'' But be careful though. Desire is a sin. If you said that it doesn't matter if you continue to cause suffering because you are already doing it, it will only cause you to fall deeply into Fu leng's grip. By causing suffering he enhances his power over not only you but to the Empire. That's exactly what he wants. Just an advice'' Yuichi adviced Mizuki.

'' Looking for happiness is a good thing, I guess... But you should do it for the right reasons. I suppose if you somehow manage to have happiness in your life without being obsessed by it then you could, maybe, defeat the curse... though I don't think that's possible. Not without further experimentation and research... ''

[Yogo Mizuki]

"Remember, my father is powerful man. He has an arguable claim to the Yogo Family itself. Even though he loyal to Hikari-dono, people follow the powerful. Especially when there yet no heir."

Mizuki considers her wording. "Do not worry, Yuichi. I know my limits. I do not desire for anything beyond my reach." She shrugs. "At least, I hope. But I'm not being unrealistic. I want love, but I'm not some floozy Crane maiden who thinks life is some pillow book. But your word of caution will be noted."

Mizuki takes a sip of tea. "I have no delusions. I will not break the Curse. But like I said, I have seen people survive it. That's all I want to do. Not every Curse is an end."

[Yogo Yuichi]

'' Ha! Well, he better stay loyal to Hikari-chan. Last time I heard someone questioned her right to rule, that someone spent quite a long time outside of Kyuden Bayushi...contemplating his errors '' Yuichi laughs. He used on purpose the diminutive-chan to emphasize on her youth.

'' In any case, don't take me too seriously. I'm not very knowledgeable about this stuff. I'm merely a wardmaster apprentice, afterall...'' Yuichi scratches the back of his head.

'' Well enough of depressing conversations, let's talk about something else...Uh, right! You mentioned before that you met with this Iuchi guy,Have you met with other people? I suppose that as a kuge you have quite potential suitors by now, right?'' He asked casualy. Once again he sips from his sake cup.

[Yogo Mizuki]

"Well, once they learn what being a Yogo Kuge means, that narrows it down quite a bit. I met Shinjo Akil who seems like a good honorable man, but... I won't betray him. So, I guess, he's probably a good choice. The Iuchi seemed concerned about one tiny Curse by the Lord Jigoku himself. I should marry him and fall in love with him just to spite him." Mizuki was obviously not impressed by the Iuchi. Intellectually, she knew it was understandable, but it didn't make her feel any better.

"As far as suitors go, that's it. What about you?"

[Yogo Yuichi]

Yuichi didn't knew any of those two men, except for what Mizuki told about the Iuchi. '' Haha! You really seem to like that Iuchi, Mizuki. If you marry with him, let me officiate your wedding ceremony. '' He joked.

'' Me? Besides Yue, I have only talked with the Otaku heiress, Kitakuhime was her name? '' He shrugs. '' She's not my type... a bit too honorable for my taste '' He smirks. '' Oh, and she is a kuge I almost forgot. ''

[Yogo Mizuki]

"Are you sure? I'm sure the Unicorn would have our bloodline in their future daimyo. They do say those honorable girls aren't so honorable in bed." Mizuki joked.

"I guess we both need to get out there more. I am to have breakfast with a Moto Butaj tomorrow. I've heard good things about him."

[Yogo Yuichi]

Yuichi laughs with Mizuki's comment. '' Someday I will have to ascertain the truth behind that adage...''

'' Butaj? Well hopefully he will not oblige you to eat that thing called bacon. If he doesn't, then I think its a good start.''

[Yogo Mizuki]

"I'm just saying, imagine the looks on the Yogo elder faces when they learned that you are marrying the Otaku daimyo's heir." Mizuki giggles at the image in her mind.

"But don't worry. I plan on having a traditional Rokugani breakfast."

[Yogo Yuichi]

'' Ha! To watch their decrepit faces gawking like fools would be nice...'' Yuichi laughs. '' Condemning an entire noble bloodline to endless suffering and tragedy, sounds tempting. ''