White translucent curtains blew in the wind. A warm wind tickling the face. Loose wisps kissing the skin. Dressed in all red; quite a contrast from her usual pale palate. A rosy tinge on her skin from all the alcohol. Brows arched in, eyes fixated on the GO board.
An uneasy thumb places a black stone on one place only to go back to move it to another.
"Ren, I need to be back to the palace by tonight, hurry it up."
Sweat ran in rivulets down his back. Ren's actions still carrying a sense of unease.
"Just a moment."
His female companion opened a fan. "Maybe you could take your time, but if you lose, remember, I want the larger one." Her voice laced with heavy suggestion.
Curious ears picked up all around the tea house.
The man named Ren, placed a black stone dow. A laughter followed.
"I win."
"I am leaving." The giggles ensured till his shadow disappeared.
"May I?"
Yurin turned to face the owner of the voice.
"A game." A keen smile on the lips.
Yurin smiled back, a picturesque scene.
Soon the tea house would light lanterns, inviting wandering souls to a night of dreams and reality.
The GO board was still full of stones. A formation, quite hard to grasp. The game appeared impassable for both players.
The tea house was full with dripping hairlines. Many had decided to bet on the long going game. A sense of anticipation in the air.
The man moved his stone to gauge, his partners reaction. Many eyes followed the movement. Yet the closed lids remained closed. One would take it, the lady had fallen into slumber, had she not been counting strategies with her right hand.
"Does the lady wish to make a bet."
The eyes opened, an amused gaze, "What does the gentleman have to offer?".
"A name perhaps."
The lady's brow twitched, a faint frown before an enchanting smile.
"A simple name." The lady mused.
"Perhaps not so simple, my lady."
"Humm...perhaps..." The lady ruminated.
Two eyes openly weighed each other.
Abruptly festive music started playing breaking their tance. Beautiful ladies wearing heavy gardments walked in dancing and laughing. The night activities of the tea house had begun.
The gentleman dejectedly smiled.
"Should we continue our game elsewhere, or is the lady preoccupied?"
The lady stretched her lazy limbs. "Perhaps, some other time."
She gracelessly rubbed her abdomen, "This lady is famished."
"Is the lady willing to join us."
"This lady has a commitment elsewhere. Now then."
"Find out about her." Her scent had yet to completely leave the air when the order came. Though it was quite curious, how this single female could leave a brothel, at this time of the night, following her free will.