IC: Just a game of chess?

[thekingsgambit]

[The cabin is deserted this afternoon, except for one failemp, who is positioned length-wise across one of the more comfortable chairs. He looks thoroughly exhausted, as he may have increasingly looked for the last several weeks. His hair hasn't been touched this morning and his usual winter jacket is nowhere to be found. Instead, he manages a loose hold on a few leaves of paper. Another stack sits beside the chair, slightly uneven as if someone has already gone through those papers. Luca rests curled but awake on the middle of his chest, her tail twitching rhythmically. Although Lelouch's attention is solely on the reports in his right hand, the left moves routinely over the cat's back, the probable cause for the movements of her tail.]

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[ascendthethorns]

[Desertedness is fleeting in this cabin though, so it's only too short a time before Cornelia returns, looking every bit as poised an alert as Lelouch does lethargic, and carrying a haphazardly-matched armful of cut flowers atop a large dessert cookbook. After shortly pausing, frowning, at Lelouch's state, she gives him a curt nod and places everything on a nearby table.]

Notes on the carnival?

[She doesn't wait for his response though; instead, she moves into the kitchenette to prepare a vase.]

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Doesn't bother to look up or discontinue any of his earlier actions as he responds automatically, with little inflection:]

Testimonies and observations.

[ascendthethorns]

Anything of use?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Continues in the same tone, stilling the hand that has been petting Luca.]

The testimonies vary from person to person, suggesting that experiences are either determined by the individual or by the time of the visit. During the most recent sighting, one that involved a haunted house attraction, people reported seeing old enemies taunting them, grisly illusions that tried to attract them, an abandoned house or rooms of endless doors. A few people even managed to retrieve various items during their tour. The woman working the admissions stand was said to be difficult to read but pleasant, a change form what we usually have to put up with. The fortune teller from earlier was also seen nearby.

[ascendthethorns]

More to strengthen the potential malignancy of their purpose then, but not enough to devise a well-targeted course with.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

They want to seem harmless enough. It makes sense they would choose a haunted house to test what they could get away with. Most here will probably link it with the darker tricks of this place. They are well accustomed to them by now and quick to forget once the incident has passed, especially if it carries no lasting effect.

[Tips his head back and closes his eyes, as if dealing with a headache. He sighs.]

It is all too convenient.

[ascendthethorns]

As expected from the outsiders. Their relative abundance of information affords them such convenience.

[Lalala, putting the flowers into the vase. Someone will probably have to arrange them properly later.]

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Still in same position, although holding a hand to his head briefly.]

We still do not know whether this group is privy to as much as Sayre or her family. It is unlikely they would be exchanging resources.

[ascendthethorns]

Regardless, they've already managed a willful entry into Sayre's territory, subverted her rules, and proven capable of accessing our personal information.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

I need to speak with one of them personally. Theirs is usually the weekend for appearances.

[Pauses and opens his eyes, remembering something. He lifts the hand that's since been resting on Luca, which reveals itself to have been concealing Lelouch's black king between two of his fingers. In a quick move of his fingers, he twists the piece around in its hold.]

I will discuss it with Nunnally when she returns from seeing Nana.

[ascendthethorns]

[Watching him fidget.]

See that you fix your apperance first.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

Obviously. You returned earlier than expected.

[Catches that look, as he continues to twirl the king. After a moment he making a musing sound.]

Funny, you never seemed that interested.

[ascendthethorns]

You came to treat that board as though it was a genuine battlefield, and you the bloodlusting black commander. Elder brother, too. I prefered both of your company when it was less competitive in nature, and I could emerge from it unscathed.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Another quicker twirl, followed by a more distracted tone.]

Games should be played to win after all. That was his usual lesson.

[ascendthethorns]

[Frowns again at the shifted tone.]

It ceases to be a game when victory is the lone objective, however. And where is the element of sportsmanship then?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Shifts on the chair to turn to her, unsettling Luca, who makes a very displeased noise but remains where she is.]

Ah, is that what elder sister seeks from a match? Sportsmanship?

[ascendthethorns]

As well as a fair challenge, else things become dull.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Twirl~]

The others here demand as much. I have learned to adjust to suit the nature of the game and the players. As you can imagine, they rarely care for the same level of tenacity elder brother and I once engaged in.

[ascendthethorns]

And what manner of game are you on the verge of requesting?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

Perhaps I simply wish to see your style of play.

[ascendthethorns]

[Observational with a touch — just a touch — of teasing:]

You do nothing simply.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

Consider it an exercise in restraint then. I suppose that would be somewhat useful at this time.

[ascendthethorns]

[Cocks her brow and gestures lazily toward the table. Her interest is nominal, and perhaps it shows, but Lelouch's request is as unusual as his shift away from discussion. It's enough to make her cooperative.]

Set up your board.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Picks up his cat so he can climb out of the chair. He is not entirely sure how things wandered into this. His original intent had mostly been to shift Cornelia's attention from his uneasiness. But part of him, the part of him that is not weighed down in the chaos that has unfolded around him in the last few weeks, is genuinely curious to see his sister's skill at the game. As she said, she had never been especially interest in matches when he was still at the palace. Interesting, that she would rather not to choose to play as she fought.

But more than that, that same part of him perks at the chance for his usual escape. He has been too busy lately to retreat to the refuge of his board. Or maybe that was another thing he was sacrificing in his frantic attempts to equalize Nunnally's pain here...

He gives her a short nod, as he collects a set from his room.]

[ascendthethorns]

[...puts on a pot of tea in the meantime. Seriously, how did I become the tea bitch?]