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.]

Comments

[ascendthethorns]

[Queen, e2.]

Don't criticise her request.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Queen, a7]

I see it as making the best of an unfortunate situation.

[ascendthethorns]

[Rook, a3.]

As did she, when she proposed the visit.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Looking up, tiny trace of guilt in his eyes.]

... I will make it up to her. Perhaps the three of us can do something before then.

[Following her rook with his own.]

[ascendthethorns]

[Queen to d2, strategy stealer.]

Perhaps.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Pawn to c5.]

Your game is not quite what I expected, elder sister.

[ascendthethorns]

[Knight, g5.]

Oh? How do you mean?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Queen to e7.]

It seems I have been playing defense throughout much of this match.

[ascendthethorns]

[Knight, f3.]

Are you saying that you underestimated me?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Laughs a little.]

It would not be the first time, now would it? But, honestly, I had not anticipated you beginning your attack so soon.

[Rook to b8.]

[ascendthethorns]

I've no doubt that you'll recover. Whether you'll do so in time or not, however...

[Queen, a5.]

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

A rather contradictory statement.

[Pawn, h6.]

[ascendthethorns]

[Rook, b3.]

You are thinking in absolutes again. Not all recoveries are successful.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

Ah?

[Taking that rook with his own.]

One only needs to ensure the right type of planning is involved.

[ascendthethorns]

[And taking his rook with her pawn.]

[Also, tea.]

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Going for that other rook when he is interrupted by some loud and frantic caterwauling as two of their menagerie chase each other into the common room.]

[ascendthethorns]

[WATCHING, ZOMGZ]

... obnoxious beasts.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Obnoxious beasts that are, without warning scrambling atop the table and knocking pieces everywhere with their lashing tails. I hope you are safeguarding your tea.]

Tch! Get out of here, you destructive -- !

[ascendthethorns]

[I am leaning back with my tea? And doing a lot of glaring at a pair of animals who have no idea, but w/e.]

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Kitty cats are escaping as one failemp lunges at them, leaving him to pick up the rest of the obliterated chess game. :(]

Those simple-minded -- We would have fared better with the wind outside!

[ascendthethorns]

[I will... idk, collect the pieces on the table. Haha, floorbitch.]

Personally, I can think of no more appropriate an end than a forced draw.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Looks up.]

Appropriate?

[ascendthethorns]

Far be it from any one of us to settle a score by the rules.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Okay, that gets an actual laugh.]

[ascendthethorns]

[Holds out her hand for the pieces he's collected.]