Day 72 to day 73 Campsite

[wolf_kkm]

The Princess had agreed to Yuuri’s request. Just as expected, it would take time to get things sorted and ready for moving and because of that they would have to make camp. The Salamander had remained, surprisingly and looked to the Princess for direction. She spoke with him kindly but firmly and for some strange reason he did as she requested.

Comments

[wolf_kkm]

"You are wise to listen to them and try to work with them. It will do much to ease the minds of the other tribes. You know we are not the only ones displeased and worried."

Her laugh was a soft tinkle of glass. “You are certainly welcome to enjoy my company as I generally sleep little when I am not under the water. I can manipulate the air and water and speak to the earth but I cannot make it so that sleep is easy outside of my home.” She accepted his flirting, but did not seem to be inclined to flirt back. She was, after all, a very important Princess! Not a loose doxy. She was clearly amused by Gunter’s intentions. “I am flattered that such a handsome Mazoku from the Lake Tribe would wish to share time with me.” She did not finish that statement for it was not meant to turn him down. It was simply a statement.

“I feel I shall need your support, but I would like us to understand one another. I know that the King will ensure my safety but he is one person.” She was not kicking him out, since she offered to refill his wine. She was just not directly accepting what he was offering.

[sardonic_beauty]

In a way, she was more lucky than he, as though her home was threatened, she actually had one. Though, no matter how much he wanted to share his story, and how much influence Yuuri would ultimately have, he couldn't and had to restrain that part of himself. "And though Wolfram is but one to protect him, would it not stand to be considered that I could easily have the princess taken as a hostage. Though I wouldn't consider such a thing unless there was intent to harm the maou." He accepted her refill and took a sip.

He was quite accustomed to flattery, but those who tossed some his way would often find the faint blush of modesty appealing. He doubted she would be one, but he was able to muster enough of a blush to barely be noticeable in the dim light. "I'm humbled by your compliment. More so that you have allowed me into such an intimate location." He sat up in the pillows and rested on the edge of her bedside. "Though the day has been long and tomorrow promises to also be lengthy, I would be honored to be your distraction for the evening while the camp sleeps."

[wolf_kkm]

"We hear your words but I feel that one of the Lake would not do such a thing to one of the River and so we choose to accept your company. The Maoh is safe here. My people will protect him and myself with their lives, such is their current orders. They will do their duty."

She drew from a small pouch a little bag of stones and a long board with several holes in it. "Have you ever played this?" she inquired. "We often do so to pass the time in my world. We play for favors. Five wins equals to one favor."

"We seldom have the time for such frivolities, but tonight the only other thing left to do is think and it is much more pleasant to think together."

[sardonic_beauty]

Thinking? Not the most exciting past time, but he'd give her game a try. All he had to do was win five times and he could request some further activities. This could be fun.

"I've not played this, though I've been known to learn quickly. I will see to your challenge." He smiled, hoping the rules were simple. Then it was a matter of the favors. But he did wonder what type of favors she'd ask of him. Maybe he'd lose a few to find out first.

[wolf_kkm]

The long board has 12 small bowls in it, 6 on each players side and one large bowl on the right and left. “This is an old game we play, it is called Awari.” She starts to put 4 stones into each pit. “On your turn, you may select one pit that has stones in it on your side of the board. The stones are removed from the pit and one stone is placed in each pit, like so.” She demonstrates. “You then move counter clockwise until each stone is used. You may not place a stone in your opponents scoring pit.”
She smiled, a simple game, but somewhat crafty. “If the last stone of a move is placed in an empty pit on the moving player's side of the board and their are stones in the pit on the opposite side of the board, the moving player captures both his own stone and the stones in the opposite pit and places them into his scoring pit.”

“When there are no stones remaining in the pits on one side of the board, the game is over and the player on the other side of the board is awarded all the remaining stones.”

“It is simple, neh?” She took a sip of wine after she resorted the game board. The stones she was using were all smooth and perfect from the most rare river beds.

"We are pleased you have accepted. It is rare that non members of the River tribe like to play this game."

**OOC: It is a real game. an African game.

[sardonic_beauty]

(OOC: Mancala!)

He observed her demonstration carefully, taking note of the underlying strategy behind it. It would certainly take a few rounds to be able to think of any sort to use for himself.

On a whole, Gunter wasn't great at games, but he wasn't all that poor at it either. He'd been taught at a young age many of the common strategy games so that he could apply those to life, but he never mastered them the way his mother hoped he would.

"I see. It looks simple enough, though I suspect there is a bit of a challenge along the way." He smiled and picked up one of the stones. "These are remarkably beautiful. As expected as someone as beautiful as yourself."

[wolf_kkm]

"When you have a face that can launch a thousand spears in your defense, you are used to such words." Princess Isamau started to move her stones skillfully. She had long graceful fingers with perfect nails, like some parts of her body, blueish scales artfully decorated her knuckles. She indeed was beautiful in the only way a young, angry Princess could be.

She went right up against the Demon Kingdom to get what she wanted, and that took a level of determination seen in few people. She was all about the mysteries of water and even the evening clothing she wore was complimented her form.

Every move she made was neither to tease nor to entice. Her rich purple hair was down, held back from her face just by a pair of small mother-of-pearl clips.

"We must tell you, we have no intention of taking a lover even one such as yourself. However, that is simply tonight's intention. The future could hold a different scenario or depend on how you play the game."

She was clearly skilled at this particular game, but she was letting Gunter get the hang of it without showing off.

[sardonic_beauty]

"I can not help but to extend such flattery. It truly isn't often that I encounter someone of equal calibur to myself. I'm afraid I hear such similar words often myself, but now I can understand the impulse to say them." He moved as it was his turn, his eyes carefully watching the stones drop in each skillfully carved section. He wasn't going to win this round, so he simply kept moving his pieces as best he could.

He did look up with her direct denial of his ulterior purpose. So this princess coudln't be easily swayed. He was finding too many challenges to his skill and wondered if he'd lost something while being transferred here. "Then I must learn to play this game well to steal even just a kiss from you." He never let his smile falter, but he was figuring this game out, and it was time to actually concentrate.

[wolf_kkm]

In spite of her intentions to let him ease into the game and not show off her skill won out and obviously led her to win the first rounds as the night wore on.

“You see the object of the game is simple. It is to pass the time enjoying the company of another.” The Princess smiled mirthfully.

The night stretched forward as the little pebbles clicked into their bowls when dropped and moved. Refreshments were always close at hand and the Princess did not once seem to be tired herself, though she did remark softly. “You seem weary to us. Would you rather rest? You are welcome to remain as we do not mind watching over you.”

She reached over with her long fingers and brushed Gunter's hair back from his eyes. It was a subtle touch, not one born from sensuality. From this woman it was a simple gesture of a kindred spirit.

[sardonic_beauty]

He nearly quipped with a comment about sleeping for a few thousand years already so that one night won't be missed, but that would give him away. "It's been a difficult day, but this is a rare opportunity to spend time with someone of your tribe. I'd much rather remain awake for a bit longer." Though he was completely exhausted physically and nearly drained of maryoku, he still was wanting to win at least one round. He looked upon her kindly with her touch and made no mention of it. She'd already stated her purpose and he'd tread lightly with his desire.

"It seems you've won enough matches to make a request. What is it you'd like?"