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.

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[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?"