Escape 055

[prefers_chess]

[Accidental Voice Post]

[The audio begins, slightly muffled, to the sound of people milling, idle chatter, and a general sense of commotion, punctuated with a series of nearly inaudible taps and clicks as chess pieces move on a wooden board. This goes on for a short period of time, the steady rhythm of tapping and clicking gradually growing more

Comments

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[ms_marycontrary]

[A small girl makes her way over to Rudy after the match, folding her arms and smiling in amusement as she regards him.]

Well played, Miller. Our guy didn't have a chance against you.

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[prefers_chess]

[Rudy, meanwhile, is busily returning his chess pieces to their carrying case. Because obviously everybody brings their own chess pieces to a match. And carries them along everywhere they go. You never know when you're going to have to stop and play a match against somebody, after all.]

Naturally. He still has lots more to work on.

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[ms_marycontrary]

I told him to watch your mind games, but he wouldn't believe me. [She waves her hand around in slight irritation.] He and the others are still new; they haven't learned that the competitions are different from practice. So sorry we couldn't even put up much of a fight this time.

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[prefers_chess]

Chess is a game of finesse, not brute force. A player who cannot play the game within the game stands no chance of victory.

[Though he is watching her curiously out of the corner of his eye, even as he continues to pack his things.]

action | ...I forgot to ask if you wanted him to know her already xD;

[ms_marycontrary]

Like I said, they're new. Hopefully he learned something from playing against you. If not, I'll pound the lesson into his head myself.

action | I'll roll with whatever works best for you! o/

[prefers_chess]

And the origin of the brute force strategy suddenly becomes clear.

[He finishes picking up his pieces and straightens up, snapping the case closed and slinging the strap over his shoulder.]

action | okie dokie~

[ms_marycontrary]

[She smiles.]

If I don't show them that brute force is bad, they won't appreciate finesse. It's kind of like conditioning them.

Oh-- I'm Merry Weather Hargreaves, by the way. I'm one of assistants for the chess club at Mayfield Middle School.

action | <3

[prefers_chess]

Interesting methodology.

[He offers her a slight nod in recognition.]

Mayfield had a star player named Hargreaves a few years back. A relation of yours, I presume?

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[ms_marycontrary]

Yup! That's my older brother Cain. He's at college now. I'm only an amateur chess player myself, but I'm taking care of the club in his stead.

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[prefers_chess]

And ruling it with an iron fist. Machiavelli would approve.

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[ms_marycontrary]

I'll take that as a compliment!

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[prefers_chess]

Take it however you want.

[And he's heading for the nearest vending machine to get a Pepsi. Though Merry's welcome to follow, obviously; he's not about to stop her if she does.]

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[ms_marycontrary]

[Of course she follows!]

So, if you know about Cain, does that mean you've played against him?

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[prefers_chess]

Not yet.

[Though it's clear from his tone that he certainly intends to someday.]

Good players draw attention. It's hardly difficult to keep track of them.

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[ms_marycontrary]

That's true. It doesn't hurt that Cain is pretty popular outside of chess club either, I guess.

[She inserts a few coins into the vending machine to get her own drink.]

Hey...he'll be coming home from college soon-- for spring break, I mean. Would you like to have a match against him then?

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[prefers_chess]

[His suspicion, let him show you it.]

You want to arrange a match between me and your brother?