Silmeria's Game (Open RP)

[rebelvalkyrie]

Silmeria sat in the Great Hall, arms crossed and frowning at a chessboard in the midst of a game. Several minutes passed before finally moving a piece and then turning the board around to play continue playing the other side.  Ever since learning about the game, she had spent time practicing with the set she asked a house elf to bring to her

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[serrulata]

While Kurama often tried to avoid those of a more heavenly persuasion (being a demon, such avoidance was practically instinctual) a game of chess was on the short list of things he found irresistible. He watched her play a moment before speaking up.

"While it is said that one's greatest opponent is oneself, playing a two-person game alone doesn't strike me as any particular kind of fun."

[serrulata]

"There is always sacrifice," he said, pointedly taking her bishop with a knight, and leaving said knight to be taken by her king. "It is painful, and often seemingly unfair, but it balances the luck."

[rebelvalkyrie]

"Indeed," Silmeria agreed, leaving her king where it was, sending her own knight to the king's defense. "Do you still find yourself assisting humans?"

[serrulata]

"It seems unavoidable," he pulled back a rook that was immediately in danger. "Now that there is no need for me to protect - at least, not on an immediate basis - I teach."

[rebelvalkyrie]

Silmeria was surprised, but did not reveal that. "A very giving profession," Silmeria commented as she set her sights on his king. "What do you teach?"

[serrulata]

"Officially I'm the Professor of Herbology, and I give guitar lessons on the side." He castled the king with his rook, putting himself out of danger.

[rebelvalkyrie]

"Do those topics occur naturally to you or did you learn them through the course of your..." Thievery? Murder? World-saving? "...experiences?"

She continued her pursuit of the king, but had to take the longer, riskier route to do so.

[serrulata]

"Herbology was a choice made as my abilities are directly related to plants and their myriad uses," he produced a pale pink rose for her as demonstration, holding it out to her over the board. Then he cut off her knight with his queen. "Guitar is merely my hobby. Aside from, you know, the thievery and murder and world-saving."

[rebelvalkyrie]

Silmeria took the rose and examined it. Perfectly formed, down to the last thorn. "I can see how this ability would be useful," she said, switching focus from the flower to Kurama, "Particularly in battle. Does your class cover any combative uses for vegetation?"

[serrulata]

"I could show you," he smiled - a rather sneaky expression. "However I do not believe here is the proper arena for such a display."

[rebelvalkyrie]

Silmeria's gaze was steady. "No. You might cause considerable damage to yourself and others," she said matter-of-factly. Even outside a no-kill zone, her response to any demon would be the same.

[serrulata]

"A pity, perhaps some other time. The room of requirement makes an excellent training hall. It's your move, by the way."

[rebelvalkyrie]

Room of what? She looked at the board and her confusion was not relieved. Grudgingly, she let her knight give up the chase and moved her king away from eventual danger.

"What is the room of requirement? Is it a suitable substitute for Gryffindor's gymnasium?"

[serrulata]

"It is a room that creates within itself a place in which the use requires. It is often used as a dojo, or a place in which to hide something." He set his queen out to the middle of the board, threatening but out of danger.

[rebelvalkyrie]

A room that can be used to hide things? Silmeria wondered...

"I would very much like to see this room," she said, defending against his queen with her own. "Could you direct me to its location afterwards, even if you are not inclined to demonstrate at that moment?"

[serrulata]

"Certainly," he cut her off with a remaining pawn. "It is not terribly difficult to find, and rather useful. Students from ages past have hidden things in there; it's a veritable Hogwarts time capsule."