(Untitled)

[arethebettermen]

Who: arethebettermen and YOU!
What: Conversations and Chess for everyone!
Where: Promenade Park
When: 10/11 (late afternoon-->evening)
Warnings: Unless there is VIOLENT CHESS, I'm pretty sure it's low key.

Comments

[incaendo]

Since she had arrived in the city, it was out of pure habit that she used her human form and name to blend in with the people here. But after seeing the various people on the network and learning that no one ( aside from Veles ) actually knew who she was, she opted to head out in her rightful form every once in a while. It was nice to be herself - sort of - without having to worry about everyone and their mother knowing her name and face

[arethebettermen]

Charles smiled at the woman politely, noting the very non-human appearance. Not that it was bothersome. It was quite the opposite, really. He was always excited to see how genetics morphed in different ways. There was Lioriley, the dark elf with pure white hair and dark skin. He had always meant to ask her about the people of her world, but the conversation never steered that way whenever they spoke.

He reached out and moved a pawn forward, glancing up at her and nodding for her to move next. He wasn't necessarily playing by himself. It was more he was staring at the pieces and debating if he had wanted to play. Luckily, Giandara had sat across from him before he gave up.

"Are you new to the city?" He asked, trying to start up some sort of conversation. There had been a recent influx of new people to the city.

[incaendo]

The question was evidence enough that no, he did not recognize her. Then again, she already knew of his telepathy, so it would be easy to put up a mental defense in case he wanted to pry into her mind and make the connection far faster than most could. That and glowing green eyes and pointed ears made her look significantly different than 'Calena'.

"Yes," she lied, moving one of the knights on the board, "I take it you are not?" it was great how she could have the same conversation and not even think twice about it.

[arethebettermen]

He could poke around her mind, but honestly, Charles didn't see a reason to. He could hear thoughts without even focusing his powers, but he tended to let them turn into white noise unless there was some need to listen to those around him. There were certain people he always kept an 'ear' out for.

"Unfortunately, no." He said with a tone of bitterness. He tilted his head up, glancing at the pieces on the board before moving another pawn forward. "Though there are people who have been her considerably longer. I have no room to complain compared to them."

[destinedwaters]

Aqua arrived later that very afternoon, having decided to explore more of the dream world completely of her own volition- ...Okay, she'll be honest with herself. The others had kicked her out of the castle for a couple hours because training the children had become all she was doing since the nightmares plagued the streets and so many had-

Funny, that no matter how many times she witnessed it, she still couldn't even bear to think of that particular word.

Admittedly she was doing her own thing for a minute, stretching out a bit and people watching. A faint smile crossed her lips as she recognized at least one face. ...Was that a chess board? Well, that was just plain silly; to be playing it alone. The master slowly approached, giving a friendly wave before motioning to the empty seat across from him. "Waiting for someone?"

[arethebettermen]

Charles looked up at her with a smile. She didn't even need to say anything, given he recognized her thoughts easily. It was always a pleasure to talk to Aqua. She was someone he shared many similarities with, as well as someone who had become a very good friend. Aqua had her own group of students, and Charles knew a few of them, just as she knew some of his students. Though he was glad to see her in person when things were not in some sort of dire peril.

"Not at all." He admitted, nodding for her to take a seat. "I was thinking about a few things. I'm not entirely sure why I bothered setting it up, to be entirely honest with you, Aqua."

He didn't see the point in using the titles when it was just the two of them.

[destinedwaters]

Yet she would anyway, given it was the polite thing to do. Aqua gave a faint nod, brushing her strange skirts away as she sat down. It was nice, not having to worry about their states at the moment; something that showed in her thoughts rather well.

"Maybe the wish someone who knows how to play would come by?" It was a faint tease, because honestly. How many times had she seen her friends set up a Command Board in the hopes that one of the others would decide to come by and play with them? She lost count in the first year of their training together, alone. "It isn't that uncommon, Charles."

She didn't seem to be bothered by it, either.

[arethebettermen]

"Maybe." Charles gave a small shrug. "Or just the fact that I miss playing the game."

He hadn't touched a chessboard often since the events in Cuba. Moira had tried to play with it in the hospital with him, given she knew how much he had enjoyed the game. Except Moira wasn't the best at the game, and she was the first to admit it. He thanked her for trying at least, but knowing he wouldn't have an opponent quite like Erik just further soured his mood.

Given his time in Promenade, however, that was months ago. It was time to move on.

"How have you and your students been?"

[ascendtofire]

Her room had grown more than a little stifling. And while it might have been better to wait it out a little longer, wait a little more for her leg to fully heal itself, she didn't want to. Fresh air was on the menu for a lot of people this evening. And really, at least her limp is gone- mostly.

But where better to find the Professor- when he's not at 'home', than somewhere relaxing. Or maybe she was over estimating; he was much younger now, so maybe his choice of entertainment was more than simply soaking in the lowering sun of the late afternoon. -- Or maybe not, considering there he was, across the way, seated in front of a full chess set.

Her hand rises before she steps into view, gently shifting a black pawn forward two spaces; ready to fight for it's kingdom.

"I hope you weren't waiting for anyone." Hello Professor. And good gods, he really is young.

[arethebettermen]

Some habits die hard, they said.

Charles sat back in the wheelchair at the sight of the black pawn moving forward. He blinked once then a smile grew on his face, eyes looking up to Jean as she walked up to the board. He had wanted to meet her in person, though had decided it was best to wait given what had happened with Alex. Then of course Erik had announced himself in his typical fashion, and it pushed it back even farther.

"Not at all." Charles said. "Just thinking."

[ascendtofire]

Apparently.

They both had their reasons for putting it off- and to be honest, some of Charles had played their role in her waiting it out, as well. She'd realized of course, what her slip of knowledge could have meant to Alex- how it must have come off. And for that she was sorry; maybe at a later date, she could try and work things out, but ... Well. Alex was a little more emotionally driven, and with dangerous powers like his own, maybe taking things slow was her best bet. -- And of course there was the issue of Erik Lensherr.

But with the semi-approval, she's slipping down into the available seat, arms resting along the edge of the table.

"I can probably guess what about." Slightly sympathetic. She knows of the connection between her teacher and his old friend ... But Magneto is still Magneto, and unfortunately there isn't much to change there for her.

[arethebettermen]

He raised his eyebrows playfully, even if his expression said otherwise. He knew Jean was a telepath, given she reached out for his mind first. A telepath and a telekinetic. She was powerful, perhaps even more so than himself. Not that he ever saw it as a competition.

Charles leaned against the chessboard with his arms up on the edges, narrowing his eyes in the continued playful fashion. She was his student, of course, but he hoped he remained playful in his old age. It was something he never bothered to ask Billy or Teddy.

"Can you?" He asked. "Are you a mind reader?"

[no_hometown]

Sephiroth needed little rest, and he had little to occupy his time in the city as yet. He investigated, explored, observed. Sometimes he moved at a normal pace, but other times, to stay clear of the populace, he traveled as a SOLDIER could, quickly and soundlessly, to avoid detection. He was well versed in the ways of stealth and urban warfare.

He noted the familiar man in the park and decided to greet him, as their previous conversation had been pleasant and friendly. It would be useful to have more allies here. The general checked his pace a suitable distance away so he could approach at a normal speed. Not because he particularly wished to hide his abilities, but there was no reason to display them needlessly. He felt it was more polite not to startle someone with a sudden appearance, as he often had when he'd been a child. He crossed the grounds and gave his customary courteous nod when he spoke. "Good afternoon, Professor."

[arethebettermen]

Luckily for Sephiroth, it was rather hard to surprise a telepath. He could of heard the General's thoughts if he had been looking for them. Though, given they had only talked once, as pleasant as the conversation was, he wasn't about to go snooping around the city for Sephiroth's mind. He had learned not to broadcast what people thought or kept secret.

"Ah, General. Good afternoon." Charles said, pushing his mask up just a bit to give the man a nod of respect. He hated the bloody masks, but he found it better to play by their rules to avoid more trouble. "What brings you to the park?"

[no_hometown]

Sephiroth's own mask was a commonplace white medical mask that covered the lower half of his face. As with many people, it didn't actually do a very good job of disguising his identity, as he was rather distinctive otherwise. He had little problem with following the rule in question; he had followed various rules, rational and irrational, all his life.

"I've been exploring the city, if with no particular goal in mind. I do try to keep occupied, though the struggle to find a useful occupation is a task in itself." He felt restless and discontent without a meaningful way to spend his time. His thoughts drifted continually toward the events at Modeoheim. He could do nothing about that here. At home, he would not be able to change what had already happened, but at least he could do somethingHe notes that the game board is familiar, even if the pieces, not being summon creatures, look different than the ones he knows from home. The setup is very like. Interesting to think that there might be a similar game in another world. "This

[arethebettermen]

"You'll find that it doesn't end." Charles said, gesturing around with his hand. He hadn't tried himself, but enough people had said it. It'd take forever to get to one part of the city to another in a wheelchair as it was.

He gave a nod. "Yes. It's a bit of a past time of mine. Though, I didn't have the desire to play it much recently."

[blunderbussed]

Dobryn hadn't anticipated spending any length of time in the parks of this city, but admittedly, he'd been left curious by the glimpses of greenery he'd sighted from his other explorations of the city. He'd seen pictures in his youth of Robellian geography, of its vast wilderness and prim countrysides alike, but the desert clime and surrounding badlands of his home Harstide were something else entirely. So it was that he decided to finally indulge his curiosity, and oh, what did he find here...

He had heard Xavier make mention of wheelchairs in one of his earlier transmissions, but somehow it hadn't actually registered to Dobryn that the man was actually bound to one. He let his stare linger for some time before he caught himself and approached.

"Good afternoon, professor." He spoke with a light smile, almost entirely artificial, until he caught sight of the chess set, at which point it gave way a more genuine look of curiosity. "What is that?"

[arethebettermen]

"Mr. Tvarisch! Good afternoon." Charles responded brightly, trying to make up for the man's lack of genuine happiness. He had caught the look at the wheelchair. "Thankfully, it's not pink anymore." A tap to the arm of the chair meant he was referring to that.

"It's called Chess." He said, tilting his head slightly. "They don't have it in your world?"

[blunderbussed]

Truth be told, Dobryn had never seen a contraption quite like it, but he only allowed himself one more glance at the wheelchair before answering his question.

"No, not that I am aware." He picked up a black piece, gingerly turning it over in his gloved hands. "It's some manner of game, I presume?"

[arethebettermen]

"It is." Charles nodded. "It's a game of strategy and trying to plan further ahead than your opponent. Each piece is built to represent the medieval system of my world."