[17] Check mate... [Closed Action Log]

[jiyuna_togabito]

[The knight or the pawn? Her queen was tempting, though he knew better than to go after it without further planning. Aion sat on the bench with his leg crossed over and hand covering part of his mouth as he thought of his next move in their chess game. Set up in the middle of the garden, the change of scenery and pace was nice considering they had been cooped up in his room for hours. Damn theories could be so confusing sometimes but he was grateful Lilith was willing to teach him.

Having canceled their last meeting in order to further his research on the Social Club and having an interesting meeting the night before, the sinner could really use the break. He finally decided to move his pawn forward when he remembered what Lilith had said a few days ago. If she was going to ask for something hectic, he figured he should get it out of the way. Though it was probably something like discipline Jenai, knowing the woman by now.]

Speaking of lessons, what was it that you wanted in exchange?

Comments

[holymadonna.livejournal.com]

[Instead of going into the offensive, Lilith coordinated her pieces from the pawns to the queen in a defensive motion around the king. She formed the skeleton of the "the Rauzer formation" and waited for Aion's attack with a serene smile on her lips.

She sipped a bit of her tea set aside the table and informed him the price.]

I want to celebrate Christmas with you and everyone here. [She anticipated his reaction.]...Don't make a face, I ask for the most secular and less Christian aspects; I won't ask you to attend to service or join the choir. The trees, the presents, the dinner, and good will spirit. Can you do that? Can you at least pretend to have a Christmas spirit?

[jiyuna_togabito]

[Watching Lilith position her pieces, Aion was about to move his piece when his hand stops in mid-air and eyes gravely stare at her. She wanted what? Was she asking out of mockery verses anything else she could have asked for? He backed off and adjusted his glasses as he spoke still keeping his eyes on Lilith.]

You have some nerve to ask me for such a thing, knowing what you know.

[holymadonna.livejournal.com]

I want peace, but I must know war before I accomplish that. What is the harm to aquaintance yourself with what you claim to hate? Have you ever tried to set a Christmas dinner with your friends and family?

[She let him mull over her suggestion before giving him the real reason. There were those who celebrated in Mars, but never them and she never quite considered her allies of the Vatican, family. Aion and the others, she was tentative viewing them as such.

She added in a softer voice. What he guessed for her statement, she didn't need to clarify.]

I don't think I'll have a chance to celebrate Christmas in this manner again. I want my official first and last holiday to be with you and your people. Am I asking too much?

[jiyuna_togabito]

[Again with the friends and family bull shit. Of course he's never done anything like it and it was something he would have expected her to have assumed. His 'kind' didn't celebrate but did quite the opposite on such holiday according to the ridiculous religion. Listening further, he continued to stay silent for a few more minutes. He suppose he didn't have to believe it in order to play along. He wasn't about to let something as this get the better of him. It was a deal after all. If that was what she was requesting as a price as harmless as it was, so be it. He let out a deep discontent sigh before speaking up.]

Fine. As long as the lessons continue. And... what exactly does it entail? As you said, anything that requires attending services and such are out of the question.

[holymadonna.livejournal.com]

[She assumed, of course, she asked that in a rhetorical way. She was pleased when she agreed with a wide smile of sincere gratitude.]

Ah, well, you know. Christmas shopping, help me with the tree, presents and decorations, try to be more cordial in general, please refrain to make children cry and say Santa doesn't exist.

[She said the later in playful reproach.]

Attend to the dinner without a frown. Try to celebrate these week without any religious implication but the secular family and friend holiday about good will and peace, I can't force the faith aspect on anyone.

[jiyuna_togabito]

[A family huh... Aion advanced another pawn while listening and looking up to see her smile. It softened his hard expression before she began to elaborate. His eye twitched and soon gave her the 'look' as she started to list off various things. He would have snapped off the head of the piece if he hadn't placed it down.]

[holymadonna.livejournal.com]

Those chess pieces were expensive, please be careful.

[She suggested lightly.]

[jiyuna_togabito]

[Aion cleared his throat as he picked up his cup of coffee to have a sip. She was playing him, enjoying every second of this torture she was putting him through. Though the thought of seeing children from the different worlds... hm... could be interesting. He had picked up a very helpful child from an orphanage after all. Wait... children? He sternly clarified himself.]

I'll assist in shopping and decorations. I could handle the dinner as well but don't expect much more. Besides, just where does children fit in this equation? I'm not dressing up nor acting if that's part of your agenda, Lilith.

[holymadonna.livejournal.com]

We can talk about this later or we won't focus in the game, dear.

[She had to muffle a laugh at his suggestions. There were sick children bedridden in the Hospital... She cut that thought immediately.]

Don't make it sound as a torture. If you just try to, you would even have fun like you did in Halloween.

[jiyuna_togabito]

[Another small 'hmph' escaped him as he crossed his arms and waited. Aion spoke as he stared at his pawns that slowly advanced towards the formation, ready to sacrifice in order to take a worthy piece with either the rook or the bishop in place.]

What makes you think I had fun during Halloween?

[Though it was an interesting night.]

[holymadonna.livejournal.com]

Your expression and your body language, Aion.

[Lilith blocked his initial attacks by placing a pawn in front of the sought high pieces.]

Ah... How was your date the other day? It must have been important to cancel our compromise.

[jiyuna_togabito]

Now you're an expert in reading my expression and body language?

[Aion weakly chuckled as he reluctantly decided to cancel out the pawns by taking hers. This wasn't going anywhere without opening the board a bit. Even if she were to take his pawn now, he wouldn't be able to advance, seeing as she had her other pieces placed nicely. Another plan was in order. She thought too much like him.

Glancing up towards her, he gave a devious grin before playfully answering her.]

It was quite an interesting and informative night, I must say. Again, I appreciate your time today instead.

[holymadonna.livejournal.com]

No. But you are used to show your displeasure very openly around me.

[Lilith didn't take any of his pawns, she was looking through them, waiting for his moves to see if she saw an opening to take a higher piece. Why bother with pawns?]

Informative? Ah. I assumed you met someone you liked.

[jiyuna_togabito]

[Aion pondered on that for a bit as he waited for his turn. He didn't think he acted much differently around her but certain things have fueled the fire. No one else have ever dared to in the past.]

Yes, she was to my liking and could prove helpful in my future plans.

[He answered with a serious tone to state his direct thought as he was too focused on the game to read into what she was implying. Why hadn't she taken his pawn yet?]

[holymadonna.livejournal.com]

[She didn't take the pawn because she guessed that was what he wanted her to do. He was obviously too focused to realize she had been teasing]

Are you willing to sacrifice that pawn, Aion?

[jiyuna_togabito]

What do you think? That is its role. As long as it remains, I'll make other use of it. Otherwise, the sacrifice is needed in order to move forward. Though even such sacrifice could prove useful given the situation, don't you agree?

[He spoke with a sly smirk and a gesture of his hand. Wasn't that the case with Rizelle? True, she could have been one of the 'pieces to remain on the board' if she hadn't taken things lightly. But her sacrifice proved useful, giving him the missing piece of information he needed.]

[holymadonna.livejournal.com]

Would a King think like that?

[She wondered aloud and pointed to the chess board.]

Were this be the real battlefield. That thought would have led to a bitter defeat or a Pyhrric victory.

[She paused and mused.]

What is a king without a kingdom? If a battle is won by the sacrifice of all the other pieces, who would protect the King in the next battle. Each piece in the board has a value and a good king should be able to avoid losing them so easily.

[jiyuna_togabito]

Ah, Pyrrhus. Such a good story that was. I find his methods very intriguing. Despite the losses, he still won over those Romans in order to progress forward to grant his wish. Though I must say his death was quite pitiful.

[Aion paused before he lightly added.]

The king would not need any protecting if all things fall into place... Either way, go on.

[holymadonna.livejournal.com]

The king is the most important piece of the board but it's one of the weakest.

[She reminded him and pointed to the surrounded pieces shielding the king.]

The Rook castling protects him. Without his castle, where should the king find shelter? His knights jump into battle to capture his enemies. Without his knights, how would be fight them? And the bishops' perception and duality are able to give him strategical insight.

[She makes a pause hand moving to the Queen.]

The most powerful piece is the King's most loyal and faithful companion. What would do a King without his Queen? The Queen has all the advantages and goes to places he cannot. If the Queen falls, the King's most vulnerable and not just in defense, he's truly alone. This is why a King must look after the other pieces, without them, he's helpless.

[jiyuna_togabito]

That's why it's important for the king to make sure he isn't weak, such as he is in this setting. Though as you've said as I have, each piece has its own role. When the roles are played out right, the king will not need to worry about his own protection as well as the others.

[His eyes fell on her Queen momentarily before rising to gaze at Lilith again. Right, when all things end as planned...]

[holymadonna.livejournal.com]

We are talking about Chess, dear, look at the board. Aside of the pawn who can get a promotion. Which other piece is weaker than the King? He's vulnerable. If he wasn't, why would he need the others?

[She smiled]

The King is just another piece. He may be in charge, but even he can be taken out the game. It's your turn.

[jiyuna_togabito]

[Aion held his patience for he knew what she was trying to imply even if they were just playing a chess game. If that was the case, he'll take her most powerful piece. Take down the Queen and all will go down. He let out a sigh and picked his bishop up to interject the Queen to bait her in, making sure his other pieces supported his plan.]

[holymadonna.livejournal.com]

[She knew he would take the advice, she used the knight to plan the same on his Queen and had the pieces backing this plan.

His next move will be decisive. In order to win her Queen, will he be willing to sacrifice his?]

[fuck-y0u-all.livejournal.com]

[What he would do would never come to pass...As a rather drunk and roudy Jenai simply PLOWED right through their chessboard, not even seeming to notice the two players, grumbling to himself as he swung his empty bottle around..]

Where the FUCK is my rum....

[jiyuna_togabito]

[Interesting so that's how she wanted to play? Aion grinned and drew his hand over the board to make his next move when... BAM. The pieces dropped one by one onto the floor along with the other various items on the table as his comrade made his grand entrance.]

...Jenai.

[The sinner adjusted his glasses as he waited for the woman to take action. He was sure she was going to say something, especially considering those expensive pieces.]

BUT WHY IS THE RUM GONE

[holymadonna.livejournal.com]

[Lilith stared at the scene blankly before rising from her seat.]

Jenai.

[She said too gently and grasped the sinner's shoulder. He reeked to alcohol.]

You are drunk. Maybe we should do something about your drinking habits if you can't show self-restrain.

[She turned at Aion.]

[fuck-y0u-all.livejournal.com]

Eh?

[He curled his lip and yanked his shoulder out of her grip.]

I aint gonna not do nuthin' about my drinkin' habits. Now fuck off, unless you got my rum.

[He waved the empty bottle at Aion with a wide smirk.]

You wants sum boss?

[jiyuna_togabito]

[Aion glanced at Lilith as she made her proposal and lightly chuckled as Jenai spoke. The sinner shrugged as he stepped closer and placed his arm around his comrade's shoulder and took the bottle with his other hand.]

Calm down, Jenai. There's still plenty of rum in the kitchen. I don't care what you do with your spare time, however, interrupting my game with that behavior, ha ha. Remember now, we're all one team. Do me a favor and take Lilith's advice. Settle down a little...

[He drew his face dangerously close as he calmly spoke. Aion's hand slowly and lightly brushed the back of Jenai's hair as he shoots him a glare.]

Unless there's some other problem that you'd like to share with me?

[holymadonna.livejournal.com]

[Lilith didn't move after Jenai shook off her grip.

What will Aion do?

Of course, every time she asked his support about educating Jenai better, he ignored her pleas.

It was a pleasant surprise when he actually reacted on her favor this time. She had to smile, grateful at his direction.

One of the same team, he had said. Did he really consider her one of them, even after saying she isn't his follower?]

We are worried about you. You have been drinking more than usual.

[She could notice some change in Jenai's mood lately. But she didn't know what it was.

The woman positioned herself at Aion's hand and murmured very concerned.]

Is there a problem, dear? We are here to listen.

[fuck-y0u-all.livejournal.com]

[The sinner stiffened, the mention of 'some other problem' lighting anger in his chest. What was wrong? Aion knew damn well what was wrong.

He let go of the bottle, slouching as he stepped out of range of the two, stumbling drunkenly.]

There's nuthin' ta mention.

[He was tempted to crush the pawn that lay on the ground before him. That was all they were afterall. Dispendable pawns.]

[jiyuna_togabito]

[Aion held the bottle in one hand as the other found his pocket. He understood Jenai's frustrations, though probably in a different sense. Things weren't going smoothly. They were stuck in a different world. What else could have been the problem? So the sinner didn't push the issue. He placed the bottle down before looking down at his gold watch. 10pm. Adjusting his glasses again, he let out a sigh.]

All right. Either way it worked out for the better. I need to head out anyway.

[holymadonna.livejournal.com]

Jenai...

[She sounded sad because she knew he was in pain and the man closed himself off. didn't he have a friend?]

Have a good night, Aion. Remember to sleep at least little tonight.

[She approached the other man with a few steps.]

What kind of games do you like to play?