tushanshu | 002 ♛ video

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002 ♛ video

[ Monet is seated, one leg crossed over the other, arms folded, lips curled into a smile, immaculately dressed as always, regarding the camera with a critical eye. In front of her is a chessboard, all set out for a game. She’s chosen black, so white faces the viewer. ]

I require an opponent.

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[She moves the piece accordingly, sipping wine as she plays. Monet doesn't do small-talk, so the only real sounds are the ding of the console alerting her to a new message (which she ignores) and the sound of the pieces on the board. She plays aggressively - always has, always will - her style perfectly planned, setting up traps, compensating for losses methodically.]

[It's a long game, but that only makes her happier by the minute. By the end of it she's not even bothering with the wine, her attention fully fixed on the board, not even bothering to hide her pleased smile at the challenge Leo provides.]

[Leonardo had taken care not to watch her other game over the network; in a real battlefield situation, knowing your opponent's method of attack is invaluable, but in a game like this it kind of spoils the fun. He's both surprised and pleased to learn that she's easily the most aggressive player he's ever matched up against - she snatches a couple of his pieces before he sets up his line up properly, and more than once he's forced to revise his strategy completely.]

[It's one of the longer games he's played, but it's a learning experience, and moreover, it's fun. Finally, after turning his strategy around at least seven times, Leo sees the opportunity he'd been holding out for.]

Qg3... and, if I'm not mistaken... [He pauses, a grin slowly creeping into his voice.] Checkmate.

Checkmate indeed.

[She's not even the slightest bit upset. She had fun.]

Same time next week?

[A rematch? Leo pauses in his answer for several moments, because he's not quite sure whether to accept the offer or not. On one hand, he still likes to keep as low a profile as possible, and showing up weekly on the network would hardly be conductive to that; on the other, she was an excellent opponent, and it's a good excuse to unwind and have fun while still keeping his skills sharp.]

[He'll have to throw in a few extra measures for privacy in the future, but as long as he's careful, it should be okay. Hopefully she won't mind encrypted games.]

Same time next week.

[She nods, and if she were capable of it, she'd have a cheshire-cat grin on her face.]

Monet St. Croix. Enchantée.

[Look at that they're both named after painters.]

[Whoops, so about that encryption? Leo quickly applies the standard console version to his feed, though he tries to be subtle about it.]

Actually... we've met. [his voice is a tad sheepish; ordinarily he probably wouldn't even bother revealing this, but he somehow has the feeling that she'd eventually figure it out herself anyway. Never underestimate a good chess player.] "N.T.," I think it was.

[It's not any cooler now, Leo.]

[Monet ups it as much as she can. She's no Rictor when it comes to encrypting her network conversations, but for now this will do.]

[She laughs, surprised, and this definitely counts in his favour. She'd enjoyed their previous talk even if she didn't get a name out of him then, and the fact that he's now agreed to play chess regularly with her is a victory.]

I go by "M". [Which is totally cool, ok.] What does yours stand for?

[ahahaha]

You could... call it a family name. [Of sorts.] Sorry about all the secrecy; I like to keep my head low.

[He's noticed the increased encryption strength, too. That's kind of her. And it also means she's good with technology, which is another point for her.]

It's not a problem. [As long as he's not actively trying to harm her or her friends, he can be as discreet as he likes.] Do you have a more usual first name, Monsieur N.T.?

I wouldn't say it's usual...

[He trails off thoughtfully. They're under a filter, after all, and she's given her name to him - not to mention they've had a sparring session of its own kind. It would only be decent to give his name in return.]

...but you can call me Leonardo.

Well then, Leonardo, I'll see you next week.

[A small nod, of appreciation, before she cuts the feed.]

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002 ♛ video

perma-video;

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

basic encryption;

55% encryption;

55% encryption;

55% encryption;

55% encryption;

55% encryption;