002 ♛ video

[superieure]

[ 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.

Comments

[unetrustworthy]

[Midii did not even need to think before making her next move, clearly having planned the first few steps of the game in advance. Her expression noticeably softened, and although her eyes did not lift from the board, it was easy to see them smiling from the memory.]

Papa did.

We never have much at home, but some games didn't cost much. Or we could borrow from neighbors. He had a small handful of puzzle games that he used to play with me before he got sick. It was the only time I ever had him to myself, while the boys were either out playing or asleep.

[superieure]

[Monet's learnt to rein in the hawklike observation, around Midii, even if they both know they're watching each other.]

I see.

[She wonders about her own father, now, probably recovering from Mordo's attack.]

You didn't have time to polish up?

[unetrustworthy]

[Given Midii's own tendencies for instinctively observing other's body language--something she learned, in part, through chess--she wouldn't have been surprised to find Monet doing the same. For once, she had nothing to hide. Her words were absolute truth, and her nonverbal cues were an open book.]

[It was nice. Getting to be herself without fear.]

Nobody to play with.

The soldiers at camp always preferred cards. A game called Hold 'Em. It wasn't hard to learn, but it wasn't the same thing. More bluff than strategy.

[superieure]

[Monet'd never admit it (or even consciously realise it) but that openness made her relax too. She always pretended to hold herself as this pragmatic, cutthroat personality that showed no weakness and never backed down, but the truth was... that was in Layla's personality more than it was Monet's.]

[Which was why Layla Miller was the one who knew stuff, not the rest of them.]

Bluff is a strategy, albeit a difficult one to pull one.

[unetrustworthy]

Bluff isn't a strategy. It's a skill. You have to train yourself to think, act, and project in a way that's different from how you normally would.

[superieure]

That takes skill, Midii.

[unetrustworthy]

But also luck.

You have to rely on the actions of another person. It's possible to do it completely right, and yet still fail because the other person is an idiot.

[superieure]

[She laughs.]

Very true, chéri.

[unetrustworthy]

[Pleased at Monet's reaction, Midii makes another move. Two more, and she would have her in check. An easily escapable check, but it was a sign that she was at least holding her own in the game.]

[superieure]

[Something Monet was surprised to see in one so young. She easily avoids the trap and creates one of her own. Unlike other games she's had this afternoon she's holding back considerably so that Midii can enjoy the game instead of just be soundly thrashed.]

[unetrustworthy]

[If Midii knew that Monet was purposely taking it that easy on her, she might have been a bit frustrated. Not nearly as frustrated as if she had been soundly thrashed, however, so it was really the better of the two options.]

I've seen this before... [She murmured to herself. Eyes scanning the pieces. It was familiar, but she couldn't place how or why. Or when. She just knew it was. She took a moment, resting her chin in her hands as her eyes viewed the board from a different angle.]

[superieure]

[Score 1 for Monet on that count, then.]

It's a fairly common setup. Not without its uses, however.

[unetrustworthy]

[That must be why it seemed so familiar.]

[She stared. And stared. Her eyes glanced between her rook and her bishop. Trying to remember how she responded the last time--or, more importantly, which method worked best.]

[After nearly a full minute of working out the scenarios in her head to the best of her ability, she dared go with the rook. Moving it accordingly, and then looking up to see Monet's reaction.]

[superieure]

[Monet smiles at Midii as always, and moves to take the rook.]

Good try, chéri, but if you keep it up you will be checkmated soon.

[unetrustworthy]

[Well, that failed spectacularly.]

[Frowning, Midii refused her lowered position. Staring at the pieces. Trying to see what--]

[There]

[She messed up the last time, but if she moved this one here, and Monet reacted the way she anticipated...well, it wouldn't win her the game just yet, but it would save her King from being checkmated prematurely.]

[superieure]

[A fighter. It's a good quality to have and Monet smiles appreciatively, but in a few moves after that one was saved she ends up beating Midii anyway.]

Good game.

[unetrustworthy]

[There is a moment. Maybe four seconds. Five, at most. Midii stares at the board with her brows furrowed. She doesn't look happy. Her eyes continue scanning each and every square. Mentally replaying it all in her head, trying to figure out where she went wrong.]

[...but, when she eventually does look up, there is a sheepish smile on her face. Frustrated as she felt for having been so poor a challenge, she was fairly good at accepting a loss. One hand extended graciously, like she remembered being taught.]

Yours was better.

[superieure]

[Monet shook it, more out of amusement than anything else.]

Perhaps another time, when you're better?

[unetrustworthy]

If you don't mind.

I promise I'll practice more.