Venus
Hound55
Rockette
Qia
Bugman
Shin Ghost Note
NiraVaren
Melissa
Lord Wraith
Fetzen
After the board was set, David took a pawn of each colour and shuffled them between his hands behind his back, before producing them hidden within two of his closed fists.
Sasha tapped a fist, and with a twist of his wrist revealed the white pawn lying in its palm.
He replaced the pawns and rotated the board so that the white pieces were in front of the Russian girl.
Alexandra was relieved to see that she’d be the one to open the match. It meant that if this boy was at least vaguely competent he’d be able to end this game soon and she’d be able to return to her initial plan of observing the rest of the attendants.
While the game might be over within a minute, given how she was about to open with a move that basically telegraphed that she was throwing the game, Alexandra did realize that she had to at least keep the farce up for the boy to not get suspicious.
“Name?” She asked her opponent without looking up from the board as she moved the King’s Bishop Pawn to F3.
He looked down at the board.
Barnes Opening. She’d played Barnes Opening.
It was one of only 20 opening moves. Played in disproportionately far less games than that. For obvious reasons.
Taking “random chance” out of the equation, there was only two reasons she’d play - anyone would play - Barnes Opening.
And both meant she didn’t respect him.
By the numbers white now had only a 33% chance of winning now. She’d essentially given away the advantage.
Either she respected him so little that she actually thought she could win from here; Grandmasters would sometimes do this - Devastating to lose a game against an opponent who starts out with Barnes Opening.
Or more likely… He kept one eye on King’s Knight Pawn, and the other scanning the rec room behind her.
”David. Yours?” He went through the motions and moved King’s Pawn to E5. His hand briefly went over to the right, before it returned to his side. He was used to having to hit the clock for games in organised competition.
She acknowledged his introduction with a nod before replying with a short “Sasha.” Alexandra could hear David sigh when she moved her hand to the King’s Knight Pawn. He shook his head as she picked the piece up before saying “Don’t do that…” when she put it down on G4.
David plays Queen to H4, with a hollow call of ‘Mate’.
”Really? Fool’s Mate?” He said to the inscrutable Russian who started to get to her feet opposite him.
”I’ll admit I know nothing about you, but the one thing I’m pretty damn sure of, is that I’m not sitting across from a fool.” He didn’t raise his voice to express his disappointment, and kept a very level temperament.
”In fact, that might be why I suggested this. I thought I recognised someone who similarly wants to be left the Hell alone, and to set a comfortable distance, whilst simultaneously scoping out what they’ve just got themselves in for.” He uttered, briefly taking his eyes from the events in the surrounding Recreation Room, to meet hers.
”So how about we start over?” He began resetting the board. ”And we’ll try something a little different. You can talk as much or as little as you feel comfortable. Question back and forth - but United Nations rules. Either one of us hits something the other doesn’t feel comfortable with, throw a ‘Veto’ in there, and another question comes. Sound reasonable?” Having finished resetting the board - there weren’t many pieces to move. He pulled one of each pawn again, shuffled them and presented his closed fists. Waiting for her response as she stood over him and the board.
”...and don’t feel guilty. I’d be very surprised if you’re the only one who drops a ‘Veto’.”
The Russian met David’s gaze for a brief moment, not uttering a sound as he explained his reasoning and idea for conversation to her. With it explained back to her like this, she realized how selfish and rude she had been to this young boy who apparently only wanted to help. It’s not like she had asked him to, or wanted his help to begin with. But he seemed genuine and if they had to live under the same roof for God knows how many years, it’d be a lot easier if they were on good terms.
After letting the silence hang in the air for a few more seconds the Russian girl nodded to herself and dropped back into her seat. Running her fingers through her hair, she looked off to the side before muttering softly. “I apologize, I did not mean to offend.”
She tapped his right fist, which once again revealed a white pawn. Alexandra took it from the boy’s hand and placed it back on the board, hoping that the initiative shown would help in expressing the sincerity of her earlier apology.
“Mind if I start?” Alexandra said as she reached for the King’s pawn. “Voluntary…” she began as she moved the pawn to E4 “...or forced?”
David smiled and immediately responded with the move of pawn to E5, if only for what it 'meant' and wondered if she'd pick up on the poetic reasoning.
An 'open game'.
"In my case, the two virtually blur without distinction."
David thought of an opener that she couldn't refuse. Non-threatening. Let her feel comfortable.
"As vague or specific as you feel comfortable with… where are you from?"
Alexandra thoughtfully nodded at David’s answer. In all honesty she probably would have given the exact same reply had he asked her.
Seeing David’s move, she responded by moving her Queen’s Knight to C3. Going for a flexible reply to his seemingly harmless opening.
“Rossiya.” She said with a grin as she folded her arms. “Many great chess masters come from my land. That doesn’t intimidate you, no?”
The Russian girl asked her next question as David finished his next move. She figured she’d ask a more innocent question to ease the tensions from earlier. “Your hair. Is cosmetic? Or related to powers?” Alexandra pointed at her own hair, mimicking the flow of the streak in the boy’s hair to emphasize what she meant.
Rossiya. He thought to himself. Definitely feels more comfortable with the vague then.
He drove his king's Bishop straight to B4. He appreciated the opening into the Vienna game. Perhaps it was a form of peace offering. A more patient type set-up than most, in stark contrast to the prior Fool's Mate.
Good. If nothing else it means she's paying attention.
"It's lack of pigment. So yeah. Not cosmetic. It's the real deal. And since it showed up around the same time, I'd guess it's likely related to them. Yes."
"How long have you been in the States for?"
“I see.” The Russian girl replied contemplatively. Whether that was in response to his answer or his move remained unclear.
“Less than week…” Alexandra moved her Queen to H5, a response that offered her much flexibility while potentially sacrificing a vital piece. “...more than a day.” she said with a nonchalant shrug.
“Interests?” She chuckled to herself before cracking a smile to the young boy. “Besides playing chess with strangers?”
"Quite like Risk. A good book. I grew up on football… OUR football, even if I wasn't much of a player myself…"
Pawn to G6. A defensive counter anticipating a Queen's aggression. If nothing else it would shift the point of attack.
Less than ten yards behind Sasha's shoulder there was some kind of wheeler-deal going on. Between the redhead who'd fallen asleep on the bus and the boy who'd been watching everything. He lowered his eyes and attempted to re-focus on minding his own business.
"What you're wearing… military background or family hand-me-down?"
He couldn't remember what it was called. But he remembered seeing her striped garb in numerous movies.
This was a question that made Alexandra consider using her veto on. So didn’t want to divulge too much about her past, in fact she’d prefer it if she didn’t have to share anything about her past. But she remembered her conversation with Lynch earlier and figured that her clothes would have been brought up by someone eventually. So, after biting her lip in contemplation she replied as vaguely as possible.
“Technically neither. But your guesses came close enough.”
She noticed David looking over her shoulder to something that was happening behind her. The Russian girl took a short glance to whatever seemed to have grabbed his attention and saw that it was the conversation between the redhead and whoever that Calculus kid was. While she didn’t have to wonder what he wanted from the girl, she was curious about what he had to offer her. Even if they hadn’t been warned by the young girl earlier that guy would still give Alexandra the creeps.
But that was something for later.
She shortly made eye contact with David, as if to mutually confirm their feelings on Calculus, before bringing her attention back to the conversation and the game.
“You said earlier that you’re here both voluntary and forced. Is it family? Did they talk you into joining program?”
In her mind there was only one move she could do. It would allow her to go straight for the jugular, and draw first blood to boot as well. Picking up her Queen, she moved it to E5, capturing David’s pawn while simultaneously putting his King under…
“Check.”
A wry grin crossed his face. He'd anticipated this with his previous. Castling was off the board now, with his king having been in check.
He had a choice of two different moves. He could either play it safe and block with his Knight. Or…
"I'm gonna 'Veto' that one."
He moved his queen to E7 to block.
If nothing else, he'd learn something.
So discussion about family was off limits. Alexandra gave an understanding nod. Seems like they had that in common.
“Very well, how about this?”
She moved her Queen to H8, seizing David’s Rook while evading his Queen.
“You mentioned books. What do you read? Fiction? Non-Fiction?”
There was a satisfied look on her face as she placed the captured Rook down next to the board. It seemed that, despite the earlier lack of motivation, she was finally getting into the game.
He cut her space, moving his King to F8.
"A little of everything I can get my hands on, I suppose. Don't mind mystery stuff. Some older works. I like the atmosphere that Ellroy sets in his L.A. Quartet."
He smiled. "Maybe not terribly high brow, but it's a welcome respite from the stuff I'd have to read for school."
"How about you? What do you actually look to do with your time when you're not dragged into boring chess matches against your will?"
The blonde girl nodded appreciatively at his answer, as if she made a mental note to check those books out at a later date.
“I train and I study.” she said matter of factly as she calculated her next move.
“I make sure to work on improving my skills at Sambo and build the strength it requires. They have good gym here, yes? You will probably find me there often.”
Alexandra moved her knight to D5, forcing David to choose between his Queen and his Bishop.
Her lips curled into a smirk. “As for study, it's mostly history and philosophy. I am especially interested in the great people of history. Those who achieved eternal fame and glory by risking it all and coming out on top at the end.” She fell silent for a few seconds as she cast her eyes down. “Those who gave everything for their country, for their people.”
Quickly tapping her fingers on the tabletop, the Russian looked back at David, trying to meet his eyes.
“What is your goal? In program, I mean.”
He moved his Queen to C5, to maintain a clear and present threat on the troublesome Knight, as well protecting his Bishop.
He considered another Veto, but with Sasha having not used one since his first, she had applied social pressure.
"To be done, through and clear, and back to my normal life."
"Sambo. That's kind of like judo… jiu jitsu, yeah? Grapples, holds and throws. Wrestling based." His eyes lifted from the board momentarily to take in her size and stature. She was a sizable specimen. Particularly compared with himself. "Probably won't see me in there too much. I struggle to put good weight on no matter what I do. Take care of yourself in there." He voiced concern whilst looking at the two boys who had targeted other girls. "Your powers. Have you got a decent hold over them yet?"
Chort
A look of frustration briefly flashed on Alexandra’s face as her attempts at an easy piece capture were thwarted.
"Correct! I am surprised you know of Sambo. You did not seem like martial arts person to me." She quickly looked him over as if to confirm the boy's statement about not going to the gym that often.
The blonde girl's expression notably hardened when David asked about her powers. This was a piece of information she was adamant about not sharing. Knowledge is power, and this particular bit of knowledge would be very powerful indeed.
"Veto." she said as she finally decided on her next move. Moving her pawn to A3, putting the Bishop that had been a thorn in her side within striking distance. Soon it was going to be hers, it was only inevitable.
"Power related questions are off limits." The Russian said bluntly as she locked eyes with David.
David chuckled. "I know enough to not confuse it with a dance, and it's basic origin." The curled edges of a smile daring to carry his demeanour to tepid. "I'm not about to cut a path through the MMA world, leaving bodies strewn in my wake."
He thrust his Bishop into the Pawn at D2. She wants the Bishop? Fine. It would be on his terms.
"Smart." He replied. Impressed at her decision to withhold on powers. "Fair enough."
"What are your plans for after the program?"
A soft chuckle came from the girl. She hadn’t expected him to launch his Bishop into a doomed charge, but she admired the effort. She quickly responded with her own Bishop to D2, mercilessly striking down the charging piece.
She briefly considered vetoing this question too. Alexandra wanted to keep as much of her personal life hidden from her peers as she could. But she also imagined that if she was too secretive it would lead to people viewing her with suspicion which might actually encourage them to dig further into who she is and what her history was.
Letting out a sigh, she replied in a terse manner. “Go back to home country. Reunite with friends. Have accounts to settle.”
“How about you? How does ‘return to normal life’ look like to you? Ambitions for university? Or you intend to get job?”
No sooner had her hand lifted off of her Bishop, David had driven his Queen straight into her Pawn's rank with an aggressive strike to C2.
"As unfair as it might seem, asking a question which I'd have no intention in answering myself, I'm gonna have to Veto that one."
"But in the spirit of keeping some kind of openness and transparency, I'll answer my own previous one for nothing, before you ask your next. I have a decent handle on my own powers." He leaned back from the board slightly, daring to raise his eyes a little and taking in some of the room around them.
"Don't want you worried that you're sitting across from a human bomb or anything. I'm non-volatile." His lips again daring to curl into that same half-smile from earlier.
Alexandra seemed to be taken aback by David’s aggressive move. She silently observed the board for a few seconds, as if to calculate several moves and their possible outcomes. As she contemplated her next move she met his half-smile with her own, mostly out of amusement that he vetoed a question he basically asked himself.
“I appreciate attempt at trying to put me at ease. However, I cannot give same guarantee.” Her smile widened as she finally made her move, placing her Queen down at D4. She felt comfortable in playing more conservatively to clean up her backline before pushing for the initiative again.
“Why me? There are plenty of others who look like they want to be left alone.” She cast a glance at some of the girls who picked books from the shelves. “Why me specifically?” The blonde girl said as she leaned back into her chair, her fingers tapping the table top with a slow rhythm.
"More than fine." He looked at her move with some confusion. "A gesture is just that, a gesture. Not an expectation."
He advanced a pawn to C5. Applying pressure on the Queen.
"It wasn't just wanting to be left alone. Circumspect. Looked like you'd be looking to quietly assess. And if I'm honest… you're…" He fumbled, considering the right words. "...traditionally aesthetically pleasing. Consistent with the other two they dropped on the second we walked through the door. I gather you're observant enough to know who I'm talking about."
"I might not be some white knight charging headlong into danger on his steed, but if I can do something good for somebody else without putting myself at risk. I'm not against it."
"Those friends you mentioned… A half dozen? More? Or less?"
“Traditionally aesthetically pleasing…” the Russian repeated in an amused tone as she leaned forward, supporting her slightly tilted head with her right hand, while she had a grin plastered on her face. “I’ve been called many things, but this is a first.” She did realize what David meant when he referred to the other two girls, the one with the tattoos and the one from the 50s. She wasn’t going to admit it, but Alexandra was grateful that someone seemed to care enough about their fellow peers to do something to keep them safe.
She casually moved her Queen one space, from D4 to D3, offering the piece up while putting the black Queen at risk of being struck. Mutually assured destruction with barely any escapes left.
“Just a regular group of friends. Don’t really see reason to go in detail to someone I just met.” She said nonchalantly, trying to make her answer sound as inconspicuous as possible.
“How about you? You have people waiting for you after program?"
David chuckled under his breath at her non-answer.
”If you don’t want to answer, a ‘veto’ is fine.” His hand hovered over his queen. ”Unless you’re worried about another question?” His face dared to flash a smirk, before it fell just as quickly.
His eyes raised from the board to meet hers, but got distracted by movement behind her right shoulder.
As David had reached to grab a piece, it appeared someone else was doing likewise.
He lowered his head slightly, hoping to obscure himself, but his eyes held firm. A low grunt as his thumb and forefinger separated slowly and as if there was a great resistance between them. Having achieved this, a subtle third finger joined the clawed hand as he held it over his Queen. Contorting his face, as if in consideration of his next move. He tried his best to mask his actions, and anyone not at the table would almost certainly not have noticed the subtle movements. Hiding it from Sasha, who was paying him closer scrutiny, would be another thing entirely, though.
He opened his mouth to answer in some fashion, when Hell broke loose.
The boy with the predatory grin was thrown into an invisible wall by the force of an explosion, a shower of splinters in his wake, before crumpling and sliding down in an untidy heap. A guard erupted from his position in one corner, started barking orders, telling everyone to put their hands behind their heads, walk to the nearest wall and put their foreheads against it.
The large boy, didn’t seem to hear any of this, or hadn’t yet responded to the guard’s demands. He began to run in the direction of the initial violence. Before the spray hit him, followed by tazers. The doors flew open and a half dozen more guards rushed in. Four attempted to bring down the large boy, whilst the other two continued to talk the rest of the attendees into compliance.
David swore under his own breath at his own stupidity in taking any kind of action.
Alexandra cast a quick glance over her shoulder to observe whatever chaos was unfolding behind her. An amused chuckle escaped her lips as she saw the creep from earlier collapsed on the ground. “So much for not being human bomb.” She said as she turned back to face David with raised eyebrows and an entertained half-smile on her face.
“What did you do?” The Russian girl asked as she slowly got to her feet in compliance with the shouting of orders, delaying slightly so she could hear David’s reply.
”Probably a mistake…” He muttered in reply.
David barked a hushed whisper to her whilst the guards were still addressing other concerns.
”If they ask… the administration, the guards. Don’t lie. They won’t ask you anything they don’t already know. Don’t get in trouble with them over this. But if the kids ask… you don’t know what the Hell happened.” His eyes pleaded, whilst his voice seemed sharp. Harsh.
Alexandra looked down at the boy with a furrowed brow. “What do you mean?” she replied with feigned confusion. “All I saw was you getting cramp in hand because stress of losing game.” A self satisfied grin curled on the girl’s lips. “And I don’t have eyes in back of head, so I don’t know what happened there. We were only focused on game, yes?”
With all of the mess happening around them she had to at least keep some semblance of focus on her powers so they wouldn’t accidentally trigger. But nevertheless, Alexandra extended her hand to David. A gesture to help him get to his feet, and one to signify her willingness to abide by his terms.
He'd have smiled at her reply, if his mind wasn't already spinning, considering the possible ramifications from his latest act. He took her hand, before the pair knitted their hands behind their heads and walked to the nearest wall.
