[ She hesitates in answering, because she's definitely embarrassed by telling someone about this outright. Sorry, Throne. ]
... Sometimes I pass the time by stacking the checker pieces like a tower.
[ So if there's a checkerboard, the pieces must surely be there with it, right? At least, she'd hope so. The reason for her jitters actually comes to light when Throne hears, "Will Scrap show up all of a sudden again...? I don't think my heart can handle being startled all the time." ]
You could actually play checkers with someone, if you wanted. [and - then the thought comes through, and wow does she empathize with that. she about stabbed the guy.]
... I haven't seen them anywhere around here, if that makes you feel better.
She covers her face for a moment. This is embarrassing. Can the void swallow her up or something. The mortifying ordeal of being perceived, the week. ]
Thank you.
[ ... ]
Could you teach me how to play? If that's okay with you.
[oh! there's a little squiggly emotion of something like aw for real this time.]
Sure. Don't expect me to go easy on you. [but there's a warmth to her tone when she says it! she pulls herself to her feet so she can look for checkers among the games - though noticeably there is not ever a point where she fully turns her back on yuri.]
[ She understands the mindset of not having one's back turned on anyone due to caution, but it doesn't cross her mind right now. The checkerboard and its pieces are neatly placed among the games, so it's easy to find. Yuri expected them to be out for some reason... ]
I'll do my best to learn too.
[ She can't possibly mess this up because someone is willing to teach her. She can't let that go to waste, and is full of DETERMINATION. ]
[that little bit of warmth stays, as she settles down with the board.]
It isn't too difficult. I haven't played since I was a girl, but... [and she'll run yuri through the rules, and makes sure to mention that if you get a piece to the other side, you can king them.
there's something a little wistful in her as she explains.]
[she hesitates, because she also is trying to not be horribly sad - it's kind of a built in feature for her, unfortunately. melancholy sits deep in her bones, and while she barely notices or even acknowledges it these days, it doesn't mean it's not on display.]
When I had the time to play games, it was one of my favorites. Easy to pick up.
[ The melancholy is like a acquaintance that she's too used to seeing. Familiar, yet not completely related to her. But she didn't mean to make her sad. ]
... I'm sorry that I made you remember something sad.
[ Yuri slowly sets up the board. Black on one side and red on the other. ]
Ah - well, don't be. [reassuring.] I'd rather remember than not, and besides, we'd be here all day if you had to apologize for everything that makes me sad.
[yeah we can just assume they're idly playing as they talk so we don't have to keep track of moves
anyway. she hums.]
Fine enough. It's... been an adjustment. [there's a thought blip of overwhelming, which she doesn't bother hiding.] But I arrived as a pair. So I think it has been less difficult than it could've been.
I'm glad you like him. Some people think his company is a chore, but I couldn't disagree more. [a beat.] Not that I'll tell him so. The man needs a hit to the ego every so often.
Rodion and Gregor. I'm... glad that if there were any two people, I could pick, it would be them. We don't work for the same company, but... they're good people.
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[ She becomes less jittery when Throne talks to her, which is definitely a good thing. ]
I'm sorry if I interrupted anything.
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[she puts her book down!]
What do you need a checkerboard for?
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[ She hesitates in answering, because she's definitely embarrassed by telling someone about this outright. Sorry, Throne. ]
... Sometimes I pass the time by stacking the checker pieces like a tower.
[ So if there's a checkerboard, the pieces must surely be there with it, right? At least, she'd hope so. The reason for her jitters actually comes to light when Throne hears, "Will Scrap show up all of a sudden again...? I don't think my heart can handle being startled all the time." ]
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You could actually play checkers with someone, if you wanted. [and - then the thought comes through, and wow does she empathize with that. she about stabbed the guy.]
... I haven't seen them anywhere around here, if that makes you feel better.
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She covers her face for a moment. This is embarrassing. Can the void swallow her up or something. The mortifying ordeal of being perceived, the week. ]
Thank you.
[ ... ]
Could you teach me how to play? If that's okay with you.
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Sure. Don't expect me to go easy on you. [but there's a warmth to her tone when she says it! she pulls herself to her feet so she can look for checkers among the games - though noticeably there is not ever a point where she fully turns her back on yuri.]
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I'll do my best to learn too.
[ She can't possibly mess this up because someone is willing to teach her. She can't let that go to waste, and is full of DETERMINATION. ]
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It isn't too difficult. I haven't played since I was a girl, but... [and she'll run yuri through the rules, and makes sure to mention that if you get a piece to the other side, you can king them.
there's something a little wistful in her as she explains.]
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It's really hard to ignore the wistful emotion though. She smiles a little, wanting to keep the tone light. ]
A childhood game like this must have been nice to play with someone. Was it fun back then?
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[she hesitates, because she also is trying to not be horribly sad - it's kind of a built in feature for her, unfortunately. melancholy sits deep in her bones, and while she barely notices or even acknowledges it these days, it doesn't mean it's not on display.]
When I had the time to play games, it was one of my favorites. Easy to pick up.
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... I'm sorry that I made you remember something sad.
[ Yuri slowly sets up the board. Black on one side and red on the other. ]
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Ah - well, don't be. [reassuring.] I'd rather remember than not, and besides, we'd be here all day if you had to apologize for everything that makes me sad.
[she's a little wry there.]
I don't mind.
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... I'll try.
[ To not be sorry all the time.
She makes the first move on the checkerboard. we can handwave them if you'd like ]
How have you been faring here so far?
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anyway. she hums.]
Fine enough. It's... been an adjustment. [there's a thought blip of overwhelming, which she doesn't bother hiding.] But I arrived as a pair. So I think it has been less difficult than it could've been.
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[ Oh. ]
You came here with someone you were familiar with? Who is it?
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Temenos. Have you met him?
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[ She looks pretty happy at the mention. ]
He's been nothing but nice to me so far. With him, I'm sure you wouldn't feel alone here.
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I'm glad you like him. Some people think his company is a chore, but I couldn't disagree more. [a beat.] Not that I'll tell him so. The man needs a hit to the ego every so often.
[fondly]
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[ And his ego?? Yuri looks confused. ]
Is he usually that bad?
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Yes. But maybe not to you. That's a good thing.
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You two seem close.
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... We are. I consider him family.
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I'm happy for you, Throne. To consider someone like family... I'm glad he's the one who came here with you so that you wouldn't be alone.
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Thank you. [easy, and then:] You aren't alone here either.
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Rodion and Gregor. I'm... glad that if there were any two people, I could pick, it would be them. We don't work for the same company, but... they're good people.
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