chlorophylliac | 22 || Text + Voice + Spam

22 || Text + Voice + Spam

[Private to Vesper; text]

I need to apologize for what I did to you in March.

I'm not asking for your forgiveness, and I don't expect it; I just want you to know that I'm sorry for what I did. I know it's long overdue. After what I was put through in Zero I was far too hasty in putting that week behind me.

[Friends Filter; voice]

[Ivy's definition of 'friend' for this purpose is '2+ civil conversations while not under mind control'.]

I doubt I'm the only person who needed a while to recover from the port; still, I'm sorry if I worried anyone. If it hasn't already been made obvious, I'd like to hear that you made it back safely.

[Open Spam - Greenhouse & Garden]

[Of course she ends up back out here eventually. The rain's tailed off; seasonality is muted here but nonetheless the light falling onto the deck is a little brighter, a little warmer, and it's brought a fresh flush of growth to the greenhouse and rows of planters just outside. Ivy's mostly busy with making sure that the (her) plants have the space and support they need: repotting seedlings, staking out climbers, and moving the more delicate plants outside now it's warm enough to sustain them.

She seems - calm, all things considered, moving fluidly and talking to the plants in indistinguishable murmurs.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I've never been one to think that any game won by playing your opponent to a standstill is worth the time. Not the most satisfying kind of victory, is it?

[It's not enough. If they've even got one piece left on the board - it's not enough. It never will be.]

The satisfaction comes in cutting off their options. [Which he demonstrates by moving a rook into place, cutting her off.] In taking away every possibility, until you control the board. [He looks up at her, a smile in the corner of his mouth.] I thought you'd enjoy that.

I used to.

[She frowns faintly and makes a move that she knows will mean a sacrifice in the interests of opening up the board again.]

Now I prefer card games. Reading your opponent, anticipating their movements...taking control and letting them think it's still theirs.

[He smiles, and doesn't take her lamb, starting another gambit instead.]

The same exists in chess. There innumerable options on a chess board, no way to card count - but you still anticipate. It's your choice to show your hand before or after they realize you've won.

True, as far as it goes. But I prefer the element of randomness. The fact that some players are going to be hobbled the moment the first hand is dealt. They have no choice but to mislead their opponents.

[She makes a move.]

A game where both players start on equal ground and can win by strategy alone has nothing to teach either of them.

I suppose there's no natural disadvantage in chess. [He can understand that at least, it's not like he's been on equal footing his whole life.] But take my word for it, it's very satisfying to escape from the hole you've backed yourself into.

[She lifts her eyebrows.]

Really, Erik, I don't think either of us need a board in front of us to know how satisfying that is.

[He smiles a little at that, glancing up at her.]

I don't think anyone needs a board for that. [He gestures vaguely at the pieces.] The stakes are lower, but it's still competitive. Maybe there are lessons about patience, here, but there are lessons about sacrifice, too.

[He gestures, and his queen rises between them, turning.] She's the most powerful piece on the board; half the time when you've lost her, you've lost the game. [Another gesture, and this time he takes his turn by moving his pawn to the end of her side.]

But every pawn is a potential queen. [A shrug.] Or knight, or bishop. You can take that which has no value, and make it invaluable.

[Chess has a metaphor for every stage of his life, okay.]

[She frowns and moves a bishop. Her mind's obviously drifted off the game.]

Some things have no value for a reason.

[Obviously. It makes him focus on her again.]

What reasons?

You're telling me you can't think of a single person who'd have done the world a favor by never existing?

Maybe. [There are obvious answers, but the most obvious are the people responsible for making him who he is, for making him strong, and as much as he loathes Shaw, he can recognize that. Especially now.

Of course, that gives them value, and he doesn't particularly enjoy that thought.]

Or maybe they only need to exist long enough to serve their purpose.

Maybe.

[She leans back, reviewing the board.]

Though I think I might have a broader perspective. I am only too aware of how many people consume without a thought and contribute nothing in return.

[He nods, not answering right away. Instead, he turns his attention back to the board and, after a few silent moments, takes his turn.]

I won't say all people have worth. We both know better than that. But sometimes it comes unexpectedly.

You'll have to forgive me for having lost patience with giving people the benefit of the doubt.

[She makes her move and frowns, having now burnt up the white advantage completely. Not her game.]

Eventually, someone won't disappoint you. [And he's okay with just leaving it at that. When he glances at the board, his mouth quirks at one corner.]

I think I have cards somewhere.

[She smirks.]

I'd suggest strip poker but you have me at a disadvantage.

[His smile widens.] The game doesn't seem particularly necessary at this point.

Oh?

[She mirrors him, but her smile's taking on a distinctly 'tread carefully' quality.]

That easy, am I, Erik?

[He picks up his knight, turning it over in his hand instead of making his move immediately.]

Only if easy means that you know what you want and don't pretend otherwise.

Edited 2013-06-08 21:24 (UTC)

[She makes an approving noise and waits for him to take his turn.]

Alright, I surrender. Show me how to extricate myself from this.

[He takes her bishop, and turns his smile down to the board.] See here, [he starts, pointing to his right rook and bishop,] I'm boxing you in. It's a difficult one to set up, because it relies on several important pieces; take one, and there's a hole in the net.

[He gestures, and her queen wiggles.] From there, you can take my rook, my bishop, or-- [He points to the pawn that made it to her side of the board] my new queen. I'd take the rook; it's positioned to take your king, once my bishop has cleared the rest away.

[She leans forward to review the board, recognising what he's talking about. Chess requires a kind of three-steps-ahead thinking that Ivy's not really gifted with; she anticipates emotional response and the way it can lead people astray, not the strategies they design.]

I see it.

[She holds out a hand and a slender, pale vine extends from her wrist to pick up her queen and exchange it for his rook.]

[He can't quite help the smile that comes with that vine. Abilities aren't to be feared, not in his mind - they're to be embraced, and few embrace it the way Ivy does.]

So I'll try to close the net by inserting another piece in the equation...[And he goes on, illustrating how the only pieces available are pawns and a knight, explains why the pawn must take the rook's place to save the knight, and what role the knight may play later. This is why he likes chess: you design a strategy, and it can be completely ruined by your opponent. It keeps him on his toes.]

Some will doggedly try to keep that hole open by taking the pawn, but I think it's wiser to take the stronger pieces as you can. Without giving your opponent the chance to turn pawns to queens, of course.

Of course.

[And taking the most powerful players out of the equation as early as possible is really more of a life rule than a chess strategem. She goes to make her move and her eyes flicker up to Erik's before she sets down the piece, but she doesn't need to wait for him to speak or gesture before knowing she's made the right decision.]

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