Time To Play The Game (Private)

[Kairyuu]

Hoshikata stood at the window taking in the sight of the plaza just outside the hotel room he'd taken for himself. He'd actually gone and paid for a room for each of the people following him, preferring their company and goodwill to his own wallet at the moment. He probably would have chosen another venue if he wasn't entirely certain the room he had right now wasn't bugged. That had taken quite a bit of effort with his gift over the death spirits in this place, but in the end they had given him the confirmation he needed.

Before him stood the plaza, with the statue to a man. No one but a mere man. To him, it was true folly to erect such a thing to a mortal being. The man had left a mark in history, but eventually he would fade as all men did. And then what would be left? A gaudy structure explaining that he was this amazing person that no one could even remember. The Seer closes the curtains to the room, no longer desiring to look out on the plaza.

A quick phone call for a room number, and he'd had a bellhop sent out to Akane's room. A simple 'would you like to eat lunch?' with his room number. He assumed a yes, as he was already setting up the table. Two chairs, with a meal of spiced honey pears and pheasant drizzled with a pineapple glaze. The chess set that had been sitting there was pushed to the side to make room.

He even put a vase in the middle of the table with a bouquet of roses in it. Granted, the red was gone. He would never reveal his own trick, but the petals of the flowers were now as dark as a midnight sky.

 

[Akako]

The two had chosen to share a room together, much like they did at home, one which had two separate beds. It was quaint to say the least and nothing like their own bedroom back in Mist, one which they was sorely missing as it was built specifically for them with their Empathy in mind but one had to make do with what one had. They would be grateful and gracious with what they got.

Akihiko happened to express his gratefulness by dropping in his own bed and going right to sleep. Surprising, considering he should be bugging Akane right now about lunch. But she supposed her younger brother was just tired from the journey and from the… very hospitable welcome at the Cloud gates. She wouldn’t bother waking him up too, knowing how heavy a sleeper Akihiko was unless there was an emergency. It just meant she was terribly bored at the moment and was not in the mood to explore the village after the warm start they had upon requesting entry.

As if reading her mind though, someone knocked on the door to their room and, upon feeling whoever was on the other side of the door was not a threat, opened it up to see one of the hotel staff. A piece of paper with an invitation and a room number was handed over to her and she gave the bellhop a small smile and a quiet thank you, slipping a small note in his hand as a tip. It wasn’t like she had anything else to do and she had a guess from whom it came from. Quietly, she wrote down a note and left it sticking to Akihiko’s forehead, explaining her absence and about not worrying and getting his own lunch before slipping out of the room. She brought none of her belongings with her, nothing but the clothes on her back which happened to be an elegant yet simple gray kimono.

It took only a short amount of time to find the room specified on the message. The hotel was small and simple enough, compared to the resort the Shoukyou owned and ran in Mist. It helped that there were no patrons angry after losing money in their casino or inebriated or a bit too touchy feely thinking she was some escort. The last one happened too often for her liking although they quickly learned their lesson after a… punishment and those who felt her wrath never made that mistake ever again.

Straightening her clothes, she lifted a hand for a short, polite knock on the door.

 

[Kairyuu]

He had just finished setting the plates down when the knock came. Hoshikata would rise to his full height and look around to make sure he hadn't forgotten something foolish. Other than the one window, all of the curtains were wide open to let in ample sunlight to the room and he'd spread some potpourri in bowls, hidden behind furniture, to make the room smell faintly of cinnamon spice.

The door would open to reveal him standing before her in dark purple robes with a gold trim, and in the trim were black runes. He looked somehow younger than their last meeting, perhaps due to the fact that to her senses he would be full of confidence and expectation, something he'd been feeling since they made it into the village. With a bow at the waist and a sweep of his arm, he murmurs ”Please enter, make yourself at home. Would you like something to drink?”

As she would pass he'd take note of her own outfit, simple but effective. This was, obviously, not something she thought worth dressing up over, but then again he himself was not going out of his way either to impress. He would shut the door once she was in, and only after getting her a drink if she asked and waiting on her to seat herself, would he himself take a seat.

”Are you feeling better? It seems to me that the...welcoming party left much to be desired.”

 

[Akako]

Akane noted with a small amused smile when the door opened ant the scent of cinnamon wafted out. As faint as it was, they were shinobi afterall, and being able to detect even the subtlest or smells could be and was a life saver. After all, there were some illegal and dangerous drugs that smelled of cinnamon but she would assume and trust the Isaki that he was not intending on using any of those on her. Unless he wanted a very angry Shoukyou woman in his hands and that was never a pretty sight. Especially when that Shoukyou woman was Shoukyou Akane.

Outside of vague drug ideas and suspicions, she rather prefer the smell of mint but the touch was, she would admit, rather nice. “Is this how you woo all the ladies, Hoshikata-san, food, drink, cinnamon? Please tell me you have a full orchestra hidden somewhere in this room,” she asked teasingly, hiding how her smile widened behind her sleeve. “Some black tea would be nice… and milk, if you have any.”

She slipped in through the open door and took a seat. The girl knew how these games and higher class social niceties went on, of course. A host would never take a seat before his guest did, much like he had properly done in the Isaki Manor when they first met. Hoshikata was being quite the gentleman, as far as she could see, but just because she agreed to give him a chance didn’t mean she was going to be a compliant and easy little tart. She’d rather think she’d enjoy him courting her.

Oh, but it wasn’t that she thought this meeting too insignificant not to dress up for it. But, dressing up, in and of itself, seemed improper for what she assumed was a casual and personal little get together between the two of them. Leave the fine silks and fabulous tailored clothes when meeting up with snooty dignitaries and outsiders. She was Akane and he was Hoshikata and, if they were to wed, they’d have to get used to seeing each other in simple clothes on a daily basis.

She took the cup of tea when it was handed to her and breathed in, her smile growing smaller a bit. “No, the… welcoming party was completely unnecessary. But I have rested a moment and will live despite it.” You’d think some fortune teller told those Cloud shinobi that a monstrous group of foreigners was going to kill them all and had their underwear bunched up in the middle of their… well, you know. “And you? Have you rested even a bit since arriving?”

• OutOfCharacter | Writer's note, this post does not break NC's 14+ rules as there was no drug use. Merely a vague mention of it.

 

[Kairyuu]

As she mentioned Tea he went to fetch some, responding to her question as he did. ”I don't believe I've ever tried to woo a lady before. I would like to claim I had one, but I do not. If it'd please you I can certainly dry to sing. I used to be quite good at it I was told.” Soon he was at the table, a cup set before her on a saucer, which he filled with tea. And finally another cup half filled with milk. On his side he merely set down a glass of water and took his seat.

Had she voiced her opinion he would have agreed on needing to get used to each other, and indeed it was one of the reason for his inviting her here. He wanted to understand her, and the only way to do that was to talk to her. Thankfully talking was something he was good at. He raises his glass and murmurs ”To the health of our clans” before sipping from it and setting it down.

Well, not everyone can be as sure of themselves as us. In doing as they did, they merely let us know their own weakness. Even a strong group has weak links if the people making it up are themselves weak. I took it as flattering more than anything, because once you ignore the rabble it shows just how much they wanted to impress us.”

His eyes move down to the food at her question for a moment before going back up to her own. Once more he'd hit the point where he could lie or not. In honesty he couldn't remember the last time he was tired. Along with no longer aging and no longer being worried about cold, he didn't tire the same. Oh he slept, but only because he was used to it. He didn't doubt he could stay up for days with no ill effects if he tried.

”Not yet no, my mind has been too active to let me. Besides, I think I'll be able to relax better with someone to talk to than not. How is your brother doing? I would have expected to hear something from him but I haven't heard a sound since he went into your rooms.”

 

[Akako]

Never wooed a lady before? Not even out of clear and utter defiance to their arranged marriage? Well, that certainly was… something. Akane didn’t know what to feel about that knowledge. She did not know if she was impressed at his, what would you call it… loyalty, I suppose, to the clan. Or honour that he had only wooed her.

Or disappointment that were would be no other ladies to subtly, discreetly, elegantly lord over the fact that she was the one who got him… that is, if they both saw to this until the end. What? Did you think Akane did not have her nasty, bragging side? She could do so and still stay classy if she really wanted to. Once she got over the annoyance at this being an arranged marriage, she did find Hoshikata to be quite the exemplary man to wed both as a clansman and as a shinobi. He was a former Mizukage, was he not?

Compared to him, she was nothing but the younger sibling to the heir of her own clan. No one really important, neither famous or infamous. Those Cloud shinobi at the gate didn’t even pay her much attention which was one of the reasons for her annoyance at the whole debacle. They had overlooked her like she was just an ordinary, silly little girl that just happened to be in the company of fearsome shinobi like her brothers and the Isakis. If anything, it was only proper that she was the one who was supposed to be wooing him and not the other way around.

But all she said to that was an: “I see,” before she took both cups and stirred a bit of the milk with the tea before raising it in reply. “To our families,” she replies with a clear voice in agreement before taking a sip herself. There is a contented sigh as she enjoys the simple drink which was steeped just right and with the milk clearly fresh.

Her smiles widen from before, hearing his next few words, and she was sorely tempted to turn that smile into a toothy grin but refrained. “I think they were afraid of you more than the rest of us. Didn’t you see how they just looked at you?” she said, having entertained by that, at the very least. Her eyes had a glazed look in them for the moment, just remembering the fear that would move them to such lengths. They could deny it all they want but only fear would drive more than half a dozen shinobi to greet guests that were accompanied by one of their own.

And had she known his inability to age or feel fatigue, she would no doubt be jealous. Imagine all the work, all the progress she could do if sleep was cut out of the equation! All she did know was that, like any good shinobi, Hoshikata was most likely able to function even on little rest. “Brother is asleep in our room. For all his bravado and claim to protect me, he is still a child and needs his sleep,” she laughed lightly. Never you mind that she was only older by a few minutes. Oh, Akihiko didn’t claim maturity. He wasn’t delusional enough to claim maturity. He didn’t think he could claim maturity right after he left a few older students glued to ceiling, screaming for their mothers when they were still students and it took a few Jounin instructors to even get those students to be removed. And, if Akane was asked, she would never reveal her hand in it… not that I am saying she had a hand in it…

“Do know that I don’t think I’ve improved vastly as a conversationalist since our last private meeting,” she then warned Hoshikata good naturedly. She spoke, of course, of their night in the ruins. Akane had, at least, managed to brace herself for anything that might possibly happen today in the time she walked from their room to here.

 

[Kairyuu]

Hoshikata had quite clearly dodged something there, because in honesty he had not been even remotely loyal to the arrangement. Much like her brother Tatsuya, he'd had his time as a playboy in the Academy, and the only reason he had never wooed anyone before was because girls had come after him. Some for money, some power, most both. He'd never had to work at impressing a woman before, and he was finding it quite interesting to do.

His eyes remain fixed on her as she has her moment of doubt, seeing something in her spirit. But he was no empath, able to feel raw emotion. He could only guess off what he saw and what he saw was something he didn't think was right. Instead of responding to that he simply moves on with the conversation. Had he known her thoughts, or given credence to what her soul was showing, he would have quickly adjusted her point of view. But he did not.

”Me? Not sure why they would be afraid of me. I'm just a politician. My brother is the muscle of the family. Your brother too, for that matter. All I do is talk. It gets boring sometimes, honestly. Just blathering on about nothing. I much prefer something private like this. It lends an intimacy to the conversation that you don't get in a conference room.”

He sat silent, watching her as she spoke about her skills before grinning. ”Well we can work on that.” He'd not forgotten their last encounter in private either, when things had turned from him chastising her to kissing her. And she slapped him. He'd never had a woman slap him before, and it had amused him. Even now he would look back on it with a sense of bemusement.

”There's a trick to talking to people. You find something that they care about, and you use that like a weakness. You attack that until they give you something else, and so on and so on. Most people like to talk, and their favorite subject will invariably be themselves. For people who don't, however, they require skill that must be learned through experience. Why don't we play a game? If you can pry something from me that I wouldn't normally tell you, then you've won. Sound fun?”

 

[Akako]

I’m just a politician. Oh, they both must clearly see that for the lie it was. Nobody was just a politician. The politician had to be the scariest sort, after all, with how much control they have over people and objects when they were supposed to be some sort of theoretical servant to the people that got them were they were. Actual politicians could blatantly ruin things for everyone, putting money from the tax payer’s stores into their greedy little pockets. False allegations against an innocent who did not have the power to themselves in order to cover up and much more.

Fake smiles and honey coated words were the politician’s best tools and other’s ruins if said politician had even the slightest amount of selfish ambition and resolve to carry said ambition out. Even a politician who wasn’t an actual politician could leave behind much damage, for when a physical wound could be healed, the taint of even the slightest bad rumour would never, ever go away.

“I wouldn’t quite agree thinking that brother Tatsuya or brother Akihiko is just the muscle of the family… But it seems your reputation has gone far and wide if they fear you for being just a mere politician.” She made sure to emphasize the last few words, as a sign of her disagreement with that point. “But I suppose I could learn how to be a splendid conversationalist, outside of formal clan custom, from you.” That was how Akane mostly got her day to day social niceties done: by either letting Akihiko take the lead or treating everything like she would in a formal setting. It never really earned her any casual acquaintanceships unless as an extension of her brother, but there you go.

She listened attentively too when it seemed Hoshikata was to start his tutelage there and then. Mulling over his words, turning it over and under in her mind. Most of those who had tried to teach her to casually interact before told her to be herself. That never was a good thing though when being herself mostly meant being a professional little medic that had a penchant for the mind and the undead. But now that Hoshikata worded it that way, it seemed rather… simple. Of course, thinking and doing were two different things.

“Hmm, I see… so if I comment about your splendid control over the undead, that would be a good conversation starter?” she asked honestly, with a blink of her eyes. “But… I suppose a game does sound fun. But, what do I get if I win and what do you get if you win? A game isn’t fun, after all, without some stakes.” And, of course, she was used to betting, used to loitering around a bloody casino that operated as her family’s base.

 

[Kairyuu]

He returned any looks she would give at his words with a blank, innocent face. Hoshikata prided himself on his poker face, on the fact that he could look any way he wanted in terms of expression. Just another thing his parents felt important to teach while ignoring things like actual social interaction. He had been taught to use and abuse, to betray and rise up. And now he was putting those lessons to use the best way he could. Because it was what he knew.

”Why the sarcasm, my dear? As far as any of the people here know that's exactly what I am. A businessman, a politician, and cousin to their medical Sennin. I would assume their little party was mainly a reaction of fear to so many unknown factors showing up at once. And yes, talking in a less than formal setting is always fun. It honestly doesn't take much of a difference either. I use the same words and tone, mostly. It's all in how you treat people. Formal requires stuffiness, a detached professionalism. But normal conversation is much more personal.”

He sits back for a moment and ponders at her question. He himself had questions over her own use of the undead, but they weren't as important as other matters. Still, he did have an idea of something here. Hoshikata chuckles and leans forward. ”Well, I'm not sure what you would want, but I think, should I win, I would deserve a kiss.” This would soon turn into a lesson if she reacted like she had the other night.

 

[Akako]

She wasn’t at all trusting of Hoshikata’s blank and innocent faces. Besides, any innocent faces made on a mug like that were hard to take seriously and was made to even make him look more suspicious. Akane was certain even Tatsuya could pull more convincing innocent faces even when he was caught red handed and right in the act of doing something that he, well, shouldn’t be doing.

Akane couldn’t quite hide the smirk on her face too as he pointed out her sarcasm. The girl won’t be swayed that any politician was just a politician, even if it was her husband to be. Coupled with being a businessman and being related to a high ranking individual only made the politician more formidable.

The girl made to take a sip of her tea once more but managed to stop herself in time. Otherwise, she might have choked or done something more undignified like spit out her tea. In the end, she still managed to keep a straight face at his request. “You seem very insistent on getting a kiss from little old me. Turning your head to make my innocent kiss on the cheek into something more and now this. I’m not sure if I should be pleased or not,” she managed a small chuckle.

She had only wanted to bet items but, if Hoshikata wanted that, she would have to rethink her own request. Placing her cup back down on the table choosing to drink later when she was less likely to be surprised by something, she crossed her arms and hummed in thought. She was tempted to joke that, if she won, Hoshikata would have to kiss Tatsuya sure that was something Akihiko might bet on but she changed her mind to a more serious request.

She remembered that night, Hoshikata speaking in a strange language. And it had definitely intrigued her, being the inquisitive kunoichi that she was. She believed that knowledge was power and a third language like that, aside from Common and Mizugo, could be useful. “If I win, I want you to teach me the Isaki tongue, like those words you spoke at the ruin.” She knew not the formal name for it and she hadn’t even realized how her choice of wording could be misconstrued.

 

[Kairyuu]

It was an idiot who trusted an innocent face, so he was glad to know she was no idiot. And he was quite capable of looking innocent, its just that his unique appearance made him look like a vapid fool when he did and he disliked looking like one of those more than he disliked looking guilty. And unlike Tatsuya, Hoshikata preferred to not get caught over convincing people of his innocence anyways. Still, sometimes convincing people of something was needed, which was when he would get wordy with them.

Her words brought a chuckle to his lips as he shook his head. ”Well who could resist with you? And I would think knowing you have an ardent admirer would be pleasing, no? If my advances are unwanted let me know, I'll try to convince you to want them.” He was halway to another sip of his water when she spoke again, and his hand froze as he looked up at her. So she'd heard him. And she wanted to learn the tongue.

He'd only taught it to one other, and he had no clue what Karu was up to right now. Not even Temujin knew it. Perhaps he should teach it to all of his companions, but he doubted Tatsuya would care to learn it. Still, a tongue none could decipher would certainly be helpful, especially since he doubted Temujin knew Mizugo and the treaty he'd read before his departure had included a provision for others learning it.

”Nindel zhah reiyal natha mei'q ussta d'anthe. “ He looks to the chess set for a moment, and a grin forms as he slides it over to show her. ”I accept. Have you ever played chess? I'm feeling up for a game while you let me earn a kiss.”

 

[Akako]

“No… it’s not that they are unwanted; they are merely new to me,” Akane blinked. Well, a lot would, could probably resist her unless she was passively or actively manipulating them into liking her. She was beautiful, yes, all Shoukyou were, even those in their later years usually managed to age quite gracefully.

She didn’t think herself as someone that would draw too much attention in that way though, considering she was a kunoichi built on stealth and deception. Any who would think to like her were probably manipulated to do so. But she saw it all in a logical manner, thinking that suitors of a lesser ilk than Hoshikata were probably trying to gain power and money through her, that she might have missed any form of admirers in the past.

Really, unbeknownst to her, she had quite a few suitors in the past but they had given up when she remained oblivious of their feelings… that is, if Akihiko hadn’t scared them away in the first few days. The latter had been the most frequent reason, that there was even one time her twin pretended to be her in order to get the job done. But she couldn’t be oblivious to this when the Isaki was openly putting it in such a manner although a small voice at the back of her mind said he might just be doing this due to the engagement. Even with that very tiny seed of doubt, her mouth twitched in amusement; “But I suppose it is… pleasing, as you put it.”

Akane could see the gears turning in the man’s head though. And, for a moment there, she was worried that he might request her winning prize to be changed. She really couldn’t think of anything else aside from that without the requests becoming improper or ludicrous. But when he spoke in the Isaki language, she knew he would accept and the game had begun… sort of.

The girl had to raise a brow when the chess set was pushed in her direction. A game of words would be hard enough for her but along with a game of chess; she faltered. Red eyes looked to the side; “Although I’d like to think I’m an excellent tactician on the field, perhaps we can play checkers instead?” she said lamely. She… she didn’t want to admit how horrible she was at playing chess, really.

Chess and real life battles were two different things to her and she’d rather duke it out with the Isaki in a battle of illusions and the undead rather than play the board game if she were to look anything other than a complete fool. Chess… was not a strong point for her, at all. It wasn’t that she didn’t know how to play! She knew how each piece moved and could probably beat an Academy Student… a very average student. But she just wasn’t any good at it because all she saw was a board with inanimate pieces.

 

[Kairyuu]

It was obvious she spoke the truth by her reaction. Hoshikata knew he could flirt, he knew he could court without hesitation any woman he wanted. And he knew that nothing was working here. Not the subtle compliments, or the heavy handed hints, not even that kiss. Instead of deterring him however this merely made him try harder. After all, he had nothing better to do at the moment than try, and if he succeeded he had a feeling it would be a good inroad to maintaining loyalty. So he would keep up the charm, though he would not lay it on very thick. Nor would he lie to her. She had earned more than that by her apology. He would be himself.

”Well, each day should bring us something new they say. I'm surprised that you haven't had suitors before. Even with the engagement surely there have been young men who found you irresistable. No matter, I shall endeavor to make up for the lack.” In truth he wasn't doing it for entirely altruistic reasons, but nor did he do as he did due to their arranged marriage. Instead it was to create loyalty in their little band of travelers.

And then a smile blossomed on his face. ”Checkers? A child's game my dear. I haven't the pieces for it anyways. Chess is a more mature game, and there is a reason your brother and I play it. You can learn quite a bit about someone just from this game. Do they think ahead? Do they gloat when they see victory? Cower at loss? Are they too blind to see the danger they are in? Too foolish not to see openings in your defense? No, checkers simply will not do. But worry not, if you're unsure of how to play I can teach you. It would be a good time for you to try and sneak in some questions.”

He begins to arrange the board. It was really a beautiful set, the board itself was a mirror with frosted squares to represent black, placed in polished oak box which stood on four legs. The pieces were finely carved diamond for white and beautifully cut onyx for black. Hoshikata normally didn't bother wasting money like this, and indeed he'd found the set in the manor while they were leaving. The sheer gaudiness displayed in such a waste of money didn't bother him in the least.

”You always want a white square at your upper left and a black at your upper right. First rule is white moves first. Do you wish to be white or black?

 

[Akako]

She hated that, the more she spoke with Hoshikata, the more she felt like a small naïve child. Akane didn’t feel this way talking to anyone else, not even her elder brother and not even to the elders of her clan. Something about the Isaki heir made her dull in comparison but she would seek to remedy that. She didn’t want to be the lesser in this relationship. If she was to be in any relationship at all she did not want to be a burden.

When the news of her arranged marriage was given to her as a young child, her father gave to her a book. It was a book of pureblood traditions, one focusing on marriage to be precise. For no matter how much of a Shoukyou their father may have been, he wasn’t really of the clan for their mother was the real clan heir. There was a time too that she thought father was the Shoukyou heir. But the book was about pureblood marriage, pureblood for they were unsullied by the taint of those with bloodlines. It wasn’t a book approved by the Shoukyou elders though and their father might have only managed to get it in secrecy.

Her father had marked a passage there about different sorts of love, in a poetic sort of sense. There was shadow love, wherein one partner sought to protect and care for the other; a parasitic sort of relationship. There was starlight love which had two desires to make each other’s lives for the better; she imagined her parent’s marriage was this. There was lightning love, strong yet fleeting as the name implies; this oft happened with young couples who eloped. Firelight love came from old friendships, warm and constant but never blazing into a full inferno. There was moonlight love, pure and blissful and ever shining in the darkest of moments like the moon in the sky.

And there was sunlight love, the most fierce of love where two joined to be one brilliant star. It was a love where the love was fierce, to never stop shining, and burning that it sheds warmth to friends and heat upon enemies. And it was also a love where the partners were equal, to never doubt and to never have uncertainty in each other even in moments of weakness. When she was younger and in moments where she imagined she might like the engagement, she thought she would have this, even if she was not purely a person of light. It had made sense in the child's mind, for what other sort of love would two of the greatest clan’s children have? Although now, as she grew older and more cynical, she would content herself with just love in the moonlight sense.

But then, there was darkness love, a joining where partners would eventually destroy each other in a marriage borne of the wrong circumstances. She was afraid that, if she didn’t shape up, their joining would become this. And darkness love was what built great tragedies; out of control, it would kill one or both of them. She had to be careful if she didn’t want it to come to that. Even lightning love, which she would have seen mere suitors as, was a better prospect than the dance of darkness.

“I suppose you’re right,” she said with a strained smile. Had he thought her a child again, since she suggested the game of checkers? She really would have to redeem herself even more now for such a silly mistake. So she watched the man set up the board, even if her brain went through thoughts a mile a minute. Putting it that way, she supposed chess had its uses, in order to observe her opponent. Even if she didn’t win, she would be able to learn more about the other. Maybe, even, so that she could get through the game more pleasantly, she would not make it her goal to win the board game but to win information; a game within a game so to speak. And maybe, she could even fool the other, make feints and moves that would be out of character for her so that her opponent would not be able to learn more about herself like she did them.

Thinking that, she felt more confident about playing the game. Her smile, this time, was not strained anymore as she thought for a moment. Given the choice, she would play black so she could see how the opponent moved. That was the logical choice, at least in battle, where she took a passive aggressive stance into fighting, flowing with the opponent’s moves and counteracting it with her own. But given her idea of a game within a game, she said: “Why don’t you pick, Hoshikata-kun?” What difference did it make anyway, considering she was an amateur at best.

 

[Kairyuu]

Hoshikata smiles, unaware of how he was making her feel. If asked he would likely explain his opinion of the emotion of love was that it was just a chemical reaction in the brain. Then again, he'd been experiencing an odd amount of chemical reactions lately ever since he left Mist. He'd never before felt sadness, not since he was a child. Nor had he felt the pity he'd taken on Akane, or the disappointment he'd experienced with her so vividly. Perhaps these Shoukyou were rubbing off on them.

”My pick? Very well, I shall go with white so I can explain things better.”

He'd never been told by his parents what to expect when it came to love. Or anything except sheer power. He certainly was raised with that in mind. No one had told him the birds and the bees, he'd found that out on his own during his teen years. Neither parent had explained to him what his marriage would entail, he simply figured it out through watching other married couples. And no one had tried telling him what love was. He honestly didn't think he could feel it, for he most certainly didn't love his own family. He'd slain his father in self defense, killed his mother for power, and would do the same to Karu or Temujin if it suited his purposes enough.

Still, sitting here with Akane, perhaps he could try to learn. He doubted he would, but he'd put forth an effort to. Who knows, perhaps he might be able to fake it easily enough.

”Now the opening is very important. As the first to go, you have to choose the pace of the game. Fast and on the offensive, or a slower and more defensive style of play. There are many standard openings like the Demon Line or the Snake Defense. I prefer to play each game new, and not go with known moves.”

With that out he would reach down and move a pawn from B2 to B3 and look up to her. ”Most people start off by moving the pawns infront of the queen and king to better get their pieces out faster. I've chosen a defensive start, however. Now...what do you think would be a good start for your own side?”

Those golden eyes study her as he speaks, always on her. The game was now secondary, a reaction to stimulus, instinct. The true game had begun in his mind, the game of tongues and wit. The mental game of chess between them. Hoshikata had years of experience in this game, but beginners luck existed even here, and experience was secondary to nature anyways.

But he would not make this easy. And she hadn't noticed the trick of the contest either. A lack of attention to the minute details would cost in this game.

 

[Akako]

White, so Hoshikata was to go on the offensive which suited Akane fine. She was going to pick the black piece if he still insisted she picked anyway and it would indeed be easier to learn if she moved secondary. She nodded minutely, folding her hands on her lap as she listened to him explain although she couldn’t fully understand not knowing what a Demon Line or what a Snake Defence was.

She didn’t think to study a game like this beforehand. She didn’t even know how to play Shogi; card games were her deal but, even then, she was average at best with Poker compared to her many cousins. If they were to play a chess game to save their lives, well, Akane would be simply fucked.

As the pawn was set, she let her eyes look over her side of the chess field. She knew how the pieces moved, at the very least, and she raised a hand to move a piece. At first, she hovered a hand over the pawn in G7, thinking to mirror the Isaki’s move. That often got the enemy unnerved or unsettled but she remembered this wasn’t exactly like a real battle. Instead, her hand moved over to the carved horse, the knight in B8 and moved it to C6. She wasn’t sure if that was a good move for the game but she thought keeping the pawns lined up as a defensive wall seemed… logical?

It was harder than she imagined, to make feint moves in the chess game when her mind wanted to succeed on both fronts. She was sorely inexperienced compared to Hoshikata which put her at a disadvantage. But they were just starting and she would, hopefully, learn quickly.

But no, she hadn’t noticed a trick, if there was any. She almost forgot too the primary reason behind their games with how silent she has been thus far. But she remembered, looking up from the board with a small smile. “You and brother have been playing this game long then, Hoshikata-kun? I assume since your Academy days?” He didn’t seem to notice as well the change in honorific, from Hoshikata-san to Hoshikata-kun and she had hoped it would throw him off. The familiarity from the quieter twin usually caught people off guard and let them think she had allowed them into a small circle of people close t her.

• OutOfCharacter | Marked for Training at 400 Words

 

[Kairyuu]

He watched as she deliberated for a moment over her move before throwing her knight out. Hoshikata would smile and look up at her as she did the same to him, listening to her question even as he considered both games. The move was not one he would make, believing in saving the powerful pieces for later, but then he was playing the offensive side defensively. As she spoke his hand would move down and slide his own knight from B2 and move it over to A3.

”Indeed. I've been playing it since before then. My father taught me how to play when I was five, and forced me to train at it often. I used to hate this game because of that, you know. When one is pressured into taking up a hobby, they rebel. It's only natural, you know.”

“But then one day I was playing against another kid at class, and I realized just how much I had learned about him from it. He was brash, but stupid. His moves spoke of wishing to assault, and yet he never saw my openings, never saw his own. In the end I took all of his pieces and lost not a single one myself. I still hated the game then, but I had learned it's use.”

He hadn't noticed the shift, not would he have cared if he had. Hoshikata had no use for honorifics, preferring to use far more personal terms like 'my friend' or 'most honored'. She would have to try harder than that to reel him in.

”I still hate it, honestly. But it has its uses.”

 

[Akako]

“I have a lot to catch up to then, if I have any hope of being anywhere near your level with this game,” she laughed, eyes crinkling in amusement as she moved a piece. Her pawn from E7 to E6; it broke the wall she thought she would keep merely on the first round but if the Isaki was going to take out his knight as well, it would be better to let out the other powerful pieces for later. She really started regretting even accepting this challenge to chess when she knew she had no gift for it. But the girl might as well face it and go forward.

But no, she didn’t know. The only thing she had rebelled about, towards her parents anyway, was this arranged marriage. But when they would tell her to study art and music and literature and other things, she tried her best and gave her all in them. The few times she rebelled against her parents, she wasn’t even aware of her own rebellion, usually because of Akihiko. Oh sure, she would rebel plenty against the teachers of the Academy, even to government officials but not to the parents that sired her. To hear that it was natural, from someone like Hoshikata-san, was strange.

Akane didn’t think this was something he won’t admit to anyone else either. So that meant that the game of words was still on and she had to double up her efforts to win. Not that she expected to win any of the two games just on her second turn. Or that she expected to win the chess side of the game at all; the chances of that were slim to none. “I find chess to be an exasperating game honestly. So much effort for little gain; bragging of victory does not count. It isn’t like a mission or a fight where one’s life is on the line,” she hummed, curling and uncurling her right fist in thought. “They’re just empty pieces, whether they’re made of wood or glass or ivory.”

 

[Kairyuu]

He watches her move and listens to her words, that smile never leaving his face as she speaks of real danger and empty pieces. And then made her move and the smile faded. Hoshikata looks at the layout and lowers his hand down, sliding his pawn from C2 up to C4. ”Before you take my knight, do remember a bishop is protecting it. You'll lose your own.”

And so the first trick of her's was foiled, but Hoshikata had many up his own sleeve with his next move. ”And yes, no lives are at stake here, but that's not the point of it. The gain is what you pick up. I know you've little interest in politics, but that is a whole separate game that relies on knowing people. You must know your opponent. You must know your allies. And you must know your pawns.”

He waves a hand to the window showing the world outside. ”This world goes on as it does from people like me. Sure, there are rogue elements who defy the status quo, but at the end of the day, people who play the game of intrigue are the ones who end up deciding the fates of everyone else. So, do not love the game, but also do not forget the benefits to learning it. Even if you cannot play it well, you can certainly gain much insight into your opponent.”

The smile was back now. ”Perhaps another topic would help ease you into things. Something more personal, that you won't feel so uncomfortable asking me similar quesitions.” His golden eyes rise to her own, and he sits back slightly in his seat. Perhaps she might feel a sudden spark from him, an emotion that was unfamiliar. ”Why did you slap me when I kissed you before? You acted as if you'd never been kissed by a man.”

 

[Akako]

When Hoshikata pointed out her obvious opening, she pursued her lips; “I… knew that,” she huffed in embarrassment. Her moves were amateur and very predictable. She had thought at first that taking a powerful piece at the cost of another was alright but if he was pointing it out, that gave her reason to change her mind. It had been no trick though, just the idea of getting as many pieces as she could even if she didn’t win.

“And I know that too,” she said silently, pushing another pawn forwards. “But unlike these chess pieces whose moves are limited, humans are much more flexible… Even if these pieces are moved by a human, that player is constricted by the spaces,” she continued, worrying her bottom lip. That wasn’t exactly what she wanted to say but it was hard to put into words what she thought. Even mentally, she did not know what words exactly to use to convey what she meant. Humans were complex being, full of endless possibilities and these things were… well, things.

The game of chess may show a lot about the player but what one sees will probably be rudimentary at best. She’d like to think so anyway, only to not feel bad about her awful playing. The girl could think up multiple pathways a real person could take and then narrow it down depending on what she knew about them. But not with this board game. She remembered the last time she played chess was in the Academy: a teacher had beaten her in less than three moves and announced to the entire class that she was an idiot without any tactical capability. But she had proved him wrong, right? Tactics in a board game was different from tactics in real life.

She had to raise a brow at the Isaki though, if he thought that was a much more comfortable topic than that of chess. “No, I’ve never been kissed before by someone outside of the family,” she flat out stated. Considering how touchy feely her brother and at least half of their cousins were, she was used to such intimate acts of familial affection from them. Outsiders though weren’t as warm with her and she had assumed it would stay that way.