kingkingcxiii | Hugtopia Mailbox/Inbox

[The "order" actually gets more of a blush than the kiss does which says a lot about how comfortable he's getting accepting kisses from his King.]

I'll... try my best to leave it be.

[The complaint earns a laugh, though, Cor shaking his head and catching Regis' gaze as he takes one last sip of the coffee. It is delicious but he really doesn't need that much sugar so early so after that one last drink he offers the cup out for the other man. Go on Regis, take it.]

You better or else I'll have to punish you.

[That said, Regis makes short work of switching their drinks. How do you start the day without sugar, Cor? Where else is the energy suppose to come from? The caffeine certainly isn't enough!

After taking a sip of his coffee, Regis looks at the chessboard and Cor's opening move, then makes one of his own before finally sitting down.]

What is first on the agenda today?

[It definitely is enough, Regis. That's precisely why his coffee is so bitter though. He brews it much stronger. It's... well it's practically drinking espresso straight.

Cor cocks a brow at that threat, looking far too smug considering.

What, exactly, would you punish him with, Regis?]

First? A game... after that? [He shrugs a little, appraising the move Regis has made. He's quiet for a long moment, thinking through his options before he makes his second move, more aggressive than he usually plays but something tells him Regis will appreciate the challenge.] I guess we'll see.

[Well, you'll just have to act up to find out, won't you?]

You realize we might be here a while then since there is no Clarus to come and drag me away.

[Such an aggressive move to start with. Definitely not Cor's usual, but it does give Regis a wonderful puzzle to ponder. Does he echo the aggressive movement and risk being pulled into a trap or does he hang back and risk not having done enough to protect himself when that aggressive plan comes to fruition?

In the end, perhaps because Regis is feeling a little reckless himself this morning, he makes an equally aggressive move and then waits to see what Cor does next.

It's bound to be interesting no matter what it is.]

[Is that a threat or a promise?]

Good. We have all day if that's what you'd like to do.

[Cor flashes Regis a bright smile, an outright grin as far as the Marshal is concerned.
Then he shifts his attention to the board, clearly amused by Regis' response. The King is always a touch more reckless when he hasn't had the opportunity to play for some time. Add in the age difference between when they last had time to play and it's aggressive and reckless and.... painfully familiar.

Ah, Reggie. He learned how to beat this strategy 15 years ago. Maybe this isn't as fair as he'd thought it would be. He knows Regis' play style far too well and the King has not developed into the same mastermind he will be twenty some years down the line.]

[Both of course.]

Somehow I can't see you giving me the whole day when there is a party to be had tonight. We could always just cancel it. Unexpected chess match and all. Can't interrupt that.

[See, here is the thing, Cor. The strategy may be familiar to one person in this room, but it's not Regis because he hasn't finished putting it together yet. There are still tests and adjustments to be made, which is why the next move Regis makes is not at all what Cor was expecting.

There might be some fun in this yet.]

[Cor was clearly very comfortable with what was going on, confident and sure. And then Regis moves his piece and the exasperated snipe he was about to make about the party falls from his lips, face scrunching up in surprise and confusion.

Wait.

What?

That's not....

He actually has to spend so long staring at the board, trying to figure out what Regis' thought is there that he completely forgets the comment altogether, finally, eventually, answering with a move that is far more cautious than the previous ones. What the hell are you up to!?]

[Regis is rather confused when the snipe he's expecting doesn't come, then he looks up and sees the utter confusion on his friend's face. It doesn't take him long to figure out there must be some time shenanigans going on. He might not know where it is going, but he can't help but enjoy it anyway.]

Problem?

[And he then makes another move, confidently despite having no actual plan for the next in his head.]

[Cor's gaze cuts to Regis, frowning, expression almost disapproving. Not that he can disapprove of his King for not... being predictable but honestly if it meant he had a chance of winning....]

No.

[Even if that sounds almost like sulking. It's fine. This is fine. Just going to get his ass kicked on his own board. Because he's thrown off enough by that to have left his bishop in danger.]

Oh, really?

[Regis doesn't believe him for a moment. Even if the tone didn't give him away, that vulnerable bishop would. For a long moment, Regis ponders if he should take the piece or spare it. In the end, he moves to threaten it, but does not take it, giving Cor one chance to move it and settle down. It's no fun to beat someone who isn't playing at their full potential for whatever reason and he knows Cor is better than this.]

[Cor rolls his eyes at the teasing and then refocuses on the board... and immediately grimaces. Then he watches Regis move and scowls up at him.]

Don't waste a move because I was a fool. Go on.

[A heavy sigh but he is still studying the board carefully now. Planning and contemplating. Challenged anew.]

I'll still be able to kick your ass without a bishop.

As you wish.

[There is a smile on Regis' face as he does just that, glad to see Cor's mood has improved. Perhaps he should just ask what is bothering him so about the moves that were made, but at the same time, if he starts letting himself ask little questions about the future, where will he stop? After all, it's those little things he is so good at putting together and look where that got him before?

Or, don't look maybe. He's trying very hard not to think about the death that awaits him.]

Hugtopia Mailbox/Inbox

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject