oneman_onevote | (no subject)

(no subject)

The assassin strikes, appearing four spaces from where it should have been and taking a hapless knight.

Havelock tilts his head, noting the new positions on the board, considering the position from each player's point of view. His coffee sits off to one side, slowly growing cold, to the tragic sadness of a nearby waitrat. (Apparently Ianto Jones has rubbed off on at least one.)

Yes.

If not used in conjunction with the queen, first and foremost, a dangerous gambit, but...

Hmm.

Well, he has time to think it over.

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There's less point to monitoring Havelock now. Not none, of course -- never that, no matter what kind of conversation this might be -- but so far as the chess game itself is concerned, this is the endgame. The possibilities narrow further and further.

Eventually, Trowa looks up from studying the board over folded hands. Mate in five; it's clear which king will fall.

Havelock concurs, correct?

Quite correct - there is no longer even the slightest room for doubt.

He inclines his head in affirmation across the board.

Trowa lowers his eyes briefly in return, and in acknowledgement of a ~~conversation~~ game well played.

"Trowa Barton."

"Havelock Vetinari."

Well-played indeed.

He could, of course, stay longer to talk. But they've already exchanged a conversation's worth and more; there's no need to belabor the obvious.

Trowa rises.

"Thanks for the game."

"You are very welcome," Havelock says with a nod, and begins idly resetting the board.

Trowa heads for an armchair across the room, one of the many conveniently placed for good sight lines, and (after a little while) coffee from a waitrat.

He'll probably stick around a while.

As pastimes go, Milliways-watching is one of the more consistently interesting, after all.

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