(no subject)

[sanctus_dei]

does anyone want to play chess


i'll be in the observatory


[You can text him back, or you can go visit Theo there where he will indeed be sitting at a small table, tiny foam chess board set up. He mindlessly fiddles with one of the tiny pieces in one hand as he blankly watches the universe pass by the window. No thoughts, head empty, only the endless void.]

Comments

[Action]

[lessandmorethanhuman]

[Yes, Alex does want to play chess. It's something new to do. Besides, Alex likes the observatory. So he'll show up, hands in his pockets, hood up like usual.]

Do you want to be black or white?

[sanctus_dei]

[Theo watches Alex approach passively, but gestures to the seat opposite of him.]

You can be white. [That way Alex can go first.

Theo sets down the tiny black pawn he was holding. The set was small and, of course, made from foam.]

I know it ain't a lot, but... better than nothing, I guess.

[lessandmorethanhuman]

Nah, it's fine. Been a while since I've played too.

[A pause, and Alex considers the board.]

'Preciate you getting it.

[sanctus_dei]

[He gives a light shrug. It's nothing.]

What else'm I supposed to spend those dumb tickets on? I don't think we need any more foam women.

[lessandmorethanhuman]

It was fun for a while, then it got taken way too far.

[Alex murmured, while studying the board before moving a pawn.]

I haven't been earning enough apparently, but I've been working on creature comforts. Like bedding mostly.

[sanctus_dei]

Mm. I guess I could that.

[He doesn't take long to make his first move, done with the same impassive expression he's had since Alex sat down.]

Not like I'm goin' anywhere anytime soon. Might as well make my cubicle comfortable. 'S it worth it?

[lessandmorethanhuman]

So far it has been to me. Formative years were all in poverty, so once I could afford nice stuff, I wanted nice stuff.

[Alex made a counter move, also concentrating on the game.]

Might try and save up for a nice meal.

[sanctus_dei]

I get that. [He lived his life the same way. But her had himself so convinced he was getting off the Peregrine, that he didn't bother to invest in that stuff.

While Alex contimplates his next move, Theo's attention drifts back to the window. He might have to get the kid's attention back once he's done - the foam pieces don't make much noise when set down on this board.]

Dunno how nice foam pillows sound. Food might be okay. Not even sure what I'd ask for though. Chinese food would be good.

[lessandmorethanhuman]

Man, Chinese does sound good.

[Alex murmured, before making his move.]

Where're you from? I was kind of spoiled for food options, even being poor, living in New York.

[sanctus_dei]

Mm. Same. San Francisco though. Before I-- Before I died, I was living in Chinatown, even.

[More like squatting in the basement of a former storefront, but let's not split hairs.]

The ticket thing is weird. Being rewarded for what, exactly? I haven't done anything to be rewarded.

[lessandmorethanhuman]

Aside from being good, which honestly is because I don't see much point in being 'bad' while here, I haven't either. And by 'good' I mean, I haven't caused trouble. Mostly because again, I don't see much point in it or I would.

[No judgment from Alex about the trouble Theo's caused, just statement of fact.]

San Fran's Chinatown huh? That's even more famous than New York's.

text | c.fraser

[nineteenfortyfive]

Are you good?

[sanctus_dei]

i haven't played in a long time now. i'm really out of practice. so i guess i'll see once i find someone to play.

[counterstep]

( that's an invitation as good as any! guess who just shows up on your doorstep in the observatory. remember, theo: this is your own damn fault. )

You play a lot? Before, ( he asks as he approaches, taking a seat across from theo without so much as a blink. )

[sanctus_dei]

[Theo stares wide-eyed at Bucky as he sits down, scooting back in his seat a bit. Naturally, his first impulse is to run, but he manages to stay put.

Obviously Bucky is here to give him a hard time. Yell at him. Start a fight. Obviously.]

Yeah, I. No-- Is this some kinda joke?

[counterstep]

( with a raised brow, ) Joke? You invited anyone to play chess with you.

I didn't hear you say "anyone except James", so I'm here by your own invitation.

[sanctus_dei]

You don't-- [You don't want to play is what's cut off here.

His breath hitches, and Theo's shoulders are tense, hands gripping the side of the chair.
Strangely, that usual anger isn't bubbling up. Not yet, anyway.]

Why. Why would you want to? Why would you want to be anywhere near me.

[counterstep]

Why wouldn't I? ( curiously, a softer lilt in his voice. ) Cause you tried to escape?

No offense, but you're not the first person in the universe who's wanted to escape their prison. Frankly, I know what it feels like too, so none of what you did was really new aside from the plant stuff. That was. Maybe a bit much.

[sanctus_dei]

Because I could have killed you. [The answer comes a little too quickly after Bucky's response.]

And Loki. And Viktor.

[A beat. Theo's brow furrows.] What do you mean, you know what it feels like.

[counterstep]

( the admission says plenty, even the recognition of the fact conveying a level of guilt theo likely doesn't intend. but even the wise have accidents. )

I don't think you could have killed me. I recovered the fastest. Maybe Viktor, but. Your plan was non-lethal conceptually. That much is obvious. Not everyone takes that into account, when fleeing. I can easily think of several others here who'd sooner stab and bolt than take such a time-consuming, thought-out route.

Anyway, it means what it sounds like. I was a prisoner of war more than once.

[sanctus_dei]

[Bucky's absolutely right. Theo could have easily overdosed all three of them. He could have gone a different route entirely, sneaking a makeshift weapon with him, or stealing one at port. But he didn't. Of course, being called out on this makes him uncomfortable. After all, he's the big, nasty, unforgiving necromancer. Why would he spare anyone?

Why indeed. His answer is one he's practiced several times in his head.]

I-- Killing was unnecessary to the plan. The plant worked as the plant worked. Being that I am without recipes, components and my casting ability, I had to make due with what was on hand.

[He crosses his arms. So there. He'll try to shift the topic.]

... So you were a soldier, then. [That explains some things.]

[counterstep]

( unnecessary. that's a strong word. few consider what is necessary or not. were theo remotely hydra material, he wouldn't concern himself with what was unnecessary either. only the needed finds a way, the rest mere collateral. from the way he replies, theo clearly feels his discernment still grants him some form of power, but to what end? if he's truly the ruthless murderer he plays the part of then what stops him here?

bucky starts resetting the board as he answers, not bothering to check if theo was done with his practice match. bucky's here now, so he may as well play the real thing, right? )

Yeah. World War Two. Nasty thing. Dunno if you know about it, though, considering how different worlds and universes develop. Got deployed in Europe. Got ambushed one night while trying to hold the front.

[sanctus_dei]

[There is a marked shift in Theo's attitude. He's still tense, but he unfolds his arms.]

Yeah, I know what that is.

[He's quiet as he watches Bucky reset the board, struggling with something. Debating whether or not to say what he wants to say. Against his better judgement, he speaks up, but his voice is distant.]

... My brother was in it too. The Navy. They'd sent him to the south Pacific.

[counterstep]

( well, shit. that doesn't sound great out the gate. bucky takes his times placing the last few pieces, wondering if that might have affected theo enough for things to turn out the way they did. family tends to be a big deal. war too. )

Did he enlist? Or was his number pulled? ( settling back in his seat, he gestures to the board. he laid out the white pieces in front of theo, so he gets to start. )

[sanctus_dei]

Enlisted. Worked as a mechanic so I don't think he ever saw any fighting.

[His voice is small, quiet. Theo picks up his first pawn and fiddles with it as he considers his first move.

The anxiety of his brother going off to war was overwhelming, so much so that it was one of the main reasons Theo ran away from home. Not that he'd realize it was part of that problem.]

I hadn't seen him much. Y'know, before I died. By the time he got home, I was already working with my-- mentor.

[Bitterness creeps in at that last word. He hates using it, but has to for a lack of a better word. He sets the pawn down with as much of a thud as one can on a tiny foam board.]