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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.]

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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.

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.

Edited (words are hard) 2022-05-29 14:30 (UTC)

( 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.

[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.]

( 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.

[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.

( 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. )

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.]

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