[Video] Chess

[geniustheveil]

[The heartless have been getting to quite a few people lately. It's hard to tell at first whether Ami is one of them. She's inside, seated at a small table and playing chess against herself. Masters of the game would note the arrangement of the board as a very famous end game maneuver. She's testing it again, noting its weaknesses and the ways to defend against it.

It's keeping her mind off the shadows, and the things that always seem to not-quite-be-there when she looks. It's keeping her mind off the doubts, the worries, the insecurities. But there's very little of her usual gentle smile despite the seeming calm. She has a perhaps not-so-incongruous question.]

What are the things you do to relax and unwind your mind?

Comments

【 VIDEO 】

[decaying]

I don't play chess with myself, for one. [Like an Idiot. He's holdign back on that comment.]

【 VIDEO 】

[geniustheveil]

I don't know many people who play, and I don't want to intrude by asking them to. Besides, it can be good practice, especially for a tournament.

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[sinfullysublime]

Company. [ Said simply. Deliberately. It's hard not to notice the change in, not just her, but most people. ] Would you like a proper opponent?

[video]

[geniustheveil]

If you'd like, it would be nice. [And keeping an eye on the people close to Ciel helps to keep an eye out for Ciel. She still isn't sure she trusts him with the secrets he knows.]

It's been awhile since I've been able to attend a chess club like back home. I haven't played often since then.

[Video]

[death_is_a_riot]

Why would your mind need unwinding~?

Re: [Video]

[geniustheveil]

[She downplays it, of course.]

It's nothing. I suppose I've just been thinking a lot with some of my friends returning here lately.

[Those tiny glimpses out of the corner of her eye... it's just her mind playing tricks, isn't it? It has to be.]

[Video]

[skywalkers]

Something I enjoy, but if that doesn't work perhaps something that requires more mental energy.

[Video]

[geniustheveil]

I was just wondering what it might be. What sort of hobby, for instance.

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[mynameisallen]

Well, I usually train or eat to calm me down.

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[geniustheveil]

Eating?

[Don't tell Usagi; she'd never stop. (That was an unkind thought, Ami.)]

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[soldierofloveandbeauty]

You know what relaxes me? Talking about boys or talking about a new idol. Those are the best way's to really chill out.

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[geniustheveil]

Minako-chan! [Those may not be Ami's hobbies, but she has a smile for her friend.]

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[geniustheveil]

You might find it strange if I started doing that, though.

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[caseofthetruth]

I read detective novels in my spare time. There's just something relaxing about reading them.

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[geniustheveil]

Are you a fan of Sherlock Holmes? He was a detective with an incredibly brilliant mind.

video; Pretty much throwing nearly everyone at this

[offrillsandswords]

When I need to cheer someone up, or cheer myself up, I usually go shopping. The same can be said for if I need to unwind.

[video] i feel loved <3

[geniustheveil]

They call that 'retail therapy', don't they? I've only gone to the mall with friends a few times myself.

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[controlstheice]

I would usually write science papers and send them off. This usually helps, but now... not so much.

[In his free time he does this, but here...he can't so much.]

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[geniustheveil]

I'd be very interested to read them. What do you research?

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[devotedtoritsuka]

I would usually enjoy making strawberry jam with my parents to relax and have fun, but I can't find a place to pick strawberries.

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[geniustheveil]

That's too bad! Mako-chan likes them, too, one of my friends. She used to grow them in the greenhouse at school back home. I wonder if she's found anywhere that could grow them here...

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[wantstobeasinger]

I enjoy singing to help me unwind, or writing a new song or even just listening to some Jazz or classical music.

[Watching you play chess, she wondered if Tecna would be able to.]

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[geniustheveil]

I'm very fond of classical music myself. Going to the symphony was always an evening I'd look forward to when I had the opportunity.

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[iscursednomore]

[Fai watches the chess board quietly, with interest. Well, he knew what chess was in some worlds, but that was so very different than to what he was use to. He's not going to answer just yet, he's just going to watch.]

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[geniustheveil]

[She felt eyes on her before she fully realized it was a video response. Her cheeks flushed.]

I'm sorry; I didn't mean to be rude by not speaking to you. Do you enjoy chess?

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[watchesthesea]

May I ask what it is you are trying to do?

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[geniustheveil]

I'm practicing chess. Even without an opponent, it's possible to analyze the available moves to strengthen my own game.

[Video]

[lightsvalkyrie]

Ami? Are you okay?

[You're making her worried, young lady.]

Re: [Video]

[geniustheveil]

I'll be alright. I suppose I'm just missing home. [It's true, if indirect.]

[video]

[burningstorm]

[It's for a long moment that Rei studies Ami, concerned. She's been here almost by herself for a long time and there's been a lot going on. What's on her mind? Rei is a little hesitant. She doesn't know how to breech these subjects very well, even after growing so close to the girls, but she'll try for Ami's sake. She knows she is also one who does not like to talk about herself.]

I like to meditate and make origami. [She pauses.] I can bring some supplies home with me if you want to try.

[video]

[geniustheveil]

[She needs to get her mind away from the overwhelming impossibility of overcoming the darkness, away from the insecurities about her friends, away from the fears about Maleficent, away from the crushing gap of friends and family still lost in the darkness, away from the swarms of heartless that will never end.

But her mind's never been good at resting. It only grows darker and darker as she dwells on all these things, helped along by the increased heartless activity.]

Does it really help?

[video]

[sanguineheels]

[Master of chess she is not, but she is watching with interest. When the question is asked she chimes in cheerfully.]

Back home there wasn't a lot of idle time. I found making everyone in the science department was taken care of relaxing. [perhaps that was strange. it was, however, something a lot easier to think about and deal with than the missions exorcists often found themselves on.] Even though we have tough jobs as exorcists, everyone in the science department is working hard around the clock to give us the best information they can.

[there's a quiet, thoughtful pause.] I suppose I like looking after others a lot. With the way things were going back home, it was hard for anyone to find quiet time.

[video]

[geniustheveil]

[That gets Ami's attention at 'science'.]

The Science Department? Could you tell me more about it? What sort of research was conducted there?