star_kingdom | [Video] Chess

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[Video] Chess

[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?

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It's no trouble at all. [ He's a butler. It's second nature. He'd not meant to make her uncomfortable. ] Your company will do.

It's very kind of you. Thank you.

Is there a time we should meet?

[ Bows his head. ] It's a pleasure.

I will be in the Bakery all afternoon cleaning so feel free to stop by when's best for you.

Thank you. I think I need the change of pace today.

[ Smiles and bows his head. ] I'll see you soon Miss Mizuno.

[By the time Ami gets to the bakery, shutting off her mind with a few sweets sounds like a very good idea. Granted, she enjoys baked goods but doesn't have the raging sweet tooth of some of her friends; but it might still help. She pushes open the door, and takes a moment to step inside. She looks a bit tired.]

[ ...as she approaches she may notice that the bakery IS not yet complete. It's finished, for the most part, but Sebastian's not truly content with it... so he's delayed opening yet again. The door is open, however, as he's expecting her company, and as soon as she steps inside a sweet and fragrant aroma fills the air. ] Miss Mizuno, [ He calls from the kitchen, sensing her presence as she continues. He steps out, a silver platter decorated with sweets in his one hand. ] Welcome. I apologize for the mess. [ Bows his head and sets the platter down on a table he's cleared off, the antique chess set she'd seen earlier already set up on the one beside. ] ...you're just in time.

I'm glad I'm not late. [The chess set is enough of a temptation (and the sweets do look good, of course) to draw a smile from her. She glances around the room, and takes in the meticulous attention to detail and the work done.]

You must have gone to a lot of trouble here. It shows how much you care for its presentation.

[ Is glad to see her mood start improving. Smiles, leading her over to the table. ] It's not been much trouble at all. In fact, it's something I enjoy, ...making sweets. Not to mention I have had a bit of help. [ Pulls out a chair for her and then serves both the tea and the snack cakes. Moves around the table and takes a seat across from her. ] I'm afraid I haven't much else to do with my time. [ Brief pause. ] ...do you bake at all?

Not very often. It's the hobby of one of my friends, though. [Ami sits in the offered chair, posture a bit prim by habit.]

[ He doesn't want her to feel on the spot, so to speak, so he pours himself a cup and takes a small sip. ] I see. But you enjoy chess, ...anything else?

Swimming. [That's right; there are things she has to relax her own mind, too. She has coping mechanisms to help her focus her mind on other things instead. She can do this.] I enjoy swimming, and reading. Music, too, at least listening to it. [She's written lyrics once or twice, but she's never been entirely happy with the outcome.]

How about you?

[ He's not surprised as she lists her hobbies. He'd been able to tell that she was well read, sophisticated, ...but to have it confirmed is another story. Smiles. ] Do you have a favorite author?

[ Falls silent the moment he's asked ] I'm afraid I don't have any. I'm usually constantly preoccupied with my Master, but as of late I suppose baking, [ He chuckles halfheartedly. ] and playing the violin.

There are too many wonderful ones to choose from to call an author a favorite. I'd like to hear you play, however.

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[Video] Chess

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[Shift to Action and timeskip to later?]

action; sounds good to me.

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