[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

[geniustheveil]

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.

[sinfullysublime]

[ 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?

[geniustheveil]

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.]

[sinfullysublime]

[ 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?

[geniustheveil]

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?

[sinfullysublime]

[ 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.

[geniustheveil]

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