[ he's not babyzoning him... today... at least... (tears up)
but also meta brackets that claude cannot see: it's more that he's doing it as a favor for elysia. and also loss week means he's much less delicate than he normally would be about it ]
[ i typed pattern when i meant color... whatever. claude... is cute... (insane bias)
he holds out his hand for a piece of chocolate, too. WHAT IS HE SO SUSPICIOUS FOR. ]
Of course. It wouldn't be a proper challenge if my opponent didn't know the rules.
[ handwaves explaining but actually explains in brackets MOSTLY FOR MY OWN STUDY... I'M SORRY IF IT IS BORING FEEL FREE TO SKIP: there is an opening stage, midgame, and endgame. starchess (i'm just gonna call it xiangqi) has a larger board than classic chess, and xiangqi pieces have more mobility. xiangqi games are generally more tactical and intensive than chess.
there are various ways to checkmate and stalemate. it's also possible to play to a draw, e.g. when neither side has any attacking pieces left. pieces can be sacrificed to gain positional advantage or checkmate. pieces can also be exchanged to increase the chance of a draw.
there are 32 pieces in xiangqi, divided into red and black (16 per player): a general, chariots, cannons, horses, advisors, elephants, and soldiers.
this is so many words just to handwave their games because i don't fully understand the complicated system either... (tears up)
after demonstrating a handful of strategies, who knows how long this all takes, ]
...Would you like to play a practice round? Like any game, it's easiest to pick up while playing.
[ Demolished... He's mad but not angry. More like mad (energized)... It's fun to be challenged, and have to think about something that isn't about the puzzle of their current situation.
Of course. A student's performance is a reflection of the master's teaching.
[ he leans in shamelessly to instruct him. he has a very good memory (even if my brain is the size of a peanut), so he can walk claude back to few earlier formations, and show him where he might've countered, or what other strategies would've been available to him.
he also shows claude how jing yuan would've responded in turn to each change, so on and so forth.
they are very close now... warm... ]
...Do you feel more enlightened? Enough to add stakes to the game?
[ difficult to say whether he is bullying claude or flirting with him. could be both. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[ Handwaves that Claude saw the letter addressed to him. ]
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[ idk that it was ever delivered?? which is so funny i'm glad claude saw it either way ]
You must agree that talking is far quicker than post, yes?
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[ don't babyzone him!! ]
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[ he's not babyzoning him... today... at least... (tears up)
but also meta brackets that claude cannot see: it's more that he's doing it as a favor for elysia. and also loss week means he's much less delicate than he normally would be about it ]
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[ Looking displeased about it. Acknowledge him... He's a big boy. ]
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Maybe I'm trying to lure you out for a game. Maomao mentioned she sent you one in her letter to me.
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Chess? If you're interested, then sure.
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[ perks up, because maomao had really only just said 'game' without specifying. ]
In that case, how much more shopping do you have left to do?
[ peeks into his bag now right in front of claude. i believe he has good taste so jy just nods approvingly at the selection of gifts. ]
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[ He want's to play with Jing Yuan... ]
I suppose I can pick up my shopping later.
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[ will he take it easy on claude though... absolutely not. :3 ]
—Ah, just one more thing.
[ picks out a nice wool scarf knit in a goldenrod pattern, and drapes it around claude's shoulders. ]
A gift from me.
[ anyway, handwaves them going back to the hotel!!! ]
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They're back at the hotel, Claude pops another piece of chocolate in his mouth as he settles down with the chess board. ]
So you gonna explain the rules?
[ Suspicious. ]
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he holds out his hand for a piece of chocolate, too. WHAT IS HE SO SUSPICIOUS FOR. ]
Of course. It wouldn't be a proper challenge if my opponent didn't know the rules.
[ handwaves explaining but actually explains in brackets MOSTLY FOR MY OWN STUDY... I'M SORRY IF IT IS BORING FEEL FREE TO SKIP: there is an opening stage, midgame, and endgame. starchess (i'm just gonna call it xiangqi) has a larger board than classic chess, and xiangqi pieces have more mobility. xiangqi games are generally more tactical and intensive than chess.
there are various ways to checkmate and stalemate. it's also possible to play to a draw, e.g. when neither side has any attacking pieces left. pieces can be sacrificed to gain positional advantage or checkmate. pieces can also be exchanged to increase the chance of a draw.
there are 32 pieces in xiangqi, divided into red and black (16 per player): a general, chariots, cannons, horses, advisors, elephants, and soldiers.
this is so many words just to handwave their games because i don't fully understand the complicated system either... (tears up)
after demonstrating a handful of strategies, who knows how long this all takes, ]
...Would you like to play a practice round? Like any game, it's easiest to pick up while playing.
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Claude is looking rather focused though, thoughtful... ]
I'm going to try to win anyway, so let's just play.
[ He doesn't need a practice round, TCH. ]
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anyway, (with spoon's permission) jing yuan obliterates this twink. but claude does put up a good effort!! ]
Very impressive, for a first showing.
[ it's a genuine compliment, though his smile is indolent as ever as he takes a sip of the tea he'd brought upstairs from the lobby bar. ]
Another?
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Looks back at Jing Yuan with a tight smile. ]
I've still got energy.
[ Do you, old man? ]
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and of course he has energy. for u. :* ]
Let's begin, then.
[ trounces him again. maybe even a little faster this time, just to see what claude might do about it. ]
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Looking at him, a thoughtful look on his face. ]
I think you might need to coach me a little more.
[ Scoots to sit closer to him. ]
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[ he leans in shamelessly to instruct him. he has a very good memory (even if my brain is the size of a peanut), so he can walk claude back to few earlier formations, and show him where he might've countered, or what other strategies would've been available to him.
he also shows claude how jing yuan would've responded in turn to each change, so on and so forth.
they are very close now... warm... ]
...Do you feel more enlightened? Enough to add stakes to the game?
[ difficult to say whether he is bullying claude or flirting with him. could be both. ]
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Stakes? [ OHO he'll just smiling pleasantly ] Sure. I always plan to win.
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The loser of this round has to give up a secret of their choice.
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Alright. I accept those terms.
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Narrowing his eyes. ]
Seems like you have something you're eager to confess, General.
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I do.
[ he props his elbow on the table that the board is set on, and leans his chin on his hand. his lips curl into a lazy smile. ]
I'd like to be more than just friends with you, Claude.
[ (real) (not clickbait) ]
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[ flusters ]
Well, that explains a lot.
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