[ 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. ]
[ THE MOST GENUINE LOVE STORY YOU HAVE EVER SEEN, FACT CHECKED AND SCIENCE-BASED
also i just realized i probably erased the table here but it's fine i'm saying claude moved around it to be ~*close*~ to jing yuan, who is now turned towards him.
he's only caught off guard for a moment, before he tugs claude firmly into his lap and deepens the kiss. ]
[ THIS ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATING REJECTION... jing yuan looks more fond than bothered, laughing softly as he thumbs his lower lip. claude is so feisty... it just activates his hunter instincts. ]
All's fair in love and war. I hope you'll still agree to another round of starchess, at another time.
[ claude said "at least for today"... so jing yuan will continue to live in this shared delusion a little while longer. he is gazing at claude with eyes filled with VERY SINCERE VERY REAL NOT FAKE ADORATION. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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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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I'm glad my intentions are not difficult to understand.
[ this is strategy, too... he's waging war (starchess) for love. ]
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He stands up from his chair, leaning over Jing Yuan and taking his chin in hand. ]
And you thought a couple rounds of chess would distract me from wondering how many of you were rooting for me to die?
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...I imagine that's not something you'll easily forget, nor something you'll readily forgive. But it doesn't change how I feel about you.
[ jing yuan places his hands on claude's waist to keep him right where he is. ]
Will you run from my confession? Or will you try to strike me down?
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Looking at him with a brow lifted. ]
I'm sure I'd have great luck with that, with my lack of powers or weapon.
[ Thoughtful, and then offering no warning before he uses his hold on Jing Yuan's chin to tug him into a kiss. ]
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also i just realized i probably erased the table here but it's fine i'm saying claude moved around it to be ~*close*~ to jing yuan, who is now turned towards him.
he's only caught off guard for a moment, before he tugs claude firmly into his lap and deepens the kiss. ]
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Anyway, Claude will let Jing Yuan tug him closer, but only for an instant before he's biting his lip harshly and sliding back so that he can stand.
He looks kind of satisfied. ]
I'm rejecting your feelings in lieu of striking you down. [ THE FEELINGS... THAT JING YUAN DEFINITELY FEELS... ] At least for today.
[ Softens the blow because he is also in love. (real) (not clickbait) ]
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All's fair in love and war. I hope you'll still agree to another round of starchess, at another time.
[ claude said "at least for today"... so jing yuan will continue to live in this shared delusion a little while longer. he is gazing at claude with eyes filled with VERY SINCERE VERY REAL NOT FAKE ADORATION. ]
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