[D5,LM]A simple lesson in Cyvasse (Closed)

[Daveth Coldbrook]

Daveth was laying out pieces on his brother's Cyvasse board in a tranquil corner of the Godswood, Edwin loitering a discreet distance away.

Hmmm. Mask or no mask?

Well, it didn't take her long to break holes in it last time, so I don't see how it makes a difference.

You're much too careless around her. You may like her, but this is still a war, and one she intends to win. Don't insult her will by throwing away one of your key weapons.

Mask on, then.

Daveth takes a few deep breaths, absorbing the tranquil atmosphere, forcing his emotions to bury themselves deep inside, letting his mind act unfettered. In theory, anyway.

I wonder how much Lady Gwyneth told her? the thought skitters across his mind. Probably twice as much as you thought she could.

This could get very interesting.

[Dyana Marsten]

Dyana arrives by the Godswood quite some time after Daveth settled there. Though she moves easily, with a suave sway to her step, she seems like someone who was exerting herself not long before. Armored, armed, with a color to her cheeks and an unruly hair which she's trying to keep in place by weaving a hand through now and then. Her boots are thick with dust, and her gauntlets are tied to her waist, hands naked.

"
Master Daveth."
She smiles softly at him, offering a hand out for him to properly greet her - a remarkably clean hand, considering her state otherwise. "
Forgive my appearance, but I had a quite taxing ride not long ago, and hadn't time to properly bathe and dress before coming here. I trust you'll understand?"

[Daveth Coldbrook]

Daveth stands to greet her, mind freed from its self-destructive thrashing about to focus clearly. Bowing, he takes her proffered hand and gives it a light kiss. "
Lady Dyana. There is nothing to apologise about to me for placing your duties and responsibilities first. Though if you'd rather delay your lesson to a less tumultuous time..?"


A small smile as he lets the question hang for a mere moment before continuing. "
Alternatively, might I tempt you with a fine wine from the Reach?"
Not an Arbor gold. You are not to be bought by such. "
I find it smooth and pleasant. It might help you recuperate from your exertions."

[Dyana Marsten]

"
It is quite alright, tumult has passed and gone. There is much to learn if I do not intend to embarrass myself at our final showdown."
Dyana bows lightly after Daveth's lips part from her hand, and seats herself comfortably. At the mention of wine, she looks up at her host. "
Well, it is a bit early in the day for me, but I suppose such is the way of temptation. You better not disappoint, though."
She smiles threateningly. "
Smooth and pleasant sounds perfect."

[Daveth Coldbrook]

Daveth sits on the opposite side of the board to Lady Dyana, and carefully pours two moderate portions from his wineskin into a couple of glasses, before calmly handing one to her.

"
The first thing to learn of Cyvasse is it's simpler than it first seems."
a quirk of a smile. "
The second thing to learn is that it's far more complex than it first seems.

"
There's a saying my father told me when he passed the board on, that he was told by the person who gave him the board. I can't remember the exact words, but it's something along the lines of 'Live with a man for a year. Share his roof, his meals, and his work. Ask each other questions, with both answering with complete honesty. Then, on the last day, play a single game of cyvasse with each other. If both are masters, they will understand each other far more from that one game than from the entire previous year combined.'"


A slightly embarrassed shrug. "
Now, I'm no master with this game, and I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the saying. But it contains an important truth. I *can* teach you the rules. I can show you some fundamental strategies. I can show you when you make a mistake. But what I *can't* do is show you how you should play. That's something you have to discover for yourself.

"
So, without further ado, let's actually go over the rules."
Daveth proceeds to spend a minute explaining the basic rules of the game. "
However, no-one ever learned Cyvasse from being told about it. So, I've set up a simple training game. Don't get your competitive spirit fired up, the purpose here isn't to 'win'. It's to learn the game."


He leans back slightly. "
And so we might discuss other matters while we play."
a raised eyebrow and a slight smile. "
Such as if you've managed to come up with any ideas to make our duel 'interesting' since last we spoke."


[size=50:2asu5gbx]Edit: Damn homophones.

[Dyana Marsten]

Dyana takes the glass from Daveth's hand with mirrored calm. She brings it up to her nostrils, then takes a sip, and tastes it for a moment. Listening intently to his explanation, she swirls the glass on the table, then takes another sip which she savors for a moment longer. All the while, she nods, immersed in trying to learn the game and make good on her word.

"
There are many ways to make a bet interesting, Master Daveth."
She perks between sips, eyeing him with a penetrating gaze while sitting with catlike poise in her seat. A picture of a noble lady, if not for the armor, and the sword, and also the dagger and the dirt. "
We have only to settle on one, or a few. In fact, I'd be delighted to know if you have any suggestions, yourself, before I introduce any propositions."


"
But for now, the game."
She says, edging forwards and scanning the board. A loose strand of red-blond hair falls, dangling before Dyana's eyes, but she doesn't seem to notice or care. "
Starting with the Rabble, then, I can do... this, right?"
Her emerald eyes dart up to meet Daveth's in search of approval, though she still faces down at the Cyvasse table. "
Which would free this Crossbowman next turn, if I understood correctly..."

[Daveth Coldbrook]

Daveth nods, encouragingly, at her action. "
Correct."
And he makes a move in response. Nothing too aggressive, nothing too deceptive. But something that she should react to.

Meanwhile, he straightens his posture, attempting to look equivalently lordly, save for the lack of armour and sword. He does actually manage to look fairly distinguished, but lacks something in both physical and social presence to really perfect the role.

"
Well, unfortunately, I only have one idea for how to make it interesting, and it's a bad idea. I tried it once with my brother while we were kids, and we only got around halfway through the game before we ended up in a fight. And I mean an actual fist fight. I even read a story that attempting it started a war. Though given the low fatalities it mentions, and the lack of any other mentions of that war, I suspect it was nothing more than a tavern brawl that got out of control, combined with poetic licence."


He gestures towards the board. "
Ten pieces each. Ten questions. No subject off-limits. Full honesty. Capture a piece, ask a question. Game ends either with the usual victory conditions, or when one side refuses to answer."
or resorts to violence because of an answer, which is rather more common.

A quirk of a smile as he gently swirls his wine before taking a sip. "
I'm sure you can imagine the harm such an idea could do. So have no fear that I will laugh at your suggestions, so, please."
and he gestures gently with his wine glass for her to put her ideas forwards.

[Dyana Marsten]

Dyana slits her eyes at Daveth's move, then takes an action of her own. She imagined it'd be expected of her to move her Crossbowman out of the way, endangering the Spearmen in front of it but making for a wise move, but instead she proposed a Heavy Horse forwards. Bold, probably costly, but it could work.

The way she carries herself, the poise Daveth attempts to rival, is an unique thing. It's hard to tell if she's making a trained effort to strengthen her presence or if this is just how she is. He'd only seen her in dance before, a field outside of her element, but in a sitting contest of minds she seems surprisingly comfortable and sure of herself. Almost... intimidating.

After her move, she edges back on her seat and considers Daveth. "
That is a remarkable idea, Master Daveth. Impressive, even, given some precautions."
She smiles glibly, glancing back and forth through the pieces laid on the board before rising her gaze to meet his once again. "
I'd set aside my ideas for yours, in fact. Much more interesting, and I trust you would not resort to introduce me to your fists after being met with a daring question. While I may wage war, and while you may have mentioned my body as lacking delicate bones, I am a lady, not a brawling kid."
One of her slender eyebrows slides upward, as they often did, giving her a semblance of mischievous threat, feline dare. "
I would face you under these terms, if you would."
She finishes with a longer sip of wine, not once letting her stare stray from Daveth's own while the glass touched her lips.

[Daveth Coldbrook]

Daveth mentally acknowledges the move. While he sees a way to punish her boldness, that's not the point of the game. Instead, he moves in such a way that Lady Dyana could push her Heavy horse further forwards to capture his rabble. But if she does so, he'll capture her horse easily in the next turn. Boldness must be tempered with wisdom or prudence. We'll see if yours is. Don't disappoint me this early, Lady Dyana.

Daveth gives the air of someone who will never be intimidating. His slight figure lacks presence, and he projects no air of authority. Rather, his time spent in his father's presence has trained him not in matching wills with those he faces, but in bending with their will, without breaking. A calm mask of control, unruffled. After all, this is his battlefield as well.

You knew that she'd jump on that challenge, even before you opened your mouth, didn't you?

I suspected.

When the time comes, you'll regret it. There's ugliness in you that even you can't accept. If she asks the wrong question, you might actually have to be honest with yourself.

That's tomorrow's problem.

Daveth gives a small, reassuring smile, and a dismissive wave, though his eyes lock with hers. "
Oh, don't worry about that, Lady Dyana. I was an emotional youth. One of the key things my gods helped me with was finding peace so I could calm down. Rest assured, you may ask whatever you wish, and be confident that violence will not ensue."
and not just because of your familiarity with sharp, pointy objects.

A slightly predatory smile as he raises his glass as if offering a toast. "
So. Challenge accepted."
he breaks their eye contact as he leans back slightly, sipping at his wine. "
And my apologies if you took my words as a slight against your femininity. I am very aware you are a lady, and did not wish to imply otherwise."
his tone is entirely proper throughout his apology.

[Dyana Marsten]

Dyana's first impulse is to impose her Heavy Horse, and her hand even itches forward in anticipation. Sensing that this might bring her distraught, however, she reconsiders. Leaving the piece where it is, ready to threaten Daveth's advances, she moves another Crossbowman into position, beginning to setup the movement of her Trebuchet. The move wasn't a masterfully thought-out action, and more of a gut feeling, but it might yet prove the best course of action.

She frequently skims the Coldbrook, studying him. His posture, his eyes, his words, his voice. Though not everything he does is held under judgement, it is surely falls into scrutiny. "
I know violence will not ensue, Master Daveth. What I said was no question."
His slightly predatory smile is mirrored by one of her own, more pronounced, almost as if taunting him into giving up subtlety. "
Challenge accepted."
Dyana sips some more wine of her own, watching as he breaks eye contact. "
And I also know you meant no offense. Your meaning was well delivered, and I'll concede that I've met more feminine women than myself, even if your intent was not to imply as such."


He is different today. In the feast, there was more candor to his manner, even if he is too cunning to be transparent. Today, however, it feels as if he's walking circles around me.

Rather, letting me walking circles around him, all the while edging to the side. In either case, someone is being shadowed.

"
When I deem myself ready to stand up to the duel, which I hope will not take overly long, we shall meet wits with honesty, Daveth."
The honorific is thrown aside a second time, as an invitation. She would read him, and to do so she needed him to steer closer. "
I am an open book. My battles are not about concealing, but rather, defying. I can only imagine, however, the dark secrets that I shall extract from the deepest recesses of your soul once I stand victorious."
She smirks in a sinister half-jest.

[Daveth Coldbrook]

Daveth nods, thoughtfully. Good. She can spot an obvious trap, at least. And there is a strategy there beyond the immediate. Let's see how she handles herself defensively. Daveth moves his catapult forwards threateningly towards her heavy horse. Retreat would be the most prudent course. But I wonder if you will.

"
With regards to when our duel could take place, I had a thought. As things stand, I have been playing for a fair few years. It would be hard for a game to be fair using the standard rules. However, if we were to change the rules, so that you had the first turn, and every turn after that first, you had two turns for my one, that could well balance things. For my experience is with the standard rules, and this configuration would throw all my predictions off. I feel that could make it an interesting game, Dyana."
It's easier the second time. "
Do you agree?"


"
And as for dredging out dark secrets?"
a playful smile. "
Well, I may have one or two, I suppose. After all, my battles *are* about concealing."
a small shrug "
At least in part."
the smile returns "
But you should, I feel, be cautious as to if you really want to know the answers before you ask the questions. Just as a sleight of hand trick is not so entertaining when you're familiar with how it's done, be wary your questions don't rob our interactions of their pleasure."
his smile becomes slightly lopsided. "
I'd regret that."

[Dyana Marsten]

At the threatening move, Dyana advances a Light Horse and claims Daveth's catapult. In doing so, however, she endangered both the Light Horse, immediately, and the Heavy one, with one or two more moves from her adversary. If she didn't realize the consequences of this play, or acknowledged it and chose to carry on either way, it's hard to tell. To Daveth's experienced eyes, however, it'd probably seem like a mistake.

"
Handing me the first play, and then double the opportunities to match your wit and strategy?"
Dyana frowns. "
My, that sounds terribly inadequate. I do recognize you have experience on your side, but to assume I need such a thoroughly altered version in order to have a chance at making the game interesting, I..."
She waves a hand, as if shooing the idea away. "
No, Daveth. I will play under normal terms. In light of my as-of-yet ineptitude, I may accept the first turn, but the other measure would be an insult to my intelligence. Unless, of course, you are some sort of tactical genius. I can't see how I wouldn't put up a good match under regular rules."
She looks at him intently, then at the pieces, in her folly not considering just how much experience weighed the odds in Cyvasse.

"
Of course I'd want to know the answers before I put up question. Why would I, otherwise, ask them?"
Her expression softened, and in a moment she was smiling again. "
I do understand the thrill some mystery can bring to an interaction, but all mysteries ought to be unraveled at some point. If not, then there is little point to the proposed exchange."
She blinks, considering the board another time, and hesitates to speak. Had she, perchance, noticed the flaws in her last move only now? "
But I... I hold the same to you."
Dyana snaps out of her short musing, looking up at Daveth again. "
Be careful not to open doors who look better when closed."

[Daveth Coldbrook]

Don't do it, Daveth. Wound her pride and there's a good chance you'll lose her.

Then I lose her. It's time I started pushing.

Daveth sighs slightly at her words, and meets her eyes. Not in a challenging stare, but to emphasise the sincerity of his words. Throughout, his tone is calm and level. "
Dyana. You are beautiful, intelligent, kind, and courageous. You are deservedly proud of your accomplishments. Don't let your pride make you foolish.

"
Give a farmer a sword, and a month's training, and he can use his strength and endurance to capably use it. Pit him one on one against a fully trained and experienced knight, or even a professional soldier, however, and he'd die in seconds, regardless of if their strength and endurance were equivalent. Your field requires experience to be capable, regardless of natural talents.

"
Do me the courtesy of believing that mine does, too."


Daveth glances down at the board, moves his light horse to capture Lady Dyana's, and threaten her heavy horse next turn, before locking eyes again, and this time, his gaze is challenging.

[Dyana Marsten]

All throughout Daveth's short speech, Dyana is smiling. "
I've seen farmers fight brilliantly and unexpectedly, Daveth."
Her eyes edge upwards for just a moment in recollection, but they lower to encompass him in her stare again. "
I wouldn't trust any peasant with a fork to be able to hold their own against a knight, but I can't say there are no surprises in my field, either. And while I do not naysay your perfectly reasonable statements, I'll do you the courtesy of believing that there may be some in yours, too."


That feline, predatory smile returns, and after her Horse is down, her face almost stirs with malevolence. Through a careful, masked and deliberate opening she had pieced together during all her last moves, what seemed to be making way for the Trebuchet actually enabled her to advance the Elephant. She made a point of toppling Daveth's Horse with it, and the new configuration of the board didn't put him in a good position.

He should've seen it. It was a clever move, but not that clever. Perhaps it was well disguised, or maybe he wasn't giving her the attention he'd dispense to a more experienced opponent. In any case, there it was - Dyana caught up with Cyvasse way faster than expected.

Her glittering gaze set on his own, the challenge met in equal measure. "
Perhaps closer than you think."

[Daveth Coldbrook]

Daveth had to admit he was surprised. Pleasantly so, but surprised. While he had seen the threat, he'd firmly believed that it was accidental. Still, he'd made the move to make sure, and been proven wrong.

"
That's impressive."
with respect in his voice. "
I did not expect that setup to be deliberate. Kudos."
with a slight bow of the head. "
I think you can move right on to the advanced classes in our next game.

"
Still, even now, there's time to start teaching you some of the more advanced moves."
and he makes a move to reinforce his front line, in a way that gives him a number of options to safely advance from it.

"
You were unfamiliar with Cyvasse. Would I miss my mark were I to guess that you have had at least some exposure to a vaguely similar game?"
because otherwise, I suspect you may be one of the greatest minds alive today.

[Dyana Marsten]

Dyana nods at Daveth's move, frowning ever so slightly as she considered her next move. She had a plan until now, but the rest of it was composed mostly of "
do that and then wing the rest"
. Her lips purse, and she moves the Trebuchet to what should still be a safe position, but something that she can build upon.

She then smiles up at his question. "
I might just have, you know. A vaguely, vaguely,"
she waves an idle gesture in front of her, "
vaguely similar one. Or maybe not."
She shrugs playfully. "
I guess we'll have to live with this terrible doubt."


That move was good, but I didn't realize it to be truly impressive. I merely used what he gave me. I hope I can keep it up.

[Daveth Coldbrook]

Daveth nods, and with a smile. "
Ah, how cruel and whimsical you are. If you're this merciless to your friends, I pity your foes."
Probably she has, then. That explains it. Still, she's picking this game up at an impressive rate. She could probably offer good advice on matters aside from war.

Stop getting ahead of yourself!

Maybe so. But there's no time like the present to test the theory.

"
I'd like to hear your opinion on something."
he says while he makes his move, a simple, safe, feint, aimed at exposing her heavy horse, before looking back at her. "
The Coldbrook inheritance. To remind you, Lord Coldbrook is not my biological father, and my brother is natural born, so there is some disagreement as to who should be the heir.

"
If you were not aware, the law states that 'A bastard may inherit if the father has no other trueborn children nor any other likely kin to follow him.' So, legally, the situation is rather murky, since it's unclear if an adopted child qualifies, or if they have to be a child of the blood.

"
My Lord father and I currently favour Garret, while My Lady mother and Garret currently favour me.

"
In terms of skills, well, you know I have a fair few aimed at supporting my house - primarily pseudo-maester, assistant steward, and diplomat. My brother has charm, strength of arms, and the ability to lead men well. In short, my brother emphasises and understands our house's strengths, while I compensate for our weaknesses.

"
In terms of personalities, well,"
he smiles and shrugs "
hopefully you've got some idea of what I'm like by now, both good and bad. My brother is bold and courageous, though in a manner in which could admittedly stand to be tempered with the wisdom that comes with age. But he carries himself as a leader of men - he's spent a lot of time with our cavalry, the Riverroad Riders, and they have naturally started looking to him for leadership, though Captain Fenrick is a more than able leader himself. He just has that effect on people.

"
In terms of politics, getting a decent marriage offer for Garret will be fairly difficult without him being the heir to sweeten the pot, sadly. Also, our diplomacy isn't the greatest - the main thing keeping our house safe from greedy neighbours is the deterrent effect of my father leading our troops. Were we to lose having someone in the big chair who could wield an army well, I fear they may forget the strength of our troops is undimmed. Teaching that lesson would likely cost us, potentially severely, just because of the number of neighbours.

"
Lastly, I would just say that to the best of my knowledge, I would describe us both as good men, who both want to put our house's prosperity first, and we have a very close relationship with each other. While we may fight on occasion, we do so as brothers, rather than as enemies. Whichever one of us becomes heir, they can count on the other's full support.

"
So, in this circumstance, and I appreciate it's a bit hard, as you've met me and haven't met my brother yet, if you had a say, which of us would you support, and why?"
from his tone, it's the 'why' that's far more important here.

[Dyana Marsten]

Dyana smiles at Daveth's response, and begins considering a move when he asks her opinion on something. "
Speak up."
She nods at him, and looks down at the pieces, studying them for a few moments before eating the bait and retreating her Heavy Horse.

Throughout his long exposition, she simply listens, ocasionally sipping her wine. The glass is almost empty by the time Daveth puts forth his final question.

"
Well, there is more that needs knowing before I can make an educated guess, Daveth, but to answer you under this circumstance, and considering that I have met you but not your brother, I'd say my support goes to... both."
Dyana proposes, swirling her drink. "
Let me elaborate. You both complement each other well, and would work to better your house beside each other. Of course, only one can claim the seat, and that's what needs weighing.

"
If the matter of most importance is steering the house and guaranteeing a safe and prosperous future, which is my initial bet, I would place you as Lord Coldbrook, and your brother as Master-at-Arms for the house. That way you could use your skills for the betterment of your resources, and your cunning to cultivate relationships with your neighbors, all the while Garret would stay close to the men who look up to him, training your troops and leading them in battle, which is his area of expertise. It's two different things to fight well and to rule well, that I know of.

"
If, and only if marrying Garret is both paramount to the line of your house and impossible with his current position, I would place him as Lord and you as a trusted advisor - a Sentinel, perhaps, as some houses of the North do. Your roles would be much the same, but your word would carry less weight and his skills would be redundant - Master-at-Arms suits them just as well.

"
All things considered, I'd favor the first approach."
She finishes alongside the last of her wine. "
Keeps the Coldbrooks with a clear head and a strong arm, rather than just the latter. Strength is easily understood, and sending the brother of a Lord with an army oft works just as well as sending the Lord with the same army. In diplomacy, however, words don't carry their full weight if spoken from a weaker tongue."

[Daveth Coldbrook]

Yup. She understands politics, alright. That's a good answer.

That's what you were most worried about, wasn't it? That she was so focused on protecting her family from physical threats that she didn't understand the subtler ones? You shouldn't have been. She's still a Marsten.

Daveth nods. "
Good answer, thank you. More wine? I have some water as well, if you'd rather dilute it first."


Daveth reaches out for his Trebuchet, before hesitating, and smiling a mischievous smile at her. "
You know, I was thinking of simply asking you, but where's the fun in that? You've proven a more than able student at this game. It might be best if you actually experience facing me at my full power, so you can observe the best play I can demonstrate.

"
So,"
he raises a finger in emphasis, smile widening. "
let us wager. I come at you, full power. If you fail to capture just three more of my pieces before the game ends, you agree to accompany me to the Bartheld masquerade ball tomorrow. If you succeed,"
he shrugs "
well, there's no obligation."
the smile returns. "
Consider it the price of tutelage. Agreed?"

[Dyana Marsten]

"
I'll have just the wine, thank you."
Dyana smiles politely, offering her glass forward.

She eyes Daveth's movement with just a start of curiosity when he suddenly retracts. Swirling her wine, she lifts an eyebrow at him, and listens.

"
Well."
She takes a sip, tastes it, looks at Daveth, savors the wine some more, savors the challenge. Considers. "
Not too long ago you were offering to let me have twice as many opportunities to win as you did. Now you threaten me with all your might."
Dyana shakes her head slowly, mockingly, though in jest. "
Decide where you stand at, Daveth. Will you ease me into this game, or crush me under your boots?"


She looks down at the board, then up at him again. "
If it is the price of tutelage, however, there is little I can do but pay. I agree. Now, go on."
She gestures nonchalantly towards the pieces. "
Show me the full power of Daveth Coldbrook, Conqueror of Ladies, Wine-Drinker, General of Cyvasse and Party-Goer."

[Daveth Coldbrook]

Daveth carefully pours her another glass of the wine, and refills his own glass at the same time.

Conqueror of Ladies? Party goer? Alright, Garret! The gig's up! Give Daveth his body back!

"
Some people learn best from a step-by-step approach. That's what I was initially attempting. But I'm beginning to think that maybe you need to see a problem that others may say is impossible for you to best have the will and ability to overcome it.

"
So, apologies if my teaching method is rather inconsistent. I've never met anyone like you before, let alone tried to teach them Cyvasse."


(OOC: Not sure how you want to handle it, as I'm not sure how much of a fight you feel Dyana can put up against Daveth when he's actually trying. But if you want to roll for it, Cunning (Logic), and I suggest some penalty for your inexperience, and compare with the below.)
[url=Playing Cyvasse][/url]: 4d6 10

Daveth is acutely aware he's playing far from his best, for all his bravado earlier. By accident or design, Dyana keeps on distracting him from his plans, even something as simple as her drinking a mouthful of wine proves impossible to ignore.

Others take you, Daveth! Focus! You can't make your point if you fail the challenge. You'll just be yet another man who challenged her and fell short. Yes, her lips are very lovely, but if you could just notice her catapult? Please?

...No, those are her eyes, not her catapult. *Sigh*.

[Dyana Marsten]

[OOC: I was actually intending to just write it up, no rolls involved, as she putting up a reasonably good fight... which of course wouldn't be nearly enough of a fight against him, if he's as good as he sounds, and she'd probably fail. But if you want to roll for it, let's roll for it. I actually rolled enough to beat you, but I put an arbitrary penalty of -3 which brought me short of it. I would say this is enough rolling, unless you want to drag it further! [url=Challenged in Cyvasse][/url]: 3d6-3 8]

"
And why would it be more difficult to teach me Cyvasse than anyone else? With no false modesty, I thought I was doing rather well. Surely I'm a good student?"
Dyana gives him a tight smile, then looks down as he moves a piece on the board.

Damn. I have no idea what that's supposed to... is he chasing my horse... but, wouldn't it then...?

She puts up a good show, Dyana, but it's clear Daveth has the upper hand. Whether he's playing at his best or not, she wouldn't know, but it was enough. Every movement of hers, he had a counter, often a piece he'd moved and left lying around for several turns, and which she didn't see coming at all. And though she did play rather cleverly, sneaking impromptu strategies and evading some cunning attacks from her opponent, her lack of experience got the better of her - in a sense, if it's one of the first times you're playing, it's difficult to see the larger picture and take in the roles each of your and your opponent's pieces can play in the long run. By the time her king was cornered, Dyana had taken only two pieces out of Daveth's army, falling just short of the challenge.

"
Well."
She sighed, leaned back and placed an empty wine glass on the table. "
I suppose that settles it, then. Against your full might, I..."
She gestures towards the lonely piece of the king, "
I couldn't do much. Yet! And so I will pay the price of my tutelage. But when that game comes, Daveth, you shall answer all my questions. The ten of them."
With a defeated smile, Dyana stared at him, waiting for a response.

[Daveth Coldbrook]

(Yup, enough rolling. But I'm glad I did roll. That whole 'being distracted' thing was purely from how bad my roll was, and I liked it, and it got me onto the 'Awesome moments' thread again, so yay. Vanity. )

"
Oh, you are an excellent student. Adaptation, improvisation, strategy. You have a beautiful mind. And that's why it's difficult to judge the best approach."
a smile. "
But I hope I've found it."


(This actually happens *just* before Daveth would capture Dyana's king. He has a plan. It is terrible. )

"
Do you know the fundamental difference between man and beast?"
he begins, almost more to himself than Dyana. "
Free will. We alone have the ability to act contrary to our instincts. We can perceive our situation, and make judgements as to what we want. We understand the consequences of our actions, at least partially, and can make decisions to better accomplish our long-term goals, be that prosperity, safety,"
he looks up from the board straight at Dyana. "
Or happiness."
a lopsided shrug and smile. "
Or even all three, if they're lucky."


Daveth looks back down at the board. "
But as I said, as a society, we place limitations on our behaviour. If you're *this* you should do *that* and not do *that*, and if you violate those rules, there are consequences.

"
But there are two kinds of violations. The first is evil in and of itself. Like murder. If you murder, you are punished. Likewise, if you cheat or steal. These are the laws that are required for any society to function, and I absolutely will not forgive those who transgress those fundamental precepts. The second is evil by statute. Things that society consider forbidden simply because someone somewhere said 'no', and made it stick."
another look up. "
Such as women bearing arms. Or leading armies. Or more. Those, I have absolutely no time for. They are nothing more than the scars left on society from the powerful abusing their position.

"
Understand, Dyana. Whatever power I have in my life, I never want to be the kind of person who uses that power to abuse those around me to get what I want. When those I care about do what I want, I want it to be because they *chose* it. Because it's what they want. Because they believe that path is what can bring them safety, prosperity, happiness, or whatever else they want. And not because I twisted their sense of obligation, or manipulated their competitive spirit, or whatever else, to make it so."


And Daveth moves his hand away from his trebuchet, about to capture Dyana's king, and instead moves his own king into the path of her last remaining other piece, a lowly spearman. The way the board is now set up, she can capture his king, and if she doesn't, he'll definitely be able to capture hers next turn. From the way he looks at Dyana, this was no mistake. This was deliberate.

"
So show me, Dyana. What do you *want*?"
He can barely hear his own voice over the frantic beating of his heart while he awaits her answer.

You could have just taken the win.

Yes.

You should have just taken the win.

Perhaps.

Then why?

...If I have to explain it, I don't think I can explain it.

[Dyana Marsten]

[OOC: I edited my last post to accomodate what you did. It's mostly the same, but she has her king cornered instead of toppled.]

When Daveth commented on the beauty of Dyana's mind, if he looked at her at just the right time, and kept looking for just a moment, he would notice the first time he succeeded in making her blush. Not for long, and not a lot, but there was a hint of a shy smile before she sipped her wine.

And when she had given up, not by weakness but because there was little she could do with a King and a Spearman against the entire army of her opponent, less two pieces... if he looked up at that moment, when she was leaning back in defeat, and he started a grand speech on the evil of choice, he'd see her slowly edge forwards, listening with curiosity, her eyes cool and thoughtful.

And when he, at last, exposed his King, and asked his question. If he payed attention then, when Dyana's eyes turned sharp, but narrowed just a little... if he could hear beyond the desperate beating of his own heart, that heart of a man and of a boy, he would not hear any witty quip from her. He would hear no comments on his move, or a response to his question. If he payed attention, and if he looked at the board just then, he'd see a curiously slender finger topple its own King, and he would hear the King falling on the board.

"
I lay defeated."
Dyana says, and her semblance holds a knowing smile and two piercing, feline eyes.

[Daveth Coldbrook]

Daveth can't quite hide his sigh of relief at Dyana's answer, nor can he quite suppress a rather wide smile. "
For a first game, that was a formidable showing. Congratulations."
he extends his hand to shake.

"
I do actually have something for you."
and he reaches into his bag once more, and pulls out a wooden box, which he hands over to Dyana. Inside is a new Cyvasse set, with pieces carved from ivory. Clearly well-made, and of high quality, but not ostentatious or showy. "
I had this made for you, so you could practice yourself, if you can find another opponent from within your house. I feel that experience is the only thing holding you back right now. The more you get, the sooner we can settle our challenge."


(OOC: Great. So, now we know you're agreed, we should probably agree on complimentary masks, else we might clash. I have nothing fixed, and am fairly flexible. Ideas?)

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