∞ 60: Much-needed practice [written/action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[written]

Genis, please send a message when dinner is ready. I will be out for awhile.

If anyone needs me, I will be in the library.


[action]

[For lack of anything better to do on a nice summer afternoon, Albert has decided to sit in the library with a ... somewhat-odd setup. A map stretched across a table out of sight from the front door, dotted with small wooden figures designed as soldiers, cavalry, archers, mages... The map, upon closer inspection, shows patches color that denote plains, mountains, water bodies, and forests.

In some ways, the setup looks like a game board. It's really a lasting reminder of another strategist's presence in Luceti; he was the one who had introduced Albert to the method of practice, after all.

Nearly two years in Luceti without access to strategy books and news of warfare have dulled his skills. He doesn't look pleased as he makes moves for both armies.]

Comments

...Oh God, is that Mark's game? I love you.

[compos-mentis.livejournal.com]

[Nina seems to hang in the library a lot, because right now she's watching this spectacle with a seemingly appraising eye there. She might be reading into the moves... or she might just be Alber-watching. Both of them sound good]

Mark lives on in Luceti! ...If only in props.

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert continues giving the campaign setup his undivided attention, circling the table after completing one move to study the other army.]

/so late

[compos-mentis.livejournal.com]

[...And then Nina is going to pull up a chair here, and sit in something that may or may not be the position for the other army there. It's a little off center, so it probably is just an observing spot]

Hey there.

[chikaidestroyer]

[He frowns as Nina draws his attention away from the game. Upon seeing who it is, he returns to leaning over the table.]

Is there something I can do for you, Miss Parker?

[Action]

[goggle-syndrome.livejournal.com]

[ignoring all orders to stay home and rest for a while, Taichi's been out wandering and found himself in the library. As he wanders through, he'll pass by Albert at first, thinking nothing of it. However, he'll stop a little ways away, thinking he's out of sight, and he'll be looking over Albert's shoulders at the set up. What exactly is this?]

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Considering Albert's height, you'll probably find more luck looking between his arms than over his shoulders, Tai. :) But Albert isn't paying attention to his surroundings at the moment; he's contemplating the best way to complete his objectives, whatever those may be.]

[Action]

[goggle-syndrome.livejournal.com]

[...fff yeah he realizes this after a bit, so he'll begin fidgeting around trying to see what's going on and still be hidden. Buuut unfortunately he leans a little too far forward and losing his balance he'll crash to the floor. Can you ignore your surroundings now, Albert?]

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[...Okay, definitely can't ignore that. Albert looks up at the sound, turning to see ... well, a kid in a twitchy pile on the floor. He doesn't say anything for a moment. Once he's satisfied that no one else is around, he clears his throat.]

Are you all right?

[inabook]

[Estelle is very curious about your game. But she's not going to be rude and just stare at him.]

Hello, Mr. Silverberg.

[chikaidestroyer]

[He doesn't answer right away, taking the time to move another piece before speaking.]

Hello, Miss Estelle.

[inabook]

What kind of game is that? I've never seen it before.

[chikaidestroyer]

I'm afraid I never heard if it has a proper name. It's a method of practice. [pause] I suppose you could simply call it a war game.

[Voice]

[kendama-pro.livejournal.com]

[Since Genis isn't aware that he might be disturbing an Albert-Hard-At-Work, he's going to pipe up over the journal-]

Want anything in particular for dinner, Albert?

[Voice]

[chikaidestroyer]

[No immediate answer, Genis. But the journal is open and on the table, so there might be the faint sounds of things being moved around.

It's nearly two full minutes before Albert replies. Hope you weren't waiting with bated breath.]

What are the chef's recommendations?

[Voice]

[kendama-pro.livejournal.com]

[He was wondering what happened to you, Albert. That silence had him wondering.]

Hm, I dunno. Maybe some hotpot, or stew. But I've been wanting to try something new - any suggestions?

I'm not disturbing you, am I?

[Voice]

[chikaidestroyer]

[It's another several seconds before he replies.] I'm in the middle of something, but your message was slightly expected.

I would suggest the sweet curry, but considering that is supposed to be the Professor's undertaking... Hotpot sounds appealing.

[silversnowfall]

[puts down her book and comes over to observe. While being silently polite about it]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Since Albert is not paying attention to bystanders, he continues working on the game. He makes mental notes to himself to hold himself accountable for his own decisions for each side.]

[silversnowfall]

[waits until there seems to be a lull in his game before speaking]

Would you care for an opponent?

[silvergeneral.livejournal.com]

[Sephiroth hasn't been avoiding Albert ever since he first met him--even though really, that minor lovefest was as awkward and embarrassing as all hellfire--or at least, not altogether intentionally. But for right now, he's been lying on top of a bookshelf with a book, and he simply help but lean up on one elbow to watch. It's the general in him.]

[chikaidestroyer]

[On top of a bookshelf, huh? Then it's quite possible Albert might not take notice of the silver-haired general. He continues working on the war campaign.]

[silvergeneral.livejournal.com]

[If he can't fly, he'll damn well find one way or another to stay in the air. So Sephiroth continues watching. And watching. And then has to comment.]

Do you account for monsters?

[Action]

[wise_maiden]

[Raine is in the library for her own reasons as the evening draws near, which seems to be gathering a few books, some aimed at children. She pauses when she passes by Albert, watching his progress for a moment.]

That game...

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Depending on how loudly Raine said that, it may or may not have been heard by Albert. He keeps working on the war objectives.]

[Action]

[wise_maiden]

[It was likely more to herself than to him, but for now Raine'll simply watch his progress, with a thoughtful look. It is an interesting game, after all, and she's reminded of that long one during the late fall all those months ago. And Mark. And the events leading up to it. It's been a while since she considered that.

The thought makes her shake her head a little with a sigh.] ... Mn.