[ another pause, and he nods as well. it’s good to see minato too, after all—minato said that dextera was peaceful to be around, but it must be the opposite.
he rubs his hand across his tired eyes, and steps out of the way to usher minato further in, closing the door behind him. ]
[ that’s... not what he expected to see. does minato sew? the quiet surprise is enough to make him forget he’s sad for a moment, as he glances from minato’s hands to his face.
hobbies? he lays one hand flat like a board, and carefully, like he’s thinking of the gesture as he goes, mimes moving pieces on the board.
[Minato does sew!! And while his plausible projects are narrowed down pretty immensely due to the fact that there are no sewing machines here, he can at least work on things still.
Such as, for instance, little tiny pouches, with little tiny buttons that he filched from random clothing items that were far too hideous to wear. Unfortunately he doesn't... know what color this pouch is... hopefully it's not hideous when it finally gets color back!!
Regardless? He tucks the sewing needle away via another piece of fabric in his pocket, and casually rests that on Dextera's flat hand. There. This is for you. (It has a few pieces of paper, blank, in it, folded up. It seemed like that would be useful for Dextera to have on him.)
He's not even going to bring it up properly. It's a gift, because he can give Dextera a gift. Because he hasn't forgotten the way he'd helped with those skeletons, and now seems as good a time as ever to show that appreciation, now that Dextera looks so sad. Instead:]
[ dextera is more grateful than minato probably realizes for even a small gift such as this, not to mention that there’s paper in there that he hasn’t yet discovered. his heart feels like it’s suddenly pounding behind his eyes, his emotions strong and unpredictable whenever someone does something so nice for him.
he might always look sad, but he feels that sadness immensely.
he nods rapidly, first in response to minato’s question—it’s chess! though he doesn’t know how to clarify that—and then he’s covering the little pocket in his hands and nodding a little harder, his eyes suddenly brimming with a gratefulness that seems a little wistful, too.
[Probably chess, then, if Dextera didn't try to correct him at any point, since it was the first item on the list, right...? He'll get better at understanding him, bit by bit.
It's small, but it's important--and it doesn't really need bringing up. Minato's always tried to do what he can to give gifts that suit his Social Links; in a place like this, he has to be more creative, but it's also even more important.
But he doesn't need thanks for it, either. Instead, he flashes Dextera a small smile, and nods.]
Do you have a chess set here...? [Or something that passes for one...] I really haven't played before, but I think I'd like to learn, if you'd be willing to teach me.
[ ...he thinks he understands what minato is trying to do now, and he appreciates it. how could he not? having someone showing such genuine concern for him is something to be treasured, and he holds the pouch to his chest now. ]
...
[ and then he nods, slipping minato's gift into his pocket and gesturing further in. he has a chess board that he managed to scavenge from one of the houses, albeit missing a few pieces. he recreated them from—you guessed it!—bone, but they're obviously not quite as intricate as the pieces that were originally part of the board. ]
[ he’s surprised that minato would want to learn, but he loves chess. it always makes him feel happy, even if it sometimes brings with it a wave of faceless nostalgia as well.
but he’s willing to teach, if minato is truly willing to learn.
he motions for minato to come sit down with him on either side of the board—and although he still seems exhausted by his emotional ordeal, he’s not quite as sad as he was. ]
[He certainly seems appreciative about it; he sits willingly, eyes focused on the board.
A distraction is a distraction--for the both of them. And maybe he'll learn a bit more about Dextera this way too...? Either way, it is never a bad use of time to try to understand someone's hobbies.
[ dextera can't quite put his finger on it, but the way minato sits now, posed and ready to learn, reminds him just a bit of ryoji—it's not something that bothers him to think about it for long, but it's there, and it helps him relax that much further.
he has a feeling minato will get it faster than ryoji would, anyway. ]
...
[ in silence, this might take longer than it would with dextera's voice fully working, but he's already explained it in charades once. so he does the same thing he did before—with each type of piece, he shows minato the directions that they can move, and the ways to capture as well.
he goes slowly at first, but clearly picks up the more he's thinking about it. ]
[Should he slick his hair back to complete the resemblance...
No it's fine, Minato is definitely very focused, at least. He's not completely unfamiliar with chess, either, even if he hasn't really played it much himself. He's learned some via osmosis, so he's able to pick up what Dextera is saying pretty easily, nodding to himself contemplatively.]
So they all move like this... And the goal is... to capture the king, right? I think I've heard that before, somewhere.
[ dextera nods! minato seems to be a quick learner, which is a relief when dextera is such an expert at chest that it's almost hard to teach. he's happy to share it with people, but there's a certain level of impatience that he gets when he really just wants to play.
he isn't quite so impatient yet, but he'll get there soon.
just so minato has an example, he demonstrates the end of a game—writing check on the floor next to him when the king is in check, and checkmate when the king has been captured.
[ that gets a smile out of dextera, although it's small, and still a little weary in a way he can't yet shake off. he picked it up as a kid, he thinks—his memories from that time are vague and spotty, but chess is something he's known for a long time. ]
...
[ he nods, and sets up the board, motioning kindly for minato to take the first move. it's all you, dude!! ]
[HE WILL...TRY. He'll try, moving one of his pawns forward, expression vaguely contemplative. He doesn't really expect this to go his way, not really--
But if it takes Dextera's mind off of some of his sadness, then it's worth getting his ass kicked a few times. And on top of that...well, you can learn a lot from peoples' hobbies.
He's very, very interested to learn what he can about Dextera here and now, while they play--isn't that part of what friendship is all about?]
[ what minato will learn from playing chess with dextera is that dextera is good at chess. minato is a beginner, of course, so he takes it easy—but there are some mistakes that are impossible not to take advantage of. they're so open, so inviting, and dextera really likes chess.
he does make some suggestions for minato to move, every now and then, when it seems like minato is thinking... but ultimately, of course, dextera wins their first match.
he seems apologetic, at least, even though he's smiling when he claims minato's king. ]
[ dextera would be happy to play again. he's not going to let minato win or anything, but he'll try to take it a little easier the second time around—he's not really a teacher, he's just a guy with a hobby, but isn't this what social linking is all about... ]
...
[ he nods, already setting up the board for round two. this time, before he can stop himself, he suggests an opening move for minato.
[Dextera is a good friend and teacher; Minato will gladly take those suggestions. In truth, Minato's got a pretty good head for this sort of thing--not anywhere near good enough to provide any sort of challenge for Dextera, not yet, but there's at least a noticeable improvement in his positioning now.
He wasn't field leader for no reason, after all, and a year of having to think on the fly based off of the Shadows' abilities and his own team's has at least bred in him some very flexible tactical thinking.
He keeps getting tripped up in the more clever gambits of the game, though; sacrificing a piece to gain the advantage just never seems to occur to him and he is... not going to get far playing that way.]
[ dextera notices that—and he’s hesitant to call it a weakness, since it’s a sign that minato must be quite kind, but it’s true that playing chess is a little different from the tactical reality of battle.
he’s getting better fast, but... this might help.
he waves his hand to get minato’s attention on his face, and then touches each piece, holding up a number on his fingers after he does—point values! some people like them, some people don’t, but it’s a nice way to help beginners get into the right mindset. ]
[... Oh, hm. Point values...? Interesting. He's not sure why Dextera is changing it up (he hasn't even caught onto his own somewhat detrimental thinking re: his pieces' movements), but he's willing to roll with Dextera's judgement.
So.
He nods, contemplative.]
... I think I've got it. They're each worth different points, right? I'll do my best. [It's not just about gaining points, then, but also about losing the fewest possible amount of points, right...?]
[ it’s funny, a little, seeing the way that guren and minato have each approached the game. guren had some experience with a shogi background, but his real-world approach to the pieces has been his downfall a few times.
the same is probably going to happen with minato! but dextera is busied enough thinking about all this that he’s forgotten to be sad, and that makes minato the real tactical master here. he was outmaneuvered on the most important playing field of all... the real world.
he nods, and maybe there’s not the competitive gleam in his eye that would suggest he’s 100% fine, but he’s... better. ]
[Funny how that works--though really, all Minato's doing is what he's always done. People aren't simple by any means, but there's always that underlying fact. They like doing what they like to do. They like to share their passions and hobbies with other people. It brightens people, it lights them up and lets them show more of themselves to the world, and that's a beautiful thing.
He's glad, too, that Dextera can do that here and now, even if it means he's going to lose an embarrassing amount of chess pieces and chess matches.
Eventually, he does settle back in his chair after another loss, expression... sincerely impressed.]
Wow. You are really good at this, Dextera-san. I can't think of any strategies that would beat you.
[ dextera immediately shakes his head, a little self-effacing even though he is pretty good at chess. he doesn’t want to gloat... but he also doesn’t want to insult minato by pretending he’s only okay! so he’ll just do this much, and let that be enough for his need to gently downplay his skills. ]
Heh.
[ minato gets a quiet laugh out of him when he slips into another gesture—motioning to the board, to minato, and then he tries to communicate growth with a languid sweep of his hands. they played a few matches, and minato has already improved considerably! ]
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[ another pause, and he nods as well. it’s good to see minato too, after all—minato said that dextera was peaceful to be around, but it must be the opposite.
he rubs his hand across his tired eyes, and steps out of the way to usher minato further in, closing the door behind him. ]
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But!
He will casually just reach into his pocket to reveaaaal......... thread? Needle? Some cloth?]
...Do you have any hobbies, Dextera-san?
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hobbies? he lays one hand flat like a board, and carefully, like he’s thinking of the gesture as he goes, mimes moving pieces on the board.
chess. ]
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Such as, for instance, little tiny pouches, with little tiny buttons that he filched from random clothing items that were far too hideous to wear. Unfortunately he doesn't... know what color this pouch is... hopefully it's not hideous when it finally gets color back!!
Regardless? He tucks the sewing needle away via another piece of fabric in his pocket, and casually rests that on Dextera's flat hand. There. This is for you. (It has a few pieces of paper, blank, in it, folded up. It seemed like that would be useful for Dextera to have on him.)
He's not even going to bring it up properly. It's a gift, because he can give Dextera a gift. Because he hasn't forgotten the way he'd helped with those skeletons, and now seems as good a time as ever to show that appreciation, now that Dextera looks so sad. Instead:]
You play...chess? Is that right? Or checkers?
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[ dextera is more grateful than minato probably realizes for even a small gift such as this, not to mention that there’s paper in there that he hasn’t yet discovered. his heart feels like it’s suddenly pounding behind his eyes, his emotions strong and unpredictable whenever someone does something so nice for him.
he might always look sad, but he feels that sadness immensely.
he nods rapidly, first in response to minato’s question—it’s chess! though he doesn’t know how to clarify that—and then he’s covering the little pocket in his hands and nodding a little harder, his eyes suddenly brimming with a gratefulness that seems a little wistful, too.
it’s so small, but... ]
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It's small, but it's important--and it doesn't really need bringing up. Minato's always tried to do what he can to give gifts that suit his Social Links; in a place like this, he has to be more creative, but it's also even more important.
But he doesn't need thanks for it, either. Instead, he flashes Dextera a small smile, and nods.]
Do you have a chess set here...? [Or something that passes for one...] I really haven't played before, but I think I'd like to learn, if you'd be willing to teach me.
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...
[ and then he nods, slipping minato's gift into his pocket and gesturing further in. he has a chess board that he managed to scavenge from one of the houses, albeit missing a few pieces. he recreated them from—you guessed it!—bone, but they're obviously not quite as intricate as the pieces that were originally part of the board. ]
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Are you willing to teach me how to play, Dextera-san? I'll need a lot of practice, but I'd like to learn.
[And it gives them something to do--something to take their minds off of things.]
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[ he’s surprised that minato would want to learn, but he loves chess. it always makes him feel happy, even if it sometimes brings with it a wave of faceless nostalgia as well.
but he’s willing to teach, if minato is truly willing to learn.
he motions for minato to come sit down with him on either side of the board—and although he still seems exhausted by his emotional ordeal, he’s not quite as sad as he was. ]
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A distraction is a distraction--for the both of them. And maybe he'll learn a bit more about Dextera this way too...? Either way, it is never a bad use of time to try to understand someone's hobbies.
He is ready to learn, sensei...!]
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he has a feeling minato will get it faster than ryoji would, anyway. ]
...
[ in silence, this might take longer than it would with dextera's voice fully working, but he's already explained it in charades once. so he does the same thing he did before—with each type of piece, he shows minato the directions that they can move, and the ways to capture as well.
he goes slowly at first, but clearly picks up the more he's thinking about it. ]
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No it's fine, Minato is definitely very focused, at least. He's not completely unfamiliar with chess, either, even if he hasn't really played it much himself. He's learned some via osmosis, so he's able to pick up what Dextera is saying pretty easily, nodding to himself contemplatively.]
So they all move like this... And the goal is... to capture the king, right? I think I've heard that before, somewhere.
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he isn't quite so impatient yet, but he'll get there soon.
just so minato has an example, he demonstrates the end of a game—writing check on the floor next to him when the king is in check, and checkmate when the king has been captured.
easy enough, right? ]
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He gets it, but also--]
This looks like the sort of thing that seems simple, but is actually really complicated...
[STILL, he's never been the sort to back down just for reasons like that.]
I'm ready to give it a try for a proper game though, I think, if you don't mind being a little patient with me.
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...
[ he nods, and sets up the board, motioning kindly for minato to take the first move. it's all you, dude!! ]
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But if it takes Dextera's mind off of some of his sadness, then it's worth getting his ass kicked a few times. And on top of that...well, you can learn a lot from peoples' hobbies.
He's very, very interested to learn what he can about Dextera here and now, while they play--isn't that part of what friendship is all about?]
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he does make some suggestions for minato to move, every now and then, when it seems like minato is thinking... but ultimately, of course, dextera wins their first match.
he seems apologetic, at least, even though he's smiling when he claims minato's king. ]
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Hm.
Give him a moment, he's inspecting what happened and how Dextera managed to beat him so easily. And then, quietly:]
Do you mind if we play again? I want to see if I can do a little better.
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...
[ he nods, already setting up the board for round two. this time, before he can stop himself, he suggests an opening move for minato.
he can't help it!! he wants minato to do well. ]
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He wasn't field leader for no reason, after all, and a year of having to think on the fly based off of the Shadows' abilities and his own team's has at least bred in him some very flexible tactical thinking.
He keeps getting tripped up in the more clever gambits of the game, though; sacrificing a piece to gain the advantage just never seems to occur to him and he is... not going to get far playing that way.]
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he’s getting better fast, but... this might help.
he waves his hand to get minato’s attention on his face, and then touches each piece, holding up a number on his fingers after he does—point values! some people like them, some people don’t, but it’s a nice way to help beginners get into the right mindset. ]
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So.
He nods, contemplative.]
... I think I've got it. They're each worth different points, right? I'll do my best. [It's not just about gaining points, then, but also about losing the fewest possible amount of points, right...?]
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the same is probably going to happen with minato! but dextera is busied enough thinking about all this that he’s forgotten to be sad, and that makes minato the real tactical master here. he was outmaneuvered on the most important playing field of all... the real world.
he nods, and maybe there’s not the competitive gleam in his eye that would suggest he’s 100% fine, but he’s... better. ]
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He's glad, too, that Dextera can do that here and now, even if it means he's going to lose an embarrassing amount of chess pieces and chess matches.
Eventually, he does settle back in his chair after another loss, expression... sincerely impressed.]
Wow. You are really good at this, Dextera-san. I can't think of any strategies that would beat you.
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Heh.
[ minato gets a quiet laugh out of him when he slips into another gesture—motioning to the board, to minato, and then he tries to communicate growth with a languid sweep of his hands. they played a few matches, and minato has already improved considerably! ]
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