[ 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! ]
[ dextera nods. he’s had more people over at his house just to spend time together than he’s ever even known before, and each one is a treasured guest...!! especially when they play chess with him, but it’s not a necessity to have fun.
all that is a bit complex for his hands, however, and so he makes a beckoning gesture instead, and then broadens it to the room around them. minato is welcome any time. he pointedly touches the pieces, pauses, and then lets his hand rest in his lap in a beat of silence.
they don’t have to play, if minato wants to just chill. ]
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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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Thanks. I think it's going better too, even though I have a lot of work to do, too.
[Which is fine, because--]
Is it okay if I come by more often to play? I'll only get better with practice, right?
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all that is a bit complex for his hands, however, and so he makes a beckoning gesture instead, and then broadens it to the room around them. minato is welcome any time. he pointedly touches the pieces, pauses, and then lets his hand rest in his lap in a beat of silence.
they don’t have to play, if minato wants to just chill. ]
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I'd like the company too.
[His roommate is currently turned to stone? So. It sounds nice.]
So... thanks, Dextera-san. I appreciate it.