[That's also true, shhh. But nonetheless, they usually win handily, without losing many soldiers if anyone at all--but then, that's how amazing their parents are.]
Aww, thanks, Rose! You may not be an expert, but you are super smart! Do you want to play chess or tactical games with me sometime?
You have a chess set? [Something about chess tries to turn her aside, but Rose is more stubborn than a few lingering memories and symbolism.] It would be preferable to lying here staring at these walls in my spare time.
[Chess. Against Morgan. Rose catches herself smiling.]
[Pls, Rose. Pls. That's hardly good enough at all.]
Ha ha, that's just the basics! Birthdays deserve more than the basics. ...Way more than the basics!
So we'll do this and it'll be tons of fun! I'm always looking for really smart people to play chess against, and the fact that it's Rose is even better!
Well, I suppose I can hardly say no under the pressure of compliments like that.
[Not-so-secretly pleased to the hilt, is Rose. She can't think of a better way to spend a fake birthday just now than in games of intelligence with such a unique and magnetic person as Morgan.]
Of course, if I wanted to be truly entertained, I would watch you and your brother play chess instead.
[That much gets...an exasperated huff out of Morgan. It's good-natured as always, but there's definitely a pout on her face.]
We're 32 and 32 right now... evenly matched. As per usual. [no matter what they do, they always end up tied in the end--which is a given, probably, but weird to experience.]
Rose thinks an answer wants to present itself - more than one, a whole branch of the timeline tree - but she chooses not to ask. Not this time, not yet.]
10/27
Aww, thanks, Rose! You may not be an expert, but you are super smart! Do you want to play chess or tactical games with me sometime?
10/27
[Chess. Against Morgan. Rose catches herself smiling.]
10/27
[She has a lot of connections.
But she laughs at that, nodding brightly.]
Great! Then it'll be a birthday date, all right? After all, I did say we'd do something more fun for your birthday once we got out.
10/27
Getting out with my life attached is fulfilling enough, I assure you.
[But she only engages in the deflection because she feels like it. A birthday chess date with Morgan sounds like an instant yes.]
10/27
Ha ha, that's just the basics! Birthdays deserve more than the basics. ...Way more than the basics!
So we'll do this and it'll be tons of fun! I'm always looking for really smart people to play chess against, and the fact that it's Rose is even better!
10/27
[Not-so-secretly pleased to the hilt, is Rose. She can't think of a better way to spend a fake birthday just now than in games of intelligence with such a unique and magnetic person as Morgan.]
Of course, if I wanted to be truly entertained, I would watch you and your brother play chess instead.
10/27
We're 32 and 32 right now... evenly matched. As per usual. [no matter what they do, they always end up tied in the end--which is a given, probably, but weird to experience.]
10/27
[Well. That's a flashback.]
10/27
Anyway, let me get the chess set first! Hoooow about...tomorrow!
10/27
Tomorrow is fine.
10/27
But great! I'll see you tomorrow, then, Rose! I can't wait!
10/27
Rose thinks an answer wants to present itself - more than one, a whole branch of the timeline tree - but she chooses not to ask. Not this time, not yet.]
I can hardly contain my anticipation.