Ivy and Chrome PbP Forums

For a fraction of a second, a half-formed joke—something involving Peking duck—floats through Dane’s mind, then slips away. He’s distracted instead, held by her eyes a moment longer than he meant to be, the rest of the table fading until it’s just the two of them and the space between their hands. When he reaches out, it’s less a deliberate choice than an excuse, his fingers brushing the back of her left hand in a brief, gentle touch that lingers just a heartbeat too long. Not taking his eyes from hers, he softly says "I choose this one." The double entendre is not lost on him, as the words come out of his mouth and the analytical part of him hopes she notices, too. The emotional side is afraid she will…the alcohol dulling that fear just enough to make him bolder.

The raven-haired girl recedes to the edges of his awareness—not forgotten, but set aside, as Dane turns his attention back to the board, quietly hoping the game ahead lives up to the moment that led into it.

Meg smiles as Dane brushes her left hand. She stares into his eyes as he can peripherally see her open her hand. He can also see that he's chosen to be black. No need to rotate the table. "I guess I get to go first," she smiles. To Dane, it feels like a lifetime of feelings and emotions only lasting a split second. He notices Megana and the rest are still waiting to see what Ingrid's friend is going to say.

Miss Hoffman moves king's pawn up two spaces. Dane and Megana notice Brad approaching from behind Ingrid and the raven haired girl.

Megana's focus is now on brad and the girl trying to focus on listening for anything off.

Dane pulls his focus inward, bringing everything he’s learned back to the front of his mind. “Let the games begin,” he says quietly. His expression stays neutral now—no smile—while his attention settles fully on the board. He responds with what he’s fairly sure is called the Sicilian Defense, sliding the queen’s bishop pawn forward two squares, from c7 to c5.

OOC: As discussed earlier, I’m assuming we’re not actually playing out a full chess game. Dane is much smarter than I am, and you’re far better at chess than I’ve ever been. Probably best to let IQ rolls determine the outcome.

Lysanthra isn't good with groups. Usually more of a one on one type conversation is more comfortable to her because she's always been a loner. She smiles at Megana, who addressed her, and finally says quietly "Hey I'm Liz. Sorry but I feel like we've met before." She hopes Megana doesn't think she's weird. She definitely feels uncomfortable but she tries to hide her nervousness under her smile.

OOC: All characters present: Megana, Sam, Maya, Steve, Emily, Dane, Meg Hoffman. Nearby: Brad, Ingrid and Lysanthra (plus a packed dining area of random festival goers and waiters/waitresses)

Megana's focuses on Brad and the raven haired girl; trying to notice anything off.

Lysanthra isn't good with groups. Usually more of a one on one type conversation is more comfortable to her because she's always been a loner. She smiles at Megana, who addressed her, and finally says quietly "Hey I'm Liz. Sorry but I feel like we've met before." She hopes Megana doesn't think she's weird. She definitely feels uncomfortable but she tries to hide her nervousness under her smile.

Meanwhile at the same table, Dane pulls his focus inward, bringing everything he’s learned back to the front of his mind. “Let the games begin,” he says quietly. His expression stays neutral now—no smile—while his attention settles fully on the board. He responds with what he’s fairly sure is called the Sicilian Defense, sliding the queen’s bishop pawn forward two squares, from c7 to c5.

Miss Hoffman seems to think really hard. Dividing her attention between Liz and the chess game. Steve and Maya seem glued to the game as well.

Steve pipes up, "Ooo I know what I'd do."

"Stop," Miss Hoffman warns, scolding him with her eyes.

Sam's attention is suddenly on Brad, Liz and Ingrid. He obviously knows Liz as he pipes up, "Lysanthra. She goes to our school, Steve."

"Ugg, Liz! What are you doing here?" Emily, Liz's foster little sister asks, like an annoyed teenager. She then scoots closer to Steve, like he's her boyfriend. Steve promptly scoots away.

Dane does his best to shut out the distractions around him, letting the noise of the table fade as he concentrates on the board. He thinks several moves ahead, constantly recalculating as the position shifts, adjusting his plans to each new configuration of pieces. His play is deliberate—drawing his opponent’s attention one way while quietly arranging threats elsewhere. A fork here, a pin there, or the occasional sacrifice, all in service of maneuvering the pieces to his advantage.

"Possibly but my memory isnt recaling your face at all, my name is Megana a pleasureto meet you. "Megana admitted but keep a neutral voice trying to figure who liz is.

Lysanthra ignores Emily's comment. She still can't shake off the dream she had earlier. She recognizes Sam and says, "Hey Sam." Steve looks familiar too but she's not interested in competing with Emily for a guy. Even if he's not into her foster sister, she's clearly got a thing for him which actually makes Liz want to laugh to herself.

Dane does his best to shut out the distractions around him, letting the noise of the table fade as he concentrates on the board. He thinks several moves ahead, constantly recalculating as the position shifts, adjusting his plans to each new configuration of pieces. His play is deliberate—drawing his opponent’s attention one way while quietly arranging threats elsewhere. A fork here, a pin there, or the occasional sacrifice, all in service of maneuvering the pieces to his advantage.

Miss Hoffman makes a bunch of moves that Dane easily counters and starts taking advantage of slight mistakes.

Meanwhile, Megana replies to Sam, "Possibly, but my memory isn't recalling your face at all. My name is Megana. A pleasure to meet you." Megana admits, but keeps a neutral voice trying to figure who Liz is. She simply doesn't recognise her.

Lysanthra ignores Emily's comment. She still can't shake off the dream she had earlier. She recognizes Sam and says, "Hey Sam." Steve looks familiar too but she's not interested in competing with Emily for a guy. Even if he's not into her foster sister, she's clearly got a thing for him which actually makes Liz want to laugh to herself.

Emily just scowls as Megana notices Vi and Marshal outside of the food court, so she sticks her tongue out at him. "There's your boyfriend, Liz," she insults, pointing at Marshal, insinuating that the foster siblings are in a relationship. Liz notices that Megana is still waiting for a reply back to her.

Brad seems like he may join everyone, but it seems pretty chaotic.

Lysanthra can't believe she was trying to protect Emily in her dream. She must have forgotten what a brat she acts like all the time. "Nice to meet you too Megana. I guess we haven't really met." Liz says hoping that she doesn't sound odd. Then she looks for a seat nearby Ingrid.