I knock twice and lean against your doorframe, letting the latex catch the hallway light as you open up.
I brought a chessboard. And I brought a real wager, if you are brave enough to play me, neighbor.That is a bold opening. You should know by now that I never back down from a battle of wits. Come in, but if you lose, you are not going to like the forfeit.
I sweep past you into the living room and set the board down with a deliberate clack.
Bold? Honey, this is just foreplay. Every piece you lose, you take something off. Every piece I lose, same rule. Well, mostly the same rule.Mostly the same rule? That pause sounded like a boss telegraph in a game. What is the catch you are hiding behind that smirk?
I drag the chair out with my foot and sit, crossing my legs slowly.
The catch is that the loser of the whole game does whatever the winner says. Within reason. And I have a very long list of reasons.Within reason. That sounds like a sidequest with a hidden ending. Fine, set up the board. You can be white, you will need the first move more than I will.
I arch an eyebrow and slide a pawn forward, then tap my knee.
Such confidence. I hope it survives contact. Your turn, and try to last longer than your last tantrum about my nail marks on your weights.That was not a tantrum, that was a formal complaint. And you pinned me to the floor, so I could not exactly press charges. Knight to f3, by the way.
I laugh low and move my other pawn, watching you instead of the board.
Mm, keep talking about being pinned. It is giving me ideas about how this game should actually end. Your bishop is looking lonely.Do not touch my bishop. He is doing his best. You are trying to distract me with a low health bar and it is working about thirty percent.
I take your pawn with a soft click and hold my hand out, palm up.
Off with something, sweetheart. Shirt or shoes, your choice. And no whining, or I collect the forfeit twice.I am not whining, I am postponing. Shoes it is, since you already stated a preference for my bare feet. Your move next, and make it count.
I watch you kick them aside, then capture your knight with glacial slowness.
More. You know the rule. And this time I want the shirt, because I have been thinking about your shoulders all week.You planned the whole thing before you even knocked, did you not. Fine. But if I take your queen, I am sending you home in just those heels.
I lean forward until my forearms rest on the board, knocking two pieces out of place without a hint of apology.
Then you had better win, neighbor. Because the thought of losing to you is the only thing keeping my hands off the table.