(Tactics) Geist vs. Avis

[Avis]

Avis just stared at the small man, smirking up at her from his seat behind the chess board. Unfortunately, he'd probably still be smirking after the match was over. Well, whatever. It was time to play. She took the seat opposite Geist and dropped her stare, her eyes flicking over the board and the rows of little plastic pieces rather than her opponent. The board seemed so benign sitting there in the Cathedral, just one little collection of toys among many, but for Avis there was a greater deal of significance attached to it. For her it was a miniature battlefield, a microcosm that would translate the conflict of two minds into the physical world, a conflict where the casualties would measure in the loss of pride rather than the loss of living bodies. Certainly in the grand scheme of things it was just a little game, but in this moment all she knew was that she really, really wanted to win.


"Yeah, ok. I'm ready," she finally said, looking up to meet Geist's eyes.

  Initiative of 12

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2014-06-18 15:28:01		Avis rolls 1 die for initiative		6

[TheMalkCat]

Geist is playing for funsies. Winning is funsies. Ergo, Geist is playing to win. For funsies. Ergo cognito sum quid pro quo pluribus unum. Can't explain that shit.

  Initiative 13

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2014-06-18 15:42:02		Geist rolls 1 to Initiative (10 Again)		7		failure

Non sequitirs aside, Geist already has the upper hand. Position is truly everything and this Moros sneakily chooses the white side of the table to make the first move. Because if he didn't, then the first little trick he had memorized off the top of his head wouldn't work. He looks to Avis with a lilt of his head.

"Bet I can get you into check in four moves."

  2 Sux

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2014-06-18 16:07:12		Geist rolls 7 to Scholar's Mate (Intel+Res+EM) (10 Again)		3, 4, 8, 5, 8, 1, 3		2 successes

[Avis]

Yeah, but you're also a dickhead, Avis thought charitably. But he was also right, the fucker. Goddammit.

She stared at the pieces, as if the intensity of her gaze would somehow help her find victory. Or, at least, help her avoid throwing the board into the smug bastard's face.

So she didn't say anything in reply, she just made her next move. And subsequently lost her bishop. Soon after, the game.

  1 success :(

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2014-06-18 16:43:30		Avis rolls 5 to humiliation (10 Again)		4, 6, 6, 4, 8		1 success

[Cayce]

My bad. Per rules update, the contest is a race to 10 successes. No one has won or lost yet!

[TheMalkCat]

The Moros' overconfidence flubs it up. Avis plays just the way he intended, but he completely screws up a move. Crap its the other bishop that's supposed to go there! It costs him a piece and his pride. There's no way he's getting her in four moves now. The smugness of his smirk falls away to be replaced with quiet unease.

   0 Success!

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2014-06-18 18:53:51		Geist rolls 7 to Int+Res+EM (10 Again)		7, 1, 5, 7, 2, 5, 7		failure

But Geist masques his flub behind vocal bravado. He clicks his tongue twice before looking back to the other mage. "Fine, maybe not four moves. You got me there. 'S not change the way this is gonna go down though."

[Avis]

She'd given up too easily! Somehow her stupid move had faked him out. Fuck yeah.

Avis' anger began to evaporate as hope welled up from some withered part of her mind. The corners of her lips twitched as she took out a knight that had been left open. Dull, green eyes flicked up from the board to study Geist's face.

"Sure. Any one of two things could happen," she agreed noncommittally. Maybe, just maybe, she would be able to fumble a win out of this. A half-remembered strategy was coming together in her mind. It could work. There was a possibility of victory, as long as she stayed focused.

  2 successes

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2014-06-19 19:02:12		Avis rolls 5 to Chessssss (10 Again)		5, 2, 5, 8, 8		2 successes

[TheMalkCat]

The Moros keeps up with Avis despite eating his cocky words at the beginning of the match. He scans over her expression looking for any hint triumph. His eyes reach hers and notes the rather plainness of her looks, and his gaze slides off to the side while he moves a piece almost at random.

  1 Sux

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2014-06-19 21:20:52		Geist rolls 7 to Chessing (Int+Res+ED) (10 Again)		6, 7, 2, 3, 9, 7, 2		1 success

"Hey, a draw's perfectly possible here. Can't rule that out just yet."

[Avis]

Was he getting nervous, or was that look something else? No, it couldn't be. Avis shifted in her seat and her gaze dropped down to the board to watch Geist's move. It wasn't what she'd been expecting him to do, and for a moment there was sheer panic, but then, like a wind sweeping a storm away, the strategy began to form in her mind. Her rooks came out to engage the Moros' army, the black sentinels daring his wraith-like pawns to continue their steady advance.

"No it's not. Eventually someone will win. I'm not giving up until you take every last damn piece. We're on display here, ya know."

  2 successes

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2014-06-20 02:22:24		Avis rolls 5 to CHESSSSSSS (10 Again)		8, 4, 6, 10, 5, 3		2 successes

[TheMalkCat]

The Moros' eyes quirk up in sudden realization! Running through the oodles and boodles of memory wound up in his head he finds the perfect technique to shift the odds in his favor.

He gives a slight flourish with his fingers as he executes a masterful stroke.

  5 Successes to Chessing!

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2014-06-20 07:50:18		Geist rolls 7 to Int+Resolve+ED (10 Again)		8, 4, 9, 8, 8, 8, 4		5 successes

"Nah, I'm not about that life. Check." The devious pyre burning behind his eyes grows bright.

[Avis]

"Fuck," Avis muttered, staring at the board. How had she not seen that coming? Shit. She'd have to sacrifice her queen if she wanted to free her king. All in all, it was an even trade, but it looked like she wouldn't be able to delay a defeat for long.

  1 success

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2014-06-22 23:27:43		Avis rolls 5 to chests! (10 Again)		2, 8, 3, 2, 6		1 success

Avis has 6 successes vs. Geist's 8. Next roll decides!