sticks inbox/inventory

[kingincognito]

♡

code credit

INVENTORY · His canon clothing. · His canon sword, The Burning Thorn. · His half of The Founder's Grasp, a pair of bracelets of which Clive possesses the twin.     NOTE: Ydalir has enchanted this bracelet, allowing Joshua to assume the form of a small,     cockatiel-sized Phoenix. · His copy of the Journal of Moss. · A photographed family portrait of his own family, in fine (but not royal) clothing and     appearing happy. · A stock of medicine for his coughing, supplied by Pure Vanilla Cookie. · An ear cuff, custom made by Sesa and gifted to him by Dion.     NOTE: Ydalir has enchanted this ear cuff, allowing Joshua to create a small ball of light     similar to Dion's that fires three quick laser blasts before disappearing. · A small stolas, requested from home. Her name is Willowisp, and she coos a lot and     accepts snacks.     NOTE: Pure Vanilla Cookie has now linked her as Joshua's familiar.

Comments

[kingincognito]

[ Clive would be right, in that he has had a hand in writing it. All of it, in fact, in a series of journals. His entire journey, from the moment that he awakened, beginning from as early as he can remember.

A great deal of it includes Clive. abut those journals aren't here.

His brother believes in him, though. He always has. And his words now make Joshua smile, a confidence swelling in his chest. ]

I could certainly try. Particularly if you are looking so forward to it.

[ But now, it's his turn. He lifts his mug again, to finish the small bit of tea left in it. ]

And what of you, brother? Do you have any hobbies?

[aneikonic]

[ And like Joshua before him, Clive stalls. Silence fills the air between them, as Clive furrows his brow and stares at the floor for a moment or two. ]

Ah... Does sword-fighting count?

[ He can't say he particularly enjoys it but he's good at it, and it helps focus his mind when he needs it, plus keeps him in shape. He's really racking his brain here.

Does he actually enjoy anything? It's such a bizarre concept now. ]

[kingincognito]

[ ... Founder, they are both so good at this. Joshua chuckles, politely, behind one hand. ]

Aren't we a pair. Perhaps we both should try to find something to keep us entertained.

[ Though, he doesn't know what. Maybe this place has games. He knows he heard something about... video games? At Mizuki's place. He doesn't know what that is, but it's worth a look, maybe. ]

Or I could join you in swordfighting? I would be happy to spar with you any day, so long as you don't go easy on me.

[aneikonic]

I would love to spar with you, and you know I wouldn't go easy on that.

[ He's seen his brother in battle, after all. Their styles are different, but Joshua is an adept sword now and it would be an insult to him to treat him inferior.

Though his brother's words have finally reached a boil in his head and he stands suddenly. ]

Chess. One moment, brother.

[ There's a practice board somewhere in the Inn, and he leaves to fetch it, knowing he's probably left his brother bewildered. But it won't take long to find supplies and find it hanging out with other things, and he's back, gesturing for Joshua to take a seat as he pulls a box over and another chair so they have a makeshift table.

Also to check on the oven, okay still time.

He eagerly begins to set the board up by unfolding it and taking pieces out. ]

Luca taught me this. It's a game of strategy.

[kingincognito]

[ --oh? The sudden shift has Joshua's eyebrows raising. Chess? What is chess?

But he doesn't get the chance to ask, because there goes Clive. Joshua sits for a moment, watching where he'd retreated, and then subtly glancing over at the oven. Is... is Clive going to be back before it's finished? He isn't sure what the next step is, outside of "remove potatoes".

Thankfully, Clive returns, and with some kind of board. It's interesting, particularly as he begins to remove the pieces, and Joshua takes a seat. ]

Oh, is it? How do you play?

[aneikonic]

It's like a battlefield.

[ He sets the black pieces up on his side, showing Joshua where they go as he does. And Tal is way too lazy to type it all the fuck out, so he explains each piece too. The King, the Queen, the Rooks, Bishops, Knights, Pawns. As well as how they can each move, how to capture a piece, and how the game ends with checkmate for the King.

He sits back, smiling. Glances to the Oven. Okay still time. ]

Got it all?

[kingincognito]

[ And because Kaed does not know chess, we will just assume that Joshua understands. He nods, memorizing the movement of each piece as he takes the white pieces and mirrors Clive's placement. ]

I think so... I'm surprised that we don't have this at home. It seems like the kind of thing noble houses would enjoy.

[aneikonic]

That's what I thought. It turns out we're not wrong, Luca said he was a Lord himself.

[ He gestures for his brother to go first, as white goes first. And unlike his win with Luca, which he feels was because the man became distracted, he's sure his brother is going to win by sheer stratagem alone. ]

You'll like this game.

[kingincognito]

[ That gets a soft laugh. ]

Is he really? I had wondered.

[ Making a move, though... Hmm. He will ponder this for a moment, trying to think a few moves ahead, anticipate what moves his brother might make. And then he moves one of the pawns. ]

It does seem fun. A bit like a battlefield, in a way.

[aneikonic]

[ And he moves one of his in return, smiling a little. ]

Exactly. I trust you will thoroughly shame me.

[ And he settles back to play while they wait for the potatos. ]