Xerxes Break | Dominic Sorel | 041

[charientisms]

[It's Christmas-time once again and Break has no idea why they're still here and why they're still celebrating this inane holiday--or, well, he'd like to believe that, since this time he actually went out of his way to get a gift for a certain person who he has acknowledged is more than just a simple pawn.

But acknowledging that once again in the form of a gift...well, at least it's a rather obscure acknowledgement. And Break didn't want to deliver it in person, and so--Dominic gets the gift on his doorstep, with a neat note scrawled with the words, "Merry Christmas, is that not how the saying goes?" and without a single name.

Still, with the fancy chess set inside, it should be obvious enough who delivered it.]

Comments

[defector]

[Well, you never know. That kind of reeks of Vincent too—

But yes, Dominic realizes who it is, and for a while, he just... stares. Because even if Break left it on his doorstep so impersonally, the fact of the matter is that Break still got him a gift, which was unexpected, to say the least.

To be honest, he's half-expecting it to be some kind of joke, though regardless, he's not entirely sure how to take this.]

Did he really...?

[charientisms]

[shhhhhhh nothing like the sewer rat.

and yes he did really. And maybe he wanted to see Dominic's reaction, or maybe he really was strolling along innocently (one of these is more probable than the other), but regardless, he's grinning, tilting his head as he peers at Dominic with easy satisfaction.]

Tell me, Mister Dominic, do you know how to play?

[defector]

[He should be surprised that Break is conveniently here, but by this point, he really can't be.]

... Were you just waiting here for me to open it?

[charientisms]

Why, you insult me! I was merely on a stroll and thought I might as well pass along the season's greetings.

Is that not what one does, at times like this?

[he fully expects Dominic to know otherwise, but let him have his fun, sheesh.]

[defector]

[yeah, uh.

Dominic will just be raising his eyebrows with a faint smile on his face.]

And you're one to do what everyone else does?

[charientisms]

[...heh. Break simply gives an overly flamboyant and amused shrug at that, tilting his head. There is of course the fact that he wouldn't be able to see what Dominic got out of the box without knowing what was in there beforehand, because blind, and well--

Break's story is full of holes, but it's definitely on purpose.]

Hard-ly! Which is why I shall ask again--do you know how to play, Mister Dominic?

[defector]

[There's a pause as Dominic lets out an amused breath, before he answers.]

I can't say I've played before, but I know the general rules.

[charientisms]

Then I can imagine no better partner for you than a blind man!

[He is so amused at this, but he does step a step closer. Yes, he wants to play with you, Dominic, and he may not even have (too many) ulterior motives.]

Do you suppose that would be enough of a handicap? For yourself, of course! It is nothing of the sort for me.

[defector]

[Dominic would be amazed if he had none, to be honest.]

Considering it's you we're talking about, I'm not sure if that's even a handicap at all.

[charientisms]

[...almost none! that's close enough right. he's mostly clean of ulterior motives.

Though he chuckles at that, leaning on his cane.]

And now the flattery! My, my. Though I daresay it is not my habit to go easy on people, would you still be willing to play a game?

[so he's admitting that he's going to slaughter you but hey wanna play anyway?]

[defector]

[... That's probably the most he can ever ask for.]

I would be surprised otherwise.

[aka yes because he's apparently a masochist]

[charientisms]

[yes, we all know Dominic is a masochist. That has never been in question.

But Break simply claps his hands together, making no sound with his muffling sleeves, and beams.]

Excellent! And while I would so hate to question your manners on such an au-spi-cious day--

[are you going to invite him inside or what.]

[defector]

[yes yes he was getting to that]

Of course—come on in, Break.

[aaaaaand stepping back to let him in!]

[charientisms]

[And Break merely offers a bow of his head, amused but pleased well enough, and steps on in.]

How kind of you, Mister Dominic.

[well he's always a bit of an asshole.]

[defector]

[he is very used to break's asshole-ness]

I'll go and clear a table, then. Do you want tea or anything...?

[charientisms]

If you will, yes. How very kind!

[Break simply nods, assuming his right to tea easily, and follows right along.

Making Dominic make him things on Christmas, a Break life.]

[defector]

All right, I'll go prepare some. Would you mind setting the game up in the meantime, then?

[because even if Break's blind, Dominic knows he can, okay.]

[charientisms]

[...sometimes, that sort of faith can just leave him cold.

But for Dominic, he simply nods elegantly, smiling and moving to the table.]

But of course. Tell me--would you prefer black or white?

[this...may not be a completely innocent question.]

[defector]

White goes first, right? I suppose that would potentially be beneficial for me.

[charientisms]

Well, I do suppose that is as good a reason as any. Well done, Mister Dominic.

[No hints of "good" or "bad", which he approves of, because honestly, he's seen enough good and bad.

So he sets to setting up the chessboard, running careful fingers over the pieces so he knows which is which before placing them exactly on their spots. Despite not being able to see the board, he's seen enough chess boards that he can envision it in his mind, and that along with knowing the edges, allows him to place each piece carefully, without an inch of hesitation.]

ALMOST TWO WEEKS LATER

[defector]

... Was I being tested on something...?

[And this is why he had you set up the board, Break.]

i love you anyway

[charientisms]

[yeah yeah, he's very proficient despite his blindness somehow. But he merely tilts his head, "looking" up at Dominic.]

The world does so often subscribe to the view that white is morally good, you see, whereas black...the shadow, that is, is morally--well, not so much, clearly!

Though I can only approve of choosing based off of stra-te-gy~

rejected

[defector]

... Thank you, I guess?

Though truth be told, while that may be the common associations, I'd actually say that black has better associations for me than white does...

weeps bitterly

[charientisms]

[...dominic is just earning himself all sorts of points right now. Break is faintly impressed, even. maybe. sort of.

But he just picks up a white piece (the knight, in fact), "inspecting" it thoughtfully as he waits for Dominic.]

Is that so? Consider me curious.

B(

[defector]

[wow if he knew that that was all it took—

He moves his hand to choose a piece, though he stops at Break's comment.]

Eh? There isn't really that deep or interesting of a reason...

:c

[charientisms]

[oh, is dominic ready now--he replaces dominic's piece then, instead trailing his fingers over his own pieces.

Okay you can make your move now.]

There must be some reason, however, wouldn't you say? A reason is a reason, whether it have a sense of reason or n o t! ♪

B(!!

[defector]

[He stares at the chessboard for a few moments, thinking over which move to make, as he speaks.]

Again with the fancy speech...

[...]

I told you about Colonel Dewey, right? The man I used to serve?

B)

[charientisms]

[he would hardly call that fancy, but oh Dominic. Never change.

Still, he tilts his head at that, an inclined 'yes'.]

I do believe you've mentioned him once before, yes. You mentioned his hair in particular, I do believe.

[white, of course, like break's.]

...

[defector]

Well, there's that as well, I suppose... but that's not it.

He had a special division in the military that I was a part of. The normal military uniform is black, but the uniform of his division was...

[yeah.]

[charientisms]

[...huh.

Break tilts his head at that, picking up a black pawn to toy with it in his fingers--making it disappear, and then reappear, as if the magic trick is a subconscious tick as he thinks.]

...Rather fond of the color, wasn't he? And arrogant as well, I'd imagine, to make a uniform such as that such an easily stained color.

[defector]

... Funny thing about that. I do recall him at one point telling his soldiers to stain their uniforms with blood.

He was rather fond of theatrics.

[and yet somehow warning signals never went off in Dominic's head, whoops.]

[charientisms]

[...]

I suppose it hardly mattered if it was their blood or the blood of their enemies, in that case.

Hmm~

How deplorable!

[but it's said so cheerfully, of course.]