07.13c: Go, Do Something

[ShadowOfPreservation]

Lyra will slowly ramp things up as she gets the hang of the rules and strategies. She'd rather prolong the game and learn in the process.

[Rasanam]

Once he gets back from talking to Ossian (and any subsequent conversation with Harrune, if there is any), Rasanam makes his way over to the go boards, standing quietly and watching over Lyra's shoulder.

[Spellbinder]

As the puzzles get more difficult, Spellbinder's focus gets more intense. Before long he reaches the point where the outside world fades from him awareness. For instance he is totally oblivious to Rasanam's arrival. For each puzzle he is trying to find the answer Anriki is trying to lead him to...and another completely unorthodox one. Granted the later will probably fail much more often than not, but at least he'll be thinking about it.

[Joshua]

Anriki will flinch slightly at Lyra. "Interesting play. It took me a bit longer than I would care to admit to attempt that gambit. It has a small flaw though." He thinks... "It is difficult to play at an Amberite's level. Still, perhaps the ones who have not walked yet... might be interesting to compare before and after."

With Spellbinder, he does a good job, a few times you catch him, but only to clear his advantage. He stays narrowly ahead.

Anriki has wrapped up the other three games, and politely bowed out of rematches until the two amberite games are finished.

[Spellbinder]

Eventually the game winds down. Spellbinder loses, but not badly. When the game ends he becomes aware of his surroundings again, like emerging from a trance state. He looks at Anriki. "Interesting game. Thank you." He grins. "Nice to have a mental challenge where lives aren't at stake."

He glances over at Lyra's game. He doesn't say anything, but he nods approvingly. "Oh hello Rasanam. Good to see you again."

He turns back to Anriki. "Care for another game? I could use something to drink and then hopefully I'll be able to give you a bit more of challenge this time around."

[Joshua]

"Of course. Although, the question would be do you wish the game, eyes open or eyes closed?" Anriki will smile at Spellbinder. "Unfortunately, Lyra, for eyes open, I would need to only play one game at a time. I would be willing to give you such a game as well. But Spellbinder did ask first." He ponders... "'Only lost to amberites' would be acceptable for my reputation. And perhaps I will surprise you."

[Rasanam]

Rasanam nods in response to Spellbinder's greeting. "Likewise. And I would agree, it is an interesting game - and watching has provided me the interesting challenge of trying to work out the rules..."

[ShadowOfPreservation]

"That's fine. If you'll be engaged for some time, I can mingle for a bit and return once your game has concluded."

[Joshua]

Anriki will bow to Lyra as he finishes up her game... He likely still wins, but only by a narrow margin, and perhaps even because of an idiosyncrasy of the scoring at the end of the game. "It is possible this will take some time, Lyra. And yes... I suspect even eyes open I would have difficulty here."

He will bow toward Rasanam and repeat the relatively short ruleset. He can also cite examples in his game against Spellbinder where the nuances were used. This is unlikely to take more than a few minutes and gives Spellbinder enough time to return with a drink.

"As you may suspect Spellbinder, I have... my ways of understanding my opponent. Blindfolded, I would be unable to use them, and it would simply be base skill verses base skill. You have the skill to challenge me like that." He will pause long enough to let that sink in*.
"Eyes open, you would face an unbeaten opponent, with the understanding you must also shield your thoughts during the game. You would be playing against me at my best and I would be honor-bound to defeat you**. You would, of course, be allowed to bring any magics to bear you desire."
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*: Just to be clear, eyes closed would be a friendly, if competitive game.
**: Eyes open, he would be defending his undefeated title and stands to lose 'face' if he loses the game.

[Spellbinder]

"Interesting choice there. The way you say that implies that I've got a reasonable chance of winning eyes closed but with eyes open not so much. But if my skill with shielding my thoughts matches your talents, then basically we're back to eyes closed anyway. Eyes open just adds an extra level to the contest. If we're going to do it, why not go all out? I'd like to play eyes open if you're game."*

*Spellbinder hasn't really considered the implications of loss of face for Anriki at this point (although it may occur to him mid-game). His quirks do include immature and cocky. He's a basically moral person who can be a bit self-absorbed and kind of a jerk some times.