07.13c: Go, Do Something

[Rasanam]

Rasanam takes a seat next to his wife, puts his drink down, looks at it for a moment as if trying to figure out where it came from, and then shrugs and starts sketching a picture of the upcoming game between Anriki and Lyra, trying to capture in a still image the personalities of both players - and the complexity of the game (once the game actually gets going, anyway).

[Joshua]

Anriki will bow, "Were you interested in an eyes open or closed game? Hopefully you heard my discussion about the difference with Spellbinder." He will nod to Rasanam. "I fear, eyes closed, I might need to ask for first play. eyes open... we would have to see."

[ShadowOfPreservation]

"Now that I have some experience, eyes open sounds fine. I'm more interested in having fun and learning than playing to win."

[Joshua]

"Another practice then, that is fine." he will nod, and play a strong opening. "Normally, the initial play can dominate the board. Just as in real life. To counter this typically the first person plays and the second can choose to keep the move as theirs or allow the first player to keep it. As such, more experienced players learn what moves are a balance of strong and weak. The truly great ones will play a strong move to lure the other person to choose it, but have a strong counter planned."

He will continue, although, more he is describing warfare in general and specific. With ranked level of complexity... Overall, he plays with nearly equal warfare, almost an order of magnitude better than he was before*. Although, as Lyra might not expect, she is able to keep up**.
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*: Rasanam might notice, his minor nuances are mirroring Lyra's. In sketching, you keep accidentally putting her features on him.
**: Again, walking the Pattern is an excuse to increase stats. As is staying in Amber a while. Some more than others, as stated.

[ShadowOfPreservation]

Lyra studies him for a moment, trying to get a read on his intentions with his initial placement. After a few moments, she decided to choose it as her own. "This should be interesting then." She does her best to keep focused on the moment, considering potential strategies but not deciding on any in particular.

[Rasanam]

Each time one of Lyra's features seems to 'fit' the sketch of Anriki, Rasanam simply transposes it off in a seemingly-random direction; the final effect intended to be as if the tanuki was framed by a halo of tiny mirrors, all reflecting his opponent.

For now, he keeps the sketch of the board itself clean, waiting to see how the game develops before filling in pieces and metaphors.

[Joshua]

Anriki did warn Lyra. He has a masterful strategy planned to defend against that opening move. It does offer a significant advantage though one which he is hard-pressed to overcome. The struggle is very close with that handicap. Anriki is playing defensively, but that's mostly because the move he started with forced you into an aggressive opening.

"I must admit, even my abilities make it difficult to take on one with this level of skill. Of course, a few decades of experience do mitigate that somewhat." He will smile. "And I do learn new strategies from others."

[ShadowOfPreservation]

Lyra knows what she got herself into, purposely choosing the initial move to see if she'd be able to overcome Anriki's inevitable solid defense and counter. She continues playing happily, scaling back her aggression so as not to be drawn into a trap. She scours the board to try and read ahead the potential moves her opponent might make. "Hopefully I'll come up with a new strategy. I'll need it against someone of your remarkable skill and talent. It's still surprising to me that I'm doing as well as I am against you, even though I've been in Amber for some time. I kind of like this though. It's relaxing in a way; being presented with a problem that you know will be resolved one way or the other in a relatively short time. I don't really like fighting but sometimes its preferable to politics."

[kitsunenotsume]

After taking a circumlocutory route through the grounds, a server in an impeccable grey suit and irregularly braided beard steps beside Ranasam, bearing a covered silver serving tray perfectly balanced in his left hand.

After a hairsbreadth pause and a slight nod in deference to the combatants, Caelund remarks to the wizard in a softly conversational tone. "I have kept my word, Mister Lydre, and it appears you have kept yours*. In future, however, it may be prudent to inform the security staff when you make an invitation, though the matter has been resolved for this instance."
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*: a particular interpretation of the events in this scene.

[Rasanam]

"Ah, my apologies Mr. Johnson, that did indeed slip my mind. Still, here you are, so no harm done."

He pauses his sketching to look up at Caelund, and blinks at the sight of the tray. "Odd choice of accessories you have there."