Checkmate

"What colour do you want?"

"Black."

"How're you healing?"

"I'm fine.  How're you doing?"

"Fine.  Still stewing over Rabbit.  I can't believe I made such a misjudgement of character.  Him and Vinnie"

"What's gonna happen to Rabbit?"

"Don't care that much.  I guess they'll make a decision later today or tomorrow.  He's in the cells right now.  Your move."

"I hope he'll be okay."

"How can you say that?  He messed Aces up and now he's dying. Let him rot in silver."

"Maybe he had a reason."

"What possible reason would there be to violate someone like that?  What kind of evil creature could do that to a fellow Coven member?"

"I, uh, I have no idea."

"Well, he and Vinnie'll probably get shipped right back where they came from.  Probably the best place for them."

"Uh... watch your bishop."

"Tyr, the whole point of the game is to beat the other guy."

"Sorry.  I guess I'm not in the right headspace."

"Do you want to stop?"

"No.  You're the only company I have that I actually want."

"Check."

"And... un-check."

"Check."

"Dammit."

"You should really use your queen more."

"Now who's helping?"

"Sorry, Puppy."

"I never understood why it isn't the queen I'm protecting and the king who has the power to move and fight."

"That's just not the way chess is played."

"It's the way it should be played.  If... if I ever had, um, someone like that, I wouldn't let her put herself in danger like that."

"Hope you find someone like that.  Me, I like being in the thick of things."

"Aren't you afraid that you could be hurt or... or have something... something bad happen to you?"

"I've got ways to protect myself.  And there's people out there who don't have anything or anyone and this plague is devouring them.  I can make my- our world better."

"You make a lot of things better, Jo.  It's just, sometimes things aren't always what they look like."

"Check."

"How did that happen?"

"While you were focusing on my rook and knight, I moved this pawn to open the way up for the queen."

"I didn't see that coming.  I have to move my king."

"Yup."

"I can't save my queen."

"Nope."

"I wasn't expecting that."

"You should have had her out on the board more so you weren't so boxed in."

"I wanted to keep her away from the middle of the board."

"You have to use the resources you've got, Tyr.  Not keep holding them back."

"I can't believe you took my queen with a pawn."

"It's just how the game was played.  You still have a chance, even without a queen."

"Well, if I can't save my queen, how can I keep from losing the game?"

"Try, Tyr.  You just have to keep playing."

"There."

"Damn.  You see?  You've got it in you."

"I just don't know any more."

"I know.  You've just got to take control.  Be able to see where your pieces are needed and just put them there."

"Right."

"They say chess is good because it teaches you how to most effectively place your resources to do the most damage to other people."

"I know that now."

"Check."

"Looks like I'm pretty much cornered."

"Yup.  Moving your pawns around can sometimes help give you some space and take attention off your real gambit."

"So I see."

"Checkmate."

"Knew that was coming."

"I'm so glad Rachel taught us this game."

"I really like it.  Even if you beat me all the time."

"You'll get better as you get more experienced moving things around and seeing what happens when you try different combinations."

"It's simple."

"Hm?"

"You know.  Simple.  You're fighting, but everything's aboveboard and straightforward.  You don't have to worry about anything that's not right in front of you."

"Good point.  It's a lot simpler than dealing with real people."

"You said it, Jo.  You... you mind another game?"

"I really wish I could, Puppy, but Rachel wants to talk to me about the Rabbit issue, what I saw and everything.  I'll be back later if I can.  Try not to go stir-crazy."

"No... actually right now, I'm happy right where I am.  As long as you're here."

"Yeah, I'm the only person keeping you from terminal boredom."

"You're the only person keeping me from-"

"From...?"

"From, uh, going crazy here."

"You're already there, Puppy.  Remember, I'm psychic. I know all!"

"Uh, sure, Jo."

"Cheer up!  You'll be out of here soon.  Then we'll go out and have some fun and we'll both forget this ever happened."