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[foulplayed]

« mocking.bird » TEXT ✧ AUDIO ✧ VIDEO ✧ ACTION Yuri Leclerc ✦ Fire Emblem: Three Houses
RESIDENCE ✦ Emerald District
GEMBOND ✦ Amethyst

"Leave it."

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[memoriams]

If that’s the case, I’d prefer that you twist my arm sooner rather than later.

But well enough. I discovered something called an arcade.

[foulplayed]

I'm going to go ahead and interpret that as eagerness to be made useful. I'm sure I'll be able to come up with something over the next few days, don't you worry about that.

Oh yeah? What's an arcade?

[memoriams]

Have no doubt that I’m eagerly awaiting the news.

It’s a space filled with machines on which you’re expected to play games. Some are large, bright, and particularly noisy. There are apparently prizes to be won, as well, though I didn’t try my hand at those.

[foulplayed]

Well, that sounds like a headache waiting to happen.

When you say "games" - I'm thinking chess? Dice?

[memoriams]

Were it chess and dice I would have felt much more at home.

No. One was called a pinball machine, in which the player is expected to manipulate a silver ball within its framework with two side “flippers”.

[The machine got angry at him, but they’ll ignore that fact.]

But there are others, far more complex, that utilize various lights and moving pictures to display the game. Often there’s a narrative involved.

[foulplayed]

( That all sounds ... like a lot. Yuri tends to prefer games of strategic skill, when he's at a loose end of an evening, but he can't deny that he's intrigued by what Alucard has described. )

Alright, I'm sold. I'll have to check it out sometime, just to make sure I'm not missing out on anything too amazing.

Chess is more familiar to you though, huh? That's good to know. It's been a while since I had partner who really challenged me - think you're up to the task?

[memoriams]

I’d like to see how you do. I never reached the end of any game I tried. There is one that looks particularly simple, but in practice is impossible to play.

[He supposes that’s the point, after all. He doesn’t know how else such an establishment is supposed to make “money”, other than enticing people to stay and play.]

Am I up to the task of playing? Yes. Am I able to challenge you? We can see. You like strategy in your pastimes?

[foulplayed]

In that case, it sounds like you'd better come with me.

( How smooth. )

I like anything that keeps my mind engaged. I get bored easily, y'know? Games of strategy always keep me entertained.

[memoriams]

[Quite smooth. A small delay.]

Only if you promise to fail at least one very spectacularly.

And did you have someone who could challenge you consistently in your world?

[foulplayed]

Deal.

I might have, had he been interested in spending more time with me and less time planning his way around a war. We all have our priorities.

( Not that Yuri's priorities weren't war adjacent, but that's neither here nor there. This is chess banter, not deep and meaningful conversation. )

But it looks like we've got plenty of time on our hands here - as long as Malachite doesn't go ahead and throw another tantrum on us.

( Which they probably will, let's be real. )

[memoriams]

[A war. Interesting, though he wonders if he’s supposed to take that as Yuri’s own priorities lying elsewhere, or if it’s a simple way of stepping around the subject onto that of chess.

Noted in his mind, regardless.]

Was it so bad? I heard there were transformations that could not be controlled. Monsters, as it were.

[foulplayed]

You heard right. Some Gembonded lost what was left of their minds and were running rampage around the city, where others kept hold of a few scraps of sanity.

Fortunately, yours truly was able to keep a little perspective. Lucky me.

[memoriams]

Very lucky for you. I would have hated to have lost control.

What changes did you experience?

[foulplayed]

Mine was actually pretty tame compared to some other people. Wings, glowing skin and eyes, and apparently something happened to the way I smell? Which wasn't necessarily a good thing, since it made someone try and take a bite out of me.

You've got a lot to look forward to.

[memoriams]

Absolutely not.

[He knows that was sarcasm but no. Absolutely not.]

A bite out of you — in the hungry way, not the fun way?

[foulplayed]

( That gets a snort of amusement on Yuri's end. )

Definitely not the fun way — I really don't think I'm his type.

Not without salt and pepper, anyway.

[memoriams]

[That’s a bit more worrisome than Alucard will let on through his texts—]

And roasted in an oven, I’m sure.

[—because if these changes incite animalistic hunger in those who are affected, that is rather dangerous where vampires are concerned, notorious for their violent appetites if not reliably sated. He’s sure a half-vampire would not escape such urges, either.

Well. Perhaps they will cross that bridge when they get there.

AnyWHO—]

This Malachite is little more than a child throwing a tantrum, isn’t that right? And there’s nothing we can do but hope another isn’t well on its way?

[foulplayed]

Looks like it. As far as bad situations go, I'd say this is pretty high up there.

[memoriams]

I’ve been in a fair share of bad situations. There can always be some manner of action taken.

[foulplayed]

Good to know. In which case, I won't worry too much when disaster strikes again.

[memoriams]

[He’s not sure if he should be amused or roll his eyes. Maybe both work.]

Good. Imagine me swooping in like a knight in shining armor and all your worries will be for naught. May as well make use of my sword somehow.

[foulplayed]

I don't know if that's a good idea. I like a guy in armour - it might not have quite the right effect.

( You are being teased, Alucard. )

So, you go for the sword, huh? Are you any good with it?

[memoriams]

[He’s getting the inkling that Yuri likes to tease, to flirt. Alucard isn’t quite certain how to approach that, other than to perform the strange dance of indulge-it-but-don’t.]

Well, now I hardly know what to wear in your vivid imaginings.

And yes. I would say so. Does that interest you?

[foulplayed]

It does. I don't plan on getting sloppy while I'm here, so a sparring partner or two would be very welcome.

Interested?

[memoriams]

I suppose I could humor you. Though it does beg the question: were you something of a fighter back home?