video.

[foolproofed]

[When the camera turns on, Marty's adjusting it before plopping down in a seat clumsily (grumbling 'fuckin' jelly legs' or something to that effect); he's got dust and oil on him, a little toil and trouble with the clean-up assistance he's been performing on the Tranquility (after pilfering a gun from the Scylla, of course). He's bone-tired and there's a bit of sweat on his brow, but in that weariness he finds temporary redirection from the shitty stuff. He's noticed, of course, people fighting plenty. People looking very tense and unhappy. The halls are even quieter, somehow. And he doesn't fuckin' like it, not one bit. Now, he's not particularly attached to this ship--duh, he's only been here a month and it's a horrible place on top of it--but like hell does he enjoy misery as company. That saying can just go shove it.

I mean, he's barely even smoking it up, lately. In fact, he's stone cold normal right now and empty-handed. They're just clasped in front of him as he leans into his knees.]

You know what I need? A break. A cigarette break, but with more words 'n shit. We've been working our asses off. Keep up the fantastic work, and all that jazz, but how about something else for a second? Juuust a second. I know we've all been stressed out, what with the pirates and the freaky-ass murdering specter captains and the--uh--ship clamped on us like a tumor. So just... Hey, I haven't--really indulged in the fact that we're all from every corner of time and space and universes and all that cool sci-fi stuff.

[He licks his lips as he considers what to say, hands motioning in front of him like he's trying to catch his own thoughts.]

You guys, we have all kinds of worlds on board! Tell me some cool shit about your world. Or about you. Whatever. Can I get some cool facts? Some jokes? Stories? Hell, it doesn't even have to be anything outside of good ol' planet Earth. Or even directed at me. No serious or traumatic stuff needed, just... stuff. Hell, if you're a connoisseur of movies or you have a thing for panda facts or you wanna tell a story about your crazy family reunions.

[He suddenly seems a little more excited, a little less tired, shifting in his seat.]

This entry is now Marty's Share Fair. I'm stuck on a funky space ship and all, so I might as well know more than the bleak stuff.

....

Just don't pull a TMI, okay? I'm sure everyone sees enough floppy nethers after each jump. We don't need to know anything about them other that the promise that you'll find a towel posthaste. Thank you in advance.

(ooc: threadjacking heavily encouraged! it'd be fun to have people find common interests or things to relate to, and I just wanted a kinda free-for-all for the S.S. Solemn Worrywarts)

Comments

[foolproofed]

[He motions to the board, one arm tucked beneath the other.]

Pieces move in certain ways to steal the other's spot. Checkmate the king, you win. Little guys can only move one spot, and one of 'em moves in a big L.

That's about as far as I've ever learned.

...



I worked with electronic games, mostly.

[jurisimpudent]

But not electronic chess.

All right. Quite. The big L is the knight, represented by the horse.

[He points to the right piece.]

Either two horizontally and one vertically or one horizontally and two vertically.

[foolproofed]

Nope, mostly solitaire and minesweeper. A lot of minesweeper.

[And a lot of games on consoles, but whatever, that's not as funny to mention. He leans in, nodding, nodding. Mentally scribbling all this down.]

So what would be the smart way of goin' about this?

[jurisimpudent]

Of...

[He looks up, clearing his throat.]

Of learning how they move? Or of playing intelligently?

[foolproofed]

[He laughs a little and it reaches his eyes, like the way it usually tends to when he settles and relaxes. Here he is, playing with this guy of all people. Back in the day, he would have just kept walking and ignored Edgeworth; the times, they've changed. Probably because he has nothing to fear but fear itself anymore.

(And zombies. Fear those.)]

Both. Definitely both. Wouldn't that be the best answer?

[jurisimpudent]

I suppose it would be.

[Edgeworth's nod is actually a little bit approving as he sits back.]

The thing about this game is that every piece must act in concert. Many approach the game as being about the queen - and, indeed, the queen is the most powerful piece, as she can move in any direction nearly without limitation. But more often than not, it will be a pawn that brings down the king. So you cannot teach a strategy for each of the pieces, because the best move always changes with the situation.

Indeed, it is the situation you must mind. For understanding what is going on, and the current of the game, is the key to victory.

[foolproofed]

[He nods, hands on his knees, studious.]

So the little guys actually make a difference in this world.

I like the idea.

[jurisimpudent]

[He nods, and looks up.]

As do I.

[Then he looks down again.]

Rook. It can move horizontally and vertically. And bishop; it can move diagonally.

[foolproofed]

[He drags a finger over his chin, brow furrowed, looking carefully at the board.]

A'right, I can follow that. And I just try to white-knuckle through and get the king, right?

[SOUNDS SIMPLE ENOUGH right]

[jurisimpudent]

In essence.

[He gives a nod.]

Ready to start?

[foolproofed]

...

[Marty Mikalski doesn't back down from a game. He simply does not.

He instead he cracks his knuckles and nods.]



Let's do this shit.

[He's so ready to lose.]

[jurisimpudent]

[And, for just a moment, there's a very faint smile on his face. It's gone quickly, and he nods.]

You go first.