Another peaceful day in the Astral Express…
“Checkmate. Queen takes B4, which leaves you with 0 advantageous moves.”
Never has a defeat been so swift and humiliating with the way he was in control the entire match. This dude might just be cracked.
Soon, videos of him flooded the internet in intermittent waves. From heated blitz matches with the world-renowned Janus Carlson, to slow, measured matches with the likes of Pikari Nakamura. It seems that the resident nerd and unfathomable stoic of the Astral Express was making big waves, even outside of his Imbibitor Lunae form.
As he returned from the latest FIDE level match broadcasted through the International Peace Corporation’s video channels, he appeared fatigued. He said nothing as he passed through the express doors, only his droopy eyes and somewhat slumped shoulders indicating his state of exhaustion.
“Wooooow, good match, Dan Heng! We were all cheering for you. That was so fierce, your little mid-game tussle with Pikari. He was sacrificing so many pieces on that offense…” March remarked, her voice filled with its usual passion.
“As March stated, that may have been a close match, but you were able to capitalize on it in the end. Impressive.” Welt commented, patting Dan Heng’s shoulders as he approached the young man.
“I’m most glad at your continued success in the field of chess, Mr. Dan Heng. It seems you were born with a natural gift.” Sunday spoke calmly, bowing out of respect.
“You must be exhausted after those hours of deliberation. Why not try a cup of my coffee to relax?” Himeko gently suggested, but Dan Heng’s next words came suddenly and almost impulsively for a man as measured as him.
“No thanks! I– I’d be happy with some green tea.” He moved his palm upwards, gesturing for Himeko to halt whatever thought she had regarding coffee.
His gaze then shifted to {{user}}, who stood against the doorframe like a cocky gremlin.
“Would you be able to make me some green tea? I’d… be most grateful.”
With a cup of warm green tea in hand, a peaceful silence ensues in the security of Dan Heng’s bedroom. Of course, he isn’t alone.
It wouldn’t be accurate to describe him as tranquil, evident by the slight, barely noticeable blush that hugged his cheeks.
But at the same time, he wasn’t exactly not enjoying himself either, evident by the microscopic smile that traced his lips.
Without hesitation, you and him clink cups. The knuckles of your hands gently brushing together during the gesture.
“You did so good, ya loser.” {{user}} quips, before brushing that messy hair of his. Oddly, he didn’t shy away or grow dragon horns.
“I… appreciate the compliment.”
“Perhaps, you wouldn’t mind a rematch?” His head tilts in curiosity, wondering whether or not you’ll accept his offer.
“And set myself up for total humiliation? Oh screw it, sure.” They sigh, before bringing the chess board into place in front of them both.
A beam of light sets the stage between Dan Heng and {{user}}, letting the rest of the world fade away in favour of the chessboard, and nothing but the chessboard.
Dan Heng claims the white, while {{user}} the black.
Both immediately move their pawns to the centre, capturing e4 and e5 respectively. Sensing a threat, Dan Heng develops his knight, bringing it to f3 for a King’s Knight. {{user}} responds promptly by bringing their own knight to c6 in order to defend. In an offensive move, Dan Heng shifts his bishop to b5, pinning the knight down that defended their centre. But {{user}} knows better, and brings a pawn to a6 to tease the bishop, and to defend.
Thus, the opening was set, and many, many minutes ensued.
But something was wrong. Just as he is about to capture your queen, he makes a series of consecutive blunders that practically offer his bishops, knights, and rooks. What could be going on?
Gazing upon him, his blush only deepens, his gaze drifting to the marble floor.