[IC Inbox]

[use_everything]

"Messages will be returned in order of priority."

[Text] [Audio] [Video]

Comments

[failureisntachoice]

Wasn't planning on it. It's not as easy as shutting down a few processes when that's how your brain functions.

[use_everything]

That's.. good to know. I have some difficulty conceptualizing it, I confess.

[failureisntachoice]

[ She shrugs. ]

It's hard for me too since it's how I always think. Which means we should keep the bets low-stakes then.

[use_everything]

[He considers the board and the available avenues. It's bleak but possible.]

Fair, certainly. If I win, I get to make up the board rule for the next round.

[failureisntachoice]

Are we doing custom rules now? I thought we were playing a clean game, unlike the other set-up you had with Miles.

[use_everything]

There's no such thing as a clean game. But still, I can think of something else.

[failureisntachoice]

By 'clean' I meant one without any convoluted rules. I already wasted space memorizing the last set.

[use_everything]

[He opens a hand, palm up.]

Which were you thinking to set your stakes as?

[failureisntachoice]

If a good massage is off the table then drinks delivered to me an entire afternoon. Wearing that apron of yours from the cafe.

[use_everything]

A massage does tend to be particularly intimate. Hardly betting material.

... I do believe those around me have gotten more interest out of my employment than I have.

Very well, I accept, terms reversed if I win.

[failureisntachoice]

I don't count a shoulder massage to be that intimate, but fine.

This'll do. [ Particularly since she'd like this first round to figure out his go-to strategies for winning. ]

[use_everything]

Ah. You hadn't specified. Cordelia prefers- [And stops, and simply lets that go with a shake of his head. That hardly matters here.

The terms set, he puts quite a bit more concentration towards the game.]

[failureisntachoice]

I know what she prefers. [ It's more a mutter and a light tinge of red on her cheeks as she redoubles her focus on the board. Yeah, that's the last of that conversation.

She continues playing defensively, goading him into offensive tactics where she can. It's the best way for her to build a profile of him and she can afford to lose this bet. It's the next one she'd like to win. ]

[use_everything]

[He looks at her, mouth open as if to say something and... decides against it.

It's not many moves from here, the small game of give and take, before he suddenly moves into the offense, several pieces played from the beginning of the game to the most recent fall backs and aggressive bites at her drawing tactics... come together into something cohesive, closing the gaps around Tex's forces neatly.

A tactic he's aware she likely watched fall into place and allowed it to develop, but smoothly done, none the less.]

[failureisntachoice]

[ Hm. So that's his style.

She watches as he deals the last blow and nods to herself. That's not enough to build a detailed profile on his tactics, but it's a damn good start that should carry her through the following round. ]

Pick an afternoon and don't forget your apron.

[use_everything]

I'll look forward to that.

[He does have to work on getting those House uniforms. It would probably look admirably ridiculous on top of that.]

[failureisntachoice]

Round 2? We'll need another bet.

[ She's already setting up the board. ]

[use_everything]

[Cautiously emboldened, he lets her roll for her side first.]

I admit to a lack of creativity when it comes to bets without motive or strategy behind them. I think an occasion out at your treat would suffice for my wager.

[failureisntachoice]

[ She almost laughs at that. ]

Can you afford my bar tab?

[use_everything]

Y.....

Hm.

[failureisntachoice]

Well? I'm waiting.

[use_everything]

Not at the particular rate and dedication to consumption at your finest, no.

[failureisntachoice]

I can agree to a limit that makes it within your budget. Or you can cover the tab for us going out and doing a tasting, you do need to figure out the alcohol I like. How else are you going to pick out my bonuses?

[use_everything]

Ah. That has merit.

[failureisntachoice]

It's something I've been meaning to do. You want me to foot the bill for that if you win? Or something else?