Boy, he sure was getting a lot of visitors today, most if not all of which were unwanted. Leon didn't typically mind company, but not only was this just ridiculous, but his lack of sleep was definitely effecting his mood, making for a grumpier prince than usual. "Somethin' I can help you with...?"
Pearl white teeth would be the first thing that someone would notice if they would stare at the bushes and the green that were along the lone path that led through the forest. If one would look closer they would spot the pitch black eyes that seemed to glint with ever present harmful intent. He had been huddled up there for a quite while now, simply watching, simply observing for the perfect prey. Like a lion would determine which one of the gazelle's would be the easiest to catch. The grin on his face widened significantly, now accompanied with a few low chuckles.
The one who passed now was perfect. Simply perfect.Not caring that he might put himself in potential danger he moved a bit closer, still crouching. Bony fingers pushed the green away, leaning forward he let out a howl, something he always did to catch someone's attention.
"Hey you--." Leaning back he stood up straight, not bothering to remove some leaves that got stuck in his hair-instead he raised one shoulder, slanted eyes looking down on the unknown person. "--What nice posture you got. " Eyes narrowed as lips curled up into a full blown smirk. Always the teaser, always the one who didn't care if he crossed bounderies. Life was a game afterall.
A myriad of people seemed to be gathering, didn't they? As a daughter of a Knight, she was used to such situations, as she had often been forced to various social events, but that didn't make it any less daunting. Nevertheless, she had a duty to attend to, and damned if she wouldn't try to make a good impression on them!
"Hello!" She greeted them, fixing a smile to her face. "My name is Ailin Silverford, Second Knight of Aeolous. Can I perhaps assist you in some manner?"
Cece frowned, remembering the troubling memory of yesterday. She had received a letter in the mail saying that all militia members of the kingdoms were to room in Quiesco territory. Which was fine by her-- except for the whole 'roommate' thing. What if her roommate was too annoying, or aggravating? Or perhaps a slob? Smells bad? What if her roommate was a guy?
No. Surely they would gender separate the rooms... wouldn't they? It made her nervous thinking about it. Right now, she was standing outside the door to F-1, where she would be residing in from now on. With a hesitant step, Cece pushed open the door to reveal whoever her roommate would be from then on.
Seeing that it was Lethe, she froze and blinked repeatedly, a smile growing on her lips.
It started as little more than a simple wager. A tease.
A short game of chess to ease the tension of the fight held weeks prior, as well as to pass the time as their respective kings discussed politics in a separate room far down the hall.
But of course, things couldn't stay so simple, not so dull.
It was a thought brought on by the Queen, of course. A way to make this game, as excellent as it was and was bound to be given the company, a bit more appealing.
By the third exchange of moves, Iliana turned up her gaze, a smile tugging at either corners of her lip.
"What if...we made this game a little more interesting, dear Sir Knight?" She was certain to let her voice flow smooth, enticing to the ear.
His attention perked up. Though his gaze was still hard with concentration, a spark of intrigue had definitely caught. "Interesting?" he repeated, moving his pawn forward a step.
"Yes." The Queen shut her eyes, chin resting on the bridge formed of laced fingers. "Why don't we add a little excitement?"
The Knight leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "Such as?"
A low laugh echoed in her throat. "Strip chess."
"Excuse me?"
She couldn't blame him for his surprise. Although it did bring a twinge of amusement to her expression. "Strip chess. For each piece we lose on the battlefield, that player loses an article of clothing," she explained. "What do you say?"
It was easy to see, the moment she uttered those words, perhaps even before, that there was a clear possibility he wouldn't oblige. But to her greater surprise, he didn't immediately deny it. In fact, he didn't say anything for quite a while.
Half a minute, and the Knight of Am Aqueous finally spoke up. "All right."
"You'll agree to it?" Now it was the Queen's turn to give pause.
Lethe nodded his indigo head, and Iliana's smirk sharpened.
"I would never have considered you so lewd."
"Pardon me for saying so, Your Highness, but I believe the lewd one here would be the one who suggested it."
The response earned a good laugh and nod. "Yes, I suppose you're right," she said, leaning back in her chair. "Let's start this match right then, shall we?" And with a laxer attitude, the Queen put her finger to the white knight and moved him into place.
It was not long before clothing shed from skin. In order to claim one of her pieces, Lethe had to sacrifice one of his own. He lost one of his boots, she her heel.
"Are you certain you have enough clothes for sixteen pieces?"
"Are you implying I'll lose my whole army?"
He smiled, sly. "Judging by your current tactics," he said, clasping onto the his own horse and swinging its heavy bottom to knock down one of her pawns, "I would say that is very likely, Your Majesty."
A short huff fell from her nose. But with a grin, she removed another piece of clothing: the belt around her midsection.
"Don't get so ahead of yourself," she warned, letting the belt fall to the floor with a sharp crash, the metal buckle hitting the hard surface. "The battle has only just begun."
He took her words with little fear. Though he knew her to be a decent opponent in the arena, chess was an entirely different game. One could take their time and need not worry of bleeding wounds nor fatigue. All they had to fear was someone discovering them in their shameless enjoyment.
More pieces moved across the war zone. Some used many times, other freshly joined. Slowly, more an more pieces left the battlefield, knocked to the ground and lost. The same as their clothing, gradually piling up. It was with a smile that Iliana considered this turn of events, and had the thought of whether or not they were being so violent and bringing forth so many sacrifices for the simple enjoyment of one another's body. Surely, whether conscious or not, that had something to do with their strategies.
"You know," she started, mulling over her next move in what remained: underwear and a skirt. "It's a little unfair."
"What is, Your Majesty?"
Amber eyes did not grace his curious face, remaining cemented to the board. "As a women, I have two areas of, well, let's say intimacy. Whereas men," she made her move, "have only one."
"Are you saying I should give you a handicap?" he returned, an un-gloved hand to his chin, violet eyes studying the remaining pieces.
His words were met with a thoughtful glance to the side and hum. "Not exactly. Merely a woman's pondering, I suppose. On the unfairness of double standards."
Lethe's head bowed slightly. "I apologize for such 'double standards' my lady."
"Hmph," she laughed. "No need to apologize." The light click of him settling his rook. "Especially when I have you right where I want you--check."
He blinked. Yes. Her queen, bearing down on his king. How had he not caught that? His gaze turned up, right into her confident smile, silent but chortling. He tried a grin of his own, but faltered. "Clever."
"Thank you."
"But not clever enough."
And there went her queen. "That's another portion of clothing for you, Your Highness."
"So it would seem."
Something about that grin he didn't trust. Even as she stood and removed her skirt, gazing at him as if amused by how he watched, enticing him, he couldn't qualm the paranoia now plaguing his mind.
She sat back down, one bare leg crossed over the other, now down to but undergarments and garterbelt, the stockings removed thanks to two pawns. A fine lacy pair they were. Perhaps she caught him staring--of course she would--seeing how she leaned forward, her arms folded on the surface to crush her breasts together as she considered the playing field.
"A fine move that was, Sir Knight," she finally said, a finger to her lips. "But you're getting sloppy."
A snap of her fingers and she had his attention, finger pointed to the board. "You could have easily used your bishop. Instead of sacrificing your queen for mine. As you've clearly done now." And with the greatest of grace, she took hold of a pawn, seemingly forgotten in battle, and placed it on his end of the board.
In one fluid motion, she transformed the pawn. The simple soldier, the easiest of foes, ascended to the status of the queen earlier lost.
"Check."
Again, he failed in smiling. "Clever."
She tilted her head, red hair swaying, and chuckled. "Thank you."
From then on, it was a rather hectic battle. The tides had turned. What had first seemed like an easy conflict to take all her pieces had transformed into a race to find freedom for his king. All during which he lost his queen, right on the real one's next move too, as she had warned.
His shirt and undershirt (the Queen gave a slight pout at that discovery) now abandoned, they were both down to just two articles of clothing by the time the storm finally settled. Both with only two pieces on the table. Her queen and king against his king and bishop.
"I'd suggest you call it quits," she said, voice smooth, tinged with the lightest hint of seduction.
"A knight never gives up in the heat of battle. No matter how great the odds."
"Funny. You were the one who told me that to succeed, one must fail." She took hold of her queen again. Down went his bishop.
And down went his trousers.
"I'd say you're out of options, deary."
Simple hops were all he could muster now. A routine of running from each closing step.
It wasn't long--
--no--
Not long at all before he was cornered.
She leaned forward. Hovering over the table, looking him straight in the eye, she killed his king with a quick flick of her finger.