Muggle Chess or Wizard's Chess? PV • P. Graham Locked

10 Jan 2025, 20:54

mankind is meant to inherit the stars

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JANUARY 5th • 09:49 • STUDY ROOM, SECOND FLOOR
INTERACTING WITH: @Pamela Graham

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Pamela is starting to free her chessmen, that much Aurelia can notice. Her knight is already threatening her pawn d4, and that might not be much of a loss; however, to the young badger—casualty is still a casualty. She hummed to herself thoughtfully. So much to risk, more to lose. Grasping and never reaching that goal. Just like any other army commander would, he'd rather lose something than lose everything altogether. She'd rather lock everything in place, than panic at the prospect of losing something. She drummed her fingers on the wooden table. Aurelia would rather lock Pamela up, than free her altogether.

“Bishop to b5. Bless you, knight c6,” Aurelia commanded, clasping her hands together as if in a prayer, her dark eyebrows creased in slight hesitation, halfway regretting the darn move. It is, perhaps, a blunder in her part. Her cream-coloured bishop moved slowly yet surely, using his long staff as a cane to cross the board. It is a long way, after all. This chess piece immediately knows that it is unwelcomed in the enemy's territory as Pamela's d6 knight glared down at Aurelia's bishop with a hint of belittlement up from his glorious wooden-coloured horse. Her bishop simply nodded along wisely, standing impressively and ignoring all the hostile looks it was receiving.

Pamela's chessmen did not put a pretense of liking that recent move. Aurelia's bishop simply locked d6 knight in place, unable to move about around the board as the bishop would check Pamela's king; the knight is currently making itself useful by staying in its designated square. Unless Pamela plans to save that, that chess piece will stay there unless something changes in the territory. It is an easy save, after all. This move did change the direction of the otherwise slow pace. If it is to her advantage, she doesn't know. It made her feel a little uneasy, though.

Letting out a breath, Aurelia focused on Pamela's answer. “I agree with you. I simply do not know what is the charm of sports that requires you to move around a lot. I guess it looked exhilarating, other than that, so unnecessary. Especially the fact that you'll sweat. I like thinking more and staying in my seat,” the young badger replied, shrugging. Her peers back in primary had been very athletic to the point that they loiter in the school grounds. She was one of the few who didn't join any sports; of course, chess clubs exist in her former school, however she is too against in socialisation that she'd rather rot right in her seat than join in the club she is most passionate about.

“I like reading too! What do you like to read about?” Aurelia's deep brown eyes twinkled slightly as the conversation switches to books. She loves hoarding books, and it has become her routine every night to leisurely read before going to sleep. She admired Pamela's skill more when the young badger mentioned that she plays the piano. Growing up, Aurelia wasn't exposed to such possible endeavours. Her asociality and individualised actions had become a problem for her mum, that back then she would succumb to panic attacks at the prospect of being personally tutored. The Hufflepuff witch kind of regrets that now. She would have loved to learn the violin.

“You’re simply amazing,” Aurelia complimented, her cheeks slightly red from embarrassment. She scarcely compliments a person, after all. Another new step along with playing with an actual opponent for the first time.

PAMELA GRAHAMAURELIA VALENTINE

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OOC: In her first monologue, I was like, girl, shut up already and get on with the next move. Sometimes I hate how I have to write a pretentious monologue like this.

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[ the golden girl; the harshness of such warm light ]
[ aurelia valentine, the golden girl ] † [ lucien de montfort, the deranged artist ]
Visit Lourine's SMITTEN shop for handmade pfps with DISCOUNT—FREE for AI pfp users.

11 Jan 2025, 13:56

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Speech -- Thoughts

Pam raised her eyebrows at Aurelia's next move, Oh? Interesting. She could tell the girl was trying to change the direction and pace of the game, and Pam's competitive streak flared up in response. Calm and think.

She knew that her knight was under stress, and yet, Pam had a feeling Aurelia wouldn't pull the move of capturing her knight. Even if she did, it would be an easy save. Pam didn't like her pieces killed, but she was not going to be forced into moving them to save them. Besides, she did not need that specific knight elsewhere for now. So she had two moves. She could proceed with what she had planned earlier, or...

"Pawn to a6." She decided. wouldn't hurt to put some pressure on that bishop, right? Besides, she did not want to have her knight killed so early into the game. Perhaps this would be enough to get Aurelia to pull her bishop off. If not....

Her pieces gave a mixed response. While the pawn was more than happy to move, the right side of her board was getting impatient. Can't blame them, they haven't moved at all. Soon. "Don't worry," she told them, "I know what I'm doing." Probably.

"I've always disliked sweating and physical games in general," Pam admitted, "But I'm really interested in being in the Quidditch team." Thanks to a certain brown haired captain, she thought drily. She continued, "I mostly like to read fantasy novels. But I'm a big fan of detective stories too. What about you?"

She flushed at the compliment, unsure of how exactly to respond to it. She never had been good at receiving compliments. She rarely received any too, for that matter. "I-um, thank you. You're pretty good yourself."

AURELIA VALENTINE
PAMELA GRAHAM

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Interacting with: @Aurelia Valentine

OOC: Ikr, I hate not being able to write about strategising my move

"I'd rather be heartless, than have my heart in pieces"
-Calming Presence- The Muggle Condition
iNPC: Hikari Fujimoto

15 Jan 2025, 03:11

mankind is meant to inherit the stars

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JANUARY 5th • 09:51 • STUDY ROOM, SECOND FLOOR
INTERACTING WITH: @Pamela Graham

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When push comes to shove, one should retaliate or... Back down. Aurelia doesn't like backing down; she faces everything head-on and clears everything from her way. It has always been like that. Social interactions are out of the question, of course, as this young badger will most likely sit that one out. Aurelia slowly nodded after Pamela's move, her dark eyebrows creased as her eyes scoured the board. Her black, wiry curls bobbed along with the move; more wiry than her thoughts, if she could say that herself. Her chessmen are being threatened. Well, she started that first. The only necessary move she has to do is to defend or continue opening opportunities for the other pieces.

Too bad for them. I like striking back.

“Bishop, move to a4,” Aurelia commanded, before clucking her tongue. Her bishop eyed the wooden-coloured knight first before slowly gliding towards his square with the help of his staff. She only moved this piece to avoid being captured; however, the goal is still in the works—Pamela's knight is still locked in place. Of course, Aurelia would have preferred to remove the knight from its square, nonetheless risky. Too risky. She'd rather lose the pawn than capture the c6 knight and let her bishop be captured just to torture Pamela's king from its throne. Later, just later. The young badger hummed thoughtfully to herself, tilting her bushy head to the right, as if a different angle will change the perspective of the game. Her mind worked restlessly as she considered Pamela's would-be moves, imaginary sparkling lines connecting all the chess pieces from their squares.

“Quidditch, huh? How interesting,” Aurelia replied distractedly, her mind clearly elsewhere as her head still tilted to the side, her deep brown eyes on Pamela's side of the board. Her dark curls swayed to the side too. “Are you planning on joining the Hufflepuff Quidditch Team, then? As for me, I hate flying. So hazardous. I can think of several accidents off the top of my head—accidents that could occur, I mean. The skies are accident-prone more than on land. Only my opinion, of course. Once you join, I'll make sure to make a banner for you. I'm quite good at calligraphy. I can paint on badges with your name on it, but don't expect the badges too much, as I'm quite abysmal at art and painting.” The young badger let out a small laugh, remembering her S.P.E.W. badge.

Aurelia doesn't read much fantasy novels; the only fantasy author she knows is David Dalglish, an epic fantasy American author. She's an avid fan; of course, she has almost read all of his published works. In the detective novels department, though, Aurelia is quite well-versed. It is a preference of hers, along with classics. “Me too!” Aurelia gasped in excitement, relieved and happy that she had found common ground with a fellow Hufflepuff. Her deep brown eyes sparkled as she let out a small squeal. “Of course, everyone knows Sherlock Holmes, even if they don't read or prefer mystery. Nonetheless, I love him. Did you know that I fancied him when I was 7? I think I am still too. I kept pestering my Mum to buy me a detective costume for Halloween in that phase. Sherlock Holmes is also my inspiration for chess! Ugh, bless him. Arthur Conan Doyle is simply wondrous. Although I still love Sherlock and Arthur, I've been obsessing over Colin Dexter's works these days, the Inspector Morse series. Clever works too, if I say so myself.” The young badger babbled on happily and aimlessly.

PAMELA GRAHAM
AURELIA VALENTINE

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OOC: I am in a writing slump, I apologise for being late! Hah, I get to showcase my love for detective novels.

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genus humanum est ad astra possidendam

18 Jan 2025, 15:44

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Speech -- Thoughts

Pam blinked at the board in utter confusion. Well, that doesn't help me at all but some mental peace is good for your health I suppose. She clicked her tongue, scanning the board for her move. Aurelia was proving to be an excellent opponent, and Pam was truly enjoying herself.

Well, now she could open up the other side of her board. It is about time I do so, I suppose. The pieces look seconds away from going on a mass strike. "Can chess pieces go on a strike?" Pam mused out loud, before realizing what she just did and turning to her set threateningly, "Don't get ideas or I'll beat you up to the point no spell will be able to fix you-" She stopped realizing that the chess board belonged to the girl sitting opposite to her, and fixed the latter with a sheepish smile, "If that happens, I'll buy you another one I swear."

Her black colored fighters were uninterested in the threats, turning up to look at Pam with "you are dumb" looks before returning to brandish their swords at the cream colored pieces. Pam pouted, I get no respect and I'm the one attempting to not get them all massacred. "Fine." She mumbled, "Knight, move to F6."

"I know." she responded to Aurelia's quidditch comment, "Although, I'm not very good yet. As for art..." she grimaced, "I stay far away from any kind of drawings or paintings. It's not within my skillset." Pam couldn't help but laugh at the girl's enthusiasm, getting excited herself. "I love all the stories in the Sherlock Holmes series. I definitely like Hound of the Baskervilles the most. The first time I read it...goosebumps. I had a crush on him for like a good two years....although, now I realise bro doesn't have a single boyfriend coded cell in his body. Attractive brain though." she grinned, adding, "I haven't read any of Colin Dexter's works. I've been too busy finishing every single Hercule Poirot book and reading a series about boarding schools... nevermind that. Could you recommend me something of Colin Dexter's then?"

AURELIA VALENTINE
PAMELA GRAHAM

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Interacting with: @Aurelia Valentine

OOC: Yes we're gonna have a big convo abt books now huhu

"I'd rather be heartless, than have my heart in pieces"
-Calming Presence- The Muggle Condition
iNPC: Hikari Fujimoto

20 Jan 2025, 09:44

mankind is meant to inherit the stars

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JANUARY 5th • 09:56 • STUDY ROOM, SECOND FLOOR
INTERACTING WITH: @Pamela Graham

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Exactly. Just like she planned. Pamela moved her knight to f6, opening opportunities for her chessmen in the middle of the chessboard. She couldn't let that slide, she anticipated it, after all, just to further dominate the battlefield. Humming thoughtfully, Aurelia immediately made her move. “Bishop to g5,” she commanded, her deep brown eyes frantically checking the board for any mishaps she might have completely overlooked or unaccounted for. Not that it has any real advantage, just locking the knight in place since she has no plans sacrificing the bishop for a knight. The wooden-coloured chessmen looked uneasy the second her other bishop moved wisely towards his next respective square; realising that Aurelia already dominated the majority of the board and it was a matter of time before she started capturing them all in every move.

Too soon to conjure a result, of course. The young badger and the chessmen shouldn't be getting ahead of themselves.

“Don't worry, I threaten them too on a daily basis,” the young Hufflepuff witch nodded her head to assure the other that it is no problem, “they don't listen that much unless it's a chess move necessary for the game. They try to destroy each other into smithereens in their spare time.” Buying this chessboard can be perceived as something akin to a hellish and perhaps a heavily regretted decision, as she couldn't leave them alone for a second and the only solution that the every compartments of her brain agreed to do was stick them on the inside wall of the board with an adhesive tape to prevent them from smashing each other to bits. Merlin, they cost her a galleon.

Her face reddened when Pamela reciprocated her excitement—as she was about to regret babbling too much—and she let out a breath of relief that she was not initially judged. A fellow fan of mystery should understand that they are supposed to be calm and collected just like the characters they personally admire, however, these two girls couldn't find in themselves to stay calm after finding a common ground. Especially Aurelia, clasping her palm over her mouth to prevent herself from squealing in anticipation.

“Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot? I haven't immersed myself in her works that much but I've read one, although Miss Maple instead led the case. A Murder Is Announced is the title, I believe,” Aurelia replied excitedly, her wiry curls slightly bouncing from the excited bob of her bushy head. Back in Croydon, her mum hoarded a lot of Agatha Christie’s works, yet Aurelia hadn't read them yet because of the busyness she found herself in her former school plus she plans the books she read throughout the month. It is a slight comfort that she is not the only one who fancied Sherlock Holmes, and agreed eagerly in her statement that the famous fictional detective is not really meant for anything related to romance.

“I personally love The Study of Scarlet as this book founded my adoration for mystery novels. Not the best, yet engaging—I was hooked, the details are very much compact. I will never forget the book that shaped my preference for books.” She explained, smiling slightly. She clasped her hands together again, as though readying herself for a prayer as soon as Pamela asked for recommendations. When she's nervous like this, her mind always comes off as empty and as deserted as the Sahara; perhaps her anticipation to prove herself to others surges her entire being most of all. “I'm currently reading The Daughters of Cain, where the characters are presumed sinners by society. You will be hooked and confused, but it will work out in the end, just trust.”

PAMELA GRAHAM AURELIA VALENTINE

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genus humanum est ad astra possidendam

23 Jan 2025, 12:46

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Speech -- Thoughts

Pam couldn't help but smile. It seemed like she was more or less getting a hang of the way Aurelia played. It was still new for her though. Aurelia seemed to be mostly offensive and Pam normally played against her dad, who was always pretty good at balancing offense and defense and generally leaving Pam speechless and moveless. She was rather glad of the fact that she was playing against a.... how should I put it..? Someone who could help me improve enough to at least put up a good competition against my father? Yeah, that works. At least, if Pam could beat her, she would know that she wasn't such a bad player. And if she didn't....

Well, Aurelia better be willing to give some lessons.

Her eyes scoured the chessboard, wondering what her next move could be. Her pieces seemed pretty worried, and Pam could truly see why. Aurelia had spread out her pieces very well across the board. Yet another thing to learn from her. But there was currently no piece she could kill without getting killed in return, and Pam meant to keep it that way. Her bishops seem to be her strongest... I'll have to see if I can contain them. Not to mention that she was practically sending her bishops zigzagging across the board and it annoyed Pam. She rubbed her chin thoughtfully, making up her mind, "Bishop to g4."

She smiled up at the girl, "The Daughters of Cain? That sounds awfully interesting. Who is it by?"
[/color]

AURELIA VALENTINE
PAMELA GRAHAM

⋆⁺₊❅.⋆꙳•❅*• •*❆ ₊⋆⋆꙳•❅*• •*❆ ₊⋆⋆⁺₊❅.

Interacting with: @Aurelia Valentine

"I'd rather be heartless, than have my heart in pieces"
-Calming Presence- The Muggle Condition
iNPC: Hikari Fujimoto

4 Feb 2025, 18:49

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ISSUE №. 009

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𝔇𝔄ℑ𝔏𝔜????? 𝔑𝔈𝔚𝔖

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FIVE KNUTS DAILY EDITION

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JANUARY 5th

10:00

STUDY ROOM,
SECOND FLOOR

@Pamela Graham

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HEADLINES:
SACRIFICING THE KNIGHT TO PROTECT THE AUTHORITY

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Humming thoughtfully to herself, Aurelia tilted her curly head slightly, her keen eyes assessing the chessboard. Pamela is attempting to threaten her queen, just like Aurelia did with her king. It was kind of ironic, as both bishops threatened the other's authority without so much regard for social positions. Pamela's King might have implied to her bishop that he is in no position to threaten him, and at the moment Aurelia's Queen might imply that Pamela's bishop is in no position to threaten her. Ironic.

“It is very much crowded in here, don't you think?” Aurelia commented distractedly, chewing her lower lip as her deep brown eyes moved about across the board, envisioning red strings tying the chess pieces together. She is not ready to capture; if Pamela permits, she'd have to keep reopening her chances. Pamela doesn't try to capture either, and this made the game so long; perhaps they are shy to capture from one another? Because once one of them captured a chessman, it will all tumble down like dominoes that they have set up since the beginning of time—in which case, this morning in the Study Room.

Castling is what she was aiming for. A very constricting method but otherwise effective if one aims to defend the king to avoid checking and also to open the possibilities and capabilities of her rook. This will enhance the chances of her chessmen further dominating the board. She decided right then that sacrifices should be made, as her next move did not only protect the authority from its position but also give her rook a chance to redeem itself from being idle in its current position. Still observing the board, not really minding her actions as well as the chessmen's, Aurelia reached for her knight—which the knight immediately poked with its lance.

The young badger immediately retracted her hand away, forgetting herself. Making a placating gesture with her hands, Aurelia chuckled.

“Sorry, forgot to watch myself,” rubbing her hands together, she observed the board again, asking herself if this is final. Her pieces might have been traumatised by her touch, as whenever she packed them all up, she stuck them on the insides of the board with adhesive tape. To prevent them from smashing themselves, as they are made for war after all, and only sentient enough to know that they have to fight. Fight all over again, perhaps forever if Merlin permits. Such violence would Merlin never accept, if Aurelia understood the wizard right.

“Knight to f3; if the heaven permits, you'll be dead for your constituents,” the young badger commanded, watching as her cream-coloured knight galloped with its horse, making its way diagonal to its queen, also facing the wooden-coloured bishop diagonally. It will be remembered for its obedience, of course, not because it smacked her finger with its lance. Aurelia rests her chin on her palm, now turning to Pamela to continue their otherwise interesting conversation.

“Colin Dexter’s, you silly,” Aurelia smiled, as she mentioned Daughters of Cain as an answer to Pamela's request for a recommendation. “As I've said, the Daughters of Cain are presumed sinners of society. If you know the story of Cain and Abel, Cain murdered his brother Abel out of jealousy. Abel was clearly favoured, after all. God had found out about this, but He gave Cain a chance to confess his crimes—but the boy didn't; he lied through his teeth. He was punished for murder, of course; God marked his forehead, and he was shunned. His sons and daughters had the same mark to indicate that their father is a sinner, and therefore they are all sinners too—I did not find that punishment logical, as how come his offspring bore his sins too? But anyway—these so-called daughters of Cain are a metaphor after the fact that they are all shunned from society. They were all suspects of a murder too. One is a prostitute, one lets her daughter get exploited—I hope you know what I mean—by her new husband and her daughter's stepfather, and one was presumed to have been killed before? Yeah. The story circulated with the three of them,” Aurelia explained a little slowly, as she tends to blab hurriedly as though she were being chased by a moving train.

“You should give it a read,” Aurelia suggested, now regretting that she decided against bringing that darned book to Hogwarts. She could have lent Pamela a copy. “You'd be confused about who murdered whom, as the clues acquired somehow shift the trajectory of the story. I'm so used to shifting my blame from suspect to suspect that I've decided that they must've collectively done it all.” The young badger laughed.

PAMELA GRAHAM
AURELIA VALENTINE

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EDITOR'S NOTE:
I apologise for the long wait!

memento mori; memento vivere