(no subject)

[whatseparates]

Who: Jack Wynand and mirror!Mark Meltzer
Where: Starting in the hallway outside Jack's room, eventually moving on to the door
When: Right now, during the event, with the Bandersnatch running about
Rating: PG? Possible swearing.
Summary: Two men from opposite sides of the looking glass strike a dangerous bargain.
The Story:

Jack is venturing out. Despite the horrifying monster on the loose, he's tired of the packaged fare the closets offer, and he's confident enough in his ability to light fires and hurl furniture items at a distance that he's willing to risk a frumious encounter, just to taste something fresh.

He's well-armed, too, in case fires and telekinesis don't do the trick; he has his wrench, his handgun, and a shotgun slung across his back. He's unmasked--for now, peripheral vision takes precedence over his comfort.

He sets out with purpose, but pauses. Turns back.

He's seen something written on the mirror closest to his room: a chess grid.

It seems an odd time to expect him to play chess, what with a beast that could be upon him at any moment, so rather than make a move, he simply looks into the mirror, frowning faintly.

Comments

[whatseparates]

"Maybe there's a timer on it--and it won't tell us which one was right until later."

He straightens, rocking up onto the balls of his feet just a little.

"Or maybe we were wrong."

[carbon_knight]

"Do you want to wait here, or elsewhere?"

Since he's already promised to stay.

[whatseparates]

"Not here. Near here. We could play chess in the kitchen."

[carbon_knight]

"Ah. Did some research of your own after all, did you?"

Since they have never played on an actual board before.

[whatseparates]

He nods.

"It's actually a lot easier on a board. Even if it's just me playing myself."

[carbon_knight]

"All right. Show me."

[whatseparates]

"You've never played on a board?"

[A pause while he asks the pantry for what he needs--it's not quite a closet, but it still provides a chessboard, the cardboard kind with plastic pieces, in a slightly battered box, the kind that might come off a child's shelf.]

[carbon_knight]

"No, I have. Show me the difference."

[whatseparates]

He nods, not even bothering with an okay as he sets the board out on the table and lays out the pieces, each one precisely forward-facing and in the center of its square.

"Do you…want anything? To eat?"

M!Mark is sort of his guest, after all. Also, he's a little hungry himself.

fff jack precise babby

[carbon_knight]

"If you do."

He is not easy about this--sharing meals is another uncomfortable trust gesture, in his mind--but his kitchen rations are limited enough that he can't afford to say no outright.

[whatseparates]

He does. He gets up abruptly and without preamble, and returns with sandwiches, one of which he thrusts at Mark with a grunt before making his first move; he's playing white.

[carbon_knight]

A terse little nod of thanks. Before sitting down, he sets the sandwich aside, takes a kitchen stool to the corner of the kitchen, climbs up, and breaks the camera--and the floor length mirror hanging just below.

Then he takes a seat and slides out a black piece.

[whatseparates]

He makes his next move--a little more quickly than he normally would.

[carbon_knight]

Speed, is it?

His next move is almost carelessly quick.

[whatseparates]

And Jack slows down, suspicious anytime m!Mark changes the pattern. He's frowning now, though it's at the board and not the man across from him.

[carbon_knight]

Jack is more than welcome to take his time.

Mark will take the opportunity to eat his sandwich. Because why not.

[whatseparates]

"Is it good?" he asks, absently, and king-side castles.

[carbon_knight]

Ah. He swallows forcefully.

"Yes."

But now he puts the remainder aside to focus on the game.

[whatseparates]

"You can keep eating, you know."

As if to demonstrate, he takes a bite of his own sandwich, and adds with his mouth full, "We're not in a hurry."

[carbon_knight]

"We will be, if the bandersnatch wanders this way."

[whatseparates]

"Better reason to finish your sandwich."

[carbon_knight]

"Not to hurry with the game?"

[whatseparates]

"Either way. Think better if you aren't hungry. Fight better, too."

[carbon_knight]

"Not necessarily."

[whatseparates]

"I don't agree."