foolishmortals | It's all fun and games until someone dies

[On Saturday afternoon, Wander tapes 23 identical letters on identical stationary. He would have folded them and slide them under the doors, but the entrance to Fiddleford's room was coated in salt and possibly other condiments that hadn't been cleaned, and ruining his letter in particular would send the wrong message.]

GAME NIGHT TONIGHT

Dear neighbor, you are cordially invited to the game room this evening for a get-to-know-everyone party. There will be games! Food! Drinks! Icebreakers! Games!

I hope that we can all find the time to work together and see each other as friends!

♥ Wander and Sylvia

[The game room is less dusty in the evening with the addition of several paper chains hanging on the walls and a table laid out with cards, safety pins, food (chips and dip, Wander's triple pickle cream pie, and a cheese platter), and two pitchers of peach lemonade. Each card has blanks spaces for the participants to fill out: name and favorite food.

There's board games and a spot on the floor for group party games. Wander sets up a game for Spin the Bottle, though everyone is free to set up any game they want.

Have fun and hopefully no one will get murdered!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I'm sure Fiddleford would love a hug. Unfortunately, I'm not the person to help with that.

Fiddles is next on the hug list! Guess who's up now~?

[Surprise it's you! Wander clings onto Ford's legs and gives them a tight squeeze.

It's so good you see you came!

Please don't—okay.

[He gives in. This hug is happening whether he wants it or not. Please let go of him now.]

To be fair, there's not much else around here in terms of nightlife. But I was hoping for a good chess match.

[Nope, when Wander is done hugging, he holds his hands together and hands on Ford's legs.]

You wanna play chess instead? I can go for a few rounds! [Otherwise Ford would be alone and not have any fun.]

[FRIEND, PLEASE LEARN ABOUT PERSONAL SPACE.]

You know how to play?

Of course I do! It's one of the best one-on-one games to play!

[He finally lets go of Ford and...grabs his arm, leading him to the chess table.]

I agree. I hope you're prepared, I'm very good.

[He lets himself be dragged over to the chess table; he finds that if he approaches Wander like he would Mabel, the alien's antics are significantly more tolerable.]

[Wander hops onto the chair on the black end and takes a seat. As he swings his legs in anticipation, he realizes that these chairs were not designed for someone like him.

He won't bring it up if that would interrupt the game.]

[Ford, meanwhile, has the opposite problem. These chairs were not designed for someone of his height or breadth.]

White goes first, of course.

[He doesn't even hesitate before making his first move. You might think it's because he's so used to this that he doesn't even have to think about it. You'd be incorrect.]

[Without hesitation, Wander stands up and moves a pawn two spaces.] And now I go!

[SWEATS NERVOUSLY

why did he get himself into this he's terrible at chess.]

Right. And...there.

[He nudges another pawn forward. That's a good move, right? Probably?]

[Wander doesn't show any sign of having a plan or if he can tell Ford is bullshitting his way. With the same smile, he moves another pawn.

After each opening move, he rests his chin on top of the table and watches Ford until his turn is done.]

[The way Wander is watching him is very unnerving. Color begins to creep up Ford's neck from under his turtleneck.]

Hmm....Ah....There.

[He moves one of his knights. He does at least remember the correct pattern to move it in.]

[Wander slides a bishop halfway across, and as he does, he adds a sound effect:]

Beeeeezzzzrp.

[It's a laser powered bishop! Time to watch Ford again and swing his legs as he waits.]

...What was that? Are you adding sound effects to chess?

[He's absolutely stalling.]

[Nod nod]

I'm addin' high stakes action!

....Right. Of course.

[He nudges a pawn forward with a faux-thoughtful hum.]

[Wander takes one of Ford's pawns at the edge of the board.]

First blood! Is that what it's called?

Ah—yes, I believe that's correct.

[Shit. Okay.

He moves his bishop in a way that bishops are not supposed to be moved. That works right?]

...Ford, I think your finger slipped.

[Points at the bishop.]

[Ford is immediately flustered.]

W-What do you mean—?

Your bishop. You moved it one diagonal over. [He touches the square where it used to be.] You moved it from here.

...And?

[Oh, no. Was that not a legal move? Shoot. How does he recover from this?]

—Ah! My mistake. Pardon me. I'll just...

[He moves it back to where it was, and moves a pawn instead. Pawns are safe!]

[Wander smiles. It was just a dumb mistake, no judgement. He moves a rook up the recently-freed column.]

Sylvia and I don't get to do board games often - easy to lose the pieces when you're on a train - so it's nice to have all these games in one place.

Yes, it certainly is. It's been a great deal of time since I've had the opportunity.

[Oh no that rook is threatening.

Okay, don't panic, Ford. Just...yes, move the other Knight.]

(no subject)

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