Posts by CHESSPIECES.

The smell of lingering smoke still disgusted him. After Jerseyboy's smoking and his own father's way of life with alcohol, anything that resembled the two actions earned an almost immediate dislike and that often included the character with the offending items. Still, Queens had a sense of familiarity that caught Chesspieces' attention. After his return to BlizzardClan nearly a week ago, the alabaster tom had been faced to learn new faces and new names. No one from his time in BlizzardClan had remained except for his best friend, Irene, and the BlizzardClan leader, Aleksei.

The newcomer's smoking and way of speech made Chesspieces vaguely wish for Jerseyboy. The former paladin commander was not a favorite in Chesspieces' book — not by a long shot, but his presence was unique to BlizzardClan and admittedly, gave Chesspieces a sense of this is home when he had first stepped onto BlizzardClan's territory. The newcomer's presence gave him a heavy sense of longing. Unknowingly, a frown etched itself on the former medic's face as he shuffled over to stand beside Kady.

Their size differences made him look like a child in her shadow, but he had more or less gotten over that. The conversation between Queens and Kady were quite different from the typical name and business question that most warriors of a clan asked. At this point in his life, Chesspieces understood why they used that spiel to ask for information at a border, but it did get repetition and old. Sometimes, there was a newcomer who caused for a change. Queens seemed to be one. He dodged Kady's question, instead, inquiring about what was a BlizzardClan. Unlike Kady's light-hearted chuckle, Chesspieces' expression seemed to remain impassive. Queens was remaining him too much of his former clanmate for him to get a word out.

It was difficult to scare Chesspieces. He had seen alot of things worthy of being fearful of in the last two months — in the last few years of his life, actually. He no longer feared trival things such as exiled members although he had yet to actually be threatened or attacked by one. He figured that would change quickly if it came to go toe-to-toe with one. Despite the bleak dismissal of Ella's warning, Chesspieces gave a nod of understanding to her concern. "Thank you for the recommendation." He purred gently.

The alabaster tom's belly began to rumble. With Ella's acceptance of trying some sweets, Chesspieces' own face seemed to brighten. His blue-and-amber eyes, laced with pain, seemed to upside. Atleast, it appeared to. He rose to his paws. He winced at the motion, but recovered quickly. "Alrighty then." The former medic meowed. He waltzed off, collecting the herbs he had pulled from the storage deciding taking them now would be better than later. Who knew how long their afternoon tea party would last. "Tea sounds lovely. Do you need me to bring you anything for it?"

// feel free to like pm me with insults to get to me replying to this faster <3

Chesspieces had been the former ambassador of HawkClan when he had been the medic of BlizzardClan. The smell of redwood and pine needles would never leave him. The place was always comforting when he visited, even though he had never been a member of their ranks. He had been tempted to join them after leaving BlizzardClan, but it had felt too close to home. He wondered who was their ambassador now. Chesspieces followed behind Piedpiper. The alabaster tom peered curiously from behind the paladin trainee. His ears were perked. His tail-tip twitched softly, tossing fallen leaves to and fro with the movement. The former head medic was silent. He wanted to give Harue the time he needed to process the arrival of two BlizzardClanners, to catch his breath, and answer Piedpiper's question. He'd question the male about HawkClan at a later time. He was curious to know how some of his acquaintances were doing.

Chesspieces can take the HawkClan position again.

Sure thing. Just let me know when it's okay to. i'll probably see it but in case I don't

Tavi. When he had first heard about her exile, the former head medic had been beside himself. He didn't believe what Aleksei had said and had hardheartedly believed there had been some misunderstanding. After all, the Tavi he had known had only ever been polite and friendly to all faces. At the time, Chesspieces had thought she had great potential. Now, however, standing before her and listening to her words, the alabaster tom's heart sunk in doubt.

This was not the Tavi he had come to respect. "Tavi?" Her name echoed from his lips. What had happened in the last two months that had caused her to become so different? "What happened to you? Why are you here?" While he wanted to give the catsune the benefit of the doubt, Aleksei's order that Tavi was exiled rang loudly in his ears. He had to prove himself again to his clanmates. He couldn't openly allow her to stay. She had to leave as much as he wished to get the bottom of the change.

Okay.. so maybe it hadn't been his idea to go camping down near the lake for the warm Tuesday afternoon, but he hadn't argued with the idea when it had been presented. The one who had presented the idea to Chess and his group of compadres had been cautious about it. So soon after Chess's dog-attack (more about that later), everyone had been on their toes about asking him to do things that formally was no big deal. Go visit the dog kennels? Nah, Chess was attacked by a dog not a week ago. He might cry. Go ask Chess to move those boxes. Naah, Chase can't lift his arm higher than his face. Dog attack. Despite Chess having been adamant he was fine, no one seemed to believe him. Perhaps that was why he had leaped at the opportunity to go on a camping trip.

It was known around the little town that Chess and his friends were always out seeking adventure. One of their adventures had lead them to a junkyard just a week ago. A rabid dog (atleast that was what Chess had thought in the moment) had picked the scrawny kid out of the bunch to turn into his own personal chewtoy. If his friends hadn't have been so bold, Chess might have had more worries on his plate than reclaiming his manliness. It wasn't cool that everyone seemed to view him as a weakling as he scurried across town in his tan work boots and comfortable plaid outfits.

Chess, however, was beginning to regret letting that get the best of him. His arms already throbbed, but pride kept the twenty-four year old continuing to hammer away at the tent's pegs. The area the group had decided to camp out at near the lake was lovely. The lake was just in view, shimmering like a thousand bucks, behind strawberry bushes and tall oak trees. The campsite was cleared of everything but dirt and bugs, but that was expected when camping. In the center of the clearing were a large firepit. Fallen trees had been smoothed and used to make bench seats to sit around it. The tents the friends had brought were being placed aimlessly around the center.

Some entrances to a tent were faced towards the lake; others were facing the firepit. Each tent would hold up to three people and everything everyone had brought would have to be left in the various trucks and fancy cars they had driven out in. (Chess had insisted upon this because his fear of wolves and bears had skyrocketed since the dog attack.) He had no idea who he was going to be bunked with. He hoped no one. He didn't want to spend the night hearing apologies about rolling over on his dog-chewed arms. Absentmindedly, Chess dropped the hammer he had been using and rubbed at his bandaged arms.

The wounds still fresh from their day with a vicious dog had begun to bleed again although Chess could have swore they were already done with the bleeding stage. Finding that fresh blood would easily attract wild animals (and not wanting to be a wild animal's chewtoy), Chess picked his hammer off the ground, placed it into his beltloop and then left the tent to return to his truck. With the driver's seat open, Chess began to unbandage his injuries, clean them with the first-aid kit he had brought, and bandage them again.

In alot of ways, Chesspieces and Ladon were quite similar. While Chesspieces was considered a typical bad-boy in his youth, as he grew up and matured, he begun to hold a more polite personality. The type of personality that so vividly shined in Ladon now. While their friends and family alike found them to be polite and happy characters, the reality was that they weren't.

Many things had happened to Chesspieces in the last two months after his downfall in BlizzardClan. (atleast, that is what he would call it.) The Rift hadn't been home, not as much as BlizzardClan had been. Seeking adventure and purpose had led him onto a dangerous path that only by sheer luck he had managed to escape although not without a few scars to remember. Much of his life the last few weeks had been a blur for Chesspieces. He remember being hungry and exhausted. Pain coursing through his veins and his energy only fueled by the blind hope that he would return home. To BlizzardClan.

Even though he was back, the place felt empty to him. New members came and went all the time, he knew this. However, the place he found home seemed to be even more desolate now that he had returned. Members he had once called friends no longer stayed here. Those who had seemed to have loss the friendliness they once shared with him. One had turned her back to BlizzardClan entirely. The alabaster tom tried to appear like he was fine, but the harsh reality? He wasn't.

Walking had been a way for the former head medic to try and ease his racing mind with all the events that had taken place. At first, he had struggled with the activity. Bruised limbs and itching wounds did that to a person. But, after some days of getting into the flow of it, Chesspieces had bounced back rather quickly. He still groaned and walked with a slight limp if he stepped wrong, but he more or less was ready to get back into helping around the clan.

With the habit of walking daily now set in place, Chesspieces found it hard to break and thus, was on his afternoon stroll when he had stumbled upon Ladon. Their relationship had been awkward since Chesspieces' leaving. He understood why. Ladon was fragile. So soon after London, Chesspieces was positive the winged wolf had felt abandoned. He hadn't meant to make him feel that way and he understood his actions had been selfish. Many had told him this including the BlizzardClan leader although his reason for the reprimand had been of something completely different than the action of leaving his adopted son.

Chesspieces' blue-and-amber eyes watched with a new-found curiosity as the wolf tried and tried again to apply a bandage to a false limb. The former medic found it intriguing to see him struggle but continue on trying to fix his errors. After a few more times, Ladon had given up and thus, Chesspieces stepped out of the shadows. From behind, he approached the wolf. The alabaster tom's ears swirled and fell upon his skull. An atmosphere of uncertainty clouded over him. "I didn't know you've been trying to practice bandaging." The warrior meowed softly. The tom's paws altered in discomfort, his wounds making it difficult to stand straight in his normal posture. "Is this a new-found interest of yours?"

thread with chess?

maybe he can teach her something

no idea what though lol

The sound of a revving engine echoed faintly in Chess's ears. The man's hand had been absentmindedly applying an antibiotic ointment to the injuries on his right forearm. The injuries were still raw and swollen with infection although some parts of his injuries were beginning to return to their normal color. The sutures the town's local doctor had put in still felt tight in his skin. He desperately wanted to take them out but knew it would only take more time to heal, not to mention the amount of bleeding that would begin. Chess grimaced at the sight of his mangled arm.

The sound of the rumbling vehicle became louder as Chess checked and rechecked his injured arm. Rocks flew through the air. Dust bellowed and fallen twigs snapped under the weight. Hearing the approaching car loudly now, the twenty-four year old lifted his pale, blue eyes. Ada's family car can pulling into the campsite, taking a spot between the various trucks and cars already parked. Chess blinked curiously. He had seen the family car once or twice before, but found it strange she was driving it still. Hadn't she purchased her first car just recently?

Chess turned back to his injury. He pulled out a fresh bandage from his first-aid kit as he awaited for the girl to park and get out. The twenty-four year old began to wrap his forearm again, taking care to keep the ointment from smearing. He was still wrapping it, with a few unwraps in-between, when Ada appeared from behind his truck. The man picked himself up from the driver's seat.

He looked a bit like an ostrich, standing with left foot into the door panel yet entire body facing the girl. Chess quickly finished wrapping his arm, trying it at the end. He then lifted his arms, placing them comfortably against the truck's open door and roof. “ah, Ada.” He said in greeting, “glad you could come hang out”

Chess had invited several of their friends out although only a few had actually traveled with him up north to the campsite. He believed that was partly because they hadn't known the way. Chess was the adventurer in their little group and finding good campsites had always been a skill of his. The man balled his fist, tapping a quick beat into the roof of his truck before lowering his foot from the driver's seat and bending into the front. He threw his first-aid kit into the passenger's seat, grabbed a half-emptied water bottle from the center console, then stepped back with his keys and bottle in hand.

The middle-aged man slammed the truck's door then clicked the car-keys button to lock it. “It's fine.” Chess then answered. He immediately got the feeling she had been asking about his injuries. He was trying to avoid talking about it. The whole point of going camping was to get his friends to believe him that he wasn't incapable of doing things for himself after the dog attack. He supposed he would have to get over himself.

Chess led the way as he passed Ada. The man was dressed in slim, black jeans and a red plaid shirt. He had a green vest to go along with his outfit but didn't feel the need to bring it out of his truck. The weather was cool with a light breeze. Chess's shoes were large, a bit unexpected for his scrawny-like appearance. They weren't laced all the way up, but they didn't seem to give him trouble as he walked. The twenty-four year old turned to Ada. He didn't smile but he didn't exactly hold an unwelcomed frown. His presence was actually quite comfortable. “How was your drive?” He inquired next, pale blue eyes glancing briefly at the girl as he walked back to his tent.

// muuuuse

@charlotte sure! would you mind making the thread?

Every bone in Chesspieces' body screamed. He, himself, bubbled in a temperance of self-loath. How the alabaster tom had managed to convince himself to wake at the crack of dawn was beyond him. He was still healing from his recent injuries. While movement was easier, the pain came in waves and dawn was one time it was the worst. It was too late to turn back now even if his body felt stiff as clay. He padded gingerly through the dawnlight. Snow crunched beneath his dark pads. The extra pawsteps sounding like breaking ice had beckoned Chesspieces forward in haste despite his screaming muscles. The former head medic joined his companions, Sundance and Expresso, finding a cozy spot beneath a low-hanging branch as he studied the arrival of Lovelace. Chesspieces didn't speak, he merely watched with a care eye of interest and curiosity.

Being offered a position he had done and was promoted above felt oddly like a slap in the face. He hadn't expected much although being a medic trainee despite having trained felt insulting. While he had left unannounced, Chesspieces found himself loyal through and through. From the time he had arrived not knowing who he was to returning from his dangerous journey, immediately providing help with BlizzardClan's injured. The alabaster tom found himself hesitating. His body tensed, eyes flashing to Ella and Sundance who had been offered the positions alongside him. He had left BlizzardClan and had tried hard to have nothing to do with the medic field although medicine was always apart of his life. Suddenly, he had to decide. Was declining a position he had said he would take up again worth the reprimand he might receive? Was it worth trying for the route of a paladin instead of returning to a job he had learned to despise? Chesspieces heaved an exhale. He knew what he wanted, but the words seemed to have a hard time forming. "I-I can't." The warrior meowed. He cleared his throat softly. "I said I would, but I just can't." Feeling small, Chesspieces drew his tail closer to his chest. His head shook with a sudden fierceness, portraying the war with himself as he spoke. "I will help if the medics ask me, but being a medic is not the path I want. Not anymore." He didn't know what he wanted but it wasn't to be responsible for the care of his entire clan.

Promotions weren't often refused, but when they were, it was quite unique. Chesspieces was grateful for the lack of eyes turning to him. It made his next words easier to speak as the alabaster tom met Aleksei's gaze. "Yes." Chesspieces meowed. Although racked with uncertainty for the future, taking the position of paladin trainee was far more welcoming than becoming a medic trainee once again.

A clear look of curiosity brushed over Chesspieces' face. His head tilted, triangular-white ears flattening to one side acting the part of a curious dog. When did Ladon feel like he had to be useful in some way? Many things had happened to the both of them since Chesspieces' departure. Admittedly, the alabaster tom had no idea, not the foggiest, of what had occurred in Ladon's life. It was a sad admission, but something Chesspieces found himself wanting to get to the bottom of. It was like a mystery that he couldn't solve. Chesspieces wanted to ask the winged wolf what had happened. Had he meet some new friends? Had he taken any adventures (even some Chesspieces would not approve of)? Did he learn something new? Chesspieces wanted to know the details of Ladon's life. He wanted the pair to have an open relationship like Chesspieces had once had with his own parents. Was that so much to ask of his own son no matter how far from father and son they were? The chilling reality that their relationship had become strained caused Chesspieces to look away sheepish. A look of shame clouding his normally bright blue-and-amber irises. The air around the two became thick of tension. The tension built within his muscles and seemed to last an eternity. After some moments to ponder on his next words, Chesspieces readjusted his paws. His eyes returned to Ladon. "Do you want to me to show you how to bandage? I have a little trick for it."

The ringing of Aleksei's call and the familiar scent of The Thunderlands drew Chesspieces forward although rather late. The alabaster tom squeezed in through the crowd and took a seated position beside Kady. Confusion lit up his face as his ears turned to the Thunderlands. Exactly what had happened between the two Clans in the last week?

Chesspieces arrived next. His blue-and-amber irises brushed over Clove first, studying the femme with a small interest before turning to Valaerya. The alabaster tom had went on a vacation down from the floating islands and just a short skip from BlizzardClan's border. In that time, he found himself thrown back into a world of confusion. He spotted unfamiliar clanmates and heard crazy stories of things that had occurred in just a week. Valaerya was an unfamiliar BlizzardClanner for him, but he found the kitsune's presence eerily familiar. He felt like he should know who she was. Shaking away his thoughts, the paladin trainee turned back to Clove.

The two pair of eyes now set on him made Chesspieces' fur rise along his spine. The alabaster tom glanced towards Valaerya first. The face she made towards him made the tom-cat visibly flinch. He shook his head softly then turned to finally greet Clove. The catsune introduced herself once more although the paladin trainee had caught her name once he had arrived. The BlizzardClanner offered the she-cat a polite smile, mimicking her own. "I'm Chesspieces." The warrior meowed, "It's a pleasure to meet you."

ooc: I didn't notice your second post. Sorry! xD

The sound of an alarm rang distantly into Chess's ears. Wavy strands of black hair filtered into his pale, blue eyes. Pre-dawn light peeked just beyond the blinds, pulled loose to help wake the sleeping man the night prior. Chess laid upon his stomach. One hand was draped over the bed's side; the other hidden underneath his head and pillow. Chess's half-lidded eyes wandered the dark bedroom. His irises adjusted slowly as they moved from the window's light, to the door where a corridor led into Ladon's room, and up to the alarm that continued to blare angrily with the numbers blinking 5:00 AM in bold green color. Chess's muscles screamed as he lifted his arm to press the snooze button on the alarm clock. The man's fingers danced along the surface before finally finding the snooze. The alarm shut down immediately. With a satisfied sigh, Chess turned around. He adjusted the duvet, pulling it up higher to cover his bare shoulders after having it fall down during the night. His arm landed against the empty side of his bed, reaching for the extra pillow at his side for comfort. The twenty-four year old closed his eyes, falling back into a comfortable light-sleep.

--

Chess lunged forward at the sound of crashing. His blue eyes were wild and hazy with sleep. His head turned to the alarm clock, reading 5: 30 AM. The sound of metal grinding drew Chess's attention once again. The man threw his duvet aside and stood. He waltzed to the window and peered through the blinds. Just two-stories below, a dull-green garbage truck trudged along a slick road. The garbage cans now emptied of last week's trash. Chess inwardly groaned and pulled away from the window. Woken up by a garbage truck. He didn't think he'd join the list of odd things that had woken up his co-workers in his lifetime. Now up, Chess grabbed his pile of clothes he had prepared the night before. He grabbed a fresh washcloth and towel and left to dress for the day.

For months, Chess had promised Ladon he would take him out for the day to an amusement park or a zoo. A carnival had crossed his mind too, but had later decided against it. The man had spent months saving money to have enough to do what they wanted. It wasn't easy for him, having many bills including the large condo he recently purchased to pay for. But, for his adopted son, he had done it. Chess had tried to locate a large amusement park or zoo in his area, but found most didn't have enough to last the entire day. He had then searched for parks out of the state and had managed to find one that had plenty to do. They had large rides for the daredevil visitors and smaller ones for the not-so daredevil visitors. There was also animals the park had that made up the zoo aspect. He was slightly worried about how close people could get to the animals but that had done little to curb Chess's decision in booking tickets. As soon as Ladon had been let out of school, Chess had booked a flight, rented a small condo, and planned the next few days two states over.

Chess had no set time to be at the park, but before they opened was ideal. Within the hour, Chess had dressed in a comfortable attire. He wore black jeans with a loose white shirt. To go with that, he threw over a dark-green plaid shirt completed with white sneakers to pull the outfit together. With rain frequently pouring, Chess had added a black jean jacket to his outfit, but had tossed it over one of the chairs in the small dining area, finding it too hot in the condo to put it on. After packing snacks and other essentials into a small backpack to bring with them, Chess had begun to cook breakfast. A microwave clock blinked 6:35 AM in bright green as the smell of bacon began to fill the condo. The twenty-four year old didn't bother with setting the table and grabbing plates. It was a grab-and-go kind of morning. Fixing his silver watch to match the time on the microwave, Chess exited the kitchen and strided down the corridor that lead from the kitchen to Chess's own room and down into Ladon's.

Dawn was brightly shining through the windows by now although Ladon's room was more or less dark from Chess pulling the curtains closed after he had gone to bed. There wasn't much to see in the small room. A dresser sat at the foot of the queen-sized bed, and extra blankets and pillows were piled onto. There were a few extra pairs of shoes near one side of the bed (whose they were, Chess had no idea). Other than that and Ladon's sleeping figure, there wasn't anything there. Chess drew himself to one side of the bed, opposite of the shoes, and touched Ladon lightly on his forehead. "Ladon?" Chess whispered softly. With the same hand, Chess turned to his shoulder and gently shook it. "Ladon. It's almost 7. You got to get up and ready if you still want to go to the amusement park."

ooc: I'm sooo sorry this took so long! I had no good wifi service my entire trip, but i'm back now! This is also terrible, i'm so sorry! @LADON