The Scent of Lavender

[hadthehighground]

Who: Obi-Wan Kenobi & You
What: Obi-Wan got a reward! With a very distinct smell.
When: Day 17
Where: Residential Area
Warnings: None atm.

The whole testing experience had been rather trying, and it wasn't just the test either. Anakin was getting more difficult to deal with, and his presence only seemed to make it worse. Despite the Sith Lord being sent to... wherever it was he want, his demeanor had not improved in the slightest. 

Obi-Wan knew he was the main target of Anakin's rage, and someone else had gotten hurt trying to help him. 

Thus after the testing was done, the Jedi decided to hole himself away in his room again. The man rarely being seen for a week aside for coming out to eat or use the fresher. And that was typically done when he knew Anakin, and probably most everyone else, was asleep. He spent the time in his room meditating for the most part. Rarely even logging into the network. 

However, around the 15th or so, some might catch a whiff of a different smell. One that some might recognize as lavender.

Obi-Wan had discovered he's been gifted with a host of cleaning supplies, for personal hygiene and otherwise. He decided to first try some of the personal items. Thus there would be hints of lavender lingering in the men's bathroom due to the Jedi's late night excursions. Using the lavender shampoo, soap, even toothpaste. 

However, on the 17th he will be seen in the common areas again at a decent hour. Though before he's seen, anyone coming into the room he's in will be hit with a wall of lavender odor that is exceptionally strong. Yep, he's back to cleaning, and using lavender scented products. Wiping down surfaces with cleaning solution, the bleach if its especially nasty, and so forth. It's really handy having these, but it seems there is a price to pay in one's nose being assaulted.

Comments

[hadthehighground]

There was a few moments pause at the question, moving his own pawn forward before deciding to answer.

"It's a bit complicated," he admitted.

"Two weeks ago, I would have told that I was a general in a galactic war."

Which, as they continued to move pieces, may become a bit apparent. He wasn't a talented chess player, but he new strategy. And Obi-Wan would take a more defensive approach to the game as he often did in battle. Until the right moment when he could make a bold offensive move.

"But now things are different."

[hard_decisions]

Galactic war?

Wesley had heard of realms beyond the stars, but he had always imagined them to be more or less metaphysical in position, not a place you could actually hold interstellar warfare. Obi-Wan was clearly another native of a place very different from Wesley's own world.

Fascinating.

And unusual. Obi-Wan's playstyle seemed to be playing into a classic mistake of new players- overcaution. He avoided risks, didn't allow himself to lose pieces, even if it meant ceding control of the center.

"I must say, I've never been to space, and I'm certainly not a military man"

Not in a literal sense, anyway. He had often been engaged in battle against the forces of darkness, but he'd been either a lone agent or support in most cases.

"But I must say, I believe I can relate."

Against a more experienced player, Wesley suspected that the attempt at defensive play would fail- masters of the game could readily pick apart an overly timid player as much as an overly aggressive one.

Wesley was not a master. His initial response, when Obi-Wan began to play defensively and mount a line, was to push forward, risk pieces, attempt to bait him into breaking formation. But he didn't. He kept up the defense, refusing to capitalize on the opportunities Wesley would put in front of him.

"A researcher. First for a private investigation company, then for a law firm. But, like you, things changed quite drastically before I came here."

As Wesley's pieces controlled more and more of the field, Obi-Wan's defensive tactics didn't break. He didn't make any sloppy panic moves. In fact, he seemed quite controlled, despite the reactive retreating, despite not claiming Wesley's pieces when he had the opportunity.

Wesley wasn't a master, and so, no matter how he studied the board, he couldn't see whether or not Obi-Wan was setting a trap or just being too defensive for his own good.

[hadthehighground]

"Hm," Obi-Wan hummed thoughtfully as he both listened and paid attention to the makeshift board before them. Making a retreating move as Wesley's pieces advanced on his. With how little he reacted to the fact that he was losing ground, he would probably be good at poker too.

"Well, my people were not meant to involved in wars. We were peacekeepers, and yet were put in that position."

He moved again, Wesley's aggressive tactic practically backing him up in a corner.

"It only aided in our own downfall."

And Wesley's growing overconfidence in the game might be his.

"I hope your change was more for the better than mine."

[hard_decisions]

In point of fact, that overconfidence is rapidly becoming a lack of confidence. Neither of them has lost many pieces, Obi-Wan continues to stock himself, and at this point the only way out of the deadlock would be to surrender pieces. He's kept his line of pawns relatively intact, and behind them is a full line of pieces surrounding his king.

Obi-Wan hasn't set a trap. He's set a stalemate. One Wesley has to break by force if he hopes to eliminate it.

And that brings Wesley's play to a halt as he considers it.

"Well, the law firm was evil. In the literal and supernatural sense. Losing my position there would be a step up."

Wesley decides it'd be better to not mention the dying part if he doesn't have to. Or the fact that dying won't actually release him from the contracts Wolfram and Hart has over him. Just make the joke and move on.

Move on to this stalemate. He can take pawns, but whatever he uses will be sacrificed- and trading for pawns would be a losing proposition.

He'd have to set up a winning rally. So when he finally begins moving again, his movements are no longer aggressive. He begins spreading his pieces out, keeping only a scarce few pieces in advance to capitalize if his opponent tried to advance again.

"The cost of a moral victory, I suppose."

[hadthehighground]

It seems that his opponent has caught onto him. Obi-Wan just waits patiently as Wesley considers his move. He's curious now, wondering what he will do or if they will have to indeed concede on a stalemate.

"I see. Moral victory can be very costly, but otherwise one could lose oneself."

That was a debate all in itself. However, Obi-Wan was the type to prefer taking the moral high ground as it were. Even if it meant making a sacrifice. Even if it brought himself a lot of pain.

Obi-Wan's eyes go back to the game, stroking his beard thoughtfully as he considers his opponents move. He followed along, spreading his pieces out more as well, but still keeping his best well guarded. He gets an idea though, and places a knight well within striking distance. A decoy perhaps? He hasn't sacrificed any pieces yet, and his opponent might expect it and thus consider it a mistake. Thus luring him into a careless move. Or he might suspect at much, ignoring it, allowing him to advance.