#anywhere

a bit of a smile back, "thank you"

Thea moves a pawn.

For a moment, Adelaide looks tempted to say something, as she tries to see if that pawn she had blocked earlier is now available to continue it's quest. If it is, she moves it one more forward

Moving the queen cost Thea that block, yes.

Then yes, it is only one move away after this one to queen dom itself

Thea regards the board and puts a pawn in jeopardy; however, the queen-to-be will be taken if the pawn isn't dealt with.

"Are you aware you just called me, Anne?" She says as she takes a bold move, to deal with that pawn ,and seeing if her question throws her mentor off enough to throw off her strategy

"Hmm?" Oh... that is where that bishop has been hiding.....

"Earlier you called me, Anne." A scramble to make sure she can get taht pawn across if she can, bishop be darned. " your..condition. I am aware of it. "

"My condition? I'm sure I don't know what you mean, Adelaide."

"it worries me that you might not," she says and turns her pawn into a queen. "Your memories. The constant updates needed for your inner circle. " A breath "I think I need to be in those meetings more"

The Countess stares at the board through dark lenses. She moves a piece. "Checkmate."

The girl startled, "I pursued one thing too much to the point of losing my real power I...oh. Well, that's humbling" A blush "All the more reason I should be at more of the meetings to learn" Hopeful look

Akanthea might be amused by Adelaide's play to turn her defeat into her purpose, maybe not. But alas, other meetings ARE due, and soon, she must go.

BOW your heads, Peasants!

"I will consider it." The Countess rises. "Thank you for the game, the company, and the conversation."

She rises, curtsies and says "You're welcome. As always, thanks for the game and the lesson"

(end scene)