Shifting fates, game on!

(Author's note: I failed to link the images I have on Subscribestar for the chess moves. I guess they have protections against it. If anyone knows of a free website to host images, I am willing to update this chapter with them. I think they turned out pretty well.)

As soon as Lexi lets go of her piece, D8 moves to G5. Hecate giggles as her form changes to that of a teenager. "Oo, that was quite the bold move!" Seamlessly shifting to that of an old woman. "I wonder how long that'll continue." She muses. Moving H7 to H6. "You'll find that this is exciting in its own way, Lexi." Shifting to that of a teenager again. "Dwelling too much on what you could have done won't change anything." She shifts to an adult. "What matters most is the present. For it will change your perception of the past and the future."

Lexi listens carefully while looking at the board. While Hecate was talking, E2 moves to C3. Lexi gently moistens her lips. "I can see that stressing too much about it won't solve anything. Thank you for the advice, Hecate." She nibbles on her bottom lip. "Am I correct in assuming that I cannot move my follower's pieces on the board?" Hecate leans back slightly. "Technically you can, but it isn't a good idea to do it too often." Her teenage form takes hold. "Have you heard of people saying that their bodies moved on their own?"

Lexi blinks, thinking back on her experiences in life. There have been a few situations of which she had seen it, but she has never experienced it herself. "Yeah, but it is usually in situations of... Oh!" Hecate giggles. "Do you remember when I said, 'This is the silent price we pay for our prestige and privilege.'?" Her head tilts slightly to the right. Lexi nods slightly while looking at the board. "Yes, it was just a couple of minutes or so ago." Hecate gently caresses the top of the bishop at F8. "I did it once when it wasn't called for."

Her expression softens as droplets form along the bottom of her eyelids. She sniffs lightly. Forcing her tears back. Her voice quavers. "I, I wouldn't ever suggest doing it. Even if it were to save a loved one." A pain shoots through Lexi's chest like an icy bullet. The pain of remorse is clearer than a windshield that has just been adhered to a new car upon Hecate's quivering bottom lip. Her eyelids dewy from the recently held back tears. Lexi reaches for Hecate's hand. The subtle quivering made all the more apparent when Hecate places a hand on top of Lexi's.

Her visage changes to an adult. Her voice grows steadier as she speaks. "I don't want anyone to ever experience it." Lexi smiles. Her hand gently squeezes Hecate's. "I likely will never know what it is you're experiencing, but I understand that it is truly awful." Hecate nods. Sniffing once more before gently clearing her throat. "It's still your turn, Lexi." Lexi pulls back her hand. "Ah, right." Her eyes refocusing on the chess board in front of her. 'I'm glad I know. I could have unwittingly made a grievous mistake.'

She places her hand on the pawn at F2 and moves it to F4. This places her pawn at the corner of the queen at G5 and pawn at E5. As her fingers release her pawn, the queen at G5 moves to F5. At which point Hecate moves her pawn from E5 to F4, taking Lexi's pawn. Her form changes to a teenager. "You used the past against me!" She softly chuckles. Her form reverts to an adult's. "This is an interesting game so far." Lexi nibbles on her bottom lip. "Yes, but stressful."

This move answered a question she had about how her opponent would react with such bait in place. If the queen had taken her pawn, she would have had a good idea about how she could bait Hecate's followers into ambushes with ease. Alas, this was not the case. Perhaps it is because those on the board didn't even know they were playing this type of game and couldn't see the long-term goal. Hecate nods sympathetically. "True, but it is things like this that alleviate some of the boredom."

Lexi has an inkling about what Hecate is talking about, but feels that she isn't getting the gravity of the situation. "I guess I'll figure it out in time." Hecate's form switches to an elder as she smirks. "You will indeed, Lexi." While they were talking, Merona's piece at D1 slides along the white titles to F3. 'Did Merona just setup an ambush of her own?' She wonders seeing how things could play out. Without a though, she moves from E3 to F4, taking Hecate's pawn with her own.

Hecate's eyes focus on the movements on the board. "Will they go for your bait. I wonder..." As she speaks, F8 moves to E7. Effectively baring the way in front of Hecate's king. Hecate's right hand's fingertips lightly caress the table just behind her side of the board. Her form switches to an adult. "I see you are quite good at chess." She licks her upper lip. Soon moving C7 to C8. Her eyes look at Lexi. "Would you care to raise the stakes a little? I promise it won't be anything devious."

Lexi lifts a brow. "Aren't the stakes high enough?" Hecate shrugs as Lexi's king moves from E1 to D1. "Maybe, but I am thinking it might be fun to add a bit more to it. We can start with your proposal this time if you like." Lexi looks down slightly. 'This feels a bit like a war of minds in addition to this game.' Her hand moves G2 to G4, effectively placing a pawn in attack position of Hecate's queen. Should she go with Hecate's whim and add a little more to the stakes? Or should she say that enough is enough?