Staying the course, progressing ahead

They watch as the queen at F5 moves to G6. Hecate doesn't waste a second as she moves pawn at D7 to D5, placing it in striking distance for Lexi's queen at F3 and knight at C3. "I know it is a lot to think about on top of this game. You don't have to answer right away." She reaches across the table to lightly touch the back of Lexi's right hand and squeezes it gently. "Seriously, I want to know more about you because we're friends. I think this is a good way to do that. Don't you agree?"

Lexi's eyes glance at Hecate's hand. A tender warmth and affection is clearly felt from it. 'And here I was thinking this proposal had a different meaning all together.' A chuckle escapes her lips. 'I feel foolish for having thought such.' Her eyes gaze into Hecate's as she places her left hand over Hecate's. "I get it. I'm just not used to such a subtle and indirect approach." Hecate warmly smiles. "That's fine. Everyone is different." She leans in slightly. "Especially other Gods. Some of them are straight up bonkers if you ask me."

Lexi's eyes widen slightly. 'Bonkers? What an interesting word choice.' The absurdity causes her to laugh. "Bonkers? Sounds like quite the handful." Hecate purses her lips. "You have no idea!" Her eyes glance at the board. "I don't mean to rush you, but you might not wish to leave your followers hanging." Lexi looks down, noticing that her queen at F3 had moved to H3. She blinks several times, realizing the risks of what Merona had just done. 'Is this what people do themselves all the time?'

She lets out a soft sigh. Hecate caresses the back of Lexi's hand. "It's fine. Just relax. We aren't playing for keeps." Lexi nods slightly. "Yeah, but it is still nerve-racking." Hecate simply nods in agreement. Lexi looks back at the board. After quickly thinking over several possibilities that involve setting up Hecate's queen, she moves her bishop from F1 to E2. Hecate's bishop from E7 slides along the black tiles to B4, placing Lexi's knight at C3 in danger. Hecate gently taps the table with her other hand. "Hmm, that is unusual of her."

She places a hand on her other bishop at D8 sliding it along the white titles to G4, taking Lexi's pawn and placing Lexi's queen in danger. "This is quite the nail-biter. I hope your followers are ready." As Lexi's eyes look at what had happened, her knight at C3 moves to A2, successfully avoiding danger whilst placing Hecate's bishop in striking distance. There is only really one safe move for her to make. She uses her bishop at E2 and slides it across the white tiles to take Hecate's bishop at G4. Hecate's hand gently squeezes Lexi's hand. "Oo, that is quite the play!"

Her form shifts to a teenager. "I wasn't expecting that at all." Seamlessly shifts back to her adult form. "This is rather fun." A little giggle escapes her lips. During this time, Hecate's bishop at B4 slips to A5. She nibbles on the inside of her bottom lip. She leans forward, quickly moving her pawn at H6 to H5. This places Lexi's bishop in danger. Lexi moistens her lips as she waits for one of her followers' pieces to move. "I don't think I'll up the stakes. By the way, what will happen if we lose one of our followers on the board?"

Hecate looks at Lexi with a perplexed expression for a moment. "Oh, right. You've never done this before." She turns over Lexi's hand on the table and runs a finger along Lexi's palm. "They'll be kicked out of the illusion barrier and placed in a holding barrier away from one another. Think of it like a penalty box of sorts. The important thing is that they'll be fine." Her form shifting from an elder to an adult before shifting back to an elder by the end. Lexi softly smiles. "Thank you. That explanation makes me feel much better."

Hecate smiles. Her withered hand gently holds Lexi's. "I will continue to explain everything that I can, Lexi." Lexi places her other hand on top of Hecate's. 'It must be taxing to wax and wane so often while conversing. I wonder if it applies to her thoughts as well.' Her eyes gaze into Hecate's glowing light blue eyes. "I truly appreciate it. On an unrelated note, do you feel any discomfort or anything while shifting forms so often?" Hecate warmly smiles, her form shifts to an adult's. "No. It is just how I am. It is as effortless as breathing."

Her eyes glance at the board. "Speaking of discomfort, it looks like your followers are waiting." Lexi's cheeks turn light pink. "I got a little lost in our discussion." She pulls back a hand while looking at the board. Hecate giggles with a knowing smile. "Me too." Lexi notices that her queen that had been at H3 had moved to E3, placing Hecate's king in check. 'I need to make the most of their efforts...' She moves her rook at H1 to E1, creating quite the predicament for Hecate and her followers.

Hecate's eyes widen. "Whoever your queen is, is quite efficient and ruthless." Hecate's queen at G6 slides over to E6, blocking the path to Hecate's king. "I should make the most of their willingness to sacrifice himself." Moving her pawn at H5 to G4, taking Lexi's bishop. It won't be long before the moment of truth. Will Merona sacrifice herself to try and end things quickly? Or will she move unexpectedly and throw everyone for a loop?

(Author's note: I feel like I am losing my motivation to write. Not that I don't appreciate the few fans I still have. I just hope it is still enjoyed...)