DN   Oh Hello, Red!

DN   Fancy Seeing You Here at the Clown Parade

Though her headscarf obscures her identity well enough, those shimmering sunglasses still make her stand out amongst the crowd. An interesting strategy, to be sure.

RG   I could say the same, White.

You adjust your own sunglasses.

RG   I don't suppose you're secretly a carnival aficionado?

DN   No, Not Particularly

DN   It Lacks a Refinement, To Be Sure

DN   And It is Ever So Childish

DN   But This Mimiland Place is Grand, Isn't It?

DN   Though it's Far From the Happiest Place, Where Else Can You Find Such Sights?

Beside her is her bodyguard. She likely knows about your public 'code names' for each other. That's why she isn't batting an eye.

RG   Hello.

RG   Idina, right?

You give them a polite nod.

RG   I’ve heard exemplary things about you.

ID   ...

You can't quite read their face underneath those sharply neutral features. Regardless, you press no further.

RG   So, you're here for the spectacle of it all.

DN   Oh Yes

DN   I Adore Meaningless Festivities like This

DN   With All the Idiot Children

DN   And Their Idiot Stories

RG   Is that right?

DN   There May Only be One Clown at This Park, Dear

DN   But The Whole Production is Ruled By the Spirit Of the Clown

DN   And the Silly Performers are the Frosting on The Frilly Cake

DN   Oh Ho Ho

DN   You Can't Help But Be Amused By It All

RG   For amusement...

RG   I suppose that's what a park such as this is for.

You can see the appeal. You hardly know the people around you, yet there’s little more unifying than a shared celebration. Even someone like Diana stands on the same ground as everyone else. Taking in the same sights. You can imagine a paradise like this appealing to even her.

DN   Look, That One’s Juggling Fire!

DN   Throw a Gasoline Tank At Him

Not that you can account for her ever-enigmatic logic, though.

RG   We're quite fortunate that you aren't in charge here.

DN   And What Does That Mean

RG   Why, for your protection, first and foremost.

RG   Your brilliance would be at risk, constantly surrounded by mindless playthings.

DN   Ho Ho Ho, Nice Save

RG   I only speak the truth.

Diana's eyes start wandering to the attractions.

DN   Oh!

DN   Dina, Pencil Me In for the Log Fume at 6

DN   I'm Riding That Damn Log Today

DN   Take Someone’s MimiPass If We Have To

You're surprised to see a crack in Idina's neutral expression.

ID   I’m Not writing down the Second Part.

Diana laughs and pats her on the shoulder.

DN   Bribe the People In Line If We Have To

ID   A 'Charitable Donation', You Mean?

DN   Oh Yes, Definitely Call it That

ID   Even So, let's Not Resort to Something like That.

ID   We Already have Full Admission for the Day, Diana.

DN   That's Why it's Important to Make the Most Of It!

They continue on for a bit, Diana asserting her gods-given right to attend any ride she pleases while her assistant reigns her in. You wonder if having a right-hand man of your own would provide such entertaining company on the regular.

RG   Sounds like you have a busy schedule ahead of you.

RG   Don't let me bother you, then.

DN   Oh, Nonsense

DN   From One Queen to Another - I Find Your Company Quite Pleasant

DN   Few Can Match Both My Beauty and Brains, You Know

RG   Is that the order in which you prioritize the two?

DN   Don't Ask Stupid Questions

DN   Come, You Two!

DN   The Parade's Winding Down, Let's Go Find Somewhere to Sit

The three of you walk to the shade, sitting down at a nice picnic table. Diana sips at her ice water as Idina pulls out a fancy-looking clipboard. You find yourself wishing you had some beverage or writing implement in your hands, too. Merely sitting there makes you feel restless. So, you fiddle with the straps of your travel bag.

DN   You Owe Me a Game, You Know

Diana speaks up after a hearty sip, taking you by surprise.

RG   Here? Now?

RG   I thought you were absorbed in the attractions.

DN   Yes, But You Brought It

DN   Didn't You?

RG   ...did I?

She points at your bag. You say nothing.

DN   Come Now, Red, Let's Not Play Coy

DN   You’re Itching to Take Your Mind Off of All the Mimi Around Here

DN   And Since Juggle Boy Was Occupied By the Parade, You Haven't Had any Partners

RG   ...

Silently, you reach inside and take it out. Your portable chess set.

RG   If you wanted a match, you could've brought it up at the start.

DN   Etiquette, Darling

DN   What's a Scene Without the Building Tone?

RG   Hm. Clearly, you've thought this through.

RG   I suppose I'm indelibly touched by your enthusiasm.

RG   It seems to grow with each infrequent win.

DN   You Mean, with Every Win Rightfully Earned?

RG   All wins are earned.

RG   Some, more than others. What's our current tally, again?

DN   Oh Ho Ho

DN   If You were More Confident, You Wouldn't Need to Downplay My Accomplishments, Red

RG   And if you were more skilled, you would have more accomplishments to speak of.

DN   That's the Spirit

DN   You're Going Down, General

Like clockwork, you start setting everything up. You even remember to set Diana’s side and pieces according to her preferences (before she starts complaining). That doesn't stop you from making snide note of it, however.

RG   You know, you’re only stifling yourself by choosing white every time.

DN   Oh, like You Don't Have a Preference

DN   With Your Little Red Pieces

DN   Who Goes Out of Their Way to Replace Black with Their Color?

RG   Hah ha.

RG   At least my Code is synonymous with Red.

RG   And... you know.

RG   One I didn't require influence to make legitimate.

DN   Gasp

DN   Dina, Pencil In a 5-o-Clock Ass Whooping

DN   One Kingdom Isn't Making Out of This Alive

It's a long, tense game. But you play with an ever-present smile on your face. Diana makes a worthy opponent, one with initially nonsensical moves that make great payoffs later.

Her sheer confidence and enthusiasm is infectious, and you ignore the puzzled glances from spectators when you cheer as you finally claim victory with a checkmate. It's almost bittersweet that it's over.

RG   Hah.

RG   That was excellent.

RG   Thank you.

You outstretch your hand. Diana grimaces, but shakes it regardless.

DN   I Suppose I Didn't Specify Whose Ass was Getting the Whooping

DN   Good Game

DN   Damn, Is There No Beating You? I Thought I Was Doing Much Better This Time

RG   Certainly.

RG   I look forward to when you're able to, again.

DN   Oh, Shove It

As you put away your board, you spy a certain director making her rounds. You curtly thank the Morozovs for their company once more, and you go on your way. You and Diana may feel comfortable in your respective colors, but some people seem driven to reflect and take over the ones around them. And you'd rather leave their space than engage. Especially with a self-proclaimed royal who's more concerned about claiming hearts than having one.

And, regrettably, Diana was right. The only other person who's won against you more than her is one of the workers here. The jester, the one who seemed to pale a little when he glanced your and Diana's way. His strategy is somewhat nonsensical as well. You can only hope he's available next time you visit - it seems that the games are a kind of release to him, as well.

But today's visit was worth it. Yes, nothing gives you more perspective than seeing things on the individual level, to faces and experiences. Work all too often reduces everything to numbers and calculation.