A/N: It's here! The true sequel to At Peace! It's been a year since that final battle, and the memory games and mind tricks aren't over yet! Even though Akari has managed to piece together the events that happened that day in Toll, is anyone ready for where it goes? No, but that's the exciting part! Let's get started!
0. Colorless
"Which pawn are you? Black? Or white?"
"You continue to toy with that board."
The voice, deep but disinterested, went over the child's head.
The boy shrugged. Trapped in this form again. He supposed he could bear with it for now, and resumed his careful movement of the pieces. "You figuring out why is half the fun."
The man snorted. "This is why you're not the Game Master. You cling too much and drop no clues."
"Well, the round hasn't started," Taiki pointed out with a laugh. "Why would I drop clues when you're not playing?" He spun his fingers around a long line of yarn, the spool lying somewhere on the floor.
Bagramon sighed. "Perhaps I should have drawn the girl to play. At least she might be capable of restraint."
Taiki laughed and began to thread needles. "But this is restraint. You just think Akari's tongue would wag faster." Another laugh. "You'd be surprised. Akari is a smart girl. Smarter than I could ever"
"It worries me when you begin complimenting your friends." The ornate chair creaked with use and age and each ruby red eye glowed in the dark.
"That means you're learning." Taiki waved his free hand over the board. "Well, whenever you're ready, dive on in."
Bagramon, if he were a lesser man, would have snorted. Insolent little mage.
Thus, the game continued.