Taroh studied the checkered board carefully. He knew better than to underestimate his brother-in-law. Bennett was a hunter after all; his entire life was focused on strategy and battle. After a moment, he reached over and moved one of his white ivory pawns up a space. It would be taken, but it didn't matter.

Bennett only paused for a brief moment before the rook took the just-moved pawn. Taroh's knight took the rook only moments after Bennett resettled. This time the hunter took a much longer look at the board. Taroh's strategy was a little too subtle for an artisan; he's clearly been practicing lately.

"Who's winning?" Jasmine asked as she came into the room, dark haired infant on her hip.

"That depends on your point of view, I suppose." Taroh said sitting back in his seat. He glanced over at his sister. Her green dress was dull to him and the trim was pure grey. He knew it wasn't supposed to be. "He has more pieces…but they are mostly pawns."

"And your brother has gotten close to my king twice already." Bennett added as he continued to study the board. After a minute Bennett leaned back with a sigh. "You've gotten much better at this, Taroh."

Taroh shrugged. "I have little else to do during the night."

Jasmine frowned as she sat down on the armrest of Bennett's chair. "You should move in with us, Taroh…I don't like you being on your own like this." She said bouncing the baby lightly.

"I am hardly in danger, sister. Besides, I do not wish to impose on your life with your family." Taroh said nodding to Bennett. Jasmine frowned and looked as if she was about to protest but stopped herself. Or, more likely, Bennett stopped her. They made no indication of speaking mind to mind but Taroh knew they were.

Bennett moved one of his pawns across the checkers of the playing field. Taroh turned his attention back down to the board. He was being ringed in by shiny black pawns and Bennett had slowly moved his king into a more defensive position. After a minute of thought Taroh moved his knight again, claiming one of the pawns.

He glanced up in time to see his sister giving him a pitying look. Annoyance clamored in his mind but he pushed it away. He wanted to feel emotion but not that one. He didn't want to be annoyed at his sister. He gave her a slight smile and felt slightly fraudulent for it. "Do not worry about me so, sister. I'm not gone yet."

Jasmine gave the best responding smile she could. "I'm always going to worry, baby brother."

Bennett nodded in agreement as he moved one of his pawns. "She never stops." He muttered; they all heard it easily anyway. Taroh was able to find a small amount of humor but it was fleeting. Jasmine gave her lifemate a playful slap on the arm. Bennett laughed a little and pretended that the slap had actually hurt by rubbing the spot on his arm.

"Ignore him, Taroh." Jasmine ordered.

Taroh shrugged as he took one of the pawns his brother-in-law owned. "You have your own lives to worry over." Before Jasmine could voice her opinion of that statement Taroh continued. "How is Kara?"

Jasmine frowned at the sudden change in topic but answered the question anyway. "She is doing well. The healers are optimistic about her survival. The new formula seems to be working."

Taroh nodded. That was very good news. With so few children surviving every one was precious. And Kara being a girl was even more important to their kind's survival. It suddenly occurred to him that he didn't really have much personal opinion on the girl. He didn't…feel anything about her. He sighed, that was disheartening. He couldn't say it was sad because he wasn't. Not really.

Taroh reached over the board and moved his queen to one of the black squares. "Check mate." He said as he leaned back.

Bennett frowned and studied the board finding that it was indeed check mate. Jasmine looked over at her brother sadly. Normally he would be very proud of himself for besting a hunter in a game of strategy. But Taroh just sat there with a blank look, as if they hadn't played at all.

Taroh sighed a bit and got to his feet. He didn't have much time left in the night to get back to his own home. Aren't you going to say anything about winning? Jasmine asked carefully. She didn't want to bring too much attention to Taroh's lack of interest.

It is only a game, sister.