Joust
The word 'joust' means 'competing for superiority' and can be ascribed to several things in which people are trying to best each other. But normally when people hear it, they think of two medieval knights on horseback trying to knock the other to the ground with long poles. That's certainly what Rory thought of when she heard the word but she could understand the other definition just as well as she watched the scene before her unfold. She was relieved that horses and lances weren't involved because that would end badly for everyone but this was, she was sure, the modern day equivalent of a medieval joust.
Stephen and Freddie sat cross legged on the floor, both with hard looks of concentration as they studied their side of the chessboard that sat between them. Rory had played chess maybe twice in her life and figured that strategy games weren't her strong point. Stephen had tried to play it with her once but it ended up with him winning in a few moves so she suggested that Freddie may prove a better competitor. She had no idea what she had unleashed.
They had sat for hours now, each with a grim determination not to lose which only grew stonger the closer they got to the end. Pieces sat at the side of the board, a mixture of pawns, castles and bishops that had been sacrificed for the greater good. Rory sat with fascination as she watched the mini world war three break out in the living room. Neither had moved for a while and she had forgotten whose turn it was. She was beginning to think that they had forgotten too. But eventually Freddie stirred from her death stare at the board and gingerly moved a piece, holding onto it and checking the board one final time before letting go and leaving the worthy Knight to its fate.
Perhaps it was because it was tucked between some pawns or perhaps because her concentration was fading but, whatever the reason, Freddie had failed to notice the Queen that Stephen used to exile the Knight to the side of the board while Freddie gave a cry of "damn it!" Callum chuckled from the corner of the room, his eyes glancing from his laptop to the battling pair every time one of them exclaimed. Rory stood up, walking through to the kitchen on the hunt for food. She sighed when she found nothing and walked back through to the living room. "I'm just going to the shop. Won't be long."
The only reply came from Callum who gave her a quick "right" and a smile, the other two far too preoccupied with the game before them to even notice that she had spoken. She slipped on her denim jacket, put her purse in her pocket and took a step towards the door.
"Ror?"
She turned back to Callum with a smile. "Yeah?"
"Pick me up a bag of Walkers, would ya? Cheese and onion."
"Sure."
"Cheers."
He reached into his pocket for some change but she shook her purse. "I've got it covered."
He grinned at her. "You're an absolute star, love."
"Indeed I am. Just do one thing for me. Make sure them two don't kill each other while I'm gone."
He chuckled as she opened the door. "Sure thing."
She made her way down to the corner shop and browsed the selection carefully. She was hungry and she could never choose too carefully from the array of chocolate and crisps in front of her. She picked up a bag of cheese and onion Walkers for Callum before getting a tube of BBQ sauce Pringles for herself along with a various assortment of chocolate bars and a can of Coke. She paid for her goods and made the short journey back to the flat, opening her Coke and vaguely wondering if the battle was won. By the time she was back in the living room, the chess board was packed away and Freddie was sat in the armchair reading a book, a small but detectable scowl on her face. Rory was relieved that their joust hadn't been medieval because it looked like Freddie could've beaten Stephen to death if she had a lance. She put her bag down on the table and lifted the bag of Walkers from it. "Callum."
He looked up at his name and she showed him the crips before throwing them to him. He smiled at her again as he opened the pack. "Thanks a million Ror." He ate a crisp and offered the bag to Rory as she walked around to him. She took a crisp from it and leaned against the wall.
"So, I think I can guess, but tell me. Which of the two mighty warriors proved victorious?" She ended her question with a sip from her Coke as Callum chuckled slightly.
"Stephen. But only just. Freddie fought valiantly." He chuckled again.
Freddie looked up from her book. "In my defence, I've only played it a few times. Stephen was probably in Eton's chess club. If they have one."
Rory nodded before taking another sip of her Coke. "Wouldn't surprise me."
Stephen walked in at that moment and spied Rory with a smile. "There you are. I was wondering where you went."
She giggled a little as Callum piped up. "Well, she did say she was going to the shop."
Stephens eyebrows furrowed a little at that. "Did you?"
She nodded with a smirk before lifting herself onto her toes to plant a small kiss on his lips. "Don't worry about it. I think chess had you a little distracted."
"Sorry."
She chuckled. "Don't be. It's fine."
She walked back to the couch and let herself fall onto it. Stephen sat down next to her and put his arm around her and she nestled against him. "Will you teach me to play properly?"
He looked down at her. "Yes, of course. If that's what you'd like."
"Yeah. Then we could have a proper tournament. You vs me and then Freddie plays the winner."
Callum sighed at his laptop. "God help us all."