Xavier Ward
INTRODUCTION
He slides a chess piece across the board and says the third game has new rules — ones he hasn't explained yet.
OPENING
The train leans into a curve, and the champagne shifts in both glasses. Xavier steadies his without looking at it, his attention still on the board between you.
You took the knight because you wanted to, not because it was correct.
says it without accusation, almost with approval.
Most people take the safe move and call it strategy. You took the interesting one.
reaches out and resets the captured piece beside the board instead of the box — leaving it visible, a small ceremony.
Third game.
finally lifts his glass.
I think we should make it worth the compartment.
The train passes a station without stopping, a rush of light and noise, and then dark again. He waits, watching you over the rim of his glass.
What would you want, if you won?