Khatt during break.

<blockquote><font color=darkslategray face="tahoma" size=1>The preteen's paw shot up as a question was asked, a bright smile on her face, and a knowing look in her eyes. Chemistry was such a key subject for her, the main focus of her studies, and one that came so very naturally to her. Her teacher glanced over the raised appendage, with a knowing smile at his student. He knew she knew - he wanted to see if anyone else did. Still, Elixir did keep the hand up, waiting quite patiently for another to answer, or for her own silent knowledge to be asked for. The grown male was actually not a permenant staff member here at Janardan. He was assisting, for the moment. Though he might become a more official part of this place, if no one else showed up that was interested in holding the place. Even being substitute was quite respectable, indeed, however, when it came to Janardan Academy.

Quite suddenly, the bells began to ring, signalling an end to the class. Most of the students leapt to their feet, hustling out as swiftly as possible, heads ducked, books clutched close to their chests. To avoid Mr. Salimno seeing them and asking them a pop question. He did that on occasion and they had learned to get out fast, and avoid being caught in a line to get out. Those who talked as they exited were always targeted for such inquires, as well, so there was utter silence as students got out as fast as possible. Eli took her sweet time, settling her books quite lovingly within the satchel that normally contained them, each tucked into its proper place. Her head was ducked, bladed locks of ivory hue tumbling into her eyes. A stray elbow shoved roughly against her hip bone all of a sudden, and the twelve-year-old niotie jerked her head up as abruptly. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at the pendragon that had bumped her, and a faint blush flickered to life beneath her cheeks.

For the other student who had bumped into her was one of the cuter guys in her class. Though she was a bit too young - at least in her opinion - to be dating just yet, she still thought he was attractive. The other kid gave an apologetic smile, then darted towards the door. Of course he was like most of the other students who were here, they weren't here because they were excited at the prospect of Chemistry. Sighing, the young pendragon carefully stowed her pens and notebook away. Her fingers slid along the top of the pack that carried them, finding the zipper and easing it along the top until it clicked on the other side. The silver hooped bracelets that hung from her wrists clanged loosely against the side as she pulled it over her head, so that it rested across a shoulder, and hung down, settling comfortably against her hip. With a sigh, she shook her head and stood up.

The preteen was wearing a comfortable Janardan t-shirt, white with the red symbol of their school emblazoned on the left upper half. Along with her black earrings, and similarly dark pants, it was probably intended to draw eyes. Such an odd mixture, perhaps. It looked strange, especially, on one who was of such a pure white. Her wings flicked gently behind her, then settled comfortably against her back as she waved a pair of fingers at her teacher, and walked out into the sunshine. It was a beautiful day and one she would hate to waste. Thus, she was planning to go sit underneath a tree and study her Chemistry for a couple of minutes, then scoot into the cafeteria for a bite to eat. Yet her eyes were caught by another girl, sitting at a Khatt board, alone. Khatt was one of her favorite hobbies. Beside Chemistry, it was the thing she spent most of her time. PB was probably tired of it by now and a new opponent would be nice... She hadn't noticed the boards in the week and a half that she had been here. Yet there one was, and there was an opponent.

Walking towards the other, she was a bit tentative, politely stopping near to the other chair, yet not so much that she seemed to be demanding. With a soft cough, she spoke, words soft and inquisitive. <font color=midnightblue>"Are you waiting for someone in particular or... would you mind if I played?"</font>

 

<blockquote><font color=darkslategray face="tahoma" size=1>Elixir was almost embarrassed at the fact that she had spoken so. Bold, perhaps, to question whether the position of opponent was open. Yet it was just the bubble of nervousness within her that kept her in such a state. It was only for a brief second, however, and she quickly recovered enough to smile in response to the smile that had crept over her current companion's own face. Tilting her head just a bit as the other spoke, Eli' gave a relieved nod. So that was an open chair, a place she could sit and play against a worthy opponent. For surely the older girl had more experience at the game! She had lived longer, and if her passion for it was equal to Elixir's, then she was probably excellent. Which, in the younger pendragon's opinion, was an excellent fact. The youthful chemist was always up for a challenge.

As the seat was motioned to, Elixir stepped forward, sitting in the seat, allowing her the bag with her school books to slide down her arm, and settle comfortably on the ground beside the chair. Brushing her fingers against the strap that normally swung over her shoulder, she tugged it up a bit so that the satchel was more settled, the strap lightly wrapped across the arm of the student's seat. She watched in interest as Xalluh grabbed a pair of pieces, cupping them in her hands. Though she recognized that it was a way to choose which color each was playing with, she had never seen it done that way. To each their own, of course, and it was certainly a way to do it. Eli' usually did numbers. She thought up a number, and her opponent (usually PB), would give her their guess. If it was within five of the number she chose, then the other got to choose their color, otherwise she did. That could be reversed, too, naturally. If they were within five, then she got to choose. As Xalluh spoke, mentioning her name, and the fact that Eli' got to choose, the younger pendragon smiled, and replied to both matters.

First off, she pointed at the right hand. <font color=midnightblue>"I suppose that one'll be my choice, then."</font> She commented, returning the grin. <font color=midnightblue>"I'm Elixir. It's a pleasure, Xalluh."</font> Because so far, it was.

 

<blockquote><font color=darkslategray face="tahoma" size=1>Elixir smiled a bit nervously as the white piece appeared. That meant she went first. Not her favorite way to go, actually. She preferred to see the other go first and would then play her own way from what her opponent did. In fact, if Xalluh had asked her which she wanted, black or white, it would have been instantly in favor of ebony. Was it better to go first, or second? That was the real question.

<font color=midnightblue>"It is definitely a way to pass time. So many different moves... oh so hard to choose."</font> Elixir replied, with a slight grin. For it was her dilemma at the moment, not just in general.

Finally, she picked up the rightmost pendragon piece, and moved it forward two spaces - as the rules dictated, this was permissible. It was a friendly game, so she tried to relax. Yet there was a bubbling, nervous-excited feeling within her. Deep down, she was waiting for a response move. To see how Xalluh played the game.