Aftermath (Slow Updates/Discontinued.)

There were many scenarios which Charles was expecting to walk into, when he walked into the study room which had seemingly become a regular hideaway place for Erik. The usual impatient expression, was a given, it always happened. Him just sitting there waiting near the chessboard, pieces all in place, arms crossed or fingers steepled and elbows resting on the chair arms; face facing forwards and eyes trained on the door awaiting for Charles to appear. And when he did, the first thing which would greet him is that...Charles actually shuddered a little, there was something about being welcomed into a room by hard blue eyes which just didn't exactly fill him with much confidence. But then, who would freely welcome steely looks when entering a room?

So, of course, when he neared the room and distinctly heard: "I will throw this at your head, Erik. So help me I will." Charles paused in the corridor upon hearing that. He recognised that voice, after all there was only one Russian present in the household. Chancing it, he peered through the gap which remained in the door, Valeryia was sitting in the chair facing the door. Her legs were pulled to her chest, her chin firmly on her knees and her orange eyes glaring downwards. It could be safe to say that she was perhaps not doing too well at this game. Charles wasn't surprised, Erik was a really decent player, and a formidable opponent; Charles just happened to be slightly better, not that he was gloating...

"I don't advise that." Was Erik's reply, which caused a small huff to come from the girl sitting opposite to him. Honestly, it was a little entertaining to watch, Charles had to admit. There was absolutely no way that Erik was ignorant or even unaware completely to the glare which Valeryia now sent his way.

"I'm sure you've got some braincells that you won't miss." Charles shut his eyes and inhaled deeply, trying a little too hard not to suddenly let out a laugh at her reply. "Might help you out...lessen the smug and high and mighty vibe you have going on." She honestly and seemingly appeared to be the only person who had no problems with joking at his expense, while right to his face and not caring about the result of it.

"Perhaps, or you may perhaps actually need that piece later on. And if you throw it, I'm not retrieving it. So don't throw it." It fell into silence then; both seemed to have said all that they wished to, which really wasn't much. But regardless, petty commentary was better than none at all, and Charles was glad - if that was the word, relief could be another - to see that there was some semblance of civility here.

As far as he could tell, from their odd fleeting - hugely fleeting - romantic moment, they hadn't conversed much, or even been present in the same room for longer than five minutes. Charles couldn't understand how two people so alike - and they were - could repel each other so greatly. Maybe greatly was the wrong word, he wasn't sure. One thing he was sure on though was: that if teamed up, they'd be a far better asset for this cause, than if they were opposing each other.

"When exactly does this end? Or does it not have one?" Valeryia asked, sounding rather bored. Evidently chess and her wasn't a winner. Even from his slight vantage point, Charles could see an expression on her face which matched her tone of voice.

"You can go back to reading."

"So nice to see I've got your permission there." She responded simply, clearly even Erik didn't wish to continue the match, or else he wouldn't have voiced her going back to doing something else.

Outwardly, Erik didn't reply. Charles could instantly tell that poor Valeryia was more than likely having one of those unblinking looks sent her way. Ironically the same look Charles was hoping to avoid when entering the room.

He couldn't just leave the girl to that look. So he ventured in, false bravado and happiness, casual happiness as if he had just this moment arrived, and was pleasantly surprised to see the two of them. As a response, Erik simply turned in his seat, arm over the back and looked at Charles with an equally simple look. Valeryia had more manners and smiled at him before moving one of her hands from her knees, and waving it his way. Charles was more inclined to respond to that, than a simple glance. He got a smile from Valeryia as he waved back, and a roll of his eyes from Erik, no surprise there.