Y'know, this always happens.

[fishesandfights]

Just when I get comfortable? I'm somewhere else. It's getting so that on every quiet day I walk around arm. Like...Pavlov's dog or whatever. Carter'd know.

But anyways, point is? Pick something and stick with it already, for crying out loud. And can it be something fun? Nothing all dark and serious and blah blah blah. You know the score, none of the overly dramatic stuff. I wouldn't mind just avoiding the whole 'villain hell bent on conquest' part. Now, as for that whole 'cast mates' thing. Let's aim for that, shall we?

Comments

[fishesandfights]

After all this time you were still buying that? [He seems genuinely surprised.]

[Then he shrugs] But hey, means I did a good job, right? Also, you play chess, right?

[Eager both for a game and a convenient change of topic]

[hi_there_aliens]

I know it's an act but sometimes you're still very convincing. irritatingly so

I wouldn't be proud of it, but sure, I play chess.

[and do you want to go round for round against him, cause he's better at it than gin.]



((shameless promotion but possible game? trans_9))

[fishesandfights]

[He smiles, reaching behind him for a portable board]

It's a talent, what can I say? Underestimation is one of the best tools in the ol' arsenal.

[And he starts to set up pieces. And he's actually very good at it - better than General Landry, at least. Daniel may be in for a surprise]

My favourite pieces? The little horses.

[hi_there_aliens]

Right next to being aggravating.

[he grins a little and helps set up his end of the board.]

Knights. You're not gonna to hustle me, Jack. I've played against you before.

[fishesandfights]

Worth a shot. And is it hustling if I don't take you for money? A semi-hustle...no, hustlesque?

[He smiles]

See? Now all we need are a couple of beers and it's a quiet weekend. Maybe some...company, for preference.

[He's subtle sometimes, but he's meaning Sam and Vala. It's called a subtle probe of Daniel's timeframe and just what knowledge he has.]

[hi_there_aliens]

It's not hustling per say, but I think exact definitions are a moot point here.

[So not gonna be hustled. Prepare for the ass kicking of century in chess although that's not exactly awe inspiring now that he thinks of it]

Jack, when you say 'company' like that, do I wanna know? Beer, pizza, and chess sound great though.

[Chess over hockey, he must be getting through to him. Jack trying to be subtle might have gone over Daniel's head in a way he hadn't meant. He's from Season 1 mostly though]

[fishesandfights]

[Really? Because Jack is preparing to drub Daniel like Daniel is the Italian Navy and he's Admiral Cunningham. This game might be more difficult than either expected. Good.]

Y'know, probably not. Sorry, again, just checking some things. Pizza does sound good. Think we can get one of those here? Oh, and the beer. Can't forget the beer.

[hi_there_aliens]

[been practicing when no one's looking? Daniel's in for a surprise]

I suppose we could mention it to Teal'c and Sam sometime. Teal'c did want to learn chess.

Pizza as in good pizza or pizza as in what the commissary calls pizza. Because one of those is possible right now.

[he's not so sure on the beer. Quiet now, he's focused on chess.]

[fishesandfights]

[For many years. But he does look so anti-intellectual, doesn't he? Nobody ever asked.]

Yes. Definitely. To both of those.

[He does smile briefly at the pizza bit, though]

Yeah. Pretty sure some of it is just used to produce grease for the MG's. That and I'm pretty sure the pepperoni has been here since the Cuban Missile Crisis.

[hi_there_aliens]

[Jack lulls even the people who know him. But you wise up after awhile. This might be a crash or burn time since Daniel's used to winning against Jack in chess]

Sounds like a plan. I'll see if I can pull Teal'c aside some time. Unless you want to do the honors, of course. [the grin's a little mischievous]

Maybe they were used as ammunition at one point, now coming back to haunt us. And the MREs? Or did those come from the ether?

[fishesandfights]

[Or an epic battle of wits. Either would be cool.]

Oh, no, he won't need much convincing. He'll try almost any Earth experience once. Sam? Bit harder. Unless I scatter a trail of intruiging parts all the way there.

And no, the MRE's came from Inchon when the ceasefire went up in '53.

[He'll just be making a bold first move]

[hi_there_aliens]

[Daniel would absolutely love it]

Teal'cs definitely easier. I don't know if we can tear Sam away from her bike.

I always thought MRES were...

[Sorry Jack, you never get to find out where he thought they come from. Daniel leans forward, intrigued, mind rapidly running through the possible plays he could be going for. He makes his own move not quite a counter, but not defensive either.]

[fishesandfights]

[He smiles, just a little]

Oh, there's ways, I'm sure. Everybody has their levers.

[He counters. His apparent strategy is to start building a strong right flank, turn Daniel's left, and run the board on him. Good, solid, obvious military tactics. And also totally not his plan.]

[hi_there_aliens]

[He's trying very hard to hide his own smile.]

Or their buttons. You keep looking for ones to press and she might lay you out one day.

[Oh, so this is where Jack's going. It figures. Daniel starts playing a counter to Jack's military strategy. It's not what he always plays but it doesn't surprise him.]

[fishesandfights]

[He hid a smile behind a hand]

If I'm lucky.

[And he'll just move in a manner that looks like it's supporting that strategy.]

[hi_there_aliens]

[Did he just hear that? And should he tell Sam, because he almost tells Sam everything, she's his friend. He's not even sure what Sam would say. Maybe he should stay out.]

Didn't know you were into that kind of thing.

[Oh Jack, you talk a big game, so Daniel's going to start ending the game swiftly, or so he thinks]

[fishesandfights]

[He raised an eyebrow]

What, dealing with an intelligent person who can pull galaxy-saving solutions out of thin air? No, why would I like that?

[And now, he sends his bishop across the board, prodding a hole in the center of Daniel's pieces.]

Check.

[This is stage one. The bishop can be blocked from where it is, of course, but that's pulling a piece out of position]

[hi_there_aliens]

[he's thinking Jack let him walk into it and he can either play along or flounder out into something really awkward. Damn you O'Neill and damn himself for having an overactive imagination on everything]

Scientists knocking you flat on your ass.

[Hm, interesting. Daniel blocks, and maneuvers his defense, pulling an offense out at the same time]

Check.

[fishesandfights]

[He smiles, moving the other bishop to block. He'll castle next turn, making for a nice little fortress while he carries out his plan]

Scientist, singular. Trust me, I've met enough of 'em that I'm 99% sure Sam Carter is unique and is gonna stay that way.

[And this little tidbit of the future can't hurt]

She punched a Goa'uld once. Right in the face. Knocked him on his snakey butt. Even Teal'C was impressed.

[hi_there_aliens]

[Is he turtling? Like that ever worked on him before. Daniel works at busting through the defense, going on the offense fully]

Really? And I missed it? Which Goa'uld?

[why did no one videotape this? Sam's always been incredible but this too perfect]

[fishesandfights]

[But it does free up a rook that, now, is lined up behind his queen. It looks like strengthening the defence, but it won't be defensive in a second]

After your time, Daniel, after your time. Can't give away details. As it is I'm roughing it based on the hair. [He gestured with a hand at it]

[hi_there_aliens]

[Daniel is starting to get overconfident, although he still has his version of a poker face on as he takes his turn]

Damn. I'd have paid to see it. What's with my hair?

[fishesandfights]

[And now the queen moves, and suddenly there is a *major* problem in the center of his position]

Haven't seen that hair in a while, is all. It's...kinda funny.

[hi_there_aliens]

[Daniel realizes it at the same time, that he got overconfident, and both the queen and Jack get a dirty look]

My hair's fine. I'm not doing the military buzzcut.

[Daniel makes a move, trying to slip by the queen and get at the king]

[fishesandfights]

[He smiles, tilting his head.]

Oh, you say this now. Just wait until you decide to emulate Teal'C and go for the smooth as a cueball look.

[See how quickly he figures that one out to be a falsehood. And, meanwhile, he'll be arcing a knight in, partially cornering Daniel's king.]