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

[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.]

[hi_there_aliens]

[Jack, you're playing really dirty by distracting him right now and it's working]

Yeah, sure. Over my dead body. Get over it Jack. I'm never doing regulation hair.

[Daniel's game is slightly off, he doesn't take the escape he should have]

[fishesandfights]

[Seeing Daniel discomfited makes the entire strategy worthwhile.]

Darn. [Said with absolutely no attempt to make it sound serious] There's my plan gone right down the tubes.

[He moved that pesky bishop forward, taking one of Daniel's rooks, drawing the snare tighter.]

This one, however...

[hi_there_aliens]

[Daniel looks, really looks down at what's happening and all the possibilities, and all those possibilities suddenly look terrible for him. They basically all spelled out "you are screwed".]

That was low.

[fishesandfights]

[He picks up one of his pieces]

No, that wasn't low. I think the word you're looking for is 'effective'.

[He puts it down in a new position]

Check.

[He smiles, and it's a mix of impending triumph, and also of genuine friendliness. He won't be lording this over Daniel]

[hi_there_aliens]

[Daniel is scowling at the board. And at Jack. And then back at the board. Yeah, smile while you can now, Jack, he'll get you back later. He can smell the impending defeat. His own. ]

No, I'm pretty sure I meant low. Dirty. Sneaky. Possibly with a side of unscrupulous.

[Daniel's now just reacting rather than thinking his moves out, and the check he does pull off isn't even a good one.]

Check.

[fishesandfights]

[He counters, trading off a knight for a bishop]

Oh come on, just distracted you a little. Completely valid tactic.

[And hoo boy are you going to have to get used to it with Vala. Enjoy that, Daniel. Heaven knows he'll enjoy watching it happen.]

[hi_there_aliens]

I don't do that to you! And guess what, I don't have to resort to it!

[Daniel's a sore loser when it comes to chess. Don't even talk about Vala, she has been trolling him forever at the place he came from. Starting with breaking a one of a kind mummy right in front of him. HE COULD GO ON.]

[fishesandfights]

It was a trap within a trap - making doubly sure you might say. I've learned a few tricks over the years.

[And he moves again, somewhat solemnly]

Checkmate, I believe?

[And it's Vala. He'd be surprised if she didn't do that.]

[hi_there_aliens]

[yeah, tricks in how to be a prick in chess, which Daniel wisely decides not to say out loud. Definitely a poor loser, since he's used to winning so much against Jack before. He slumps back, considering the board]

Yeah, it's a checkmate. Congratulations. Can you do it again without the distraction tactic?

[the proposition for sex he can handle. Kind of. Okay, not really, at least smoothly, but breaking a priceless specimen in front of him, he doesn't even know where to begin. Grudge of the century, Jackson style]

[fishesandfights]

[He nods.]

Probably. One way to find out.

[Of course, there's the other secret of having had years of playing against Daniel. He remembers his tactics. HE remembers when Daniel started shifting them, too.]

Another round?

[As for Vala...he'll forgive her. He always does. In the end, she knows how to work at Daniel's mind. And he, in turn, is the only person she listens to at a more than superficial level. Frankly, he thinks she's good for Daniel.]

[hi_there_aliens]

Round two. No cheap tactics outside the chess board.

[She's good for him. Intriguing and frustrating, always keeping him on his toes, although he's still not sure what she wants from him when she's expecting Action Jackson. But he may secretly never let go of the mummy thing. Look, it was one of a kind. The last of it's kind even.]

[fishesandfights]

[He leaned back, smiling]

Don't need 'em. It was just fun. Consider it good practice.

[Of course he won't. Jack can foresee them being a couple forever. And that would be their 'old married couple' thing. That thing that comes up in every single argument ever, held from now until the end of time.]

[hi_there_aliens]

Sometimes you're a real prick, you know that? I'm being nice too.

[a smile flickers across his face, to take the sting out]