Insult And Injury

This story is part of the Hummingbirds gameplay experience.

You should read it from the main website.

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Antonia, quite certain of her tactics, had moved her mahogany knight in an offensive position, right in the middle of the board. The Red Queen thus attempted to break down the seemingly impenetrable wall of her impassible opponent.

“Always the impatient one, my dear Antonia.”

The Latin woman sharply slapped the small metallic button of the antique chess clock. Crafted out of Macassar ebony, white marble and brass, the item underlined the general luxurious setting of a room decorated with much of the same elements.

“I think it is now your turn to play.”

“You build your positions upon emotive outbursts. Thus, you shouldn’t be surprised when they crumble like a house of cards.”

Her opponent negligently advanced a pawn, threatening to capture Antonia’s lone remaining rook. “Speaking of flimsy plans, how did things end up with that redhead girl you held in such high esteem?”

A mocking smile let it be known, in no subtle way, that the woman was perfectly aware of the events that unfolded a few days ago, at the castle.

“The project was… cut short; unforeseen circumstances. Still, there is a silver lining–”

The cold lady scoffed, in a derisive manner. “Your ass got saved by two trainees – almost literally, might I add.

Is this what you meant to say?”

Antonia remained silent, but her eyes displayed an angry stance; the proud Latin woman was quite displeased by the sharp – yet accurate – remark.

“Don’t worry, dear; I expected things to go awry, as usual. Luckily, Diana is a reliable agent; it was quite fortunate that someone had assigned her as a game mistress that day.

Trust me; I would have volunteered to provide you with a good spanking, had fate not been so generous with you.”

Antonia’s rage was to be hidden no more. She blindly pushed her threatened rook toward her adversary’s defenses, in a desperate assault.

This fury was met with an insolent smile as her icy opponent suddenly – and confidently – moved her bishop in a decisive position.

“Checkmate, my dear Antonia. Once again, you let your emotions get the best of you.”

The crimson silk drapes of the Red Queen’s dress just about shivered for a moment. She closed her eyes and bit her lips with seething ferocity, almost drawing blood.

However, the black-haired woman observing her, vested in a cream-colored chiffon gown, was in no mood to be a humble winner. She seemed amused as she added insult to injury.

“Gosh, I tire of these one-sided games; it is so easy to control you.

Say, maybe next time you could just bend over the table and let me give it to you in the biblical sense. This way, I might finally understand why my husband continues to see in you more than mere… cock holes.”

The wooden pieces of the board went flying as the arrogant woman finished her last syllable; they haphazardly bounced around the room, now dispersed on the thick heavy Oriental rug.

Still, the ice queen facing Antonia didn’t even flinch; instead, she carelessly grabbed a crystal glass of Chardonnay, which laid on the corner of the Victorian round table separating them.

The Latin woman silently got up as her opponent sipped on the expensive wine; her visage betrayed no emotion, if only for a sterile smile. Still, the wounded lady controlled herself for mere seconds only; she hurled her fist on one of the large marble columns beside the door as she left the room.

The victorious raven-haired woman calmly remained in her ebony chair, delighted by the complex floral aroma of her drink. She was observing the shiny craquelure exposed on the now flawed and chipped white stone pillar.

She thought it quite ironic; how Antonia’s greatest strength was also her most vulnerable weakness.