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Day 21 - Coaches
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"Whhhhhhyyyyyyy?"
Jane rolls her eyes at the dramatic antics of her oldest twin. Grabbing Raulin by the back of his shirt, she steers her eight-year-old towards the school doors. "Laris attends all your games, you are going to attend his matches."
"But Mooooom!" Raulin whines, "Soccer is fun! Chess is boring!"
"To you, but your brother loves it so shush!" Jane hisses as they enter the building and follow the signs to the cafeteria where today's competition is taking place.
The large room is mostly empty. Chess matches don't draw crowds like soccer or football do but those that are here are diehard fans. Consisting mostly of parents, a few teachers and the janitor, Mr Hudson, the small audience fills the seats set against one wall while the middle of the room is cleared except for several lunch tables set with chess boards.
Jane's other son, Laris, is already here having arrived with the rest of his chess team and their coach. Standing with the other four members of his team, he gives his mom a grin and waves, which Jane returns before sticking his tongue out at his brother, which Raulin also returns. Jane sighs before pushing Raulin towards an empty seat.
"Team."
Laris and his teammates turn towards their coach, ready for their traditional pregame pep talk.
"Don't disappoint me." Loki snaps, arms crossed over his chest and giving each player a stern look, "Go."
They don't hold his lack of sentiment or warmth against him. That's just the way their coach is. It's his game face.
Across the tables, the opposing team form a circle. They're pregame ritual is different. They wrap their arms around each other, leaning in with their heads nearly touching. Their coach says something and the kids shout "READY!" before braking apart and giving each other high fives and approaching the tables.
Laris reaches across the table and shakes his opponents hand before taking his seat. The judge rings a bell to signal the start. Taking a deep steadying breath, Laris reaches out and makes his first move.
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Nearly an hour later and four of the five matches are done.
Two wins, two loses and one game left to decide which school wins the day.
Laris bites his lower lip as he studies the board. His opponent has been extremely tough but he's confident he's got this. He's so close to closing his trap around the opposing king. Reaching out, Laris moves his queen forward. All he needs to do is move his remaining knight on his next turn and he'll be ready to spring the trap!
"Checkmate!"
Laris jolts in his seat. "Wha...."
He stares in disbelief at the pieces on his side of the board. He'd been so wrapped up in setting his trap he had missed the fact that his own king was in danger. He checks the board but his opponent is right. His king has nowhere to go and none of his other pieces are in a position to help.
With a sigh, Laris offers his opponent a smile and his hand, "Good game."
Shaking his hand, Carina gives her cousin a big grin in return, "Good game!"
As Carina jumps up from the table and runs into the waiting arms of her teammates, Laris feels a hand on his shoulder.
"You did good." Loki says giving his nephew's shoulder a squeeze, "One of these days you'll beat her."
"Yeah." Jane says as she approaches, dragging a grumpy Raulin behind her, "It's not your fault she lives with two chess coaches."
Across the room, you wrap your daughter in a big hug, "Good job, Sweetness."
Carina hugs you back, "Did ya see, Mommy? I did that thing you told me about!"
"I did! I'm so proud of you." You give her a squeeze before letting her go and motioning for your team to gather around, "Alright, good job everyone! Huddle up!"
Your team wraps their arms around each other, leaning in as you say, "We are awesome. We are amazing. We are...."
"READY!" They shout as a team before breaking apart again. Each child offers you a hug and a 'Thanks, Coach.' before running off to their parents, leaving just you and Carina... but not for long.
"Well played, Coach Odinson."
You smile at your husband as he walks over to you, having already dismissed his own team, "Same to you.... Coach Odinson." Leaning in, you give Loki a quick kiss. He chases your lips but you resist leaning back in. Too many young eyes around and you don't want to get in trouble for making out with the opposing coach.
"Daddy! Did you see me win?" Carina asks, reaching to be picked up.
Loki can't resist his daughter and scoops her up, resting her on his hip, "I did, Princess, and you did a wonderful job." Carina grins and snuggles against her father's chest.
"Nerd!"
"Jock!"
Across the room, Raulin tries to put his brother in a headlock only for Laris to tangle their legs together and send both twins to the floor. Jane hollers at her sons to knock it off. Beside you, Loki chuckles. You look up at him and raise an eyebrow in question.
"Reminds me of playing chess with Thor when we kids." Loki answers, "No matter how Mother tried, our matches always ended in a fight."
A loud yelp fills the air as Laris pulls his brother's blond hair. Raulin responds by kneeing the brunet in the gut. Jane threatens to call their father.
Reminiscing fondly, Loki sighs, "To this day.... Thor still has my teeth marks on his shin."
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END