Gemotions

Arthur, staring at the return address, felt a strange feeling of lightness. The letter was from Penelope, his old chess rival, who had, in their final tournament, "accidentally" knocked over his king. He hadn't spoken to her since. She was writing with a plea for forgiveness.

He sat down, placing the letter on the table, as if it were a delicate artifact. He stared at it for a moment, then burst into quiet laughter. It had been decades, and the game had mattered so much at the time, but he could not help but grin.

He began to clear the table, readying it for a chess game of his own. He was going to reply to her letter, of course. Eventually. But first, he had some serious openings to prepare for.