Rochade – one of the most complex moves in chess was also one of the most exclusive. It was a move that swapped two pieces with each other, making it a double move, but also the only one that didn't threaten or take other pieces out of the game.
Of course, this swap was tied to a rather lengthy set of rules and premises, hard to prepare, but if handled correctly, it was an elegant and elaborate trap. Chess did offer a fine allegory to the great game in this regard.

Loki took another sip of his tea and looked out of the window. The café offered a lovely view on the streets of New York, where the people scurried around like ants. After all what happened, he had expected those humans to be more shaken, but after the initial shock had worn off, they apparently just went on with their business. So blind in the light of danger, so limb from seeing extinction averted once more, numb in feeling and all too willing to believe the lies they gorged themselves in. In a few decades, they would have forgotten all about his previous attempt to rule them, his invasion nothing more than a chapter in their history books and remembered names on memorial walls; all his actions and sacrifices twisted and turned into the land of legend. It felt oddly appropriate.

But that happened over a year ago. What transpired in the last months was something much more subtle and much more lethal all the same. It had been a grand game indeed, and now it was over, just like that. Like with all games, there was a price in the end. Did he win or lose? He couldn't decide.

He idly twirled one of the chess-pieces between his fingers before finally making up his mind about the move and putting it down on the chessboard. Playing all alone wasn't satisfactory, even when he imagined what his usual partner would do. It was strange; it was a game with only sixty-four squares and most the figures had only limited movement that didn’t seem that complex on the first glance. And yet, he had come to cherish this game. He had known it for a long time now, ever since his first visit to this world. He had to admit that it had evolved into something with many intriguing facets and aspects.

“Can I get you anything else?” He had to look up when a waitress of this establishment approached his table. She took him for a normal customer and didn't recognize him as a visitor from another world. Of course she wouldn’t – one would think these people to be more perceptive, but donning proper attire and glasses and tying the hair back was evidently enough to mask his origins. He didn't even have to employ magic to disguise himself.

“I'm fine, thank you.” He wanted to let the matter drop, but thought the better of it in the last moment. He addressed the waitress again. “There would be one thing. Can you do me a favour? Can you make the next move, please?” He gestured at the board.

The girl however smiled shyly and shook her head. “I'm sorry, I don't know how to play chess.”

“That doesn't matter.” Loki explained in an amiable manner. “The way I'm playing, anything you do will disrupt my thoughts and plans. It is the element of chaos and chance that can lay the greatest plans to waste and change the whole outcome drastically. So, please, move any piece you happen to fancy. Whatever you do, you can do no wrong.”

The waitress suppressed a giggle, but complied. She pointed at the white rook still in the game. “That one … goes forward?”

“It does. Bold choice.” He moved the piece for her to the desired square and looked at the result. “Bold, but good choice. There, you have just disrupted my advance to the King. You left the Queen vulnerable though.” She seemed confused, but pleased. “Thank you. That will be all.”

“Are you just here to play?”

“No. I'm waiting for someone.” He gave her a forced smile, waiting for the waitress to let the matter drop. But he hadn't taken her persistence into account.

“Girlfriend?” She asked tentatively. What a curious little thing she was. Either she was in the mood for idle chat or she was attempting to flirt, and rather bluntly so. How droll. But in the end, it didn't matter much. She would find nothing of interest with him, whichever it was.

“Colleague.” He corrected her with a quiet voice. Now that the waitress mentioned it, he wasn't even sure if he could call said colleague a friend. Could he? Would she? He couldn't say.

“Sir, you've been waiting for over three hours.”

Oh. That long?

“She will get here. I'm certain of it.” He wondered how that lie could pass his lips so easily when felt like choking on it. But his voice was left unmarred by inner doubt, his facial expression gave nothing away but optimism he didn't feel. It came natural to him to mask his true intentions and feelings that he even masked them from himself ever so often. “I'll just wait a little longer.”

Now it was the waitress, that nameless and unimportant little girl that forced a smile in his direction. Did she pity him? Apparently, she did. Strange, pity was something that used to enrage Loki, now it confused him, when it should amuse. What a wordplay.

“Let me know if you need something.” The little waitress hurried away, leaving him to his lonely game of chess.

Originally, he had planned to return now to the mess the waitress had done to his strategy, but then he paused, looking at the empty chair across him. Loki had always considered himself patient, but there words that needed to be spoken, those that his brother, even if that one would listen, would not understand. But how to put it in words? He imagined that the chair wasn't empty – would his imagination carry him that far? He took a deep breath, addressing the thin air his fantasy made breathing flesh.

“I understand it now.” There. It sounded so trivial, like his epiphany had been over a seemingly trivial thing, but he, who could express everything, felt himself very inexperienced all of sudden. “I really understand it now in the depths of my very soul. It's … woven into our being, don't you see?” What? What exactly, would she ask, and he had to elaborate to her shade. “We are mortal and eternal, ever-changing and unmoving at the same time. To our own nature we must be true. It may not seem like much, but it means everything.”

Loki took another deep breath and looked upon the empty chair. If it was sadness or disappointment wallowing up in him, he didn't know. “I need to tell you that I understand it now, but you are late. For shame, Wanda. For shame.”