Under Ruger's puzzled gaze, his teacher Immanuel briefly looked surprised, then took out a folded sheet of paper. Ruger recognized it at once: it had been torn from the Notebook he often used. With a flick of his wrist, his teacher tossed the repeatedly folded sheet over.
His somewhat dazed brain directed his uncooperative hands, and Ruger reached out to catch the folded paper.
His teacher had already returned his attention to the book in his hands.
Only then did Ruger notice Tuzel sitting across from his teacher. Rabbit glanced at him, seemingly relieved. The two were playing Rabbit Chess, except one was giving it his all while the other read a book as he played.
This little corner seemed to have been converted into a dedicated space that combined a reading nook with a place to play chess.
Of course, they surely went to sit at the Little Inn sometimes too, drinking from large wooden tankards in the dim light while they played.
"My closest, most important friend is here, and he needs my help right now. Look, he's swaying. I think we should stop now," Tuzel said, suddenly turning to glance his way. "Let's call this one a draw and put it down in our match record."
Ruger looked at the repeatedly folded paper in his hands, then glanced up at the game. Even with his muddled brain, he could tell that Tuzel was clearly about to lose.
Before his teacher could speak, the lone hand suddenly sprang out and jumped straight onto the board. It had been watching the game from the sidelines all along, and the dazed Ruger had never noticed it. Now, however, he could hardly miss it. The hand fiercely condemned Tuzel's shamelessness and argued with Rabbit on his teacher's behalf.
Amusingly, the hand