[After a long moment, Hilde says:]

How about this, if I win, you get me venison. I'll cook it. If you win, I'll make you what ever you want for dinner. No eating in the dining hall tonight, I'll actually cook for you.

[Gunther's eyebrows raise.]

You haven't said anything along those lines in a little while now, Hearth-Warder. Just how much venison would you be looking for, anyways?

[Hilde smiles and looks from the board to Gunther.]

Well, I've got a few varmit tags in the truck and Jack said the deer are pretty thick at the south western lots. I figure two or three should take care of it and help thin the herd back down to a manageable level.

[Gunther smirks at Hilde and says lightly:]

A Viridis calling for the death of a deer in such a casual tone? Some would say that we're spending too much time together.

[Hilde snorts and picks up her cold cup of tea. She takes a sip and looks down at the cup with a mild expression of distaste. Gunther gestures at the cup:]

Cold?

[Hilde nods. Gunther moves a piece on the board before taking the delicate china cup from Hilde's hand. Holding it in the palm of his hand, Gunther applies a touch of his Essences and in moments, the cup of tea steaming. He gives it back to her, whistling what sounds to be a mocking bird's song. As Hilde takes the cup from him, she chuckles.]

It's not crystal, though.

[Gunther grins as she takes a sip and winces at how hot the tea is.] But it is made from sand, which is tiny silica oxide crystals melted and reformed into your cup.

[Hilde starts to open her mouth to reply when Gunther holds up a finger and adds:]

And, the heat comes from my essences, which come from me. And I was paying attention as you explained to the children how plants transform sunlight into energy, which we consume and get our energy from. Also, you didn't specify just water. So, when I brought you that cup of tea with your usual tablespoon of honey in it, you could argue that all I was missing was the whistle earlier.

[He points at Hilde, who smiles and chuckles while he says:]

Now, what about these deer?

[Hilde looks at the board as she gets ready to reply and then stares at it in shock.]

Hey, that's not a legal move...

[Gunther grins.]

But we're playing 'touch rules' so, we can't do anything about it now. Go on, make your move.

[Hilde rolls her eyes and says in irritation:]

I can't now because somebody just rendered my last moves useless.

[Gunther snickers and Hilde leans back in her chair with a mock air of offended dignity.]

It was strategy, love. Have a diversion on the right while the left is engaged in their sortie.

[Hilde rolls her eyes again as Gunther laughs. Hilde says dryly:]

Go fetch my deer, smart-ass. I'm going to let the folks at the kitchen know they've got another pair of hands tonight. Maybe I can convince somebody to let me roast 'em properly.