Penguin's Majesty

20. Forming A Friendship

After they had finished washing the dishes, they went to the living room. Oswald sat on the sofa, while Isabelle, or Jessylin as she preferred, sat on the opposite side of the room on an arm chair. For some unknown reason she felt slightly comfortable around Oswald. A little more at ease if you will.

Oswald however felt the need to not only find out more about her, but also found himself wanting to please her.

She didn't look at him as though he were a monster. However she looked at him for what he was. A man. Oswald felt a weird connection to her. Perhaps he was drawn to her and the mystery that was her. She had barely spoken about her past other than the experimentation.

They sat in awkward silence for about five minutes before Oswald found the courage to speak up.

"So, May I inquire as to what your name is?" He cleared his throat.

"I... I don't think I should tell you. It's not that I don't want to... it's just.. I'm no longer the girl I once was. I've changed. For better or worse, that remains unseen. However by the end of the day I shall give you a name." She refused to look at him. She felt unsure as to why she felt the need to answer him.

"Would it be yours?" He asked curiously.

"Yes it would be mine. But not the one you're thinking." She smirked quickly, then it vanished. You would have missed it if you were to blink. But Oswald noticed.

"Well then, my name is Oswald Cobblepot. Why have you stayed? It's not that I don't enjoy your company, it's just that I don't understand." He said gesturing to himself.

"I don't understand it either. I suppose I've found... comfort... yes comfort in this place. Surprisingly I feel at ease." She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.

"Well then, let's count that as a blessing. Yes?" Oswald said lacing his hands together.

"I would think so.." she fiddled with her thumbs.

"What would you like to do? We have Tv, chess, and a few other things. I'm sure we could find something to do if you find yourself bored."

"I... i don't know. Perhaps a game of checkers?"

"Well then, checkers it is!" He said getting up and limping to an ottoman. He opened it and carefully took out a case of checkers.

"Red or black my dear?"

"Red please." She asked nicely, moving closer.

"No need for that, I'll bring it to you." He set the game on the couch and moved a small playing table in front of her chair. He then brought another chair to sit across from her. "Here. Better?"

"Much. Thank you." She said quietly.

"No problem. Now I assume you know how to play seeing as how you suggested it?"

"Of course Mr. Cobblepot."

"Please call me Oswald!" He said gingerly.

He set up the pieces and they began playing. Their strategies similar but quite different as well. The played three rounds.

Isabelle- 2
Oswald- 1

"Yes!" She said in victory

Oswald chuckled at her enthusiasm for the game. He smiled at how he was able to bring her out of her shell with a simple game.

"Want to play again?" She said with childish glee.

"How about another game?"

"Umm hmm..." she thought. "Do you have uno? Or maybe backgammon?"

"I believe we might."

"Ooh! Or maybe Mancala? Monopoly? Scrabble?" She listes out games.

Oswald found backgammon, monopoly, chess, Mancala, and a deck of playing cards.

"Which would you like to play first?"

"Any of them! You pick Mr. Cobblepot- Umm Oswald!" She said excitedly.

"Well you may have to teach me how to play a few of them." He said slightly nervous.

"No problem!" She was still so excited.

"How about backgammon?"

"Do you know how to play?" She opened up the case.

"Yes I believe I do." He smiled at her.

"Brown or white? Oswald?" She asked.

"White." He replied.

"Okay then." She set up the game this time.