Arguing Games Novels & Stories

“You saw the librarian. This thing has countermeasures. Do you think it doesn’t have ones for you built into, like, every physical arena on the board?” “This isn’t about ego,” Corvin said, jaw hard. “It’s about deterrent. If we never pick anything with teeth, they’ll slot us into the most vicious games anyway—ones we can’t control the terrain in. It is better to choose at least some rounds where we can make a statement.” Their voices weren’t shouting. Not yet. But the argument crackled under the words. Brains vs. brawn. Edits vs. deterrence. Old patterns vs. new power.

What was it about Christian Imperial that made her yearn for more with every touch, every glance? "Just because I won't let you play games with me doesn't mean I'm a liar," she argued weakly, nearly paralyzed by the throb of tension that was beginning to impact bodily parts she wished she didn't have. "It also doesn't make it any simpler for you to resist." "I believe we've struck a stalemate." He stared at her for a long time, as if trying to figure out how to solve a problem that only he could solve. Then, with an indolent grace, he rose to his feet with a shrug that plainly indicated, Ah, to hell with it. He said, "I think we have," and walked away.

She rolls her eyes dramatically as if anticipating my reaction. “Crap, you know what? If you spends the amount of time you spend in doing some stupid researches about a lame game that isn’t real, on your studies, I swear you are gonna be a straight A student.” “Oh man we aren’t bickering over this today right? I really don’t know what grudges you have about this game. I mean if 99.9% of people are talking about the game there’s a true fact that the game obviously does exist and everything said about it is true.” Bethel asseverated with so much conviction lacing in her voice.

The counselor's referral, the debate team captain, the girl who collected strays and made them speak. "You're the one from the viral video," Maya said. Not accusation. Observation. "The dare, the leak, the whole mess. I'm supposed to make you feel welcome, but—" She stopped, smiled, sharp and real. "But I don't do welcome. I do argument. You want to join, you argue. That's the deal." "Argue about what?" "Anything. Everything." Maya leaned against the locker beside Avery's, the intimacy of strangers who might become something else. "The world is wrong. Pick your topic. Prove it."

"Because under that fur, there is someone who cares deeply, but hides it behind duty and strength. I want to know that, Malik." Taking a deep breath, Malik considered his options before moving his piece strategically to block my advance. "Games won’t show you that." I had successfully moved Malik into a tight corner on the board, and he was well aware of it. With a sly smirk, I leaned forward, catching his eye to ensure he was fully engaged. "Maybe not," I replied to his earlier scepticism about the lessons games could teach. "But they can initiate a conversation that might," I suggested. "Malik, have you ever considered that there's strength in openness, not just in erecting barriers?"

People assumed you wanted distraction when you looked like you were thinking too much. They were wrong. I wasn’t trying to escape my thoughts. I was trying to line them up in a way that made sense. Across the room, a group of businessmen argued over something trivial, their smiles too sharp, their posture too rigid. It reminded me of a chessboard, pieces shifting while pretending not to. Power games disguised as casual conversation. I used to enjoy that. The strategy. The maneuvering. The feeling that if you played it right, you could always come out ahead.

"I won't bother you now in one condition. I'll only be dating you until 5:59 pm. At 6 pm I'll be the one to follow whatever I want to do to us at that time. My turn, my way love." Crap. "Do you think I'll allow that?" His mouth twitched. "Do you really want to do it here?" He asksed innocently. My eyes widened. "A-are you using sex again against me?" "Hmm..." He said playfully. "Fine!" Why am I still arguing with him. If in the end, he would only win? The money I bet on that game also belongs to him. Right, I have money but he also returned it to my bank account.

"How about 10?" "How about twenty?" I returned. "12" "18" "13" "18." "That's not exactly how a bargain works." She pointed out in frustration, you can't just stand at one point without moving. "Oh well, my game rules." At this point, i could tell that she was growing tired of the back and forth and so was i, but there was honestely not much i could do. We had to reach a reasonable compromise and to do that, the back and forth was a necessity.

King mutters, and I groan. "Needed ya to fight in the pit," I explain. "Right, but if we argue and fight outside of it, then it draws more attention, it's real, it's not for cash. People will be quick to throw money at it and watch," King argues and Caleb nods. "Fuckin' do it, but don't go too hard at it," I say and step back. "This won't work. They got fuck all to argue over now," Doc nudges me, and I glance to where Robyn is standing with a guy. Doc is right, I look towards Sal, he can cause a scene, he's good at it.

Rowan smiled and looked at Julian playfully as he said, “If she doesn’t believe you, that’s your own problem. Why should I clarify things for you? You can only blame yourself for having such a low credibility.” Julian clenched his teeth in anger and yelled, “Rowan Pierce, are you worried that things are going too well for us? Are you trying to make us argue?” Rowan continued speaking indifferently. “You can’t win in the argument anyway, so what’s wrong if I watch the excitement?”