The words landed softly, without any pressure, which is why they landed the way they did.
Elaris stared at him.
Rex kept his eyes on her, and he didn't add anything. He just left the statement in the space between them, where she could do whatever she wanted with it.
"No," she said after a while. "It shouldn't..."
She raised her fist again, but this time it was different. More of something else and less game.
"One," she said.
"Two," Rex said.
"Three."
Both players chose rock this time, resulting in another tie. Thanks to Rex's foresight.
For a long time, Elaris looked at their hands, which were the same reaction as before.
"I'm starting to think," she said slowly, "that you don't want either of us to lose."
"Hm? What do you mean by that?" Rex said, "I fully intend to let one of us win."
She turned her head up to look at him.
"Which one?" she asked.
