the queen's gambit

The king may be the most important piece in chess, but no one has as much power as the queen of the board: an independent, private & selective blog for Eirene Campbell from 'Path to Nowhere'. Penned by Mari (30+, she/her, UTC -3), est. in 2022, exclusive beta editor user. Personals DNI. 

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♕ unscripted asks . always accepting

It happened out of the blue - there were no actions that could possibly explain that gesture or any words that had been said which could have been declared as motivators. It was an ordinary afternoon, another routine visit to a different manufacturing facility owned by Quinn and where Eirene was making herself not only present, but visible.

The intimidating CEO and founder was not a myth - and the sheer respect she commanded was enough for the average employee to redouble their efforts and to put aside any thoughts that inspired less than diligence and loyalty to the company.

But in the small office space of that manufacturing plant, Cinnabar thought differently. The brunette was standing while Eirene remained seated, a traditional arrangement and one fitting of a bodyguard that never allowed herself to relax while on duty - but that also highlighted the amusing height difference between the two of them. Even if the Quinn president had been standing with her usual heels, Cinnabar would still come out as the taller of the two.

Fitting for a protector role, and no issue at all for Eirene - until that advantage was put to use in another way and it had the older woman stilling completely. The hands holding a couple of printed reports froze, and bi-colored eyes lost focus immediately; a moment was needed before the businesswoman was able to move in the chair, rotating it enough to face the bodyguard at her side.

Now, there was a faint blush on Cinnabar's face - as if the other woman was realizing just what she had done and just the type of person she had... Patted. It was more than breaching some sort of boundary to touch Eirene without her inviting as much, but to do so in a way that felt dangerously childish.

Proud, arrogant, overconfident - those were not traits Eirene Campbell had as a girl under Bryce's tutelage; she wasn't very fond of recalling her time with the other Campbells either.

But Cinnabar didn't mean it - and Eirene could see that much, even as her mismatched eyes narrowed and pinned the younger individual to the spot under her gaze, disallowing the bodyguard to move or look away. A gloved hand dropped the papers to the CEO's lap and then moved skywards to capture Cinnabar's offending limb, or so one thought.

But if the younger female was expecting some sort of insult or physical punishment, it didn't quite turn out to be that way. Eirene lowered the other girl's palm then pressed it against her own face, closing her eyes for a second and seemingly enjoying the warmth that seeped from Cinnabar's digits to her own skin. In that moment, it was as if the Campbell heiress was out of time and space - not an icy queen with an empire to run, but just a human with a heart.

"You are so unlike anyone I've ever met, Cinnabar," the businesswoman said at length, eyelids revealing the unique gaze once more while Eirene removed the brunette's hand away from her visage gently, almost as if a sudden reaction could shatter that precious interlude, "I thought it would get you killed before, but maybe it helps you stay alive. I don't think I'd like to see you changed."

A small sigh followed and Cinnabar earned a smile from Eirene - a curious one; it wasn't cruel or sarcastic, but it had a hint of something predatorial, too. But luckily for the bodyguard, the words that followed confirmed that she was under no employment or personal risk.

Maybe, tonight — ?? Daigo bit his lip, stepped up to one of the bedside tables, and rooted around in a drawer. After a moment, he pulled out what he was looking for, which had been purposefully buried at the bottom. The former Chairman left his shirt and glasses sitting on the furniture. Daigo scrubbed his fingers through his hair and moved toward their spacious bathroom.

Eirene was where he expected she would be. She always needed time to get ready for bed, especially when removing her make up and her skin care routine were factored in. Daigo kept one of his hands behind his back as he approached the Irishwoman from behind. He loomed over her in the mirror, yet the ex - yakuza still murmured to her soothingly to give fair warning. Daigo's free arm wrapped loosely around Eirene's waist.

At first, he said nothing of his intent. He craned his head around in order to kiss her neck, peppering the soft flesh there with tender kisses. Daigo's beard scraped against the flawless surface — a sensation he had been told was surprisingly enjoyable.

"Eirene . . . " the former Chairman nestled his cheek against her hair and stared at her in the mirror. "I did have a proposal. The kids are asleep. We have a few hours until the baby wakes up again. If you aren't too tired, there is — I like the idea of this, I'll say." A pink flush crept over Daigo's cheeks, and his hold around her middle tightened. He cleared his throat reflexively and lifted up his concealed item. It was a thick, black collar with a matching leather leash that was clearly meant for play.

Daigo inhaled Eirene's scent deeply. "I never thought to bring this up before. I saw something recently ; it suddenly occurred to me that I might enjoy it. Being on my knees, listening to your orders, with you . . . on the other end. What do you think ??"

♕ unscripted asks . always accepting

Eirene needed considerable time before going to bed even on ordinary days - just braiding her hair took long enough, even if the Irishwoman did it with admirable ease after so many years. Motherhood had complicated things a bit - but luckily, their household was a fortunate one with all sorts of material comforts and help.

The fact that Daigo had gladly stepped into a more domestic role also collaborated for the perfect family picture they painted to outsiders; but, contrary to expectations, their projection was very much real. It had all started with a fake marriage proposal, but now their children and home were very much sacred treasures.

Eirene loved Daigo from the bottom of her heart, as well as their children... And sometimes, it surprised her. The Quinn CEO was not a good person but she was... Better. Less of a cynic, guarded individual thanks to the changes the ex-yakuza operated on her and the additional safety he provided. The former chairman had been a pawn originally, but he was her king these days; together, they were much more powerful than she ever could be alone.

The fact that the Japanese man joined her in the bathroom was not unexpected - Eirene even placed the hairbrush down when he embraced her in order to profit from his presence properly. The kisses were sweet and she smiled at their reflection, murmuring with appreciation for the way he nuzzled into skin; the blonde had once told Daigo that he had looked handsome while in jail... And he had kept up the look.

But when his surprise item was brought to light, Eirene stilled for a minute. The bicolored eyes moved from the mirror to the actual collar, the nearest hand moving to hold it and test the feel against her fingertips. The feeling of the material, the flexibility of the leash, the idea of Daigo Dojima on his knees... For a minute, there was absolute no reaction from Eirene but for a harder, decided grip around the collar.

And then she smiled.

"Just when I thought you couldn't possibly make me love you more," Eirene sighed fondly, shifting in his embrace to look at Daigo properly instead of relying on the mirror of their luxurious suite. Her acceptance was clearly obtained based on that reaction alone, but the fact that she tossed the hair out of the way with a free hand and then worked to place it around her husband's neck was just the last touch.

It fit perfectly - sturdy enough for yanking and having him at her feet (literally), but also not leading to any suffocation or issues with breathing. The woman was evidently focused on her task, slipping her robe off once she was done to stand before him in a silky pajama set and then appraising Daigo as if he was an object of art for auction at an expensive gallery. Eirene turned around and rummaged through the drawers, finally picking something up and going back to the man.

A pair of scissors - which tore easily through the simple t-shirt the ex-yakuza had on without any warning. He had said it himself - he wanted to follow her every whim and order and Eirene wanted him exposed. What use was this collar if he had clothing on to distract her from the experience?

"The safe word is 'gladiator'. Just say it and I'll stop if you feel uncomfortable," the woman said with sincere kindness, standing on the tip of her toes to kiss him on the mouth - but hands were already everywhere, feeling the ripple muscle up and pushing him gently backwards, back into the room and which was now going to be her own little arena.

Eirene was about to eat Daigo up and she hoped he would enjoy every second of it.

"First, you will rip whatever I'm wearing with your bare hands," she issued the initial order, smiling darkly at the way the Japanese man reacted to the commands, "Then, you will crawl to me and kiss every inch of skin you see until I release you. You cannot touch yourself, otherwise I will punish you for disobeying me."

A tug at the leash was given for good measure, even if Eirene was not currently towering over him and would likely loose any form of close combat with Daigo - the only thing she had going for her was his willingness to surrender and obey, really, and it made her blood run hot, "And then you will be a very good throne for me and make sure I come all over you - at least twice. If not, I won't ride you and I will be so very disappointed with my slave for this night."

A pleased laugh followed, Eirene then sitting at the edge of their king-sized bed with the grace of a queen and motioning for him to get on the floor - the eagerness of the ex-yakuza in obeying and getting into character sent a shiver down the CEO's spine, and she regarded him with thinly veiled lust.

That can wait until later. For now, he sets the tray of breakfast carefully on a side table, and leans down to kiss her, his hands bracing on either side of her body, his mouth lingering against hers, the barest of pleased sounds pulling from his throat. How in the world does he, a man who has sinned so viciously, deserve this woman as his partner, his lover, his wife? --Ah, but of course: She loves his sins. And they two have sunk deeply into the label of sinner, in many sense of the word.

He parts the kiss but lingers near her lips, deep eyes gazing into her bi-colored eyes. Truly, she is an incredible woman. "Breakfast in bed, and then the day is yours. I have cleared my schedule entirely for you."

♕ unscripted asks . always accepting

Eirene Campbell was once a girl who had genuine apprehension in relation to birthdays - it was usually a date to be celebrated with family and loved ones, but what was an illegitimate child fighting for survival to do in the absence of both of these things? The only advantage the young chess prodigy had at the time were her wits and determination; symbolic milestones on a calendar did not matter much.

That hadn't exactly changed with the years - Eirene's own birthday was a day like any other, perhaps with a good excuse for scheming and networking to further solidify some business opportunities. An event she could spin in her favor, just like charity auctions and inaugurations of novel entrepreneurial ventures. Greed and long-term vision shaped the CEO and expanded the reach of Quinn - but that was not entirely true anymore.

Well, Eirene did not care for the majority of the salutations, cards and gifts; but she did care for her husband's affection and worship, the one man that was able to lift her to the skies and beyond while simultaneously joining her in hell. Treated like a goddess, but surrounded by all other mortal sins - and feeling exquisitely powerful despite the absence of their usual props and jewelry.

Just messy locks, panting breaths and reddish trails left by fingers and nails; as Nathaniel returned to their shared bed and kissed Eirene, the woman did not miss the chance to toy with the barbell in his tongue and to further sink into the mattress bringing him along. The world was theirs - they were each other's, too. There was nothing more personal than having another's heart at the center of the palm and that was precisely the gift that the lawyer kept offering his beloved.

The best birthday gift indeed - all the hypercubes and diamonds could never hope to compare; to look into his ruby-colored gaze and feel undiluted devotion and the certainty that he would kill for her just as she would swiftly eliminate anyone who dared to inflict him any pain.

"I wonder just how much that will cost me - an entire day with Eastside's most famous lawyer my beck and call," a breathless laugh followed at the silly joke because they both knew Eirene could afford it. Either in the original sense of the thing, as they used to do when Mr. Fox provided legal counsel to the Quinn Group, or now as husband and wife.

"I feel selfish today, Nathaniel," the woman confessed as if that was a secret and not something normal; Eirene had never been known for a compassionate soul anyway, she only did a very good job of hiding it from the masses. But the sinner on top of her knew it, and somehow found a path to the more vulnerable, soft parts of the human heart that still thrummed in Eirene's ribcage.

"I don't want to share my gift with anyone - I don't want you out of this bedroom, my dear husband," the woman chuckled, hands wrapping his neck like treacherous snakes but doing nothing in addition to pulling him for another kiss. One that was hungry and which worked as a distraction to have Eirene rolling them over, settling over Nathaniel's hips and reaching for some of the fruit of the breakfast tray nearby - a ripe strawberry, brought to his lips and which made a mess with the sweet juice over the lawyer's flawless skin.

Daigo Dojima was in jail, accused of burning down a part of the town he loved more than his own life, but he hadn't forgotten Eirene Campbell's birthday. He always sent her some lush arrangement with a short, cryptic message that never quite gave away his identity to a passing stranger. Even from behind bars, the Tojo Clan Chairman had insisted on writing the card himself.

Occasionally, the fragrant blooms came with wine or jewelry. It was clear, though, that Daigo's mind was elsewhere for this particular birthday. Junichiro also left a thin box. Inside, on plush red lining, laid a gleaming steel knife. The handle was beautiful and featured a golden Japanese dragon that contrasted with the bright silver of the blade. It was a pocket knife, by the look of it — the sort of weapon one could hide under a dress, in a shoe, or stow away in a purse. Clearly, Daigo was worried about her safety, which was a sentiment he would never say directly to the Irishwoman.

' HAPPY BIRTHDAY ' the gifts proclaimed. Such was the same sentiment that lingered on Daigo's lips as he lounged on the bed in his cell, arms folded behind his head. A ghostly smile crossed his lips, and he said it to himself again.

"Happy birthday, Eirene," the Chairman whispered.

♕ unscripted asks . always accepting

There was a knock on the door that wouldn't have been enough to distract Eirene Campbell on most days; even her staff knew how fiercely focused the woman could be during work hours, but that was no ordinary day. Well, not one that the Quinn CEO had previously cared for at some personal capacity - but her birthday was not exactly a state secret, and many people kept calling or sending gifts out of polite courtesy or to remain in her good graces.

As a result, Eirene's focus was suffering - even if she would never admit it to anyone, she had been taking twice as long to peruse any of the documents laid over her desk. When Muriel entered at that time, she almost groaned with a mix of relief and frustration, ready to order some freshly brewed coffee (was it too early for whiskey?) before the flowers robbed her for speech for a moment.

Red roses, twelve of them - they had to be from Daigo.

"Junichiro just came by and left something for you, ma'am. I know you asked for the gifts to be kept outside, but I had a feeling you would appreciate the chance to check for the contents in this case," the personal assistant said with a tone that carried just enough mirth - a preposterous attitude in anyone else, but Muriel was lucky to be within Eirene's close circle; a person who, in private, enjoyed the benefits of speaking to the CEO more like a person and less like a queen.

The bouquet was handed over first and Eirene needed a moment to enjoy the perfume, moving to the card next - simple words, but in very familiar handwriting. The words 'queen' and 'chairman' had been used as proxy of insults once, perhaps even taunts; but on her birthday and knowing just where the sender was located, it was strangely comforting. Even behind bars... He didn't forget; the yakuza somehow managed to sign it himself.

Daigo Dojima was really impressive - Eirene was sure she had made the right choice to place him at the center of her expansion to Japan.

But the box that came with the flowers was a full blown surprise - a knife; one that could eventually be used even against the man gifting it to her, since she had been decently trained at self-defense and had no shortage of means to conceal it and carry it everywhere. After all, Eirene had long learned how strict the legislation was on fire arms in Japan - but less so on other weapons. Particularly now, when Kamurocho was into deep turmoil and different foreign powers were all trying to rob the Tojo of their rightful seat.

But there was no Quinn without the ancient Tokyo clan and, for once, the Irishwoman was focused on reclaiming the chairman seat for Daigo from the deeply suspicious Someya and who held no affection for the blonde mafia heiress - rooted in business reasons or otherwise.

But more than the useful aspect of the gift, the decoration of the item gave Eirene long pause - a dragon. There was a lot of symbology for that creature in Japan, and the CEO knew of the famed man carrying the 'Dragon of Dojima' title around, of course. But it had also been a powerful beast that inspired Eirene as a child - no actual chess piece, but a shogi one. A hand touched the dragon-shaped brooch that was placed over her chest, one of her trademark fashion choices - and then gingerly caressed the beautiful engraving of the small knife next, the gestures tender like Eirene had been given a piece of jewelry from a lover.

"Beautiful," the birthday woman finally said something, and seemingly remembered that Muriel was still there. Bicolored eyes widened for a fraction of a second, but the older female quickly regained her footing and snapped the box shut, motioning to the roses next. "Bring me a vase for these, my dear. I'll have them in my office - I'm also keeping this box; you were right to bring these directly to me," she commended her employee's instincts, but made no further comment in relation to the smile gracing the younger one's lips.

Well, it was her birthday - Eirene supposed it was alright for her to express contentment for a particular set of gifts, even if the person sending them was a major part of why she felt suddenly warm and with cheeks aflame. Luckily, not even Muriel was there anymore to pay any notice to it.

Rounding her desk and returning to the seat, Eirene placed the bouquet over the surface while waiting for the vase and removed the card from the arrangement, placing it right to the side of the decorated knife container and opening it again to glance at the piece. Beautiful, thoughtful, dangerous, very much a Japanese treasure - just like the sender.