It was hard seeing Ashton look so different. She was used to him being more built. He wasn't burly and wide like Mr. Kaden, but Ashton did have a presence. Right now he looked like he hadn't eaten for days and she suspected that was likely the case. The lack of change in Barclay drew a look of worry from Jae's face as she glanced over at the unconscious witch. She could hear his heart beating and for once she didn't feel that tempted by it. He smelled wonderful but her emotions and the gravity of the situation was enough to keep that hunger at bay.
Ashton drew attention to the board she carried and she blinked twice before answering, "It's a game I think you will like. Something to keep your mind busy while you are here." She wasn't sure how well he'd take to that. The table now sat between them and she took one of the nearby chairs and set it across from Ashton. She continued, "The game is called Baduk. It is like chess only . . . more challenging." She took the small bag of stones and set it to the side, opening it to show him a black stone and a white stone.
"These will be our game pieces. It is said to be one of the most difficult games to play," she explained, "And requires one to think far ahead. We can play it here. It is quiet. Do you want to learn to play?" Jae waited and watched, hoping that Ashton would be willing to engage in the game and not send her away as he seemed to do with many others.