A puzzle of ages

[cloningblues]

[Ilinka causing mayhem in Birmingham. Leos' departure. Eva's injuries, and Freddy Angel escaping once again. The year didn't start in the best way, and Asagi needs a way to distract himself from it and clear his mind. And he does something unexpected - assemble a jigsaw puzzle. One with whopping 5000 pieces. It's barely started, but taking a look at the box in the corner (spoilers!) would reveal the picture is some kind of historical naval battle.]

Where does this one go...? I think... here.

[Asagi puts the piece he was holding on the edge of the puzzle. It's not even connected to any others yet! Is that really a good move?]

Comments

[herodrawing]

But Asagi... that way it's like forming larger pieces from smaller ones. It means you have an easier time putting them all together.

It's like the tactics lesson, "divine and conquer"?

[cloningblues]

Divide. And besides, I'm using strategy. It's not my fault you can't see it.

[Well, he has most of the border pieces on the board already, at least.]

If you think you're so good at this, then where do you think this piece will go?

[Asagi gives Izuru a seemingly random one. Hard to say what's on it - a splotch of blue and a splotch of darker blue.]

[herodrawing]

I don't know yet. But look Asagi, this is how I'd do it!

[Izuru picks up two random pieces.]

Nope.

[Puts the two back down and picks another pair. The process repeats itself a few times.]

Nope, nope... ah, look! These two make a pair.

It's like that card matching game that kids play.

[He proudly puts two matched pieces in the center. It's impossible to discern what are they representing.]

[cloningblues]

Now do the same with the other 4900 pieces that are left. If you don't get lucky, you'll have to try every one with every other one. How much time will that take?

[herodrawing]

Okay, assuming the number of pieces shrinks in time so I can find matches faster and faster, that will take us...

[Quick calculation.]

A lot of time?

[cloningblues]

Years. I don't want to be an old man when I finish this.

[herodrawing]

That's one way to make sure the game lasts long for you...