[ Ajax practically puffs up like a peacock at Zhongli's praise. Yes. Good. He is a clever and entertaining boy and deserves praise. Praise that he is rightfully receiving from this stranger that he has become so fascinated with.

(Sitting at his owner's feet, Narwhal gives a short snort, shuffling over to be closer to Zhongli. Ajax might dare to look betrayed if he was even paying attention.

Really now. Who was the shameless beggar here between owner and dog???) ]

Hmmmm?

[ Seemingly bored with playing with the small fry, Ajax picks up another named piece - this time a rook as he slides it multiple spaces across the board. ]

Oh sure. Sure! If you want. Though it's kind of bland compared to yours, I bet.

[ The paranoid part of him (which kept him at the top of his game and with breath still in his lungs) grumbles a bit at such an open exchange. But Ajax quickly snuffs that part out. When's the last time he had a little bit of spontaneous fun like this?

Also. Hmmmm. Yanno — He hadn't even asked for Zhongli's name yet.

(Perhaps a small part of him doesn't want to. If he knows the man's name, he definitely is going to be spending his skills and free time researching the man. And knowing his impulsive nature he won't stop until he knows not only his occupation but a whole myriad of other private details that on top of being just flat out stalkerish would spoil the fun of him finding it out himself the old fashioned way.) ]

But you don't mind Professor since you said it was close, right? Or oh— that's not what you use around here, huh? What was it again. Sensei? No. Zi—

[ He snaps his fingers! ]

Xiansheng.

[ Perhaps a bit mangled in the pronunciation department but still understandable. ]