[ Ajax's eyes dim two shades darker at the question, something within him roiling at the mention of quitting. Forfeiture was a loss in his book, and Tartaglia had not backed down from anything in his life. Not even when he was a scrawny nobody brought in kicking and biting to the Tsaritsa's chambers upon their first meeting. ]

Only a game?

[ Red creeps along Ajax's cheeks at Zhongli's wandering gaze (for who resist the charm of this man), his own eyes tracking the slow repetitive motion of Zhongli's thumb pressed against his skin. He blinks slowly— once, twice — before lifting his other hand to advance another piece across the board. It's almost violent in its aggressiveness, but aimed pure and true like a knife thudding a bullseye.

Lead the way, Ajax seems to reply even as he knows there is a trap lying in wait. Or perhaps because he knows there is a trap, but the prize is worth that risk.

Ajax runs his tongue along the back of his teeth as if that could unstick the words he means to say. ]

Mister Zhongli~ Mama didn't raise a quitter, especially with a wager on the line. And I know you see my strategy. You know it's an all or nothing gamble that I win in two turns or lose it all.

So I really just have to know—

If you can stop me when you see it coming. You'll indulge me in that, won't you? To see who wins this battle of wills.