[He laughs, soft and dulcet, as Lucius grins his way. Whether it is an act of defiance or not, Eridanus enjoys it just as much as his face pinched with thought. It was that selfish, unfettered personality that drew him to his Eternal in the first place, after all.]

Competence is not limited to just the mind. [He watches Lucius' next move, a response to his own, and he sets his glass of moonshine off to the side of the board. His elbow comes to rest on his knee, his claws curling against his maw as if he was trying to cradle his chin with thought, but the opal guarding it hinders the attempt.

After a moment of pause, Eridanus takes one of his dawnstriders — a knight-like piece — and sets it forward. Once his move is made, he straightens.]

And is it so bad that us scholarly types like to have duels of our own? We both know I won't best you with a sword, but perhaps in this duel, I shall rise above the Eternal. [He smiles, knowing full well his words are borderline traitorous, and yet, the thought of defeating Lucius in such a game tickles him with excitement.] Otherwise, a real battle between us would have to occur when I have my magic, once more.