Silence in the Library [private]

Oof. He'd been noticed.

After the day's activities of running the halls with all the noise, Eliot looked for refuge. Normally at this time of night he was off doing...other things, but the students had been especially messy and loud, so he was backlogged. He didn't mind the menial work. He adored moving around unnoticed and if anyone did notice him, he was promptly forgotten about as soon as their eyes shifted away. He could be everywhere and nowhere. Knowing things was a luxury he yearned for, and such a bland job let him listen in where ever. However, today had been useless and he'd spent every second of his time cleaning spills and less pleasant fluids from various places around the school, as well as mixing chemicals to scrub graffiti off the walls of the gymnasium. And Eliot only dared do all that when it was quiet enough for him to leave the sound proofed safety of his cleaner's closet.

The last on the list of tasks was best saved for last, to wind him down. The library was the only other haven he frequented when the scent of chemicals in his closet started to get to him. Now he was stooped under the study desks in the back where the hoodlums sat. A rainbow assortment of gum formed a mosaic masterpiece on the underside, while the top side sported carvings that harkened back to the beginnings of the human race when their primary belief system revolved around genitalia for whatever reason. Using a sharp window scraper, he'd been dismantling the sticky A.B.C. gum when he heard a female voice reach out into the relative silence.

Instead of answering, Eliot simply stopped what he was doing and walked his beige-jumpsuited self to where she sat. He was careful to emerge from the book isles slowly so she wouldn't be startled. Seeming tired but pleasant, he waved a black gloved hand at her. "Just the janitor, ma'am," he answered in a low, quiet voice. "Didn't mean to disturb you."

He ducked his head at her offer, his free hand bashfully adjusting the position of his low tied hair. While he wasn't a small dude. His muscles tested the strength of his buttons at certain movements, but despite that he still almost shrunk in on himself at her words. He wasn't always so meek, but the persona took over especially while on school grounds. The janitor generally moved unseen, so to not only be noticed but also spoken to and not shrugged off was a departure from his routines. "It's not a job I would ask anyone's assistance for..." he answered, a small crooked smile peeking its way out. "It's..ah...gross," continued the man, jamming the sticky tool into his pocket to rid her sight of it. There was a bit of muted humor in his face, though his eyes were tired. The dull blue hues he possessed had the aura of seeing a great many things, much horrific but also much victorious.

There was no way he would consider a person that smelled as clean as her to scrape disgusting gum. His heightened senses hadn't missed her peculiar scent of jasmine and frost, the latter he knew very well from days with his mother. Perhaps it was archaic of him to not want the woman to sully her hands with such things, but he was a pretty old guy despite his looks. Well, old in terms of how long he'd existed on the planet. As a half ghoul, half dragon, he just sorta....existed. It was as if he was in an odd stasis. "I was simply stalling going to my apartment. The neighbors above are having a party tonight, so scraping gum in the sanctuary of the library was more appealing. I have all week to finish it, so I can finish another time, miss...." he trailed, realizing his rudeness. They hadn't been introduced. "I'm sorry. I didn't ask your name. I'm Eliot, the school janitor...er..obviously..." Smooth. How long had it been since he'd talked to another breathing person?

Esialeth Rose. A lovely name, though not one he'd heard before, which was saying something given how many he'd heard. He wasn't sure which variation he was most comfortable with, given he was a little uncomfortable as it was.

Esialeth's demonstration of her talent earned her two slightly lifted brows. "Hm. Impressive. Yeah, that is the better way to do it," he commented quietly, the typical rumble of his low tone the only thing bringing his words out of whisper territory. He rubbed his stubbly chin as he observed, marveling at her a bit. His talent functioned quite differently, and while he had fine control of it, he anticipated many broken desks. It wasn't the most delicate of abilities, far more suited for damage and general warfare shenanigans than aiding in any janitorial duties. Besides, he never used his talent unless it was during his more nocturnal activities, lest his identity be revealed. Eliot was even more amazed that she could tell whose gum it was. If he'd been a teacher, perhaps he'd have done something with such information, but alas he wasn't. Thus, he didn't care. Besides, if students stopped messing up the school, he'd be out of a job.

Her next offer was a bit odd, but not unwelcome. He wasn't really bored, but he was willing to oblige her. "Ah...sure. I don't know if I remember how to play," he again ducked his head, turning to move closer to the indicated tables. They were indeed clean. He'd polished them a week ago, and it looked like no one had touched them. "If you're expecting a challenge, I don't think you'll find one in me. Heh," Eliot laughed nervously, seating himself and staring at the chess pieces. How did they move again? He was probably about to make a fool of himself.

His normally stoic eyes widened a little, surprised but also equally amused. For no other reason than the insanity of no rules, Eliot arranged his pieces into something of a V formation. Pawns were at the front, of course, but he placed any outed pawn in the same spaces as the King and Queen. Knights and "Here are the royal meat shields.." he muttered, seeming to concoct a narrative in his brain like she had. If she was playing revolutionaries, then he'd have no choice but be the monarchy. Which side was right? Who knew anymore. "You won't destroy my kingdom with paltry rebellion," Eliot countered more boldly, setting out his rooks like castle gates with a knight and bishop on each side. He had no idea how this wold work, but it would at least be interesting.

Reaching into his pocket, he deftly produced, unwrapped, and popped a dark chocolate square into his mouth. It seemed to be an action he barely realized he did, as he tended to snack on chocolate all day. Any other creature would have a hard time existing in any healthy way on chocolate, coffee, and liquor almost exclusively, but his species dictated his diet. Snacking on the silky cocoa treat was much better than hunting an consuming flesh, though the craving did rear its head on hard days. Realizing himself, he blinked and pulled out another candy to offer her, so not to be rude. Other than his gesture, the only other words he spoke were about the game. "Feel free to go first, Miss Rose."

It never hurt to be polite. At her decline to his treat, he popped that one into his mouth as well, chewing it thoughtfully though he lacked the usual pleasant expression of enjoyment most who sucked on chocolate displayed. It was simply sustenance to him, after all. Eating such a thing for so long every day sapped the excitement out of it, for it was no longer a treat.

"Hm...knights alone are a bit ineffective. What's a king if he doesn't have a few dragons to protect him and his castle?" Eliot asked, though not without a but of thinly veiled bitterness. Whether he meant to or not, the table was leeching some personal experience from him on the subject. From his demeanor it was hard to tell if he was being resentful or just playing the game. The table transformed his pawns into small dragons. Blinking, he could've sworn he saw one move. What a strange table. Is this why they were never used? Blinking his eyes up from the board to his opponent, he gave her the nod to go on.