lanselos_du_lac | [Open Post] ..like the bird that you can't see..

Lancelot is in a very good mood indeed. He feels settled, assured. He feels as he did, he thinks, back when he first found his feet at court -- he is someplace he belongs, he can be assured that people will treat him with respect, if not kindness or welcoming. He lets himself revel in it, a little, as it's been a long while since he felt anywhere near as nice as this.

The weather is good: sunny, crisp, the familiar feeling of autumn as winter is hovering close by. He goes to his own room and fetches his sword. He runs his usual drills, though with a kind of ease and almost carelessness he hasn't had since he was young. (Perhaps he is young enough, still. He can't be sure. He has already lived past the age his father was when he died, but that means almost nothing. His father died in battle and Lancelot is, now, no longer likely to ever see such a fate.)

Afterwards, he showers and decides he might as well find breakfast. So he's now heading toward one of the kitchens, looking cheerful for once.

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"Aye, I do." Frowning at the board -- it seems unlikely that there's a way for him to win.

Teasing, "Are you better at it than checkers?"

"Christ, I hope so."

"Then we shall add it to the rota," says Susan. "I'm no slouch, but I'm much better at draughts."

"Better than I am, that is apparent."

"Perhaps not, at chess."

"Thou'rt sharper than I in nost things, I think, though I am happy to find out for certain."

"You sell yourself short," says Susan, even as she takes his second-to-last piece.

"Ah, perhaps." He has few options left, so he just makes a move. "I leave that for thee to judge."

Susan takes pity on him then, and captures his last piece before pushing the board to the side and taking his hands in hers. "Thank you for indulging me," she says.

"Mm, I am happy to do so," smiling at her, squeezing her fingers gently.

"You're sweet," says Susan, leaning forward. "What would you like to do now?"

"Kiss thee," lightly, "though I'm certain thou hast other tasks that call to thee."

Susan glances around the cafe -- it's mostly cleared out, though there's still a straggler here and there. "I suppose I could make time for one little kiss," she allows. It's not like she told Thomas she was specifically planning to come by and reminisce about Britain.

He leans in a little, though what he says is, "I'd not insist."

"Right," says Susan, in that busy way she gets when she's flustered. "You clear away the tea -" and she pauses to down the last of her mug "- and I'll pack up the game, and then perhaps we'll find a little alcove somewhere where, if you're very good, I might let you steal a kiss."

Lancelot smiles and gets easily to his feet. "A fine plan, lady."

He sets to tidying up the mugs and plates, looking contented.

By the time he's done, Susan has packed up the draughts board and pieces and slipped them onto one of the bookshelves Enjolras has put around the cafe, so that others might enjoy the game too - and so that she can easily find it when the mood strikes again. She slips her hand around Lancelot's arm when he rejoins her.

"Might I walk you anywhere, sir?"

Edited 2023-12-20 05:50 (UTC)

"Ah, yes--" He gives her hand a little squeeze, "Wherever might be thy desire."

"What's next on your busy schedule?" she asks, leading him toward the door.

Lancelot chuckles, "As thou knowst, I am not much busy. Though today I suppose I will take a walk, perhaps find something to read."

"A packed day indeed!" Susan teases, and starts off toward the library. On the way, they pass a little recess tucked away behind one of the mansion's sweeping staircases, and so she releases his arm to duck inside and lean against the wall.

"Oh, I do hope no brigand finds me here and accosts me," she says, giving Lancelot rather a keen look.

He grins at her, stepping closer, "And should some man who is no brigand finds thee?"

"I shall let you know... if I see any man who isn't a brigand," still teasing.

Edited 2023-12-20 14:59 (UTC)

Lancelot reaches out to brush her cheek with his fingertips, "Very well."

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