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

[lanselos_du_lac]

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.

Comments

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Aye, though sadly not with a true cad," he smiles at her, "Otherwise, I am quite free. I've done drills and had breakfast. I shall have to figure out the rest."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"I should like to watch your drills, one of these days," Susan muses, giving him a heated sort of look.

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Thou'rt welcome at any time. I doubt it would bore thee." Why yes, his tone is suggestive.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"I share your doubts," Susan says, and reluctantly does draw away from him so she can tend to her tea.

[lanselos_du_lac]

He leans against the counter, watching her fondly. "Shall we dine in the café for lunch, or elsewhere?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

She looks up from where she's spooning sugar into her tea. "Have you got a preference?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Alas, I would follow thee anywhere."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"You give me much power," says Susan. She dumps her tea bag onto a saucer - she's still not fully used to the abundance here, and plans to reuse it for a second cup later. "Be a dear and fetch me some milk?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

So he goes to the refrigerator and opens it to find a little earthenware carafe of cream. He takes it out, examines it, then brings it over.

"Perhaps so, but it is only that I am happy to spend time with thee anywhere."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Susan warms at that, and hides her sudden flush by taking the cream and busily adding a splash to her tea. She takes an experimental sip and then nods to herself. "I haven't got a preference either," she says, turning back to face him.

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Well," thoughtfully, "The café is very fine, and perhaps there may be others to share the space with. Elsewhere, we might have the space to ourselves, and a bit more quiet."

He gives a little shrug; he isn't angling for anything more than time in her company.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Privately, Susan still finds the cafe a little under-decorated. But she did promise to help with that... perhaps she can pick Lancelot's brain about what he thinks it might use, beyond the gramaphone she's still trying to locate. "The cafe is good," she decides; she places her tea on the counter and then puts her mug-warm hand on Lancelot's chest. "Unless you'd rather privacy?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

"I do like privacy," reaching up to clasp her hand, "But that can be gained after, should we wish."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Very well," says Susan, sighing heavily, as if Lancelot is asking her to make some great sacrifice. Her soft gaze belies her true feelings.

[lanselos_du_lac]

He squeezes her hand, "Then that sounds like a plan. And perhaps after, I can show thee my room, humble as it is."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Color me intrigued," she says, and gives in to whim, rising up to kiss the corner of his mouth. She has an idea starting to percolate in the back of her mind, so she hovers there, thoughtful, for a moment.

[lanselos_du_lac]

He squeezes her shoulder gently, and gives her a questioning look.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

She comes back to herself. "Do you know draughts?" she asks. "Or did they bring that to England after your time?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

"I know it, though I admit I have not played it much of late."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Splendid! I should like to challenge you. Surely there's a set lying around somewhere here."

[lanselos_du_lac]

He laughs, "A challenge?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Yes, to draughts." Susan gives him quite the lingering once-over. It's definitely a little heated. "I'd challenge you to arm wrestling - I'm quite good at it - but I imagine I'd have to cheat miserably to beat you." She pats his bicep for emphasis.

[lanselos_du_lac]

This wins her another laugh. His answering look is bright and likewise a little heated. "Aye, I suppose-- draughts, though. Thou'rt at an advantage."

He pauses, "I do love a challenge."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"That's something we've got in common," Susan says, with a gleam in her eyes. "So I shan't go easy on you. Best spend this morning dredging your memory." She pauses, tilting her head back flirtatiously. "If you're an awful sore loser, you can pick the next game."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"I see. And if the next 'game' is bladework...?"