[Open Post] ..Tuesday afternoon..

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot feels that things have been a strange mix of tumult and routine. This is probably because they have. But today, so far, is routine in all respects. His day has proceeded apace through his usual steps -- drills, tending to Rivelin, coffee, lunch with Susan -- and the afternoon is now stretching out before him in a very satisfying way. He feels good, settled.

And so it is that he's in the café, reading (or mostly reading), with more coffee at hand. Given that he seems to be splitting time equally between having his eyes on his book and gazing out the window, he will not be bothered if anyone comes to chat.

Comments

[futaille]

"Ah, it's the particular grape harvest that goes into a wine. Even the same vineyard and the same varietal... that would be the type of grape... can produce a surprising difference in wine from year to year."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"I see, I see." He smiles, "Perhaps, in my time, someone was thinking of this -- I'm sure we had good wine and... less good. But that was Sir Kay's to consider, not mine."

[futaille]

"Ah, and now you both get to and have to choose your own. A heady responsibility with the variety available here."

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot grins, "Or-- I could remain unconcerned with quality and simply enjoy whatever is handed to me."

[futaille]

"Also an excellent strategy. To be frank, sticking your hand in a wine cabinet and asking it for a good wine usually works."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"I will bear that advice in mind," chuckling.

[futaille]

He grins brightly. "As well you should. It's excellent advice."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Naturally," smiling back at him. He nods and leads them off to the game room.

[futaille]

He follows along. "So, how close have you managed to get to the top score?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

"If I can regularly get about fifty thousand more points, I think I can manage it."

[futaille]

"Oh! You're not far at all, then."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"I've been very diligent."

[futaille]

"Clearly. I should be watching behind me for approaching footsteps at all times."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Oh-- I would not put a surprise attack on thee. As I've said, I need to see thy face, when at last I overcome thee."

[futaille]

He laughs a little, almost despite himself. "You're right. And I did not mean to insinuate an ambush. I have full faith in an honorable showdown."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Aye, and I thank thee," casting Grantaire a quick grin, "Aside from my own pride, there are rules of engagement, and I have sworn a vow."

[futaille]

"So you have," he replies with a grin of his own. "I must confess myself eager for the assault."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Keep it in mind, sir," laughing as they go into the game room.

[futaille]

"Oh, of course." He heads toward the pinball table. "By all means, demonstrate your skill."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Skepticism, is it?" Shooting Grantaire a bright grin. "Even so."

He squares up at the machine and it is clear that he has been practicing regularly. He is considerably more comfortable know, and there are some things that now seem routine. As he plays, he sinks into that focus that hardly suggests he's enjoying himself.

[futaille]

"Skepticism is my primary quality, sir." He does, though, watch the game unfold with not just interest but no small amount of excitement. An actual challenger, after all, makes any game more interesting.

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot plays for some time, and indeed his score starts to come within striking range of the high score, but after he loses the last ball he still hasn't quite beaten it. "Ach--" he says, chuckling. "Close, again."

[futaille]

"Close, indeed," he says with clear approval before his voice shades a bit wry. "Clearly you have played too many times intentionally avoiding the summit and you've become accustomed to it."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Oh? Dost think it so? I see no evidence that it is possible for thee to surpass thine own achievement."

[futaille]

"I have set new high scores several times, but you are correct, I have yet to surpass this particular one." He grins. "Would you like me to try in earnest and possibly make your own quest that much more difficult?"