[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]

"I think it's entirely possible you could. Unless you refuse to keep playing if you get too close in practice."

[lanselos_du_lac]

Another little toast, "Now thou hast the right of it."

[futaille]

He blinks. "Really? I wouldn't mind if you did defeat me from afar, you know."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Ah, but that would prevent me from seeing thee at that moment."

[futaille]

"Ah, of course, an advantage I had somehow not considered." He pushes himself up to sit on the countertop. "A decorative flourish to victory, with my bewildered face adding an extra savor."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Just so, just so," grinning up at him. "Besides, thou needst proof it was I who outpaced thee. Anyone can put letters in, should they best thy score."

[futaille]

"Oh, and you think it likely that someone would be eager to place such letters that would give you the credit instead of themselves? They would be a very generous player indeed."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"It may not be likely, but I'd not give thee any cause to question."

[futaille]

"You're right," he says solemnly. "I would read no further than L and immediately assume myself vanquished by Lan Wangji."

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot grins and empties his glass, "Aye, that's a conclusion I'd not have thee draw."

[futaille]

He laughs. "That is fair. Although I halfway want to introduce him to the game now, just to make it a possibility."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Aye, go on then, increase the challenge."

[futaille]

"More entertainment to be had that way, anyway. Raises the stakes."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Aye," laughing, "a very good point."

[futaille]

"As best as I can tell, entertainment of all kinds is best shared."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Thou hast proven that, I would say."

[futaille]

And Grantaire's inner contrarian decides to show that it really can't stay in abeyance for too long. "Oh, see, I do not know if I would go so far as to say I've proven it in all cases. There are, after all, several worlds and times whose games and pastimes I have barely begun to taste. It is entirely possible that I may yet come across one which is indeed best enjoyed in solitude. Now, I cannot personally conceive of what a pastime might be like, as even a game of patience is best experienced with a friend nearby to comment on your game or even just converse with while playing, but that may merely be a failure of my own imagination. So although there is a great deal of supporting evidence, I can hardly say it's a true proof. Certainly a promising theory, though."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"If this is where we're heading, I shall need more wine."

[futaille]

He leans over to grab the bottle of wine and tops off his own glass before handing it to Lancelot. "You'll rarely hear me not advocate for more wine in any case."

[lanselos_du_lac]

He tops off his own, grinning at Grantaire. "So, what lesson in ridiculousness art thou considering for me next?"

[futaille]

He takes a drink, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Do you have a preference as to what genre of ridiculousness our next venture falls into?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

He shrugs, grinning a little, "I am but the lowly student."

[futaille]

"Oh, see, that's a quandary." He smothers a smile. "I'm hesitant to start another game when you clearly haven't mastered the first one..."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Then that argues for an attempt to demonstrate my mastery of pinball."

[futaille]

"Oh, excellent idea. And offers the opportunity of me as a witness, as that." He looks over at his stage. "I should probably put the tables back first, though."