[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]

He leans to the side a bit to glance at the score counter, careful not to obscure Lancelot's view of the playing surface, before returning to his position. "Impressive showing for a first ball. So far, anyway. It is a bit of a juggling act right now."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Oh, aye--" a little distractedly, as all his focus is on the balls careening around the table. He manages to maintain it for a couple of minutes before things start to feel a little out of control and he's back down to one, which he also loses a moment after that. He makes a little sound like ugh, though he's laughing.

[futaille]

He looks over at Lancelot, overly earnest. "Is that part of your strategy, too? Letting the ball join its fellows?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

"That? Ah, no-- that was error."

[futaille]

"Ah," he says, nodding sagely. "In that case, thank you for providing me a fine example of what to avoid."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"All in service to thee," he says, loftily, as he releases the next ball.

[futaille]

"I'll mind the lesson well, certainly," he says easily. "As well as the lesson in whatever other errors you decide to show me."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Sir," reprovingly. He does try to focus more.

[futaille]

Grantaire has extensive experience in speaking despite reproachful words, so he blithely continues. "It is, after all, well-regarded advice to learn from mistakes, and learning from others' mistakes is almost better, because as long as you heed the lessons, you won't have to make them yourself. So I truly appreciate the sacrifice in the name of my education."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"I should take thee as my squire." This is a little less light than before, because he is quite intent on the game.

[futaille]

"Oh yes, do feel free to take me," an almost indetectable pause as he continues watching the ball, "as your squire."

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot gasps a laugh, but he manages to keep the ball in play. "I see thou hast studied in more ways than one."

[futaille]

"I do like to hold myself up as a student of entertainments. I should not be remiss in my duties."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Christ," laughing again -- he's starting to struggle a bit, to over-anticipate.

[futaille]

He grins. "Oh, I am very intrigued by your unorthodox techniques here."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Thou'rt a menace," finally managing to dial his focus back in enough to play smoothly.

[futaille]

"So it's been said," he replies with an easy laugh. "And excellent recovery."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"By wise men, I do not doubt. And I thank thee."

[futaille]

"Oh, the wisest, although I think it's probably plain enough even to a great fool, so I shall have to ask one should I see them, as the only great fool I am particularly acquainted with here is myself, and that would not make for an objective answer."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Would that I could help thee," narrowly avoiding a miss.

[futaille]

"That is true. You are wise indeed." He watches the ball bounce a few more times. "Oh, I'm nearly finished with the plant painting for you, by the way."

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot looks up in surprise, freezing for a second, which absolutely means that the second ball is lost.

"What?"

[futaille]

He nods easily, grinning. "It's mostly down to the fine details now."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"I did not think thou wast serious."

[futaille]

"Oh, I'm extremely serious about being ridiculous."