[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]

"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?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

He steps away from the table, making a sweeping gesture of invitation, "Of course I would."

[futaille]

Grantaire nods and steps up to the table, starting his game. "You have definitely improved," he says affably even as he's keeping his eyes trained on the ball. "It's almost impressive."

[lanselos_du_lac]

With an air of stunned disbelief, he says, "Almost?"

[futaille]

He keeps playing, an impish grin crossing his face. "Oh, should I be impressed when, despite the improvement, I retain the lead?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Aye, thou shouldst," leaning in, testing his skills of flirtatious teasing, "because it reveals my interest."

[futaille]

Grantaire risks a glance up at Lancelot. "Oh, your interest in pinball?" he asks wryly before glancing down just in time to miss hitting the ball. He clears his throat somewhat sheepishly before launching the next.

[lanselos_du_lac]

He laughs, leaning against the table, aiming now for distraction. "Not only pinball."

[futaille]

Grantaire at least keeps his eyes on the ball now, although he is of course very aware of Lancelot's presence so extremely nearby. He doesn't even bother pretending at solemnity in his expression, smiling even as his words make the attempt. "Goodness, that could be nearly anything, then."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"I suppose it could be," he allows. "But it isn't."

[futaille]

"Oh, interesting." He manages to trigger a multiball. "Ha! Oh. Right. Could you narrow it down for me? Maybe a hint." He keeps playing.

[lanselos_du_lac]

He laughs, momentarily distracted, "That is where I stand to improve. Multiball." But then a moment later he says, very offhandedly, "Primarily, at the moment, 'tis my interest in thee."

[futaille]

"Multiball is an excellent points generator. Improvement in it would definitely help your quest." He grins. "Of course, as your interest in pinball is not the subject of discussion presently, I am woefully off-topic. Or if I am the topic, is it possible for me to be off-topic? Well, if anyone can find a way..."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Oh, certainly, 'tis thee. I believe that, sincerely."

[futaille]

He's back down to one ball at this point, which he manages to capture for a bit in the crook of a lifted paddle, which grants him the chance to grin up at Lancelot. "Good of you to recognize it, sir."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Isn't it?" The grin is smug, flirtatious. Actually pretty bold, for Lancelot.

[futaille]

"Unmatched powers of observation, clearly." His grin, while still certainly not lacking flirtatiousness of its own, grows impish. "Now observe me continue my mission to make your quest more difficult." And then he turns back to the game, releasing the paddle button and hitting it again in quick succession to put the ball back into play.