[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

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot catches this, and laughs, "Isn't it?" He leans in again, "Where art thou, in the game? I've lost track."

[futaille]

"I'm on my last ball. And I think I have a chance at succeeding in my quest but don't want to risk looking at the score."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Nay, understood," he leans in, "I'll not disturb thee."

[futaille]

Keeping his focus on the ball and the paddles is exponentially more difficult with Lancelot as close as he is, and he's completely sure that's very much to plan. "I know what you're doing and it's not going to work." He sounds so much more confident in that statement than he actually is.

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Oh?" His tone is innocent.

[futaille]

"Indeed. I am undaunted and undistracted." Whether someone truly undistracted would have noticed enough to be having this conversation at all is dubious.

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Obviously," nudging Grantaire's side lightly - not enough to jostle but enough to emphasize his proximity.

[futaille]

Grantaire was half-expecting the contact, so that does not manage to throw him enough to cause him to lose. He plays a bit more, determined to remain undeterred by the nearness of an extremely handsome man... who smells quite nice, actually... And that is the thought that throws him just enough to miss the final ball by just a hair.

His eyes snap up to the score display to see that he just missed the top spot. A new second place score is an achievement too, right?

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Alas," he laughs a little, "now I have two scores I must exceed."

[futaille]

"So you do." He uses the paddle buttons to enter his R for the high score list entry before stepping back. "I almost had that."

[lanselos_du_lac]

Aw, now he feels a little bad. He reaches for Grantaire's hand, "'Tis so. I apologize. Though I am wondering, now, whether I can actually best thee."

[futaille]

He promptly takes Lancelot's hand and shakes his head, laughing a little. "First, don't apologize for excellent strategy. Second, you had better best me at some point. It's much more entertaining when you're not only trying to beat yourself."

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot laughs as well, "Very well. The challenge stands." Then he tugs him in for a quick, congratulatory kiss.

[futaille]

He smiles around the kiss as he returns it. "Good. And that takes the sting from a near-miss. Although it does make me wonder what the reward for victory would have been."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"I suppose thou'lt discover it eventually," a grin, "if I don't discover it first."

[futaille]

He laughs. "True enough. I believe it's your turn for the next attempt." He schools his expression to innocent inquiry. "Should I stand by the other end of the table? I recall you wanted to see my face when you overcome me."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Hmm," consideringly. He refills his glass and downs most of it. "Aye. Though make certain my technique is visible. I would help thee learn."

[futaille]

And that's a somewhat surprised laugh. "Oh, of course." He moves and leans lightly against the backbox of the machine. "I await your tutelage, sir."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Very well." He grins, settles in, and starts, a little looser this time though no less focused.

[futaille]

Grantaire looks down at the playing surface, which is a very interesting backward perspective. "So is this the best way to start a game, then?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot answers calmly, "What, focused?"

[futaille]

"Oh, is that what it is? I knew I was missing something with my game starts."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Oh, indeed-- one must pay close attention."

[futaille]

"Already I'm learning so much. I'm quite grateful."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"I am very glad for thee," laughing -- he narrowly avoids losing this first ball.