[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 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.

[futaille]

He looks over. "Oh, and was that a strategic near-miss? I admit I'm unfamiliar with that gambit."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"I seek to hold thy interest," lightly, though he does flush a little.

[futaille]

He grins at that. "Oh, you very much have that."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"That's well," though now his tone is less focused on Grantaire -- he's locked into what's happening on the table.

He manages, after a minute or two, to start up multiball, which produces a bright grin.

[futaille]

He glances down and watches those several balls careening around the table. "Ah, look, it's the music of the spheres."

[lanselos_du_lac]

This time he doesn't respond -- he stays locked in on making the multiball last as long as possible, as his score rises.

[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.