[Closed Post] ..lines we're leaving behind..

[lanselos_du_lac]

He doesn't really mean to, but Lancelot keeps to his rooms for a time in the wake of the latest mansion upheaval. He doesn't disappear for days, and he mostly keeps his routines -- he does spend a little more time riding -- but he is subdued and not idly floating about for socializing.

It could have been worse. He knows this. He knows, too, that no one did this on purpose; he's grateful for Susan and Nightingale's understanding. But none of that makes it easier to regain his emotional balance. Much like that day (which felt very long), he is still grappling occasionally with that sensation of being... just outside of himself, a step removed, dizzy and longing to be even further away.

Still, he does not want to punish Susan and he knows they should talk. So this morning after he puts up Rivelin, he goes to find Susan, wherever she might be.

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[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot thinks this over as he starts in on his sandwich. After a moment he says, "One thing that is probably a benefit is that, for competitors, what matters most is organization. Things generally happen much the same way, each time."

Another thoughtful pause, and then he goes on, "It is generally more enjoyable with an interested crowd. Here, though, we would have to be quite careful to prevent injury. And there would be no joust."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Oh, this is terribly charming. He's going to be utterly useless with this gift she's giving him. Susan shall have to guide him along carefully so that he can have the delight of organization without mucking it all up. For now, she smiles at him encouragingly and takes a bite of her sandwich. After chewing and swallowing, she says, "Very helpful. We shall have to think carefully to allow for the differences in fighting styles, too; it seems few people have comparable training."

[lanselos_du_lac]

With great interest, and about as animated as he gets, he says, "Aye, well-- we shall need help for that. I can organize a melee, which I suspect no one wants, or sword bouts. Archery, perhaps. But if we were to engage the skills of others -- fencing or single stick, or muskets -- I would defer to them."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Do you reckon that a melee might be an optimal way for everyone to get a good measure of others' skills?" Susan asks, genuinely curious. Obviously the point of such tournaments is to ensure that fighting abilities remain sharp during times of peace, but here she hopes that it might inspire folks to train together with more consistency, preparing for potential unknowns.

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Perhaps, however--" He thinks, "It is not much like sport. I don't think it suits most here." A beat. "Gideon, perhaps," he allows.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Oh?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

A laugh, "Gideon pulls no punches. She downed me when we sparred. I thought I told thee?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"You absolutely did not. I learned about that particular incident from Laertes." Susan gives him an amused look. "I shall have to meet her when she doesn't look like Janet."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Ach-- I thought I had! Laertes told thee? I did not tell him."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Clearly you must spend more time regaling me with tales of your days," Susan says.

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Aye, I suppose so!" He still seems surprised. "Well. I beg thy forgiveness."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Oh, forgiven, I suppose," Susan says, and flaps her hand through the air dismissively. "I should have liked to see it, though."

[lanselos_du_lac]

Something else works through his surprise and he says, "When did Laertes tell thee of this?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Hm? Oh," Susan shakes her head, and eats another bite of her sandwich as she tries to remember. "I suppose it was the morning I went to bake with him."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Oh," in a tone of interest. He finished his sandwich, thoughtfully, and then says, "There is something else I should tell thee."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Yes?" she asks, opening the jar of gherkins and putting several on her plate.

[lanselos_du_lac]

He takes a breath. "Yes." He sits up a little, willing himself not to blush. ""Laertes and I spoke-- we-- we spent time together, the day he was seeking the dog. And we-- I understood, we came to an understanding and I kissed him. Or-- I said I would like to kiss him, and he kissed me."

To his credit, he does not say it in a tone of confession, or as if he is expecting her anger. Rather, it's more that this is still so new to him, and he has few words for it, and he and Laertes have not spoken of it since so he half wonders if he can trust his own recollection of it.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Oh!" Susan looks surprised for a moment, and then pleased. "Very good. He's quite handsome, isn't he?" She eats a bite of a gherkin, and remembers the day that Lancelot told her about Arthur - and Laertes. "So this time you flirted with him on purpose, then?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

In spite of himself he does relax, a fraction, and with a chuckle he says, "So he is. And I don't know that it was on purpose, at first." He takes a gherkin from the jar for himself. "But I suppose I was flirting. And then," a little pause, "at a point he asked if I had sent thee to sound him out."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Did he!"

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Aye, he did." Lancelot sets the gherkin on his plate, wipes his fingers on his napkin, and then nudges her foot gently with his own. His voice is soft, "I had not done so, of course. But I did wonder."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Of course you hadn't," Susan says, tucking her hair back and then reaching across the table to take Lancelot's hand in her own. "You did call him handsome, though. I suppose I was curious if he returned the sentiment."

[lanselos_du_lac]

He squeezes her hand, giving her a look that is very close to adoration. "It would seem he does. He had other concerns, but-- I think we will sort them. I know not what might be next, but I like him well, so I would have thee know."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Oh, lovely," says Susan. "He's a good man." She says it in a way that shouldn't make it evident that this is a fairly recent discovery of hers - Laertes might be as delicate as a spooked horse, but he's still stalwart and thoughtful, in his own way. "He cares very much for your well-being."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"This I knew-- he is a good friend," he lets his thumb rub across her skin. "I did not think he had such interest in me, is all."