[Open Post] ..only want to glean the purpose..

[lanselos_du_lac]

Since they learned of Shen Yuan's death, things have been subdued; rightly so, Lancelot reasons. He has done what he can to be a support for those he loves, and to keep his own worry and anxiety at bay. He worries about how they are all doing, about whether or not they are safe, about what he can do to make anything better -- which often feels like nothing. It's unsettling, and he wants to stay settled and present for them, so he determines to find a way to be so.

As has always been the case for him, being outside helps. The weather is warming and true spring is settling in. (He has difficulty keeping track of what time may be like back in Britain¹, but he suspects that it is early summer there. If so, then he supposes that means he is another year older, which is a strangely hopeful thought.) And so, after his lunch with Susan, he heads back out -- he might ride, or walk through the woods, or explore the lake. Whatever keeps him out in the sunshine, under the sky.



^{1: He has not quite realized this yet, but he has generally stopped thinking "at home" when he means Camelot, or Britain in general. That this place -- no, these people -- have become home in so short a span is something he has to take by degrees, lest he worry about what it means for his relationship with those he left behind there.}

Comments

[futaille]

"Not impossible, I suppose, although the number of things I don't argue about is vanishingly small." He grins. "As I said. General annoyance." And then he makes a beeline for the pinball table. "And speaking of annoyances..."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Aye, let me see the damage," he says, following Grantaire.

[futaille]

He nods and gestures to the display window, and as the top score cycles back onto it, proudly emblazoned with SAG and a score overtopping a billion points, he throws his hands in the air. "And there we have it."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"This cannot be accurate. He's pulled some trick."

In truth, in Lancelot's mind, it's equally likely that Sagramore somehow magically became a pinball wizard or Sagramore has found some other way to manipulate the score. (Lancelot himself has let his practice drop off; he might wish he were a little less competitive, but seeing that score grates.)

[futaille]

"It's certainly something. If it were legitimate, he would have had to come bragging to us by now."

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot makes a thinking sound, "That's true. If it were skill, he would've come straight away. Instead, he's waiting for us to find him."

[futaille]

"Exactly. He's letting us stew on it."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Well, then," straightening and giving Grantaire a conspiratorial grin, "we cannot simply confront him, can we?"

[futaille]

He leans his elbows on the top of the pinball table, intrigued. "What do you have in mind?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

"I'm not sure yet. We need something that will get his attention, and that he will know is from us."

[futaille]

"Hm. Well, it can't be on this particular playing field, certainly."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"No, though I wish to God I knew how he managed it."

[futaille]

"There has to be some way to find out."

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot considers, running a hand through his hair. "Suppose we ask him to join us for an evening -- we've noticed his score and we want to see if we can best it."

[futaille]

"Ah, and when we inevitably fail, we request a demonstration?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Aye, just so."

[futaille]

"It's a brilliant plan. Well done."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Dost suppose he'll take us up on it?"

[futaille]

"I certainly would in his shoes."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Dost suppose he'll tell the truth of it?"

[futaille]

"Maybe not immediately. But eventually, almost certainly."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Well, then. We should convince him."

[futaille]

"Oh, so we don't leave it to the joint whims of Sagramore and time?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Christ, no," he laughs, "Sagramore's whims cannot be trusted. Action is called for."

[futaille]

"I would disagree with your characterization of Sagramore's whims, which are delightful in all particulars, but I'm too intrigued as to what action you recommend."