[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

[sagramore]

Sagramore rolls his eyes at Lancelot. "I'm trying to help Asmodean come up with a frivolous pursuit to call his own. Something he can do that isn't serious. He's rejected all my ideas so far."

[futaille]

"Ice skating," he says, blurting out the first thing that pops in his mind. "Or you could teach him pinball."

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot catches Grantaire's eye, "Thou couldst indeed teach him pinball."

[sagramore]

"I already tried. He wasn't interested."

[futaille]

"Then I return to ice skating."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"'Tis summer."

[sagramore]

"Thank thee," to Lancelot. "I can't wait however many months summer lasts just to teach him frivolity."

[futaille]

"No imagination whatsoever, the two of you. Been in this place for this long, have used the cold boxes in the kitchens, and can't imagine that it's possible that there might be a room hiding somewhere that's cold enough itself to have ice to use for the activity in summer?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Alas," says Lancelot, with something of a giddy laugh, "that I have no imagination was already well known."

[sagramore]

"Don't listen to him, he doesn't know anything. Thou hast an imagination. What pasttime? Help me."

[futaille]

"I tried! Perhaps dancing?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

"What is the game that is not pinball? Thou knowest -- I think the both of thee have played it."

[sagramore]

"Shen Yuan's game? No, that's Shen Yuan's. Besides," with a gusty sigh, "he wouldn't get into the spirit of it. I know him."

[futaille]

"Billiards, maybe?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

"That's the one."

[sagramore]

"Etienne Grantaire."

[futaille]

He grins. "Yes?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Wait-- what?"

[sagramore]

"What what?"

[futaille]

"Oh, is it my turn? What what what?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot laughs, "Étienne. I didn't know."

[sagramore]

"I've let thy secret out."

[futaille]

"It's really not a secret! I just hardly ever used it, and suddenly everyone here is fascinated."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"I see," Lancelot says thoughtfully. He takes another drink. "I have but the one name, though I did have another when I was small."

[sagramore]

"--What?" rounding on him.