[Closed Post: En Garde]

[timebethine]

Just as Laertes has developed his own routine here--the regular rounds of breakfasts and dinners do much to give shape to his otherwise formless days--he's observed others' routines. Lancelot, for one, always trains at the same time every morning. At times, as he's shuttled back and forth between the clay bed by the lakeside and his kiln, Laertes has ridden Fenyes past the training yard while Lancelot has been practicing, and he'd reviewed the other man's swordplay with a critical eye. Watching him wheel and thrust in the cool grey light of morning, a part of him has craved the challenge of a second duel.

Today, he sates that craving. He strolls up on Lancelot with a thin, sheathed blade in one hand and his rapier buckled at his waist. "Hallo," he calls. "Wouldst thou like to try a rapier?"

Comments

[timebethine]

"Why, hard?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

"I am used to few folks understanding me, or enjoying my company. I have never thought much about making friends, until here."

[timebethine]

"And new ideas?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

"That's been a bit of adjustment as well," with a little chuckle.

[timebethine]

"Ay, but not all of them have been curses of truth or the restless dead." Laertes tips his head toward the refrigerator. "There's one idea that's greatly improved my state. My marriage is another."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Aye, and the idea of thy marriage has been, I think, a boon to me as well."

[timebethine]

"Oh? How?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Well," this is careful, a little cautious. It's one thing to discuss this with Susan or Sagramore; with Laertes he sometimes feels he'll take a turn and there will be a cliff he was unaware of.

(It's not, he realizes, that he doesn't trust Laertes -- more than he doesn't trust himself to read the conversation correctly.)

"For one, the notion that men may marry, and love openly. For another, that one may be in a marriage and have other loves without causing hurt."

[timebethine]

Laertes breaks into a huge, flashing grin. "That's well, then," he says. "Learning those things has brought me great peace and pleasure. If it could bring thee the same joy, then I'm happy--I'm so happy to hear it."

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot smiles, relieved that Laertes has heard this as he intended.

"If only I can learn skill enough to make good use of knowing, perhaps that will be so."

[timebethine]

"Hast cast thine eye on any of the men here, then?" Laertes teases, with a little lift of his brows.

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Ah, well, perhaps."

[timebethine]

"Then perhaps I will wish thee the joy of him."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Only perhaps?"

[timebethine]

"If no man has caught thine eye, then there's no joy to wish with him."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"I see," chuckling. Then, after a moment's consideration, "I am fond of Grantaire, but I know not of any interest he may have in me."

[timebethine]

"Good," says Laertes encouragingly. "He's a fine man. Fond of games and jests, but there is a heart of adamant in him that loves without surcease. Dost thou mean to try thy suit with him?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot flushes, laughing again and shrugging. "I could not say. I am still understanding how all of this works. Not only with men, mind you-- wooing anyone is something of a mystery to me."

[timebethine]

"To me, as well--I'd never wooed anyone, before I came here," Laertes admits. "But I've had great success with being direct, and answering a no with kindness and respect."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"'Tis difficult to be direct when one isn't even quite aware of what one wants."

[timebethine]

"That's true--hast thou any idea?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

"It's another thing that is sometimes difficult for me, but I'm starting to, I think, yes."

[timebethine]

"Then thou couldst do worse than to ask for it."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"I suppose that's true."

[timebethine]

With a last, quick quirk of a smile, Laertes finishes his toast and starts preparing the other pieces. They'll probably need some accompaniment, he thinks--eggs, maybe, or berries. Berries will be less work, but eggs will be heartier. "Eggs, or berries?" he asks.