The Salle, Monday Morning

[bitchprince]

His father hadn't shown up all weekend.

Things had returned to normal.

Arthur could breathe again (and stop hiding staying at a strategic location with plenty of options in terms of diversion-from-the-sorcery). Of course, that meant that the Monday morning schedule had to be observed as routine, and therefore, he was there (as was Merlin), going through a drill that was meant to promote efficiency, not show.

Not chopping anything up today, no.

[[ open salle as always ]]

Comments

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

Not chopping at all. Truly.

"Having fun?"

[bitchprince]

"It's not about having fun," Arthur retorted, but he was going to take that as his cue for a break, lowering his weapon. "It's about keeping up your own personal discipline."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Like meditation," Merlin supplied.

[bitchprince]

"Yes, except actually worthwhile," he said, sinking down on the bench next to Merlin.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Just because you haven't learned how to sit still and think doesn't mean it's not worthwhile," Merlin replied dryly.

[bitchprince]

"Oh, I can sit still and think just fine," he retorted, "I just call it 'lazing about'." He leaned back. "So..."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"So?" Merlin looked at him out of the corner of his eye. Had they been more genre savvy, Arthur would be yawning to put his arm over Merlin's shoulder now.

[thatsamilkshake]

~Still here. So are Katchoo and ...the island.~

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

EVErything all right??

[thatsamilkshake]

~All right-ish. My mom's not thrilled, but she'll survive.~

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

It will worke outt!

[thatsamilkshake]

~Of course it will!~

Mmm, bullheaded optimism. Tastes just like chicken!

~By the way if she starts talking about family portraits... just smile and nod. I'll try not let her make either of you wear santa hats.~

[thatsamilkshake]

~I can never repay you for saving my life, but consider not introducing my mother to you this weekend to be a Thank You card.~

And in no way because she'd decided both she and the island couldn't deal with Marie vs. two blondes.

[bitchprince]

I'm sure I could've handled your mother, he returned, pausing in his effort (because swords and phones did not make good bedmates), but thank you for the consideration.

[thatsamilkshake]

He would never Get It until he did meet her, Francine had the feeling, but she had to try anyway because she was just. that. dumb stubborn ...way.

~...Ask Merlin.~

[bitchprince]

Merlin seems to have survived it, and we both know he has the self-preservation instinct of a mad badger.

Pot, kettle, etcetera.

[thatsamilkshake]

~Oh, she thinks Merlin's *adorable*. She's right, but at this point she'd think anybody not-Katchoo was adorable.~

[bitchprince]

The meeting did not go well, Arthur surmised. Well, sometimes you have to hide these matters.

Projection, never.

[cutsthestrings.livejournal.com]

Fiona was not here to pester Arthur.

Fiona was here because her uncle Aaron had brought her a gift, besides the tessen that was even now stored away.

A (http://www.chineseyoyo.org/) diabolo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabolo).

Of course she came to the salle to try it out and practice. It had absolutely nothing to do with needing a comforting place right now. Totally not because she had to do something repetitive to move her mind away from other things. Completely nothing to do with the news from last night. Oh no, she was here to yo yo, dammit.

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

Dinah was here because swords made sense, compared to her family at some points, and because Helena wasn't here to practice with. Which gave her a sharp pang even though it was a relief, too.

Too wrung out even for hi, she waved at Arthur and Merlin, and bee-lined for the practice swords.

[bitchprince]

No talking. Arthur could live with that. His, "Dinah," was extra loud for the occasion, and he practically swaggered in her direction. "Chosen to come back after the weekend," he said, "Good."

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

Stabbity-stabbity, and pout. "Yessss." Dinah straightened, tried to act like a grown-up. Or something approaching one. "You didn't get to meet my sisters. And usually I'd be sad, but right now...." Maan, right now, she was glad for everyone they didn't talk to. "Stabbing things."

[bitchprince]

"I always find it a worthwhile way to expend my aggressions," Arthur agreed. His coping mechanisms were better than your coping mechanisms. "What's King Edmund got you doing right now?"

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

"Attack drills. Lunges then ripostes, different approaches." Dinah twitched her shoulders, trying to settle down. She slowly showed Arthur the first drill, and said, "You survived the weekend okay. Nobody's crazy relatives accosted you?"

[bitchprince]

"Mm. See if you can't step that up," was his only comment on the drill; he was filing it away in his head. "No. I spent most of it concerned with my own business, considering that I had no family around."

Good god, if Uther had shown up...