un: someday, life will be fairer (open)

[untamedantinous]

The library is currently occupied. To be more precise, it is occupied by one young blond man, settled in at a large table with books spread out around him. Off to the side, there is a glass of wine, half-drunk. He looks much better than he had upon his arrival, no longer dirty and bloodstained, but still a bit fragile. Some of the marble that usually adorns his countenance has been chipped away, and he is not certain if it will come back.

He is not certain of many things, here in this strange new not-afterlife, but he is certain that both the writings of Rousseau and Voltaire exist. He has the proof, right here next to him, old friends that he is relieved to have in hand. (Someday he'll find his own copies of them, maybe.) The young fellow that had healed him -- Magnus, wasn't it -- had mentioned France becoming a republic. So in lieu of talking to people, Enjolras has chosen to dive into history books and catch himself up on the last 200 or so years.

(He'd rather read than face what lies before him here. He's not sure what to do, and he doesn't like being purposeless. There is yet time to talk, time to find Grantaire, eventually, but he doesn't want to think. Not right now.)

Comments

[untamedantinous]

He waves a hand, still slightly irritated, taking a drink of wine. "I would not like to think that I am so -- transparent, we have hardly known each other long. You may as well give the suggestions, since it would seem I have nothing better to do here."

[wickedwit]

Claudius doesn't make the suggestion he'd like to -- that Enjolras throw himself in a fling now that he's dead, and judge for himself whether he's missed anything by ignoring romantic matters all his life. Whatever came of it, it would give Enjolras plenty of activity and plenty of excuses not to think. Claudius doesn't even make the very specific suggestion that if it's too awkward to speak to Grantaire, sharp commands and gestures may do just as well, and Enjolras would likely have Grantaire kneeling at his feet like a dog. So for a moment Claudius merely taps his fingers along the table, considering. "Do you like games of strategy?"

[untamedantinous]

If he wanted Enjolras to immediately leave, that would have been an excellent suggestion. So too would have been the one about Grantaire; the subject matter alone would give him some pause, not to mention the fact that he would likely need an explanation of such things.

“I haven’t given them much thought; but I would likely enjoy them.”

[wickedwit]

"Then we should play one together," offers Claudius, "and you can judge for yourself how you like it. I was angling to spend more time with you, before our little digression¹. I didn't think it was subtle, but for the future, someone trying to determine how you spend your time and then asking all manner of personal questions is one indicator of friendly interest." And though Claudius certainly lined himself up for a romantic overture, he thinks better of it.

¹ You know, the one where he blew up Grantaire's whole spot. A little digression.

[untamedantinous]

"Forgive me," with a tight, polite smile. "I have had much on my mind, this week.¹ I am usually better at this sort of thing." Not a whole lot, but he doesn't usually miss such blatant signs, at the very least. "But yes, whenever you like, I suppose. There is nothing to keep me from it, here."

¹ And now he has even more, thanks for that, Claudius.

[wickedwit]

“Please, no apologies. I’ve had a rather trying week myself,” Claudius says, which is true. “Even on the best days, I’ve a habit of saying too much and obscuring my meaning — I’m too quick-tongued, as I told you. I’m simply glad you’re amenable to meeting again.”

[untamedantinous]

He gives a small shrug. "It would be difficult to avoid anyone for too long in this place, I think." Unless you are, of course, trying especially hard to. Not that he would have reason for that.

[wickedwit]

Claudius keeps himself from laughing bitterly at that. You can swear to never see someone again in this place, and keep your oath for days. "I'll have read more Rousseau by then," he promises, standing with the book still in hand. "If you avoid me for longer, I'll only have more questions to keep you with -- it would likely even out."

[untamedantinous]

“Very well,” Enjolras replies with the slightest trace of a smile. “There are any number of questions I suppose I might answer, about Rousseau, at least.” He gives Claudius a small, polite nod.

“It was…most enlightening, meeting you, monsieur.”