deux: it must be done

[untamedantinous]

Enjolras has not held a musket since the barricades. However, there's no time like the present. Through trial and error and various annoyed thoughts directed to the closet in his rooms, he has found one that will suffice. It feels ...strange, to have one in his hands again, to know that not so long ago he had held one and killed more than once with it. But he is pushing aside any lingering apprehensions he may have and heading outside to the shooting range some helpful person had set up in the recent past. Perhaps no one will bother him here, he hopes, it is fairly far afield; and the whole purpose he has will make it difficult to have any conversations.

The slight tension in his shoulders may belie his earlier anxiety, but it has not affected his aim as of yet. Should anyone follow the sounds of gunfire, they will find Enjolras as well, loading, firing, and reloading his musket with some determination.

Comments

[wickedwit]

No hesitation at all. Wistfully, Claudius wonders what that’s like. But confidence can be trained — he suspects he’s a more confident dancer than Enjolras, and certainly more confident with casual flirtations. Those things come with practice. “It’s as though the weapon and bullet both are only extensions of your will,” Claudius says admiringly. “I’m quite impressed.”

[untamedantinous]

Not here, no. At the barricades, when there is a young man on the other end of the barrel, occasionally. He does regret what he had to do there, but there was nothing else to be done in the moment.

“Practice,” is all he says, with a slight shrug. “My father taught me some five years ago, when I was still at home. I doubt he intended me to put it to the use I did.” He settles in to reloading the musket again, intent on his task.

[wickedwit]

"He imagined more genteel hunting parties in your future, I'm sure," Claudius remarks dryly. "Chances to see and be seen by important people on your way to becoming the next magistrate." It's something fathers do, isn't it? Teach their sons skills to set them up for success on a path that just so happens to run parallel to their own? Or it's something Claudius observed. He learned most of his skills like this, by standing back and watching, though he was rather less chatty as youth.

[untamedantinous]

"He should have known better," mildly. "I am not one to sit complacent in the countryside." He offers the musket, with a nod towards it. "Would you like a go at it? Perhaps not shooting, just let me see how you hold it. It may just be a matter of adjusting your form."

[wickedwit]

"I'll be quite grateful for your instruction." Claudius takes the musket from Enjolras -- it truly has been some time since he held such a thing. But he can see now he held it too tight, stock gripped in his shaking hands, afraid to drop it and dearly wishing he could. He has to consciously loosen his grip, when he raises it again.

[untamedantinous]

He stands back to get a better look at his form, pursing his lips thoughtfully. "It is alright, but you look like it is a snake that might bite you at the slightest inconvenience." It's playful enough chiding, and he moves to settle Claudius' hands where they should be. "It will not do anything until you direct it to, you know."

[wickedwit]

Claudius laughs, and there's something like relief in his laugh -- at the teasing, comfortable and familiar, and the confident grace of Enjolras's hands on his. He doesn't have to stand here aiming at the ghosts of his past, recounting past mistakes. "Like a dangerous but biddable young man. Yes, I'll keep that in mind."

[untamedantinous]

"Good." There's a brief smile, and a nod. "Do you recall how to fire it? Just pull the trigger, there, if you would like; but mind the recoil." There's a beat. "'Dangerous but biddable,' hm? It sounds like you have experience."

[wickedwit]

“With firearms? Not since the war. With young men, yes, all kinds. I may lack martial skill or strength, but I admire it … and there are few things more satisfying than taking some attractive firebrand and turning him to my purposes with a word, or a look, or a touch on the chest.” He’s only teasing to build back his confidence — but it’s working well enough. A gun is a dangerous weapon, but it will only do what Claudius bids it to do. All it takes is a touch. For the first shot, he doesn’t have to aim anywhere but away, and when he presses the trigger, it’s a far-too-easy flick of the finger. The recoil does hit harder than he expected, and he hisses, but there’s something satisfying even in that, like the bucking of a rough and eager lover.

[untamedantinous]

He just raises his eyebrows a little. "I am not so easily lead, I regret to inform you." It's said lightly, almost solemn, though it is slightly teasing back. He settles back in to watch, carefully, noting any adjustments he might need to make for the next time.

"Well done. It does like to jump, doesn't it? I do wish I had mine from home, it was much easier."

[wickedwit]

"Thank you for your instruction," Claudius says back appreciatively. "I wouldn't have managed otherwise. Also," he adds, "the biddable and easily lead men are only one of my weaknesses. I also like the charmingly difficult."

[untamedantinous]

"Any time." He does mean it; he may as well ofer lessons if there is nothing else for him to do here. Perhaps it may become part of his routine.

He snorts at Claudius' last, however, shaking his head. "Of course you do. I assure you I will do my best to continue to be difficult, I have been told I am excellent at it."

[wickedwit]

Claudius laughs, delighted and surprised by how much that sounded like flirting back. It's probably wiser to assume it isn't, given everything he knows. "I'll look forward to it, then," he says, and offers the gun back.

[untamedantinous]

It absolutely wasn't, but Enjolras is quite aware of the effect he has on people. He nods, looking a bit bemused, and takes the musket back in hand. "Is there anything else you needed?"

[wickedwit]

"I could use another recommendation. I appreciated Rousseau's rather vicious critique of hereditary monarchy and may be persuaded against monarchy altogether. But like all cynics, I was more convinced by his arguments against than his arguments for anything. I'd like to read what your other philosophers say about the ideal state of governance."

[untamedantinous]

"Laertes has taken quite a liking to Voltaire, if you have a fondness for plays. One of my favorites is Socrates, but there are a number of his writings in the library as well." He justs lifts his eyebrows a little at the mention of 'cynics', managing to mostly hide an eyeroll. "Then again, if you require an altogether more cynical viewpoint, I would recommend Grantaire over myself."

[wickedwit]

"Oh, I've seen what Grantaire has to offer. But I like a balance of perspectives. Why choose one when you enjoy both?"

[untamedantinous]

"I did not know you were so well-acquainted with him; he has clearly been busy.¹" He looks contemplative for a moment. "Very well. As I said, there is Voltaire in the library, but I might find some other writings if I look hard enough. Would you prefer more philosophy, or perhaps historical writing?"

¹ He has been busy, but perhaps not in the way Enjolras thinks.

[wickedwit]

It’s almost a wonder, how ably Enjolras dodges implications, as though Claudius had just loosed a volley of arrows and Enjolras sidestepped them all without noticing. Claudius smirks and shakes his head. “Any and everything. I have a hunger for knowledge, or so Laertes tells me.” Laertes said love, but love is a rather tender and vulnerable word. “I’ll ask him what Voltaire he’s read when I see him next … and take whatever writings you can find when we meet again. It’s been a pleasure, Enjolras.”

[untamedantinous]

It is, yes, and it is purely because he hasn't noticed at all. It simply does not occur to him to think along such lines. "I know he has read Socrates, I did recommend him that one. But --good, now I shall know what to look for." He gives Claudius a small, polite smile, and a nod. "Until next time, then."