quatre: they will put away the sword

[untamedantinous]

There are a number of kitchens to be found in the mansion, as most people know. Enjolras is in one of them, flour speckling his flannel shirt and black jeans. There is a recipe book open on the counter near him, open to a page on baguettes. The young man in question is currently absorbed in kneading some dough: once again, something new to concentrate on. (Yes, he had known that Combeferre and Courfeyrac were only here for a day, but that does not really make it much better.) So, inspired by Laertes -- and, perhaps, the underwhelming boeuf bourguignon the mansion had provided the other day -- he is attempting a French classic. Perhaps a homemade baguette will taste better than mansion-provided food.

Comments

[timebethine]

"Ay, we'll make a thorough search." Laertes crosses the hall and tries a door, which opens onto a traditional sauna with a wood-burning stove. "That might be needful as the days get colder, but it's no printing press."

[untamedantinous]

"It is not, but I cannot say what it is," somewhat dubiously. "Is it a bathhouse, of some sort?"

[timebethine]

"Oh! Ay, it's a sauna," says Laertes. "They hail from north of Denmark--see, the stove heats the rocks atop it, and then thou canst dip up water" he indicates a basin with a little metal dipper hanging near it on a peg "and toss it on the rocks to make steam."

[untamedantinous]

"Ah! I suppose it does get much colder up in the north than it does in Paris or Toulouse. I do wonder how cold it will get here. Hopefully not so bad that we would need a steam room to warm up."

[timebethine]

"Thou wilt not credit this," says Laertes as he shuts the door, "but they go from the warmth of the steam room and into the freezing cold to bathe, then back in, then out again. As though, the heat having lost its savor, they hunger for ice again."

[untamedantinous]

He laughs and shakes his head. "Northerners must be quite mad," with a teasing look at Laertes. "No, thank you, I would as soon stay in the warmth. A good fire is quite preferable to a snowstorm."

[timebethine]

"I mind not the cold, but I would happily keep thee company by a fire." Smiling, Laertes opens another door onto a painting gallery. Every single painting depicts a small black cat wearing a ruff.

[untamedantinous]

"You might keep me company whenever you like." He studies the paintings, looking amused. "--I wonder if Grantaire has found this room. I should like to hear his thoughts on it, as an art student."

[timebethine]

"As would I--if nothing else, he's a merry fellow; he'd speak some pleasant nonsense in praise of this cat, then liberate the paintings to fill out the gallery in the café."

[untamedantinous]

"Oh, probably. I am surprised Courfeyrac did not carve anything into the wall when they were here, perhaps he did not find time. He did in one of them at home." He moves a few doors down and pokes his head inside to find --a curio cabinet full of fancy spoons. "--Cutlery is in here, apparently."

[timebethine]

"We're coming closer by turns; we've found art, and dozens of pieces of metal meant to work in sets. Surely the next door must be--" He flings it open, eyes winced closed, gesturing Lucien to identify whatever lay behind it.

[untamedantinous]

The mansion spirits must have had some pity on their search, because there, plain as day, is an iron printing press. Enjolras laughs in surprise and shakes Laertes' shoulder to get his attention. "Look! We've found one!"

[timebethine]

"What--amazing!" says Laertes as soon as he takes it in. He darts through the door to look it up and down, taking in all the supplies laid in readiness: paper and ink, trays for holding letters, boxes on boxes of moveable type. "It's so much smaller than I'd imagined! The two of us could work it with ease."

[untamedantinous]

"Yes! We just need to learn how to now," laughing a little. He follows Laertes in, looking at all the supplies as well -- and takes a moment to pull him in for a celebratory kiss, smiling brightly. "Now we must find books on presses, in addition to my bread experiments."

[timebethine]

Laertes lets himself be pulled, and slings an arm around Lucien's waist to keep him close even after the kiss ends. "What wilt thou print first?"

[untamedantinous]

"Oh, I haven't any idea. I did not expect to find one so soon." Still smiling, he considers. "Something for Magnus, perhaps. He had wanted to learn about a great number of things, some time ago. Is there anything in particular you would like to print?" He snuggles in to Laertes' embrace a little, content for now. His general air does seem somewhat easier than it was before the events of the other day; but perhaps it is only contentment in knowing at least two of his friends approve of the relationship that has begun with Laertes.

[timebethine]

"Instructions for things, like the cookware in the kitchen," says Laertes after a moment's thought. He settles his chin over Lucien's shoulder, contemplating the possibilities. "Signs, that others might know what lies behind the doors we've opened. Labels for plants in the greenhouse, with their names and uses."

[untamedantinous]

"Ah, yes, quite practical of you. We might also make labels to try and organize the library, M. Aziraphale would like that, I think." He takes a moment to press another kiss to Laertes' cheek, smiling. "Something small would likely be easiest to start with."

[timebethine]

"We might put up a sign on the welcome table, asking what people would have printed," Laertes offers. "There may be some more urgent need that we've both missed."

[untamedantinous]

"Another good idea. I'll do that when the bread's done, there is still some time to go on that, though."

[timebethine]

"At least fifteen minutes, or so the chicken says." He hesitates, then says, "I'd wondered if thou mightst not write of thy history, and thy friends."

[untamedantinous]

"Oh--" There's a quiet, considering noise. "I am not much for prose, that was more Prouvaire. But I might consider it."

[timebethine]

"What, all invective?" Laertes teases.

[untamedantinous]

"When it calls for it, yes," grinning and giving him a brief kiss. "I have not had cause to use it here, thankfully."

[timebethine]

"I'd like to hear it, shouldst thou ever have cause again," says Laertes, letting go. He strolls over to the type cases and starts idly laying out letters--Library and Kitchen, backwards upon the tray.