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]

"Never too much, my heart--although I did later learn that he and my husband thoroughly enjoyed each other with Grantaire," he says, grinning. "I'm glad for them; those three rogues are well-suited in temperament."

[untamedantinous]

“Of course they did,” half-laughing. “I am not surprised at all. I am only sorry you did not get to meet all of them.”

[timebethine]

"One day, perhaps, we should be so lucky--who knows? The brief excursion that thy friends made to this place may beat a trail between there and here, and speed the way back for them and for others."

[untamedantinous]

"It may, yes. I may even get to meet your sister. Surely a much more welcome visitor than the last, hmm?" He grins and nudges Laertes with his shoulder a bit. "I don't even know what I should say to her. I am -- really the only lady I have spoken much to here is Mlle Nina, and she is no noblewoman, as far as I know."

[timebethine]

"My sister seldom speaks like a noblewoman--her manner is plain and forthright; she's clever, but does not delight in her cleverness, as some men of our acquaintance do," he says, meaning Claudius. "She tells a story well. She knows all there is to know of herbs and flowers. Thou wouldst like her--what curiosity there is in me, and in Combeferre, is in her as well."

[untamedantinous]

"I have no doubt," Enjolras replies with an easy smile. "You know how to take the full measure of a person, and if you say we would get on, I do believe you." He heads for a nearby door, knocks, then pokes his head in and sighs. "Only furniture in this one, unfortunately."

[timebethine]

Peering over his shoulder, Laertes grins. "Leftovers from stocking thy café? Or just a new harvest of chairs and tables, waiting to be distributed?"

[untamedantinous]

"Perhaps a bit of both," he guesses, grinning. "I think the cafe is well-stocked, now, though." Even with any --distractions that had come while he was busy preparing it. "Further down, then?"

[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."