closed: and i soar through a world that is new, that is free (post-dance)

[untamedantinous]

Enjolras has been puttering about the mansion in the past few days since the wedding dance. Today, he has spent some time outside with Temeraire -- it's getting colder, and the warmth of Temeraire's pavilion has become quite a snug little place to read to him, when Galahad is not. He had moved onto some canne de combat practice after their customary few chapters a day, which had occupied him until just recently.

The winter is coming in faster, now, and Enjolras has never been one for the cold. Certainly the south of France is not as far south as many other places in the world, but he grew up accustomed to it being somewhat warmer there than it was in Paris. So now, he is curled up in front of a fire that is crackling merrily, sipping at some vin chaud as he leafs through a book of recipes. There is, indeed, a pile of books nearby -- both cookbooks and others, but right now he is looking for something easy to set his sights on for his next baking adventure.

Comments

[timebethine]

"Susan has begun a project of inventory; there may soon be call for further signs, and she'll likely appreciate the precision of the printed word," suggests Laertes. "But thou might'st try writing an essay of thine own, about the principles thou hold'st sacred. To have our own thoughts on the right organization and conduct of a society set down and shared will make them easier to debate, when we begin having meetings."

[untamedantinous]

“That’s true; it has been some time since I’ve written anything.” He takes a thoughtful sip of wine. “Perhaps you might as well, if you like; I know we have similar views but not entirely so.”

[timebethine]

"I doubt my philosophy would stand to be written--it's a thing felt more than thought, composed of passions more than of arguments," Laertes demurs. "Considered with an academic eye, all its unfounded premises would fall to pieces."

[untamedantinous]

“You needn’t, then, if you don’t wish to. I will speak for the both of us,” he says fondly. “I do not know how much debate there may be had in this place, however, everyone seems to see it differently. Temeraire, I know, would like it much better if his Laurence was here; but he does like the company.”

[timebethine]

"If it were merely a matter of liking, then there could be no debate; as the ancients tell us, there can be no disputing of tastes," laughs Laertes. He noses against Lucien's cheek. "But other questions--whether leadership is needful; how disputes ought to be resolved--may become more urgent as our small society grows."

[untamedantinous]

“Mm, yes; and I would have it be a republic,” Lucien says, one hand coming up to rest in Laertes’ hair. “But others—certainly one in specific—may wish to rule; and I have had quite enough of kings, thank you. It is a mercy that we are not so big yet.”

[timebethine]

"How wouldst thou resolve a dispute, in this republic of the mansion?" Laertes asks as he settles. "Say--one steals from another that which cannot be replaced. Tress's spores, perhaps. Lan Wangji's blade. How wouldst thou answer the theft?"

[untamedantinous]

“You make it sound as if I intend to lead,” he says quietly, but he’s willing to entertain the idea. “If elected, I would, of course; but I do not wish to. Let me think. If this was the case; surely we would need people here as —as peacekeepers, if not police; but I would like to think that most everyone here is adept at fending for themselves. But that would also assume there would be some —punishment if the object could not be found, and I cannot think what that would be here, where there are no courts or things of that nature. Justice must be satisfied, however; and I...” He sighs a little. “Ah, you have already heard my form of justice at the barricade. I would not wish for that here.”

[timebethine]

"That is the fundamental problem of Rousseau, is it not? How to attain order not through the threat of force--which always encourages the exercise of force--but instead through mutual agreement. But if we defer the ability to wield force to the republic, we have not resolved the problem of force; we have only changed who is permitted to wield it."

[untamedantinous]

“It is, yes,” he allows, and nuzzles close to kiss Laertes’ cheek lazily. “It would, perhaps, require a group of people rather than one singular man or woman. I would hesitate to make such decisions on my own, in a time and place that is not fit for such things.”

[timebethine]

"Even so--in Denmark, electors chose who held the throne, but seldom were their voices united in perfect harmony. What of those whose election fell upon a man unchosen? And what of those who had no voice in choosing--those with no land or title? What of women, and children? The rule of the majority may place the means of violence into the hands of a chosen few, be they kings or constables, and those who have the least voice in apportioning that force may suffer most by it."

[untamedantinous]

"Mm. Good points, all -- we've no land, here, nor title -- and women; I would not have them left out. They are quite as capable as any of us, one need only look at Mlle. Nina or Mlle. Tress to see such things. It does bear some discussion, of course, but I need to get my thoughts in order, and I think it would be well to gather everyone together and do it as a whole, should it come to that. So perhaps that is what my next work on the printing press will be, then."

[timebethine]

"No, there's another point beyond that," says Laertes, wrapped up now in his argument and losing the thread of the conversation somewhat. "What I mean is that if a decision does not suit all, and a few are compelled to a choice they would not have made, then it matters not to those few whether the force of compulsion comes from a king or a republic."

[untamedantinous]

"That is so," he says, curling a little closer to Laertes now. "That was somewhat the root of our second revolt at home, and before in 1830 as well. A king was chosen for us that we did not want. But I think there is only perhaps one here that might be interested in such a thing, and I have only spoken to him once."

[timebethine]

"And I, just as little. How didst thou find him?" Laertes asks as he winds one of Lucien's curls around a finger.

[untamedantinous]

He makes a soft pleased noise at Laertes' touch, but wrinkles his nose at the question. "Disagreeable, for the most part. He was somehow under the impression that I am a supporter of Buonaparte." Which is, quite frankly, ridiculous.

[timebethine]

"We have some friends in common, so I will trust that they'll stay his worse impulses--but beyond the admitted beauty of his visage, I confess, I've thus far found little to like in him."

[untamedantinous]

He shrugs. "You are far more pleasing than he, but I am no great judge of such things. Buonaparte," he scoffs derisively. "If I supported that man, Pontmercy and I would have gotten along much better. But France does not need a man such as Buonaparte to make her great."

[timebethine]

"He was the emperor, was he not?"

[untamedantinous]

"Yes. He came to power after the fall of the first republic, worked his way up through the army and gained power about ten years before I was born. He very nearly conquered the whole of Europe after that, until a coalition helped in part by England brought him down some years later. --Though I suppose trying to invade Russia in the winter did not do him any favors, either. Pontmercy's father fought with him, I think? I never asked."

[timebethine]

Laertes hesitates, then asks, "I know thou wouldst have no kings, but ... am I the kind of person thou wouldst trust with power?"

[untamedantinous]

Lucien gives him a long look, as though he's weighing and measuring in his head. "Yes," he finally says, leaning to kiss Laertes' cheek. "You are wise and politic, even if you do not think you are, and you take care to remember those who are often forgotten. I do not think it would go to your head."

[timebethine]

"I wouldn't ask, except--more than one person has said it, and I thought it best to have an opinion from a man who would suffer no kings." He lets his knuckles light along Lucien's jaw, chasing whatever slight rasp of stubble he might find there. "From thee, I believe it."

[untamedantinous]

"Mm," he nods, and nuzzles against Laertes' knuckles much like the cat he claimed to be. "I could certainly see you as a leader of men, along with Combeferre. Myself -- well. We've spoken of that."

[timebethine]

"Hast been a leader of men--they've seen thee give thyself to the pyre of their struggle, and know thou meanest to light their way." As though Lucien is a cat in truth, Laertes massages with his fingertips a little behind Lucien's ear.