six: silence before jean-jacques (open)

[untamedantinous]

A wildfire burns quickly and hot until it is extinguished. In some cases, Enjolras' passion has been likened to a fire. Here at the mansion that fire tends to be mostly banked; but the embers remain. It is easy enough to stir it into wakefulness; and Enjolras' dreams of late have done just that. (They have passed, now, but the burning need to do something remains.) So he is in the café as he usually is, sat at a large table with various piles of writings strewn about.

Off to the side, one might note a flier that is still obviously a work in progress, set off to dry a bit while he works on something else. The general air of disarray suggests that he has certainly been here for hours at least, though he does look a good deal happier than he had the last time he had taken refuge in the café. The warmth and fire of his passion has awoken another familiar friend: writing like he's running out of time.¹ It is in truth very much what he would be doing in Paris, and there is a relaxed pleasure that is evident in the way he sits, in making himself feel useful even if it is for goals of his own making.

He has clearly been at it for some time, fingers inkstained and coffee grown cold beside him. There is a copy of The Social Contract open in front of him, and every so often he makes a thoughtful noise, writes a few things down, then turns to the next page. It is truly only a thought exercise that he's working on, a passing fancy to abridge a work that he is already intensely familiar with; but he appreciates the challenge. It is entirely different from the other, more private writings he has been working on, which are kept in a small notebook currently buried under all those sheets of paper. Regardless, the work pleases him --though the coffee does not. He picks his cup up to take a sip, makes a face, and rises to go start himself another.





¹ Wrong musical, same vibes.

Comments

[wickedwit]

When Enjolras returns to his table, he'll find Claudius already there, sitting at the edge with a glass of wine in one hand and the flier in the other. "So this is the work of a revolutionary," he says cheerfully. "You're in your element, Enjolras. It's good to see you motivated."

[untamedantinous]

"Among other things," he says absently, settling back into his seat with his fresh coffee. "Where have you been? It's been some time."

[wickedwit]

"Have you missed me? I've been around, you know," he teases. "You haven't been paying attention. But with your company, I can't blame you -- I saw you at the dance and at the feast, having long talks with Grantaire." Even if they didn't flirt enough at the birthday party for his taste.

[untamedantinous]

He shrugs a little. "I was not in the mood for much company, at the feast. Everything was very good, however."

[wickedwit]

"Art thou ever in a mood for company, dear Enjolras?" teasing and familiar. "I suppose you must be by the first of Menestheus. For a ... 'meeting'? To discuss 'anything and everything'? You're not hiding a revolution any more, you know -- you can say what the meeting's about. It might generate more interest."

[untamedantinous]

"It is only a draft, I just did not know what else to put." He takes a sip of coffee and settles back in to attend to his other writings. "It is --difficult to summarize what went on in our meetings at home; it was not just political discussion. Furthermore, we did not generally use handbills to advertise them, so I am not entirely used to that, either." Certainly he is used to writing handbills or pamphlets, but those are another thing entirely.

[wickedwit]

"I draft the opposite way," he says, thoughtfully sipping his wine as he turns the plain flyer in his hand. "My first draft is a wild garden gone to seed; I weed out whatever's unnecessary in the second. If you're to describe what's best and brightest in your meetings, you might need to write with a little more passion. Perhaps even use an exclamation mark." He smirks. "Or recruit Grantaire. He never lacks for passionate words."

[untamedantinous]

"What's best and brightest in my meetings is not here, if I might remind you," he replies patiently, with a slight sharpness to his voice all the same. "I assure you I am well-acquainted at writing with passion; but it does not seem entirely needful for a handbill." One need only look at the notebook hidden underneath the piles of paper to see that. "It is only seeing if anyone would be interested, anyhow."

[wickedwit]

Claudius grins; he likes Enjolras sharp. Sharpness is a sign of passion. “That’s where you’re wrong,” he says. “If there’s no passion in the handbill, how will anyone know to be interested? How will they understand what you’re trying to create? Your best and brightest may not be here, but certainly they’re your inspirations. Let them inspire you. Think of Jehan’s poetry, Combferre’s science, Bahorel’s love of argumentation.” Lest you forget, Claudius has parasocial friendships with all of them. “Or Grantaire. You really ought to use Grantaire. He’ll enjoy being useful to you.”

[untamedantinous]

"I had already intended to ask Grantaire's advice, it would be strange to be without him at the meeting." Certainly it would be quiet, and that in itself would be strange. He waves a hand and frowns at the book in front of him. "I will not, however, ask him for help on this particular project I am working on just now; it would not suit. And it is only really a challenge for myself anyhow."

[wickedwit]

"If you're trying to distract me from debating the purpose of handbills, it's working. Tell me about this challenge."

[untamedantinous]

"I am attempting to abridge The Social Contract. Mostly to see if I can do it, I am already familiar enough with the material."

[wickedwit]

"Enjolras," Claudius says with due seriousness, setting the flyer down. "That is so in keeping with your character that it makes it the most endearing thing you could have told me. I feel as though I should've been able to predict it. The fact that I didn't and yet was utterly unsurprised to hear it only adds to its charm. Also, you should have your abridged copies printed and handed out at your first meeting -- it makes a useful introduction to the philosophies you're passionate about, and it's a thoughtful touch."

[untamedantinous]

"Then I shall have to work quickly, I suppose. Menestheus is not far off, after all." A beat. "You do seem intent on turning this into an event of some sort. I was just expecting it to be a gathering, most likely."

[wickedwit]

"Now what is the difference between an event and a gathering? I feel like there's a philosophical question there."

[untamedantinous]

"Mm, I would say an event has a ...schedule, perhaps? I did not really intend for this sort of thing to have any kind of schedule. They never did at home."

[wickedwit]

Claudius ponders the puzzle, but he naturally drifts towards the personal one rather than the philosophical one. When Grantaire toasted to Enjolras, it was as their leader and the sun all their meetings wound around -- but Enjolras is so insensible of the effect he has on other people, he might not realize it.

Nevertheless, Claudius is going to tease him about it. "Enjolras," he says and smirks, "I see why you're struggling so much to express the draw of your meetings in a handbill. You were the draw. You never had to make up a schedule, or prepare discussion topics, because you inspired everyone around you with your charm and conviction to keep the conversation going."

[untamedantinous]

"Christ," he mutters under his breath, turning back to his writing with a determined set to his jaw. "You're as bad as Grantaire, and you do not even have his excuse." Therefore, he is going to treat any such nonsense as he usually does, and ignore it or make absent comments.

[wickedwit]

Claudius laughs. "And you didn't even know what Grantaire's excuse was until I told you. You do miss these things, Enjolras. But that's all right -- just remember to put on your handbill that you'll be hosting this meeting."

[untamedantinous]

"I assumed that was implied by where it is taking place," he replies, still writing. He has perfected the talent of writing and holding a conversation at the same time. "I don't miss them. I simply have little interest in them."

[wickedwit]

“Those are not mutually exclusive, Enjolras.”

[untamedantinous]

“Are they not? Enlighten me.”

[wickedwit]

Claudius tilts his head and sips his wine, considering this invitation to discourse. "Let me put it this way. I have a great interest in poisons. For many reasons, but after reading Mr. Darwin's theories, I'm even more interested in poison as an adaptation -- a trait that certain plants possess, and through possessing, survive and flourish in circumstances where other plants fell prey to foragers. Because of my interest, I've studied more, I see more. Where someone else may only see yellow flowers, I see deadly henbane. Deadliness isn't visible to the eye. It's visible in its effects, but those effects are only known once you've familiarized yourself with forms and patterns. Then you'll see the whole history of conflict on the edges of a garden, the back and forth between plants and pests, the casualties and victories of evolution. But you have to know where to look ... and if you aren't interested, you aren't looking. You'll miss something. In that regard, human relationships aren't that different from poisons."

[untamedantinous]

"Mm. I must admit to knowing absolutely nothing about poisons; so I will defer to your expertise there. But I will say I am not the easiest of men to get along with; so I think your attributing meeting attendance to my charm holds very little weight." He flips a page in his book, and continues frowning thoughtfully.

[wickedwit]

"Sweet Enjolras, I would never accuse you of being easy to get along with," Claudius says with utmost solemnity. "Belladonna seeds are spread by sparrows, though a handful of berries would kill a human being. Charm, like poison, is seen in its effects, but it doesn't effect all creatures equally, or in the same way."

[untamedantinous]

"Good." There is a beat. "Has Grantaire told you yet, of how we half-frightened Pontmercy out of the Amis before he had even begun? I do not know how much he has spoken of the rest of us."

[wickedwit]

"Oh, he's told me a thing or two, but not the whole story. Are you offering me a story?"

[untamedantinous]

"If you would like one, yes." He does, at last, turn his attention from his writing to regard Claudius thoughtfully. "He may not recall it all, he was in his usual form going on about something or another. Courfeyrac had brought Pontmercy along with him to introduce him to all of us. Everyone was going on about something, it was quite a normal meeting in that sense of things. Until someone brought up Waterloo --ah, the battle where Buonaparte was defeated."

[wickedwit]

"Buonaparte -- that's the emperor, yes? The one that come after that first Revolution and the Terror that followed it."

[untamedantinous]

"Yes, it is. I believe Pontmercy's father fought with him, or something along those lines. In any case, at the mention of Waterloo, Pontmercy went into raptures -- for five or ten minutes at least-- over Buonaparte's greatness and the glory of France, that sort of thing; and asked what could better than conquering the world." He's trying his very best to hide a smile, but it's not working at all that well, it lingers in his eyes and the side of his lips are twitching.

"Combeferre answered him with one sentence: 'to be free.' Then he left the room. I told Pontmercy exactly where my own priorities lay, as well." There is a pause. "...He did not come back for some time after that, but he did come back. Eventually."

[wickedwit]

"Oh, I wish I could have seen," Claudius says with a long, appreciative laugh. "Such a beautiful retort from Combeferre. And you, I'm sure you were in fine form, too. Truly a shame that I missed it," by dint of being in another world.

[untamedantinous]

He shrugs. “I certainly did not go into raptures like Pontmercy; but I made my thoughts clear all the same.” There is a pause. “If he should arrive, you will understand better. Pontmercy is…flighty. But brave all the same. I am told he actually survived everything.”

[wickedwit]

"I was happy to hear it, of course. Grantaire did tell me about him, but not the whole drama of his first meeting. He spoke of Pontmercy's willingness to listen." Smile softening, he says, "Grantaire gives the most gracious of toasts. Observant without being vicious, in the way the barbed wits of Elsinore are -- he's too loyal and loving a man to truly tear anyone apart. You are lucky to have him, you realize."

[untamedantinous]

"Pontmercy did come and listen, sometimes. He never spoke as much as he did that first time, really; but he was inoffensive." He shrugs a little, a small fond smile blooming despite his best efforts. "Mm. I am. You needn't tell him that, please; though I know you will likely ignore that."

[wickedwit]

Claudius laughs. "Yes, but I'll keep it in reserve for the next time I want to overwhelm him into accepting a compliment. It's a masterstroke, you know. All my usual, excessive flattery, and then 'moreover, I've heard it from Enjolras himself that he's lucky to have you, which honestly is an understatement considering how oblivious he'd been for most of your friendship.'"

[untamedantinous]

"And what if I tell him before that?" It's said with amusement, he does not currently intend to -- but he might, at some point. "All of your overwhelming tendencies will be for naught."

[wickedwit]

"It's a race between you and I, then. If I over-flatter him and it falls flat, I'll know you've snuck in some flattery of your own." Claudius clucks his tongue, teasingly. "Well, I suppose it's only gracious for me to give you the edge, when you're starting so late in the game."

[untamedantinous]

"Ah, yes, gracious indeed," he says drily. "You are in luck then, I am not altogether good at flattery; but I shall, I think, consider this a challenge."

[wickedwit]

There are, as far as Claudius can see, absolutely no downsides to this challenge which will lead to Grantaire suffering more flattery in his life. "Then let's shake on it like gentlemen," he says, and proffers a hand.

[untamedantinous]

"Of course." Enjolras does the same, and shakes Claudius' hand firmly with a small smile.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Susan, passing briefly through the cafe to refresh her tea on her way to finalizing her notes on what to include on her census of residents, lifts the flier carefully with her fingertips to see what it says. Oh, this poor man with his absolute disregard for all but the most utilitarian function of an item! Someone must enable him to see that attention to detail is to be desired in cafe construction and advertisements alike.

As Enjolras returns with his fresh coffee, he will see Susan setting the flyer back down. She will be giving him a look that is kind, yet rich with pity. "You shan't attract many to your little salon with a notice like this, I'm afraid," she will say.

[untamedantinous]

"It is not done yet, only drying." He settles back into his chair. "I will admit it does need something more, but I am not certain what." In the meantime, he's going to go back to his abridging; he is perfectly capable of holding a conversation and writing at the same time. "Also, I do not know if I would call it a salon: that does seem too bourgeois for my liking."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"It requires details," Susan says, pertly. "And you shall need a hook to generate interest. If we were in the real world where things cost money, you might simply be able to attract interest merely by promising snacks or some free drinks, but those are already in abundance here and unlikely to draw unique attention."

[untamedantinous]

"I had thought to include that," he replies mildly. "But as you said, there is little point to offering pastries and drink when they are freely available. Perhaps I shall ask Grantaire to draw something. We never really had need for, ah, handbills such as these at home; our meetings were passed by word of mouth or messenger."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"The hook needn't be food or drink," Susan says. "But 'meeting' is hardly descriptive, and 'expect discussion of anything and everything, debate is encouraged' is far too vague. Respectfully, I rather think that half of everyone here would turn away at the burden of 'any and everything' being on the table for discussion, and even for those interested in revealing the deepest recesses of their souls, that's a promise of far too little structure to engender confidence that it will be an organized event."

[untamedantinous]

He looks a little amused. "I never intended for there to be structure, mam'selle. I also never intended for anyone to reveal the deepest recesses of their souls; I simply wanted a gathering in which we all might talk about anything in particular, with no real ...purpose to it. We would often have meetings like this among my friends at home; which -- yes, regularly were devoted to discussions of our politics and various plans for our cause, but occasionally were not. As you might imagine, if you know Grantaire --these turned into a, ah, controlled sort of chaos. It was more like a river of thoughts than a stream."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Then you ought to say as much in your flyer," Susan says, firmly. "Surely you can see how someone who doesn't know of your personal history with inscrutably-named 'meetings' might see 'any and everything' and assume that you, in fact, mean a debate about any and everything, rather than assuming you mean to recreate a feeling you miss from home."

[untamedantinous]

"Mm. It is, as I said, a rough draft." He had not intended to ask for improvements on it, but -- apparently he's being forced into them, so he will turn his attention back to his coffee for a moment. "I will work on making my meaning clearer, I do apologise."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Enjolras had said no such thing! Perhaps that claim occurred in a different linearity. "You needn't apologize," Susan says, with a light roll of her eyes. "You said that you did not know what it needed; I'm merely providing suggestions. My suggestion is clarity and structure. If you'd like to inspire people to attend, you might provide a list of example topics of conversation, or the type of debate to which you're referring. If you intend to use a flyer to advertise your meeting, rather than inviting people verbally in a setting in which they might ask clarifying questions, it's best to provide enough information that they might make an informed decision."

[untamedantinous]

Perhaps it had, yes. "I will take it into consideration." Once he is done working on this latest chapter, of course. "Have you any other suggestions, mademoiselle?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Oh, rather," says Susan, sitting down. She can fetch more tea in a moment. "You do plan to have some opening questions to start off your little salon - beg pardon, I mean your meeting - when people arrive, yes? Even if you want the conversation to amble and grow with freely-offered opinions, that won't begin organically. You must set the stage first."

[untamedantinous]

He had rather thought she might. "Mm. I suppose we might." They never really had need to in their meetings at home, but then again, they all knew what purpose they were there for.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"I do believe you're humoring me," with an arch look. "Tell me, Enjolras. In your very first such meeting back home, did everyone come from remarkably different backgrounds and have exceptionally limited shared experience with social discourse?"

[untamedantinous]

"Yes," he says plainly. "I am. --Not as such. We were -- most all of us were law students, of course from different backgrounds; but we all shared a common goal. Not a one of us would have brought someone to the group if they had not, ah -- seen the drift of their political opinions."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"And if by 'any and everything,' you rather mean that this meeting is to be purely political discourse, do you have that same conviction of all here?"

[untamedantinous]

"No." He sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. "I do not intend for this be purely political discourse, there is little need for politics here. No matter what I would prefer to speak about, I know well enough that most people -- dragons, cats -- beings, I suppose-- do not share my passions." <sup>1

1</sup> Well. The dragon does.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Then, again, we land on the issue of clarity and topic when bringing together a group that do not already share a common objective," Susan says, a little tartly.

[untamedantinous]

“There does not need to be a topic, in my opinion. But I am certain you will give me yours in due course.”

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Did I not already make it clear?"

[untamedantinous]

"Indeed you did, mademoiselle. Is there anything else you would care to add?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Susan regards him for a long moment, drumming her fingers on the table and idly wondering if she might find a way to make him cry. It's been ever so long since she's truly been in her element, and she would so like to bring Janet a tale of a triumph. In truth, she's a little offended that he seems to be brushing off her genuine and sage advice. She could offer to make it a competition, and come up with a better advertisement than Enjolras and muster a greater crowd, perhaps? But she has no interest in such wastes of time, so she sets the thought aside.

"You haven't got a speck of interest in what attracts people to a space beyond the most central basics, have you?" she asks, curious enough to set aside her idle considerations of sparking some sort of reaction. "No affinity for ambiance or mood."

[untamedantinous]

He would have no interest in that as well, he really only had an intent of gathering everyone in the same place as an effort for them to get to know each other better. There is no desire to compete at all. He purses his lips a little, and takes a sip of coffee. "I am not a polytechnicien, mademoiselle, nor am I an architect. I have interests in other areas, I do apologise if they are not to your liking." He doesn't sound as if he cares, particularly, but he is at least being polite about it. "So long as there are walls and warmth from the elements, I must confess myself content. There are those that do not have even that, and I would rather concern myself with their plight than such matters as whether or not there is a portrait on a wall, or the phrasing is incorrect in a handbill."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Abruptly, Susan is unfathomably bored. She stands. "I rather don't see what you can do about the plights of the destitute homeless in a place with no access to any other world, where there is room enough for everyone and the only people who sleep in the snow do so because they want to," she says, a little sharply. Men! Why are they all - well, almost all - so useless and self-centered? "It seems to me that focusing on matters you quite literally cannot affect anymore is a fool's errand, when instead you might focus on other concerns that are actually addressable here, with the people within. To wit: sparing a thought for the comfort and needs of the people who are actually here. If you wish to create a space that is open and inclusive, you might possibly consider ensuring that it is inviting to more than just your own simple self."

She pushes her chair back into place. She shall make tea in the kitchens. "Good day, sir. Best of luck with future endeavors."

[untamedantinous]

He inclines his head and takes another sip of coffee, rising to give her a short bow. If he is bothered at all by this turn of events, it certainly does not show in his voice or bearing, as smooth as marble. “The house itself does that for us, I do apologize that my tastes are not to your own. Have a pleasant day, mademoiselle. If you’ve any other suggestions, you do know where to find me.”

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Susan sighs huffily. The house absolutely does not address the needs of all its inhabitants! If it did, there should be no need for psychoanalysis! It would be as miserable as the Aslan's Country that Lucy described! What is the point of anything if you cannot work actively to improve your environment?

She'd thought Enjolras an interesting young man during their first meeting, but she's been wrong before and this shan't be the last time, either. The least he could do would be to look interested in debating the issue! And why must men be so insistent on apologizing for things that absolutely don't matter? Tastes needn't align; her point was merely that assuming one's tastes to be universal is a recipe for disaster!

She strides off with no further acknowledgement.

[futaille]

"Oh, this looks promising," Grantaire chirps delightedly as he enters, making a beeline for the table. "Please let there be something for me to eviscerate. I'm getting out of practice."

[untamedantinous]

"It is a thought exercise, I wanted to see if I might abridge this." He indiciates The Social Contract, open before him. "If you'd like to make yourself useful instead of eviscerating things, however, I've another thing in mind."

[futaille]

"Oh, I could abridge it," he can't help but remark as he takes a seat at the table. Still, though, he sits up straight. "Make use of me."

[untamedantinous]

"I am certain you could make an attempt. I am just as certain it would be nothing like what I am expecting." He settles down and indicates the flier. "I want to add something to that, but I do not know what. Do you have any suggestions?"

[futaille]

He glances at it. "Well. Some life. A list of potential topics, perhaps, some serious, some frivolous, at least if you really mean 'anything and everything'. But make it clear it doesn't have to be limited to the list. I could also decorate it, if you'd like."

[untamedantinous]

"The topics I would choose would likely be of no interest to anyone, save myself and perhaps Laertes and Claudius." He nods, turning back to his latest turns of phrase. "You might, I suppose. We two are the only ones here who have experienced the sort of gathering I would like to see. I know it will not be like that, but it would be a start."

[futaille]

"List those anyway. Just add others. Like..." He leans back in his seat thoughtfully. "Advantages and disadvantages of having arrived here. Comparing home worlds. Fashion. Love. Ridiculous jokes. Food. Games. Plants. Make sure to mention that anyone may chime in on any topic at any time."

[untamedantinous]

"Very well." He sighs and moves to scrawl those down on his flier. "Plants?" He looks vaguely amused. "I was unaware those were an abiding interest here."

[futaille]

"There's a greenhouse. There are assuredly at least a few botany enthusiasts."

[untamedantinous]

"I suppose. I am not used to advertising these sorts of things."

[futaille]

"You probably won't, after a while, for what it's worth. As long as the first few go well."

[untamedantinous]

"Mm. We shall see, I suppose. At least I will be assured you will be there."

[futaille]

"Oh, most certainly. And if it is just me, then I will gamely pretend to be several people of strikingly different opinions and get into debates with myself while you work through the tumult, until you finally bid one or another of the competitors to silence."

[untamedantinous]

He's clearly only half-paying attention to all that nonsense that just came out of Grantaire's mouth, intent on parsing down this phrase. "Mmhm. And just how drunk do you intend to be at this meeting, that you might do all this?"

[futaille]

"I am fairly confident that I could manage to do it stone sober, but how interesting it would be would increase with each drink, up until a point at which it would plateau and then precipitously collapse in concert with me doing the same."

[untamedantinous]

"I fail to see how that would be interesting." Sorry, Grantaire, he's definitely not paying attention now. At the very least, it should feel familiar.

[futaille]

Very familiar indeed, which of course means that he also has extensive experience in continuing to talk in the vicinity of an Enjolras who isn't actually paying attention to him.

"Oh, you lack imagination, in that case. Imagine me vociferously defending the Discourse on Inequality and then rounding to the other side of a table to denounce it as so many empty words on a page. Long enough and I would start to vehemently interrupt myself. Perhaps I would throw a half-eaten pastry at myself in a fit of pique, although I would end up needing to apologize to Laertes for thoughtlessly wasting his hard work in a moment of passion, for surely the pain au chocolat is not meant as a weapon. Although perhaps a debate then about what foodstuff would make the best weapon, citing historical precedent..."

[untamedantinous]

"I do not lack imagination. I simply think it would be absurd instead of interesting." He is going to continue writing, in that case. Book Two of The Social Contract waits for no man, after all.

[futaille]

"Ah, but absurdity is often interesting. I would in fact go so far as to say that most interesting things are absurd in their own way."

[untamedantinous]

"You certainly are," he says mildly, clearly still intent on his book.

[futaille]

He grins brightly. "Interesting and absurd? Why thank you, I feel immensely complimented." He grabs the draft of the flyer and then a pencil, starting to sketch on the empty space.

[untamedantinous]

"Mmhm." He looks up briefly to shoot Grantaire a small pleased smile, and then quite promptly goes back to wrestling with his latest turn of phrase.

[futaille]

He glances up from his sketching. "What part have you gotten to?"

[untamedantinous]

"I am up to book three, so far."

[futaille]

"Making good progress, then. Not that I'm surprised you're mustering both the will and the strength for this particular project."

[untamedantinous]

"I wonder how Rousseau would feel should he know I am making his writings subordinate to my will." He sounds mildly amused, if still distracted.

[futaille]

"It does seem a bit tyrannical. Perhaps the words should vote on the matter."

[untamedantinous]

"They do not have conscious thought, it is a puzzle."

[futaille]

"Ah, see, I was thinking to comb through the text and counting each 'oui' against each 'non', even if they are hidden in other words."

He will probably not do this.

Probably.

[untamedantinous]

"Tch." There's a dismissive wave, and he goes back to his writing.

[futaille]

"Entirely fair. I would imagine the oui vote would carry anyway."

[untamedantinous]

"Mmhm." There he goes, back to not paying attention again.

[futaille]

"So the words assent to the culling. Continue with their blessing."

[untamedantinous]

“I shall,” absently. “Particularly if I am to get this done and printed for the meeting.”

[futaille]

He returns to his sketch. "Oh, tell me I get to critique it."

[untamedantinous]

“Do as you will.”

[futaille]

"Oh, I usually do," he says cheerfully. He then holds up the sketch¹. "What do you think?"

¹ Please do keep in mind his drawing is better than mine.

[untamedantinous]

He glances up and gives it a brief once-over, nodding. "It is well done. I will make a few more adjustments on the wording, probably."

[futaille]

He shrugs. "I can do it, if you'd like. I have to clean up the drawing anyway. And it would give you more time to work on your abridgement."

[untamedantinous]

He finally raises his gaze from his work to arch an eyebrow at Grantaire, trying to judge whether or not he is, in fact, serious. "Mm. Very well, but do realize that I will still have a say in what is printed."

[futaille]

"Of course you will," he says amiably. "You know how to actually work the press. I just want to make it likely for people to actually show up."

[untamedantinous]

"Laertes does too. We found it together, after all."

[futaille]

"Either way, I certainly can't print them unassisted. Or I could try, but it would be terrible and ineffective, so of course you will be able to look it over."

[untamedantinous]

“I myself am still learning, but I will do my best.”

[futaille]

"I have every faith in you."

[untamedantinous]

"Mm. Of course you do." Though there is some lingering fondness, despite his current distraction.

[futaille]

"I always have, which puts you in very rare company, I should add."

[untamedantinous]

"Mm." The slight twitch in his lips means that he's trying his best not to smile foolishly down at Rousseau; but hopefully Grantaire will ignore it.

[futaille]

The universe in which Grantaire ignores anything at all about Enjolras might exist, but it is neither this one or the one they came from. "My fervent apologies for distracting you from your abridgement." He does not sound remotely sorry.

[untamedantinous]

"You are not sorry at all," lightly. "Fortunately I have experience ignoring distractions."

[futaille]

"You're right on both counts, and you're welcome for the latter."

[untamedantinous]

“It was not only you I was speaking of.”

[futaille]

"Oh, I never said it was. Still, though, you can hardly deny I've done my fair share."

[untamedantinous]

“That is so.” He sets his pen down and takes a sip of his coffee. “Is there anything else you’re going to add?”

[futaille]

"To the flyer? Well, I'll make it sound interesting."

[untamedantinous]

"I have been informed that I should make things more inviting. Which I suppose is what you are intending to do, as well."

[futaille]

"Precisely what I intend to do, my dear A--Enjolras. As compelling as you are to observe when you're on about anything you believe in, the advertisement you've started is anything but."

[untamedantinous]

He raises an eyebrow, and once again fails to hide a slight smile. "I am well aware, thanks to the opinions of Mlle. Susan and Claudius."

[futaille]

"Well, good thing I'm around, then, to shield you from boring advertisements and meetings with no attendees."

[untamedantinous]

"Mm. Without a single classical allusion. Are you feeling quite alright?"

[futaille]

He smiles slowly and broadly. "Are you issuing a challenge?"

[untamedantinous]

"At the moment, I am coming to regret even uttering that last sentence."

[futaille]

"I disbelieve you," he says with a grin. "Now, I could be Aegis, passed on from Zeus and Athena to you to protect you. I could be to you like the waters of the Styx to Achilles, although I would say you would not want to extend that metaphor too far. All in service of your protection, even though the threat is much more mundane."

[untamedantinous]

"So it is. I must assure you I am quite capable of protecting myself, however, and so you might cease with your antiquities." He knows he's fighting a losing battle, here, but he must at least try.

[futaille]

Might is certainly not must, and thus a continuation. "Against this particular opponent? It seems rather evident that you are not. But I can be Ariadne's thread, leading you through the Labyrinth to slay the possibility of a meeting with us as the sole attendees."

[untamedantinous]

"Yes, yes, as you say." He's going to go back to frowning at The Social Contract again. "As I said, I already immensely regret the turn this conversation has taken, and I shall be certain not to make the same error again."

[futaille]

"Oh, I'm sure I can be silent for a while if you bid me. Or is it not silence you wish but a different turn to the conversation?"

[untamedantinous]

Ah. Once again, that is not how he had intended this conversation to turn. He's certain Grantaire would do many things if he bid him to, practically anything -- but he has work to do and that is a thought for another day, even if his work is self-imposed. Regardless, he clears his throat and takes a long sip of coffee. "Perhaps I will bid you to be silent another time," he finally says. "For now, I should think a different turn to the conversation."

[futaille]

Grantaire's eyebrows rise in mild surprise. Whether it's at not being asked to be quiet or at the intriguing 'perhaps another time', not even he is entirely sure of.

"Very well then. My thoughts on revolutions?" He grins.

[untamedantinous]

"Christ," but it's darkly amused. "I'm certain I've heard it before; but it wouldn't feel as though I were working on things correctly without something in the background, so --" He waves a hand. "Perhaps not revolutions, though."

[futaille]

"Very well, M. Pointedly-Not-a-Deity. Choose a topic and I shall expound."

[untamedantinous]

“Oh, I hardly know. Moths. Take a page from Combeferre’s book.”

[futaille]

He pauses. "Moths." It takes a moment for him to gather his thoughts, as it was very much not a topic he was expecting. "All right. The lowly cousins of butterflies. Blessed with the same general form but lacking the appreciative reception. Regardless, there is much to appreciate. After all, what they are perceived to lack in natural beauty, they make up for in a definite taste for fashion. Also, they appreciate and are always seeking spots of brightness in the world around them. When I think on it, perhaps I have a great deal in common with them."

[untamedantinous]

“My. You may compete with Combeferre soon enough,” he replies with an amused smile.

[futaille]

It's met with a laugh. "Oh, I hold no such pretensions. I am more likely to compete with a moth itself. Grow wings and antennae and fly at a nearby flame."

[untamedantinous]

“Well, I should appreciate it if you do not engulf yourself in flames too quickly. It would be strangely quiet without you.”

[futaille]

"I shall do my level best to avoid immolation, although if you do see me begin to sprout wings, let me know so that I may take special care."

[untamedantinous]

"Unless you have irritated one of the magic users here, I do not see how that could be a possibility."

[futaille]

"Well, the mansion could have a day when it turns us all into animals¹," he points out reasonably². "Although I do admit that it would be unlikely for me to enter a moth stage without wrapping myself in a cocoon first. I should probably be careful with my bedsheets."

¹ Silly R, if fursona day happens, you're not gonna be a moth, I promise you.
² Only here could that actually be reasonable.

[untamedantinous]

He gives Grantaire a faintly bewildered look and shakes his head, bemused. "You are absurd, R."

[futaille]

He grins. "You must admit that there are any number of things that have happened here that you would have called me absurd for hypothesizing before they happened. Although I will admit a cocoon unlikely, apart from perhaps in a metaphorical sense."

[untamedantinous]

"Tch," he says absently, sitting back and crossing his arms over his chest. "Very well, I will admit it, but only because this place is unfathomable."

[futaille]

"Precisely!" He grins. "And as I am also unfathomable, it follows that my peculiarities have become wisdom."

[untamedantinous]

“Oh, I do not know if I would call it that.”

[futaille]

"Ah, and then what would you call it?"

[untamedantinous]

“Certainly not wisdom. I would still call them peculiarities. I would also not call you unfathomable; this place is much more frustrating than you could ever hope to be.” There’s a pause. “That was not a challenge.”

[futaille]

He laughs. "I will not take it as one. I fear even I have my limits and to try to outstrip this place would be a folly well beyond them."

[untamedantinous]

"Indeed it would," somewhat amused. "I suppose you are not as foolish as all that."

[futaille]

"Make no mistake, I am indeed a fool, but simply not that kind of fool."

[untamedantinous]

“You would likely say we’re all fools.”

[futaille]

"Of course I would. It's part and parcel of being human. Foolishness makes us so much more interesting."

[untamedantinous]

“I suppose.” He reaches to take a sip of his coffee again.

[futaille]

He laughs. "You sound skeptical. I approve."

[untamedantinous]

"Am I not allowed to be skeptical? The does seem a bit unfair. Men are fools, but some are not, and we must all work together in order to reach a common goal."

[futaille]

"You're allowed to be as skeptical as I'm idealistic," he says cheerfully. "And I would temper your 'some are not' with instead saying sometimes they are not. And determining which times are which makes the fate of common causes an interesting game of chance."