open: don't let the wine go to your brains

[untamedantinous]

It shouldn’t be this hard to prepare for a meeting. He’s done it countless times before. However, this time, it somehow is difficult. He’s never really had to set things up at times like this; and he knows as well as anyone else that he is not the best at social niceties. Granted, this meeting is in a much more well-appointed cafe than any he had ever been accustomed to holding space in in Paris. At least they have the benefit of a larger space. Consequently, Enjolras has spent much of the day of the eighth of Menestheus preparing, a little uncertain of how to plan a social gathering that is not immediately centered around planning a revolution. He is trying his best, at least.

Most of the tables and chairs have been pushed a bit more to the center of the room; the couch is arranged off to the opposite side. There are even various pillows scattered about, should anyone choose to sit on the floor. Arranged on a few of the larger tables and the counter there is a modest spread of food: of course, some of Laertes and Galahad’s pastries; but Enjolras has also procured what amounts to a few charcuterie platters: sliced sausages and meats, a selection of (mostly French) cheese, and various sliced loaves of bread and crackers are laid out for perusal, and spreads to go along with them. In an effort to provide multiple options of entertainment, Grantaire has set up a table somewhat near the food, with an assortment of wines and liqueurs. Off to one side, there are a few pots of brewed coffee, cream, sugar, and whatever else anyone might like to add to their beverage of choice. If anyone is drawn to the liquor cabinet, they will find three cups filled with various pieces of paper sitting atop it.

Enjolras himself is lingering on the couch with a glass of wine and some bread. He’s not sure how many people were even informed about this gathering, though he had done his best to advertise. If no one arrives then perhaps he will try again another time; but at least a few in attendance other than himself and Grantaire would certainly be welcome.

Comments

[futaille]

Grantaire has made absolutely certain his normal corner table did not migrate towards the center and he is happily present at it, having grown progressively cheerful as more people filtered into the room, a bottle of wine open in front of him and a full glass in his hand. As he is accustomed, he is speaking with no regard as to whether or not anyone is actually listening to him, although it's certainly at an audible enough volume. "Friends and passing acquaintances, for I am a fortunate enough man to have no enemies, it is a joy and a delight to see this gathering unfold at last. That is not to say, of course, that we have lacked for gatherings in our wanderings here, and ones full of their own sorts of joy. We all know this and have benefited from it to some degree or another. It seems the greatest sort of event here is the sort that we originate ourselves, so to have another added to that illustrious roster, even if it is of a slightly different character than previous ones, can only be a benefit."

He lifts his glass of wine toward the ceiling. "That is not to malign our mysterious host spirits, of course, for that would be tempting the worst kind of fate, and they were generous enough to me recently that I am favorably inclined, although their taste in beverages can be suspect, not that that dissuades me from continuing to explore them." He gestures with his glass towards the cups on top of the liquor cabinet. "But that's another subject entirely.

"We have something of a symposium here, and although it won't be as famous as some, it is nonetheless an improvement as we are the participants and can avail ourselves of the refreshments and the remarks, and how remarkably refreshing that is. Just look around at our good fortune. Of course we have not discovered perfection, as that is unattainable, but we have good food, good drink, good company, and asking for more would be presumption of the highest order."

He is quiet for only the span of time it takes for him to have a drink. "But all of this is beside the point. This was organized, insofar as it's organized at all, on the foundation of being able to speak on anything and everything we can think of. And although speaking at length on this meeting itself certainly qualifies as 'anything', it also seems as if it doesn't take advantage of the opportunity afforded.

"Now, as many of you know, I am not a man of conviction, and if I make a bold statement, it is entirely possible that I will ultimately end up arguing even myself out of it. However, dissent forms the fertile fields of discussion and I do enjoy watching that flourish."

He grins widely, leaning back in his seat and has another long drink, refilling his glass as he continues. "So to that end, I offer the following assertions. How much I myself agree with them is debatable, as are most things, of course, but I'm certainly willing to argue any and all of them.

"First, despite my very own words earlier, tempting fate is not only not to be avoided, it's hilarious. Second, the fact that the rooms and grounds here are changing all the time is a net positive. Third, hauling elephants across mountain ranges is not only idiotic, it is so idiotic that dubbing someone who did it one of the greatest military minds of history is an extremely dubious proposition." He grins wryly at that one and takes another drink.

"Fourth, trying to find commonalities enough between the residents of this place to explain why we are the fortunate ones to be here is a fool's errand, and liable to fall into error. Fifth, every person has a food, a drink, and an animal that they most resemble. They need not actually like, or even have encountered, that food, drink, or animal. Sixth, progress in all things is like Zeno's story of Achilles and the tortoise. Seventh, existence may or may not be real but it doesn't matter if it is or not anyway, so the entire field of metaphysics is pointless. Eighth, there is no such thing as a god that always actually knows what they're doing. Ninth, avoiding pleasure just by virtue of the fact that it's pleasurable is absolute madness. Tenth and final for now, animals are objectively better than humans are, and I include worms and insects and such things in that count."

He takes another long drink and waves a hand airily. "Discuss."

[sagramore]

Sagramore obviously was never going to miss this -- for all he might have sounded begrudging to Mothwing, his favorite people are going to be here, and Enjolras has been working hard on his first meeting, probably, and needs some positive reinforcement or something.

"Are you just orating generically?" he asks, as he comes over to Grantaire.

[timebethine]

"Put it to the proof, then," says Laertes, lightly heckling. "What food, drink, and animal do I most resemble?"

[summerdude]

"Okay, I'll bite," Magnus says. He really only intends to be a wallflower -- he only came because he promised Enjolras, and since it's late, he's already feeling a little stir-crazy -- but Grantaire has him curious. "What's my food, drink, and animal?"

[untamedantinous]

"Alright," with some tired amusement. "Since I'm certain everyone else is asking: may I have elaboration on your fifth point for me?" That is all he's willing to indulge in at this point.

[vineleaves]

He's enraptured.

"To point five, I think I might already have some ideas, but if it's different from the obvious please enlighten me." A few thousand years of being associated with the same things, no matter how obvious, has him curious if there's anything else.

"And to point... sorry, I lost track. The one about gods. You're correct, of course, if anyone tells you different they're wrong. I have it on good authority."

[aflashbastard]

Crowley appears like a man on a mission, drink in hand. "Who's the target?" is all he asks Grantaire.

[wickedwit]

Claudius is struck by a wave of fondness so fierce and so (objectively speaking) absurd that it makes him he realize he loves Grantaire. No other emotion but love can explain it. Perhaps some of it is admiration for Grantaire's ability to craft a speech simultaneously so inviting and so contrarian. Whatever its aim, Claudius respects skillful speechcraft. But he also feels like he's discovered another secret ideal of Grantaire's: Grantaire values discussion more than he values being right or wrong, so he can speaks all sorts of nonsense, because all that matters is giving his friends and acquaintances the right to speak their minds.

Claudius wants to start an argument with Grantaire about it, because Grantaire would surely object to having another ideal assigned to him. He shakes his head and, rather than confess his love to Grantaire right then, says, "You know, you've a point. Back at the very beginning, when you said the greatest event is the sort we originate ourselves. Do you think it's more entertaining to our hosts when we come up with our own ideas to congregate, or when they conspire to control events to bring us together?"

[mothwingofriverclan]

Mothwing, back at her cat height, leaps onto Grantaire's table in order to be able to see and hear him properly.

"I'm not sure animals are better than twolegs," she says drily. "Cats haven't invented pancakes."

[peaklordshen]

As soon as Grantaire moves from talking about talking to making actual assertions, Shen Yuan whips out his little notebook and writes them down, and then sits, considering them, and ranking them by things he has a quick and immediate reaction to and things he has a longer and more complicated reaction to. He clears his throat, and then counts on his fingers:

"On one - can something not be both hilarious and to be avoided? On three - who the fuck was moving elephants across mountains? On five, you're right, and we should compare our conclusions about animals. On ten, you're right, but monsters are objectively better than both humans and animals. Oh, and to loop back on seven, I think it's incredibly bold of you to assert the pointlessness of metaphysical discussion in the middle of a self-professed pointless list of points." He sets his notebook down. "Reserving two, four, and six for discussions of their own. And you're just right about eight and nine, so we can ignore those."

[new_inglewoodblues]

After Shen Yuan destroyed her nest, Ragnelle has been staying inside. She needs to find another outdoor place to live in, but she's too slow-blooded to construct one by herself, now that she's back in her own body. So, for the meantime, she's in the mansion (and crabby about it).

She's been visiting the cafe periodically to steal all available pastries, and when she sees the commotion going on now she pokes her head inside.

"Mary! An thou wilt argue the merit of worms and little crawling things thou might yet be worth knowing."

[socialjusticedragon]

Temeraire would not miss such a meeting for the world! Especially not if one of his dearest friends in the mansion is hosting it. To that end, there is a window open near where Enjolras is seated, with a large bowl of tea and --whatever kind of noodles Temeraire requested of the host. Finger foods are difficult when you've no fingers to speak of, after all. The dragon in question has his head shoved through the window, listening to Grantaire's ramblings with some bemusement.

[futaille]

After he gets a moment to refill his drink and move on from whatever he was talking about, Grantaire looks over at Temeraire. "I know it wasn't your choice, Temeraire, but I still want to thank you for the use of your wings. It was amazing in all particulars."

[vineleaves]

"I don't believe we've met!"

He's pretty sure he would remember a dragon.

[wickedwit]

"Temeraire, hello," Claudius says casually, sidling up to the dragon. It's difficult to sidle up to someone whose head is coming through the window, but he manages. "Let me ask you a question. "Let me ask you a question. If you had to depose a tyrant, with the resources you have here, how would you go about it?"

[aflashbastard]

Crowley is a demon on a mission. "Hey," he says, nodding at Temeraire. "Long time no talk. What do you think of all of this?"

[timebethine]

Laertes, choosing violence, offers to the general throng a series of questions for discussion: "Ought any to govern this place? If so, what means of governance is best? Monarchy, democracy, republic, or another still? What strictures might we place upon those who govern, that their power not tempt them to tyranny?"

[untamedantinous]

"You already know my thoughts on the matter," Enjolras says mildly. "I would, personally, tend more towards the side of a republic or something more democratic, but I cannot and will not make such decisions without hearing the thoughts of others regarding this. I do not wish to hold power, particularly, but I might be convinced to participate if there was a group endeavor."

[vineleaves]

It's a party, of course Dionysus is here. 'Party' is practically his middle name. He is still trying to make up for the first time he met Enjolras though, so he'll be making an attempt at being on his best behavior.

No promises it'll last all night, but for the moment he is sipping some wine and mingling.

[untamedantinous]

Enjolras had not actually expected Dionysus to come; but then again, perhaps there had been a flier on the welcome table. However, all are welcome, and so he has no objections to the god's presence. When he sees the god enter, he gives him a brief, uncertain nod; but does not rise from his seat on the couch. Hopefully Dionysus will consider the alcohol offerings acceptable, he had left that portion in Grantaire's probably-capable hands.

[lightbearinglord]

Because Lan Wangji likes Grantaire, and because he said that he would likely be there, he is there. He enters precisely on time, carrying his own teapot in his hands. He finds the seat farthest from the center, sits, produces a teacup from his sleeve, and fills it for himself. It would not quite be accurate to say that he settles back, because he sits as perfectly straight as ever, but there is a certain air about him that makes it clear he intends to do very little other than observe as he lets his tea cool.

He doesn't mind letting conversation wash over him. He has been doing that for most of his life. Political meetings, war strategy sessions, and discussion conferences. If he had something to say, he would say it, as he did at Carp Tower when Wei Ying burst in to demand the whereabouts of Wen Ning -- but today, he has nothing. If someone should govern the mansion, it isn't going to be him, and he would rather not see the privileges of leadership fall to anyone too eager to claim them. The thought of entering into a squabble about it as a form of entertainment is exhausting. Power ebbs and flows, and those who grasp it abuse it as often as not. Expressionless, he sips his tea once enough of its heat has leached away and remains silent.

[summerdude]

"Oh, thank gods, Hanguang-jun," Magnus says, parking himself right next to him. He whispers a confession: "This is a lot more boring than I thought it would be. And I already kinda thought it would be pretty bad."

[temnota]

Aleksander had promised Grantaire he would attend and so here he was. He cajoled a glass of kvas from the liquor cabinet and found a seat near the back. He wasn't sure he was ready to jump into some of the more lively debates so in the meantime, he took sips of his drink and people-watched. Whatever else came of this night, it was good to feel part of a community.

[sagramore]

"Sanyi!" He has a drink in his hand, as usual, and when he catches sight of Aleksander he comes over, stopping himself at the last moment from greeting him with a kiss to each cheek.

[ravkanwitch]

Nina is present, grabbing a pastry or two and listening in on the conversations. While she has been political and involved with schemes, discussions of morality, espionage, and other debates in the past, she usually wasn't the one talking in those situations. For all her charm, she was always more of an enforcer. In Ketterdamn, Kaz told them what to do while she and Jesper bickered in the background. In Ravka, her status wasn't high enough that she worked directly with the crown and his advisors.

In any case, in the spirit of discussion and following her conversation with Susan, if anyone greets her and starts chatting with her, she'll probably ask them, "So... did you want to get involved with the play?"

[timebethine]

"Ay," says Laertes, who has risen from his own chair to give her a hug in greeting. "Didst ask for someone to help build sets, didst thou not? I may be able to help with that."

[forgethertoo]

There was an open invite for the meeting posted in a public area and Aornis was intrigued, so... she's there, slipping in a little later. She's wearing a black Armani pantsuit today with contrasting neon pink nails and will nod politely at anyone who makes eye contact with her. For the most part, she's content to sip at a cup of tea and listen.

[wickedwit]

"Aornis," Claudius says pleasantly, sitting across from her with a newly-topped glass of wine. "I've a question I've been tossing around tonight to anyone who will answer. If you had to depose a tyrant, with the resources you have here, how would you go about it?"

[tallyyoungblood]

Oh my god, how totally boring. Some things about being pretty have turned out to be bogus, but not having to listen to long educational speeches isn't one of them. Tally's here because she thought it might be a party, but it really is just a meeting like the ones they had in the Smoke about resource management. Still, it would be utterly missing to just bounce right away, so she snacks on bread and cheese, listens, and looks for any friends she might be able to actually have fun with.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Tally," Susan says, coming up to her side. She's still here, for some infernal reason, even though so far the event seems to primarily consist of men bloviating in that way that men do - all conjecture, with neither intelligence nor action behind the words. At least Tally was an interesting conversationalist at the feast. "Hello."

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot was headed to the café anyway, but he is a little surprised to hear the amount of noise that is present -- there are many more people than he expected. It seems to be some kind of event. He pauses, reconsidering whether he means to go in, but a quick glance shows him that many of his friends are here and so he might as well have a drink and see what's going on.

He does his best to enter unobtrusively and goes to find something like wine, or perhaps bourbon. He plans to keep to the fringes. (It's not that he's unused to crowds, and he doesn't find them terribly overwhelming -- it's like any court feast or event. But neither is he interested in holding forth about anything or being the center of attention, so this seems a good compromise.)

[summerdude]

Magnus plops down across from him. He's never going to like the guy, probably, but because he cares about Galahad and also the women of the world, he can try to make an effort one time. Especially since he, Magnus, is Galahad's real family here, and you make sacrifices for family, or whatever. "Hey asshole," he says, tone polite and friendly. "How's the reading coming along?"

[untamedantinous]

Once the meeting has started in earnest, and Enjolras has tolerated Grantaire's monologuing for what seems an appropriate amount of time; he rises from his couch to mingle. He is not especially drawn to making speeches unless they are particularly called for, and that does not seem altogether necessary at the present. He will likely not speak on anything unless someone draws him into a conversation; but he is certainly attentive to the goings-on, though he is refilling his plate.

[timebethine]

Laertes eases in behind him, an arm around his waist, and leans up to kiss his cheek. "Is it all thou hadst dreamed it would be?" he asks.