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

[summerdude]

Magnus blinks. "Why?"

[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.

[futaille]

"My proclamations are mysterious. Also, bold flavors blended with sweetness. A refreshing hint of summer. A very enthusiastic and talkative forest dweller."

[untamedantinous]

Enjolras raises his eyebrows from his couch in the corner, admittedly a tad surprised, but gives her a small nod.

[summerdude]

"...huh," Magnus says. "I would have said falafel, mead, and mongoose."

[futaille]

"You would know yourself better than anyone, so by all means elaborate."

[futaille]

"I did make several other points, you know. Bread. Coffee. Swan."

[untamedantinous]

"Why those three, exactly? Other than the obvious."

[summerdude]

"Well, falafel is objectively the best food in the world. It's fluffy and spicy and crunchy and savory, and good hot or cold. All of which describe me. Mead can come in a ton of different flavors but they all pack a punch. If I had to pick a variety, it would be Heidrun's mead, which is generally easily available but fortifying. Not the Alfish psychedelic mead. That one's not me. And mongeese are scrappy fighters and can't be defeated by snakes." Such as, for example, Loki. "They can be cute pets but they'll also bite the head off a threat."

[wickedwit]

Claudius is enjoying a nice red wine and attending the back and forth flow of conversation. "Well, this promises to be a lively discussion. Let me ask something," he says, and he proposes it as a general question, to Laertes or to anyone else who might answer. "What of those powers not granted by governance? Are they not also temptations to tyranny? The strong can compel the weak by force, or by the threat thereof. The well-connected can corner the friendless, and starve them of support. Absent of any governing body, individuals still possess power over one another, and exercise it freely. Should we propose strictures for them? Or can we only do so after some man crowns himself king or emperor?"

[futaille]

"Bread is the staple and foundation on which everything stands. Coffee is the obvious. And a swan is a lovely and graceful bird with a formidable temper and protective streak. It also has some pertinent mythological connections that I will decline to elaborate on."

[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.

[futaille]

"Well-reasoned on all counts, then, and I will defer to you fully. I am impressed." He holds up a hand for a high-five.

[summerdude]

Magnus slaps it with a grin, and returns to wall-flowering.

[timebethine]

"We must presume it."

[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.

[timebethine]

"Nay," says Laertes. "A sharing out of responsibilities, each of us working by the means that suit us best, to attain our mutual happiness. Such things, I think, can be done without governance--and indeed, are being done already."

[futaille]

"Which of course begs the question. Does everyone become chickens, or is it a wide variety of animals?"

[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."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"But what of the thankless tasks no one wishes to do?"

[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."

[vineleaves]

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

He's pretty sure he would remember a dragon.

[aflashbastard]

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

[timebethine]

"Thine earlier argument suggests that each person hath an animal most suited to them."

[timebethine]

Laertes sits back in his chair, taking a long drink of his lemon water. "Dost feel thy tasks are thankless?"