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

[timebethine]

"Oh, I would be very curious as to Enjolras's and Grantaire's opinions on that."

[temnota]

Aleksander turned at the sound of Sagramore's voice and smiled widely. "Seryozha, hello! It is good to see you. Enjoying yourself?"

[sagramore]

"Oh, you know. I wasn't built for arguing, but I'm glad to see everyone."

[onthewillowsthere]

"That's just home," with the faintest hint of amusement.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Susan considers belaboring the point - Laertes has given her a lot to think about, actually! - but decides to let it go. "Until next time, Laertes."

[socialjusticedragon]

"Well, I do not know about you, of course, but this is certainly the first time I have ever been to a gathering such as this."

[untamedantinous]

"It was, yes, --and I will grant you that it is cyclical. But it is still necessary, or else how would one improve?"

[futaille]

"Do they improve? It seems that once people attain progress, they often put all their determination into squandering it."

[vineleaves]

“Wonderful to meet you, I am Dionysus, god of Drama! I’m sorry you have to peer in through the window.”

[vineleaves]

“Maybe I’ll stick to my usual for a while longer… After all, if you find what works why mess with it, right?”

Besides, he’s fully aware he’s… well, he’s no Heracles.

[vineleaves]

“That does sound lovely! Though I’d argue you don’t have to be a cat for any of that, you know. You can go out and live your sun napping dreams whenever you’d like.”

A pause in which he glances to the window, remembering the season.

“Maybe wait until springtime first though.”

[vineleaves]

“Of course!”

He’s hoping he’ll be able to find an alarm clock when he gets back to his room.

“Out of curiosity, what should I call you?” He’s careful not to ask specifically for her name, as he knows that can be… a tricky subject among certain populations of fae.

[socialjusticedragon]

“It is alright; it is only that it is uncomfortable for me to be inside the building properly for too long, and besides, I should take up all the space if I was inside.” He lowers his head to take a delicate lap of tea, like a large cat. “What does a god of drama do? I have never met any god before.”

[timebethine]

"It's a fine look," says Laertes gamely. "Very comfortable."

[peaklordshen]

"SecUnit says it has some entertainment media stored, maybe some of it will be old Jackass. Hannibal Lector - the book's called Silence of the Lambs. Or at least the movie is, the book might be called something else. And I would argue—" he realizes that his last three points were more informational rather than actual arguments, so he puts some fire into this one. "—I would argue that before you'd met Her Highness, you would have put griffins on a list of monsters, and for that matter before you'd met Temeraire you'd have put dragons on one too. A monster doesn't stop being a monster just because they're charming. Sirens and succubi are monsters, but no one would deny their charms."

[forgethertoo]

"With less pining and lovelorn looks. Perhaps," Aornis suggests, dryly.

[onthewillowsthere]

"Less in the books."

[ravkanwitch]

"Maybe I should ask them," Nina suggests. "'Do you think your friends talk and debate more because they're your friends and like calls to like -- or do you think it's because they're French?'"

[futaille]

Grantaire just nods at the informational bits and then grins at the last bit. "Dragons I will certainly admit to, with apologies to our compatriot. And you may be right about griffins, even, although it's difficult for me to say for certain, as I never had need to craft such a list before. That said, it's definitely a different sort of charm, as sirens and succubi have actual powers of compulsion that outstrip simply being adorable."

[ravkanwitch]

Nina looks outside. "I don't mind the snow too much. It's frequently cold in Ravka. Do you come from somewhere warm?"

[aflashbastard]

"Would you really call it a gathering, though? The word gathering implies a specific purpose. A bit of cohesiveness." He gestures around expansively.

[timebethine]

"Go to," Laertes laughs. "Whatever thou learnest of the French by it, it will be a useful education."

[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?"

[peaklordshen]

"Sure," Shen Yuan admits, "Sirens and succubi are an extreme version of a charming monster. But even a monster like Drosera is cute because someone designed her to be cute. That's why monsters are better than both animals and people, because you get not only the cute or scary or fascinating appearance and personality and abilities, but you also get to think about the purpose for which they were made--whether by a single designer or the sort of, mass consciousness of humanity crafting a mythological being to suit a need."

[lanselos_du_lac]

Heroically, Lancelot does not sigh.

"Hello, Magnus," he says, flatly polite, "What reading is that? Your recommendations or that according to my own interests?"