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]

"Like," Magnus releases the edge of the counter long enough to gesture vaguely at Lancelot. "It's the cop energy. Your vibes. Also," he adds, and then slams his mouth shut. Galahad said Lancelot isn't a dad to him, so maybe Magnus shouldn't judge Lancelot for being a deadbeat dad. "Yeah."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"I don't understand cop energy." The question is sincere, even if it does come out a bit flat.

[summerdude]

"The energy of a cop," Magnus says, always the picture of a helpful young man. He knows exactly where Lancelot's confusion comes from, because nobody here knows what a cop is. "A bearing which evokes memories or the ambiance of cops." Then he relents. "Police officers. Sagramore said the parallel from your time might be reeves."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"That's a queer approach to scientific discovery," Susan muses. "Is that how research is conducted in the future, then?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot thinks for a moment, then nods and shrugs. "Perhaps knights as well," he admits. "I am sorry it is so, but--" That little shrug. "I was trained from a boy to serve and keep peace. There's little need of it here, so I try to keep to myself if I know someone dislikes me."

[mothwingofriverclan]

Mothwing's gaze softens. "Oh, I see." Grantaire's like one of those poor ShadowClan apprentices who got swept up in Darktail's reign. She looks at Enjolras with interest. "So he was one of your friends who led the rebellion? And then you both ended up here?"

[summerdude]

Oh, gods, he's copping to his cop energy? This is grim. "The thing is," Magnus explains, helpfully, "All cops are bastards."

[lanselos_du_lac]

He has an initial thought about his parentage, then adjusts once Magnus' actually meaning dawns on him.

After a moment he says, "I am sorry, but I can change neither my past nor my training." He thinks, briefly, that there is little he can do about his demeanor, as well, but he isn't sure he agrees with that any longer. "I strive for peace and accord. I want us to get along. But I do not need you to like me, if you do not already. I will treat you with as much respect as any here-- and not just for Galahad's sake."

[tallyyoungblood]

Tally giggles. "I mean, no. The person trying to cure me is kind of, like, a renegade doctor? It's so weird to just tell people this. It was a big secret back home, but I guess there's no point in hiding it here. My government basically gives everyone brain damage when they give them the pretty operation at age sixteen. I'm part of a group trying to, um, stop that. Or... I was." Tally sighs, thinking about how David had never showed up for her, and never can, now.

[vineleaves]

"The night is young, there's still time for you to start speaking gibberish if that's what you want to do."

[vineleaves]

"Oh, psh, don't worry about it! Comedy and tragedy are equally important if you ask me. But if you want we can switch gears! I know you've read Euripides, what other sorts of plays are you a fan of?"

[timebethine]

"I've read so many," says Laertes with a laugh. "Aristophanes, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Plautus, Terence, Seneca--and some few of mine own time, too, although they tended toward the same themes."

[socialjusticedragon]

Temeraire's not sure, but he was certainly listening, even if he didn't understand half of it. "Oh! You are quite welcome of course; but neither of us had any say in it. If you are thanking me for that, I suppose I must thank you for the use of your hands." He sounds amused.

[socialjusticedragon]

"Oh, that is fascinating. Are there very many colors of paints and the like?"

[futaille]

Grantaire nods. "He was the leader, really." He smiles a bit and waves his free hand in a loose circle. "All of this is to try to be like one of our meetings back home. With all the talking about anything, but less worrying about having a government to try and overthrow."

[futaille]

"Oh, I'm always speaking gibberish."

[futaille]

"My hands were, I'm sure, grateful for the opportunity to help." He pauses. "By the way, what on earth did you have me wearing?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Susan now gives Tally a look of muted horror. "I beg your pardon?"

[summerdude]

"How did you 'serve and keep peace?'"

[wickedwit]

"That may be the most generous thing you've ever said to me, Enjolras. Clearly I need to draw you into more discourse on the definition of society." With a smile, he says, "The event that precipitated the dance may've had something to do with it, too. Hugger-mugger though it was, theirs was the first wedding between worlds, with means of ceremony native to neither of them. I daresay such bonds and ceremonies are foundational to society. If the mansion were a test to see how the cultures of many worlds meld, Laertes and Sagramore would be one model. It only took them a month." Serious discussion or no, Claudius can't resist a small bit of gossip. "You've gotten rather close to them, haven't you?"

[vineleaves]

"Yet everything you've said tonight makes perfect sense to me."

[vineleaves]

"Oh, any color you can imagine! Different finishes as well, some are matte, some shiny, there's ways to get a glossy look, truly whatever someone wishes or requires is possible."

[futaille]

He laughs a little. "Oh no, what am I coming to if I'm starting to make sense?"

[untamedantinous]

"It may have, yes, but I do not think I was here for the wedding itself, and so cannot comment on it." He clears his throat a little and nibbles absently at some of his food. "Yes, and? It is common knowledge, I think."

[vineleaves]

"So well read I could almost die! And the classics!" There's some part of him that knows he's maybe overreacting, but he can't help it. He gets so excited whenever meeting what he would consider a kindred spirit in this manner. "Would you be interested in any recommendations of playwrights from past your time? I think you'd like Shaw -- granted I think most people would like Shaw, the man was truly gifted. A bit of an -- please pardon my expression -- a bit of an asshole on a personal level, but meeting him did nothing to make me like his writing any less. What are your thoughts on musicals?"