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

[vineleaves]

"Grantaire, Patron Hero to all Devil's Advocates. It has a nice ring, I suppose. For you I'll say..." he considers this for a moment. "A llama, a crunchwrap supreme from Taco Bell, and wine, of course, though not just for our shared proclivity."

[vineleaves]

"Simply a byproduct of the second. Vines."

[futaille]

He leans forward a little. "All right, I'm intrigued. First, what is a crunchwrap supreme from Taco Bell? Second, I would love to hear your rationale for all three."

[summerdude]

Magnus nods earnestly. "Thank you," he says. "That sounds great."

[kadewest]

Kade is here, mostly because he's trying to make a point to get out of his room more and the flyer on the welcome table seemed interesting enough. He doesn't plan to participate--he's pretty sure most of the people here are European, and probably from history, and as previously established he has little knowledge or interest in any politics related to all of that. His other areas of knowledge, of course, encompass Prism (a non-starter), and twenty-first century America (the less said about that, the better). He's not going to write it off, though, especially since there seemed to be a slim chance other things might get discussed, as well.

So he brings his embroidery, notes what seems to be the quiet corner, and goes to pull up a seat there. He gives Lan Wangji a friendly nod as he does.

[vineleaves]

He laughs. “Taco Bell is a restaurant, long after your time sadly. A Crunchwrap is one of their offerings with a multitude of fillings wrapped together. A lot of flavors and textures, much like your arguments here tonight. Farmers will often put a llama in their fields with cows or other livestock, and the llama will help the poor cows should they find themselves in distress. And wine, among its many other benefits, is an excellent way to get conversation started.”

[futaille]

"Well. Vive la variété. I think I like all three of those answers, at least judging by your reasoning."

[sagramore]

"I'm sure he'll have an opinion on your skills."

[futaille]

He laughs at that. "Oh, of course. They are many and varied, as we all know."

[sagramore]

"Oh, I see. Well, I'm quite impressed," with another sip. This time it goes down easier; he keeps his eyes on Claudius. "You're a welcome addition."

[wickedwit]

“What indeed?” asks Claudius with a sigh. “Perhaps we might appeal to Enjolras’s experience mounting rebellions, or Magnus’s experience flyting gods.”

[onthewillowsthere]

A wash of relief, an easing of tension, goes through him. He always wants to be understood, and the way Lan Wangji understands him feels like the pleasure of finally being clean after a day of sweating and effort -- something that was uncomfortable is better now. It's strange to think of how completely they misunderstood each other in the beginning now that Lan Wangji is a person Galahad can be at ease around.

He puts his hands around the teacup, letting his cold fingers be warmed by the heat of the tea, and is grateful, again, at how he's gone from such loneliness to having so many people he likes and trusts.

[sagramore]

"Infinite and distinct as stars," fondly. "It's a pleasure to know thee; even the gods will speak to it."

[futaille]

"Infinite is a bit much, I think, as I am in fact only a man, but broad nonetheless."

[timebethine]

"I know not what they are," he says.

[timebethine]

"No, it was a genuine question," says Laertes. "Thou hast not been troubled again, hast thou? And no rebellion nor battle of words was needed to reach that end. What changed?"

[sagramore]

"Let me be extravagant. I like it."

[futaille]

"Somewhat difficult, as I am always the soul of restraint," he says wryly before waving his wine glass loosely in the air. "But very well, be extravagant."

[wickedwit]

“Mine was a genuine question, too,” Claudius says with a tilt of his head, surprised but not displeased by how incisive Laertes is. “But I’ll try to follow yours to an end, and not introduce too many of my own. Do you mean what changed the first time a certain emperor attempted to establish power through intimidation and torture, then stopped? I’m afraid he didn’t enlighten me, so we’ll have to speculate.”

[timebethine]

"It seems to me," says Laertes carefully, "that the bonds of affection between us can be credited--for the more interconnected we are, the more friends each of us has to be harmed by our suffering and to come to our aid to end it, the less likely violence is. Thus, we need fear only those who have no desire for friendship." There is an unspoken name there, a name that if spoken would ring a distant bell.

[sagramore]

"My thanks for thine indulgence. Anyway, I'm sure he had good things to say about thee; thou'rt a paragon of followers to him, art thou not?"

[futaille]

That is a delighted laugh. "He appreciates my patronage, yes."

[lightbearinglord]

Lan Wangji looks fondly at him for a small moment, and then holds back his sleeve to pour him a cup as directed. It's still hot, steaming once it fills the cup, and he passes it with care to Magnus.

[wickedwit]

Claudius takes a considering sip. “That accords well with my own beliefs. Let’s speak in hypotheticals, then — no need to name names.” Least of all a name that’s also a yawning portal to Hell. “Say someone comes along who desires no amity, who has the power to tyrannically impose their own laws on us. What’s our recourse?”

[timebethine]

"There, I think, we return to the question of flyting gods and mounting rebellions."