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

[forgethertoo]

"Claudius," Aornis returns the greeting, with a raised eyebrow. "I suppose the first counter question would be what kind of tyrant they are. Did they simply seize power without legal right? Or are they actively cruel and oppressive?"

[vineleaves]

Oh! Oh oh! Upon hearing her name, he excitedly sets the small plate of snacks he was working on down on a nearby table.

"Nina! Hello! Yes! I have been wanting to speak to you! I am Dionysus, I hear you are organizing a play?"

[forgethertoo]

"Aornis," she offers with a small smile, opening her free hand so Tally can see the nails better. "Thank you. Just because there's an audience of only 30-odd people doesn't mean we should let fashion fall to the wayside."

[wickedwit]

"Then I know thy answer." There's a sincere gratitude there. With a sigh, he says, "In truth, I hope it all remains hypothetical. An outlandish discussion to pass the time, like asking what one would do if ..." He shakes his head. "Thou know'st, it has become a struggle to think of outlandish enough scenario. What one would do if one were transformed into a child for a day? What one would do upon switching forms with a friend's lover, and finding yourself in his bed?"

[timebethine]

"Nothing is impossible any longer," says Laertes wryly. "Except, perhaps, reconciliation without sincere repentance."

[vineleaves]

At once Dionysus' eyes light up. "The famous Laertes! I admit I've heard a lot about you." Since arriving, as well as before, but no sense in bringing... all that up right now. "Love your dog. I am Dionysus! I met your husband recently."

[wickedwit]

"Would your answers be different for each? That makes a challenging choice for me -- I'd quite like to hear both." Claudius sips his wine, considering. "Let's say whichever tyrant you would enjoy deposing the most."

[timebethine]

Laertes can't help laughing. "Ay, my husband does me too much credit. Szarka deserves all of your praises, though. Forgive me, did you say your name was Dionysus?"

[tallyyoungblood]

"I totally agree!" Tally herself is dressed in a minidress and boots, which is definitely more of a going-out look than this bash had required, but that's Enjolras's fault for not specifying a dress code. "The flier said we should discuss fashion, but no one seems to have dressed cute besides us. It makes me feel utterly missing."

[vineleaves]

"I did! God of Drama, at your service." He gives a small, informal bow.

[timebethine]

"Then should I credit you for my existence?"

[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."

[forgethertoo]

"They don't have their priorities right, clearly." Aornis does believe in this. A carefully planned outfit can get her into a variety of different events without having to use any additional ...encouragement. "Well, we can talk about fashion. I like the dress."

[wickedwit]

"'Tis why God and I will never be reconciled," Claudius says with a roll of eyes, eliding any other reconcilements he might wish for. "Either I must repent, or He must. And God's far more likely to say something along the lines of 'Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?'"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Oh, I'm not doing it for recognition or praise," Susan says, clearly a little startled at the very idea. "I'm doing it because it needs doing." This has always been the way: in Narnia and in England, her siblings would do the awesome, eye-catching sorts of deeds, and Susan was there to do the supporting work that they didn't realize was needed. Some (as she is beginning to think) was perhaps a little misguided - the ferocious fights over whether Narnia was real come to mind, for example - but she's used to being paid primarily by internal satisfaction.

[tallyyoungblood]

"Thank you!" Tally gives her a pretty smile. "I've been experimenting and trying to make as many new clothes as possible. My room is utterly covered." The dress she's wearing now is the same shape as the one she gave Gideon a heart attack with the first time they met, but metallic silver instead of black.

[timebethine]

"Then it seems thou hast answered thine own question--the thankless tasks are thine, because thou needst not thanks for them."

[timebethine]

"Sooner be transformed into a chicken than repent thy sins," says Laertes, but it's deeply fond.

[tallyyoungblood]

"Hi, Susan-la!" Tally says gratefully. She can tell that Susan is kind of bored too. "Not as fun as the last bash, huh?"

[sagramore]

"Of course." He toasts Dionysus.

[forgethertoo]

"Clearly the cruel and oppressive one." She gives him a small smile; she is a law enforcement agent, of course. That's an easy answer for her. "If I didn't have Jurisfiction behind me, my scope would be pretty limited, if I'm going to be honest. I would try and gather information first and then subtly spread that information to see who else is sympathetic to my cause. Then the next step would be to assess this tyrant's abilities. What are they capable of?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"And so if more necessary but undesirable tasks emerge, they become mine simply because I've already taken on the few that I am committed to?" Susan asks. "If tasks must be delegated, then surely there must be someone to do the delegating."

[timebethine]

"No one delegated these tasks to thee," Laertes points out. "No one else even thought them tasks. Thou didst make and seize them willingly."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Certainly not," says Susan, with firm conviction. In tones of great confidence, she adds, "but I suppose men will always want to make themselves feel important."

[vineleaves]

"In an extraordinarily roundabout way, though I believe more of the credit is due to Will."

His good buddy Will Shakespeare who he is close personal friends with.