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

[socialjusticedragon]

Temeraire would not miss such a meeting for the world! Especially not if one of his dearest friends in the mansion is hosting it. To that end, there is a window open near where Enjolras is seated, with a large bowl of tea and --whatever kind of noodles Temeraire requested of the host. Finger foods are difficult when you've no fingers to speak of, after all. The dragon in question has his head shoved through the window, listening to Grantaire's ramblings with some bemusement.

[futaille]

After he gets a moment to refill his drink and move on from whatever he was talking about, Grantaire looks over at Temeraire. "I know it wasn't your choice, Temeraire, but I still want to thank you for the use of your wings. It was amazing in all particulars."

[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.

[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?"

[socialjusticedragon]

"Oh, it was quite a fine robe that I found in the closet there. I wanted something green, without buttons: they are too difficult."

[futaille]

He contemplates that for a moment. "I suppose buttons would be tricky if you'd never used them before."

[socialjusticedragon]

"Yes. Your hands are quite different than mine, you know."

[vineleaves]

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

He's pretty sure he would remember a dragon.

[socialjusticedragon]

"Oh! No, I do not think we have, hallo," Temeraire says cheerfully. "I am Temeraire."

[vineleaves]

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

[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.”

[vineleaves]

“Ah, well…” Darn good question. “Mostly I have fun. I know a lot about theatre. I’m also the god of wine.”

That one has much more obvious powers, and he makes a few vines grow as an example.

[socialjusticedragon]

"Oh! I have only ever been to the theatre once, in China." He hesitates and watches the vines grow curiously. "I hope not all plays ended as that one did, it was not pleasant. But perhaps that was not the fault of the play."

[wickedwit]

"Temeraire, hello," Claudius says casually, sidling up to the dragon. It's difficult to sidle up to someone whose head is coming through the window, but he manages. "Let me ask you a question. "Let me ask you a question. If you had to depose a tyrant, with the resources you have here, how would you go about it?"

[socialjusticedragon]

“Why, my dear fellow, I am a resource, am I not?” He sounds mildly amused, stretching to lap up a few more sips of tea. “You have seen a little of what I am capable of, I think, and surely there are enough here that can manage weapons should it come to that. I have lead squadrons, I could be a captain if I must.”

[wickedwit]

“Well-said.” Claudius smiles appreciatively. “Bravely, too. It’s easy to forget the resources we have, and you’ve been here from the beginning. I’ve always been one for cloak-and-dagger secrecy, trading in favors and alliances, rather than risking open combat. But my alliances have since become simple friendships, and I see the benefits of openness in them. You’d be an inspiration to anyone who fears we’re outmatched. And you’ve always had friends among your comrades-in-arms, haven’t you?”

[socialjusticedragon]

"I've also my harness, if it should come to that. I cannot put it on myself, there are many belts and buckles, but I think between Enjolras and Galahad and I we could set it to rights." Temeraire has never been one for the more subtle side of politics, he leaves that to ambassadors and the admiralty, and does what he thinks is right, generally. "Of course," he adds. "Aside from --ugh, Caesar, I suppose, but his captain is an awful man so it is no surprise that Caesar is the same."

[wickedwit]

Momentarily Claudius covers his face with a long-fingered hand, ears burning bright red, before clearing his throat. "My apologies," he says, straightening. "I'm envisioning Galahad dragonback. It would be a thing to behold, to be sure. Now tell me about Caesar?"

[socialjusticedragon]

Temeraire looks briefly perplexed; what could be so distressing about Galahad riding him? "He is the son of Arkady and Wringe, and we brought his egg to Australia with us so as to help start an aerial corps there. Arkady was insistent that his egg should have a very rich captain, and I suppose that Caesar took that to heart; as he immediately enquired after Rankin's prospects as soon as he met him." If a dragon could roll his eyes, Temeaire would be.

"Rankin is --an awful man. He abused and starved poor Levitas, his old dragon, and did not even care when Levitas was dying; he was not even there until Laurence made him go."

[aflashbastard]

Crowley is a demon on a mission. "Hey," he says, nodding at Temeraire. "Long time no talk. What do you think of all of this?"

[socialjusticedragon]

"I think it is quite enlightening! I am enjoying spending time with everyone, though I do not think it is very much what Enjolras expected. He has told me all about his friends at home."

[aflashbastard]

"Sorry, I don't think it's enlightening at all," Crowley says, with purpose. "Who's said anything new that we haven't heard a thousand times already?"

[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."

[aflashbastard]

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

[socialjusticedragon]

"Well, yes, people are gathered here, are they not? For the purpose of Enjolras' meeting."