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]

"I do feel bad for the elephants." Grantaire had said something about elephants, right? Dionysus takes a sip of his wine.

[futaille]

"Only one of them survived until the end of that war. It's preposterous! That is not the purpose of an elephant."

[vineleaves]

"No! The purpose of an elephant is to be adorable!" Another sip. "Have you ever seen a baby elephant? They're so silly, it's precious. But you're not even supposed to ride elephants, their backs aren't good for it, let alone bring them into stupid wars."

[futaille]

He holds up his glass. "To the memory of the elephants."

[vineleaves]

Dionysus does the same. "To the elephants!"

He drains what's left in his glass.

[futaille]

He polishes off his own as well and promptly refills it.

[vineleaves]

Meanwhile, Dionysus’ glass refills itself. “Now what was the one about pleasure and madness? You’re not giving away all my secrets tonight are you?”

[futaille]

He laughs. "Not my goal. I'm just saying that some people for some reason get it in their heads that just because something's enjoyable, that means they shouldn't do it, and that's idiocy."

[vineleaves]

“Usually the ones telling people they shouldn’t do something enjoyable do whatever it is anyway themselves,” he say bitterly. “Or it’s something they personally dislike, and they assume everyone else should dislike it too. Why humans can’t just let each other have a good time is beyond me. So long as nobody’s getting hurt why should it matter?”

[futaille]

"That is exactly my point! Obviously, don't want anyone getting hurt, but there's a reason for enjoyable things to exist, and that's to enjoy them!"

[vineleaves]

“You would fit in well with my maenads, I think,” he responds with a laugh before pressing a kiss to Grantaire’s lips.

[futaille]

He kisses back before laughing a little and ducking his head just slightly. "Well enough, I suppose, although aren't the maenads all women?"

[vineleaves]

“I guess? I’ve had male worshippers too, you know.” Maybe most of them preferred different classifications. He shrugs. “If you’re hoping for a rigid understanding of gender roles I’m afraid you’re talking to the wrong god, my dear.”

[futaille]

And that's a little laugh. "That's fair. I can only judge from what I've read, although I can hardly speak to the accuracy."

[vineleaves]

"A few thousand years of people, most of whom never met me, writing their own accounts of things they weren't even born yet for gets you some pretty wild accounts of things."

He takes a sip of his drink before continuing, grinning, "Unless what you've read makes me sound cool, then it's correct and you should absolutely believe it at face value."

[futaille]

"I will keep that in mind. The more drama the better, then, and obviously?"

[vineleaves]

"The more drama the more wine people need to get through it, it's a win-win for me."

[futaille]

"And the reverse can also be true, too. The more wine, the more drama gets caused."

[vineleaves]

"And then you need more wine."

[futaille]

"A neat little circle. An ouroboros, constantly feeding itself."

[vineleaves]

"I may not be the sun or the moon or the slayer of the nemean lion, but I like to think I still am important."

[futaille]

"More than simply important. You enrich humanity with joy, which is more than many can say. We'd wither on the vine without it."

[vineleaves]

He laughs. “Well in my brother’s defense, I do think we’d all wither without the sun as well.”

[futaille]

And that's a small smile and an amused little huff. "Well, yes, we'd wither without the sun as well."

[vineleaves]

“Do you have any siblings, my dear?”