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

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"I suppose that's one way to go about it." Susan is relaxing a little, though; her initial horror - though not subsiding in a global sense - is relaxing when it comes to Tally's involvement in all this.

[tallyyoungblood]

"We didn't have much choice. Special Circumstances is always trying to get us shut down. Our authorities. When I first got here I wasn't convinced this wasn't some weird prison they'd made for me. But everyone here is too ugly-minded for that. That's a compliment," she adds quickly.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Ugly-minded!" Susan repeats. "A fascinating term. Whatever does it mean? Just a lack of the brain damage?"

[tallyyoungblood]

"Um... kind of, yeah. Pretties don't fight. Or think for themselves."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Susan's mouth draws into a thin line. "Then what you've done - testing the cure - is a great thing," she says.

[tallyyoungblood]

"Um. I don't know. I mean, thanks," Tally says guiltily, thinking about how much she's defended the pretty regime. She's helping now, sure, but she winces to remember what she said as an ugly, or even a few weeks ago at the mansion. "I can't really give anyone my results when I'm trapped here, so that's totally bogus."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Yes, that is rather unfortunate," says Susan. "At least this Zane is a second subject?"

[tallyyoungblood]

"Yeah, thank goodness. I'm really glad he was brave enough to volunteer, even without a letter from himself. Hopefully Maddy can find him." Tally's worried that she won't, but who is she kidding? It's Zane. He can do anything. "I wonder if maybe my world is changing already. I've been here for so long."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Susan opens her mouth to say something, and then pauses at the look on Tally's face. "I believe," she says, carefully, "It mightn't be bad if you think of the best case scenario, whilst you're here."

[tallyyoungblood]

"Maybe," Tally says dubiously. "Isn't that a little pretty-minded, though? Just hoping someone else is taking care of it?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Very well," says Susan; she's always willing to deal in hypotheticals. "What else can you do, from here?"

[tallyyoungblood]

"Well, I'm trying to get this off." Tally holds up her wrist with its interface cuff. "This tracks my position and records me, so I'm trying to get rid of it while I'm here."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"And that would make you feel more meaningfully involved in things going on back in your home?"

[tallyyoungblood]

"I mean, kind of," Tally says. "I totally get that you're trying to get me to move on or whatever, but I don't want to give up."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Susan blinks, surprised. "Is that what you think I'm doing?"

[tallyyoungblood]

"Um, yes? You were all, just think of the best case scenario, and totally don't worry about it, because there's nothing we can do from here." Susan's talking like Tally's minders, or her parents, all gentle suggestion.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"When did I say 'don't worry about it, there's nothing we can do'?" Susan sounds a little affronted now. "If you don't want my help sorting out options I can stand down, but I'll thank you not to put words in my mouth. I asked you what you can do. I'd imagine the next step would be to find a way to do the things you can, rather than giving up."

[tallyyoungblood]

Tally sighs. "Maybe I'm just used to people telling me to give up," she admits, not quite an apology.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Susan can empathize with that, and she simmers down. "Very well," also not quite an apology.

[tallyyoungblood]

It's hard, having conversations with people who have their own complicated, ugly thoughts swirling around.

"It is probably good to hope for the best," she says. "You're right, that's totally not the same as assuming everything's fine."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Hope for the best," Susan says, nodding. "And plan for any number of contingencies."

[tallyyoungblood]

"Totally bubbly ideology," Tally agrees.