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

[ravkanwitch]

Nina is present, grabbing a pastry or two and listening in on the conversations. While she has been political and involved with schemes, discussions of morality, espionage, and other debates in the past, she usually wasn't the one talking in those situations. For all her charm, she was always more of an enforcer. In Ketterdamn, Kaz told them what to do while she and Jesper bickered in the background. In Ravka, her status wasn't high enough that she worked directly with the crown and his advisors.

In any case, in the spirit of discussion and following her conversation with Susan, if anyone greets her and starts chatting with her, she'll probably ask them, "So... did you want to get involved with the play?"

[timebethine]

"Ay," says Laertes, who has risen from his own chair to give her a hug in greeting. "Didst ask for someone to help build sets, didst thou not? I may be able to help with that."

[ravkanwitch]

"One of the most important parts of a play," Nina says, with a smile. "Do you have any plays that you like? Genres?"

[timebethine]

"Tragedies move me," says Laertes, "but I would not have us play tragedies here. Something like Lysistrata, perhaps."

[ravkanwitch]

"I'm not familiar with that one," Nina says, taking a sip of her coffee. "What's it about?"

[timebethine]

"The women of Athens greatly resent the ongoing war between Athens and Sparta, and so they propose a means of breaking the war: to deny their men the favors of their sex until the war is ended," says Laertes.

[ravkanwitch]

Nina raises an eyebrow, amused. "I'm guessing it worked? When I worked at the House of the White Rose, the girls would always talk about going on strike. It'd probably ruin the entire economy of Ketterdam if they ever did."

[timebethine]

"Then they should have," says Laertes immediately. "Should they be so vital to the city, they deserved to be treated with all the respect such a position owns."

[ravkanwitch]

"Unfortunately, most of the girls were Grisha as well-- second-rate citizens in Ketterdam. I was lucky I could soothe anxieties and stress with a wave of my hand instead of touching anyone." She waggles her fingers, making light of it -- but she does also think of Inej and her time in the Menagerie. "Anyway, that was a tangent. What happens at the end of the play?"

[timebethine]

Everything Nina's just said is deeply alarming--but she doesn't seem to want to talk about it, so Laertes gamely continues, "At long last, Athens and Sparta come to talk of peace, and a beautiful nude woman called Reconciliation presides. Captivated by the sight of her, Athens and Sparta swiftly agree to the terms of the peace, and the war and the strike end with merrymaking."

[ravkanwitch]

"I'll have to see if I can find it a copy of it in the library! ...Who would you cast as Reconciliation?" She asks, mostly just to see how he'll react.

[timebethine]

Laertes goes crimson to his throat. "My lady," he manages, "I am but tasked with building the sets. Such matters as casting are beyond my purview."

[ravkanwitch]

Oh, that's a great reaction; almost as great as when Sagramore's soul almost left his body when she made a meat-related joke. "Of course," Nina says, solemnly and apologetically -- but with a hint of mischief. "Any interest in acting?"

[futaille]

Grantaire, who is always up to chatting, answers the question easily enough. "I could paint a fair enough backdrop. At least so that the audience would probably have a reasonable idea of what the scenery looks like."

[ravkanwitch]

“I didn’t know you were an artist until you mentioned that in your survey answer,” Nina says, delighted. “You and Laertes could work together for the set and backdrop. No interest in acting, though?”

[futaille]

"Studied art, don't know that I'd really say I'm an artist, but I'm middling enough with paints and would be happy enough to help with that. As for acting..." He shrugs. "I have no qualms with public speaking, but that's not exactly the same. I'll say... if you're in need of more after those who are enthusiastic about the prospect have come forward, I'll join. Otherwise I'll be perfectly happy to watch and enjoy the production."

[ravkanwitch]

"Or if we're in need of someone to perform a monologue?" Nina asks, with a little smile.

[futaille]

He laughs. "There is that, although mine tend toward the extemporaneous, as opposed to the memorized. Not that I'm incapable of memorization."

[ravkanwitch]

"Well, we'll at least put you down for backdrop painting." She looks at him, curious for a moment, having overheard his earlier speech. "By the way, what's my food, drink, and animal?"

[futaille]

"Ah, of course. Let me see... From what I've ascertained from our acquaintance so far, anyway, croquembouche, Fireball, and perhaps a fox."

[ravkanwitch]

"Oh! The fox is the Ravkan national animal," Nina says, delighted. "What's... a croquembouche?"

[futaille]

"Small round cream-filled choux pastries," he holds up a hand in a circle to indicate the size, "piled into a stack and bound with spun sugar. Sometimes with other additional tasty decorations."

[ravkanwitch]

Her eyes widen to nearly the size of a choux pastry. "That sounds incredible."

[futaille]

"Excellent dessert for special occasions. Livens up a table."

[ravkanwitch]

"I do liven up a lot of things," Nina muses.