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]

"There's a lot of technology that controls and helps the reading process. I think they're planning on releasing UltraWord soon. It's a new technology that's supposed to have a 32 plot system that allows the reader to control the plot."

[tallyyoungblood]

"Oh, what?" Tally says, totally confused. "I guess complicated ereaders are cool..."

[forgethertoo]

"It's more..." She taps her forehead lightly. "All up here."

[tallyyoungblood]

"Like augments after an operation? For reading?"

[forgethertoo]

"No operation needed. Reading books alters your brain in a specific way that affects your reading experience." Her tone turns slightly wry. "I've learned that a lot of what is normal for literature in my world isn't the norm for everyone else here."

[tallyyoungblood]

"I mean, obviously. But I totally get that. No one really seems to share my world's norms, either."

[forgethertoo]

"What are some of the things you take for granted?" Aornis asks, tone curious.

[tallyyoungblood]

"People here eat meat, and they sometimes like only one gender, and they're really weird about surgery."

[forgethertoo]

Aornis nods, understandingly. "Not too much I've discovered here surprises me. I travel a lot for the fashion events that I go to -- or it might just be my line of work."

[tallyyoungblood]

"Oh my gosh, fashion? Bubbly!" Tally enthuses. "I did notice you were utterly not fashion-missing, especially compared to most people here. Um, no offense to them! What are some ugly fashion trends right now? Or, from when you were before you came here?"

[forgethertoo]

Aornis tilts her head at the word ugly, but it's clear it doesn't carry the same connotations in Tally's world. "Pretty flashy," Aornis admits. "Leopard print. Brightly colored satin and velvet, even in the high fashion world. I like a sleek silhouette myself -- but with a pop of color to make it less boring."

[tallyyoungblood]

"Totally bubbly. I had a leopard print hoverboard for a while," Tally says, hoping Aornis will think she's not too fashion-missing. "Velvet seems totally dust-attracting, though."

[forgethertoo]

"True. Unfortunately, a lot of high fashion is worn once and then stored away, perhaps never worn again."

[tallyyoungblood]

Tally nods, eyes wide and serious. "I know, the Rusties were famous for creating totally bogus amounts of waste. Don't worry, though, by my time we've figured out nanotechnology so that you can wear clothes once and then recycle them, instead of creating garbage islands."

[forgethertoo]

Aornis nods. "Technology can do a lot. It's brought back extinct animals and created time travel in my world; according to Magnus, that's fairly rare."

[tallyyoungblood]

"We have the extinct animals," Tally brags. "But no time travel. Unless you count going forward." She giggles nervously.

[forgethertoo]

“It’s not all it’s cracked up to be,” Aornis says dryly, thinking about Thursday getting out of a truly evil end of the world conundrum with the help of her idiotic, meddling time-traveling father. “A lot of rules and regulations. There are even restrictions on cheese; the government thinks it’s too addictive.”

She was legitimately shocked when she opened up the fridge in the kitchen and found an entire cheese drawer.

[tallyyoungblood]

"Like... for environmental concerns?" Tally asks. "I know raising cows was totally killing the planet."

[forgethertoo]

"No, for health reasons. I believe the Cheese Duty Act started in ...1963?" She had gone out with someone who worked in cheese legislation once. He told her a lot about it until she became bored and had to ditch him. "The original reasoning was that sustained cheese abuse caused infertility, memory loss¹, tastebud destruction, and ...well, death."

¹Hmm.

[tallyyoungblood]

"That's totally crazy!" Tally exclaims. "Just try some plant-based cheese. It's great."

[forgethertoo]

"I'm sure I can find some here." Aornis eyes the coffee machine. "I think I might need something stronger than tea to get through this meeting, but it was good to meet you, Tally."

[tallyyoungblood]

"Good to meet you too, Aornis!" Tally lets her go, since she can't have a drink herself.