untamedantinous | open: don't let the wine go to your brains

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.

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From:

vineleaves

"Only once! My dear that simply won't do!" If Dionysus had it his way he would take this dragon to a show right this second. Alas.

He's about to ask if the play was a tragedy, but then Temeraire mentions it might not have been the play's fault itself, and now he's intrigued. "What happened at the end?"

From:

socialjusticedragon

"Well, it is not as though I would be allowed, in England," he says, a little petulant. "Oh, Prince Yongxing was killed. But he should not have had that man attack Laurence, I was only protecting my captain."

From:

vineleaves

Give him a minute, there’s a lot to unpack here.

“I… promise that’s not how most plays end.” Usually.

From:

socialjusticedragon

There is, and he hasn’t even gone into the meat of it yet.

“Oh! Well, that is good, it would be quite inconvenient if they all ended so, I think.”

From:

vineleaves

“Usually they just end with a round of applause for the cast and crew.” Deserved or otherwise.

“Why doesn’t England let you go to a show?”

From:

socialjusticedragon

"A crew?" He looks a little befuddled. "Surely they do not have a dragon-crew in every play, or a ship's crew. Are there crews for plays, as well?"

From:

vineleaves

Dragons have crews? He makes a mental note to inquire about that later.

“The actors, bless their little souls, can’t do everything on their own. Some can hardly manage the bare minimum if we’re being honest. You need people to run the lights! The sound! To help them get dressed and in makeup and move the sets and build the sets in the first place, to make everything start on time, to make sure everybody knows what to do and where to go and when to go there. It’s a very big operation, you know.”

From:

socialjusticedragon

Yes, but he has none of his here, sadly enough. "Ah! I see. I have never seen anyone put on makeup before, is it terribly difficult? It sounds as though it must be a very big operation."

From:

vineleaves

"Well that depends on the makeup! Sometimes it's fairly easy and straightforward, but sometimes if it's for a particularly involved role they might have to do something like glue a prosthetic on, or do a very detailed paint job, or both! We used to just wear masks, but times evolved and now it's something of a rarity for a production to have masks at all."

From:

socialjusticedragon

"Oh, that is fascinating. Are there very many colors of paints and the like?"

From:

vineleaves

"Oh, any color you can imagine! Different finishes as well, some are matte, some shiny, there's ways to get a glossy look, truly whatever someone wishes or requires is possible."

From:

socialjusticedragon

"I see," Temeraire replies with great interest. "It is usually -- what ladies paint themselves with, is it not? Most of the ladies I know do not do that sort of thing."

From:

vineleaves

He frowns. "It doesn't have to be only ladies, you know."

From:

socialjusticedragon

"Oh! I did not know, I am sorry. I have only ever heard a very little about it."

From:

vineleaves

"Oh, no need to worry! It can be great fun; some people like the artistry behind it, some people like it as a way to emphasize the features they're most proud of, but regardless it's great fun! I've only just arrived recently, but as soon as I find some I can come and show it to you, if you'd like? Perhaps something that might match that lovely necklace you're wearing?"

From:

socialjusticedragon

"Oh!" Temeraire preens a little, pleased. "It is quite fine, isn't it? My captain gave it me, and here I am small enough to wear it again."

From:

vineleaves

He has so many questions.

"You used to be even bigger?"

From:

socialjusticedragon

"Oh, yes, at home I am the size of a frigate-ship at least: here, why, I am scarcely bigger than a hatchling."

From:

vineleaves

"Heavens! That must be why you keep mentioning a crew!" He pauses, a realization coming to him. "Do... do they treat you like you're a ship?"

From:

socialjusticedragon

He huffs out a sigh and takes a sip of tea, shaking his head. "I am a part of the aerial corps, in England -- that is what is done with dragons there. In China, where I am properly from -- it is not so, Celestials such as myself are companions to the imperial family, and dragons are treated the same as men."

From:

vineleaves

"...Yeah, that does check out for England, historically speaking," he responds, more than a little glumly. "I'm sorry you've had to deal with that, my friend."

From:

socialjusticedragon

He gives the draconic equivalent of a shrug, but it's difficult to see since the majority of his body is outside. "My captain and I shall change it, do not worry."