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

[futaille]

"Precisely. Therefore it was not for lack of anything to talk about, and merely for the body's need for occasional rest."

[untamedantinous]

--Yes, let's call it that. He simply raises his eyebrows again, but nods.

[futaille]

"But sleep or drunken unconsciousness notwithstanding... I basically always have things to say."

[untamedantinous]

"So you do, yes."

[futaille]

"And not all of them are designed to contradict you."

[untamedantinous]

"Just most of them."

[futaille]

"A reasonable percentage, I would say."

[untamedantinous]

He makes a 'tch' sort of noise. "You would say such things."

[futaille]

"Would you expect any less from me? Or, I suppose, any better?"

[untamedantinous]

"I would not, at that."

[futaille]

He smiles wryly. "And there we have it."

[untamedantinous]

"Yes, I suppose so." He shakes his head fondly and takes another nibble of his charcuterie plate.

[futaille]

He smiles and takes another drink. "I do noticed you felt no need to stand in defense of dragging elephants across the Alps."

[untamedantinous]

"Well, I do not intend to do so. Why should I defend it?"

[futaille]

"Oh, you absolutely shouldn't, as it was utter madness, but the option was there."

[untamedantinous]

"So it was, but you had a good many other options as well."

[futaille]

"Yes, but how many involve elephants?"

[untamedantinous]

'I think just the one, but there were quite a lot of them."

[futaille]

"Not so many at the end. Awful for the elephants."

[untamedantinous]

--In answer, he just sighs and shakes his head. "You know what I meant."

[futaille]

He laughs. He can't help it. "All right, all right. I'll talk about anything you'd like now."

[untamedantinous]

“Truly?” There’s a teasing light in his eyes. “What if I asked you to recite Rousseau?”

[futaille]

Well, this should probably have been anticipated. But he doesn't believe in backing down, either. "I'm certainly capable of it. Are you asking me to recite Rousseau?"

[untamedantinous]

“Yes, I am. Perhaps —mm. The Social Contract?”

[futaille]

He rolls his eyes but it's with much more obvious fondness than it ever was in Paris¹. "Of course you would select The Social Contract. Perhaps one day you may yet surprise me and choose Julie. But very well. Would you have me start from the beginning or select a passage of my choosing?"


¹Or perhaps it was obvious there too if you knew to look.