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

[vineleaves]

"I admit I am a little tired of being compared to a bull. No offense to cows, of course."

[futaille]

"For an animal, if I remove all of those that are your generally accepted symbols, then perhaps a magpie."

[vineleaves]

He raises an eyebrow. "Dare I ask why?"

[futaille]

"They're clever and social, like shiny things, and like all members of their family, are just a bit dramatic."

[vineleaves]

"You think I'm clever!" A huge grin. "I was worried for a moment you were insinuating I'm small and annoying."

[futaille]

"Oh, no, see, being annoying is my domain and I refuse to yield it."

[vineleaves]

"Grantaire, Patron Hero to all Devil's Advocates. It has a nice ring, I suppose. For you I'll say..." he considers this for a moment. "A llama, a crunchwrap supreme from Taco Bell, and wine, of course, though not just for our shared proclivity."

[futaille]

He leans forward a little. "All right, I'm intrigued. First, what is a crunchwrap supreme from Taco Bell? Second, I would love to hear your rationale for all three."

[vineleaves]

He laughs. “Taco Bell is a restaurant, long after your time sadly. A Crunchwrap is one of their offerings with a multitude of fillings wrapped together. A lot of flavors and textures, much like your arguments here tonight. Farmers will often put a llama in their fields with cows or other livestock, and the llama will help the poor cows should they find themselves in distress. And wine, among its many other benefits, is an excellent way to get conversation started.”

[futaille]

"Well. Vive la variété. I think I like all three of those answers, at least judging by your reasoning."

[vineleaves]

"Well, that's two of the ten points settled! Which shall we go after next?"

Yeah he already forgot what the other topics were.

[futaille]

"Tempting fate. Avoid or no, funny or no?"

[vineleaves]

"That depends. Is Hera involved?"

[futaille]

"Ah, true enough that the tales do not speak well of crossing her, but let's say for the sake of argument that she is not."

[vineleaves]

"I'm proof enough of that. Well, assuming my wonderful stepmother is absent, then..." he thinks for a moment. "Often funny, if you've got a good sense of things. If we're viewing fate as truly something you have no control over no matter what you do, then it doesn't matter, right? Do whatever, the same consequences will happen. Might as well have fun with it."

[futaille]

"Precisely! Better chance of enjoying it, or at least laughing your way through it."

[vineleaves]

"One must be careful not to become too complacent, of course, but sometimes comedy is all that we have to get through difficult moments in life."

[futaille]

"Perhaps so, but not being complacent can carry its own set of dangers."

[vineleaves]

"Of course. But when everyone is complacent it's even worse."

[futaille]

"Well, when everyone is anything, it doesn't bode well."

[vineleaves]

"A fair point, I suppose. I do maintain there's more harm than good in complacency."

[futaille]

"Perhaps that's so in general, but say for example, speaking in hypotheticals, that a particular action is certain to kill you. Maybe in that case it will be less harmful to stay complacent for a bit longer."

[vineleaves]

Ah yes. Hypothetically. A hand moves to the nape of Grantaire's neck.

"I'd say there's a lot of wiggle room between 'doing nothing' and --" putting yourself directly in front of a lot of guns "That. Usually, anyway. There is merit in staying alive to fight another day, if possible."

[futaille]

Yep. Totally hypothetically. No relevance whatsoever. "Ah. Well, in that case, we are in accord."

[vineleaves]

He leans up to leave a kiss on Grantaire's forehead. If you saw him standing on his tippy toes to achieve this, no you did not. "Moving on then to another point! I believe you said something about the rooms changing and whether or not that's a good thing? It is going to make it rather difficult for me to remember directions."