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

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Certainly not," says Susan, with firm conviction. In tones of great confidence, she adds, "but I suppose men will always want to make themselves feel important."

[tallyyoungblood]

"Men?" Tally blinks. "What does their gender have to do with it?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"I mean, they're rather just speaking to hear the sounds of their own voices, don't you think?" Susan asks. It's loud in the room, and every other word she can pick out is just pure nonsense. "This might have been a productive discussion about improving our situations, and yet."

[tallyyoungblood]

"I've met lots of girls who do that," Tally laughs, "but you're totally right. So bogusly attention-hogging." As much as pretties are supposed to be eye-catching, a party is all about cohesion where Tally comes from. You're not supposed to do a presentation like in school.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"I suppose I might've known," Susan says. She squares her narrow shoulders, shaking off a little of her irritability. If it's truly that awful, you can just leave, she reminds herself. New topic! "What sort of social events do you prefer?"

[tallyyoungblood]

"I love ice-skating parties," Tally says immediately. "Or beach parties. Anything physical like that. It's totally bubbly to have an activity to do and an easy way to know what to wear."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Oh, clear dress codes are ever so helpful, are they not?"

[tallyyoungblood]

"So helpful. I hate when an invitation says something like semi-formal. Like, what does that mean? Just say formal if you want formal!" She's getting worked up. "I love dressing up, but there's literally infinite options. I need guidelines!"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Agreed," says Susan, tilting her head. "I don't know that the lake will freeze well enough to support skating, and there isn't a beach, but - what sort of parties do you think we ought to have here, given our limited resources for activities?"

[tallyyoungblood]

"Annie-la said she'd take me out on her boat in the summer, so maybe a boat party?" Tally muses. "Maybe we could rollerskate inside one of the big rooms?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"I'll note it down," Susan promises, though she's fairly certain the boat is too small for such things and roller skating sounds rather unpleasant. The point is to produce social activities that appeal to many.

[tallyyoungblood]

"Are you, like, a party planner?" Tally asks. "Bubbly!"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"I certainly am a planner," Susan says, with a fair amount of good humor.

[tallyyoungblood]

"What kind of parties do you like?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"The sort that would scandalize my family," Susan says, with the faintest of smiles.

[tallyyoungblood]

Tally grins. "Oh, bubbly," she says. "Totally crim. Like what?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Oh, drinking, dancing, s--" Susan coughs. "Going home with someone new at the end of it after vetting several options, the like."

[tallyyoungblood]

"I know what sex is, Susan-la, I'm not totally missing," Tally laughs. "A party like that sounds totally bubbly! Ugh, except I'm not supposed to drink any more."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"No? Whyever not?"

[tallyyoungblood]

"It makes me not bubbly. Like, totally spinning and not present-feeling."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"So... drunk?" Susan is truly trying to understand.

[tallyyoungblood]

Tally laughs. "Um. Well. Yes. But I kind of feel drunk all the time already. I have, like, brain damage? Sort of? I'm working on it. Thus the no drinking."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Brain damage! Ah. Well. Yes, then; I can see how drinking might be a complication."

[tallyyoungblood]

"I got it on purpose," Tally confesses. It feels important to let Susan know she didn't, like, fall off a hoverboard and hit her head. "To try and test an experimental cure for it."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"That's a queer approach to scientific discovery," Susan muses. "Is that how research is conducted in the future, then?"