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

[untamedantinous]

"They might, yes; I do not consider myself at all wise enough to dictate the makings of a society. If we were to have the primary definition, I think, it would count as one -- we are an ordered community all in the same place, such as it is, even with the chaos the monthly happenings cause. There is shelter, there is food, there is...ah, relative harmony, does that not count for something? It may be a society even if it is not polite, I suppose, as by the bonds of the church in my home and -- I assume, yours, none of this would be considered polite. But I have never cared much for the words of the church."

[wickedwit]

"I sometimes forget how different an experience anyone has to me," Claudius says, a touch wistful, looking at the light through his wineglass. "I was the first person in the house, you know. The rest trickled in, one by one. With each new person, I thought ah, at last we're approaching civilization. But because we approached it by such small degrees, I never noticed when it arrived." Taking a drink of his wine, he says, "You know, I think this café of yours had something to do with it. Your meeting-grounds."

[untamedantinous]

"We needed somewhere we might all come together, is what I had originally planned. Certainly not for meetings, though this is rather enjoyable even if it is truly only a beginning. I think it perhaps came when -- ah, you began planning the wedding dance. Perhaps our first true event that someone planned here."

[wickedwit]

"That may be the most generous thing you've ever said to me, Enjolras. Clearly I need to draw you into more discourse on the definition of society." With a smile, he says, "The event that precipitated the dance may've had something to do with it, too. Hugger-mugger though it was, theirs was the first wedding between worlds, with means of ceremony native to neither of them. I daresay such bonds and ceremonies are foundational to society. If the mansion were a test to see how the cultures of many worlds meld, Laertes and Sagramore would be one model. It only took them a month." Serious discussion or no, Claudius can't resist a small bit of gossip. "You've gotten rather close to them, haven't you?"

[untamedantinous]

"It may have, yes, but I do not think I was here for the wedding itself, and so cannot comment on it." He clears his throat a little and nibbles absently at some of his food. "Yes, and? It is common knowledge, I think."

[wickedwit]

"Yes, as I recall you all three shared a dance, and shared a few other things after. I suppose that's common enough for knowledge. That dance was quite successful for you." With an air of great reflection, he asks, "Is that why you're willing to credit me with the start of civilization here? You've learned to like dances."

[untamedantinous]

"I would not say I like them. In truth I only went for the company; I am not --as you can see, someone that is especially sociable." Yes, there are plenty of people here, but he is not what anyone would call the center of attention. He is content to stay off to the side, absorbing the general surroundings and conversations and pleasant chaos of it all. "It was, as I said, the start of our group events here. I think that helped."

[wickedwit]

"What did you think dances were for, if not for the company?" He tilts his head, eyes bright and curious. "Let me guess. Your father let you learn gunnery in the hopes you'd be going to hunting parties and making political alliances. Dances, the domain of debutantes, would be for making alliances of marriage -- meeting pretty young girls from good families, the kind of company you like the least. You like raucous men who can fill a room with conversation." He nods over in Grantaire's direction. "Or philosophical men who can discourse on the new sciences and let you listen."

[untamedantinous]

"My father did indeed encourage learning how to use a gun. I of course learned; but I only ever attended such dances Courfeyrac would insist upon, or if I was at home, my parents. I much prefer to keep to myself and my books, for the most part."

[wickedwit]

"'Books' is an interesting epithet for Combeferre," Claudius says, with a flat tone that barely belies his teasing. "You lot and your nicknames."

[untamedantinous]

Enjolras very nearly chokes at that, reddening to a degree that he hasn't in quite some time. It is only partially due to the fact that he knows Claudius is teasing him, which doesn't make it any better. "That is not what I meant! We were not-- he is a friend. A very good friend."

[wickedwit]

Claudius laughs, loud and delighted. "Finally thou hast caught on. I did hope thou wouldst take my meaning when he was here last, but each timed it sailed over thy heads."

[untamedantinous]

"We were quite distracted." That blush certainly hasn't faded, and he looks a tad disgruntled now. "Needless to say, it remains true. He is my friend. Surely you can conceive of a platonic relationhip."

[wickedwit]

"I can, but I have multiple conceptions. I've platonic friends who I find very attractive, and I've had lovers who weren't as platonically intimate with me as you with Combeferre. Or as thoroughly distracted with that intimacy.

[untamedantinous]

He shrugs a little. “We are two halves of the same whole. Thirds, if we are including Courfeyrac. Combeferre was my first friend in Paris.”

[wickedwit]

"I do feel I understand thee better, when thou art in thy element," Claudius says fondly. "First when thou wert with thy other half -- or third, an thou prefer'st -- and now here, at this forum for discussion. Thou art more like to listen than to argue, unless thou art drawn into argument. When Grantaire draws thee, the argument could be never-ending. But thou art not a man to call a meeting so thou can'st expound on thy own opinions, or push thy own agenda. Rather, thou wilt trust thy fellows to be self-sufficient, to speak their own minds, and form their own conclusions. I see why thy friends show thee such loyalty. They all repay the trust thou hast given them."

[untamedantinous]

"My amis are certainly capable of speaking their own minds, yes. You saw a little when Courfeyrac and Combeferre were here; but all together it is even more chaotic. Imagine all of that, but with 5 others. But yes, I am -- generally one to keep quiet, unless I feel it is otherwise necessary."