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

[forgethertoo]

"Shen Yuan," Aornis says, when they pass each other later on. "Good to finally meet you. I can't believe our paths haven't crossed up until now."

[peaklordshen]

Oh, crap. Play it cool, Shen Yuan. "Haven't they? I guess it depends on how you count." He smiles, slightly, before clarifying: "I spoke to Magnus in your body, last week. Sorry, this--" he gestures around at the general aura, "has me in a kind of philosophical mood." And also you've read about me!! Or about Shen Qingqiu, at least!!! So that's also what I mean, actually!!

[forgethertoo]

Aornis gives him a wry little tilt of the head that would be familiar if he could remember... "Who didn't Magnus speak to last week?" She asks, dryly. "That's the most extroverted my body has ever been."

[peaklordshen]

"Yes, well, we can't help what people do with our bodies if we're not in them," says Shen Yuan. For example, Shen Jiu would be horrified by how much gay sex he was having¹ with Luo Binghe.² "You're here, though—that's not not extroverted behavior."

¹ Would he?
² Okay yes, this part he would hate.

[forgethertoo]

"Just seeing what everyone else has to say about our predicament," Aornis says, mildly.

[peaklordshen]

"Is it a predicament?" asks Shen Yuan, matching her tone. "Many people seem to prefer it here."

[forgethertoo]

"For me." She shrugs. "I do have a job to get back to."

[peaklordshen]

Shen Yuan raises his eyebrows. He knows what her job is, of course, or at least what she says her job is, as a cover for trying to fix this disastrously chaotic crack fic bubble world she's created. But she doesn't know he knows.¹ "You must really love your job. Most people who're still trying to get back are doing so for people, not work."

¹ And there's nothing that she knows that Shen Yuan doesn't know she knows, obviously.

[forgethertoo]

"It's a familial trait," she explains. "I'm a workaholic."

[peaklordshen]

Eyebrows still up, Shen Yuan asks, "a family business, too?"

[forgethertoo]

"No, just a Hades family familial trait. We're all very focused and career-driven."

[peaklordshen]

Hades family?? Her name is Aornis Hades?? Lady, that name is too fictional to be actually fictional. That's absolutely, one hundred percent the name of someone pretending to be a fictional character to fit in, and Shen Yuan has your fucking number. Give it up! Admit it! That's your MSN screenname from when you were 13! That's your Wattpad profile where you came up with this entire deranged situation!! Aornis Hades.

It is, he admits, creative of her to make up a brother, though. Self-insert protags almost never have family that might miss them when they're kidnapped by idol groups or whatever.

He hasn't had to be this impassive in a dangerous situation since he pretended to sacrifice Luo Binghe to a skinner demon so he could use his protagonist halo to survive. He pastes on a bland smile. "What business are you in?"

[forgethertoo]

"Jurisfiction. It's a literary law enforcement branch." She leans in conspiratorially. "Though I've already told a few people that I'm not pursuing any leads here."

[peaklordshen]

A likely story. Shen Yuan, with an effort, does not narrow his eyes. "Good," he says instead. "I imagine it would be difficult to know where to start."

[forgethertoo]

"Much too difficult," she agrees. "I'm going to get a cup of tea but it was great meeting you, Shen Yuan." Perhaps he experiences slight deja vu as she walks away, but this time, he'll remember the conversation.