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]

Grantaire has made absolutely certain his normal corner table did not migrate towards the center and he is happily present at it, having grown progressively cheerful as more people filtered into the room, a bottle of wine open in front of him and a full glass in his hand. As he is accustomed, he is speaking with no regard as to whether or not anyone is actually listening to him, although it's certainly at an audible enough volume. "Friends and passing acquaintances, for I am a fortunate enough man to have no enemies, it is a joy and a delight to see this gathering unfold at last. That is not to say, of course, that we have lacked for gatherings in our wanderings here, and ones full of their own sorts of joy. We all know this and have benefited from it to some degree or another. It seems the greatest sort of event here is the sort that we originate ourselves, so to have another added to that illustrious roster, even if it is of a slightly different character than previous ones, can only be a benefit."

He lifts his glass of wine toward the ceiling. "That is not to malign our mysterious host spirits, of course, for that would be tempting the worst kind of fate, and they were generous enough to me recently that I am favorably inclined, although their taste in beverages can be suspect, not that that dissuades me from continuing to explore them." He gestures with his glass towards the cups on top of the liquor cabinet. "But that's another subject entirely.

"We have something of a symposium here, and although it won't be as famous as some, it is nonetheless an improvement as we are the participants and can avail ourselves of the refreshments and the remarks, and how remarkably refreshing that is. Just look around at our good fortune. Of course we have not discovered perfection, as that is unattainable, but we have good food, good drink, good company, and asking for more would be presumption of the highest order."

He is quiet for only the span of time it takes for him to have a drink. "But all of this is beside the point. This was organized, insofar as it's organized at all, on the foundation of being able to speak on anything and everything we can think of. And although speaking at length on this meeting itself certainly qualifies as 'anything', it also seems as if it doesn't take advantage of the opportunity afforded.

"Now, as many of you know, I am not a man of conviction, and if I make a bold statement, it is entirely possible that I will ultimately end up arguing even myself out of it. However, dissent forms the fertile fields of discussion and I do enjoy watching that flourish."

He grins widely, leaning back in his seat and has another long drink, refilling his glass as he continues. "So to that end, I offer the following assertions. How much I myself agree with them is debatable, as are most things, of course, but I'm certainly willing to argue any and all of them.

"First, despite my very own words earlier, tempting fate is not only not to be avoided, it's hilarious. Second, the fact that the rooms and grounds here are changing all the time is a net positive. Third, hauling elephants across mountain ranges is not only idiotic, it is so idiotic that dubbing someone who did it one of the greatest military minds of history is an extremely dubious proposition." He grins wryly at that one and takes another drink.

"Fourth, trying to find commonalities enough between the residents of this place to explain why we are the fortunate ones to be here is a fool's errand, and liable to fall into error. Fifth, every person has a food, a drink, and an animal that they most resemble. They need not actually like, or even have encountered, that food, drink, or animal. Sixth, progress in all things is like Zeno's story of Achilles and the tortoise. Seventh, existence may or may not be real but it doesn't matter if it is or not anyway, so the entire field of metaphysics is pointless. Eighth, there is no such thing as a god that always actually knows what they're doing. Ninth, avoiding pleasure just by virtue of the fact that it's pleasurable is absolute madness. Tenth and final for now, animals are objectively better than humans are, and I include worms and insects and such things in that count."

He takes another long drink and waves a hand airily. "Discuss."

[sagramore]

Sagramore obviously was never going to miss this -- for all he might have sounded begrudging to Mothwing, his favorite people are going to be here, and Enjolras has been working hard on his first meeting, probably, and needs some positive reinforcement or something.

"Are you just orating generically?" he asks, as he comes over to Grantaire.

[futaille]

He laughs and takes a drink. "I'll have you know I made several actual points there."

[sagramore]

"Mmm. Are you all right, by the way? I was worried about you after last week. You can't imagine how much liquor I had to give to a seven-year-old."

[timebethine]

"Put it to the proof, then," says Laertes, lightly heckling. "What food, drink, and animal do I most resemble?"

[futaille]

"I think I probably can imagine, as I was fine when I woke up the next day. But no, I have no complaints to speak of. I got to fly. Oh, also the god of wine arrived to our little outpost, so there's that."

[socialjusticedragon]

Temeraire would not miss such a meeting for the world! Especially not if one of his dearest friends in the mansion is hosting it. To that end, there is a window open near where Enjolras is seated, with a large bowl of tea and --whatever kind of noodles Temeraire requested of the host. Finger foods are difficult when you've no fingers to speak of, after all. The dragon in question has his head shoved through the window, listening to Grantaire's ramblings with some bemusement.

[timebethine]

Laertes, choosing violence, offers to the general throng a series of questions for discussion: "Ought any to govern this place? If so, what means of governance is best? Monarchy, democracy, republic, or another still? What strictures might we place upon those who govern, that their power not tempt them to tyranny?"

[futaille]

And there's a grin and a quick answer. "In my estimation, pain au chocolat, champagne, and a honeybee."

[timebethine]

"And thy reasoning?"

[futaille]

He starts to tick off on his fingers. "Many layers with a core of sweetness. Elegant and effervescent. Clever and can produce wonders."

[timebethine]

"Thou flatterer," laughs Laertes. "I cannot dispute thee. Nor will I dispute that animals are better than people; my daughter is proof of that."

[futaille]

After he gets a moment to refill his drink and move on from whatever he was talking about, Grantaire looks over at Temeraire. "I know it wasn't your choice, Temeraire, but I still want to thank you for the use of your wings. It was amazing in all particulars."

[futaille]

"Hardly flattery if it's plain truth. But yes, animals being better than people is so self-evident that it barely was worth saying. Still, though, I thought I would say it nonetheless."

[untamedantinous]

"You already know my thoughts on the matter," Enjolras says mildly. "I would, personally, tend more towards the side of a republic or something more democratic, but I cannot and will not make such decisions without hearing the thoughts of others regarding this. I do not wish to hold power, particularly, but I might be convinced to participate if there was a group endeavor."

[summerdude]

"Okay, I'll bite," Magnus says. He really only intends to be a wallflower -- he only came because he promised Enjolras, and since it's late, he's already feeling a little stir-crazy -- but Grantaire has him curious. "What's my food, drink, and animal?"

[timebethine]

Laertes nods in assent. "I'm not sure that this place requires rule--but like musicians working in concert, we may do well to know our parts, and to perform them to the greater joy of all."

[futaille]

"I think it doesn't much matter," Grantaire points out, "as regardless of what we decide, our mysterious benefactors will confound all our efforts somehow, like monthly clockwork."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Susan has poked her head in to the event, just to see what sort of crowd has gathered, and arrives right on time to hear Laertes's question. She can't quite stop herself from rolling her eyes extravagantly.

[untamedantinous]

"It may not, at that. We seem to have been doing reasonably well so far, despite all this place has decided to throw at us."

[timebethine]

Laertes just raises his brows at her, a clear invitation to voice whatever perspective she's smothering.

[futaille]

He leans back in his seat, mulling it over. "Hm. Spice cake, lemonade, and a squirrel."

[timebethine]

"Better, then, not to vest all our decisions in one person who might be reduced to an infant or a chicken at any time."

[futaille]

"Huh. Why haven't we turned into chickens yet? Have they just not gotten there on their list at this point?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Susan sits down at his table. She's not interested in a broader discussion, but to Laertes alone, she says, "This rather strikes me as the sort of question designed to forestall taking any necessary actions. What alternative would you propose? Anarchy?"