closed: 'you don't believe in anything.' 'i believe in you.'

[untamedantinous]

The past few days have been less than pleasant. Firstly, it seemed that winter had decided to take an extended stay here at the mansion: yes, he knew this place had odd seasons, but winter has never been one of his favorites, even at home. Enjolras has been uneasy, lately, spending most of his evenings holed up with Laertes and Sagramore in an effort to avoid nightmares.

Today, he is hoping that spending time with the one other person from Paris will do him good: and besides that, it has been some time since he has properly seen Grantaire. It would do to check in on him, he thinks. And so, he has gathered up books and his nearly ever-present notebook, intent on doing some writing as well. --As an afterthought, he grabs the unopened bottle of wine that Dionysus had given him, and proceeds to Grantaire's rooms, where he knocks at the door.

"Grantaire?"

Comments

[futaille]

Well, that is a voice he certainly knows.

Grantaire looks up sharply from his easel to the door. Deciding on the exact shade to use for this rabbit can obviously wait, so he sets down his supplies and walks over to the door, pulling it open curiously.

"Enjolras?"

[untamedantinous]

"Hello." He offers a tentative smile. "I thought I might -- check in."

[futaille]

"Oh." He looks surprised, if pleasantly so. "I'm... as well as might be expected, I suppose." He steps back. "Come in, if you like."

[untamedantinous]

“Yes, unless I am...interrupting?” He nods towards the bottle of wine, anchored under one arm. “I brought you something.”

[futaille]

He shrugs, grabbing his extra chair and throwing whatever random objects ended up on it into the corner. "I'm fairly sure my paints aren't going anywhere, so no, you aren't interrupting anything that can't wait." The bottle of wine, though, especially considering it's Enjolras, makes him stop short. "That's... Thank you. That's hard to come by right now."

[untamedantinous]

“I am aware. You can have it if you like, I still have half a bottle in my rooms.” He glances around for a spare place to set the wine. “What are you doing?”

[futaille]

He takes the wine and sets it near some at least partially full bottles on a dresser. "Painting," he says easily. "A commission, of a sort."

[untamedantinous]

He raises his eyebrows. “I was unaware you were taking commissions. What is it of?”

[futaille]

"Well, 'commission' really might be a slight overstatement. It's more of a request. It's Lan Wangji and the rabbits. Part of a triptych."

[untamedantinous]

“…..I see.” And he clearly has many questions, but he’s busying himself with settling down in the chair and making himself comfortable. “Dare I ask why?”

[futaille]

He pauses and thinks that over for a moment. "I truly think the best answer I have for that question is that it seemed like a good idea at the time."

[untamedantinous]

“…Ah.” And with that explanation, he can likely guess whose idea it was all the same. “Well, I hope you do not mind company.”

[futaille]

The idea totally had co-authors. Grantaire smiles. "I never mind your company."

[untamedantinous]

Of course it did. He can likely guess at them both. "Ah, good. I shall not bother you, unless you wish it."

[futaille]

Well, he himself is one of the co-authors, so that certainly makes guessing much easier. "You're no bother. I'm hardly pressed for time on this, anyway. If it would make you feel better, though, I can keep painting while talking."

[untamedantinous]

"Do as you will. You generally do regardless of my thoughts on the matter."

[futaille]

"Yes, and that is clearly part of what makes me such a delight," he says wryly as he sits down back in front of his painting, but doesn't pick his supplies up again. "It is good to see you, at the very least."

[untamedantinous]

“Is it?” He replies, equally wry. “It has been…some time since we have spent time together.”

[futaille]

"Since the meeting," he says with a nod. "If that counts, even."

[untamedantinous]

"It might, I suppose, but even longer than that since it was in private."

[futaille]

"True enough. Quite tragic, I must say."

[untamedantinous]

"Would you say so?" He gives Grantaire a vaguely amused look.

[futaille]

"Oh indeed," he says with a grin. "Wailing and gnashing of teeth."

[untamedantinous]

"My apologies for causing such tragedy, then."

[futaille]

He laughs and shakes his head. "The fault is just as much mine, if not more."