nysalogs | April Open Post/Catch-all

Renly is doing his utmost to keep it all together. Taking care of the house while Loras heals -- at least he's started to acquire some cooking skills he can put to use.

He puts on a kettle; the least he can do for his brother is some tea and bread, since he's come all this way.

[ Enjolras is ill and although Grantaire has kept a watchful eye on him all morning to be certain he doesn’t sneak out the door with the insistence that he is “fine”, Jehan is here now and someone has to pay a visit to the market. The chore falls onto Grantaire’s shoulders. It’s simple enough; something he can be supposedly entrusted to do without getting distracted.

He gets distracted.

It’s not the lure of wine, though that is a temptation that may distract him further later, but a vaguely familiar face. He recognizes Renly from their conversation on the network, and from his plea for help when the hostages had been taken. That was something that had helped coax Loras to safety, in the end. Grantaire abandons his task and decides to approach him instead. A conversation can’t take longer than a few moments. ]

I recall that I spoke with you once. Something to do with the dullness of politics and my inability to believe in anything, if my memory serves me correctly.

[ He smiles, at ease. No political discussions today. ]

And, if by some miracle of fate, it serves me correctly once more, you must be a friend of Loras Tyrell. Is he doing well?

[Renly's own market wandering is somewhat aimless, driven to distraction by the thought of leaving Loras alone at home, but needs must, etcetera.

He has to smile at the sight of -- well if not a friend, then at least someone he knows here, and nods his head in greeting.] We did indeed. An utterly fascinating conversation, to my memory. I myself may consider giving up on politics all together, one day.

[His smile softens, shoulders relaxing a little at the mention of Loras] A little worse for the wear, but he's recovering bravely. Thank you for asking after him.

[ Grantaire is a friendly sort of fellow. He and Renly may not actually be friends, but he has no qualms with speaking to him as one. It always has been his best quality, beneath the self-deprecation and the drunkenness. ]

Politics are a dreadful invention. I would say better sooner than later, but my friends are some of the most passionate and dedicated men I’ve ever met. My mockery of their beliefs never once dampened their idealism.

[ He’s glad for it, though. He wouldn’t want them to become anything like him. ]

As I expected! I’ve exchanged words with him a handful of times since the incident. He speaks fondly of you. It surely must help that you speak fondly of him.

I did go to the coalition, it was interesting to be able to watch and observe how politics work here. And to know that we may well have a say.

I -- [Renly chews at his lip before he reaches out to take Grantaire's hand in both of his, squeezing tight. This talk of Loras, knowing of Grantaire's own role in the rescues, it's all so emotional. Even now that Loras is home. Perhaps especially now.]

I do not have many worldly possessions here, and the gods know I am no fighter. But please know that if you or your friends require anything, at any time, and I can provide it? It is yours.

I know you helped bring Loras safely home to me, and for that I owe you my life. There is no favour too great or too small that I would not be willing to do for the man who brought him home.

[ Grantaire went to the coalition as well, serving as the ticket to grant his friends their entry. He listened more than he spoke, never putting forward any ideas or opinions, as is to be expected from him.

His eyebrows knit together as Renly takes his hand, and he tries to focus on the words he’s saying. He tries to smile, tries to be good humored, but this conversation has spun far beyond a pleasant conversation. ]

All I ever require is a bottle of wine, monsieur. You do not need to offer me anything else.

[ But he doesn’t want anything from this man. Nothing at all. Confusion settles into his features but he smiles through it, gently. He doesn’t know what he’s done to earn this reaction from anyone. All he did was help to calm Loras and a few other hostages down. ]

Or anything at all. I am utterly useless, really. I've been told as much many times. You should offer this debt to the men and women who actually helped to bring him home.

Perhaps those telling you are wrong. [Though he does let Grantaire's hands go, so as not to cling to the poor man.]

Any help given is help appreciated. You were there for my friend in a time of need, and for that I am eternally grateful.

[ He shakes his head, still smiling his sad and puzzled sort of smile. ]

I’m afraid they’re correct. I have a difficult time following though with much of anything. I can be tremendously successful when I put my mind to it, but I seldom ever do. Motivation eludes me. I should like to know where the rest of you manage to find it, and how you manage to keep it chained to you.

[ He asked Loras once, how he managed to keep caring on despite everything. Motivation was the answer, but lack of motivation is the source of all of Grantaire’s frustrations. ]

I hope you don’t think me ungrateful for your thanks, but it really isn’t me you should be offering it to. I spoke to Loras; that was all. Others did far more to ensure his safety.

Find someone that motivates you, I suppose. Loras is my motivation. When he was gone, I felt like the light had gone out of my life.

So even if it was just speaking to him, giving him that bit of comfort means worlds to me. Because perhaps you, in a way, helped motivate him to continue clinging to life. Perhaps you did more than you know.

[ He pauses, momentarily fixated on the phenomenon Renly describes. He’s felt that before, felt as though there was some light he was going to lose if he didn’t chase after it. What was it?

He’ll come back to it later, when the king of some far away land isn’t trying to pledge his life to him. ]

You place far too much faith in me, monsieur. I admit that I always hoped someone might, but not to this extent.

[ It’s a lot. It really is. He knows himself to be a man of good humor. He must be, if his friends could stand to be around him for as long as they were. All he did was speak to Loras as he might to any of them. Was that truly a heroic deed? He doesn’t feel it was, not when he can hardly motivate himself to continue to cling to life. ]

Your friendship would be enough.

Then I gladly give you my friendship, if you will accept that. [He wraps an arm around Grantaire's shoulder to pull him into a tight hug, patting his back firmly.]

If you will have the friendship of a former monarch, that is. [It's a slight tease. A jab towards Grantaire's overzealous friend to attempt to lighten the mood.]

April Open Post/Catch-all

Locked to Stannis

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