and so I'll read a book

[idealisme]

Who: Enjolras (idealisme) & open
What: Catch-all as Enjolras gets on with things while we're all on the station
When: July
Where: Thesis Station- the pods, wandering around, one training simulation
Warning(s): None.


A. Don't cry for me, France
...For he that thinks absolute power purifies men's blood, and corrects the baseness of human nature, need read but the history of this, or any other age...

[There's a man sitting in front of a pod, reading aloud from a book. Listen long enough, you'll hear it's some kind of political book and that the young man is reading with great interest. On approaching it's clear the man has bright, almost tear-filled eyes. He'll stop when he hears footsteps.

If the visitor doesn't speak first, Enjolras will begin:] Yes? May I help you?

B. I think I'll try defying gravity
[Finding himself floating up to the ceiling isn't really an inconvenience. What is a problem is Enjolras' book floating away from him and towards you. Stretching and straining doesn't help, he can't reach it.]

Please, will you take hold of that? [He's keeping his voice even, but there's something very worried in his look. This is something very important to him.]

C. The snow glows white on the mountain today
[It's actually a nice day in the snow training simulation. The sun's out and the wind isn't blowing too strongly. The perfect day to learn to buildn an igloo, right?

Well, right until you get smacked in the back of the head by a snowball. If you look around for the culpript you'll see only Enjolras, working determinedly on his fire.

Studying him very closely will reveal he's totally engrossed in his fire and oblivious to the world around him, but who wants to look closely when you've been attacked by a snowball!?]

D. I don't know any musical songs about malfunctioning doorways
[Having been on the station for a while since time was frozen, Enjolras feels fairly confident in getting around. If he thinks of it like a city rather than an inordinately large house then he has fewer problems.

Until he walks through a door and into what is not the observatory. It is, in fact, someone's personal rooms. Uh, sorry. Hope you're not doing anything particularly private.]

Comments

[winecasks]

[ Grantaire is torn. He could take Jehan’s advice. He cares for the other man’s opinion and in the end, it would likely turn out for the better, but he has Enjolras’ attention, and that still feels like such a rare thing. Although he glances over his shoulder to Jehan, he turns back to Enjolras anyway.

The smile is back on his face, soft but sardonic. His voice remains quiet. He did promise to make an attempt. ]

There are a handful of monarchs you could speak to here, directly. I have done so many times. Do you reject the idea? They remain monarchs regardless of where they are.

[pluspetitpoete]

... are they really still monarchs if they have nowhere to rule?

[No, no. He's not getting into this. He's going to READ HIS BOOK, with renewed determination.] Forget I said anything.

[idealisme]

[Enjolras accepts the contribution from Jehan while keeping his scowl fixed on Grantaire. In his mind he's speaking about the king and empress of this land, one of whom he has already spoken to.]

Really? Didn't Robespierre answer that in 1792? A man who believes himself a king is the enemy of a republique.

[winecasks]

[ Grantaire’s gaze flickers briefly to Jehan, and he can’t even disagree with his contribution. He merely accepts it with a polite smile, and neither outwardly denies it nor accepts it. But yes, Jehan has a good point…Still, it interferes with his argument with Enjolras. It’s unimportant. ]

You will wish me to bite my tongue for this, but maybe Robespierre was wrong.

[ He’s very much enjoyed the company of every king and queen he’s met. He’s thought of them as people rather than as monarchs, but he’s always been so different from Enjolras in that regard. He has little care for politics. ]

If memory serves, Robespierre was executed long before you were born. You cannot speak to his severed skull, nor can you speak to him. You can speak to the monarchs who are here along with you. Why do you refuse?

[pluspetitpoete]

[This is about to get very heated, and Jehan wants no part in it. While he does agree more with Grantaire in that everyone should be given a chance, he sides with Enjolras on the idea that bad monarchs ought not be monarchs. Bad rulers shouldn't be rulers in general. So he puts his book aside and buries his face in his hands, bracing himself for impact.]

[idealisme]

[Some part of him is aware of movement where Jehan is sitting. The greater part of him is used to ignoring distractions.

His face is stern now, his brow furrowed.]

Maximilien Robespierre wrong? What do you know of him? I am ashamed to know you, Grantaire. Shut your mouth until you can contribute something useful.

[winecasks]

[ Grantaire knows what he’s started. He knew what he was starting the moment the words formed in his mind. He could have stopped himself, but he chose not to.

He does not believe in Robespierre. He believes in Enjolras, and Enjolras is stunting his own beliefs by not reaching beyond his books. There are kings and queens right here among them now, people he can speak to without being forced to run the gauntlet just to obtain an audience with them, but he refuses.

Grantaire stops his pacing, takes a seat, and gazes calmly back at Enjolras with a softness that wasn't there before. What do you know of him, Enjolras?, he could ask, but he doesn't. Instead: ]

Then I shall take a vow of silence. You will find that I have nothing of use to contribute.

[ He doesn’t regret denouncing Robespierre. He knew a painful response was in store, but it’s been quite awhile since he’s heard something that cuts as deeply as “I am ashamed to know you”. ]

[pluspetitpoete]

Oh both of you, enough! [He slams his book down on the table, which ought to be a sign; he never mistreats books]

You are both arguing like children, and I'll have no more of it! You don't listen to each other. All you do is argue for the sake of arguing, and neither will ever bother looking at the other side of things, and now Grantaire has pledged a vow of silence which will last exactly until Enjolras utters his next sentence and then the cycle will start again.

So stop it. I'm tired of it.

[idealisme]

You? Silent? I'll- [The sarcasm-laden retort is cut off.

Surprise, Enjolras turns to the young poet, still scowling but taken aback by the vehemence of his interjection. He's still in the mood to argue, still ready to defend his point against attackers and not quite ready to see that's not what's called for.]

I am tired of this man never taking anything seriously.

[winecasks]

[ Grantaire is equally taken aback by Jehan’s outburst. He blinks as the table rattles, and his smile wanes.

They argue so often in regards to politics, it’s almost a wonder that anyone should have any objection against it, but Jehan seems genuinely upset. It’s just difficult to stop arguing with Enjolras wants to continue. So he sits back in his chair, takes a swig from his bottle of wine, and he does exactly what Jehan said he would: he breaks his vow of silence. ]

I have taken many things seriously. You merely disagree with most of them.

[pluspetitpoete]

Ooh I could -- [And so he does. He marches up to Enjolras and slugs him square in the chest. And then moves over to Grantaire and does the same, hitting him square in the shoulder.] You're not listening. To each other, or to me. I'm asking you to stop fighting, for once. For a whole day. Or god, I'd love a week! But at least for the next few hours, I want no arguments from either of you. And if you cannot do that, there will be consequences.

[idealisme]

[There are few occasions in Enjolras' life when he's truly speechless.


This is one of them.]

[winecasks]

[ Jehan is full of surprises today, and this is the one that actually gets Grantaire to listen. How could he not? Jehan is a small man, but he packs a surprisingly powerful punch. It’s enough to make Grantaire wince and reach up to rub the ache away. Perhaps he’s just getting older, or perhaps Jehan is just stronger than he looks.

He glances toward Enjolras, glances toward Jehan, back toward Enjolras, and takes a long swig of his wine. ]

You should take up boxing, Prouvaire. No one would ever think you capable of that.

[pluspetitpoete]

[At least they're quiet now. Though it takes Jehan a moment to catch his breath and calm down.] Forgive me, I took that a step too far. But you did this in the café at home. And then here, at the house. And now on the ship. And right now it's only me here with you. I don't have Ferre, who can reason with you both. And neither of you seem to want to listen to me, but all this arguing is genuinely upsetting. I know I can't keep you from it forever, but at least for a while. Allow me some peace.

[idealisme]

[For an instant Enjolras opens his mouth to speak to Grantaire about his insolent drinking-

but the shock at Jehan's violence hasn't yet worn off. His mouth closes again.

It will be another moment before he can think of a response. His scowl eases, though he continues staring intently at Jehan.]

[winecasks]

[ It’s true, they do a lot of arguing, and none of it is ever particularly civil. Grantaire simply feels as though it’s necessary to argue, regardless of the topic. It’s been the two of them for so long, it’s almost as though they’ve forgotten how to handle a third person. The change in scenery certainly hasn’t helped things.

Jehan deserves peace if he wants it. Surely they can agree upon that. If Enjolras won't speak, Grantaire will. This is their friend, after all. ]

I’m sorry, Jehan. Your voice should be heard. There is little need for you to shout over us.

[ Grantaire puts his bottle down, choosing instead to roll his shoulder until it’s no longer sore. Really, Jehan. Take up boxing. ]

And you, Enjolras. I apologize as well. Not for my opinion, but for upsetting you needlessly.

[ C I V I L. ]

I’m likely to do the same again tomorrow, but I apologize for that as well.

[pluspetitpoete]

That is all I'm asking for. [He leans over and presses a kiss to Grantaire's forehead, then back across the room to lean up and kiss Enjolras's cheek] I'm sorry for being so angry with you both.

But I think, I hope, you can see why I might be frustrated. Being caught in the middle of you two can be exhausting.

A few day's peace, that's all I ask. No shouting, no underhanded comments, just -- civil conversation.

I'll even take steps to help take away some temptations.

[idealisme]

[Receiving a kiss is something he's capable of. He has received another since he's been here and this one puts him in mind of it. Automatically, he puts a hand to Jehan's shoulder.]

We have been rude. [There's no point to making excuses. He is not sorry for his behaviour nor does he not mean what he's said.

Argument is something which comes naturally to him, and to Grantaire as well. But it does not to Jehan.]

I will attempt to do better.

[winecasks]

[ Grantaire is happy to have the Jehan they know and love back so quickly. He can’t argue with Enjolras this time: they have been rude. Ignoring their friend is incredibly ill-mannered, and Grantaire feels terrible that they’ve driven Jehan to shouting and violence. ]

If I could promise you that it would end, I would, but I fear my promises mean little. Still, I will do my best.

[ With only slight hesitation, he offers what remains of his wine to Jehan, which isn’t much, but it’s enough for someone who isn’t quite as fond of it as Grantaire is. ]

If an argument begins again this afternoon, you need only ask me to leave.

[pluspetitpoete]

I accept both of your apologies. [And the wine, he accepts that too, sipping at it while he thinks.]

No, there will be no arguing this afternoon, so I won't need to ask you to leave. I want a truce from the both of you. Forty-eight hours of no fighting. No debates, no arguments, no playing devil's advocate.

I want both of you to promise. And if I catch you arguing, there will be consequences.

[idealisme]

[Something rails against the proclamation, a frustration that another should so readily impose their will on him. Debating the point is called for, a good discussion on where and how these boundaries can be drawn so that all parties are amenable to it. Enjolras does not want simply to accept from pronouncement.]

Define arguing. It is optimistic to think there will be no disagreements in the next days.

[There is more to be said but he cuts himself short.

He had to find some compromise, living with Grantaire. It seems he will have to find more living with Prouvaire.]

[winecasks]

[ Grantaire is surprised by how much he’s agreeing with Enjolras in regards to this. He would love to put it to rest and stop Jehan from being so uncharacteristically serious, but this type of optimism is too much for an old pessimist. They argue. Perhaps their reasons for doing so are different, but it’s what they do, and it happen often.

He merely give a wave of his hand, urging Jehan to continue. ]

I have nothing to say that has not already been said before I can agree to your terms, Prouvaire.

[pluspetitpoete]

Of course you can disagree with each other. But all I want for the next two days is a simple "I disagree with your point," or something in that vein. And then the discussion can be tabled for after the truce.

[He doesn't trust them just yet to have a friendly discussion where both sides listen to the other's point.

Though he does think of a loop hole that could be exploited.] And I'll be needing your communicators, please. It isn't a truce if you're messaging each other your arguments.

[idealisme]

[He's nodding before the poet has finished. That much he's capable of, surely. Grantaire can be ignored, and moreover-

His communicator is on the table across the room. That will do if there are other matters.]

We are not children. [Feeling he's been caught, his gaze snaps back to Jehan from the table, the glare returning]

[winecasks]

[ Grantaire can’t help but chuckle. He had already gotten it into his mind that they might continue their argument through communicator later on. That idea has been dashed away far too quickly. ]

We need to face the truth of the matter, Enjolras. We may not be children, but Jehan is too clever for the pair of us.

[ He doesn’t bother to argue. He simply places his own communicator on the table and slides it over to Jehan. They can find some other way to argue, surely. ]

Here you are, my dear friend. I disagree with your point-- [ He says it with a very pointed look. ] but you've made it quite clear all the same.