dec and jan catch all [closed]

[shikomizue]

Who: Takasugi Shinsuke (shikomizue) & various
What: Catch-all for December / January
When: Throughout December / January
Where: Thesa, will edit as necessary
Warning(s): Alcohol use, Drug use, probably some PTSD/vivid war flashbacks, graphic violence

[Individual starters in the comments!]

Comments

. enjolras

[shikomizue]

[Their rendezvous has been set for a certain bar, with no particular time. The name of the establishment isn't important - it isn't even on display on the store front - and the patrons inside never speak it. To them, what matters is the quantity of the alcohol and the quality of the silence.

There's no raucous laughter here, only groaning and muttering of men who have found themselves in such a rut that even their complaining is routine.

The first time Enjolras came to meet Takasugi, he'd been told by a drunkard that his associate had left for the night. And to return on a certain night - tonight - for what the alcoholic describes with no hidden jealousy as a 'drink on him to make it up to you'.

He won't be stood up twice. Enjolras's comparative youth to the rest of the clientele makes him easy to pick out when he enters. Takasugi raises a hand, beckoning him over with a lazy wave.] Yo. Doing well, Soldier of Revolution?

[idealisme]

[Living with someone prone to excess drinking has made Enjolras uninterested in drinking for its own sake, so when he returns its with no interest in the promised drink. He's here for one thing only.

His shoulders are stiff when he enters, but as he approaches the bar he relaxes.] I do as well as those around me. And you?

[shikomizue]

[A single-mindedness Takasugi will grow to respect, when it becomes apparent. Which won't take long, if Enjolras's directness from the network carries over into his casual conversation.

Takasugi raises a hand to the bartender, signaling for two drinks. Comparable to whiskey, the liquor is strong and as aged in color as the decor.

He laughs, as well as those around me in this place translates to 'like shit'.]

Making do. [He lifts his glass, a tilt given to Enjolras - the only formality he'll offer - and takes a slip.] Did you come to hear stories about the past?

Or to discuss the future?

[idealisme]

[He accepts the glass with a nod to the barkeeper and raises it in return. Casual drinking isn't something he often engages in, but he can manage one glass here if it will make their conversation flow smoother.]

Both. The two will not be separated. I came to discuss your experience with kings. [His tone is light, even if it sets it low enough not to carry far. He doesn't expect spies (this isn't Paris, with the police on every street corner hunting down insurrection) but there's no point advertising his business far and wide.]

[shikomizue]

[Fingers resting on the brim of his glass, Takasugi leaves the drink to its ring of condensation on the bar. The first drink was warm, heat rushing down his throat and into his chest.

But Enjolras's succinct interest is like bellows to searing embers.

Takasugi smiles, perching his elbow on the bar to rest his jaw on curled fingers.

There's no divorcing the future and the past, and he'll see to it that kings are not spared from that realization.]

Aa.

Do you want to start with their transgressions, or skip to the part where I send them to hell?

[He replies with his own brevity; Takasugi doesn't care to sit around and regale this man with aimless war stories.]

[idealisme]

[He dismisses what he assumes is flowery language. Their destination after death was something Enjolras cared little about. The church and its vested interest in power wasn't for him.]

Then you've experience of revolutions, in the world you're from. I also do- though we did not succeed.

[Shame lurks in him as he says it, but he quashes the feeling. It won't serve him, so he won't allow it to rule him. Yes, his group failed- but at least they did not bow their heads.]

There is an opportunity here to do better.

[shikomizue]

[The shame of a revolution failed once weighed on Takasugi as well - though he'd never cared for his country's future. But the fight had never truly ended, and his bent head was soon lifted to the future once more.

A future of singed earth and cities in shambles.

A future he had just begun to see come to fruition, when the Storm brought its cataclysm.

He considers Enjolras's optimism with a hum, and takes a slow drink of his liquor.]

And you'll take that responsibility once again?

Is there a limit to the number of people you'll lead to their deaths in order to see the world made free of those demons on their thrones?