elnysa | un: French revolution ❦ video

[Hello again network, here's Enjolras scowling at you from a small riverside cafe in Wyver (he's Parisian, he can always find a tiny riverside cafe). He looks like he could do with some sleep.]

We have all noticed the growing tension between the two nations. That is: Wyver and Olympia. Some of us will have been subject to hostile words and exclusion by the native citizens thereof. Is this hostility warranted? It is not. It is due to nothing but the place in which one has chosen to live.

If this were the full extent of the situation, intervention would be warranted. But I fear matters will not stop here. There may be an escalation towards violence and war. War that will benefit none but the rich and powerful and leave the poor dead or hungry.

How are we to deal with this? It is unjust. We should not stand for it. Have any reproached hostile citizens who have acted in this way? We must do so. We must also approach the leaders of these nations. Their grudges against each other cannot be used to justify escalation. If they will not yet be moved to stand down from their illegitimate positions, at least they might contain their oppression to their own peoples.

Let us discuss it. There are a great many of us, enough that these warmongering oppressors must listen if we speak. Enough that our fellow citizens must see that senseless hostility will bring them no good.

[He's optimistic about this. Faith in humanity, go.

There's a pause as he takes a drink from his tiny coffee cup, and you might think he's done-- but there's one more thing.]

There is another matter- is there someone who knows where a man might find employment? I ask that you let me know. A... friend of mine finds himself with nothing to occupy himself with but wine. It profits no one but the bartender. I'd rather see him with something useful to do. [Yes, Grantaire. He's talking about you.] I thank you.

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[It's a while before he replies. He sees the notification and just... leaves it until last. Not to deliberately snub the man but because Enjolras is here to discuss politics. He assumes he won't get that with Grantaire.

And he's right.] I have a bed. I sleep in it. [But he feels a pang of guilt- the words are something Combeferre might say.]

[ That’s fine. Grantaire doesn’t mind waiting. It isn’t as though he’s a terribly busy man or in any rush, and he knows where Enjolras’ heart and interests both lie. ]

Do you truly? This is news to me. I sleep when you’re awake, and when I wake, it seems as though you’ve not moved from your books.

[ Only because their sleeping schedules differ so vastly, Grantaire has never actually seen Enjolras sleep. He pauses, debating whether or not to continue. Of course, he does. ]

You look exhausted, Enjolras. If you do indeed sleep, you should endeavor to do it more often.

[His eyebrows raise a fraction- and that's the easy response: putting the spotlight back on Grantaire.]

If you endeavoured to sleep less, you'd know the truth of it.

Whether I endeavor to sleep less in order to see the truth of it or not, we're arrive at the same problem: that you still look as though you need sleep rather than coffee.

[ BUT THAT'S NONE OF HIS BUSINESS. He merely smiles, and continues to the other matter at hand. ]

Does one not require useful skills in order to gain employment?

[Protestation sits on his lips, ready to counter Grantaire's arguments-- and instead gets a smile. It throws him. Combeferre would press. Courfeyrac would cajole. Grantaire, as in all things it seems, doesn't seem to bother putting in the effort of trying to enforce sleep on him.

He stumbles answering the question.] One does- it's- [Pause. Begin again.] You cannot lack all useful skills.

[ Grantaire has stated his case, and while he cares deeply about Enjolras, he sees little reason to continue the argument. Enjolras is too steadfast and too stubborn, and Grantaire’s opinion is hardly the loftiest one that can be offered. ]

I thought myself an artist once, but everything I painted was a hideous abomination to the eye. The very sight of them made me want to retch. At times, I thought myself a dancer. I’m far too graceless. I lumber like a bull. A boxer, I thought, a fencer—my strikes and blows never landed properly.

[ Of course, he’s exaggerating his faults, but that's how he sees himself. Grantaire is not lacking in useful skills. He’s an intelligent and talented man, but he’s lacking in the motivation to follow through with anything to the end. On top of that, there’s his hopeless view of himself and the world around him. It makes for an abysmal combination. ]

I have two good hands. I fear that may be the only useful skill is that I possess. A disappointment, once more.

[It's hard to take it all in passively. Some distant part of his mind knew that Grantaire was an artist, but the rest is new.

Except it isn't-- the memory of the dark haired man dancing in that tavern returns to him.] I've see you dance. You underestimate yourself.

[The comment is an unproductive one, though. He moves on.] There are signs that need to be painted. I know nothing of art, but surely you'd know enough to fascinate the art community here. Their style will be different to the Romantics and the Impressionists or whoever's style you're trained in. And if you're as bad a boxer as you say then I'll bet against you in your fights and make money that way.

[#savage]

[ If Grantaire were standing, he would need to take a seat. Surely that wasn’t a compliment—but it sounds like one, and it causes his eyes to widen and his expression visibly falters over the very sound of it. He wants to argue that Enjolras overestimates him, that he surely must be blind, but he can’t bring himself to do it. For a moment, he’s completely lost for words.

What Enjolras says next is absolutely ferocious, but Grantaire makes good humor of it. He smiles fondly, finding his tongue once more. ]

Then bet well, and I’ll make certain you make your money’s worth every time.

[ For the time being, he’s actually serious. He would do this for you, Enjolras. He would purposefully lose a fight, maybe two or three. The only thing that would throw him off would be the possibility of him not showing up at all. ]

[Part of him seriously considers it, and another part of him wonders that the man can so earnestly agree to failing at something.]

Let's keep that idea as a last resort.

[ Failing is something he believes himself to be capable of, and if that’s what it takes…then of course, Grantaire is willing to make a fool of himself. ]

Ah, but a last resort may yet be our only resort. You don’t need to know anything of art to know what pleases the eye and what does not. I would show you, but I do not wish to offend you.

[ He really doesn’t actually want to show him. That’s more than he can bear. ]

Although signs— [ He tilts his head thoughtfully. It’s not really artwork. ] Signs, I would not be opposed to. Two good hands, I said, and I believe my letter work is legible.

I'll ask around. [That's easy enough to do. He doesn't care about seeing the man's art or not.

Zevran suggested prostitution. Enjolras pauses a moment, mouth almost open as he considers bringing it up.]

[ That's fine by him. He meant it only as a statement for how bad he feel his art truly is. He isn't ready for Enjolras to see it; not yet.

He can tell that there's something more, though. He thinks there is, at least, after a few blinks. ]

Please, don't leave it there, if you have more to say. I admit, I do lack in useful skills. You and I have both agreed upon that, but I would gladly hear your suggestions.

Not my suggestions, but others have responded with their ideas.

[There, that's safely couched so it's not his idea. And maybe Grantaire won't care to hear.]

Responded with suggestions, knowing neither me nor all the things I'm so incapable of. What incredible minds these people possess to make such predictions.

[ No, see, that's the thing. He does care to hear, but he would rather hear from Enjolras. ]

I should like to hear them from you.

un: French revolution ❦ video

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