video; un: R

[winecasks]

[ Grantaire is where he usually is, huddled off with his wine in the corner of a tavern somewhere in Wyver. He doesn’t seem to be too far into this endeavor, considering he’s plenty eloquent when he decides to make a speech to the network.

It’s less than rousing. It's mostly complaints. ]

All this talk of politics has made me weary, friends. To be frank, I hardly understand it at all. I have listened. I drink, it’s true, but I listen. My ears are far better than my eyes or my memory, and no one ever tunes their conversation to exclude the fellow enjoying his drink in the corner.

[ This much seems to be true, given how he’s been rambling at length and no one has bothered to silence him. There’s chatter in the background as people enjoy their own conversations, separate from him as he drinks from the bottle. ]

I have heard things. Things about how the first to wake were welcomed gladly by Olympia, and others still were welcomed by Wyver later on. My ears are fine and well, I assure you, but my mind is perhaps foggy. It cannot comprehend what happened to create this change. Politics. Surely that is the only answer. It always is.

[ He rolls his eyes, taking another drink. ]

Well, I’ll not partake in any of it. I have no love for one city over another, no love for a king over an empress. I do not disdain monarchy, though I do not disdain those who do. I simply disdain politics. Tell me why I should choose one side or another, or why I should change my mind on the matter.

Comments

video, un: revolution

[idealisme]

[You again.]

And that blind hatred satisfies you, monsieur?

[vorrutyer]

Do I look like a politician to you, monsieur?

[idealisme]

You talk like one, avoiding the question like that.

[vorrutyer]

And yet you're the one who lusts for power.

[idealisme]

Pardon?

[He's visibly offended]

[vorrutyer]

[ Ooh, a nerve. ]

Am I wrong?

[idealisme]

Don't accuse me like I'm another would-be autocrat, grasping for legitimacy through power. I despise that base desire and will not tolerate it in myself. I lust for nothing, sir. [He's still speaking forcefully. He despises those who lust for power.]

I seek change. Whether that change comes from within the current institutions or without, power is necessary to achieve it.

[vorrutyer]

Ah, so you're the sort of person who gets extra-chatty when he's lying.

[idealisme]

Perhaps you cannot conceive that a man would be motivated for reasons outside himself. If so, I pity you.

[vorrutyer]

How old are you?

[idealisme]

[This offends him for entirely different reasons. Enjolras has often been dismissed due to his youth and youthful appearance.]

Would you listen if I had white hair and a beard like Aristotle's?

[vorrutyer]

Given the number of old men with white hair and beards like Aristotle's who told me to quit drinking, stop screwing around, and be something other than a feckless piece of shit...Not terribly likely, no.

[idealisme]

[He'd almost smile at that if he weren't so busy trying to figure out if this man could be won to the cause.]

I was four and twenty when I died.

[vorrutyer]

[ Just a little twitch of his lower eyelids at the when I died line. Just the subtlest hint of surprise. Then he's back to smiling, saying - ]

And see, that's the problem. Here, with your second shot at life, you'll have time to grow cynical yet.

[idealisme]

Pass. Grantaire has enough of that for the world, with some to spare.

[vorrutyer]

Ah...I suspected he was the clever one. That confirms it.

[idealisme]

[He scoffs audibly.]

Cynicism in the face of an imperfect world is cowardice, not intelligence

[vorrutyer]

Dear fellow, are you calling your friend a coward?

[idealisme]

He would not disagree. It takes strength to hold any kind of conviction.

[#whatagoodfriend]

[winecasks]

It's true. I do not disagree.

[ Sorry, did you think he wasn't listening? ]

[vorrutyer]

I see.

[ w o w ]

And so why is a great and noble soul like yourself still friends with him, if he's such a coward?

[idealisme]

Are you offering yourself as a replacement?

[Is Enjolras... avoiding the question????]

[vorrutyer]

You don't seem to be looking for a replacement.

[idealisme]

You might surmise that there's something objectively more important I'm looking for.

[vorrutyer]

[ As though he's been suddenly enlightened - ]

Oh! Are you two screwing?