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

[idealisme]

[Please don't remind him that Grantaire is a waste of space who believes and does nothing at all except drink. He doesn't need to be reminded of that.]

What of it?

[vorrutyer]

So he doesn't exactly seem like the sort of man you can puppet towards carrying out your goals. And he's not sticking around for that reason.

[idealisme]

[Somehow that's the thing that makes Enjolras the angriest he's been so far. His jaw sets, his expression hardens.]

Reason is what should compel every man to act. Me, a puppetmaster? I'd shoot myself first.

[vorrutyer]

Hmm. [ He tilts his head slightly to the side. ] Don't you fancy yourself a leader of men?

[idealisme]

He's a poor leader who has to resort to manipulation.

[vorrutyer]

Well, it's one of only two ways to get men to do something for you. The only other way is to do a bit of head-cracking.

[idealisme]

And if I don't wish to get others to do anything for me?

[vorrutyer]

Then you're no leader at all, and doomed to failure. Power is nothing without its exercise.

[idealisme]

Hm, interesting.

I disagree. I'd rather others join my cause because of their own conviction. No carrot or stick required.

[vorrutyer]

Because...? Because your cause is righteous? They should run out and lay down their lives for a future they won't reap the benefit of?

[idealisme]

You guess close to the mark, monsieur. My friends and I did die. The National Guard killed us all to prevent an uprising against the Bourbon king. But each man made his own choice to be there, and to stay when hope of success had passed.

You ask why? I can give only my own reasons for choosing that end.

[vorrutyer]

Mm. Meanwhile, my ancestors were the prime head-crackers for the Vorbarra Emperor. He deployed his power in a distressingly brutal fashion, and he won. Lived to a ripe old age, too. Shaped the century.

[idealisme]

And you? You don't seem the head-cracking kind.

[If Enjolras is honest with himself he doesn't seem the Liberté, égalité, fraternité kind either, but who knew?]

[vorrutyer]

[ One corner of his mouth turns up. ]

I was disowned when I was far younger than you. Always a black sheep, you see. Partly for precisely that reason - no love of the cudgel.

[idealisme]

The puppetmaster for you, then. Unless you also don't want men to do things for you.

[It's the man's own logic. Carrot or stick were the only routes he saw.]

[vorrutyer]

I've been known to do a bit of manipulation in my day. Most certainly. Though my goals are rather modest - all I want is a mouthful of wine and a bed to sleep in, since a disinherited sod like me never has the money to pay for either.

[idealisme]

And that's all you want from life? You and Grantaire will get on famously.

[vorrutyer]

Yes, I quite like the fellow. He's so sensible.

But yes, that's all I want. Why would a man want more than that? In time, I shall die, and at that time, I won't be affected at all by what the world is like. So what's the point trying to change it?

[idealisme]

[Sensible- Enjolras can't help the scoff.]

I'd ask the opposite. How do you enjoy your life knowing there is suffering that can be alleviated?

[vorrutyer]

By recognizing there's not a damned thing I can do about it - so why add to it by making myself suffer?

[ Then: ]

Besides, I do help with suffering. I just focus on the people around me, rather than some poor sods I've never met.

[idealisme]

How altruistic of you.

[It's said with only a hint of sarcasm.]

[vorrutyer]

Which is better, dear man? To dream big and unrealistic and accomplish nothing, or to be a realist and accomplish something modest? I think the latter.

[idealisme]

I don't disagree, change is better than no change. On the other hand: is it realistic to assume the size of the dream precludes its success?

[vorrutyer]

The nature of the dream does. A system is larger than a man. Or even a group of men. Even if they are prettily fresh-faced and appealingly tragic. It cannot be so simply broken.

[idealisme]

A system only exists because of the men in it. Without continued support it breaks down all by itself. Aren't the riots we've had here an example of just that?