elnysa | video; un: R

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video; un: R

[ 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.

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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.

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?]

[ 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.

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.]

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.

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

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?

[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?

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.

How altruistic of you.

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

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.

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?

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.

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?

And you think these rioters are going to accomplish anything? At most, they'll trade the current tyrant - praise be to Simwe and her glorious form - for a new one.

[There is no attempt to hide his scoff at your praise of Simwe.] They could trade it for something better, if only they knew what.

Could they?

[ A shrug. ]

"Say, fellows, have you thought about justice and a righteous way of life?" "Ah, m'sieur, the notion had never occurred to use! Merci, merci! We'll try that!" Is it as easy as that?

A republique. [OMG why are you like this.] Men who've only known the rule of a tyrant may not consider that they can rule themselves, that there are ways to govern that involve their own wishes, rather than those of a single man.

[ Another shrug. ]

There were a few attempts at democracy on Barrayar. One even deposed the Emperor for a while, back during the Time of Isolation. They all collapsed into viciousness. Infighting. Blood flooding the streets.

Amazing, isn't it, how quickly death to injustice becomes death to the unjust, and how the unjust morph from those who have done wrong to those who have done me wrong?

There was a similar Terror during my country's first attempt at Republican rule. [Because at least when it comes to arguing about national rule, Enjolras is not going to be anything but completely honest.]

A friend of mine has made similar arguments as yours. He would advocate for a slower transition; 'revolution but civilization'. [Enjolras sighs, and his shoulders almost droop before he rallies to continue:] I agree that there is a danger with all transitions of power. But there must also be no fear in a new government. It must protect itself.

Oh, no, no no, I'm not advocating for any sort of reform. Or revolution. Remember?

[ He gestures towards himself. ]

Vor lord. Protected by my social standing. Heavens, no, I would never want an end to the good life I lead. [ Then - ] But, for the purpose of argument, how does a government protect itself, precisely? That sounds like the old skull-cracking model of which my family has been so fond.

At first, if necessary. [His expression and tone indicate that he himself believe them to be completely necessary.]

But those who enforce the new government cannot be those who lead it once the danger is passed. There are time which call for men to be terrible and do terrible things. Then there is a time for civilization. [Is it obvious which group Enjolras places himself in? He's already killed in cold blood for the Revolution and Republique, he knows he'd do it again.]

[ With a laugh - ]

Oh, dear god, that's so noble. Building heaven through sin, is it? Honestly, that sounds like a failure of imagination to me.

[Stiffly:] What, sir, would you suggest as an alternate imagining?

Well, to start with, I should ask: are there many men like you? Men who get all worked up over things like human rights and all that silly nonsense?

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