video, un: revolution. In which Enjolras has something to say and so does Grantaire

[idealisme]

[There are a pile of old, dusty books on the table behind Enjolras; guess what he's been doing the past couple of days. Also at the table sits a dark haired man, slouched over and watching with amusement.]

Many other have put forward their thought about how to deal with the shadow looming over us, that is: the chance that high dragons will be returned to life. We are all of one accord. It is best to plan for the worst, to protect the citizens of Wyver and of Olympia, and all those who live outside their walls. [Look don't judge him this is just how he talks.]

It is a good aim, and one I wish to be involved in. I have searched the libraries of Wyver to see what has been recorded on these high dragons. In particular, how best to bring one down-

[He looks away from the camera, picking up an old book and gently opening it to a bookmark to read:] "The question of how to overcome the high dragons remains. Their massive size is no weakness as their thick scales are near impenetrable- the underbelly as defended as the rest of its hide ....more susceptible are the joints, wings, and the eyes- though only to weapons enchanted. Attempts to target these areas have been as successful as not."

[He looks up.] There are other such old accounts from when the high dragons were last fought. I have written a summary, but I do not believe we can rely on the old methods of fighting these creatures.

We are from many different worlds. Some of us may have fought creatures similar to this, others will have martial experience. Let us share our ideas of how to bring down this monster. I do not have experience with it myself, but -

[Another voice answers:] It's a failure of your education, Apollo! [interjects the dark haired man from the back of the video, lifting his head. With a thunderous scowl at being interrupted, Enjolras turns to look.] These Parisian écoles are no more than glorified clubs for rich young men whose parents have more money than sense! What do they learn there? Nothing! And why attend at all when you can slip a man a sous a week to answer 'yes' for your attendance! And don't stop there-

I am stopping here. [Replies Enjolras firmly.] I'll wager your teachers wouldn't recognise you if they passed you in the street. None would, other than your bartender. Now leave or shut up. There are more important things being discussed.

[He's still scowling when he turns back.] As I said- Let us use the information we have to consider how we would overcome this monster. Better to discuss the hypothetical now than after the creature has set our houses on fire.

[There's the beginning of another interjection from the table, but Enjolras quickly turns the camera off.]

[ooc: tl;dr Enjolras has found some information about dragons that he's sharing with everyone!]

Comments

JUST. RIGHT THERE. IN THE ROOM. BEING ANNOYING.

[winecasks]

[ Of course, Grantaire doesn’t let the lack of an audience dissuade him from continuing. ]

Let it set our houses on fire! It’s in its very nature, just as it is in our very nature to flee from the flames. Your education hasn’t failed you there, Apollo, because your education never had to teach you that fire burns.

[ The briefest of pauses. He’s in full force tonight. ]

How did you know the bartender recognized me on the street? He thanked me for my near daily patronage. I told him to thank the gentleman who lost to me at cards.

THE WORST

[idealisme]

[For almost half a minute Enjolras attempts to focus on the replies (which admittedly is Byerly and isn't much better) but Grantaire cannot be tuned out forever.]

And where will we live after the dragon has burned our house down? Les Ecoles haven't to tell me that a man without a house must live in the gutter.

[winecasks]

[ Grantaire is more than happy to wait for a response. Any attention at all from Enjolras is welcome, even if it takes time to receive it. ]

Many a man and gamin has lived his life in the gutter. Les Ecoles need not tell you that either. Ah, but wait—the gutters may yet be full. The dragon will not target one house alone, as you know well.

[ He smiles, shrugs, and continues almost merrily: ]

Perhaps the bartender owes me a favor.

[idealisme]

Oh, and what will his favour benefit us? [He's making no attempt to hide his scorn.] Will we throw bottles of wine at the dragon? Perhaps get the thing drunk off fumes.

[winecasks]

Wine is wasted upon a dragon of any size, Apollo.

[ When did he become a dragon expert? It’s a secret. But he could just be drunk and talking nonsense. ]

Should homes be burnt to nothing but their bones, I’m friendly with many bartenders who own many bars. In a fortunate situation, one would remain standing.

[idealisme]

Alcohol is flammable. A lick of fire and the bars are the first things that will go- and good riddance to it.

[winecasks]

You are cruel.

[ But he only smiles fondly, wholly unaffected. He’s silent for only a moment, thoughtful, before something springs to mind. It isn’t particularly helpful. ]

Apollo slew a serpent just days after his birth. It lived at the center of the Earth and had been sent by Hera to hunt Leto to her death. Envy can lead to ugly actions, but I do wonder...if I'm forced to believe in dragons at all, who's to tell us that this can't be the very same serpent? It's only a ridiculous story made all the more ridiculous.

[idealisme]

[He notices the affectionate look again. It almost stops him, but then Grantaire comes out with... whatever this current nonsense is.]

Whatever serpent it is doesn't change that we have to slay the creature.

[winecasks]

[ Grantaire doesn’t even realize he’s doing it. The affectionate look, not the nonsense. He is fully aware of the nonsense, and it’s in part in an attempt to get a rise out of Enjolras. ]

Hypothetically, and what good does it do to discuss the hypothetical? It’s a waste of my time and yours, if you ask me. [ Much like the nonsense he just spewed, and he wasn't exactly asked. ] These radicals can’t decide what it is they wish to do. See the cities in ruins? They’ll be killed before they can see set eyes upon it, and what is it that makes them capable of raising anything from the dead at all? I don't believe it will happen.

[idealisme]

[With By bringing nonsense over the network and Grantaire in person, Enjolras' temper is properly up.]

That's all very well and good. When the dragon knocks down he gates we'll send you as our first defence. Upon hearing that it cannot have been raised I'm sure the creature will experience a most unpleasant sensation as it, too, begins to question it's existence. Why, within a minute it will die simply from the awareness it cannot be alive.

[winecasks]

[ He knows they’re still just speaking hypothetically, but his gaze softens once more, and he gives his hypothetical response: ]

If you asked it of me, I would do it.

[idealisme]

[His attention is drawn away to see what replies have come in, but when he looks up that soft look is there again on Grantaire's face.


Again, there's no time to dwell on it.] Hmph. You're still incapable of being serious.

[But where once Enjolras would have said that with an entirely dismissive tone and dropped the conversation there, now it's with but a soft sigh (soft for Enjolras!) and a shake of his head.]

[winecasks]

[ Grantaire has been through this type of conversation with Enjolras so many times, he can make out the difference in tone. He hasn’t been completely dismissed this time. ]

Despite popular perception, I am capable of being very serious. I simply choose not to be serious about a very wide array of subject matter.

[idealisme]

Like your potential dragon-related death. [It's beyond belief. You can tell by the way he shakes his head.]

[winecasks]

When we discuss your potential dragon-related death, or Prouvaire's potential dragon-related death, I will be serious.

[ And on that subject, he is actually serious. ]

[idealisme]

[There's a sharp retort ready- but Enjolras pauses a moment long enough to realise what Grantaire's said.

He sits back in his chair.] If you'd said such a disparaging thing about any others who'd died at the barricade I'd throw you out. Why should I allow you to disparage yourself in such a way?

[winecasks]

[ Grantaire waits for that retort expectantly. He’s halfway surprised when it doesn’t come, and Enjolras instead takes a seat. ]

And why shouldn’t you allow it?

[ A genuine question. Grantaire has always spoken about himself in a disparaging manner. By this point, he assumes everyone has taken note and just accepts it for what it is: either an affect of the wine or an ingrained part of his personality. He can recall no complaints, save for recent complaints from Jehan. Still, he feels the need to reassure: ]

I would never speak of them in the same manner I speak of myself. If I ever have, it was only in jest.

[idealisme]

[In the past Enjolras had paid attention to Grantaire in the same way one attends to a fly in the room. An annoyance, usually one whose buzzing can be safely ignored.]

And just then? Was that a jest? [Only being serious about the deaths of others? Hmph.]

[winecasks]

[ He fixes Enjolras with solemn stare, a very serious expression indeed. ]

It was not.

[ He doesn’t care about much, and he especially doesn’t care about himself, but he cares deeply about his friends. They've always had something to live for. ]

[idealisme]

[It's as incomprehensible an idea as any Enjolras has come across.

Well done, Granatire. He's speechless.]

[winecasks]

[ Grantaire allows the silence to sink in for a moment, like he’s waiting for Enjolras to break it with a response. Much to Grantaire’s surprise, he doesn’t, so he takes it upon himself. ]

Have I repelled you beyond words? What I’ve said is the truth. Your lives mater more to me than my own.