text, un: beatrix

[fiendennor]

This isn't something that I typically find myself asking or even thinking about, to be honest.
But I suppose I'm of age now, and "of age" is a somewhat irrelevant concept when the countries and laws we come from no longer exist, isn't it?

With that said:

In our current circumstance, where might one find an alcoholic drink?

Comments

[fiendennor]

If I'm to be perfectly honest, I'm not entirely certain I'm looking for conversation.

...more of a distraction.

[winecasks]

These are the only distractions that serve me well. I am a devout worshipper of the god Dionysus and all that comes along with being so.

[ He knows that feeling very well, though, but it’s always been friends and alcohol that have served as the distraction to help steer him back toward cheer. He isn’t Joly or Bossuet, though, and he isn’t capable of such a feat.

He pauses, a rare moment of silence for him. He would like to help, really. He doesn't care about himself, but he cares about other people. ]

Have you tried searching the city for another distraction?

[fiendennor]

No, not yet. It's not exactly the most hospitable environment for exploring the night life.

Given the environment, I feel it's unlikely I'll stumble across an equestrian center.

[winecasks]

It is rather cold, isn't it? Boreas himself would shiver.

[ For once he can agree. Paris winters were mild. This is a bit colder than he's used to, but he's forced himself outside anyway, though not for as long as he would like under better circumstances. ]

I haven't seen anything of the sort, but perhaps my eyes weren't opened wide enough. You do understand the sorts of things I tend to look for.

[ He's self aware. ]

[fiendennor]

Have you looked for anything that isn't an alcohol-serving establishment? [She sounds less judgmental than usual, for obvious reasons.]

[winecasks]

[ He wouldn’t say a word if she were to judge him harshly. He knows he deserves it, but he's not going to lie about it. He's just going to coat it in his usual roundabout way of explaining things. ]

I look for anything and everything when I go out, but at times, a certain place or thing draws my eye and I get sidetracked. These places or things tend to be alcohol or establishments that serve alcohol. I have quite a nose for searching them out.

[fiendennor]

Hm. [It's a noise of acknowledgement rather than a judgment either way.] I see. I suppose that's understandable.

...the more I think about this, the more I think I'm not, ah, temperamentally suited to most of these establishments.

[winecasks]

That makes sense. Each one of these establishments I’ve come across has its own mood. The place I liked best in Paris was not a tavern or barroom or alehouse at all, but a cafe. I could purchase my wine there, of course, but it was altogether a different environment. It had a friendly air, never uncivil. It very nearly felt like home to me.

[ He liked it for the company, of course. It was where his friends held all their meetings. When people tolerate Grantaire, he’s at his happiest. He pauses, because something isn't quite right. This isn't the same Diana he knows from previous conversations. ]

Is your mind on something, mademoiselle? Or perhaps something is on your mind. I will remind you that one weighs more heavily than the other.

[fiendennor]

[It paints an evocative picture, for sure. She thinks, right now, that she would give anything to sit in an open-air cafe in Paris or Berlin or Rome and enjoy a drink. Such a far cry from this frozen place.

She doesn't mean to tell him, honestly, but it slips out.] A... friend returned to sleep on the station.

She was very dear to me. And I'm frustrated. I wish to take my mind off this.

[winecasks]

Ah.

[ He hadn’t expected to be told that much, really, but he feels that pain. If Enjolras or Jehan were to return stasis, he would be lost. He isn’t a very grounded individual to begin with, but the two of them keep him about as grounded as he possibly can be. ]

This place offers distractions enough for me, but perhaps not distractions enough for that sort of misfortune. I have no words of comfort for you, but I will not burden you with my pessimism.

[ That he doesn’t believe they’ll return to Wyver and Olympia any time soon, that out of the millions of people in stasis, the chances of anyone waking again are very slim. This is why it’s good that Jehan is awake. It’s good to have an optimist to balance out Grantaire’s pessimism and Enjolras’…everything. ]

But I am sorry. And if you like, I will keep my eyes peeled for a more suitable distraction.

[fiendennor]

Thank you. I do honestly mean that.

If you happen to come across anything at all...?

[winecasks]

I will certainly let you know. After all, I have yet to search beyond the main area of the city.

[fiendennor]

Do you really think there'll be much that out there? In my experience, the central areas are where that kind of thing tends to exist.

...still, I'm far from an expert.

[winecasks]

I always found that the best parts of Paris were those that were hidden away, deep in the corners of city.

[ He pauses, giving it a moment of thought. ]

But this is not Paris. It is far colder, and seems intent upon freezing my fingers to the bone. Still, the same logic could very well apply. I will search farther.

[fiendennor]

It's colder, and much smaller. Paris, like London, was large enough that you could likely find a nice establishment even far from the city center proper. Here, I'm not so certain that's the case. If you do find anything, though, I'd be very grateful for the information.