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Secret Santa Gift

[whatisright]

[Grantaire will arrive to his home to find that someone has left a few paintbrushes neatly lined up on his table and a variety of paints arranged before their bristles. Justice didn't know the exact difference between things like oil paints and watercolors, and he didn't know Grantaire's preference anyway, so he just got a variety.

Folded just as neatly by the paintbrushes' handles is a note.]

I understand that gifts this time of year are traditional for your kind.

I hope you find these useful.

Justice

[Yeah, Justice hasn't quite grasped the whole 'secret' part of 'secret Santa'.

There is no sign of forced entry, and the front door is locked. Justice also hasn't quite grasped the concept of personal space, but he means well.]

video

[idealisme]

[It's the middle of the day and Enjolras is calling. Pick up.]

video

[winecasks]

[ If it's the middle of the day then Enjolras is partly in luck. It means Grantaire is not yet drunk!

But he might have only just woken up. ]

Enjolras. To what do I owe such a pleasure?

[idealisme]

[He can't help the way he listens for a slurring of words, looks for the signs he's come to recognise as drunk.]

The night of the gala. Do you remember it?

[winecasks]

[ There's a pause as Grantaire inclines his head, as though he's searching his mind for the answer. While he holds certain mementoes close to his heart, almost all of his memories exist beneath a fog of wine, leaving the finer details lost to him. He's certain he recalls the gala, though, and he's certain he recalls begging for more than one kiss. ]

I recall being there, and I recall you being there.

[ He smiles most pleasantly. ]

Why do you ask now?

text;

[illuminescent]

For surely this is my friend Grantaire, whom I comforted and will gladly accept into my kinship? This is Lucy Pevensie, of Narnia.

text;

[winecasks]

[ A great deal more sober and a great deal less melancholy now, he remembers her this time, remembers how she had attempted to comforted him, but it’s the use of the word “friend” that truly endears him to the message. ]

Surely it is. To what do I owe the pleasure of your words, mademoiselle Lucy?

text;

[illuminescent]

I have spoken to your rather strict friend, good sir. I think I can help you retain his good graces.

[winecasks]

You spoke to Enjolras?

[ Color him both intrigued and a little bit ashamed. He's certain he has a very good idea of what Enjolras said about him, and he doesn't need to ask about it. ]

If your conversation was at all extensive, then surely you know that I am incapable of retaining his good graces.

text; un: flowerknight

[triplerose]

Hello, Grantaire. I wanted to say thank you, for being my rescuer. I know I was useless at the time. I owe you a great deal.

[winecasks]

That's kind of you, monsieur, but I'm afraid I don't understand or deserve your praise. I did nothing more than act as your companion in the walk out of that tower. If you owe anything to anyone, it's to the others who took part in that mission, all far braver and more useful than myself.

[ He isn't being humble. He's just deprecating and a little bit drunk 95% of the time, but let it never be said that he doesn't care. ]

How are you feeling now?

[triplerose]

Then I thank you for being my companion. It's a kindness I hope I can repay one day.

I find I'm tired, mostly. I haven't slept much since it all happened.

[winecasks]

To repay me for my company would be a waste.

[ For once, he cuts his negativity off there and takes a different approach. He isn’t so drunk that he can’t rein himself in, and Loras needs no more of it right now. What Grantaire heard that the hostages had been put through was absolutely harrowing. He can't mock or belittle it, and he certainly doesn’t want to make it any worse. ]

It’s not something that needs repaid. I enjoy the company of others without compensation.

Nightmares? I heard what measures they took to get you to speak.

THE BEACH

[idealisme]

[All of Wyver is at the beach, and since Enjolras' two friends are a part of that he finds himself there as well. He has an umbrella and a towel, and a slim volume of Wyverian history that he's studiously reading throughout the day. (Jehan does manage to get him into the ocean a few times and though Enjolras finds the distratction frustrating, the exercise is invigorating.)

It's after lunch when he finds himself sitting under the umbrella and Grantaire sitting close by that a thought distracts him and will not be dislodged.]

Grantaire- I've a question for you.

[winecasks]

[ Grantaire has been in a surprisingly fair mood today. It might be the good weather, or the change of scenery, or simply the fact that he’s here with both his friends. He and Jehan and even managed to get Enjolras to join them, even if he has spent a good chunk of his time reading. It’s well earned, though. Grantaire did deny him his books for the entire time he was ill. ]

Have you?

[ He raises his eyebrows, looking a touch ridiculous in a pair of round, dark glasses he’s found—but no more ridiculous than usual. ]

Please, ask me any question you like. I will do my best to answer as honestly as I possibly can.

[idealisme]

[Enjolras had rolled his eyes at the glasses earlier in the day, but by now he's adjusted and barely notices them. Instead he sets his book down on the towel and turns his full attention to him.]

I think you'll recall that Madame Sansa Stark came to the house a while ago, to meet you. You were not home at the time she arrived so she and I engaged in conversation. We discussed politics a little and I was impressed with her logic and rhetoric. Unfortuntely I voiced the assumption that she was a mistress of yours, at which she took offense. [There's no look of shame or awkwardness in Enjolras- mistresses are a part of life and nothing to be ashamed of; in his view it was a natural mistake to have made.]

I've since apologised and the matter between us is forgotten. But you've other women friends, I know. I'd appreciate you telling me which are your mistresses and which aren't. I've no wish to give that offence again.

[winecasks]

[ Grantaire listens, but he doesn’t laugh. He simply removes his glasses to fix Enjolras with a slightly amused smile. It is, after all, an easy assumption to make. This is Grantaire, who gambles and drinks on a regular basis and looks upon every woman he meets with fondness. It makes sense to assume that he would keep a mistress, but then again, when has he ever stuck with any sort of commitment? Commitment is daunting, and he difficulty making room for much of it in his life. ]

You have already described exactly what every single one of them are. Women friends. None of them are mistresses, but I am flattered that you’ve thought me capable of keeping even just one, let alone multiple.

[ He doesn’t remind Enjolras that most women who are not mistresses don’t like being assumed as mistresses. He understands that Sansa is strong willed enough that she likely did that for him, and Enjolras is intelligent enough to have gathered his mistake. Grantaire can’t recall what he was doing on that day. Likely he got distracted by something—and likely enough, it was wine, but maybe it ended up being for the best if Enjolras got a political discussion out of it. ]

If your political discussion went well, you've likely made a woman friend also.

[ YOU CAN HAVE THOSE. ]

text from orientalism

[pluspetitpoete]

Hello hello! I made it to Olympia just fine, I didn't want you to worry! It's very nice here, I'm going to explore around a bit before I head home.

Do you need anything? I might be able to trade for things!

[winecasks]

Jehan! If only I had woken earlier, I would have accompanied you. I have visited Olympia only on occasion, but I should like to know it as well as Wyver.

[ And all of its taverns and bars as well. ]

I need nothing that I cannot find here on my own, my friend. What are you looking for?

[pluspetitpoete]

Oh no! Well you'll have to come with me on my next trip out, won't you? We can explore together.

I suppose I am not really looking for anything in particular? I simply wished to explore further. I want to learn my new home as well as I knew Paris.

[winecasks]

I accept your invitation, Prouvaire, though we should bring Enjolras along as well. I’m not sure he’s ever paid Olympia the visit it is due.

[ Though, Grantaire wouldn’t know. He spends a good portion of his time asleep and a better portion of it drinking. It’s easy to lose track of what has and hasn’t happened. ]

You will tell me if you find anything of interest?

SURPRISE

[idealisme]

[ Hello who is home this is Enjolras bursting into the room like he's got new of a great general's death- ]

Grantaire- I have news! Where is Jehan? [His eyes are bright, and he seems to be almost vibrating as though about to burst out of his skin. He can't stand still, already moving about the room as though their friend might be behind a piece of furniture.]

I AM SURPRISED

[winecasks]

[ Grantaire is half asleep, lulling over the table in his boredom, and nearly jumps out of his skin when Enjolras bursts into the room. It’s unlike him to be so excitable. ]

He left to wander some time ago. I hope he hasn’t gotten himself lost. I will form a rescue party if he isn't back within an hour.

[ He props himself up on his elbows and leans across the table, just to get a closer look at Enjolras as he flits around the room. ]

You look as though you have news that Hermes himself would beg to deliver. What is it?

[idealisme]

[Heartbeats pass as Enjolras continues to looks about the room in case Granatiare is mistaken. But it seems he is not.] Ah. With luck I won't have to wait long for his return. [A frown threatens to cross his face, but at the moment Enjolras can't manage it. This news! It is too much to allow for frustration.

He continues pacing, almost wringing his hands in distraction.]

It is political. I'm not sure you'd care to hear it. [There's none of the usual venom in his voice. Enjolras will share it even with Grantaire if he wants to hear. He'd make an announcement on the network if he thought others would cheer.]

[winecasks]

[ For a moment, Grantaire simply watches quietly as Enjolras paces, that same old soft gaze on his face. It’s true, Jehan is better suited for news of the political variety. Grantaire has little interest in it at all, but he doesn’t often see Enjolras like this, and the lack of cruelty in his voice is enough to shock. He's genuinely interested in what has him so excited. ]

My lack of political ideals have not made me deaf. I would like to hear it all the same.