(no subject)

[solo_patria]

Characters: Enjolras, Les Amis, Other Friends (I'll edit those last two things as we head in here!)
Date: Christmas Eve- Early Morning
Location: The Cafe the boys tend to congregated at, Wood Sector
Situation: Réveillon is celebrated as part of the French Christmas traditions. And it's Christmas Eve here, so... :D
Warnings/Rating: Will Update!

Somehow, even in as strange a place as the turtle can be, and even in a time of such great sorrow as the loss of the Empress (a term he'll stubbornly use with his last breath), and the departure of Jehan, Christmas has managed to make its way around again, and this past year...when Enjolras thinks of it is nothing short of astounding. For him, it meant the rebellion, death, being born again, and all of the adventures here, finding his place with Etienne, growing closer to others than he allowed himself in life, and while he's not given to outward expressions of his sentiments, still finding that difficult in many cases, it bears some celebration nonetheless.

On Christmas, in France, after the midnight Mass, the one time a year Enjolras could drag himself to church, comes Réveillon, a time for staying awake, gathering close and, admittedly, overeating and drinking. Who could say otherwise of a meal that traditionally hosts thirteen desserts? Here, on the Turtle, some things were not able to be found but even so, the spirit of the thing is good enough, and, he managed to find a local equivalent to citron that, well, it's a miracle it hasn't all vanished by this point, because it's really good. In any case, it's set up in the cafe, along with a meal that may not be totally traditional but works out well, regardless.

So, here they are, old friends, and perhaps some new, on Christmas Eve, a little earlier than usual with no Mass to run off to, and warm and comfortable and here. That bears some celebration with friends, doesn't it?

Comments

[fotia]

[Goddess problems, specifically, which is probably worse.

Leo tells himself to calm down. It's not like the guy's rude or anything; he's actually pretty friendly, and in any other instance Leo wouldn't have any problem getting along with him. So Leo mentally scolds himself for being irrational, because being irrational isn't like him at all.

The tiny gadget forming in his hands—a wind-up figure beginning to resemble a bird—snaps in two from the force of his hold on it.]

Uh, yeah, whatever.

[He doesn't even think of introducing himself. Instead he asks, with a slight tremble near the end of his question that betrays his attempt at sounding casual,]

So Calypso's your date?

A W K W A R D

[fotia]

[For what wasn't the first time that night, Leo wanted to run.

He was used to running from his problems, anyway, from the sadness or anger that consumed him, so why should this be any different? But then he reminded himself that he wasn't supposed to run any more, no matter how much he wanted to regress to that state. He wasn't supposed to be that person any more.

So instead, he strode towards her and took the seat next to her. He didn't even wait for her to say anything: immediately, the words tumbled out of his mouth like loose gears tumble down machines,]

So who the Hades is he?

[saisamour]

Oh.

[Marius cast his eyes to his feet that shuffled uneasily. He was not very close to Jean Prouvaire, but that was not a hindrance to the pang of sadness in his gut. He was silent for a moment; he wanted to say something comforting but he was never good at this. Eventually, he settled for,]

The others would certainly appreciate such a thoughtful gesture.

[It didn't occur to him that he could receive one, as well.]

[ciderandstew]

[Calypso was afraid he'd run, afraid he'd just walk off and not deal with this. It was probably what she would have done in this situation. So, while Joly was chatting with one of his friends, she shifted in her seat to face the one Leo had taken easier.

The question made her blink in confusion, but she didn't skip a beat.]

A friend who thought I could use a few more good friends [men] in my life.

[lecentre]

I did believe they would, yes...

[He pauses for a moment, thoughtfully, then gestures to the bag.]

There's one in here for you as well, Pontmercy.

[lecentre]

He is one of the best men.

[And Courfeyrac honestly believes that. However, with a short laugh, he nods and digs Eponine's gift from the bag and hands it over to her.]

For you, from our recently departed friend.

[jondrette]

Thank you. [She accepts the gift, opening the envelope it was contained in. After a few moments, she smiles, looking up at Courfeyrac]

One of the best men indeed! He has given me a poem! And a certificate for a new dress! He knows me well!

[philosophe]

Of course you will, mon cher. [And he's leaning a bit for a discreet kiss, then pouring himself another glass of wine.]

[solo_patria]

[Which Enjolras is returning, along with a light squeeze of Ferre's hand, before turning his attention back to other matters.]

Yes, certainly.

I AM glad no one here minded us putting this together so relatively quickly though.

[This is because you people are in here all the time, Enjolras. Seriously.]

[saisamour]

[Marius's shoulders relax, and a small, soft sigh of relief escapes him at Enjolras's assurance. He's progressed his studies far enough that it would be a great pity for him to be forced to stop, after all—although, now that he thinks of it, Enjolras or any of his other friends are not the type to discourage him from his not-quite-so-legal studies.

He cants his head to one side. He has read a great deal of literature. The Organt is not one of them. He hesitates only for a second, due to timidity, then pushes himself to ask, with a little shyness,]

Will you allow me to borrow them?

[fotia]

Nope, definitely no unwanted recordings going on here. [Sounding pretty confident and sure of himself—which he totally is, because he's just used his Jesus Mechanic powers to actually scan the area for any hidden cameras before confirming it.]

And hey, it takes way much more than that to traumatize me, so don't worry, man.

[solo_patria]

[Stopping someone from pursuing a field of study that they are doing well in and seemingly enjoy or otherwise find valuable? Enjolras would not dare. He might privately mock it in his own mind, but there are things he does not say to people themselves usually, and, well, honestly? Marius reading more things is good for him. It's good for all of them. Not only that it gives Marius some form of distraction, but also because the language studies seem especially useful.

And too, Temeraire seems as if he must be good for Marius as well.

And at least the copy of the Organt Enjolras recovered here has his notes from his first reading of it and then on, so it's not as if the 'disgusting' and 'vulgar' parts, nor his notes on them can be ignored. He's smiling, a little, at Marius's question there.]

Of course, you might. You will find I have marked them to my own...sentiments but if you do not mind ignoring my angry scrawling in the margins, please feel free.

I also have a gift for you, in light of...you have tolerated much from me since I arrived here, Marius. To thank you for your continued patience and offers of friendship even when I do not deserve them and to say that I hope that they continue. It's a bit foolish, I admit...

[But he IS handing over a clumsily wrapped small bundle with a few toy soldiers in Napoleonic uniforms inside. He had them painted at one of the vendors here, thinking Marius may appreciate the sentimentality or at least be amused enough by them.]

[solo_patria]

Oh THAT is useful as a skill. [He sees why Combeferre likes this boy. Well, besides the part where they have similar tendencies toward creating explosions at least.] You're very good at that.

And ah, good. Corrupting youth is the least thing I need to consider just now.

[saisamour]

[It's not extremely difficult to catch the way Marius's face lights up at that, though not without an underlying uncertainty at the mention of 'angry scrawling in the margins.' But then his expression turns into one of genuine surprise, rounded eyes and raised eyebrows, at the gift.

He takes it in his hand and runs his fingers through the creases in the wrapping, an embarrassed blush forming on his cheeks. His eyes stay fixed on the bundle when he responds, guiltily,]

I-I'm afraid I cannot return the deed in kind; I have not bought anyone gifts.

[Because he had used up all his savings betting on copies of Napoleonic-Era Le Moniteur during the auction last landfall. :|]

[fotia]

[Leo shrugs, mouth twitching upwards into a cocky grin.]

Well yeah, I am pretty awesome.

[He doesn't really think so, but hey, no one needs to know that.]

[solo_patria]

[There IS a look on Marius's face at the mention of the writing, so Enjolras feels like he must explain a little, and he's eyedarting, with a tiny smirk.]

Writing my thoughts in books proved to be something that was, well, a good deal easier than what I used to do. You saw me at fourteen. I used to get myself into all sorts of trouble, when it came to school.

After the time I told the Monsignor that it seemed one could not reign innocently even from the pulpit, well. I learnt to write my thoughts instead of speak them. Hopefully they are not TOO distracting for you. And they've smeared a bit by now. You should be able to ignore them.

[Or, perhaps not, and he'll have scrawled something to make Marius something more of a Republican yet. He won't hold out the hope of that, but it certainly would be nice. And then it comes to the matter of the gift, and he's shrugging a little.]

Oh it's nothing so grand as all of that. Just a token really, that I thought may be amusing for you. Though...if you wished to do something...

Would you give Eponine some show of kindness tonight? I know that you cannot return her feelings, obviously. But she IS still quite in love with you.

[solo_patria]

You certainly have proved that a few times over so far, here.

I'd happen to agree with such a statement, really.

[saisamour]

[Marius's eyes are round and curious, perhaps slightly bewildered, as they skim through the letters on the page. He feels his cheeks heating up, more and more, the farther he reads, embarrassed and yet somewhat flattered at her words.

His lips twitch upwards, although he doesn't meet her eyes.]

Thank you. That is very kind of you to say.

[He hardly thinks he is that remarkable, but he does appreciate her attempt at making him believe.]

[jondrette]

It is not kind, it is only the truth.

[She reaches a hand out to touch him, but hesitates.]

Marius? Is something wrong? See, now I have upset you! I did not intent to hurt you, Marius, only to bring you something lovely, for Christmas.

[fotia]

Does that mean Combeferre and I can hang out more? [And build crazy stuff more? 8')]

[solo_patria]

I certainly do not see that it is my place to say yes or no to THAT. Our particular contrat social does not include me dictating just whom he spends his time with. That said, I can spare him for a bit longer than I have,I think.

Shall we make up some sort of schedule?

[saisamour]

[Marius's raises his head then, his eyes slightly wide—it is becoming a common expression to him in this particular conversation, it seems; not that he is aware of it himself—at Enjolras's explanation. He supposes it is not a bother, really. It will hardly be the first time he has seen scribbles on books, although from what Enjolras describes his experience might me slightly more unusual than most. But perhaps he might know more of Enjolras, as well.

The statement about Eponine, however, catches him completely off-guard, and his grip instinctively tightens on his yet-unwrapped gift.]

Oh.

[He flusters, darts his eyes to one side, then fixes it on the whorls on the wooden table.]

I...

[He isn't really certain of how to react to that. Of course, he should know it. He kissed her forehead, skin damp and cold against his lips, after her confession—

He squeezes his eyes shut and wills the visions away. It takes him a moment to even his breathing and steady the beating of his heart.]

What must I do, then? I am at a loss, Enjolras.

[solo_patria]

[That's certainly true at that. There's a good deal of the early Enjolras between those pages, and well, it IS somewhat revealing. It's probably not the sort of thing one ends a friendship over, at least?

But then, more importantly, Eponine, and the subject arises and Enjolras is at a bit of a loss himself as he sees that look in Marius's eyes. He seems so lost. He did consider, at the barricade itself, that Eponine was actually the girl in question, actually. From the way she had clung to him alone, certainly. Now that the truth is so much more complicated, Enjolras does find himself at a loss for how to proceed.

His friendship with Eponine dictates that he should tell Marius to seek her out romantically, to attempt to love her because Cosette is not here, and because Eponine does deserve a happiness in her life. But his friendship with Marius, and his desire to see HIM happier does not lie with Eponine, not truly.

Would that sort of encouragement not only make Marius disappointed and awkward in the end, and lead to trouble for them both with Eponine being hurt again? Truly that would not be the act of a friend to either of them, would it? ]

I...am rather at one myself for advising you. I have never faced the same thing as you do. I have never been loved by anyone before my arrangement [And that is all that he will speak of it here, lest it cause chaos to brew between them again] took place, and surely not by anyone else but Etienne. It is hard to place myself in this position, actually.

[saisamour]

[He raises his eyes to her then, round and mildly surprised.] I am hardly upset! [And then he smiles, grateful.] It is beautiful; I will cherish it. I am sorry I could not return your gesture in kind.

[Napoleon in the form of Le Moniteur being auctioned off at landfall took all his money, sorry everyone.]

[jondrette]

There is no need to return the gesture. It is a gesture of friendship. You owe me nothing, Marius. It's I that owes you this and so much more.