Retail therapy

[lecentre]

Characters: Courfeyrac + open!
Date: January 28
Location: Around turtle, he’s pretty much everywhere.
Situation: Shopping! Shopping always helps the sads. Also, flirting with ladies and going out drinking.
Warnings/Rating: N/A

If it wasn’t one thing, it was always another. That’s how it felt to Courfeyrac. It’s been nearly a year since arriving on this place and he was still no more comfortable than he had been on day one. Having gone through over a dozen hats since arriving, he was on a quest today to find another. And to hopefully get his mind off the fact that people kept leaving or disappearing. First Grantaire, then possibly Enjolras? That was still questionable… And now Jehan.

Today will find Courfeyrac meandering the several districts of the turtle, spending more money than he ought to, in search of whatever he may find that catches his eye. In some districts, this means the ladies that he comes across, in other districts food and clothing. So, don’t be surprised if he comes up with a cheesy pick up line and tip of his hat, or to see him juggling one of many of his bags.

Comments

[philosophe]

[Combeferre is likely on the hunt for supplies for his clinic -- who needs clothes, really, when there are people to be helped? Certainly not him. In any case, he bumps into Courfeyrac somewhere in the middle of the Wood district, and gives him a cheerful wave.]

Hello, my dear, would you like some help with those?

[lecentre]

[Courfeyrac hasn't gathered too many bags at this point, but he smiles all the same.]

If you'd like to help, how could I deny you?

[And he's holding out a couple of bags for him to carry.]

[philosophe]

[Nevertheless, it would be rude of him not to offer.]

Perhaps I am just in need of your company. [But he's taking those bags with a grin.]

How are you, my dear?

[lecentre]

Everyone is in need of my company, there is no surprise there.

[He laughs, not entirely meaning it-- but there's some truth to his comment.]

I have been better, but I have been worse. And yourself?

[jondrette]

Well. Guess who wasn't going anywhere, Courfeyrac? Your newest best friend, dearest Eponine. Or should she say girlfriend?

"Reynaud!" She says the moment she spies him walking through the streets. Wearing the coat that Marius had picked out for her, and the scarf from Courfeyrac, she bolts over to him. "Hello, it has been some time, hasn't it? What brings you to the water sector? I know we both reside in wood." She smiles at him, easily sliding up to him as he walks. She has nothing better to do than to follow him. As she does with men she fancies.

"We should have seen each other sooner, do you not agree?"

[lecentre]

Oh. Courfeyrac enjoyed Eponine's company well enough, when she wasn't coming up with wild ideas about their friendship. "Eponine," he calls back to her with a smile.

It had been some time, yes. Especially considering how close in quarters she lived near himself and Pontmercy. Still, he smiles warmly at her and shrugs his shoulders slightly. "I am merely meandering around the turtle, doing some shopping as it were."

A pause and he laughs, agreeing with her. "Yes, we should have. I am sorry that we haven't, at that."

[jondrette]

"Then I will join you," she says, looping her arm through his to walk better along side him.

"I'm glad you agree with me, my dearest Courfeyrac. After all, two such as ourselves should be finding every excuse to be around one another, should we not?" Remember those wild ideas you mentioned? They're still here. She cared deeply for Courfeyrac, and found him very handsome. Perhaps they were not courting in the traditional way, but he did have at least part of her heart, even if the majority of it would always belong to Marius. But why limit herself?

"What is it that you're shopping for today?"

[lecentre]

Well, her company won't be denied... He manages to smile yet and even finds himself chuckling lightly. "Should we be? I do suppose we could find more of an excuse to be in one another's company, but I did not know that it was something we should be doing."

Still, he continues on his venture to shop, allowing Eponine his arm for now. "Whatever catches my fancy, cherie. I haven't set out with anything in mind."

[jondrette]

"Of course we should, you silly man!" She declares proudly. "Two such as us? It is a shame we are not together more often. But, that must be the way to do it now, as we are." Their strange courting ways, where they were not together and yet together at the same time. It was how she saw it, at least.

"And what has caught your eye so far?"

[lecentre]

Silly man, yes that was he. A silly man that must really be more careful with whom he flirts. He certainly cannot tell her that a certain woman down the lane had caught his eye earlier.

"Just a few accessories and some wine, so far."

[jondrette]

No, he could not. She was a jealous woman, and vicious when provoked. She enjoyed kissing him and drinking with him enough that she would do what she could to promote the two of them getting along. She just happened to think the interest was mutual.

"Wine! Accessories! It has been so long since I have had accessories with any of my clothes!"

[solo_patria]

[Enjolras, of all people, is actually in need of clothes. After all, working with a dragon who breathes fire tends to result in things falling apart, even when you're not actually getting flamed on. So he's wandering around, almost reluctant to enter any of the shops because he really, genuinely, is not fond of shopping, on the whole.

When he spots Courfeyrac, he's waving and stepping towards him, as it occurs that here he may kill two birds with one stone. He's been worried for his friend since Jehan's departure, after all, and if he can take Courfeyrac's mind from that by enlisting his help with clothing, well. He'll consent to being dressed up like a doll for once in his life. Really.]

Courfeyrac! And what brings you out today?

[lecentre]

[To be perfectly frank, Enjolras is generally in need of clothing if you were to ask Courfeyrac. He smiled warmly when he came upon Enjolras and gave him a short wave with his free hand.]

A little bit of everything, my friend. Mostly shopping, however. And you?

[solo_patria]

[Yes, well. True though that is, Enjolras will hardly ever admit to that. See the look on his face that is somewhat resigned? It's a look he wears when shopping for things for himself that aren't books, really. Not that he's not glad to see you, Courfeyrac.]

Much the same, I fear. I HAVE found myself going through clothing at an alarming rate just lately. So it seemed as good a time as any to go looking.

[And then a thought occurs to him that may help Courfeyrac and himself in the process.]

Would you consent to join me?

[lecentre]

[Courfeyrac could not help but raise an eyebrow at that. Smiling, he gave a short laugh and nodded.]

But of course! You know I would never say no to helping you dress.

[solo_patria]

Indeed, I had rather thought not.

[Enjolras does have to laugh at his expression there. Even if he IS a little reluctant to go about this.]

Ah good then. I suppose I should offer an apology ahead of time. [He is eyedarting slightly.] I have been reliably informed that I am somewhat difficult to shop with,

[wroughtiron]

[Flirting with ladies, huh? How about one of unusual height, with a rather fiery scar on one side of her face? Still, despite that little design flaw, she's comely enough, and she moves with a particular determined grace as she flits between one stall and another.

Being in the city proper is more than a little overwhelming, and it's evident in the wonder and awe in her expression as she examines all the wares available. But it's not until she holds up a pink silk scarf that she needs an audience, and she reaches out to the first available person - namely Courfeyrac, in this instance - and snags his sleeve.]

My colour, do you think?

[lecentre]

[Flirting with the ladies, yes! In his almost year here, he's seen many strange things... So her height and that scar were hardly jarring. In fact, he'd been so distracted by his own shopping that he hadn't noticed her more than in a passing glance until he felt the tug on his sleeve.

He turned towards her, smiling brightly at her question. He gave pause so he could appear to be thinking over this question, but in all honesty, he'd already made up his mind. Turning towards her, he tilted his head to the side just a bit.]

Mademoiselle, with a complexion as yours, you could pull off near any color. That one, however, is particularly fetching.

[wroughtiron]

[O u flatterer. She smiles broadly, and tosses a coin or two at the vendor as she wraps it about her neck.]

Well, thanks be to your expertise, I am now the proud owner of a silk scarf. Name's Eva!

[lecentre]

[Flattery could be his middle name. Still smiling, he watches her wrap it around her neck and holds out his hand.]

It's a pleasure, Eva. I'm Courfeyrac. And I was correct in my assumption, it looks even nicer on you.

[wroughtiron]

[You're gonna make her blush, monsieur. She fiddles with the ends of the scarf and gives him a shy little smile.]

Ain't from around here, yeah? You're a foreigner?

[lecentre]

From Paris, France... I don't know how much that means to you, or most people here though.

[He watches her, smiling warm at her shy one.]

The short answer, however, is yes.

[wroughtiron]

Not a damn thing.

[But she sounds perfectly cheerful about that.]

I'm from here, though. [Urk.] -- Not Keeliai, I mean. Out-there here.

[She throws a hand towards the ocean, to indicate the exact nature of her origins. Because of course everyone speaks clandestine flappy hands, Eva. Good job.]

[fliesonfour]

They were men cut of the same cloth, then! (Or so Joly hoped; better Courfeyrac's cloth than the cloth that many of their friends might have picked.) He was out and about the metal sector, also on a mission to shop...

Well, if ladies were going to keep popping in on him? He did need a new jacket.

And a waistcoat that better matched his new knitted gift.

"Ah! Courfeyrac! Well. What a surprise! What brings you here, eh?"

[lecentre]

Courfeyrac's cloth was among the best to be cut from out of their friends if he would say so himself. He won't say so out loud... Often.

"Joly! I was just out shopping to see if anything catches my eye. And you, my friend?"

[fliesonfour]

Well, well-- that's what wine was for! Plying. Best to be cut of a good cloth, and plied of a good drink, wasn't it?

With a friendly grin, he put out a hand to demonstrate their part of the street, and agreed with a nod, "The very same! Company and a good eye would not go amiss, if you will join me."

[lecentre]

Wine was welcome to this as well. Laughing, he nodded his head and adjusted the bags on his arms. "I would gladly join you, I have not been shopping in this sector just yet."

[fliesonfour]

"Have you not been? And here, you look a bit ahead of me." Noting the bags in his arms. He would offer to share the burden of some, but, well. He shouldn't like to throw off his own balance.

Picking up a walk again, he went on, "What have you found for yourself so far?"

[lecentre]

"Would you believe that a majority of this is from Alcuin's shop and no where else? I'm afraid he knows me and my style all too well..."

Courfeyrac falls in step with him easily, however, grinning as he does. "A new hat and the like... I've not grown accustomed to the fashions of the people here on the turtle... I stick more to the foreign stalls."

[fliesonfour]

"Ah! He did tell me he ran a shop, he did." An understanding nod. "And he did seem the fashionable sort, so I would indeed believe you."

With a throaty chuckle, he wrinkled his nose and shook his head. "Oh no, no. I should hope you do not grow accustomed to it. We wear the fashion of our culture, indeed we do; imagine if we were to find ourselves suddenly back in Paris, in their sorts of robes and fancies? Very embarrassing, that."

[lecentre]

Well, that was certainly one way to look at it. "I would be the most embarrassed dandy if I found myself back in Paris in the clothing common here..."

And he truly does mean that. Can you imagine, aside from the fact that he's dead, what that would do to his reputation? "Let us search for something not quite so embarrassing, then, shall we?"

[saisamour]

[It was rare for Marius to visit the Fire Sector, but his little turtle—as little as baby giant turtles can be, anyhow—had taken to eating one of Courfeyrac's hats, and he could not in good conscience allow himself to escape replacing it. He found himself in the Fire Sector because he was aware that this is home to the finest goods, and that Courfeyrac will only accept the finest hats.

Now if only he had fine, fashionable tastes, as well.

Thankfully, after a half-hour of scouring the marketplace for hats with his minimal sense of fashion, his eyes settled on Courfeyrac, and, realizing that he would never be able to purchase a hat without him, he advanced towards his friend with hurried footsteps.]

Courfeyrac!

[lecentre]

[Ah yes, he missed that hat already. It was one of the finer ones of the bunch that he'd managed to not lose just yet. The fire sector was one of his more favorites, but that would be because of his taste for the finer things of life more often than not.

Seeing Marius here, however, was not to be expected. He raised his eyebrows in disbelief as his friend hurried toward him.]

Pontmercy, my friend... What brings you here?

[bonjourguignon]

Bossuet would be found carrying a basket laden already with a loaf of bread, a bottle of the local wine equivalent, and something that resembled cheese in taste and texture, but not in hue. He would be on his way to a butcher's shop to pick up those sausages and some large prime cuts of meat he'd originally headed out to purchase when he came across Courfeyrac.

"Laden with the spoils of war, I see! The women of Keeliai can be as brutish as those of Paris, though you seem to have risen mostly unscathed." A smile. "How goes it, my friend?"

[lecentre]

"And you as well, my friend. It would seem you have the beginnings of a fine meal, while I have the proper clothing now to attend such."

Courfeyrac did notice that he tended to spend his earnings on the more frivolous things in life, seeing that none of his bags contained food in the slightest: merely wine and acceptable clothing. "I find myself well, and you, my friend?

[bonjourguignon]

Nothing wrong with frivolousness; there were the useful and the hedonistic, and far be it that one must fill both roles! "Good, and likewise!

And, ah, I am preparing for a high-spirited picnic, in fact! If it were my place to invite you along to dine amongst such lofty company, I would have extended an invitation to you long ago, but I do not know that you could keep up in such an atmosphere, my dearest Reynaud." Lightly teased, as always.