(no subject)

[philosophe]

Characters: Combeferre and you!
Date: May 26
Location: The new amis-hangout in the earth sector.
Situation: Combeferre is attempting to make their new cafe seem a little bit like their old one! By which we mean he is probably sketching, reading, drinking, and generally talking to people. Do come join him!
Warnings/Rating: None as of yet!

[When he has not been spending time at the clinic, Combeferre can either be found in his and Enjolras' rooms or in the cafe they've newly adopted; since the other was rather destroyed. When he is not sketching, he can be found discussing various things with the patrons -- philosophy, sometimes, or perhaps it's even where to find various compounds and sorts of things. All perfectly innocent, of course. He is certainly just going to use them for scientific experiments. In any case, should you be in a talkative mood, or should you simply wish for some companionship, Combeferre is free to be bothered.]

Comments

[dracobin]

[One of the very few benefits to the recent attacks is the ongoing renovation around the city, and the Amis' new haunt is certainly no exception. While the cafe's infrastructure was largely spared by the blasts, their patio was damaged in the explosion, and Temeraire finds himself seated in a large open area instead, covered by a canopy, where he might take his drink in peace.

Surprisingly enough, the kedan in charge has been more than accommodating; evidently he has chosen to interpret the foreigner presence in his establishment as a sign of good faith, and a multi-tonne dragon in his front yard is better security than most. The tea on offer is certainly of the finest quality, and Temeraire laps at it contemplatively as he watches the clientele.

He has had precious little time to unwind since the attacks, and the disappearances before that; now that he has been presented with an afternoon of leisure, he finds he is not entirely certain where to start, or what to think.]

[philosophe]

[Combeferre is somewhere nearby, sprawled down at a table underneath the canopy. From time to time he scrawls something down in a notebook, looking thoughtful. After a few moments, he looks over to Temeraire:]

I do not suppose you would know where to find gunpowder, Temeraire?

[dracobin]

[He looks up from his tea, sombre expression lightening a little at the sight of Combeferre.]

Not immediately at hand: though I have read in books that it might be manufactured, from fertilizer.

[philosophe]

Oh! Which books? Perhaps I shall look it up. It may well be of some use, sooner or later.

[dracobin]

I have some chemistry texts I might lend you--it is mostly to do with the isolation of potassium nitrate from the mixture as a whole, for the saltpetre, as sulfur and charcoal might be readily obtainable elsewhere. But I am given to understand it takes a great deal of time; there must be some simpler means of producing it, in these modern times.

[Beat.] Are there no firework-shops nearby, or have they been depleted?

[philosophe]

I would be much obliged if you did, I should like to make note of it for myself.

--Do you know, I have never thought to check. Surely there must be, unless they are being particularly cautious after the recent events.

[dracobin]

Then there is a readily available source of gunpowder; one need only ask the proprietor, and I should think they would be all too willing to give some up for the defence of their homeland.

[He pauses.] Do you think it will come to that, in the end?

[philosophe]

It may. I do not know how well the missions have been succeeding -- but at the very least, it is always best to be prepared. It served me well at home, at any rate.

Unfortunately, I do not have nearly as many weapons here as I did in Paris.

[dracobin]

Then I trust you have found a safe place to store it; it would not do for your efforts to blow in your face in the meantime.

[He does not mean to nursemaid Combeferre, of all people, but he cannot quite help himself; recent events in the city have made him more protective than usual.]

We none of us do: but I have my teeth and claws, and the Divine Wind, and those of you without must make do, as you can. And at any rate Malicant's weapons of choice have rarely been physical.

[philosophe]

Of course, yes.

[There is a bit of a sigh, but he nods.] That is true. But even so, I wish I might do more to help, in this case.

[solo_patria]

[Enjolras is coming off a shift assisting at the hospital, only having stopped off to grab a clean shirt and a notepad before making his way to the cafe, heading over to Combeferre and smiling as he slides into a seat across from him.]

What have you invented that can change things here today, then?

[philosophe]

[Etienne leans to kiss his cheek, quite content for the moment.]

Nothing as of yet, these are mostly doodles. I do not know if there is anyone left here that might actually make weapons for me.

[solo_patria]

You do raise a good point.

[He's leaning back across to repeat the gesture, then frowning a bit thoughtfully.]

I wonder if you would be so bad yourself, at trying simpler things out. True, we have no polytechnique students here, and I was sorry to see Leo go for more reasons than just this, but you are not entirely a slouch with this sort of thing.

[philosophe]

I know, but I do not have any tools or forges or anything, save medical supplies. It is something to take into consideration, at the very least.

[solo_patria]

Those may be easier to find still, than someone else who knows what they are doing with them? [There's a little shrug and smile from Enjolras.] It would be something of a start, at least.

[philosophe]

I suppose. We might at least ask if there are any pieces Leo may have left.

[solo_patria]

THERE is a good idea. I wonder if any of his pieces have been taken into consideration already, so to speak. The Emperor may very well have wished to do that if they were left to no one directly. It should be easy enough to find out, and perhaps if so, there could be something to figure out with others.

[philosophe]

Then I shall go and look, when we are finished here. [At the moment, however, he is quite content to lounge around their new cafe.]

Are you well, my dear? How was the hospital?

[solo_patria]

If I can be of any help, you'll only have to direct me too.

[That seems like a good idea to Enjolras, too. And while they can't exactly seem to get his favorite drink the way they did in the old cafe, he's content to stay here as well, as long, and often as he'll be allowed.]

Well enough. A little tired, but things were fairly uneventful, thankfully. I do admit, I wonder how you did it now for all that time. It is not so much the nature of the work, of course, but staying on one's feet and all of that, on top of everything else you did in Paris.

[Are you some sort of superhuman, Combeferre? Now that Enjolras knows that those exist, he's actually curious.]

[philosophe]

Of course. Temeraire has given me some ideas.

[He shrugs a little, somewhat sheepish.] You grow used to it after a time, I suppose that must have been it.

[solo_patria]

Ah, well, then that seems to be in a fine sort of order already. I would trust his ideas against those of very many others.

Perhaps so. [Granted, it is adorable to see Combeferre giving him that expression. And he is personally filing the supernatural being theory away for later examination, perhaps on the rare occasion he's drunk enough to warrant that sort of a discussion with someone else. ]

Still, it has given me much more respect for doctors, I must say.

[Not that he's suggesting he'll be less of a pain in the ass about treatment in the future or anything, mind you.]

[philosophe]

As would I. Do you think we will have need of any of this?

[There is a slight blush at his later comment, and he (hopefully) covers it with a quick drink.]

Well! Thank you, my dear, on behalf of myself and our Joly.

[solo_patria]

We might, or rather, I suppose, the powers that be might along the way. It seems far better to be prepared than not, I'd think, though I have no idea what any of it could actually be used for. Perhaps if there are others who have come in since, pooling resources could do something.

[And there is a little wink out of the corner of his eye.]

You especially, I think. You're left to cope with me for much more of the time.

[fliesonfour]

[With a tap to his companion-doctor's shoulder, as he was dabbling with work and play in the same area;]

Be sure not to confuse your beer with your beryllium, your Bordeaux with you boron, nor your rum with your radium, eh?

[A helpful tip, sir! Trust him. Stranger things have happened whilst drunk; he is a bosom friend of Grantaire's, and he knows well.]

[philosophe]

[And there's a bit of a laugh and a grin, in response.]

I shall try not to! I do not think boron would taste half as good as a Bordeaux. [He settles back and takes an absent sip of whatever drink he has today, quite possibly wine.]

Well! Have you come to join in my experiments or simply come for company? I do not mind either of these, now that we have a place we may call our own again.