OPEN

[philosophe]

Characters: Combeferre, Enjolras, Jehan Prouvaire, Grantaire, and YOU probably!
Date: February 23
Location: A smallish cafe in the Wood sector!
Situation: Discussion of politics and philosophy and culture and possibly shenanigans, we never can tell with these guys.
Warnings/Rating: ...UH. G, maybe PG? Idek what they'll talk about.



[The cafe wasn't too far from their various tree-houses, reasonably priced and in a place where it could be easily found by passers-by. They had adopted it once they had all felt well enough to go wandering about their new home, it was comfortable and pleasant and very nearly reminded Combeferre of home. Certainly it would never be quite the same as the Musain, and he did not expect it to be.

But it would do, for now. So for the moment, he is quietly ensconced with his friends in a back corner. They are discussing things amongst themselves, waiting to see if anyone will accept Enjolras' offer and join them. Hopefully, this wouldn't turn out as horribly as Marius' introduction to Les Amis de l'ABC. That would remain to be seen. Suffice to say, if Combeferre recognizes anyone, he will be waving them over with a welcoming grin.]

Comments

[monstrous]

And how about you? What inspires your good speeches?

[poeticverses]

Poetry or anything regarding the Romantic movement. Politics, too, but not half as much as Enjolras.

[monstrous]

....you like the Romantics. [Toby pauses, and then with a shy sort of excitement] You know, I met Wordsworth once.

[poeticverses]

I am a Romantic.

[Jehan smiles]

Really? I've only read a few of his works, but...did you really?

[monstrous]

Yeah! He was even better in person than I had imagined. [sheepishly] Although, well, I was a bit starstruck. But it's Wordsworth. Who wouldn't be?

[poeticverses]

Someone who has never heard of him, I suppose.

[Toby doesn't look 19th century, but then again he might be borrowing clothing from Dorian (who Jehan thinks is just late 19th century in odd clothes) so he lets that pass]

Have you read any other works? Hugo?

[monstrous]

[Toby nods] I'm not too keen on Byron, and Coleridge I can take or leave at times, but the rest are brilliant. I'd always wished I'd gotten to meet Chateaubriand, too. Well no, perhaps hear him lecture would be better. I'm not as embarrassed as I should be to say I had a well-worn copy of René that I'd kept with me since I first gotten my hands onto it years ago. I wouldn't admit as much to him, of course. I read an interview with him condemning the book and the fanfare that followed. Which is ridiculous. Why distance yourself from something so fantastic?

[poeticverses]

I believe he disliked those who attempted to imitate his writing and René himself and failed miserably. It was also one of his first works and there is not a man alive who is terribly proud of his first work. However, I agree. He inspired France to Romanticism. I would be honored, were it me.

[monstrous]

[Toby laughs] Yeah, but by failing miserably they were true to art, I'd say.

Oh, but you especially must appreciate Barbauld's works. What was it she said? Where seasoned tools of Avarice prevail, A Nation's eloquence, combined, must fail.

[poeticverses]

Sadly, I have only read a few of her works. I discovered her before I understood enough English to appreciate it and mostly forgot about her until news of her death reached France. I could either never afford or find her writings after that. I didn't read many English works, come to think of it. Wordsworth, of course, and Byron but who hasn't read Byron, and I can't think of any more widely popular English or American works I read.

[monstrous]

[Ew, Byron] I'll have to get Dorian to help me transcribe some poems for you into French. He's partial to Keats at least, so he'll help me with him easily enough. We'll get you some Blake and Shelley as well. [He will hook you up, Romantic poetry loving bro!]

[poeticverses]

Oh, you don't have to, Monsieur Matthews.

[But his eyes lit up anyway. He really wants more poetry]

I wish I could offer something in return, but alas. I did not have any books with me when I died.

[monstrous]

You said you're a Romantic yourself. Have you created any of your own works?

[poeticverses]

I have, but I unfortunately did not have any of my works on me at the barricades. I would be happy to copy down some of my poems, however, if you would like.

[monstrous]

[enthusiastically] Yeah, please! I'd love it. [it's been centuries since he's had new authentic Romantic literature]

[poeticverses]

I will do that, then.

[He's grinning. No one ever wants his poetry!]

What other arts are you familiar with?

[monstrous]

I'm familiar with all of them in bits and pieces. I've dabbled in painting myself over the years, but it was all mostly recreational.

[poeticverses]

Do you have a favorite artist? Delacroix, Géricault?

[monstrous]

I've actually always had a soft spot for Thomas Cole. I mean yeah, there's Delacroix and all the obvious ones like Goya, and I can't help but have fondness for Beaumont. But there's just something about that constant progression in Cole's work that's spectacular, the way he deconstructs the same setting over and over until it reaches that final inevitable stage. Are you familiar with him at all?

[poeticverses]

A little, in that I've heard him discussed and a friend of mine greatly admired his Garden of Eden when he was able to travel and see it in 1830. I do not believe any of his work was ever on display in Paris, however, and if it was I never got to see any. A shame.

[monstrous]

Maybe he'll find his way here, too. We all ready have one Romantic poet with you in our ranks. What's a Romantic painter added to the mix?

[poeticverses]

Enough to drive the non-Romantics to drink.

[He laughs a little]

You have no idea how wonderful it is to meet someone who appreciates Romanticism here, Monsieur Matthews.

[monstrous]

They have enough reason to drink all ready. How terribly empty life must be without Romantic works.

[Toby's laugh matches Jehan's]

Believe me, I definitely understand. I understand too well.

[poeticverses]

Does Monsieur Dorian not enjoy Romanticism?

[monstrous]

[Toby makes a face, because he is a sulky baby] No. He laughed at me when I said William Wordsworth was the most famous person I'd met. He's much happier reading something that spends an entire chapter talking about jewels and, well, I sort of skimmed that chapter. Don't let on to Dorian.