1 [Accidental Video]

[tables]

[The feed turns on with Marius lying on a couch, flipping through a few letters on old paper, reading them to himself. He seems to be ignoring Enjolras, who is also in the room, because that's what he tends to do whenever Enjolras doesn't approve of whatever he's doing -- which, at the moment, seems to be talking about one (1) lovely young woman.]

I wonder if she could appear here.

[It's an absent murmur to himself as he folds another letter to set on the table, shifting to one that is a little more worn than the others.]

I daresay she could, but it is rather pointless to speculate.

[Enjolras is sprawled across a chair, frowning intently at his own comm. He is trying to comprehend the whole 'reading on an electronic device' thing and not having much luck with it, unfortunately. Eventually, he turns his attention back to Marius and barely restrains himself from an eyeroll.]

Honestly, Pontmercy, is this all you can talk about? Even Buonaparte would be a welcome break from this -- whatever this may be.


[Marius ignores his initial dismissal, but his attention is caught by the mention of Napoleon, and his lips twitch upward into a slight smile before he tilts his head back to look at Enjolras with a bit of an accusing look.]

You are one to talk of not knowing how to change the subject.

[He returns his attention to his letters, flipping one over to read the back.]

Besides, I remember the last time we spoke of politics. It ended poorly -- and as I have nowhere to escape you on this flying vessel, I think I'll contain myself to speaking of subjects that you cannot possibly argue with, such as the poetry of Cosette's letters.

[An annoyed little tsk.]

I care little for the poetry of your beloved's letters, since I do not intend to read them. They are yours and yours alone, Pontmercy.

[Marius almost retorts with a snippy 'one day you will fall in love and I will have the great fortune of rubbing it in your face', but he stops himself from doing so, because... no, he won't. He will die, as will they all, and the thought seems to give him pause, enough to fold all of the letters up and set them aside, folding his hands upon his chest as he stares at the ceiling contemplatively.]

You would think that you, of all people, would appreciate Buonaparte's civil code of conduct.

I? You know very well what I appreciate, Pontmercy, and it is hardly that.

[He draws himself up in his seat, eyes flashing just a little.]

I cannot understand why you would condone such a man. If you had supported Lafayette I should never have forgiven you.

[That is, actually, a very sore subject even after two years, and Marius would do well to tread carefully. But he dismisses that with a wry purse of his lips.]

This is a welcome change from your letters, at least.

Perhaps I will get a dog and name it Lafayette, so that it may guard my door. Or maybe even show you where your own apartment is.

[But the way that Marius says it, with a slightly teasing tone, indicates that he is far from serious -- and he pushes himself up before he adds a quick:]

You would do well to learn other subjects. Perhaps painting, or maybe even knitting -- crafting scarves would keep you out of politics.

I shall not follow where it leads, in that case.

[There's the slightest trace of a smile, but hey. It's enough, for him.]

I have never been --skilled at that sort of thing. Not like Feuilly or Prouvaire.

Nor I, but there is no time like the present for the mastering of the arts, especially as we are trapped on a floating ship with a various list of subjects we cannot discuss with one another lest we throw each other overboard.

[It's said dryly as Marius stands.]

So knitting it is.

[And the feed turns off as Marius picks up his communicator.]

ooc; Red is Enjolras, blue is Marius! Both will respond. Feel free to comment on their immaturity or their politics or that they need lives. Because they do. Desperately.

Comments

[tables]

You are completely and utterly insufferable to even those who care for you.

[THROWING YOU OUT OF THE AIRLOCK IS IMMINENT]

[untamedantinous]

Merci. [That isn't quite a grin on his face, but there's very definitely amusement there. At least it's a change from looking vaguely lost, right?]

[tables]

[Post-traumatic stress disorder is demonstrated in a variety of ways -- and Marius has been dealing with the sudden gripping bouts of panic and loss by trying to work through them. Enjolras, it appears, has tried to deal with it by not talking about it at all. And while Marius would much rather deal with Enjolras being an annoying twit than looking lost and alone, he is so insufferably irritating.]

Incroyable.

[It's muttered to himself.]

[untamedantinous]

[That would be exactly right. Only a brief discussion with Marius, so far -- but that does not excuse the fact that he wakes up most nights in a cold sweat, shaken and guilty and hearing cannon fire roaring in his ears.]

[With some sad fondness:] Were I Courfeyrac or Lesgles, I'm sure I would come up with something clever to say to that.

[tables]

[Loud noises jolt him into awareness, slammed doors cause his hands to shake. There is something to be done about this, Marius is sure of it, but he ignores it in the realization that for Enjolras, it must be much worse. Marius gets to live, after all. What does he have to complain about? It is Enjolras who is gone from this world -- and surely he has much more pain to deal with than Marius.

-- though his heart wrenches, at the mention of their fallen comrades, especially Courfeyrac, his closest and most loyal friend, and his throat tightens involuntarily at the thought of never seeing him again before Marius purposefully blocks it out with a rather blunt:]

You have the rest of our time trapped in this prison to think of one.

[untamedantinous]

[Pain and guilt and the realization that no one was going to come for them. It is something he would much rather not think about, at least for now, and so he tries to deflect with his wry sort of humor.

But the mention of Courfeyrac and Lesgles makes him falter, too (he shouldn't have, he knew it, not when he can still see Combeferre and Courfeyrac and Joly standing next to him if he closes his eyes for long enough), and he swallows hard, shaking his head to rid himself of that image.]

I suppose I shall. L'esprit d'escalier, isn't that what it's called?

[tables]

Oui.

[It's quiet as Marius watches him carefully, eyes holding some amount of concern. He doesn't quite know how to make Enjolras feel better -- he doubts that anything ever will, but he's compelled to try -- and so he does, by sighing to himself.

He's going to regret this, but -- ]

I am going to the chapel later.

[ -- definitely going to regret this -- ]

You should come with me.

[untamedantinous]

[There is a long silence after Marius' offer. Surely Pontmercy knows Enjolras' thoughts on their supposed creator well -- but once upon a time, when he was far younger and less headstrong, he did go to mass fairly regularly. Besides, no one said anything about praying to any sort of creator. He could simply use it as a place to reflect, somewhere in company where he is not alone and prone to jumping at the slightest of noises.]

....Very well, I think I shall.

[tables]

[A surprising answer, but Marius takes it with a faint smile.]

Good.

[It's quiet.]

Your presence will be welcomed, I am sure.

[untamedantinous]

[A wry purse of his lips in return.]

They do say that God is forgiving. If so, he will surely not mind my presence.

[tables]

He accepts all with open arms.

[So the story goes, anyway.]

I'm certain He won't make an exception to His rule for you.

[untamedantinous]

At the very least it should be ...peaceful. [Which is what he's looking for, at the moment. Though he doesn't care to talk about it with Marius.]

[tables]

Provided you don't burst into flames upon crossing the threshold.

[With a slight upward turn of his lips.]

[untamedantinous]

Come, I am not as godless as all that.

[Fiiine, he'll accept that joke at his expense.]

[tables]

Only slightly godless, with much room for improvement.

[But Marius lets it drop, faint amusement etched upon his features.

He won't force Enjolras to pray or take part in service. But the comfort, the solitude of the chapel, will help. Marius is certain of it.]

[untamedantinous]

At least you are truthful.

[It might. That's what he's hoping for, anyway.]

[tables]

One must be in order to uphold or change the law.

[untamedantinous]

Indeed. You will do a fine job at it.