Open Post: Marketing

[futaille]

Now that things have managed to settle down after the havoc of this month's event from the mansion spirits, Grantaire has set his sights on a much more organic event. He did as promised and improved upon Enjolras' early attempt at a flier. It even passed Apollo's judgment and was printed. So now Grantaire is dutifully walking around the mansion with a stack of fliers to post them in whatever public areas he comes across, even venturing outside to hang them up in outbuildings, and enough were printed that there are plenty of extras to be handed out personally if anyone seems curious.

He's of course sure not everyone will come, but the more people do, the more it will seem right, as far as he's concerned, so he's perfectly willing to pitch the event to anyone who seems the least bit amenable to one. Apparently he can stay on task with proper motivation.

Comments

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Oh!" Susan looks over at Grantaire, a little startled; she smooths carefully over the reaction. "I did. It was... rather abysmal, wasn't it?"

[futaille]

If he notices the initial startled nature of her reaction, he has the good grace not to comment on it. "You're being very kind in saying so, really."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Oh?" Her look grows amused. "You think my assessment is a polite one?"

[futaille]

"Oh, very much so. I think it would have actively driven people away."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"That's what I said!" Susan has caught wind of the fact that Grantaire, for some reason, has chosen to occasionally canoodle with Enjolras, so she doesn't mention that Enjolras seems pathologically disinterested in considering the perspectives of others.

[futaille]

Grantaire does in fact occasionally canoodle with Enjolras, but really has no trouble excoriating that ridiculous flyer, at least. "You are clearly wise. Thankfully, the error has been rectified."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Very good. Are you responsible for the improvement?"

[futaille]

"I am." He shrugs. "I want people to attend, so it seemed necessary."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

So it wasn't Enjolras seeing the error of his ways. Susan spares one quick moment of sadness that he won't be given the opportunity to learn from his mistakes - namely, nobody coming to his little event - and then sets those feelings aside. "That's good of you. I rather gave up on trying to get him to see reason."

[futaille]

"In his defense, he did ask me for suggestions for additions, so I don't think it would have stayed quite as miserable as it was. Still, though, I just told him I'd handle it, for obvious reasons."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Yes," says Susan, setting the flyer back down. "It almost sounds a pleasant evening now."

[futaille]

"Hopefully," he says with a shrug. "At least at the absolute worst, I'll get to spend some time in the café with some snacks and maybe three other people."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Oh, surely you'll get at least four now," Susan says. It's a joke, but Grantaire would be forgiven for thinking that she's being critical still; her tone is as businesslike as ever.

[futaille]

Grantaire has a lot of practice taking what seems to be criticism with good humor. "Oh, be careful. You might get my hopes up entirely too high."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"My sincerest apologies," says Susan, and goes for another joke: "Then I shall only guarantee you two."

[futaille]

Grantaire laughs a little and inclines his head in acknowledgement. "Excellent. I can now keep my expectations reasonable."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Very good, then," says Susan. "It's important to manage one's expectations." She picks up the flyer again and decides to make one final joke. "I can see one primary issue with this."

[futaille]

"By all means, enlighten me. I await your wisdom."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Why, you haven't specified which cordials you'll be debating, of course."

[futaille]

And he laughs outright. "And so I haven't. I decided I had to leave some mystery about the proceedings. People would be bereft if they knew their favorite had been neglected, after all."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Ah! Personal favoritism, is it?"

[futaille]

"I would happily debate any cordial that comes along, really. Although I personally have yet to meet one that disagrees with me."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"But shall the refreshments include the cordials under scrutiny?"

[futaille]

"Any cordials that volunteer for refreshment duty will be heeded, but I would not dream of conscripting them."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"No? But suppose only the floral cordials decide to volunteer themselves - how might we ensure fair debate, if the fruit cordials remain untasted by the discerning palettes at this meeting?"