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

[onthewillowsthere]

A little shrug. "Faster than Aziraphale and Crowley."

[futaille]

"I think those two are a special case in most respects, really."

[onthewillowsthere]

Special case, he signs dubiously. "Claudius says they've kissed one another."

[futaille]

He grins. "Oh, good. Claudius must be thrilled about that."

[onthewillowsthere]

"He was pleased." He looks over at Grantaire. "He was pleased about you, too."

[futaille]

He ducks his head a little, kind of sheepishly. "Oh. Well. That's different. He wasn't actively trying to meddle there... wait, was he?"

[onthewillowsthere]

Galahad just looks at Grantaire.

[futaille]

He pauses. "That was a silly question, wasn't it."

[onthewillowsthere]

"Yes. He likes bothering Enjolras."

[futaille]

"Oh. Well, in that case, I really can't blame him. Enjolras is a delightful man to bother."

[onthewillowsthere]

"Why?" He knows why Claudius likes bothering Enjolras, but Grantaire is an unknown quantity.

[futaille]

"His annoyed expressions are amazing, first of all," he starts with a grin. But then he shrugs. "And then... well, this doesn't apply as much here, for obvious reasons, but it was also a very good way to get his attention. Usually accompanied by those amazing annoyed expressions."

[onthewillowsthere]

Possibly he can't appreciate this feature of Enjolras' because he has such a hard time with faces. "You want him to look at you."

[futaille]

"From the first day I saw him."

[onthewillowsthere]

"It doesn't matter why, or whether he's angry."

[futaille]

He shakes his head. "It didn't. I mean, especially at the start. I couldn't bring myself to believe in everything he did, so making him angry instead was an easier way. Besides, when he's angry he seems like... a force of nature, almost. Terrifying in a way that you're drawn to. Or at least that I am."

[onthewillowsthere]

Galahad reflects on this, rolling the idea over in his head like a smooth stone in his palm. He can't really imagine loving anyone in a way where even anger would feel like a gift; he would only want love if it were returned, even in friendship, like Percival's. Finally he says, "That's sad."

[futaille]

He laughs a little bit, almost despite himself. "You're not wrong." He's quiet but only for perhaps the space of three heartbeats. "But now... I have his regard now, somehow, and it's overwhelming in a very different way. Better, I think, but in a way I have to take care with."

[onthewillowsthere]

"What do you mean?"

[futaille]

It takes a moment before he answers, but it's clear he's trying to find the right words, which is a rarity for a man who normally has words in excess. "His anger was easy. And to be honest, I usually deserved it. Not for pushing back, as debate was always fine, but for taking it too far just to get that notice. Like sticking your hand in a fire just to feel something warm, when you could just stand by the fireplace instead."

He shrugs. "But when he smiles at me, when he... It's even warmer, somehow, than that flame ever was, but less sharp. I never knew it was something I could have, and now that I do, the thought of losing it is terrifying. And I know me. It would be so easy to squander."

[onthewillowsthere]

This doesn't fit Galahad's experience of Grantaire at all -- Grantaire is cheerful, kind, playful but always patient. More than that, with his bewildering devotion to Enjolras laid out, Galahad finds it hard to imagine Grantaire would do anything to risk losing Enjolras' affection.

"Would it?"

[futaille]

The question throws him for a moment. "I mean... not intentionally. Never intentionally." He at least has the small shred of self-awareness needed for that much. "But things happen, and..." He shrugs. "I don't know."

[onthewillowsthere]

Galahad says nothing, but he does fold away this new little piece of information for Claudius, in case Claudius doesn't have it yet.

[futaille]

And that silence is an easy emergency exit if he ever saw one. He brightens. "Anyway! Dominoes!"