Open Post: La savate et le chausson

[futaille]

Much to his satisfaction, Grantaire has been able to keep up with many of his hobbies unabated during his time at the mansion. Not all of them, though, mostly because they were ones he'd go to specific spots for, and with those spots not being here in addition to an abundance of his other hobbies, they more or less fell by the wayside.

However, a recent chat with Dionysus has reminded him that he has very much neglected his 'hitting things' level. Although he didn't find a crash test dummy, the thought being on his mind ended up in him stumbling upon a small gym tucked away, complete with some equipment including a standing punching bag.

So he's discarded his waistcoat and cravat over a bench and is practicing his savate¹.

¹French kickboxing! During R's time it was basically for streetfighting, and just beginning to get formalized, but there are some cool vintage videos on youtube (Here and here) to give the... vibe.

Comments

[vineleaves]

Dionysus is a little boggled by how Grantaire seemingly wasn't aware of this fact before now, but he gives Grantaire a deep, slow, very loving kiss anyway. As much as he hates the thought of being confined to such a relatively small space for the rest of time, the thought of being without Étienne for the small number of years they'll have together is entirely worse. "Alright, if you're sure. I'll be right back."

With another soft kiss to Grantaire's forehead he heads out to the nearest kitchen, where he does succeed in finding the makings of a meat and cheese plate, as well as some taiyaki. That fulfils both requests, he figures, so he's satisfied enough to return.

[futaille]

He looks over the plate. "Ah, a fish! Everything looks wonderful, I must say."

[vineleaves]

"It's called taiyaki," he explains. "It's from Japan. Pancake outside with a filling. Probably red bean paste, that's the normal version, but sometimes people put other things in it, so I guess it'll be a surprise."

[futaille]

"Oh, surprise food. Even better."

[vineleaves]

He hands one of the taiyaki to Grantaire and takes the other one for himself. "Shall we find out what the surprise is together?"

[futaille]

He takes his taiyaki. "Absolutely. A toast!"

[vineleaves]

"To surprise food," he says, 'clinking' his taiyaki against Grantaire's.

[futaille]

After tapping the taiyaki together, Grantaire takes a large bite. "Mm, that's good. I think it is the bean paste."

[vineleaves]

Dionysus takes a bite as well. "Oh yeah, definitely bean paste. Good."

[futaille]

"It's different. I like it."

[vineleaves]

"They're also really good with ice cream. Next time we should get some ice cream to go with them."

[futaille]

"And that sounds divine." He pauses. "Granted, not as divine as you are, but nevertheless."

[vineleaves]

Dionysus laughs and kisses Grantaire's cheek. "An honor to rank higher than ice cream."

[futaille]

"On the divinity scale! Ice cream overtops you on creaminess."

[vineleaves]

"Alas, my greatest downfall."

[futaille]

"I assure you that you still overtake ice cream on most essential measures."

[vineleaves]

"Which ones would those be?"

[futaille]

"There is quite an extensive list, of course. How much of it would you like?"

[vineleaves]

"Oh, you know, until you get bored of listing things out, I suppose."

[futaille]

"Well, to start off with, you are a much better conversationalist than ice cream is."

[vineleaves]

"I do trust that you, at least, would be able to hold a decent conversation with an ice cream if it came down to it and you had to."

[futaille]

"Oh, I certainly could on my end. The ice cream, though, would have a most difficult time changing it from a monologue to a conversation, unless I were to pretend to be the ice cream in conversation, in which case the conversational skill would not be the ice cream's but my own again, so it certainly would not be able to take the credit."

[vineleaves]

He laughs, but quickly trains his face back serious, pretending to think this over very deeply. "Suppose -- and, it must be said, I defer to your expertise in this field, but -- perhaps the ice cream is simply talking very quietly."

[futaille]

"Perhaps so, but even if that is the case, if you speak so softly that you're unable to be heard by the one you're attempting to speak to, that also doesn't award high marks for your conversational skills."

[vineleaves]

"You raise a very good point. As can only be expected from the true expert here. Perhaps we could teach the ice cream how to project more, as to be heard? I would hate to speak over it, even if it's very quiet."