[Filtered: Les Amis (including Temeraire, and yes, you too, Courfeyrac's Puppy),

[solo_patria]

[Enjolras stares out at the camera, his expression set and his eyes hard. It would be clear, likely, to those who know him, that he is not handling the Empresses's (yeah, he'd disrespect you equally if you were a emperor; he just can't get behind the gendered terms in his mind)announcement well. In truth, he wants to go out and break something or set it on fire, or some other urge he has ever repressed, and will continue to do so. To think of THAT coming home, to the people. No.

Full understanding's dawned now, and that understanding is horrifying, dizzying, and there is but one way that Enjolras can think to even begin dealing with it. When he speaks, his voice is grave, the tones used on the barricade, though modulated for this moment at least.]

And so we learn the way of it at last.

Might we all speak together soon? I...am in need of all of you and what actions that we may plan to take.

[And, in a rare display of actual anger, saved up perhaps, from Gavroche, along with other things, brought to light by the threat to Patria, he's slamming a fist down, HARD, upon his desk, enough that he sees a crack left behind, though that does not really help. The last time anyone has seen him give in to something like this would be July of 1830, but he's done it as it is.]

We fight for France, and the people again. There is no question of it. But in the matter of how, I am outclassed. Might the rest of you have some thoughts? Please begin considering them until the group of us may meet.

Comments

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[poeticverses]

Of course, Enjolras. I believe I still have the largest suite. Should we need a meeting place I will happily open my doors.

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[solo_patria]

Thank you, Jehan. I will let you know.

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[poeticverses]

Of course. Simply name the time and I shall prepare for a meeting.

action?

[philosophe]

[He's looking -- troubled, rather than angry. But his has always been a quiet anger, saved up for when he needs it most. In any case, he comes up behind Enjolras and just rests a hand on his shoulder, lightly.]

Of course we do. We always will, I would -- that will never come to France. I will not let it.

When do you intend to have this?

action!

[solo_patria]

[Enjolras is, by this point, shaking, though still silent, and for a few moments he's been lost in the world of his thoughts, to the point that he practically jumps from the chair he has been using, an arm shooting out instinctively, though hopefully, not catching Comebeferre hard enough to do significant damage. It seems to have come from nowhere though, and he is blinking, slightly stunned as he notices Combeferre there.]

Etienne I...sorry.

[He mutters, then turns to the matter at hand.]

I do believe you will no. None of us will.

As soon as we might, I think. A few days, perhaps? We need to determine what to do, the questions we might ask perhaps, the most effective means of fighting, who we might learn those from...

[And the list is going on from there.]

Re: action!

[philosophe]

[He'd almost expected something like that to happen, in the state Enjolras was in, so he manages to duck the worst of it, though there is still a slight wince as Enjolras catches his shoulder.]

It is quite alright, I startled you. I should have known better.

Yes, of course, but I cannot -- [He trails off and sighs.] Perhaps we might ask the Empress how they have fought in the past? I am afraid an effective means of fighting against....against this is one thing I am simply at a loss for.

action!

[solo_patria]

[Which Enjolras notices, and does feel a bit guilty about. So much so that he's actually reaching to rub the place he connected and frowning sheepishly.]

I...ought to pay more attention....sorry

But perhaps so. I think that is as good a suggestion as we have had so far. She would, after all, know far more than the others what we are going to stand against. We have only had a moment with it after all...but she...

[And he can't suppress a shudder, with even the brief memory of that encounter, and imagining someone exposed to that for a longer time...it's terrible. But the moment passes, and he stills, trying to make this better and less about his own impending terror here. ]

Well, I certainly have a new respect for her, I will say that

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[philosophe]

It is alright, I am fine. [Have a cheek-kiss, there.]

Temeraire has spoken with her before, I believe. Perhaps we might apply to him.

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[solo_patria]

That would be best. I fear that if what I have heard of the days I do not remember is true, that I am not the best to approach, clearly. But if he has built up a trust with her, it is more likely we can arrange for something.

[And he's turning to return that kiss.]

I've also made some plans to investigate a weapon. The bow of all things. Marius had suggested applying to one of the magic users here who teaches but that somehow did not sit as right with me as it did when the offer of archery training came through. It seems that here that actually may be useful.

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[jondrette]

[Maybe the anger would have scared someone else. But not Eponine. Not even in her extremely hungover state. Eyes heavy, she nods.]

I shall think, and I shall be there. There is no other place for me but here now. I do not intend to leave it. [And if Gavroche came back? She wanted to be there for him.]

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[solo_patria]

[Enjolras's nod is approving, though it is short. There is not much time to spare other emotions for him right now.]

We shall be glad to have you with us, Eponine.

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[jondrette]

Now that I have cause. Yes.

[She really had nothing more to add, to be fair.]

Let me know when and where, and I shall be there. For myself and Gavroche.

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[solo_patria]

Of course.

I will keep you in the know.

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[saisamour]

[Marius is more than a little surprised he's also involved in this—there is a long minute or two that he actually considers that he has only been included in the filter by mistake—so he's still a little wide-eyed when he finally responds.]

Must... Must we fight again, even here?

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[solo_patria]

[Those wide eyes, and that question, are getting one of those patented Enjolras looks. The sort that one might get, for instance, if they brought up the glories of Empire at a meeting of republican students, or spoke about being in love at a time it was not immediately important. The look that could probably make small children cry, due to the disdain contained therin, and it is a moment before Enjolras speaks, as he's trying to formulate an answer that will not consist of screaming in Marius's face.

His hands are shaking, quite visibly so, as he attempts to contain himself, to keep his face impassive and regards Marius coolly at last, and manages to keep his voice level as he answers.]

If you wish for that darkness to reach Paris, your Cosette in time, then no, of course you need not join us. Should you change your mind, you will be welcome.

My apologies for disturbing you, Marius.

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[saisamour]

[Marius fights back a wince at Enjolras's look; it is certainly not the first time he had been the victim of it and yet it never fails to unnerve him. He hastily casts his eyes down to his hands, knuckles grown white from how tightly he is clasping them, forcing the words out even when the desire to run and hide is strong.]

It's not... Of course I do not desire for that to happen! But...

[He considers telling Enjolras about his teacher Sabriel and her ability to teach charter magic. But he hesitates, because in truth, he's afraid. Afraid that the same events in Paris would happen again, that his friends will take a stand against an enemy they cannot defeat. He doesn't want to watch them die a second time.

He raises his eyes back to Enjolras with a silent plea. It's futile, perhaps; Enjolras will always fight, he thinks, wherever the man finds himself. But he wants to try, anyway. His voice trembles a little when he says,]

We could die.

[And if he does, then how can he return to Cosette? She is waiting for him to awaken, back in Paris, and if it's for her then he will struggle against death, until his eyes are forced open and he can glimpse her face once more.]

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[solo_patria]

Yes. We could.

[Enjolras fights to keep his tone even, reminds himself that this is Marius simply registering a very real concern, but he is still having difficulty with this. Still, he will not flinch before Marius, not now and not ever.]

And provided we do nothing and simply wait here for it to come? In what projection of that ever do you see us emerging with our lives? He will come. And he will use us if he's granted the chance, and take no care for whether we have fought or not, but attempt to break us as it is, perhaps succeed, and then move on to continue his plans.

Marius.

[Enjolras is not so much angry now that he has started this as trying to explain the facts of what is going on, facts he knows all too well.]

I have been in his presence, and he will do these things, and more, unless he has been stopped. Should we do nothing, it is not a matter of IF he will do this, but when. My GOD, I hate the thought of fighting for an Empress who has brought us here against our will, but if it is the only way to even attempt to ensure that others, here and at home, are protected.

I do not know that we will not die fighting, but in the alternative, Marius, we simply die. Can anyone want for that?

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[saisamour]

[Marius chews on the inside of his lower lip, his brow furrowed with worry and indecision. Certainly, it seems that the only way to ensure the survival of the different worlds is to fight. But does everyone truly need to? Do they? Does he? Surely had he not known of his rescue from the barricades by the good M. Fauchelevent—Cosette's own father had saved him!—then he would have fought without a second thought. But now that he knows what happens, now that he knows that Cosette is waiting for him...

And it is not simply that. He feels a shiver wrack his body at the mention of Malicant, and he squeezes his eyes shut and presses his hands against his face, forcing away the smell of rot, the chilling dread caused by the evil's presence, the hollow, almost mocking laugh. He has to take a few deep, shaky breaths before he sets his trembling hands back down, and he stares at a spot on the table, face pale and voice low.]

I have met the evil too, Enjolras; I and some others. We attempted to engage him in battle. Nothing could hurt him, not even the abilities of the others with me.

[It is only his second time revealing his involvement in M. Evandau's missions to defeat Malicant, and the extent of their discovery, and his first telling it to one he considers a friend. It is not any less difficult. He pauses and swallows down the lump in his throat before he continues.]

Only a madman would desire the darkness to as much as glimpse Paris, but... but what can we do? The Emperor said herself that those who lack magic, power, or sorcery have been summoned to this place by mistake...

[He drifts off there, eyes still fixed at the same spot on the table, and "I do not want any of you to die again" goes unsaid.]

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[solo_patria]

What can we do?

[Enjolras's gaze softens a little now as he eyes Marius. It is not that he is unsympathetic to the overwhelming odds against them, or the thought that they may be powerless anyway, but even so, he will not back down from this without some sort of a fight. He's faced odds that seem impossible before, and, well, one on occasion, they worked out, and on the other...he ended up here... ]

This is an older magic, I do under...you've fought him directly then?

[Enjolras has just caught on to this part, yeah. Forgive him. He's having a not so great couple of days. ]

In our case, even Temeraire could not do anything, either. But surely there are more than in your group that engaged him. Those from this island who have the power and abilities doubtlessly have an advantage and even then it shall not be easy, but even so. You have your uses, Marius.

[Was that a compliment? Perhaps a little. Enjolras is not even aware if it is. He's simply stating facts.]

You were the second chief of our barricade for reasons that will apply here as well, you realize? You are resourceful when you are pressed, and shear raw nerve that is hard to shake from you and determination. They will follow you if you allow it, I am fairly certain.

Perhaps you cannot blast fire from your hands, or fly, and you have not the oceans at your bidding, but you can gather those who do and you can lead them, and coordinate. Your intimate knowledge of your beloved Buonoparte too. Of his campaigns, of what was tried and done...You of anyone would have surely studied strategy. Those are all things that you can USE, and fight with, even if it does not put you on the lines of battle itself. It is still a way that you might fight, and likely one that will be needed. Do not discount strategy in all of this. You would likely be valuable.

[And he's pausing for a breath, a little embarrassed that he's said all that and to someone he is not exactly speaking to.]

...And for some reason, you are damnably charismatic. People like you, people LOVE you. They would follow, if you let them.

[It is as much as an apology as if he had directly said the words.]

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[dracobin]

[Quietly, and a little torn:]

Of course we must fight. It seems to me we have little option, otherwise.

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[solo_patria]

Our hands have been forced, yes

[His smile is genuine, if a bit tight.]

If you have any ideas, Temeraire, please bring those up as we meet.

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[dracobin]

[A visible hesitation: it has been months since their encounter with Malicant, and yet for all of his formations and strategies, he can think of nothing which might be effective against it.

But he does not want to worry Enjolras further; when he speaks, his tone is one of forced levity.]

Oh, you need not worry on that front; I will come up with something, of course.

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[solo_patria]

[Enjolras can drop his act of calm here at least, with Temeraire. That IS something he appreciates, as he lets out a breath that is a bit more ragged than he would have with anyone else at seeing the dragon's hesitation there.]

Granted, I have no ideas myself. I put all of my trust in all of you, but even so...

This is all so much larger now.

[Would it be wrong to state his fears here?]

Thank you, at any rate. It helps to know we have you on our side.

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[dracobin]

[A contemplative rumble.]

It would almost be easier, would it not, to have an army to fight, instead of--

--but wishing will get us nowhere. We will think on this, of course, and in the meantime I think we had better begin aerial drills; they can be very dull, of course, but as you and Combeferre have not had the benefit of proper Corps training, we must start sooner rather than later.

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[solo_patria]

That should help then, yes.

In lieu of an army, then we fight what we must find here, in whatever ways we can.

[His smile has shifted a little to be slightly easier at Temeraire's suggestion.]

A GOOD idea, yes. I would not be a liability when the real time comes.