Trim up the Tree

[merryeccentricities]

It's been a near thing, with two curious cats and one oblivious beetle trundling about (and one Bossuet's luck), but the Blue Room has managed to let itself be properly trimmed up for the holidays, and a simple lunch with a complicated variety of drinks is sitting out for the human inhabitants of the room and their closest friends.

Comments

[wings_of_a_swan]

"Joly, Bossuet, hello!" Combeferre turns up looking disheveled, after having gotten distracted in the library--and he's brought a plate of ginger cookies from Bar.

"And a very merry Christmas to you," he says to the beetle, which has trundled up to him. He sets down the cookies, and runs a hand over the beetle's shell, smiling.

[tu_vas_triompher]

Feuilly had been in the library himself, though he'd left in time to wash some of the ink off his hands; seeing Combeferre again so soon he grins a little. "Study break?"

[wings_of_a_swan]

Combeferre straightens up, holding the beetle in his arms, and smiles. "Yes. Or--perhaps change of study might be a better way to describe it. You've met our friend here, haven't you?" Combeferre helpfully thrusts the beetle forward so Feuilly can get a close look. He's a helpful man!

[merryeccentricities]

"He's doing remarkably well, isn't he? I still don't have any idea how long he's meant to live, but I think his diet is right and, well, he's still very energetic."

Which is to say Hello, Combeferre! But holiday greetings and such will wait to discuss science. In the form of beetles.

[wings_of_a_swan]

"Yes! He seems to be very lively. Have you named him?"

[merryeccentricities]

"I'm very sorry to say we haven't--oh, we've tried, but somehow nothing has stuck." He attempts a melancholy sigh and ruins it entirely by laughing halfway through. "I'm beginning to think I'm rather poor with finding names. Though of course our silent friend here has baffled Bossuet too. And you know, there's no fossil record of this particular beetle. so we can't just use--oh!" He brightens. "You discovered it! Or we all did. We could give it a scientific name, at least!"

[wings_of_a_swan]

"We could," Combeferre says. "We might name it after one of our friends--or perhaps after Milliways."

[merryeccentricities]

Joly starts laughing again. "Oh no, we can't name it after them- Bahorel would be even more smug, and can you imagine telling Enjolras he's a beetle now?" Enjolras would be very polltely flattered, probably. And moderately baffled, probably. "No, you should name it after yourself, we can even publish a monograph on it! I've been taking notes, you know, I'm sure we're the very experts on the creature, here." ​

[wings_of_a_swan]

Combeferre can't hold back a snort at the idea of Beetle Enjolras. "But you discovered him as much as I did," he objects. "Even more so, since you've been his guardian."

[merryeccentricities]

"Yes, well, that's why I can't name him after myself, you know. It would be much too confusing sorting out who's being spoken to. I mean, Bossuet's never had to tell me to stop flying around the room yet, but one has to prepare for these sorts of things in Milliways." Very serious considerations! Joly is only smiling a little!

[pro_patria_mortuus]

Enjolras, across the room, caught his name; having ascertained that they're talking about prehistoric beetles rather than trying to get his attention, he gives them a look of fond incomprehension, and goes back to his conversation with Bossuet.

Which is to say that Joly's assessment of his likely reaction to being a beetle's scientific namesake is spot on.

[wings_of_a_swan]

Combeferre, seeing Enjolras look over, stifles a grin.

"Ah, well, we needn't call it Joly. We may call it--Jolia coptoclavella. I think coptoclavella's its likely genus, anyway. But as a casual name, for its friends to call it by, hmmm...how about Pasteur?"

[pro_patria_mortuus]

Enjolras arrives, with a collection of rectangular packages and a warm smile for all his friends.

Christmas he doesn't have any special feeling for, but excuses for gathering in joy and fellowship -- that, yes, very much.

[tire_moi_mes_bottes]

"Enjolras!" Here's one of the hosts, coming up with a hug and a cup of punch: because it's Christmas, Enjolras, you have to at least hold onto a cup of Bossuet's Christmas Punch for a few minutes. "Merry Christmas."

[pro_patria_mortuus]

He'll even drink it! Taking his time at sipping, and getting distracted by conversation, no doubt, but now there's even that fancy microwave thing to warm it up if needed.

But first he'll return the embrace, and gladly. "Merry Christmas, my friend."

[merryeccentricities]

"Oh, just leave those--" Joly gestures to a nearby empty table, and waits until Enjolras has set his packages down before hugging him in greeting. "Happy holidays-- better this year than last, I think! Can I get you anything? We have tea and coffee, besides the usual." The usual being exciting variations of alcoholic!

[merryeccentricities]

Joly's over by the tree-- a new invention, or at least an old one new to him. And new to the cats, who utterly adore it, and are imperiling the whole enterprise with their enthusiasm, as Joly is attempting explain to them.