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Jul 17, 2012 15:11:15 GMT -5
Post by Ladorak on Jul 17, 2012 15:11:15 GMT -5
"Well let me point out, that the reason those individuals were NOT guillotined is two-fold." Freron stated, holding up two claws. "First, they DID help turn against Dragonis and bring about his downfall, even if it was to save their own skins. Second, we were trying to break that vicious cycle that they and others like them had created. If we guillotined them, we'd be no better than they were, and would be only perpetuating things further down the line. We chose prison sentences in exile for them instead, and executed the the worst of the lot, including Carrier." he pointed out.
"No... we sent them to a life of humid, jungle hardship. I don't think Guiana is that pleasant of a place, to be honest with you, and if the Yellow Fever doesn't get you, something else will. So they've been consigned to a lifetime of tropic hell rather than a quick death. In a way it's worse than being guillotined." Freron declared, frowning here. "I know I certainly wouldn't want to be so close to the Equator myself."
"So I think in the end they still ended up getting what they deserved. We ARE trying to come off as different from the previous leaders, after all. Had to start somewhere, and figured we'd start with them. We let them stay in power for half a year, then quietly arrested and deported them." Freron finished.
Boneparte was listening in now, having found common ground with Fortunee at least in terms of sharing some viewpoints with the panther. He was surprised to know that Rose was in his position... broke. But then again... no wonder she wasn't drawn to him. He couldn't help her out of her situation after all. He'd learned from Fortunee that Rose's family fortune had been annihilated via a series of hurricanes that had wiped out her father's plantation on Martinique. She had come to Rosferia to marry into wealth, but with her first husband gone, she was still trying to do so, apparently. Sometimes... life dealt you cards like that. Barras of course had turned her down, as he didn't want to be tied to any one female via matrimony.
"I assume... Rose has children, yes?" Boneparte asked Fortunee. She nodded.
"Ah yes, of course she does. There's her son, Eugene. He's uh... 14 or so? And then her daughter, Hortense. She's two years younger I think, which would make her 12." Hortense and Eugene... Boneparte would be looking out for them, but he doubted such young striplings were here at this kind of party. So much for seeing if he could court any daughters of Rose. Hortense was far too young. He was more than ten years her senior, after all. But still... if only things turned around... perhaps he could make a try for Rose herself.
He began gathering up some food on a plate, having forgotten all about eating the moment that skunk had glided by him, but now he was back to nourishing himself and keeping himself fed. It was one of the main reasons he'd come here, after all. He glanced back at Freron once more... if he was still interested in Pauline... that might make a good match, and be advantageous as well. Freron didn't seem as influential as Barras but... maybe there was some other way to work the binturong. Perhaps the Theresa Tallien angle, seeing as how she was clearly lovers with Barras, and she seemed sympathetic to him at least. If he could bend her ear... perhaps he'd have Barras's ear as well.
He began working on his food as Barras himself wandered over to them now. "So! How are we enjoying things so far?" the portly binturong asked of Sciurus and Boneparte. "I see you've found Stanislas. I told you he was here!"
"Yes... I am here." Freron responded. "I was just telling Monsieur Whirlpaw here that his deceased friends would want him to be making something of himself and continuing their work to its conclusion. Speaking of which... you said your paws are tied. With what may I ask?" he inquired. "Your seat in the Convention can't really be filled unless you die, so what's preventing you from going into work say... tomorrow?" the meerkat asked now, beginning to smile.
"Hm... it's a wonderful party, Monsieur Barras." Boneparte replied. "I've never seen so many wealthy and influential beasts gathered together at one spot! My friend, Bourrienne, would certainly thrive in this kind of atmosphere." the meerkat chuckled here.
"Aha! Yes, yes! I suppose he would." Barras agreed, though he hadn't really known Bourrienne from before this. "You know, General Lantzer... I was wondering about something. Do you have... any other plans aside from Constantinople? I mean, I would like to see Turkey as much as the next beast, but do you have any ideas on what you want to do? How do you wish to proceed with your life?" the binturong pressed, Theresa still hanging from his arm.
"Well... I have to admit... I haven't really thought of that recently, Monsieur Barras. I... I want to be great. To do great things. I hate being stuck like this... a virtual nobody. It... doesn't sit well with me everyday I have to keep living it." Boneparte told him.
"Uh huh... yes, yes." Barras nodded thoughtfully, turning things over in his mind. There were few generals Boneparte's age, and none were currently in Cosnair. The closest was Lazare Hoche, but he was currently engaged in fending off the royalist landings that had taken place at Quiberon. He was ambitious too... and one of Rose's numerous lovers, which was why Barras wasn't certain of him at present. Each revolutionary general had his own personality, and his own motivations. Jourdan was in love with the republic, and truly believed in what he was fighting for. Pichegru was in it for fame and glory, and to support his rather fast and expensive (wine, jills, and gambling) lifestyle. Hoche was an ardent Jacobin, and believed in wiping out all enemies of the republic (which also made him undesirable and risky to Barras, who was far more of a reactionary now). But Boneparte was here. Boneparte was lost and confused. Adrift. Maybe there was a way to use this, if not immediately, then something to keep in his pocket until needed. "It really is a terrible shame what Carnot has done to you. That badger knows not what he does." Barras stated scornfully.
Barras REALLY needed a general he could sink his hooks into. A general who would have no problem in using his troops to ensure certain beasts remained in power. He hadn't gotten to Jourdan in time before that hedgehog's meteoric rise. Pichegru was too expensive for Barras's tastes (he already had enough of that with Rose after all), Hoche he couldn't see eye to eye with, and the only other important general right now was François Kellermann, but he was so old he would most likely be retiring any time now (and was soon to be relieved for his failure to stop the Kostritzers from cutting his supply lines). So that left Boneparte. Boneparte Lantzer. Someone who seemed content to just sit on his laurels and enjoy his exploits. THAT was certainly something he could use. If he could make something out of Boneparte... Boneparte could use his military pull to ensure certain others stayed on top. Barras had everything he needed right now... everything except military backing, and that was something vital in this day and age. All the political clout in the world did you no good if some general decided to overthrow you one day. That was why he needed Boneparte. He needed a "sword."
"Well... he IS the Minister of War... so I guess he thinks he knows best, or something." Boneparte responded, currently unaware of Barras's own inner machinations.
"Bah! Minister of War doesn't make him an expert in his field! He's done SOME good, yes, but his abilities as a field commander were shown to be less than substantial when he nearly ruined the Battle of Wattignies for General Jourdan." the binturong waved his paw dismissively. "You're a victim because he wants to keep his nice little paycheck, and nothing more. Ahem... General Lantzer..." Barras lowered his voice here, to more... conspiratorial tones.
"What would you say to a bit of a... mutually beneficial exchange, eh?"
"An exchange?" Boneparte asked now.
"Well I'm a powerful binturong, General. I have clout and pull in many places you wouldn't think of. I... could perhaps be a good friend to you... if of course you could be a good friend to me."
"Go on..." Boneparte stated, looking right at him now.
"Heheh... yes, well... if I say needed a few favors done, I would in return be willing to do a few favors for you. Sort of a you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours, type of deal."
Boneparte suddenly found himself intrigued by this. He was cautious though, even if this HAD been along the lines of what he'd been looking for. "What sort of favors?" he inquired.
"I haven't the foggiest at the moment... just a thing I thought I'd put out there. We'd be making each other look good, after all. And I don't see why we shouldn't. I've been looking for someone like you... someone who can get things done and put a good public image out there. I myself am getting older after all... and if I'm going to become a new executive of this country soon... I think there's much we could do for each other." he said, smile spreading across his features here.
The meerkat pondered this, and nodded. "Yes..." he replied slowly. "I think you're right. Just... keep in touch, then, and I'll certainly consider it."
"Good... that's what I wanted to hear!" Barras grinned, and clapped him on the back. He turned to listen to what Sciurus and Freron were talking about and indeed, so too did Boneparte, as he wanted to know if Sciurus desired anything from the smorgasbord that was laid out on the tables behind him.
Paul Barras... he might have his uses yet, though of course, Boneparte didn't trust him. Not one bit. He knew the binturong wanted more than he was letting on here, but Boneparte was going to be made no one's fool. Not anymore.
While Barras may have seen the meerkat as easy to control, Boneparte had the confidence to keep his head above water and benefit himself while benefitting Barras only so long as it was useful. Bourrienne had once said it best when he'd made the comment regarding how many times others had tried to use Boneparte in the past: "They don't know who they're messing with." Well... that was certainly true here, or at least Boneparte liked to think it was. He wasn't anyone's tool... he'd had enough of playing that part over the last few years.
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Returns
Jul 22, 2012 10:07:09 GMT -5
Post by Carrow on Jul 22, 2012 10:07:09 GMT -5
"Yes, that makes a lot of sense," Sciurus agreed with Fréron, smiling slightly. "Now I think about it, I think the thing I would have been least likely to do back then, no matter how angry I had been - and I'll admit that most of that anger was directed towards Dragonis himself - would have been to approve of perpetuating a cycle of violence and madness. After all, it was what brought Cosnair to that point, so with Dragonis gone, it would only have made sense for us to try and start again. I'm sure there were some who wanted to send a message, but... well, that would have just led to a series of endless reprisals, really," he said with a shrug.
"It seems quite clear to me that we went a little easier on those creatures who had helped us turn the tide against him than we otherwise would have, though. No matter what else they did, they did assist us in the end, so yes, I suppose that had to count for something. I'm glad they're suffering, though - by now, I'm sure they know how they were making the rest of us feel, because they'll have experienced a similar sense of helplessness themselves, I'm sure. The things that they helped carry out paralysed us back then, and I'm thankful we had a creature like Barras around to lead us in the fight against our oppressors," he said.
The squirrel sounded thankful, too. He also thought that the binturong was milking it for all he was worth, but wasn't going to voice that opinion here, as he knew that Barras, despite his pomposity and heightened sense of self-importance, had a lot of supporters in this room alone, never mind in all of Cosnair itself. He wasn't going to simply fall in line with the rest of them, though - if there was something wrong, he was going to speak up about it from now on. Arguments about whether Rosferia was a true democracy aside, the red squirrel had the right to voice his opinion whenever he pleased, and even though here and now were not the place and time for such things, he would do so from now on.
He was quite tired of being passive, after all; he'd realised that, on top of the sense that he would be letting his deceased friends - and Sara - down if he remained this way the rest of his life, he knew that he himself needed to change. He could take all the advice in the world, but in he end, his failure to act would continue to hold him back. No more of that, he promised himself silently, knowing from his profession that affirmations like that tended to work. The rodent looked thoughtful for a moment, but then the sound of his rumbling stomach brought him out of his reverie. He needed to eat, knowing he couldn't fill up on conversation.
Boneparte was returning to them, though... and so was Barras, Sciurus noted with a small sigh. He wasn't in the mood to be provoked right now, so hoped the binturong would steer clear of such things. If he did, there was a chance they could get along quite well. "Oh, things are good so far, Monsieur Barras," Sciurus responded simply. "I do need to get some food, of course, but Monsieur Fréron and I are not yet finished our conversation. In any case, I'm settling in now. I was nervous coming here, but then I've not been to very many of these gatherings in my lifetime, so it's taking a little while for me to get used to it. Very nice atmosphere, though, and quite interesting company," he said, smiling and winking at Boneparte.
Sciurus would need to start looking for similar company at some point, and he knew it. So far, though, his scans of the room had yielded no positive results. His tufted ears twitched curiously as Fréron asked him why he had said his paws were tied. Sciurus stroked his chin thoughtfully for a moment before responding. "You're wondering if I would return to my seat in the Convention as soon as tomorrow. As much as I would like to, I can't, and the reason for that is two-fold, Monsieur," he responded with a smile, partly echoing the words the meerkat had used when explaining why they had punished Dragonis's supporters in the way they had.
"Firstly, there are practical reasons. As I told you, Boneparte's hoping to transfer to Constantinople, and if I am to go with him, I need to be financially sound enough to do so. In order to faciliate that, I've been working long hours at my hypnosis parlour for the last few weeks. There is probably a perception amongst my clients that I've suddenly become much more available. Now, if I were to return to the Convention so soon, this would need to stop being the case. I'd need to give them some notice, after all. I'd be much less available all of asudden, and that would leave some of them asking questions. Last thing I need is for my clients to be worried about my health." Again, he finished in his head. Fréron didn't need to know that.
"Secondly, I would need time to prepare myself. Right now, I'm not prepared," he admitted. He'd have to go back to self-hypnosis to get his confidence back up, just in case. "Obviously, it's very difficult to ever be fully prepared for an atmopshere like that, but I don't want to make the same mistake that I did last time. I pretty much sleepwalked into things when I started my first stint there, and I owe myself a certain amount of preparation this time around. My circumstances may change if Boneparte's transfer goes through, but I imagine I'll be ready to return to my seat in about... oh, a week or so, possibly a little more to be on the safe side. I don't want to do something I'll immediately regret, after all. So, soon, but not that soon," he told the meerkat, smiling himself.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I haven't eaten in a while so need to rectify that fact. I shall return presently," he told the group, tail swaying behind him a little as he headed for the buffet tables. His eyes continued to sweep the room periodically, on the lookout for a squirrel jill he could perhaps get talking to, but once again, he came up short. Are there really no jills of my species at this party?, he thought sadly as he reached the buffet tables, loading up on beef, ham, cheese and bread. There were some fancier options available, of course - some which the squirrel hadn't seen before in his life - and he told himself he might try them later. For now, though, he was going to keep it simple. He returned to Boneparte and company, trying to keep his inner frustrations at bay. He was also wondering what exactly Barras had in mind for his best friend. He'd have to talk this over with him, in private, if he got the chance - but he was hoping Boneparte would be careful.
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Jul 22, 2012 13:32:41 GMT -5
Post by Ladorak on Jul 22, 2012 13:32:41 GMT -5
Fréron nodded at Sciurus's explanation as to why he wasn't quite ready yet. "Aha... I see. Well... a week isn't too bad." the meerkat commented thoughtfully, nodding. "So long as you can get yourself back in soon though... there's some things coming up over the next few months after all. They're currently working on hammering out the new constitution, so it would be good to seize that bull by the horns, I think." he told Sciurus before he excused himself.
Boneparte noticed this of course, and stayed by the buffet table, inconspicuously feigning pondering over what type of choices to make when it came to selecting dessert. He waited for Sciurus to start loading up his plate, then stepped in front of him as if by accident when the squirrel looked like he'd be returning to the others.
"Excuse me Sciurus... I need to have a few brief words with you." the meerkat stated in a low voice, and kept in front of Sciurus to keep him from moving too far away from the table. "Ahem... well Barras definitely seems to have something up his sleeve." he told the rodent in a very soft voice, speaking very close to his ear.
He selected a creme brulée from the desserts' section, and placed it upon his plate, nodding. "He... is indicating that perhaps we should help each other out... but I suspect this is a play." the meerkat started wandering to the punch bowl now, noting that Sciurus had not yet retrieved a drink for himself. "Let's see what the punch entails." he said, a little louder this time as they moved down the table.
"I suspect he's looking for a general to become his supporter. He doesn't have that just yet... and that's essential if one wants to remain in power, after all." He spoke in hushed tones, looking about him but acting mostly natural. "Someone to you know... put down dissenters and ensure things run smoothly in the capital and perhaps abroad. I don't trust him but... this is also an opportunity as well. I could use this to get back into things... and possibly get an active appointment on the front lines."
They arrived at the three punch bowls now, and Boneparte frowned thoughtfully, as if considering them one at a time. "What do you think? I mean... this could be a good opportunity for myself... and I don't intend to simply let myself become a full tool, after all. So long as it's convenient for me... I think I might try and take advantage of this... of course... I'm sure I have to do something to impress him or get him thinking I'm worth his time... but what do you think?" he asked again, finally selecting one that appeared to be a type of Ferlusanian sangria, making a show of playing with the ladle and stirring the drink while he waited for Sciurus to respond.
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Jul 24, 2012 9:53:02 GMT -5
Post by Carrow on Jul 24, 2012 9:53:02 GMT -5
"I intend to, of course," Sciurus responded to Fréron with a smile. "I mean, I'm taking advantage of the second chance I was afforded that none of my nearest and dearest friends got. I have to try and make something of this now, so that even if it doesn't work out in the end, I can at least say I tried. There's going to be a shake-up within a few months, I'm sure, when the new Constitution comes into effect, so I'll want to be around for that. I heard it could be in place by October or some such time, so I'll obviously need to get back on the Convention soon enough to give myself some time to settle before all of that goes down," he informed the meerkat.
Having made up his mind, the squirrel nodded as Fréron excused himself. "Not a problem! Thanks for your advice, and perhaps our paths will cross again sometime tonight," he said, hoping that they would. They'd seemed to get along quite well, and the red squirrel approved of this; perhaps there was something there that they could build on. Louis had been sent off, but another possible meerkat friend had come into his life, and a famous one at that. He remembered that he hadn't actually asked Fréron why he was so well known, and promised himself that he would do that if he could get the chance. He needed to build a new network of friends and co-conspirators around him, because that was what was more or less keeping him going right now.
He didn't know that Boneparte was observing his movements, and was slightly surprised when his friend moved in front of him when he was on the way back to the others. He was about to ask Boneparte what he was doing, but then he heard him speak, and there was a kind of soft urgency in his voice. He decided that it would be best to stay put, and did so with a contemplative look on his face, eyeing the drinks table. He needed to quench his thirst, and so too did Boneparte, so that was the perfect cover for them to discuss the recent developments. He nodded as Boneparte spoke, responding in a voice even softer than that of his friend, one which he sometimes used in inductions.
The rodent ignored the desserts section for now, but tried his best to look busy as he responded. "Yes, I've noticed that too. I know you two go back a bit, but there's something about him that I just don't like. He really rubbed me the wrong way with one of his comments earlier, and doesn't present himself as the most trustworthy of creatures. If you're the one saying that something sounds off, it'll be more than just instinct. One thing I like about you is that you're quite perceptive. My advice is that you shouldn't go rushing into things like this without considering it carefully beforepaw. I know you have a lot riding on opportunities like this, but sometimes they're too good to be true."
Sciurus licked his parched lips as his friend suggested that they go over to investigate the punch, knowing of course that they just needed some more space in which to discuss things. "What you're saying makes perfect sense. I've heard enough about his ambitions - and seen enough of him in the fur - to know that he'll do absolutely anything to get ahead, and not in the same way as you will. You at least have a moral code and actually give a damn about your fellow creature. Barras doesn't care who you are if you don't move in the same circles as he does. That's a despicable attitude to have, in my opinion. I know this could work out for you, but at the same time, it's always good to have an idea of what you're getting yourself into.
"I'm trying to think of what I would do if I were in your situation," he said, a thoughtful look on his features. He also looked as though he were having a hard time deciding what to drink. He had however already made up his mind, having spotted the sangria-like drink. He didn't get to have things like that too often! He placed his plate down on the table, as he couldn't very well pour himself a drink with one paw. "I'm not sure I'd be as capable of possibly turning this to my advantage as I believe you to be, but I'd certainly try. There'd be about as much chance of it backfiring on me as there would be of it actually working out properly, but... well, I wouldn't feel comfortable knowing that an opportunity like that had passed me by when I should have gone with my instincts and taken it."
"Go for it, then," he told his friend. "You're certainly shrewd enough to see straight through him, and you already have, in a way. I mean, you didn't rise to the rank of General for nothing," the rodent responded, winking at his meerkat friend. "You've already proven yourself to be resourceful enough not to be taken advantage of your whole life, after all. I'm right behind you with all this. You need a helping paw from somewhere, and I think this is an avenue worth exploring. Granted, I wouldn't trust Barras as far as I could throw him, and I'm pretty sure he has ulterior motives in all this, but I think it's definitely worth your time. Fire away," he told his companion, smiling. "Something might come of it, you never know!," he said as he poured himself some sangria and stirred it, before taking up his plate and glass.
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Jul 25, 2012 10:01:15 GMT -5
Post by Ladorak on Jul 25, 2012 10:01:15 GMT -5
Boneparte took heart to hear Sciurus actually give this some serious thought, and he finally took the ladle and spooned himself a healthy dose of sangria. Good... the squirrel was looking at it from the perspective of what he would do in that situation.
The meerkat listened attentively, nodding every so often as heard the rodent out. "Hmm... I suppose you are correct there, yes. It IS an opportunity, and I probably shouldn't pass it by. Besides... something I was thinking about as well... I'm a general, after all, as you pointed out, and once I start accumulating my own influence... I can rely less and less on the patronage of one such as Barras. It's nice to have it... but politicians are ultimately politicians, and DON'T command soldiers. That's the key difference between himself and me." he pointed out.
"I can ultimately have an army at my back... he sees his strength as lying in the amount of favors everyone owes him... but I've learned to not play by those rules over the past several years. When it comes to someone like him... it's a good idea to keep him close... but if and when the time comes... I might be able to break out and make my own way... which is of course what I intend to do. Barras is a useful patron... but I have no intentions of forming a lifelong friendship out of this... simply because HE has no intentions of doing so." the meerkat smirked here, nodding.
"Well then... let's return to the others. You mentioned you hadn't yet finished your conversation with Freron." Boneparte told the squirrel. "Thanks, by the way, for giving this a good amount of thought. You're probably right... it's an opportunity to seize and see what comes of it. I mean hell... I can't be much worse off than I right now anyway." he said, a thin smile spreading across his lips as he shrugged.
THAT part at least was true. The only thing worse than this would be making NO money at all... but fortunately, he did draw a pittance at least from his half-pay and his older brother (what was left at least after food and the hotel as well as paying Junot's salary).
He walked back over to Freron, Barras, and Madame Tallien, rejoining them after his little sojourn to the food and drinks' table. "Welcome back." Freron nodded at the two of them, greeting their return.
"My, my..." Theresa said. "You know, General Lantzer, I'm very tempted to just buy you a new uniform. I mean... no offense but the one you currently have is absolutely ragged, and I would very much like to see you here in fancy dress, after all." she told him, smile creasing her graceful features. "Perhaps I'll go and buy you one for Bastille Day. It's only a week or so off, after all."
Boneparte's eyes widened at this. "Oh... really madame... you don't have to go through such trouble." he said, blushing and waving his paw. "I WOULD show up in nice clothes... if I could but afford them." he replied.
"Nonsense. There's no reason why I shouldn't do this for you." she said, offering him another smile. "After all it's just so..." She picked at his tattered and worn jacket, tsking as she looked it over. "Old. You should blend in with the rest of us. I think you'll thank me for it later on, after all."
"There's no way I could repay that, though." Boneparte pointed out, still flushing. "At least... not at this juncture."
"Well... when you get back to becoming famous and determined... there will be ways." she said, eyes shining as she gave him a knowing look. "Consider it a free gesture on my part for now... and if the day comes when you wish to repay me... you may do so." she told him.
"Well thank you... thank you very much." Boneparte replied, nodding gratefully, and unsure really how to express himself beyond that for her generosity.
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Jul 29, 2012 11:13:15 GMT -5
Post by Carrow on Jul 29, 2012 11:13:15 GMT -5
"Yes, that's another point I was going to make," Sciurus replied, chuckling. "You've already made some sort of name for yourself, but that influence has diminished over time, because of the lack of opportunities to come your way. Regardless of any of that, though, you're still a General, and whatever Barras wants or needs you to do can be used as a springboard to bigger and better things. Barras has only become this powerful through playing a pivotal role in the downfall of Dragonis, after all - any creature who had as much of an impact as he did would be mad not to call in favours, but he doesn't realise that those favours are pretty much all he has left," the rodent said, smiling thinly as he picked up his plate of food and his sangria.
"That's the only reason he's allegedly as strong as he says he is. You, though - you can put whatever influence you may accrue through working with that binturong to other uses. Time has changed a lot for both of us, but some things have stayed the same. You're still as clever and quick-witted as you were back then, and I'm still hoping to make something of myself. Some things have worked out, and some things haven't. I know they could be a lot worse; I still have a job to return to, when all is said and done. I don't plan to give it up; I was able to balance my time spent working on things in the convention, and pursuing my career as a hypnotherapist, back then, and I see no reason why this can't be the same," he remarked, smiling.
"Getting back to Barras for a moment, though - it's as plain as the nose on his face that he plans to use you and cast you aside like dirt when he's through with you. I've learned to read other creatures through my other pursuits, over time, and while I can't say I'm as good as that as I used to be, he's really not doing a very good job of hiding it. Best part is that he's unaware that both of us can see straight through him," he said, chuckling. Sciurus had a card or two up his sleeve that he hadn't played yet. "Of course, yes - I hadn't. I'm planning to get back to that, as he's a fascinating character," he commented as they started to move back towards that meerkat and the rest of his company. He merely smiled when Boneparte thanked him for his input, taking a sip of his sangria. It tasted good, but he had to be sure not to overdo it tonight.
"Oh, it's quite all right - I know you would have done the same for me. It's what I would have done if I'd been offered the chance last year. That was me, down and out with almost nothing to live for except the notion that maybe things would get better from one day to the next. If a creature like Barras had come along back then and offered me the opportunity he's now affording you, I most likely would have accepted. I had literally nothing to lose back then. I would have seen it as an opportunity for me to try something new, and first and foremost that's what I see it as for you. Give it a shot anyway, and you can at least say you tried if it doesn't work out," he assured his meerkat companion. If we both thought we'd fail in every one of our endeavours, neither of us would be able to get out of bed in the morning, he added mentally. I should know.
The rodent returned to Fréron and company with a contented smile on his face, quite glad that he and his companion had sorted that out between themselves. He was about to address the other meerkat when he briefly glimpsed a red-furred, bushy tail in his midst. He wasn't sure whom it belonged to, but it had to be a squirrel's - there was no white tip, so it couldn't be that of a fox. Having said that, Sciurus's had a white tip, but this was one of his physical quirks, along with, of course, the spiral of fur that was his birthmark. He decided he was going to investigate at some point, because the gait with which he could briefly glimpse its owner moving about was quite... feminine. He'd been on the lookout for a squirrel jill on and off since he'd entered the room. Could his efforts finally be about to pay off?
He looked slightly flushed as he addressed Fréron, trying to get his breathing under control. He started on his food instead before finally choosing to speak. "Er... thank you, Monsieur. I needed to get some food and drink, you see, and I just had to try the sangria, so now I've come back with all this," he said with a chuckle. "I wanted to ask you something, though, friend," he told the meerkat in a gentle tone of voice, smiling slightly. "Why exactly is it that you're so well-known? I mean, I was hearing your name mentioned before I even came here tonight, and I have to say I'd be quite interested in hearing some of your story. After all, I've told you some of mine!" Not all of it, though, he told himself. There are some things he doesn't need to be burdened with - none of them do.
"I have to admit that I'm a little curious about you, so I was hoping you might like to return the favour," he told Fréron, chuckling slightly. "We can swap stories for a little while longer, if you wish." His ears twitched a little as he heard Madame Tallien offer to buy Boneparte a new uniform and he couldn't resist commenting on it. "That's a very generous gesture indeed, Madame. You need some attire that paints you in a better light, my friend," he told Boneparte with a smile. "You like being able to wear such things, of course - you've just said so yourself!" He addressed Madame Tallien once again. "Now that you mention it, I don't think I had any real plans for Bastille Day - I've been working so hard that it hasn't really crossed my mind. What about yourself?," he asked inquisitively, giving her one of his warmest smiles.
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Jul 29, 2012 19:49:44 GMT -5
Post by Ladorak on Jul 29, 2012 19:49:44 GMT -5
Fréron sniffed here, and raised a brow. He wondered what the squirrel meant exactly, though Sciurus elaborated a little, and while the meerkat was looking to respond, he broke off the conversation for a moment to comment on the uniform Madame Tallien was considering buying for Boneparte, and what her plans were for Bastille Day.
The mongoose gave him one of her winning smiles, her eyes dancing as she answered his question. "Ah... Bastille Day is my biggest fete yet, I think. I'll be throwing rather the wild celebration, if I can. My husband won't mind of course, and why shouldn't we celebrate our freedom?" she asked him. "We wouldn't be able to hold such fetes under Augustine, after all, but he's gone, and his male line has been wiped out." she stated, referring to the previous death of the Dauphin this past June. He had died from neglect in prison, and only Augustine's brothers remained to lay claim to the Rosferian throne now. Of course, there had been the whole Dragonis thing too, but he'd been overthrown AFTER Bastille Day last year, so today would be the first TRUE Bastille Day for Theresa Tallien.
"Hmm, ah yes... the young prince. That's right... I had heard of that. Well... as sad as that was... removing the last of his bloodline was probably a good idea, even if it WAS accidental." Boneparte commented now, folding his arms over his chest.
"Ah it was tragic, yes. I have SOME... ahem... never mind." Theresa interrupted herself. She still had some royalist leanings, but it wouldn't do to admit that openly here. She would never side with the terrorists in the Vendee calling themselves royalists, or any of the extremist factions in the city. She considered them demagogues and rogues who used mob violence to get what they wanted, and that didn't sit well with her in the slightest. Her aristocratic lineage was the only true reason she hung onto those sentiments after all.
"So yes... you'll all be invited that night. Large celebration for Bastille Day." Theresa finished, smiling widely.
"Sounds excellent... thank you, Madame Tallien." Boneparte gave her a nod, graciously accepting her invitation.
"Well..." Fréron said, clearing his throat to return to the conversation at paw. "I'm not sure I'm really as well known as you claim, Monsieur Whirlpaw." He shrugged here, shaking his head. "I think you mean I was well known to General Lantzer, because I served as a representative to Toulon when he served there. Heh... as stated, I threatened to guillotine him several times, but his plan came through, and he expressed far more zeal than ANYONE there. That was worth something, as he was getting things done, and the others weren't until Dugommier came in. So because of that, we came to know each other over the course of four months or so, I'd say that's why I'm well known to General Lantzer, and hence, was probably mentioned quite a bit by him to you." Fréron pointed out.
"I think I'd hesitate to call myself famous though. I certainly led nowhere near the life that my comrade Barras led after returning to Cosnair from Toulon. HE went on to arrest Dragonis and bring him to justice. I've just been sitting around waiting for new assignments and hoping to get into the new government. I AM of course still interested in courting Pauline Lantzer, though she's not here. Will have to wait I suppose until I'm in proximity to her, as General Lantzer stated he had no qualms about me pursuing that particular avenue for myself." the former commissioner pointed out.
"So I guess I'm mildly well known due to having been present at Toulon... but famous like Madame Tallien or Monsieur Barras over there... oh no." He chuckled, shaking his head, and smiling. "Well known in General Lantzer's circles perhaps, but by and large outside of the Convention there's little that have heard of me." He chuckled again, shaking his head once more.
"You certainly keep interesting company, Monsieur... or General I suppose Lantzer." the voice came from the porcupine who wandered over to their group, mostly because Theresa had taken interest in this little gathering herself. This was Gabriel Ouvrard, the banker and mathematician that Boneparte had been told about before.
"Ah, yes! Monsieur Ouvrard, I presume!"
"Yes, yes." the porcupine nodded, offering his paw, though he was mostly interested in seeing just who was who here. He'd later report that Boneparte was the least memorable of Madame Tallien's guests, though Boneparte of course was a nobody at this juncture, so that was not so surprising. "Certainly have a strange accent for a Rosferian... am I detecting some Calgarian in there?" Ouvrard asked.
"Yes! You are in fact." Boneparte confirmed, nodding. "I'm Personzan... well Rosferian technically. Born on Personza one year after it was sold to Rosferia." the meerkat explained.
"Ah yes, yes. I see." the porcupine nodded. "You WOULD have a Calgarian accent in that case."
"Trying to lose it." Boneparte quickly pointed out. It would be another five to six years before he finally did lose it, but lose it he would, right around the time he would become First Consul and win one of the greatest victories of his career.
"Well good luck with that." Ouvrard tittered, clearly amused by the newcomer, though not in a negative way. Perhaps dismissive, but not negative. Boneparte had no problems with that. Money and power mattered here. Right now he had neither... but he was determined to change that if he could. Being surrounded by this elite only convinced him of the necessity to do that. He COULD join them; he just had to be patient and wait this bad spell out.
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Post by Carrow on Aug 7, 2012 8:31:43 GMT -5
Sciurus winced inwardly at the look Fréron initially gave him, and wondered for a moment whether he had accidentally put his foot in it again. He knew he could do that sometimes; there had been one particularly frustrating incident when he had been serving on the Convention, when he'd spoken out against the death penalty being imposed upon Augustine XVI. He'd done it on moral grounds, and not because he'd been a Royalist, but it hadn't gone over very well with certain creatures in the chamber, and he'd needed to take a brief leave of absence from proceedings in there for a while afterward, too embarrassed to show his face there, even though he hadn't done anything wrong.
The meerkat's expression changed as he elaborated, though, and the nervous rodent relaxed slightly when the topic of conversation moved to what Madame Tallien had planned for the forthcoming Bastille Day celebrations. This would be the first proper celebration of that momentous day for the squirrel as well, as there had been so much unrest in Cosnair for the previous few years that 1795 was the first year during which its citizens could properly celebrate the start of the Rosferian Revolution six years ago. They were on relatively stable ground now, at least, so now seemed as good a time as ever to engage in real celebrations.
He brightened up considerably when the mongoose mentioned that she would be throwing, as she put it, a 'wild celebration'. The red squirrel was in the mood for that, as he had gotten slightly more used to gatherings such as this over the previous few weeks, finally starting to come out of his shell properly, and his enthusiasm about this idea showed in his eager response to her words. "Yes, we need to have a real celebration of the freedom that was won for us - we haven't had the opportunity before now, and then there was that whole business with Dragonis and his Reign of Terror. It's good to know that at least things have changed so that Cosnair can finally commemorate that which it has become known for." he said with a smile.
The rodent's expression became slightly more pensive, however, when he heard of what had happened to the last of Augustine's lineage. "The circumstances in which he perished were indeed tragic, yes; I agree, but, accidental or otherwise, it seems to mark the end of an era for Rosferia. We can move on from that now and continue to strive toward better things, at least, that's how I see it," he commented. His eyebrows rose curiously as Madame Tallien cut herself off mid-sentence. He was about to ask what it was she had been going to say, but didn't want to sour his relationship with her. He eventually got a pawdle on his curiosity, and nodded approvingly as she told them that they would all be invited to the celebrations.
Fréron then decided to jump back into the conversation, and Sciurus listened as the meerkat outlined the reasons for what he put as his mild fame. He nodded understandingly; it was better to have experienced something like that than to be a nobody like him, anyway. Even if that fame had faded, Fréron had at least made some sort of name for himself. "I see. Well, due to the fact that I'd heard so much about you, I was under the impression that you were a slightly bigger deal than you're saying now - sorry if I was mistaken. I still think it's quite interesting that you went from wanting to guillotine my good friend to being one of his supporters. Political views can change quite quickly, or so it seems," he responded with a small chuckle.
When he finished speaking, a newcomer to the conversation arrived, and Sciurus could see that a porcupine was approaching them. He appeared to be a rather intense character, and the squirrel was struck by the way he referred to the company Boneparte kept as being 'interesting'. He didn't see himself as being particularly interesting, as he still felt that he wasn't doing a good enough job fitting in at this party, but he was instantly drawn to the porcupine. As he watched him converse with his meerkat friend, he told himself that he had to try to get over his anxiety so he could attempt to speak to him, even if he was also worried that the porcupine, now being introduced as Monsieur Ouvrard, would be prickly with him.
When he and the meerkat had finished conversing, the squirrel decieded to step forward and offer the porcupine his paw, trying not to be too distracted by his gaze, which was rather compelling, in a way; he seemed very confident in himself, and his eyes told the rodent a lot about the kind of creature he was. "Hello there," he said gently, smiling at the newcomer. "Monsieur Ouvrard, is it? Fancy you coming over here to meet us, as I was planning to venture over in your direction a little later on! I'm Sciurus Whirlpaw," he told the porcupine cheerfully, giving him a warm smile and trying to settle down within himself; it wouldn't do for his nerves to get the better of him here.
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Returns
Aug 7, 2012 14:45:49 GMT -5
Post by Ladorak on Aug 7, 2012 14:45:49 GMT -5
"Well in his case, yes." Freron nodded in Boneparte's direction. "But I'm sure you can imagine why. That fellow is just so skilled at strategy that it wasn't long before I saw the merits of his plans. Yes, I thought that upstart should've been killed at first." He chuckled here, shaking his head. "But... in the end, he came through, and proved that not only were his ideas right, but that they were the ones needed to recapture Toulon."
Boneparte hadn't heard that particular bit from Freron, as his fellow meerkat was talking more to the squirrel now. Rather, his eyes were drawn once more to Rose de Beauharnais. She was standing in the center of that section of the room, or so it seemed to him. She was gracefuly chatting, and commanded attention from everyone around her. Everyone standing about her seemed to be deferring to her. Her age might've had something to do with that, but it was more too.
Boneparte knew that she knew how to move through a crowd; how to command its attention and captivate even the most uninterested of viewers. While not the most attractive female here (though she was certainly up there), Boneparte knew Rose had a commanding presence about her, and that she had knowledge of everyone in this room, and all their dirty little secrets. She knew them, and what made them tick.
It was for this reason that Boneparte wanted to be by her side. She could tell him about every creature in this room, and make herself look positively glowing while doing so. Any male standing next to her would be the envy of the gala. He only wished things were different with him. Despite Barras's advice, there was just something about Rose. She radiated wealth, and she couldn't possibly be that poor... at least not in the meerkat's eyes. No... she had money. She had to have money.
It was deceptive of course, as Rose knew how to put on a good face and airs, and she fooled many so far, though her current eye was set either on Paul Barras (who had no intention of marrying her) or Lazare Hoche (a dashing fellow skunk who was unfortunately already married, making things between the two of them... difficult.). Boneparte Lantzer did not draw her gaze. He wasn't even her type. She may have rested her eyes upon him briefly once or twice, but they didn't linger, and he was never able to even nod in time before she looked away.
Still... SHE was the kind of female he desired. A dominant, commanding one who challenged him to tame her. He didn't like the meek, sweet, gentle types. He wanted a challenge; he thrived on the unfamiliar and mysterious.
Ouvrard looked over at the squirrel, nodding and offering his own paw in return. "Aha! Can't say I've heard of you, but then again, if you're with the general here, I guess that's not surprising." he nodded in Boneparte's direction. "I know nothing of him or his entourage. Pleased to meet you, all the same."
Theresa's eyes briefly met those of Ouvrard. She was lovers with him too, and it seemed like there was no shortage of males here that she could have, all behind her husband's back, of course. "So what is it you do, Monsieur Whirlpaw?" Ouvrard asked now. "As you probably now, I'm a merchant and weapons contractor for the government. Made my fortune doing so, first for the king, and now for the republic." he stated.
"His business truly knows no bounds." Theresa commented, for both Sciurus and Boneparte's sake. The meerkat nodded, moving his eyes away from Rose and back to Theresa.
"He does seem to have a good head on his shoulders."
"That's not all he has." the mongoose replied, giving Boneparte a knowing smirk. "But you are correct. He is a genius when it comes to numbers. A real savant, one might say." she added.
"Well, we all have our strengths." Boneparte responded, smiling thinly back.
"You're still bewitched by Madame de Beauharnais, I see." the mongoose stated, smirking once more.
Boneparte adjusted his collar a little. "Well yes... she's very beautiful. Probably a little out of my er... range at the moment, I guess."
She shook her head sympathetically. "Poor dear... struck by a female who shows no interest..." She chuckled a little here. "But don't worry... until you become somebody, you'll find that's the case at all of my gatherings. I mean of course no offense my dear." she reached out and patted his arm once more.
"Of course not... where else do you gather if not this fine house?" he inquired, taking no offense at her words. She was sincere at least, unlike Paul Barras.
"All over!" Barras responded, answering for Theresa. "The Luxembourg Palace is one of our favorites. You should join us there one of these nights!" he suggested.
The meerkat's eyes widened. "The... Luxembourg? Wow... I... that's remarkable!" he said, only able to picture it in his mind.
"We have grand gatherings and parties there. It really is a delightful time." Theresa added.
"You hear that, Sciurus?" Boneparte elbowed the squirrel lightly, interruping his conversation with Ouvrard. "They sometimes gather at the Luxembourg Palace."
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Aug 10, 2012 16:14:08 GMT -5
Post by Carrow on Aug 10, 2012 16:14:08 GMT -5
"Yes, I can indeed," he said with a chuckle, grinning, his tail waving energtically behind him to indicate how much he concurred with Fréron's statement. "We may only have met for a short time back in 1792, but he made quite an impression on me in that short time. There's no doubt about it: he's arguably the most charismatic creature I've ever been so fortunate as to have the opportunity to work with," he complimented his meerkat friend, lowering his voice slightly as he didn't want to unintentionally embarrass the meerkat. "And I say this as a creature lucky enough to be a close friend of Otto Kurtz, an otter that I looked up to from the moment I met him, so I don't make that statement lightly," he told the other meerkat, smiling.
He and Ouvrard then struck up a conversation, and he smiled as they shook paws. "I'm part of his entourage? Heh, I never saw it like that myself, but he and I have grown closer than before over the last two months since he made his return to Cosnair, so you're correct in saying that, I suppose. You wouldn't have heard of me in any case, I don't think - I've been keeping somewhat of a low profile for the last while, but coming out to a place like this tonight was a good idea... originally suggested by the General, of course," the rodent said with another smile, taking a bite of his bread. He was liking the porcupine more and more as time went on.
He was curious about him, too, and decided to speak up on that subject. "From the little I'd heard of you before coming here tonight, I've gathered that you're an expert mathematician and merchant, which is quite interesting in itself. I can't say I've had much of an opportunity to become acquainted with many creatures from your line of work before now, but it certainly sounds like an intriguing choice of career!" Theresa cut in then, and the red squirrel waited for she and Boneparte to finish talking about Ouvrard before he responded to the porcupine.
"Well, well, you certainly seem to have earned a reputation," he said with a chuckle. "A merchant and weapons contractor for the government?I would imagine that pays quite well. As for me, well, I'm a hypnotist by trade. I spend my day assisting my clients with various psychological ailments of theirs - low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, that sort of thing." He didn't want to let on that he still suffered from the first two himself, but he was trying to make changes. "I know it's an unusual profession, but it's what I spent most of my life before coming here learning about, figuring out how to put some of my natural ability to different use," he informed Ouvrard with a small smile.
The squirrel was interrupted from his conversation with the porcupine by Boneparte's gentle nudge, and he turned to regard the meerkat for a moment as he listened to his words, his blue eyes widening in surprise, much like his friend's had done, when the Luxembourg Palace was mentioned. He was speechless for a moment - and if he had been fortunate enough to hear Barras extend an invitation to Boneparte, he probably would have had a much more extreme reaction. A place like the Luxembourg was so far above his station that he thought he'd never even hear it mentioned within his earshot, never mind all this!
"The... Luxembourg?!," he finally repeated, shaking his head incredulously, paws trembling (and plate rattling) slightly as he tried to compose himself, and he took a gulp of sangria in a further attempt to calm himself before he spoke again, his head full of questions about the place. He'd never been inside it, and knew it had been used as a prison in the past, but had been a rather lavish establishment even back then. He decided that he would start with the basics, and there was quite a curious look on his features as he addressed Theresa and Barras. "It must be quite an impressive place! I've only ever really seen it from the outside. What's it like?," he enquired, disposing of his bread and starting on his cheese as he waited for either of them to respond.
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