[closed post: a task]

[ravkanwitch]

Nina has been feeling more like herself recently. It's taken a few weeks of self care, a failed waffle experiment, many naps with Khitka, a history lesson from Kade, quality time with friends, and a few mildly distressing conversations with alternate versions of people that she knows – but she's okay. She'll be much better once Shen Yuan is back of course, but for now, she'll do what she does best and weather the storm.

There are few things she's considering in her mind but right now, she's flipping through some language books with Khitka curled around the back of her neck, dozing.

Comments

[ravkanwitch]

"Oh!" She flips back to the Eiffel Tower. "1887 until 1889. Saints, that went up comparatively quickly."

[futaille]

He whistles. "That is quick. Although it's a bit unfair to compare the two directly as the arch was halted for years after Napoleon fell. And it also isn't mostly air."

[ravkanwitch]

"Napoleon?" Nina asks with a slight head tilt. She's read that name, but she doesn't know much about it.

[futaille]

"The emperor who commissioned it. Died in exile a bit over a decade ago. Well, a bit over a decade ago for me, I suppose. Not for either building."

[ravkanwitch]

"An emperor commissioned it? And he died in exile... Is that how France became a republic?" She's a bit confused but she's trying.

[futaille]

"Not exactly. Almost the reverse. Briefly, France was a monarchy. And then in '89 there was a revolution, leading into the republic which was founded in '92. Then along comes Napoleon who seizes power and France became an empire. He does a lot of conquering because obviously an empire must earn the title, the rest of Europe bands together against him, he gets exiled, he comes back briefly, and then gets exiled again, and that brings back the monarchy. So then there's another revolution a couple years ago, but all that changes is who's on the throne, instead of bringing back the republic, which of course the republicans see as a betrayal, hence trying at it again and Enjolras and I being here now."

[ravkanwitch]

Nina blinks. "That sounds more complicated than Ravkan history. We currently have a King, though we've had our fair share of civil wars."

[futaille]

"Oh, it's quite complicated. And apparently continues to be after my time. I think it's... very French. Although I'm now curious as to what counts as a fair share of civil wars."

[ravkanwitch]

"More like one big one and then a series of smaller conflicts," Nina says, uncharacteristically half-muttering to herself. She doesn't want to dredge up old history that involves Aleksander by name -- but it would also feel awkward talking about his history and redacting his name from it, like she's trying to cover something up.

[futaille]

"Every country will have issues, regardless of what world it's on. It's the inherent nature of countries."

[ravkanwitch]

"That's true… Depending on what power is in a certain country, there is always a power struggle of some sort."

[futaille]

"And that is the unfortunate side effect of people stubbornly remaining people."

[ravkanwitch]

"Although... there's plenty of power here and no power struggle to speak of." Maybe some thoughts of one, but the cooperation has been very impressive.

[futaille]

"That is true, but we also have the benefit of there only being a few dozen people present. Not much to have power over."

[ravkanwitch]

Nina considers it. "I still think having power is the most important step for some. Not necessarily over people. Besides, if someone gained control over this mansion, they'd have a lot of power at their command."

[futaille]

"And they'd also almost certainly have a revolution on their hands. Not worth it."

[ravkanwitch]

"That's what you and Enjolras were involved in, wasn't it?" She tilts her head slightly.

[futaille]

"That depends on how you define involved, I suppose."

[ravkanwitch]

"Him more than you, I think you said at some point..."

[futaille]

"Him much more than me."

[ravkanwitch]

"What kind of things did he do?" Nina asks. She supposes she's also a revolutionary as well, in her own way.

[futaille]

"He was the main organizer and chief of our small band of friends. He wrote pamphlets, planned events, would speak at length about the glorious future he saw before him, encouraging others to follow the light he carried. And he fought for it."

[ravkanwitch]

"I suppose we saw a glimpse of that when I put him on the spot at the talent show," Nina says, with a little grin.

[futaille]

Grantaire smiles a small fond smile. "We did at that."

[ravkanwitch]

"Right before I came here," she says, thoughtfully, "I was part of a-- not a revolution. It wasn't in Ravka, our own country, it was in Fjerda. Religious reformation? But it did also involve being charismatic and convincing others of something they might not have full knowledge of..."