# [closed post]

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Susan has devised another activity to occupy her days. By the calendar's reckoning, the start of spring is roughly a week away. Between her and Tress, they've got the outline of a plan for the next Dark, and Susan is happy to rely on people who've got greater interest in and skill for growing things insofar as agriculture goes. But the growing season here shall be longer than usual, and Susan should like to have some idea about what that might mean for the ecosystem,

This is her flimsy excuse to pardon the latest stack of books she's currently carrying out of the library. There is a marginal off-chance that preparatory reading on soil biota could, potentially, be useful. Perhaps she might even talk someone else into reading on the subject as well, so that they might discuss it.

Comments

[futaille]

"Well, I wouldn't want to give anyone breasts who would categorically reject them, first of all, because making someone uncomfortable in their own body would not benefit the group. And although I can't be sure of everyone on that account, as it's certainly not something I've polled people about, it seems to me that Dionysus would be one of the more generally well-liked individuals who would probably be amenable to the idea. Of course if they're just temporary breasts, that might affect the calculation."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"And what if they were temporary?"

[futaille]

"I'd try them."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"You seemed rather convinced they'd ruin your proportions when last we spoke."

[futaille]

"They absolutely would. But it would be temporary, so I could manage."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"And if you were to pick another sort of benefit?"

[futaille]

"If it were for personal benefits, I'd bestow them on anyone who'd like them."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Susan, who discovers she'd been hoping for a more outlandish response, nods.

[futaille]

"For sheer comedy, though, and again assuming a temporary occasion, Enjolras."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Susan considers whether breasts would improve Enjolras in her estimation. Perhaps he might be one of the few people they wouldn't work for. "That would be funny," she agrees.

[futaille]

"I would probably laugh for a week."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Another flash of a smile, and then: "You're close with him, yes?" Susan asks, and then stops - she's not certain where she wants to take this line of inquiry.

[futaille]

"That's safe to say, I think."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

She raises an eyebrow.

[futaille]

Oh, how to even begin to explain. "He was the chief of our group of friends in Paris. We died side-by-side and arrived here. In the months we've been here I've... gained more regard from him than I had in Paris, and am grateful for it."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"He has, on occasion, referred me to you to address specifics about his character."

[futaille]

"Well that's quite the responsibility, although it's not inaccurate to say I've certainly made a study of him over the years."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Oh? And what are your conclusions?"

[futaille]

"With the caveat that I am undoubtedly biased... He's a man who is rather singular of purpose, and thrived in the environment that fostered it. He was, and he loathes this comparison, the sun that our friends orbited around. Illuminating the path, intent on lighting the path back to the Republic. And the path led to the barricade and it brought he and I here and now his all-consuming focus is gone. And I do mean all-consuming. He saw next to nothing other than the promised land of republicanism. Extremely adept in that and admittedly not much in many other things, and other things are now what he's starting to have to learn about. I'll never find him any less wonderful, though."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

To her credit, Susan does listen to the entire explanation, and turns it over in her head, trying to fit it with her understanding of the man. It does square with her conclusion - that he's rather like Peter, in certain fundamental ways. "I see."

[futaille]

He shrugs with a grin. "As I said, though, quite biased."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Perhaps," says Susan. A pause, and then she admits, "Your good opinion is a credit to him."

[futaille]

"Now there's something I don't often hear. Still, though, I'm more than happy to offer it."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

The look Susan gives Grantaire now is laced with doubt - most people here seem to speak highly of Grantaire, either to or around her.

[futaille]

"You look skeptical. Which, in fairness, I generally support."