[That's entirely fair. A year ago, it all would have sounded like the ravings of a lunatic to Enjolras, too. It still kind of does in the abstract. He sighs heavily, too. It's not the same sort of tired sigh as Combeferre's but rather one which is long-suffering.]
I remember the spy, the man I shot. I remember Prouvaire's shout before he was killed. I remember Courfeyrac laughing with Bossuet, and I remember that we were the only barricade left. I know that we must have died, but I cannot say how it happened. I do not remember any of that.
[But it's been a year and it's hard to see how much of his scattered memories are due to the nature of rebellion just being kind of chaotic, and how much of it has to do with the fact that he's died multiple times now and been subjected to any number of existential horrors. For all he truly knows, he's forgotten his own death. He wouldn't be the first or last person to block something unpleasant out like that.
But, Enjolras suspects, the simpler explanation is likely the right one. Panem stole him away before he could know how his life was supposed to end. It's an odd feeling to mourn the loss of your death.]
Then, on to Panem. [He paused, glancing around them warily to see who was seated nearby. It would frame the tone of this discussion, at least on his end. He refused to outright lie on behalf of these people, but sometimes it was in everyone's best interests to soften his opinions on the Capitol and its inhabitants. Fortunately, there seems to be no one but Tributes within earshot, and fewer still who might understand French.]
The nation covers most of what we would know as the United States. It is divided into twelve Districts, all of which pay Tribute to this city, the Capitol. The Districts provide food, raw materials, and good for the Capitol to consume. Seventy-five years ago the Districts rebelled against this system for reasons perhaps obvious. The Capitol quashed it, and since thing two children have been taken annually from each of the Districts. The twenty-four were placed into an Arena together and forced to fight until there was one winner. This was seen as a way to punish the Districts for their hubris. Last year, the Capitol scientists discovered a way to abduct people from other worlds. That is why we are now here.
[Here, he pauses, moving to pour himself a drink. It's less because he's thirsty and more for the need to do something to distract himself. It's better that he's the one to break the news to Combeferre, but it's still not an entirely comfortable or at all cheerful thing to do.]
holy tl;dr batman. I'm sorry.
I remember the spy, the man I shot. I remember Prouvaire's shout before he was killed. I remember Courfeyrac laughing with Bossuet, and I remember that we were the only barricade left. I know that we must have died, but I cannot say how it happened. I do not remember any of that.
[But it's been a year and it's hard to see how much of his scattered memories are due to the nature of rebellion just being kind of chaotic, and how much of it has to do with the fact that he's died multiple times now and been subjected to any number of existential horrors. For all he truly knows, he's forgotten his own death. He wouldn't be the first or last person to block something unpleasant out like that.
But, Enjolras suspects, the simpler explanation is likely the right one. Panem stole him away before he could know how his life was supposed to end. It's an odd feeling to mourn the loss of your death.]
Then, on to Panem. [He paused, glancing around them warily to see who was seated nearby. It would frame the tone of this discussion, at least on his end. He refused to outright lie on behalf of these people, but sometimes it was in everyone's best interests to soften his opinions on the Capitol and its inhabitants. Fortunately, there seems to be no one but Tributes within earshot, and fewer still who might understand French.]
The nation covers most of what we would know as the United States. It is divided into twelve Districts, all of which pay Tribute to this city, the Capitol. The Districts provide food, raw materials, and good for the Capitol to consume. Seventy-five years ago the Districts rebelled against this system for reasons perhaps obvious. The Capitol quashed it, and since thing two children have been taken annually from each of the Districts. The twenty-four were placed into an Arena together and forced to fight until there was one winner. This was seen as a way to punish the Districts for their hubris. Last year, the Capitol scientists discovered a way to abduct people from other worlds. That is why we are now here.
[Here, he pauses, moving to pour himself a drink. It's less because he's thirsty and more for the need to do something to distract himself. It's better that he's the one to break the news to Combeferre, but it's still not an entirely comfortable or at all cheerful thing to do.]
You will have questions, I'm sure.