Before the world dies at my door, I'll break the sky.

[pontmercyfriend]

Somehow, Marius gets it in his head that he wants to venture out horseback riding. If he's honest with himself, he doesn't know where this urge comes from, but having a rare Friday off, he finds himself indulging said urge. And as it has proven a criminal amount of time since he's last had an adventure with his best friend, Marius invites Courfeyrac along without a second thought.

He waits for his friend at the stables, watching the instructor, a lovely young woman that will, no doubt, appeal to Courfeyrac's tendency to flirt with every attractive woman he happens upon, as she grooms one of the seemingly younger mares in one of the rings. She'd already assured Marius that she looked forward to taking them out to the best trails in the countryside; he smiles, breathing in the country air and delighting in this reprieve from the city, for the moment.

Running a hand through his usual, tousled hair, as he leans against the fence, Marius catches sight of himself in the mirror of a puddle by his feet. Against the increase in his freckles thanks to the season, the love marks on his neck stand out more prominently; he flushes, but he smiles at the sight. Though he knows such alterations to his appearance will draw even more teasing remarks from Courfeyrac than usual, Marius finds himself welcoming such commentary.

He glances up again when he thinks he hears footsteps approaching. Pulling himself off from the fence, he waves and heads towards where he thinks he spies his best friend.

Comments

[pontmercyfriend]

"Oh but of course," Marius shakes his head, amusement clear in his eyes. "How could I ever forget about those laundresses?" He remains mute on Courfeyrac's remark regarding their aging; he quickly catches the sour look on Violet's face.

"I'm not worried about my own forgetfulness," Violet dryly speaks before turning to lead them on to the actual path they are meant to be on.

"Careful of the thorns and the underbrush. We wouldn't want you to turn 'pinched and old,' as you say," she says.

[thepaladin]

Courfeyrac can be terribly charming. For someone with such a grand ego, he can even be remarkably kind. But he can also be quite dense from time to time - and frankly, he is still in the process of learning the intricacies of the modern fairer sex. And so while he certainly detects their guide’s suddenly sour expression, he cannot imagine the reason behind it. Exchanging a slightly wide-eyed look with Marius, he replies, “We follow your lead, mademoiselle. I swear it."

[pontmercyfriend]

Marius adores Courfeyrac with every fiber of his being. His best friend is outgoing, charming, and friendly in all the ways Marius aspires to be. But like everyone, Courfeyrac does have his moments in which his charms fail to impress, whether from their own lackluster nature or the lack of amusement from other parties. Marius shares his friend's wide-eyed look, but he can also understand where Violet is coming from. "Yes, indeed mademoiselle. Pardon my friend here; he might have hit the ground harder than he expected. He means no offense."

He offers Violet a smile that is only slightly apologetic, while silently willing his best friend to make use of the opportunity presented.

[thepaladin]

Thankfully for all, Courfeyrac is well-attuned to making apologies without understanding what he has done to cause offense, and he catches on quickly enough. “I fear Marius is right,” he says with all the self-deprecating charm he can muster. “I have a rather soft skull, as you may have surmised, and I fear my little adventure has me addled. Mademoiselle, I do hope you can forgive the offense I have caused while in such a state.” If not so precariously perched atop a horse, Courfeyrac would bow, but he can only offer an apologetic nod instead. At least he manages to make that gesture look both charming and contrite.

[pontmercyfriend]

Marius lets out a silent prayer of thanks in his thoughts as soon as Courfeyrac catches on. And with even more of his usual grace, too. Violet, he notices, while rolling her eyes, still manages a small smile, and Marius has to wonder, again, at his friend's ability to literally charm himself out of every situation, even the ones he isn't aware he's gotten himself into. It's such an essential part of who Courfeyrac is, Marius thinks.

"You're both lucky you're cute," is Violet's charitable reply, and Marius ducks his head, flushing at the unexpected compliment.

He would guess Courfeyrac appreciates the compliment even more so.

[thepaladin]

Courfeyrac beams as thought he has single-handedly found the key to world peace and an end to all social and economic strife. The compliment he certainly appreciates; what he likes even better is the concession in Violet’s little smile. He has won, and without even knowing the rules.

He offers Marius a sly smile and a wink. “Alors, mademoiselle, on what adventure will you take us next?"

[pontmercyfriend]

Marius catches a glimpse of that bright smile and the self-assured confidence beneath it; he can't help but roll his eyes in response, even just a little. Courfeyrac would return to preening like a cat mere moments after his own tumble into the dirt.

"Possibly the trail I intended to take us on the first time round," she says with a sly smile of her own, gesturing for them to follow.

"Sounds lovely to me," Marius says with a nod.

[thepaladin]

“An excellent choice, yes,” Courfeyrac agrees with all the psuedo-intelligence and mock-solemnity of a master sommelier commenting upon a choice in wine. “Tell us, Violette, what are we to see now that we are properly underway?"

[pontmercyfriend]

"Trees, mostly," Violet answers with a dry wit that makes Marius snort into his sleeve as they follow her onto the trail with relatively little ceremony, considering the recent, past events. "But there's also a waterfall around here, and you have to see it to understand really."

"Sounds beautiful," Marius says, anticipating the sight with a dreamy sort of smile.

[thepaladin]

“Trees? How marvelous!” Courfeyrac returns their guide’s sarcasm with too much enthusiasm, winking at Marius to let him in on the joke. But his friend’s predictable response only makes him groan. Even in this unromantic company, Marius is already anticipating the romance of a waterfall. “If you intend to repeat this adventure with your Rat, I will never forgive you."

[pontmercyfriend]

Marius only rolls his eyes in response, though it's only really out of fondness rather than exasperation. Of course he's anticipating the romance of a waterfall; it's the sort of sight in nature that merits such a response. Not that he's certain he can convince Rat to ride a horse, but still. "Courfeyrac, just because your ideas of romance can fit within the capacity of a teaspoon doesn't mean the rest of us have to diminish our ideas of it."

"With your what?" Violet ignores Courfeyrac's remark to focus on Rat's name, eyes widening a bit.

"My boyfriend," Marius replies, face flushing as he squares his shoulders back and sits up a bit in his saddle, stiffening like an insulted cat the way he always does when Courfeyrac's teasing gets to him.

[thepaladin]

“A man with a personality as warm and inviting as his name suggests,” Courfeyrac supplies. He does like Rat - Courfeyrac likes most people - and he very much likes the way Rat makes Marius happy, but by God, the fellow is a tough nut to crack. Rat can make Enjolras seem downright friendly.

“But our friend here is smitten, so we forgive the eccentricities."

[pontmercyfriend]

Marius opens his mouth to protest, but even he has to admit that Courfeyrac has a point. Marius loves Rat with all of his heart, but he's also well aware of the other man's reserved nature around most other people.

"You're a saint," Marius mutters, though he's managing to smirk a little bit you.

"And what does your name suggest, good sir?" Violet asks, seemingly innocent enough. "The tendency to fall of horses?"

Marius snorts, unable to help himself.

[thepaladin]

“I like to leave such an assessment in the hands of my companions,” Courfeyrac counters without missing a beat. “After all, actions say much more about a man than words or reputation, and I prefer to be judged by those who see me clearly. Like yourself.” His eyes twinkle. “Though I do hope you see more in me than my equine skills - or lack thereof. A man is made up of so much more, would you not agree?"

[pontmercyfriend]

Violet arches an eyebrow back at Courfeyrac in turn, and Marius is suddenly aware of how they are both very much flirting in front of him. He sighs, sagging a bit in his saddle. Pikachu gives a huff of breath, like he's resigning himself to a long afternoon too.

"I suppose it's only fair," she replies, her own eyes twinkling. "And I have seen a fair amount of you, sir. You do manage to make dirt look fashionable. That does take skill, I'll grant you."

Marius is rolling his eyes, about to fire back with a retort of his own, when Pikachu leads him directly so his face smacks suddenly against a branch.

He lets out a string of vulgar curses, all of which he learned from Courfeyrac, in fact, as he clutches his aching nose.

[thepaladin]

Oh, but Marius should know better! How long did he expect any conversation between his dear friend and a pretty woman to last before it turned to flirtation? “I make everything fashionable,” he agrees brightly, “thank you for noticing, ma cherie."

Courfeyrac emits his own yelp of surprise as Marius shouts, tugging his horse to a stop. But when he rounds on his friend, the surprise in his eyes turns to glee, and soon he is laughing. “By God, my friend, that horse has it out for you!” He lifts a brow cheerfully at Violet. “You are not trying to sabotage the poor man, are you? If so, I shall have to complain, no matter how lovely you might be."

[pontmercyfriend]

Marius really ought to know better, and yet, Courfeyrac's antics still often catch him by surprise. But he also thinks that's part of the charm of being friends with Courfeyrac; you both can and cannot expect what might happen on ventures out with him.

Marius rubs at his nose, particularly sore as it took the brunt of the branch to his face. When he pulls his hand back, he finds it red with blood. "Hell," he mutters, pressing his sleeve to stop the bleeding while he tries to think of an adequate tourniquet. His nose doesn't feel broken, at least, but still. Just his sort of luck, as it were.

"I'm fine," Marius assures them both. Violet looks at him in concern before offering the first aid kit she wisely brought along.

"I promise, I'll be alright," he says. He moves to pet Pikachu on the neck, even as irate as he might be for having all but walked into a tree. "I suppose this horse just has interesting ways of breaking people in?"

[thepaladin]

“What an entirely disagreeable animal,” Courfeyrac says, grinning, though concern lingers in his eyes. Maius looks dreadful, and will look even worse tomorrow, he fears. Poor fellow. “But then, they can be quite disagreeable animals for all their majesty. I did not want to concern you, but the first time I sat upon a horse, the creature immediately unseated me.” He does not add that it was the last time, as well. “So you are not the only one to face such bad luck, you see. Violette, perhaps we should return before the rest of Marius’ insides leak of out his nose."

[pontmercyfriend]

Marius manages to make quick work of applying an ace bandage and an ice patch to his nose, though his fingers fumble a fair few times. He offers a reassuring grin again to both Courfeyrac and Violet. "I assure you, I will be well," he tells them, feeling guilty for potentially spoiling the rest of their afternoon. He gives Courfeyrac a look as soon as soon as he mentions his first experience with horses. "Yes, well. That would have been prudent to know, I suppose."

"Probably not a bad idea to turn around now," Violet agrees. Marius winces, both from guilt and the fact that the pain of his nose makes him grateful for the suggestion.

[thepaladin]

“Come now, my good man, this is no time to play the hero. Rat would be devastated if I returned to town with a lifeless corpse.” He inclines his head in thanks to their guide. “I believe the adventure has lasted long enough for both of us."

[pontmercyfriend]

"Excuse you, I still have plenty of life in me," Marius protests, a bit petulantly as he tries to keep the patch steady against his nose. A dark part of his thoughts ventures that Courfeyrac only knows too well about lifeless corpses, but Marius is quick to silence it. "But I suppose you do have a valid point."

[thepaladin]

"I always have a valid point," Courfeyrac says, sailing right past the dark thoughts that his misplaced gallows humor brought to light. "Mademoiselle," he turns he Violet entreatingly. "He will not listen to me. He never listens to me. Perhaps you can talk sense into him."