accepted to ataraxion ; novel canon C:

[tables]

There have been many ideas in the history of man, but this is one of the poorest I have ever encountered.

[Marius frowns to himself.]

I am not a prisoner to a host that I have never met, nor will I be treated like an animal. We have fought to rise above such oppression. Past that --

[Pause.]

What will become of Cosette?

Comments

[tables]

Every human being on this planet deserves some amount of compassion.

[It's said fiercely. What is there to fear? Javert, as far as Marius believes, is already dead.]

[ex_gutters95]

Even thieves? Even rapists? Even men who would murder a child? You know nothing of the world, boy. Those who would sin under the eyes of God cannot be redeemed.

[tables]

Your men murdered plenty of children the night that the barricade fell, monsieur. Or do they forget so easily the sound of a child singing on the front lines?

[His voice carries plenty of venom.]

[ex_gutters95]

[ wow marius, right in the feels. javert's lip quivers in something almost a snarl, but he keeps his composure. ]

I saw the arms those children bore myself.

[ a breath, remembering a small, still body. ]

They made their choices.

[tables]

Choices that were made by children too young to understand the consequences of their actions. Or does the death penalty now apply to boys whose guns were taller than they were?

[His fingers curl into fists.]

Do not speak to me of compassion, monsieur, when you yourself hold none.

[ex_gutters95]

Had my plan been a success you would have all been arrested. Perhaps behind bars you would have seen the light of the law. Do not lay the deaths of the children at the feet of my men when you and yours put the guns in their hands — Monsieur Pontmercy!

[tables]

[There is a twisting in his gut, because what the Inspector says is true -- and little Gavroche, and the rest of his friends -- dead because of a foolish dream that the world would be better.

He suddenly looks deflated, the fire gone from his eyes -- and though Marius returns the argument, his tone is quiet.]

The world should be free of tyranny. This is something people of all ages, even children, can understand.

We held guns because we would have been cut down without them on the first night.

[ex_gutters95]

You were cut down even with them.

[tables]

My comrades died fighting for what they believed in.

[Even if Marius cannot say whether or not that matters, it mattered to them.]

Their deaths will be a scar upon the face of Paris for as long as she lives. Your law may have prevailed, Inspector, but their blood won't be so easily forgotten.

[ex_gutters95]

Blood rarely is.

I, too, fight for what I believe in. A man can fight either against society, or for it.

[tables]

I fight for the right for people to be free.

[His eyes narrow slightly.]

I can believe in France and still fight for my ideals.

[ex_gutters95]

Your fighting is what tears France apart. We must have order!