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

[untamedantinous]

If it is a prison, it is like none I have ever encountered.

[tables]

You are an expert on such matters.

[It would ordinarily be said with something of a tone, but Marius can't quite manage it in the face of what happens to all of them.

How cruel it is that he, the one that chose to join, is the one that survives.]

[untamedantinous]

A poor lawyer you will be, if you do not know them well yourself.

[For his part, Enjolras just sounds tired, and a little confused.]

Who is Cosette?

1/2

[tables]

A good attorney spends time within prisons to counsel, not to enjoy the stone walls and chains.

[It's said as if Marius has said this a billion times before, but something causes him to look at Enjolras a little oddly, because how could any of his friends not know about -- ]

[tables]

[ -- and Marius sighs to himself, because nevermind. Enjolras isn't going to care, but he asked, so Marius will answer.]

My beloved.

[That he will never see again, or so he believes. She's gone from France forever and Marius will just have to deal with the consequences of his decisions.

Be it surviving or dying in a sewer. He's not sure which, yet.]

[untamedantinous]

I did not enjoy them. [Rather, he may have recruited fellow revolutionaries.]

..Ah. [And he falls silent for a moment, because he does vaguely remember something about that. Or at least, he remembers Courfeyrac and Lesgles teasing Marius mercilessly.

But he continues, though it's clear the words are only meant as a vague reassurance.] I am certain she will be well.

[ex_gutters95]

Perhaps a prison will be beneficial for you.

[makeflowersgrow]

[Cosette. That girl again. Eponine bites her lip. He thinks only of her; it is no good. And yet - yet, she cannot help herself. She moves closer, as quiet as always in her bare feet]

M'sieur Marius! It's...[She dithers, trying to think of something poetic to say] You are here.

[tables]

[His jaw tightens.]

Perhaps a lesson in the compassion of humanity will be for yours, Inspector.

[tables]

[ -- ah, it's the girl. And Marius offers her a spare smile, polite as always.]

I am.

[He holds his hands slightly apart, gesturing to himself.]

In one piece, despite the government's best efforts.

[That piece is said somewhat bitterly, but there is only a trace of it in his tone.]

[tables]

She will live on in peace and prosperity.

[Without him.

Marius looks rather miserable about that.]

-- our fates were not as intertwined as previously believed.

[makeflowersgrow]

That's - that's good. Very good, M'sieur.
[Eponine cannot contain her smile, despite his rather cool reception of her. She comes a little closer.]

I am glad you are here, you know. There are ...others. But you - I have watched, you know. I see things. And never do you come. But you've come now and - oh, how lovely, M'sieur.

[untamedantinous]

[He honestly has no idea how to respond to that, it is so far out of the realm of anything he's ever considered. So he is silent for a long moment, considering.]

You yet live, do you not? There is always hope, my brother.

[tables]

[That catches Marius' interest and the young man steps forward slightly, brow furrowed.]

What things, Éponine?

[makeflowersgrow]

[She, on the other hand, barely takes note of the question. She clasps her hands together in pure delight, now actually managing to restrain her smile, though not the happiness in her voice.]

You DO remember my name! Eponine... I knew that you would - but how lovely to hear you say it aloud.

[euphrasie]

[ oh, there you are. she peers around the corner. ] What of me, Marius?

[tables]

That is hardly consolation when none of you are granted the same mercy.

[And he pauses before he begins to speak, quickly, jaw clenching.]

There is no reason for why I am the one allowed to survive. Someone dragged me from the barricade, but I was half-crazed with pain and lead that I could not see who did. I should have fought and died, as the rest fought and died. That was our purpose and I alone am the one to walk away from it, am I not?

[It's a challenge, because Marius knows that no one else survived that night. He is the only one -- faintly remembering how he was dragged through the slosh and muck of the sewers, the tiniest inkling of fresh air -- being shoved into a carriage by a few individuals. Consolations that it would be alright. The sickening knowledge in the pit of his stomach that no one else would.

There was so much blood and it is simply not fair that he is the one granted the gift of life and the rest of his comrades were not.]

1/2 SCREECH

[tables]

[ oh what

are

words]

hi have another eponine

[roseoftheunderworld]

[That awkward moment when the person you sort of tried to kill in a brief moment of insane jealousy shows up.]

Monsieur Marius.

[tables]

[askjhgsd]

-- I have missed you.

[It's soft as he stretches out a hand, to gently brush his fingers against hers.]

[tables]

[Right, that awkward moment where this woman confesses her love for you as she dies... Marius remembers it clearly, how the life left her eyes in his arms, but it is a love that cannot be returned. The thought bothers him somewhat, in that the feeling must be terrible, but what Éponine is not answering is consuming his thoughts more.]

I could not forget one that has helped me so greatly.

[It's polite, he thinks.]

But you did not answer my question, mademoiselle.

if you don't mind i'm just gonna cling here

[euphrasie]

[ there is a twinkle in her eye when she meets his gaze and she reaches for him, a hand around his, the other lightly touching his arm. ]

Have I been gone for very long? [ a laugh. ] But I suppose I ought not to question. I miss you when you leave a room.

[untamedantinous]

You are. [He will meet the challenge, in that case, drawing up his shoulders and giving the other young man a firm look.]

Do not grieve so, Marius. We made our choices, even Grantaire. We all knew what would come of them.

Take consolation in the fact that one of our brothers lives, to carry on our fight.

all the 'ponines <33

[tables]

[He offers her a fleeting smile, faint, but rather genuine. It's difficult to be angry or upset when so many of his friends and acquaintances are dead. Grudges are sometimes meant to be let go.]

Good evening, Éponine.

[roseoftheunderworld]

[In the past, such a smile might have excited her, but at the moment, it stings. She doesn't deserve his kindness, not after what she's done.]

It...it is good to see you here.

[She lingers back in the shadows still, too nervous to approach. And it's all she can do to offer what comes next.]

I am sorry. [Regret in death. Or, whatever passes for life in this place.]