#Pere Mabeuf deserves all the nice things

[akallabeth-joie]

Brickclub Les Mis 4.11.5

In which Marius’s two best friends meet up. I love both Courfeyrac and Mabeuf, which makes this chapter a delight and a torment.

‘What are you kids up to?’

‘We’re overthrowing the government.’

I don’t read highschool AUs ever, but will make an exception if someone writes Mabeuf chaperoning something and includes a version of this conversation with Courfeyrac.

Gavroche keeps singing, and Wilbour actually includes a translation of the verse (which, after all, takes up half this short chapter).

I’ve mentioned it before, but there would not be more contrast between the reception of the two Conventionists in Les Mes (the real one in Digny c.1815 and the perceived in Paris in 1832). Hugo also has both characters promptly die on page.

Courfeyrac uses ‘vous’ toward M. Mabeuf (who uses the plural).

[akallabeth-joie]

Brickclub Les Mis 4.9.3

M. Mabeuf is too good for this world, and I just get more sad every time he appears, always in a worse situation. I can absolutely see him being honest and turning in the purse as lost, but it just breaks my heart because he needs the money so badly. Also, Gavroche wanted Mabeuf to have the money (and pickpocketed his friendly neighborhood serial killer to make that happen) and JVJ would absolutely have given it to him if he had known Mabeuf’s need.

And then he has to sell his books, and it’s just the worst. 

New fixfic idea: a nice retirement community/gardening commune for all our old men who love flowers. Myriel, Mabeuf, G. Pontmercy, and JVJ are definitely in, also Fauchelevent and Mabeuf’s brother (the curate of Vernon) if they want. I will not be taking questions re: the mortal status of any of these characters.

Alternative fixfic idea: We get Marius some therapy, and he emerges from his mournful daydreams long enough to realize that his best friend* is in serious trouble and try to help.

*Canon: Marius prefers Mabeuf to Courfeyrac.

M. Mabeuf and Mére Plutarch use ‘vous’.

[akallabeth-joie]

Brickclub Les Mis 4.11.4

“They were almost armed”. Tr: Every single weapon in Paris is currently in Combeferre’s pockets, so on average the group has a positive number of weapons, but the mode and median are 0.

I sort of love all of Les Amis in this scene: Feuilly out to avenge Poland, Combeferre somehow getting his hands on a National Guard musket, Courfeyrac with his swordcane. I also note that the group en masse is described as cravatless and hatless, yet everyone’s favorite adopter-of-stray-Marii will fetch a spare hat before the situation gets earnest, and still have his cravat as of 11am tomorrow. Courfeyrac is totally the best-dressed member of the group, along with Bahorel of the Impossibly Crimson Waistcoat.

Speaking of which: Bahorel is in his element, and I just want him and Gavroche to go off and wreck havoc to their hearts’ content. Also, I enjoy how Enjolras is all ‘let’s be calm and focused on our objective’ and Bahorel straight-up says ‘nope’.

Enjolras and Bahorel use ‘tu’, good iconoclastic revolutionaries that they are.

[akallabeth-joie]

Brickclub Les Mis 4.4.2

In which a bunch of different characters’ paths cross for the first time, mostly without them actually meeting:

Gavroche also swipes an apple from M. Mabeuf, but desists when he hears Mere Plutarch explaining their dire financial situation.

Montparnasse attempts to rob JVJ, and instead gets pinned and lectured.

Gavroche steals the purse JVJ gave Montparnasse, and leaves it for Mabeuf.

At least JVJ got a nice, cathartic talk out of it (after the distress of seeing the chain gang 2 chapters/4 months ago). He can feel he’s making a difference in a young person’s life, and using his hard-earned knowledge of prison to a good end. I just wish Gav’s scheme had succeeded, and that he got some dinner, too. 

Mere Plutarch uses ‘vous’ to her employer; JVJ uses ‘tu’ to the young man who attempted to jump him.

[akallabeth-joie]

Brickclub Les Mis 3.5.4

Mabeuf is the best character in this book. I will fight you over this. 

(Discretely, because he doesn't like fighting). 

Mabeuf uses "vous" to Mere Plutarque, get the same when asked if he ever married.

[akallabeth-joie]

Brickclub Les Mis 3.3.5

In which Marius's dreamy absent-mindedness and M. Mabeuf's need to overshare conveniently coincide. Marius learns that his father loved him, and responds in a mature and measured way to this new, emotionally significant information. 

For real. No snark.

He proceeds to very solitious towards his new, elderly acquaintance and then promptly lies to his grandfather.

I always forget that Marius had friends other than Les Amis (there's a reference to some lawyer friends in regards Thénardier's trial, and maybe one other reference?). Or, at least it's plausible to his grandfather than Marius has friends.

Mabeuf uses 'vous' to the young stranger. Marius is 'tu' to his grandfather, addresses him with 'vous'.