#and neither can her decision to leave home to make a life with Marius

[mayasaura]

Like, say, for my Locked Tomb pals: The heart of Gideon the Ninth is Harrow and Gideon learning how to trust one another. Both Gideon and Harrow would have to be human in the muppet version, or the story wouldn't land.

The pool scene starring a dripping wet Gonzo couldn't be anything but a parody of itself, but the bone dome gains infinite hilarity while losing none of its poignancy if Beaker is sitting in the background, slightly charred and shaking from the shock of Bunsen's sudden death

Idk where people get the idea that muppet movies have only one human in the cast. Both John Silver and Jim are human in Muppet Treasure Island, along with a handful of supporting cast. In A Christmas Carol, Scrooge, his nephew, his former fiancée, and a good portion of the extras in their social circles were all human.

The ratio of human to muppet is determined by how far you can push the story into comedy without losing its heart. The fine line between genius and parody.

[meta-squash]

Brick Club 1.5.8 “Madame Victurnien Spends Thirty-Five Francs On Morality”

Hugo does this with so many of the societal tragedies in this book. He sets everything up like everything is great and everyone is happy, only to have the facade crumble. It happened with the students/grisettes outing in 1.4 and in the description of the Thenardier children at Montfermeil, and it’s happening now with the description of Montreuil-sur-Mer’s prosperity. Everyone’s so happy and has good income and pays taxes! Oh wait, here’s how the people of this town fucked over one poor woman. (And how many other women have had something similar happen to them because of the nosey people.)

I’m really stuck on the line that Fantine “forgot many things.” She admired her appearance and thought about Cosette and the future and was almost happy, but she also forgot many things. What did she forget? Not Tholomyes, I don’t think, because on the next page he says she thinks of him. It’s such an odd little phrase. I just can’t think of what “many things” she could forget.

Hugo says she rented a room and furniture on credit, “a remnant of her former disorderly ways.” Fantine thinks she’s getting herself back on track, that this renting stuff on credit will be the last time she’ll have to do something “disorderly” and that now that she’s making a living with her own work she’ll be fine. The Hapgood translation is “improvident,” by the way, which I think makes more sense. However I find it interesting that Hugo calls her renting a room on credit a lack of foresight, when really it’s just a necessity out of extreme poverty. She had 23 francs when she left Montfermeil, and I can’t imagine she has much--or any--left when she arrives. Her behavior in Paris, of not taking job opportunities when they arose because of her affair with Tholomyes, I think that makes at least a little sense to call improvident. But not her renting and furnishing her rooms on credit, which seems desperate rather than prodigal.

The townspeople whisper that Fantine “put on airs,” which is the same accusation Favourite had of her back in 1.3.4 while on the swing. Something about Fantine’s odd sort of innocence makes people think she feels superior to them. I was going to say I wonder if this is another way of Hugo insinuating her goodness, but I don’t think Fantine’s “goodness” is the same as Myriel or Valjean’s. Hugo called Fantine “wise,” and I think an aspect about her is that she’s wise on an emotional level, not on a social level. She understands the importance of emotional connection and devotion on a level we don’t see with the other grisettes or with the people of M-sur-M. She doesn’t seem to have any idea about the whisperings going on around her, she has no idea that her child has been discovered until she’s fired. And yet even when she hardens due to her suffering, she never loses the softness about Cosette. Her wisdom is about sacrifice, which is exactly the kind of wisdom that these nosey townspeople (and probably Favourite) lack.

I love Hugo’s condemnation of gossip and rubbernecking. It also makes me laugh because it’s so similar to the way that cops act. This feels like a condemnation of both gossips and cops. What’s the phrase? Kill the cop inside your head? Anyway, he sounds so frustrated and exasperated here. I haven’t read very much further into the Hugo bio, but I’m wondering if there was some rumor or scandal that he personally experienced that made him feel so strongly here.

Hugo’s really hammering home the beauty of Fantine’s hair and teeth here in preparation for two chapters ahead. Weirdly, this reminds me of the Bishop’s silver. Back in 1.1.6 we learn about Myriel’s silver, and it’s mentioned multiple times afterward. When he gives it up, he’s giving up the last thing that connects him to his past life and is put on the same level as any of the poor parishioners or citizens of Digne. When Fantine gives up her teeth and hair, she sacrifices the last two things that tie her not only to her old life in Paris, but to the possibility of success in society as a woman.

So from what I can tell, the Bernardines are a Catholic order also called “Cistercians.” Originally they tried to observe the Rule of St Benedict and focused mostly on manual labor, but later become more focused on intellectual and academic rigor. There was a semi-successful reform movement to go back to old ways in the 17th century. By the 19th century it seems it was mostly dissolved. The “Bernard” of Bernardine was Bernard of Clairvaux, a powerful French abbot who actually wrote up rules that allowed Templar knights to pass through all borders freely. He also encouraged the Second Crusade, though it failed. The Jacobins were anti-royalist republicans who encouraged dechristianization of the country. The Jacobins spoke on behalf of the people but many were bourgeoisie.

So Mme. Victurnien’s ex-monk husband went from being a monk of a fairly intellectual order who observed pretty strict Benedictine rules to joining the fairly atheistic, republican, radical Jacobins.

Madame Victurnien was strict and harsh because her husband was strict and harsh to her. Something I’ve noticed about the way Hugo writes about toxic/abusive/bad relationships between people is how children are affected versus adults. Victurnien and her dead husband, the Thenardier parents, even Gillenormand (with his spinster daughter) to some extent, are all horrible relationships where the treatment of each other means they both turn out pretty awful. However, the same treatment to children (Thenardier parents to their children and even more so to Cosette, Gillenormand to Marius) actually creates an opposite personality. Eponine and Gavroche are both pretty rough, but they’re also both fairly kind in certain ways, which their parents are definitely not. Marius is socially awkward but happy to help when he can. Cosette defies her childhood completely. It’s just an interesting observation that adults abused as adults become abusive themselves while children who were abused have the chance to end the cycle.

“She was a nettle bruised by a frock.” Does Hugo use “nettle” in this metaphor as a verb or a noun? Because to nettle someone is to annoy them, which works, as Victurnien seems to be an extremely annoying individual. But also we have nettles as prickly, stinging plants and as a metaphor from a few chapters ago for the way people become hurtful when neglected. Here we have Victurnien, this nettle bruised by a frock, hurt and damaged by this ex-monk, who becomes prickly and abusive herself. Perhaps with better treatment she would not have turned out this way; but she continues the cycle, beating down others and turning them into stinging nettles rather than them becoming useful.

Fantine is given her fifty francs upon her termination “on behalf of the mayor.” Madeleine is not even Madeleine at all in this chapter. He’s just “the mayor,” as Fantine had been just “the mother” back in 1.4.1. To her he’s this entity that has power over her, that even hates and persecutes her the way the townspeople are. She doesn’t see him, and neither do we; by this point he seems to have relegated factory admin jobs to others, who are then able to make the choice about who to dismiss and why. Again this presents a problem to his rules. People can make up any old rumor or reason to dismiss a person they don’t like or see as morally unfit, and because Valjean doesn’t seem to play as much a part in the running of the factory as before, there’s no way to dispute, except to go to him. And who’s going to go to him, if they feel the same shame that Fantine does?

Fantine is in limbo; she’s told to leave the city but she cannot because of debt. Hugo’s characters in limbo are usually on the edge of an emotional or ethical breakthrough, as with Valjean leaving Digne, Marius just outside the barricade, or Javert at the bridge. Fantine’s limbo doesn’t seem like the edge of a breakthrough, more like the edge of collapse. She really doesn’t have many avenues open to her anymore.

Also, what about sex workers who are more obvious? Later, we see Fantine walking the street in a ballgown. That’s very unsubtle. And, I don’t know, maybe it goes with her sort of social innocence that she would do something like that, but surely there are other desperate women who blatantly walk the streets like that. They haven’t been kicked out of the city. Surely they don’t--or can’t--hide their trade completely. It must be some sort of open secret. I understand that the reasoning for her being banished from M-sur-M is that Valjean has very strict rules, but it still seems so weird to me to set these rules up for some of the city but not all.

Fantine feels shame more than she feels despair. Which. Is a lot. It’s just awful that she has to feel ashamed for this thing that she would have kept hidden if the townspeople weren’t so awful. She has to feel ashamed for the one thing in her life that she truly actually loves and sacrifices for. Which is another parallel between her and Valjean. Fantine feels ashamed not because of her love of Cosette, but because of the “mistake” and stigma that Cosette’s existence implies. Valjean loves Cosette but he always feels a little bit ashamed, not at loving her, but because he feels she doesn’t deserve his love. Despite both of their shame regarding their love for Cosette, both Fantine and Valjean will sacrifice anything for her. It’s definitely a statement about the power of Love, but I think it’s also a good illustration of how both Valjean and Fantine seem to think of themselves as people meant to Suffer For The Good Of Another.

Fantine was “advised to see the mayor; she did not dare.” She believes this was his decision, and not some foreman’s. This is a failure on her part and on Valjean’s part as well. It’s a failure on Fantine’s part because had she gathered her courage and gone, she could have avoided everything that soon comes. But Fantine is so optimistic and sees through rose-tinted glasses, all the way until the moment everything collapses on her, and then she can’t go on. Her optimism doesn’t get her far enough to stand up again immediately; it has to rest first. But more than Fantine’s failing, this is Valjean’s. I assume he gets notified of who is hired and fired at his factory; does he not reach out when someone is dismissed to make sure they’re okay and to see if he can help? Even more of a failure is this rigid system he’s set up combined with his kind-but-mysterious air. He’s so nice and fair that the townspeople see these rules as kind and fair as well, when they’re very much not. But no one--including Fantine--is going to question it because they assume it’s set up in the spirit of kindness. Which I suppose it is, from Valjean’s point of view, but it’s misguided and twisted and ends up being far more damaging than it could ever be helpful.

[elaianna]

The Hangman’s Noose - Part Two

The Company dismounted from their steeds and elbowed, shoved and pushed their way through the crowds. All except for the Admiral.The decision to push through the crowd kept the Company from running through and trampling citizens, causing casualities, but it wasn't without effect as the Rear Admiral took the lead, barging into the crowd, attempting to wade through with a shoulder here and a shove there all while yelling. "CEASE AND DESIST AT ONCE BY ORDER OF THE LORD ADMIRAL!"

A shaky breath left Elaianna's lips as she heard the cease and desist order. She'd live another day.

Dagan pulls on the harness of her hippogryph, forcing him to stop in his tracks, upon him standing in place, the Mercenary looks over to Elaianna, her frail figure, the rope around her neck. "My dear friend, what have your people done to you?" spoken barely above a whisper.

Thomas still did not drop from his saddle. Despite the clamor and the crowd, his steed was faithful. A well bred animal, it did not balk at the noise nor danger of violence. A steady -- and high -- vantage from which to aim from. His hand rest on the stock of his rifle, tendons in the wrist flexing in preparation.

Yet the words stirred protest within the crowd. The people begun to riot every which way. To make matters worse, seeing that situation just went from tense to a possible death toll, the Executioner feigned not hearing the Rear Admiral and hit the lever.

Elaianna looked to Thomas, seeing him sitting up above. This wasn't a hallucination. Relief painted her features. For a moment, she looked elated. "Thom--!" His name was cut short, as down she went, a strangled gulping sound leaving her as the air left her throat. It didn't snap. She was left swinging on the hangman's noose, choking for air with her hands bound behind her back, preventing her from attempting to loosen up the noose or hold herself aloft.

The sudden departure of his wife from solid ground gave flight to Thomas' hand. Even as she was falling, he was raising his rifle to sight in for the bundle of cordage that knotted the line of rope to her neck. Better to risk sending shrapnel and wood down from above than to take a chance at severing the single noose. Yet while his steed was a well bred sort, and not prone to startling, it was still pushed and the rider jostled, causing his aim to miss it's mark. Indeed, shrapnel and wood rained from above as the bullet hit the gallows, rather than the knotted cord.

As she fell, Karthe folded his hands behind his back to try and subtly manipulate the arcane, preparing to Arcane Blast the beam holding up the ropes. He didn't need to shove through the entirety of the crowd when he could cast magic.

As he did so, three men, Joseph, Dhargul and Daniel, came barreling through the crowds, pushing past to where Elaianna gasped and fought for air.

Daniel ran through like greased owl poop, shoving people aside as gently as possible as he moves through. Not listening to protest, attempts to stop him only meeting the shield he wielded, he finally reached Anna. Dropping his shield immediately, the Captain grabbed Elaianna by the feet, lifting her up, so that she can stand on his hands.

Joe let out a bellowing roar as he charged through the crowd, plowing through and shoving everyone aside, knocking folks down left and right without feeling sorry for once! His only focus was to stop that rope from choking her. He helped lift her up in what looked like a hug.

Elaianna was able to gasp for a breath of air as Daniel got ahold of her legs and held her up. She swayed and leaned to one side, but was able to get at least that gulp of precious air before she was struggling-- then Joe joined and held her upright. With the support of both men, she was no longer swaying so heavily to and fro like a helpless rag-doll.

Meanwhile, Dhargul had made his way through the crowd, stopping before the two men holding her up. He had his weapons brandished, offering protection to Elaianna and those that held her aloft, eyeing those that came close.

As the beam above head broke at Karthe's well placed spell, slackening the rope that held Elaianna, she crumpled down against the group holding her. She was passed out. A body could only take so much strangulation.

Dhargul wrinkled his nose as he heard the rustling behind him. "I'll beat up a path fer ye if I have to lad, just give tha word."

As Karthe's spell hits the beam, Danny, luckily, caught her, pulling her into his arms, to carry her like an infant. Anyone trying to hurt the Lady would have to get through the tall, muscled man's defenses.

Dagan, seeing that Elaianna dropped into the waiting men's arms, pushed through the crowd as Warpson did, bursting on through the other side to see a crowd surrounding to where the Lady dropped.

Despite a rough entrance, Marius was soon able to maneuver the dense crowd with practiced ease. As he made his way to the center, a small glass vial was sipped from his belt and casually dropped to the stones where it shattered. He had also lifted an old, gold scarf over his face before doing so. Every aggressor within range of the alchemical fog that emerged from the vial would start to feel... A little woozy but far more passive. However those without strong constitution might just find themselves asleep.

The passing glance of his shot left Thomas' gut curled against itself. But -- by the grace of the Company's good efforts, his wife was relieved from her hanging at the noose. Past his lips a silent prayer of thanks spilled as Captain Conaroy and Mr. Brandstone took her weight -- even Karthe's efforts entered his prayer, despite his feelings on the Graybush. By all manner, it seemed as if Marius' endeavours had worked as well. Rationale over bloodshed -- it almost felt like a first.

As members of the crowd begin to lose interest thanks to the rising mist of that alchemical potion, it gave the Rear Admiral a chance to break through and bark his orders once more whilst reaching down to yank the bell from the poor shell-shocked boy’s hands! As with all Kul Tirans the sound of a bell gradually caught the attentions of everyone. “I SAID CEASE AND DESIST! BY ORDER THE THE LORD ADMIRAL, I AM ORDERING THIS CROWD TO DISPERSE! ALL CRIMES LEVIED AGAINST THE WOMAN, ELAIANNA NESBITT-STALSWORTH ARE HEREBY REMANDED…" He continued on as more of the crowd begrudgingly calmed to listen. ”Furthermore, those responsible for her unlawful and neglectful incarceration will be taken into custody and put to trial for their crimes against a noble woman. Should any here attempt to stop the removal of her presence here, my men and our associates are hereby ordered to shoot at will. AM I UNDERSTOOD!?”

Dagan and Marius converged towards Elaianna, seeing her limp form carried by Daniel, who's main goal was to get the Lady to her husband. Who knew when the crowd would turn volatile again? "Were we too late?" Dagan asked. "Is she conscious?" asked Marius. The questions caused Joseph to frown. He truly didn't know if she was alive or dead. He didn't know if she had made it, or if she was gone.

Thomas bucked his stirrups into the haunches of his mount, ushering the beast to rake hooves through the air and thunder forward. By the clamor of the Rear Admiral's bell and Marius' handiwork, few stood in Thomas' path as he brought himself to the gallows platform. An expression of restrained relief wracked his face as he cast a glance to the unconscious form of his wife -- but he turned to address the crowd from atop his horse. "Men! Women! Lads and girls! We are not your enemy, and neither is the Duchy! A ship is guided by starlight, and you've been led astray under a fog -- will be put right soon, so heed th'words of the Admiralty an' harbour in your homes until things are settled!"

As the Admiral spoke, Captain Daniel carried Elaianna up to him, still cradling her like an infant. " 'ere ya go, lad." Not really one for conversation, he lifted her towards her husband as he finished addressing what was left of the crowd. At the urging of Conaroy, Thomas leaned down in his saddle. With his rifle falling to rest inside its scabbard, he used both arms to carefully lift his wife into his arms. There was a moment wherein he clearly had expected more weight -- surely he had lifted her before. But now, she was slighter -- smaller -- weaker. A throbbing vein amongst his forehead came to life, and stowed it's blood in his jaw.

Elaianna's head lolled to the side as she was hoisted up. The sudden change in her upright position caused her to cough, startling herself to be awake. Through half-lidded eyes she looked upwards, seeing her husband. "...Am I dead..?" her voice asked in a whisper, a hoarse rasp of what her voice often was.

There was a lacking of attention from Thomas to any but his wife. He cradled her against his chest. The gentle clatter of chainmail reminded him of how far apart they still were. No matter, his lips lightened at her voice and he shook his head, "Ain't so yet, gal. I got ya'." After his words, he blew a soft air across her face. Well -- not quite air, but a curling of pale mist. Minor, momentary, but invigorating.

Thanks to the Company, her family, and friends, she would be safe now.

@atc-wra @thomasstalsworth @calling-gull @brandstonethings @adventures-and-artifacts @marius-blackwood @eidrich-crone @gloryofsteel @themercenarycorner @karthe-surick

A huge OOC thank you to Sabine and Eidrich who were major storytellers for this entire story arch. What started out as something meant to be a small personal plot evolved with more and more people, both in and outside of the guild, wishing to become involved and help. It took a lot of work on their ends to make this something they could do so with. Thank you!

A huge thank you to my guild for also not killing me, even though you came pretty close. There was one point where it was a very real possibility.