#much to Cosette's annoyance

[rubberbutton]

Two old men take their grandbaby to the Jardin du Luxembourg.

A few details and a duckling:

[chrysalismandtea]

✨random les amis headcanons✨

enj’s favourite breakfast is cereal, but specifically those honey rings that taste really bland

at some point jehan was dog sitting for a friend who had a golden retriever and proceeded to call the dog enjolras for the whole week (and send videos to their group chat)

combeferre is the only person who has ever managed to seduce someone with a conspiracy theory. it involved quantum physics and johann sebastian bach.

on the subject of classical composers, joly knows every single note of chopin’s polonnaises and he even head bangs sometimes

bossuet wears sunglasses on top of his head year round

courf bikes everywhere (sweetheart)

marius and cosette religiously watch gossip girl (everyone thinks it’s because cosette likes it but it’s actually the other way round). once enjolras joined them and ended up leaving the apartment mumbling something about eating the rich

feuilly talks to his plants (he refers to his gardenias as “my ladies”, much to everyone’s annoyance)

eponine is the worst baker, but she makes the absolute BEST waffles, to the point everyone’s sick of them (they’re not)

bahorel has crushed more than three weddings (and only been kicked out once)

musichetta’s favourite song is, unironically, take on me by a-ha

grantaire only drinks coffee from a “world’s best grandma” mug (it was a gift from courf)

[secretmellowblog]

For @valvertweek, I have posted:

A brand new *third* chapter of "Annoyances," my Brick-based post-seine tragicomedy! My excellent beta reader @fremedon tells me this chapter is very good, and they have great taste.

The fic's summary:

Jean Valjean, exhausted from the barricades and the sewer, somehow finds the strength to drag Javert out of the Seine. He has no strength left for anything else. He collapses from exhaustion on the quai near the Pont Au Change as the situation rapidly devolves into tragicomedy. Inspired by a tumblr post from @Alicedrawslesmis: “Oh god can you imagine Valjean having to jump into the Seine to get Javert out? the man has had No sleep for the past idk 40 hours and just had to crawl through 5 miles of sewer carrying a dead body and thinks he’s going to lose everything to the law and then this fucking asshole jumps off a bridge? and he has to jump after him? and swim like an olympic athlete against the current to get the guy out of the water from the rapids? that’s too much. That’s just god fucking with him at this point. Valjean pulls Javert out of the water and passes out from the exhaustion of the last two days and Javert is like ’…great. Now I have to drag this man back to his apartment AGAIN’ but Javert is also exhausted from the last two days so it’s just a comedy of errors”

The title of the fic comes from these lines:

“That Javert, who has been annoying me so long; (...) that frightful hunting dog!”

—Jean Valjean in  Les Misérables Volume 1 Book 7 Chapter 3, Hapgood translation

“You annoy me. Kill me, rather.”

— Javert to Jean Valjean, in Les Misérables Volume 5 Book 1 Chapter 19, Hapgood Translation

In Chapter 3, we will explore: Cosette, and the severe consequences of abandoning your daughter alone to go run off and risk your life without any explanation!

[syrupsyche]

Chapter 3 of "Even If There Are Monsters" Director's Commentary

I wrote a Les Mis x Dracula AU! Feel free to read the commentaries for Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 first

Now onto Chapter 3!

Jean Prouvaire’s touch reminded me of our friendships and, in turn, our shared dedication in helping Enjolras recover.

One of the main "themes" of the fic was the Power of Friendship and I wanted to emphasize throughout that its only bc of the love that they have for each other that helps them get past this tragedy. Not sure if it came across well, though 😔

“I think I am dying, Cosette.”

Enjolras did not look afraid, or even sad; merely tired.

One of my favourite tropes is Character Who Knows He's Going To Die and Accepts It. Enjolras has this back in the brick, and so does Lucy in the original novel too, and so I decided to mash it together and prolong Enjolras's and his friends' suffering :-) makes it even more painful when he can't even die in peace!

“I am capable of it,” Grantaire insisted. “I have not had a drop of alcohol for a month; I eat regularly; I am healthy. Ask Bahorel; I box with him often and he can vouch for the abundance of blood I have. I have much to give. Let me give this to you.”

“It is dangerous; you do not know what you are offering.”

“I know exactly what I am offering. I offer you my life, my whole being. I will have Combeferre drain me of every drop if need be.”

“Be serious,” Enjolras snapped.

“I am wild,” Grantaire pressed.

This is, of course, a rewrite of 4.1.6: Enjolras and his Lieutenants. I can't help parodying quotes from the brick; it's my guilty pleasure :p The situation, of course, is different here: Grantaire isn't joking now when he says he would do anything, and Enjolras is reacting out of fear for him rather than annoyance. Just angst all around!

Seeing from his violent demeanour that he was French, they gave him a ticket for the furthest station the train could reach.

One of the funniest changes I've made: the original sentence stated that it was from Jonathan's violent demeanour that he was English, but Marius being French seems to fit "better" :p

My luggage is almost packed and I shall be gone in the morning; M. Courfeyrac shall accompany me. He was Marius’ first friend when he originally arrived in Paris and has been with him in every step of his courtship; he deserves to see him. If we are truly to be married there, then M. Courfeyrac shall serve as a witness too.

I had Courfeyrac get out of Cette because I needed to kill off Enjolras and I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to make sure he was alone when he was attacked. So JBR I shipped to an inn and Prouvaire off doing research, then I decided to simply incapacitate Ferre/Bahorel/Feuilly, but having Courf in there too felt too big of a group by then. And so I kicked him out <3 why I chose Courf instead of any other Amis was because he was, indeed, Marius's closest friend, and Feathraly enjoyed Courf/Marius/Cosette as a possible ship too, so that was a way I could have sprinkles of that in there (though it isn't a CANON canon ship in the fic). Alas, that meant that Courf never got to say a proper goodbye to Enjolras :'(

“You do not understand, Enjolras. I will follow you wherever you go.”

“Not even you are capable of following me past death, Grantaire.”

He fixed a terrible stare on me.

“You will see.”

This is a subtler rewrite of 4.12.3: Night begins to descend upon Grantaire. In the brick, Enjolras claims Grantaire is incapable of living, dying etc. and Grantaire tells him to wait and see. It's different here now, ofc: Enjolras instead tells Grantaire that he cannot follow Enjolras and die too, but Grantaire, since the start, seems quite adamant on not living past his death.

I am about to die; I write this note with the last of my strength. This is an exact record of what took place tonight.

Lucy's memorandum haunted me when I first read it: the knowledge that she was falling closer and closer to death, and that something has entered the house and hurt the people she loved; it shook me to the core. I changed some stuff with Enjolras's memorandum, but ultimately left him with the same sense of overwhelming dread that The End is Near.

“Speak to me,” Grantaire began to plead. “Let me hear your voice, Enjolras. I will do whatever you want me to; I can do it, I am capable of it. Simply say the word.”

If one were to read the NSFW sequel to this fic, this line appears as well, in an obviously very different context 😈. even in my PWP i have to include tragic foreshadowing 😔

I doubt I shall open this book again. I do not wish to read my notes and see only the moments when I had failed to save Enjolras. Have I told anyone this before? That I became a doctor because of my memories of him, ill in his childhood bed and unable to play and read with me? I had hoped one day to cure him of this illness that has always plagued him; I see now that I have failed.

Writing this made me sad :(( obviously readers know that it wasn't Enjolras's usual illness that killed him, it was Actual Vampire Dracula (though Combeferre does know there's something else that has caused Enjolras's death, but still believes that it was the illness that had weakened him considerably beforehand). This is where, I think, one could really feel the one-sided Enjolferre 😞😞.

And that is it for tonight! Check back tomorrow for Chapter 4!! 🤩

[chenziee]

Your love, endless like the sky above

First of my three pieces for the @opblondebombshells zine!! It turned out absolutely gorgeous and is available for download for free as of today, so check it out! ✨

[ Read on AO3 | Ko-FI | Commissions ]

—————

As he rummaged through the kitchen cabinets with purpose, Sanji felt a wry smile pulling on his lips. He had never thought he would stand in this kitchen ever again. How many years had it been since he last touched this stove? Thirteen, fourteen years?

It was honestly a marvel this stove even was still here.

They had all this money, all this knowledge, and they couldn’t be bothered to get better and newer kitchen equipment. 

Cosette and her team made such elaborate meals for their royal family every day with tools that were probably older than the head chef herself and they still got treated this way. It made Sanji want to kick their sorry asses to hell and back and there again.

Kingdom of Science my ass, he thought, clicking his tongue in annoyance.

“Sanji-sama, please! Let us cook for you, royalty shouldn’t have to—with this rusty, old equipment no less—”

“Nope,” Sanji said, raising one hand to silence the panicking cook. “Thanks for the concern but I’m a first-rate chef, not a prince.”

“But—”

“By the way, is the pantry still in the back?” Sanji asked, cutting the protests off before they could really start.

“Yes, sir.” The cook visibly deflated as he answered and Sanji huffed.

He supposed it was too much to ask for them to drop the formalities entirely. Shaking his head, Sanji thanked the man before making his way to the pantry—a route he could still walk blind, even after all these years. He could almost feel young Sanji’s heart racing in excitement from being allowed to walk in and grab ingredients for the first time.

Still innocent, still not realizing he was about to get himself—and the head chef—punished.

Royalty must not cook! 

The angry words echoed in his mind despite no one speaking them, forever ingrained deep within him. He never understood the words, never even thought to adhere to them despite the inevitable backlash. Despite the hate and disgust and pain.

Even at six years old, he refused to give this up. And now, at twenty-one… there was no point living if he couldn’t step foot into a kitchen again.

Why was he thinking about this anyway?

Shaking his head, Sanji chased his fath—Vinsmoke Judge’s words away. Instead, he focused his gaze on what was in the pantry, his eyes scanning the contents. He hummed appreciatively at the quality of the food stored inside—even if the kitchenware and appliances were utter shit, at least no expenses were spared on the ingredients.

Not that Sanji would have any trouble working with shit-quality food, but it certainly made his life easier. 

Grabbing two bananas, several eggs, some flour and sugar, and a few select spices, Sanji left the pantry again, closing the door behind him with his foot. He almost expected the old head chef to start freaking out, fretting over Sanji balancing too many things at once.

And honestly, he was right. When he was a kid, he’d barely had any idea what he was doing, always overestimating how much he would be able to carry without dropping anything or hurting himself. A smile on his lips, Sanji wished the old man could see him now, handling everything with ease. The last time they saw each other, it came with a complementary trip to the infirmary to get a bad cut treated.

He left everything on the kitchen counter to head for the fridge, mumbling to himself as he listed off the ingredients he still needed. It’d been so long since he made this combination of foods: grilled fish with some fresh bread, scrambled eggs, and banana flambé for dessert. All her favorite foods. 

He would have wanted to add a small scoop of vanilla ice cream as well but since that would melt, he decided against it. Maybe he should make some mini apple tarts too while he was at it?

Oh, should he make some fried rice? He didn’t see any mice around but he was sure there were some hungry critters scurrying about. Even though he wasn’t there to make food for them anymore…

“Man, what am I thinking,” Sanji muttered to himself, sighing deeply. There was no way the mice he had befriended all those years ago would still be alive after all these years. Mice simply did not live that long.

But…

Well, what was the harm in cooking a little more than needed?

—————

A bouquet of flowers in one hand, a picnic basket in the other, Sanji made his way towards the far corner of the Germa main ship. It was quiet, hidden from view by trees and bushes—trees that had become much larger, bushes that had been left to grow, unkempt in the years of his absence.

Seeing the state of the garden, Sanji half expected to find his destination completely taken over by vegetation but instead, he was surprised to find the gravestone perfectly clean, only with a tiny, impromptu bundle of flowers in front of it, one made up of the wild plants growing in this small, hidden garden-turned-park.

Probably Reiju, Sanji thought to himself, a small smile tugging on his lips.

“Hi, mom,” he said quietly as he carefully placed his own bouquet next to Reiju’s. “I’m sorry I couldn’t come see you sooner.”

He took a deep breath, willing his voice to stay steady. How pathetic; a grown ass man, getting all choked up at being by the grave of someone who had died over fourteen years ago…

“Zoro would have a fucking field day seeing me like this…” he muttered to himself, rubbing at his eyes. He hated how he suddenly missed the insufferable nicknames and annoying demands for booze.

He would take a fight with the Marimo over one second on Germa’s soil any day. Those were actually fun, if infuriating sometimes.

“You know, mom… I think you’d love the pirate crew I’m a part of. Luffy is so goddamn selfish and can inhale a month’s worth of meat before you can blink but he's always so happy with anything I make. It's fun cooking for him. Zoro is an ass and we fight constantly but he can tell the difference between good and shitty rice and as opposed to Torao, he doesn't throw a fit when I experiment with his rice balls. Nami-san never got to teach me how to make her special tangerine sauce… I could figure it out myself but I’d rather die than intrude like that…

“Usopp likes fish just the way you did and honestly it threw me off at first. Chopper. You'd love Chopper so much. He's like a stuffed animal who feeds on chocolate. We'd all be long dead without him.

"I like making Robin-chan's coffee and sandwiches when she's studying in the evening. She's the smartest person I've ever known; she could destroy Vinsmoke Judge in a second. Except she's not a piece of shit like him.

"Then there's Franky… if I wasn't there to feed him something decent, he would probably just eat junk food. And Brook, my god Brook. Mom, his table manners. His fucking table manners. It doesn't matter how many times I kick his boney ass, he still gets curry everywhere.

"And Jinbe—"

Sanji stopped suddenly, cutting his monologue short. Jinbe was their crewmate but…

"I guess I won't learn anything about him now, will I? I'm stuck here. With these shitty cuffs on my hands…"

He gulped heavily, clenching his shaky fists. He really was a fly caught in a spiderweb, wasn't he? Complete with his movements restricted, death lingering just at the edge of his vision, helpless.

Helpless, powerless… hopeless.

"Shit…” Sanji took a deep breath, closing his eyes momentarily before he dared speak quietly again. “Mom, I don't know what to do…"

But were there really any options left for him? The path was set the moment his wanted poster changed from Dead or Alive to Only Alive. There was no other way forward; no Baratie, no Merry, and no Sunny. No All Blue. 

There was nothing but Germa 66, the family he had long since stopped considering a family, and Pudding-chan.

"At least with Pudding-chan, I'll be able to keep cooking. There would be no point living anymore if I couldn't… I want to keep cooking for my crew but Pudding-chan doesn't deserve me making that her problem.”

Sanji paused then, almost as if waiting for his mom to reply. But he knew that was impossible, knew no one would answer. He wasn’t sure he even wanted anyone to answer. Not when he was being so… so lame.

But in the face of his mother’s grave, the grave of the one person he could let himself be vulnerable with when he was a child… it was impossible to keep the facade up. He was tired. Tired of pretending, tired of staying strong, tired of saying he was ‘fine’.

And yet…

“But I’m fine, mom, don’t worry. I didn’t actually explain, did I? Pudding-chan is the girl I’m going to marry. She’s the Emperor Big Mom’s daughter but she’s very cute and very sweet. I might introduce her to you one day…” Or maybe he wouldn’t. He wasn’t so sure he’d even want his real family here—never mind a girl he met once, no matter how nice she was. He supposed time would tell.

As he tried to reach for his cigarettes, Sanji was suddenly reminded of the picnic basket in his hand. He blinked a few times, his gaze dropping to stare blankly at the small woven carrier, wondering how the hell he had managed to forget the most important thing, and he chuckled awkwardly.

“Ah, I hate talking about myself. But—” he paused, fumbling with the basket to pull out the items inside. “I brought you something. You know, I… After I ran away from here, I became a cook. A real, first-rate chef thanks to the shitty old man. My dad—you know, my actual dad—taught me everything I know so my cooking is actually real damn good. So…”

Sanji set the basket carefully on the ground, placing a small black, lacquered box in front of the grave before slowly opening it to reveal the carefully arranged contents of the lunch box—scrambled eggs, grilled fish, bread, and banana flambé.

“Do you remember? I made this for you once. Messed up real bad too. Then I dropped it and it got soaked in the rain, turning it completely inedible,” Sanji said with a genuine laugh. “I still remember Epony’s face when she tasted it.” He was sure he would never forget the face that twisted with disgust and pain from the awful, downright horrible, amount and mix of spices.

Shaking his head, he continued, “I know what I’m doing now though, so I added some bread and vegetables to make it actually feel like a meal,” Sanji pointed out, gesturing to the freshly baked bread that was hopefully still warm, as well as the carrots, radishes, and cucumbers cut and carefully styled into flowers. “Also here—” he added, turning back to the picnic basket to pull out the wine glass and a bottle of the best damn red wine he could find in Yonji’s shittily supplied wine cellar, pouring a perfectly measured glass for her with practiced ease.

A soft smile was still playing on his lips when he spoke his next words. “I know last time I did a terrible job but I—thank you for saying it was delicious back then.”

—————

Reiju wasn't sure how long she was standing behind one of the trees in the overgrown garden that had turned into a park around their mother's grave, waiting for Sanji. She wasn't sure… but she didn't really care. It had been thirteen years since she had helped Sanji escape from this place, thirteen years of Sanji living his own life like he was meant to. She was sure he had a lot to tell their mom, a lot to share about the East Blue, about Straw Hat, and about his friends.

For a while, Reiju wondered whether she should tell him they had come for him… but with Sanji's kindness, he would end up blaming himself for putting them in danger. And Sanji didn't deserve that; not when he was already being put through this foolish marriage plan of their father's.

And so, Reiju didn’t say anything; didn’t say anything when they met, didn’t say anything on their walk here, and she wouldn’t say anything later either.

For now… she would simply let him talk to mom as much as he wanted to and she would be there for him as long as she could throughout this whole mess, looking for a chance to let him escape again, just like she did years ago. After all, the cuffs on his wrist weren’t going to explode and on the off chance that Straw Hat would make it all the way to the very heart of Totto Land, there wouldn’t be any reason for him to stay—as long as Reiju could make sure the hostages in the East Blue were kept safe and as long as Sanji’s kindness didn’t keep him chained to Germa and this family.

Reiju waited for Sanji for a long time, left only with her thoughts and the faint sounds of their soldiers training. There really was nowhere to escape the military aspect in this kingdom, was there?

Shaking her head to make herself focus, Reiju quickly put her usual smile on her lips—the one that showed nothing of her real thoughts, one practiced to perfection over the long years of living with her father and brothers—before she turned to face Sanji once more as he approached her.

“Told her everything you wanted to?” Reiju asked, not commenting on the vulnerable expression on her brother’s face.

“Yeah,” Sanji replied quietly. 

His eyes dropped downwards then and briefly, Reiju wondered whether he was hiding from her. But then he reached inside the picnic basket, pulling out a second, smaller lunch box and handed it to her wordlessly.

Reiju blinked. Her gaze fell to the box she was holding, then turned back to Sanji, who only gestured with his chin, prompting her to open it.

With a huff, Reiju carefully lifted the lid, peeking inside curiously… and soon, the corners of her mouth twitched upwards, her smile widening into a rare genuine, happy one. “Apple tarts?” she asked as if she couldn’t see them. “I can’t believe you remembered I like apples.”

“A good chef takes note and remembers their customers’ favorites,” Sanji noted with a shrug as if it were obvious.

And maybe it was, if this were any other family. But with the Vismokes… Reiju was used to no one besides Cosette even remembering she was deathly allergic to peanuts. After all, as long as it didn’t affect her battle performance, what did it matter?

“Thank you,”  Reiju whispered.

“Yeah.” Sanji nodded, then paused, seemingly mulling over his words—or maybe looking for them. “Thank you, too.”

Reiju didn’t reply. She simply picked up one of the little tarts in her lunch box, taking a bite.

She had never tasted an apple so sweet.

[kcrabb88]

ooh-- 19, 39, and 50, for the asks?:D

19. Is there a ship which you wished you could get behind, but you just don’t feel them?

This is a timely question because I saw Les Mis over the weekend with my high school best friend and she isn't fandomy really, so she leaned over and said to me "you know what people should write? Eponine and Cosette together" and I was like oh, that exists!! Like majorly exists. And that is one of the ships I do wish I could enjoy more? Because queer Cosette and Eponine and more WLW ships HELL YEAH. I guess I just see too many fics that ignore their complicated past that I can't get into it. But hey, I'm willing to be proved wrong!

My unpopular Star Wars ship opinion is that I'm not a Codywan enjoyer, even though I like both of the characters in that ship and like their friendship a lot. I'm just not into it from a romantic angle. Never thought I'd be a rare-ish pair shipper in SW fandom with Quinlan and Obi-Wan, both because I write a lot of gen fic and because I don't think I've ever really shipped a rair pair so much but you know. Here we are. Character growth.

39. What is you greatest strength as a writer?

Character arcs and development, I think! Characterization is soooo important to me as a writer, and I think it comes across in the way I write.

50. Rant or Gush about one thing you love or hate in the world of fanfiction! Go!

One annoyance that I've been thinking about lately is how there's a trend of way too many fics that re-invent gender roles with queer characters? We don't want gender roles!!! Away with them!!! I think this has happened because I've been reading more smut for my Star Wars ship and then stumbled across this while browsing and I ... don't like it.

One thing I love though? Is making friends via the fic I write. There really is nothing like it, because you can just jump into talking about your shared interest without any of the awkward beginning of friendship things. You're just like omg!! You're so great!! And they think you're great! It's nice.

[encyclopika]

Title: Cosette Rating: General Ship: Takt Asahina x Cosette Schneider Tags: Fix-It, Fluff, Confessions, Music Words: 3,542

Synopsis: Cosette had become Takt's muse, so he's going to write her a song that matches what she means to him. ~*~

When did those blue eyes catch his attention so completely?

He'd been drifting on autopilot for a while. Adrift in the melody of keys tapping taut strings, he'd been asleep, for sure. When was it that Cosette's voice awoke him from those dreams into reality?

“Do you want bugs? Because this is how you get bugs.”

Her words were harsh, but there had always been care laced in between as she got out the white trash bag and began cleaning up last night's tray of TV dinner. Naturally, he'd left the mushrooms to shrivel on the plastic. Takt wasn't sure he really had an opinion of them, but they always disturbed the harmony on the plate, so banished they were, and it was Cosette that'd been the one to take them away.

Nothing really mattered more than his music. Not the onset of rot surrounding him, not the great outdoors, the threat of D2s, not a damn thing. Everything was a gray monotone when the piano was silent.

That was...until Cosette shared in that interest.

And it wasn't just that she sat with him on some days and let him show her how the white keys were different from the black keys.

And it wasn't that she lingered in the doorway sometimes, allowing him to finish a song before barging in to clean up after him.

And it wasn't just that, after a rare instance of his leaving the piano be for a moment to attend to life's many annoyances, that he'd returned to hear her playing a melody she'd remembered from his playing. Her hands weren't as accustomed to the whole instrument, yet still she made the piano sing all the same.

She'd done that before many times, so...

When had Cosette stolen his heart away from the piano?

It had to be when she said she loved his music. That's when things changed. When he finally awoke from the lullaby in the piano keys and came to the realization that she was the one keeping a rhythm to his life. Her voice had become the song he wanted to hear. Those blue eyes were the silence he wanted to dive into.

Takt had never really had a muse before, not one for creating, anyway. He played other people's masterpieces, reaching back into time when music was as common as breathing, to times when his father would have been just one of many musical geniuses.

Surely it was important to keep those pieces alive. Surely it was important that he'd had the countless privileges to have their sheet music, to have an open space where he could spend his days at the keyboards and the piano gnashing away at getting them right, to live in a place relatively safe from D2s, to even have a piano in an age where people smashed them out of fear in the first place.

But...now Cosette mattered just as much. He'd catch himself in a trance thinking about her and noticeably not playing. Where, in the silence, he could hear melodies he'd never played weaving their ways behind images of her.

That was a muse, right? And his whole being was crafting a song from those feelings. Cosette had sparked this, so he'd indulge it.

Just for her.

KEEP READING ON AO3!

[antisocial-cheesepuff]

les miserables cluedo au part 2!

SUSPECTS:

Mr. Green: René Grantaire

Rene Grantaire, or preferably “R,” (27) is a freelance graphic designer and guitarist with no formal education. He grew up in the heart of Paris and has never left the city; he can frequently be found busking outside the Paris Metro on weekends or bar hopping along with Courfeyrac (see previous entry, Felix Courfeyrac). R maintains a close relationship with his only sibling, a younger sister, but his relationship with his parents is believed to be strained. Contrary to his cynical nature, R is a regular member of Les Amis de l’ABC (see previous entry, Julien Enjolras) and has been for years. His contributions, however, have more often been described as annoyances rather than anything helpful. Courfeyrac and Combeferre (see previous entry, Charles Combeferre) both commented on this when asked:

CC: “R’s not there to do anything but irritate Enjolras. And he’s been there for years. We all know why, but it’s gotten ridiculous.”

FC: “He just likes to rile up Enjolras and watch his face turn a pretty shade of pink. R can claim he doesn’t believe in anything, but he believes in Enjolras (..) Don’t tell either of them I said that.”

Upon hearing of Courfeyrac’s invitation to Marius Pontmercy’s estate, Grantaire persuaded Courfeyrac to bring him along as well, claiming he had a bad feeling about the situation and didn’t trust him and Enjolras to go alone. Courfeyrac disbelieved him but was never one to say no to causing some potential drama.

Enjolras is currently unaware Grantaire will be meeting them at the Pontmercy estate.

Ms. White: Eponine Thénardier

Eponine Thénardier (22) is a long-time friend of Marius Pontmercy. Working full-time as a waitress to support her two siblings Gavroche (9) and Azelma (13) while taking night classes at the University of Paris has left Eponine with little time for herself. After a difficult and neglectful upbringing, Eponine saved her siblings from the same fate by fighting for and acquiring custody of them as soon as she turned 18. Marius Pontmercy has consistently supported her through her struggles, ever since childhood, and the two have been close friends for over a decade. There was a running joke, which Eponine started, that they spent so much time together they might as well get married. However, Marius has recently wed Cosette Fauchelevent (see next entry), whom he was introduced to by Eponine herself. She also helped plan his marriage proposal, for which Marius had thanked her profusely.

Unfortunately, in the past year, Eponine’s studies and home life have become more intense and she has lost touch with Marius Pontmercy. Marius was hoping to reconnect with his old friend through an invitation to his estate, which he was slightly surprised she accepted.

Dr. Orchid: Jean “Jehan” Prouvaire

(I went a little off-script with this one—Colonel Mustard is the last suspect in the original Cluedo game, but I didn’t have an Amis I wanted to add to this story that I felt I could compare him to. Dr. Orchid is from some of the newer versions of the game, if you want to look it up! :) )

Jean Prouvaire, or preferably “Jehan,” (22) is an undergraduate student finishing up their bachelor’s in biology at the University of Paris. Like Combeferre (see previous entry, Charles Combeferre), they discovered their calling and passion early on in life when they were a child; plant sciences. Having grown up on a farm in the French countryside, they moved to Paris when they were 18 to attend college and explore city life. During their first year, Jehan unintentionally interrupted a Les Amis de l’ABC (see previous entry, Julien Enjolras) meeting and ended up a member for the rest of the group’s existence at the university. Courfeyrac (see previous entry, Felix Courfeyrac) became quite good friends with them and were on the path to something more, but lost touch when the group disbanded and when Courfeyrac graduated. Courfeyrac, however, was supposedly the one who introduced them to toxicology, and Jehan has since redirected their studies to that field, specifically plant toxicology.

Jehan met Marius four years ago in their first year at the University of Paris, where they were roommates in the dorms. Since then, they meet up every now and again for lunch and coffee and call on holidays. Jehan is introverted and despite living for four years in Paris, has yet to make many friends, so they eagerly accepted Marius’s invitation to the Pontmercy estate.

i’m so glad you guys are liking this so far :) i have one more entry i can add to this if you want, and then we can see where it goes from there!

les miserables cluedo au!

(somebody please write this fanfic because i do not have the skills required to)

SUSPECTS:

Miss Scarlett: Julien Enjolras

Julien Enjolras (24) is the only child of wealthy socialites Augustin and Marie Enjolras. They paid his college tuition for the University of Paris before he was kicked out due to disciplinary actions (relating to the protests he held on campus). Afterwards, he cut ties with his parents and officially formed the Les Amis de l’ABC, a political activist group he started at university. Enjolras has been accused by the police force of inciting violence in his rallies and has been apprehended for resisting arrest several times. He is described by his friends and fellow activists as a fiery, passionate individual with a tendency for trouble. Currently, he lives in Paris, France, and is unemployed.

Per his best friend’s request, Enjolras is reluctantly accompanying Felix Courfeyrac (see below) to Marius Pontmercy’s estate.

Ms. Peacock: Felix Courfeyrac

Felix Courfeyrac (24) is a graduate of The University of Paris and a struggling actor. After earning a degree in Theater Arts, Courfeyrac traveled to the United States to fulfill his dreams in Hollywood. Unable to find work after a year abroad, he returned to France and rejoined the activist group he formed in college with Julien Enjolras (see above). He is well known as a party animal and frequently spends his nights bar hopping or at a club. Courfeyrac can be described as gregarious, flirtatious, and at times, impulsive. He is currently living in Paris, France, and is employed at the Corinthe as a waiter.

Courfeyrac first became friends with Marius in university, where he unsuccessfully introduced him to the Les Amis de l’ABC. However, despite their political and personal differences, the two have managed to stay close.

Professor Plum: Charles Combeferre

Charles Combeferre (26) is a graduate student at the University of Paris. Born and raised in Arizona, Combeferre developed an interest early on in butterflies and moths, and has gone on to pursue a Master’s of Science with a concentration in Entomology and Lepidopterology. After obtaining his Bachelor’s Magna Cum Laude at Harvard University, he made the choice two years ago to relocate to France and study abroad. He frequents the Cornithe and is acquaintances with Courfeyrac and Enjolras. Enjolras has been trying to persuade Combeferre to join the Les Amis de l’ABC, but Combeferre has so far turned him down. Despite this, he occasionally attends their weekly meetings in the backroom of the Cafe Musain and voices his opinions. At first glance, Combeferre is on the quieter side, but shows no hesitation in standing up for others or his beliefs. Enjolras describes him as “overwhelmingly intelligent, witty, and unfailingly kind.” Combeferre is currently presiding in Paris and is unemployed.

Combeferre was introduced to Marius through his friendship with his fiancé, Cosette Fauchelevent (see next entry). Their relationship is strained due to their widely differing opinions, but Combeferre accepted Marius’s invitation to the Pontmercy estate nevertheless.

should i continue the suspect profiles? let me know!

[cometomecosette]

“Drink With Me,” Broadway, February, 2007. Drew Sarich as Enjolras, Adam Jacobs as Marius, unknown Grantaire.

I remember the minor controversy in the 2006-07 fandom surrounding the fact that this production had Grantaire strum a guitar during “Drink With Me.” Personally, I don’t see the problem with it. I think it’s just meant to convey that “Drink With Me” is a song that the characters are singing in-universe, to which Grantaire adds his own cynical improvised lyrics. Still, maybe those fans’ annoyance was less with the guitar itself and more with the fact that it was Grantaire playing it, when at this point Grantaire “should” just be drunk and mouthing off in despair. At any rate, later in the production’s run the guitar was reassigned to Combeferre.

I don’t know the name of this Grantaire understudy (Drew Sarich was the regular at the time, but he’s playing Enjolras here), but I think I like him. He has a very nice voice and conveys his anguish well.

Unfortunately (at least for some fans), this production didn’t feature an E/R moment after Grantaire’s lines. All Drew’s Enjolras does here is slam down a wine jug behind Grantaire to register disapproval of his words. When Max von Essen took over the role of Enjolras, though, some more interaction, albeit unhappy, was added between them: Enjolras would whisper some angry words in Grantaire’s ear and Grantaire would burst into tears. An improvement, I think.

The barricade boys and the women are all first-rate. I love the shoulder-patting friendship moment between Feuilly and Prouvaire as they sit side-by-side on the crate. I also like that they include the same detail that the 25th Ann. Connor/Powell staging would later, with one man charging angrily toward Grantaire only to be stopped by Enjolras, but it’s done silently. I like it much better that way; having him shout “Grantaire that’s enough!” drowns out Grantaire’s words, which we need to hear.

Adam’s Marius conveys such poignant despair without a word. He does something here that I don’t remember seeing him do in person: frantically wiping his hand with his tricolor sash. Presumably he’s wiping away Éponine’s blood, which the battle gave him no time to wash off. That’s one way to counteract the common complaint that Marius thinks only of Cosette so soon after Éponine died for him. It might even imply that Éponine plays a part in his outpouring of anguish over Cosette. That amid the trauma and fear of battle, the existential angst Grantaire’s words force him to grapple with, and not least his grief and guilt over Éponine’s death, only Cosette could comfort him and make him want to go on living, but he thinks he’s lost her too because she’s going across the sea.

Note Valjean in the background, visibly startled and needing to sit down when he hears Marius say Cosette’s name. A nice touch.

[vivalamusaine]

Les Mis Rare Pair Week - Bahorel & Enjolras: Minutes at the Musain

August 26: Friendship! (two days late)

Character Focus: Enjolras and Bahorel - (platonic)

Description: Bahorel and Enjolras are the only ones to show one night for Les Amis De L’ABC. In lieu of a meeting, they share stories of their friends, talk of old memories, discuss theoretical punches to the face and create fraudulent meeting minutes. Modern AU

Words: 2485

Hurrying into the Musain, Enjolras was expecting to be met with a boisterous crowd of tired and overworked friends ready to greet him, but opening the door to the back room of the cafe he was met with an almost empty room. Only one person was seated at the table across from him. Bahorel looked up from his phone and gave him a small wave.

“Are we early…. or late? or is everybody else late?” Enjolras asked with one more confused look around the room. The chaos and stress of exam season always had Enjolras slightly turned around and stressed for time, but usually les amis de l'abc was the exception to his frantic schedule. In the four years since he’d formed it he hadn’t once missed a meeting, and had only been late a handful of occasions that were completely out of his control. 

“None of the above!” Bahorel said with a grin and gestured for a bewildered Enjolras to sit in the free seat across from him, he did so with a curious tilt of his head, waiting for explanation. “Have you checked the group chat? It’s just me tonight. ”

“My phones dead,” Enjolras frowned as he placed his messenger bag on the empty chair beside him, another frightful side effect of his busy schedule was that he occasionally forgot to charge it overnight. “All I know is Joly and Combeferre won’t be here. I still can’t believe they’re actually interning at a real hospitals now.”

It felt like just yesterday he’d met them at an orientation party in their first year of university. Fresh faced and bold and excited for the future. They had all felt so mature and invincible then, but they had been practically children. 

“Ah, they grow up so fast,” Bahorel replied wistfully, pretending to wipe a tear from his eye. “Well, I have the full litany of pathetic excuses in the chat, let me enlighten you.” He held up his phone and cleared his throat loudly. 

“Jehan has come down with a touch of melancholy, can’t bring themselves to leave the bed. Feuilly just came back from a double shift and can’t function like a normal human today — his words, he sends his deepest apologies, Bossuet is desperately trying to cram last minute for his final tomorrow, Eponine is working and took Gavroche with her, Musichetta’s got plans, Grantaire’s dead, Courf is-”

“Dead?” Enjolras interrupted with a horrified expression.  

“Yeah, from last night. We went a bit overboard celebrating his guest spot in the gallery. All his pieces sold and all the champagne was free,” Bahorel grinned. “I tried to wake him up three times before I left but he wasn’t having it.”

“Oh,” Enjolras said with a relieved smile. “What were you saying about Courfeyrac?”

“Helping a friend outside of our group move apartments. Can you believe it? The traitor!”

“And let me guess, Marius and Cosette are on a date?” Enjolras said with an amused roll of his eyes. His annoyance was more for show than anything, he didn’t actually mind all that much that they’d missed the last three meetings to run off on some spontaneous romantic adventure together, he was happy for them. It was just becoming a little predictable. 

“Yeah, but they have to be forgiven this time,” Bahorel said with a knowing smile. “It’s the most important night of their romantic life for a very important question.”

It took a while for the meaning of these words to hit him completely, but when Enjolras realized what Bahorel meant his eyes went and his mouth fell open slightly. “Marius is proposing?” 

“No actually, Cosette is. I think she realized that boy would have to trip over himself for another two years before he could even think of mustering up the courage to ask, and she’s impatient as anything to get married. I can’t tell you how unbearable it is to watch ‘Say Yes To The Dress’ with her. That’s supposed to be my cool down show! It shouldn’t make me more stressed! Plus, she’s always talking over Monte to talk about her dream dress and that should be like a federal crime or something. I can’t wait to go gown shopping for her, I’m going to be such a bitch when she tries on her sweetheart neckline princess ball gown. I’ll cause a big scene about how it's totally not the dress for her and I’ll guilt her into trying on an ugly poofy sleeved lace a-line.”

“No, you won’t,” Enjolras laughed fondly. “You’ll fold and cry immediately the moment she comes out in that dress.”

“Fuck, you’re right! I’m getting emotional just thinking about it.”

“Has it really been two years for them?” Enjolras placed his chin absentmindedly in his hand. “Everyone seems to be growing up.”

“Except for us, of course.” Bahorel winked. “Young, wild, and free forever! A youth unbridled by time and motivated for a fresh new world!”

Read the rest on AO3

[sheriffwolfe]

People were, Brandon had learned through hard-won experience, generally a nuisance; what little they could offer him, be it money, or power, or clout (though he didn't find he much desired that) wasn't often worth the price of having to interact with them. As such, he'd been holed up either at home (or the station, when Cosette needed what she referred to as personal space but what seemed something more akin to just being left the fuck alone, which Brandon could respect, if not appreciate), plugging away on any leads he had for Madison Redding and generally keeping his head above water just long enough to keep from sinking into the bureaucracy of what the law allowed versus what he wanted to do. But tonight, Cosette had made her annoyance toward him abundantly clear, and the station wasn't necessarily inspiring any sort of breakthrough as of late, so he decided to venture out into the public after something of a sabbatical for some coffee and a piece of pie, plunking himself down in a corner booth at the diner and working through his notebook to attempt to connect some dots of the case.

This was, he quickly learned, a mistake.

Feeling eyes boring into him, Brandon finally took a sip of coffee without looking up, chasing it with, "Whatever you wanna ask, or whatever you gotta say, I'd suggest just doing it." Before I lose my patience, he omitted, having a tenuous grasp on that as it was.

[benedictsmeethington]

meet ben !!

BARTHOLOMEW QUIGLEY SMEETHINGTON IS PROUD TO SEND THEIR CHILD, BENEDICT SMEETHINGTON, TO THE LAND OF AURADON FOR THE UPCOMING SOCIAL SEASON. WE HEAR THEY’RE CHARISMATIC AND CONFIDENT, BUT CAN ALSO BE PESSIMISTIC AND CHILDISH.

name: Benedict Smeethington 

pronouns: He/Him 

age: 21 years old 

parents: Mr. Smee 

homeland: The Shadow Realm 

gender: Cis Male 

sexuality: Heterosexual

HEADCANONS

Benedict Smeethington never, in his entire 21 years of existence, even considered the idea that he’d be allowed to hop on over to Auradon. No, he’d resigned himself to his fate in the Shadow Realm, a somewhat dreary life made better by the fact that he’d decided to remain a perpetual child. He was determined to essentially Peter Pan it, even though he was without a doubt actually growing up. The childish attitude that he developed was more a coping mechanism than anything else - a way to not take all of the bad too seriously. 

But it wasn’t all bad. Bart Smee was and still is a very loving father. Simple loyalty had branded him a villain, and for that he had been eternally punished. It didn’t even matter that once he’d been banished, he’d managed to stay far away from Captain Hook. At that point the damage was done. However, with all the time not devoted to being a lackey, Bart devoted a lot of time to raising his son to be a decent, well-educated guy. And deep down, behind some of the coping mechanisms, that’s what Ben is.

But a little asterisk on the well-educated, because it was still Bart teaching him. Bart was not the brightest person around. Ben knows a lot, but it’s scattered information. At the very least he knows how to read, but please do not ask him to do math. He can tie knots, but what is science?

But he’s also a little bit of a fuckboy rake. Now that he’s in Auradon he’s very much not taking Society and the season seriously. He doesn’t feel that he has much to offer in terms of being a suitable match, and even though he would actually very much like to be in love, he’s 25 and has a lot to sort through psychologically. Not exactly marriage material. He’d rather just have some fun before the inevitable reversal of the ruling sends him right back where he came from.

With the perpetual gloom and doom of the Shadow Realm, Ben was never able to see the stars. However, his father taught him a lot about them, and how once upon a time they had navigated their ship by the position of the stars alone. Ever since his arrival in Auradon Ben has been even more obsessed with the clear night sky than he has the bright sunshine.

Bart didn’t know anything about society, though. Manners weren’t something that you really had to know as a member of a pirate crew, and Ben knows he’s probably broken at least 12 rules that he’s been unaware of since his arrival.

SET CONNECTIONS

Baxter Pan-Darling - eventual best bros

Lark Andersen - also eventual best bros, but for different reasons. Lark holds in his hands a potential life path for Ben that could change everything.

Cosette Gothel - on/off, no strings (he can’t deal with her when she gets bratty all he wanted was a portrait)

Nikolai Chernov - avoids at all costs. bad vibes!

Sabine Facilier - stargazing buddy

Finn Charming - eventual buddies/mentee (Ben wants him to be more fun)

Zasha Rasputin - he is her major annoyance

Gwendolyn Dallben - interested. he’s definitely interested.

Andres Hook - two peas in a pod. they never got to interact in the Realm but they’re more alike than they are different. they’ll bro it out but Ben will NOT be his sidekick.

WANTED CONNECTIONS

Ex-girlfriends/flings

Childhood friends

Enemies

[not-a-christmas-tree]

i just watched the dallas theatre company les mis here are my observations

IF YOU HAVE NOT WATCHED THIS PRODUCTION I SUGGEST YOU DO! DON’T READ THIS IF YOU DON’T WANT SPOILERS THOUGH!

so, in case you didn’t know: in 2014, Dallas Theatre Company did a modern interpretation of les mis. i just watched it on youtube (i will link it later, i promise) and took SO MANY GODDAMN NOTES so here they are!

ACT ONE 

(Look Down-WHID)

starting out strong! we got some HARSH TRUTHS ABOUT THE JAIL SYSTEM!! blatant police brutality happening BASICALLY the entire first part of the song. it hurts me. 

note on the cops costumes: they legitimately terrify me and they are dressed in like. full riot gear.

okay so,,,valjean wraps the rope from his bag around his neck at the end of WHID. this is interesting bc, a) he’s trying to find a solution as to what he should do after the Bishop and that’s a direction I’ve surprisingly seen no one take, but b) this part has the same melody as javert’s suicide, when javert is ALSO trying to figure out what he should do after his perception on life is altered. for a moment there, they both are on the same page, the page being suicide. however, only one of them takes that choice.

the above makes the lines (in both songs) “i’ll escape now from that world / from the world of valjean” ESPECIALLY interesting because. in two different ways, they did escape, but they ALMOST had the same conclusion for a brief second.

(At The End Of The Day)

in ATEOTD fantine ends up being the last one working, causing everyone to look at her with varying degrees of annoyance or frustration. She do be hardworking doe

OH SHIT KIDS IN THE FACTORY!! three little kids run up to the foreman when he’s giving daily stipends to the ladies!! (they’re also the last to be paid, giving significant sass to foreman who also sasses back)

Girl #5 mockingly calling fantine “innocent sister” when 5 is white and fantine is a WOC...that’s kind of interesting given that that can be read as SERIOUS racial profiling on 5’s part

foreman looks like bob’s boss in the incredibles but like. tall lmao

(I Dreamed A Dream)

her look of like,,shock-but-not when everyone from the factory exits and she takes off her bandana,,,that. that is good acting

her transitions from chest to head voice are so good

i’m kinda sad she isn’t younger?? or just. doesn’t look super young bc fantine is supposed to be like. early twenties. she’s not 45 and had a decently long life before she died, no, she’s young. she was taken advantage of. that’s the whole point. but that’s sUPER little like this lady is way too good

she has the perfect mix of sadness and regret plus anger and shameless hope. like. kudos to you allison blackwell you’re a dope fantine 

the cry on “killed the dream i dreamed” brb sobbing

(The Dock Scenes)

MALE PROSTITUTES I REPEAT!! MALE PROSTITUTES!! (no idea what wig he’s wearing tho. he was done dirty in the wig department) 

oh male prostitute is prostitute #1! 

oh damn there is. lady def on some bad drugs with her kid passing behind fantine on the bench. ouch.

hoo okay they did n o t censor lovely ladies!! (mini note: camera person has the camera down an AWFUL LOT on these docks scenes lmao)

there are cops on the docks. gross.

(Who Am I-Confrontation)

OH SHIT THEY HAVE A FALSE JVJ IN THE BACKGROUND OF WHO AM I 

jvj comforts not-jvj for a second!! (money note was FANTASTIC btw)

fantine being WOC and DYING in a modern hospital also is,,yeesh because. you know. racist doctors. 

jvj cries after fantine dies JUST STAB ME NOW OKAY—

confrontation is really funny when u see that javert has a GUN and jvj has A CHAIR

JVJ DID THE LIL RUN ON “live within my care” YAAAAY

(COAC-Master Of The House)

oh boy baby cosette,,so small,,so pure plus classic baby head shake when she sings I STAN

MADAME T LOOKS—OH GOOD GOD

DID SHE SPIT ON MY BABY--

cosette: “please do not send me out alone—“ madame t: “oooooh my gOOOOOD” omg 

what the fuck is thenardiers hair i—

WHAT THE FUCK IS THENARDIER IN G E N E R A L

random idea regarding thenardier’s prison tattoo: he has the same number on his chest that jvj has. Meaning he was in jail too. so why isn’t he as messed up as jvj? i wanna say maybe he was in for less time, but like. I doubt it. However, he has a whole ass gang. did the thenardier gang break their boss out of jail? please say yes 

him listing things for baby éponine to charge i love it

OH MY GOD THENARDIER FLAUNTS HIS NUMBER WHILE JVJ DOESNT!! jvj hides his past because he believes it will get him into better places (it does, he becomes mayor for god’s sake) while thenardier shows off his past with stubborn pride. while thenardier cheats his way to success, jvj lives an almost honest life where he ultimately suffers due to the stress all the hiding he does gives him

i love that éponine looks like neither of her parents,,,madame t got around huh? 

(The Bargain)

I JUST REALIZED THE STAGE HAS A CATWALK DOWN THE CENTER INTO THE AUDIENCE THAT IS THE COOLEST OMG

Instead of madame correcting thenardier on cosette’s name he asks cosette herself which prompts the CUTEST ANGRY YELL OF “it’s cosette!” I HAVE EVER SEEN

also thenardier fuckin MANHANDLING cosette i’m DYING

JVJ LOVES HER SM I AM SOFTTT

(The Beggars)

omg marius is so ADORABLE i love him

gavroche is a style icon

kid holding sign saying “my mom got laid off” POOR BB

i love éponine

that’s it that’s the note

wait a sec was that montparnasse with the prostitute earlier in beggars??

ALSO I SEE AZELMA AND OTHER THENARDIER KIDS PRESENT FOR “turn on the tears!!” THANK YOU FOR UTILIZING THAT LINE PROPERLY

why does enj have a bat?? If it;s not a bat then,,,what is it? someone please help me

marius saves cosette from bad guy gang!! 🥰🥰

bruh javert misses jvj running by like,,,MAYBE two seconds that is hilarious 

jav looks so done when thenardier is trying to get out of this lmao i love it

javert looks so cop-like it scares me

(Stars)

the line “safe behind bars” in stars kind of kills me here because as the audience you SEE the cruelty that the convicts face. you see the guy on the ground getting beaten you SEE the chains around their throats and yet. yet javert still somehow thinks that putting jvj in jail is safe? i think the thing to focus on here is not whether it’s safe, because it obviously isn’t. the focus is who it’s safer for, jean valjean or javert?

has it always been “your father” rather than “her father” when marius asks éponine to find where cosette lives?? if they changed it that is SMART because yk. jvj would be ALARMED if he found out he’d been found by éponine but he wouldn’t hurt her. he’s not the guy she has to worry about, it’s her own father. thenardier gave her a job and she’s straying from it, he’s what would endanger her.

THE PLAYFUL BOOP AND SHOVE FROM MARIUS 🥺🥺🥺

(The ABC Café)

“note-ruh daym”

hee hee pretty enjolras

pretty enjolras in skinny jeans even better

OOH we have,,,angry enjolras in this version o k a y

grantaire raises his hand before agog/aghast part omg

“i’ve never heard him ooOOOOh and aAAAAh *excited squeal*

“dan joo-wan” i love texas

bossuet spotted :)

longing gay looks NOT spotted :(

i love enjolras okay but this one is just,,,a little too aggressive. enjolras isn’t just angry all the time, he’s not that one dimensional. of course, there is more of the show to see and i hope he changes a little bit, but so far red and black isn’t doing much for me. enjolras is hopeful, not just angry.

A CAPELLA SECTION IN RED AND BLACK?? I think YES

the amis finding out lamarque is dead has “fuck trump just won the election” energy

okay i was hoping that enj would change his aggression thing when they find out lamarque is dead (bc that’s when most enjolrai figure out what may happen and kinda sober up yk) but. it doesn’t look like he did. there is hope for barricade scenes

OMG LIL NOTE ON COMBEFERRE GIVING OUT FLYERS TO AUDIENCE MEMBERS: that is fucking pERFECT and yk why?? because it’s a call to action!! it’s less obvious in DYHTPS because they’re mostly singing to each other but later in epilogue when the words and melody is repeated, it’s meant as a call to action! “will you join in our crusade, who will be strong and stand with me?” is a cALL TO ACTION AND THEY ARE HANDING FLYERS TO AUDIENCE MEMBERS—that’s officially the only way to break the fourth wall THANK YOU 

hey fantine doubles as a student i think!!

HARMONIES ARE C L E A N OOOOH

(In My Life-Heart Full Of Love)

okay yes i already love cosette because she plays awkward-teen-in-love-for-the-first-time PERFECTLY. 

book-ish cosette hell yes a cutie

father-daughter forehead kisses 🥺

awkward mARIUS TIMEEEEE

placing marius, éponine, and cosette in a triangle is a MARVELOUS decision thank u for that symbolism

marius checking if he looks good and ép giving him a thumbs up omg

*aggressively tries to sit normally* same cosette

*awkward curtsy* also same cosette 

(Attack On Rue Plumet)

robbery time let’s see how they do this

ooh marius and cosette run off but i can’t tell if they notice gang before running

thenardier fuckin SLICES éponine after her scream

NOOOO HER LIL WHIMPER AFTER BEING THREATENED AGAIN

(One Day More)

this lil part between robbery and one day more is interesting bc i legit have NO idea what jvj is thinking here. he keeps looking between his watch (i think it’s a watch idk) and cosette after she runs off to pack so like. what. is he doing here bc he looks like he’s choosing between two things but i don’t,,know,,what things

red berets on the amis are dope btw

i think marius is discussing what to do with éponine here, which is FUN because we all know why she goes to the barricade in the brick :’) éponine might be convincing marius to go to the barricade knowing this is her chance to die with him like in the book

omg

OMG

OMG

that stomp bit with the students was the coolest fucking thing i’ve ever seen

END OF ACT ONE

act two will be posted shortly :D

[lesamisandlesmiserables]

Do any of you believe in love at first sight?

Feuilly: I loved these guys at first sight.

Montparnasse: I believe in annoyance at first slight.

Javert: Nope.

Cosette: Such a thought is a one of beauty so intoxicating it is delirious!  Of course I believe in love at first sight- ah, it feels to me one of the surest things. For eyes to meet and, with but a single glance, love finding a match! Well…I do admit some doubt may be expressed in the matter, and perhaps a true first sight is more important to state. But, yes. 

Babet: Bold of you to assume I believe in love at all.

Gavroche: Love’s gross, but everyone who sees me loves me

Claquesous: annoyance at second, and third, and forth sight-

Bossuet: I don’t think I’ve ever fallen in love that fast. It’s a development and tends to happen with people I knew before.

Valjean: Of course I believe in love at first sight. How else would I have known my daughter?

Bahorel: It’s what I felt when I met my cats. To be fair is what I feel everytime I see any cat .

Combeferre: I mean, I’ve never really thought about it because I tend to go for the chemical definition of love, but didn’t some author write something along the lines of, “The power of a glance has been so much abused in love stories, that it has come to be disbelieved in. Few people dare now to say that two beings have fallen in love because they have looked at each other. Yet it is in this way that love begins, and in this way only.”

Marius: OF COURSE I BELIEVE IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT I MEAN WHO DOESN’T!?!?!?!?!? It’s amazing! It’s magical! It’s miraculous!!! How is it possible? Two complete strangers just LOOK at each other, and BAM! It’s hard to believe but it’s true! Not to say that I’ve ever experienced it… because I haven’t… but I know people who have and it’s a REAL phenomenon. 

Fantine: I think you can think it is real. You only know if it was actually love at first sight if that person proves themselves to there through thick and thin. 

Enjolras: Not at first sight, no.

[bffhreprise]

Entry 327

 I lay on the ground, staring at the etched stone ceiling in wonder and imagining what James felt when he was in here.  The moment this room activated, I couldn’t feel him, but there was a stretch where I stared at him in wonder.  He was enormous, more vast than anything that had drawn my attention before.  Just as quickly, he was normal James again, though “normal” was hardly a fitting adjective for James.

 To my shame, I wished James would stay in here longer to talk with me.  I knew he had been aware of me when using the room, but he hadn’t said a thing, doing his work and quitting.  He hadn’t wanted to come into this room.  His resigned steps are what drew my attention in the first place.

 Three beings were coming here relatively fast compared with most I knew.  Sensing their path, I moved behind James and Alma to hide as a kitty in one of the bushes, just in case.  If they meant to harm my friends, I’d pounce.  Today was the wedding day.  No one was going to ruin their wedding day.

 “James!  Did you feel that?” asked one of the men.  He appeared as the youngest as well as the most human.  With him was an older man and one of unusual proportions, looking more like a beast than a human.  They were all vampires, probably very old by the scent.  Now that they were stopped, they at least acted respectful.

 The large one, who had sniffed the air with his very large nose, questioned “What are you two doing out here on your wedding day?  Getting a head start?”

 Yes, there were pheromones in the air, but not that type.  Rude.

 “I was putting in place the enchantments to help you three and others blend in with my guests.” explained James.  “Sorry if I startled you.”

 “And what are you insinuating?” demanded Alma as she stepped around James to glare up at the large vampire.  Even with him crouched, she was much shorter.

 Scenarios burst in my head, picturing different ways this interaction could go and how I might intervene, but I didn’t really want to reveal myself.  Even when the large vampire merely grinned at Alma, I just considered leaving.  If they weren’t going to misbehave, there was no reason for me to reveal myself.  I was just being overly cautious.  The three vampires had arrived in tuxedos, and James obviously knew them.  These were guests, and they weren’t on the list of ones I needed to keep an eye on.  

 “You can come out, Raine.  They’re fine.” insisted James just before I decided to leave.

 I lazily dodged the big vampire as he attempted to grab me from the bushes.  He really was oddly proportioned and had enormous wings.  Was he one of the different strains Cosette had talked about.  These were apparently the eldest three, going by her conversation with Mila.  I carefully put on my dress for the day as the others talked about me outside.

 “Illusion?” questioned the largest vampire.

 “No.  Half-demon.  She’s that fast.” replied James.

 I didn’t even wince upon hearing that.  I really was a half-demon.  This wasn’t something to be ashamed of.

 “Half-demon?” pondered the oldest-looking vampire.  “Yes.  I remember Ariadne mentioning her.”

 “My brother didn’t mean to startle you, Raine.  Would you mind joining us?” asked the youngest-looking of the brother vampires.

 I sighed and triple-checked how I looked in the mirror.  I hated it, feeling too exposed.  The temptation to grab my hoodie was very strong, but I resisted.  Alma had picked this dress, and I was careful to keep it intact, not wanting her to claim that it was no longer the original.  Knowing I’d never really be satisfied, I moved behind James.

 “Raine, this is Vito, Papak, and Zachary, eldest of the vampires.  Gentlemen, this is Raine.”  explained James, introducing us all.

 “We would never try to hurt a friend of James.” insisted the large one, Papak, as he bent his body to look around James where I stood.

 “Raine, please don’t cling to my fiancée on our wedding day.  Rumors will spread.” claimed Alma as she gently pulled me out from behind James.

 I sincerely doubted she’d allow rumors to go very far, but I didn’t really like how she intimidated some people.  There were reasons, I was certain, for her to behave that way with certain people, but… I still didn’t like it.

 “You’re a pretty one, aren’t you.” suggested the older-looking vampire, Vito, in a soothing voice.

 As he spoke, Ariadne and the Princess appeared behind him.  With just a wink, the Princess was gone again.  I couldn’t even follow her movements.  Of course, she often just appeared in places, seemingly at whim.  I had suspicions about her inventing a teleportation device, but I rarely detected any device on her except her phone, which wasn’t really a phone most of the time.  Maybe her backpack was some sort of device that cloaked its mechanisms.  There was an entire extension of her room in my mind devoted to that line of thought, but I hadn’t figured things out.

 “Vito, are you hitting on this child?” asked Ariadne in an accusatory tone as she stepped closer to him.

 “No.  I was merely acknowledging that she is pretty.  I expected a demon’s spawn to be more like Papak.” he suggested as he gestured to his brother.

 “What are you trying to say?” questioned Papak, lifting his brother with a single, enormous hand wrapping around Vito’s waist.  Then his other hand pointed at me.  “Why’s she shaking?”

 “S-Sorry.” I replied, uncertain what I had done to bother him.  Feeling I needed reinforcements, I fetched Cosette from her room.  Papak’s hand was still pointing when I returned, but surprise had started to show on his face, since I took my time.  Grabbing Cosette when she wasn’t fully dressed would have been bad, so I had to verify everything was in place.  She had been rehearsing different ways to introduce herself with Mila this whole time.

 “What!?” exclaimed Cosette as she took in her surroundings.  “I… I… I…”

 “Gentlemen, this is Cosette Bourbon.  She obviously knows who you three are.” explained James, a small smile tugging at his lip.

 “Cosette!  Lovely to make your acquaintance.” insisted Zachary as he held out a hand to her.

 With James guiding her forward, Cosette swiftly changed from nervous to her typical authoritative figure.  “I’m… I’m sorry.  Mila told me you were here, and I was attempting to figure out how to greet you.  I’ve heard so much about you.” she explained, the picture of a princess speaking to her peers by the end.

 “Y-Your win-window was… open.” I explained, hoping she’d infer the apology in my words.  She’d understand that I had heard her entire conversation.  Bringing her to where she wanted to be could be seen as a service, right?  As my mental scenarios depicted how she might respond, I wondered if I might have erred.

 “Well, I’m glad I was dressed.” she teased, grabbing onto my arm and pulling me to stand beside her.  “I love your dress, but why are you wearing it already?”

 “I… W-Well…” I started, picturing hundreds of ways to explain.  “P-Practice.”

 Papak barked out a loud laugh.  “I know the feeling!  Takes me ages to find something I’m comfortable wearing.”

 “And he literally means ages.  The man is never in touch with the times.” prodded Vito, looking quite pleased with himself, despite still being held aloft in his brother’s hand.

 Papak blew a raspberry at Vito, splattering him with particulates of saliva, but then he set him down.  Despite what Vito had claimed, Papak was dressed in a very modern-looking tuxedo that suited him very well.

 “Thank you.  Ladies, meeting you all is a pleasure, even you, Lady Pendreigh.” stated Vito as he bowed with easy grace.

 “I’m surprised you three could attend with how rarely you get out.” replied Alma, apparently not taking that she was singled-out as an insult.

 “Rarely?  Aren’t you told that we devour people by the hundreds each night?” asked Vito with a smirk.

 “Hundreds?” questioned Papak with a frown.  “That hardly sounds dramatic.  You’d find hundreds in a single block these days.”

 “In a single building with some of the taller ones.” corrected Zachary.

 “Fine, but Vito should have said thousands!” insisted Papak, pointing at Vito as he watched Zachary’s reaction.

 “Yes-yes, I see your point.” snapped Vito in annoyance.

 “You do get out then?” inquired Alma looking at them placidly.

 “Well, I like to go jogging each morning, personally.” replied Papak with an enormous grin.

 Scenarios of Papak out for a morning jog sped through my mind.  His wings were spread, giving him lift between enormous steps in some.  In others, he casually waved at people he passed, not that a normal human would even see him if he was moving a tenth of the speed he had approached here, but I also had scenarios of him moving at a human peace.  Ignoring the wings, the fangs of his smile would likely terrify the faint-of-heart, especially with his unusual facial proportions.  I found myself quickly feeling sympathy for his plight.  Unless he could transform as well as Cosette, he wouldn’t be able to chat with most people at all.  Most people who saw my eyes in the light would flinch away, and nearly everyone who had seen my hybrid form demonstrated outright terror.

 “Jogging must be a great workout for you.” commented Alma with a roll of her eyes.

 “If James isn’t opposed, I wouldn’t mind letting you try giving me some pointers for exercise.  I’ve heard you’re a pretty decent fighter.” suggested Papak, obviously trying to bait her.

 “B-Be nice.” I told him, staring him down.  No one should pick on a bride on her wedding day.

 He smiled back at me, saying, “I am!  I was just offering.  Care to try yourself?  I must admit I’m curious how strong you are.”

 “Please, Raine.  That would be most entertaining.” encouraged Alma.

 “No.  Please, don’t.” pleaded Cosette, gently squeezing my arm.

 “J-James?” I asked, looking up at him to see what he wanted.  James had seen the worst of me, and he never flinched.  He was so very kind, even to monsters.  If he wanted me to play with Papak, I’d accept the quest without worry.  Cosette would understand.

 “I don’t want this place devastated, so I expect you to guard everything you throw him at if you choose to accept.” he told me, obviously fine with me being gentle.

 “She’s that good, huh?” questioned Papak as he rubbed his big chin.

 Alma shook her head and said, “No.  Her technique is still terrible, but her natural aptitude is far beyond me.  I doubt even you saw her fetch Cosette.”

 I was tempted to argue for part of a second, but I didn’t like the scenarios that sprung off my scenarios of how that would go.  Alma didn’t really need to know more of what I could do.  I knew she could be kind, but I doubted she’d ask me to do anything kind if she knew more.

 “True.  She’s easily faster than me.” acknowledged Papak.

 “She could toss him straight up.” suggested Vito, smiling slightly.

 “Maybe the three of us together should try?” suggested Papak hopefully.  “We haven’t faced a demon for many years.”

 “I’m not inclined to try.” replied Zachary, holding his hands out to ward off the idea.

 “I must concur.  Though I do remember the spells we’ve used in the past, she seems much stronger, judging by her speed.” explained Vito as he considered the idea.  “I still think you should try, dear brother, to keep your honor intact after issuing such a challenge.”

 “Children, behave.” ordered Ariadne, sounding amused.  “James, I would like your permission to enter the forest with these three before your other guests arrive.  They’ve been itching to see my family ever since I told them of the survivors.”

 “Sure.  Let’s head there now then.” he told her.  “Sorry, Raine.  No tossing Papak yet.”

 I nodded, not surprised.  I could see the appeal of playing with someone significantly stronger, though I hadn’t experienced it.  Papak probably just wanted to feel more normal.  Of course, some of my scenarios begged to differ.  Based on his actions thus far, he was boisterous in his strength.  The sudden urge to pounce him was restrained.  If he teased my friends too much, I’d help, but James wanted them to see the fey, and I wouldn’t deny a guest that joy.

[princessjaqulinechess1031]

Family Reunion

Characters: Varian, Juliet (OC), Hector

Description: Varian Wry is not pleased when one snarky vegetarian (his wife) meets the other snark vegetarian (his uncle) in his life.

Notes: Is this in anyway possible in canon, for Hector and Varian to have this relationship? Probably not. Enjoy anyway. Also, Varian and Juliet would both be 24/15-ish at this point. This photo below also has like nothing to do with the story but I really like The Look it has.

Varian Wry hadn’t seen one Hector del Bosque in thirteen years, yet, somehow Varian wasn’t surprised when he came home to see Hector sitting at his kitchen table, sipping tea. Hector had seemingly decided to forego the aging process, as he looked exactly the same as he did when Varian was twelve; scrawny with thick dark hair and crazed yellow-green eyes.

If Varian hadn’t of known who Vector was, he would have been frightened by his sudden appearance in his kitchen. But Varian did know Hector. And while Varian knew Hector was formidable in battle, Varian has also seen Hector cry over a bunny because it was too cute.

“You’re lucky Juliet didn’t get here first,” Varian said, not bothering with a greeting. He also didn’t bother to mention who Juliet was, despite the two never meeting. Hector has his ways of knowing things.

Hector took a sip of his tea and shifted in his wooden chair.

“I am still miffed I did not receive a wedding invitation,” Hector said conversely, as if they were in the middle of their last conversation and thirteen years had not passed. “After all I have done for you.”

Varian ignored that the amount of things Hector had done for him amounted to zero and took a seat across from him.

“It’s hard to send an invitation to ‘My Kinda-Sorta-Uncle That Lives With Two Bearcats and A Rhino In A Haunted Tree’. Not sure how to address it.”

Hector narrowed his eyes. “Quirin would have found a way.”

“Well, I’m Varian, and it was my wedding, so I could invite whoever I damn well please.”

Hector snickered but did not smile because he did not smile.

“Where’s your lovely bride anyway?” Hector asked. “I can’t wait to meet the girl who managed to make you look up for five seconds.”

Varian sighed. “She said something about helping a cow give birth this morning before running out. That was about....say, five or six hours ago. She’ll be back shortly.” Varian leaned forward, scrunching his brow together. He wasn’t sure if he should ask if Hector wanted something, because it was completely in character for Hector to show up randomly but also with a motive.

“Relax your worried face,” Hector said. “You’ll get wrinkles. End up looking like your aunt Adira.” Varian just rubbed at his temple. This was going to be a long visit, he could tell. “I’m just stopping by. I was in the area, thought I’d stop and see you’re new Mrs. Wry.”

New? Him and Juliet were twenty-five, they’ve been married for three years. The marriage wasn’t old, but it wasn’t new either.

Hector flicked one of his own braids and stood, leaving his teacup behind on the table.

“Where’s the Mini Ones of You?”

Varian felt a deep part of him groan.

“You mean children, Uncle Hector?” Varian said. “Me and Juliet don’t have any yet.”

Hector hummed thoughtfully and then turned back around to Varian.

“Is it true she’s some kind of an animal whisperer?” Hector said. Varian nodded slowly. Juliet’s abilities were no secret and Hector had been quite a spymaster back in the days before Varian lived. Hector would know even if they hid it.

“And before you ask, no, we don’t know how she does it.”

If this affected Hector, he didn’t show it.

“Interesting,” Hector said, “I can’t wait to meet her.” If Varian didn’t know better, he would say Hector looked almost excited.

Varian heard the front door slam open and shut, and Varian quickly stood.

“Well, here’s your chance.”

“Varian?” she called out.

“In the kitchen!”

“Okay!” He heard her feet start to shuffle towards the kitchen as she kept yelling. “Sorry it took so long! Manny was grateful for all the help and tried to get me to take some meat from a pig he just killed, and I know you like ham, but taking meat after delivering a cow just seemed wrong. So I picked some apples, I thought we could make pie instead, since I know you like that.”

Hector turned to Varian, raising a brow.

“Pie?” Hector asked. Varian sighed.

“She really likes pie,” he said. Ever since she discovered it at eighteen, she had been crazy about it. And she was pretty good at making it, actually. Her apple pie, especially, was great. Varian was always excited when she said she was going to make one, and the news she planned to actually made the day seem a little brighter.

“Then you won’t believe who I ran into!” Juliet said, pulling into the kitchen with a basket full of shiny green apples. “Cosette’s grandbunnies! They’re so cute, they look just like her—“

Juliet stopped suddenly, eyes finding Hector. Her eyes were wide, mouth open in surprise and confusion, feelings she didn’t bother to hide. Not that he could blame her. Hector was quite a character.

The closest thing that Hector could make to a smile crossed his face.

“You must be Juliet, Varian’s wife,” Hector said. “I’m Hector, his uncle. I’m sure Varian must have told you about me.”

Juliet twirled to face Varian head on.

“Uncle?” Juliet said. “But I thought you said your dad was an only child.”

Varian bit his lip. “Long story.”

Hector’s brow raised subtly and he crossed his arms.

“You didn’t tell her about me?” Hector asked. “Some kind of nephew you are.”

Varian could feel a headache building, and he wished he didn’t keep the medicine in the basement lab. Then he could take some and not be tempted to disappear and leave Juliet alone with Hector. It had only been five minutes, and he was already so tempted to do so.

“It just never came up,” Varian said. “We’ve got lives of our own.”

“Apparently so,” Hector said thoughtfully. He picked up there salt-shaker, like he was inspecting it and then put it back down with a simple nod. Varian didn’t ask.

“Adira sends a message,” Hector said. Varian gave a small smile. He rather liked Adira, at least she acted more reasonable than the man before him. “She says to please give Quirin grandkids so he’ll stop talking about wanting them in his letters.”

Varian felt his insides die and his cheeks burn red. Of course that would be what Adira sends to say. He took back what he thought about liking her. Juliet just smiled and put down her basket on the counter.

“Tell Adira is that it’s not for a lack of trying Quirin doesn’t have them yet.” If Varian could die twice, he did it, because Juliet really just said that. Of all things.

“Jules!”

“What?” Juliet asked. “We’re trying to have a baby. There’s nothing shameful about it. In the animal kingdom, it’s pretty much a known and accepted truth amongst mates that the two are trying for mates.”

Hector nodded. “She’s right.”

Juliet smiled brightly. “I like him.”

And then Varian died a third time.

Because of course Juliet liked Hector. Of course she did.

“Hector do you like pie?” Juliet asked. Hector shook his head.

“No. It’s disgusting,” Hector said. Juliet’s smile didn’t waver.

“Too bad,” Juliet said. “Because if you stay for dinner, I’m making pie for dessert so eat it or weep.”

Hector smiled — not smirked or snickered — he smiled.

“I like her.”

^^^

“Out of Hector and Adira, you had to like Hector?” Varian asked, cutting carrots at the kitchen table. Juliet smiled sweetly at him from where she was mixing the stew in a pot.

“‘Rian, last time I saw Adira was when we were fifteen, and she threatened me with a sword,” Juliet said.

“Yeah, she does that,” Varian said. Threats were how Adira showed affection Varian sometimes thought.

“Naturally I’m going to like the one who doesn’t do that more.”

Varian finished with the carrots and brought them over to Juliet.

“But he’s just so...weird,” Varian said. Juliet chuckled softly and threw the carrots in the soup.

“Honey, isn’t that pot calling the kettle black?” Juliet said. Varian titled his head in confusion.

“Since when have you started using common phrases?” Varian asked. Juliet rolled her eyes and kept stirring.

“Since I realized the potential it has for sarcasm,” Juliet said. She motioned towards the table, where an onion sat, ready to be peeled for the soup. “Now, can you please peel the onion? It’s the last thing we need for the soup.”

“Why are we making soup anyway?” Varian asked. “Neither of us particularly like it.”

“Because we have guests,” Juliet said. “We have to make sure they’re well-fed.” Oh, right. In addition to Hector, Juliet had suggested inviting Quirin over for some kind of makeshift family reunion. Which meant soup, because it was the only thing besides pie and sandwiches that either knew how to make worth anything.

“Besides, I’ve been craving some carrot soup,” Juliet said. Varian picked up the onion but turned back to her.

“You hate carrot soup,” Varian said. “We only make it for guests. Why would you be craving that?” Juliet seemed surprised too at the revelation but then but her lip nervously. She twirled the spoon around and didn’t answer. Varian decided to let her suspicious behavior go.

“Where’s Ruddiger?” Varian asked instead. Juliet shrugged.

“Disappeared into the forest after we picked apples,” Juliet said. “Said something about telling the others the apples were in season.”

Onion now peeled, he brought it too her.

“Ruddiger?” Varian said. “Focus on apples, who would have guessed?”

Juliet clicked her tongue in annoyance and took the onion from him.

“I hope your uncle doesn’t mind vegetarian food, love,” Juliet said. Varian smiled and hugged her shoulders from behind.

“No, he too has embraced your joyless way of life,” Varian said. Juliet turned back to give him an seething look and Varian chuckled, kissing her cheek once. “I’m kidding Jules, you know I don’t care about you being a vegetarian. But Hector is one too, for real. He won’t care.”

Juliet hummed to herself and hugged one arm around her stomach. Juliet seemed like she was going to say something else when Hector appeared in the doorway of the kitchen again, Dad by his side.

Dad smiled at them, wearily but kind all the same. Time hadn’t been the kindest to Dad — his hair was more gray than brown, and his wrinkles were beginning to be too numerous to ignore. And next to the seemingly ageless Hector, it was easier to see. Yet, somehow, it hadn’t diminished the respect he could receive just by his arrival. Dad carried himself strong and sturdy, just like always, like a grand, old lion. Time hadn’t been kind, but Dad seemed ready to fight it’s unjust affects.

“Hello son, Juliet,” Dad said. Varian grinned and let go of his wife, walking to greet them.

“I see you’ve caught up with Uncle Hector,” Varian said. Hector beamed wickedly and walked over to the chair he had occupied earlier.

“Yes, Hector, you can take a seat,” Juliet said, crossing her arms. Hector seemed one step removed form surprised, and raised a brow. “Varian, can you please help Hector set the table while I finish the soup?”

Varian helped pull Hector from his chair and led him to where they kept bowls. Hector seemed more than a little confused.

“Why doesn’t Quirin have to help?” Hector asked like a five year old.

“Because he’s my father,” Varian said simply.

“And he didn’t just take a seat, Mister Rude,” Juliet said. Dad laughed and moved deeper into the kitchen.

“I can help set the table, it’s not a problem,” Dad said. Varian dug through a cabinet for spoons as Hector set out the bowls with a scowl.

“Quirin,” Juliet said, “you’re fine. Just take a seat. Consider it a reward for not barging into our house when we’re not here.”

“Oh, Varian told you about that,” Hector said dully. Varian put down the spoons and turned to Hector with a raised brow.

“Did you think I wouldn’t tell her?” Varian asked.

“If you were a good nephew, no, you wouldn’t have told her.”