#we ALL know that the amis are in the june rebellion

[skyhook-parchment]

Listen. LISTEN. I did my research. I did a year long study on Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. I know his secrets. I know the depths of his book. And in my opinion. Its about the french. It's about revolution in some small part. It's easier than calling it, more accurately, Victor Hugo's very long book thats occasionally about somebody or something but is more about French artchitecture and structural disenfranchisement.

Tumblr making up a fake movie this, tumblr making up a fake movie that. As if Ao3 authors haven't spent years collectively coming to consenses on fake characters, backstories, plot points, etc. You think Les Mis has 24k fics about the real and accurate characters of Victor Hugo's french revolution book? You think Voltron is a good enough show to have 83k of fics that people would ever want to read?

Goncharov just cuts out the middleman of what fic writers have been doing for years: making up their own random bullshit and then mutually deciding whats canon based on vibes.

[syrupsyche]

This is one of my favourite chapters so far. I especially love this part:

“So be it. Let us raise the barricade to a height of twenty feet, and let us all remain in it. Citizens, let us offer the protests of corpses. Let us show that, if the people abandon the republicans, the republicans do not abandon the people.” [...] No one ever has known the name of the man who spoke thus; he was some unknown blouse-wearer, a stranger, a man forgotten, a passing hero, that great anonymous, always mingled in human crises and in social geneses who, at a given moment, utters in a supreme fashion the decisive word, and who vanishes into the shadows after having represented for a minute, in a lightning flash, the people and God.

Our heroes and martyrs at the barricades have so far been our named characters: Enjolras, Marius, Prouvaire, all of the Amis. Though they are supposed to represent the unrepresented people who have given their lives to the June Rebellion (and to all other uprisings), it is easy to forget that and simply view them as their own characters.

This chapter, however, puts into context just how many people's stories and identities we do not know. This man, who was able to stir the passion of dying men, is forgotten in history- even in the history of a fictional barricade- but his words were able to have an impact in this moment of time. Can you imagine just how many last words we do not know, how many courageous souls like this mysterious man that we have lost, due to the tides of time and history?

Hugo also has this unnamed man be the one to inspire the barricade- not Enjolras, not Combeferre, at least not yet- because he wants to remind us just how many common men have had the ability to stand for what's right and incite bravery amongst their fellow citizens. In turn, readers can understand that they themselves can also be the singular person who can turn the tide. We need not be an Enjolras with awe-inspiring speeches or a Marius wielding two guns and a barrel of gunpowder. Though we may simply be a man amidst a crowd of hundreds to come, as long as we continue to fight, we too can represent “for a minute, in a lightning flash, the people and God.”

[hayffiebird]

Taste of Strawberries, chap. 48

Hayffie Post-Mockingjay Multi-chapter, Rated M

SUMMARY: Four years have passed since the end of the war when Effie returns in to Haymitch’s life once again. An old friendship is renewed. Will it lead to something more?

Meanwhile Panem has entered a new era. The rebellion’s over, the borders are open but in the shadows, anger and mistrust are smoldering. Something that will affect Haymitch and Effie’s life in a way they never saw coming.

Chapter 48, Kettles and fruitcake

The playful September breeze lifted the yellow leaves off the street. Made them whirl. Dance, across from Effie’s window.

One of them, dry and withered, landed in the middle of the pond.

“Haymitch’s pond” as she’d come to call it, ever since that fateful night when he made his wish. His two wishes.

The leaf made rings on the surface. A ship fit for a beetle. Or maybe a family of fleas, sailing for the promised land.

The mid-morning sun filled every corner of the living room. Basking in its light, Effie set a plate of finger sandwiches on the coffee table. Found herself humming along with the radio.

It was a relatively new station. A group of ladies and gems who played music, mainly nursery rhymes, certain hours of the day.

They weren’t the first in that field, but they were the first to play more than just Capitol songs, approved by President Snow.

It’d been quite the project. A two years-long enterprise – supervised by someone other than Plutarch for a change – where they’d set out to collect folksongs and melodies from all around the nation.

Out in the districts of course, but also by digging in Capitol archives and through the mouths of the aging generation who still remembered the songs of old.

They had broadcasted throughout Panem for a couple of months now. For anyone who owned a radio and a curious mind.

Could’ve turned out tacky, only it didn’t. Caused something of a controversy, sure. A few Capitol stuck ups who wanted the show shut down, both before and after it first aired.

But those negative voices were soon drowned out, as the station grew increasingly popular. Here of course, and in District 4 and – out of all places – District 13.

No surprise there really. Not to Effie. Finnick’s district had always been a home for singing. And the latter: just starved for entertainment and fun after all those years in isolation.

If I replace Haymitch’s demolished radio,she thought, he might enjoy listening as well. Anything is possible. He’s such a music lover at heart. Could easily find these melodies on the piano. Play the twins something live.

Hands on her hips, Effie eyed the table critically – set with her finest bone china.

Plump, elegant coffee cups. Matching plates with gilded rims. All decorated with the same hand-painted flowers as the pot out in the kitchen, waiting to be filled.

“My family heirloom”, she could’ve told Haymitch. A wedding gift that once belonged to her grandparents.

Over the course of the years, the pretty coffee set had survived two rebellions, four toddlers (back to back) and one drunken Abernathy.

“What do you think?” Effie asked. “Will this do?”

Harnessed up, safely secured in their doorways, Amy and Ian bounced in response. Like the world’s tiniest skydivers. Dressed for play. Their toes just touching the floor.

Jolly jumpers, Annabel called them. It was a birthday gift from her and June.

What better way to dance with the beat, while you were still figuring out the art of standing?

“We should’ve gotten some fresh flowers”, Effie thought out loud. “Pity.”

She hummed along with the music. Adjusted one of the spoons. The linen napkins.

“Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true”, she sang. “Here is the place where I love you.” She kissed Amy. “And you”, she smiled and kissed Ian. “Yes”, she nodded to herself. “I am not in the least tone deaf. Your father doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”

The boy grasped for the flowing skirt of her dress. A creation layered with autumn leaves in shades of orange, yellow and red. Not real ones but real enough. She hardly ever indulged in such fancy fashion anymore – fancy and toddlers didn’t go well in hand – but sometimes she just couldn’t help herself.

Low rumbles of a car engine broke her thoughts. Effie looked up. Just in time to see the cab roll up to her curb. The sky turned the side windows into mirrors and no sooner had the driver slowed to a stop before the doors opened.

One, two three.

The sight, their tell-tale chatter, high heels against gravel, curved Effie’s lips.

Moments later, the front door gave a merry tinkle.

“Who can that be?” Effie smiled the twins’s way.

“We’re here!” Venia thrilled, out in the hallway – seconds before they all burst into the living room. A carnival of big smiles and colors.

Orange, green and aqua taking the lead.

“Look who it is!” Flavius spread his arms out, like a circus director. “Your favorite uncle!”

The twins bounced like mad in their jolly jumpers. Like popcorn in a saucepan. Kicking their arms and legs, they both let out ecstatic little squeak-breaths at the sight of the three.

“Aaw! You’ve missed us terribly, haven’t you? Sweet darlings!” Venia bounded straight for Amy. The sunlight glinted off her gold tattoos when she smiled. “Hi, precious! Are you training for your bungee jump certificate, today?”

“How was breakfast?” Flavius smiled, over by the boy’s side. “What did you eat, young master Ian? Anything good?”

“Oh, look at you! You match the flowers, dear!” Octavia kissed Effie on the cheeks, holding a bouquet of bountiful blooms. “This is for you”, she beamed. “It was Venia’s idea. To take the route through Heaven’s Square. Flavius loves tiger lilies you see, and I simply adore sunflowers. We couldn’t decide on one, so we got you both!”

“Why, thank you.” Effie gave the bouquet a tentative sniff. “They’re gorgeous.”

Octavia nodded eagerly.

“We are such thoughtful friends, aren’t we?” she said, half overcome with emotion. “Oh, what would you do without us?”

Effie smiled. She gestured toward the coffee table.

“Please, help yourself while I get some water for these.”

“I’m glad we didn’t miss the concert”, Flavius beamed. He’d taken a seat on the rug, across from the boy while Ian bounced, bounced, bounced with the music. More or less in-sync. “Oh”, the man giggled next, pointing a well-manicured finger in the air. “I remember this one! An all-time favorite! We played it by my crib day and night!”

He cleared his throat behind a fist, opened his mouth and sang – in a fair and surprisingly beautiful voice:

“The people on the bus go up and down. Up and down. Up and down. The people on the bus go up and down. Throough the Capitoool!”

It was hilarious how fast the prep team had warmed up to the twins.

During that surprise first visit post-elevator, Octavia brought lidded mugs of hot chocolate and her two friends along.

And, kid you not, it took less than an hour. Not only did they melt like popsicles in August. They seemed to have forgotten they ever even had a negative opinion to begin with. Not about “borderless lovers” and certainly not “half breeds”.

The twins won them over in no time at all.

Cinna would have been proud. Katniss and Peeta too.

Since then, the three Capitolians checked in every other day or so. Brought food and iced tea, laughter and stories from town.

A welcome distraction. Their presence, their bright and sunny positivity couldn’t help but rub off. Lift her spirit for the first time in … she didn’t even know when.

Everything just fell into place. No need to sit down and talk things through. And frankly: it was a relief.

To just leave the past in the past. Look ahead.

“Are those Peeta’s work?” gasped Octavia, brown eyes on the table. The three-tier cookie stand. “I recognize the frosting!”

“It is.” Effie set the vase of flowers in the center of the cloth. “He mailed a crate full, the day before yesterday. Have one.”

Octavia smiled and plucked a sugar cookie, frosted with a bright green four-leaf clover. She had herself a small bite. Groaned.

“It’s divine! Venia, you have to try this!”

“How is our precious painter?” the older woman asked, once nibbling on a cookie of her own. “And Katniss too, the sweet dear. Is she still designing women’s fashion? We’ve been dying to visit, but life’s been so hectic. Something always comes up. Like just the other day!”

“Yes”, Octavia said. Voice low, almost conspiratory. “We finally told her. Not, not Katniss of course. Gloria. We put a foot down and kept it down. Didn’t we, Flavius?”

“Oh yes”, the man said, still on the floor, nodding his orange corkscrew curls.

“We explained how much we love you and Amy and Ian”, Venia said. “And Haymitch too of course. In his … best moments. We simply laid down the law and told her if she didn’t have anything nice to say, she shouldn't speak at all. Or else, she cannot get her nails done at our salon.”

“She was livid”, Octavia whispered. “She pushed over a mannequin. And then she said … tell her what she said!”

Venia mimicked her voice:

“‘I don’t need you, do I? Go to hell, for all I care! You’re crap at your job anyway!’”

”Ha!” Flavius laughed, as if the very thought was too ridiculous to ever be taken to heart. “Honestly, I feel sorry for her. Don’t you? I mean, think about it! Her nails will look absolutely dreadful from now on.”

“Why don’t we all take a seat?” Effie gestured toward the table. “The coffee will be ready any minute now.”

“Oh, that reminds me.” Flavius got to his feet, a real spring in his step. “You know, Effie, we were thinking. Since there is something of a breath of fall in the air today. How about, we celebrate? By brewing ourselves a pot of nice, hot tea.”

Effie’s heart sank.

And not just to her stomach. Down down down it went. All the way down to the very soles of her feet.

It must have shown, for Octavia quickly reassured her:

“Not that we don’t appreciate your coffee making skills. We simply adore it!”

“Absolutely”, said Venia. “Especially your con panna. It’s to die for!”

“I don’t really drink tea anymore”, said Effie, heat rising to her cheeks by their curious gazes. “It’s just not for me.”

“But why?” asked Octavia. “You had it during the Games. Plenty of times.”

“It’s complicated”, Effie said, hoping they’d leave it at that. “I had a bad experience with tea a while back. Lost my taste for it.”

“Oh!” said Flavius, hand against his heart. “I know exactly what you mean, love! I once indulged myself at a Pick & Cheese. A fine restaurant, they said. Trustworthy. What a joke!” He drew a heavy sigh, eyes on the ceiling. “I wound up”, he said, “with the worst food poisoning of my entire life! Shooting out both ends, if you know what I mean? God, I thought I was DYING! For years to come I couldn’t even look at a slice of gouda without feeling queasy.”

He patted Effie’s shoulder. Hand heavy with sympathy.

“You just have to tell yourself the same thing I did last year, that one time I fell off a carousel horse. ‘Flavius’, I said. ‘Now is the time for courage. Don’t let fear creep into your heart. If you do, you won’t ever try anything daring ever again. Dust yourself off and get right back in the saddle. Don’t worry. It will all be OK in the end.’”

“It’s not quite that simple”, Effie said. “Besides, I don’t even have any tea.”

“That’s alright!” Octavia beamed. She darted for her bag, bringing with her a fancy box of organic, flavored green tea. “We bought it downtown”, she said. “Just to be safe. Some people’s teas are simply awful! Even the best of people. But this, this is what Cinna and Portia always drank. Remember? Very tasty and it boosts the immune system.”

“Let’s get the kettle on!” sing-songed Flavius and Venia in chorus and before Effie knew it, the three of them bounded into the kitchen.

Ten minutes later they all returned. Carrying her plump china pot, heavy with something other than coffee for the first time in ages.

“Now don’t you worry, love”, Flavius interjected her weak protests. “We will cure this unfortunate mental block of yours in a heartbeat!”

They ushered her toward the couch. Planted her on the middle seat with Flavius and Venia on her left. Octavia on the right.

“Don’t be scared”, the latter smiled. “We are here for you.”

“No need for thanks either.” Venia patted her hand. “Just relax and let us provide with some much-needed tea therapy.”

“You know, this is something we could have charged you for”, said Flavius lightly, armed with the tea pot. “But of course - since it’s you – it’s on the house.” A steady stream, the color of fall itself, poured into her cup when he tilted the pot.

“How about a nip of milk?” Venia lifted the cream pitcher. “For extra flavor.”

“And one of sweet Peeta’s sweet creations to nibble on in between”, said Octavia and placed a pink-frosted cookie on her plate. She lifted the cup off the table. “There you go”, she said sweetly. “Nice and hot.”

Effie had no choice but to accept.

Holding it by the ear, she stirred with the silver spoon. Buying herself more time. The scent swirled into her nostrils. This tea – Cinna and Portia’s tea – smelled nothing like her last time, but the lump still grew in her throat.

Her eyes flitted to the twins, bouncing in their jolly jumpers. As if making sure they hadn’t disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Octavia saw her look.

“Yes, there’s Amy and there’s Ian.” Despite the aching in Effie’s chest, the softness of the woman’s voice coaxed a smile out of her. Octavia gave the children a flickering wave of her fingers. “Hello little dears! Look at your mama. So brave.”

Effie focused back on the tea. Drew a deep breath. Let the air out slowly. She lifted the cup to her mouth. Misty heat warmed her upper lip as she took the tiniest of sips.

As the beverage touched her tongue, flavor spreading across her taste buds, Mrs Q – relentless, tight-lipped, eyes hard as the gemstones in her hollow cheeks – flashed before her mind.

“You should never have let him into your bed.”

A choked sound came over Effie’s lips and, unable to stop them, tears welled up in her eyes.

“Oh, honey!” Venia gasped.

“Don’t cry!” said Octavia and in an instant, they hugged her from all sides. Three sets of arms, cocooning her in their embrace.

“It’s OK.” Flavius gingerly removed the cup from her hands. Set it on the table. “It’s only tea. Just tea. It won’t hurt you.” Patting her hair ever so softly, he said: “Don’t you worry, darling. We’ll bring you a different flavor every single visit and the more you drink it, the easier it’ll become.”

“Absolutely”, Venia said.

“We will help you. We promise”, said Octavia, cheek against her cheek. “That’s what friends do. How about, we braid your hair now? Would you like that, sweetie? Let’s braid your hair.”

“Mama.”

The sudden sound turned every head. Effie’s. The prep’s. Four pair of eyes glued to the same spot.

Amy waved her little arms about.

“Mama!” she repeated. Firmer now.

“Oh my God”, whispered Octavia.

“Did she just …?” Venia stared, arms still around Effie.

“Was that her first word?” Flavius asked under his breath.

“Yes”, Effie said, just as stunned. “I mean, they’ve strung together different vowels and consonants. Tried them out, for some time now, but … this is the first real word.”

“Oh, my God!!”

The prep team jumped from the couch, as one. Octavia heading for Amy. Venia and Flavius for Ian.

“That was so beautiful!” Octavia had already broken into sobs. “Can I hold her? Oh, please, can I?”

“Go ahead”, said Effie.

Ever so gently, the girl lifted Amy out of her sling. Tears rolled down her emerald-green cheeks as she cradles her close.

“Oh, precious, I’m so proud of you”, she sobbed, rocking her. “Goodness, that’s the most amazing thing I’ve seen since Venia’s last birthday!”

“Can you say ‘Flavius’, young master Ian? ‘Flaavius’!”

“Come, angel.” Venia smiled and lifted the boy out. Propped him against one hip, so naturally you’d think she’d done nothing else all her life. “Let’s get you to mama.”

The two women resumed their seats around Effie. And Amy, she immediately climbed onto her mother’s lap, like: “enough’s enough”.

Octavia just couldn’t stop smiling. Caressing the girl’s silky hair with the back of her fingers she said,

“We must take them to the Aquarium soon. Celebrate! Jellyfish are such magical creatures. Do you think the twins will find them magical?”

Riing!

Effie nearly jumped at the unexpected sound.

“Oh, allow me”, said Flavius, the only one still on his feet. And before Effie could stop him, he snatched the cordless telephone.

“Hello!” he thrilled. “Trinket residence!”

“Oh, um”, Effie said. You’d think she sat on an ant hill, by the way she moved. “Please Venia, can you scooch over?”

“Haymitch Abernathy! As I live and breathe!” Flavius exclaimed. “My, my, do I have news!”

“Flavius, hold on.” Effie struggled past Venia, and Ian sitting on her lap. All whilst Amy kept a firm hold on her mama’s body, dress, hair. “Please, the call’s for me. I’ll take that …”

“Your daughter”, the man nearly bounced on his feet, deaf to her words, “just said her first word! She said ‘mama’! Loud and clear! Oh, it was so incredible! Extraordinary! I could’ve kicked myself I didn’t bring a camera!”

“Flavius, let me talk to him.”

“Well, old man”, Flavius went on, “it was so good hearing from you again but as you probably guessed, we’re a little bit busy at the moment. Octavia and Venia and Effie and I – and the little ones of course! – are just about to have ourselves a green tea o’clock. Don’t mind if we call you back? OK, then. Take care. Bye!”

And before Effie could stop him, he ended the call.

xXx

*ring ring*

…

Hello? Haymitch? Are you there?

My stars. Good ol’ Effs Trinket. To what do I owe the pleasure?

I’m sorry. I wanted to get back to you sooner. But we had something of a full house before and then I needed to get the twins down for their nap. Took longer than expected.

You didn’t have to call at all.

No, of course I do! I wanted to. I’m so glad you rang us up. Flavius just beat me to it. Sorry about that. He gets a little over-excited sometimes. You know how he is.

*scoffs*

So … how is everything in District 12? Are you still living at Sae’s?

What’s it to you?

Um, nothing … I guess. It was just a question.

Well, use your imagination. How do you think it’s been?

Fair enough.

Sorry I missed the party. From what I hear, it was quite the talk of the town.

Oh, no. Not a party. Far from it. And we only had tea.

Yeah, well. Must be marvelous to have such all-weather friends. You’re one lucky girl, aren’t you?

… what?

I mean, who am I to judge? If you wanna hang out with the people who threw you under the bus a minute ago, that’s on you. I mean, fuck, knock yourself out. But as the father, one would think I deserve to at least be consulted about what kind of people you expose our children to.

Expose?

You heard me. I may be a drunk but I’m not that drunk. Did you honestly think I’d let you get away with it? That I’d sit here quietly? I know all about your fucked up city’s fucked up ideas! Plastic surgery. Neurotoxins. Puking your guts on purpose! And now those … those … “friends” of yours are gonna pollute my children’s young minds with all that Capitol horseshit? Over my dead body!

They don’t! Not at all! What kind of a mother do you think I am?

Well, you welcomed them back with open arms, didn’t you? I bet they never even apologized for the way they treated you. They ganged up with Gloria for fuck’s sake! Remember? I certainly do. I mean, hell Effs! Where’s your self-respect?

It’s different now.

How? What changed? How do you know it isn’t just some ploy to get an inside scoop? Gossip material for later. Extra, extra, hear all about it!

Stop it! They wouldn’t! They’d never! They’ve been nothing but good to me …

For a precious few weeks …

… and the twins! I chose to forgive. To let bygones be bygones and trust my own heart in this matter. And that should be enough for you too! If you ever knew me at all …

*snorts* Well, don’t come weeping on my doorstep when they discard you. And trust me, sweetheart. They will.

Oh, don’t you worry! And don’t call me sweetheart! I can take care of myself, thank you very much! *inhales a shaky breath* You’re mad about earlier. And I get that but … you don’t have to be mean. I know the prep team far better than you do and you … you wouldn’t even be saying those things, had you seen them today. They adore the twins.

Yeah, they love ‘em. Same way Octavia loves her pet rats. Amy and Ian are little more than dolls to them. The moment something else piques their interest, they’ll toss them aside without a second thought.

Who are you?! You sound just like Gloria!

I d…

Yes, you do! You’re being vicious and prejudiced when you don’t even have a clue! Nothing improper goes on under my roof and I cannot believe you think I’d even allow it! The only thing the prep team’s done is bring happiness back into this house. They make me laugh. Make me feel … hopeful. They even promised to help with my tea anxiety.

Your … what?

I … I mean. They make things better, OK. Easier. Whenever I need help with the children or just need a few minutes for myself to breathe or take a shower, they’re always there. They help me, Haymitch!

Yah, unlike me.

I didn’t say …

Cause last time I checked, princess, you already have a support system. Right here! You didn’t have to break the family up.

I didn’t!

You fucking did, Effs! I didn’t up and leave! Not once! Not even when you dropped your twin pregnancy on me like a fucking nuclear bomb. I always remained loyal to you. To our family. No matter what! You’re the one who saw fit to pack your bags. Who decided to put a whole fucking country between us!

Because you left me no choice! What else could I do?

Like … not leave! Get a place nearby.

Right. And when you come stumbling through the door at night, wasted out of your mind, what then?

Fuck you! I offered to go! Offered my whole goddamn house on a silver platter! I would’ve been fine stayin’ at your fancy-ass place. If it meant that you and the …

No, you wouldn’t! You wouldn’t be fine at all! I wanted to come home! More than anything! But you in the Capitol? Alone with your ghosts and no one checking up on you. You’d drink yourself to death for sure!

I don’t need a fucking babysitter!

Since when?! I can’t be in charge of everything, Haymitch! The twins already claim me day and night. I can’t be in charge of everything all the time! It’s too much!

Well, if things are so taxing for you, then come the fuck home! Your village isn’t the prep team, you hear! It’s Sae. It’s Hazelle. Katniss. Peeta. Fine, I’m just some big and scary monster, so to hell with me, right? But those people, they love you! They care for you deeply and every single one of them is a far better influence than your trio of …

Don’t you dare say it!

Well, they’re nutty as a fruitcake, on that we can all agree!

Better nutty than callous! Callous and unkind! At least they are here! Part of their lives. There’s nothing wrong with that! All they do is read stories to them, sing a song every once in a while, put on puppet shows …

Yeah? ‘bout what? The history of the Hunger Games?

Go to hell, Haymitch! I haven’t heard from you in a month. More than a month! Don’t you think I wanted to tell you about the prep team? Or anything concerning the twins, for that matter? But how can I, when you never pick up the phone? When you refuse to return my calls. It’s been weeks and weeks of worrying and caring for the children without you and now, here you are, after all this time, intoxicated …

Oh, that is so you! Effie Trinket in a nutshell! Yeah, maybe I did have a snifter or two, just to take the edge off things. Of course you’ll hold it over my head forever! Never mind I missed my daughter’s first word. Never mind you took my own flesh and blood away from me! Little Ms. Perfect Mama of the Year … Go, then. Go on! Have a ball with your nutty little friends. You already ruined everything else and if you’re too dense to realize they’re not good for you, then …

You ever stopped to think that maybe you’re the one who’s not good for me?!

So file for sole custody then! Be done with it!! *SLAM!*

*toot toot*

[sins-of-the-sea]

To be honest I never got Javert like he was so horny to arrest a dude that when the guy he wanted to arrest turned his life around it made him kill himself? And we were suppose to feel sorry for him??

"It's not made very clear in the musical unless you listen to his final lines in 'The Confrontation':

You know nothing of Javert I was born inside a jail I was born with scum like you I am from the gutter too

"In the novel, he is born to a fortune-teller and a thief, and likely had to deal with being surrounded by the scum of Paris' society growing up. He is otherwise described as a good man but incredibly morally inflexible and uncompromising, unable to understand that people can grow and change. He believes in the infallibility of the Law and God, and throughout the story, you see him trying to uphold this at all costs--to the point of insanity. So the fact that a simple thief in Valjean showed him that goodness can exist in criminals likely drove him to a point of self-reflection that he couldn't handle, thereby killing himself in the process.

"You need to remember, however, that Inspector Javert wasn't always after Valjean--even in the musical he is seen doing other pursuits of justice such as managing a conflict between Fantine and the rude customer, or spying against Les Amis de l'ABC during the June Rebellion. So as much as we often associate the story convention of the unforgiving and doggedly persistent law enforcer pursuing our hero with Inspector Javert, he is seen doing other things. I cannot blame the man for his loss of sanity for being proven wrong. I have seen people fall off the slippery slope for less. I am certain people of today live among them too."

[smchr-nina]

THE PORTRAYAL OF THE JUNE REBELLION WE SEE IN LES MISERÁBLES

So, while trying to be funny I made a few posts about barricade day aaand, okay, might have used the term "fictional" when I shouldn't because now apparently some people think I didn't know the revolution actually happened, and while some people just pointed it out I also had to read a very offensive comment calling me a "dumbass" (for a minute I even thought I was using Twitter and not tumblr but anyways)

To clarify it and also to bring actual facts to this day I'm using the knowledge I actually do have on this matter (guess what, I love history) to show a few facts about the revolution we see in the novel and the one that actually happened

In both, the novel/musical and the actual rebellion the catalyst for the rebels was General Jean Lamarque, he was a favorite among the people because of how he appreciated the lower classes' desires and and needs

Historians believe that without Victor Hugo and his romanticism the June Rebellion would probably not even be remembered (make it an underground revolution) since it was such a fast act and since it was primarily a Parisian revolution rather than something that stirred the whole country

Although the starvation that the poor people of Paris were going through is mentioned in the musical and in the original novel there are some facts that influenced the Rebellion that Vicky did not mention, the best example of it is the huge cholera outbreak that swept the country in the spring of 1832

In Victor Hugo's work only one day separates the death of Lamarque from his funeral, in real life there was a 5 day gap between these events

When it comes to the course of the revolution, Les Mis is actually accurate, the shots during Lamarque's funeral happened and then it all lead to the barricades and the infamous cannon fires

Although the people did not rise and the revolution failed, Les Mis kind of reduces our understanding of how big the rebellion actually was, this happens because the book focuses on a group of students (our dear amis) and even for literary purposes it is the right choice, but it gives the impression that like, maybe 40 ou 50 people were hurt or died, while in real life the rebellion had something close to 800 people who were killed or injured

Victor Hugo might not know, but he probably saved a historical event from becoming lost in the world's vast history (and gave us our favorite characters

Les mis is actually only partially accurate if we look at whole context of the revolution and the whole depths of it, but the reason why this isn't a real problem is because it is a novel written by a French romanticist, so naturally he focused on individual redemptions and more simplified ideas of social justice, also, since the book focuses on a specific group of people for plot purposes we can't properly understand how there were actually more people involved than it seems, and that there were more barricades around the city

Some of the characters were actually inspired by people who took part in the real revolution, for example, there was, allegedly, a man who stood in one of the barricades and yelled "Liberty or death" while waving a red flag, and that, as we know, inspired the creation of Enjolras

I think this is it for now, might add something later tho, I hope this clarifies that I actually do know about the real revolution, what I meant was that the literary romanticized revolution we see in Vicky's work is not 100% accurate since it's filled with fictional characters from the novel

When the best fandom reunites to celebrate a non-official holiday based on a revolution mentioned in a 200-year-old novel

[comixconnection]

Choose Your Three Free Comics!

At long, long last...Free Comic Book Day is here! Unlike the usual “first Saturday in May” celebration that has defined the even in normal years, due to issues with the ongoing pandemic the folks in charge have decided to move this year’s celebration back to August 14th. Want a sneak-peak at the books...?

The following titles will be available at Comix Connection on Aug 14th (while supplies last!). Everybody gets to pick three! Unlike previous years, we will NOT be accepting FOOD DONATIONS in exchange for additional comics. Instead we will be collecting monetary donations to give to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. For every DOLLAR donates, you may select an additional free comic book!

We know the line for the FCBD comics can get long (if you want to come in and shop first, you can skip the line and head straight inside!) so in an effort to both entertain you while you’re in that long line and to help it go a little faster by giving you a preview of the various titles so you can decide ahead of time what looks good, the Comix Connection Counter Monkeys have read and reviewed all of the available FCBD books! Take a peek!

CHOOSE YOUR FREE COMICS:

One hundred years before the Skywalker Saga began, the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy! In this prelude to the ongoing Star Wars: High Republic Adventures comic series, follow padawans Ram Jomaram, Lula Talisola, and Zeen Mrala as they try to save Lonisa City from the dreaded Nihil. Also read the beginning of Star Wars: High Republic Adventures #1! [All Ages]

“Two brand-new adventures from the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender! In Clearing the Air, Tenzin attempts to teach his rambunctious children a lesson Aang taught him about how to resolve conflicts. In Match Makers, Iroh runs into some trouble with a few friends...that just might lead him to something fun he’s been trying to hide from!” [All Ages]

Who Sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott? gives a sample of the upcoming graphic novel by the same name, a tale telling the true story of the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement,” Rosa Parks! This excerpt features the immediate aftermath of Rosa’s arrest, and her decision to start a legal battle that would change the course of American freedom! [All Ages]

“There's nothing better than a beautiful sunny day reading comics, so join us for a look at this summer's fantastic all-ages reads, courtesy of Oni Press! From the gentle, magical worlds of The Tea Dragon Tapestry (by K. O'Neill) and The Sprite and the Gardner (by Rii Abrego and Joe Whitt), the adventurous magical mystery of Mooncakes (by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu), and the action-packed Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters (Chris and Laura Samnee), there's something for everyone. Sneak a peek at these four fantastic fantasy graphic novels!” [All Ages]

Sonic is 30 years old! Celebrate the anniversary of the world’s fastest hedgehog with this peek into the ongoing Sonic comic series. Things get meta when Amy Rose starts drawing a comic about Sonic, Tails, and their friends...but what will Sonic think when he finds out he’s been turned into a comic book? Prepare for the big 30th Anniversary Sonic Celebration here! [All Ages]

It's the crisis of infinite Archies! Celebrate 80 years of the Riverdale Gang with this tale featuring a dimension-hopping Archie Andrews in his quest to save the multiverse. Then, witness Archie go toe-to-toe with... himself?! May the best Archie win! Plus, get a preview of the newest Archie One-Shot in shops! This title includes several versions of Archie (from classic to TV to horror) and showcases his evolution as a character over eight decades, all while being a tie-in to the company's 80th Anniversary plans. [All Ages]

“Despite the pandemic and the swirl of world events, back issue comics are booming! It's not all record prices (though there are many) or bargain basement deals, but rather it's many different categories! The team that brings you The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide shines the spotlight on this exciting part of the universe of comic books. Includes tips on how to collect, care for your comics, and preserve them, among other things.” [All Ages]

“Get a sneak peek at book four in the bestselling InvestiGators series! With agent Brash trapped in a mysterious coma, the technicians at S.U.I.T. have designed the ultimate replacement: RoboBrash! This high-tech replica has been programmed with all of the original Brash's crime-fighting skills and know-how--but it seems he's got a few bugs in his system! Will Mango and his new partner be enough to stop the giant ants that are on a rampage in the city? Orchestrated by the spaced-out villain, Maestronaut, and Houdino, the dinosaur escape artist, it seems criminals are certainly upping the ANT-e!” [All Ages]

“My name is Grace, not ‘Kyle's little sister’!” Having a good-looking, friendly, outgoing older brother sucks--especially when you're the total opposite: someone who likes staying home and playing video games. Your parents like him better (even if they deny it!) and everyone calls you "Kyle's little sister" while looking disappointed that you're not more like him. Grace was really hoping she'd get to go to a different middle school, but no such luck. At least she has her friends...until he finds a way to ruin that, too! What will Grace have to do to get out of his shadow?! [All Ages]

Jewish mythology has it that when God created the universe, He left one corner of it unfinished. Opinion is divided on why, but everyone agrees that the Unfinished Corner is a dangerous place full of monsters. Twelve-year-old Miriam is too busy preparing for her Bat Mitzvah to care about the Unfished Corner. She spends her days wrestling with whether she even wants to be Jewish--until a peculiar angel appears, whisking her, her two best friends, and her worst frenemy off to this monstrous land with one mission: finish the Unfinished Corner. [All Ages]

“The City of Gloomhaven isn't "safe" at the best of times, but lately, more folks than usual seem to be disappearing. In a city paralyzed by an unknown menace, only one adventuring crew will do: The Jaws of the Lion! Based on the hit games, Gloomhaven and Jaws of the Lion from Cephalofair Games, comes a fantasy adventure with humor and heart.” [All Ages]

The Last Kids on Earth and their friends each tell their own best story of the Monster Apocalypse, including Jack's high-stakes baseball game, Globlet's attempt to take over the world, Quint's bad-day-away invention, Dirk's bragain with a witch, and June and Skaelka's creepy carnival--plus a surprise story from some bad guys on the run... [All Ages]

Being the new kid is tough, even for a superhero/ward and heir to a billionaire, Damian Wayne (aka Robin)! Join Damian as he struggles to learn patience and understanding from the students at Gotham Metro Academy, including star student and all-around Great Guy, Howard! Plus, an adventure of Amethyst, princess of the mystical realm of Gemworld by bestselling authors Shannon Hale and Dean Hale! [All Ages]

To celebrate the new animated TV series premiering on Nickelodeon Fall 2021, Papercutz is releasing a new series of graphic novels entitled The Smurfs Tales. Preview it here with a number of silly short Smurfs Tales, with a back-up appearance by one of Peyo’s other beloved creations: Johan and Peewit, the young page and the court jester. [All Ages]

In Edge of Balance, a new High Republic story set in the wake of the Hyperspace Disaster, meet new Jedi and their enemies 100 years before the events of the Skywalker Saga! Young Jedi Knight Lily Tora-Asi is assigned to help displaced civilians relocate to Banchii in the Outer Rim. She and her padawans will face more threats there than just anxious settlers, from the insidious Drengir to the Nihil! And in Guardian of the Whills, encounter Baze and Chirrut before they join the Rebellion against the Empire in Rogue One! Presiding over the Kyber Temple on Jedha, the Guardians of the Whills had hoped to maintain the balance despite the growing presence of the Empire in their Holy City. Yet when a rebel named Saw Gerrera appears, Baze and Chirrut must decide if they're willing to compromise for peace, or if Saw's plan is too dangerous to risk. Read the first chapter of these two new Star Wars Manga Graphic Novels here! [Teen]

It wouldn’t be the Teen Titans without heightened teenage emotions and romance! Fan favorites Beast Boy and Raven are travelling away from the dwellings they know to find homes they can feel comfortable in. Along the way, their paths cross, sparks fly, and even a destiny or two might be found. [Teen]

“Street Fighter heads back to school, as the world's young fighters flex both their academic and martial arts prowess! Fan favorites Sakura, Ibuki, Karin, Makoto, and Elena come face-to-face with a new challenger - the leather-clad, motorcycle-riding Akira! It's a square-off of (rival) schools in this action-packed one-shot!” [Teen]

[NOT FINAL ART] “This Fall, jump on board here as VALIANT UPRISING overthrows the status quo with new titles, new creators, and new takes on Valiant's most iconic characters! The VALIANT UPRISING FCBD SPECIAL features: A brand new X-O MANOWAR story from Harvey Award-winning writer Dennis Hopeless and breakout star Emilio Laiso. It's the perfect jumping-on point as Valiant's flagship hero prepares to "Upgrade the World"! Then, get a special advance preview of THE HARBINGER #1, an all-new series from co-writers Jackson Lanzing and Colin Kelly join superstar artist Robbi Rodriguez that promises to take Valiant's psiot rebel in a vivid new direction! Plus, find out how the world's greatest spy responds to being unmasked, hunted, and trapped in a first look at NINJAK #1, the pulse-pounding thrill ride from Ringo Award-winning writer Jeff Parker and legendary artist Javier Pulido. Finally, get a sneak peek from writer Cullen Bunn and artist Jon Davis-Hunt of what's to come when SHADOWMAN returns!” [Teen]

Three epic new Marvel moments begin here! Read the beginning of the upcoming Spider-Man Beyond story that will be starting in Amazing Spider-Man #75! Big changes are coming to everyone’s friendly neighborhood Spider-Man...but are they for good, or ill? Also discover the new Venom series, which will take spider symbiosis to whole new levels in the wake of King In Black. And last, sneak a peek at the Luke Cage: City On Fire mini-series, which will pit Luke against not just the Kingpin, but Daredevil too! [Teen]

Gotham is under attack, and it’s by the people claiming to keep it safe! Billionaire Simon Saint has slowly been taking over the institutions of Gotham with his insidious private security Magistrate program. Meanwhile, Batman finds his mind infected by Scarecrow’s fear gas, forcing him to question every decision he makes. It is all leading to the DC-spanning event FEAR STATE that will rock Gotham to its core. Plus, read a preview of Oscar-winning screenwriter John Ridely’s I Am Batman series in which the sons of Lucius Fox struggle with the legacy of both their father and Bruce Wayne as they take up the cowl to defend Gotham. [Teen]

Who is Avenger Prime? And what has spurred the chronal collapse that has them sending their army of Deathloks out to save all of space and time? Discover the start of the end here! Then, journey into the unknown with the Incredible Hulk! Bruce Banner never wanted to smash, he wanted to discover. Now, it’s finally time for the Hulk to expand his horizons with Operation: Smashtronaut! [Teen]

In this story from Critical Role, explore a small but important corner from the adventures of the Mighty Nein. Then, in The Witcher, it's an original tale featuring the iconic witcher himself, Geralt! Created in close collaboration with CD Projekt Red! [Teen]

A fascinating graphic adaptation of historian Timothy Snyder’s book On Tyranny, a collections of essays and reflections on lessons from history and how they can help America steer away from the course of authoritarianism. Recommended for anyone looking to learn more about how tyrants all through history have manipulated people and systems to take away the freedoms of others. [Teen]

“Side A: "BLACK: Interlude" What else was going on the night Kareem Jenkins was shot by police and discovered only Black people have superpowers? Find out in this FCBD one-shot! Side B: "CALEXIT: Hollywood Babylon" Once California refused to be ruled by the US government, its resistance fighters became overnight celebrities. Zora used her infamy for recruiting, but Emmie-X has other ideas.” [Mature]

In 2019, James Tynion IV (Batman) and Werther Dell'Edera (Briggs Land) introduced the world to Erica Slaughter, the iconic monster hunter who came to Archer's Peak, Wisconsin to save the town's children from the monsters only she can see. But Erica is not the only member of the House of Slaughter... With nearly half a million copies sold, Something is Killing the Children has become a true comic phenomenon and this Free Comic Book Day you are invited to enter the House of Slaughter...if you dare. [Teen]

Crewed by teenage geniuses frozen in cryosleep, the JEMISON is on a mission to terraform other worlds and provide hope for the human race. But when the ship is mysteriously stopped over a planet that isn't on any of their maps, the crew finds themselves suddenly awoken ten years early. One half remains behind to try and assess the damage and the other is dispatched to the planet below to figure out the answer to a perilous question: What stopped the ship, and is it friend or foe? [Teen]

As the earth dies, salvation is offered to five thousand children who will be spirited away from our planet’s apocalypse -- but what of the other children, still hoping to find one of the bracelets that give them their ticket off planet? In this wistful one-shot from the sci-fi hit We Live, go into the Broken Lands with a group of friends...but there are four of them, and only one bracelet to be found. How will they decide who gets to leave? Then, preview the Rainbow Bridge graphic novel where Andy has to help his beloved dog Rocket save eternity! [Teen]

“The comic adventures of Max, Chloe, and Rachel from the award-winning video game Life Is Strange continue in this exclusive lead-in to an epic new story arc! This FCBD special features the first comic book appearance of an all-new character who will feature heavily in the Life is Strange universe in 2021! This FCBD issue contains exclusive original material!” [Teen]

“To reclaim the Dungeon that fell to the scheming William Delacour, the plan is simple: Marvin the dragon, Isis, and Herbert the duck must find some magic “fugus purit” and use it to dislodge the current occupants of the fortress. But is this really the Guardian's plan? Our heroes will have to fight against everyone to save the Dungeon. Meanwhile, will Marvin succeed in his engagement blast-of-firebreath 'Tong Deum'? Preview the new series here!” [Teen]

See the next chapter of the super-powered scifi epic The Resistance, and then meeet the “Moths”: a subset of the super-powered Reborn. The pandemic that granted the Reborn their gifts during The Great Death gave power to people like  Emily Kai and the rest of the Moths, too...but the moment they use their gifts, their clock starts ticking and they have six months to live. Also, get a sneak-peek at the just-released Not All Robots futuristic techno-depressive-thriller! [Teen]

The second semester of School for Extraterrestrial Girls is in session! Peer into the lives of Tara Smith (fire lizard!), Misako Sato (extra-dimensional fairy!), Summer Cortez (pink tentacle void beast!), and Ekaterina and Zvenislava (anthropomorphic Russian kittens!). They’re all normal teenage girls...except that they’re all aliens stuck on Earth, and since Tara partially destroyed their old school they’ve been sent to bunk at the School for Extraterrestrial Boys while it’s repaired...that’ll go fine, right? Read the first issue here! [Teen]

This official spinoff manga of Rent-A-Girlfriend, the rom-com turned hit anime, features fan-favorite Sumi, the shy girl longing to come out of her shell. Written and illustrated by original creator Reiji Miyajima! Catch up on the manga before the Rent-A-Girlfriend anime returns for a second season, coming soon! [Teen]

Zom 100 is a violent and funny take on the zombie apocalypse! Its main character, Akira, is so depressed in his soul-crushing job that he uses the undead hordes as motivation to finally complete his bucket list! Also included is a sample of the hit fantasy manga Demon Slayer. [Teen]

“Known as the the Weakest Hunter of All Mankind, E-rank hunter Jinwoo Sung's contribution to raids amounts to trying not to get killed. Unfortunately, between his mother's hospital bills, his sister's tuition, and his own lack of job prospects, he has no choice but to continue to put his life on the line. So when an opportunity arises for a bigger payout, he takes it...only to come face-to-face with a being whose power outranks anything he's ever seen! With the party leader missing an arm and the only healer a quivering mess, can Jinwoo somehow find them a way out?” [Teen]

In the small Pennsylvania town of White Ash, there isn’t much going on aside from mining...and keeping the fact that there are elves and dwarves living in the town secret, of course! In this pre-launch of Season Two of the ongoing series, a romantic rendezvous for the grieving dwarf Alex and mischievous elf Lillian doesn’t go as planned...with potentially disastrous consequences! Also read a preview of The Game, a new series where your every action affects impacts the score of your life! Plus a sneak-peak at some vampiric troubles in colonial America in Stake! [Teen]

World of Zorro gives readers a peak at the upcoming titles for the legendary masked swashbuckler, both new stories (that range from the familiar to supernatural horror) as well as newly-translated classic tales! [Teen]

For FREE COMIC BOOK DAY, enjoy this special expanded edition of the hit IMAGE series, STRAY DOGS! Stray Dogs is a comic thriller that features art inspired by classic Don Bluth-style animation, telling the story of a group of dogs brought together by a mysterious loner. Rather than behave like four-legged humans, the brilliance of Stray Dogs is that it gets inside the heads of its canine characters, showing the human world from their perspective. Unique, entertaining, and creepy. [Teen]

The undead Vampirella has been around since 1969, and as the celebrations of her 50th anniversary draw to a close, Dynamite presents a reprint of the first issue of their series that kicked-off her modern adventures! [Teen+]

Take an inside look at everyone’s favorite bipedal shark god, King Shark (aka Nanaue)! Suicide Squad’s many-toothed muscle is currently inside Belle Reve prison, but he won’t remain there for long. PLUS: a sneak peak at the just-released Suicide Squad miniseries Get Joker! [Mature]

“After 20 years of antics coming out of Sunnyvale trailer park, the underground TV phenomenon Trailer Park Boys is finally coming to comics! Full of short stories and activity pages, several of comics' finest join to create a series of comic book specials in 2021 and beyond honoring Ricky, Bubbles and Julian and everything fans have come to love about the series.”  [Mature]

Fungirl is a humor comic that is as unpredictable and hilarious as it is observant and smart. Cartoonist Elizabeth Pich’s creation does as much smashing the patriarchy as she does dreaming of delicious donuts and being spit on by llamas. [Mature]

“Tensions between the clans are high, so when Cecily Bain, an enforcer for the Twin Cities' vampiric elite, takes a mysterious new vampire under her wing she finds herself in over her head and dragged into a massive undead conspiracy! Meanwhile, on the outskirts of the city, a rebellious found-family of clan-less vampire cast-outs investigates a vicious killing.” [Mature]

“Preview the forthcoming full color, original Space Pirate Captain Harlock series from ABLAZE, personally overseen by the legendary Leiji Matsumoto!  In this brand-new Captain Harlock adventure, planet Earth is threatened by an upcoming invasion by the Sylvidres and despite being banished as a pirate, Captain Harlock won't give up trying to save the world. Will Captain Harlock and his crew manage to solve this mystery and save the Earth from yet another menace?  Also includes teasers for 3 highly anticipated upcoming manga/manhwa releases from ABLAZE, including The Breaker Vol 1 omnibus (critically acclaimed martial arts manhwa), Versus Fighting Story Vol 1 (Capcom e-sports shonen manga) and Crueler Than Dead Vol 1 (zombie horror seinen manga).” [Mature] 

“An evil so profound it threatens all mankind... the mightiest heroes on the planet uniting to defend us all... a secret crisis of such utter finality that a countdown to civil or infinite war seems unavoidable... but have you ever wondered what really happens during Crossovers? The Seven, Payback, Teenage Kix, Fantastico and every other supe on Earth team up for an annual event like no other... and where the supes go, can a certain "five complications and a dog" be far behind? Vought-American prepare to make their move, in a story that will change the world of the Boys forever: Herogasm #1. The first-ever Boys spin-off mini-series features the pairing of Ennis with Hitman artist John McCrea and covers by Boys artist and co-creator Darick Robertson!” [Mature]

“The most eagerly-anticipated series of 2021 gets the FCBD treatment with this ALL-NEW "bonus" issue of the series! Featuring 33 pages of comics produced exclusively for FCBD, from the creator of Hip Hop Family Tree and X-Men: Grand Design, designed as a perfect entry point for new readers and a must-have for those already on board. Aided by the anonymous dark web and nearly untraceable crypto-currency, there has emerged a subculture of criminals who live-stream and patronize webcam murders for entertainment. Who are the murderers? Who are the victims? Who is the audience? How do we stop it? An outlaw, splatterpunk masterpiece, as seen on Piskor's YouTube channel sensation, Cartoonist Kayfabe!” [Mature]

“An award-winning comic and soon to be Netflix anime series!  When dusk arrives in the city of Manila, that's when you become the most likely prey of the underworld. Kidnappers and thieves will be the least of your worries. Beware the criminals that can't be bound with handcuffs nor harmed with bullets.  Beware the ones that crave your blood, those who hold your heart ransom, and the ones that come to steal your soul. When crime takes a turn for the weird, the police call Alexandra Trese. Featuring a preview from TRESE Vol 2: Unreported Murders, a section on the forthcoming Netflix TRESE anime series launching this summer (including an interview with Director Jay Oliva), bonus pages with w/ background about the monsters of Philippine myth as told by TRESE creators Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo, and a teaser on TRESE Vol 3: Mass Murders, coming this Sept from ABLAZE!” [Mature]

“2000 AD Presents All-Star Judge Dredd is a thrill-powered showcase of the past and shocking present of the iconic lawman of the future! Witness the birth of the world of Judge Dredd in an incendiary preview of upcoming prequel graphic novel Dreadnoughts by Michael Carroll with art by Watchmen's John Higgins. Fan-favourite Judge Hershey travels to the ends of the earth to dispense her own brand of justice in long-anticipated blockbuster spin-off, Hershey: Disease by Rob Williams (Suicide Squad) and Simon Fraser (Doctor Who). Along-side these teases for Fall 2021 epics enjoy a bone-rattling all new stand-alone Dredd caper from elite writer Al Ewing (Immortal Hulk, Marvel's Empyre) and Caspar Wijngaard (Star Wars, Home Sick Pilots)!” [Teen]

“Four titanic tales of pure fun and entertainment for everyone to enjoy! First up. It's no dog and pony show here! Bringing back the iconic puppets from the San Francisco Bay Area "Charlie and Humphrey"!! The modern-day Gumby and Pokey! A true love for al ages featuring a tale by Justin Sane and John Hageman! Next up is "Red Dawn" Written and created by Brandon McKinney, with inks by Bill Anderson and vibrant colors from Ross Hughes!! The government has created the first "controlled" superhero doing the bidding of a shadow operation until things go bad leaving our hero to blame and now on the run. The following story is only exclusive to this FCBD edition. Written by Greg Boucher and illustrated by Victor Moya they bring you "Rock and Roll Biographies: FIGHt" See how a troubled Rob Halford leaves the world biggest heavy metal band to form his own supergroup and take metal back!! Our last preview is written by Mel Smith, illustrated by Frank Cirocco/Alex Sheikman and hand colored by Gerhard! "Becoming Frankenstein" takes down the journey of a troubled Victor Frankenstein as he grieves the loss of his mother while harvesting the body parts of victims to create life again for his monster! Learn the tales of the victims and who they were before they became what becomes Frankenstein's ultimate creation! : This will be the only edition to feature this Rock and Roll Biographies story featuring FIGHT “ [Mature]

Enjoyed your Free Comic Book Day books? Want to read more? Let your friendly neighborhood Comix Connection Counter Monkey know which ones caught your eye, and we’ll be happy to direct you to the next part of the story!

[the-butter-churner]

Chapters: 7/? Fandom: Les Misérables - All Media Types, Night at the Museum (Movies) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Enjolras/Grantaire (Les Misérables), Bossuet Laigle/Musichetta, Combeferre/Courfeyrac (Les Misérables), Gavroche Thénardier/Original Male Character(s), Other Relationship Tags to Be Added Characters: Grantaire (Les Misérables), Enjolras (Les Misérables), Bossuet Laigle, Musichetta (Les Misérables), Combeferre (Les Misérables), Courfeyrac (Les Misérables), Gavroche Thénardier, Jean "Jehan" Prouvaire, Bahorel (Les Misérables), Feuilly (Les Misérables), Montparnasse (Les Misérables), Original Male Character(s), Original Child Character(s), Les Amis de l'ABC, Other Character Tags to Be Added, Éponine Thénardier Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Slow Burn, Light Angst, Fluff and Humor, Attempt at Humor, Romantic Comedy, Comedy, June Rebellion, Grantaire & Éponine Thénardier Friendship, Badass Éponine, Museums, I Wrote This Instead of Sleeping, The Author Regrets Nothing, no beta we die like men, Grantaire is a Mess, Grantaire-centric, Swearing, Inspired By Tumblr, Inspired by Fanart, Doctor Joly, Non-Binary Jean Prouvaire, Alternate Universe - Reincarnation Summary:

"You know, I saw a job offer for that museum down the street. They're doing a new exhibit or some shit like that and they need a new security guard. Shouldn't be too hard, eh? I mean, you and I used to box in college together, R." Bahorel grins.

Well, it's not the worst thing in the world. Yeah, Grantaire could do this. What better way to waste away his art degree?

"Yeah sure. I'll check it out." he nods, turning back to his bagel.

"What's the new exhibit about?" inquires Bossuet, pulling Musichetta to his side.

Bahorel shrugs. "I dunno. Something about a failed rebellion."

Grantaire allows himself a grim smile. "Sounds just peachy."

[ao3feed-lesmiserables]

Until the Earth is Free

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/300MOkz

by ShipperInParadise

Enjolras stared at him "You're saying that we were all part of the June Rebellion?"

"I know it's mad. I would hardly believe myself If I didn't know it was true." He knew perfectly well that he sounded insane. He would hardly blame Enjolras for turning and running away. Most people in this situation would.

Again, Enjolras did nothing but stare. Grantaire grew uncomfortable under his gaze quickly, a feat which had never occurred in his old life.

"If you do not believe me, th-"

"I do."

"I-I'm sorry?" He blinked, unbelieving. Was he truly claiming to...

"I believe you. I know you aren't lying." Enjolras looked so honest, so sure. Now it was Grantaire's turn to stare.

"...why?"

"Because I had a dream."

(AKA, the Reincarnation fic everyone knows and loves)

Words: 2462, Chapters: 2/?, Language: English

Fandoms: Les Misérables - All Media Types

Rating: Mature

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence

Categories: F/M, M/M, Other

Characters: Grantaire (Les Misérables), Enjolras (Les Misérables), Combeferre (Les Misérables), Courfeyrac (Les Misérables), Joly (Les Misérables), Feuilly (Les Misérables), Bossuet Laigle, Bahorel (Les Misérables), Jean "Jehan" Prouvaire, Éponine Thénardier, Gavroche Thénardier, Javert (Les Misérables)

Relationships: Enjolras/Grantaire (Les Misérables), Combeferre/Courfeyrac (Les Misérables), Cosette Fauchelevent/Marius Pontmercy, Joly/Bossuet Laigle/Musichetta

Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Reincarnation, Alternate Universe - College/University, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Les Amis de l'ABC - Freeform, Angst, Temporarily Unrequited Love, Nonbinary Character, Prophetic Dreams

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/300MOkz

[pilferingapples]

Assuming les amis’ (probable) involvement in the July revolution and thus experience, do you think they expected to die at the June Rebellion? Im sure they were aware it was a risk, ofc, but do you think they knew they were going into a suicide mission?

No, I really don’t!  

..SIGH. I want to put a cut here but apparently I still can’t do that with Answers?  ugh anyway anyone who doesn’t want…uh..Spoilers For Les Mis?!? Scroll on down now, and sorry to everyone who wanted a shorter post >

 Hugo knows it will be, obviously, and he makes sure the reader knows, and I think maybe sometimes some people project that onto the characters. But the barricade fighters*–named or unnamed–don’t start talking about the barricade being doomed until after the first breach attack (when Gavroche is the first to suggest it, saying he wants to be back before the guards take the barricade, though even that isn’t necessarily  a pronouncement of doom, given how barricades should  be temporary–Dumas writes about leaving a fallen barricade in ‘30 , it happened– but then again Gavroche is an aspect of Paris so he totally could  be acting as narratively-designated Prophet there).  Yeah, Enjolras tells Javert he’ll be shot “ten minutes before the barricade is taken” , but I read that as a Conditional (if the barricade isn’t  taken, Javert won’t be shot, because there will be no need; if the revolution succeeds, then Javert is no threat, and can go free or face a trial under the new government or w/e).   I don’t think the Amis and the unnamed fighters come to see death and defeat as an absolutely certain  outcome until Enjolras comes back from his reconnaissance and tells them it is.

A key point on this is that when they think the barricade is doomed , the people who are seen as its organizers try to make other people leave.   The Amis might have been willing to take on a suicide mission themselves, if they’d seen it as a crucial one, but they weren’t rallying forces for that. 

I think in general there’s an Ominous Portentous Doom Spiral going on: the murder of the porter, the execution of Le Cabuc/Claquesous, the death of Mabeuf, the death of Bahorel and of Prouvaire,** they all add up Symbolically, and on a Watsonian level the fighters surely must feel that they’ve had some hard hits–but until Enjolras comes back and says that there’s nothing to hope for, they still believe they’re in it to win it:

“ The insurgents, we will remark, were full of hope. The manner in which they had repulsed the attack of the preceding night had caused them to almost disdain in advance the attack at dawn. They waited for it with a smile. They had no more doubt as to their success than as to their cause. Moreover, succor was, evidently, on the way to them. They reckoned on it. With that facility of triumphant prophecy which is one of the sources of strength in the French combatant, they divided the day which was at hand into three distinct phases. At six o'clock in the morning a regiment “which had been labored with,” would turn; at noon, the insurrection of all Paris; at sunset, revolution. (5.1.3, Hapgood translation)” 

 Even after that, they have a brief resurgence of hope in the morning– it just dies down again soon after. 

“ In the chaos of sentiments and passions which defend a barricade, there is a little of everything; there is bravery, there is youth, honor, enthusiasm, the ideal, conviction, the rage of the gambler, and, above all, intermittences of hope.One of these intermittences, one of these vague quivers of hope suddenly traversed the barricade of the Rue de la Chanvrerie at the moment when it was least expected.

“Listen,” suddenly cried Enjolras, who was still on the watch, “it seems to me that Paris is waking up.”

It is certain that, on the morning of the 6th of June, the insurrection broke out afresh for an hour or two, to a certain extent. (5.1.13, Hapgood)” 

So not only are they not heading there intending to die at first, Watsonianly, most of the fighters–even Enjolras!– don’t totally and finally accept that they’re doomed until sometime in the second day. 

Notes:

* Some characters who aren’t really there to fight do definitely see it as a place of Inevitable Death–Grantaire obviously fears it, Javert surely doesn’t think much of their chances, Eponine wants  to believe it’s doomed  (”we are all going to die! I’m so happy!”) , and Marius definitely goes there intending  to get himself killed, as Mabeuf also seems to. Because this is a Romantic Novel, they’re right!   But the Amis and most of the fighters are there to win a revolution, not to have a Romantic Death-Off Competition:P 

**Eponine of course dies here too, but since no one but Marius sees her, I can’t count her as having any particular effect on Group Morale. Also, they lost more than two fighters in the first attack, but since those fighters don’t get named I..can’t name them:/

[badlesmisimaginesofficial]

barricade day 2

You wake refreshed on the morning of June 6. Marius had relieved you of the watch the night before, a little while after you had satisfied yourself. With that distraction removed, you're ready to fight again.

"Y/N!" Grantaire pulls you aside. He looks especially handsome this morning; every bit the leader of the revolution. "I need to talk to you."

"What is it?" You follow him into the boulangerie that's serving as your headquarters. If you run out of ammunition, you're going to have to fight with bread.

"You fought bravely yesterday," he says. "but the fact remains that a barricade is no place for a girl, even an exceptional one such as you."

"What are you saying?" your heart sinks.

"I'm asking you to go home. Why, after last week's orgy you could be a mother, Y/N. And I know I speak for all of us when I say I love you too much to see you be hurt."

"You need me," you hit back. "After Bahorel deserted, we need everyone we can get."

Grantaire's face darkens. That betrayal is still raw. Everyone knew Bahorel was loving life as a lawyer, but nobody suspected it had replaced street brawls in his affections. He's off in a fancy office somewhere- no doubt preparing for the property damage cases that this uprising will bring.

"I'm sorry," you add quickly. "But it's true. And I'm good, Grant, you know I am."

He sighs. "I'm not going to convince you, am I?"

You shake your head.

"Well, Y/N, let me say that it will be an honour to die at your side."

"Ditto that."

He looks past your shoulder, at the barricade. "Into battle, then."

It is worse than you expected. That in itself is quite impressive, because you expected something terrible. The rapper Jehan Prouvaire is captured and shot while promising to renounce the rebellion and pleading for his life. Gavroche unexpectedly turns traitor, grabbing a National Guard gun and shooting Marius. (What you all realise, but cannot say, is that he was aiming for Êponinë.)

In the end, you are blockaded in the boulangerie with the stragglers. However hard you fight, it is becoming increasingly clear that you will not live to see July.

"This is it." Grantaire is beside you, his usually cheerful expression replaced by grim certainty. "They have us right where they want us."

There's solemn nodding from the others - apart from Enjolras, who has become distracted by eating stale chocolatines.

"I have an idea," you say. Everyone turns to look at you. Last time you had an idea, you invented vibrators at least a century early.

"What is it, Y/N?" Joly asks gruffly.

"One last charge. We'll die in here anyway. Better to perish in the open air than trapped in here."

"But there's food in here," Enjolras objects. Everyone else ignores him and his cowardice.

"What do we have to lose?" you press on. "They will not expect us to charge now, and then at least it may be said we fought to the end."

Grantaire nods slowly. “Sounds good to me. All in favour?” and everyone raises their hand.

Without further conversation, you all gather up your weapons - Bossuet smacks the pastries out of Enjolras’s hands and replaces them with a gun - and prepare for the assault.

“Y/N,” Grantaire looks at you. “Will you lead us?”

"Of course,” you say. You are not just the smartest and most beautiful, you are also the noblest and most courageous. “It would be my honour.”

Seeing your bravery gives the others strength. Once you have adequately prepared, you give the word and begin your reckless charge.

Perhaps it is because you are the finest warrior on the barricade, and the Amis work seamlessly under your command. Perhaps it is some machination of Fate or Providence, with whom you are intimately familiar. Or, perhaps it is merely that such an attack had such a low possibility of success that the National Guard had never even considered it as a possibility.

Whatever the reasoning, you break through their ranks with far more ease than anticipated, losing only Enjolras - who wasn’t being much help, anyway. You find yourself in the empty streets, with a freedom you never expected. As a group, you come to a halt and gather in a circle, suddenly aimless now that you have succeeded. After all, now that you have come this far, there cannot be any future repercussions. Nobody will be captured or put on trial, not when you are here to save the day. 

“Y/N?” Grantaire looks at you, a glimmer of his fervent self reappearing. “What do we do now?”

You have absolutely no idea, so you begin smiling enigmatically, knowing this tale will end before anyone else asks a question and undermines your moment. 

[akallabeth-joie]

Les Amis Pre-Barricade Appearances, Tome 4

Being a sequel to the Tome 3 post.

4.1.5--The attitude and rebellious activities on the streets in April 1832. Les Amis de l’ABC are mentioned as associates of the Mutualists of Angers and the Cougourde d’Aix.

4.1.6-- A meeting at the Musain, in which Enjolras sends his lieutenants to the other groups they are connected with, in order to take a census of their probable numbers in the event of a rebellion. Marius isn’t around, so Grantaire wrangles his way into being assigned the Barrier du Maine, where he proceeds to play dominoes instead of inspiring rebellion. The location of the famous ‘black your boots’ remark from Grantaire to Enjolras, as well as an example of Enjolras’s speaking style in meetings.

4.2.1--Marius moves in with Courfeyrac, who is now living on the Rue de la Verrerie (instead of in the Latin Quarter) in order to be closer to riots. Courf also lends Marius 5 francs per week, which Marius uses to support Thenardier in prison.

4.3.6--Marius sometimes interacted with friends in the Luxemburg Gardens, possibly some of the Amis, since we don't exactly hear about any other friends of his. 

4.8.3-- Courfeyrac and Bahorel discuss Marius's odd hours; Courf teases Marius for staying out so late, and tries to learn Marius's girlfriend's name.

4.8.6-- Marius mentions to Cosette that he lives with Courfeyrac (and owes him money.)

4.9.2-- On the morning of June 5, Enjolras, Combeferre, and Feuilly are all at Courfeyrac's place when Marius wakes up. Courf asks Marius if he'll be coming to Lamarque's funeral.

4.11.4--In the afternoon of June 5, Enjolras, Combeferre, Feuilly, and Courfeyrac (now with Bahorel and Prouvaire) rendezvous with Gavroche while leading a mob from the funeral/riot to a good barricade location.  Bahorel tears down a poster about eggs, earning a mild rebuke from Enjolras and the admiration of Gavroche.  

4.11.5--Slightly earlier, the power trio (EC&C) were involved in the outbreak of insurrection on the Rue Bassompierre. Courfeyrac recognizes Pere Mabeuf when he joins the group, and atttempts to persuade the old man to return home before things get even more violent.

4.11.6--Enjolras, Combeferre, and Coufeyrac notice Not!Javert joining their mob, but don't know him for a spy. Coufeyrac stops by home to get his purse and spare hat, and meets Eponine (who is looking for Marius) in the porter's lodge. 

4.12.1---The history of the Corinthe, including the group's association with it; Grantaire discovered it, Bossuet remarked on why they return, and Courfeyrac wrote a slogan on the wall. 

4.12.2--Joly and Bossuet skip Lamarque’s funeral to take breakfast, where they are joined by Grantaire. Drinking, philosophizing, gossiping about Marius’s crush, the side-note that JBM is canon, and, finally, the barricade being established on the Rue Chanvrerie, because Bossuet and Courfeyrac have a conversation through the window.

Thereafter (4.12.3-5.1.23; 43 chapters), we’re at the barricades or following contemporaneous plot-lines (ie, Gavroche delivering Marius’s letter to JVJ, and breaking streetlamps en route). Minor characters indeed.

[soulwounds-a]

was  that   niels schneider  ?       oh  no  no ,  that  was  just   enjolras ,  a  canon  character   from   les  misérables .       they  are   twenty  years  old  and   are  not   aware  that  they  are  not  actually  from  washington  d.c.

link  presents:   angry  french  twink  in  red .       ------       do  i  love  les  mis ?    well  i  didn’t  buy  three  separate  copies  of  that  massive  book  to  have  several  different  translations  of  it  just  so  i  could  be  someone  who  moderately  enjoys  it .    i  literally  could  not  tell  you  what  it  is  about  it .    it’s  probably  not  the  paris  sewer  system  but  you  know  victor  hugo  made  sure  i  knew  all  about  that  anyway .    point  is  though  i  just  fucking  love  all  these  mega  depressing  french  people .    and  if  you  like  les  mis  then  how  can  you  not  love  this  righteous  twink ??    love  this  gay  sjw  to  pieces  so  here  we  go  into  it .

how long has your character been here ?

he’s  been  here  around  a  month  now  which  is  exactly  how  long  he  believes  he’s  been  DC  even  with  his  false  memories .    he  thinks  he’s  come  here  from  paris  for  school  ;   that  it’s  a  year  abroad .    

he  also  believes ,  from  his  memories ,  that  this  year  abroad  was  entirely  his  parents’  decision .    he  didn’t  exactly  want  to  spend  a  year  in  america�� ,  he  loves  his  home ,  but  he’d  been  causing  some  chaos  with  his  extremist  activism   &   inability  to  keep  his  rather  strong  opinions  to  himself  that  his  parents  sent  him  on  a  year  abroad  in  hopes  of  simmering  him  down  some .    it’s  not  working  at  all .

what is your character’s job ?

he’s  a  college  student !   specifically  a  political  science  major .

where has your character been pulled from in their fandom ?

he’s  taken  from  his  death  at  the  barricade .   obviously  he  has  no  memory  of  his  real  life  but  he  does  see  glimpses  of  it  in  dreams   &   occasionally  has  nightmares  of  the  barricades .    he’s  woken  up  in  sweat  after  seeing  one  of  his  friends  in  his  real  life  die   &   while  his  false  memories  have  him  unable  to  recognize  them  fully  he  still  feels  agonizing  sadness  seeing  them  die   &   will  sometimes  wake  up  with  their  name  on  his  mind  but  no  idea  how  he  knows  it .

from  the  gunshots  that  killed  him ,  he  also  has  eight  birth  marks  across  his  chest  from  where  the  bullets  hit  him .

has any magic affected your character ?

he’s  alive   &   can’t  remember  anything  but  other  than  that  he’s  the  same  pissed  off  revolutionary .     oh   &   also  he  can  speak  fluent  english .    it  put  learning  that  into  his  false  memory .

other information

brief  rundown  for  those  who  don’t  know :    in  les  misérables ,  enjolras  is  the  designated  leader  of  a  group  of  student  revolutionaries  in  paris  from  the  early  1830s  known  as  les  amis  de  l’abc .   in  1832  they  took  place  in  the  june  rebellion  in  attempt  to  rise  up  against  the  government   &   king .   they  had  hopes  the  people  of  paris  would  stand  with  them  but ,  unfortunately ,  they  weren’t  aided   &   were  fiercely  outnumbered   &   outgunned .   still ,  the  refused  to  surrender .   they  were  slaughtered  by  the  national  guard  at  the  barricades  they  built .   enjolras  was  one  of  the  last  standing ,  along  with  grantaire ,   &   they  were  shot  together .

also  should  note  enjolras  is  ,,    exceptionally  beautiful .   i  mean  literally  every  other  line  when  he’s  around  is  something  about  how  perfect  he  looks .   victor  hugo  wanted  everyone  to  be  completely  aware  that  enjolras  looks  like  a  fucking  flawless  angel .

now  on  to  headcanon  stuff .

while  victor  hugo  gave  us  a  description  on  every  kind  of  silverware  the  bishop  likes   &   dislikes   &   why   he  likes / dislikes  them ,,,    he  did  not  give  us  any  of  barricade  boys’  first  names .   save  for  like .   bossuet .   jehan .    &   marius .    that’s  it .    so  i’ve  picked  one  out .

though  he  prefers  to  go  by  it   &   everyone  calls  him  it ,  enjolras  is  his  surname .    his  full  name  is  philippe  alexandre  enjolras .    hardly  anyone  even  knows  that  though  as  he’s  just  always  going  by  enjolras .

the  book  specifically  goes  on  about  how  he  never  pays  attention  to  women  trying  to  flirt  with  him   &   that  he  hardly  realizes  they  exist ,,     waves  it  off  by  saying  it’s  because  he’s  too  swept  up  in  the  Revolution(tm)  but  i’ll  tell  you  the  truth .

it’s  cause  he’s  gay .

like  maybe  his  overall  distraction  from  romance  is  due  to  his  dedication  to  the  cause ,  sure ,  but  his  tendency  to  specifically  ignore  flirtations  from  women ?    that’s  just  cause  he’s  gay .

he’s  extremely  into  activist  work   &   though  this  isn’t  his  country  he’s  still  trying  to  get  students  to  meet  up  to  talk  about  things  they  can  do  for  change   &   he  has  never  once  kept  an  opinion  to  himself  in  his  life .   he’s  loud   &   angry .   and  he  will  let  you  know  when  he’s  pissed  off .

keep  in  mind  though  he’s  not  a  lot  of  muscle .   he’s  like  5′9″  &  generally  a  twink  in  terms  of  body  type .   so  while  he  does  get  into  it  a  lot   &   that  results  in  physical  fights  sometimes  ,,    he  doesn’t  always  come  out  on  top  in  those  fights .

he  feels  things  in  extremes  all  the  time  he’s  got  very  strong  emotions .

he  has  a  disease .   it’s  called  caring  too  much   &   it’s  INCURABLE .

while  he  can  be  forceful  for  what  he  believes  in   &   when  he’s  angry  he  can  be  very  cold   &   say  extremely  harsh  things   . . .    he  also  is  an  extremely  caring  person .    he’s  an  extremely  passionate  person   &   loves  so  fiercely .     human  rights   &   equality  for  all  is  kinda  what  he  drives  home  on  in  his  beliefs .    also ,  if  you’re  his  friend  he’ll  do  basically  anything  for  you  he  loves  his  friends  so  much .

he  hates  rich  people  like  fuck  you  if  you’re  rich  but  also  he  is  a  rich  person   &   he  hates  it .     his  family  is  extremely  wealthy  both  in  his  real  life   &   false  life .     he  tries  his  best  not  to  show  or  talk  about  his  wealth   &   doesn’t  use  it  lavishly .   he  donates  to  a  lot  of  charities  with  the  allowance  his  parents  send  him .

he  does  have  feelings  harbored  for  grantaire ,  yes ,  which  came  much  clearer  to  him  just  before  their  death  together .   before  they  were  mixed  in  with  a  lot  of  frustration  pointed  towards  grantaire  due  to  how  little  grantaire  seemed  to  care  or  how  enjolras  almost  felt  like  he  was  mocking  the  cause .    he  believed  grantaire  could  be  great  but  was  frustrated  that  grantaire  wouldn’t  even  try .   at  their  death ,  though ,  grantaire  made  clear  how  much  he  cared .

of  course  enjolras  remembers.........none  of  this  not  even  who  grantaire  is  but  you  know  he  will  some  time  or  later .

anyway  this  got  longer  than  intended  bye  lmao .

[ethospathoslogan]

okay so, by now, i feel like we all know that i like making obscure literature AUs for the sides

so, hey, lets delve into some 19th century french literature bc we all know that yesterday was barricade day, yes? june 5th, 1832, the day of the june rebellion where there was a rebellion in the streets of paris against the government that wasn’t successful (basically everyone died) that victor hugo immortalized ig in les miserables? right, we all know this? right? right? probably not bc who has time for a 1,200 page novel (i didn’t but i forced myself to have time) but still!!!

tw for one death mention at the end bc this is an au abt a book called “the miserables”. it’s gotta be at least somewhat kinda sad at one point.

for patton, i’m torn between fantine and cosette. bc, on the one hand, fantine is a mother that did anything to ensure that her child would be safe. she was left by this guy tholomyes (*shouts from the back* ASSHOLE) and she had a daughter named euphrasie (that’s cosette) and she had to give her daughter to the thenardiers (*shouts from the back* ALSO ASSHOLES AND TERRIBLE PEOPLE) and pay them to take care of her. except they kept lying to fantine and telling her that cosette was sick and they needed more money, but really they were just neglecting cosette and using the money for themselves. but fantine still did everything she could to make sure that her daughter was okay. so like, maternal/paternal love.

but then also patton as cosette??? patton as a character who has gone through so much hardship and has faced so many terrible experiences and people, and still turns out happy??? like it has been years since i read les mis but i’m pretty sure a quote related to cosette was something like, “laughter is the sun that wipes out winter from the human face.” like!!! pls give me patton as a character who is the literal embodiment of sunshine and happiness, even after one has gone through everything possible. please. i love cosette. (fun fact: amanda seyfried as cosette ended up being low key integral to my gay awakening)

and then logan as combeferre. combeferre was a part of les amis de l’abc and is considered one-third of the main “triumvirate”. in the triumvirate, while enjolras is the chief and courfeyrac is the centre, combeferre is the guide. so basically he’s the voice of reason of les amis,,,, some might even say,,,,,,,, the logical thinking one. he’s also incredibly smart. like. he studies medicine and philosophy and destroyed marius pontmercy’s, like, three page essay with three words: “to be free.” does that sounds like logan??? i think tf so. also in fanfics he is always the voice of reason like enjolras and courfeyrac are always like “HEY WE’RE GONNA DO THIS THING AND WE’RE GONNA DO IT NOW” and combeferre is like “CAN YOU TWO PLEASE SLOW DOWN FOR ONCE IN YOUR LIFE” which is, lbr, very logan.

and then virgil is grantaire. grantaire is another member of les amis and he is the honorary cynic of the group. he believes the cause that they are fighting for is worthless and that it’s all going to end in shambles. and everyone is like “grantaire, you’re wrong” (*awkward cough*). and one day, enjolras is like, “do you even believe in anything?” bc if grantaire doesn’t believe in their cause, so what is he even doing there? and grantaire is like, “i believe in you.” also grantaire is an artist and he said something abt his dad being disappointed in him bc he can’t do math or something. also at one point, he’s like, “who plucked the stars from the night sky and put them in the candles?” but really he’s just complaining about the tavern being too bright. that’s some virgil level edginess. also, i think grantaire’s cynicism and virgil’s attitude go hand in hand. also this is leading into my final point:

so now, at this point, bc we all obviously have read old french literature and this is totally not some niche interest, you’re all like, “jordyn, roman is courfeyrac, right? romantic, charming, potential to be an asshole, the centre of the group? that basically spells out roman!!!” right? right? WRONG. roman is enjolras and i’m gonna tell you why. roman is romantic and charming, yes, i’m not denying that!!! he could be courfeyrac, but i personally think his drive and passion, and possibly even his stubbornness and his martyrdom, is what makes him enjolras. enjolras, as stated previously, is the chief of les amis. he’s their leader. often in fandom, he’s called a “leader in red”. every stage adaptation of les mis has him wearing his iconic red jacket. 

also one of the lines that describes enjolras, which is probably one of my favorite, is “a charming young man who was capable of being terrible”. something abt that also seems very roman to me bc, yes, while i love roman and he is great, we have seen him be harsh to the other sides. and while enjolras was typically a lot more harsher than i would give to roman, i think the two go hand in hand. also, enjolras was so passionate, he was nearly blinded by it. he believed in their cause so much they he believed they were either going to succeed or he was going to die trying. there really was no middle ground. also, most of enjolras and grantaire’s interactions were them arguing (hmmm sound familiar???). enjolras couldn’t stand grantaire’s attitude, and grantaire couldn’t see why enjolras would fight for something if it was only going to most likely kill him. enjolras had endless drive and passion and knew that their cause could be their demise, but he still fought until the very end for it when he and grantaire died together and i cried for like an hour

so this got extremely long and i have no shame omfg

[hayffiebird]

Taste of Strawberries, chap. 37

Hayffie Post-Mockingjay Multi-chapter, Rated M SUMMARY: Four years have passed since the end of the war when Effie returns in to Haymitch’s life once again. An old friendship is renewed. Will it lead to something more? Meanwhile Panem has entered a new era. The rebellion’s over, the borders are open but in the shadows, anger and mistrust are smoldering. Something that will affect Haymitch and Effie’s life in a way they never saw coming.

Chapter 37 Oil on troubled waters

A warm summer breeze brushed through the apple garden. The grass rippled like waves in the sea, shimmering in shades of green. The rabbit stood alert, nose twitching as it sniffed the air. Its mate followed close behind, ears and eyes attuned to any sound or movement. Their chestnut-brown fur was sleek and shiny, the sunlight reflecting off of it in a warm glow. “Do you see that?” Effie whispered and nuzzled Ian’s strawberry hair that peeked from under the sun hat, breathing in that sweet baby smell. His pacifier bobbed up and down as he leaned forward, trying to get a better look at them. Amy, sitting on her other arm, pointed her little index finger and looked to her mother for confirmation. ”Yes, the bunnies,” Effie smiled. “Let’s be real quiet now so we don’t scare them.” Rabbits were a common sight in these parts. Well-fed and prospering they roamed the buffet that was District 11. At least here they found no traps or dried sulfur sprinkled on the plants. June said they were such frequent guests now they were practically family. Effie dropped a kiss to Amy’s cheek. “They have a name,” she said. “Do you know what they’re called? Cottontail. Cottontail.”

“Hey.” She turned her head at the sound. In a wash of sunlight, haggard and squinting in a hopelessly wrinkled shirt, stood Haymitch. He’d slowed to a stop several feet away, duffel bag over one shoulder. Like a stranger in their presence, unsure whether he was welcome or not. Worn out, yes. Exhausted? Without a doubt. But not a drink in him. She could tell just from his eyes. When he wouldn’t smile, Effie did it for the both of them. “That’s dada,” she told the twins. “Want to say hi to dada?” “My God,” Haymitch said when they joined him. He looked from Amy to Ian and back. “They’ve grown.” His voice was heavy with loss, heavy with regret. Effie gave a little shrug. “They have far to go yet.” Both children watched Haymitch, quiet and marble-eyed. The saddest of smiles curved his lips. “Hey, little uns,” he murmured and reached a hand out. “I really missed …” With a whimper the twins recoiled, burrowing into their mother. Haymitch’s hand froze mid-air. Dropped to his side. She hadn’t seen such raw pain in his eyes since the day he told her about Katniss and Peeta in the burn unit. “They don’t know me no more.” She held the children close in her arms. Felt the tension within their small frames, like a knot tied tightly just underneath their skin. She rocked them softly from side to side. “It’s OK,” she told them. “It’s OK. It’s just your daddy with a beard. They know you, Haymitch”, she said. “Small children don’t like change that’s all and it’s been a while since you last saw each other. But don’t worry. You’re quite unforgettable.” He shot her a look, unconvinced, and she dropped the playful banter. “Come. Let’s have a glass of watermelon lemonade. It’s homemade.” Together they headed for the picnic blanket, spread out in the shade. Mockingjays were going to town on the left-over crackers she had yet to clean up. They all took wing when the humans approached. Not far though. Just like the rabbits they’d always be nearby. One landed on the canopy of the double stroller, two retreated to the old bird bath and a whole score of them found refuge on top of the sunshine yellow house. “That’s Annabel’s”, Effie smiled when she saw him looking at the trumpet, glowing on the garden table. “She plays them sad trumpet sounds and ‘Baby Elephant Walk.’ They laugh so hard at that.” “Where‘s she now?” “By the lake. Out for a swim.” She settled the twins on the blanket. Ian immediately plucked a wooden block with the letter “S” on it. The space was littered with them along with picture books, packets of rice rusks, a half-eaten banana and abandoned sippy cups. “What happened to the tidy, well-organized Effs Trinket?” The words made her chuckle. “You try and be tidy and well-organized with two one year olds to look after.” She joined the twins on the blanket. “Just leave it,” she said with a wave of her hand when he picked some of the books up, stacking them on the garden table. “Join us.” Ian was too busy with the blocks but Amy watched Haymitch’s every move under the brim of her sun hat with that scowl on her face that made her look so much like him. When he crossed his legs, bag by his side, and it was a fact he’d be staying the girl threw herself against her mother lap, hiding her face with pitiful whimpers. “Oh, baby,” Effie said and caressed her back. “It’s alright. Come, sit with me.” With a little hug, she settled a very flushed Amy on her lap. The girl’s eyes were dangerously shiny. She glowered at the unwanted company with her lips pointing downward. ”Why don’t you try and read to them?” Effie suggested. “They’ll recognize your voice.” Haymitch nodded, grief still etched into every line of his face. A look all too familiar to her. The bear book lay open on the blanket, pages down, but he didn’t touch it. Instead he reached inside the duffel bag. Effie smiled at the sight of the hardcover. That’s a beauty. A collection of folktales by the look of it. Fully bounded in genuine leather with deeply inlaid gold accents. Gilded edges on the pages. Father would have called it a collectible. The kind of book that came with its own clothbound slipcase and would last you generations. She couldn’t recall ever seeing it before. She would have remembered. Precious few beauties in Haymitch Abernathy’s life. Maybe it belonged to his parents. A family heirloom? He opened it against his lap. Turned a few pages with great care, eyes impossible to read. “’The North Wi …’” His voice caught at the end. He cleared his throat and when he continued, the words were steady. “’The North Wind and the Sun.’” Music was Haymitch’s forte but he’d read quite a few bedtime stories as well during their children’s young life. It was yet another one of his unexpected gifts. One of many. Maybe they read a lot in his family. She could just picture them, by the fire. Or when he met up with his girl – maybe they read to each other? Ever since the birth of their children she’d gotten even more curious about Haymitch’s past life. The life she was no part of. To this day, she knew next to nothing. Didn’t want to pry. Never even saw their faces on television. The final eight interviews didn’t become a thing until the year after Haymitch’s Games. What were they like? Amy and Ian’s grandparents and uncle. She’d really like to know. No, she really liked for the children to know. So much of their family history, so much of what made them who they were, was shrouded in darkness, silence, secrecy. Ian sat with one block in each hand. His eyes were on Haymitch with an attentiveness unusual for both him and his sister. Soon, the little boy abandoned the game and made his way across the blanket. Slowly but single-mindedly, one sock half-off. Climbing was harder. His tiny fingers gripped at his father’s knees, face contorted with intense concentration. Putting the book aside Haymitch extended a helping hand and lifted his son up the final inches onto his lap. Nestled safely in his father’s embrace, Ian took the pacifier out of his own mouth and held it out to him. The ghost of a smile curved Haymitch’s lips. So brief it would’ve been lost on anyone but not Effie. “No, you hold on to that, sweetheart,” he said and put the pacifier back in his son’s mouth. “Now, where were we?” And he reopened the book against both their laps. Seeing her brother all comfy and relaxed, snuggled up against Haymitch, it didn’t take long for Amy to leave her mother’s safe embrace. Haymitch made room for her on his other knee, keeping one arm around each of them. Lips pursed, so much like her mother, his little girl looked him dead in the eye. Gray meeting gray. An intimidating stare so beyond her years. Or year, really. Her hand came up, fingers sprawled out, exploring the odd new beard. Then, before he knew it, she gave it a forceful yank. “Ow!” Effie burst out laughing. Haymitch nodded. “I deserved that.” Gentle-handed he untangled his daughter’s fingers from his beard and dropped a kiss to her knuckles, like the princess she was. “So,” Effie said, an hour later when the children napped in their stroller. She handed him a glass of watermelon lemonade, as promised. “How was the ride over with June?” “Wonderful.” He took a sip of the orange-red drink and, after a brief second, emptied almost half of it. “The silence was so thick I could cut it with my knife and make a brick wall. Something to hide behind.” Effie smiled. “Maybe you can make it up to them by chopping some wood for the winter? That bores the two of them to tears.” “Thanks for the advice.” The last of the lemonade went down in just a couple of gulps. Lost in thought, his eyes roamed over the landscape. The clear blue sky, the swaying apple trees that flanked the house, branches heavy with fruit showing the first blush of color, the meadows and fields beyond all the way down to the lake, stretching out for miles and miles. The vastness of water glittered like jewels on a bed of emerald green. “Place is gorgeous,” he mumbled. “Like something straight out of my Games.” “Except it isn’t,” said Effie softly. “No. It isn’t.” Without a word, she scooted across the blanket. So close by his side she could see the flakes of dry suds, lingering on his throat. The whites of his eyes were but a web of red blood vessels. His face pale, despite weeks and weeks of brilliant sunshine. She rested her hand on top of his against his knee. Felt the jitters and small jerks under her palm, like a frightened house mouse. When he didn’t pull away, she intertwined their fingers together. Like so many times before. “I’m glad you’re here,” she said. “And I’m so sorry about your geese. I really am.” Haymitch nodded. “Yeah. Me too.” xXx Oh, man! Haymitch jammed the axe in the chopping block with finality. Wincing, he gazed at his palms. Groaned at the sight of blisters. “Bloody hell …” He closed his hands and opened them, painstakingly slow. Reckoned a good and tight fist would be enough to make them burst like overripe tomatoes. When’d I become such a weakling? There’d been a time when he could swing that axe without even breaking a sweat. He was an idiot for being surprised. What did he expect? He hadn’t done any manual labor in how many years? You didn’t get calluses from drinking. His shoulders ached too. All hot and tingly. He’d have a killer sunburn before the day was out. Should’ve kept that shirt on. Fuck! He retrieved it from the nearby branch and limped in the direction of the house. “OK,” he said when he poked his head in the kitchen. Amy and Ian hardly even looked up from the rug rag. News got old fast, even in baby world. “There’s wood in the shed now to last you til rapture.” “Great.” Finishing the last sentence, Annabel looked up from her letter. Her eyebrows shot to her forehead at the sight of him. “My stars,” she chuckled as her eyes traveled from his flushed face, his dark blonde hair clinging to him with sweat to those broad shoulders and dripping chest all the way down his weathered old pants and the fossils he called shoes. “You look like something out of a Harriet Hopeshaw novel. Too bad I don’t have a single straight bone in my body.” “Thanks.” He wiped his face with the shirt. “Want me to take ‘em?” He nodded to the twins. ”Give you some peace and quiet in here?” “No. It’s OK. They’re no trouble.” “Not yet anyway.” He rubbed his nose. “Any news from the post office?” “Afraid not.” “Where’s Eff?” “In her room. Trying out some dresses for tomorrow.” The stairs creaked almost as badly as they did back home. Beads of sweat rolled down his back like rain. No wonder Annabel loved swimming. No other way to keep cool around here. He thought Twelve was bad. Eleven was ten times worse! A chink of light shone from under Effie’s door. He reached the top, hand soon on the handle, when he hesitated. Frowning he rested his ear against the smooth wood. A smile crept onto his face. Holy shit. That woman never failed to chide him for his language, especially since the arrival of their children, but hell, the words the prim and proper Ms. Trinket kept in her vocabulary for moments such as this they could kill a man! Course, she wouldn’t be caught dead swearing out loud. Not even when alone. Her calling Mrs. Bitch a cunt was as awesome as it was rare. But obscenities muttered under one’s breath – those were fair game. Those didn’t count. If he said “Language!” to her for a change she’d only gaze at him with those innocent looking eyes like, “What? I didn’t say anything.” “Eff?” He gave the door a soft knock. “You OK in there? Sweetheart?” “Yes!” She huffed out the word. “Do come in!” He pushed inside. Effie stood in front of the full-length mirror. Barelegged, barefoot, hair falling in sandy waves down her shoulders. Her eyes shot daggers but not at him. They were squarely focused on her own reflection, her own outfit. He tossed the soggy shirt on the foot of the bed. For a dedicated boozer he had a surprisingly keen memory when it came to Effie’s dresses. Bizarre as they were it was hard not to. There was her pink bath sponge dress, the purple poppy flower dress, her orange one with the butterflies and that ridiculous red get-up made from like a hundred paper fans. This one was white. Strapless. Emblazoned with a vibrant pattern of strawberries and green leaves. And just like the other ones, he could’ve sworn he’d seen it somewhere before. Then it clicked. The “hot damn” dress! Yeah, that’s right. She wore it to Octavia’s birthday party when the She-Devil Gloria showed up. Course, back then the outfit hugged her perfectly. Now on the other hand … “What?” she said, hands on her hips. “Nothing.” He bit his lip. “It’s just … ain’t it a little tight ‘round the ladies, sweetheart?” His eyes dropped to the zipper. It didn’t even reach halfway up her back. Effie snorted. “It’s supposed to be tight.” She tugged at the flowing skirt, examining herself from every angle. “And I love this dress. I’m wearing it.” “Fine. You’re the boss, princess. I hear breathing’s out of style anyway.” “Haha. Now zip me up.” “’Zip me up, please’. Where are your manners, Eff?” But he grasped the zipper, just to humor her, and gave it a tug. Didn’t budge an inch, just like he knew it wouldn’t. “Hate to break it to you, sweetheart.” He let go. “You’re too big.” “I am not! Don’t be rude!” “OK, you’re not too big. The dress is too small.” “It can’t be! Look, sometimes the zipper snags on the fabric. Just make sure it doesn’t. Problem solved.” “I don’t think …” “Just do it!” He heaved a sigh and grabbed hold of the zipper. “And pull!” “I am.”

“Well it’s not working, is it?” “How’s that my fault?” “It’s not rocket science. You’ve done this a dozen times before. At least a dozen!” “Well, don’t piss and moan when I bleed all over your dress,” he said and with one hand on her shoulder he pulled, pulled, pulled! “Come on!” Effie exclaimed. “Put some District 12 muscle into this!” “Bloody … fucking … hell!” And it snapped. Snapped so fast and unexpected the zipper flew from his hand, clinked against the ceiling lamp and landed on the carpet. Effie threw her hands out.

“Unbelievable! It fit two years ago.” She glared at Haymitch through the mirror. “And it’s all your fault! You just had to get me pregnant, didn’t you? Now, what will I wear?”

“How about your birthday suit?” Haymitch said, sucking on his throbbing fingertips. “That’s your most striking look.” Effie frowned. “Birthday suit? I don’t own any particular birthday clothes.” Her eyes went back to her reflection, one hand against her tummy. “I cannot believe I am still holding on to all that baby weight.” Haymitch rolled his eyes. “Watcha mean ‘all that’? Ever got a load of this?” He clapped his own exposed belly. “So you’re not bony anymore. Big deal!” “I was never bony!” Effie protested. “Slender, maybe.” “Well, either way, you’ve got nothing to worry about so stop bitching about it, why don’t ya?” “I bitch if I want to, mind you. And it’s easy for you to be all mighty and confident when you look like that.” “Like what, sweetheart? Foul? Repulsive? Offensive to the senses?” “Naturally good-looking.”

He burst out laughing. “Well, princess, you’re the only one who thinks so.” “I am not. You’re quite handsome … when you’re sober. You’re just too stupid to see it.” Grinning he rested his hands on her hips, chin against the top of her head. Without her killer heels on she really was quite petite. Effie taught him that word. The last time he called her “short” she didn’t sleep with him for a good three hours. “Seriously, Eff. Cut yourself some slack, OK? You gave birth a year ago for fuck’s sake and who cares what you look like, anyway? It’s what’s inside the bottle that counts. And if anyone’s ready for the trash bin it’s me, not you.” “Stop!” The word burst from Effie’s lips. “That’s absurd! And cruel!” “Well, Eff …” “Don’t ‘well, Eff’ me, you big old brute! If Gloria said that to me I’d just … so don’t you do it! And by the way! While we’re on the subject: That kind of thinking reflects badly on both of us. Not just you! It insinuates I have a bad taste which I do not! I know a good thing when I see it and if you keep saying you’re just some piece of garbage I will wring your neck! No!” she snapped when he opened his mouth. “No.” Haymitch smiled. He wouldn’t fight her on this one. Knew he couldn’t win. He gave her hips a soft caress. Odd he never noticed the changes in her body post-birth. At least not the way he did when she was still pregnant. She wasn’t fat by any means just … softer. He moved his sore palm across her side until it rested flat against her tummy. Seemed only a heartbeat ago that two babies had been in there. Amy and Ian, dreaming their dreams. Unaware of the world. Effie looked gorgeous no matter her size but it was something about her now that sent tingles down his body. For all the old reasons, yeah but there was something else there too that felt brand new to him. Those extra curves. They were there because she got pregnant. Because she was pregnant. With his children. Effie watched through the mirror. A rosy shade colored her cheeks. “Taking a walk down memory lane?” “Mm,” he nodded. “You were so beautiful.” Effie tsked. “Thank you.” “The last time we had sex, I mean.” “I was huge.” “Yeah. That too.” He dropped a kiss to her hair. Didn’t really think about it. Didn’t think it through. He waited for the “stop”, the “no”. The slightest stir of her body and he would pull away. It didn’t come. He kissed her again, a different spot, and her eyes fluttered close. The room was so quiet he heard each and every one of her soft breaths. Felt them against himself when his arms encircled her, hugging her from behind. “I don’t get it,” he murmured. “I really don’t.” “What?” The word was hardly more than a whisper. “Why you slept with me all those times.” His bare chest pressed into her back. He was growing harder, fuller by the second. He couldn’t help it. “It makes no sense at all. You and me.” “Don’t start that again. I hate false modesty.” “’cept I’m not, sweetheart. You’re this … drop-dead gorgeous … one in a million beauty and I’m just …” Before he could finish the sentence, Effie turned in the cocoon of his embrace. He got but a glimpse of the fury in her blue eyes – like she’d really wring his neck – before her lips were fully on his. Author’s Note: OK, this note got long-long and I best put a TRIGGER WARNING on it for mentions of mental illness and such. I’m a little scared to write this - afraid I’ll tick some readers off by being too personal or over sharing - but yeah, here goes. You can just skip past it if you want to. There’s been a flurry of activity surrounding ToS lately - a response that has been absolutely amazing - and I want to thank you for it! I’ve done that before. Tried to express my immense gratitude many many times and each time I think it feels meh and flat because when I write back to you guys - in the notes or personally - my inner censor goes: “No, you cannot say ‘OMFG, thank you SO much! I LOVE you!!’ Let them at least hold on to the hope that you’re semi-normal.” But either way, that’s exactly what it’s like. I get so freakin’ happy, you don’t even know! And I’ve learnt - especially since last May - to never take anything for granted so I treasure every single like, every single reblog, follow, favorite, kudos, bookmark, comment so so dear to my heart. As those of you know if you read these Author’s Notes: I had a mental breakdown in the Spring last year. I’m not gonna go into a lot of details but it was bad. Really bad and it included a month long stay in a psychiatric care unit, oh yes. Maybe one day I’ll be ready to tell you the whole story but not today I think. Unless me telling can help someone else, if that’s the case then my inbox is always open. May-October was an excruciating 6 months walk through misery before my family, my doctors and I all together managed to perform the Expecto Patronum charm and send my Dementors flying the fucking hell out of here. Life got a 100 % better one tiny step at a time and back in November I was writing again. I am in tears just remembering because I love writing more than anything in the world, it’s my one true joy, and when I’m ill, I can’t. I just can’t. In December 2022 I published the first chapter post-breakdown and I didn’t really expect anyone to care, thinking most of you had probably abandoned the story long ago in the 8 months of complete silence with no explanation. But instead, it slowly but surely went and became the most popular ToS chapter to date! You were AMAZINGLY sweet in the comments and showed your support in so many ways and it was like getting an ice cold drink on a sweltering hot day. It really soothed my fried, patched up, still recovering mind that you still CARED for this story that I’ve poured my heart into and is so near and dear to me and it helped me to keep going, keep writing and sharing ToS with you. If the chapter back in December had been met with complete silence at that stage in my life I would have had to take an even longer break from it cause posting stuff online stresses the hell out of me even at the best of times. But because of your steadfast support I managed to post 1 or more chapters each month between December-March which is CRAZY fast for me! And, since I believe in inclusion, let me just add here that if you’re one of those who don’t wanna make yourself known when reading something (whether because you’re too shy or don’t feel like you have anything to contribute or simply don’t have the time or energy to engage) and instead flies silently like a butterfly from chapter to chapter: I’m grateful for you too. I am. If you’re reading this Author’s Note right now and you enjoy ToS in the peacefulness of your own quietude and in not having to be visible: I’m really glad that you’re here and I hope you will enjoy all of the rest of the chapters too! All of you help me keep going and now - in the middle of The Hunger Games Renaissance when we’re all eagerly awaiting the new movie - it is SUCH a joy to see the awakened interest both in my story and in the fandom(s) as a whole. Whether you’re just starting out on your THG journey or are an oldie like me: Your passionate love for Suzanne Collins’s universe, its characters and for ToS is a thrill to watch and it breathes life and joy into my tender, worrisome hayffie heart, again and again. It’s such a gift and I’m so grateful to see it! All in all, it’s made me feel like I didn’t really lose anything getting sick - not in my personal life, not in my work life and not in my writing. Instead I came out stronger and more balanced, on the other side. I lost some time, yes but I have plenty of time left and someday I will infuse that painful experience, the learnt knowledge and those felt feelings into my writing somehow. Cause that’s what I’ve always done. Tried to take my loss and pain and struggle and use it for good, in life and in my writing. ToS is about hope, first and foremost. The dandelion in the spring. When I struggled or felt really low and downhearted but still well enough to be able to take anything in I often went back to that speech Sam does in “The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers”: “Sometimes you didn’t want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy. How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened. But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer.” And that’s the words I try to live by and believe in. That’s why I want to spend the rest of my life writing stories about hope and acceptance and peace of mind. I do believe in the healing power words can have and it’s something I hope that I give or will be able to give to my readers one day. Hope and the simple, heart-felt joy of reading something you love. If I can make even one reader feel better then I’m happy and content. Lastly, I just want to add that you don’t have to worry about me. I feel much much better, my life is back on track, I would never, not ever try and end things, I have a super strong safety net now with lots of IRL Katnisses and Peetas and Finnicks and Mags and Greasy Saes and Hazelles and (sober) Haymitchs and Effies and of course my very own Dr. Aurelius - only mine is a lady and she doesn’t fall asleep in her chair. All my love to you, take care of yourselves out there and I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Author’s note 2: This chapter took on a life of its own. 6000 words in I simply had to cut it in two since long chapters break my back! So, chapter 38 is pretty much finished (just another round or two of editing needed) and should be up before the end of May. Also, as some of you “Eat, Pray, Love” fans probably noticed: Yeah, I totally stole “Put some District 12/Swedish muscle into this” from the awesome Elizabeth Gilbert movie. I just couldn’t resist!s

[papillenjolras]

A drabble about the June Rebellion from Enjolras’s point of view.

There's a sharp crack, accompanied by an even sharper smell in the air, and the first thing that comes to your mind isn't smoke- it's sharp and low and sweet like water and husky like voices in a back room and metallic like blood. But once your mind clears and you see that hanging haze of a cloud, you realize that it is smoke. Gunpowder smoke and then you realize that that means shots- and now you know why your ears are ringing so loudly that it's the third time Courfeyrac calls your name before you hear him- "Enjolras!"

You're nodding in confirmation- you're fine- you've heard gunshots before- why is this any different? Oh yes, that's why. Because people who pledged their life to your cause now lay dead in the streets and it's barely been fifteen minutes. The fighting's just breaking out now, the Calvary swooping in and cutting down anyone they can. The musket fire from guns that were supposed to be parade decorations pick off members of the new parade- the swarm- the revolution- that now crowds the streets with their flags. But the people who threw in their fates with yours are still shouting, running, some joyful, some panicked, some euphoric beyond any common emotion, all caught up in the chaos. You have to make sure that as many people as you can get home safely, or that their death means something. Because change, progress, justice- that's what makes all those lives lost worth it. To lose lives now, but deliver the lives of the whole country will be a just trade-off, in your mind. At least, you are completely ready to lay down your life for the deliverance of the people of France. It's the others that worry you. Those who are caught up without contemplation of what it means to die for the cause. Those who are unaware that death is a very possible outcome. Those that follow only out of loyalty to one man- well, there's only one of those that you know of. And you will spare him if you can. You remember that you tried- no message for him while you sent one to every other ami. He will think it is cruel, you are sure. It doesn't change the fact that you aren't trying to be. Just merciful.

You will be cruel again- in the name of justice, this time, instead of mercy. You are, as they say, a charming young man who is capable of being terrible.

The barricades are up now, and you see your brothers with you, preparing shot, arranging defenses. You don’t even know all of their names, but great perils bring to light the fraternity of strangers. You will die for them, and they will die for you, and you will all die for liberty.

“A gun, I want a gun! Why don’t you give me a gun?” Gavroche has been flitting over the barricade like a sparrow, and he’s moved on to more militaristically minded thoughts.

“When there are enough for the men, we will give some to the children.” It’s a jest, to ward off the gamin Gavroche’s pleas for a weapon, but the truth of it stings your heart. This child, who has seen first-hand the hardships of life, is just as willing to fight for them as you, if not more so. You let him. Can you deny him that?

Je suis un petit oiseau….

When he dies, singing as he’s shot, you wish that you had denied him.

Je suis tombé par terre…..

“Think or pray. You have one minute.” The man is on his knees before you, shaking and whimpering like the pitiful wretch that he is. His cries make no difference to you. You shoot him then, up close, his blood hot on your hands and the rattle of his lungs so close to your ears and you are a murderer, the same as him. You are condemned, like him, and you will share his fate. This is just.

“We will share your fate!” Combeferre tells you, gentle Combeferre, who hates violence like this. Who only wishes to deliver the people of the world into light and education. Combeferre, who is here shooting with the rest of them no matter how it pains his heart.

It’s a haze after that, and gunpowder smoke is everywhere and each flash in the pan blinds you and each shot deafens you. You hear your own voice order- “Wait! Don’t fire at random!” and feel the thrill of every man there waiting on your word. They look at you like some kind of savior, an avenging angel who will blaze a path to victory. You already know that you will not.

There’s a pause, and everything is in smoke. As the smoke clears, you wish that it would cloud up again so that you wouldn’t have to gaze upon the dead. Bahorel has fallen. Jehan is gone.

The night passes, and in the morning the revolutionaries have begun to chatter like birds in the dawn. An air of hope hangs about the barricade, and you wait, hidden in the shadows of the barricade, one hand pressed over your mouth to hold back a cry. It takes all of your strength to tell them, these hopeful faces turned towards you, that they are abandoned. They will all die within the hour.

Your voice is ragged as you plead them not to throw their lives away, and they refuse. No one will betray their brothers-in-arms, these strangers whom they have passed the night with. You are a leader, you must insist that they leave. Your heart would swell with pride if it were not breaking.

The clicking of guns cocking is as much an echo of the night’s shots as it is a precursor to the dawn’s cannonfire. It’s smoke again, confusion, and your own voice- “Fire!” and your own hands pulling the trigger but it’s your own breath that leaves when the man falls. You knew him. The smoke is in your eyes and you could use that as an excuse for the tears but that would be a disgrace to the men who lay dead at your feet. The army is wasting their men- they have such an exhaust of numbers that fallen soldiers matter little to them. But they matter to you- indeed, you mourn France’s soldiers more than she does herself.

It’s these moments, the respites between barrages, that are agony. Hoofbeats of the calvary sound in the distance, and the cannons fire elsewhere, and you wait, preparing, ruminating. But then, the final moments are there and everything is confusion and smoke, and death cries and blood, blood everywhere.

They’re begging at the doors, but, like before, the people of Paris have turned their backs. You shield them with your own body, but fate is cruel and they fall and you do not.

When Combeferre and Courfeyrac are at your side, the blows that kill them seem to steal the breath from your own lungs as well as theirs. They fall, and you seem to fall with them, but some cruel twist of fate leaves you standing, looking down at their lifeless bodies. It’s your fault that they are dead, and the deaths that you have bestowed upon others- either by your own hand that killed them or your own voice that lead them on, will be weighed against your soul when you follow them, soon enough. No shot could be soon enough. Each second that you breathe in without them is condemned.

And then you’re blinded by blood, furious, rendered savage and you can’t remember all that you did but there are men dead there and surely it was by your actions. You have no more weapons, only the stock of a gun that you have broken over someone’s head. You’re standing, alone, staring deeply into the eyes of the soldiers opposite you, and you breathe, the room silent and still. You fear being taken alive- with twelve to one they could surely manage it, and you know living will be much worse than dying. Your hand is steady- if you had a bullet you could use it and ensure death. But alas, you used your last shot long ago.

Then suddenly, the soldiers eyes leave you and you aren’t standing alone. Even he, that artist and drunkard whom you’ve treated cruelly throughout his constant presence among the amis, in hopes of saving him from throwing his life away from a cause that he doesn’t believe in, is here in the reeking and smoking bloodbath. And yet, you cannot say that you hate him for it. You have accused him of being incapable of believing. He has proved you wrong. You have accused him of being incapable of dying. He has proved you wrong.

His death is directly on your hands. You permit his death. You allow it. He has as much right to die here as anyone, you realize. There are many sorts of faith, you suppose.

Your hand is bloodied- his is clammy but free of the rust that mars your own. You have a sudden fear that you will be seperated, and you take his hand. You should be angry- at him for dying, at yourself for letting him, but you smile. You are not alone. He is not alone.

You are shot- you do not die. Not at first, anyways. There’s a numbness that comes with it, after the pain. You consider your companions who you have damned to a death such as this. Each bullet hole’s pain pales in comparison to the pain of knowing that each man connected to it is dead.

Combeferre, Courfeyrac, Jehan, Feuilly, Bossuet, Joly, Bahorel, Grantaire.

You have not fallen, and for one horrific second you think that perhaps, you will live. With a last glance at the carnage surrounding you, you hope that someday France will be free of such monstrosities. You die, then, joining your brothers in death on the last barricade of the June Rebellion.

[alicedrawslesmis]

ok so to recap the chapter: the insurrection is imminent and Enjolras is sending out his friends as scouts to check the group's connections to other groups. And it is funny because it makes it sound like all the friends of the ABC are sort of representations of the different groups that make up the june rebellion (Courfeyrac the École Polytechnique, Bossuet the lawyers, Grantaire the artists/assistants/models/sculpturists etc, and the bohemians - although Enjolras mentions how he wanted to send that fella Marius to see the artists but he doesn't come around anymore etc etc)

But anyways the artists are a bit volatile and need encouragement to participate - still true to this day, artists be like that - so Grantaire volunteered to go republicanely rile up the artists. There is a bit of back and forth with Enjolras and Grantaire and R goes home (which is five minutes from the Musain) and comes back with a red Robespierre waistcoat and gets all "see I can speak about Robespierre and Danton if you like! I'm not incompetent I got this!" and then whispers "don't worry" in Enjolras' ear (or 'be easy' depending on the translation) and then all the friends go on their respective ways.

Enjolras reserved for himself the Cougourde, which connects them to the central committee of the insurection (if that's even a thing, the Cougourde is a big group that connects smaller groups together and operates in the city of Aix). On the way to it he thought of all his friends as arteries going around Paris and it was so cute and he loves his friends so much ugh. But he decided to come check on Grantaire anyway to make sure he was doing a good job. When he arrived, he heard Grantaire losing a game of dominoes and yelling "Bitch!". I assume it was Grantaire we didn't actually know who said it but screaming 'bitch' sounds like something he'd do.

Note how it's implied Enjolras didn't do anything, he was there to see how Grantaire was doing but doesn't appear to have intervened. He'll probably have to go later to rile the artists up but this was Grantaire's mission and he gave the man the benefit of not humiliating him. He'll probably need to have a talk with him at some point about that.

I found it nice earlier tho, when Enjolras was assigning his missions to the amis, how he talks. Because he isn't like Courfeyrac and Combeferre who can argue about the philosophical validity of the charter, he was talking about duty and preparedness and how they must see to it they are ready to act when the time comes, because it's become clear that the insurrection will happen any day now. He talks via metaphors that guy. He honestly sounds like a guy whose lead you could follow. Fucking superb you funky little blonde cherub.

Sketching Les Mis Chapter 4.1.6 - Enjolras And His Lieutenants

“Je suis farouche!”