[Video]

[blondandperfect]

[Sorry, Jack, Hattie's back. She's covered in mud again, and she looks pissed.]

WHAT is going on??

Is there another trick happening at the port!? Whoever started this better fix it right now! 

All of my things are in that house and she won't let me in!

[She then proceeds to whine.]

I want a bath! And my dresses! And my make-up! And my mirror! And my shoes! I can't live like this, I'm a PRINCEEEEEEEESS!

[*sob*]

Comments

[makeflowersgrow]

[She flinches as Hattie takes hold of her shoulders] Madame, no! I am not tired or stressed - I am... Madame, she disappeared. Look, Madame, I shall come and show you. The house is empty, Madame. Madame Ella has gone.

[blondandperfect]

[Hattie frowns.]

What is it that you're going to show me, Eponine? That Ella 'mysteriously disappeared' from the house? Did you know that from nine to five I mysteriously disappear from the house as well?

[She's then quiet for a moment. There must be some reason Eponine is making a big deal of this, but why? What would she gain from it?]

[makeflowersgrow]

Do NOT patronise me, Madame. I might be poor and I might be dirty, but it don't mean I'm stupid. And I ain't stupid. She was in the middle of shouting at me, and I turned round for a second - and she had just GONE.

[Wow, Hattie, you've managed to rile Eponine. She's angry, looking every bit like the little alleycat she is]

[blondandperfect]

[Hattie has a talent for it. However she doesn't lose her cool, and instead sets a hand on her hip.]

All right, then answer two questions Eponine. Are you a thief? The second question is, did you lie to Ella?

[makeflowersgrow]

A... a thief?

[She bites her lip] ...no, Madame. [She's a liar too, obviously, and she suddenly remembers the network posts about her being arrested]
...Yes, Madame. But I did not lie - only how I said I would lie to you. You TOLD me to lie and steal.

[blondandperfect]

[If allowed, Hattie would cup Eponine's chin, then lean in to whisper into her ear.]

It doesn't matter, I know how girls like you work.

Now listen to me, Eponine. I don't want to go back on my word, and I don't want anything bad to happen to you. But when I go home and find that Ella isn't coming back, there's only one conclusion I can come to, isn't there? That you had something to do with it.

And that's what the police would think, wouldn't they? You said you don't want to go back to jail, didn't you Eponine? And don't yell at me.

[makeflowersgrow]

[Eponine's heart stops. Like literally stops, just for a moment. Her eyes open wide and she stares at Hattie.]

I... I didn't do nuffin' Madame. Just what you told me. And then she was gone. I didn't do nuffin', Madame.

[She sticks her chin out] I ain't scared. I didn't do nuffin' to Madame Ella so you can tell the police.
[More lies. She's terrified. But she'll be damned if she shows that to Hattie.]

[blondandperfect]

[Hattie's impressed. She's uncertain how long Eponine's been doing this, but she seems fairly skilled. And brave. But her own expression remains serious, lightly stroking the other's chin.]

Maybe you did, maybe you didn't. Either way, Ella is not an easy person to replace.

You seem pretty confident that you'll get off lightly, Eponine. But I'm not the kind of person you want to make enemies with. You can either leave now, and I will do everything in my power to find a way to have you locked up forever.

.. Or..

You can become my new Ella. Which do you choose, Eponine?

[makeflowersgrow]

[She flinches away from the stroking, again as much as she is able to. Locked up forever?

Her hand strays to her hip where bits of goods from Hattie's house are concealed. She glances at the basket of fine food that Ella had given her. Hattie would say she stole that too. And killed Ella and got rid of the body. And the police would believe her. Of course they would. They wouldn't listen to a young girl, already jailed for pickpocketing and theft. She'd be locked up for good.

She looks back at Hattie. Eponine's eyes are filled with a mixture of emotions - fear, loathing... sadness.]

I choose that over jail. Being Ella.

[She has no idea what Ella did for Hattie though...] What must I do? Hide your keys, Madame?
[She's going for humour to hide her fear]

[blondandperfect]

[Hattie lowers her hand, then giggles in amusement.]

A very wise decision.

And a cute answer. No, she did mostly small tasks. But most importantly, she did sewing. Do you know how to sew at all?

[makeflowersgrow]

[Does it look as if Eponine knows how to sew? Everything she wears is ripped and ragged. She shakes her head. And then stops]

I can learn. I'm clever, I am, Madame.

[She says it quickly, as if to stop Hattie from rushing off to the police straight away]

And I can do other things. Clean and... things. And I can take messages -I can read, Madame.

[blondandperfect]

[It doesn't, but Hattie figures that Eponine has more important things to do; like surviving.]

Really.

[But the girl follows up, and it brings a smile to Hattie's lips.]

Hmn, I see. All right, Eponine, I'll give you a chance. However there is one rule. You will not steal from me. I will also teach you how to sew. So long as you obey, I will treat you well. Are we clear?

[makeflowersgrow]

[She nods, a little reluctantly, but she does nod at least. Between appeasing Hattie and working off her debt to Mr Gold, Eponine is going to have little time for actually earning money, it would seem. She sighs. Least she's free.]

I'll do what I'm told. Madame. When do you want me?

[blondandperfect]

That's a good girl.

I want you to return to my house tomorrow at eight in the morning. We'll discuss the terms of your work, and I will take your measurements for your dress- I did promise that after all.

Get plenty of rest, there will be quite a bit for you to do.

[She decides she'll let Eponine keep what's in the basket for now.]

[makeflowersgrow]

Fine.

[Her voice is cold. She knows quite well that she is being blackmailed into working for Hattie, and she knows there is nothing she can do. Right now, she loathes Hattie, and every inch of her face says so.]

Fine. I will come. But I tell you now, Madame, that I must leave to pay off my debt to Mr. Gold in the afternoon. He will not be happy with either of us if you keep me - and he is a powerful enemy to make.

[And with that, she stalks away. How does she get herself into these messes? All for a dress, as well!]

[blondandperfect]

That's 'My Lady', Eponine.. Though if you could, do tell Mr. Gold that Hattie says hello. He'll remember me.

[And she smiles, apparently not worried about him in the least. She's not bothered by her cold tone either, she's had plenty of that with Ella. And it seems now Eponine will be playing the part of Cinderella.]