1st Video

[ella_of_frell]

[ When the NV turns on, Ella isn't really paying attention to it - though her intention might have been to use it, that thought is derailed by the chatter of several others nearby. ]

No - no no, I don't need - Excuse, me could you please stop pushing baskets at me, I don't want your brochures. Really, I appreciate it but - [ They are totally not listening. ]

No, thank you that's kind of you but could you just ... take... these -- but I - [ Yea, Ella, keep trying to talk over the company representatives. With a clatter, she drops the NV, and it now shows a crooked image of Ella with her arms full of baskets from AGI and SERO both, looking a bit lost, frustrated, and confused. Yet she perseveres! ]

I'm just trying to say - this is really too much so - oh! [ Aaand the bundle of baskets in her arms abruptly topple over when she loses her grip, tumbling onto the floor, papers scattering everywhere. Those representatives? Totally off to harass another newcomer. Help her? That's silly. ]

Could you h- oh, no, of course not, yeah, no walk away, that's just great... thanks. No, thank you,I've got it, not that you were lifting a finger to help or anything...

[ Sighing, Ella kneels to gather up what was foisted into her arms, though she catches sight of the NV recording. ]

... Is it always this...chaotic?

[ Maybe she can give this stuff to someone else. What she really needed was warmer clothing. ]

Comments

Video

[ella_of_frell]

Hattie? Powerful? [ Ella almost chokes on her laugh. ]

Look, you don't have to let her know you know. If she asks, just tell her you never saw me. [ EVER. And h-hey wait, she'll need that money to live ;.; ]

I truly, truly don't remember. You'd think I wouldn't forget a place as strange as this- even the smells are weird.

... I hate to ask but how long has she been here?

Re: Video

[makeflowersgrow]

Yes. She says she has powerful friends. I don't believe her, but I have to stay, just in case. I do not know about My Lady. She had just come back when she told me of her keys, but she had been before. Is she really a princess?

What will you give me for me not to tell? Money?

[How much should she go for?] One hundred dollers? A week, Madame?

[Feel free to knock her right down!]

Video

[ella_of_frell]

[ Excuse her Eponine, but Ella just starts laughing, right there on the floor, at the first question. ]

Hattie? A princess? Oh what stories has she been telling people, that's hysterical.

No, she's not a princess. She's a noblewoman, same as me - Only I don't shove my title in people's faces. [ Because that is obnoxious. ]

Sure she wants to be Queen, but Prince Char has better taste than that, He can't stand Hattie. [ Oh but her laughter subsides at the next question. ]

... are you seriously blackmailing me? I don't have that kind of money!

Re: Video

[makeflowersgrow]

Do not laugh at me! Any money, Madame. Give it to me, and I will not tell my lady.

Video

[ella_of_frell]

You said Hattie told you she was a Princess? How I can I not laugh at that?

Listen, I'm sorry you had to put up with my stepsister, but all I have on me is what I'm wearing, this sword, and this NV thing.

[ But that sword isn't going to sell for much. Of course... now with that command Eponine gave her just now she'd have to give her money if she had it. ]

Re: Video

[makeflowersgrow]

It is not funny. How was I to know? Her dresses are lovely. She looks like a princess to me. She said you were her sister - which, I suppose makes you a princess, too. My Lady.

Do you really have nothing worth money? Give me it. Anything worth money. And I will not tell Madame Hattie you are here. It is fair, no?

Video

[ella_of_frell]

It is to me. [ Though she did stop laughing when told, so there's that for ya. ]

She's my step-sister, not my sister. It's insulting to think I'd be related to that wretch. She's not a Princess, and neither am I. [ She sighs. ] If Char has any sense, she never will be Princess.

And it's Ella, not My Lady. [ If Eponine will even listen to that. But that command - she tenses, because now she HAS to. ]

No, it isn't fair. Nothing about blackmail is fair. But fine. Where am I supposed to give you what I have? [ Grrrr. ]

Re: Video >> Action?

[makeflowersgrow]

[That completely catches Eponine off guard]

So you will give me something? I will not tell, Madame Ella. You have my word. I can take Madame Hattie's NV and hide it somewhere she will never think to look if you like. She will not find you. This is not blackmail, though. I am not bad, Madame. It is just business. Otherwise, I can do as I wish and I can tell her.

I will come to the starter apartments, yes? Is that where you are?

[Eponine smiles. She's completely unaware of Ella's curse; she thinks Ella's just giving into her.]

I will be there in ten minutes, Madame.

Private Threadjack

[icy_heavens]

Exactly what the hell do you think you're doing? [His voice isn't raised, but it's incredibly cold and sharp.]

Re: Private Threadjack

[makeflowersgrow]

She has money, M'sieur. I have seen their house. Everything has a price, no?

[icy_heavens]

She just got back here. She has nothing. And she never did anything to you, besides; she doesn't deserve this kind of treatment.

[makeflowersgrow]

So what? A lot of people, M'sieur, do not. It is just payment for a service. Any payment.

[She is not backing down. Hattie's been awful to her, she has no money, Jack's blackmailing her, she's in debt to Mr. Gold AND she's lost her job at XXX. Ella, therefore, seems to be a solution to Eponine's financial problems.]

[icy_heavens]

If she doesn't have any, it certainly doesn't make any sense to demand any from her. [Stupid, stupid girl.] The only way she would have any of those things anymore would be to go back to that house. Which defeats your purpose entirely.

Her stepsister is liable to see this anyway, which is another reason why this is incredibly stupid. You can't do anything to prevent that; don't pretend that you can. I don't know what kind of crap you've got going on in your life, but don't think I'll sit back and let you take advantage of a good friend of mine because of it. Not a damn thing about this is acceptable.

[makeflowersgrow]

I can move Hattie's NV. If Madame were to give me enough, I could. M'sieur, it is not taking advantage. It is business, no? It is just how the world works.

[She could spew about selling hairbrushes and dresses to keep money coming in. She could tell about all of the hard work she does for nothing. But what's the point? This man already thinks badly of her.]

you cannot tell me what to do. There is nothing you can do. If Madame Ella wants my help, she can pay me.

Video - Threadjack!

[brat_from_hell]

[Far be it for Phibrizzo to be too helpful, but he does like Ella as much as he's capable of liking others and there is a certain logical point that should be made.]

You know, miss, it's not really worth blackmailing Ella over if she just made a public announcement over her NV. Miss Hattie will find out that she's here soon enough without your help so it would be pointless for Ella to pay you to stay quiet.

Re: Video - Threadjack!

[makeflowersgrow]

But she will give me money now. And I can make sure Hattie does not see her.

[Leave her be. The kid's getting desperate for money.]

Video

[brat_from_hell]

Unless you're amazing with technology, I don't think it's going to make a difference.

[He'd leave her be if it was more subtle and purposeful blackmail. This? This was out in the open and over something Hattie's perfectly capable of discovering even if this woman stays quiet in exchange for Ella's money.]

Do you really need money that badly?

Re: Video

[makeflowersgrow]

I don't need to be amazing with technology. I can hide her NV. Chuck it away.

[Yes - yes she does need money that badly, but not a chance is she admitting it.]

It is none of your business what I need.

Video

[brat_from_hell]

Well, I do have two businesses, but if you don't want a job and would rather blackmail people, I guess that's your choice. But it's not a smart choice.

Re: Video

[makeflowersgrow]

[She bites her lip. How can such a child have two businesses? It is not fair.]

Do they open in the hours of Darkness? I have two jobs during the day.

Video

[servingmichael]

['Archangel' doesn't translate over the NV but Raphael is intimidating, regardless, appearing to stare directly into her eyes over the feed, jaw set, eyes hard.]

I suggest you apologize and cease this behavior.

Re: Video

[makeflowersgrow]

[Oh gosh. Eponine seems to be in trouble with everyone here. But why does nobody care if people do it to her? Michael does scare her, but then, most people try to intimidate Eponine and she has learned to stare back at them as defiantly as possible. Which is why she glares right back at Raphael.]

Why should I? Every job has a wage.

Video

[servingmichael]

[Raphael's ability to care has been wrapped by thousands of years of watching humanity. He only cares because Michael asked him to watch over Ella.

Raphael sees the glare, one eye brow quirks, the corner of his mouth twitches. A challenge he'd win.]

Do you always backtalk your betters girl or did no one teach you better manners?

Re: Video

[makeflowersgrow]

[Playing the social standing game already? Eponine flinches and looks away. She hates it. She hates being bottom of the pile and she hates everyone pointing it out. But she makes herself look back at Raphael.]

my mama was too busy eating to teach me. And my papa... This is how he likes me. Now leave me alone. There is nothing wrong with business.

[She hates it. But at this point, she is too tired and hungry and scared she'll lose her room to stop herself from sinking further into the criminal world.]

Video

[servingmichael]

[He's an archangel. He's better than you. Period.

But he just continues to glower.]

I'm not in the habit of business. You want to make a deal? Wander down to the nearest crossroads, I'm sure someone will meet you. Ella happens to be a friend of my brother, and I will not tolerate her being threatened.

Am I understood?