sirenspull | Another accidental video - re-entry with a new canon point

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Another accidental video - re-entry with a new canon point

[Dirty fingers brush over the NV screen when it switches on, leaving bloody streaks across the screen. The whole video is vibrating; as the fingers move, a view of the Newcomer apartments from the baseball diamond is clearly visible. Whoever is holding the NV is clearly a newcomer and clearly in some kind of trouble.

After a minute, there's a shallow gasp and a moan; the voice is high pitched, obviously a girl's. The NV falls, and goes black; it's camera down in the dirt. But it lasts only a minute. The owner of the voice goes to pick up her NV, gasping in agony as her hand curls around the device. It's obvious why; there's a hole shot clean through her palm and out of the back of her hand.]

Marius? Marius, where are you?

[The voice has a heavy French accent when she speaks, and just for a minute, Eponine's face comes into view. It's dirty and tear stained. Her hair is a mess, greasy and tangled but that is the least of Eponine's concerns. She's forced herself into a sitting position, and one hand she presses to her chest, - a chest which is bleeding profusely. She gasps again, and sinks down onto the ground and out of sight of her NV.Without anything to support her weight, she can't keep herself upright any more. She knows she's dying, and tears wet her cheeks. She feels sick and dizzy and the world - wherever she is, fades in and out. She needs to see him before she dies. Her breathing is getting more and more shallow. She has to ask his forgiveness.]

Mariussss...

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.. Eponine..

[Hattie goes through her bag and draws out a light orange kerchief, which she hands over to the girl. She'll let Eponine say what she wishes, and spend some time collecting her thoughts once she's under less stress. There's always time for reeducating later, to make her a proper Ehvenn. She isn't certain what to say about her actions in front of Marius, so she'll distract with shinies.]

Oh yes, speaking of which. I've brought you a couple changes of clothes- Sort of, I was told most patients have to wear gowns, and yes you are warm all the time, but I figure that isn't any excuse not to look fashionable!

[One is pink with black diagonal stripes, the other light blue with a floral pattern. And two shawls of complimentary colors.]

As for me, you can thank me by getting better soon. And I don't have work today, so I could stay around for a while.

[She is trying to control herself - and she takes the handkerchief gratefully so that she can at least hide her face.]

M'sieur - I do not know how to th-

[She manages as her sobbing subsides. But she's distracted by the dresses that Hattie pulls out. Of course, they'll probably be big on her again; all the weight she had put on in Port had disappeared in Paris, and she was back to the emaciated creature she had been previously. But they were beautiful, and they looked new and - and they were all for her. She holds her hands out for the dresses]

Are they really for me?

[Eponine has nothing but the bandages and some ratty underwear on - not that it can be seen, the way the blankets are covering her, and these dresses are definitely a treat.]

I'll wear them - I'll look after them for you - until they let me up. I don't want to wear them lying down.They are lovely.

[She smiles, tightening her grip back round Warsman's hand.] You said not to thank you - but I know my Lady likes it. And I am... not happy that you are here. Perhaps I do not know the word. But I am glad. Monsieur, when you need me, I will help you, you know? For no money. But I will help you.

[Smart thinking on Hattie's part. The dresses make for a useful distraction for all of them, though Warsman makes slightly selfish use of the moment, dabbing his eyes quickly with the hem of his poncho before he gives himself away. Two near misses there. He's getting good at this.

At any rate, he's the last person who should be talking about dresses or clothes, and so he waits until that part of the conversation has subsided before he speaks again, prompted by the sudden gentle squeeze back around his hand.]

I understand. And thank you- knowing that really does mean the world to me. [It's hardly eloquent, but it's honest.]

Hmn? Oh no no you misunderstand. They only look like dresses, but they're actually hospital gowns, [Hattie has an amused smile as she hands them over, oblivious to Warsman destroying evidence of his man-tears.] They're made for you to be able to wear them in the bed, you see. I'll get you a change of outside clothes for when you're discharged later, you look skinny again.

Anyway, yes, they are for you. Also I got you a couple of books to read- I wasn't sure what you'd like so I have one that's a collection of poetry, a couple of mystery novels, and some fashion magazines.

[She glances to Warsman after he speaks, and she just shakes her head.]

And speaking of fashion.. Warsman, I think we need to do something about your day look. The tights and briefs are starting to get a bit much this time of year, don't you think?

[She squeezes Warsman's hand just that little bit harder. She doesn't want to start crying again; Hattie's hanky is soggy enough as it is. But squeezing at least acknowledges his words and shows that she means them. She hopes. Hattie's chatter about dresses helps too, and she listens gratefully.]

Hospital gowns? What do they do? To wear in bed? They are lovely; I would be proud to wear them out.

[Though she realises now that they have no back. Maybe NOT to wear out then. Still, they are lovely.]

My lady, will you help me in a minute? I cannot tie with all of these tubes and things that bleep and bandages on me.

[And books as well? Eponine laughs] Well, I suppose I have my wish I said to Yosuke. I was telling him I would love to practise to read, but that there is never time - and now I can practise with poems and mysteries. I do not know either; Marius had history books. I read to him once, about the Battle of Waterloo. My Papa fought there, you know?"

[And Warsman starts, not expecting to be involved in this conversation at all- though his expression quickly takes a turn for the decidedly wounded with her comment.]

I don't wear tights. [... is that all he really has to say in his own defense? Oh, dear. Very quickly, he adds:] It's fine. Anyway, if you're going to change, I should step outside for a while. Is there anything you need?

What do they do? What more do you need besides looking fabulous? Indoors, of course. Indoors.

[Hattie looks terribly amused, and nods in agreement to helping her put it on. But she gives a blank stare at the mention of 'Battle of Waterloo'. Something tells her she should not ask who won. So she smiles and nods.

And as for Warsman, well.. Again she's a bit disappointed. She had expected a better reaction than that; but if he's going to play softball, she waves him off.]

Of course you don't. I do not need anything.

"It is okay, Monsieur - there is nothing I can take off anyway; these bandages are here to stay for now. And I am completely covered, you know?"

[She laughs] Are tights not stockings? I thought they were only for ladies? Monsiuer, is there a thing you do not tell me? Am I really to call you Madame?

[If he could blush he'd be doing it right now: Eponine's probably close enough to feel the heat coming off of his mask.] I don't wear tights. Really.

[Part of him would like to launch into an impassioned defense of the people he knows who do, but that doesn't exactly seem wise.

Instead, he quickly steps back from the bed.] A-anyway, even so... [Warsman coughs awkwardly and finally lets himself look away.] It wouldn't be gentlemanly of me to stay. I'll be just outside of the room. Please, call me when you're ready, alright? [aaand he scuttles to the door]

[Hattie can't help but grin as Eponine teases, but again can't help but end up a little disappointed by such a simple, short response. Once he scuttles off she rolls her eyes.]

I have a long way to go with him. All right, let's get you changed.

[She's careful in trying to get Eponine to sit up with her legs off the bed.]

He's fun to tease sometimes but.. Seriously, looking at him makes me cold. Someway, somehow I am getting him to wear slacks this winter.

"To go? Where are you taking him, Madame? My Lady?"

Eponine sits up slowly, her uninjured hand pressed to her gun wound. It hurts, a lot, and it makes her gasp in pain. After all, she was in surgery for it less than 24 hours ago. But Eponine knows that sitting up properly is the first step to being allowed home. And she HAD managed to get off the bed the day before - though it was a good job the doctors were there, shouting at Yosuke, to catch her.

She manages to get into the position that Hattie wants her in with some help, and she sits, wheezing. Her face is pale, but she's proud that she managed it. And sat like this, Hattie will be able to see how thin Eponine truly is. Her stomach is hollow, her waist line slopes right in, her hip bones jut out at sharp angles, and her legs are like match sticks. From her tatty old bloomers down, as well, Eponine is filthy. From her waist up, though, her stomach is brown with iodine, until the bandages start their covering just above the bottom of her hips. Still, Eponine doesn't seem concerned.]

Is Monsieur Warsman poor? I would not have stolen his purse, had I known that.

Excellent, Eponine.. Hmnn.. [Hattie is as careful as she possibly can be, pausing between Eponine's gasps, but little more than that- A nurse Hattie is not. And once she's gotten a look at how much skinnier the girl has gotten, she looks mildly concerned.]

Well.. The first thing we are doing once you are released is getting you a large meal. [She has no idea she's looking at iodine. In fact she seems more concerned about the undergarments, and sighs as if it were her problem.] So much to do.. Terrible.. Hmn?

Poor? Well, that is hard to say. Warsman isn't very materialistic and he seems low maintenance. I honestly have no idea what he buys. Hold out your arms.

"A large meal? Yes - yes, that'd be nice. As soon as I was back in Paris, Madame, I was hungry like I had not had food in almost a week - and indeed, Madame, if I had not come here, I would not have eaten for five days before I was shot. I can barely remember the taste- but now, even the thought makes me feel sick. The doctors say it is the medicine they gave me."

[She laughs at Hattie's sighs and grumbles.]

Madame, you are lucky I have any pants on; these are not mine; I stole them because the trousers are rough on the bottom, you know?

[She's actually proud of her borrowed underwear. Eponine does as she's told, first detatching the pulse monitor and then holding out her arms. She's visibly shaking from the exertion, but she is determined to have a pretty dress-thing on.]

He was going to buy me shoes, once upon a time. He must be cold, though. You know, nobody in France walks around like he does. He would be arrested for indecency.

Five days?

...

[Hattie thought about it a moment; how long she had gone without food back in 1918 was actually a blur to her. As Eponine holds out her arms, Hattie is quick in getting the old gown off, then putting the new one on in it's place, the cyan gown first, then the orange-red shawl over her shoulders.]

Still pickpocketing, are you? I hope there will be less of that this year. This is a new year and a new beginning for the both of us. There, it's done. You did excellent, Eponine.

[She smiles, looking proud, then takes out her NV, which is in the shape of a rectangular compact. She snaps it open and holds it sideways for Eponine to see herself.]

Obviously it would look better with your hair a bit fixed up, but we can't do much about that right now. He was going to buy you shoes? [Jealous!] Well, no one where I am from does either.. Well, sort of. I mean he looks like a knight with less armor, so it didn't strike me as too odd when I met him. I don't know, though. Maybe he has the ability to stay warm too.

Yes. There is a reason I am skinny, Madame. I could not afford food; a lot of people could not. And when we had food, Papa ate, and then Mama ate, and the gang sometimes - and then me. I was allowed the left overs. It is just how it happens in Paris; Marius gave me bread sometimes. I told you, no, that we tried to catch a rat? Cat, dog, horse - any meat is good, though that is rare indeed.

[She held her breath as Hattie fastened the gown to her, and she looks down with a pleased smile once it is on.] Pickpocketing? [She looks up, guiltily. Oh Hattie. If only you knew how far into the criminal mire Eponine currently finds herself in. Between Jesse's commissions and Jacks' vouching for her at Afterglow so she can get some quick cash, Eponine is not exactly a model citizen.] No, No, I will not pickpocket. [Jesse's forbidden it]

But, Madame - [She was going to explain her troubles - but then Hattie holds out a mirror and Eponine grabs for it eagerly. She loves mirrors, and she looks eagerly into it. She doesn't look pretty, not by a long shot. Her hair's a messy tangle, curled by the rain in Paris, and her face is dirty and tear stained. But the gown and the shawl are lovely, and Eponine smooths the shawl down over her shoulders, all the while pouting and giggling at her reflection.]

Mmm... [Her reply is distracted] Yeah; after the monster tried to eat me and he saved me. It ate my shoe though. It was when I was coming back to your old house after working at Uzushio.... I think it is a good thing to stay warm always. I missed it in Paris, you know? Almost as soon as I was back, it started to rain, and it was raining again when I was shot. You have knights where you are from? Like the stories?

[Hattie looks a bit sympathetic, but she's really mostly confused- Despite her hardships, she really cannot fathom the order of food being eaten. She just can't. And at the mention of eating a rat, she immediately starts to look ill. She skips along to the promise not to pickpocket.]

Very good.

[She can't help but smile at how eager Eponine is to look at herself. She enjoys looking at her reflection as well. The expressions she makes amuses Hattie.]

Oh.. I see. Well no wonder you two get along. And yes, we have knights. And giants, and elves. Ogres too, though I've never seen one. And of course wolves. They're absolutely horrible.

I really do not know why he likes me. I was saying this to Yosuke; in Paris, I have no one, but here, a lot of people seem to like me.

[That makes her smile wistfully. Her blow-up at Yosuke is something she regrets.]

do you really? It sounds like you live ina fairytale. I would like to see those... But not wolves. I do not like wolves - especially after Kyra. I cannot believe Ella let it hurt me.

[Hattie chuckles.]

Well, frankly, I am certain if there is anyone Warsman does not like. He is far too friendly and forgiving for his own good. Besides, you aren't unlika-

[Hattie suddenly freezes for a moment. It was almost exactly like Ella, really. Ella was so unpopular at home she only had one friend. Yet here at the Port she had many. They've even both been her servants! Though, Hattie doesn't believe Ella is a victim, and that is the damnding difference. She relaxes and lets her thought go.]

Here you are special. Exotic. And I suppose I do, though to me this place is a 'fairy tale'. Well.. A grim version, anyway.

Frankly, I can. I knew it was only a matter of time. Ella isn't as perfect as she thinks she is; her ego is out of control.

[If Eponine thought that Hattie thought she was a victim of anything, she'd be mad!]

Exotic? Like spices? Perhaps you are exotic too - but some people do not like you, you know. I think it is Ella - her friends do not like me either. She is strange; I cannot decide if I like her or no. She was nice to me, but she says bad things of you. And she made me leave. That room you gave me was the loveliest I have had. I do not know what to think of her; she gave me a lovely christmas, but she let me be homeless; she was going to let me go to the shelters. I know she is your sister, Madame... But she would not give me clothes as you do.

[Eponine's conveniently forgetting all of the hard work and lack of pay under Hattie. For now, she is so grateful for Hattie even turning up!]

Mnn.. Well, maybe. I see myself more as 'traditional'. And, yes, well that comes with the territory, Eponine, jealousy and the like. I've been thinking about changing my image again. Really modernize it.

[She glances to Eponine.]

Naturally she would, she used to be my servant after all. I may have asked for the occasional impossible task or two, but she knew what she signed up for. She has no right to complain.

She believes she can change her fate, but she'll always be a servant. Forever. It's in her blood. Now you, you're destined for greater things, Eponine. [She smiles gently, and reaches to cup the girls cheek] It's understandable to be confused; but I think deep down you realize that, between the two of us, only I can prepare a desirable future. It is a simple case of short term versus long term happiness.

I confess that I should not have been so harsh on you in the pass, I was blind to your previous hardships. But I did not want to simply hand you what you wanted. I wanted you to feel as if you truly earned it."

"Ella was your servant?" No wonder she dislikes Hattie. "You had your sister as your servant?"

Eponine thinks about it. Would she have had Azelma as a servant? And Gavroche as a butler? Perhaps when they played games, but not really.
"I don't think that is nice. Perhaps it is right to take a girl off the streets and give me a bed if I do your chores... But not your own sister. Me... I do not care what you ask me to do. I grumble, yes, and I wish you paid me. But I do not mind."

She. 's surprised when Hattie cups her cheek, and automatically flinches, as the gesture back home is inevitably followed by a hard slap or being taken off by some ship hand or something.
But she listens in astlonishment. "Greater things? Like being a lady? Do you really think that?"

Eponine is fairly certain that Hattie's mistaken. The French girl knows that she's got to pretend to be a prostitute for Jesse to help him steal powers. And she knows that she'll have to ask Jack for a job at Afterglow again - just for six months, soshe can finally be free of debt and truly start over. None of this, though, makes her any closer to being a lady. She says nothing to Hattie for now, though.

"I do not mind, My Lady. My life in France was hard; the life of the poor always is. But yiu know I was rich once. And even poor, I had a bed, unless Papa beat me and threw me out, or arranged a meeting. And there was food sometimes. I don't care if you do not understand. Unless you live it, I think, you cannot understand. And I do not care if you make me work and make me go for jobs with AGI companies when I am in trouble with them. I do not care if you never let me be a lady any more. All I want is a bed and a pillow and a friend."

"I did, yes.. But you seem to be a little confused," Hattie replies, "She was a servant before we became sisters. My mother and her father met about two.. Three years ago? Something like that. To accept someone like her as my sister is laughable really. Ella does not have the desires you do. If she did, then, perhaps I would have been lenient." to the flinch, Hattie looks surprised a moment, then seems to understand why quickly, ".. Sorry."

She thinks a moment about 'pay', then sighs, "Yes.. Well.. Things are a bit complicated now. And yes, I do. Obviously it will not happen overnight, but under my guidance, it can be done. It would take a year.. Maybe two. You have a number of bad habits you need to overcome."

Hattie seems a little alarmed by the final statements, though, taken aback, even. She raises her fingers to her lips, ".. I do not think now is a good time to be discussing all of this after all. Once you are discharged and well, then we shall discuss our future more carefully. All right?"

"Still... I suppose I understand a little why she dislikes you now. I did not like you much, you know? And when we went back to that place, you did frustrate me. But then, you ARE a lady. You should not put your hands in dirt and break into shops, no?"

She laughs though. "My desires? You mean to be a lady? Yes, that I would like... I wanted it for Marius, but he wouldn't notice me anyway. Do you really think only a year? I know I do bad things - and it is hard to stop. Whilst I am doing it, I do not even think it is bad."

She stops though, in astonishment when Hattie puts her finger to her lips. Why does she not want to hear that? It is hardly the worst thing Eponine has said. But she says nothing and instead eases herself back onto the bed properly so that she's lying down. "That sounds good, Madame. Do you have a house now then? We should get your house back from Ella... give her money or something, do you not think?"

"Mmghhh. Whatever." getting thrown out of the house a week before Christmas was still a very sore spot for Hattie. Frankly she doesn't want to talk about it anymore, and she still doesn't think she deserved it.

"It takes time.. Short for some, longer for others. We shall see. I don't have a house yet; right now I'm staying with my ex. Until the end of the month, probably. I feel like I'm forgetting somethin-" ... Ooops. Hattie suddenly gets to her feet, then trots over to open the door, ".. We're done."

Then she heads back to Eponine's bed, with her hands behind her back, "I've been thinking about it. But I don't want to give her money, that's preposterous.."

She loves money too much to do something like that!

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Another accidental video - re-entry with a new canon point

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Pretend the icon is her laughing...

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