[Dawn is barely even trying to tickle the sky awake, but that doesn't seem to be squashing the enthusiasm of that annoying kid who either delivers or abuses pastries for a living -it's difficult to tell at times. There he is, with the usual shit eating customer service grin, hair rustling in the chilly breeze and full of fat, half-melted snowflakes. They don't seem to be bothering him at all.]

Attention, everyone. I'm Hanamura Yosuke. Hello to anyone who is new. There's good news this morning! Due to the weather, the scones from yesterday couldn't be sold at the Funtom bakery. I've had to come up with ways to use them, so I thought I would share.

[It's probably not a good idea to leave a somewhat resentful teenager to his own devices in a place of business. Or so one would believe, given what follows.]

If you grind them up like cat litter, they unstick snow-stuck cars. They can also be used as paper weights, and nut crackers. Some of the children on the playground have used them for stick ball! Really, the uses are endless. So please take them away before someone tries to eat one and breaks a tooth again.

[That slightly sarcastic and generally mean spirited bit of "advertisement" aside, the kid suddenly grows serious.]

Ah...there is one more use for them that I came up with. Since I didn't have anyone to ask for a blessing, I think the direct route will have to do.

[And there, behind him in the snow as he turns and pans the camera out, is one last (and equally unfirtunate) demonstration. There's something written out, huge and painstakingly, all in blueberry scone. There's even a heart made of sprinkled dried cranberry around it, which has bloomed up like rose petals with the moisture of the snow:]

MARRY ME NILL

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It was a waste...

[He's not laughing, though. Not even pretending. This didn't go as he expected it to at all.]

Serves me right I guess. Now I'll have to clean it all up.

Yosuke?

[She'd been so absorbed in her own sadness of yet another friend leaving her, that she hadn't noticed...]

Did Nill say 'no'?

Sorry, but I really don't want to talk about it.

[He doesn't sound like a man who just secured happiness, at any rate.]

...Uh, but forget that. What's wrong? You're not hurt, are you?

[Of course he doesn't. Her lip quirks up, and she says softly,]

Monsieur, I know... if you need to talk. I know how you feel. In Paris, I cried every day for Marius. But he would never love a girl such as I.

[She snorts laughter, and wipes away another little tear.] I am fine, Sir. Always fine. You know me, Monsieur. I'm okay.

You're still hung up on that prick?

[Thought it works, just a but. His expression softens just slightly.]

Today's a good day to blow off work. Especially considering what Gil-San will think when he sees what I did to his scones. What do you say?

"You call him a prick? You do not like Marius, Monsieur? He is... he was the only good thing in my life for a long time.

[Still, she's brightening up considerably now it seems that Yosuke is not going to marry Nill]

Will M'sieur Gil-san be cross, Monsieur? I do not have work today, Monsieur. What do you want to do? Ice cream? Or cake? Or - we could take a picnic to the sand or the woods?

Sure I do. He never noticed, right? I know how that feels too.

[And food sounds terrible, but seeing how it's her favorite thing, he might as well humor her.]

...Let's go somewhere quiet. I'm thinking a lot of people probably saw this.

Why would he? But Monsieur, it's not to talk of me -

[She thinks for a minute] What about a picnic in the woods? I will get you - I can afford a taxi - and we will go somewhere where there is nobody else.

[She pauses again] Monsieur... Yosuke... there is nothing wrong with saying your love. Do not be embarrassed, you know?

Apparently loving her is fine, but asking for her hand isn't. Don't ask me why, but everyone seems to agree.

[SIGH.]

Uh...the woods sounds good, though. Or maybe the beach. No one goes there in weather like this I bet.

Do you truly love her, Monsieur? Really love her?

[Eponine sighs too. If Yosuke was to marry Nill, she'd be a third wheel, unwanted, again. She's kinda glad that Nill refused.]

The beach then. We'll go there. I will go and buy food, and then I will collect you in a taxi and we can go away from the world. I won't even tease if you cry.

Is it so hard to believe? I know she gets angry at me a lot, but I promise, sometimes she loves me back.

[Which seems to depress him at the moment. That's the part of the formula that doesn't add up. If he loves her, and she loves him, how could it fail?]

Huh? ...Yeah, sure. That sounds g-hey! I'm not going to cry!

No... I don't know people who could not lo - like you.

[She grins her wistful smile again]

Well, you know? You often cry or be sick. But today - I won't tease. Maybe we can be brave and stay until the stars come out tonight!

Trust me, it's possible. But usually she understands me even when no one else will. This time something went wrong.

[Yet another sigh. He's going for the record today, clearly.]

Aw come on. Won't you ever stop holding how we met against me? It wasn't my fault! There was a plague going around!

[And he's not about to admit that he's been caught crying once or twice too, though he can't exactly deny it either. Damn it.]

No. It is the funniest thing I have seen whilst I am working, Yosuke. I think of it often to make me smile at Afterglow, you know?

[To the comments about Nill, she merely sighs and shakes her head. never hers to lose - not even like Marius was. Eponine was more scared of losing a friend]

Swell.

[That's a bit dry, but in the end he gives her a small, reluctant smile anyway.]

Think you can help me figure out how to fix it? It's obvious I'm terrible at this.

[That makes her laugh]

You ask me how to fix love? Monsieur - Marius did not notice even when I took a bullet for him. I do not think he will notice if I am sent back to truly die there. At least Madame Nill notices you, Sir.

You're not going back there. I'm definitely not going to allow it. You'll stay with us.

"With you and Madame Nill, Sir?"

[Eponine smiles sadly but she shakes her head.]

I had thought, perhaps, you and I... But you love Madame. And that is it, no?

[Eponine: Friendzoned since 1832]

[Recorp rip...

Give him a sec here...

Nope, still gaping...

Still...

Still...

BLINK.]

Sorry, what? I must have been daydreaming for a moment. It's been a weird morning.

[Eponine just smiles sadly back.]

At least she loves you, Monsieur. There is hope there.

Yeah...there's-of course there is. She's kind of ruffled, but she's not really mad. Trust me, this will be fine.

But uh...um. I think we need to talk.

She will be fine, Monsieur. You'll be happy together. And perhaps, when you are old and grey, you will come to visit me with your little ones and say, 'Look 'Ponine. Is she not beautiful?' And we will talk about your wedding day, of how drunk you were.

[Her smile fades]

Us? About what? We can talk on the sand if you like?

...Sure. You're right. This is enough spectacle already.

-And don't let me get drunk at my wedding, okay?

[She laughs again] I will perhaps allow it - but I will sober you up before your wedding night, too. I will be there in twenty minutes in a taxi, Monsieur.

See you then.

Video...in which there is an abundance of scones

MARRY ME NILL

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oops typo

Re: oops typo

Re: oops typo

do you want me to stick up an awkward sand log?

sure lets do it