*several loud knocks on the door could be heard*
Bonjour! Is that the god forsaken rue Plumet 55?
@cigarettes-and-civilcode
*He opens the door.*
Bonjour?
Ah, really nice to meet you.
*slightly tips his hat*
Does monsieur Valjean live here? I was informed that this is supposed to be the correct address. But I'm not particularly interested in him, rather a woman who was seen here with him.
*calls from upstairs* Javert, who is it?
I know not!
@cigarettes-and-civilcode
*he comes downstairs to talk to Tholomyes*
You seem to have the wrong address. No women live here, and my name is not Valjean, it is Ultime Fauchelevent. What business have you?
Oh really? What nonsense this has turned out to be! I swear people will say anything just to get more money... My apologies, monsieur! You seem like a decent person.
*reaches out to shake hands*
Believe me, i started this whole voyage with only the purest of intentions in mind!
Are we having guests? I just don't recall anyone speaking this loud in our house before.
*she leaves her room before abruptly stopping in a hallway*
Uh...
*gasp* Fantine! I knew i could sense something in the air today.
Oh...
*tries to grab the nearest wall to keep balance*
Oh god...
*he goes to support her*
Fantine? Do you know this man?
Huh?.. Yes. Yes i do know him.
*as she says it she tries to turn her face away from Felix*
Maybe more than i should.
I will get rid of him. Say no more.
@cigarettes-and-civilcode
Kindly, Monsieur, I must ask you to leave. I’m sure you understand.
*His tone is icy*
Wait. I don't think i will ever have an opportunity like that... Felix, stay for a moment.
Madamoiselle…? Are you sure?
*he whispers to Fantine* This man…he looks a bit like…he’s not Cosette father, is he?
*whispers back to him*
They really do look similar... I used to think it was just in my head.
Um, excuse me?
*he leans lightly on his cane*
Oh, apologies, Monsieur. You see, I am merely Fantine’s father, and by extension, Cosette’s grandfather. I was just surprised to see you. I did not know who you were.
Ah, you're the father! Hahaha, my apologies! I thought you might be her husband, i swear haha.
I- I’m thirty years her elder…
Yes, I am. Her father, I mean. And your relation to Fantine is…?
Do not worry yourself. I saw worse things in court, so i have absolutely no right to judge you.
Ah, we were... former partners. But way too long ago.
You’re Euphrasie’s father?
*he gives Valjean a genuine puzzled look*
Who?.. Monsieur, as far as I'm aware- i have no kids of mine. I must say that i don't appreciate these senseless accusations.
Don't get mad at him. He's just overly cautious, so sometimes he ask these sorts of questions.
Tell me, since when you even started using this?
*gestures at the cane*
Pff. I'm not offended. But some other short-tempered bloke would already be screaming through the roof.
Oh this thing? Very simple- i fell off a horse. About 10 years ago or so. Crazy animal threw me like i was a ragdoll. I thought I would die of shame right then and there, hahaha. Didn't want to show my face in town after that for some time.
How embarrassing! I don't even know what would i have done if that had ever happened to me. No chance you will ever see me in such situation. There's nothing more shameful in life- as falling off a horse, indeed. But I'm glad you're mostly alright. Can i take a look at it?
Oh come on! I doubt that after so many years you're still so innocent. People tend to do crazy things. That's in our nature... Oh, here you go.
*he hands her the cane and starts slightly fidgeting with his hands*
Anyway, i must congratulate you. You have a daughter! I get jealous just from thinking that some lucky bastard got to have you. What an idiot i was, haha.
*it takes her a moment to compose herself*
Thank you..
*suddenly a roaring childish laughter can be heard from him*
Oh god. I just noticed, i just noticed! What happened to you?
*he motions at his teeth while looking at Fantine*
Is that some kind of fashion statement? Hahahaha
Haha, look who's talking. You're never were a prince charming, but right know it's just pathetic! Mon dieu, do you have no mirrors in you house, Felix? I won't believe it, haha!
*he seems to start laughing even louder*
Yes, yes i am! Ugly as a frog! Can't even deny it! You're so perceptive, dear Fantine.
*it takes him a couple of minutes to calm down*
Ahem- But yeah, it would certainly be nice to talk to the father of your child. I just know that he's a fantastic fella... I doubt it's the man who opened the door for me. He doesn't seem like the type to.. to be.. to have.. No i can't come up with the right words. Well, c'est la vie.
*slam's her hands on the table*
This is ridiculous! You were never here for me, not even for one damn day, and yet you have the nerve to make fun of the only few people who actually help me?! You have no right to do that!
I knew i saw someone a few days back, a familiar pair of eyes. I thought maybe I'm just being paranoid, but to see you of all people on our doorstep.. You have the audacity to show up unannounced after leaving me with a child!
A CHILD?!
*he sprang up to his feet with such force, that the chair, he was sitting on, fell backwards*
....From me?..... Are you for certain?
Of course it's from you! Who do you even think i am? How could i possibly trust any men in this way, after what you did to me?! Am i a fucking joke to you, Tholomyes? Right in this house lives a girl, who never knew you existed and i was scared to even begin to imagine what i would tell her, has she suddenly decided to ask questions about you!
Well, why didn't you tell me back then? I would have never left you like that, had I known!
If it wasn't for your fucking suprise- i would have confessed by that time! But you just didn't care. You left me completely alone in a matter of seconds. Do you even know what you did? Do you?!
Hey hey hey, i think this conversation is getting a little out of hand. It definitely wasn't in my interest to get you this work up. Fantine, you don't look so good. I mean it!
*motions at his face*
....perhaps i can talk to the child... You don't mind?
Since when did you care about how i look? You're standing here, embarrassing me in front of important people! You can't even comprehend what your presence is doing to me!
*Her patience, pushed to the boiling point, finally snaps and she throws the cane at Felix, but misses. It loudly fell to tha floor while Fantine's condition has worsened dramatically - after spending a significant amount time on yelling she suddenly started balling her eyes out while swaying from side to side, hugging herself and eventually sliding down to the floor.*
You ruined me! You ruined me. How could you do that.. I thought you loved me...
Cosette cannot stand to be outside anymore, watching this happen.
Maman!
She runs over to her, sitting on the ground next to her and holds her.
Eponine tries to stop Cosette as she runs into the room.
Cozy, no!
Oh lord.
You can’t stop me from being here! That bastard hurt my mom!
She glares at Tholomyes as she says it.
@cigarettes-and-civilcode
Eponine holds her back.
I know, I know, you're right, but fighting him won't fix anything. It won't undo all the hurt he's caused.
There are tears in her eyes as she says it.
Don't give him the satisfaction of lashing out, he's not worth it. I doubt your mother wants that for you.
She glances at @fantine-offical
*hearing a familiar voice she looks up only to discover Eponine's presence*
Ah... Ponine?.. oh no, i haven't noticed you at all.
*rapidly wipes her faces and gets up*
You're out?... Of the jail, i mean. For how long?
Couple days. I'm alright, madame. ...are you?
You sure? You were gone for such a long time..
*the presence of girl seems to help her gain her composure back*
Well I'm glad you're back... Me? Oh, I don't know what to say. I don't even know what this man wants from me in the first place.
He's not getting anything, that's for sure!
Ep glares at Felix.
True, you don't have to give him anything. But I'm.. intrigued.
You are? Thank goodness!
Actually, I have a better idea. How about you make me a big favour and in return I'll listen to what you have to say for yourself?
Oh. Hm... i think that's.. that's fine with me, but as long as it's a decent request! A humiliation ritual is not on the menu.
Fantastic!
@alouette-cosette , my sweet, did your new friend Marius still needs help? It's Marius, right?
Yes…it’s Marius, and yes he still needs help I believe.
Poor young man..
Then it's settled. @cigarettes-and-civilcode Tholomyes, you will set this boy free and only when I'll consider talking to you. I think that's really fair, after everything.
What makes you think i will succeed? I don't know anything about the damn case! Quite frankly i thought you'd ask for something less risky.
Why don't you try to figure it out? Only one of us here is a lawyer.
...
...
Fine! Fucking fine, I'm doing it. But I'll tell you what, Fantine. I'm not just a lawyer- I'm a damn good one!
There's no need to use such uncouth language in a gentleman's home, Monsieur Tholomyes.
*looks her up and down*
You seem like the last person in this house who’d be scared off by a couple of swear words, Girl.
It's not about my feelings. It's a matter of respect - something you appear to be majorly lacking.
Ugh, I'm leaving. Can you see that? I swear this people treat me like I'm an antichrist and not just a man..
