@only-a-kid-but-hard-to-scare: I'm back. And I brought someone to see you - @merely-a-memory
Sorry for running off like that. I wanted to get out before you could stop me.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, oh, God….
Eponine steps out of the line of fire but close enough to intervene if things escalated. Rather smugly, she smirks and tells Jeanne:
Told you.
Jeanne glares while Valjean looks silently terrified for a few minutes of agonizing silence.
So…uhh…
He rubs his thumb unconsciously over the scar on his palm.
Jeanne grunts angrily, strides forward, and hits him hard in the face.
You BASTARD!
Eponine darts forward to stand between the siblings.
Hey! No violence.
Valjean wipes the blood from his nose with the back of his hand, glumly not making eye contact.
It’s fine. I deserve it anyways.
The hell you do! I still don't understand what you did that's so bad!
Look, this isn't about me. I don't need to know anything. Just. Try not to kill each other.
Then why did you bring me here just to tell me I can’t attack him? After all he did?!
I didn't do it for you I did it for him!
I don’t want her here!
This is the first thing to genuinely bring Eponine up short in this conversation.
...what?
She takes a step back instinctively.
I-I’m not the man that I was when I knew Jeanne. That man died in prison. It’s easier to leave it all in the past.
He extends a hand to Eponine.
I’m not angry. I won’t hurt you. Don’t worry.
You are that man! I know you are!
That man saved my life. And Fantine. And Cosette.
Jeanne glances silently between them both, still clearly angry but also thinking about what both Eponine and Valjean are saying.
Ah. So this was the bloke that “tamed” you, in your words? Horrible choice of master, if you can excuse the extended metaphor.
Eponine nods silently, still staring at Valjean.
Like I said. Thenardier doesn't deserve to call himself my father. Valjean - your brother - does.
Jeanne scoffs, walking towards her brother with an accusing finger.
So what? This kid’s good enough for you, but mine weren’t? Less important than your own hunger? Camille was dying!
Do you think I didn’t know that?! Do you think I believe even for a minute that I can amend what I did to you?!
It’s probably the angriest Ep’s ever seen him, despite the fact that he’s completely incorrect.
You can’t!
She furiously punches Jean in the throat. He doesn’t make any move to defend himself and doubles over in pain.
Eponine hits Jeanne over the head hard enough to hurt but not hard enough to knock her out.
Stop it! Don't touch him.
Eponine! Don’t! You’ll get hurt! Don’t fight my battles for me!
You're more alike than you think. Don't fret, I'll be fine. She doesn't hurt kids, does she Jeanne?
Unless they’re in my way.
Eponine juts her chin out bravely.
Go on then. Hit me. You wouldn't be the first. I can take it.
Jeanne pauses for a second, before scowling and hitting Eponine across the face.
Eponine reels backwards, stunned.
Bloody hell!
She regains her balance and touches her face gingerly, then gives Jeanne a look that might be interpreted as respect.
Well, you hit as well as any man, I'll tell you that much. Christ.
Valjean angrily grabs Jeanne by the shoulders and shoves her in the direction of the door.
Get out. Now.
What's all this yelling about?
Another one?! She scoffs.
Go to hell.
Gavroche stiffens. He sees his sister nursing an injury, Valjean looking like a trapped tiger, and this strange woman in the middle of it all.
I'm not interrupting, am I?
Gav, get out. Now. Don't argue, just go.
Gavroche, being a young and curious boy who is understandably worried about the situation, is inclined to do nothing of the sort. He climbs up onto the bed next to his sister.
Who hit you? What've you gotten into this time, 'Ponine?
To @merely-a-memory Eponine says,
It's not what you think. He's just my brother.
Jeanne glances between Gavroche and Valjean, scowling. Have fun while it lasts.
Gavroche, who prides himself on knowing everything all the time, is utterly baffled.
What's that supposed to mean?
Desperately, Eponine pleads,
Madame, please, this can't be - it's all a big misunderstanding, okay? If you could just talk -
Fine. Make it fast.
Monsieur. Tell the truth. Please. Tell her why you did w- what you did. No lying or stretching the truth, just the plain bald facts.
You said you got arrested for stealing?
Jeanne…I…I shouldn’t have stolen, but I stole it for Camille. I never made it back. And when I went to prison, I tried to escape when I heard about where you were. I wanted to find you again.
Sure you did. She turns to stride out of the door.
@only-a-kid-but-hard-to-scare
He's telling the truth!
There's no way for Eponine to know that for certain, of course, but she feels it instinctively to be true.
I believe him.
So what? You don’t know him. That, or you know him eons better than I do. It doesn’t change the fact that six of them are dead. I had to become a prostitute to survive, because of your “father.” Tried to find work, so I became a seamstress for a while. At least, until my only son remaining died after he was mugged by a bloody forçat. I lost my job trying to save him and for what? He died anyway. And what’s left for me? I never wanted to be a mother. But the only thing society respects less than a childless woman is a husbandless mother. Do your best to learn it, kid. Don’t trust this man.
All I'm saying is, I've known bad people. Plenty of them. And he ain't one of them. Maybe he's hurt you and I'm sorry but that doesn't mean he's been any less good to me.
Eponine…I….
Jeanne. I can’t make it up to you. I’ve hurt you so much.
He spreads his arms.
If you wish to attack me, then go ahead. I understand.
Eponine manages to bite her tongue but crosses her arms to show her displeasure at this idea.
Jeanne hesitates. She doesn’t seem to want to attack Valjean anymore.
I thought you’d at least fight back.
He doesn't really do that. Especially when he feels this shitty.
There’s no satisfaction in it…
If you think beating him up will make you feel better, go right ahead. I won't stop you.
Valjean glances at Ep.
She smirks, meaning: Don't worry. I won't let anything happen to you.
Jeanne scowls and lowers her fists.
Hmph.
Eponine grins.
Good girl. I was bluffing, by the way. You don't really think I'd let you hit him, do you?
Are we all friends now?
Valjean sighs with relief, wiping his bleeding nose.
Jeanne, please…do you have somewhere to stay? I don’t think now’s the right time to talk. But I live here. If you ever want to.
He takes her hand.
I’m so sorry.
I'm gonna go...talk to Fantine.
Ep grabs Gav and drags him out of the room with her.
Jeanne watches her go with a glare, before turning to Valjean who can’t help but flinch.
Fine. Don’t expect me to forgive you.
She shakes his hand formally before shoving it away and leaving with out looking back.
