lark_in_flight: Cosette in a large bonnet glancing over her shoulder (curious glance)
Cosette Fauchelevent ([personal profile] lark_in_flight) wrote in [community profile] milliways_bar2014-04-19 04:29 pm

(no subject)

"Papa!" The voice which sounds through the opening front door is a young woman's, light and sweet and eager. The voice's owner follows in a billow of skirts, glancing back over her shoulder into a homey little hallway as she calls to someone unseen. "Papa, are you quite ready?"

She turns her head -- and falters in astonishment as she crosses the threshold, and her boots hit the Milliways floorboards.

"Papa...?" Her hand falls away from the doorknob, and it swings delicately closed behind her.

She's a young woman of perhaps sixteen or seventeen, her rosy face framed by delicate ringlets escaping from a silk-covered bonnet. Her dress is of blue wool, sloping down at the shoulders, puffed out wide at the sleeves and gathering again at the wrists, her skirts a bell over layers of petticoats, a warm shawl wrapped about her shoulders, gloves on her small hands, a basket over one arm, small boots just visible -- in other words, the height of dainty femininity for 1832, and doubtless extremely impractical and peculiar to the eyes of most of Milliways' patrons.

Welcome to Milliways, Cosette.
road_to_calvary: (Implacable)

[personal profile] road_to_calvary 2014-04-20 12:04 am (UTC)(link)
'Simply to ask me to give you an envelope from my bureau next time you wish to visit. Or carry it with you, in case the door comes unexpectedly. I will know what for.'

He did not have much money on him when he arrived, and has amassed a bill from the money he has given away since he has been here. He would like to clear it, and also have enough on hand to use as necessary - even here, there are people in need, and things that can be provided for others. If they will take it.

'Is there more you wish to know of the place? There are grounds outside, which are pleasant for walking in. I would ask that you not go far unaccompanied, however. There are dangers too. Creatures that are not human, that hunt in the forest, for example. Beasts that look human, but are not.'

A small smile then, in case he is worrying her.

'There are also very many wonderful, kind people to be found.'

And it probably goes without saying; he will be keeping a careful eye on her.
road_to_calvary: (Such A Lonely Child)

[personal profile] road_to_calvary 2014-04-20 12:22 am (UTC)(link)
He affects a vaguely chastised expression, and dutifully eats a small bite of cake. He is not altogether fond of sweet things, but he eats them so that Cosette will take them.

'You will see many wonders, I have no doubt.'

Perhaps she will even forget about Marius.

...he hates himself for the thought, but it comes regardless.

'I realise this has been surprising for you, but perhaps there is something that will make it more real. If you think you could stand another surprise?'

road_to_calvary: (Carrying Fantine)

[personal profile] road_to_calvary 2014-04-20 12:34 am (UTC)(link)
Her ability to be merry in the face of difficulties is one of her very many admirable qualities. He will tell this to anyone who will listen.

'It would perhaps be possible for you to meet your mother. If you would like to.'

He could simply lead her over to Fantine's table. But that might be a cruel shock; better to give her the choice, in case she needs to build her courage.

Of course, as he says it he realises that he has never spoken of his relationship with Fantine to her. A cold hand grips his heart - but there, it is done, and now must be borne. He should have considered more carefully perhaps; except no, it does not matter. He would not keep the two apart for any reason.
road_to_calvary: (Best of My Life)

[personal profile] road_to_calvary 2014-04-20 01:08 am (UTC)(link)
Ah.

'Yes.'

Perhaps he should have mentioned this first. He reaches over the table, and lays his large hand over her small one.

'My apologies, Cosette. I should have said - one of the miracles of this place is that sometimes, those who have passed come and stay before moving on to their final rest. Your mother is one such as this. She is here. You may see her if you wish - but it is your choice, and yours alone.'
road_to_calvary: (Best of My Life)

[personal profile] road_to_calvary 2014-04-20 01:23 am (UTC)(link)
He smiles too, though his heart twists in his chest. He has known for some time that he is going to lose Cosette - all the time he has been here, since he found out about Marius just two days before walking through this magical door. But it has never seemed entirely real; it has been a black shadow without form, stealing over his heart with every passing day.

Now, it seems very real. He will not ask Fantine to conceal any truth. Of course, they may not speak of certain things at all - but they may, and it would be only natural. Today may be the day he finds Cosette after what seems like a lifetime without her...and lose her forever as well.

'Come,' he says gently, and rises to his feet. Once more, he offers his arm.

'She is sitting just a few tables away.'
road_to_calvary: (Such A Lonely Child)

[personal profile] road_to_calvary 2014-04-20 01:42 am (UTC)(link)
He sees her gaze in Fantine's direction, and smiles down on her.

'Yes,' is all he says, though he squeezes her hand a little too.

And then they walk, until they come close to the woman who still looks more worn than he would like.

'Mademoiselle Fantine.'

A small bow, of course.

'I have someone with me I think you would like to meet.'
dreamed_a_dream: (Default)

[personal profile] dreamed_a_dream 2014-04-20 10:17 pm (UTC)(link)
It's been a good day for Fantine. The things she has been working on have been going quite well, and she has even taken to trying to replicate some of the more modern bits and bobs that she has seen around the bar.

She hasn't noticed anyone up to this moment, as absorbed as she usually is with her work. When she does look up, there's a contented smile on her face as she sees one of the men she considers friend, or perhaps even family.

"Yes, Monsieur?" And then she pauses, her attention turning to the lovely young lady next to him. There's something about her, something peaceful, something amazingly graceful and pure, but also something almost... familiar. Putting down her sewing, she stands as well, an gives the young lady a deep curtsy. "Can I help you in some way?"
road_to_calvary: (Such A Lonely Child)

[personal profile] road_to_calvary 2014-04-20 10:28 pm (UTC)(link)
He smiles between the two of them, worries set aside. This is a day he thought he would never see.

He half-turns to Cosette, loosening her a little from his side.

(It strikes him, suddenly, that it is not unlike the movement of a father giving his daughter away at the altar. The last hold before someone else takes over.)


All he says, in a simple tone, is;

'This is Cosette.'
dreamed_a_dream: (Default)

[personal profile] dreamed_a_dream 2014-04-20 10:39 pm (UTC)(link)
She gasps, a hand going up to her mouth for a moment. "... my Cosette?"

A moment goes by in which she just stares. Absolutely nothing could have prepared her for this moment, this lovely woman in front of her who seems so peaceful, so removed from all of the pain and suffering that characterized her own life.

"If he says you are my Cosette, then I am." She bites back a few tears and turns to Valjean. "I never thought I would have this moment. Thank you, Monsieur."

To Cosette, she smiles through the tears that are now falling down her face. "It is so good to see you again. I..." She holds out a hand, hoping for a hug, not even knowing what to do.
dreamed_a_dream: (Default)

[personal profile] dreamed_a_dream 2014-04-20 10:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Fantine would believe this to be a dream, if it had not been for everything she had experienced to get to this place.

Her tears are coming stronger now, but the grin on her face absolutely belies any actual sadness or negative emotion. For a long moment, she just stands there, smiling at her daughter, hand on her cheek.

Finally, she comes to her senses. "Would you come sit with me for a few moments? I would love to hear of your life, and anything else you would say to me."

She will apologize to Valjean later, however, in this moment, she only has eyes for her daughter.
road_to_calvary: (Best of My Life)

[personal profile] road_to_calvary 2014-04-20 11:03 pm (UTC)(link)
There will be no need whatsoever to apologise; Valjean would not intrude on this moment for anything, and indeed, will not remain to eavesdrop on something so intimate.

'I will be seated at my table if you have need of me,' he murmurs to Cosette.

A last gentle squeeze on her arm, and he withdraws to allow them privacy in their reunion.
dreamed_a_dream: (Default)

[personal profile] dreamed_a_dream 2014-04-20 11:19 pm (UTC)(link)
"My beautiful Cosette." Fantine is beaming through her tears, thanking a God that she thought had abandoned her that she had found this place, and that it had brought her darling daughter to her.

After a long moment, she breaks the touch, taking her daughter's hand and leading her back to the table. Two of the chairs are covered in various fabrics, from the practical to the ornate, but two are free. The table itself has a few yards of purple fabric, along with some various patterns.

"Let us get some tea. I wish to hear anything and everything."
dreamed_a_dream: (Default)

[personal profile] dreamed_a_dream 2014-04-21 12:39 am (UTC)(link)
Fantine smiles, taking a scrap of material from the table to wipe her eyes with her free hand. The tears are fading now, into a bright smile that has only rarely seen the light of day in many many years.

"Tell me of your life. I have heard some, but I wish to hear it from you." She smiles, clinging to the scrap of fabric to steady herself.

She hardly knows what to say either, but she wants to know her daughter, wants to know absolutely everything there is to know about her darling girl.