ABC easy as 123

[gardienne]

CHARACTERS: Eponine and whoever should like to be in the library
LOCATION: The library
WARNINGS: There shouldn't be any
SUMMARY: Eponine's found the library, and is eager to show off her reading skills
NOTES:


It had taken Eponine a long time to find the library. She had spent an extraordinary amount of time in the garden, simply revelling in the greenery and the food available. But eventually, she tired of the flowers and emerged, a grass-stained goblin of a girl with messy hair and bare feet. She padded aimlessly through the corridors for a while, simply exploring the ship, noting the bar and the brandy available. That would be nice. But not for now. She wasn't miserable now.

So she kept walking, peeping into doorways and cupboards, until at last, she pushed open a door to a room that contained books. BOOKS. She edged her way in, closing the door gently, unsure if she was allowed in there. Quickly, she slipped over to them, and ran her finger over the spine of the nearest, spelling out the letters on the spine.

"'Tess of the D-urbervillies."

She pulled the book off the shelf, and gently, reverently even, opened it to it's front page. She sat down on the floor, forgetting that she might not be allowed to touch, and slowly, painstakingly began to read to herself, murmuring the words half under her breath.

Comments

[faithfulservant]

At first Javert had hated reading. It was always a chore for him and he regarded reading as a simple pleasure for the upper class. Having come to Tranquility however, he had decided to try reading again. There was so much history to learn that he wanted to give the books a chance again.

He had tried to use the media library, but really found the datapads too much for him. When Jehan had informed him about this library he was more then happy to give up the datapads for the hardback books. In his spare time he found himself holed up in the library reading or practicing his writing.

He sat at a small table that he regularly began to use and started to work with his writing practicing with what he was reading at the time. He noted that he was improving a little on his handwriting, but it was still a struggle to read through a book. His own determination kept him going.

[gardienne]

For a while, Eponine read on, engrossed by her novel. She followed the words carefully with her finger, forming her mouth into the shape of the letters, though not a sound comes out. It took her ages and ages to read the first page, and then she had to re-read it, though she was quicker the second time around. But she didn't give up. She was determined to read properly, just like everybody else.

But after sitting on the floor for about ten minutes, Eponine began to grow uncomfortable. Not that she was unused to discomfort - but it seemed silly to suffer it when there was no need. So she stood up, and started towards the chairs and table.

And then stopped when she saw that Javert was already there. Would that man be everywhere she went? She sighed. Well, he would not let her sit with him. He would throw her out and take her book away.

Well, no! No, that would not happen. She wouldn't let it. She glanced back at Javert, turned, and quickly shoved the book between the folds of her dress, holding it hidden in the material. And quietly, she slipped to the door with her precious text.

[faithfulservant]

"You do realize that this is a library and there is no need to act like you are stealing a book?" Javert questioned. As he spoke he didn't once look up from his writing session. "Books can come and go here."

Javert had thought that he had seen Eponine in the library, but at the time had paid her no mind. He was going to do his best to keep his word to Jehan. For once the girl appeared to be behaving herself so he saw no need to say anything.

However, it wasn't until she tried to sneak the book out of the library he felt the need to comment. He found it interesting she felt the need to sneak the book out instead of simply taking it out like anyone else would have done.

[gardienne]

Eponine stopped as soon as Javert spoke, and slowly, she pivoted to face him.
Her expression was scornful.

"And it is so that you would not have stopped me, Monsieur Inspector? You would have happily allowed me to leave, like any person on this boat, with a book beneath my arm, like a proper lady? No, Sir. No, you would not have allowed that to happen. I know you. You will have me a beggar forever, and so when I take, it will always be in theft."

[faithfulservant]

This girl was going to be difficult no matter how he approached her. She was going to constantly accuse him of things and act on such assumptions whether or not they were true. He was growing wary of her ways and wondered again why he had agreed to try and play nice.

"It's ironic to hear you trying to accuse me of accusing you of stealing when I have done neither."

[unionjackass]

OPEN:

Having little to no work with which to occupy himself, England has taken to wandering the ship. His relief at rediscovering the library is only slightly dampened when he finds that there are other readers occupying it; that's what a library is for, and he reminds himself silently that isolation is and will not be conducive to surviving on board the Tranquility.

He traces his hand along the spines of various books and loses himself in his thoughts. Fortunate that there are so many things to read here. England plucks a Sherlock Holmes novel from the shelf and suddenly feels more alone than ever--because he is here, not on Earth, and on these pages are the remnants of home.

TO EPONINE:

England hardly intends to be rude when he almost trips over Eponine.

"Oh my God, I'm so, so sorry--" Whether she was still sitting or in fact standing, he's just bumped into her rather unceremoniously. He looks frantically for a conversation piece and spots the book.

"I'm really sorry, I should've been more careful. I--That's--a good book, by the way. I knew Mr. Hardy. Great authors from that time--sorry."

God, he suppresses a shudder. She must think I'm mad.

[gardienne]

"You have read 'Tess of the Durbervillies?', Monsieur?" Eponine smiles up at England, apparently unconcerned about being tripped over at all. She stands up quickly, still clutching her book.

"Who is Mister Hardy, if you please? I... I do not know him."

[unionjackass]

"The author, mademoiselle," he smiles, realising she's not upset or put out or anything. "I knew him, and many of the authors you'll find here, especially if they're English."

England turns the novel he's found over in his hands. "I'm sorry if I startled you. I've only just arrived, I'm still trying to adjust."

[gardienne]

"I don't mind - it is hard to come here at first, no? At first, I was sure I was dead, but it wasn't as I imagined hell, and I am sure that I would not be in heaven, so then I was lost. But I found the garden - have you seen it, Sir? And then nothing else mattered, for it was as if heaven was on the boat. Only, I wish we could see the stars I am told we sail among. It sounds like a dream, does it not? A most peculiar dream - but one I do not wish to wake up from!"

Eponine leant back against the book shelves as she chattered, carefully avoiding leaning on the books.

"I do not know of authors - this is the first book I have had in a long time. His book is difficult, no?"

[unionjackass]

His smile is soft, more subtle than anything as he's more of the reserved sort. Hearing the girl's explanation, he can sympathise even if it is a sad circumstance; and that, England chooses not to comment on out of courtesy.

"I have," he nods. "I love the gardens. They remind me of home more than anything else on this ship. From what I've gathered I'm afraid this isn't the afterlife... I myself feel uprooted, but-- I'm glad you've found some happiness here."

Regarding the books, England gestures lightly and then shoves his hands in his pockets. Too casual? He doubts she'll mind.

"There's so many. I'm very fond of all my writers. Maybe I could recommend a few novels--what is it you like to read, mademoiselle?"

[unaccepted]

Grantaire only came to the library every so often. There was too much technology--the datapads and holographic consoles with which he was meant to read from was troubling to his vision, so he gave up on the idea. Even so, he was bored, and with boredom came his inevitable desire for further knowledge.

So in his wandering he came upon a library with books in a format he was familiar with, and took some from the shelf in idle perusal. He ended up not far from Eponine and her mumbling.

"You are too loud," he said, much louder than she had been.

[gardienne]

Eponine looked up, marking her place on the page with her finger.

"Should I apologise, Monsieur? Always I seem to be apologising to you. Perhaps I should say so two thousand times now and it shall keep you satisfied for a while. Is it a good idea for you?"

She laughed to herself. Eponine was much buoyed by her 'victory' over Javert earlier. Perhaps it was really true then - if he could not touch her, than nobody else could either.

[unaccepted]

He did not realize she was mocking him until she laughed, and it only made him more indignant. "An apology has little power in the first place, and you intend to use it until it is cold and lifeless? No, your only action should be to quiet yourself."

[gardienne]

"But I cannot read if I am quiet, Sir. I must hear the words to understand them, you see?"

She opened her book flat, and pointed at the words.

"Do you not see? It is easier to understand the words if you hear the sounds as you say it. There is no rule to be quiet here, Sir."

She wasn't going to do as she was told if she could help it, not by this man who made his dislike for her so clear. So she began to read out loud again, sounding out the words letter by letter.

[unaccepted]

Grantaire did not understand her reasoning. He had learned to read quietly, all literate men he had met learned to read quietly, so why could she not do the same? It was surely an excuse.

"There is no rule, but a courtesy," he interrupted her reading aloud. "I am looking through this shelf here, now do I want to listen to you mumble? You are meant to read with your eyes, not your mouth."

[tinytactician]

Armin basically lives here right now, let's be real -- it's the best place on the ship and he has set up camp in one of the overstuffed chairs pretty much as soon as he arrived. Lately he's been busy with a particular project, but he's taking a break to continue reading literally every book in the library.

Literally. All of them. He's started at "A" and is working his way through. He's only at the "H"s because he had to stop due to headaches and nosebleeds and whatnot. But that's all gone now, so he'll work his way down the aisle, looking for where he left off. Harding, Hardman, Hardy --

Ooops, tripping over an Eponine on the floor now, pinwheeling his arms in a fruitless attempt to maintain balance and then landing with an "Oof!"

[gardienne]

"Monsieur!" She looks up immediately, quite perturbed at what had happened. Quickly, she placed her book down, gently closing it, before crawling to kneel next to Armin, not wuite daring to touch.

"Monsieur? Are you well? I am dreadfully sorry, Sir. You must forgive me. It was not meant in malice. I promise you, Sir, it was no trick."

[tinytactician]

"It's quite all right, really. I'm fine."

Granted, this comes out very muffled, because Armin's face is still smushed against the floor, but he sounds very calm and placid about it. Just give him a moment to regain his wits and he'll sit up, rubbing at the red mark on his forehead.

[gardienne]

She moves backwards, giving Armin some room, though she watches him carefully.

"You won't tell on me, Monsieur, will you? You won't report me to the Inspector? I can give you something if you do not - anything you wish. Please don't report me, Monsieur. Truly, I meant no harm."

[tinytactician]

He's still rubbing at his forehead and his bumped nose, but that gets a little frown. "I don't know an inspector."

[becauseihaveto]

Abby loved reading and tended to spend most of her free time on board doing just that. Actually, it was how she tended to spend her free time back home, too, more often than not, but on board it really was one of the best distractions available. Normally she simply gathered the books she wanted and headed back to her room with them because most weren't looking for company when there to read as well. However, this time she spotted an unusual sight and couldn't resist approaching.

With hearing as enhanced as hers, Abby could hear the half-murmured words as though they were being shouted directly in her ear. So she waited to speak, until the girl had managed to work out the title of the book. Then, quietly, casually, she addressed the young woman on the floor.

"The chairs are a lot more comfortable than the floor, you know."

[gardienne]

Eponine looked up in surprise; she hadn't realised anybody was so close to her, or even, that anybody had come in after her. But she smiled at the girl looking down at her, and stood up awkwardly, closing her book.

"I do not mind, Mademoiselle, to sit on the floor. So often have I only had that to sit on that it almost does not seem to be a natural thing to sit on a chair at all."

[becauseihaveto]

Abby's smile was small but nevertheless sincere as she raised her gaze to peer up at Eponine once she was standing. "Then you should take advantage of chairs while you have them," she pointed out in a mild, casual tone.

There wasn't any question as to how someone could not even be used to sitting in chairs, or any judgement of that fact. Abby's family had been desolate, when she'd been human. It may have been so long ago that she'd rather not think on them often, but that didn't mean she wasn't all too aware of just how poor someone could actually be. Even to the point that they didn't have chairs to sit upon. She didn't comment on that fact, though, just tipped her head toward the book Eponine held.

"That's a good story. Did someone suggest it to you?"

[gardienne]

"No." Eponine ran her finger carefully over the closed pages of the book, and then twisted it, so she could trace the letters of the title with her finger.

"No. I do not know anything about the book - only the girl looks so lonely on the cover. She looks like she should want someone to read her story. Have you read it?"

She eyed Abby; she looked young, younger than Eponine, and Azelma as well. Perhaps a little older than Gavroche. Perhaps.
It wasn't fair that a child so young could read what Eponine struggled with.

[becauseihaveto]

There was a slight nod as Abby's gaze dropped back to the book. She was still smiling lightly, pleasantly, when she looked back to Eponine. If there was one way to keep a grin on the young vamprie's face, it was discussing literature.

"I've read it a few times, actually," she replied. The first time was not long after it was initially released but she didn't mention that. Instead she tacked on, "It's sad but," she shrugged slightly, "life is sad." Especially in that time period. But, again, she didn't say that.