A Very Special Announcement!

[but_civilization]

[The video feed opens on a Combeferre who is grinning slightly idiotically. It’s a different look for in public spaces, honestly. Jehan and Courfeyrac may recognize it, but they are the only ones from home who do . Clearing his throat, he begins to speak after a bit more of setting up.]

I have rather an important bit of news to share with everyone, particularly those of you who were so good as to help me see the way out of tiptoeing around the truth.

So good to help! [That would be another voice, low in pitch and gravely.] Michel! To whom are you addressing? Tell me it was Jean and Reynaud, and no other. [By now, a rather small girl, a few years younger than Combeferre has made her presence known, frowning at the screen. Say hello to Eponine, everyone.]

[Well, here’s something of an awkward moment, and Combeferre does wonder how to approach this, but then, the truth is probably best just now. That said, the actual truth is not SO bad as all of that.]

Well, I did ask a great many people, but in the most general sense of asking, when I found myself doubting whether I knew what to do or say to court a lady. And I must say that the suggestions to be just myself and speak, which many of you shared with me have actually worked for the best. Only they, and Bahorel, knew to whom I was referring, of course.

[Eponine raises an eyebrow, crossing her arms over her chest.] Did any of them say anything about assaulting a woman with a chair? Remember, Michel, I am far from a lady. [She places a hand on his shoulder warmly, unsure how else to relationship.] I am glad that some advice was useful. Such a strange man, boyfriend. [She likes calling him that. It’s a silly title, something they never had back in France. The result is a new nickname for the man that has declared his love for her. Quite passionately, as well.]

Ah, not exactly, no. [Considering that one of those advice givers in the general sense had been Gavroche, that Gavroche in GENERAL, is now hearing about the chair incident (the chairinning?), he’s looking maybe a bit nervous as he scoots a bit closer to Eponine as it is.]
In name and fortune, no, you are not. But there are those ways that every woman deserves consideration and respect, still, though I must admit chair attacks do seem very unconventional. [He’s returning the smile, reaching a hand up to take hers where it is placed there.]
Ah, but not too strange to have won the respect and esteem of a girlfriend such as you, it seems.


You speak prettily. I shall be silent for now, and let you speak to them. [She gestures with the hand Combeferre was not holding, towards the camera. Then, she leans down and with a careful glance at the camera, places a kiss on his cheek.]

[Combeferre is taking a moment to just grin at her, and then return the gesture before he’s giving the camera another wild, sort of carefree grin that looks incredibly different, but somehow sort of endearing on his face.] Well, I suppose that what I really mean to say is thank you to everyone who helped, and that this is Eponine and she is my girlfriend. And I am her boyfriend.[The words are so much easier to say now that he knows that his sentiments are returned, that is for certain.]

[Eponine glances down, blushing slightly.]
You did not say you were to make an announcement about us! Oh, you are terrible! But she laughs all the same, leaning over partially into his lap as she reaches to the device in order to turn off the feed.]

[ooc: replies to one or both of them are encouraged! Heck, do both! Just be sure to specify who you wish to talk to, if there is one. Eponine speaks in green, and Combeferre in blue.]

Comments

To both, video

[lafautedevoltaire]

[Gavroche has a lot of thoughts on this matter. Which they might guess from the thoroughly confused expression on his face. But he figures there's a good place to start.]

A chair?

video;

[jondrette]

Oui, oh, Gavroche! It is nothing. Just a thing that occurred in the hallways last month, do not fear, I am safe and sound. Should Michel wish to truly hurt me, he would find himself in more pain for his troubles. [She says that with pride.]

Re: video;

[lafautedevoltaire]

Hitting people with chairs doesn't just occur.

[Isn't it supposed to be the older brothers who do this? No one ever told him that.]

Re: video;

[but_civilization]

Truthfully, the chair was intended for Marius, Gavroche. Or, at least, the ghost of him roaming the halls. I should never willingly hurt 'Ponine. Now or ever.

video;

[jondrette]

Do you see? [She speaks softly to her brother. Yes, older brothers do this, but if Eponine had any sort of older brother character, they likely wouldn't be doing anything like this.] All is well.

[vivelavenir]

[He's glad for you, Combeferre, which is why it pains him to have to first address--]

You've assaulted her with a chair?

[And still she'd have you? Well.]

She forgives your oversight of manners also, that you announce it so widely, and that you do not call her something more lovely like petite or chérie or fifille.

[But at least he did not say 'mistress,' and so...]

I can only congratulate you on your incredible good fortune in all of this, Michel, for you are most undeserving. Much happiness to you both.

[Seriously. A Chair.]

[but_civilization]

[That chair is going to haunt Combeferre until he die...er leaves the ship, isn't it? Perhaps longer. At any rate, at least he does have a good explanation, even though he is ducking a little at Jehan's tone. What can he say, the Poet Stare and all of that.]

A chair. Though I did not assault Eponine so much as...

We were trapped in the corridors, were you? At any rate, we saw, well, Marius, only it was not Marius, but a shade of some sort with his face. More solid than a ghost, but our Marius all the same. He wished to take 'Ponine away with him, into a sort of light which felt all wrong.

After I quizzed him to determine that this was not our Marius, things became violent. I never intended to hurt the girl I love, but to drive Marius away from her. I misjudged the distance after he smashed my spectacles and jaw and Eponine stepped in the way. It was not jealousy that moved me, but a need to keep her safe. I would never have dreamed of harming her, ever.

[So THERE.]

[vivelavenir]

[He is almost more throughly impressed upon by the fact that Combeferre quizzed a specter, than that he resorted furniture-tossing.]

I- I see. Are you- well, that is, are you both well? Is she uninjured, and oh, your glasses did you say...?

[but_civilization]

[That is good then. Combeferre will take that, really. He is rather impressed by that part himself.]

I...well, aside her bruises and some pain, and my jaw, but that has been fixed. Unfortunately, yes, my spectacles were...rather damaged. I ought to do something about that, soon.

video; both!

[pessimiste]

[ There is a great roar of laughter from this reply. Grantaire's hair is barely visible as he's currently doubled over with mirth. ]

A chair... [ He says weakly, tears in his eyes. ]

Oh Combeferre, at least you did not decide to impress her with your knowledge of winged insects to impress her... How did this happen? Truly, I need to hear this tale in detail.

video; both!

[jondrette]

It is not nearly so funny!

[She scolds Grantaire with a frown.] You should not laugh at my misfortunes, or I will laugh at yours.

Re: video; both!

[but_civilization]

No, no winged insects this time. They DO exist here, but I am told that moths are not the way to very many hearts, you know.

[There is a wry smile there, for Grantaire.]

Ah, well. The story of that starts in the corridors, during the recent...mishap.

[pessimiste]

Oh, laugh away. When you've accepted your misfortunes there is little ridicule that can make them worse.

[ Turning to Combeferre. ]

A pity! I surely can see their romantic charm. [ Snickering and nodding his head. ]

Well, go on with your story, then. I remember the corridors well.

video;

[peckish4action]

Oh, so some advice did work for you?

Some of us who didn't really have advice to give--

[ because he's fourteen! ]

-- were wondering. Good for you both!

Re: video;

[but_civilization]

[Fourteen year olds probably do have more game than Combeferre. Sadly. As it is, he's grinning.]

Thank you. Seriously.

video;

[peckish4action]

[ Oh, what an opening, Combeferre. ]

Seriously? Not merrily? I'd have thought it's a cause for celebration...

[ Yes, he's also grinning. ]

video;

[but_civilization]

[Well. Combeferre did used to spend time with a certain fellow medical student who might have done the same thing, so he's grinning at that response.] Or merrily, now that you mention, I suppose.

after everything!

[jondrette]

[The last of the responses was done, and Eponine had hardly said a word. No longer was she smiling and bright, instead, the light in her eyes had dulled again. When the device was shut off, she said nothing, just stood up and moved over to the bed in Combeferre's room.

There, she curled up, her back to him, her knees up at her chest and arms around her legs.

She'd forgotten Gavroche. She hadn't even realized it until they said it. All of it... all of it for Marius. And even now, she knew, she would still die for him. If only he would look at her.]

Re: after everything!

[but_civilization]

[Combeferre, noticing Eponine curled, found himself wanting to do something to make her feel better. It had seemed, during the last of their conversation with Gavroche that it was really what was needed now. So, he joined her, lying down next to her and turning to drape an arm around her. ]

...'Ponine? Are you all right?

[jondrette]

[It felt lovely, to have him next to her, to have him curled up so protectively around her. But she did not turn to look at him, or even speak to him. Instead, she curled up a bit tighter, placing a hand on the back of her neck.]

[but_civilization]

Eponine.

[Combeferre's tones were gentle, but the concern had not left them yet at all.]

Please, is there something I might do, some way that I can help you?

[video | combeferre]

[daringwaistcoats]

Oho! Congratulations, old friend -- and doing it properly, that she is worthy enough to withstand your propensity for unconventional approaches to romance!

[A laugh there, because seriously. He's just abnormally excited to hear about this chair incident!]

Though I must admit I knew only that you had an interest in the sublimely mythical! Is this, then, your unicorn, Michel?

[A crooked sort of grin, with a cheerily cocked brow -- completely missing the point that the unicorn in question had already left the ship by the time Éponine had appeared, whoops.]

Re: [video | combeferre]

[but_civilization]

[Of anyone, Bahorel is someone Combeferre would not ENTIRELY mind letting the chair story stay the way it seems, when it comes down to it. He's just so very excited about it that it seems almost cruel to break his heart that way.

Although then, Oh! Combeferre's face is suddenly incredibly flushed, which is probably funnier still.]

There are myths and then there are, ah...those realities. While one is nice, it is also...intangible. When it comes to those things that one can hold onto and love, things become...quite different. More appropriate and better for all involved. Unicorns should be free, instead, yes?

[daringwaistcoats]

How archaic! Your face tells the story well enough, though I would have out with it at some point...!

[Oh, he'd be fascinated if Combeferre would be so secretive...! Bahorel may not be a gossip, but he certainly does enjoy hearing about others' exploits, romantic or otherwise. Making up wild stories about it isn't past him, either, a pastime which he'd be sure at least Grantaire, since certainly not Jehan, will humour him in.

A bit of a brow, and a growing smirk.]

Ah, yes. Things certainly become different when she holds onto and dotes upon it properly, I'm sure.

[Wink goes here, and leaning back amusedly.]

Appropriate and better, indeed. There's something good about knowing that you've joined us on the plane of the flesh at last, mon ami.

[but_civilization]

[Combeferre does suppose the first is fairly thorough, though not quite so much as Bahorel might suspect. Not YET. That would be incredibly unseemly. Give it at least a week or so for any real exploits outside winning the lady's hand have happened, geez.

Combeferre, by dint of this announcement alone has probably made himself quite the fodder for a few stories, hasn't he? He supposes he cannot really mind it all so much, until. Until Bahorel...]

BAHOREL!

[Combeferre is simply gaping a long moment, eyebrow gone clearly up as he finds he has nothing to say.]