"Don't put your trust in revolutions. They always come round again. That's why they're called revolutions. People die, and nothing changes." - Terry Pratchett, Night Watch
A retelling of part of Les Miserables, from about 1828-1832.
Élise was born i...
The shops in Belleville were smaller and not so showy as the ones in Paris, but it was still a nice distraction to look in the windows and see what wares they had on display. When I looked at the coins Enjolras had given me, I found that they totalled 20 francs - a huge amount compared to what I was used to having. On the other hand, we'd talked about the wardrobe I'd need if I were to actually come and visit his family, and compared to how much that would cost, 20 francs was nothing.
I couldn't help but feel that this outing was strangely similar to the first time I'd met Musichetta, when we'd gone shopping for the Ball at Sceaux. It was a similar time of year, for all that the shops were different, and this time Claudine was with us as well as Courfeyrac.
A small dress shop had some beautiful whiteworked pelerines in the window, similar to ones that I'd seen Musichetta sigh over before.
"A pelerine was on the shopping list, wasn't it?" I asked, going over to have a closer look.
"Yes, though I think it was in the 'nice to have' section, rather than being absolutely necessary," Claudine pointed out.
"Even so," Musichetta said, gazing at them, "It's not like Enjolras is exactly short of money."
Despite Claudine's fairly rational reasoning that a corded petticoat and ballgown were far more important than a pelerine, we went into the shop anyway. Trying to decide which of the lightweight, delicately embroidered shoulder capes to buy was difficult, and (knowing how much she wanted one of her own), I let Musichetta chose in the end. I couldn't help thinking that after visiting Enjolras's family, it would be nice to give it to her. Now I just needed to find something that Claudine wanted, so she could ultimately end up with it too. Unlike Musichetta, though, she was sometimes frustratingly quiet about her desires.
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"Why've you come with us?" I couldn't help asking Courfeyrac, as we waited for Claudine and Musichetta outside a haberdasher's.
"Oh, you know," he said offhandedly. "Who can resist the pull of the newest fashion in bonnets and most modern fancy-woven ribbons?"
"Really?" I asked. "I know last time you came dress shopping it was less for the joy of it and more because you were trying to push me and Enjolras together. What is it this time?"
He looked away, back through the shop window, where Claudine was taking her time over a choice of three different ribbons.
"Her?" I asked.
He shrugged.
"And if she is the reason?"
"You've been astonishingly reticent about any affections towards her as yet."
He looked back at me.
"I know I talk about plenty girls, but I've never been much good at talking about love. This is probably the closest I've ever got to talking to anyone about me being in love, rather than them being in love. Anyway, I doubt she's remotely interested."
