Ink and Insurrection || Enjolras

00. Prologue.

Provins, France
1830

        In the quiet town of Provins lay a small, two story home which belonged to a family of 5. Elizabeth Laurent - better known as Marmee - was a kind, gentle woman and she was mother to 4 beautiful young girls.
        Her eldest was Amelie, whose hair fell in chocolate brown curls. Amelie was enamoured by the thought of luxury. She wished to attend parties, adorned in silk dresses of any colour she desired, whilst her servants waited on her every move. Though, she did not live that lifestyle.
        Her second child was Josephine Laurent. Although, she would rather go by the name Jo. She was an astonishing writer who wrote tales of women who would fight battles against dark wizards of powerful dragons. Her stories always contained a female protagonist. Jo was very strong minded and often spoke of her wish to be granted with the power of men. She did not believe in a women's values and her sisters and mother supported her. She was passionate and strong, but she was also beautiful. Her dusty blonde locks were patterned with gorgeously defined waves and her eyes were a bright blue colour. Her face was pale yet perfect and her lips were ever so slightly tinted pink as they were defined in a cupids bow shape.
        Next was Belle. The young redhead was a shy girl who often kept to herself. But to her family, she was a highly talented musician. The girl adored the piano and was skilled with the art of it as she often wrote little tunes that she would play for her family in the comfort of the living room.
        Last was Charlotte. The youngest daughter was like Amelie. She wanted to live in Luxury. However, she often clashed heads with Jo as their differences often meant they didn't see eye to eye. Charlotte had flowing blonde hair which she would crimp with the help of braids, and she was obsessed with her beauty. She always focussed on her looks, dressing herself in whatever she could afford, but she was fussy on what it looked like. She was, however, a talented artist. She loved painting and sketching and often made small sketches for her sisters books.
        This is where there family ends, seeing as their father passed away shortly after Charlotte's birth. They were happy though. Their father was a distant man who often kept to himself so none of them were particularly close with him.
        The female family's typical night was spent in their living room, where they all sat now, listening to one of Jo's stories. However, tonight Jo had a proposal for her sisters.
        "Dearest family, I wish to propose a concept to you." She announced in an overly posh voice, making her sisters laugh, "It's something I have written and I believe that years from now people will talk about it."
        "Well, tell us then, Jo. I'm on the edge of my seat." Charlotte giggled from her place beside Marmee.
        "Well, I can see it the papers already, 'One Christmas Eve, Four Penniless and Ragged Sisters Put on and Operatic Tragedy for all of Provins!'" Jo took a quick bow but her sisters did not agree with her idea.
        They had put on performances before, but none like what Jo was proposing. Before, it had only been their neighbours, friends and Marmee. Now, Jo wanted them to perform to all of their town.
        "Oh no, Jo I'm not doing and Opera!" They complained but their sister kept going.
        "'Filled with Blood and Guts! Two massacres, a masked ball and several heart wrenching scenes.'" When her sisters still didn't seem eager she continued, "Picture this, we dim the lights and the audience falls quiet. Then, a loud and passionate overture takes over on a piano, played by our very own Belle. Then, our story begins with Clarissa. She is a strong, yet beautiful, princess who has fought battles among her people. When she meets a man, the evil Rodrigo, who her father wishes to sell her off to, she defies him and instead marries the tip of his sword's blade. The crowd will weep but they will also cheer! It'll be fantastic!"
        "Jo, do I die again?" Amelie called from the armchair.
        "Yes, Amelie you will play Clarissa, Charlotte you'll be the mother, Belle you'll be in charge of music and I shall play Rodrigo and the father!" Jo announced, her voice powerful and passionate.
        Her sisters smiled and she had convinced them. Marmee cheered and they began to rehearse the play.
        However it never happened, as Belle had fallen fatally ill. They called for the local doctor who was no help. He told them of the recent cholera epidemic but he also informed them of the lack of treatment. There was no cure. And sure enough, that very year, just a few weeks later, Belle had passed. Their pride and joy. Their sweet, sweet Belle.
        Jo took it the hardest. She didn't leave her room for a week and her sisters grew worried. Marmee would often be beside Jo, allowing her to weep and grieve her sister.
        Jo wrote more than ever in that week, she wrote tales of a girl inspired by Belle. But her best was the one in which Belle had lived. The tale told of the girl's possible future if she hadn't fallen ill.
        Jo needed to get out. It had just recently turned the new year and she knew that she couldn't live in this house knowing Belle was no longer there beside her. She loved her family, she did, but her life couldn't start if she didn't leave.
        So in the morning she told her family of her plans. She was to leave for Paris that evening and there she would fight to sell her stories and there she would spend her life. Marmee, though sad, knew that it's what Jo was to do. After all, she was an adult now and she could make her own choices.
        However, Amelie wasn't too sure on the idea. She told Jo she would join her, and though her sister protested the idea, she gave in. Amelie wasn't going to give in and so that very evening, the sisters had packed their belonging and they now stood by the door.
        "Be safe my loves." Marmee hugged her two girls at once.
        Charlotte stepped in and hugged her sisters, "Please, visit us soon."
         The sisters agreed and Marmee once again stood before them, "Remember this, if Paris doesn't have what you're searching for, we are always here and we always will be here."
         And with that, Jo and Amelie set off on their journey to Paris.