An Explosive Surprise (Ponine,Courf,Combe,Enjy)

[FREDERIC ALGERNON JOLY]

The barrel was heavier than he first thought and as he lifted it he felt a straining in his lower back and thighs. He prayed he’d not pulled his muscles that would certainly not bode well for the revolution and he anxiously pictured himself struggling on the barricades because his muscles were tight and unusable. Joly sent a glare over at the two love birds as he struggled with the barrel. Now was certainly not the time! He couldn’t help but feel a blush creep across his face and he quickly busied himself with inspecting the edge of the barrel. Emotional outbursts made him feel uncomfortable, especially those of love.

He struggled down the steps with the barrel his breathing was heavy and with each step he feared a fall, but frankly he would face anything but the scene between Combe and Ep! He thought of anything other than the explosives he was carrying, for his mind could not cope with the fear of being blasted to smithereens. They managed to stack the gunpowder against one of the back walls and Joly looked at their work with pride.

Talk washed over Joly and he found his mind drifting to other things, he wondered what Chetta was doing at this moment. Most likely she was working and he hoped to finish off here quickly and pay her visit. He didn’t fancy the idea of standing guard over such dangerous matter.

‘Come on lads, let’s get this rota sorted so we can all clear outta here for the time being! Some of us have important business to attend to’ he said jovially peering around the group.

OCC - sozza totally didnt realise people had posted here!

[MYLÈNE LACOQUINE]

Mylène had never wanted to be one of ‚those’ girls. The ones who would give up their own free will, just because they wanted the acknowledging glances or the approval of a young man. She also had never wanted to be so suceptible to their tricks that they could be able to make her forget her anger in a matter of minutes. Her anger, though quickly it could flame up, had always been a guidemark for her to make her see when injustice was at hand. She had never been one to let it happen in her vicinity – so why was it now all happening in front of her very eyes and she couldn’t find the courage to be stubborn? This was not right… some of it was going terribly wrong here. Or was it even so wrong? Looking into Courfeyrac’s eyes it suddenly felt childish to wanting to be mad at him. And yet…and yet! Feebler than usual, but still distinctively, she extricated her elbow from his grasp and gave a huff. He shouldn’t just vent his anxiety and his annoyance about whatever was going on here on her!

His eyes though, more than ever worked their magic, making her think of all the things they had already shared, making her think of how she had told him so much of herself and that he had never judged her. She realized with a lurch of fear that she was growing accustomed to it, that she had allowed him to sneak past her guard, breeching the walls somehow she had put around herself. Now was not the time to get attached to a certain feeling of being at home with a situation, she had learned long since that every time you allowed yourself to succumb to it, things would rapidly change. And wasn’t it even more so with the revolution now on their very doorstep?! Tomorrow the world would be a different place, all of them of course hoped it would be a better place, but there were dire prices to pay. It was foolish to think that what ought to change would not cost you anything of the present. For Mylène, the prices had always been distinct and the more she kept people away from her, the less likely they were to be part of the bargain. Alain had been too close, now he was gone.

Courfeyrac went to speak with Enjolras in a lower voice. She could not deem what they were saying, but she could catch his gaze straying towards her as he talked. Great, now she was being the subject of their talking already! What they might be saying about her…! In the end, she should not care so much, but here it was again: she began to define herself over what was being thought of her, she, the independent Mylène La Coquine! Abruptly, she turned around, murmuring to no one in particular: “need sum air…!” then she quickly ascended the stairs, walked through the upper room and out into the street, where she leaned against the wall and took a deep calming breath. She needed to get her thoughts straight, and it seemed not possible down below, with Courfeyrac’s presence influencing her judgement.
Unbidden, the words of the Mystic who had drawn the cards for her sneaked back into her mind. Apparently she had filed them away better than expected.
“The characters are embarrassed by their impoverished state…and are too proud to ask for help. They prefer to rely on each other than ask the church for alms. The question this card poses is how will you survive in such a poverty without losing ones pride. The answer…you must reconsider your values.”

Up until now, she had thought to have figured the re-think your values part out, by deciding to join the cause of the ABC friends and leave her sans-soucis life with the jugglers behind, but now she realized this change of mind went deeper. How will you survive in such a poverty without losing your pride? Rethink you values. Did mean rethinking her values that she ought to give up a part of her independence and freedom? But for what? Was she even getting something in return? You never know until you try… and it might be too late tomorrow. Pride is a cold companion to have.
With a low growl, Mylène pushed herself off the wall and stalked over towards the Corinth Wine Shop. “Lads from across wed like a bit o’wine. Jus’ gimme a bottle an’ say… five cups”, she proposed at the owner who nodded with a gruff grunt, handing her what she had asked for. Sticking the bottle between her arm and her torso, she balanced the tray of cups expertly across the street, descending down into the cellar. “Yer e'er faithfel barmaid’s brought sum refreshments. Ye earned it.”, she called out, planting her trademark sassy smile on her face for good measure. No need for anyone to see how much that simple act had cost her.