Sharing the Bounty (Tag: Gavroche)

[EPONINE THENARDIER]

((Okay, I couldn't figure out where to put this, since Gavroche's elephant isn't in any of the areas of Paris listed. But it is just a couple blocks from the river, so I put it here. If it needs to be moved just let me know!))

Eponine looked at the open pouch in her hand, carefully counting out the coins she had managed to gather the day before, either on her own at the fair or later that night with Montparnasse. If the bit she had gotten on her own had been decent, the haul she had split with 'Parnasse made it a veritable fortune for someone like her. Of course she had had to fall back into her old life to get them, luring men into the shadows with the promise of a little fun. Once they were out of plain sight and distracted, 'Parnasse only had to knock them out and the two of them could easily pocket whatever the man had on him. She and 'Parnasse had always called this the "bait and switch" and they had run it some many times in the past, they had become a well-oiled machine. Eponine knew just how and where to pull the men to and could draw all their attention as 'Parnasse snuck up behind them. And Montparnasse never let the men get too far in the fun they were expecting. Much as she hated to admit it, it was lucrative, and they would good at it.

And Eponine could allow herself to resort to her old ways if it meant she could make more trips like this. Cinching the pouch shut, she slipped it into the front her corset and adjusted the food she carried in her other arm. Half a loaf of day old bread, a couple apples, it might as well have been a feast. But it wasn't even for her. It was for her little brother. She smiled a little as she thought of his face lighting up when she arrived. He was always happy to see her, even if they both tried to hide it under sass and friendly jest. Ever since she could remember, she had felt responsible for her younger siblings. Gavroche leaving home was a huge loss for her, but also a catalyzing event in her life. The lack of concern her parents showed at the disappearance of their own son chilled her. Seeing Gavroche from time to time on the street, seeing how he not just survived, but thrived on his own, gave her the courage to walk out some years later. While she had never done as well as Gavroche seems to have, she attributed that to the fact that she remembers a life of comfort, a time before their parents' criminal activities had sunk to the level they were at now. So she had a harder time separating herself from them.

Still she felt it was her duty to check up on the little gamin from time to time, and share her ill-gotten good fortune with him. So as the day drew to a close, she turned her feet towards the old elephant statue. She knew her brother had made a home for himself and some of his little gang in there, and it was the best place to try and find him. Nearing the decrepit monument, she dodged out of the way of a couple grimy children, laughing and running through the street, bringing a smile to her face. Even with the tension in the air from the parade and the sickness that had settled on the city, children could still find joy in their lives. She chuckled and stopped beside the elephant, cupping her hand around her mouth. "Oi! Gavroche, you in there?" She dropped her hand to her hip, doing her best to look like the perturbed parent rather than the affectionate sister, anything to get him to take the food she had brought with as little argument as possible. Not that she thought for a moment it might work.

[gavrochethenardier]

Gravroche loved lazing around in his elephant. It was expansive, yet it was surprisingly warm, and he had all he needed. Well, food was not always at hand, but once he was fed, life seemed rather content in the massive structure. He didn’t have the trouble of running into Javert, and people like Montparnasse had to make a big deal if harassing him to get his attention. His elephant was his haven, and it was permitted entrance only. He felt much like the king, in his own little castle. The only things missing was the servants and the luxury. Oh, and the power. But, in a way, he had his own power over the hulking statue. Not many other people were as observant as him, and hadn’t even noticed the hole under the elephants stomach. It made him feel exceedingly bright. Parisian dandy’s passed by, unaware of the little spurt of life going on alongside them. But it was not like the rich paid much attention to those below them. It was a reality they seemed to really rather forget.

It had been a while since Gavroche had seen his sister. Though he would not express it outwardly, he was quite worried. He knew Eponine was capable. He knew that she could fend for herself. Growing up as a Thenardier was bound to make you tough. Even for Eponine, who had been loved as a child, life would be hard. Gavroche had adapted to his life effectively, quickly soaking up the streets and embracing what he had readily. Eponine had left too, from what he knew. But their father still prowled the streets, and that unnerved Gavroche. His father barely remembered him, but he didn’t mind. So many times he’d passed him on the street, and his father hadn’t even given him a look. But Gavroche felt safer that way. The only one of the Patron-Minette who knew of him properly was Montparnasse. The others simply saw him as that kid that Montparnasse dragged along is someone small was required. Montparnasse was a danger to Eponine. Gavroche knew nothing of love, and even less of relationships, but he knew enough about whatever was going on between Eponine and Montparnasse to know that it was dangerous for her. The civil unrest was surging through the streets quietly, and that was sure to end badly. The new illness that had taken the city was another thing that set him on edge. What would become of them all?

Lying lazily on his makeshift bed, Gavroche heard the familiar voice calling to him. A quick grin spread across his face, and he sprung to his feet. Crawling out of his hole, Gavroche landed lightly on the ground, making his way towards his sister. ”’Ponine!” He called with a wide grin, his grimy face lighting up at the sight of her. ”What’cha lookin’ at me like that for?” He cocked an eyebrow at her, taking in her appearance. She seemed fine, and there were no signs of illness on her. That was a relief. His eyes flickered to the pouch she was carrying, a bemused expression wiping across his face. ”What’cha got there? Ye ain’t tryin’ ta give me food again, are ya?”

[EPONINE THENARDIER]

It took no small amount of willpower on Eponine's part to keep herself from smiling as her brother came into view. His face was bright despite the dirt of the life he led on the street streaking it. Much to her relief, he didn't look ill as many of those on the streets had in the last few weeks. His cheeky attitude was still very much intact and even if he was underfed, he looked to be in decent health. "I'm looking at you like this because I just know you've been up to something you shouldn't have." The was a teasing to her tone, a light joking of a girl playing at being a parent. The corners of her mouth even turned up slightly. "I'll find out what it is, you know? You've always been up to something you oughtn't." Breaking into a grin, she ruffled the young boy's hair before bending to wrap her free arm around his shoulders in a close hug. Once she had discovered just how little her parents cared for him, Eponine had promised to look after the boy, if only to herself, and knew she was possibly the closest thing he had to a mother, and she took that position very seriously.

"Yes, I'm bringing you food! And you'll be grateful for it too!" Eponine laughed as she lightly swatted Gavroche's shoulder and held an apple out to him, grinning. "Go on now. What do you say?" She knew her brother well enough to know that while he might refuse outwardly at first, already his mind was probably working over how many of his little gang he could feed with the fruit and bread she carried. Eponine looked after him and he looked after them and that was the way of the world for the children of the street. In a way she envied her brother, the way he was hardly ever alone, always trailing a young boy or girl behind him. Usually more than one, and always with that same cheeky grin on his face. His spirits never seemed to dull and he never seemed lonely. It was as charmed a life as Eponine could imagine a street urchin could have.

"I'm just sharing the good fortune. I did pretty well at the fair and the parade." And after, but she didn't dare let on to her brother that she had run the streets with Parnasse the night before. There would be too much explaining to do if he knew that. Eponine had left her father's house and ostensibly her father's gang behind, but the dandy always seemed to find his way back. Or she found her way back to him. Besides, it didn't matter where the money had come from if it kept her brother and herself fed.