I only own Marceline Angevine.
"Come on dearie, why all the fuss?
You're no grander than the rest of us
life has droped you at the bottom of the heap.
Join your sisters
make money in your sleep."
The harlots beneath the pier had dressed the pretty girl up in clothes like theirs, disgusting makeup smeared over her face. As a young capitain came and offered his hand, fear clutched my heart. The poor woman wouldn't last the night with that lot looking after her. Without a thought, I stepped from the shadow.
"Stop."
The prostitutes turned to glare at me, the newcommer and the bastard next to her turned as well. She tried to cover herself a bit, probably embarrassed tobe seen as she was by someone as well-dressed as I was. I stepped forward and she looked down. Gently as I could, I cupped her cheek and pressed her to look at me.
"Don't be afraid, lovely. I don't bite." she turned her head slightly and I caught her eye. The captain on her arm glared at me.
"You don't belong here, miss. I suggest you leave." he informed me, jerking the lovely girl away from me. I caught her arm and she looked at me with confusion, as if to ask why I was helping her. I bit back with my scottish side showing through.
"You've come here fer a lay any a' these whores can give yeh. I'll be taking this one." I retaliated as the woman freed herself from his grip and clutched me.
"Why you little-!"
"I don't think yer superiors would be too impressed if yeh ended up having to tell 'em tha' yer shiner's from a woman." the man paused, confused, as I gestured for the woman to get behind me.
"I don't have a-"
"And yeh won't if yeh leave now." I warned. I noted the unmistakable sound of Inspector Javert's horse and smirked as the man came at me, fist raised. A scream that was not my own pierced the night and there were yells not far off. Hoofbeats echoed through the streets and the man tried to run, but he found his path blocked by several of the less cruel prostitutes. Two clock ticks had yet to pass when Javert showed up with several other men, one of which I recognized as Mayor Madeleine, a good friend of mine.
"What's all this?" the inspector sneered. I reached back and clutched the woman's hand, gesturing to the man with my free appendage.
"Inspector, this man was about to strike this poor young woman for absolutely no reason." I informed him, easily replacing my scottish accent with a french one. The harlots nodded in agreement as the man called out denials and strings of profanities. I smirked and waved as he was swiftly arrested. Javert returned his attention to me.
"Truely fortunate timing on your part, madamoiselle. But if you don't mind my asking, what are you doing in this area so late at night? And all alone?" I scolded myself internally. Think of something before hand next time, will yeh?! I stepped asside, revealing the young woman to the two men.
"I was out for a walk when I saw this woman looking desperate and ready to drop dead. I only came to lend a hand." Javert nodded.
"I'll expect you to stop by the station later to fill out a report." he informed me, turning with his new soon-to-be convict. "M'sieur Mayor, M'dme Angivine." And with that, Javert and his men took their leave, leaving the woman with me and Mayor. Or, as I knew him, Valjean.
Said man seemed to be looking on curiously to the woman who now clutched me into an embrace as though I were a lifeline. He swiftly approached us, his hand gaining a mind of its own as he reached to cup her cheek.
"I've seen your face before, have I not?" She flinched away and glared at him, looking as though she'd like to strike him.
"Forgive me if I lose my manners when speaking to the man who cost me my dignity." We were both taken abback by this. I looked meaningfully at Valjean, though he did not return my gaze, favoring pasting his gaze to the young woman.
"What do you mean?"
"Your foreman sent me away. You were right there and you made no move to stop him." I felt her tears wettening my shoulder as she spoke shakily, not looking at him. A look of horror crossed his face, remorse and self-hatred filling his eyes. I patted the blonde woman's back soothingly.
"What is your name, miss?" I asked, noting the heat of her forehead against the crook of my neck.
"F-Fantine." Her clutch on me released as she collapsed into my arms. Supporting her waist, I pulled her head to my neck.
"M'sieur Mayor, she's sick. Help me get her to my home." Snapping out of the day-mares I was sure he was having and mounted his horse. With astounding speed I passed her to him and swung my leg up onto the back, holding her against him as we galloped down the near-empty street.
Not bad, eh? Came up with it out of nowhere and wrote it up. I like it. Reviews are appreciated!
