Chapter 1: A new beginning
A/N: Well, here goes! I was originally going to do an Eponine/Enjolras fic, but there are so many out there I just didn't want to add another one to the mix. So, enter Danielle! Also, yeah, there is going to be some Phantom of The Opera stuff in it. Because I couldn't leave it out. But not enough to warrant a crossover I think.
Danielle De Chagny had recently returned to France from a prestigious friends residence in London. Her brother, Raul, seemed to think she would be benefited by 'polite society' and so sent her to the Lady Baybridges' home for refinement. The Lady traveled in all the best circles and seemed a suitable companion and mentor for Danielle, so she went to England for two years.
Before her sixteenth year, when she was sent to London, she lived near the sea with her brother. But eighteen months before her scheduled return Raul had sent word that he had leased the chateau and bought a townhouse in Paris. He neglected to explain the reasoning behind the abandoning of their childhood home, but told Danielle she needn't worry. In truth, she was happy for a chance to finally behold the city of Paris. Apparently the poverty there was extreme and she, in her youthful ignorance, fancied she could singlehandedly clear the streets of the homeless and destitute. SHe believed God had a plan for her in this new city, and it excited her more than anything.
It was these giving, selfless tendencies that had caused Raul to send her away. Her behavior was 'unladylike' and 'vulgar', as Lady Baybridge told her that first day in London. They hadn't spoken of it after that, but the honorable Lady was constant in her degradation and condemnation of those already degraded and condemned. There was little Danielle could do to help the people in the last two years, apart from pressing several francs in the hands of the needy when Lady Baybridge looked away, so she was particularly eager to get to Paris and renew her old habits. London society had been unable to crush her compassion.
She had arrived at the facade of Rauls' beautiful place in the early evening on a warm March day. Her heavy orange traveling dress made her uncomfortably warm and her legs ached from sitting for such a long period. She stepped from the carriage and smiled at the sight that greeted her. There was a large garden leading to the house with trees and flowers of every variety on bloom. The smells and colors were complete heaven to her. The housekeeper, Annette, was there to receive her. She seemed to be a bit older than Danielle, but she had a timeless look about her. Her bright blue eyes sparkled with enthusiasm for life, her thin lips stretched into a perpetual smile, her thin auburn hair had been pulled into a bun, but pieces had escaped and were flying about with as much carefree abandon as the bearer itself. She rushed forward and curtseyed.
"Welcome Milady. I am Annette, the housekeeper, and this is my Husband, Alain," She gestured to a the man unloading Danielles' trunks, "The Vicompte is at the opera, but whatever you need I am happy to supply."
Danielle nodded and stepped into the simple building. It was much smaller than their chateau, but still beautiful. It was really only a bit larger than the common middle class home, which surprised Danielle. In fact, the further she ventured into the house, the more astounded she became. It was perfectly ordinary. There was no cream or gold upholstery, no floor to ceiling windows, and no expensive nick knacks on display everywhere you turned. It was something from a dream. There was beautiful paper covering the walls in cheerful colors, comfortable, sturdy furniture, and space enough for a party if need be.
She felt as though Raul had somehow seen into her mind and picked the tenement of her childhood dreams. But no more did she feel this than when she stepped into what Annette declared to be her room, across from Raul. There was pink and white wallpaper, along with pictures of various flora and fauna, on the walls. There was a vanity with a washbasin in the corner, a large wardrobe on the wall next to it and a changing screen in the opposite corner. A shuttered window took the wall between the vanity and screen, with a bed on the opposite wall. It was like a fairy land to Danielle, who had lived in opulence with ostentatious people for too long. She had always preferred the simple, pretty things over the garish objects of fortune.
Settling into this new life had proved easier than Danielle expected; she was the toast of French society. It appeared as though the trip to London had been a success; there were French gentlemen attempting to woo her, French ladies emulating her, and French parties to be witty and charming at. But she knew how fickle the bourgeois were, her popularity would change with the next gust of wind. Raul had recently become the patron of the Opera Populaire and was gone more evenings than not. Danielle didn't mind, of course. It gave her an opportunity to put on her ragged green 'visiting dress', cover her light brown hair with a kerchief, rub dirt on her face, and walk across the Seine to her favorite part of town. Being a proper lady, she had to be under constant chaperone, which in this case was Alain. She had sworn him to secrecy; she did not want Raul to find out she hadn't completely given up her old ways.
She hastened to the Mondetour alleyway, where her new friend, Sabine, lived. It was a dirty, narrow way, with the scratching sound of rats going to and from the shadows, and the odor of squalor permeating the air. But she had built an immunity to these things in Dunkerque; the impoverished were impoverished whether in the capitol or a seaside town. She stopped at the fourth door to the right and knocked. A small girl, younger than Danielle, answered.
" 'Ello, Elle." She greeted, smiling wide and exposing missing teeth.
"Good morning Sabine!" Danielle grinned back, "I brought a basket today." She held out to the girl with one hand and rocked it back and forth, "Are you going to take it?" She teased.
"Mamselle, 's too much." She stated, large brown eyes wide. Danielle shook her head emphatically.
"It's not too much." She stated, pulling things out of the basket, "I brought bread and cheese, some meat, applesauce, and preserved pairs. Oh, and here's the medicinal herbs, and wine. Wine's good to keep warm." She looked up from her inventory, "See, no money, no pity. Just one friend helping another." She waited, hoping Sabine would accept. The other girl chewed her chapped lip thoughtfully and furrowed her brow.
" 'Aright, maman'll want it." She decided. Danielle smiled in relief and handed over the basket. She's been careful to wind a pretty ribbon around the handle for Sabine; the girl probably wouldn't notice it, because if she did she wouldn't accept it.
"Here's the basket. I'm sorry I can't stay. Raul will be home soon and I should be there." Danielle apologized. She's told Sabine about having a brother but 'accidentally' left out the fact that he was a Vicompte. Sabine nodded, smiled, and closed the door.
Danielle turned to keep walking down the alleyway, while Alain stayed four paces behind. Ridiculous Bourgeois customs.
"Alain, you can protect me just as well beside me as behind me." He nodded and moved to walk next to each her, "Sabine is the eldest of four children. Her father died two years ago and her mother is working in a factory by the river. Sabine takes care of her siblings every day." She turned to Alain, to see if he was at all impressed; he smiled at her indulgently, "I hope that one day I might be as brave as these people."
They emerged in front of the Cafe Musain to boisterous voices and loud music; the lights shone on the pavement and made the entire place seem warmer. There were several students entering the the cafe, jesting and laughing like old friends; it seemed such a joyful atmosphere. A pinprick of light and happiness in such a dismal place. Danielle looked to the second story, where another man, another student, by the looks of it, was standing in a large window, looking down at the world below. Looking down at her. She blushed, fidgeted with her skirts, and glanced back up. She couldn't clearly see his face, but he was still there, staring, statue-like, into nothing.
She suddenly felt very conscious of her haggard and dirty appearance. She wished nothing more than to be in one of her beautiful dresses with satin shoes, her hair in elaborate braids and curls, her face scrubbed clean. She was never considered a beauty by any standard, but wearing beautiful things certainly helped. Even so, there were many ladies with great beauty among the wealthy of Paris, but when there is an overabundance of something - anything - it gradually becomes ordinary. And then the ordinary things are beautiful. She looked back to the window and breathed a sigh of relief. He was gone.
"The Gorbeau family is just across the street, then we can go." She informed Alain, crossing to the one room tenement the aforesaid family inhabited. This time she left the basket on the porch; she didn't have time to knock and take many minutes convincing them to accept her charity. Although the basket was devoid of a ribbon, it did have ten francs in the bottom. She straightened and turned to face Alain.
"That's all for-" Instead of Alains' warm, open face she was met with a rigid, cold visage of someone whom she believed had never laughed.
"What are you doing here?" It asked, emotionless.
"I don't see as how that's any of your business." She replied icily and looked past him to see if Alain was still there. It was dreadfully improper to converse with someone you hadn't been introduced to, and even more improper to be alone with said person. Alain was standing some feet away, looking unsure as whether or not to intervene. Now, most men in polite society would have been cowed by her tone and subsequent dismissal. But apparently not this one.
"It is my business when it concerns these people." He gestured to the houses around them in general. She turned her gaze back to him and raised a condescending brow.
"Are you the King of France?"
He made no answer.
"Then these peoples lives are none of your business. What I'm doing here is none of your business. You are neither my father nor my brother that I need answer to you. Do you even know these peoples names, monsieur?" She swept past him with her most regal air, which must have looked quite ridiculous, considering she was dressed as a pauper.
"Are you not one of these people?" He murmured as she passed him. Her heart leapt, was she to be so easily found out? She knew she was a terrible actress and her fear must have shown on her face, so she turned away and made no answer. She composed herself quickly and flashed him her most dazzling smile, curtseyed, and walked away from the Cafe Musain.
A/N: Guess who the annoying student was! (I'll give you a hint: not Marius) What's you think? I'm going to try to keep it all as historically accurate as possible. Except for the Opera House, it's too far away from the action so I'm going to have it be closer. Is it good? Bad? Ugly?
So please review! I would love any feedback. It's so exciting!