Disclaimer: I shamelessly admit stealing a number of characters from Les Misérables (I'm sure you will all recognise them). These characters obviously belong to Victor Hugo and not to me. Inspiration for the initial setting came from A Thenardier's Redemption.

Any characters you don't recognise from the books sprung from my imagination. I'd prefer you didn't steal them.


The grisette meticulously stitched the student's book, taking care that all the pages were kept firmly in place by the threads. When she finished a satisfied smile crossed her face – she was confident her work would hold a long time. She handed the book to M. Dubois, who winked at her.

"For your student?" he asked. She blushed, and nodded. The shopkeeper had obviously noticed the extra care she always had for the student's books, and deduced her tendre for the young man from this fact. He was a friendly old man, who had hired Élodie three years ago – when she was only fifteen. She had always worked hard for him, and in turn he treated her almost like he would a daughter. She dutifully went back to stitching books for the shop, but kept an eye on the door in case the student would return. However, later that afternoon another familiar face entered the bookshop. It was one of the student's friends, and he offered her a friendly smile before turning to M. Dubois.

"I believe Enjolras dropped of his Social Contract here earlier today?" M. Dubois nodded, handing the newly stitched book to the student. The student paid the fee, and thanked the shopkeeper. He then winked at Élodie, and left the shop again. She felt a bit disappointed that the student had not come by himself – the book had seemed so important to him that she had been certain he would pick it up himself. She shook her head, quickly continuing to stitch the book she had been working on when the student had entered. At the end of the day, M. Dubois handed her the week's wages, plus an extra franc.

"Your extra efforts for the students have not gone unnoticed," he said with a wink. She smiled, and securely placed the money in a small pouch around her neck, which she hid under her dress. M. Dubois then took her into the backroom, and spoke in a low voice: "Courfeyrac explained to me that they will need a number of pamphlets printed soon. They concern a more delicate subject than you are perhaps used to. If they were found in the shop, the police are likely to arrest the both of us." Élodie frowned.

"How did you answer him?" she asked.

"I am a Republican, Élodie," he answered. "That they trust me to print these pamphlets is a great honour to me. However, I told him that I could not and would not answer him until I had spoken with you." She bit her lower lip. She knew little of politics, but M. Dubois had told her that the Republicans fought for liberté, egalité and fraternité. A world where everyone was free, where everyone was equal. For that, she was willing to take some risk.

"For the ideals you have taught me, I am willing to fight," she answered truthfully. M. Dubois smiled.

"Then prepare to see a lot more of your student," he said with a wink.