"A woman? Yes I am. Is there a problem?" she asked him, sounding greatly irritated.
He snapped his jaw shut, feeling heat rising to his cheeks. That would explain her
height, her smooth, hairless skin, her pink, petal-like lips, her glittering eyes…
"No! Not at all… Mademoiselle. You disguise just had me fooled. And I didn't expect
such influential words to… never mind. As I was saying, I was listening to your
speech and your words were like fire. But the issue at hand is that we seem to both
striving towards the same goal." He said, regaining his neutral expression.
"And?" she said, eyebrows raised. He bit the inside of his cheek, trying to
remain calm though her sharp crossness was starting to vex him as well. "Well, I am
months into my planning, and from your speech it sounds as if you're only in the
first few stages of your arrangements."
"Do you have a date set? The weapons and men required? A strategy laid out?"
she fired at him, cocking her head curiously.
"Yes."
"Well, that's unfortunately more than I've got at the moment. Are you
suggesting we join forces?"
"Strength in numbers, mademoiselle. Why fight individual battles when we
could combine to become one and strengthen our chances?"
"You make a very good point, Monsieur. Alright, I'll join you."
"And you'll bring the crowd of recruits you were rousing just now?"
"No, I was just firing them up to irritate l'Inspector," she laughed, a sweet
little sound. Enjolras chuckled along with her in spite of himself. "Of course I will.
Where should I bring them?" she asked him.
"Do you know of the Café ABC?" he questioned her. When she nodded, he
continued with, "Good. That's where we've been meeting, so you can bring your men
there." She nodded, smiling at him, showing off her rows of pearly white teeth.
"Alright, thank you Monsieur—wait, what is your name?" she asked.
"Enjolras," he responded, bowing marginally.
"Charmed, Enjolras. I'd curtsy but it seems I'm wearing chaps. My name is
Lynette." She replied with a laugh. He snorted with a smile, then asked, "Yes, why
are you wearing chaps, Miss Lynette? And are your men even aware that you are a
woman?" She shrugged, grinning, and said, "Have you ever tried to wear a corset,
Enjolras? Dreadful things. I find pants to be much more unrestricting. And no,
honestly I doubt they do. But does it really make a difference what gender I am? I
dressed as a boy to make them listen at first, but after they've heard my words they
will listen just the same. That is the power of my words, and I have never been more
proud of a God given talent." She was glowing as she spoke, almost as much ecstasy
and adulation in her eyes as she spoke about this as when she was kindling the
flame for revolution. "Yes, I have to hand it to you Lynette, I think those men would
have jumped into the Seine with their hands cuffed together had you told them to.
You are a wonderful speaker, and I'm glad you are using this ability for so great a
cause." He told her, beaming at the thought of what her speeches could do for Patria
should all of its citizens have the time to listen. She crossed her arms and smiled at
him, saying, "Why, Monsieur Enjolras! I swear your eyes lit up brighter than the sun
at the mention of that 'great cause'. I assume you are very passionate about this
coming battle?"
"More than you can even dream, Miss Lynette. I was born with a passion for
justice; not the type they claim to enforce nowadays, but the authentic kind: an
equilibrium where everyone is treated equally, punishment is completely just, and
no one lives in fear. I love Patria with all my heart and soul, and am ready to offer up
my full servitude and even my life, should it become necessary, for her and the
freedom of her people." He finished, gazing past Lynette, beaming at some unseen
daydream. He snapped out of it when she started speaking again, her voice nearly as
eager as his. "Mon dieu Enjolras, do you have any idea how refreshing it is to speak
with someone as consumed as I with the idea of liberation? Finally, someone who
hungers for autonomy, but is actually sensible in their plans of action! Anyway, I
have always felt a great pride in my country, and am tired of those brainless pigs
running her into the ground. It is time for change!" He smiled in admiration,
fascinated with her extensive knowledge and fiery expression towards politics. "Is
that you reason for craving conversion then? I was curious; I mean, it's obvious
you're not a student so—"
"What's that supposed to mean?" she snapped at him, voice suddenly harsh
and defensive. He stuck his hands up in a submissive gesture, saying, "I didn't mean
that you do not sound educated, it has actually enthralled me since you began
speaking how you could possibly have attained such widespread knowledge without
attending one of France's top universities, it's just that I myself am a student, and
you don't look familiar, not to mention the university doesn't admit girls." He
winked, and she relaxed.
"Alright, thank you. Well, to answer the question I rather rudely cut off,
besides my blazing love for my country, the government had affected my life on a
personal level." She explained, expression growing serious.
"Ah, a common spark for such a fiery hatred. What's the story?" He asked
casually, for these events were so common these days he felt no more
uncomfortable asking than if he'd asked for the time. She looked down at the ground
in just a second of what looked from her expression like despair, then she
straightened and responded, "Well, let me sum up my family's miserable tale for you.
My father was hung when I was two because he had stolen one slice of cheese for my
then pregnant mother, I have two brothers; one imprisoned for speaking out of
terms, the other a former student, and my most beloved big sister left us over a year
ago, and I recently found out that she has been sleeping around to try to support
herself." For a moment Enjolras was speechless, unable to find the right words to
say to her. He was shocked that the government had destroyed nearly everyone in
this girl's family, and could see why she reviled them so. Finally, he decided to veer
away from the subject. "You say your brother was an ex-student? Why did he quit?"
Abruptly, she burst out laughing, and his confusion at this action must have been
clear on his face, for she said, "Quit? He didn't quit. They threw him out." Enjolras
was tempted to ask what he'd done, but decided it best not to pry. "Right then. Well,
I need to get going, but be at l'Café ABC at dawn tomorrow so we can introduce you
to the others and begin executing our final plans." He instructed, bowing his head.
She nodded back saying, "Yes sir, you can count on us to be there. Just make sure
your men are on time. I'm not one to be kept waiting." She winked, and he chuckled.
"You don't have to worry your young mind about that. There's only one…
well, maybe two who ever dare to be late." He said, thoughts immediately flying to
Grantaire and Marius.
"Young? Who are you calling young?" she asked, eyebrow raised.
"Well how old are you then Mademoiselle?" he asked, sighing. She gasped.
"Monsieur Enjolras! How dare you ask a lady her age!" His eyebrows shot up, and
his arm twitched in exasperation. "But you just—" She cut him off with another bell-
like laugh. "I'm just teasing you! Calm your nerves, Enjolras. And I'm twenty-four, for
your information." His lips pursed. He was not fond of being kidded with. "A bit
short for your age, aren't you?" he said curtly, still in a slight pout. She cocked her
eyebrow. "Or maybe you're just tall for yours, Goliath. Ever take that into
consideration?" she joked before turning away.
"This is actually a very healthy height for a man of twenty-six!" he called after
her, feeling like a child for arguing so. She didn't even turn around. "Alright, alright.
I'll see you tomorrow!" He watched her go, irritated and amused at the same time.
How had she done that? Made him bubble with annoyance and laugh at himself
simultaneously? Even just the thought of it provoked him a bit, but he couldn't be
too angry with her because it was countered in his mind at the thought of her
intelligence. She had been absolutely right, it had been incredible to talk to one as
informed as she. He'd forgotten to ask her where she'd learned it all, though he
assumed her brother had taught her. Her speech was proper and mature as an
astute old scholar, and her understanding and wisdom of the law was nothing short
of shocking, especially considering she'd been sharp and informed enough to
formulate her own opinions. It was rare and beguiling, and he was ecstatic to now
have such a qualified co-developer. He walked towards his apartment building, lost
in thought of the coming struggle. He was mentally checking back over everything
they'd need; old furniture, any other weapons they could find in this short time, first
aid supplies, and food and water. His mind suddenly flickered to Marius, God only
knows where he was by now, no doubt fawning over his apparition of a girl. He
wished he could find some way to reach him, to remind him of the importance of his
presence the following day, but for now he could only pray that if he could just be on
time one day in his life, it would be tomorrow. He unlocked the door of his
apartment and stepped inside, taking a deep breath before sitting down on the bed.
In truth, he was absolutely exhausted each day when he returned home, when his
fuel, the excitement in his soul and in that of his comrades, was gone. It was always
just… too quiet for him. He felt that a place shouldn't be allowed to be this quiet, not
when there was so much else that could be happening, so much else that he could be
working on. But right now, he was just so tired…. he had barely slept the past few
days, so busy examining his strategies, scrutinizing every possible variable of
change, setting up a plan B, C, D…
There could be no holes. There could be no defects, errors, slips, or imperfections.
They were already so outnumbered, so liable to failure… he shook his head, almost
as if trying to convince himself that victory was as good as theirs. Sure, they were
the underdogs, but look at the Americans! They were seen as nothing but a weak,
unimportant little colony, and yet they fought with a patriotic fire and won their
independence. Why couldn't they do the same? He smiled to himself, thinking of
how wonderful it would be should… No, when, he thought fiercely, they win. 'But will
such a huge price almost surely paid in lives be worth it? When the odds were already
so weighed against us?' that nasty little voice in the back of his head nagged him. His
fatigued eyelids began to droop, and he didn't fight it, actually hoping sleep would
overtake him. Not only did he need as much energy as possible for the mêlée to
come (though, it stirred him so immensely that was not really a concern), but he
also wanted to forget about the worries and risks that were now ever present in his
mind. Dispel the horrible thoughts which now flashed through his thoughts; the
sound of a bullet tearing through flesh, the pungent, morbid smell of death, the faces
of his friends, drained of life, eyes glazed over. He shuddered at the dreadful images,
but soon fell into a deep slumber.
A/N: Hello fellow Mizzies! :D I hope you're enjoying this story so far! Introducing Lynette, the new co-developer of the barricades. And, as you can see, she's got quite a bit of bite to her. Do you think they'll clash majorly or somehow miraculously learn to get along over their love of Patria? R&R to answer, or to just let me know whether you love, hate, tolerate, etc. this story. Hope to hear from you! :D ~DonJuana