"Leggo mah arm, yer twistin' it off!"
Thenadier's gang cackled as they tugged at the urchin Gavroche's limbs, torturing the young student.
"Tha'll teach ye t' rat us out," Brujon snarled, delivering a swift kick to the boy's ribs. Bored with the game, Montparnasse called off the other men.
"Alright, let the gamin go."
The gave Gavroche their parting blows before wandering away. Seeing the boy groaning and struggling to get up, Montparnasse sighed and moved to help him.
"Clear out, Ah don't need yer 'elp," the urchin snapped, now allowing Montparnasse to come near. When he finally did rise, he swung at the young man, catching him in the stomach before sprinting off for the ABC Cafe.
"Little bastard..."
Then, right on cue, Javert rounded the corner.
"Dear Lord," Montparnasse muttered, dashing off into the streets. He ran toward the direction of the inn; it was really the only place he was welcome. With all the rest of the street scum. With a complex plan in mind, Montparnasse managed to creep around the town without running into Javert. However, it took him nearly an hour to reach the in, and by that time he'd virtually forgotten what in Hell he was doing. With a final glance around, he slipped in through the door.
Inside, Thenardier lifted his head eagerly, only to be disappointed by the sight of Montparnasse.
"Oh. It's you."
"Nice t' see you too. Get me a gin."
"Yeah, yeah, sure thing. Go ennertain Eponine, she's buggin' all me customers."
Montparnasse grumbled some intelligible cuss, sliding off his bar stool and walking about the ramshackle inn to find Eponine. He found her sitting among the others, playing some sort of bar game or another. Montparnasse lightly took her by the shoulders and stood her up, moving her away from the drunken bar goers.
"Aw, 'Parnasse I was jus' havin' some fun."
"What, you wanna have fun? Ok, sure, let's go talk. Just as fun, less fights." Montparnasse herded Eponine toward an empty table before she could protest. They sat down, facing each other across the table.
"My father told you t' get me away from 'is wonderful customers, didn't 'e?"
"Maybe."
Eponine scowled, but couldn't be angry with Montparnasse. He spoke again.
"So I hear there's talk of revolution. Your dear friend wouldn't think of fighting with the lowlifes, I assume?"
"If it so concerns you, Marius does plan t' fight for freedom," Eponine huffed, folding her arms over her chest.
"Ah, Marius is it? Well, a noble thing of him to help us gamins."
"Shut your mouth. I expect you'll be raidin' the dead with th' rest of 'em."
Once more Eponine silenced Montparnasse; her words were true, but still hurt.
"I'm offended. I thought I was your friend." He feigned utter shock. Eponine stuck her tounge out at him and shoved his shoulder. Montparnasse grinned and got up from the table, helping Eponine to her feet.
"I'll see you later, 'Parnasse. Marius said he'd meet me by the cafe." She wove her way through the tables and made her way out onto the streets. Montparnasse sighed.
"'Ponine. Chasing dreams again." He shook his head and joined the rest of Thenardier's gang in their rowdy games.