When he came through the door, the smell of some kind of beef stew filed his nostrils. Eponine walk doug, carrying a large bowl with a ladle. What's all this?" The table was set with an ivory coloured table cloth, two large candles were lit. The table was set for two. As he came closer, he saw that the plates, goblets and the silverware were all positioned in the way that Eponine learned in one of her etiquette books. She was donned in her red dress, her hair up, leaving a few stray ringlets on both sides her of her face.
"It's to try my etiquette skills. And to thank you for all that you've done for me."
"You really didn't have to do all of this." Joly walked closer. He pulled Eponine's chair out and pushed her in. HIs mouth watered as he surveyed the feast before him. There was freshly baked bread, green beans in oil and bits of bacon and the stew was filled with chopped carrots, potatoes, corn, beans and peas. There was also shredded roast in the broth. A large bottle was set out. Joly looked to see everything placed in the proper order. Eponine smiled, as they prayed and started to feast.
"Tomorrow is the day! Where your new life begins and your old one is left behind! Are you excited?" Joly swirled his glass before lifting it to his lips. Eponine smiled and slightly nodded.
"I recommend that you wear your white dress. It has an effect on people, because white stands for purity and innocence. We will go to church, to the market, and for a stroll in the park before we go to meet up with the Friends of the ABC." Joly told her. Eponine once again nodded. In a way, Joly missed the bouncy Eponine. But in her facade, she must behave like any other woman. Calm, quiet, reserved. They finished off the meal, with just a few green beans, a piece of bread and some soup left. Joly cleaned the mess and dismissed Eponine to go to bed. He then slipped out of the house with the leftover food. Walking down some streets, he cut into the alley where he had found Eponine. No one was in sight, as Joly laid down the food and a blanket. He then hurried home to get some sleep.
From behind the corner, Azelma's eyes widened. She had been on her way to that alley to sleep. It was hard, but somehow it kept out most of the wind and the roof on one of the buildings stretched far enough to keep her mostly dry from the rain. It was better than fighting with her father's gang. She had nearly turned the corner, when she had heard the click of a man's shoe. She stayed behind the wall and watched the man who had helped her sister, set something down before leaving. Confused, Azelma waited until the footsteps could no longer be heard, before she hurried to where he had left to make sure that he had not been watching her. He was some distance away, heading back to the apartment building. Azelma hurried back to her alley and looked to see steam. She instantly knew it was food and devoured it hungrily. There was also a blanket that she wrapped around herself. For some reason, Azelma felt more anger than happiness. How had Eponine been so lucky to be rescued by this man? Why had Eponine been cared for? Was Azelma not in the very same alley just a day before? Why had Joly not come then? Azelma bit her lip and glared into the night air. Just for once. Just once. I would love to be loved and cared for. I would love to be warm at night with more than rags to wear. With more food than I can eat. Someday. Someday, I will have what Eponine now has and I will make sure Eponine's facade is ripped away. Someday.
That night Eponine was bathed and ready for bed. She combed her hair and brushed her teeth and smiled at her reflection for the first time in what seemed like years. Not even in the seven weeks with Joly had she been able to look into a mirror and smile. Removing her dressing gown, Eponine looked at the bed in the corner. Despite being a lady of high society, Eponine still jumped onto the bed and settled beneath the sheets. It would be a special day tomorrow, full of changes. So tonight, she would give sleeping in a bed another try. This time it felt good. Nothing but soft and warmth surrounded her. She fell asleep within minutes, sleeping better than she had in years.
The next morning Eponine bounded out of bed. She wasn't sore and she felt ecstatic. She went to the wardrobe and brought forth her white dress, matching white shoes and gloves. She put on the dress and her shoes, then sat down at the new vanity and started on her hair. She brushed it thoroughly, before opening the box of hair pins. Joly had gotten her two kinds. The invisible black ones that blended into her hair and black ones with tiny pearls and diamonds on the ends. Eponine chose both, using the regular ones to pin up her hair into a fancy chignon, and then added the pearl ones for extra, since she had thick hair and for decoration. She then put on her hat and her gloves before walking out of the room. Joly was there, not yet fully dressed. He had on his black trousers, a crisp white shirt and his matching shoes. His overcoat and cravat was still tossed on the settee. Joly turned as he was buttoning his cufflinks and looked at Eponine. She shyly stepped out of the room.
"You look lovely, Nance. Really lovely." Joly murmured. His little sister, not so little anymore. Eponine gave a little twirl, as Joly slipped on his dark red-maroon colored cravat and his overcoat. He then went to the table, where something was wrapped in brown paper. He handed it to Eponine. Curious, she gently untied the string and unrolled the brown paper. Inside was a beautiful white fan to match her outfit.
"From Feuilly, one of the Les Amis." Joly explained. Eponine, who had learned the art of a fan when she had just started learning etiquette, opened it and told him, "It's beautiful."
"I've already informed them of your situation and they're ready to help." Joly told her. With his hat and cane in hand, He offered his elbow, before they went out the door and out of the apartment building. The sun had never looked or felt so beautiful. Eponine just had to close her eyes and soak in the feel of sunshine on her skin. She and Joly then attended church, before going to the market.
At every booth that they stopped at, Joly would ask Eponine if she wanted anything. Eponine may have been entitled and spoiled when she was younger, but the last years in poverty had changed that attitude quickly. Now she get as if she was imposing on her and Joly's friendship and his wealth. Joly came from a rich family and he was an only child. His family was very generous to the poor, and when they passed away, everything was left to Joly. Joly turned the estate over to some doctors and told them to make it into a hospital-like place. They argued for days to pay Joly for the place. After about six months of constant nagging and begging, Joly finally accepting a good sum of money for the place. He was saving it all. For what? He wasn't sure yet. Eponine would shake her head. Joly spotted a booth and took Eponine's hand and hurried her along.
There was a young man, in a flat cap and a dark, dark red color.
"Nancy, this is Feuilly. He made your fan." Eponine watched as the young man lifted his head.
"Hello, Nancy. I hope you like the fan." Feuilly smiled, politely.
"I love it, thank you. It is so beautiful." Eponine smiled back. Feuilly shifted in his seat and turned behind his chair. He brought up a sleek wooden box and opened it.
"These are special, but I don't bring them out until the noon crowd arrives." Feuilly gestured to them. Eponine picked up a red one. It was beautiful. Each and every one of them were beautiful.
"And since you're my friends, I'll cut you a good deal." Feuilly lowered his voice a few notches. If there was anything that Eponine loved more than food, shelter, clothes and a brother, it was fans. She was fascinated with them and she didn't know why.
"What are your deals?" Eponine asked.
"For friends, five for ten francs." Feuilly told her. Joly reached into his pocket and flipped a coin from his hand to Feuilly's.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Pick five." Joly smiled and gestured to her. Eponine looked at him like she usually did, before selecting five. Feuilly smiled and handed Joly something that that small. But Joly took it so quickly and shoved it into his pocket that Eponine didn't have time to even think about what it was.
They then went to visit the hospital, before heading to the park. They were walking on the road whens someone caught Eponine's eye. It was a man. Joly followed her gaze and saw one of the Friends of the ABC. It was young Marius Pontmercy. He was one of the newest members and often roomed with Courfeyrac. Eponine's heart beat as Marius turned to look at her. But sadly Eponine watch his eyes and they moved when she was not. She turned slowly to see a beautiful young woman with blonde waves and green eyes turn and they shared a gaze. Eponine's heart beat. Despite the black dress and the pink bonnet, the woman was beautiful no doubt. Joly ushered Eponine on, as they went to the park.