When they arrived at the Musain, Eponine and Marius had to squeeze themselves to get through the sea of young men that flooded the tiny café's back room. Marius had begun giving the pamphlets away and she was about to do so as well when Courfeyrac retrieved them from her after giving her a kiss on the cheek to say hello, after which he got swallowed by the crowd again.
She noticed that Grantaire and Joly were there as well. On the other side of the room was Combeferre, standing behind Elodie who was seated next to the only other woman present. And then up on the table speaking loudly and exuding charisma, was Enjolras. When she saw him and heard of what he spoke off, her attention was locked on him and she barely registered Gavroche, looking proud, sitting on the table where he stood.
"The crown could not be bothered to look down and see the state of Patria's people on the streets. These people are dying everyday from hunger, from their poor state of health, from having nowhere warm to spend a cold night. They are suffering while he lounges in his extravagant home, taking advantage of France's richness that we, the people, have rights to as well. How long will we let those blind men govern us? How much more will the people have to take before they experience change? I tell you now my friends, the time is drawing near, our numbers are growing and soon we will be able to influence a change that will promise a better tomorrow for everyone." A cheer erupted from the men, Enjolras smiled, the fire in his eyes burning brighter.
"Pretty words." Eponine mused as she continued to watch the young revolutionary. She stood in the corner fixated on him, yet somehow not as impressed as everybody else seemed to be.
He continued, "We will need to strategize and gather more supporters, we will have to go to the streets and reach out to the people we are fighting for. We will have to gather resources and funds. I will personally reach out to Lamarque; to have his support will greatly empower our crusade. Our brothers outside Paris must be contacted, we have to coordinate our efforts with theirs. Charters must be drafted and the path to a republic must be studied thoroughly in order for a smooth conversion once we overthrow the king." He swept his eyes through the room looking at the faces of his comrades as he let them absorb his words and the weight of their mission. Everyone seemed to understand, and he was satisfied enough that he did not bother himself with the fact that Grantaire was falling of his chair in his drunken state, Joly desperately and barely keeping him in place. "Gentlemen, this is not a game for rich young boys to play. We are standing at the edge of a revolution, bloodshed is inevitable, and there is a lot of work required to succeed… a lot of sacrifices to be made. So I ask of you, will you stand with me? Will you fight for Patria?"
Another cheer erupted as some of the men stood up. Gavroche shouted, "Vive la France!" and the men echoed enthusiastically. Eponine stood in her corner with her arms crossed, observing the initial reactions of the men before her brother had shouted. She recorded it in her mind, and had anyone asked, she'd tell him or her that Combeferre retreated to his thoughts at the mention of revolution with a look of concentration on his face that could have been mistaken as contest, while some of the others seemed to have come to life at the idea of putting up a fight. She'd say that Marius was furiously jotting down notes, only once looking up when Enjolras indicated the need for new charters. She'd tell you how the women turned pale as a look of deep concern and anxiety crossed their faces when he spoke of bloodshed. Elodie had reached up to lay a gentle hand on the back of the chair where Combeferre's rested, while the other woman scanned the room and locked eyes with Joly, who offered her a reassuring smile, before moving again to eye another gentleman. With Joly distracted, Eponine would recount with amusement how Grantaire had fallen with a thud that was left unnoticed, as the room was held captive to Enjolras' words, and how the man had raised his bottle when they started to cheer despite the cluelessness that was evident on his drowsy face. They all appeared to have been moved by their chief's words in one way or the other. Most of them looked determined and inspired, there were some others though who seemed almost frightened and unsure. But hearing Gavroche's young voice shouting with just as much passion and fervor as the man he shared the table with, had quelled any doubt in the men's hearts and had ignited even more the men who already believed, as they all united for one sure shout for France.
The room was abuzz with planning and debates as the men spoke about their plans and decided on the best course of action. Eponine, still in her corner, listened in catching a line or two from the conversations around her. She shook her head slightly; her brows furrowed and concern radiated. "School boys running around with guns for the people in the streets who wont even get to know their names." She thought, and then added in a whisper, "this will not end well."
"What will not end well Ponine?" Courfeyrac had made his way back to Eponine, remembering only moments ago that she was there.
Surprised at the intrusion, yet not at all upset, she sighed and looked straight ahead at the men. They could see Combeferre and Enjolras with their backs to them just a table away from them engaged in a heavy discussion with three others regarding ammunition: the necessity and the lack of it. "This. All this, Courf." She said, her voice low, cautious at being heard.
Courfeyrac looked solemn when she ventured a look at him. Despite the millions of questions and defenses that he was entertaining in his head, he simply inquired, "Why not?"
"They do not know you, how can you expect them to trust you? The people you fight for, these people you hope who will fight with you, they are afraid. Getting them to trust you – to follow you – to, what seems to me, the grave could possibly be the biggest challenge you and your men will have to face." When Courfeyrac stood silent and still she continued, "The men you hope to take arms with you, those men have families and mouths to feed. Without them, their children will die in hunger, their sisters and daughters will succumb to prostitution, and their brothers will turn to crime in desperation. And then what will become of them? Nothing!
"You rich brave men think you can conquer the world and change it because you will it… so used to getting what you want. You say you fight for the hungry, for the oppressed, for the orphans and the abandoned… but have you ever, even for minute in a day of your life, gone so low and felt their plight? I'm guessing the answer is no, and that monsieur, is your biggest barrier. You have to get someone who understands if you wish to get to them. Most of the people of your social class will not stir as well because they are too comfortable. They do not care." She paused, there were still a lot of things she wanted to say, but an overwhelming mix of feelings begged her to stop. She motioned with a tilt of her head to where the five who discussed about ammunition stood, Combeferre had been speaking and for a while now while the others listened. "They think of guns and bullets already, when they yet have bodies to use them. I believe there is need for change, please do not get me wrong. But as to if this room of young men could bring it, I fear, I am hesitant." She found it peculiar that her voice shook as she said the words. Courfeyrac stood facing the men with an empty gaze as her words cut deep.
She hastily apologized for being too forward then excuse herself to leave and have asked for Courfeyrac to bring Gavroche home, which he agreed to with a nod. The heavy feeling in her chest was too strong to ignore, and she found it unbearable to stay in the café any longer.
As the gentle sounds of her footsteps on the creaking stairs disappeared, Enjolras turned to find Courfeyrac, looking defeated and anxious. He heard everything the young woman had said, it was the reason why Combeferre had managed to openly and freely defend his stand, his desire for change to be brought up without the ring of gunshot, without interruption from his chief. He heard her voice, simply because it stood out in a room of male voices, and strained to catch her every word. He needed not concentrate too hard because her words captivated him and had ignited a spur in him that had left him with a desire to defend his beliefs and their crusade.
He felt appalled at her words so much so that even hours after, they still had the power to drag him back to his thoughts leaving him unable to finish his speech for the next rally. He had often thought of what might happen if they did not succeed, and of the consequences: death or the chain gang – which to him was pretty much the same. But, he learned that pondering over the possibility of failure only caused him doubt, and he knew well he shouldn't, and so he had trained himself to push those thoughts back and concentrate on planning for the revolution. He knew that his friends shared the same doubts, but never had he encountered these doubts voiced out with excruciatingly simple words and haunting honesty.
He needed to clear his head. After tucking his ruffled white shirt, he grabbed his coat and headed out the door. A walk, he decided, was called for.
Sending a big thank you to those who reviewed, followed and made this story a favorite of theirs. Reading your reviews really push me to go on with the story. And the response to Parnasse's character is overwhelming... im considering writing a sort of prequel (when i manage to finish this one) focusing on the life Ponine, Zelma and Parnasse lived before this story. Hmmm... what do you think? any interested readers out there? Funny, Im actually worried that more will fall in love with him than with Enjolras at this point.
Anyway, ok, have to focus on this one first. I hope I didn't bore you with this chapter. I might not be able to update as soon. I'm still trying to iron out the details, I believe i'm at a crucial point where things could go south very fast, so I'll be taking my time... I do hope you'll be patient with me.
Please let me know your thoughts on the development of the story. Insights and suggestions are very much needed at this point. Leave me a review, send the story some love. :)