Bargain of Treachery
Les Shaman Miserables
The inn had finally emptied, and Madam Eliza and Horodier were picking up after the ravaging retards that they had so willingly fed.
But then the door slammed open. A man was clutching little Annette's hand, and she appeared a bit happy, even though the brimming water bucket was weighing her down.
The man was Jean Paijean, and Paijean took that he should explain why he was clasping Annette's hand, judging by the look on Eliza and Horodier's face. Of course, the look on the Horodier's face was because they had forgotten Annette was out there.
"I found her wandering in the wood," Paijean explained. "This little child, I found her trembling in the shadows, and I am here to help Annette. And I will settle any debt you may think proper – I will pay what I must pay to take Annette away. There is a duty I must heed; there is a promise I have made, for I was blind to one in need. I did not see what stood before me. Now her mother is with God… Juntine's suffering is over. And I speak her with her voice, and I stand here in her place! And from this day and evermore –"
"Let me have your coat, M'sieur," Madam Eliza offered politely and rather quickly.
"Annette shall live in my protection –" Paijean tried to say.
"You are very welcome here," Horodier assured, also speaking quickly.
"I will not forsake my vow -!"
"Take a glass," Horodier urged.
"Take a seat," Madam Eliza offered, a bit less straightforward than her hapless husband.
"Annette shall have a father now!" Paijean cried. Annette was shocked. Someone was here to save her from the hole that was Horodier's inn?
Of course, Eliza and Horodier performed a perfect act.
"What to do?" Horodier asked in mock sadness. "What to say? Shall you carry our treasure away? What a gem! What a pearl! Beyond rubies is our little girl! How can we speak of debt? Let's not haggle for darling Cosette!"
"Annette," Eliza hissed.
"Annette!" Horodier corrected himself.
Jean Paijean looked at Horodier with a strange expression. Annette tried to figure out HOW Horodier could lie so blatantly. But Horodier continued. "Dear Juntine, gone to rest… Have we done for her child what is best? Shared our bread, shared our bone – treated her like she's one of our own! Like our own, Monsieur!"
Annette's eyes narrowed as Paijean spoke in reply.
"Your feelings do you credit, sir," Paijean said. "And I will ease the parting blow."
Paijean placed a few hundred francs on the table.
"Let's not talk of bargains or bones or greed," Paijean snapped. "Now, may I say, we are agreed?"
Now Eliza got into the act, seeing the money… but although she spoke the truth… with a lot of exaggeration…
"That would quite fit the bill," Madam Eliza sighed. "If she hadn't so often been ill. Little dear, cost us dear, medicines are expensive, M'sieur. Not that we begrudged a sou; it's no more than we Christians must do!"
Annette wanted to tell Paijean that she had only been sick once, and even though the medicine was indeed expensive, that was when she was about three. Now she was about seven.
But Paijean said nothing and instead placed more money on the table.
Eliza and Horodier stared at the money, and a dribble of sweat fell down his cheek.
"One thing more," Horodier and Eliza added in unison, "one small doubt! There are treacherous people about… no offense. Please reflect. Your intentions may not be… correct…"
Paijean was getting just a bit fed up with the Horodiers, so he slapped down even more money. Now there was a small pile of francs lying on the table.
"No more words," Paijean begged. "Here's your price – fifteen hundred for your sacrifice. Come, Annette, say goodbye…"
Annette waved at her dismal excuse for a father and her estranged, miserable mother. They waved back.
"…Let us seek out some friendlier sky," Paijean offered to Annette, still holding her hand gently. He turned to the Horodiers. "Thank you both for Annette… it won't take you to long to forget."
Paijean led Annette out of the inn. Annette gazed at the depressing cube she had lived in.
Paijean turned to Annette. "Come, Annette, come my dear. From now on I will always be here. Where I go… you will be."
"Will there be children and castles to see?" Annette asked excitedly.
"Yes, Annette, yes it's true. There is a castle waiting for you," Paijean promised.
The two of them walked off singing.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Shaman King or Les Miserables.
A/N: If anyone is still reading this after the huge fall-out/Eliza thing, I want to apologize for all the grief I know I caused… (sweat drops)
Anyway, we're ready to launch into the underbelly of Paris. Be warned.
A/N 2: Sorry it took so long to get this up. I haven't been able to connect in days (neither has my family) and… well, that's why this is late…! Gomen! Gomen!
(bows frantically)
And Keiko... DON'T TAKE MY REN-CHAN FROM ME!!
Ren: Ren chan??? (sweat drops) Well... er...