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Chapter Six: Cafe Musain

Monday afternoon. Éponine returned home with 10 francs she'd managed to collect, which instantly put her Father in a good mood.

"Papa..." She began cautiously.

"Yes, Éponine?" He wasn't calling her 'brat', which was a good start.

"Well...I might be getting a job somewhere. Its just cleaning...but it's paid! I don't know how much yet...but three times a week would get us more money." Thenardier was interested at the mention of 'money.'

"And you're wondering if its okay with me?" He asked.

Éponine nodded.

Broujon cackled. Thenardier glared at him, which silenced him. He turned back to Éponine.

"Fine. As long as you get good money." He shrugged, smoking his tobacco.

Montparnasse rose. "What? Bet she'll be bedding the men at wherever she's working!" He snorted. "Cleaning indeed. Little who-"

"Silence! Don't talk about my daughter like that. Not after she's brought us this." He held up the money.

Montparnasse sighed, but backed down. Thenardier had become the leader of their band of thieves, the alpha of the pack.

"Off you go." He even opened the door for Éponine.

She ran outside, having to restrain herself from running to the place.

Gavroche was waiting for her when she arrived. "Hey there, Ép." He grinned. He led her inside.

"Here's Ép..onine, the one who I said would be doing the cleaning." Gavroche had to remember to finish Eponine's name, rather than use his nickname for her.

There were only a handful of students; about ten of them. A few nodded. A few said 'hello.' Gavroche led her to the table in the corner, which was larger than the others and covered in a red cloth. It was obviously where the main people in this ABC society were. There were five men gathered around it. Éponine's heart skipped a little when she saw Marius. He looked up, and blinked, looking surprised.

"This is Enjolras, Courfeyrac, Combeferre and Grantaire...and, well, you know Marius." It was lucky Gavroche was a good actor, otherwise they'd all know something Éponine didn't want them to know.

Enjolras had a serious-looking face, with dark eyes and tidy mousy-brown hair. He had lines on his forehead, although he couldn't have been older than nineteen. He contrasted with Courfeyrac, who had a childish, mischievous face, with twinkling grey eyes and unruly black hair. He seemed like he was ready to play a trick on someone even when he was being serious. Combeferre was blonde haired and blue eyed, and Grantaire's black hair was a little long. His dark eyes made Eponine shiver slightly, as they had a wicked glint to them.

"'Ponine, I didn't know you were coming here." Marius was the first to speak to her.

"Well now you do know." She smiled slightly.

"Éponine, the broom is in the corner there. There's a cloth tied around it." Enjolras said, indicating they didn't want to be interrupted.

"Okay, Monsieur." Éponine picked up the room, going about sweeping the floor.

She picked up snippets of conversation. How these students found the leaders of the land ignorant and arrogant, strutting around their riches without a care for the starving people on the street. They wanted to find a way to get their views across to General Lamarque, who spoke for the people. General Lamarque seemed to be the only higher status man that they actually liked.

They also seemed to be considering a revolution, but they pushed the thought aside as they think many people would be willing to join, and there was only a few of them.

When she had finished cleaning, she was ready to leave. Someone tapped her shoulder on the way out. She turned; it was Enjolras. "You're forgetting something." He gave her a coin. She looked relieved. If she'd have forgotten...she wouldn't be allowed here again.

"Thank you, Monsieur." She said. He nodded solemnly, then went back to the table.

"Stay safe, 'Ponine!" Marius called.

Éponine smiled as she walked out of the building.