Silence met Enjolras' question.
Grantaire thought frantically about a million possible answers, and before his friend could notice his hesitation he cleared his voice.
"Um. Well, it's certainly a pretty unusual request... uh, especially coming from you. You, uh..."
"You think I shouldn't ask Father?"
Grantaire knew he had to lie. He felt sick at the thought, but he knew he didn't have a choice.
"Well... You know I'm not renowned for thinking ahead. But this time I feel like some serious planning is in order. Father is usually fair and just, but I don't think anyone has ever even thought about asking him something... well, something so outside the box, you know?"
Enjolras arched an eyebrow. Grantaire desperately tried not to flush with embarrassment. He was very well aware he was just blurting out a perfect heap of nonsense, but he had to stop Enjolras from pursuing that dangerous train of thought.
"Um, you know what? Let me ask Father; let's pretend it's my idea, so if he's displeased he won't be mad for long, since making insane requests is very typical of me. Alright?"
Enjolras lifted himself up so that he was sitting on the grass, facing his friend. He had a sullen expression on his face. Grantaire thought the sunrays had suddenly lost their warmth.
"You think my request is insane?" Enjolras asked, quietly.
Grantaire paled. "NO! Enj, I'd never..."
The blonde interrupted him. "It seems to me that the only insane thing here is that I've never spent a night on earth! And I am a god, it's not like I haven't been around for a long time! I thought you, of all people, would agree with me." His tone was so dejected Grantaire felt even guiltier.
"Enjolras, listen to me! Don't you EVER think I'm not on your side, you hear me? I'll always support you, always. I didn't mean to imply your request is insane. I was merely assuming Father would think like that. I'll do whatever I can to convince him, I promise." Grantaire took Enjolras' hand and kissed it. "You can trust me, always."
Enjolras looked at him with shiny eyes. "Thank you, R."
Grantaire knew he had messed up royally, but he was willing to face the consequences if he could just keep on making Enjolras smile like that. Gods knew he deserved to smile.
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Water lilies at night gave off such a luscious scent Eponine felt inebriated. Cool water lapped at her calves while she reclined her head to stare at the starry sky above her. Sun was playing on the edge of the pond, pawing at a blue water lily.
"Jehan... would you describe the sky to me?" she asked.
Jehan, god of water, of history and words, was floating amidst the flowers, in the middle of the pond. He emerged gracefully from the water, walking towards Eponine. Droplets glistened on his pale skin, reflecting the moonlight; it was as if he was covered in pearls. A water lily was entwined in his silvery hair. Eponine had always admired his eerie beauty, although she loved him more for his character than for his looks.
He sat himself beside her, letting his legs dangle in the water, and spoke in a quiet voice.
"The sky above is a dark silky veil, spread out over the gleaming splendour of the gods to protect the eyes of the mortals. It's a veil so ancient and so thin that some of the light seeps through. The mortals love it, as they should, and call it starlight." Jehan smiled at Eponine, amused. "Why do you ask?"
The goddess chuckled. "I love your little history lessons. But actually I was referring to the sky... during the day."
"Oh. You've never expressed an interest in it before."
"I know. Is-is it bad that I asked? I know it shouldn't concern me, but I feel this... this weird longing, and I have no idea why, it seems so strange to me. Why would I long for something I've never seen? I thought maybe your beautiful words could help me. Maybe if I can picture the sky in my mind, this feeling will go away. It's..." Eponine shifted, uncomfortable. "It's unnerving and far from pleasant, and I don't like it."
Jehan looked at her closely. He realized exactly what was happening, but he couldn't say anything to her, so he resolved to help her the only way he knew.
"I won't describe the sky to you, Eponine. I'll do better: I'll show you."
Eponine gasped. "Show me? But... how? I can't!"
Jehan smiled. He loved how innocent Eponine sometimes could be. He marvelled at her ability to keep her sweet demeanour even after all that had happened. Then again, she didn't remember anything; if only she knew the truth Jehan was sure her wrath would be terrible. His heart ached deeply for her and Enjolras.
"Just trust me and take my hand." He offered his palm to her, expectantly.
Eponine smiled, a little unsure, and took the proffered hand. Quicker than lightning, Jehan unexpectedly yanked her into the pond. Black water closed in above Eponine's head, but she stayed calm. Her friend had took her by surprise, but she loved water; she watched in fascination as her dress billowed and floated all around her in big puffs of white. She looked up at the surface and smiled reassuringly at the wavering silhouette of her cat, who was eyeing the water suspiciously.
Jehan placed a hand on the small of her back, and nudged her forward. They swam for a little while in silence. The cool water tickled Eponine's skin. She loved the feeling of breathing underwater.
Jehan reached the bottom of the pond, turned his body so that his back touched the sand and looked up. Eponine mirrored him, and as soon as she raised her gaze upwards she let out a gasp: hundreds of blue water lily leaves covered every inch of the surface. Moon rays filtered through, plunging in the dark blue depths. It looked like...
This is the sky during the day, Eponine.
Jehan's voice resonated in her mind. If she had not been already underwater, she would have cried.
It's so beautiful, Jehan. It's... it's so blue!
Her expression was a mixture of happiness, awe and something else entirely. She stayed still for a long time, unable to tear her gaze away from the blueness above, so Jehan took his time observing her. Her lips trembled, her clasped hands shook. She looked like she was on the verge of tears. Jehan raised an eyebrow. It was an odd reaction, considering. He had expected surprise, laughter, joy. Not this.
Are you alright, Eponine?
I... I need to...
Jehan watched, dismayed, as Eponine swam away from him towards the edge of the pond. He followed her, saw that she had emerged coughing and gasping, and knew that something wasn't right. Deities were perfectly capable of breathing underwater, so the only explanation for the coughing and the gasping had to be distress. Her cat watched her with his sapphire eyes and moved next to her, rubbing his head against her ankles and purring loudly.
He approached the goddess, whispering "Eponine? Sweet Eponine, what's the matter with you?"
"I... I had a vision. I saw myself walking under the sun. It seemed so real, like it was a memory! How is that possible Jehan?" She turned her unhappy gaze on him. "Am I going crazy? I've never walked under the sun in my entire life!"
Jehan did what his instinct suggested him: he hugged Eponine tightly and caressed her long dark hair, whispering sweet calming words until her shaking subsided.
"You're not going crazy, 'Ponine. You probably just remembered a dream. It's not unusual, you know, when you're in a very emotional state of mind. That vision is nothing worth worrying about."
I never knew I could lie so easily, Jehan thought. Then again, words flow easily from my mouth, and lies are made of words.
"Tell me more about it, 'Ponine. Maybe describing it will help you determine whether it's a dream."
Eponine sniffled softly. "There's not much to say... I just saw a meadow full of flowers, full of colour. I remember hearing laughter."
"Were you alone in that meadow?" Jehan asked, feeling rather apprehensive.
"Yes... Sun wasn't there. Why? Is it important?"
At least she doesn't remember him.
"I was merely curious, dearest."
"Jehan... what does it mean? Is it possible that I was remembering a dream?"
"I think it is. You asked me to describe the sky to you; that means you wish to see it. It is very likely that you also dreamt about it, 'Ponine."
The goddess nodded, but she kept on crying silently.
Jehan stroked Eponine's head until she fell asleep in his arms. Then he carried her back into the water; she was so exhausted she didn't wake up. As soon as Sun had mustered the courage to dive, Jehan swam towards the left side of the pond. He entered a tunnel and swam through an underground river that connected the pond to a lake in the underworld. He laid the goddess down gently on the shore; Sun emerged from the water, looking miserable; he curled up next to Eponine's head, placing his chin on her shoulder and watching Jehan through sleepy eyes. The god looked down at his friend with sad eyes. He kissed her forehead softly and turned to leave, set on finding Cosette as soon as possible.
