(no subject)

[theroseinmisery]

This evening has been just as good as the last one.

And it is not even over yet!

Comments

[mariuspontmercy]

I'm glad you don't mind the state of my apartment! Books everywhere - I did try to tidy.

[theroseinmisery]

Oh, I don't mind it at all! I do love books...I ought to buy some more for myself and Azelma. She needs to practice her reading if she is going to go to school in a few months.

[mariuspontmercy]

Is she? Good for her! What will she be studying?

[theroseinmisery]

She will be going to...I think it is called high school, here?

Yes, high school. So, I do not think there is something in particular she will be studying.

I ought to choose something, though...does one have to, if they are going to university?

[mariuspontmercy]

Ah, I see. I'm not well-versed in the US education system below university level, I fear.

Yes, you need a major, but you can change it during your course of study - and some universities let you wait before declaring one, I believe.

...'Ponine! Are you going to university?

[theroseinmisery]

I am! Enjolras has gotten me a spot in the one closest to my apartment. I shall be able to walk there every morning without a problem.

Hm...I shall have to think about that, then. Honestly, I am not sure what I would like to do. There are so many choices!

[mariuspontmercy]

You could do anything you wanted.

That was very kind of Enjolras. He seems to take a great interest in you. I'm glad. I think....

[theroseinmisery]

Oh, you needn't be jealous of him, Monsieur Marius!

Enjolras is a friend. Besides, there are already other people with interest in him, and I would rather not add to that number.

I could, couldn't I? It is such a frightening prospect, but exciting too.

[mariuspontmercy]

I was...I wasn't...I erm. Ah.

I am glad he's a good friend to you.

Whew. Let's try not to be quite so obvious, and while we're at it,let's stop talking to ourselves, eh?

You really could. Is there anything particular you're interested in?

And would you care for a glass of wine? I've got a bottle chilling in the kitchen.

[theroseinmisery]

Oh, yes, please. I have not had wine in an awfully long time.

Hm...you know, I don't really know. I never really thought about it in Paris, since there wasn't much use to. There isn't really anything special that I can do.

[mariuspontmercy]

I do hope white wine is all right, because I'm afraid that's all I've got! I'll have to do some shopping.

*he hands her the glass and looks at her seriously for a moment*

There's quite a lot you can do that's special. You could do anything you wanted to.

[theroseinmisery]

White wine just perfectly all right.

*she smiles, taking the glass and sipping from it*

It's very good, Monsieur Marius. Thank you.

Well, not in that way, there just isn't something I have a certain...perchance for doing, if that makes sense?

[mariuspontmercy]

It makes perfect sense. For a long time I felt pushed into doing what other people expected of me and believing what I was told to believe.

It takes time to figure out who are you and what you want to do.

...I really shouldn't presume to offer advice. I'm still very much a work-in-progress myself.

[theroseinmisery]

Oh? Do you still feel that way?

Well, that is good I suppose. It is nice knowing that there are others who do not know what they want to do as well. Times I'm afraid I will show up and be the only person there who does not have a plan.

Oh, but I shouldn't bother you with my troubles. I am sure things will be fine once I am there. I just haven't been to school in so very long, I've forgotten what it is like!

[mariuspontmercy]

Well...I don't still feel pushed in that way, but I do feel guilty over past behaviors, if that makes sense. *he paused and frowned slightly*

I must be boring you with this.

You know, sometimes I suspect no one has a plan when they enter university. Or at least very few. There ought to be Guidance or Career Counselors to help you figure out what you're best at, but I think some are better qualified than others.

You're not bothering me at all! On the contrary, I'm very happy to hear that you're planning to attend university because it sounds like something you've always wanted to do.

I'm sure you'll be fine as well. More than fine.

[theroseinmisery]

You're not boring me, Monsieur Marius.

It is something I've always wanted to do. *somethings hits her and there's a little light in her eyes for a moment* I could have been student too, after all.

Are you going to university too, Monsieur Marius? Perhaps I shall see you!

[mariuspontmercy]

(Those few words strike a chord in him somewhere, and he suddenly feels a profound urge to hold her closely and never let go.)

Mmm? Yes, I am! I hope so. The campus is beautiful. I'd love to see you there.

[theroseinmisery]

I would very much like to see it with you! Perhaps you could show me around, come autumn.

(Now that they're sitting, she sort of wants to be closer. Without really thinking, she inches a little towards him. This sort of thing is foreign to her, but maybe he knows better than her.)

I do wish I could live on-campus, but I cannot leave Azelma alone in a flat by herself. Besides, I suppose it would be better than having a roommate...that is what they do, yes?

[mariuspontmercy]

It would be an honor and a pleasure to show you around.

(He notices her movement, hopes it indicates comfort with him, and stands for a moment, brushing a nonexistent speck of lint off his trousers then re-seating himself closer to her. He trusted that she'd let him know if he was making her uncomfortable.)

I've never lived on campus - I've always had a flat, by myself or with a friend. I believe they do assign you roommates in the dormitories, yes. It's very good of you to look after your sister the way you do.

[theroseinmisery]

Then, I very much look forward to it! I do like walking with you, like we were last night.

(She'll take that as an invitation, then! Albeit hesitantly, she lets her head rest on his shoulder, savoring the contact in case he wanted to push her away.)

I have had to very much in the past. Azelma is the only family I have, apart from my mother and father. And I doubt they would want me calling them family. That's all right, though, I don't really want to call them that either.

[mariuspontmercy]

I enjoyed walking with you very much.

(Oh, this was *wonderful*. Being with her like this. Marius reached an arm around and gently drew her closer to him. There was no hesitation at all this time.)

That must be...difficult. I'm glad that you and your sister are here together and safe.

[theroseinmisery]

As did I.

(For some reason, hearing that makes her heart soar. Maybe it was silly, but to know that Monsieur Marius had enjoyed his time with her made her very, very happy. As did him drawing her close. She sighed softly in contentment, nestling into his side and making herself comfortable.)

As am I. Things have been so much better here, and not just for me. And it wasn't so difficult. One just need to know what to do. And I did.

[mariuspontmercy]

Mmm.

(He rested his cheek on her silky hair. This felt...right. Good.)

Oh? How do you mean, know what to do?

(She always seemed to know what to do. He felt lost more often than he cared to admit.)

[theroseinmisery]

(Ooh, that felt wonderful. She had never been held like this before, not by anybody. And she couldn't have begun to imagine how good it felt.)

I knew how to get by. Where to steal from, who was more likely to give out food, where to find clothes when we really needed them...I found them out quickly enough.

(She nuzzled a little into his shoulder on impulse.)

I do not need to know them now, though. It's rather strange...but good, I think. I just need to learn other things.

[mariuspontmercy]

(It made his heart ache to hear her talk about stealing food and to remember the conditions she'd had to endure. He held her a bit more tightly, briefly making the embrace a two-armed one.)

You'll never have to do anything like that again. Not any more. I'm sorry I asked; it must be painful to talk about.

You're learning new things already. Administrative skills. How to operate technology. How to sign up for classes. I think you're adapting better than I did.

(He wasn't going to tell her how long it had taken him to learn to use a smartphone. No one needed to know that.)