Well, Merde. I should thank you for the weather report, at least. [There's a quirk of a smile.] No murdering the messenger, after all. But smell it, Monsieur? I grew up by the sea myself, and did not quite notice that. You have more experience with that, I presume?
There were sailors on docks who swore blind they could taste when thunderstorms were a'brewin'. [A slight narrowing of the eyes.] French? Take it you're from somewhere similar to myself, then.
[That makes enough sense to Enjolras. His mother would have probably had a nervous attack if he'd been caught going near the docks when he was young enough to have been at home. Something about bad influences and...it's something he learned to tune out later, anyway.]
A sixth sense. I had a friend who could do that with trouble anyway. [He tries to place the accent, considering it.] Irish? From a colony of sorts then? [Based on the shipping and assumption, after all.] Lately, Paris for myself, but I grew up in Provence. Cassis, if we are keeping track.
Well, that seems like something me and your friend have in common... except it's trouble that seems to find me.
[And he smiles as the accent is recognised.]
A fella of learnin', I see. Aye, I'm from the American Colonies. Born in New York. [A pause.] Sadly, the only encounters I've had with your people are a bit... violent.
I always wondered if Bahorel was just lying about THAT being the case because he thought it was fun.
[An eyedart, then.]
Sometimes it actually was.
...Well the law school might say otherwise, but I make an attempt. [He's looking thoughtful a moment, trying to process things.] French and Indian war, then? Or beyond? That can hardly have been...cordial.
The year when I left was 1760, and times were hard for an independant sailor, I'll tell you. If it wasn't the British trying to conscript me, it was the French trying to blow us out of the water.
[A shake of the head.]
I wouldn't worry, Monsieur, I don't hold it against France's populace as a whole. Some Frenchmen have been... amenable.
Ahh well then. What is it they say about getting it from both ends?
[No, really. What IS it? Enjolras is aware it's something and what it means literally but it's not an expression hes REALLY heard used before.]
That WOULD do it. We're on a bit better terms where...when I am from, at least. I admire what you will come to do with the place. We've...tended to need a bit more work at that.
[There's a wry smile with the words, which really are...kind of an understatement of the year.]
I would hope that we can manage it. Some Americans have been the same, and God knows you aren't English, so there's a point for you, already. So long as no one croaks at me, at least, I am content enough. Enjolras. [He's adding with a nod.] And it was 1832.
[For a moment, Enjolras looks hopeful. Could one of l'ABC have managed to come back here? He's smiling cautiously, then dismissing that. No. He would know. He of anyone would know. Or they should find him. ]
That leaves a few very people here I know personally. Mademoiselle Midii is from a far future and is much wiser than her years suggest. The other... [Now that he remembers one, he's shaking his head ruefully.] The other may have entirely succeeded in knocking me into the snow, repeatedly, this winter. Snowballs...
[There's a shake of his head, sending the tight braid gathered at the back of his head flying a bit.]
And good. Croaking never serves anyone well, does it?
[then he's looking serious, considering that question.]
Better, for some, the same for others. Medicine has improved, quite a lot. My...best friend...[There's a slight pause on the words, but only a little there.] was a doctor and he proposed that one day surgery may not be painful for the patient in our world. Another that the conditions would improve.
I do not approve of the Corsican Buonoparte, who became dictator of our country before I was old enough to recall it happening, but he did ensure our sewer system was much improved. And there are factories, industry, monsieur. The future has changed so much, and offers endless chances. And yet, and yet...
[He shakes his head, looking grave here.]
There is so much still WRONG with it. The poor still starve and suffer, people scramble for jobs and for bread and for the right to vote. The streets are filled with cholera the hospitals can no longer try to treat, and there are tales our government has done it.
Men are still enslaved, either by law in the Americas and elsewhere, or by the virtue of society and its structure if not. In Wales, a man was executed for the crime of standing up against mine owners and forming a union. One he is said not to have committed. We are not where we ought to be, as a whole, and I see it now, so much more clearly now that I've been here.
[His voice shakes a little as he speaks.]
We must educate more there, to change the world, we must continue to live amongst our brothers, to uphold the social knot the contract man has with each other. We have yet to break the chains that we were born with, but I believe we shall get there.
Our world is great. My country is great, and worthy of being so much more. But...neither of them is worthy yet. My dear friends died to make it so. I was killed too, and woke here, and when I leave , I go to nowhere that may benefit the world, save my grave. But it will have been enough. It is a good word, one that those who can must do their part towards making better. I think it possible still.
Oh, no. No-one here. Someone back home. [Someone who should be at the bottom of the Atlantic right now, and deservedly so.
So, he then listens to what Enjolras has to say, expression serious, before he shakes his head.]
It is likely that our worlds are different, but... Not too far. I've seen the people subjugated even where I'm from. [He considers the image of the other man thoughtfully] We seem to work towards a similar goal; freedom of the people, and peace.
[Although, Templar ideology is against the education prospect, preferring order, purpose and direction rather than outright free will.]
I'm potentially still alive, monsieur, and you have my condolences that you weren't able to see your vision come to life.
Oh good . Better for enemies or those who have reason not to like you to be FAR away.
[Javert, after all. He may not have been so bad when they were not on opposing political sides, but Enjolras still had no way to trust him when he was here, and his absence has proven a relief.]
No? [Enjolras has to smile at that.] I must say that is comforting. I don't MIND knowing about things like...flight or technical whatever you call thems, or magic, but...It IS harder to understand after a point.
Similar goals and ideals. I think so long as they go on, past ourselves, it is enough...it can prove to be enough. And well, I saw it, not come to life, but stretched before me all the same. It was enough to see it coming, though to live in such a place would be amazing. Although [Here's a quirk of his lip.]
What would someone like me do with no trouble to stir up?
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Well, there goes my walk to the edge.
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[Or a seventh, in Shay's case.]
There were sailors on docks who swore blind they could taste when thunderstorms were a'brewin'. [A slight narrowing of the eyes.] French? Take it you're from somewhere similar to myself, then.
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A sixth sense. I had a friend who could do that with trouble anyway. [He tries to place the accent, considering it.] Irish? From a colony of sorts then? [Based on the shipping and assumption, after all.] Lately, Paris for myself, but I grew up in Provence. Cassis, if we are keeping track.
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[And he smiles as the accent is recognised.]
A fella of learnin', I see. Aye, I'm from the American Colonies. Born in New York. [A pause.] Sadly, the only encounters I've had with your people are a bit... violent.
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[An eyedart, then.]
Sometimes it actually was.
...Well the law school might say otherwise, but I make an attempt. [He's looking thoughtful a moment, trying to process things.] French and Indian war, then? Or beyond? That can hardly have been...cordial.
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[A shake of the head.]
I wouldn't worry, Monsieur, I don't hold it against France's populace as a whole. Some Frenchmen have been... amenable.
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[No, really. What IS it? Enjolras is aware it's something and what it means literally but it's not an expression hes REALLY heard used before.]
That WOULD do it. We're on a bit better terms where...when I am from, at least. I admire what you will come to do with the place. We've...tended to need a bit more work at that.
[There's a wry smile with the words, which really are...kind of an understatement of the year.]
I would hope that we can manage it. Some Americans have been the same, and God knows you aren't English, so there's a point for you, already. So long as no one croaks at me, at least, I am content enough. Enjolras. [He's adding with a nod.] And it was 1832.
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And I wouldn't worry. I've only had a bad run-in with one of your countrymen, and my frog impression is much to be desired.
[A frown.]
You're fifty years in my future. [And Shay has likely passed on by then.] Tell me... How fares the world? In general, I mean.
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[For a moment, Enjolras looks hopeful. Could one of l'ABC have managed to come back here? He's smiling cautiously, then dismissing that. No. He would know. He of anyone would know. Or they should find him. ]
That leaves a few very people here I know personally. Mademoiselle Midii is from a far future and is much wiser than her years suggest. The other... [Now that he remembers one, he's shaking his head ruefully.] The other may have entirely succeeded in knocking me into the snow, repeatedly, this winter. Snowballs...
[There's a shake of his head, sending the tight braid gathered at the back of his head flying a bit.]
And good. Croaking never serves anyone well, does it?
[then he's looking serious, considering that question.]
Better, for some, the same for others. Medicine has improved, quite a lot. My...best friend...[There's a slight pause on the words, but only a little there.] was a doctor and he proposed that one day surgery may not be painful for the patient in our world. Another that the conditions would improve.
I do not approve of the Corsican Buonoparte, who became dictator of our country before I was old enough to recall it happening, but he did ensure our sewer system was much improved. And there are factories, industry, monsieur. The future has changed so much, and offers endless chances. And yet, and yet...
[He shakes his head, looking grave here.]
There is so much still WRONG with it. The poor still starve and suffer, people scramble for jobs and for bread and for the right to vote. The streets are filled with cholera the hospitals can no longer try to treat, and there are tales our government has done it.
Men are still enslaved, either by law in the Americas and elsewhere, or by the virtue of society and its structure if not. In Wales, a man was executed for the crime of standing up against mine owners and forming a union. One he is said not to have committed. We are not where we ought to be, as a whole, and I see it now, so much more clearly now that I've been here.
[His voice shakes a little as he speaks.]
We must educate more there, to change the world, we must continue to live amongst our brothers, to uphold the social knot the contract man has with each other. We have yet to break the chains that we were born with, but I believe we shall get there.
Our world is great. My country is great, and worthy of being so much more. But...neither of them is worthy yet. My dear friends died to make it so. I was killed too, and woke here, and when I leave , I go to nowhere that may benefit the world, save my grave. But it will have been enough. It is a good word, one that those who can must do their part towards making better. I think it possible still.
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So, he then listens to what Enjolras has to say, expression serious, before he shakes his head.]
It is likely that our worlds are different, but... Not too far. I've seen the people subjugated even where I'm from. [He considers the image of the other man thoughtfully] We seem to work towards a similar goal; freedom of the people, and peace.
[Although, Templar ideology is against the education prospect, preferring order, purpose and direction rather than outright free will.]
I'm potentially still alive, monsieur, and you have my condolences that you weren't able to see your vision come to life.
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[Javert, after all. He may not have been so bad when they were not on opposing political sides, but Enjolras still had no way to trust him when he was here, and his absence has proven a relief.]
No? [Enjolras has to smile at that.] I must say that is comforting. I don't MIND knowing about things like...flight or technical whatever you call thems, or magic, but...It IS harder to understand after a point.
Similar goals and ideals. I think so long as they go on, past ourselves, it is enough...it can prove to be enough. And well, I saw it, not come to life, but stretched before me all the same. It was enough to see it coming, though to live in such a place would be amazing. Although [Here's a quirk of his lip.]
What would someone like me do with no trouble to stir up?
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There's always trouble to cause.