Verse 03 -- Video

[poeticverses]

[It is not a happy Jean Prouvaire who greets the world today.

Those who don't know Jehan might be able to tell that something's off. He almost looks sick, but not quite, and his clothes are in disarray. Those who do know Jehan?

They can tell right away that something is terribly wrong with the Romantic poet. He hasn't been out of his house in a few days--he hasn't left his house much at all since a few days before the snow day, actually, but in the last few days he's been a total recluse--and hasn't been seen on the network since Courfeyrac's last post. He's not looking at the feed like he normally does, his hands seem to be shaking a little, and he just seems off. Sleep has clearly been eluding the poet, too.

It takes a few minutes before he speaks. When he does, his voice is lacking his usual emotion. Still gentle, Jehan could never be anything but, but it's a bit flat]

I...I was wondering if someone...

[He bites his lip before trying again]

A-a flute. Does anyone know where I might--

[Another pause, this one longer. Jehan closes his eyes and shakes his head, reaching up to turn the feed off]

No, never mind.

[Just before he cuts the feed, the sounds of him starting to cry can be heard]

Comments

--> text; IN A FEW HOURS, RESPOND LATER.

[cynisme]

[Grantaire is, arguably, one of the more observant members of their ragtag group of dead french friends. He spots it, but he doesn't do anything. This isn't his area of expertise, comfort. He's possibly the worst at it, unable to even comfort himself, much less someone as delicate as Jehan.

No, he doesn't know what's going on, and he doesn't want to. He's concerned, sure, but he's unsure what to do.

Eventually, after a few hours of thinking on it, he sends Jehan a text.]

when you're done pouring your heart out to someone, come over. I won't go out for a walk until you show up so show up.

text;

[poeticverses]

[By now, Jehan has calmed down, confessed everything, and feels brave enough to respond to everyone who responded to his disastrous post. He smiles when he sees Grantaire's; that's just like him, really. He's not the sort to get overly comforting and...well, sentimental over things. He's the type to be normal.

Jehan needs a little normal, he thinks. If nothing else, he needs to try for it.]

You will not go for a walk regardless of if I show up.

text;

[cynisme]

and why's that? Do you plan on using my body to distract yourself? Dorian's is more appealing I can promise you that.

video;

[lecentre]

Mon Dieu...

[Courfeyrac can tell right away that something's Not. Right. It took only a few seconds to tell, if that. And with every word from the poet's lips, he only grows more worried.

He'd been concerned before, when he hadn't heard from or seen Jehan since their conversation last. But now it reached a whole new level. And while he didn't feel like he could do much other than be there for the poet, well... He had to try something.]

Petit... I am coming over.

[It's not so much of a request rather than an outright statement of intent. At times like this he would not accept no for an answer. He couldn't leave a friend, especially Jehan, alone in a moment of need like this.]

voice;

[poeticverses]

[Courfeyrac's is the only person he responds to right away (unless Enjolras or Combeferre want to come over). He can't be seen like this, he can't cause them more trouble.]

N-no! Please, Courfeyrac, I'm...

[He trails off. He can't have Courfeyrac come over. He just can't. Not now.]

video;

[lecentre]

[His brow furrows.]

Jehan...

[He frowns, worry clearly written in his features.]

I don't want you to have to be alone right now. But I will not force you to let me in.

video;

[trifurcate]

[Bryn doesn't know Jehan well, but that she knows him at all makes her all the more inclined to speak up and offer help. Expression clearly worried, she starts a video feed and leans forward.]

I have one. I purchased at a music shop before the rationing began...I'm not very good yet but if you'd like to borrow it you can. I can bring it to you if you'd like.

voice;

[poeticverses]

[When he responds, it's a bit later. He sounds better, though still tired]

Are you attempting to learn to play?

voice;

[trifurcate]

I was, though I'm not sure I will master it as well as I did the piano. Please, it would be no problem to me to let you enjoy it.

[Times are hard, and he seems as if he could use something good, some kindness in his life.]

video;

[virginprice]

[Alcuin is immediately concerned, of course. This is nothing like the Jehan that he has come to know!]

Elua, Jehan, you do not... you do not look well. Do you need a doctor?

voice;

[poeticverses]

[This also comes later]

N-no. Combeferre has...he has tended to me.

[Still shaky, but a little better]

voice

[depicted]

You can have one of my flutes, of course. [Dorian pitches his voice carefully, artfully, as if it is the instrument he offers. The light, soft notes work a gentle harmony.] When may I bring them to you?

voice

[poeticverses]

Dorian...

[Like most of his responses, this one comes some time later]

I can't accept your flute, Dorian. That is yours.

voice;

[dracobin]

[In a place like this, with no captain or crew to speak of, it is perhaps natural that Temeraire has come to feel equally protective of what friends he has made. His response is immediate, his whiskers twitching and his voice slightly burred with a low, rumbling undertone of distress.]

Jehan, what is it? What is the matter? Are you hurt?

voice;

[poeticverses]

[Even Temeraire is concerned. He feels better, but this is all a bit overwhelming]

No, Temeraire. I am unharmed.

video;

[saisamour]

[Even Marius notices something wrong with Jehan, and he manages to pull himself out of that permanent state of bliss he's been ever since Cosette had arrived to scramble for something supportive to say.]

I see several people have already offered you a flute.

[But that observation doesn't really help much, does it? Have an awkward pause before he hastily adds:]

Ah, is there anything else you need? Cosette and I might be able to provide you with it, if we have them.

voice;

[poeticverses]

[Marius?! The (admittedly kind) doltish lawyer is trying to comfort him.

God, what a mess]

No, I believe I will be fine for now. I would not want to take anything away from the two of you.

video;

[philosophe]

[Doctorbro to the rescue! By which we mean, Combeferre of course has been quietly increasingly worrying at the lack of Jehan in his life. He frowns a little at the sight of the poet, but keeps his voice gentle and prodding, almost like he's speaking to a patient.]

Petit, may I -- I should like to speak with you.

voice;

[poeticverses]

I-I'm fine, Combeferre, I--

[There is the sound of something falling--a cup--and Jehan just starts crying.]

video;

[fotia]

Uh... [well, okay, that post is a little weird but] I can like, build you one?

voice;

[poeticverses]

[Leo that's not how flutes work]

It is not so simple, to make a flute.

ACTION, THE NEXT DAY?!

[idealisme]

[Enjolras had seen his friends' video the day before and heard from various other Amis that their poet was not quite himself. This was a cause for concern- while many underestimated the soft spoken poet, Enjolras knew him to be one of the strongest of all the amis.

His concern only increased when Combeferre advised him that Jehan wanted a word with him directly.


So here he was, knocking on the door of his apartment.]

Prouvaire? Are you home this morning?

permaaction!

[poeticverses]

[Jehan is at the door almost as soon as Enjolras knocks. He's been pacing. He still looks not quite himself, but much better than the day before. His apartment's been cleaned as well]

Of course I am. Please, come in.

Action;

[chiot]

[ Tap, tap, tap!

It's a few hours later when Gavroche is there, but he's there, currently balanced precariously between a branch and a window. It looks rather difficult but the little gamin is handling it with ease--and Jehan is met with a wide grin and an enthusiastic wave from the little one before he taps the window again. ]

Action;

[poeticverses]

[The tapping actually causes Jehan to jump and barely muffle a scream. He goes to the window to let the gamin in]

Hello, Gavroche.