tushanshu | Verse 03 -- Video

[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]

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N-no. Thank you, but I am fine.

[Lord knows that the Amis won't be leaving him alone after this]

[Well, at least it didn't hurt.]

If any say something thoughtless, direct them to me and I shall put them aright.

It is not grief you are causing, Jehan. Whether you meant us to see it or not.

[His face softens a bit and he smiles a little, encouragingly.]

I only want to tidy up for you, my friend.

[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?

I--I doubt that they would be intentionally cruel....

[Had this been a few hours ago, he'd've hung up right then because he can't bear the thought of his friends being cruel. But he knows now that they will not be]

[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.

[Oops.]

Of course not- I did not mean to say so, certainly not. Your friends, I have found, are kind and good.

[He meant anyone else who might respond.]

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

No, Temeraire. I am unharmed.

Of course.

[Bryn pauses a moment, considering him, and then she encrypts their feed as best she can.]

I realize we do not know each other very well, not yet, and you have a lot of friends already here, but if you need a friendly ear or a shoulder, please know you can ask. Sometimes it can help to speak to someone new.

[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.

[A faint sound of disbelief: as relieved as he is that Jehan is not hurt, that is not the answer he wanted to hear.] Then whatever is the matter? It cannot only be the flute, surely?

Yes. Yes, they are. [Softly] Exceptionally so.

[The immediacy of Jehan's pain evokes a strong compassion in Dorian.] Jehan, simply let me come over to give it to you—or, if you want to leave your place for a little while, come to mine. I have a piano and could play for you. You could stay as long as you like.

But I am, Courfeyrac. Now I've worried everyone. I never meant to.

[His voice cracks again]

It is good that you are here together.

[He can say that with sincerity- he is happy about it, really, that they are all here. His jealous that they have each other and he doesn't have Delaunay is entirely separate from that.]

Thank you, mademoiselle. I...perhaps I will take you up on that offer.

You have a piano?

[There are pianos here?]

Oh, oh no. The flute is not--no, it isn't the flute.

[He won't say what it is, though]

We worry because we love you.

[His voice is gentle, but still insistent. He doesn't want to push, but he wants Jehan to understand this.]

And we would worry regardless.

[That response is a little better.] Close enough to one that I can play my favourites with very little adaptation. It's a pretty thing, too. Bryn helped me pick it out.

[Bryn went with him on the shopping trip that led to impulse buying a pseudo-piano is what he means.]

Of course. The offer is open whenever. Both for that and the flute.

[She pauses awkwardly, not sure what more she can say.]

I can leave you be now if you'd prefer.

[That's two blatant attempts at avoiding the question--enough for even Temeraire to know he's getting no answers anytime soon. Still, if Jehan listens closely, he might be able to hear the sound of the dragon's tail lashing back and forth in helpless frustration.]

Then, if you will not tell me what is wrong-- [He hesitates, aware that he may be coming on too strong, and resumes in a quieter, more hesitant voice:] Surely--surely there must be something I can do to help?

[The only response Courfeyrac gets is a crying Jehan before it cuts out.

Sometime later, he responds again]

...if you would still like to visit, I would not mind, right now.

[Baby's first response made private on his own!]

...I may visit later this evening, when there are less people around, if that's alright with you?

I--a friend is coming over. I need to...

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Verse 03 -- Video

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