video, un: ponine

[jondrette]

[A young woman appears. Her long, dark hair is tangled and soaking wet, hanging down in front of her haggard face. Her age is hard to pin down, but it’s clear that she’s seen better days. And worse days, for that matter.]

There is rain that falls from a pipe here!

[This was a fact she’d learned with a shriek when she’d decided to play ‘what does this knob do’ in her room.

Her face lights up when she speaks, though, her accent clearly French.]

First it scalded, then when I tried to turn it off it became incredibly cold! [She giggles though, a rather ugly sound, and moves over to flop down on her bed melodramatically. On her right hand, visible as she gets comfortable, a bright red circular scar can be seen.] And such a bed! Have you ever seen such a bed before?

[She exhales, relaxing into the mattress.]

If this is heaven, I believe I am in the wrong place.

Comments

[of_bokthersa]

Shall we meet where the globe is?

[He sends her a mental image]

[jondrette]

Yes! I will find you there, m'sieur.

[of_bokthersa]

[He sends her a visual of himself.]

This might help you to find me.

[jondrette]

Oh! You are so beautiful!

[of_bokthersa]

As are you, Éponine.

[jondrette]

[She laughs tossing her head back]

Oh! Oh, no, no, m'sieur. You are wrong. I am too skinny with too many sharp points, like a boy.

[of_bokthersa]

Whoever told you such things was clearly blind.

[jondrette]

You flattery me so, m'sieur. I am afraid their eyesight was very good.

[of_bokthersa]

Then their judgment was poor.

[jondrette]

Thank you, my handsome friend.

[of_bokthersa]

How are you doing with finding the sphere?

--> action

[jondrette]

Nearly there! I believe it's just around this--

[Oh, and there she is. A tiny girl wearing one of the simple dresses provided to her by their hosts. The dress fits poorly over her skeletal frame, but she wears it as though it were the finest ballgown in the world.] corner.

M'sieur? [She approaches the man she believes to be the one she's been speaking with.]

Re: --> action

[of_bokthersa]

[Oh my, she is skinny. As emaciated as any in the outer ring. A few months here with the abundant food should help with that (unless there was some other reason for it.) Otherwise, she had good bones and a fine face. Whoever told her otherwise should be skewered.]

Seregil, and I assume you are Éponine.

[He keeps his voice soft, he likes her. She reminds him a bit of a ghost of himself. There's a voice in the back of his head that reminds him that this was how he ended up feeling fatherly over Inesa.]

[jondrette]

Yes, m'sieur Seregil. [She smiles up at him. She likes it here already, shes' decided. The men are handsome, people have already noticed her, and people are kind.]

How long have you been here, to know all these places?

[of_bokthersa]

Roughly a year, but I make it a point to know about the places I live.

[jondrette]

So long! And you have been well cared for here?

[of_bokthersa]

The Sphere does what it can to make us as comfortable as possible.

[jondrette]

It all feels like a luxury to me. Even this dress! [She gestures to the simple plum dress she wore.]

[of_bokthersa]

You'll get used to it in time. Perhaps, after the baths, we should visit Inesa. She's amazing with a needle and thread.

[jondrette]

I would like that very much!

I am afraid you will not like what you see, at the baths.

[of_bokthersa]

I have no doubt that you will be just as lovely without clothing.

[He gestures in the direction of the baths.]

Shall we?

[jondrette]

You are too kind. But you will be disappointed.

Lead the way, m'sieur Seregil.

[of_bokthersa]

Any scars we have are things we should take pride in.

[He starts for the baths.]

[jondrette]

Not just that.

[But she'll let him see for herself, she's already cautioned him.]

[of_bokthersa]

I assure you that I've seen those with the wasting sickness before. Before long, that will cease to be a problem for you.

[Even if he has to bring her meals.]