She looks so young, so suddenly hopeful, Ned feels sudden shame that he has ever taken advantage of such a vulnerable shell. Even if she would not have seen it as any advantage taken. She had been a whore, and it had been a form of slavery to her. Those dancing eyes had no doubt captivated dozen of men, but how many had she actually wanted?

Her sudden joy catches him off-guard. He nods confirmation. He forgives her, freely. Her adoration is something he does not expect. He blinks at her. "I need no prayers, Eponine. Just a promise that you will try to seek a better way here."

Her hands are much smaller than his, and her strength no match, and he easily slips her hands free and captures them in return. "But a benevolent god feeds his children, does he not? What is your favorite food here?" Ned eyes her bony shoulders, her jutting collarbones, the outthrust ankle. When was the last time she ate? Surely not soon.