Chapter Text
Cosette slept in later than usual, though not for lack of desire to continue her personal quest. She, in fact, did not realize how late in the day it was until the mid-day sun bothered to wake her. This was no doubt on account of the previous night’s events and, recalling those events quite clearly, she scrambled out of bed and into her clothes before rushing out the door and straight into Marius.
“Cosette!” He said. “Are you alright?”
She took a moment to process a proper response. “Ah! Yes!” She said. “I’m alright, it’s only that I didn’t realize how much I slept! Are you well yourself? I was worried about you, being out in that storm and all.”
“I’m fine, though I do have some things to attend to that have been on my mind.” He said, smiling weakly. It was obvious that he hadn’t slept very much at all. This was most likely the fault of Courfeyrac.
She patted him on the shoulder. “Well, I’m certain you’ll do just fine with them. You’ll have to pardon me, however, I need to attend to some things of my own.” Knowing that he would ask about her boyish attire, she quickly added “Things in my garden must certainly have been damaged in the storm, I’m going to see what’s left.”
It seemed, however, that he was tired enough to either not care about her clothes or to easily believe this explanation. Or perhaps he had been successful in communicating with Courfeyrac, who in turn might have clued him in to her activities. She didn’t want to linger, however, as there was plenty of work to be done and not a great amount of time to do it, all things considered.
With that, she left and, keeping up a fairly quick pace, soon made her way to the typical meeting place. Slipping through the gate and weaving around the various other spirits that had a tendency to wander the space, she eventually found who she was looking for.
Noticing him, he also noticed her, and they spoke nearly at the same time and very nearly the same phrase. “I’m sorry--”
Pausing, Cosette gestured for him to continue. Enjolras sighed. “I’m sorry for my intrusion last night. I don’t know what came over me, but I am deeply thankful for your patience and advice. And you?”
“I’m sorry for my tardiness.” She said, “I suppose I was more tired than I thought. Shall we go then?”
He nodded, and the two walked in a more-or-less comfortable silence for a bit before she spoke. “You’re faring better then?”
“I believe so.” He said. “Or, at least, I will be. I’ll try to properly gather everyone together again sometime, surely we’ll all benefit from it.”
She smiled. “I’m happy to hear it. Though, speaking of your friends, do you know where we ought to look to find the one left?”
“I should think I know exactly where, actually.” He replied. “Though I’d advise you to be very careful. I don’t know how stable it’ll be.”
“The spirit?”
“The cafe.” He said. “I’d hate for you to fall through the floor, though I suppose it would be fitting for someone like you.”
“And whatever makes you say that?”
“Simply put, you seem to be very wholesome.” He said, a slight grin flickering over his face.
“I hope you’re proud of yourself.”
“Truthfully? I am.”
They continued walking, heading through the more battered alleyways and using no small amount of short-cuts and lesser known passages to find the exact place they were looking for, thankfully abandoned. In keeping with the theme of haunted spaces, Cosette could not help but think that this was once a place where friends gathered, drinking and dreaming of brighter futures, and how sad it was to see it in ruin. At the very least, it was still standing, though how long was the question. She could understand Enjolras’s concern, the opportunity to make a horrid joke aside.
She looked over to Enjolras, who seemed to be somewhat melancholy staring up at the place. “Are you alright?”
He quickly turned his attention to her. “Yes, it’s just--” and here he paused for a moment, thinking. “I have many memories of this place. It’s strange to return here, after all that happened. That is all.”
She accepted this and kept walking. Also in keeping with the theme of haunted spaces, the closer they came to it, the more curious it appeared to be. She could have sworn that she saw a light in the uppermost window and heard music drifting from the same. One spirit alone certainly could not do that, or perhaps they could, with enough practice or desperation. She herself desperately hoped for it to be the former, for though she felt proud of her handling of the previous night’s situation, she was not entirely ready to attempt something of similar caliber again.
The door had been helpfully taken off its hinges and she stepped inside to immediately flinch as a stray shard of glass pierced her shoe. She winced as she yanked it out, small though it may have been, and noted that the floor was strewn with the stuff. Knowing now to be more careful, she gingerly crossed the floor and took even more care on the stairs, which creaked and groaned with each step, as if protesting her very presence there.
Nearing the top, she heard music and saw light once more. Moreover, she heard laughter and other voices. “If your friend is here, then he is certainly not alone.” She said. “I thought that perhaps you would be surprised by this?”
He shook his head. “Considering the likes of Grantaire, I am truly not.”
She continued onward and, finally reaching the uppermost room, she saw about a dozen spirits together. They didn’t to notice her at first, and seemed to be having a very good time together.
Taking a step inside, however, each of them hushed, the music going silent and the room going dark, save for the soft light that the spirits gave off on their own.
“There’s no need for that, I’m afraid.” She said. “I can see you all quite clearly, and if I am bothering you, then I won’t be here for long. We’re looking for a man known by Grantaire, have any of you seen him?”
There was a murmuring for a moment before Enjolras drifted into the room himself. “I don’t recognize most of these spirits.” He said. “Have they gathered here on their own accord?”
“It’s a likely possibility.” She said.”Some spirits prefer company to solitude.”
The light and music in the room slowly started up again, the mood lightening once more as well. Another spirit, a young man in a national guardsman uniform, approached them. “You’re looking for one of the fellows from the barricades, right?”
“Yes, that’s the one.” She said. “Not that I know much of him, I’m afraid. I’m mainly here on behalf of mutual friends. Where might we find him?”
Before the other spirit could answer, a voice sounded out from the back of the room. “Wait, who’s here?!”
The raggedy spirit of a ragged man poked his head over the crowd and, spotting Enjolras, promptly went up to him. “What are you doing here?!”
“It’s nice to see you too, Grantaire.” He said, a slight smile gracing his face.
“I thought you’d passed on with the others.” He said.
“I thought the same of you.” Enjolras said. “It’s not a bad thing to be proven wrong in.” He looked around the room. “I see nothing much has changed.”
“And I disappoint you again!” Grantaire exclaimed in an over-dramatic fashion. “Even in death I’m not free from your criticisms!”
Enjolras shrugged. “And in death I’ve learned many things. I believe you might have as well.” His expression eased for a moment. “If anything, I wish to thank you for standing by me. I am…” He paused, looking for the right word. “I am very happy that you might’ve found something to believe in after all. Not just someone. I must also say that I’m glad to find you in good company and in good spirits. It seems that my fears were most unfounded.”
Grantaire went quiet. It seemed that he was rather touched by Enjolras’s affirmation and appreciation. Even from what she had read, Cosette knew that she knew little about every relationship among those at the barricade. She felt that she understood this one a little more just from this brief quiet between the two. Grantaire deeply admired and, so it seemed, adored Enjolras, and Enjolras did, in the end, consider him a friend.
Though, if Enjolras was aware of Grantaire’s unspoken thoughts of him, he didn’t show it in the slightest. “Know that you are always welcome in our company. Or, perhaps sometime we’ll all meet back here, with all of these other people.” He said. “I, for one, don’t plan on leaving so soon.” He added, giving him a smile before turning back to Cosette. “I’d hate to intrude on a party” He said. “Shall we go?”
Quickly, Grantaire spoke up. “I wouldn’t worry about it.” he said. “You are welcome here, you know. Why not stay awhile? What harm could come of it?”
“I think you should stay.” Cosette said. “Be with your friend, speak with the other spirits. You might learn something.”
“And what of you?” Enjolras asked.
“What of me?” She replied, shrugging. “I’ll return home and go about my life as always. But, first, I shall pay a visit to my papa. Even if I don’t see his spirit, I’m certain he’d like to hear of the fates of those he fought with, if only for a moment in time.”
He smiled, a renewed brightness in his expression. “Well, then I’ll bid farewell to you here, Cosette. Thank you for your company. I owe you a great debt.”
“You don’t owe me a thing.” She said. “Be at peace, that is all I ask, and take all the time you need to achieve that. Goodbye, Enjolras, I hope to see you and the rest of your friends again.”
With that, Cosette left the spirits behind and began her way back to the cemetery where this mission had started. She had grown rather comfortable with this type of routine, and was almost saddened to see it end. But, even so, she had said that she would gladly see them all again, and she was certain that she would. It made perfect sense. She took great care across the streets and eventually found herself at the familiar gates of the familiar yard amongst familiar spirits. The only unfamiliar sight was that of an uncommon visitor standing by her father’s headstone.
“Marius?” She said, walking over to him.
“Oh, Cosette!” He said, startled by her sudden reappearance. “Where have you been?”
“Walking.” She said. “And where have you been?”
His gaze drifted to the grass as he spoke. “Ah, well, I’ve been thinking. Cosette, can you be honest with me?”
“I am not aware of a time where I haven’t been.” She said.
“And you won’t think I’m mad for asking this?” He continued.
“It depends on what it is.”
He shifted uncomfortably. “Well, Cosette, tell me, do you believe in ghosts? Would you believe me if I tell you I spoke to one?”
She smiled. “Believe me, my love, I would trust every word.”