A day or so after arrival

[gardienne]

[Eponine, having settled a little bit, has eventually gotten round to opening her book. Having never had one all to herself before, she settles down to practise her writing, quite oblivious that her writing could be seen by everybody else.]

My name is Éponine.

My name is Éponine Jondrette.

The Little Match Girl. The Little Match Girl.

It is a strang thing to write on the book, but per haps they think it is me.

They giv me matches.

I do not want to sell matches.

I had a bisckit today.

I will find a sossige and musturd tumorrow.

Comments

[peckish4action]

[ The words make Dick miss his own mom a whole lot. It's been nearly five years since he last heard her voice, but he can feel her absence completely, just now. ]

[ An ache he's grown used to, over time, so he holds it close to his heart and keeps on going. ]

I ... think I can fly, here. Back home, I also could - but with less magic. Just a lot of practice, and some courage. I was a trapeze artist!

[ Among other things. ]

But I don't think birds like living in cages. Even if they're probably better cared for, there.

It's good that your brother is here, isn't it? I'm an only child. Though I had a cousin!

[gardienne]

[She doesn't have a clue what a trapeze artist is. She imagines someone painting and flying at the same time, but perhaps it's a speciality, as Monsieur Claquesous declares himself an artist. Perhaps? She doesn't acknowledge it, though. She does not want to look stupid.]

I do not see a lot of Gavroche. he was turned out years ago when he was per haps five. we are not close but somtims he givs me an apple. i have a sister as well. she is called Azelma. But she is not here and that is good because she is a stupid child and makes our work harder sometimes.

[peckish4action]

[ She can ask! He'll be happy to show her, really. ]

Your parents turned your brother out when he was five? How is that even allowed, didn't child services go after them or something?

[gardienne]

It is how it is. It is not so unusual. what is child services.

[Actually, she thinks Gavroche had a lucky escape. He has a far better life away from her parents than she and Azelma do with them.]

[peckish4action]

It's a social service that makes sure children have homes, food, and are cared for. Like, it's whom people call when there's a homeless child, or an orphan, or one who's abused.

Where are you from, Éponine?

[gardienne]

[Well, it wasn't only Gavroche who could have done with one of those then.]

Ther is no such thing sir. I am from Paris in France, Sir.

Sorry..

[peckish4action]

[ ... ]

[ Dick thinks back, to his travels and his studies. He might have studied some things - including children's rights - more than a 14-year-old should have. ]

I think France signed the relevant documents, like... in the middle of the Twentieth century at the latest. A.D. Are you from before that, by any chance?

Re: S'alright

[gardienne]

I think

praps 1832, maybe 1833 when I was in Paris. I do not know what documents you mean. The king does that. It is not for me.

\o/

[peckish4action]

It's much later for me, that would account for it.

There is a convention, signed originally in Geneva, about the rights of children. Different countries - I think most of the world, by now - have signed it, which means they are obliged to comply with its rules. If they don't, they get to make amends, or suffer the consequences.

It's resulted in generally much better care for children. And Social Services and Child Protection Services are two organizations who have people who... go around and make sure people follow the directives. Which most countries have turned into laws, really.

Does that makes any sense to you, or should I just... go with 'children are better taken care of later' and move on to a new topic?

[gardienne]

[She didn't really understand much of what Robin wrote. She wasn't sure what a convention was, or what Geneva was or really, why she should be bothered. It made no difference to her life, so what did it matter? A large splotch of ink fell on her page whilst she pondered.]

I do not care. it makes no diffrence to my life so it does not matter.

UGH I am so sorry. Feel free to drop, if too late.

[peckish4action]

Right. Sorry. I guess this is sort of for, like, hope-for-the-future kind of thing.

Don't worry, dude! Backtag away!

[gardienne]

It does not matter Sir. For me. I do not have a future. For me, it will not change.

Yay!

[peckish4action]

True enough. But, I don't know. In case you want some hope for the future, or something like that.

Anyway. That's neither here nor there. What do you want to change, here? If you don't mind me asking?

Re: Yay!

[gardienne]

I do not want to sell a match. I want - I want a dress and shoes - shoes that fit, and with out holes. And praps a blancket, or a warm coat. And stockins - silk stockins are glorius glurius pretty. But wul is warmer. I wud have wul. Not an apron to sell matches out of. And I wud be beautiful.

... oh gods, Eponine...

[peckish4action]

[ Well. Dick guesses he knows what he's getting her for Christmas. But, for now, he's making a face down at his journal. ]

I know Father Time said that we are now the fables and tales, but I don't see why you couldn't also get a SECOND job. With better income. And get all the nice things you want.

Also, since I've got a fireplace, I'll be needing matches, so you've got at least one customer.

Re: ... oh gods, Eponine...

[gardienne]

I think the man in the house would take the money, no matter what I did. For me there is not a dress I do not think. It is okay, But of you buy a match, then at least I will be full. that is one thing.

*head in hands*

[peckish4action]

What if you never bring them to that house? Like, find another place, where you take your money and your good clothes and your work things, and you only go to that house in the clothes he expects to see and with the money from the matches?

And, of course I'll by matches. No problem there.