rubycity_ooc | RC Test Drive!

Entry tags:

meme,
mod post

RC Test Drive!

I don't really have a fitting picture for this.

G'day, Ruby City! It's time for a meme for both testdrivers and denizens.

Been itching to test out some CR but haven't had the posts to do it? Thinking of apping a character but not sure they'll fit in the city walls?

Have no fear, a meme for you is here.

Directions:

Post with your character with their name and canon on top!

Choose a location and prompt or wait for someone else to tag.

If you'd like, leave contact info for people to get in contact for plotting and other such shenans.

Tag around! Make friends. Don't be afraid to chat OOC while tagging.

Locations:

Train Station: New arrival, or waiting to welcome people? Either way, the train comes in, but you still can't ride it out.

Cathedral: Looking for redemption? Just doing a little sight-seeing? Or just getting a little shelter?

The Clocktower: You can see the whole city from here!

The Black Stallion Saloon: You were told the burgers were great here-- but maybe you just came for the beer.

The Library: You came to do a little research, but it looks like all of the information's just out of your reach. Though, you can always find a way to pass the time here.

The Coffee Joint: Run by Lukas, a lovely place to have a chat and a bite to eat.

Le Cafe Anglais: A Parisian-British fusion that's as charming as it sounds and serves the best tea around.

Scenarios

Just walked in: You intended to get here, and you made your way in; but now someone's caught your eye and you'd like to have a chat.

Been here all day: You've been sitting around minding the time. Maybe you didn't notice them at first or maybe you were just working up the courage to talk-- either way, they know you're here and you know it too.

Inclement weather: You're here because you've gotten rained in. This wasn't your choice, but at least it's dry-- right?

Wild card: Got something better in mind? Well screw these prompts, try it out yourself!

Have fun, guys!

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[Eponine had not been looking for Marius. She'd simply been doing what she did best: wandering aimlessly through Ruby City. Passing by the cafe she now knew was owned by France, she caught sight of a very familiar figure.

No.

It couldn't be! First Cosette, now--! Without any ado, she threw open the door to the shop and marched over to Marius, wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug, something she'd never dared to do before.] M'sieur Marius! It is you! I can touch you and feel you and you are here! I was so afraid I'd made you up, put you here when you are not, but I haven't seen anything like that since I came here. I've been eating and all hallucinations of mine were caused by hunger and drink, and though I've had much to drink, there has been food to eat. Oh, but you're here! You're truly here in my arms again! [Her eyes were wet as she hugged him, the thought that Cosette was here completely gone from her mind. But Marius Pontmercy was here! Did that mean-- had he died, too? But it didn't matter, because he was here and she could hear his heart and all pretenses of trying to be a lady right now, to make him want her, were gone, her emotions taking complete control of her tiny body, and not for the time.]

I was so afraid I would never see you again! You were the last thing I saw, and now that I am here I want only to see you!

[The tea's getting cold as he drinks it, and he'd order another one - not even thinking about the fact that he doesn't have a way to repay the owners, he's not got even a coin about him - when he's enveloped in a hug.

Eponine? He's happy to see her, considering she knows the streets of Paris better than anyone, but this is a bit...well, forward of her. They've never embraced before, and Marius is a little shocked. Hesitantly, he puts his arms around her as well - though much looser - and pats her back comfortingly.]

Eponine! There's no reason to fret, I haven't gone anywhere...of my own accord, anyway! Tell me, where are we in Paris? I woke up on the strangest of carriages today, not in my bed.

[She knows it's forward, but she'd died in his arms and he'd kissed her forehead, so who cares about what's forward anymore, right?

But he's holding her, and patting her back, and it takes all of her strength to let go and stand back, blinking furiously. He cannot see her cry again. Though, to be fair, last time, the rain had covered her tears.]

Of course there's reason to fret, m'sieur! How can you be so calm? When the last time you saw me I was bleeding in your arms! But you're here!-- oh, m'sieur Marius, we aren't in any part of Paris at all. They call it Ruby City and an angel told me it's not purgatory as I'd believe, but we've all been taken here in that steam engine. I woke up there, too, last remembering your eyes, and you're here now, with me!

[As always, around Marius she could talk for hours and hours, a smile across her face that seemed out of place with her wet eyes.]

That's- that's not true.

[Eponine's shocked him, and he's taken aback. She may be experiencing one of the episodic visions she's had from time to time, and though he's never been one to encourage those sorts of thoughts, he'll always at least try to pull her back to the reality of situations.]

From the last time I'd seen you before waking up here, you'd guided me to the gate, to the garden of the house where my dearest Cosette lives. Angels may speak to you, that may be true, but I've never seen you shed a drop of blood in your life.

[He does know religion, so if the angels were indeed to speak to poor Eponine, he doesn't doubt her. Perhaps she had been given some heavenly sign once she'd arrived here that he hadn't.]

Ruby City. Tell me, how did we board steam engines? I don't ever remember being accused of sleepwalking.

[He'd have to look into that. Knowing Joly, the medical student would be happy to watch him while he slept to observe and report on the condition - perhaps he could even prescribe him some sort of treatment.]

No! No, it is the truth, m'sieur! You must believe me! I remember it so clearly. You held me in your arms and it was raining. The gate had been days before, I will never get that night out of my mind. You held me, and tried to soothe my passing. [Her eyes were wide and watery as she looked at him, trying to convince him of the truth as she knew it.] You kissed me on my forehead. With my last thoughts, I remembered it! M'sieur, you have to believe me!

[She couldn't have him thinking her crazy. But he seems to do nothing but.] Not Angels, just Gabriel. He looks like a man just as you do. You'll meet him here, too. I don't fully believe him an Angel, but he's said things that say otherwise.

[She shakes her head, her wild hair falling in front of her eyes without her hat to keep it back.] I don't know, m'sieur. I woke up on one, just moments after I closed my eyes. The others, too. We all came from the barricade. [Except Cosette. But she wasn't going to mention her. No way, no how.]

'Ponine, it's like you're speaking another language that I don't understand. I'd never forget the night at the gate as well, it's etched into my memory like carvings on a wall. Surely, there must be a mistake...you've not passed, sweet Eponine. Why, the last I'd known, you were to return to your room across the hall from mine, just as always.

An earth-bound angel? My word...

[As she weaves tales of celestials, all he can do is to take her hands in his own, squeezing them a bit. Perhaps the angel had seen sights in Heaven of those who had gone before him, like that of his father...]

But...I don't understand. Enjolras had said the barricades were to be built on the morning of Lamarque's funeral, to ignite a flame of revolution in Paris...mademoiselle, this is all so much to take in. I'm not sure if you're teasing me.

[She shakes her head softly, his words echoing in her mind over and over again. Her hands are in his and she can hardly fathom it, though it plays second fiddle to the fact that Marius Pontmercy does not believe her.] No, m'sieur! I would not tease you about this! Anything else, yes, but never this. What could I gain from teasing you about my death?

Do you really not remember the barricade? Any of it? Not me, not Gavroche, none of it? [She takes her hands from his and places them on his forearms, trying to get him to listen to her.] I can prove it happened! I have my blood-stained clothing here still! I was healed, but they weren't, it was still drying when I woke up! [She's searching his eyes, desperate for some indication of understanding. But there was nothing. How to make him believe her?

She takes a moment, swallowing as she thought back to his words. Marius had left at the gate. The barricade was only a distant idea to him.] Can it be? Have-- have you come from a point in my past? That makes no sense! Gabriel said this was not purgatory, that not all of us were dead. And... [She looks down, dropping her hands from his shoulders.]

I...don't wish to see that.

[Regardless of how she sees him, Eponine is still one of Marius' dear friends. After all she's explained - and Gavroche, no, it cannot be, not with the way she's talking - he's not sure what to believe, but seeing the bloodied clothing of any of his friends would move him to weep. It's something he can't bear.]

I know nothing of traveling through time, or if it is possible, but if the angel has said it, it must be so. If it is unavoidable that all who went to the barricades that day will die...perhaps this is some heavenly ploy to bring us all together, even after some have suffered such a fate, to unite us and keep us strong!

[It's all he can manage, but there's still a smile on his face and a glimmer of hope in his eye, the kind that only shines for a man who truly believes there is a meaning to life, one who has found a cause to live for. He's got no intentions of laying down his life for France at the barricades like the rest of his friends, no, not while beautiful, darling Cosette lives and breathes just in his reach.]

Then you won't ever have to. [She promises him, looking back up to meet his eyes.]

Perhaps! There are people here from other times who dress strangely, and speak of things I don't know, like California and trucks. Even in our home, there are-- Marius, they have a stall where you can control the rain, in every home! Perhaps it is all possible, perhaps it's another dream, I do not know. But you're here! And even if you do not believe me-- I no longer care, because I can see you. [Marius, you're an idiot. She loves you. The end.

Oh, right, and Cosette is here, too, but we're still not talking about that.]

M'sieur Monster will be pleased to hear you speak like that, and perhaps even M'sieur Prouvaire. Grantaire and I care not. But-- Marius! You're here!

[It's easy for Marius to fall back into his usual good-natured rapport with Eponine, strange as this new city may be. She speaks of wondrous things - he's not heard of a truck or a California, but he's eager to find out what they are. And a stall where one can control the rain? It's astounding, almost like playing God.]

You must take me to this stall! I need to see it for myself at once.

[Then, upon hearing that his friends were here, Prouvaire and Grantaire and...well, someone she's called Monsieur Monster who he can only guess might be Enjolras from his temperament alone, he asks a hesitant question.]

...has my dear Cosette come to this place, as well?

Come! I'll show you! [She stands, taking his hand, eager to leave him to her home with those she died along side.] It has all manner of soaps! Be careful, it's slippery. I fell when I first discovered it. The bruises are still fading. [But she's smiling again, looking at him, almost laughing again.

And then he went and ruined it all.

Way. To. Go. Pontmercy.

Eponine stilled, glancing at the floor. She can't lie to him. He'll find out, soon enough. But...] Yes. Your dear Cosette is here as well.

Ah, so the rain stall is for washing oneself. It sounds quite practical! But please, try not to hurt yourself any more.

[He's happy to let Eponine pull him through the streets of this new city, just as he did the other night all the way to the garden's gate. When he's heard Cosette is here, he beams even brighter.]

Oh, Eponine! Do you think she'll want to see me?

[He really hopes so, but her father might be here. They might still have to indulge in stolen moments, but he'll take a lifetime of stolen moments if that's what brings him to Cosette.]

[Eponine has to pause at his words, how he asks her not to hurt herself. He knows, she realizes. Of course he knows. She's told him how little she thinks of herself, of all her actions. But to hear it... She smiles a watery smile.] I will try not to, for you, m'sieur.

[But he's back on the topic of Cosette and she wants to curl up and scream.] I cannot say. [And she can't. She can't bring herself to find the words that she knows are true. That Cosette believes, like herself, that Marius is dead.]

I will heed your warnings as well. It's only my luck that I should slip and fall in the rain stall.

[He nods to her, giving her a big grin. He's not always clumsy, but when he gets excited, he's been known to trip over his own feet.

That worries him, and a look of horror spreads across his face. Why should Cosette not like to see him? In this city, have so many things happened to her that she does not wish for him to stand at her gate professing love? Had there been another man, someone stronger, more charming, that had swept her off her feet?

...no. Cosette is darling, and pure of heart. He knows not of the ways of this city, but he knows his Cosette, and he puts on a determined look.]

I should very much like to see where you live in this new place, mademoiselle.

[She manages a laugh.] It's slippery, I don't think it takes any deal of talent to fall, m'sieur. As I said, I did, and I have better balance than you. [At least when she's sober.

Yes. Good. He's worried. He should be. If only this worry could increase, bringing home a wedge between him and his cosetted. Eponine would have only been too happy to watch them fall apart, acting as the courier for both parties. Perhaps, perhaps.

But she keeps a smile on her face, looking up almost innocently at Marius.] Oh, m'sieur Marius! It is a better home than I have ever had! I have my own bed, larger than I thought possible! I have new clothing, and there is more food than I can eat! [She laughs lightly.] It makes it easy to believe that my death was the best thing to ever happen to me. Come, I will show you.

A great many have better balance than me. I think it only makes it clearer when you remember who fell from that tree last night.

[He gives a soft chuckle - the fall did hurt, but it was worth it in the end, since it landed him right into Cosette's garden, over the gate. He hardly feels the pain today.]

It sounds like a quite wonderful place, one you're deserving of.

[He frowns a little when she continues mentioning her death, but Marius is still following Eponine, regardless.]

Last night, [She repeats, her voice wistful. It had been ages ago for her. But for Marius...] There are easier ways to climb into gardens, m'sieur.

[A small blush falls over her cheeks, and she glances at Marius.] You praise me so highly, yet we both know I'm undeserving. But I will show you our home and the rain stall. And there are books there, m'sieur Marius! Books!

I will admit that on my way back home, I'd thought of ways much simpler.

[He's blushing as well, a little embarrassed. Climbing the tree was rash of him, especially considering his inexperience with doing just that, but he needed to get to Cosette, and quickly.

He smiles at her mentions of the books. He knows Eponine can read and write - a feat for someone of her upbringing.]

Really? Have you read many lovely stories in your time here, Eponine?

The gate would have been better. [Very easy to vault yourself up and over, to be honest. But, no, he'd gone with the tree. Bravo, Pontmercy friend. Bra. Vo.

She likes the way he blushes, and for a moment, reaches her hand out to touch his cheek, before she hesitates, drawing her hand back. No, she can't do that. He has his Cosette here.]

I have! M'sieur Prouvaire brought some, and Grantaire showed me the library! I was reading one called The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde the other day! Short, but wonderful. I've started on Pride and Prejudice, now. It's amazing, Marius, to have such access to such wonderful things!

[He smiles apologetically at her. He'll try to not make as big of a fool of himself in front of Cosette in this city - though it'll inevitably happen.

If he's here, he may even need to ask Courfeyrac for advice. The man was so good-natured about the women he fancied, even if he didn't always remember their names.]

I cannot say I've read either, but I have at least heard of Pride and Prejudice. You must lend them to me. It's...why, it's wonderful to see you enjoying yourself without a care, Eponine.

[He gives her a genuine grin, full of teeth and red freckled cheeks.]

I would be more than happy to share them with you, m'sieur. [Oh, it's so wonderful to see him again, so bright and happy. His happiness is for Cosette, but she can pretend it's for her.

It's much easier to pretend when he uses her name, showing glee at her happiness.] It has been too long, m'sieur. Not since I was a child in Montfermeil. I am glad, too. Death was one of the best things to happen to me in a long time, Marius. Since I met you.

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RC Test Drive!

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