Hello, There's Been An Error

[merryeccentricities]

Joly gets a few bursts of static, some mention of the Directory and Consulate, and "Fifth", and Courfeyrac, before the call goes definitely silent.

So...Bossuet and Courfeyrac are going to the Republic, of some point, and..Fifth? Or they're going to THE Fifth? Or, given how drunk they obviously are, they're going to GET a fifth, or had one, and then...

then "the Labyrinth", which might be taking them anywhere, never mind where they think they're going.

No, Joly isn't about to sit around waiting for them to get back. He sets the watch-hand for 2. "Combeferre? We had talked about exploring the Labyrinth? I think we might have to plan to do that right now."

Comments

[wings_of_a_swan]

Combeferre thanks Matelote, promises to give his "uncles" her regards, and follows Joly out the door.

He sees Joly standing before a stone wall not far off, with a small brass square affixed to it that blazes with reflected sunlight. Joly's not the only one there. Others are milling about and looking.

Combeferre walks up to Joly's side, and looks at the spot on the wall Joly is staring at.

And well he might stare. Vivent les peuples, say the letters carved into the stone.

The brass square helpfully informs visitors that this wall is now a monument to Feuilly. And the Amis, and everyone who fought in the Revolution of 1832--but Feuilly in particular.

"Well," says Combeferre. "At least in this world, people know to honor him."

[merryeccentricities]

"To honor everyone-- everyone who was part of the fight." It is indeed dedicated to " all the heroes" of the June Revolution. "He'll like that more." Joly's fingers run lightly over the plaque, and then up to touch the rough carving in the wall. There's a different slant to it than he remembers; or maybe that's only the difference in lighting between an overcast, powder-smoking street and a bright sunny one.

It's a vague little plaque, as such things tend to be, heavy on lauding everyone's bravery and short on details-- but it's there, and that alone says a great deal. Joly can't stop smiling, and if he's crying a little too, well, that's all right.

[wings_of_a_swan]

Combeferre blinks back his own tears. He puts a hand on Joly's shoulder, and says, "Yes, he will. We can tell him, when we get back."

He imagines telling all their friends everything they've learned. He suddenly wants desperately to go back to the Corinthe and demand more. But no, Matelote would think he'd lost his head, and regardless, perhaps it would be better not to ask for too many details. It's enough to know that they succeeded, lived, were happy, and that France was free.

[merryeccentricities]

Joly has his own questions. Some aren't likely to have any answers here in Paris; at least not unless they run into some of their friends who still live here, and would have news from Auvignon. But others--

"Do you want to try to find a library? Look for more details about what happened?" He smiles as an idea strikes. "We could see what you're credited with inventing here; it must be in the records."

[wings_of_a_swan]

A library. It's a tempting thought, very much so. To read of all their doings! "You as well. This world has clearly learned some things about magnets and electricity. And I wonder what exactly Feuilly has done, and Enjolras--and Courfeyrac! Matelote didn't give too many details about him." What could Courfeyrac have done, with a future at his disposal? He above all of them was capable of treading the widest range of paths. Combeferre could imagine him a scholar, or a politician, or a Paris lawyer, all with equal facility.