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[flunkedcadet-blog]

“Oh you know....anti-war sort of feelings. My grandfather is very much for it...after all, he was paying for my schooling at a...a military college so...plus he was angry when I decided to drop out in the first place.” He admitted sheepishly, scratching his head. It was not really a good thing to be out of school. This he knew. If anything it put him more at risk with the draft. “Oh...thank you, I appreciate the thought, and I would certainly do that if I were to enroll...but as it is I truly have no money to be able to do that. That sounds really interesting though. I wish they did operate in the South.” He considered the question carefully, and hesitated. “They did pass through South Carolina, I remember that. I don’t know...I mean...I was twelve and grandfather kept me busy with studies...unfortunately....”

Enjolras was interesting, but Marius really wasn’t sure that he was someone that he wanted to recruit. He had very little to offer, though he was eager to help in what ways he could. His only concern was that he should probably locate a job and be a little more stable before he took anything like this on. “I think Feuilly mentioned it a bit...it sounds really interesting, but are you sure? I don’t know how long I’ll be staying.”

So How Come [ Marius and Enjolras ]

[flunkedcadet-blog]

Test of friendship | Open

Marius bit his lip as he considered how best to write his friend back home. He had taken to writing him frequently, giving updates on his new situation in the city, as well as the people he had come to meet. As it was, the death count in Vietnam had gone up, and he was unsure of what was going on back home. He had an awareness that his best friend’s brother had gone, but he had no word about him since.

He fiddled with the pen in his mouth, considering how best to ask about it, writing a sentence and then groaning and scribbling it out again. He was terrible at this. It would probably have been easier to call by phone, but his friend’s parents were much like his grandfather, and would not approve of him still being in contact with their son. 

“Oh this should not be so difficult!” He cried out in frustration, crumpling the paper he had been working on and tossing it toward the trash. He sighed and set his forehead on the desk he was borrowing, his mind going to how terrible of a friend he was for not finding the right words to ask after his family. “If I could just....this is my test as a friend and I am failing it.” He moaned, forgetting for a moment that he was still in a very public space of the townhouse.

[flunkedcadet-blog]

Marius had to think about it hard. He hadn’t really had time to worry over food when he had come in with Feuilly’s help, and from then on, he was worried about money. “I don’ remember. You really don’ have to go out of your way to make somethin’ for me. I’ll eat anythin’ if you’re offerin’.”

You Can Learn How To Be You (Jehan and Marius)

[flunkedcadet-blog]

“I don’ know if tha’s true, but it’d certainly relax me more bein’ around in the livin’ room area.” Marius admitted. He didn’t want to disrupt the rhythm they all seemed to have with each other. He was after all, a temporary resident. “Oh...I mostly had an excuse of not bein’ an active member of gym class, based on my ability to injure myself.” He paused for a moment and then added, “I’m real clumsy, I’m not um...ya know.” He didn’t self-harm. His body was just a natural disaster waiting to happen.

His face fell as Courfeyrac started laughing, and his shoulders slumped as they usually did when he felt he was the subject of laughter for one reason or the other. He had certainly made people laugh several times throughout the years. “I think Bahorel said somethin’ like that the other day too. I don’ want to do anythin’ else that makes me uncomfortable. Did that enough back home.” Marius finished, mildly uncomfortable at that moment, but he was sure he would feel better once he got a good view of the city. “That sounds good. Should we go now then? Or did you want to do somethin’ else first?” He asked hesitantly, not wanting to seem too eager.

Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night || Open

[flunkedcadet-blog]

Marius was still half afraid that he’d be tossed out with his suitcases, but at least his heart rate had settled a bit. His cheeks however were guaranteed to be bright red. “Y-yeah. He really helped me out the other day, and he offered me a place to stay until I figure a few things out.” Marius explained,  hoping that this would both clarify his presence in this man’s townhouse, and also keep him from being sent away. 

As it was, he wasn’t too happy to rely on someone else’s help, but he had very close to nothing except for what was in his two suitcases. That was all he was really able to scrap to keep of his own possessions. “Oh. W-well it’s nice to meet you Enjolras.” He ran a hand through his hair and ruffled it, knowing it would only get messier that way, but it felt reassuring to do. “Oh, tha’s okay. I know it’s fairly surprisin’ to see a stranger in your livin’ room. I uh...I kinda got kicked out of my house for certain views. I want to prove I can take care of myself and still be able to follow what I believe, but so far I’m not doin’ the best job.” Marius was hoping a greater difference could start to be made here, as opposed to a place in the South like his hometown.

So How Come [ Marius and Enjolras ]

[flunkedcadet-blog]

Marius’s cheeks flushed bright red at the mention of Bahorel, and he squeaked something, but he knew that wouldn’t be audible, and had to force his mind to not focus immediately on the naked man before continuing to talk. “D-d-do you really? I....I...I’ve met him. I figured that out pretty quickly about him.” Marius shuddered slightly, not particularly thrilled about the experience. And the worst was that he hadn’t been able to stop staring. His embarrassment grew just thinking about it.

“There seem to be enough people livin’ around here for that to happen.” Marius agreed. The cat would have no problem finding attention from somewhere. “Oh, I basically got kicked out of my house, and since I’ve always wanted to come to New York, I figured now was the time. Anyway, I’ve been wantin’ to prove I could manage on my own, so this is the opportunity, I guess.”

Little to Win But Nothing to Lose ((OPEN))

[flunkedcadet-blog]

“I don’ know, in some cases you do. Not tha’ I’m sayin’ tha’ would be true with you, but it is with some people.” He had to force himself not to flinch, and not to move away from the touch, relaxing once he realized the touch was warm and nonthreatening. “I will, I promise. Thank you for your offer though.”

You Can Learn How To Be You (Jehan and Marius)

[flunkedcadet-blog]

Marius really didn’t understand why everyone found it so funny when he brought that up, but he nodded slightly to indicate that yes, he had met Bahorel. He had vivid memories of that event, and images he couldn’t erase from his mind. “I...yeah. I bumped into him an’ realized he was naked. It was frightenin’. Oh, I don’ wan’ to spoil his comfort because I’m awkward abou’ these things.” As it was, Marius wasn’t going to be there permanently and Bahorel was. Asking for the man to change didn’t seem fair.

Marius’s eyes widened and rounded like saucers. Did Courf actually say what he had just said? He hardly could believe it. “G-get me comfortable with it? H-how exactly would we do tha’? Tha’d require naked people righ’?” He was sure he would have a heart attack right there for that one suggestion. Maybe New York would get the better of him. “Um, no, not exactly. I’ve been tryin’ for jobs an’ all, but everyone’s pretty busy. You really wouldn’ mind showin’ me aroun’?”

Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night || Open

[flunkedcadet-blog]

“You’re really bein’ too kind. I don’ really think I deserve that, I haven’ done anythin’ to earn it.” Marius had gone long enough living off someone else. He couldn’t allow that to continue, no matter how kind the people were who did so.

You Can Learn How To Be You (Jehan and Marius)

[flunkedcadet-blog]

“Oh really, you don’ have to do tha’. I don’ wan’ to trouble you guys when I’ll only be here for a little while.” Marius blurted quickly, not wanting anyone to have to go out of their way for him.

You Can Learn How To Be You (Jehan and Marius)

[flunkedcadet-blog]

Marius if at all possible, turned more red, practically becoming a human tomato. “To be honest, I don’ think I’ll ever be used to tha’. I was a very sheltered child, you know? I’ve just managed to avoid tha’ sor’ of thin’ for a lot of my life.”

You Can Learn How To Be You (Jehan and Marius)

[flunkedcadet-blog]

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Marius’s cheeks flushed and he looked down at the ground in shame. “Y-yeah. I didn’ mean to though, he was jus’, he jus’ was suddenly there an’ I couldn’ really avoid seein’ him. And then you know when you see somethin’ you’re not used to an’ you stare at it even more? That was me, an’ it was horribly embarrassin’.”

You Can Learn How To Be You (Jehan and Marius)

[flunkedcadet-blog]

“Oh you’ve no idea how much so. My grandfather migh’ jus’ have a heart attack if he saw any of this.” Marius replied, considering how the nature of the South differed with New York, and particularly the attitudes expressed in the townhouse. He liked the freedom that it offered, though he wasn’t quite prepared to dive in and become a hippie, or whatever it was that they were. “Oh gosh, you’re righ’. I completely forgot my manners. I’m so sorry. Eponine, it’s real nice to meet you. I’m Marius.”

He ran a hand through his hair, messing with it as he considered the cat and what it might do. He really didn’t think he could get anywhere with that line of thought. He never even had a cat of his own before. Still, if it returned, Marius would be around to pet it at least. He didn’t have a job to worry about yet. “I s’pose it is. Too bad for her then. She missed her chance.”

Little to Win But Nothing to Lose ((OPEN))

[flunkedcadet-blog]

Marius’s cheeks flushed, embarrassed that he had used formality as he did when living with his grandfather. “Sorry I guess it’s jus’ habit. I don’ know s- Courf.” He almost went and did it again. Marius was horrible at figuring out ages for people, and frankly he would rather not try at all. If they weren’t an infant or old, he was very much lost. Marius took a sip of the water he was given just to give himself something to do. He didn’t like feeling unproductive or awkwardly out of place. “Oh, I love tha’ one. Tha’s a good choice. Regardless of what range you put it in, I bet it’ll sound amazin’. She writes her own? Tha’s even more impressive to me. I mean, I like singin’ an’ all, but I can’ do tha’.”

If his cheeks could turn any redder, they would have. As it was, he was pretty sure the tips of his ears were burning. How was it that he met people like this? Marius was almost overwhelmed by the kindness they all seemed to show. Marius had never imagined that he would come across a group like this. “I’ve seen a bit of tha’. You’ve got some great friends. But I don’ want to overstay my welcome. As soon as I get a job, I’ll figure somethin’ else out, I swear it. I really don’ want to be a bother, an’ anyway, I’m not comfortable with nudity, an’ it seems like some people who live here um...are naked a lot?”

Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night || Open

[flunkedcadet-blog]

Relief flooded Marius’s expression, and a smile spread across his face without him even thinking about it. This person was really friendly, and it was incredibly relaxing. It took away a lot of Marius’s stress in moments. “Well you don’ know how much of a relief tha’ is.” Marius replied, far more used to being yelled at for doing something he wasn’t supposed to do than anything else. He had angered his grandfather often enough for the smallest things. Marius couldn’t be sure what a stranger would do.

“Um...thank you....Courf.” He managed, trailing behind him like a dazed puppy, bewildered by how cheerful he was. He watched Courf, nodding enthusiastically before he had even considered the question fully. Better to be polite about whatever it was offered. “Water’s fine thank you sir. Oh, Feuilly told me abou’ your open mic nigh’. What song are you plannin’ on doin’? Or are you doin’ your own?” Marius asked curiously, having taken an interest in that night. He was even considering attempting at it himself, just this once. “Oh I’m not. I’m from Charleston, South Carolina. I jus’ got in a couple days ago.” He fidgeted, taking a sip of the water he was given as a distraction from his nerves. “Oh, jus’ until I find a job. Once I got tha’, I’ll be able to get a place I can afford an’ be out of your way.”

Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night || Open

[flunkedcadet-blog]

“To be honest, I don’ really know. I mean, I was taken in cause my parents died, so I think that must require some kindness right? If not I’m sure I could’ve been sent to a boy’s home. Oh gosh, I’m sayin’ too much I’m sorry. You don’ want to know all of tha’. I just have a lot of confusion with my family as it is.” And that was something Feuilly really didn’t need to know. They barely knew each other anyway. They had gone into an incredibly personal conversation. Marius was afraid he would tell Feuilly too much simply because he was such a wiling listener.

“I don’ know. I was taught tha’ I need to show some restraint sometimes, and that others wouldn’ be interested in everyhin’ tha’ I get excited abou’. Really? You wouldn’ happen to have any pointers would you?” Marius was perfectly happy if he just owned what he had now, but he did want a job and a place to live that he could actually afford in some way. It would be the best way to show his grandfather that he didn’t need some inheritance, he could manage just fine on his own. That was his goal.

Marius was awed by the person that Feuilly was. That he thought sympathetically towards the criminal like anyone else truly amazed him. “You make a good point. And a lot of the time, criminals are forced to do things based on circumstances tha’ they couldn’ really control. I mean, you don’ see rich folk do too many petty crimes an’ stuff cause, well why do they need to? They get everythin’ they need.” It made Marius wish that he could do something to help them, but he couldn’t even really help himself at the moment. He considered Feuilly’s words and couldn’t help but laugh, even if in a way it poked fun at his behavior. “Oh gosh, you’re righ’. I’d make the worst criminal you’d ever meet. I think it’s better I try to do well in a normal way.” 

A smile spread across Marius’s face, and he nodded enthusiastically, fully appreciating the man’s words. “I really hope so. I want there to be a day when everyone thinks of how people were treated and shudders at the thought. That it’d be unthinkable to live this way.” That was a day that Marius waited for. One he hoped his bigoted grandfather would live to see, to realize how ridiculous the things he said were. Still, he was able to take his mind off things to consider what he could do at an open mic night. He would really enjoy watching people do their songs and poems, but also to find an outlet to some things he felt coming here. “I don’ know abou’ tha’ since I’ve never heard you sing, but it could be fun to give it a try.” Marius shrugged, not particularly interested in how comfortable he’d be in someone else’s place. “Oh, don’ worry abou’ tha’. I’ll be sure to keep it brief. As soon as I got a job an’ enough money to get a place I’ll go I swear.”

Wrap your troubles in dreams | Open

Looking thoughtful at the question posed, he deliberated on it for a moment. “… I suppose they could count as family… But it’d depend on if they’re supporting you like that because they wanna help you and not themselves… If it was for purely selfish reasons… I dunno, they wouldn’t be the kind of family I’d want personally… But that kinda thing depends solely on the person in the situation, so I can’t speak for everyone” He pointed out, smiling at the other’s optimistic view of living here. He reminded him of a puppy,  excited, perhaps a little clumsy, and down right adorable. “Don’t be sorry, if you’re excited to talk ‘bout something, you shouldn’t be sorry, even if it’s just a little thing. .. Besides, I didn’t have much when I struck out on my own either, totally normal to care about the little you do have” He reassured the other with a gentle smile. Even if he didn’t completely know Marius’ circumstances, he did know what it was like to have next to nothing with no idea where to go. Blushing a little at the compliment he shrugged. “Everyone deserves a chance, who am I to deny it? Sometimes all a person needs is a change of circumstances , a little boost, and ratting on every criminal and sticking ‘em in jail without even trying to understand ‘em isn’t gonna help anyone.” He smiled a little before laughing at just the image of Marius attempting to be a criminal. He barely knew the man and already knew that would be a lost cause. “For your own health ‘n safety probably best to avoid the criminal life style… Though I’m sure folk would appreciate a polite robber” He teased. “One day… Gotta just keep the hope alive and keep on fighting, one day everything’ll change.” It was a hope Feuilly clung to fiercely, the hope that people would change for the better, that things would in the future be better for everyone, where all would be equal and no one would be sent off to fight a war that shouldn’t even be happening. Eyes lighting up at Marius question though he smiled warmly. “Sure you can! I bet you can hold a note better than me, you’ll be more than welcome to take up the mic!” Feuilly smiled as he glanced around his home fondly. “I hope you can be comfortable here then… For as long as you choose to stay”