Spend my days locked in a haze

[libertin]

Who| Courfeyrac & Open!
What| Courfeyrac is searching for Cinderella post-Hellarena.
Where| Various locations in the Arena
When| Week 3
Warnings/Notes| N/A, will update as needed. Pick a location & let's do the thing!

Three weeks in and he still hadn't seen or heard anything from Cindy. Courfeyrac didn't expect that she would be attached to his hip or anything. She was a strong woman and far too independent an individual for that, but three weeks without a word? That was a little excessive, even for her. And after the week they'd all just had, the importance of a word, a note, anything to signify that she was okay was very sorely needed.

He knew she wasn't dead, but he had no idea where she was or if she'd been injured. He couldn't take another day of not knowing. So he told his friends he would be back later and he left the shoe store with a knife tucked into his pocket. He was going to find Cinderella. He wasn't going to let himself return to his friends until he knew she was alright.

Comments

[splendid_roman]

Ian was tired. He'd spent time in a basement, trying to stay awake so he wasn't attacked in his sleep, the heat had sapped all his energy, and walking was harder. The injury around his ankle hurt and he walked with a limp. Added to that he hadn't had enough to eat or drink, so it wasn't much of a surprise that in the fog, he stumbled into someone.

He couldn't afford to act like this was anywhere safe, though, so he turned it into an attack before he'd even seen who it was, by hooking his injured leg around the other persons and grabbing them to try and take them down.

[libertin]

Courfeyrac was snagged and pulled down before he had much chance to react otherwise. He was on the ground, panicked and trying to kick himself free when logic and reason suddenly flooded back into his brain and he thought he recognized the man whose limbs were tangled with his own.

"Ian!" He hissed, realizing full well that all bets were off in the Arena, but hoping and praying that Ian would stop this madness and let him go. "Please, my friend! Let go of me!"

[splendid_roman]

Ian recognised the voice and then the man. He let go and rolled away so there was space between them, and then sat up, catching his breath and his wits. "Sorry," he said. "I didn't see who it was." Although Courfeyrac seemed to have worked that out.

[libertin]

The Frenchman rubbed his leg where Ian had snared him, exhaling an audible sigh of relief. "It is alright. You needn't apologize. This place brings out the paranoia in us all."

He picked himself up again, offering a hand of truce to Ian, noting the he seemed to be injured. "Are you well, Monsieur? You seem to favor one of your legs there, I see."

[splendid_roman]

Ian took the hand and used it to help him stand. "I got bitten by something with a lot of teeth. It didn't seem to be poisoned, so I got off lightly, I think." Also, he wasn't dead. "You seem to be all right."

[libertin]

"I have done rather well for myself. I found a bag with some foodstuffs and supplies in it, and I have found shelter as well." He looked Ian over, then started to shrug off his knapsack. "Here, let us get you some bandages for your wound."

[splendid_roman]

Ian brightened at the knowledge that he'd come across a friend with first aid supplies. "I found a bag too," he said, "which was handy for weapons, but not much else."

[libertin]

There was a devilish look in Courfeyrac's eyes as he knelt to sort through his supplies. "Then perhaps we might trade? That is, if you have anything to spare? I for one have food enough to last a few days more. I can gladly part with some, should you need it, my friend."

[splendid_roman]

"Yes, of course." That was a great idea.

Ian looked through his own bag, looking through what he might need and would he could trade. He had candles, which he hadn't had cause to use, since the light from them told people where he was. He didn't really need two screwdrivers and he had plenty of firemaking materials that he could give some away.

He got out a candle, a screwdriver and enough firemaking materials to make a couple of fires. "I have these, if that helps."

[libertin]

"Those are very helpful indeed," Courfeyrac said, offering his own supplies in trade. He had some extra first aid supplies and bandages, as well as some jerky, crackers, and pickles. They weren't exactly the most appetizing menu items, but they were edible and they could help Ian to survive a few days more. "And how is this for the trade, hm?"

[splendid_roman]

"Perfect," Ian said enthusiastically, looking over the supplies. Beggars couldn't be choosers and any food would do, as long as it was edible and nutritious. Some first aid supplies would also come in handy.

"Just as well I bumped into you." He grinned at the 'joke' as he picked up the items Courfeyrac had traded and put them in his bag.

[libertin]

"Yes. Just as well." Courfeyrac nodded as he divided up the stuff between them. "There we are. We shall both eat like kings and sleep cozily tonight."

Standing up again, he dusted himself off. "Before I let you depart, perhaps you could tell me if you have run into Cinderella recently?"

[splendid_roman]

He chuckled. It wasn't quite enough to eat like a king, but it would feel like it. "I haven't seen her," he replied, turning more serious, as he straightened up. "I hope she's all right."

[libertin]

The Frenchman's face fell and he felt a bit sick inside. "So do I. I have not heard a peep of her in all the time that we have been in the Arena."

[splendid_roman]

"I'm sure she's fine," he said, trying to be reassuring. He did just assume everyone was fine and wait until he was dead to worry about them. "If she'd died we'd have seen the announcement."

[libertin]

This was true, even Courfeyrac could admit as much. But it did very little to alleviate his concerns. "There are fates worse than death, you know."

[splendid_roman]

He knew, especially here, where he considered death not to be that bad a fate really.

"None of which have happened to Cindy," he said firmly. He was not going to allow either of them to start thinking about any of those fates worse than death. "She's fine and we'll see her after the arena, if not before."

[libertin]

"I hope you are right," he said as he straightened his clothing. He wasn't the worrying sort, not really, but weeks and no word? That was simply atypical. He'd be remiss if he wasn't concerned.

He patted Ian on the shoulder, nodded, then made to leave. "Until we all meet again, my friend, do take care of yourself."

[splendid_roman]

He hoped so too. He smiled at Courfeyrac as they parted. "You too."

[saisamour]

Marius was still not entirely well, he knew—oftentimes he could feel a stabbing pain shoot up his collarbone whenever he made an attempt to move his arm, and he was fairly weakened from the earlier ordeal at the Cornucopia and the ensuing suffering and blood loss—but at least Venus had healed him, somewhat, enough to have him on his feet once more.

He was disappointed in himself. He had sworn to Enjolras that he would do all he could to fight for his brothers, yet here he was, useless and only saved by Enjolras's mistress. Damn if he did nothing to repay the other man for what he had done for Cosette, however; he will find a way.

Even if he died protecting them, he promised himself as Courfeyrac left their current location. He pondered for several seconds whether or not to follow his friend, and then scrambled up and chased after him, wincing at the abrupt sting coming from his collarbone. "But Courfeyrac, where are you heading?"

[libertin]

Courfeyrac was startled by Marius' sudden appearance, but only for a moment. Marius had been and always would be his loyal hound, meant in the most affectionate manner possible. As he'd once explained to Cosette, a man's best friend was his dog. And Marius was his best friend, ergo...

He paused in his tracks but did not face his friend. Instead, his expression was serious and his eyes were fixed forward into the blanket of grey fog which enveloped them all. "I've not see Cinderella in three weeks. She is out there somewhere, Marius. I cannot stay here another day knowing she is out there on her own."

He didn't expect that Marius should understand. Cosette was not like Cinderella. Cosette was a delicate thing who needed to be kept and protected. Cindy was strong and could fend for herself. Cosette needed Marius to protect her, or at least to arrange for her protection. Cindy didn't need Courfeyrac at all. And that hurt. He was man enough to admit as much. Perhaps he could not admit it aloud to his friends, but he recognized it in himself at least. Cinderella could survive three weeks in the fog by herself while Courfeyrac, relatively safe and protected with his comrades was almost mad from thinking about her. It was entirely unfair, and he intended to end his misery once and for all by finding his Cindy and seeing for himself that she was alright.

[saisamour]

And understand Marius did not. His forehead creased in confusion; why would Courfeyrac leave Cindy to fend for herself, anyhow? The irrational and impulsive exasperation he felt towards Courfeyrac and his mistress had since dissipated, however, and he found himself concerned.

He narrowed his eyes and peered through the thick fog. He did not know how capable Courfeyrac's mistress was—she could be like Venus, for all he knew, and he realized then that it may perhaps be why he had left her mostly alone—but he wanted to help his friend.

He glanced at Courfeyrac and gave him a determined nod. "Then I will go with you."

[libertin]

"You will come with me?" Courfeyrac's laugh was dry, a little bitter. He worried that Marius would be slow, prone to injury, and generally miserable company for this journey into the mists. However, he fully recognized the dangers he might face were he to venture off on his own. It would be far wiser to take along a friend, even one so inept as poor Pontmercy.

He looked back to the other man, eyes narrow and appraising. Then he nodded, showing his approval at last. "I shall take you, then. Cinderella is the dangerous sort. I do not trust that she would let me live, were I to interrupt her in her work. Come, Marius. You shall be my bodyguard."

And with that he grabbed Marius by the wrist and pulled him toward the swirls of graying fog.

[saisamour]

For a brief moment, in that silence between the appraisal and approval, Marius began to fidget, uncertain and abruptly embarrassed. What if Courfeyrac did not want him to come after he exhibited his ineptitude at the Cornucopia? He would be shamed, even if he would understand why. But when the approving nod arrived his eyes widened and his lips curled upwards a little.

And then he almost managed to ruin it all by stumbling and almost falling onto his face at the tug. Almost, at least. He hastily righted himself and hurried his pace catch up to Courfeyrac. As they walked, and as his friend talked, Marius's brow began to furrow. "Her... Her work? What do you mean by it?"

[libertin]

He looked back over his shoulder at Marius, an enigmatic look in his eyes. Was it his place to disclose what it was that Cindy did in the arenas? Should he enlighten his friend? Yes, he should, lest Marius accidentally cross his mistress on a bad day.

"She is killing people," he said plainly, looping his arm through Marius's. "She plays these games to win, I'm afraid."

[saisamour]

Marius almost killed himself from choking in response to Courfeyrac's rather blunt clarification and was only saved by the arm around his. He blinked, confused and bewildered. He was thoughtfully silent for a moment, allowing his friend to lead, and then asked,

"Why?"

[libertin]

"She does not wish to be subjected to this, Marius. She wishes to win." This was speculation, rather than confirmed knowledge. Courfeyrac didn't always know what was going on in Cindy's head and sometimes that puzzled him or scared him. On this particular subject, he felt a bit dismayed, but he would never admit as much out loud.

[saisamour]

Marius tensed a little and almost allowed a sound of disapproval to go unguarded, but he fortunately stifled it down just in time. Instead, he fell silent; he could not lie to Courfeyrac or pretend that he was fine with such a notion, but at least he can choose to keep his condemnation for Cinderella's actions to himself.

He looked around, searching almost in vain through the fog. The tension in his body still did not fade. "Should we not be more cautious, then?"

[libertin]

"We must be cautious regardless." He answered firmly, trying to reassure his friend, but likely only managing to ruffle his feathers even further. "After all, this place is teeming with men who would strike us down this instant. And women, too. And children. Do not be afraid, my friend. If we are attacked now, we shall fight as one. Together."

[saisamour]

Marius cringed, and cringed even more, at the list of potential attackers. Loathe he was to admit it was likely that only one of them may be overpowered by even a child. Perhaps even both of them working together. But Courfeyrac's trust in him softened the harsh judgement he dealt upon them both. "I will do my best."

His hopeful look faded then, as he recalled what Signless had told him. That he was simply in the way. He cast his eyes to the ground then hastily lifted them again, for he realized that he must not drop his guard. As he scanned the area for shadows and movements behind the fog, he admitted, "Signless attacked me, a while ago."

[libertin]

"Did he?" Courfeyrac cast his eyes sideways toward his friend, unsure if Marius was in a proper mood to discuss it. The man could be so moody sometimes, so sensitive. He liked Marius a great deal, but he didn't want to provoke some sort of emotional downpour on account of his own foolish curiosity. But still, Marius had brought it up, which meant he wished to speak.

Bracing himself, he requested an elaboration. "Well? Out with it. What did he do?"

[saisamour]

"He was the one who had bitten my nose." Marius gestured to the bandage he had on its bridge.

The distress was not simply because of that injury, however; physical wounds disappeared the moment he stepped out of the arena. It was Signless's words that hurt more than anything. He did not want to be worthless, but he was. Signless told him as much, and perhaps it struck him all the more because it had come from someone whom he had considered a friend.

His gaze dropped to his shoes, and he frowned and kicked at the ground absent-mindedly.

[libertin]

Courfeyrac found that he was mildly unimpressed, as hypocritical as it was for him to scoff over Marius' lamentations regarding his nose.

"Is that all?" He asked, almost trying to make merry of the situation. He knew it wasn't something to joke about, but he found that Marius' miserable tendencies were oftentimes contagious. "The next time I see him, I shall bite off his ear for you. Now enough with your pouting, Marius. I dislike it when you look so sad."

[saisamour]

Truly, his friend's genuine concern made him feel somewhat better, and his spirits lifted considerably. Even if he still believed he was more of an inconvenience than anything.

Marius blinked as he raised his head, however, his eyes wide with concern and mild alarm. "I do not think it necessary to bite his ear off," he said in all seriousness.

[libertin]

"One of his fingers, then?" He seemed to ask this in all seriousness, the gravity of his expression only disappearing after several long seconds, at which time he broke into a toothy smile. "Do not sulk so, my friend. I need you at your best. I cannot worry over you or I will surely die of concern."

He took his friend by the arm and led him along, hoping vaguely that his mock chipper demeanor would inspire some drastic change in Marius' behavior. "Now, Marius, if you were Cinderella, where would you hide?"

[saisamour]

Marius certainly did not want Courfeyrac biting off Signless's fingers either, but neither did he want him to worry, so he allowed himself to be dragged with little resistance.

He chewed on his lower lip as he gazed through the fog, wondering what the right answer was. He could not deny that he found difficulty thinking as Cinderella would, but the tale she was named after came to mind.

"P-Perhaps in a pumpkin?" Now he did not kid often, and immediately after that his cheeks grew hot from embarrassment because it was a clearly terrible joke. It was furthermore one he could not make to anyone, anyone else but Courfeyrac.

It's a shame he had completely forgotten the ever-constant cameras that had undoubtedly captured and immortalized it.