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Tweak says, "They know... they all know.."

Beth March (march_mouse) wrote in expresslogs,
@ 2012-05-20 14:48:00

Entry tags:

!open, {beth march, {marius pontmercy

Who: Beth and OPEN
What: Beth March arrives
When: Late afternoon
Where: Cabin 303 and then the corridor outside
Rating: Low
Status: In progress

With Laurie gone to England, Amy in Europe, Jo in New York, and Meg happily married, Beth was the only March girl still at home. It didn't bother her very much; she liked home. Liked being the little mouse, keeping things tidy and neat, helping Hannah. She'd always been rather painfully shy, and truthfully had never planned out her future as her sisters had. She wasn't brave and intelligent like Jo, not as cultured as Amy tried to be...she'd never planned out a life as a content housewife as Meg had. After all, she could barely speak to anyone, let alone boys.

With the changing seasons, she'd felt a change in herself, as well. At first Marmee had chalked it up to low spirits, brought on by missing her sisters. But as the weeks went on, Beth realized, even before Marmee would admit it, that she was weakening, growing ill. They hadn't expected her to live through the bout of scarlet fever, perhaps she'd been living on borrowed time.

That day had been warm, and she'd gone out to the garden, curling up on the bench on an old quilt, her kittens playing near by as Beth dozed in the sunshine, smiling at the mews nearby. She must have drifted completely off, for as she awoke, the first thought was that her cats must have wandered away. Upon opening her eyes, however, that thought shifted to one of abject terror.

She was on a train, it seemed, though how she had gotten there, she knew not. Not to mention it was unlike any train she'd ever seen. Pushing herself up, Beth peered out the window, upset even more at the landscape outside. That was most definitely not Massachussetts.

"Marmee?" Beth called, pushing herself gingerly up off the bed. There was no one in the room and so she moved to the door, opening it carefully. "Marmee? Father?" Her voice was soft, tinged with tears. She didn't like this at all.

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m_pontmercy
2012-05-20 08:57 pm UTC (link)

Marius had been spending a good deal of the time in his room since he had arrived, pouring over his books and using his device to help him with spoken English. He was still far from good at it, but he was improving, every day. He was hoping that he would reach a point in the near future where he could at least make himself understood.

As it was, he was growing tired of remaining in the confines of the small train compartment, and had decided to head to the kitchen to find something to eat, and perhaps find some company. He was not, by nature, an introvert, although circumstances of his past had often forced him in that direction, and he was growing quite lonely.

As he walked down the corridor, he heard a girl's voice, tinged with what was, in any language, sadness.

He stopped, turning around until he heard the young girl's voice, and hurried to her. He was dressed in a way that would not be unfamiliar to her, although the clothes had more of a European style than she would be used to.

He approached her quickly, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket and offering it to her.

"Are you...unwell, Mademoiselle?" he asked with a thick French accent, but it was obvious that despite his bad English, he genuinely cared about the answer.

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march_mouse
2012-05-20 09:15 pm UTC (link)

Approached by the strange man, Beth's first instinct was to shrink away. Arms folded around herself as he stopped in front of her and, for a moment, all she could do was stare up at him. At least his appearance was somewhat familiar, unlike anything else on this train.

"Where are we?" She questioned softly, tears welling up. It was the most she could bring herself to say at the moment, though one arm unwound itself, taking the offered handkerchief with a short nod of thanks.

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m_pontmercy
2012-05-20 09:24 pm UTC (link)

Marius looked at her with sympathy, remembering his own unease when he had first arrived here.

"We are, uh, on a sort of...train?" he said carefully. "It is a...très étrange...very strange? thing. I think, whoever you are calling for, they are not here. But nobody will harm you."

He bowed formally.

"You are safe here, Mademoiselle. That at least I can tell you. My name is Marius Pontmercy. What are you called?"

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march_mouse
2012-05-20 09:36 pm UTC (link)

She nodded as he explained that they were on a train. She could see that, and knew what trains were. But the idea that she was here... Alone. While her family was back home, no doubt worried about her.

At least this boy seemed to be polite and kind. Her head ducked, twisting his handkerchief rather than try to blot the tears for the moment.

"Beth March." She risked a glance up, though her eyes would not meet his for very long, cheeks flushing. Amy would know what French terms to use, Jo would be one of the boys, Meg would be sweet and charming and Beth could only be her own shy self.

"Thank you for your handkerchief, Mr. Pontmercy."

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m_pontmercy
2012-05-20 09:42 pm UTC (link)

"C'est ne rien...It's nothing," he said with a wave of his hand as she thanked him for the handkerchief.

"You are...all alone then? It is unkind of the train to drop a young girl here alone, afraid, and unchaperoned. Allow me to show you to another car? There are many people here your age, and I am certain that you shall be more comfortable when you are around other girls."

He offered her his arm kindly, with a disapproving look towards the train.

"If you have questions, I can try to answer, although I am but newly arrived myself."

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march_mouse
2012-05-20 10:08 pm UTC (link)

She nodded at his question. All alone. Though she was not quite so certain she would be more comfortable around anyone besides her family, she did force her hand to rest gently on the offered arm. Still, something caught her attention.

"The train brings people here?" It was an inanimate object, wasn't it? How could a machine do anything without someone controlling it? Obviously it was her first question to him.

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m_pontmercy
2012-05-20 10:49 pm UTC (link)

"So I have been told," he said carefully, heading in the direction of the dining car. Perhaps they could talk over a glass of wine.

"I do not understand it myself. I do not understand how a train can do such a thing. But there are people here who are far smarter than I am, who know far more...who are from...from the future. And they say that it is likely what is happening, although even they have not discovered why."

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	march_mouse 2012-05-20 11:11 pm UTC (link)
	Her frown deepened at that. This had to be a dream. People from the future, trains who kidnapped them? Jo would have a field day with this story. "When are you from, Mr. Pontmercy?" He couldn't be from the past...well her past. His dress was too modern to her, too cutting edge. But who knew what fashion from the future looked like. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

m_pontmercy
2012-05-20 11:26 pm UTC (link)

"When I was last in Paris, before the train took me, it was December, 1832. When are you from, Mademoiselle?"

He walked a few steps before speaking again.

"There are a great number of strange people here. There are...monsters, and people from different worlds. I hope that this does not frighten you - I do not intend to - but I think that it is important for you to know what kind of place this is. But do not fear, there are many good people here as well, who will protect you."

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march_mouse
2012-05-20 11:37 pm UTC (link)

So she'd been off in her estimations of his dress and the time period it came from. Thirty years difference between their times. "It was April 1869," Beth answered softly. "I was in Concord, Massachusetts."

She didn't have too much time to dwell on the difference in time and location before his next statement caught her off-guard. Beth stared up at Marius, eyes wide. "...monsters?"

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m_pontmercy
2012-05-20 11:50 pm UTC (link)

"Ah, you are américaine, then! I don't think I have ever met someone from America before. You are from my future, then, but not so very much, oui? We are closer in time than many here. Massachussetts...that is...John Adams, yes? Boston?"

He was an educated young man, and while he had studied law and not history, he thought he remembered that much.

"Yes, I fear that there are indeed monsters on the train. But there are...héros as well, and there is nothing to fear, Mademoiselle. Have faith."

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march_mouse
2012-05-21 12:02 am UTC (link)

Beth nodded. Of course that was what most people would know about Massachusetts. "The Boston Tea Party," she answered, prompting his memory. Though that had, of course, been quite some time ago.

She wasn't entirely sure that heroes could protect her from anything this train threw at her, but at least Mr. Pontmercy seemed earnest and kind.

"Might we find some place to sit?" She wasn't as strong as she had once been, and all of this information was taking a toll on her.

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	m_pontmercy 2012-05-21 12:10 am UTC (link)
	"Yes, of course," he said gently, looking at her with concern. "We are almost to the dining car." On closer look, he noticed that she was, perhaps, pale? He suddenly wished that he was training at the Sorbonne to be a physician, instead of a law student. "Are you...unwell, mademoiselle?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	march_mouse 2012-05-21 12:20 am UTC (link)
	"I'm...not strong," Beth settled for saying. "I had an illness when I was younger." She'd never quite recovered from it. She couldn't confess to someone that she'd just met that she was slipping towards death even as they spoke. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	m_pontmercy 2012-05-21 12:26 am UTC (link)
	"I know...très peu de la médecine, uh, very little of medicine? but I know there are very many doctors on this train. Perhaps they can help you?" He slowed his walk. There was nowhere to stop in the corridor, but they were coming very close to the dining car. "Are you feeling very ill right this moment? I could put a message out for a doctor to come see you." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	march_mouse 2012-05-21 12:35 am UTC (link)
	"I just need to sit down," Beth answered. "I can make it a bit further." Especially since he'd slowed his pace. She wouldn't necessarily call herself ill at the moment, just weak. She offered him a soft smile. "Thank you for your kindness." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	m_pontmercy 2012-05-21 01:34 am UTC (link)
	"I can carry you, if you need?" he asked with concern. He might not have been the strongest man on the train (by far), but he could do that. He bowed slightly to her as she thanked him. "C'est ne rien", he said softly. "It is nothing that a lady doesn't deserve." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	march_mouse 2012-05-21 01:43 am UTC (link)
	Shaking her head, Beth's cheeks flaring a rosy pink once again. "I am alright for the moment," she assured him. "But I will let you know if I require further assistance." She likely wouldn't let him carry her, but she might lean against him a bit should her strength fail her completely. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	m_pontmercy 2012-05-21 01:53 am UTC (link)
	Marius nodded, respecting her wishes. They were, after all, very close to the dining car - he could hear the sounds from it up ahead. When they reached it, he led her to a table so that she could sit. "Would you like some refreshment?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	march_mouse 2012-05-21 03:03 am UTC (link)
	Beth slipped into the seat with a soft sigh of relief. The walk had been more tiring than she would have liked to admit. Marius had mentioned doctors on the train; she might have to concede to his suggestion and summon one of them after they finished their discussion. "Some tea would be lovely. If they have any." Something hot and soothing. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	m_pontmercy 2012-05-21 03:08 am UTC (link)
	"I am quite certain that they do," Marius said gently, finding this girl rather sweet in her innocence. Something like Cosette, although very different... At least she made him feel useful, and that was a nice thing on this strange train. "I shall find you some. Do you take milk or sugar?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	march_mouse 2012-05-21 11:06 am UTC (link)
	"Milk, please. And a little sugar." Just enough to add a bit of sweetness. "Thank you, again, Mr. Pontmercy." Beth couldn't help but think, again, how grateful she was to have run into a gentleman such as him, and not one of the monsters he'd mentioned. She gave him a gentle smile before her eyes slid shut, panning on resting a bit until he returned. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	m_pontmercy 2012-05-21 09:15 pm UTC (link)
	Marius prepared her cup of tea with care, putting milk and two sugar cubes into it, hoping that it would be to her liking, then making one for himself. When he returned and saw her looking so very tired, he paused for a moment and set her tea carefully beside her. "May I ask, mademoiselle, what is it that ails you?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

march_mouse
2012-05-21 09:21 pm UTC (link)

Eyes slid open again at his voice, though they lowered to study her tea, letting it cool a moment before she lifted the cup tentatively to her lips. She sipped the tea before responding, trying to formulate exactly how to answer the question.

"I was ill when I was younger," she answered softly. "Scarlet fever. The doctors said it weakened my heart." She'd never been the strongest of her sisters, but the disease had certainly taken its toll.

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	m_pontmercy 2012-05-21 09:30 pm UTC (link)
	"Ah, yes, I have heard of that," he said sympathetically, watching her with concern. There was nothing he knew of that could be done for a weak heart. "I am truly sorry for it. But perhaps you should see the doctors here. They are advanced far beyond our time." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	march_mouse 2012-05-21 10:26 pm UTC (link)
	Beth nodded at his suggestion, allowing another small smile. "I'm sure it couldn't hurt to ask them, at the very least," she answered. "After all, the worst that they can say is that medicine has not changed and they can do nothing." Beth had already prepared herself for her eventual death; she wasn't scared of it. (Reply to this) (Parent)