Enjolras wasn't used to being on uneven footing. He'd grown up so confident with himself. Yes, he'd had wealth his whole life. And he'd had people believing he'd be something important. Though he knew his family had thought he'd go into medicine. Or become a soldier. Just not the way he actually had. They would never understand his dedication to his cause. They understood that others suffered, but they'd never expected him to step into the role he had. And it was difficult finding that here.
So helping Eponine had been an easy decision to make. At least it was something he understood. He could give guidance and support and wouldn't be dealing with things he didn't understand, like demons and ghosts and possessions. That was taking more time than French politics could. Oh, he wanted to help and he fully intended to. But he knew he wasn't as prepared here as he'd been at home. Back home things made sense. It was complicated, yes, but they were complications he'd grown up being taught. Class wars and inequalities and finances...those things he knew. This was taking more effort and he knew he wasn't ready to step up into the role of fighter just yet.
He decided, instead, to focus on what he knew. His friends, the people in his life. Those he could help. John, traumatized from his loss but so desperate to connect that he found comfort just in holding an instrument. Belle, beautiful and brainy and much more comforted by the happenings in the books than in anything around her. And Eponine. So much more than she'd ever believed she was. Certainly more than what Marius had made her into. Then, who was he to talk? He'd hardly noticed her, sitting on the edges of their circle, paying attention to Marius as much as he'd allow. He respected her, that much was at least true. And he meant every word he'd said to her so far. How strong she was for breaking her family's traditions, how good-hearted she was. But had he really ever noticed her? Noticed what an asset she could be for them? Or, more so, how good a friend she could be?
When he entered the dining area, he found her looking a bit pitiful, if he was being honest. And it worried him. He watched her for a moment then quietly made his way over to her. Lightly, he brushed her shoulder with his hand before pulling up the chair next to her. "Two successful days in a row? Seems like a good start to me."