clayforthedevil

Following his conversation with Lecter, Bahorel does indeed go to the Library. It takes some negotiating of the shelves-- really relevant books always seem inclined to hide-- but he does find it.

Les Miserables, Victor Hugo. 18...62?

Thirty years. That at least makes it seem more likely; a man might well change his opinions in that time, especially when they're wrong.

Bahorel flips through the table of contents. Book, Volume, Chapter....

Well that's not very subtle, is it?

He reads his friends' introductions, snickering at the description of Enjolras, smiling fondly at the reminder of Combeferre's studies. The mention of Prouvaire's protectiveness toward Chenier is not surprising; Prouvaire was close to the literary circles, it would be stranger if Hugo hadn't known him. He frowns a bit over Courfeyrac-- whoever 'Tholomyes' might have been, his friends are themselves, not some imitation of utter strangers.

He rather likes his own description. Really, he should make copies. Perhaps it would fit on a calling-card.

He skims the rest of the book, flipping back and forth. They're not in it too much; but what is there...

what is there is enough to need more careful reading. He's been making his own study of the days around their death, along his own lines; there are things that need checking.

It's not like Bahorel assumed they'd win. It's not even like he assumed he'd survive; if a revolution was so easy to ensure, they'd have one every day. He's used to seeing the whole effort go wrong, fall apart into a series of street brawls, injuries and deaths counted as a toll for The Next Time.

This, though--winning and still watching it fall out from under them-- is a different thing. It's not settled, not enough to start fighting again. So here he is, at a properly sympathetic cafe, trying to drink himself out of starting another riot before it's really necessary(some people might say riots are never necessary. Some people don't understand politics at all, really). And here's Bossuet entering the bar, with whatever thoughts he might be holding at a time like this, and probably no more money than he usually has. Bahorel waves him over.