The Man and The Monster

For the rest of the day Esmeralda and I helped make some last minute banners of all shapes, sizes, and colours to prepare for Topsy Turvy day the following day. I couldn‘t help but show my excitement as we worked, I couldn‘t believe I was finally going to have the chance to witness the festival of fools in person. I think one of the main things I was looking forward to the most though was the fact that there were no different categories of people for that one day, everyone would speak to each other an celebrate January 6th, there would be no snide comments or disgusted looks, everyone would be as one for the celebrations on this one day only. It wasn‘t that I was bothered about how other people saw me, especially not people who had their view of gypsies warped by untrue tales and rumours, I‘m not saying that gypsies don‘t steal or don‘t cause mischief but some of the things we are apparently capable of is beyond ridiculous. It could all be tossed aside for one day a year though, and it would make every day life a lot easier even if it was just for twenty four hours. I just couldn’t wait to have the experience firsthand, already knowing that it was something that I would never in a million years forget. Sara and I were currently walking through the completely transformed town square, handing out decorations for local villagers to hang up from their roofs and windows to brighten the streets up even more, not that it needed it, but you could never have too much colour in a very colourless town in terms of personalities on any normal day, which I was able to grasp after only two days in the current town.

“So, where did you disappear to this morning?” She asked, handing out a couple of banners to the blacksmith who nodded curtly in response.

“I just went for a walk, it’s a habit of mine.” I replied, playing with the miniature banners in my hands.

“I was pretty sure Esmeralda was going to end up slapping Clopin if you did not return in one piece.”

“Now that, I would love to see.” I chuckled.

“I honestly do not understand you two, I’ve been here for a while and in my time spent here I have never seen two people butt heads more within the space of two days of being acquainted.”

“I can’t explain it, he just infuriates me more than any one else I’ve ever met.” I said honestly as she nodded her head.

“It is very amusing considering everyone loves Clopin, not only loves but highly respects him also, he has done a lot for all of us. I know you cannot see it, but he does have a big heart, he’d risk his life to protect his people any day; which he has proven before.”

I raised an eyebrow, suddenly extremely intrigued, “He has?”

“Oh yes, I don’t think any of the Court Of Miracles could survive without him. He was concerned for your well being when you disappeared you know, I overheard him and Esmeralda talking and it was evident to see.”

“I think it was probably more that he was concerned for his conscience, he doesn’t care about me in the slightest, he’s threatened to hang and dispose of me lord knows how many times since I’ve been here.”

“Believe what you want, but mark my words, you two will see eye to eye over something one day and then you’ll both begin to understand how the other works.”

“I welcome that day, but for now, the other side of Paris would still be in too close proximity of him.” I stated as she laughed loudly.

“You are something else, Genevieve.”

♠ ♠ ♠

After handing out the rest of our decorations and walking around the town once more briefly in order to watch them all being put up at my request, as it all still fascinated me beyond words, Sara and I headed back to the Court Of Miracles in order to figure out how we were planning on spending the rest of the day before the real fun began tomorrow. A part of me wanted to go back and see Quasimodo once more as even after just one meeting, the thought of him being all alone in the bell tower saddened me. I knew, like most, how it felt to feel like the world was against you, and he had it a lot worse than me which made me even more determined to eventually find a way back there.

“We could go and introduce you to the other Gypsies around the town? It’s all like a big community here, I am sure you’ll fit in nicely.” She smiled, offering me a croissant on a pattern clad plate.

I thanked her before taking a small bite then replying, “I’d really like that, we-”

Before I could finish though I cut myself off as my gaze landed on Esmeralda, hurrying over to us both quickly as Djali bounded over to me, knocking the croissant out of my hand as he jumped into my arms in a flash.

“Djali!” I whined as I gazed at the fallen croissant before laughing, nuzzling the top of his head as he bleated happily.

“Genevieve, you know how extremely talented you are when it comes to playing the Flute?” My cousin asked as she smiled rather widely at me once she reached us.

“What is it that you are after?” I questioned, rolling my eyes playfully as I always knew when she wanted something as she’d suck up to me.

“Will you play in the streets for me whilst I dance with my tambourine? Just like we used to?” She asked hopefully as I sighed, taking a minute to think of a response.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea here? It’s a lot different than our old town, what with Frollo and his guards?” I asked cautiously, earning a chuckle off her in response.

“Come on, Gen. Live a little, after what I’ve seen you do I know you get an adrenaline rush from the excitement of doing things you shouldn’t’.”

Even though Esmeralda was more light hearted than me, it didn’t’t mean that she wasn’t gutsy and didn’t stand up for what she believed in, just like me. However, we differ in the circumstance that we have different ways of acting on what we believe in, needless to say I admired her and her ways, but I was well stuck in mine. Despite the fact she didn’t do the things I had, she wasn’t for one second a pushover or less confident, she just stood the moral high ground.

“If you want, I could come with you and keep a look out for any guards?” Sara piped up as Esmeralda nodded excitedly, her eyes landing on me expectantly.

“Alright, let’s do it, then.” I grinned, placing Djali on the floor as I went into the bedroom and grabbed my backpack, digging through it as my hand landed upon my Flute before exiting the room once more as Esmeralda smiled broadly.

“If by any reason something goes wrong, we get out of there as fast as we can, and if any guards turn up and we get split up we meet at the alley behind Notre Dame, okay?” Sara suggested as we both muttered words of confirmation at her suggestion.

“It can be a pre Topsy Turvy warm-up!” Esmeralda enthused, grabbing a hold of my arm as she quickly pulled me along through the hall as a couple of the other Gypsies as well as Sara followed, having heard from Esmeralda before I even agreed to play about what was going on. I had to admit I was extremely looking forward to it, it was something Esmeralda and I always used to do on a daily basis in our old town as a way of keeping bread on the table. I had other ways of doing that, but I went along with Esmeralda’s way too as it was much less of a hassle, well, that’s what she would say as she didn’t appreciate my way. We made our way through the relatively quiet streets before making it to our destination, and to my dismay, it was on the opposite side of the street from Clopin’s cart. I placed the tattered blue hat we used to use to collect coins in down onto the floor before turning to Esmeralda.

“Ready?” I questioned, bringing the Flute up to my mouth as she nodded before I began to play.
Esmeralda shot me a grin as she began to dance around, hitting the Tambourine to the rhythm of the familiar tune as Djali bleated excitedly, weaving his way through our legs as he pranced around. Sara and the other two Gypsies, known as Pierre and Melanie, exchanged a few words amongst each other before clapping along, something I couldn’t help but smile at as I continued to play. After a few minutes a small crowd had began to gather around us as I noticed the children Clopin was currently entertaining's eyes land on Djali before the three of them glanced at each other before darting over to us. Clopin shot me a glare from across the street as I shrugged in a smug way, careful not to miss a note. Esmeralda nudged me in the side gently and tilted her head to the left slightly in order for me to see what she intended. My eyes landed upon a tall blonde man dressed in what could only be described as gold coloured armour covered by a blue throw over made his way through the town, pulling a magnificent white horse at his side whilst he eyed a map before coming to a stop to examine it further. He studied it for a few moments before shaking his head and tucking the map away into his pocket. I noticed a couple of guards approach him before passing, ignoring him completely as he asked them a question. I couldn’t help but breath a sigh of relief as they walked on by without bothering us. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed small girl try to pull her mother over by the hem of her skirt to watch us perform, her displeased expression growing worse as she they neared.

“Stay away child, they’re Gypsies, they’ll steal us blind!” She exclaimed to her daughter before dragging her away from us, I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at her idiocy.

The blonde man then proceeded to make his way over to us as he chucked a couple of gold coins into our hat, his gaze resting on Djali, then I, then Esmeralda. If I hadn’t have been playing the Flute I would have most definitely let out a laugh at his facial expression, I could only explain it as one of sincere attraction. She nodded her head before smiling slightly, continuing to play. During this I hadn’t noticed Sara’s worried glance as she urged us to stop until my eyes locked onto the guards coming up behind the small crowd. I stopped immediately as the crowd dispersed quickly before Sara, Pierre, Melanie and I ran in unison, sprinting through the back alley that led to the meeting point of Notre Dame. I hadn’t even realised Esmeralda hadn’t been following until we came to our stop at our destination just as worry began to kick in.

“I have to go back!” I exclaimed in a whisper, clutching my Flute tightly.

“You can’t! This is where we have arranged to meet, you must stay here!” Sara pleaded.

I sighed loudly and ran a hand through my hair, I knew what Sara was saying was true and that it was the right thing to do as we had agreed on it, but I still felt like I had to go back, she was my cousin after all and if anything happened to her I’d never forgive myself. The minutes felt like hours as I paced back and forth, awaiting her return, when at long last frantic footsteps could be heard approaching before it was revealed that both Clopin and Esmeralda were running toward us with Djali at her feet, the hat containing the coins clutched tightly in her right hand.

“Are you okay?!” I questioned, pulling my cousin into a tight embrace.

“Relax, Gen. I’m fine, that rather tall blonde man pulled his horse out in front of the guards in order for me to make my escape and then Clopin followed after me to make sure they didn’t pursue and to intervene if they did.” She explained as I glanced over at Clopin, a proud smile etched upon his face. I grabbed him by the arm and pulled him off to one side as Esmeralda conversed with Melanie and Pierre.

“Thank you.” I stated shortly before slapping him on the shoulder in an awkward gesture.

“You owe me.” He replied, brushing his shoulder off briefly as I scoffed.

“I owe you? For helping my cousin I owe you? I knew that sort of kind gesture by helping her would be short lived.”

He laughed for a moment as I narrowed my eyes, not understanding what was funny, “You asked me what I wanted from you earlier, and now I have come to a decision.”

I raised an eyebrow, “And what would that be? Please make it an object so I don’t have to endure your company.”

“Unfortunately for you mademoiselle it is not an object, I want you to teach me how to play the Flute.”

I remained silent for a moment before sighing and nodding my head, “Fine, but if you’re just going to use it as a way to push my patience I will stop teaching you immediately.”

“That’s not all I want.” He retorted, smirking slightly.

“That is all you are getting.” I replied firmly.

“Oh now now, don’t be rude Genevieve, I have helped you and could have been needed to be of great assistance to dearest Esmeralda today, show a little gratitude.”

“I have shown gratitude, don’t attempt to guilt trip me as it will not work. Come on then, what else do you want that you are more than likely not going to get?”

He moved closer to me and leaned in slowly, tilting his head to speak into my right ear quietly.

“I want to know your secrets. One each day.”

I pushed him away from me in order to speak to him directly, “And what makes you think I’ll tell you, of all people, my secrets?”

“I think you will tell me, of all people, your secrets as you won’t want me to reveal your more recent secret involving a certain bell ringer to a certain cousin.”

“You’re a monster, and this is blackmail.” I seethed as I shook my head in disgust.

“No my dear, take a look at yourself. Who knows, maybe you will thank me one day.”

“Over my dead body.” I whispered harshly, pushing past him roughly and making my way over to the other three.

“I think I’m just going to head back to the hideaway, this has been too much excitement for one day.” I laughed half heartedly, not feeling guilty in the slightest for interrupting their conversation as I needed to get away before I let my anger slip.

“We will see you back there. Are you okay?” Esmeralda questioned, eyeing me suspiciously.

“I’m fine, honestly. It’s just been a long day.” I smiled as I waved at Sara, Melanie and Pierre in a bid goodbye.

“Let me accompany you back.” Clopin piped up smugly, making his way toward me.

“No thank you, I’m fine.” I said coldly, not paying any attention to the confused expressions on the others faces.

“No, please Clopin, go with her. I don’t want her to get caught up in a frenzy with the guards.” Esmeralda urged as I shot her a pleading look which she ignored.

“Oh don’t you worry, I won’t let anything happen to her.” Clopin smiled as he stood beside me and put an arm around my shoulders before dragging me away.

“I swear to the high heavens that if you don't remove your arm from around me I will cut it off.” I warned as he quickly removed his arm.

“So, Genevieve, what is secret number one?” He questioned, walking beside me as we made our way through the town.

“Secret number one is I hate you.”

“That is no secret, you’ll have to do better than that tomorrow.” He chuckled, infuriating me further.

“I can’t even begin to explain how much you annoy me, I hope you get trampled on at the festival of fools tomorrow, that way I don’t have to go through so much trouble myself to hurt you.”

“Oh Genevieve you really are new here," He began, ignoring my threat completely, "I host the festival of fools.”

I honestly didn’t think that day could get any worse in terms of Clopin, but alas, he had managed to top his own place on my imaginary ‘ways to annoy Genevieve’ scale. Needless to say I was very wary yet still slightly excited about what Topsy Turvy day would bring, but only time would tell about which emotion was most reliable as the true events were yet to unfold.