A/N: First off, before reading this I want to thank you for putting up with any mistakes I make about any character in the future, and toward this master piece of literature known as The Hunchback of Notre Dame/Notre Dame de Paris. Second of all, this will be slow to update due to me being in uni and having to keep up with a busy schedule as well as assignments. Believe me, when I have free-time, this is going to be a priority. Finally, I already have finished the second and third chapter at this point and are hesitant to upload because I want to see what type of hype this fic will get. Comments and follows are always supportive to help a creative mind further the path!
Thank you, and enjoy!
"I'm tired" I whispered to Jaehee behind the counter as I buried myself in my school books. Jaehee did her best to console me and gave me a quiet environment, being her cafe, and plenty of coffee to drink after having constant all nighters trying to finish my literature report and history report.
"Well, I was like you once; but then there is the joy of java." Jaehee giggled as she refilled my mug. "You've been coming in a lot lately, and we've barely gotten to see you at all. Only on the messenger do we ever hear from you. I feel very privileged to even get to see you once or twice a week here in the cafe." Jaehee turned around and started to clean up dirty mugs.
Yawning I looked up at Jaehee and shrugged. "I can barely handle a social life when you're trying to understand the history of Parisian at the same time while reading the 'great works' of Victor Hugo." I sighed heavily and hit my head on the table.
Jaehee gasped and stared at me with shock as I said the last couple parts. "Victor Hugo? Like the great french author of Les Miserables and Notre Dame de Paris? How could you sigh like that to a great author like Victor Hugo?"
Lifting my head I sigh heavily. "Why are you suddenly so interested?" My eyes widened as a thought came to me. "Wait, Jaehee, do you know about Victor Hugo? Please, oh my goodness please I beg you tell me what he was trying to teach other than… suffering people and ancient architecture."
She stared at me longer and put her hands on her hips. "I can't believe it. You don't even understand it that well do you? You know Zen was in a Seoul production of Les Miserables, and that's what got me into his works so much in the first place." Jaehee cupped her cheeks and sighed then grabbed her phone pulling out pictures of Zen in dirtied clothes and wearing french revolutionary clothes. "It truly was a great production, but it was sold out and I couldn't make it." For a second I thought Jaehee was about to cry.
"Hey, hey, it's okay. I get it. Zen's a great actor, he's beautiful, and he sings like the greatest angels that ever graced the ears of god, now…" I grabbed Jaehee's hands and stared directly into her eyes. "Victor Hugo. Tell me."
Blinking, she smiled and then looked down at my books. "Well what do you already know, MC?"
"Nothing much but from the lectures I have been able to drag myself to." I sipped my coffee then placed it down. "But from what I remember… he was basically a revolutionary author and brought a bunch of attention to the architecture of Paris… especially the gothic cathedrals. Like he was some sort of inspiration for the whole cathedral to not be demolished by the public or something like that?" I said while my thumbs began to play with the rim of my mug.
"Not bad, but not fully on the nose either. While most things have been diluted by things like Disney, or other companies that try to rewrite his work, it ends up getting washed up from the true meaning. Perhaps Luciel knows more about the cathedral business… and maybe… well." There was a strange look in Jaehee's eyes. Like some sort of idea blooming and becoming greater and greater, and her eyes looked so large, I thought I would have to catch them.
"Are you oka-"
"A play!" She interrupted me.
"Excuse me?"
"Okay, well you know how I just said there are bunch of things that can change up the way the actual stories are meant to be. What if I immersed you into a play-like-structure of one of his works? We could get the help of the members since they haven't seen you in a really long time!" She was practically squealing with delight at this moment.
"Wait Jaehee… This is a big idea! I highly doubt anyone will want to take part in something like a stage play. Especially some of these works that already have stage plays. I've read most of them already! They always have romance and end in tragedy!"
"Well MC, then you know that maybe this could possibly be the best way. Zen did say he had a great sense of empathy when he was in Les Miserables. He even went as far to study the French revolution!"
"God, please stop talking about the revolution. My brain hurts so much." I complained.
"You also need a way to study and not over strain yourself." There was a glint in her eyes as she said this.
"W-What… well… I…" It was really hard to argue when she said that. I've been barely doing anything for myself in regards of freetime, and this might be a good chance just to study and hang out with my friends that I haven't seen in so long.
At last I finally sigh and take a long sip of my coffee. "Fine. Do it. Well… We can try it. My finals are in a couple weeks. If I don't understand at least one of his novels and write a full report, my GPA is done for. Jaehee smiled and pulled her phone up and began tapping on it like fire. I began to feel my phone buzzing. She was using the messenger clearly.
"That should do it." She laughed and then grabbed my literature book. "Now which one?" Shaking my head I sip my coffee once more. "Whichever one could be easier to write about and has enough characters for us all I suppose?"
"Oh, that would be this one then." She pointed at the page I was hoping she wouldn't.
Notre Dame de Paris. The story about the hopeless romantic deformed man trapped in the cathedral, a priest experiencing love for the first time, and a womanizing soldier.
"What could possibly go wrong." I said as I looked at her. These would be the words I will always regret.
Two days later I was able to come to an address Zen had sent out to everyone. Apparently the studio he usually practices his shows at was empty for the weekend, so he got us in. We all sat in the front row looking at a stage in front and wondered what was possibly going to happen. How much did Jaehee tell them exactly?
"Uhm… Jaehee?" I looked at her as she started writing things on a clipboard and looking from her phone to the board.
"Mmhmm Yes?" She looked like she was in complete secretary mode. I almost feared it. Zen appeared behind the red curtain and smiled at us and bent down to talk to us.
"So MC, its so wonderful you've finally taken an interest in the world of the stage! Jaehee said you had show you wanted us to look at." Looking into his crimson eyes, I blinked a few times before looking back at Jaehee who was nodding.
"What is the play we are looking at my dear?" He grinned and I felt as if my entire body heated up. God, I forgot how beautiful he was.
"R-Right uhm… I thought Jaehee told everyone?" I said looking around a bit frantically.
"Miss Kang has said nothing but to come to this address and discuss with you your literature issues. But apparently we are turning it a play if I heard Zen correctly." A lower voice boomed as it started to approach from the back of the theater. Jumin arrived and looked quite peeved. He appeared like he obviously has other things he wants to do at the moment.
"Jumin you don't have to be here if you don't want to you know." I said quietly.
"I haven't gotten to spend time with everyone in weeks, and I needed a good reason to get out of the office. This is simply recreational, and it also makes me happy to see you again. Not cluttered up in a library. You worry me sometimes MC." Jumin sounded so concerned, I couldn't help but smile joyously. I did miss his company as well.
"Jumin don't just walk away like that! I asked for you to help me with a ride, but not abandon me in the car!" A recognizable voice soon followed Jumin's. "We're all supposed to be here!" Yoosung jumped into the theater and looked upset, but once looking at me he jumped and hugged me tightly.
"Thank goodness you're alive! I thought the university ate you and wouldn't spit you back out unless someone saved you! I would have done it you know!" He's still cute as ever. Hugging him back I smile at him. "Good to see you too Yoosung. I'm fine! But I'm certain you can save me on LOLOL." I laughed at him and hugged him again.
"Well that creates a small cast… we're just missing a couple more faces." Zen started. "I'm surprised Luciel hasn't showed up yet, he usually is really excited to do something like this."
"But what about Saeran?" Yoosung said as he stood up straight and a little frightened.
"I agree with Yoosung, what about the Choi twin? He doesn't seem to be the kind to be interested in literature or the fine arts."
"Nonsense. He may have just been saved from Magenta, but he did appreciate things other than just his computer books and flowers." A softer voice came from the curtain and V appeared. "Hey everyone. I hope I can also take part in this." His smile was innocent and I couldn't help but wave happily at V.
Both V and Saeran escaped Magenta with their lives before it fell to the ground and was attacked from the inside. Rika was no longer stable, and after the infiltration into mint eye, we were able to see her true nature. But she chose her precious paradise over living in a world where she can't manipulate anyone anymore. It's been difficult for anyone who she's had a great impact on, especially Saeran and V who spent a lot of time with Rika. They are in a delicate place I don't really want to disturb, but at the same time I desire more than anything to be more apart of their lives and make sure that they are alright. The whole ordeal was humongous for us all, but still there is part of us all where we all choose to remain quiet and forget it as much as we can. Let the past die, Saeran would say.
"Jihyun… It's good to see you out of your dark apartment." Jumin said softly. Yoosung agreed and nodded.
"Good to see you too Jumin." V shoved his hands into his pockets and jumped off the stage and stood beside me. "Now please, what are we looking into as a subject for literature?"
"I hacked into MC's phone and checked her browser history before we even arrived. She seemed to have been looking up a lot of Victor Hugo's works so I'm assuming Les Miserables right?" A cheery voice came in from the back of the theater and Luciel and another figure stood beside him. The figure was hooded and seemed to stick to the shadows.
"Hey, that's an invasion of privacy god seven!" I shouted with a sense of laughter.
"It is not; unless I know I don't want to waste my time! I'm as busy as the next Jumin Han!" Luciel ran over and picked me up and spun me around happily. It's been a while since I've seen Luciel. I'm happy to be able to be in the company of my friends again. I look behind him and see the hooded figure approaching quietly.
"Saeran?" I say as I step closer to him. The figure removed his hood and I could see the red hair and mint eyes that told me it was the twin.
"Hey princess…" He smirked and then looked down.
"Still calling me that?" I asked as I reached for his hand and began to bring him closer to everyone.
"You always will remain so." He said softly. Saeran claimed that he was the first to see me before anyone, but I still cherish him like anyone else here.
Jaehee finally looked up from her clipboard and shouted at Saeyoung. "Luciel, you are correct. We are working on something regarding Victor Hugo."
"Fantastic! I know everything from Les Miserables already. I can give you all a one man show!" Zen said as he enthusiastically pretended to wave a flag.
"Actually Zen, we aren't going to work on something you've already done. We want to do something we all can learn from."
"Shit." Saeran said quietly.
"Bro, whats up?" Saeyoung turned his head to look at him as he began to sigh heavily.
"If it's not Les Miserables… I have a guess." Everyone's eyes were on Saeran as he walked over to Yoosung and punched him in the back of the shoulder causing Yoosung to hunch over and cry out.
"Ah- Why?!" The poor blonde boy looked up at Saeran while clutching his right shoulder.
"Because... everything is on fire because of some guys raging boner and he doesn't know how to handle it." Saeran looked at me and then at Jaehee. "Am I correct?"
Nodding, I laugh at how Saeran was quick to understand, but then I begin to pat Yoosung to console the pain he was suddenly brought upon. An interesting way to demonstrate, but still unnecessary.
"Is he perhaps referencing the Phantom of the Opera?" V said looking at Yoosung and thinking about what Saeran just said.
"Sorry V… Same premesie… Different deformity." Jaehee said crossing her arms.
"Wait what? There is another deformity than the Phantom of the Opera?" Yoosung said still clutching his shoulder. "But.. there was a lot of fire in that one. Didn't a lot of-"
"You're all hurting my brain. Please be quiet." Saeran said as he stood next to Jaehee and looked at her clipboard. "I knew I was right." Saeran looked at his twin and gave a strange look. "I can't believe you thought Victor Hugo wrote Phantom of the Opera…. It was a french author originally, but not the same one." Saeran threw the clipboard to his twin who caught it flawlessly.
"Hmmm yes lets see here. Oh my… Yes yes I see now. I knew my 'hunch' was correct when Saeran punched poor Yoosung in his shoulder and said what he said." Laughing, Saeyoung ran to the top of the stage and then hunched himself over and began to walk across the stage screaming "Sanctuary" repeatedly.
Shaking his head Saeran nodded and pointed at him. "Yep. You make a perfect half formed stupid brother."
I couldn't believe my eyes. Saeran and Saeyoung broke everything down in front of everyone, and then Jumin's eyes widened. "Oh… You mean. The novel he wrote regarding the cathedral right? I thought it to be a beautiful novel regarding architecture, I didn't know there was a deformed character in it."
"Oh that one? But wait, what do you mean you didn't know there was deformed character in it Jumin? It clearly says there is a man who is basically a beast because he has a hunch and is deformed greatly in his face." Jihyun laughed. "It's like you to look over the basic plot I guess."
Jaehee nodded and shushed everyone. "Yes, yes, you all get it I guess. We are doing Notre Dame de Paris."
"Notre what?" Yoosung said as he shook his head. "I thought it was called the Hunchback of Notre Dame?"
"It is Yoosung, but that's the english name translated from french! It's originally called Notre Dame de Paris. You don't see people calling Les Miserables the Miserable ones right?" Zen said as he sat at the edge of the stage and laughed to himself.
"I can't speak french though…" Yoosung said.
"You won't be." Jaehee said as she clarified. "You'll be speaking the script the lines that I found for you all."
"What?" I interrupt everyone's discussion. "Jaehee, you found a script of Notre Dame de Paris?"
"Of course I did. I did my research. This script is considered to be the most accurate to the novel there is." Jaehee said smiling grabbing her clipboard back from Luciel who was still clomping around the stage like a hunchback. "It will become the RFA's version of Notre Dame de Paris. And it will be everything only you need to know MC."
I understood what Jaehee was trying to do now. The play was a learning device while also being able to spend time with everyone after everything that's happened recently. It's an escape to another world and another time. And more than anything I was willing to fall into right now just to be able to be with them all.
"Alright then. What did you have in idea for a cast then Jaehee my dear?" Zen said as he took a peak at her clipboard. "I'm hoping you didn't cast me as the lead… I would much rather be a minor character."
"That's very humble of you to say Hyun… I would have expected you to want the soldier's role more than anything." Jumin said rubbing his chin.
"I agree, I thought Zen would make the ideal role of a Phoebus sort of character." V added along to Jumin.
"I will cast you how MC wants you to be cast. She hasn't done anything yet. I'm leaving this all to her." Jaehee said as she handed me the clipboard. I looked at it and there were stage sketches, and scene sketches, I was amazed. How late was she up last night. Zen grabbed my hand and helped me up onto the stage so I could take the role as a director. Looking at everyone I blinked a few times and tried to remember the characters from the novel.
Yoosung smiled at me and then jumped up onto stage putting his hands on his hips. "I will volunteer to be the soldier Phoebe!" Staring at him I couldn't help but start laughing since he said the name wrong. Saeyoung who was still on stage came next to him and then started dancing around him.
"Ah yes yes, let me be the pure virgin and main beauty, la Esmeralda!" Saeyoung said as he began to dance a little erotically. Saeran facepalmed and jumped up behind him. "I forbid it. You're more like a Clopin."
Nodding at Saeran's suggestion, I walked over to them and grabbed Saeyoung's clapping hands. "You're brother is right. You would make an amazing king of thieves." The red head looked at me and smiled brightly. "I'll steal your heart after picking the pockets of Paris." Blushing, I let out a nervous laugh as I right down Saeyoung's name and then Clopin's.
Saeran looked at me and raised an eyebrow. "Need help casting? I'm assuming you didn't really read much, and Jumin read mostly about the architecture." He was actually asking to help? This was actually very nice and moving for me. Nodding I ask him for the next name down.
"Jehan Frollo…" Saeran said shaking the back of his head and looking at everyone.
"Jehan? Wait a moment there is another Frollo?" V looked puzzled for a moment and then looked at Jumin.
"Well, yeah. Claude Frollo has a younger brother." Jaehee said as she clarified the information to V. "I should probably said 'had' though." She then giggled to herself at the small joke she made regarding the character's fate.
"I didn't know. I only ever saw the Disney version and maybe skimmed the actual book." V said laughing nervously.
"You saw it?" Jumin said in a questioning manner. "I'm assuming this is when-"
"We saw it together! Me, Rika, and V!" Yoosung interrupted Jumin. "I was a bit younger, but I still got to enjoy it! Rika really liked it, so I also really liked it. And since she was going to marry V, she made him watch it." Yoosung then realized he was opening up old scars and silenced himself. "Sorry."
"It's okay Yoosung, you didn't mean it." I patted his shoulder and then looked at Saeran. "Could Yoosung make a good Gringoire?"
"Can we let him hang?" Saeran said raising an eyebrow.
"What?" Yoosung said in a sudden panic.
"Come on Saeran! Pierre's character is actually the kind that means well. I feel like Yoosung could do a good job portraying him." I said gesturing at Yoosung, and then Yoosung began blushing. "Y-You think?"
"Sure, make him the poet that lives with a goat. I have nothing against it." Saeran shrugged and then pointed at Zen. "He's Jehan."
"Excuse me?" Both me and Zen said at the same time.
"EXCUSE YOU?" Jaehee screamed. "How dare you value Zen's life like that! He is no scoundrel nor is he anything like the blasphemous fiend Jehan! He's pure and perfect and meant to be Phoebus!"
Saeran shook his head. "I disagree. As handsome as he may be, Zen has his flaws still and so does the character of Jehan. It could be very well the character that makes Zen find a new part of himself."
"Zen say something!" Jaehee said. She clearly didn't think Zen deserved the role of the antagonists sibling.
"I'll play him. Sounds like something I could be interested in. A drinker, a smoker, and a risk taker… If he existed, it sounds like me and him could have been friends maybe." Zen said and straightened his jacket.
"Well… if you say so Zen." Jaehee sat down and crossed her arms. She'll have to sit on this one for a while. I began writing down Zen and Yoosungs names down next to Pierre Gringoire, and Jehan Frollo.
Looking at the cast list, Saeran began to rub his chin and became really silent. His mint eyes looked up at the few who remained seating in the theater in front of the stage.
"Jaehee, do you mind being the king?" I said as I waited for Saeran to say something.
"Like King Louis the eleventh? The one who listens to everything Claude Frollo tells him to?" She asked curiously. Looking down I read over the role of King Louis XI and thought of what Jaehee would be like as the monarch of France. "Well you don't have to. You can be Esm-"
"Perfect. Honestly yes. I was afraid you were going to ask me to be one of the female leads. I'm very happy to play the King." She nodded her head in triumph and sat back. Well she did write this cast list, perhaps she wrote for herself. Writing her name next to the maiden role, Saeran lightly tapped my shoulder and pointed at V.
"I had to fight about it in my head, but he should be Phoebus." Saeran said. "In short, I know Phoebus is this womanizer or whatever, but when I look at V all I can think about is the time he had with… his 'sun'. And if Rika were here she would be Fleur de Lys. She would have her sun." Frowning he looked back at the cast list then at me. "It's only if you think the same thing."
He was sort of correct. Phoebus meant sun god, and V was considered to be Rika's sun. There is something there I can't see, but she did. Perhaps this role could uncover this about V. Without really thinking about it I wrote V's name next to the soldier Phoebus's name, and with a small note under it writing Rika's name as Fleur de Lys.
I hope this is respectful to your past Rika, the people who miss you still think about you.
Nodding, I looked back at Saeran and said softly. "That leaves you and Jumin." Saeran's eyes widened and he shook his head. "No, I thought it best if I just maybe watch or help direct. I'm not good with actually acting."
Looking down at my cast list, I had to make a choice. One of them had to be Claude Frollo, and the other the innocent Quasimodo. "We could just make you Clopin and have your brother-"
"No… He's perfect for Clopin believe me. Don't make him do multiple things." He said as he looked back out at everyone. He slowly then looked back at me and asked for the clipboard. Handing it to him willing I wonder what he writing down.
"There is only one way you can have me in this show." As he finished writing, he turned the clipboard back to me and showed me what he wrote. It was my name next to Esmerelda's name.
I didn't even think on who I was going to cast for the main heroine. Jaehee obviously showed her desire for not being a female lead, so did she deliberately leave Esmerelda's open for me? Then I remembered how she wanted me to actually be in the moment.
"Of course… I should have known." I said taking the clipboard. Laughing and looking back at him. "Then I can pick who you can be right?" I said looking at Saeran with mischief in my eyes.
"Oh god, what have I done." He said with a little bit of worry in his voice. Writing his name down quickly before he had the chance to take the clipboard back from me, I sealed his name next to his role.
"I'm Esmeralda right, so then I can pick who you are. You gave me that option!" I said laughing and teasing Saeran. I wasn't about to tell him whose name I wrote his next to.
"You are already acting like a witch!" Saeran said as he tried to look at the clipboard. Holding it closely, I quickly jolt down Jumin name next to the last and final role. "All done!" I said triumphantly holding the clipboard above my head.
Everyone looked at me and gave a smile, expect Saeran and Jumin who had no idea who they were going to be. V was still in the unknown as to what was happening and to who he was possibly going to play. But once I had everyone's attention, something began cause a stir. A quite literal one.
"What's happening?" V said as he stood up from his seat standing up in shock.
"An earthquake?" Yoosung said as he began to jump a bit nervously.
"That's impossible! I've programed an app on my phone to allow me to know whether or not something like a natural disaster is suppose to happen anywhere near me!" Saeyoung said as he frantically looked at his phone.
"Honestly, what is happening? We shouldn't be inside with all these lights hanging above us! We need to go outside!" Jumin said frantically as he leaped from his seat and gestured to everyone.
Saeran looked at me, and I leapt off the stage with him following behind me. As we all reached for the door of the theater to get out the ground below us began to crack and open its wicked mouth. Screaming, Seayoung grabbed me and pulled me over to one side of the aisles of the theater while the others looked down into the crevice with fear.
"Jumin, call someone!" Jaehee screamed loudly at her former boss.
"I-I don't understand." Saeran said. Looking at us all he quickly came to a realization. "Jaehee, please tell me that this script you found off the internet isn't cursed?"
"Why would you say something like that?" She laughed and then blinked. "I mean… I didn't write it, all I did was make stage sketches. The whole script was written prior like I said. The internet said it was the most accurate script of Victor Hugo's Notre Dame de Paris to date!"
"Well if the internet said… But did you read through it Jaehee?" Yoosung questioned.
"Well that… No. I'm too busy taking care of the cafe! I didn't want to ruin the authenticity if it was supposed to be considered that accurate!" She argued back.
"That's very smart of you Saeran, to think of a cursed script! But if that's what it means does that mean our play awaits us at the bottom of the crevice?" Saeyoung said as he looked down into the darkness. The theater shook more and more as we spoke back and forth. None of us dared to move.
"Guys…" We heard V talking behind Jumin and suddenly noticed that he was holding a sword. "Is this a prop?" He asked while looking and scanning it to the best of his ability.
"Something is very wrong." I said as I felt sick to my stomach. I found a tambourine at my side, but I was too afraid to pick it up. Saeran looked at what was in his hand and stared at me. His mint eyes seemed to give a inhumane gaze before I saw him fall down into the pit.
"Saeran!" I screamed as he sunk like a rock in water. There was a soft glow at the bottom. It was no longer as dark as it was before. "I'm not leaving my brother alone." Saeyoung let go of me and leaped into the crevice. The light began to glow brighter once he fell in.
"We all have to jump... " I said.
"Are you crazy? We don't know what will-"
I interrupted Yoosung. "The ending of the novel… Once we reach the end… We should return. That's how normal curses work. Right?"
There was silence and a sense of the unknown resting amongst us all. "We'll just have to find out won't we." V said as he leaped into the crevice. The light grew brighter. "God, I hope I don't regret this." Jumin said as he stepped into the crevice and allowed himself to fall.
"There is no graceful way to do this is there?" Zen said looking at Yoosung, Jaehee and I. "Live and die for the theater then." He leaped into the crevice and I swear I could hear him laughing all the way down.
Jaehee stood up and cracked her fingers. "Alright curse. You're my fault. Now let's solve you." Plugging her nose she jumped into the crevice and the light was shining brighter than ever. Me and Yoosung were left.
"I can't help but wonder… if this script is a work of Victor Hugo, or some demonic creature." Yoosung said with some humor hanging in his throat. "I may only be a poet… but… " He smiled at me and then leapt forward.
"Damn it Yoosung, at least finish what you're going to say before leaving me alone like this!" I screamed. Thinking everything over to myself, I had to think of the novel. To finish to story, I have to follow its rules and what is laid out for me. I have no choice but to accept Esmeralda's fate at the end. "God…" I said as I took a step forward.
"I've never done so much just for one class." Were the last words I let slip from my mouth as MC.
The world shifted around me and changed the way I thought, and felt. It felt as is the very breath from my mouth became someone else's. The brightest light warmed up my body and overwhelmed all my senses until there was only a sense of euphoria left in my being.
Shaking and rocking, I quickly shot up and began panting heavily. Blinking rapidly I looked around me. So many people were sleeping. Strangers and scoundrels curling up for warmth deep within catacombs just to hide away from people who would wish to do them harm. There was a faint sound of music not to far from where I had woken up. Standing up from my makeshift cot, I found myself wearing a very lacy dress that had a slit in it allowing my left leg to be completely free. The corset was rather tight though. Wrapping my blanket around my shoulders like a shawl I began to make my way to where I heard music.
Two or three men were playing on small instruments while another was looking at some papers and counting gold coins skillfully. Stepping in closer I squinted my eyes and recognized the man counting the gold.
"S-Saeyoung?" I said softly in curiosity. Looking up from his little tower of coins, Saeyoung looked at me with bright eyes and open arms. "Ah! My belle! You're awake! Did these guys wake you? I told them not to play, I did! But they insisted to play since they haven't gotten any practice in lately, and I couldn't resist a-"
"You're alive." I said looking at him. And wrapping my arms around him in relief, I let out a large sigh. I found him. And he's who just as I casted him as. He's the king of thieves, Clopin.
"Of course I'm alive. Did you have a bad dream? And since when have you called me by that name? That was just a child name you said." Saeyoung began to caress my cheek and smile. "Goodness you've really grown up haven't you. It's almost like yesterday I remember you running around and squealing songs of bohemia."
"C-Clopin… then?" I said unsure.
"Yes?" He said crooking his eyebrow. "Did you come to ask to practice the dance before tomorrow afternoon?"
"The dance?" I repeated.
"Yes the dance. While you dance tomorrow during the feast of fools, my men will be picking the pocket of all the men who will be drooling. Way too busy to keep an eye on their wallets. Besides, they would already give you the money, but we're doing them a favor by taking our own fee for your high class dances. You understand, my belle?" Saeyoung said brushing his fingers through my hair. He truly has become the character. He doesn't remember the casting or the theater. But wait…
"The Feast of Fools is tomorrow?" I ask again unsure.
"What kind of nightmare did you have Esme? Was it the kind where you're another person or something? Calling me by a childhood name, and suddenly full of all these questions." Saeyoung suddenly seemed so concerned.
"I'm fine. Honestly. I'll practice. Uhm… Goodnight Saeyoung." I said as I walk backwards to remove myself back to the cot I woke up in. This script truly was a nightmare.. I'm living it in real time and have to live like Esmerelda up to the end.
As I crawl into the cot, I suddenly remember everyone else's roles. I blinked before I curled into a ball and worried for all of them. If all of them have become the character, some of them are going through hell or through completely new lives. And what's worse is what I'm putting Jumin and Saeran through.
I hear the ringing of bells in the distant and realize that the morning was coming soon, and the bells ring as soon as the sun rises.
"...He's in there." I said to myself sadly. Hugging my knees and taking a breath I let it out softly. "Do as Esmeralda would do… I have to do it as he wrote it."
I am Esme...
Agree with casting? Who could be who? And do you like how I did play on words with MC (Ess-May) Esme? Second Chapter: Becoming the Character, and The Feast of Fools!