Ok, here it is! Fresh of the printing press, Chapter 2!
Again, do not own this wonderful movie, its songs, or characters. Just myself. I don't even own any of the songs I may use in this fic, honestly. -_-'
Again, comment, constructive criticism is appreciated, but no flaming. Flaming is rude and obnoxious like Honey Boo Boo. Don't be Honey Boo Boo. :p
Chapter 2: In which I fall many times, and go Topsy Turvy on everyone.
"FUCK!" I lifted myself off the cobblestones for the about the hundredth time now, and examined my feet. Since running off in some random direction, I have managed to trip on every single cobblestone in Paris. My feet were now littered in cuts and scrapes, not to mention all kinds of filth. If that was bad enough, with my incessant cursing I was starting to draw a lot of attention to me. Oh, and did I mention I was completely lost?
Brushing my hands off on my now very dirty yoga pants, and took a look around. Wonderful idea Aubs , I thought to myself. Let's just go gallivanting off into a city you don't know, looking for gypsy, who happens to be very good at hiding by her trade. I was tempted to smack the little sarcastic voice in my head, but realized that would technically be me smacking myself. Mumbling a string of curses, I decided to turn down a backstreet, still looking for Esmerelda. If I didn't find her soon, I was going to have to try and make it to the Festival of Fools in time to catch some of the action. Caught up in my thoughts, I didn't realize where I was going and accidentally bumped into something very cold and made of metal. When I say bumped, I mean more like launching me into it, seeing as how I walk quickly, and falling on my ass. Which led to me screaming VERY loudly "MOTHER FUCKER!" Now, at this point, I am fairly sure I had the entire city of Paris' attention, mainly the person in metal I had just run into. "Oh, I'm sorry ma'am, are you alright?" Looking up, I gasped at the sight before me. Just my luck to run into one of the very people I was looking for: Captain Phoebus. He held his hand out to me to take, like every girls Knight in shining armor would do, and I mutely accepted it, flying up to my feet when he lifted me off the ground. I felt extremely sheepish now, seeing as how I had cursed very loudly in front of not only many God fearing Parisians, but also in front of a main character to the plot. Rubbing the back of my head, I gave him a guilty smile. "Sorry about that, I wasn't looking at where I was going, and I didn't mean to say that as loudly as I did…" He just simply smiled, and chuckled a bit at my behavior. "It's alright, I didn't mean to be in the way. I'm a little lost you see. I leave town for a few decades and they change everything." I laughed at this, recognizing it from the movie. He laughed as well, and then asked "Would you happen to know where the Palace of Justice is?" I shook my head, saying "I'm a little new here, so I have no idea what that even is." Not a complete lie, but still.
Deciding to walk with him, we talked about Paris and where he had been. He was explaining about the wars, when I heard music. Walking a little further, we found the source to be a gypsy man playing an instrument against the wall, a small goat prancing around a hat with a gold hoop in one ear, and the very person I had been searching for. Esmerelda, dancing like a goddess with her tambourine. She looked right at us as Phoebus tossed in his coins, then was startled as a boy on the wall behind them whistled. They quickly gathered their things and began to run, but not before the goat dropped the hat filled with money. As Esmerelda stooped to collect it, two guards accosted her. Knowing what was to happen next, I simply stepped out of the line of fire and laughed as Esmerelda kicked them and ran off. Achilles was pulled in front of the guards, then ordered by Phoebus to sit on the guard with the long mustache. "Oh I'm sorry. Naughty horse, naughty. Honestly, I can't take him anywhere with me." I laughed as he teasingly scolded the horse. Once he got the information he wanted, I parted ways with him, and sat down next to the beggar wrapped in a purple shawl smoking a pipe.
Quietly as I could, I whispered "That was a wonderful dance back there. You're very talented." At this, the beggar jumped a bit to reveal the goat smoking the pipe atop Esmereldas head. I giggled at the sight and their dumbfounded expressions and waited for her to ask a question. "Who are you?" "The names Aubrey. I'm new here." I smiled and stuck my hand out for her to shake. She gently took and slightly shook it before asking me another question. "How did you know I was here and why did you not tell the guards you were with?" I could hear the suspicion in her voice. Trying to gain her trust, I said "I knew it was you, just as the man in gold did because of the cap in front of you." Pointing out the purple hat in front of her. "I did not report you because I saw no reason to. Why should I report a woman for earning her money fairly, even if it is on the streets and she's a gypsy? There is nothing wrong in that now is there?" Smiling slightly, I watched some of her eyes lose the suspicion in them as she softly smiled at me. I realized again how beautiful she was, and I felt a spark of jealousy, but pushed it away as I heard her speak. "So Aubrey, you're new here? Do you have a place to stay?" At this I shook my head no, not even thinking of that. She smiled gently before lifting something and handing it to me.
What she held was a woven necklace with a symbol inside of it. Gently taking it from her, I stared at her confusedly. "What's this?" She giggled a bit, and smiled before replying. "It's a map. It leads to the Court of Miracles. It's where the gypsies stay since we are not accepted and are persecuted by Frollo and his men in town. Use it to go there this evening and tell the guards I sent you." Taking a good look at the map, making sure to memorize the two symbols found there, I handed it back to her. She looked confused for a moment before I explained "I memorized it so I won't need it. It would be a shame to have it lost or taken from me. Besides, you may need it in the future." At this she nodded, then placed the necklace round her neck once more. Standing up, she turned back to me. "Will you be at the Festival of Fools? It begins soon here and I must get ready. I would love to see you there." I smiled and nodded at this before asking "Could I possibly go with you? I'm a bit lost at the moment, and I want to be sure I'm there." Nodding, she waited for me to stand, and I winced a bit, before smiling up at her and starting off towards Notre Dame.
Once we were there, I couldn't close my eyes or mouth. There were so many colors, sounds, people… There was so much that I couldn't wait to see it all. Turning to Esmerelda, she laughed at my expression before saying she and djali (her goat) had to get ready. Nodding, I watched her leave. I walked into the festival, thinking, This is amazing. It's so cool to be here at the Feast of Fools. Not only have I found Esmerelda and Phoebus, but I also have been invited to the Court of Miracles! But wait, what happens next again? … Ah well, I'll know it when I see it. Let's go have some fun. Laughing it off, I skipped around merrily and took in all the sights. The jugglers, the masks, the men on stilts, the men in women's clothing, and the women in men's clothes. I saw the gypsy carts all over, and noticed all the food and drink around. My stomach growled, and I laughed a bit before I realized I had no money. You can't just steal food Aubrey, even if you're starving. You're not a gypsy, you can't pull it off anyhow. Buuuut it maybe wouldn't hurt to try for something small, it's not like I'm taking money out of someone pocket… Ok, let's live a little. Once I had finished my inner debate, I snuck to a cart with some rolls on it. Trying my best to look inconspicuous, I slowly grabbed a roll and strolled off. Luckily I was not caught, and I was able to enjoy the fresh made roll. Once I had done this, I suddenly found a man leaping right in front me. I jumped back, scared out of my wits, but he just chuckled and began singing. I realized it was Clopin, and listened to the familiar song.
Crowd: Come one, come all!
Leave your loops and milking stools
Coop the hens and pen the mules
Come one, come all!
Close the churches and the schools
It's the day for breaking rules
Come and join the feast of ...
Clopin: Fools!
Once a year we throw a party here in town
Once a year we turn all Paris upside down
Ev'ry man's a king and ev'ry king's a clown
Once again it's Topsy Turvy Day
It's the day the devil in us gets released
It's the day we mock the prig and shock the priest
Ev'rything is topsy turvy at the Feast of Fools!
Crowd: Topsy turvy!
Clopin: Ev'rything is upsy daysy!
Crowd: Topsy turvy!
Clopin: Ev'ryone is acting crazy
Dross is gold and weeds are a bouquet
That's the way on Topsy Turvy Day
All: Topsy Turvy!
Clopin and Crowd: Beat the drums and blow the trumpets
All: Topsy Turvy!
Clopin and Crowd: Join the bums and thieves and strumpets
Streaming in from Chartres to Calais
Clopin: Scurvy knaves are extra scurvy
On the sixth of "Januervy"
Clopin and Crowd: All because it's Topy Turvy Day!
Clopin: Come one, come all!
Hurry, hurry, here's your chance
See the myst'ry and romance
Come one, come all
See the finest girl in France
Make an entrance to entrance
Dance la Esmeralda
Dance!"
Finally able to catch up, seeing as how I had been assaulted by the many strange sights of the crowd during that number, and now watched Esmerelda dance. I felt that bit of jealousy rise again in me as I watched her graceful movements across the stage. I wish I could dance like that. I watched her tease Frollo, laughing at his reaction, then cheered as loudly as I could as Esmerelda Finished her dance. My attention was brought back to Clopin as he re- appeared next to Esmerelda, and I couldn't help but notice that even for a Disney character he was quite handsome.
"Here it is, the moment you've been waiting for
Here it is, you know exactly what's in store
Now's the time we laugh until our sides get sore
Now's the time we crown the King of Fools!
So make a face that's horrible and frightening
Make a face as gruesome as a gargoyle's wing
For the face that's ugliest will be the King of Fools!
Why?
Crowd: Topsy turvy!
Clopin: Ugly folk, forget your shyness
Crowd: Topsy turvy!
Clopin: You could soon be called Your Highness!
Crowd: Put your foulest features on display
Be the king of Topsy Turvy Day!"
At this, men were pulled on stage and voted on their ugliness by the crowds cheers. I suddenly realized that Quasimodo would be there, and I felt the horror sink in as he was found out by the crowd. I heard Clopins voice above all the mumbling in the crowd. "Everybody, don't panic, you asked for the ugliest face in Paris, and here it is! Quasimodo!" At this the festivities bagan anew and I started to shove my way through the crowd, already knowing I had to be near the stage. Something inside me told me I had to be there.
Clopin: "Ev'rybody!
Crowd: Once a year we throw a party here in town
Clopin: Hail to the king!
Crowd: Once a year we turn all Paris upside down
Clopin: Oh, what a king!
Crowd: Once a year, the ugliest will wear a crown
Clopin: Girls, give a kiss
Crowd: Once a year on Topsy Turvy Day
Clopin: We've never had a king like this
Clopin and Crowd: And it's the day we do the things that we deplore
On the other three hundred and sixty-four
Once a year we love to drop in
Where the beer is never stoppin
For the chance to pop some popinjay
And pick a king who'll put the "top" in
Topsy Turvy Day!
Mad and crazy, upsy-daisy, Topsy Turvy Day!"
I couldn't see anything as I finally reached the front of the crowd. I could see Quasimodo being hit by the tomatoes already, the ropes flying to tie him to the stage as it spun around and around, like some sick carousel. Not being able to stand it anymore, I ran up to the stairs and slowly made my way up. Everything suddenly seemed to freeze. No more tomatoes or cabbages were thrown. No more yells and jeers could be heard. Not even a breathe of wind disturbed the silence. The quiet continued as I reached Quasimodo and kneeled before him. I could feel the tears in my eyes as the motherly instinct inside me told me to care for him. As he flinched away from my touch, I began looking for a cloth to clean his face. I found one haded to me, and looked to find Esmerelda there. Nodding y head in thanks as I felt a tear fall down my cheek, I slowly reached out towards him again softly saying 'Im not going to hurt you." He allowed me to clean him as I heard Esmerelda mutter "This was not supposed to happen."
That's when things really started going downhill. "You gypsy girls, what do you think you're doing?!" I froze at the sound of Frollo's voice. Who knew he could be so scary? I turned my attention to the booth a few feet away where he sat, staring coldly at us. "Get down from there!" "Yes your honor, just as soon as we've freed this poor creature." I could tell she was being respectful but I could also hear the rage in her voice, hidden in her words. "I forbid it!" At this I saw her dagger cut the bonds around Quasimodo, freeing him. I realized we were in deep shit now. "How dare you defy me!" "You mistreat this poor boy the same way you mistreat my people! You speak of Justice, but you are cruelest to those in need of your help!" "Silence!" "JUSTICE!" I could see the wild look in her eyes as she screamed this out. I looked at her in amazement. She was beautiful even more so in this moment. I couldn't help but respect her bravery. "Mock my words gypsies, you will pay for this insolence." At this I felt a bit of anger and resentment at him. It grew faster than wildfire in my blood as I went over the events I had just seen, and before Esmerelda could do or say anything I stepped forward with much more courage than I've ever possessed. "Then it seems we have crowned the wrong fool! The only fool I see IS YOU!" At this I plucked the crown off Quasimodos head, and tossed it to Frollos stand. It fell a few feet short, but I did not care as I glared right into Frollos eyes, challenging him to do something about it. I didn't care what happened now, all I could feel was the blind rage towards this man. He glared right back and yelled "Captain Phoebus arrest them." At this, I turned to Esmerelda, not quite sure how this would play out now that I was well and truly involved. She leaned close to me and whispered "Stay close to me, and as soon as you can, hide somewhere. Once the coast is clear, make your way to the Court. I'll see you there soon." I gave a slight nod in understanding, and then brought my attention back to the guards around us. Giving me a secret wink, she stated "Now let's see, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, and nine… So there's ten of you, and two of us. Oh no, what are we supposed to do?" At this she pulled out a handkerchief and I stepped next to her as she pretended to sob. Once she blew into the kerchief and sent smoke up into the air around us, she dragged me to a stand with many toys on it and his us within them. As the guards and Frollo stared confusedly at the spot we once were, she cat called "Oh boooooys." At this we took off, and we were carried off by the crowd. Then we grabbed onto a hanging prisoner and rolled away on him as the guards chased us. We jumped onto a man on a cart and rolled away, as the guards were distracted by a man on stilts. More guards were incapacitated by the cage falling on them. I saw the prisoner walk off then get stuck in another lock. A guard then began chasing us on a horse, which was soon taken care of by him being sling shotted by a stilt walkers pants. It wasn't over though, as three more guards on horses came at us. Picking up the guard from before helmet, I threw it at the like a Frisbee, and presto, it hit them all in the heads. It flew towards Phoebus, and luckily he ducked but not before saying "What a woman." As we ran past Frollos tent, two guards holding a pole ran straight through it, tearing it down and incapacitating them. I laughed gleefully, then was pushed into an alley way. Motioning for me to run and hide, I did just that, but not before watching her be whisked away in a flash of green and purple, then disappear magically beneath a cape. Once satisfied she had gotten away, I ran and found a small niche between a few barrels and boxes. I slipped into my new found hideaway and quietly sat, waiting for everything to go quiet as the sky began to darken with clouds. I heard Frollo order Phoebus "Find them Captain. I want them ALIVE." This made my blood run cold and I hoped I would make it to the Court of Miracles safely tonight.
Ok, so there you have it. I hope it wasn't too horrible, I know it is kind of fast paced and doesn't go into much detail on certain things, but don't worry, there is more to come and the romance should begin shortly! ;) Hopefully the Court of Miracles will be much more fun to write, since I plan to extend that out a few days before Esmerelda returns.
Remember, comments! Love you all! 3