Esmeralda: Esmeralda heard them as well, and kicked him off of her to scramble to her feet. She smoothed her skirts back down, looking only forward as she bolted down the stairs. God...what the hell was this?! He had been so tender with her and he- Damn it! Esmeralda nearly knocked someone over as she apologized in her French tongue. Esmeralda looked over her shoulder and didn't see him, so, she kept running.
That was, until she ran right into a very tall man dressed in red and black clothes, a golden snake staff was in his hand. Esmeralda apologized again as she moved to hurry past him, but his hand remained on her shoulder. People around her seemed to be excited by this. The man leaned down and cupped her cheek, leaning the snake staff near her face. People flipped! They said his name was Jafar, and that- that she was to be part of his harem!? Not on her life! Esmeralda wriggled against him, as she was pulled into his arms and was commanded to dance. Dance? The crowd started chanting for her to do so...
Esmeralda was new to all this, but they seemed excited to watch her. Yanking out of the man's arms, he motioned for her to do as she was told. But she didn't have- "Here Esmeralda, use this." A Cast Member handed her a tambourine. At least...she could get some money for food...
Esmeralda tapped the tambourine with her hip, and swayed to the music, flashes going on and off as she danced, pleasing this man named Jafar. Her skirts would kick up, showing off her shapely legs, her hips moving in time with the beat. Her arms twisted above her body like a flame to air. So lost was she in time with her music she didn't notice another darkly clothed man watching her either.
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Frollo: Damnation all! That brief moment to glance around the corner gave the gypsy girl the opportunity to fly from beneath his body. It sent him sprawling to the side, but he did not stay down for long. The approaching voices urged him to immediately snatch up his hat and bound down the stairs after her. Flying out the castle door led him to just the other side of the courtyard, still in that medieval village. Narrowed eyes quickly surveyed the crowd of surprised faces. A fleeting blur of dark hair and multicolored skirts grabbed his attention. Frollo pushed his way past the tourists, running in the same direction. Visions of when he chased down that gypsy woman in the snow came flooding into his mind. How he wished he had his horse with him right at this moment!
Rounding the corner he had momentarily lost sight of her amongst the crowd. He glanced around frantically, wondering which direction to even turn. Such a strange assortment of attractions were around this area. A large whale that swallowed a whole boat of people was off to one side while large tea cups spun around with the people seated inside. In front of him was a large white mountain, screams could be heard while people were seen flying by in cart-like contraptions. This was some sort of bizarre modern carnival!
Tambourine music and the sound of people cheering loudly pricked at his ears, turning towards its source. Stalking off in the direction where all the hoopla was he saw a crowd had formed, darkly colored banners of red, purple, green and yellow mixed with black were waving about in this area. A tall robed man of Arabic descent was standing nearby, gesturing with a gold snake staff, urging Esmeralda to dance...and dance she mostly certainly was!
Frollo drew closer towards the crowd, eyes fixated solely on the gypsy dancer, watching her move her slender body in tune to the tambourine music she tapped against her shapely hips. People began capturing his image as well on those contraptions. Some even cried out, "Frollo is here and he's wearing his riding attire!" The judge whirled around, sneering darkly in annoyance. Cast members were completely enjoying this spectacle, that is until the tall Arabic lunged forward to grab hold of Esmeralda, pulling her closer against him. Frollo gasped at this, but then bared his teeth, his gloved hand seized the sword that rested at his hip. This caused loud gasps amongst the crowd, some however laughed thinking it was just part of the villain show. Frollo ignored it all, advanced towards the gypsy and the robed man. His sword was drawn, eyes narrowed to dangerous slits.
"Unhand that gypsy girl, she is none of your concern!"
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Esmeralda: Esmeralda HATED being man handled! She was about to shove the tall man away from her, for she had done as he asked of her. She was ready to show him what fire she had when all of a sudden Frollo withdrew his sword and demanded she be let go. Esmeralda cocked her eyebrow, but the man released her, sending her back into his arms as people cheered Frollo on.
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Frollo: Cast members were a bit on edge at what was transpiring. Jafar released Esmeralda rather quickly, thrusting her into Frollo's arms. The judge was quite surprised by how easily he obeyed his warning. People began to cheer around them. Cast members urged them all to take a bow. What?! Why the devil would he do that? He gave a side-long glance to the gypsy dancer, indicating how strange this all was. Sliding the sword back into the sheath, his arm gripped her around the waist, nodding curtly towards the crowd, but then began backing away slowly. "Let us depart from here, this is a very strange situation. They all think this is some sort of show and we're the main attraction!" He whispered only loud enough for her to hear him as he continued his retreating steps.
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Esmeralda: Esmeralda shoved him away from her as she waited until they were out of sight and sound from everyone else. "What do you want from me? Leave me be, Frollo. If you remember nothing of what happened, you have nothing to condemn or use against me." Esmeralda shot back as she rubbed her arms as the night seemed to creep upon them, casting dark shadows along the walls of the rides, as well as a mist rolling in
Esmeralda was cold and she didn't know what more to do from here; tired, confused and hungry...not to mention she didn't know how to feel over this young Frollo. "Why did you do that? I can handle myself."
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Frollo: A path was paved amongst the crowd as the two retreated. The Arabic man known as Jafar merely shook his head as he watched the two disappear, knowing eventually they would have to conform to this world like how he and the other characters had before. It was once out of sight the gypsy cat showed her claws, shoving him aside, spatting out at him. Frollo sneered at her, smoothing down the folds of his cloak. There was an awkward silence for a moment on his end, he mulled over her words. Why did he behave like some jealous suitor? What was it about this woman that stirred his very soul from the moment he gazed into her eyes? It was not even the fact that she too was from his own time era that filled him with comfort that he was not alone. There was absolutely no recollection of having met her before in his own world and yet...there was still something about her. His shoulders shrugged a little, gazing off towards large yellow contraptions floating by a crystal blue lagoon.
"I merely just wished to know more about you...that is all..."
Turning back slowly to look at her he saw her shivering, rubbing her bare arms together. She was trying so hard to be fiery and bold, but the elements were winning this battle. With the light mist rolling through made it even more colder. With a soft sigh, he removed his hat to lift the cloak up over his head, allowing just the long-sleeved velvet tunic and white collar to remain. Stepping closer he placed the velvet cloak on her, draping it around her bare shoulders, but said nothing the whole time. Replacing his chaperone hat, his eyes practically dared her to refuse this gesture of warmth. He turned with a soft huff instead to walk a little down the path, the large white mountain was right beside them. Before either could say anything, a loud announcement was made through-out the park, Halloween fireworks in front of the castle were starting in just mere minutes. Casting a glance back at Esmeralda, he shrugged a little.
"Why not, there is not much else we can do in this moment."
The path weaved back around the white mountain, bringing them towards the front of the castle. Quite a lot of people in a variety of costumed attire were also assembled. Smiles greeted them once noticing the French pair, but thankfully they did not bother them. They stood nearby when the castle literally came alive with bright colors, a booming soundtrack filled the sky. The theme was Halloween, the music and designs were played out according to various villains. Frollo was completely left stunned by all that he saw. In his own time this would all be viewed as witchcraft, but now it was just merely what is known as...modern technology. As amazing it all was it also left him feeling numb and empty. He and Esmeralda came from a time era that was far simpler. Only the Lord created such wondrous displays. Causing any sort of outburst about how this was all the work of the devil would make him like a fool. It was then a thunderous chord was struck and an ominous instrumental song was played in sync with blazing fire. Frollo instantly remembered the tune from earlier that day, in the other park where he and Esmeralda had first arrived. This was that same song...his song...supposedly. Of course, to him, he still had no recollection of what it signified in his time, but everyone else seemed to know, even the gypsy. If he didn't feel numb and empty before he especially did now.
Drifting a little further back, he did not really wish to see the rest. Two cast members spotted them, approached them warmly in that cheery Disney demeanor. They both also noted Esmeralda was wearing the judge's cloak, it made them smile even more, almost holding back laughter.
"Judge Claude Frollo and Esmeralda, you both are probably hungry and tired. It is getting late anyway, you both should be inside now, away from the rest of the regular patrons. If you wish you both can get comfortable inside Innoventions. A few other characters are mingling about there as well. Food is also provided. Come along."
Frollo gave a small solemn glance towards the gypsy dancer. Again, what else have they to do...
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Esmeralda: Esmeralda didn't want his kindness, his tenderness or his attention. However when he offered her his cloak, Esmeralda took it with a bit of hard acceptance, but it did keep her warm. And as she walked, a smell rose within her senses as she smelled the essence of Frollo: ink and paper...with a hint of masculinity; something which stirred something quite odd within Esmeralda as she walked with him. Why? Why was she letting herself be tricked and fooled by him? Esmeralda was about to call it quits on this entire sham, before sparks of lightning danced like the colors of the rainbow in the sky. Esmeralda had never seen anything so beautiful in her entire life.
Songs were sung along with the lights, as she leaned in as close as she could to the rope blocking the rest of the way, her hands itching to reach out and touch such a beautiful thing. But suddenly it turned to fire, and Esmeralda recoiled upon hearing the same tune which had emitted from that small contraption with Frollo's voice in it. Fire...he burned down half of Paris for her, and here he was acting as though nothing had happened. Esmeralda hated him!
Pushing her way through the crowd to get away, Esmeralda was about to take off his cloak, tell him where he could shove it, when all of a sudden, some Cast Members approached them. She was hungry and cold... Removing his cloak, her gypsy pride taking over, she handed it back to Frollo as she walked ahead, not wanting to be within his presence any longer then she needed to. But with the promise of food and shelter, Esmeralda would have to follow blindly into the unknown with him at her back.
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Frollo:As if on cue the gypsy Esmeralda removed his cloak, thrusting it back at him when the two Cast Members were restraining laughter. A deep set scowl was visible upon his face, annoyed at the presence of the two uniformed people, but even more so towards the dancer. However, Frollo could not help but allow a smirk to grow at seeing her shiver almost immediately once the cloak was removed. Stubborn witch, he mused to himself while placing the cloak back on himself. His tall form glided behind the three of them like a shadow, observing everything. The granite orbs slowly roved over her, thinking back to their little escapade on the stone floor of the castle attraction. How he longed to feel her lips upon his again. Whatever this animosity she felt towards him due to his supposed future self she encountered she none the less allowed him to kiss her without a struggle. Far too brief a contact, but her behavior indicated he was lucky to have even experienced that!
They both were led into the area known as Tomorrowland, the name implying everything was of the future. Loud and noisy was how the judge viewed it all, he still preferred his simpler time era instead. The large building of Innoventions was an attraction for the general public, but at night it was used for Cast Members and characters. That Jafar person was in here, amongst many others. Meddling eyes fell on them both from the moment they entered. Frollo merely smirked faintly, walking proudly. The shock of the fireworks display had since left him, it was time to just face this modern situation instead of cower and feel numb. A bold attempt, but one that would fail him with what was soon to come...the truth...
The cast members informed them there were many rooms they may investigate, there was also food available at their leisure. Both gave knowing glances to the French pair as they also mentioned the large living-room with the home theater.
"A wonderful room to relax and reflect. Have a good evening to the both of you!"
The cast members departed off, leaving Frollo and Esmeralda to their own affairs. The rooms were all of modern technology, buttons and strange gadgets for everything, it was going to take some getting used to. Not waiting for the gypsy to follow, the judge ventured off through some narrowed hallways, carefully observing all the little details. The living-room with the home theater was nearby. A cast member stood attentively by, welcoming him in, gesturing to the assortment of food and beverage.
"Good evening, your honor! If you wish I can play a movie for you. Just get yourself comfortable in our modern, state of the art home theater."
Frollo quirked a brow at all this, glancing over his shoulder back down the hall to see if perhaps the gypsy was close by. It will forever leave him stumped as to how these people all knew who he was. Only nodding curtly, he picked up a water bottle, how odd to bottle water in such a manner, took a small plate of fresh vegetables and cheese cubes and then sat down upon one of the plush seats. A large screen was in front of him, an assortment of little pictures was displayed. It was only the menu window to choose from so far. Frollo had no idea what a movie was the cast member spoke of, but soon the truth was coming...
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Esmeralda: Esmeralda simply followed where she had to go, hating that she was stuck, as it would seem, with Judge Claude Frollo. Keeping her distance, the gypsy dancer followed him through the strange building, wishing that she was anywhere but here. She wanted to be back home in Paris with Djali and Clopin, not here in this world with her most hated foe. Looking at the food, Esmeralda felt her eyes widen; everything was...abundant! There were grapes, meats, apples with cheese! This was for the rich!
She set at once grabbing a plate and loaded it with purple grapes, little cubes of cheese, meat and of course some buns. Esmeralda had never had this much food in her life! As she sat down comfortably on the ground, Esmeralda was for once enjoying herself...until she heard Clopin's voice, and her head whipped up to look for him, but he was simply on the large screen. Esmeralda at once lost all desire for food, as she placed her plate down, and felt tears prick her eyes; Clopin...
And then the image changed to...gypsies, and then Frollo! Esmeralda did not know how this was possible, but as she watched in pure disgust as Frollo chased down the woman, and kicked her to the ground! So, that was how Frollo really came into possession of Quasimodo. Her emerald eyes were glued the entire time to the screen as she watched their story seem to play off in front of her very eyes.
Seeing Phoebus, and her dance at the festival, Esmeralda watched as if she was possessed and could not look away. Everything; her entire story and life was being played in front of her. She felt humiliated, a fool, and exposed. Her eyes turned away when she watched Frollo and herself in the church...she had experienced it, she did not have to see it and with everyone else for that matter! She did not know how this was all possible, but it was painful, SO painful to watch. And it only seemed to get worse as she heard Frollo's voice begin to sing that song she heard all the time, and was floored. Disgust, revulsion, and slight fear welled in her eyes as she listened to his song of lust and desire for her. He had the nerve to blame her for all of his faults. He would burn her if she refused to be his!
Esmeralda wanted to claw his eyes out! But she sat there, keeping her gaze stone as the pillars in Notre Dame as she continued to watch her life play out before her eyes, her eyes brimming over as she watched her kiss with Phoebus- but something happened she had not expected- the story kept going, showing what happened after she got home. Frollo found the Court! Oh, god! Esmeralda then watched as she was tied to the pillar- he was going to kill her.
Esmeralda got up at that and couldn't bear it anymore. She bolted out of the room and pushed past the cast member. There was never a moment of doubt in her mind that she would give all she had for her people, but to watch her choke and cough to her death, the flames that would be licking at her feet stirred such a bitter sadness within the dancer, knowing that her life had ended before it had even begun. Esmeralda knew not where she was going, but she couldn't be there, not while the man whom was the cause of her demise and sorrow was in that very room.
The dancer was outside, it had begun to lightly rain. She felt the cold water slip onto her bare shoulders, causing her to shiver a little, but it mattered not to her anymore. Lifting her head up to the sky, Esmeralda let out a long frustrated cry, heart breaking to all those who were in ear shot of her. This was far too much for her to bear and she was doing it alone. No Phoebus, no Clopin or Quasimodo...she was on her own, and for once it bothered her. She was a strong, independent woman, but alone in this modern world with Frollo was straining her to the bone.
Never had Esmeralda felt at this moment, so defeated. As if all strength had left her, Esmeralda went to her knees in the forming puddles, her head bent low as she put a hand to her eyes. She forced herself hard not to cry, even to the point of biting her bottom lip so hard it bled. She would never, ever let him win...Frollo may have taken her life back home in Paris, but she would be damned if he would get her now.
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Frollo: A figure drifted down in front of him on the floor...it was Esmeralda. Frollo stiffened slightly, thinking to leave, but the cast member in the room announced he would start a movie for them. The lights in the room all dimmed and the screen came to life. He saw what he last remembered... chasing down some gypsy woman through the snow, but the events that transpired from then on left the judge so horribly numb. His eyes glanced down at the gypsy, who was no longer touching her food. Her lips fell open in a silent gasp when he kicked the woman down to her death. Those supposed stolen goods was really a deformed baby. Before the opening titles had even completed he saw that he killed a woman and then almost drowned the baby. He was forced to raise the baby, but he made certain the child was locked away up in the bell tower.
The movie rolled on, it showed many years had passed, he witnessed an older version of himself. While the two sat transfixed, other characters filed in towards the back, even some other cast members. All were quite aware of the truth dawning upon the French pair. As painful as it was, all characters had experienced such truths of their own worlds as well. None would be spared. It always was much more difficult for the villains than anyone else. They were usually left in a squirming, numb state, much like the way Frollo was now.
Once the true meeting of how he had met Esmeralda came vividly to life he became even more uncomfortable. As difficult as it was, he could not turn his eyes away. The dancing, the climbing into his lap, the teasing, the kiss on his nose; all were there for him to see, but it just kept going. A spiral into his mad desire for her was slowly unfolding. His actions in the church scene towards her...oh, good Lord! Seeing his torment grow during that song of his...Hellfire was the most uncomfortable situation for him to endure. His head fell into his gloved hand, the hat dipping down low. Occasionally he would look up to see how disgusted the gypsy looked right in front of him. Turning around he saw quite an audience had gathered. This had to be some kind of horrible joke being played upon them! He wanted to scream out, smash the screen, but that would be exactly the reaction they would expect. And this Phoebus... how he despised him even though he had not personally met him yet!
It was once somehow sitting through the mad obsessive search for the gypsy, the losing control on this Quasimodo, storming the Court of Miracles and finally ensnaring the gypsy that they were shown her execution. An ultimatum was made, his desire finally realized that if she refused to be his he would kill her. The dancer spit in his face, the reaction of himself on the screen mimicked his own while watching in dull horror. Once the pyre was lit, Esmeralda bolted up to flee from the room. Frollo stood up as well, but did not follow after. All eyes fell on him, silently judging him. His shoulders sagged. That vision to just smash everything was still heavily in this mind. He hated being placed on display like this! His own voice was heard crying out the name Quasimodo. Turning back to look, he saw Esmeralda was rescued, but this seemed to enrage his future self. Silently he watched as he stormed the cathedral like a mad man. All actions he never thought he would be capable of, including sending the Archdeacon sprawling to the floor. The climatic scene continued, seeing the gypsy laying there unconscious caused a twinge of constriction in his chest. His mad self entered, prepared to kill Quasimodo. A heated battle ensued right out on to the ledge...but it did not end well, not for him at least.
His whole body went cold and numb at seeing himself fall to his death. He realized he had been standing this entire time. Lingering only a moment longer, everyone's happy faces eventually made him drift further back. Not one word was said to him from the other characters or the cast members. He needed to escape, this whole building was stifling. His wanderings brought him outside as well, rain falling down upon him instantly. In the distance he could see the slender figure of the gypsy dancer, her body was heaving in heavy sobs. Approaching her would not be wise, but she needed to know the full truth. He only came within a certain amount space towards her, eyes glazed over, still reeling from all that he had witnessed.
"For it is worth, your future ends happily, where as mine...mine does not. If you wish to see for yourself I am certain those infernal cast members will be more than pleased to show you. They are taking sick pleasure in all this!"
His words spat out through the rain, but he did not wait for her to turn around. He began to walk in the opposite direction, towards where that large white mountain was. The need to put distance from everything and everyone was dire.
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Esmeralda: That was supposed to make her feel better? Hardly; that world, that future would never come true. It was out of sync with her life now, there was no going back...and everyone seemed to know it as well. Esmeralda rose from her wet and shivering position on the ground as she watched him leave. Good- get the hell out of her life! Esmeralda looked up at the rain and gently said, "God is in the rain..." So why did it feel like this creator, this being had left her on her own? Were her people not worth His time and effort? In a way, Esmeralda felt betrayed by God and this sick twist of fate which He had bestowed upon her.
Esmeralda heard a voice announce that the park was closing. Where would she go? Normally it didn't bother her if she stayed on the streets for the night, but this was rainy, cold weather and already her white blouse was clinging to her chest like a second skin, her corset was wet and constricting against her skin. The gypsy dancer lost sight of Frollo as she suspected only the best would do for him, so she would not return to the place of which she had come from; she would have to find another place for the night.
People stared, men gawked and for once Esmeralda didn't care. She was pissed off, cold and if she was half naked, why the hell did she care right now. They all had a home to go to... Steering her way back to the castle, Esmeralda could see that they were locking and closing the castle for the night. Quickly, she darted in and was just in time to miss being seen. It wasn't the warmest of places by far and there was no place to dry her clothes, but it was better than being caught in the rain.
Her bare, wet feet slapped against the cold stone steps as she made her way into the highest room, where she had the unfortunate earlier encounter with Frollo. Shuddering at the memory of his lips on hers, Esmeralda removed only her corset to dry as she sat in the corner of the castle, watching the princess dance with her prince over and over again, before the story lost all meaning to her and the gypsy dancer was left to lay in her own wet puddle.
But she would not cry and she would not complain. She was tougher than that.