It's late morning before the festival and Frollo is feeling generous!
"I brought you this" I handed Persephone a box.
She opened it curiously, glancing at my amused expression in the process. Persephone gasped as she revealed its contents.
Inside was a simple white dress, it was conservative with long sleeves that flowed outward at the writs and a long hemline.
The dress had not cost me much expense however I assumed from Persephone's expression it was the most expensive gift she had ever received.
"Frollo, I can't except this"
"Nonsense" I tittered
"It must have cost-"
"Do not concern yourself with the expense, it was not an outrageous price"
"But-"
"No more protesting, I will not hear it. Now please go put it on for me"
Persephone smiled radiantly before tilting toward me on her tiptoes and placing a feather light kiss on my cheek. "Thank you" She breathed and danced away holding the dress close to her.
I brought my hand to my cheek where she had kissed me, surprised slightly at Persephone's forwardness.
It was at that moment that Quasimodo came labouring toward me, talking to the gargoyles.
"Good morning, Quasimodo" I interrupted and he came to a startled halt.
"Good morning, Master" He replied hastily
"My dear boy whomever are you talking to?" I asked feigning interest
"My friends" He stuttered
"I see" I placed my hand on one of his gargoyles "And what are your friends made of Quasimodo?"
"Stone"
"Can stone talk?"
"No it can't"
"That's right you're a smart lad" I paused "Now lunch"
I seated myself at Quasimodo's table wondering if Persephone's dress fit her, I had queried the dress maker on the measurements if it did not fit I would be returning it with a few choice words.
"Shall we review your alphabet today" I asked Quasimodo unenthusiastically
"Yes, Master I would like that very much"
"Very well. A?"
"Abomination"
"B?"
"Blasphemy"
"C?"
"Contrition" He stuttered
"D?"
"Damnation"
"E?"
"Eternal damnation"
"Good. F?"
"Festival"
I spat out my drink.
"Forgiveness" Quasimodo said panicked
"You said festival" I growled
"No!" He cried
"You were thinking about going to the festival"
Imagine my humiliation if he attended, I would never live it down.
"I just that you go every year" Quasimodo said hastily
"I am a public official I must go! But I don't enjoy a moment. Thieves and hustlers and the dregs of humankind, all mixed together in a shallow, drunken stupor" It displeased me just imagining attending the festival later today, let alone contending with Quasimodo's attendance.
"I didn't mean to upset you Master"
"Quasimodo, can't you understand? When your heartless mother abandoned you as a child, anyone else would have drowned you. And this my thanks for taking you in and raising you as my son?" I asked him feigning my concern for his welfare
"I'm sorry sir" He apologised
"Oh my dear Quasimodo. You don't know what it's like out there, I do…I do" I paused "The world is cruel, the world is wicked. It is I alone whom you can trust in this whole city!"
I hesitated thinking how I could turn this lecture to my advantage "I am your only friend" I added removing Persephone from the equation hoping this monster would believe me.
Quasimodo looked downhearted so I continued "I who keep you, teach you, feed you, dress you" Much to my inconvenience I did all this. "I who look upon you without fear" I stroked his cheek masking my revulsion.
"How can I protect you boy, unless you always stay in here, away in here?" I questioned "Now remember what I taught you Quasimodo, you are deformed"
"I am deformed" He echoed
"And you are ugly"
"And I am ugly"
"And these are crimes for which the world shows little pity, you do not comprehend!"
"You are my one defender" Quasimodo sighed
"Out there they'll revile you as a monster"
"I am a monster"
"Out there they will hate with scorn and jeer"
"Only a monster" Quasimodo mumbled to himself
"Why invite their calumny and consternation?" I said raising my hands in the air exasperated "Stay in here, be faithful to me-"
"I'm faithful-"
"Grateful to me-"
"I'm grateful"
"Do as I say. Obey and…" I picked up a figurine of him "Stay in here!" I growled placing his little figurine on the model of Notre Dame
I could not begin to imagine the public reaction if they saw this monster let alone knew I kept him.
"Stay where?" Persephone chimed
I turned and was greeted by the divine beauty of her. I had bought this dress believing it to be conservative when in fact it made her look like a siren.
The dress clung to every curve of her delicious body, her breasts were pushed upward forming, distracting, perfect half-moons. Persephone had tied the curls back that fell upon her face, resulting in her curls tumbling down her back like spun gold.
"How do I look?" She asked shyly
"As radiant as a goddess, in your case Persephone herself"
She looked at the ground then quickly back up at me, her golden eyelashes catching the light as they fluttered.
"Thank you it's wonderful" She beamed
"You look very pretty" Quasimodo interrupted and to my dismay Persephone flushed at his praise.
"Thank you, my friend" Persephone walked to his side "Now who has to stay in here? I assume you were talking about me considering I'm the only one of us claiming sanctuary"
"No Frollo was just telling me that it would be silly to go to the festival" He said downhearted.
"Oh Quasi, I have to agree" Persephone said and I smirked.
"The world is too cruel of a place for people like us Quasimodo. Perhaps someday the world will be fairer and we can stand in the sun then watching as many festivals as we desire" Persephone rested her hand on the monsters cheek and jealously ignited within me.
"I would like that" Quasimodo replied sheepishly
Persephone stepped backward closer to me and I was unable to prevent myself from placing my hand on the small of her back possessively.
I did not like her relationship with Quasimodo; I would have to find a way to remove her from him.
Persephone smiled up at me, those blue eyes shining with unshed tears.
"Everything I tell you boy I do for your own good" I informed Quasimodo turning away with Persephone at my side "Remember Quasimodo this is your sanctuary"
I said nothing as Persephone headed down the stairs with me, pleased that she had chosen not to comfort Quasimodo but instead remain with me.
"I wish the world was not a dark, cruel place then people like us would not have to hide away in the safety of the church" Persephone sighed
"Unfortunately my dear it shall never be so long as the heathen's disease this city"
"Perhaps someday when we are wiser and when the world is older, they will no longer turn away from the almighty and then perhaps peace and beauty will come to us all someday"
"Noble sentiments but I believe the gypsies do not share your outlook. So until then I shall pursue to rid Paris of the gypsies, they are the source of the corruption after all. In fact I have hired a new Captain of the Guard to aid me"
"Really? What happened to the last one?"
"He had to go away for a while" I lied not wanting to scare her with the truth that he was being whipped for disappointing me.
"Oh" She paused "The world is lucky to have men like you Frollo, to help us see right from wrong"
"Indeed it is and to protect innocents such as yourself"
"You have done enough for me Frollo, you don't have to protect me"
"Oh but I do" I turned and Persephone fell into me, I managed to keep my balance so I did not go toppling down the stairs, holding onto Persephone at the same time. Her hands gripped my shoulders and I frowned at her my hands holding her waist "You see what I mean about protecting you?"
Persephone giggled, it was a beautiful sound, infectious in fact and I grinned in response.
"Well it's good to know you'll always catch me when I fall"
"Hmmm well for now I have to leave you, duty calls, but I will visit you later"
"I would like that right now though I am just going to see the Archdeacon I fear he may scold me for last night"
"Ah yes you might be correct in that assumption"
"Did he reprimand you when I left last night"
"He tried" I smirked
"He was brave to cross words with the mighty Minister of Justice, I know I wouldn't dare" Persephone smiled
"Smart girl"
"Well goodbye Judge Frollo and wish me luck"
"Good luck, my dear" Persephone turned from me but I grabbed her wrist and pulled her back "You look exquisite...my Persephone" I whispered in her ear before releasing her and turning on my heel.
I smirked as I walked away from her, knowing Persephone was routed to the spot where I had left her.
A few things that Persephone says are quotes from the deleted song 'Someday' which was initially going to replace 'God help the outcasts'
