...SEVEN YEARS LATER...
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"..?"
"Miss, are you alright?" It was Marice's voice that broke the silence, making Arianne snap out of her stupor. She had been staring in disbelief at this man who had so daringly come into her home and asked to spend the day with her. It wasn't the man's brave act that caused her to become silent, but the fact that her father had allowed it.
"I-I'm fine..." she said finally, her voice just above a whisper. The man who had asked for her smiled. He was handsome, with thick brown hair that was swept back, and he wore fine clothes that complimented his built figure. "It's just...a lot to take in.." she finished. His smile widened, thinking that her comment was a compliment aimed at him. It wasn't.
"I do hope you enjoy yourself today, miss." Marice said. "He is quite the gentleman."
"But of course!" the man said, and bowed for Arianne. "This lovely beauty deserves only the most gentlemanly of men to escort her through Paris." he said. Inside her mind, Arianne blanched. What a self absorbed dough-head...
"I'm sorry, what was your name?" she asked. His dashing smile faltered just a bit, but he laughed it off.
"Henri, my dearest!" he said, and Arianne nodded.
"Alright Henri please wait while I prepare for this outing. Make yourself at home." she said, and left for her room, Marice on her heels. Once in her room, she closed the door and sat on her bed. Marice looked at her in confusion.
"Miss, you must prepare. It will be a long day." she said.
"Tell me about it..." Arianne mumbled.
"Is something the matter?" Marice asked.
"I've never seen this guy, and he's already referring to me as 'my dear'." she said.
"Can you blame the boy for showing love to you?"
"Lust is more like it, Marice." Arianne said, and finally walked to her vanity. She looked in the mirror. She had certainly inherited her mother's beauty. Her big brown eyes looked back at her, slightly hooded, and her bow shaped mouth pouted slightly. Her long silver hair that reached the small of her back framed her heart shaped face.
Ever since she had turned fifteen two years ago, the boys had begun acting differently around her. They no longer gave her glances of curiosity like the young girls did, but instead stared dumbstruck at her with their mouths hanging slightly open. She didn't understand the sudden strange attention until Marice told her about the 'birds and the bees'. Now she understood, and sometimes wished she hadn't.
Arianne looked down at her breasts, and frowned.
"I thought men liked women with larger breasts..." she said. Marice blushed furiously at the remark.
"What on earth.." she said. Arianne kept looking at her chest.
"Well, it's true isn't it? My breasts aren't much anything. Why don't they chase after some big-boobed bimbo and leave me alone..." she muttered, and sighed. Marice was sputtering, trying to find what to say to that. Arianne looked at her caretaker, noticed her distress, and chuckled. "Calm down, Marice. If you die now, I'll have to find a new caretaker, and I've grown to like you."
Marice finally calmed herself and took a deep breath. "Yes, miss..." she said, and set to work finding Arianne a suitable dress.
...
"Isn't this wonderful, my dear?" Henri asked some hours later, as he lead Arianne with her arm in his down the streets of Paris. Arianne smiled politely.
"Yes, wonderful." she lied. In truth, she was having a horrible time. All this man would talk about this whole time was himself and his 'glorious' estate, bragging about his high position and riches. Arianne had hardly said a word, mostly nodding the entire time as her mind wandered to other things while he boasted loudly.
As they walked, they came across two small Gypsy children. One played a penny-whistle, while the other did a cute little dance. A small tin-can sat next to them, containing a few copper coins. Arianne figured that since Marice and her father weren't present, she should be able to help them. She left Henri's arm ans walked to the children, opening her small coin purse. The two watched as she brought out a gold coin, and their eyes widened.
Before Arianne could drop it in the can, Henri caught her shoulder and spun her around.
"What are you doing, giving precious money to such Gypsy urchins?" he asked. Arianne's eyes hooded. So, he was another one of 'them'... She smiled sweetly to him and shrugged him off.
"You're right, so silly of me. They just looked like hungry children. Forgive my weakness." she said. Henri smiled and shook his head.
"You are a woman. It's only natural to be blind to these matters." he said. Arianne's eye twitched just a little at that.
"Of course." she said, and opened her purse again. The children frowned, and began their act again, feeling a little put out. Arianne frowned as well, and dropped the gold coin to the ground, making it looked like it slipped from her fingers. The dancing Gypsy picked it up immediately and held it up for Arianne to take.
"That's right, little urchin. You'd better return it." Henri said threateningly. Arianne shook her head.
"Why on earth would I want something that a Gypsy touched? They could be diseased, Henri." she said, placing her hand over her heart. Henri's eyes widened, and he nodded.
"You're right." he said, and looked to the child, who seemed rather disgruntled. "Keep that filthy coin, and feel lucky." he said, and took Arianne's arm to continue her walk. As they turned, Arianne locked eyes with the children, and she winked at them. Their brows furrowed at first, but then smiles spread on their faces as comprehension took them. They bowed to her and continued their performance with vigor.
"Where are we going now?" Arianne asked some minutes later.
"I thought we would pass the cathedral, to take in her beauty." he said. Arianne nodded. Yet another trip to the church. Wheeeee...
When they reached Notre Dame, they sat on the stone steps that lead to the entrance. Henri leaned back on the palm of his hands and looked up at the architecture.
"Such brilliant work. Only fitting for a house of God." he said. Arianne smiled genuinely for the first time today. At least he was respectful of the arts.
"Yes, it is quite enthralling." she said.
"It's almost like my large mansion! The structure I mean. It has more rooms than I can possibly count, and you should see the decor..." he began to prattle on, and Arianne sighed inwardly and rested her chin on her hand, inspecting the crowd. She watched a small child run by after a few moments. Then another. And another. All going in the same direction, with copper coins in their small hands and smiles on their young faces. Arianne furrowed her brow, and looked in the direction they were running to.
She froze. They had all gathered in a small crowd in front of a colorful caravan, and were looking happily up to a Gypsy man with black, shoulder-length hair. He was dressed in purple, and wore a large hat upon his head, as well as a large smile on his handsome face. Arianne swallowed hard as she stared at Clopin. She hadn't seen him in a long time, not since seven years ago. She had purposefully avoided him and his caravan, not wanting to attract any more unwanted attention to him. And now he was there, just yards away...
"-ianne. Arianne, I asked you a question." Henri said, and Arianne shook her head from the daze. She looked at him.
"I'm sorry, what was the question?" she asked. Henri tsked and looked to where she had been staring at. His brow rose at the caravan.
"Is that what took your attention from me?" he asked. Arianne decided not to answer that. Henri stood up, and looked at the caravan with aggravation on his face. "Look at that. He's poisoning those young minds, I know it..." he said, and began to walk towards the caravan. Arianne stood and ran up to him, then grabbed his arm.
"Wh-where are you going?" she asked. Henri looked at her.
"To see what this man is doing to attract so many children." he said, and kept walking, despite Arianne's pleas to go elsewhere. Moments later they ended up at the back of the little group of kids, Henri studying the display, and Arianne practically hiding behind him. Some minutes into the performance, Arianne was shocked to find Henri laughing with the children at Clopin's jokes and silly stories, and a small smile of hope spread on her face.
When the performance was over Clopin took off his hat and bowed low to the crowd of children.
"That's all for today, little ones! Hoping to see you next time!" he said. The children all nodded and dropped their coins in the wooden box that hung from the stage before running along home to their families. Arianne hoped to pull Henri away before Clopin noticed them, but he refused to move. She looked up at him to see a curious expression on his face, and nearly jumped when he began to laugh loudly, making other people look curiously at him. Clopin heard the laugh, and looked up at the man in question.
"May I help you, monsieur?" he asked politely, forcing a smile before walking out of the caravan and closing it up and locking it.
"Your performance was excellent!" Henri said. Arianne sighed in relief, and Clopin looked back to him, surprise on his face.
"I am happy you enjoyed it!" he said, some of his smile now genuine. It wasn't often he was complimented by the adult Parisians. Henri nodded, his smile widening.
"And I'm quite impressed! You don't see many Gypsies doing honest work for honest pay! You may be the only one!" he said. Clopin, who was lowering the wood cover for the stage, let it snap shut.
"Yes, well..." he said. "Good day to you, monsieur." he said, and picked up the handle, then began to roll the caravan away. He caught sight of Arianne, who was clutching Henri's arm. She looked back at him as his eyes darted from her to Henri. He finally raised a brow, scoffed, and shook his head and walked on, leaving Arianne there, feeling much less than pleased.
"Well, that was quite fun!" Henri said loudly, and looked down at Arianne. His smile faltered when he saw her expression of sadness and regret. "Is something the matter?" he asked.
"I would like to go home now, please." she muttered.
"Whatever for?" he asked.
"I suddenly don't feel well, and would like to rest." she said. Henri shrugged, and lead her home.
Arianne fought hard to keep the tears from flowing.
...
It was midnight, and two Gypsy children, two young boys, snuck through the streets, keeping to the shadows. One stepped on the others foot, making him cry out.
"Shh! Quiet!"
"You stepped on my foot, you idiot!" the other hissed. When they had finally reached the reason fro why they were out so late, they stopped. One hopped on the other's shoulders to peek inside the tailor shop.
"Is anyone inside?" the one on the ground whispered.
"No. It's safe." said the other, and he jumped back down. "Mother will love the nice fabric we get for her." he whispered happily.
"And she'll be proud that we were able to do this." said the other in glee. They both skipped over to the back, where they had found a back door with a busted lock earlier that day.
"Can't believe that stupid tailor still pretends to lock this stupid door. The lock is broken." said one, and the other nodded in agreement. Without another thought, they both pulled the door open...
...and were promptly greeted by the sound of many cans falling noisily down and clanging against the ground. The children panicked, and saw that lights went on in various windows out in the street.
"Guards! A break-in!" someone called from one window when they spotted the boys. The clanking of armor was then heard, and was steadily growing louder.
"We need to leave!" one boy said, no longer bothering to be quiet. They each then ran to the street and away from the guards. Their short legs slowed them down though, and the guards eventually caught sight of them.
"Over there! Gypsies!" one cried. The boys tried to run even faster then, and their little legs burned. They turned the corner, and ran hard into something. They fell, and sat painfully up
"Ow, my ankle..." said one of them, and they both looked up to see what they had hit. They gasped.
It was a thin person, dressed in a colorful tunic and leggings. A very long hood was attached to the tunic, and was up, hiding the figure's hair. Their face was covered completely by a white mask, with two thin triangles painted in red under the eye slits, and red painted over the lips like lipstick. A thin sword was sheathed at her hip.
The figure looked down at them, and the boys flinched when she reached down to them with her gloved hands. She picked up the one with the harmed ankle, and held him close. He struggled, but she shushed him.
"Here to help..." she said softly, an looked to the other boy, nodding for him to follow her. He thought to not follow her, rather kick her until he retrieved his brother, but the sound of the angry guards coming closer made him do as he was told. "Keep up." the figure said, and ran down the street, with one boy in hands and the other in pursuit.
She made many twists and turns, and often had to stop for a moment to let the child catch up. The sounds of the guards eventually faded, and they finally stopped for a rest. She set the boy she carried down, and lifted her mask, just slightly, so she could wipe the sweat from her face. They boys tried to catch her face, but it was too dark for them to see.
"Do we know you, lady?" The one she carried asked. She shook her head, but said nothing.
"What's your name then, and why are you hiding your face?" the other boy asked. She shrugged, and took a deep breath. "Alright then, so why'd you help us?" he asked. The girl looked at him finally, and sighed at his questioning. She pointed the wall in front of them, where a statue of the Virgin Mary sat. The boy frowned. "I don't get it." he said.
"She doesn't like seeing children harmed." she said to him quietly. "Come." she stood, and picked up the other boy, then began a quick jog. "Show me where you must go." she said, and the one she carried pointed directions to her, eventually leading her to the outskirts of the city.
"Here is fine." he said, and she stopped.
"I can take him from here." The one who ran said, and she set the boy she carried down. He then leaned on the other, and they looked up at her.
"Thank you very much." they both said in unison. She nodded to them.
"Hey! You boys!" came an angry voice. The girl quickly unsheathed her sword and pointed it to a shadow running towards them. When the shadow got closer, the girl and the boys saw that it was Clopin, and he looked incredibly angry, and worried. He stopped running when he saw the girl and her sword. His eyes narrowed.
"She's okay! She helped us get away from the guards!" One of the boys said quickly, and then looked to the girl. "He's our leader, please don't kill him." he said. The girl sheathed her sword, then walked up to Clopin. She pointed at the boys, then to Clopin himself.
"Responsibility." she hissed. Clopin's eyes widened for a moment, then he cracked a sheepish smile.
"Yes, I suppose it is. Thank you, weird jester girl." he said. She nodded, then turned and walked back toward the city, leaving the Gypsies watching her. When she disappeared, Clopin looked to the boys, placing his hands on his hips. "I'd deal with you two myself, but I think your mother would rather have that pleasure..." he said. The boys gulped, and Clopin picked up the one with the bad ankle. "So, who was that, anyway?" he asked as they made their way to the cemetery.
"She didn't say." said the one he carried. "She didn't say much at all, really."
"She did say that Maria didn't like seeing children hurt. That's why she helped us." said the other. "I wonder why she was dressed like she was. She doesn't seem to be a Gypsy, else she would have known where to take us..." Clopin listened to them speak about the peculiar jester girl, and smirked.
"A jester doing Maria's bidding. Well, that's interesting." he said. The boys nodded in agreement, and continued telling their king all about their time with her, exaggerating some of the details.
...
Arianne climbed into her room through her window, shut it, and removed the mask. She wiped the sweat from her face and walked to her closet. She stripped from the colorful clothing and hid it and the sword and the mask away under some floorboards that she had loosened. Smiling, she dressed into her nightgown and washed her face off using the bowl of rose water that sat by her vanity. Once that was done, she climbed into bed, feeling rather pleased with herself.
"One night down, an entire lifetime to go..." she muttered, then fell quickly to sleep.