Chapter 9

A strong, unwavering sense of right and wrong, in most situations this can count as a virtue. But when coupled with a brave and brash personality, it can become a bit of a defect.

Another perceived advantage in the park is the one attached to popular characters, particularly the 'princess's'. Though they are much loved by the masses, they have very little time to do little else but work the crowds as their popularity demands their presence in nearly every parade and appearance. But if they want to they can still find time to do something important.

La Esmeralda was counted among them though not of royal blood her popularity and gender afforded her a place in the highest echelon of the 'toon' hierarchy. She and Frollo shared only one thing in common now, though they would never know it. They both missed their home, their Paris very dearly, and went through unbearable pain when they were torn from it.

But unlike Frollo Esmeralda has not begun to explore this new world she had found herself in. She does not often speak to the humans and on some levels was still struggling to cope with the monumental change in her life. It only took the slightest nudge to push her into a rage, and seeing some innocent girl carousing about with that ugly old bigot was a little more than a nudge.

As one of the shorter days in the park wound down, Anya was in back tallying inventory for the store. She was about finished checking the t-shirts when she heard a knock on the back door. That door like most in commercial buildings only opened from the inside. Anya assumed it was one of her younger, block headed co-workers that forgot to prop the door open when they went outside. She opened the door.

"Geez Louise, how many times do you have to forget before you…"

Her words died out when she saw a raven haired, dark skinned gypsy standing before her. Anya recognized her immediately.

"La Esmeralda? What are you doing here? Don't you have to be in the Grand Parade?"

"I asked one of the actress's to fill in for me. May I speak with you?" Esmeralda made her face and voice as soft as possible. Anya looked behind her, located a wooden block and propped open the door, then stepped outside.

"For a few minutes."

Esmeralda took in a deep breath and put on a gentle smile.

"I have no doubt that you are an intelligent, independent, and kind girl." She said.

A very confused look grew on Anya's face.

"Thank…you?"

"But you're young, and obviously a little naïve as a result."

The confused look was swept away by one supreme annoyance.

"Ah, Claude."

Esmeralda's brow knitted a bit.

"Frollo, is not a good man. The last place any young girl like you should be is any where near him. He is a brutal, violent, cowardly man; and one of the most hateful and narrow minded people I have ever seen. And I have seen more than my share of hate."

Anya bristled a bit at these words, and felt her old Russian blood start to boil. But she contained it, exhaled and leaned against the wall and chose her words carefully.

"I understand." She said.

Esmeralda's smile widened.

"Then you'll…"

"I understand that that is your experience with him and thus you have no reason to think that he is anything else."

Now confusion spread across Esmeralda's face.

"But so far he has been a very different man with me. And until he proves otherwise or says otherwise I will continue to see him and pursue him as I wish."

The confusion and softness melted away from Esmeralda's dusky features, replaced by anger and fury. For a long while the too women stared each other down, one dark and intimidating, standing straight backed and proud, the other remained in a pose of relaxed defiance with arms crossed. Anya kept her stormy sea colored eyes locked on Esmeralda's emerald eyes.

Finally Esmeralda turned away and left in a huff, and Anya slipped back into the store to finish closing up. She was sure however that this was no where near the last she'd hear from the gypsy.

In the labyrinth, each suite has a phone. Claude had never used his, he never had reason to and did not want to. Tonight he was spending a quiet even alone at home consumed in one of his history books. He nearly jumped out of his skin when his quiet reverie was interrupted by a harsh electronic ringing. It took him a moment to realize it was his phone ringing. He picked it up, pressed the green button as he'd been told to do, and put it to his ear.

"Hello, hello? Are you there?"

He did not recognize this voice.

"Who are you?"

"Its me, Anya!"

Claude didn't believe it at first, but the light clicked on eventually and he recognized her though it took a few minutes of her yelling at him. Once he did recognize her they talked for some time, planned to meet in their Moonlight Grove, and they also discussed Anya's encounter with the gypsy.

"I agree with you, Esmeralda will not let this go lightly."

Claude sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"I was worried something like this would happen. It can only get worse from here."

"What has she been like since coming here? I know you two are far from friends but…"

"I really have no idea Anya. We normally do everything in out power to avoid each other. But I do notice when she gets angry, you can hear her yelling from anywhere. And she's snapping easier and easier lately."

"That's to be expected. I think most toons are still grappling with some form of traumatic stress syndrome. But you're dealing with it quite well, considered."

Claude had nothing to say to that. He didn't want to say anything.

"Do you think she'll try to blow the horn on us?"

"Only among our kind, she doesn't trust the park administration any further than she could throw it." He said.

"That probably means things are going to be getting very hard for you."

"I know."

"Look, if you want to stop meeting up for awhile and let things cool down, I'd understand."

There was a very long pause. Finally Claude spoke.

" No, there would be little point. Once we began dating again the problems would return. Its better to do as we wish, since it harms none."

Anya's heart fluttered.

"Thank you. I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Yes, take care."

Claude hung up the phone and sunk into his thoughts. A few words had almost spilled from his lips and it took quite a bit of will power to keep them inside. Anya was about all that was keeping him sane in this place, but he wasn't ready to tell her yet. He could not remember telling anyone in his life that they were a comfort to him, or that he deeply cared for them. Having never said these words before made it feel impossible to now. He wondered what compelled him to hold them back, pride? What did he have to be proud of? His home was stolen from him, along with his power and prestige, his faith was practically non existent since the move, and his virtue had already been soiled by the gypsy.

He began to embrace the idea that now was the time to begin building something else to be proud of.

Anya hadn't felt this happy in a very, very long time. She had offered Frollo the perfect out, an excuse to end the relationship and leave her behind. It had taken all of her courage to say those words and she felt like her heart was being crushed in a vice when she waiting for him to answer. But when he turned down the out she felt as if she could floated to the ceiling.

She could gladly tell herself she loved this man, but had decided not to say so to him for a while. She was still afraid of scaring him off and worried that he wasn't entirely ready to hear her say that. She was also worried about Esmeralda and what lengths she might go to get them apart. Then a thought occurred to her. One some level, a tiny part of that woman might be just a wee bit jealous.

Anya smirked at the thought. She settled into bed and drifted off to sleep, dreaming of many things, her home, her past, and her love.

Once they come into the human world, all 'toons' are given regular medical check ups. At his Frollo had learned he had very low blood pressure and circulation (accounting for his cold skin and low body temp) and he had also learned that a life time of bottling up every little thing and every single emotion had put a good deal of strain on his heart. The doctor had told simply to try to cut down on his stress and also urged him to start counseling.

Of course Frollo had never gone to the therapist. But his relationship with Anya was proving to be therapy enough. He did considerably better in his next uncomfortable visit to the doctor.

"Your heart rhythm sounds much better."

Frollo said nothing. The doctor had his ear up to his chest, even with that stethoscope jammed in it. That very cold metal stethoscope that would not warm up no matter how long it touched his skin. Finally the doctor took the instrument away and hung it back round his neck.

"Did you see that therapist I recommended?"

"Not really."

The doctor paid little heed to the answer and began writing on his chart.

"Blood pressure and temperature are still low, but that seems to be normal for you. Well, whatever you did to relax; it worked. I'm glad you found something to fill your time."

Frollo smiled a hint at that, then grabbed his shirt and robe, dressed and headed out.

He hadn't been able to stop the thoughts that had first appeared during Anya's phone call. New beginning, falling in love; it sounded nice no doubt but it also sounded like the corny ending to the same movies that landed him and every other Disney toon in this hell hole.

He found himself of two minds about in many ways. He felt it might be good to talk to Anya about this, but also felt that was the last thing he'd be capable of doing. Before he would indicate anything to her though, he would think every thing though very, very carefully.

Summer was winding to a close even in Florida. Many of the warm weather tourists were heading back home to school and jobs. Most of the park's business from now till next summer would be from those close enough to drive there, and from the holiday rushes. The lull in the work was a heavenly reprieve for all.

At last things moved a little slower, the grounds were a little quieter. Frollo still had to work around the main area for the first few hours of his shift, but he no longer had cling to a wall or a tree to avoid being trampled. The first few visitors now slowly ambled in, and slowly ambled back out at the end of their visit.

The easier days had quite the effect on him. His tightly wrung nerves began to unwind; and he found himself saying and doing things he may never have before. One particularly hot day he and Anya were spending a few minutes alone, and he was complaining that the heat and the fumes from his mask were making him nauseous again.

They weren't, he was more or less used to it, but he used it to get Anya to lift his mask off. The second it was off his face he pounced; he caught Anya in a deep, sweet kiss. The mask slipped out of her hands and fell to the ground. When he finally pulled back his arms were around her waist and hers were draped upon his shoulders.

Claude stared into those stormy sea eyes and felt some words knocking to get out, but still couldn't bring him self to say anything. Instead he escaped in another kiss which she gladly accepted. She had seen something flicker in his own eyes, and it made her heart dance in her chest. She only needed to be sweet and patient a little longer.

While Claude and Anya's romance continued to blossom under the autumn leaves, the slower days also allowed Esmeralda more time to do what she wished. She still wasn't at all happy about Frollo and the Russian girl dating, and was intent on getting them apart and perhaps sparing the young lady some pain. She just needed to figure out and effective way.

She had tried twisting the ample rumors about them hoping one of them would hear one or two and get carried away. It became very obvious very quickly that neither of the two lovebirds gave a flying rat's ass about rumors. She'd have to find some more direct means. But what?

Frollo's prediction about his hunger for the outside world proved right. He was longing to use the autumn lull to spend maybe 8 or even 12 hours outside with Anya. His only problem was the fact he'd more or less need a place to stay, and was down right scared to ask her if he might visit her home.

Basil found him leaning on the staff bulletin boards with his head hidden beneath his arms. He deduced what was troubling Frollo easily, though several other kept tossing the judge odd looks. Basil carefully approached him and tapped his shoulder. Frollo didn't move, it made Basil think he didn't feel it though the shoulder guard and went to tap his arm instead when Frollo spoke.

"Don't poke me again I know your there."

"Then why didn't you…"

"Because," Frollo lifted his head from the black curtains of his sleeves, "I am thinking, no agonizing over something very important and am not very happy to be interrupted."

Basil's smug grin began to creep on to his face.

"Oh for the love of heaven man, just ask her. She'll say yes."

Frollo scowled.

"I would ask you if you knew what your talking about but I know you'd waste your breathe and my time with a very long answer that proves you do."

Basil's grin widened.

"Well then, have you two agreed on a day yet?"

Later on, after they were off and the moon had risen, Claude took Anya on a stroll down they're Moonlight Boulevard. Her hand twined with his as they walked in relative silence. When they reached the grove, Anya turned her eyes towards the moon and looked at the leaves. They were already beginning to take on their golden and crimson fall colors, like dancers putting on their most lavish costumes for a royal masquerade.

Claude could not have cared less about the leaves. He could never figure out why Anya's eyes continued to fascinate him so. With moonlight shining right into them, they looked like the ethereal eyes of an angel, some majestic maiden descended from heaven. Finally she brought her eyes from the dancing leaves and back to him, though they still shimmered with sliver light.

Suddenly Claude's breath seized in his chest and his heart felt like it was being squeezed in a vice. Words were banging to get out, but they weren't words asking her out on another date. They were the words of a confession some tiny but powerful part of him would not let out. He stood there frozen in place fully aware of how idiotic he looked but unable to say anything. Anya tilted her head a bit and gave him a look that seemed to plead for him to say what was fighting to get out, but still couldn't.

"Claude."

He unfroze enough to swallow and see that his hands were shaking like those same leaves. She took his trembling hands into hers, and stepped into him and put her face against his chest.

"Its very hard to say anything isn't it."

He nodded, and felt a tiny bit of tension release to find she understood. He took in a deep breath.

"I know something wants to be heard. But it doesn't have to loud. It can be softer than a butterfly's breath. But it has to come out our you'll go mad."

Before she even finished speaking she felt his lips brush her ear. He was silent for a moment, then whispered a few words so softly she barely caught them. But as soon as he said them his trembling subsided and the constriction on his heart eased. Anya lifted her head once again catching the silvery light in her eyes. She beamed at him, and brought her face right up to his.

"I do too."

For the longest, most blissful of moments they stood under the moon's light, protected by the proud oaks, ignoring everything else but each other. They emerged from the trees a long while later, gave each other lingering good night kisses finally parted company. Claude walked home with legs that were about as stiff a pudding but with a heart that was beating as if he were only 20 again. He also left with an invitation from Anya to spend the night at her apartment, should he take those 12 hours. He had every intention of doing so.

His next off day was only three later, and once again he found himself waiting for Basil to come out of the alley so they could leave. Claude was wearing the jeans Anya had made him buy on their last excursion, along with one of the light sweaters, and of course the broad brimmed fedora. He was growing rather fond of that hat.

The day was unusually cool and Frollo relished it. While some of the other freeze baby toons were shivering he was perfectly comfortable and quite happy.

"I say old chap, that's and interesting ensemble."

Frollo turned around and saw Basil emerge from the alley, and held in his laughter with great effort. The poor fool was dressed in an outfit that was obviously from Hot Topic, all black, tight fitted pants, a double breasted but frayed jacket, and covered in sliver decorations. Frollo snorted and bit his finger.

"The kettle's calling the pot black, sir." He managed to squeak out.

Basil sneered.

"Jinxi happens to like this. And since I very much like her, I wear it."

Frollo doubled over barely containing his laughter.

"And unless I'm much mistaken, it the same thing with you and those jeans, no?"

Frollo cleared his throat and stood up, still snickering a little.

"Yes, but I at least have the spine to put my foot down when it comes to that." He pointed to Basil's outfit. Basil waved his hands in defeat.

"Whatever, lets go."

He headed off towards the gate.

"Don't take it personally, it just doesn't suit a mouse!"

"Shut it!"