Here we go, sorry for the delay, my muse went on holiday. Just letting anyone reading this know, I'm going to be away for most of september, and i probably wont have access to a computer. I will try to update as much as possible before then, but don't expect anything through september.

Other than that, enjoy :)

And please review.

The next morning, Clopin was back to make up another batch of medicine. This time, he had a proposition for everyone.

"The Court of Miracles?" Belle stared at him like he had two heads. "You want us to go to the Court of Miracles?"

"What's that?" Ariel asked.

"The place where all the gypsies live," Belle told her.

Cindy frowned. "We have something similar where I come from, and I know for a fact that every official in France wants to get their hands on a gypsy hideout. Are you sure it's wise to take us there?"

Clopin shrugged. "I trust Belle's friends. And I wish to show you some fun while you're here. You have all been cooped up here for too long. At the Court of Miracles, we dance and sing. You need a little music, oui?"

"Yes!" cried Snow and Ariel.

"I guess so," Belle said, smiling.

Cindy shook her head. "I don't think I'll go, if it's all the same to you. Someone needs to stay here to watch Jasmine."

Aurora sighed. "It sounds fun, but I think I will also stay."

Clopin nodded, then beckoned to the other three. "Bring your coats."

They grabbed their coats and folded up some blankets as shawls, and then followed the gypsy down the stairs.

Across the city, over the river, into a graveyard, under a giant gravestone and a raft ride though the sewers- Belle was just about exhausted by the time they reached the stone archway that was the entrance to the Court of Miracles. After a bit of an uproar on the part of the gypsies that saw them enter, Clopin managed to convince them that they were safe, and they really began to enjoy themselves.

Esmeralda, a gypsy girl not much older than Belle, invited them to watch her practice her street dance. The boys who were playing the music allowed Ariel and Snow to take their places, and Esmeralda motioned for Belle to copy her movements.

Swing, clap, step, swing, step, spin, clap, a little hip-wiggling thrown in… Belle laughed as Esmeralda took her hand and spun her around. As the others got used to the instruments, the music picked up speed, and the dancing became quicker. Belle glimpsed Clopin watching admiringly from the side before she was almost yanked off her feet by another gypsy.

The next few hours were a blur- dancing, music, so many questions… the gypsy women even insisted on dressing the girls up like them- multi-coloured scarves and sarongs, loose-fitting dresses, spangles and sequins. The girls giggled and pranced around, admiring themselves and each other while the gypsies watched and laughed.

Then it was time for lunch, and the spread was extremely varied. Bread loaves and rolls of all sizes, miscellaneous pieces of fruit, quarters of cakes and half-full pots of jam were only part of the selection. When Belle inquired as to where the food came from, she was regaled with tales of grand escapades of stolen food.

"You mean to say that everything here is stolen?" she asked, only slightly horrified.

"Well…" Clopin shrugged. "Most of it, anyway. We do buy a few things with the little money we earn of the streets, but yes, most of this is stolen."

The girls exchanged glances, and Belle sighed. "Ok. Ok, we'll eat it. But I just want it to go on record that i highly disapprove."

"Whatever you say, Mademoiselle." Clopin grinned cheekily and passed her a plate of rolls. "Can i interest you in some stolen bread, m'lady?"

Belle smirked and nudged him playfully. "No, i'd prefer a stolen apple."

"No, no, i assure you, these rolls are divine, especially with some of the grocer's favourite jam, which we kindly liberated from his windowsill."

"Oh dear, poor grocer. I'm sure he'll want to know where his jam disappeared to..."

"If you dare tell anyone about this place..." Clopin glared threateningly at her. "Let's just say-" he reached over and touched the skin of her neck. "- there will be bad noose for you."

"I promise you i won't. And i hope you're joking."

He continued to stroke her neck, expression turning from threatening to tender. "We take badly to tresspassers... but i'm sure i can trust you, Belle..."

Belle suddenly realized what was happening and slapped his hand away. "That was a terrible joke."

Clopin quickly recovered and offered the rolls again. "Maybe a few jammy rolls will make it a bit better?"

Belle laughed, leaning back on the ground and shaking the hair from her face. "Go on, then."

After lunch and much friendly banter, Belle decided it was time to go. As Ariel and Snow said goodbye to all the friends they had made, Belle and Esmeralda walked back to the archway, deep in conversation.

"You know, i think Clopin likes you a lot, mademoiselle Belle. I have never seen him like this before."

Belle shook her head. "He wants to take me to Le Jour D'Amour."

Esmeralda's eyes widened, and she grabbed Belle's shoulder. "And are you going to go?"

She shrugged. "I haven't decided yet. He's getting impatient, but i need more time. I just don't know."

"Hm." The gypsy girl smiled. "I would like to see you here again, if you don't mind coming. You are so unlike the other Parisians."

"I'll take that as a compliment." Belle waved to Ariel and Snow, who nodded and started heading back. "As for coming back, i can't promise anything, but i might. I had a good time- thank you."

Clopin ran up as the girls approached and bounded through the archway onto the raft, making it rock and tip alarmingly. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yes." Belle directed Ariel to the front of the boat and pulled Snow up after her. Both of them thanked Esmeralda and clambered onto the raft, and Belle stepped up after them. "I'll see you again, Esmeralda. Goodbye!"

Esmeralda smiled and waved, and they headed back the way they had come.

I came to write another Quelle chapter and ended up with this. Oh well. Quelle next time. Please review!