"The winds are picking up again, which means we might not be able to set up some of the larger attractions"

"Clopin, you're starting to panic again." Imelda sighed, "Just be confident and calm, and everything will be fine. We've dealt with strong winds before, and always come out on top. Don't worry."

Clopin nodded, nervously running his fingers through his hair, "And look…" he whined, "… the colours faded from Josef's stall! That's one of our main attractions!"

"It happens Clopin, things like this happen. That's why we trade with the tailors near the city centre. They can give us some fresh cloth." Before Clopin could rush over to Joseph, Imelda grabbed his arm, pulling him back, "And nobody can concentrate if you hover over them like that!"

Noticing that several members of their community were starting to make their way over in concern, Imelda waved them away, placing a hand around Clopin's shoulders, "Alright, what's the next step after checking all equipment?"

Clopin winced, pressing the palms of his hands to his forehead, occasionally hitting himself in a desperate attempt to remember.

"I know this one, I know this one! What is it!"

"We relax!"

Clopin weakly smiled, allowing himself to be pulled over to a quieter area by the stern-faced woman.

"It'll be fine." She assured him, "It's the same year after year. The crowds all pile in, they come, they eat, they leave! Leaving us with enough money to keep going through tough times. It's not a perfect life, but it's our life nonetheless."

The pair dodged a herd of goats as they headed towards the exit, getting ready for the daily walk.

Closely following the herd, was Esmerelda and Saphir, making as much noise as they could, terrorising the herd and making the poor farmer more and more annoyed.

"HEY!" Imelda snapped, instantly bring the twins to a skidding halt, "What have we told you about chasing the herds? You're children, not dogs!"

The Twins clearly still thought the situation was funny, but they hung their heads in mock shame and headed over to the pair anyway.

"How many times to I have to give you this lecture?!" Imelda groaned, "I'm going to have your hearing checked because clearly you clearly aren't listening to me!"

"Sorry Imelda." "Sorry Imelda."

"It's not me you have to be apologising to." She gestured over at Clopin, frowning when the twins seemed actually amused at the idea.

"Sorry big brother." "Sorry big brother." They both stated in unison, a slight tone of mocking in their voices, before they ran off again.

"I don't understand what I've done." Clopin whispered, "I swear they liked me a few weeks ago."

"I know, I know… Maybe they're having some problem adjusting to you being the King full time?"

Clopin's eyes narrowed in thought. It was possible.

With this new year starting, it was decided that Clopin would take over fully, having become a full adult not too long ago. With his new responsibilities, dealing with hyperactive twins was the last thing on his mind, and therefore his brother and sister were often left with other children around their own age and any mothers who were caring for them.

It was then that the twins suddenly seemed to hate him.

"Maybe… you should consider giving them a part? Something to do?"

Clopin immediately shook his head, "No way, not with Frollo and all his guards out there! It's barely safe for us, what's it going to be like for them?!"

"Surely it's better than keeping them cooped up down here? Maybe they should learn how to escape sooner rather than later?"

The idea was an intriguing one… Clopin thought about it for a few moments. Esmerelda could dance, even if it was only a small tap dance, and with Saphir as her partner, it would make for a very cute act.

"Alright… fine."

When the twins ran past again, Clopin grabbed them by the collar, stopping them instantly. "Come on." He sighed, "Let's see if we have any festival clothes for you."

"We get to go outside?!"

"Really?"

"Under my careful supervision, yes." Clopin pulled out a dark purple dress for Esmerelda, and a similar shade of purple pants for Saphir, combined with a white shirt, "Now stay still, I need to brush your hair and get it all neatened up."

Thankfully, the promise of going topside was enough to make them behave thankfully.

"Now, there are plenty of puppet stories that I can tell that can include you two dancing…" Clopin explained, "… when you hear a sharp whistle from the look-out, you find me immediately so that we can leave. If you can't find me, which shouldn't happen, then you find the first available adult. Run and hide, understood?"

The twins both nodded seriously, both knowing what would happen if they didn't follow these rules to the letter.

"Alright." Clopin sighed, "Let's go."

As he made his way over to the other gypsies, who were all preparing to head up to the main city, he was stunned when his hands were gently taken, the twins both huddling closer. It seemed that the actual possibility of going to the city, was less exciting than they thought.

"It'll be okay." Clopin tried to reassure them (and himself really), "Everything will be fine."

….

"…and the Prince was transformed back into a handsome prince." Clopin quickly shifted puppets, "The Princess didn't know it was him at first, but at the sight his eyes, she leapt forwards and pulled him into a kiss of true love."

The kids watching the show all ewwwed in the customary manner, grossed out by the whole kissing deal.

Aah, to be young again.

"Everyone had been turned back to normal, and a giant ball was held, and everyone danced until dawn, and they all lived happily ever after."

As Clopin said the last sentence, Esmerelda and Saphir started to dance again, this time pulling the watching children into the dance with them, the sound of giggling and laughter filling the streets.

"GUARDS! GUARDS!"