TRIGGER WARNING: ATTEMPTED SEXUAL ASSAULT
...
"I can't believe this." Phoebus's Father sneered at the sight of all the colourful costumes and stalls lining the streets, "You would have thought they'd learnt their lesson."
Phoebus stayed silent.
He'd heard about the massacre through the servants' gossiping, and honestly, it made him feel sick to his stomach.
All he could think about, were the two children he'd met oh so long ago, wondering whether or not they'd managed to survive.
"Head up Phoebus!" His Father snapped, "A soldier does not stare at the ground."
"Sorry." Phoebus forced himself to look up, wincing when he saw how the gypsies flinched away from them.
A solider was meant to protect…. Not make others afraid of them.
"Keep up Phoebus!"
"Yes Sir!"
…..
"Remember, don't move around too much." Esme warned Clopin, as they helped up to the makeshift chair, they'd set up for him, "If those wounds re-open, you can deal with yourself next time."
"I don't see why I can't lead this Festival!" Clopin pouted, "I can just walk and do it!"
"You won't just walk though." Saphir rolled his eyes, "We all know that. This is for your own good."
The pout only deepened.
"Just sit and enjoy the view." Esme smirked, "Saphir, get the musicians started up. We'll start with a dance, okay?"
"Okay!"
"Wait, wait, wait!" Clopin moved to follow them, only to wince as his injury complained at the sudden movement bitterly, sitting back down with a low groan. He could only watch as the musicians all got into position, the music starting off slow as feet tapped across the cobblestones.
Slowly, but surely, the music started to pick up speed, along with the dancing as colourful cloth spun around in circles.
It wasn't long before they started to attract a crowd, with the majority of people clearly thrilled at the fact that they were holding the Festival as they clapped along to the music.
"Come one, come all!" Esme called out, waving and beckoning others to come over, "Close the schools, for it's the Feast of Fools!"
Clopin only relaxed when he saw the number of people they were attracting.
He tensed up again when he realised that the majority were fully-grown men… and they were all staring at his sister.
She wasn't even fifteen yet.
He did not like those looks aimed at his baby sister.
He wasn't blind to the stares aimed at his younger brother as well.
As the dancing continued, with all eyes on the celebrations, Clopin waved one of his burlier men over, "Keep an eye on the twins." He ordered, "If someone even breathes on them wrong, I want them dealt with."
The man nodded in understanding, moving a little closer to the dancing, one hand inching towards one of the many daggers he had about his person.
Just in case.
Reassured that everything was under control, Clopin settled back down to watch the festivities.
….
The festivities had spread out into the streets, with Saphir and Esme 'patrolling' to make sure that everything was going according to plan.
They were unaware of the eyes watching from the shadows.
…..
They were perfect.
He had admired the pair for a while now, having seen their performances before.
The gentle curves of their backs, their willowy legs and certain other… interesting aspects. There was perfection in every inch, from the soft lips to nimble fingers.
He had wanted nothing more, than to touch them, and claim them as his own.
And now seemed like the perfect opportunity.
"You two!" He raised his voice, catching their attention, causing them to stop in their tracks and turn to look at him, "What are you doing around here?!"
The pair straightened up at the sight of him, but there was no hint of submission in their stances… not like he liked.
"It's the festival." The boy answered, "We're performing."
"Down this street?" He made a show of looking around, "Doesn't seem to be much of an audience here?"
"We're trying to catch people's attention so they can join the main festivities." The girl then answered.
"So, they'll leave their homes, and you can rob them?"
"No!"
He ummed and aahed for a moment, before gesturing for them to follow him, "I'll take you back to the main square, you'll just have to deal with the audience that you have."
"We can go back ourselves." The girl grabbed the boys' hand, attempting to pull him past the guard, only for the larger man to grab the boy, stopping them in their tracks.
"Let go of him!" The girl leapt at him, yelping as the guard backhanded her to one side.
"Esme!" The boy tried to help only to swiftly find himself pinned up against the wall, the boy pressing himself up against it as much as he could, trying to avoid their bodies touching. When the boy's knee came up sharply, the guard managed to stop it with a smirk, grabbing the boy's face and gripping it tightly.
"Saphir!"
The girl, Esme's cry didn't quite drown out her brother's pained yelp, getting to her feet once again, prompting him to kick her back. The back of her head hit the wall and for a moment, she was dazed, collapsing onto the cobblestones with a groan.
"Esme! Esme!"
The guard moved his hand down to the boy's throat, tightening it until that tanned skin started to flush bright red with the lack of oxygen. The younger man started to shake, pressed under the weight of the guard.
"Ssh." The guard whispered, "Any shouting… and what I do to your precious sister will be much worse. Understand? Now, be a good little gypsy, and stay where you belong… beneath me."
Before he could go any further though, he was tackled to the ground, and everything went black.
….
Phoebus hadn't intended to wander this far away from the main city centre, but in hindsight, he was glad that he had.
The gypsy boy looked terrified as the guard pinned him up against the wall, the girl struggling to push herself to her feet as blood trickled down the side of her head.
And Phoebus saw red.
He didn't say a word as he darted forwards, striking a blow that probably knocked the man out, breaking his nose at the same time. He kicked him in the stomach for good measure, before turning to the gypsy twins, who were eyeing him with suspicion.
He knelt down, to avoid towering over them.
"Are you… are you both okay?"
Neither of them said a word.
"That head wound looks nasty." He said to the girl, "Do you need me to bring you back to the city centre to- "
"- We'll manage!" The girl snapped, only for her brother to pull her back, green eyes watching Phoebus.
"Why did you help us?"
"Because he was… he was doing the wrong thing." Phoebus could see the bruises forming on the other boy's skin, and then to the wound on the girl's head, "I think you might have a concussion." He told her, noticing how her eyes seemed to have a problem focusing on him, "I really think I should help you to the centre and- "
He paused, feeling the sharp point of a dagger at the back of his neck.
"- Or your friend can help you to the centre?"
The girl smirked, even as the boy waved whoever was standing behind Phoebus away.
"It's okay Isiah." He reassured the newcomer, "This guard actually helped us."
The sharp point moved away, and Phoebus quickly moved to one side, wincing at the size of the man who had been behind him. Silently, he watched as the man helped the pair to their feet and started to lead them away.
Once they were out of sight, he looked over at the fallen guard, who was just starting to stir.
Perhaps… it was time he left as well.