Chapter Seven

Obtenir Pour Vous Savoir

(Getting to Know You)

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters/items/other stuff from Hunchback of Notre Dame. They belong to Victor Hugo (the original mastermind whom I strongly recommend reading as the original is absolutely brilliant and puts Disney to shame) and Disney (as most of the characterization is based on this version). I only use them for my own pleasure in writing, but I don't make a dime out of it, so please don't sue. All original characters are my own creation.

Author's Note: Just as a note to anyone reading this, this story takes place twelve years before the events of the Disney movie, whose storyline this fan fiction follows. Just wanted to leave that as a little note. Additional note is that the language of the Roma will be in this chapter and future chapters. I am by no means an expert, but I did try to do some research and look for phrases and such that would be used. So, yeah, I do try to have some sort of realism in my stories. Anyways, if you like this fan fiction, please please please review. I would love to hear that other people are enjoying this. Onto the story...

It was a brilliant Sunday morning and Clopin was enjoying his only day off. Not that he wanted to be away from his puppet cart, but the majority of his customers were fulfilling their holy obligations, leaving him without an audience. On this particular Sunday morning, as he kicked a few pebbles along the cobblestone streets of Paris, Clopin was highly put out. His father had yet again brought up the subject of marriage, this time in front of his grandmother, who became teary eyed that he may not provide her with a great grandchild before she passed. Just thinking about the unfortunate argument that followed brought a vile taste to his mouth. Clopin would surely have to apologize later for his fiery temper and storming out of the Cour des Miracles, but right now, he simply wanted to get away.

As he trudged through the city towards his cart, thinking he might freshen up a few of his puppets, a small child found its way entangled in his long legs, wrapping its arms around them. Looking down, Clopin could not help but laugh at the girl who had followed him from their home.

"Clopin!" Puppet popped out of thin air, causing the young child to smile and her vibrant green eyes to light up. "We have a companion!"

"Que?" Looking down as if for the first time, Clopin opened his eyes wide in surprise and jumped a bit, causing the little girl to laugh more. "Indeed we do, Puppet. It is our dear friend, Esmeralda." Puppet responded by nodding his little wooden head.

Clopin kneeled down so he was face-to-face with the young girl. He noted that Esmeralda's long ebony tresses were curled up and pulled back with a clean pink scarf while her clothing looked impeccable, no holes in the crisp white shirt or dirt on the hem of her purple skirt. Hugging the girl tightly, Puppet popped back up to kiss her on her nose.

"What are you doing out today, ma fille douce? Surely, in such a nice dress, Rupa didn't let you leave the Court?"

Esmeralda's cheeks instantly reddened and her eyes lowered to the street, a foot coming out to shuffle in front of her. Clopin knew that she had followed him out, but now knew that her guardian, a pleasant woman named Rupa, was probably going crazy in the Cour des Miracles looking for the ever elusive child.

"Non. Rupa doesn't know I'm here." Blushing, as if it was possible, even more, Esmeralda paused and Clopin waited. Finally, she continued. "I heard you were visiting the new Romni. I wanted to meet her too."

Puppet again appeared this time posing a question on Clopin's mind. "A new woman in town? And a Romni, you say?"

Clopin pulled on his goatee, contemplating this new information. "I have not heard of this. Will you show me, Esmeralda?"

"Show us, Esmeralda, show us!" Puppet had reappeared and was tugging on Esmerald'a sleeve excitedly. Esmeralda was giggling again. Reaching over, Clopin bopped the little puppet over the head with a short wooden stick, whispering "Manners!", only causing Esmeralda to laugh some more. "Please, Mademoiselle Esmeralda, will you show us?"

"Oui!"

Grabbing Clopin's free hand, Esmeralda began to hurry down the cobblestone streets, knocking through many Parisians who looked quite harassed at being shoved aside by two gypsies. Thankfully, there were no guards about this morning as they surely would have been arrested for the ruckus they were causing. Esmeralda did not slow down until they were approaching the Pont des Arts. Clopin was grateful for this as the crowds had thicken considerably, many of the shops opening now that Mass had ended a few hours ago, people of every kind wandering here and there to get some last minute item for their Sunday lunches. Slowing down, Esmeralda began to pick her way carefully through a crowd surrounding a small cart.

When Esmeralda finally stopped, she was out of breath and looking up at Clopin excitedly. The cart, painted in stripes of bright pink and green, was fairly small. However, the side facing them had two large doors built in that swung open to allow the inside to be seen. Shelves were built into the inside wall of the cart where beautiful vases, decorated with everything from Chinese dragons to water lilies, and other delicate sculptures were standing. Above the opening of the cart, several wind chimes were hung and glistening in the breezeless day. On the insides of the open doors were various paintings while a canvas was setup outside where a petite woman was standing with her back to the pair.

"See, Clopin, I told you there was a Romni here."

"And so you did."

The woman did not see the pair and went about her painting while the pedestrians milled around her. Clopin and Esmeralda tried to maneuver around the many people to gain a better view. Just as Clopin had reached a spot where he would be able to make out the newcomer's face, she moved aside to help a rather large, blonde-haired woman who was holding a painted vase in her hands. Sighing in frustration, Clopin waited while the two bartered. He noted that while the customer was becoming slightly agitated with the intense negotiations, the new woman remained calm. When their transaction was completed, Clopin approached.

"Droboy tume Romale."

Looking up, the woman tossed her long ebony hair, which was French braided, over her shoulder and held out a hand. "Nais tuke."

Smiling, Clopin accepted her hand and shook it. As he did, he was able to get a good look at her. While the majority of her hair was twisted back into a braid, she also had let her bangs sweep down across her forehead, almost covering her right eye. A gold hoop was in one of her ears while several bangles hung from her arm. She was wearing a long green striped skirt that stopped a few inches above her ankles which was paired with a long sleeved, snug beige shirt and a black corset. Her oval face was not unattractive – almond-shaped hazel eyes, a tiny nose, and pale pink lips – and her body was curved, just not as much as he usually preferred his women. Wiping his mind of such thoughts, he returned his attention back to the woman, who now wore a confused expression, one eyebrow quirked.

"My name is Clopin Trouillefou. It is a pleasure to meet you."

"You as well." Releasing Clopin's hand, she reached up to tuck a stray hair behind her ear. "I am Nadja Sherred."

"A beautiful name for a beautiful woman."

A blush crept slowly up Nadja's face before she responded. "Quite the flatterer, Señor Trouillefou."

"Please, just Clopin." Before he could say another word, Esmeralda had returned from her adventures of exploring the wares and pushed her way in between the two, her little hands balled up into fists and placed on her hips.

"You didn't wait for me, Clopin!"

Leaning down and placing his hands upon his knees, Clopin frowned. "My apologies."

"Oui! We are sorry!" Puppet had yet again appeared. For a moment, it looked as if Esmeralda was going to throw a tantrum. Instead, she threw her arms around the older boy's neck.

"You are forgiven."

Smiling up at Nadja, Clopin worded an apology for the young girl's behavior. Nadja simply waved it aside, returning the smile.

Standing back up, Clopin twirled Esmeralda around to face Nadja, holding her by her shoulders. "Let me introduce you to Nadja Sherred."

Esmeralda curtsied. "I'm Esmeralda." Nadja returned the curtsey, amused by the girl's extremely happy disposition.

"I saw you were looking at the glass wind chime. Would you like me to take it down so you can get a better look?"

Esmeralda looked up at Clopin for permission and he nodded. Walking over, Nadja took a small stepping stool from beneath her cart and reached up to retrieve the wind chime, the stool wobbling beneath her lithe frame. Clopin feared she was going to snap her neck, but she gracefully stepped down, holding the delicate wind chime, nudging the stool back beneath the cart. Returning to the pair, she kneeled down and handed the object to the young girl.

"Now, you must be careful. It is made of glass and I wouldn't want you to cut yourself."

"I will be careful, Mademoiselle Sherred, I promise."

Chuckling, Nadja nodded her head. "Oh! One more thing."

"Oui?"

"Just call me Nadja. We are friends, no?"

Esmeralda smiled and hugged the older woman, being careful to not damage the wind chime. Going to stand out a sunny spot near the cart, Esmeralda's attention returned to the wind chime, whose glass was glittering many different colors on the pavement. Standing back up, Nadja smiled shyly at Clopin.

"She's precious."

"She's been particularly well behaved today. Usually, she's a ball of energy and destroying nearly everything in sight."

Nadja brought a hand to her mouth and giggled, not wanting to offend Clopin or the young girl. "I'm sure she's sweet, no matter what."

"Indeed."

The two stood in silence, watching Esmeralda as she played with her newest toy. The crowd had dispersed for the most part as the bells of Notre Dame declared it noon a few moments ago. Turning back to Nadja, who had a slight smile on her face, he inquired about something that had just run through his mind.

"If you don't mind, may I ask where you traveled from?"

Nadja raised an eyebrow, a habit she clearly had Clopin noted, and paused to think about her answer.

"I am originally from Spain, but I have not been there in many years. I have been traveling, selling my art work. My feet took me here, to Paris. Not a usual stop for me."

"You came by yourself?"

"Sí."

Clopin nodded, returning his attention back to Esmeralda, silence filling the air yet again. Nadja began to twist the end of her braid, chewing thoughtfully at her lip. Clopin watched this from the corner of his eye, fascinated by her facial expression.

"May I ask what you do for a living, Se…" Nadja paused to fix her mistake. "…Clopin."

"I am a puppeteer and storyteller. My cart is setup a few plazas over from Notre Dame."

Nadja smiled wistfully, clearly entertaining a very private thought before her eyes cleared and connected with Clopin's. "I would love to see you perform. I have not seen a puppet show since I was very little."

"Cela est une tragédie!" Clopin clapped his hands onto his face, a horrified look in his wide eyes, every bone in his body tense. "You must come tomorrow!"

Giggling, Nadja shook her head, amused by the man's actions. It seemed everything was over exaggerated, like one big show. "I will make time, I promise."

"Ah! I have your word. Lovely!"

Clopin bounced on the balls of his feet, his features pleasant once more upon her declaration. Nadja continued to shake her head before returning her attention back to Esmeralda. The seven-year-old seemed to sense their gaze and turned to smile at the couple, standing up to make her way back to them.

"Clopin!" Clopin jumped in pretend fright as if his attention had not just been on her. Esmeralda frowned and tapped her foot impatiently, knowing full well he was playing around. "I want to go back. I am hungry."

Clopin chuckled. "Fine, fine." Here he threw his hands up in defeat. "To home we go."

Esmeralda turned to Nadja, handing her the wind chime. With a quirked eyebrow, Nadja took the object, surprised the girl would not want it. At the sad look on the young child's face, Nadja left for a moment to grab some paper, which she wrapped the wind chime in, and handed it back to Esmeralda.

"Consider it a gift from a new friend."

"Oh!" Esmeralda took the package delicately, not wanting to crush the pretty glass inside. "Merci!"

Esmeralda threw her body around the older woman's legs, hugging with all of her might, but still careful not to break her newest possession. Nadja kneeled down and returned the gesture. Standing back up, Clopin took her hand and kissed her knuckles lightly, pleased with the blush that crept back up into her cheeks.

"Au revoir, mademoiselle."

Nadja came back to her senses as the pair walked away, waving when Esmeralda turned around to get one last look. As they rounded the corner and left her sight, Nadja leaned against her cart, a sadistic smile slowly crossing her face. Tucking a stand of hair beneath her ear, Nadja turned to close up her shop, content with the day's events.

From a dark side alley, Patrick frowned, still not pleased with the situation at hand. He watched as Jeta pushed her cart into another alley, the shadows helping to hide it, hoping to protect it both from damage and soldiers. Taking a final look around, Jeta entered the cart herself, closing and locking the door behind her. Shaking his head, Patrick turned to make his way back to the safe house, several thoughts running through his mind.

Author's Note: One of the shorter chapters, but still necessary. Also, there's a lot of different phrases in several languages in this chapter – French, Romani, and Spanish. Much of it is easy to understand and guess the meaning, but if it is too much, please let me know. Yay! for Clopin in this chapter and I promise there is more to come. Promise. Again, if you like, review. I love to get some love.

Que? (French): What?
Ma fille douce (French): My sweet girl
Oui (French): Yes
Non (French): No
Romni (Romani): A female
Mademoiselle (French): title for an unmarried woman
Droboy tume Romale (Romani): A traditional Romani greeting
Nais tuke (Romani): Thank you (response to above greeting)\
Señor (Spanish): Mister
Sí (Spanish): Yes
Cela est une tragédie! (French): That is a tragedy!
Merci (French): Thank you
Au revoir (French): Good bye