Chapter Nine

Les Yeux de Doe et Les Dents de Serpent

(Doe Eyes and Serpent Teeth)

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 because, let's face it, Disney rocks). 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: Sorry for the really long delay between this chapter and the last. I had finals at school as well as getting my wisdom teeth pulled, which left me in quite the funk for the last few days. Anyways, I got numerous sweet reviews. D I don't usually do this but…

Sweet Valentine: Thank you for the nomination in that C2. I really appreciate it. I am also so grateful that you review after the chapters because you are the only one, up until bubblymuggle4, and it truly makes my day when I see a review from you. Thank you!
bubblymuggle4: Thank you so much for your compliments. I'm glad you are enjoying my story. -blushes- Your review was simply amazing and really made me happy as well as helped me to judge if any of the characters were off (something I definitely don't want to happen). Thank you again for all of the compliments.
Pierre Gringoire: You're just going to have to keep reading to find out what happens, but thank you for correcting my mistake as well as your view. Input and opinions are always welcomed.

Anyways, thank you to my reviewers and, again, sorry for the very long wait between chapters. It was unavoidable, but I will hopefully make it up to all of you over my winter break. Anyways, enjoy!

P.S. Everyone should go read Sweet Valentine's story "Parmi Les Gitans." It puts this fan fiction to shame. It is really wonderfully written, different, and very interesting. I would put a link, but it's not working for some reason. ( Really sorry, but it's easy enough to find in a search.

It became almost a daily routine of the time Clopin and Nadja spent together. He was thankful for her absolute honesty and general cheerfulness while she was grateful to have made a friend in a strange new city who did not ask too many questions about her past. While not every moment was spent together because life would be very dull and boring, the pair saw each other often enough that some of the gadje women who came to see Clopin's performances knew they had better chances gaining his attention when the gypsy girl was not around.

Every so often, Clopin would bring little Esmeralda with him when he visited the artist and it was a guarantee that all of Nadja's attention would be focused on the small girl. Esmeralda looked up to Nadja as if she was an older sister and Nadja welcomed any chance for the child's amazement at life as well as her general sense of awe towards the other woman.

And so the days passed, filled with laughter, friendship, and several runs from the guards which is unavoidable when being a gypsy in Paris, France. Granted, Clopin with his headstrongness and Nadja with her pride would be at ends with each other, but these small disagreements were quickly over and laughed about.

It was two and a half months later, in the month of July, and Nadja decided to surprise Clopin with a picnic by the Seine River, a way to thank him for all the kindness he had bestowed upon her. It was an ordinary day in Paris for the month of July. Very few Parisians graced the cobblestone streets of the city as the temperatures had reached nearly unbearable highs. Still, children could be seen begging their mothers to let them stop and see the puppet show as the women attempted to complete their errands as quickly as possible. However, they welcomed the chance to leave their children in a fairly well supervised area with the only gypsy man they trusted in the city, knowing he would entertain them for quite some time, leaving them to complete their chores. On this particular day, Nadja had ventured from her cart to visit Clopin, having sold nothing in the summer heat, the lovers too busy lounging in the shades of the trees and café umbrellas to look at her lovely works of art.

Nadja entered the plaza where Clopin's cart was always located and a smile crossed her lips as her eyes quickly found the overly flamboyant performer doing some acrobatic tricks in front of his cart, the bells on his cowl jingling with every fluid movement, the colors of his tunic and leggings combining into one blur. Deciding to stay back and let him perform, not wanting to interrupt, Nadja lingered near the back of the crowd, saying hello to the rather large fellow who she had become acquaintances with at Clopin's show, always sure though to keep her distance knowing that her skin color could easily get the man in trouble.

At the end of his performance, which Clopin ended with a magnificent song and quite a few tricky stunts, the audience applauded politely and either left the area to go about their business or approached the young man to pay him for his entertainment, the coins quickly collecting in the small tin can on the edge of the cart's windowsill. Once the majority of the crowd dispersed, the only ones left in front of the violently colored cart were Nadja, Clopin, and a very young Parisian woman whose attention was focused solely on Clopin. Not wanting to interrupt what appeared to be a very personal discussion, Nadja slipped into the shadows of a shop and waited, happy that Clopin or the woman had not seen her.

"Mademoiselle Baptista! What a pleasure to see you." Clopin leaned down and gently kissed the back of the girl's hand, a blush creeping up on her face while Nadja's own flushed with what could only be jealousy.

"And you, Clopin." The young girl's azure eyes lowering and gazing up and down Clopin's body, noting how his chest heaved slightly from his performance and the sweat that was forming on his brow, making him all the more attractive.

"Excuse me for just a moment." Clopin again leaned over, this time placing a quick kiss on the girl's cheek before dashing into his cart, returning a few moments later with a clean tunic on, a towel in one hand wiping his face. "I apologize. The heat is outrageous today, but the children were so excited to see me flipping about before the puppet show that I just had to perform."

"Always one to please the children, monsieur, aren't you?"

"Indeed. And hopefully others as well."

Gemile raised a dainty hand to her painted lips and giggled, her eyes lowering in a seductive manner. "It has been a long time since I have last spoken to you, Clopin. Over two months. Don't tell me you have found another woman to preoccupy your time."

"Non!" Clopin looked offended at the mere suggestion. "None could compare to your beauty and grace, ma dame juste. I have simply had other matters to attend to. I didn't stay away by choice. Could you forgive a stupid, old man?"

Gemile giggled again. "Stupid, perhaps. Old man, never."

"Ah, but you insult me and I have not yet been forgiven."

Clopin leaned onto his cart, an elbow propping him up against the side, showing off his well-sculpted body in the afternoon sun. He knew exactly how to play with Gemile's mind and if he played his cards right, perhaps today would end in a much pleasanter atmosphere, preferably in Gemile's bed in a cool house. Gemile noted Clopin's posture and knew all too well Clopin's game, having heard from several of the older women of his dastardly deeds, but still finding the gypsy man irresistible.

"Perhaps, if you are not too busy, monsieur could escort me home and we can discuss an appropriate manner for this forgiveness to be given?"

Nadja could not stand to see the two flirt anymore. The wicker basket containing the lunch she had prepared for Clopin and herself was clutched angrily in one hand, the other pressed flat against the side of the building. Taking several deep breaths, Nadja walked gracefully out of the side alley, swinging her hips just the tiniest of bits, a cheerful smile gracing her features that were so dark only moments before.

Clopin looked up from Gemile and raised a hand to wave at Nadja, having seen her come from the side of the shop. Nadja approached the pair, not even bothering to offer her hand in friendship, knowing that such a gesture would be lost on the woman before her whose face was covered with a very ill-hidden look of disgust as her eyes intensely scrutinized the slightly older girl in front of her. The gypsy girl just kept a pleasant look on her face as if her raggedy clothing was much more expensive than the perfectly dressed young lady before her. Pretending not to notice, Nadja simply folded her hands on the handle of her basket. Clopin seemed to notice the tension forming between the two young ladies and quickly stepped in.

"Gemile, I don't believe you have met Nadja Sherred yet. She is new here. Her cart is at the Pont des Artes; she sells paintings and such." Clopin raised a hand to present Nadja who merely continued to smile. "And Nadja, this is Mademoiselle Gemile Baptista. Her father runs the small bank a few blocks over. He's quite influential in the city."

Gemile's smile turned particularly superior, knowing that her class was well above the dark-skinned girl before her. Tossing a perfectly curled piece of amber hair over her shoulder, Gemile glowed in the afternoon sun, her cheeks slightly flushed from the heat as well as Clopin's recent flattery. Nadja had to admit she was extraordinarily beautiful and could understand Clopin's fawning over the young girl. "It's a pleasure to finally meet the woman Clopin has talked so much about. I shall have to stop by the bridge at some point to see your art work."

"Funny. Clopin has never mentioned you." Nadja turned to look at Clopin, whose mouth dropped before he could even comprehend what exactly had happened. The air was suddenly like ice despite the sun pounding on the three and the lack of any breeze. Gemile looked offended, her hand coming up to her delicate mouth once again, this time in shock. "You are quite beautiful, though. It is no wonder he would be attracted to such a lovely gadje woman. Probably hasn't told anyone about you so he can keep you all to himself. Isn't that right, Clopin?"

"Indeed!" Gemile's face clearly shown that she was not pleased, a lace fan having replaced her hand that was now fluttering nervously in front of her face. Clopin quickly responded, not wanting to ruin his chances with the pretty gadje girl and noting he would certainly have a talk with Nadja when this was done. "I wouldn't want any other men, gypsy or gadje, to take notice of you. They would surely steal you away from me and we couldn't have that, ma dame juste. I'd be heartbroken."

"Isn't he just the charmer?" Nadja smiled pleasantly at Gemile as if she did not notice the intense rays of dislike that were coming off the other girl as Gemile lowered her fan and shook out her shoulders, asserting her class.

"It appears that you are busy today, Clopin." Gemile threw one last look of disgust at Nadja before flicking open a parasol that had been dangling from her wrist, using it to keep the sun from her eyes. "Perhaps I shall ask monsieur Léon to escort me home."

"If that is what you wish, mademoiselle." Clopin bowed, trying to keep a smile on his face while he was steaming on the inside. It certainly looked like he would spending the day in the heat that afternoon, not entangled in Mademoiselle Baptista's sheets.

"Oui. It is. Good day."

Turning sharply, Gemile walked off down the cobblestone street, her hips swinging seductively behind her, knowing that Clopin's gaze would follow her until she left the square. Without even a look back, Mademoiselle Baptista was gone and Clopin had thrown himself against his cart, his shoulders shrugged and an air of defeat around him. He had completely forgotten about Nadja with Gemile leaving so abruptly and nearly took a swing at the poor girl when she finally spoke up.

"She seems to be very pleasant. I would love to get to know her better."

Clopin glared at Nadja, who did nothing more than smile, knowing that he might be angry at her for a while, but would eventually cool off and be back to his pleasant self. "Hmph. You're still a nasty little liar and now you have ruined my chances of spending the afternoon with Gemile."

"But wouldn't you prefer my company instead? I won't ruin your clothing or pull at your hand for attention or beg you to stay for just one more moment before my parents arrive home." Nadja smirked scandalously at the appalled look at Clopin's face. Shaking her hair out and laughing, Nadja continued. "Besides, I simply have too much food in this basket for one person. I need someone else to share it with."

"You, mademoiselle, are above and beyond anyone I have ever met. I swear, sometimes, I don't know if you are a scoundrel or a lady."

Nadja laughed, a hand grasping her stomach at Clopin's comment. "I will take that as a compliment, señor."

"You would, mademoiselle."

"You will be joining me for lunch then? I have packed your favorite sandwiches and a nice, though illegal, bottle of wine compliments of Judge Claude Frollo."

Clopin quirked an eyebrow at the woman before him, a habit he had picked up from her and one he was still trying to break. "Do I even want to ask how you got your hands on that?"

"That is a secret, señor, that I shall never tell."

With a devilish grin, Nadja began to make her way towards the riverside, only turning once to look back if Clopin was following her. He was, of course, having nothing better to do with his afternoon and knowing that his time spent with Nadja was always enjoyable. Besides, she had wine straight from the cellars of Judge Claude Frollo and he wanted to drink the whole bottle. Jogging slightly to catch up with her, Clopin took the basket from her hands, earning him a pleasant smile.

"What the gentleman!"

"Only at the moment, mademoiselle."

"I would assume nothing else."

Clopin playfully shoved Nadja with his elbow, causing her to trip over a loose cobblestone. He barely felt the sharp sting of her slap on his arm in retaliation, amusement overtaking him at the sight of the young woman flailing to catch her balance before hitting the ground. Nadja stuck her tongue out, crossing her arms and turning away from Clopin.

"You buffoon! Now she hates us!"

Puppet had made his appearance, the first time in a while. The small toy had not been needed to keep conversations up between the pair, having grown comfortable in each other presence. But every now and then, he appeared, particularly when Clopin fouled up.

"I could never hate you Puppet."

Leaning down, Nadja placed a kiss on his cheek and stuck her tongue out at Clopin, who was staring in disbelief at the puppet in his hand.

"Why is it that this… this… puppet, receives more affection than I do?" Puppet was now dancing around, waving his hands and exclaiming his joy at receiving a kiss from Nadja. A sharp rap to his head with the little wooden stick stopped his antics.

"Because he is polite and a gentleman." Nadja linked her arms with Clopin, her lips forming a playful pout, batting her eyelashes as she had seen Gemile do. "Which we all know is not what you are, Clopin."

"You flatter me."

"I should be careful." Nadja released her grasp on Clopin's arm, a finger coming up to rap on Clopin's head lightly. "Don't want that enlarged head of yours to inflate anymore and explode."

Clopin flicked her hand away as if she was an annoying gnat, glaring at the girl who was now skipping pleasantly before him, hoping to whatever gods there were that she would not trip walking backwards. "Very funny, mademoiselle."

Nadja turned around, her hands clasped behind her back, as she returned to walking next to Clopin. "Perhaps I can replace you as the town fool."

"I am no town fool!" Clopin had now stopped in the middle of the street, the basket shaking in his fist. "I am a comedian. Merci beaucoup!"

Without another word, Clopin turned around, basket still in hand, about ready to walk back to his cart and enjoy whatever the contents were of Nadja's lunch without her. A gentle hand on his elbow made him stopped and he turned around to face the young girl who had an apologetic look on her face, half of it in obscured by her bangs that had fallen out of her headscarf.

"I'm sorry, Clopin. I did not mean to offend. It was a joke. Perhaps I went too far." Nadja chewed thoughtfully on her lip, tugging gently at a strand of hair with a finger.

"Perhaps, mademoiselle?" Clopin placed a hand on his hip, his right foot tapping impatiently on the cobblestone.

"Very well, I did go too far." Nadja began to pout again, entangling her fingers in his tunic, forcing his attention back to her pleading, pouty eyes. "Please forgive me."

Throwing his hands up in the air in defeat, Clopin placed an arm around Nadja's shoulders, pulling her in close. "I suppose I don't have any other choice, now do I?"

"No." Nadja giggled and wriggled free of his hold, reminding him that no matter how close they ever got, physical contact was still something Nadja shied away from. "No choice but to spend the day with me."

"If I must." Clopin rolled his eyes which did nothing but cause Nadja to stick her tongue out at the storyteller. Suddenly, noticing that they were no longer near the cathedral, Clopin tugged on Nadja's hand, causing her to stop, a single dark eyebrow quirked at the abruptness. "Where exactly are we going?"

"Somewhere," Nadja replied, starting to walk away but was stopped by Clopin's tight grip on her hand.

"That's not an answer." Nadja tugged back on Clopin's hand, not getting him to move an inch.

"It's nowhere bad." Clopin just pulled another a skeptic look, not believing that she would not lead the two of them into trouble, a very bad habit of Nadja's. "Just follow me. Honestly, it'll be fine."

Clopin finally agreed to move again, not releasing her hand from his grasp and for once she did not try to wiggle free. He did not know if it was because she enjoyed the contact or if she had forgotten about it in trying to convince him to follow her. The pair silently made their way down the cobblestone path and, for once, they were able to enjoy walking in the middle of the day as there were so few Parisians out in the summer heat. After a few more minutes, they reached the spot that Nadja had led them to – a shaded area near the Pont Marie. Nadja stopped underneath an almond tree, spreading her arms out for Clopin to take in the view.

"What do you think?"

Clopin stopped and stared at the scene before him. Underneath the tree was a fair amount of shade which let it feel as if the temperature had dropped a few degrees. A light breeze had picked up and was blowing through the pink blossoms of the tree branches, a few falling off and drifting in the wind before landing in the Seine River below them. The water rippled gently, coming up at times to lap at the shore before continuing its winding path through the city. The best part, however, was that they were well hidden from the city streets above and would not be disturbed by the common Parisian or a guard. Clopin had to hand it to Nadja for finding this place as he had never stumbled upon it in his numerous adventures throughout the city.

"I think it's beautiful."

Nadja blushed and gently took the lunch basket from Clopin's hands before she sat on the ground beneath the almond tree, Clopin joining her a few moments later. Taking out a bottle of red wine and small chunk of cheese, Nadja then passed a ham and Swiss cheese sandwich, complete with a tiny swipe of butter, to Clopin, smiling pleasantly. However, an interesting look was on his face, one of confusion and bewilderment. Nadja nearly dropped his sandwich in the dirt, concerned that she had done something wrong. Clopin caught it deftly seconds before it hit the ground and finally returned her smile, answering her unasked question.

"You didn't have to do this all for me."

Nadja blushed, Clopin noted that this was the first time color had crept to her cheeks in a long time and that he had sorely missed the look on the young girl's face, and lowered her gaze. "I wanted to do it as a thank you. For being so kind to me. I…" Nadja looked up for a brief second before her gaze returned to her hands, swallowing hard. "I do not make friends often. I move too much. I don't let people get too close to me. I am happy I got to know you and I wanted to show you that."

Clopin, for once in his life, had nothing to say. He was truly touched by Nadja's gesture and did not want to ruin it by saying something stupid. Not knowing what else to do, he took a huge bite out of his sandwich, almost successfully choking himself in trying to swallow a large chunk. This caused Nadja to laugh and the air that seconds ago had been silently awkward returned to its normal cheerful mood. Nadja nibbled a bit at the end of her own sandwich, watching Clopin from the corner of her eye.

"Do you like it here in Paris?"

It had been several minutes and the pair had almost finished their sandwiches and were picking at the chunk of cheese, sipping wine straight from the bottle, Clopin having already made a toast to the minister for his gift. Nadja looked up at Clopin, pausing to think about her response. "Yes. It is very different from other places I've been to and much more… pleasant… than I remember it being."

"Are you going to stay much longer?" The question was innocent enough, but it caused Nadja to pause, lowering the bottle from her lips.

"I do not know. I have never stayed in a place for so long."

Clopin also paused, watching the expressions play across Nadja's features as her eyebrows came together and her lips squished to the side in her normal thoughtful gaze. The breeze had picked up again and her long black tresses were flowing in the wind around her and for once, Clopin saw her as a beautiful, attractive woman rather than a fellow friend and jokester who happened to be of the opposite sex.

"If you stay for the winter, you should come to the Court."

The moment was lost and Nadja had whipped her hair back into her headscarf, pulling it into a tight knot at the base of her neck and her face was clear and strong once again. "No. I will be gone before that."

"But, if you're not?"

Nadja turned and faced Clopin trying to read him, but his emotions were hidden away from her. This, if anything, frustrated Nadja more than his questions. She prided herself on being able to read every person she ever met yet he remained elusive to her at the moment.

"I doubt I would go to the Court if I remained in Paris for the winter."

"Why?"

"Why the many questions all of a sudden?"

Clopin sighed and leaned back onto his elbows, bringing the bottle of wine to his lips and taking a deep swig before replacing it next to him. "We have known each other for several months now, but I still feel like I barely know anything about you. We are friends, non?" Clopin looked up at Nadja who was leaning against the trunk of the tree.

"Yes, we are friends." Nadja began to pull at her fingers, the digits not stopping for a moment as she then began to twist part of her skirt. Clopin allowed her a moment, not wanting to push her. "But like I said, I am not used to getting close to people. I don't think I would do well in a place all season with so many different people."

Clopin nodded, stretching a hand out to grasp hers, squeezing it once gently before releasing it. He knew the subject matter was closed for the moment and did not want to ruin a pleasant day. The two sat in companionable silence, watching the waves in the Seine River as they lapped against one another. A few moments later, Nadja was the one to speak.

"May I ask about your family?"

Clopin looked up, tipping his purple hat up higher on his forehead, it having recently dipped lower to shade his eyes. He blinked a few times, a hand coming up to massage his chin and goatee. "Oui. I don't see why not."

"What is it like?" Clopin opened his mouth and then closed it again, confused at the question. Nadja chewed her lip, trying to pose the question in better words. "What is it like to have a family?"

"Do you not have a family of your own?"

Nadja shook her head, her bangs obscuring her vision and her now glistening eyes. Wiping her face quickly, Nadja took a deep breath and threw back her head, clearing the hair from her eyes. "No. They died when I was very young. Typhus. When I was nine. I have been alone since then."

"Je suis désolé."

"No. Please. Don't apologize. Everyone does. I just wonder sometimes. You still have your parents, sí?"

"Oui. Both of them. As well as several siblings."

"Tell me about them."

Nadja flopped stomach-down on the grass next to Clopin, one hand propping up her head as the other began to play with the flowers at the base of the tree. Clopin smiled and leaned back into the tree, amused at the turn of conversation.

"Very well. My maman, Papusza, married my father, Bexhet, when she was very young. She is still very young, maybe thirty, but no, not really, younger than that. She has this long gorgeous mane of hair that just goes everywhere and she always has this enormous headscarf in it to keep it from her eyes when she cooks. My mother makes the best food in all of Paris, I swear it. It's the only thing that keeps my father calm. He is always moving about and shouting and trying to fix things."

"Your father sounds a bit like you? All energy."

Clopin laughed. "Indeed. You may say that. He's fairly strict, but my father has a mean streak of humor in him. If you think I say outrageous things, you should hear my father." Nadja giggled and then nodded for Clopin to continue. "I have four siblings. My brother, Rajko, is only a few years younger than me, but you would never know we are even related."

"Why's that?"

"Let's just say that while I am loud and outrageous, my brother is all calm and quietness. You sometimes forget he is in the room because he is so silent. He wants to learn to read and write, but that's nearly impossible with our circumstances. If you hear him speak, though; his words are beautiful and he's often an inspiration for my own stories."

"The Great Clopin needs inspiration?" Nadja was teasing him yet again, her tongue sticking out with a twinkle in her eye.

"Sometimes, yes." Clopin was not ashamed to admit that his brother had more than once came up with an ending to a story that had him stuck or that, no matter their many differences, that he loved his younger brother very much. "Anyways, the two siblings below him are binaks, but they are much younger, only six years each. They are Tshaya – a stunning beauty and a heartbreaker if I've ever met one, even at such a young age – and Tshurka – who I am proud to say looks up to me like he should. The pair are the biggest set of troublemakers ever. They put me to shame sometimes."

"And the youngest?"

"A baby girl, only two. Mala. She's my favorite. She lets me pick her up and throw her in the air. She even lets me put her on my knee and sing her stories of faraway lands. The others all claim that they are too old for such nonsense, but not Mala. She'd sit there for hours and let me sing to her."

Clopin trailed off and watched the breeze play on the grass and water, his attention obviously on his baby sister.

"Your family sounds so nice." Nadja also looked at the water before closing her eyes and taking in a deep breath of the summer air.

"You could meet them."

"Perhaps one day."

Author's Note: So, I did somewhat okay. I got this chapter out on Christmas, not by, but oh well. I think that is pretty good considering I've been in a drug-induced coma for the last few days due to my wisdom teeth being pulled. Anyways, these chapters are becoming longer and longer. I apologize. I honestly don't mean for them to be this long. It just kinda happens. Part of this chapter wasn't even planned and just sort of came out. Consider it a holiday present from me to you. Anyways, I hope you liked it. The story will definitely start to pick with the next few chapters, I promise. D

Mademoiselle (French): title of a young, unmarried woman
Monsieur (French): respectful title for a man
Non (French): no
Ma dame juste (French): my fair lady
Pont des Artes (French): Bridge of the Arts
Gadje (Romani): non-Romani
Oui (French): yes
Señor (Spanish): respectful title for a man
Merci beaucoup (French): Thank you very much
Pont Marie (French): Marie's Bridge
Je suis désolé (French): I'm sorry
Sí (Spanish): Yes
Maman (French): mom
Binaks (Romani): twins