I am SO sorry! I've been busy with school and other stories! Please forgive me! Anyway, here's the story.


It was at least seven o'clock when Claude grabbed my hand, pulling me along outside. The sky held such pretty colors as the sun started to slowly hide behind the buildings. There was blue, orange, and even purple!

We were going to the market, then to the church. I loved the church of Notre Dame so much. I think it just seemed to…pretty, safe, and mysterious. What confused me, however, was a basket Claude was holding in his right hand.

I ignored it for now, meaning to peak in later when he had his back turned. Hey, I'm a child that can get away with this kind of thing! As we walked, I pushed my hair out of my face and hesitated, wondering if Claude wanted it put up. If he did, he didn't give me any sign.

The bird I had saved, ignorant to Frollo, was in my pocket. I hope it was sleeping; I didn't need it to chirp out of no where. It was a beautiful shade of blue in what little light I had seen it in earlier. I wonder what it would look like when it got older. Speaking of older, how long would I be here? Surely not my entire life! Right?

The market was absolutely gorgeous! Such beautiful colors, different pieces of cloth, foreign but yummy foods, and cute puppet shows. Wait, a puppet show? Frollo was busy getting clothes for me so I snuck away. It would only be for a moment.

Getting close to the puppet show, I smiled to see it was my favorite story; Sleeping Beauty. The puppets looked almost real and it was used with soft looking felt. I longed to reach other and touch them. The princess rose from the bed and hugged the prince. I frowned, I always hated that part. There was no such thing as 'simple true love' in this world. I was young, but I understood that much. There was no 'happy ending' because the world is harsh and cruel.

It took me a moment, for I was lost in these bitter thoughts, to realize that the children near me had left. Only me and the many puppets, as well as the puppet master now that I think of it, remained. Slowly, I walked over to the other side of the box. There was no one there. With a disappointed frown, I turned and jumped nearly a foot.

Frollo stood right there.

Blushing, I smiled weakly, "Claude, you frightened me! I'm sorry I roamed, but these puppets are so pretty." His dark glare gave me shivers but I refused to look away. If you couldn't look someone in the eye, you were weak. That's what my father taught me from the experience of a captain.

Finally his gaze weakened and softened. "It's alright, Lavender. Come, we must go to the church before night fall." There was a ghost of a smile on his face, making me smile even more.

Just before I followed his steps in the path to Notre Dame, I hesitated. I felt someone watching me. Glancing around, I saw no one but where the puppet master might have sat lay a puppet. It was one that looked like my mother. Gasping, I picked it up and stared for several long moments. Making sure no one saw, I stuffed it in my pocket, the one not occupying the bird, and jogged to catch up to Frollo. Man, high heels hurt.

When we walked into Notre Dame, I took off the shoes. I mean after all, I don't want to click loudly when I walk, do I?

"What are you doing, child?!" Frollo exclaimed, sneering slightly.

Curling my toes under the safety of my dress, I blushed. "This is holy ground, right? You shouldn't wear shoes on holy ground."

Wow, what a good excuse, huh?

Claude smiled at me, "I…suppose you are right, Lavender. Come along." I had been so busy with the show that I forgot to look in the basket! Twitching in regret, I followed him up a long flight of stairs. Okay, so many walking barefooted on wood was a bad thing.

When we got up, I looked around and gasped; a little miniature town of Paris sat on a table. It was all made hand crafted of wood! With a smile, I walked over and looked closely, making sure not to touch anything. Who lived here?

Almost as soon as I asked my unasked question, I heard footsteps to the left of me. Frollo was behind me…so who…

I looked up and bit back a gasp of terror, my eyes widening. The man before was me at least six or seven years older, not even twenty. He wore a green shirt that draped around his huge hump on his back. There was something along the lines of a wart over his eye, his orange hair hanging over it. His legs looked shorter than the other one, covered in brown pants. His eyes were the prettiest blue however. He looked absolutely frightening and ghastly, but his eyes made me smile slightly. They were like mothers, a warm gentle blue. He looked a monster, but he wasn't really…you could always tell from the eyes.

When he saw me, he took a step back as if to run. Frollo said nothing, perhaps he was observing us. Carefully I took a step or two forward, holding out my hand with a smile. "Hello…" I said softly. How frightening it was for both of us. I wondered if it was his heart pounding I heard or my own. "My name is Lavender. What's yours?"

He hid half of his face behind a huge wooden rafter, cautious. Slowly he stepped out and walked closer, shaking my hand slowly. It must have amazed him to realize I wasn't frightened…or didn't appear to be at least. "I'm Quasimodo."

I glanced over him once more before smiling and turning to Frollo. He looked almost as shocked and amazed as Quasi did! His mouth was slightly open, his eyes widened a bit. His eyes were not cold like they were earlier, but soft.

"Claude, is this the bell ringer?" I blurted out, feeling ashamed slightly for not asking Quasi himself.

Frollo nodded, regaining his posture in a rush, "He's the one I've raised since an infant." He placed the basket on the table for Quasi. Ah, so that's what it had been; food!

Quasimodo and I spoke for several minutes, talking about various things. It ended up with a laugh and a smile. It was as if we had been friends for years, old friends even. I think it shocked Frollo more than either of us, for he sat there and listened in with calmness.
The sky grew dark quickly. "Lavender, we must be leaving." He stated.

I blinked and stood, nodding. "Can we come back tomorrow, Claude?" I asked with a smile. He looked shocked to the core but managed to nod. Without thinking of what would happen, I hugged Quasimodo and blushed. His face was almost the same shade of red as his hair! "Good-bye!" I smiled and skipped downstairs.

As I stepped into my high heels, I froze; the bird chirped and it echoed. Frollo was looking down at me with annoyance and curiosity. I hate that glare. "Lavender…" He started. The bird popped its head out and looked around before looking at him, chirping happily. He smiled and shook his head. "Come along dear girl, we'll go sit near the fire tonight."


Next chapter: Night. Dungeons. Father. I want at least 3 reviews please!