Quasimodo did his best to ignore the two women and their questions, but he knew that he could not. They were asking about him, about Jim, and about the strange mute redhead, who was even now brushing her hair with his dinner fork. Quasi watched, momentarily distracted, as Jim quietly clucked his tongue and yanked the fork out of the girl's hand, leaving her with a look of the utmost confusion on her face.
"How long have you three been up here?" Esmeralda repeated softly.
"I've lived here all of my life." Quasimodo sighed, his eyes still on Jim and Ariel. She was now putting bowls on her head and wearing them like hats. After repeatedly removing several bowls from her head, Jim seemed to have given up and was sitting cross-legged on the floor, his head leaning heavily on his left hand. He was regarding Ariel with a look of severe disdain and boredom, but Quasi could see the corners of his mouth tugging upward-the beginnings of a rare smile.
"And what about the others?" Pocahontas asked. "Is this their home as well?"
"Uh, no. well-yes. Sort of." Quasimodo ran his fingers through his hair. "It's complicated."
He took a deep breath.
"See, Jim's house got burned down by some officers, and his mom...she didn't make it out."
Esmeralda's hand leapt to her mouth.
"Why did they burn it down?" she asked in horror. Quasimodo refused to meet her gaze.
"She was harboring your people and escaped slaves." Pocahontas muttered. "One of my tribe was staying with her before it happened."
"Master took Jim in, though." Quasi said quickly, trying to lighten the mood.
"So what happened to her family, then?" Esmeralda asked, pointing at Ariel, who was now sprawled in front of a gargoyle and kicking at it with her feet.
"We don't know." Quasimodo said quietly. "Jim found her stranded on the beach. He's been hiding her ever since. If Master found out we were taking care of her, he would-he would-I'd actually hate to think what he would do."
"He won't find her." Esmeralda said softly, stroking Quasimodo's arm in what she hoped was a comforting manner.
"You can't promise them that." Pocahontas hissed. Esmeralda smiled, her green eyes lit up in the candle-light.
"Actually, I can. She can come with us to the Court of Miracles. You all can." She added, turning to Quasimodo.
"But Master's been good to us—"
"Your master is not the master of you." Pocahontas interrupted. "You can't stay up here forever. There is an entire world out there, Quasimodo. You'll never see it if you don't take a risk."
"I-I can't." Quasi stammered. "Master is the only family I have."
"Then we'll ask the girl and Jim." Pocahontas said brusquely. She walked over to the pair, who were now chasing each other around a wooden beam, Jim's boot held firmly in Ariel's hand.
"Come with us to the Court of Miracles." Pocahontas said without introduction. Jim wrapped his arms around Ariel and looked at Pocahontas.
"The Romani safe haven?" he asked; Ariel struggled in his arms, her silent giggles infecting him and causing his heart to beat fast.
Pocahontas nodded.
"Ariel should go with you, but I can't. Not without Quasi." Jim said sternly. Ariel stopped fidgeting and looked up at him. He refused to meet her gaze.
'I don't know them, Jim.' Ariel mouthed softly. 'I only feel safe with you and Quasimodo.'
"I know that, but you can trust them." Jim whispered. "Besides, we've had some close calls with you already. Nobody knows where the Court of Miracles is except for Esmeralda and her people. You will actually be safe there. Besides," Jim added. "I'll be able to meet up with you in town and I could show you the sights without having to sneak you out of the cathedral."
'That would be nice.' Ariel admitted. Jim smiled and then blushed, realizing that he had been embracing Ariel for quite a long time. Pocahontas was smirking. He quickly let go of Ariel and snatched back his boot.
"Ariel will go with you two." Jim told Pocahontas, tugging his shoe back on. Ariel looked at him sadly, but he ignored her.
"Very well. We have to leave immediately. I have a feeling your Master will be here soon. If he sees us—"
"He can't do anything." Esmeralda interrupted. "We have sanctuary in the cathedral. He can't hurt us there."
Pocahontas sighed and looked at Ariel.
"I know we just got up here," she said heavily. "But we should go downstairs."
The three girls left later that night, escorted out of the cathedral by Phoebus, who had arrived in civilian clothing.
"I don't need to know where you're going." He said when Esmeralda eyed him suspiciously. "But you do need me to help you maneuver around the guards. I know their schedules."
"Once we're out of range, you will leave us." Esmeralda said firmly. Phoebus nodded and smiled grimly.
"That won't be a problem."
Jim hugged Ariel goodbye, his hand buried deep in her red hair. He didn't say a word, but he also didn't let her go until Quasimodo cleared his throat loudly.
"Sorry." Jim said, pulling away. He moved towards Pocahontas.
"Are you going to be okay?" he asked her softly. "How are your wounds, will you be able to move?"
"The knight Phoebus has brought a horse for me to ride on. Your clumsy girlfriend and Esmeralda will be on foot. Once we are at a safe enough distance, Ariel and Esmeralda will help steady me and the horse will return with Phoebus. So short answer is, I'll be fine." Pocahontas smiled.
"And Jim," Pocahontas added gently. "You don't need to worry about her. I'll stay by her."
"I'm not worried." Jim said gruffly. Pocahontas raised an eyebrow.
"Of course not." She said dryly. "She is just the girl of your dreams. No big deal."
Jim glanced back at Ariel, who was hugging Quasimodo tightly.
"Be careful." Quasimodo told her. Ariel nodded.
"Oh! Before I forget," Quasimodo said suddenly. He dug in his pocket and pulled out the wooden carving of Ariel.
"You can't forget to take Jim's doll." He smiled.
'Jim's?' Ariel repeated quizzically, taking the carving from his hand. She looked at the sparkling blue dress and the perfect color of her hair and eyes.
'But you—you did this.' Ariel said, pointing at the wood for emphasis.
Quasimodo shook his head.
"It was Jim's way of apologizing to you." He said softly. Ariel cradled her doll and stared at Jim, who was in deep conversation with Pocahontas. She had had no idea that he cared about her so much.
"Speaking of gifts," Esmeralda said from behind them; Quasimodo jumped and Ariel giggled. "This is for you, my friend."
Esmeralda draped an odd necklace around his neck.
"Remember that you hold the city in your hand." She said cryptically.
Quasimodo nodded. She smiled and kissed him on the cheek.
"Come on, little mute friend." Esmeralda said, smiling. She held out her hand and Ariel took it.
"We should go." Phoebus said briskly. "We don't have much time."
Jim and Quasimodo watched them leave the cathedral. It was only when they had opened the doors did Jim notice the wooden doll in Ariel's hand. It shimmered in the moonlight for a brief second before she disappeared from his sight.