[Private] The Hunchback of Notre Dame (AdAstra)

[UncoordinatedPisces]

Aimee was panicing about later at the Palace of Justice, but when an eriree silence set upon the crowd, she looked up. Esmerelda, the gypsy who had been dancing, was now up next to Quasimodo. She watched intently, wondering what would happen. She wiped his face, and Aimee could not see the kindness in her eyes but she could sense it.

She was thankful, that someone got up there. She would of been the one, if it wasn't for-
"You! Gypsy girl! Get down at once!". Aimee almost growled. But it seemed Esmerelda wasn't going anywhere. Even after Frollo forbade it, she still cut Quasi free. She could see Frollo's anger just by his tone of voice and stance, but still the gypsy girl wasn't going anywhere.

As she spoke, Aimee's eye brows raised. Her words were music to her ears, they were the truth.
"Silence!"
"JUSTICE!". The teenger was pretty sure her heart did a flutter. She was pretty sure she wouldn't be able to fight Frollo verbally and win...but there was more. She could almost feel Frollo's anger radiate off him. But at Esmerelda's next words, Aimee's face split into a shocked grin. She looked directly at Frollo, wearing that grin.

She then looked to Esmerelda adorably, that girl was an inspiration. She could hear Frollo speak behind her,
"Captian Phoebus, arrest her". Aimee sighed, Esmerelda had done nothing wrong. So, she watched as the soilders surrounded her. Aimee felt that the gypsy would get out of this situation, so, she dared to look at Frollo and give him a little smirk.

[AdAstrα]

Frollo noticed Aimee's little smirks but chose to ignore them rather than tell her off; there would be plenty of time for that later when they got back to the Palace of Justice. He watched approvingly as the soldiers approached Esmeralda, surrounding her one by one. The gypsy would get what she deserved...and everyone would watch. Perhaps that might make these heathens think twice about causing a scene in the future....

Esmeralda merely sighed as she watched them come closer, rolling her eyes in a rather sarcastic manner.

"Now, let's see. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, so there's ten of you, and one of me." she began, "What's
a poor girl to do?" She fished out a tissue and pretended to cry into it, and as she blew her nose, she vanished in a cloud of thick smoke.

"Witchcraft!" Frollo exclaimed, gasping. Looking around to try to figure out where she could possibly have gone (for surely she could not just disappear?), everyone turned around as a voice suddenly called out from further away.

"Oh boys! Over here!" She shouted, with a mischievous, almost flirty look on her face. She was quite obviously enjoying this. Frollo frowned as he finally caught a glimpse of her. It was all a game to her....a game, not to be taken seriously...

But as the soldiers immediately went after her, the mischievous look did vanish and she instantly looked a little more concerned. Her green eyes widening in horror, she started running across the square, followed by Frollo's men and her little grey goat, leaping around her feet as if it were dancing.

[UncoordinatedPisces]

Aimee watched Esmerelda with almost a grin, she had a feeling she'd be ahead of Frollo's men. She rolled her eyes at Frollo, Aimee could do her fair bit of festival magic as well. Of course, that was years ago. Aimee watched as the soldiers continued after her, maybe things were going to be harder for Esme-
The teenager was somewhat wrong. It was like everyone was out to help her, and seeing Frollo's soldiers get taken out in such funny ways made her giggle again. The gypsy could definitely hold her own.

The crowd cheered her on a she threw a soldier's helmet, Aimee watched it with eye brows raised, take out three more and then head in Phoebus' direction. Of course, he managed to dodge it, but she could what he said clearly,

"What a woman!". Aimee felt a little down after that, a small frown appeared on her face, she wasn't surprised Phoebus liked in that way. Even Aimee could see the attraction. Who was she kidding? Being related to Frollo must be a put off not only to the other gypsies, but to guys too. Plus...she had never felt good enough for other guys, well, not since all the drama in her life.

[AdAstrα]

There was, quite literally, no time for Frollo to even question what Phoebus had really meant, for in the next moment two of his soldiers crashed into the tent in which he and Aimee were sitting. Knocked to the ground, he immediately leapt to his feet, not bothering to check if his niece was all right but having to assume from her loud gasps that she, unfortunately, was alive.

Standing up, he looked everywhere for Esmeralda, and had just spotted her when just like that, she vanished completely without a trace. He frowned, refusing to accept that the gypsy had got away. No. She would get punished for this....

The sky opened up and it began to rain heavily, somehow reflecting the mood of everyone in the square. He turned to look at Quasimodo, who seemed to shrink as he caught his master's furious gaze. Frollo did not know what he was going to do with him at that moment, but he had more important things to deal with anyway. Besides, he'd expect today's events to have taught the hunchback something about the world outside. Perhaps he did not need punishment...

He walked over to his horse and swiftly got up on its back, turning to Phoebus. "Find her, captain. And I want her alive." he said angrily.

[UncoordinatedPisces]

(OOC: Lol, a long post for a change from me. Anyway, I suggest you have Phoebus follow her in. He'd probably tell Esmeralda to go before she's caught and then talk to Aimee ^.^ But obviously Esme can't leave in time before Frollo appears. Imma not gonna have Aimee not get caught in there lol)

Aimee was standing among the fabric and wood of the tent that had been standing there. She glanced at Frollo, so much for family if you didn't even ask if she was alright. Then again, Aimee thought if she would ask if he was ok...maybe, if it wasn't for last night's argument. She could hear the sound of large doors opening, and saw Quasimodo going back inside. Aimee frowned, she hoped he was ok. She felt a little guilty actually, not being able to do anything.

However, something caught her eye. She could see a cloaked figure heading over to Notre Dame. She had a strong feeling it was Esmeralda, at mainly seeing goat ears pop out of the top of it. Aimee had the urge to follow her, but she wouldn't want to speak to the likes of her. Sighing, she overheard some conversation between Frollo and his soldiers.

"Now listen up you idiots, I want you take to take her back to the Palace of Justice, and then you are to search everywhere, Phoebus' in command, for the gypsy Esmeralda. Even Notre Dame herself". Aimee gave a concerned frown in Notre Dame's direction. But when no soldiers came her way, she stood and thought. "They must be too tied up with searching...maybe I can...". She glanced at Notre Dame again, she needed to warn Esmerelda. She doubted Frollo would hold from arresting her in side the cathedral.

Half of her holding back, and half of her itching to go, she just needed that extra push. Thinking about what would happen to the gypsy if she did get caught gave Aimee that push. She legged it to the door she saw Esmeralda go through and edged it open, sliding through the gap. She hoped she hadn't been seen, but even if she had she could still warn Esmeralda.

As she lent back against the door on the inside, she sighed with relief. The warmth was welcoming, for she had been soaked through by the rain. She had been in worse though, so it didn't bother her too much. As her eyes glazed over the inside of the building, she finally saw her. Summoning up what courage she had left, Aimee called out,

"Um...hello?". Taking a few steps forward, she waited until Esmeralda turned around before continuing. "I-I know you probably don't trust me...seeing who I'm related too, so y-you can run if you like", she said, voice a little shaky but surprisingly soft,

"But, I just wanted to warn you that Frollo will be checking in here soon, and...well, I don't want you to get caught. You didn't do anything wrong. I-I wish I could of been brave enough to stand up to Frollo like that, and help out Quasi...but h-he". She thought she'd let the bruise speak for her, she didn't like explaining things into too much detail, and she didn't want to start crying as well. Aimee never thought she'd be shy in a situation like this, but she was nonetheless.

[AdAstrα]

Esmeralda jumped as the voice called out to her, and even as she turned around she felt her heart pounding; for she instantly recognised Aimee as Claude Frollo's niece. Up close, however, she could also see that the girl was shaking, and that she had a large bruise on her face. This confused her for a moment, but as she continued to speak, the realisation slowly sank in. Frollo had mistreated her too. As cruelly and mercilessly as always, not even caring that this was his family, his flesh and blood...

Shocked, Esmeralda took a few steps closer to the girl, gazing into her bright blue eyes. Overwhelmed by an urge to comfort her, she smiled and gave her shoulder a gentle pat. "Thank you." she said gently, her emerald green eyes sparkling, "It means a lot to know that someone thinks I did the right thing." Looking away, she let out a little sigh. In fact, she was incredibly disappointed that she was the only one who had even done anything to help. All those people watching...surely someone would've realised that it was wrong? Or were they all as cruel and heartless as Frollo himself?

She looked up again as she saw a petite, dark-haired figure approach. It was Roseriya. Without a word she walked up to them and stood beside Aimee, staring at her gypsy friend as if demanding an answer. This caused Esmeralda to frown.

"What?" she exclaimed, taken aback by Roseriya's facial expression, which carried unmistakable signs of not only anger, but of trying desperately to hold back tears. "What's wrong?"

For a few moments Roseriya remained silent. Then, as quickly as the rain had started falling, tears began to fill up in her eyes and run down her cheeks.

"I can't believe you did that!" she sobbed, looking directly at Esmeralda, "I...how could you!"
Then she threw herself into her arms, hugging her tightly and sobbing so hard she could barely get any more words out. Esmeralda gazed at her bewilderedly but returned the embrace all the same.

"Shhh, don't cry." she said, kissing her forehead in a rather desperate attempt to comfort her, for her sobs were echoing throughout the hall, "Don't cry, Roseriya."

"I was so s-scared." the girl whispered, a cascade of silent tears streaming down her face. "I..I thought he was going to h-hurt you."

[UncoordinatedPisces]

Aimee managed to give Esmeralda a smile, even though it wasn't a big one or anything, it was genuine. She was about to continue talking when she noticed Roseriya by her side, and said nothing. Aimee couldn't bare seeing other people cry, it was hard to watch and even more difficult not to cry as well. The emotions in the hall were a little overwhelming at that point, and all the teenager could do was listen to Roseriya.

Aimee had seen what Frollo was capable of doing and allowing...she hadn't forgotten her 'adventure' to the dungeons. That wasn't going to happen to these two though, Aimee was going to try her best not to let Frollo hurt them. They had shown her the kindness she needed.
"Frollo...", she murmured. "To think there's some of him in my blood is...terrifying. But in ways, it could be a helping hand. If I get into to trouble and found out for helping you two, at least you'll be ok".

She was about to continue when she heard the door open again, eyes full with fear, she turned around. It was Phoebus. Damn it, at least it wasn't Frollo. Would he obey orders? Surely he could see Esmeralda had done nothing wrong. She waited for him to speak, to say anything, he'd probably come in here after Esmeralda anyway, and not to arrest her.

[AdAstrα]

Esmeralda gazed at Aimee as she spoke, finding it difficult herself to imagine that the teenager was so closely related to Frollo himself. Her blue eyes were full of kindness, mirroring a soul as pure as a spring flower.

"You are very kind." she said, smiling, "But please, try to stay out of trouble. I don't want you to get hurt, either."

Roseriya was still sobbing uncontrollably, and therefore Esmeralda took her hand, realising they needed to talk privately for a little while. She was sure that Roseriya had not told Aimee why exactly she was so afraid of Claude Frollo...

"We'll be right back." Esmeralda announced, beaming at Aimee, "Stay here, and keep your eyes open for Frollo or any of his men."

They walked away, and only a minute later Phoebus entered the cathedral. Looking around, he spotted Aimee. "Oh....why, hello there." he said, a bit confused to find her there, "What are you doing in here? It's not a safe place for you to be right now, Aimee."

[UncoordinatedPisces]

Aimee watched Esmeralda and Roseriya disappear, and then notice Phoebus enter. Aimee was torn. Should she lie about the two gypsies? Or should she just be honest. The teenager sighed as Phoebus spoke to her, part of her was actually kinda happy he was there. She did like him. He had gained her trust anyway. Taking a deep breath, she replied,

"Phoebus...I'm trying to help Esmeralda". She knew it would be asking alot, but still, she didn't doubt he would understand, "She didn't do anything wrong, you must of seen that? I know I shouldn't be here...and Frollo would be furious if he found out...". Just thinking about what Frollo would do made her breath sharply and hold back tears of fear. She couldn't make things worse for herself, but she wasn't about to let the two gypsies get captured or anything. "So please, don't tell Frollo".

[AdAstrα]

Phoebus gazed at the teenage girl, his lips curving into a little smile. "I won't tell him a thing, don't worry. I happen to agree with you" he then added, frowning slightly at the memory of all the unnecessary abuse Quasimodo had had to endure due to Frollo's lack of compassion, "I think Esmeralda did a wonderful thing today."

He took a few steps closer to Aimee. "You haven't seen her, by any chance? I thought I saw someone a little suspiscious-looking go in here a while ago...."