voice testing Disney's Esmeralda

[equite]

I... [Esmeralda hesitates and pauses, looking around]

What is this place? It's unlike anywhere I have ever seen before - it's not Paris, is it? And definitely not the Court of Miracles. Huh!

[She looks perturbed though] Look, I have to go back. Now. My people need me - I don't have time to play your silly games. Paris burns, and you pull me away to talk of all sorts of nonsense. I have to go back.

Comments

[lifewithnoconsequence]

I doubt that you'll ever see another place like it.

[equite]

No? And what do you know of this place, Sir?

[Esmeralda grins a little, though she makes no move to get closer to the stranger. It might be a trick after all.]

Is it yours?

[aliceofnewlegend]

Word of advice, that generally doesn't work with Mundanes. You could be falling through a mirror into a new world, and they'd still pull you to go play their games.

[faithfulservant]

How exactly would someone like you save Paris from the fires?

[equite]

Well, I won't do it. They cannot keep me trapped forever, and when I find a way to slip out, I am gone! I'm not coming back. I don't want to play any games at all. I will not have any more people telling me what I might do.

[lifewithnoconsequence]

It is not. Though I could tell you all manner of stories about it.

[And he is going to kind of back up.]

[equite]

And what is that supposed to mean? Sir.

[Esmeralda looks Javert up and down.]

Who are you?

[aliceofnewlegend]

I like the way you think [Alice smiles, and holds out her hand in greeting] Alice Hamilton.

[equite]

Are you scared of me?

[Esmeralda moves closer, step by step]

Hey, there's no need to be scared of me. I'm not going to hurt you or shout or anything. Come on - tell me your stories.

[equite]

[Esmeralda hesitates before she shakes hands. Last time she had done that, she had ended up winded on the floor. But, shake she does, before pulling her hand back quickly. Her eyes are full of mistrust for Alice.]

Esmeralda... Do you own this place?

[lifewithnoconsequence]

Far from it.

[He just doesn't like people being too close. Especially not people he does not know personally.]

Perhaps I will tell you if you were to stop moving closer.

[faithfulservant]

I am Inspector Javert.

[Javert only gave a disapproving look at Esmeralda.]

Your people come and go as they please and do what they wish...why would they care if Paris burns?

[equite]

Okay, okay!

[Esmeralda holds her hands up in surrender, and backs up a couple of paces. She knows this sort of prejudice - or what she perceives to be prejudice . So many Parisian folk mistrust the Gypsies. She says nothing though - nothing yet, anyway. She wants to hear this man's stories so she can see if there's a way to escape this new prison.]

Is this better? Tell me your stories.

[aliceofnewlegend]

[Alice gives a snort] Yeah, no-where near rich enough for that. I'm just... around I guess. Looking for people. [She ponders a minute] Esmeralda... nice name. You said something about Paris burning? I haven't heard about that in the news.

[equite]

Ah - so the uniforms change, but the attitudes do not. It is a pleasure to meet you, Inspector Javert.

[Esmeralda makes a show of curtsying low, holding her arm and her skirt right out.]

You must tell me, though, what you mean by 'my people'. Who do you think I am? Or should I ask more, what am I?

[lifewithnoconsequence]

...It appears to be?

[He thinks there was nothing being held against her personally. As far as he is concerned all people are the same.]

My stories? Hm, would you believe that I met a man claiming to be Thor?

[equite]

What news? Have the stories not reached your town? That Frollo sets the whole of Paris abalze so he can find me and kill me? Have you not seen the smoke - right out into the countryside, innocent people are dying because of me. THIS is why I must return.

[equite]

What is 'Thor'?

[Esmeralda's not very impressed. She doesn't know Norse myths.]

I can believe anything you tell me - believe me, I know a place where blind men are able to see and cripples can walk again.

[aliceofnewlegend]

I live in America, but it'd be world-wide if Paris started burning. I mean, it's a pretty big city. [With a pause] Frollo? Okay, that name's familiar too... But if he's doing this, then it's him that's got to be stopped. So what plan have you got?

[lifewithnoconsequence]

A god from Norse mythology.

[Well geez, Esmeralda! You need to read.]

...So have I. Came very close to joining my friends there on more than one occasion.

[equite]

America? I've never even heard of America!

[She's silenced by the notion of a plan. Truth be told, Esmeralda doesn't have a plan beyond keeping herself concealed and getting as many people who might be in danger safely to the Court of Miracles or other safe spots that Frollo knows nothing of.]

I cannot show my face. I shall burn if he catches me. He accuses me of witchcraft and sorcery. I cannot save Paris. I can only try to help my people.

[faithfulservant]

[Javert simply held his head high and ignored her curtsy.]

You know very well what I mean.

[equite]

I have never heard of Norse mythology - you'll have to tell me sometime.

[Excuse her for being illiterate. She's had more important things to do than learn how to read.]

Your friends? Who are your friends. Tell me about you. I don't even know your name - or you mine! I'm Esmeralda.

[She steps forward to shake his hand, before remembering and backing up again.]

[equite]

[She laughs incredulously and shakes her head]

Well, call me as you will, Inspector, but I know your name. They are not 'my' people at all, are they? They are ours.

[She moves close enough to pat Javert, in sarcastic comfort, on the arm.]

And you are so proud of your Gypsy blood, aren't you? For all of your uniform, our blood is the same.

[lifewithnoconsequence]

[Inexcusable! Go to school young lady, classes are starting soon!]

It's nice to meet you then...Esmeralda? Where are you from?