[hider=Esméralda]
[center][color=FCB8FF][h1]E S M É R A L D A[/h1][/color]

[img]http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a57/Sanja1991/ElZorro104.jpg[/img]

[sub][i][color=FCB8FF]"Dance as if the world is your stage."[/color][/i][/sub][/center]
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[center][color=FCB8FF][h2][u]T H E  H E R O[/u][/h2][/color][/center]

[color=FCB8FF][sub][h3] • [u] N A M E [/u][/h3][/sub][/color]
[indent]Esméralda, the Gypsy[/indent]

[color=FCB8FF][sub][h3] • [u] S T O R Y [/u][/h3][/sub][/color]
[indent]Victor Hugo's [i]The Hunchback of Notre Dame[/i][/indent]

[color=FCB8FF][sub][h3] • [u] B I R T H P L A C E [/u][/h3][/sub][/color]
[indent]Bellegarde, Paris[/indent]

[color=FCB8FF][sub][h3] • [u] M A G I C [/u][/h3][/sub][/color]
[indent]No magic, except the use of some illusionary aids.[/indent]

[color=FCB8FF][sub][h3] • [u] A G E [/u][/h3][/sub][/color]
[indent]21[/indent]

[color=FCB8FF][sub][h3] • [u] R O M A N T I C  I N T E R E S T S [/u][/h3][/sub][/color]
[indent]Esméralda has always loved Captain Phoebus, though he has never expressed his interest in her. Since the Cataclysm, she eagerly awaits her one true love to come and accept her for all that she is.[/indent]

[color=FCB8FF][sub][h3] • [u] A T T I R E [/u][/h3][/sub][/color]
[indent]Esméralda stands at 5'6'' and has a slender frame with some tone due to the amount of dancing she has done. She as long, raven black hair and piercing green eyes. She has a small birthmark on the right side of her face, near her mouth.

As a dancer, Esméralda typically wore light, flowing clothing of poor quality; cheap clothing she would obtain to keep up modesty. She almost never wore shoes while dancing, but occasionally wore small black flats or sandals when the terrain called for it. Most notably, Esméralda always wore a pink ribbon in her hair, which is a memento of her mother.

On Earth, Esméralda still prefers lighter clothing, ranging from peasant blouses to off-the-shoulder tops and long skirts in a variety of light colors, her favorite being purple. She still wears flats and sandals, but has been known to wear the occasional high heel if she is going to a more formal event. She still wears the pink ribbon in her hair and it has become a staple of her that others recognize her by.[/indent]
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[center][color=FCB8FF][h2][u]I N  A  L A N D  F A R  F A R  A W A Y . . .[/u][/h2][/color][/center]

[color=FCB8FF][sub][h3] • [u] H E R O ' S  N A T U R E [/u][/h3][/sub][/color]
[indent]Esméralda has always been a kind and loving soul. She often puts other's needs before her own and goes out of her way to help those who need it, even if it means she loses her hard earned money or a meal or two. She especially has a soft spot for children, hoping these kids would eventually have a better life than she did growing up. Though she isn't religious by any means, she does believe and hope there is a higher power out there watching over everyone. Though kind, Esméralda won't back down from confrontation and doesn't take kindly to anyone who pushes their ideals or beliefs on others. She would stand up to anyone if they were taking advantage of the poor or downtrodden.[/indent]

[color=FCB8FF][sub][h3] • [u] R E N O W N E D  S K I L L S [/u][/h3][/sub][/color]
[indent]Esméralda is a skilled dancer and acrobat, graceful and poised whenever she moves. Due to her dancing, she is physically fit for a woman of her age, especially when it comes to her legs. She has an impressive amount of endurance, able to dance for long hours without getting winded as easily. She is also good at self-defense, having been on the streets for so long, a woman needs to be able to take care of herself.[/indent]

[color=FCB8FF][sub][h3] • [u] F A T A L  F L A W [/u][/h3][/sub][/color]
[indent]Esméralda can be too giving and kind for her own good. While life on the streets has taught her values, she can be too trusting of others and has often been taken advantage of. People know they can rely on her and this has led her to take on many things at once because she can't say no to them.[/indent]

[color=FCB8FF][sub][h3] • [u] O N C E  U P O N  A  T I M E [/u][/h3][/sub][/color]
[indent]Born in France during a harsh time, her parents were gypsies who didn't stay in one place for long. An attack by rebels against the church caused her mother's death. Unable to take care of his daughter on his own, his father left her with some other gypsy friends and fled the city.

As Esméralda got older, she found a love of dancing and would entertain the people in the streets for some coin. This painted her in a negative light with the authorities who often tried to arrest her. The church was also at her doorstep, thanks to Claude Frollo, who was tempted by Esméralda's beauty. She evaded the grasp of many guards, but had a few brushes with the law. This was where she met Captain Phoebus.

Feeling an immediate attraction, Esméralda flirted with the Captain, though he never advanced on her. Unknwon to her, Phoebus had feelings for her as well, but due to his career and place, he felt he could never act on those feelings. He often got her out of trouble despite the rantings of Claude Frollo.

On one particular night, running from the guards again, Esméralda hid in Notre Dame where she met Quasimodo. Startled at first, she quickly found a pure heart in the man who was often tormented by others for his appearance. He helped hide her from her chasers and eventually the two got to talking. They quickly became friends and Quasimodo started developing feelings for the Gypsy woman. She bid him farewell and returned home.

Claude Frollo, tempted to the point of madness, took sharp aim against Esméralda and forced her hand, capturing Captain Phoebus and promised to kill him unless she showed herself. She called on Quasimodo's help to save the Captain and the two went to meet Claude Frollo. Claude Frollo promised to release the Captain if she promised herself to him. She was abotu to accept when Quasimodo quickly tackled Claude Frollo and allowed the Captain to escape. Esméralda began to flee with him until she looked back to see Claude Frollo about to attack Quasimodo. She and Captain Phoebus ran back to stop the man and the fight took them outside of Notre Dame on the balcony. Claude Frollo, angered, nearly sent Esméralda over the edge, but she was saved by Quasimodo while Claude Frollo plummeted to the ground below, presumed dead.

With themselves now safe from his tyranny, Esméralda, with the help of Quasimodo who realized the two of them really loved each other, showed her affection to Phoebus who finally returned it in kind.[/indent]

[color=FCB8FF][sub][h3] • [u] A  N E W  C H A P T E R [/u][/h3][/sub][/color]
[indent]The Cataclysm left their home devastated and Esméralda fled and found herself on Earth. Phoebus and Quasimodo's whereabouts were unknown to her and she was left to assume the worst. She was forced to pick up the pieces and move on with her life.

She adapted and found herself with a career in dance, opening up her own studio to teach young kids the art of dance as a sort of therapy and fun activity. She also helps out in her community by volunteering and giving what she can from her business.

Above all, she hopes she can eventually find love again and share their passions for their work.[/indent][/hider]