Topsy Turvy Day: Unicorn Style

Ah. It was January 6th again, a date that Claude hated almost as much as I hated homework. The bright sunlight bounced off of the gypsies' randomly placed flags, carts, and various other objects meant to delight and astound the audience. But, of course, Claude had a funny bone about as big as an atom, especially today. More so than any other year, however, because just a year ago today the gypsy Esmeralda had entranced him, and even though she'd left a year ago, he was still pining for her; angry, though he was.
I stood next to his stand, watching him glare at the place where the gypsies were to stand in just a few seconds' time. I could hear him audibly grit his teeth, glaring daggers as Clopin, the supposed leader of the gypsies, came out to introduce himself as he did every year. Claude jerked his head to look at me as I moved from beside his stand, to see Clopin better. I also had an idea, one that would hopefully cheer Claude up…if he could be cheered up at all.
I moved my way up to the front of the crowd, weaving and twisting in between the closely packed bodies; thankfully my small size allowed me to accomplish such a feat in just a few minutes' time. Unfortunately, I could still feel Claude's eyes glaring daggers at my back now, angrily wondering what I was going to do, no doubt.
I waved to Clopin up on the stage, and he winked, to show that he knew I wanted to talk to him. He made me wait until the other gypsies were ready to perform, when he disappeared in a puff of purple smoke. I went to see him, hiding as he was beside his tent, to tell him my idea.
"What, Julia?", the jester asked, a half welcoming, half cautious look in his eyes. He knew me, but he didn't like that I spent so much time with his enemy, Judge Claude Frollo.
I motioned for him to come closer, and he did so slowly, cautiously, but a grin widened on his face as I whispered my idea into his ear. He nodded vigorously as I pulled away from him.
"Of course, we can do that.", he said, smiling hugely, winking as he whisked off to take the stage again. The other gypsies wouldn't be too surprised by the change in plans, seeing as they improvised many things in their show every year.
"Attention! Attention! May I have your attention, please?!", Clopin addressed the crowd. I went to stand by the edge of the wooden stage, trying to hide from Claude's reaction. I could see him still glaring at me, trying to figure out what I'd done before it happened. I smiled at him, and he had an almost comically shocked look on his face, before resuming to glare at me even more, as Clopin continued to speak. I'd missed some of what Clopin'd said, preoccupied with wondering how Claude was going to take it, but I caught the last of it.
"…and Julia will now try to cheer up the least joyful of us, Judge Claude Frollo!", Clopin motioned to him. Clopin turned to me, stating in a cheerful voice so that everyone could hear, "Don't take away my job now, I'm the jester around here." He winked as almost everyone laughed; they knew how impossible it was to get Claude to smile, much less laugh.
For the first time, fear and apprehension wormed itself in my stomach, and I gulped as I turned to face the wrath that was Claude. I stepped and leaped towards him, finishing squarly in front of him, holding out a hand.
"What are you DOING?!", he hissed quietly so that only I could hear.
"Shh, come on, you'll love it.", I said, truly not knowing if he'd enjoy it or not. It was a huge risk I was taking, but I wanted him to be happy, instead of gloomy as he was all the time.
Instead of taking my hand, he stood up with a cautious expression on his face, following me as I stepped backwards off of his stand, smiling as some of the gypsies caught me from falling. They put me down as he stepped off of his stand, the crowd murmuring with excited wonder. He came to stand in front of me, arms crossed, still very much cautious.
I began, backing up and raising my arms, singing a song that none here had ever heard before.

Oh when you're down and looking for some cheering up
Then just head right on up to the candy mountain cave

The gypsies behind me began to dance along with the tune, and Clopin smiled at Claude, which of course only made him angrier. He continued to glare at me as I started to dance, too.

When you get inside you'll find yourself a cheery land
Such a happy and joy filled and perky merry land
They've got lollipops and gummy drops and candy things
Oh so many things that will brighten up your day

I tugged on Claude's robe, which forced him to come and follow me as I continued to back up into the crowd, which murmured even more. They'd never dared to get close to the Judge before, except on Topsy Turvy day. Well, this was a Topsy Turvy day they'd never forget.

It's impossible to wear a frown in candy town
It's the mecca of love the candy cave
They've got jellybeans and coconuts with little hats

I grasped Claude's hand, raising it above me, going underneath it; as I knew he would, his first reaction was to twirl me around, as if we were dancing. I smiled, pulling him closer, that almost comically shocked look back on his face. It quickly turned, not to anger, but to awe, as I began to turn, and he quickly, instinctively, took the lead, knowing I could dance as well as I could write left-handed: i.e. not at all. The crowd parted to make room for us.

Candy rats, chocolate bats, it's a wonderland of sweets
Ride the candy train to town and hear the candy band
Candy bells, it's a treat, as they march across the land

I let go of him abruptly, and the gypsies began to crowd around Claude, smiling at him. He glared at them contemptuously as they pushed him closer towards me; I was backing up even more now, waving him forward. He followed, a half glare, half cautious look on his face now. We were about three quarters of the way to the wooden stage now. I turned around on the second line and opened my arms again, as if to address the wooden stage, leaping on it and twirling to face the judge on the ground.

Cherry ribbons stream across the sky and to the ground
Turn around, it astounds, it's a dancing candy tree

I opened my arms to Claude again, addressing him, a half pleading, half playful expression on my face.

In the candy cave imagination runs so free
So now Claude will you please have fun with us today?

That almost comically shocked look came up on his face yet again as I bowed to both him and the crowd, surprised that I would put his enjoyment up on the list of things to do with my day. But he smiled, and that surprised me; it wasn't creepy as he usually smiled, but subtly pleased.
The crowd murmured even louder now as I stood up. Wordlessly, he stretched his hand out to me, and I took it as he helped me off the stage, both of us smiling now. Today was going to be a good Topsy Turvy day for the both of us. I could feel it.