A/N: Based on an RP with AnnaleaseTurner, we only own our OC's. Read & Review.
The day was cloudy and windy, but not in a bad way. A man was wheeled into an old opera house, one that held very trying, but special memories for him. He was wheeled up to the old stage where an auctioneer was auctioning off old props from the past of the opera house. A figure in a hooded cloak stood, not to far from where his nurse parked him up and another familiar looking woman was looking to the stage too. This second person was Madame Giry. And the figure was hidden by the cloak, but the tip of a small slender nose could be seen and the way the cloak curved around the figure, it was obviously a woman. Raoul, the elderly man, looked at the figure but then shaking off slight nostalgia looked back at the stage.
"Sold!" a man said before pounding his gavel. "Your number, sir?"
A man told his number. Raoul watched as the painting was sold off, it holding no interest for him. The figure in the cloak seemed to look down as the next lot was called.
"Thank you," the man then replied. "Lot 663, then, ladies and gentlemen: a poster of this house's production of Hannibal by Chalumeau."
There was only one who bought the poster. The figure sneered under her hood, the old Owner, who owned the Populaire before Raoul had won that. Raoul watched it get taken off then returned to looking at the auctioneer.
"Showing here!" another man showed the poster.
"Do I have ten francs?" the auctioneer asked.
After the poster was sold and then Raoul won the monkey-shaped music box, the Auctioneer talked about the Chandelier. And which a final word from him the cover was pulled off and it lit up and started to get lifted up. As the Chandelier was lifted a strong gust of wind started, and it blew the figure's hood down as she gazed in awe at the Chandelier. Raoul gave a start as did Madame Giry as they and the figure seemed to be the only ones to hear dramatic organ music. The figure had been revealed to be Claudine Dester, formerly Claudine Daae, looking as young as the day that they had last all seen each other.
Her eyes were a chocolate brown and her hair was like her sister's used to be only a little lighter. Her lips were stained blood red and she was wearing a black and red shoulderless dress. There was rather spooky organ music which seemed to accompany the strange occurrence. The group found themselves remembering the past.
Dancers were getting ready to go on stage to practice for that night's performance. Many were getting drunk, though they shouldn't have been. A man led two others towards the stage. Christine, Meg, and Claudine were all getting ready to join the dancers on stage when they were needed. Carlotta was singing the first main song she would sing on stage, but her voice wasn't a good singing voice. There was a young adult girl who was also there, she had long and flowing pale blonde hair. She was a little shy and nervous about singing for a crowd, but she would become a chorus member and she just hoped it would go better and she tried to not let nerves ruin her performance.
"You'll do fine..." Claudine soothed her friend, before she had to go and join the chorus. She then watched as her friend sung with the other chorus girls.
Meg watched too.
"You are not just saying that because I was invited by Aunt Carlotta, are you?~" The girl asked Claudine.
"No, now go sing before your aunt get's Monsieur Reyer to fire me." Claudine said quietly with a small smile.
"Okay, thank you, wish me luck." The girl hugged Claudine before giving a small friendly kiss on the cheek before going off to take her turn for 'Aunt Carlotta'.
Claudine smiled as she watched. Carlotta looked firmly at her niece, but continuing singing, complaining about her dress though. Violetta smiled shyly and nervously to her aunt as she did what she was supposed to do. Soon, Monsieur Reyer stopped the rehersal a moment, to correct Carlotta's husband Piangi.
Monsieur Lefevre took this moment to lead two Gentlemen onstage. "Monsieur Reyer, Madame Giry, ladies and gentlemen, please, if I can have your attention, thank you. As you know, for some weeks there have been rumours of my imminent retirement. I can now tell you that these were all true, and it is my pleasure to introduce to you the two gentlemen who now own the Opera Populaire, Monsieur Richard Firmin and Monsiuer Gilles Andre. I'm sure you've read that recent fortune in the junk business." he told them all.
Carlotta pointed at her husband, showing she was right about Lefevre.
"Scrap metal, actually." Monsieur Andre replied.
The girls looked over to the visiting men. Violetta blushed out of shyness as she blended in with the others.
"He must be rich." one of the dancer girls whispered to her friend.
"And we're deeply honored to introduce our new patron, the Vicomte de Chagny." Firmin announced, seeing Raoul enter.
Raoul entered, walking over to the three managers onstage. Claudine blinked, but smiled for her sister. Meg looked to Christine.
"It's Raoul..." Christine whispered. "Before my father died, I guess you could say we were childhood sweethearts. He called me 'Little Lotte'."
"Oh, he's-a charming..." Violetta blushed and giggled a bit.
"Oh, Christine he's so handsome." Meg giggled quietly.
"I however was 'Little Ennuyer'." Claudine frowned, though she was glad for her sister.
"He's a pretty man." Violetta said to Claudine.
"My parents and I are honored to support all the arts, especially the world-renowned Opera Populaire." Raoul told them all with a smile.
Carlotta came over imperiously.
"Gentlemen, Signora Carlotta Guidicelli our leading soprano for five seasons now." Lefevre introduced.
Andre shook Carlotta's hand. Raoul kissed her hand politely. Monsieur Andre lightly clapped as Carlotta approached.
"Brava! Brava!" A woman called out as she stood with others.
"Signor Ubaldo Piangi." Lefevre then introduced.
Raoul shook his hand. "An honour, Signor. I believe I'm keeping you for your rehearsal I will be here this evening to share your great triumph," he told the men and the woman surrounding him. He then looked to Monsieur Reyer. "My apologies, monsieur." he said, then left. He passed the dancer girls without a look to Christine or Claudine.
"Thank you, M. Le Vicomte, once more if you please, Signor." Reyer told Piangi.
Carlotta cooed to her attendants. "He love me, he love me, love me, love me, love me~" she grinned.
Claudine looked to Violetta. "Yes, but it appears he has become a rude fop." she said quietly, so her sister couldn't hear.
"Disculpe?" Violetta asked Claudine.
"He wouldn't recognize me." Christine sighed to herself as she talked with Meg.
"He didn't see you." Meg corrected softly. She then got ready to dance.
Claudine was about to answer, but noticed Madame Giry ready for them to start. She took her position ready to go onstage. Lefevre noticed and moved the men backwards out of the way with him. Firmin looked to Madame Giry. Christine looked to this and rushed with the other dancers. Violetta gasped and rushed to let the others to get ready. Monsieur Andre smiled to Madame Giry as they watched the dance up close right on the stage. Meg went onstage with the others. Claudine followed onstage.
"If you please Monsieur. We take a particular pride in the excellence of our ballets, monsieur." Madame Giry told them.
Firmin looked to the dancers. Violetta wished she had the courage to dance in public, though she always felt she could never be as glamorous and amazing like her Tia Carlotta.
"I see why," Monsieur Andre replied as he took a look at Meg. "Especially that little blonde angel!"
Christine joined the others of course. Meg danced.
"My daughter, Meg Giry." Madame Giry told him.
"And those exceptional beauties... No relations I trust." Firmin said, referring to Christine and Claudine.
Claudine danced like her sister, but with more emotion, the kind that looked real too.
"Christine and Claudine Daae, promising talent, Monsieur Firmin, very promising." Madame Giry added.
Christine seemed to stand out among the dancers as Firmin eyed her.
"Daae, you say?" Monsieur Andre asked Madame Giry. "N-N-No relation to the famous Swedish violinist?"
Violetta seemed to bob along, even if she wasn't quite dancer material, though wanted to show support for Christine and Claudine.
"His only children, orphaned at seven and six when they came to live and train in the ballet dormitories." Madame Giry said.
Firmin watched them eagerly. Claudine was concentrated on her role.
"A couple of orphans, you say?" Monsieur Andre asked.
Christine did the same as her sister. Violetta watched closely, daydreaming herself as one of Madame Giry's dancers.
"I think of them as daughters also," Madame Giry said a little sharply. She would not allow her gorls to have affairs with the managers, not that the two girls would. "Gentlemen, if you would kindly stand to one side." she then told them.
Two of the dancer girls were purposefully looking at the new managers as they danced.
Carlotta returned to stage and continued to sing, complaining as someone stepped on her dress. After it had finished she started complaining. "All they want is the dancing!" She yelled.
"The Vicomte is very excited about tonight's gala!" Lefevre said.
"I 'ope-a he's-a excited by dancing girls as your new mangers... Because I WILL NOT BE SINGING!" Carlotta yelled. "Andiamo, tutti, No, es finito! Get my doggie, bring my doggie. Bye-Bye." she added, walking off.
Claudine frowned softly to that, though secretly relieved.
"Tia Carlotta?" Violetta looked concerned for her aunt.
"What do we do?" Monsieur Andre frowned as Carlotta stormed out.
Christine felt a little struck from Carlotta as she stood beside Claudine.
"Grovel." Lefevre told them, then prompted. "Grovel, Grovel!" He prompted.
"Signora!" Firmin shouted.
"See you later, because I'm going now, you too, Violetta! It is finished!" She exclaimed.
Claudine merely held her sister's hands. She looked sad that Violetta was being taken away though.
"Oh... Okay..." Violetta frowned as she stared at the floor and moved along with her Aunt Carlotta.
"Oh, poor Violetta." Christine frowned, though gently squeezed Claudine's hand from emotion.
Claudine nodded, the younger sister, but not as naive as her sister. Christine had a small smile, though sad to see Violetta go like this.
"You great beauty!" Firmin exclaimed.
"Principessa, Bella Diva!" Monsieur Andre added.
"Si, si, si!" Carlotta nodded.
"Goddess of song!" Firmin praised.
"Es vero." Carlotta pointed to him, stopping a moment.
"Monsieur Reyer, isn't there a rather marvelous aria for Elisa in Act 3 for Hannibal?" Monsieur Andre asked.
Vendetta stood beside Carlotta, looking emotional about leaving with her, though she watched the interactions between her aunt and the men who buttered her up, metaphorically speaking of course. Monsieur Reyer looked shocked.
"Yes, yes, yes. Ma, no! Because I have not my costume for Act 3 because somebody not finish it! And I hate my hat!" Carlotta yelled. She then broke down into fake crying.
"I wonder, Signora, as a personal favour if you would oblige us with a private rendition. Unless, of course, M. Reyer objects..." Firmin asked.
Carlotta stopped them. "No. Aspetta, aspetta," She took a breath and then gave a smile. "If-a my managers command..." she said with a small laugh. "Monsieur Reyer?" She then asked.
"If my diva commands?" Reyer replied.
"Yes, I do," Carlotta smirked. "Everybody, very quiet!" She ordered, moving into place.
Claudine bit her lip quietly. Violetta looked between her aunt, trying to resist rolling her eyes at her melodrama.
"Excuse me, sir, why exactly are you retiring?" Monsieur Andre asked Lefevre.
Christine looked over to Claudine in a bit of anxiousness.
"My health." Lefevre told him.
"P-Psh! You as well." Carlotta told them.
"Signora?" Reyer checked.
"Maestro." Carlotta replied then started to sing the aria.
Claudine cringed from the horrible notes reached. Monsieur Andre gave a polite smile, though he seemed to be cringing with some of the others. Violetta came back to Claudine and Christine once her aunt had the spotlight. Carlotta's assistants stuffed pieces of cotton in their ears as she sang. Something then began to fall down to hit Carlotta which made the other dancers shriek and run away. Some of the girls screamed. Claudine pulled her friend and sister back. Carlotta threw a tantrum.
"He's here: the Phantom of the Opera..." Meg gasped coming over to the three girls.
"Signora! Are you all right? Buquet! For God's sake, man, what's going on there?" Lefevre shouted.
"Please, monsieur,don't look at me, as God's my judge, I was not at my post. Please, monsieur, there's no one there: or if there is, well, then, it must be a ghost..." Buquet said then laughed, after relifting the scenery.
The mysterious figure who caused this soon disappeared into the shadows. Christine and Violetta looked curiously over to Meg about this 'Phantom of the Opera'. An envelope soon fell down over by Madame Giry.
"Signora, these things do happen." Monsieur Andre told Carlotta with a nervous smile.
Madame Giry picked up the note. Claudine had glanced up and noticed the figure but said nothing.
"For the past years, these things do happen!" Carlotta shouted. "And did you stop them from happening? No!" She glared to Lefevre. "And you two, you are as bad as them, 'these things do happen?', ma grr. Until you stop these things from happening. This thing does not happen!" She told everyone. "Ubaldo! Andiamo! Bring my doggy, and my boxy." she said, then walking off again, leaving Violetta behind in anger.
The note appeared to be sealed with a skull. The assistants scurried behind Carlotta in fear. Violetta was about to follow after her aunt, but something told her not to, so she stayed put.
"Now you see. Bye-Bye, I'm really leaving!" Carlotta said as she walked away.
"Gentlemen. Good luck. If you need me, I should be in Australia." Lefevre told them, walking off.
Monsieur Reyer let out a noise of complaint. Claudine reached and took Violetta's hand softly. Madame Giry read the letter and smirked a little.
"Signora Guidicelli, she will be coming back, won't she?" Monsieur Andre asked Monsieur Reyer.
"You think so, monsieur? I have a message, sir, from the Opera Ghost." Madame Giry said as she came by.
"God in heaven, you're all obsessed!" Firmin said, annoyed.
"He welcomes you to his opera house." came the reply from the woman.
"His opera house?" Firmin asked.
"And commands that you continue to leave Box Five empty for his use and reminds you that his salary is due." Madame Giry pointed out the box and then told them.
"His salary?" Came the astonished reply.
"Monsieur Lefevre used to give him 20,000 francs a month." the Madame nodded.
"20,000 francs?" Firmin glared.
"Perhaps you can afford more, with the Vicomte as your patron." Madame Giry smirked.
"Madame, I had hoped to make that announcement public tonight when the Vicomte was to join us at the gala but obviously we shall now have to cancel as it appears we have lost our star." Firmin said, tearing up the note.
"I am-a so sorry for Tia Carlotta's outburst." Violetta told the sisters.
"Oh, it's okay, it's not your fault." Christine soothed.
Claudine winced to that comment, but gave a weak smile to her sister and Violetta. Christine and Violetta smiled back to Claudine.
"A full house, Andre, we shall have to refund a full house." Firmin glared to his business partner.
"Christine or Claudine Daae could sing it, sir" Madame Giry announced.
Claudine looked surprised but knew their angel wanted Christine to go first. "My sister would be better for this show, sir." she said quietly, respectfully.
"What, a chorus girl?" Andre questioned about the Daae sisters. "Don't be silly."
Christine looked to Claudine while looking nearly caught as she had been called upon by Madame Giry like that. Violetta stood by the Daae sisters as there was a discussion about them.
"They have been taking lessons from a great teacher." Madame Giry said.
Claudine moved so Christine was more in the 'spotlight'.
"Who?" Monsieur Andre questioned.
"Uh, we don't know his name, Monsieur." Christine replied.
Violetta looked between Christine and Claudine.
"Let Christine sing for you then, monsieur," Madame Giry smiled, though it was a firm one. "Both have been well taught, but it seems Claudine respects her sister is the first born."
Claudine smiled to Christine softly.
"All right, come on." Monsieur Andre smiled to Christine.
Christine looked reluctant and nervous until Madame Giry pulled her up front. Violetta also smiled to Christine.
"From the beginning of the aria then, mademoiselle." Monsieur Reyer told Christine.
"Andre, this is doing nothing for my nerves." Firmin said quietly.
Meg watched with a curious look.
"Oh, but she's very pretty." Monsieur Andre insisted to Firmin.
Christine was nervous, but she soon sang beautifully as 'Think of Me'. Violetta stood back with the others, putting her hands together as she admired Christine's singing. Firmin looked shocked. Meg smiled happily.
Claudine watched her sister, smiling softly. She knew it, her sister almost glowed while onstage. After though, she begged leave from her friends and sister so she could go thank her father for sending the angel. After all, without the angel, neither would have learned how to sing. Madame Giry sent Claudine off to let her go light the candle for her father.
"Did I do all right?" Christine asked Claudine and Violetta.
"You were-a amazing," Violetta smiled. "Whoever taught-a you really knows what they are doing~"
"You were wonderful Chrissy... But, you need to go rest for tonight and I will go and thank our father." Claudine smiled to her sister, kissed her cheek then scurried off down to the chapel. As she went down a few of the stairs, though she took a tumble, and let out a pained whimper as she landed.
"Oh, Dios mío!" Violetta gasped as she came to Claudine. "A-Are you all right?"
"Violetta, please go fetch Madame Giry, and then go and rest for tonight... You have to sing in the chorus after all." Claudine told her bravely, but softly. She managed to sit up, leaning against the wall, and lightly clutched at her ankle. She had known Christine would rest as neither girl would ever anger their angelic tutor.
"Si, Claudine..." Violetta nodded. "Please, do not worry..." she then scurried off to find Madame Giry.
Claudine gave a soft sigh. "Christine will be marvelous tonight, mon Ange, thanks to your magnifiqué training." she said softly as the Violetta was out fetching Madame Giry.