The wind howled in painful sorrow; darkness cascading over the lane. Heavens very gates opened up to pour the waters over such a tragic scene. The black mare rode as hard as its legs would allow; hot breath streaming from its nostrils. Upon the beast, the cloaked figure leaned into the mare, trying to see in such weather. Green robes billowed behind as the hooded shadow tried to escape from what she left behind.
Christine Daae ran from her home and the events of late. The young nobles woman's curls lay under her cloak, tears and rain staining her face, and hair. How could he? Gustave Daae, her once beloved father, had just told Christine of his plans; and for that she fled. It was her 18th birthday, what should have been a splendid occasion. But alas! Good things never last.
Christine rode harder, trying desperately to forget the evening in whole.
Flash backChristine walked down the stairs of the humble Daae castle. The party guests and festivities decorated the entire lower level. This was her day, the day in which Christine became a woman.
Her royal blue gown came slightly off the shoulders and exposed her collarbone. The champagne lace, and intrigued designs made her look even more like an angel. Her hair was put up in the latest fashion, but a few chocolate tendrils managed to fall, framing her perfect heart shaped face.
She looked amazing. Her hand on the banister for strength, she made her way all they way to the landing before she met the awaiting party guests. Christine waited for the moment her father had told her. She stood there wondering why she was so nervous, forcing her self to breath over and over.
"Attention!" announced a very proud Lord Daae. " May I have your attention?" the party all quickly looked at the extremely handsome man on the bottom stair. "My good friends, I would like to thank you for joining me in this moment of a father's superb happiness.
" My daughter, my lovely daughter, comes now no longer a child, but a woman. We can all remember when my little girl would run around covered in mud, claiming to be one of the little village boys." Quite a few chuckles emerged at this statement, and to Christine's horror, her father continued.
" And our beautiful Christine would only get cleaned up to sing for guest, or her proud papa." A paternal tear was visible to only those closest to him. This man that was once a war leader, and a known man's man, only had weakness when it came to his daughter.
" So with out any further ado," he said quickly, remembering her was addressing a crowd. " I would like to present: Christine Daae! " this was her sign to continue down the stairs, to finally address her peers as a woman.
Christine was welcomed by cheers and such from the friends, and family that had gathered. The evening was rather a blur for Christine, so many conversations, so many dances, and so many men coming to claim her attention. But she was happy nonetheless.
Her father showed her around to every one in the room; Christine knew most of them by name, and the rest by sight. Christine, even in all the blur of color, elegant gown, and conversation, noticed a strange guest. The subject wore all black except for the red vest. His, for she was sure it was a he, face was hidden under the hood of his cloak, and the man hid in the shadows mostly.
Every time Christine would try to get a better look at him, he vanished. This gave her the conclusion that she was just imagining him. She did have a vivid imagination, but something about the person in shadow intrigued her. Something about this dark silhouette made her loose focus on her guests, and the party itself, she had to know who he was.
Christine was however, rudely awakened from her thoughts, as her long time friend viscount Roul de Chaney. "Christine! Oh how lovely you look tonight!" Roul and Christine quickly embraced as friends who had been apart for some time. Then, holding her at arms length, Roul gave Christine that boyish grin that would have sent any other woman weak at the knees. " Oh Roul, I have missed you so! Promise me you wont go away for such a long time again!"
Our lovely viscount again flashed the deadly grin. "Only if you, Christine, promise me you will save me a dance." They both laughed, neither one noticing a shadow give a controlled snort at the boy's improprieties. Yet the girl seemed not to notice that the boy was obviously fond of her, a fondness that went deeper than friendship.
Soon the band began to play once again, and dance partners were sought. Roul went to beg Christine to fulfill her promise, and she obliged. The rest of the party seemed to marvel at the young couple; they seemed so perfect for each other.
Roul spun Christine around with him; they were only focused on each other, neither of them willing this moment to stop. "Christine," Roul stopped for the third time trying to get out what he was thinking. "Roul, what is it? Is everything alright?" Christine worried slightly. He looked down into her eyes and just smiled. He could do this, right? "Christine, I-" Roul was cut off by a tap on the shoulder.
" Lord Daae," Roul cursed under his breath at the man's horrid timing. "Well Roul, might I ask to cut it? This is the last dance I believe, and I have yet to dance with my daughter."
Again silent curses, but he stepped back from the young beauty, and bowed to the two of them. Lord Daae stepped up and took his daughter's hand. "Christine, my dear Christine." Her father sighed, as he knew all too well what he had cut into, but if his plans were to fall through, M. de Chaney had almost spoilt it.
"Papa?" She was glad to be dancing with her father now, she had expected that Roul would object to having his dance interrupted, but he did not. He hadn't even asked for a promise of another. "Yes, my dear?"
Lord Daae looked down into his daughter's eyes. They were so much like her mothers. "Thank you. Thank you for everything. Tonight has been most splendid."
"Anything for my dear little Lotte. My dearest Christine, I have something I wish to tell you, but not quite yet. After the guests have all gone." Christine was nervous and excited at the same time. Her mind was reeling at the possibilities of what he could have to tell her.
Christine was rather fidgety by the time all guests, save Roul, had left. The Viscount stood by the door talking to Lord Daae, and Christine; little did he know neither one of them were paying him that much attention. Roul shook the Lord's hand, a bowed over Christine's.
As soon as Roul had left, Daae led Christine into his study. The room was very comfortable, and was considered one of the finest (if the finest) of the men's study in the neighborhood. The number of books was in the thousands, and the room held a masculine touch, much needed for such a man.
Christine had always admired this room, even as a young child, her father would bring her there for a type of treat. But as her father poured himself a drink, Christine's excitement grew to a boiling point. When her father had something to tell her, it usually involved him traveling or something in which she would need bribing, and the treasures her brought back served as such. Never gowns or jewels, she didn't really care for such things. No Daae brought her books and things from lands that no one really had heard of. Christine was one to forget her troubles when in the company of these wonders.
Christine awaited her father's usual ' I'm sorry my dear, I must go away once again, but I promise this is the last time.' speech. Daae walked over to the fireplace next to the leather chairs, in which Christine occupied. He sipped his brandy, and tried to figure out how to say this. After an excruciatingly long pause, Christine watched her father as he moved right in front of her, kneeling. "Christine, my love. I want you to know that I have always tried to do what is best for you. Everything I have ever done has been to ensure your happiness, and I have made yet another one of those decisions."
Christine looked into her father's eyes, " Papa, you are making me nervous, what is it?" she did not lie the tone he was using; it sounded so somber.
"Christine, I know this may not sound like…I know you may be angry with me, but please remember its for you."
"Father! Out with it or I shall have a fit! You are frightening me!"
Lord Daae disregarded his brandy some time ago, and had now taken Christine's small hands. " A man has come to claim your hand in marriage, and I accepted. Christine!" Christine had fainted on hearing the she was to have an arranged marriage.
Much of the rest of the evening was a blur to her. She awoke, and her father was holding her telling her he was sorry and he loved her. But Christine's thoughts were elsewhere as she saw the hooded figure from the party behind her father. The masked man still hid behind the cloak and stayed mostly in the shadow, but Christine knew, this was the man her father had promised her to.
The next thing Christine knew, she had somehow made it out of the house, and to the stables. A horse had just happened to be saddled up and she jumped upon it. Christine flew from the house and its lands; she had to leave. Christine refused to stop as she heard her father's yells for her to come back; she refused to turn back. If they came after her, the she would just continue to ride into the night and what ever its darkness held.
End Flashback
Author's note:
Well loves, how did you like my first chapter? I wont beg for your responses, but the more I get, the quicker I update. Also the first person to respond…gets to become a character in this story…so please post your first name or a name you want me to use. (Please nothing stupid...)
Now to discuss some things…I DO NOT own ANY part of this besides the plot, and some characters in later chapters.
I also want to address the topic of this stories rating; it is rated 'M' for later chapters and such….
I truly do not have any idea how this will end, so I am up for suggestions!
Thanks so much!
Your humble yet obedient servant,
Elusive Phantom
