Welcome, mes amis! We have decided to try something different for a change. By we I mean: my friend by the name of Reccie thought it would be entertaining if we did a fic together. Most of you know my Cossette. In this fic Reccie's character Raine will be in it, aussi. We wanted to see if Erik could handle both girls and how it would turn out. Basically, I write a chappy then Reccie writes one. The chappies that I type will be titled Cossette and the one's Reccie does will be titled Raine. It's almost role-playing, but not quite. So do read on!

*Note: To those who have read my other fic "Late Apology", this is a complete different fic and stands on its own. Cossette knows nothing of Erik or the history of what happened at the Opera House.

**Note: This fic is not as serious as the ones I normally write... It's full of quirky humor, if you will. =)

Chapter 1

Cossette

The orange and red leaves danced wildly in the chilled September breeze as the de Chagnycarriage rodeslowly down the crowded streets of Paris . Inside the carriage sat the Vicomte and Vicomtesse de Chagny's only daughter; Cossette. The girl dozed lightly as the carriage made its way to its destination; none other than the grand and famous Opera Populairé.

Cossette, being at the mature age of twenty-two, decided it was time for her to depart from the de Chagny Estate and seek out her own means of employment against her mother and father's wishes. Being an independent young woman, Cossettegrew very tired of being pampered and taken care of by her maids and her parents. They were very strict and protective and most unbearable people at times. Cossette knew they were only thinking for her best interest, but it wasn't the life she wanted nor desired.

The carriage came to a complete halt and the sudden stop jarred Cossette awake. She sat upright and waited for the driver to come around and open her door. "Merci, Ives," Cossette said as the driver helped her out.

"De rien, Mademoiselle de Chagny," the driver replied as he handed her her small suitcase. "Are you sure you do not wish for me to take you back?" he asked.

"Oui, Ives. My mind is made up," she said.

He nodded. "Very well. Au revoir, mademoiselle," he said. With a tip of his hat he quickly departed.

Cossette watched the carriage drift away and disappear around the corner. She was left staring at the towering structure in front of her; the Opera Populairé. She couldn't help but admire the architectural beauty of the grand gothicbuilding; the magnificent pillars that lined the front, the massive stain glass windows, and the sinister gargoyles that loomed over from the roof with watching eyes.

A sudden gust of wind caused Cossetteto shiver and pull her shawl around herself more tightly as she hurried up the great stone steps toward the door to escape the cold. She stepped inside and was met with the grand foyer. She was quite impressed with the many statues and marbled works of the theatre's interior.

She observed the crowd of many other anxious youths waiting impatiently and chatting about. They all carried suitcases and other means of belongings as well. Some were chatting away about the latest fashions while others bragged about their talents and others complained about the cold September weather.

Cossette became immediately submerged within the crowd of her fellow Frenchmen. The loudness in the hall was almost unbearable, but Cossette found herself fascinated by the many types of people there. She had never been exposed to so many people due to the restrictions of her parents.

Out of nowhere came a small voice, "May I have your attention." The chatter and other noise continued and the voice was ignored. "Silence!" The voice bellowed as it echoed of the walls of the room and everyone ceased talking at once.

Cossette looked for the source of the voice and spotted an older woman dressed in a green dress standing by the grand staircase. She looked quite irritated and annoyed. Her now graying brown hair was braided back into a bun and her face showed that of much knowledge and experience…and yes, meanness. The woman stood slightly hunched with age, but never the less she was intimidating from the start. She tapped her cane with annoyance.

"I see I have your attention now," she said firmly. "I am Madame Giry, head of the ballet. The managers are preoccupied at the moment so I am to instruct you." She paused briefly then continued. "Stagehands, culinary staff, stable guards, ect…wait here until the managers are available. Auditions for dancers and singers will be held in the theater. Follow me," she commanded. She turned on her heel and headed for the stage room.

Cossette watched as she disappeared from view and the other people followed her eagerly. She made a mental note to herself that Madame Giry was perhaps a mean old sea hag and not to be crossed. Cossette followed the rest of the auditioners to the stage. She waited impatiently behind the crowd of people and was nearly knocked over by a passing girl.

"Oh, Je suis désolée," the girl quickly said.

"It's quite alright," Cossette replied. She paused feeling awkward. "I'm Cossette de Chagny."

"Raine Désirée," the girl replied.

Cossette took a moment to compare herself to the clumsy girl. She had an innocent face with large hazel eyes and wispy brown hair. In turn, Cossette was a spitting image of her mother with long curly brown hair that fell past her shoulders and deep pools of brown eyes. This girl was a little younger then Cossette and perhaps this explained her inelegance.

"It seems we have quite the wait ahead of us," Cossette said gesturing to all of the people in line waiting to audition.

"Oui, it does," Raine agreed. "What are trying out for?"

"I've been told that I sing rather well…so I decided to audition for lead soprano," Cossette replied. "Et toi?"

"The ballet-corps of course," Raine said.

"That will be interesting," Cossette said trying to act interested. "I don't dance much," she admitted.

"Nor do I sing," Raine jested.

Cossette giggled for a second at Raine's jest and was then interrupted by her name being called. "De Chagny," the familiar demanding voice of Madame Giry called.

"Well, I guess I better go," Cossette said and hurried off to the stage. She set down her suitcase and ambled her way to center stage.

"De Chagny, I should have known…You will audition for the lead soprano," Madame Giry stated more than asked.

Cossette nodded.

"And what is it you will be singing?" Madame Giry asked.

"A short part from "Think of Me"," Cossette replied.

"I see…Maestro," Madame Giry commanded. The music began and Cossette felt a little nervous, but if she were to succeed at making her own way in the world she would haveto push fear aside and sing and that's what she did.

Cossette began to sing softly at first. "Think of me, think of me fondly, when we've said goodbye. Remember me once in a while--please promise me you'll try. When you find that, once again, you long to take your heart back and be free--if you ever find a moment, spare a thought for me," she sang more confidently as the song progressed and she became more comfortable. "We never said our love was evergreen, or as unchanging as the sea…But if you can still remember, stop and think of me . . ." she finished and held the last note and hit that dreaded high "c".

Cossette was surprised by the small applause she received from the other auditioners as she looked at Madame Giry who didn't seem the least bit impressed. "You require much work if you wish to progress here," Madame Giry said flatly.

Cossette stared at her with a confused expression. She wasn't sure if to take that as a compliment or as an insult. "That means…" Cossette started.

Madame Giry sighed. "That means you are hired. Now get off my stage I have many auditions to do, Mademoiselle de Chagny," she snapped.

Cossettenodded and hurried off the stage with her suitcase in hand to rejoin Raine, but she had lost sight of her in the massive crowd so she decided to head the dormitory and unpack her things. She walked into the girls dormitory and found that there were eight beds and that three other girls already occupied them. The girls were all younger than Cossette and simply stared at her as she walked in.

Cossette ignored them and choose the bed closest to the door and furthest from the other girls. She unpacked her small suitcase and placed her clothing and other small items in the small dresser next to her bed and couldn't help, but listen to the other girl's conversation.

"Really?" the blonde girl questioned.

"Oui. They say he haunts this place and preys on the innocent," the other girl replied.

"I heard when he doesn't get his way that things happen," another girl chimed in.

"What kinds of things?" the small blonde asked.

"He stalks around the opera house and if he finds you…" The girl drew a line across her throat to mimic a cut motion.

"Non!" The blonde exclaimed.

"Oui, it does. If he isn't obeyed or his rules aren't followed he causes accidents to happen so everyone does what he demands," the girl replied.

"What's he look like?" the blonde asked.

"They say that he has a skeleton head with skin as pale as snow and ghost fingers… He wears the white mask of a ghost…" the girls voice trailed off.

"What are you staring at?" one girl asked.

Cossette hadn't realized that she had been staring at the girls. "Sorry. Who are you talking about?" Cossette asked.

"The Phantom of the Opera!" the young blonde exclaimed. "Who else?"

Thanks for reading! Don't forget reviews or I might have to have Erik Punjab you. Muahaha. Anyways, if you enjoy this fic check out my partner's page. Her author name: Reccie.