The Music of the Night
By: LeMistressV
Disclaimer: This story is based on the Broadway Musical "Phantom of the Opera". I do not own the characters or the songs, so please don't sue.
Um…this is in an alternate universe kind of story, so if you don't really like this kind of stuff, don't flame.
Please no flames! You have been warned.
Chapter 1
Memoirs
A crowd huddled near the old and abandoned mansion as a young woman lifted a gavel into the air. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the old Shinra Mansion, once known as the greatest opera house in the world! Come closer, I've got plenty of merchandise that might catch your eye," the young auctioneer cried out clearly. Turning her back for a moment to retrieve another item, she smiled mysteriously.
The crowd murmured in hushed tones, doubting that the young girl was telling the truth.
Yuffie brought out a small bow and held it up towards the crowd. "Observe!"
"What are you crazy? That's just a box!" someone jeered.
Yuffie shook her head as she pounded her gavel in order to silence the doubting crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen, do you not realize what I hold in my hand?" Without waiting for an answer she continued, "This is the genuine music box that was rumored to magically play by itself without anyone winding it. I assure you, it's the real thing, AND it still works!"
The crowd continued to jeer at the auctioneer, continuing to doubt her word.
"Alright then. I shall show you!" Yuffie shouted, carefully winding the music box. Suddenly, a haunting melody began to play softly, hushing and mesmerizing the crowd.
The black, velvet box slowly began to open, revealing a glass figurine appearing to be dancing as it slowly twirled in its place.
"…Slowly…gently," Yuffie said softly as the lovely, yet haunting music continued to play. "Night unfurls its splendor. Grasp it…sense it…tremulous and tender…" The girl's voice trailed off into a low whisper as the music began to fade and the box began to close. "These were the words of the haunting song the mysterious Phantom sang to his beloved."
Yuffie waited for the music box's effect on her audience to fade before announcing, "So, I'll start with a good bid of 50 Gil!"
The crowd went wild, trying to get a higher bid than the other in order to retrieve the valuable music box. Finally after the bid reached 150 Gil, it was sold to an old man named Rufus Shinra.
"Sold!" Yuffie exclaimed, pounding her gavel onto the stand. She carefully lifted the music box from its place and handed it to the old man.
Rufus studied the box for a moment, holding it with great care. Slowly, he winded the box and carefully listened to the beautiful melody again. "The Music of the Night. I remember well…She would often sing it to herself when she was alone in her room," he said softly to himself. He carefully studied the glass figurine and smiled. "It looks exactly like her…"
Without realizing it, Rufus began to hum the melody softly as he remembered the words to the song. He closed his eyes as he remembered the past, when he once again saw his beloved. "…Slowly…gently…Night unfurls its splendor. Grasp it…sense it…tremulous and tender…"Author: Sooooooooo, what do you think so far? Questions? Comments? Reviews would be nice!