I was dreaming, at first. But then I could feel my body lift to the ceiling, and I grinned, elated by the sensation. I don't know why, but I flew out of the house and soared around town. I noticed a woman entering her house with groceries, and I zoomed down and inside. Part of me shrieked that she'd see me, but she didn't. I went to slam my fist down onto a table, but it went right through. A thrill went up my spine, and a mad grin spread across my face. I did it! After trying for so bloody long, I had entered the astral plane.
Yes, that's right, I'm an apprentice wizard. Self taught, you have no idea how hard that is. I'd been researching different planes and how to reach them for some time. The astral plane was of interest to me because things that most people thought as magic-like flying, or shooting fireballs from your hands- was in fact only possible on another plane. Since they were also possible in dreams, I did some research and found it was possible to enter the astral plane through the world of Dreams, and a lot of people did, without ever realizing it. My challenge, then, was to do so consciously.
I knew it wouldn't be too hard- I already had some experience in the Dreaming realm. From an early age, I had learned to control my dreams, change them, even while sleeping, with part of my mind knowing I was dreaming and what I was doing. So now I flew over cities, over oceans, and landed again outside a building filled with music. I closed my hazel eyes and willed myself to be solid again. And when I looked, I was. Damn, I was good.
I was so thrilled, I felt like singing. So I let loose with the high pitched, wordless song from Sleeping Beauty, right before she goes into the Once Upon a Dream song. And then, because I felt like it, I went ahead and sang that, too. By the time I was finished, I had attracted a small crowd. They applauded, and I curtsied, despite the fact that I was wearing cargo pants, boots, and a black tank top beneath a dark blue plaid flannel shirt. They were oddly dressed, now that I noticed. Like they were in the 1800s. One stepped forward and spoke to me.
"With a voice like that, you should be singing at the Opera," he said.
In French.
My smile froze on my ivory face, and I spun around, eyes searching the skyline. Part of me was glad I chose French over Spanish as a second language in high school, but the larger part of me was slowly filling with dread, at the same time desperately trying to remain calm. Where was the Eiffel Tower?
"Sir," I replied in French, "If you please, could you tell me the year?"
He told me, and I nearly fainted. Something had gone terribly wrong. I had no clue how I had wound up in 19th century Paris, but I was in trouble if I couldn't find a way out. I spun around to face him and quickly got confirmation that the building pouring out music was the Opera, and they were having auditions today. I was told that the old star, Christine Daae, had run off with the old patron. I stared a him blankly as the name Christine Daae hit me like a frying pan to the face. Unbidden, a scene popped into my head.
It's happening, everyone stay calm! What's the procedure? STAY FUCKING CALM!
A giggle bubbled up from my throat, then I was laughing hysterically. I really had to stop watching crack videos. The man was staring at me like I had three heads, and I apologized profusely before sprinting off to the Opera. If I was going to be here for some time, I'd need shelter, food, and water to survive. Which mean money. Which meant a job. Why not here? I caught the managers just in time, as they were about to wrap up the auditions.
"And what will you be singing for us today?"
Unable to think of an aria that was around in this time period off the top of my head, I said, "It's of my own making, called Love Never Dies. Acapella, if you don't mind."
I didn't hate the musical, just the story line, and the fact that Erik was still mooning over Christine. I even really liked Ben Lewis as the Phantom. His voice was closest to what I imagined the real phantom sounded like, and I seemed to be the only person ever to dislike Crawford and Karimloo's voices. Few of the Christine actresses pleased me, as well. I'm very picky about this, obviously. All those nights staying up and singing in my room paid off. I sang for the managers, and long story short, I was given the lead role.
"You do seem a little strange, however," one said, eyeing my state of dress.
"I'm from America," I replied. Not a total lie. "I'm a fashion designer, too." That was a lie.
"Very well. Fleur here will show you to your rooms."
She wasn't very talkative, but that was fine. I had other things on my mind. I had no idea how my trip in the astral plane got so messed up, but I wasn't going to try to get back the same way. Who knew what would go wrong again, or where I'd end up.
"Your bedroom is here," Fleur said, bringing me out of my thoughts, "And your dressing room is connected. You know, we never got your name. Are all Americans so rude?"
"My name is Sarah," I responded, "And in case you didn't notice, I'm having a bit of a rough time here."
"Yes, a rough time," she said, smiling sweetly, "You waltz in here at the last minute and practically get handed the lead role on a silver platter. You poor dear."
"You don't understand what I'm dealing with at the moment, so I'll forgive you for this."
"What I understand is you haven't even begun to pay your dues. Luckily, those that start at the top don't stay there long, so enjoy the limelight while it lasts."
She walked away, and I let her go, since the thought it was so important to have the last word. Shaking my head, I entered my room and closed the door behind me. This entire place was ridiculously lavish, and this room was no exception. I had a bed, armoire, vanity, and a desk. There was a bathroom was well, and I was pleased to note that indoor plumbing was included. That meant the toilet flushed, and there was running water that drained away. While historically speaking plumbing had been around for a while, it didn't gain widespread implementation until... I was in late 1800s Paris? Just recently, then. So they were probably proud and awed of this "new technology" in the Opera, but as I came here from the twenty first century, I was simply relieved to see something familiar that made my life easier.
But, as I also came here by way of the astral plane, the only physical things I had were on my person. Meaning my clothes. I had no other clothes, or toiletries, and I realized I'd really miss bare minerals makeup, adore me underwear sets, and Canes. Starting from scratch in a strange place and time wasn't going to be easy. But at least I knew the language and now had shelter and would eventually get money that came with the job, which would allow me to buy necessities like clothes, shoes, and soap. I wouldn't be needing candles, thankfully. Electric light had been installed in the Opera in 1881, and we were past that date. Since the Opera hadn't been completed until 1875, there was no way the events of the Phantom of the Opera could have taken place before that year, anyway.
On the bright side, I was now in my dream job. As an added bonus, I would be working for the Phantom himself. There was no doubt in my mind that Erik was around here somewhere, if Christine had only recently left. As much as I wanted to poke around, I was forced to leave the Opera to search for basic hygiene equipment.
As I had no money, I'd have to discreetly exercise the skill wizards called conjury, street magic, sleight of hand. In short, I'd have to steal. This was way easier than when I stole at the mall when I was in high school, as the shops and stalls here had no security cameras. I made sure no one saw me pocket things by using my body to shield my hand movements, and ensured no one noticed me specifically by avoiding people's gazes. That was how I'd skipped half a school day in high school. At lunch, I'd just walk out the front gate with the other early release students, strolling calmly as if I had every right to be there. That was how I became invisible. Not by jumping up and down in the middle of a room, waving my arms and not being seen, but by becoming so inconspicuous that I wasn't noticed.
I'll never win an award for ethics.
By the time I got back to my room at the Opera, I had a comb, tooth brush and cleaning powder, soap for my face, and soap for my hair and body. I was sticking to the bare necessities until I got some money. Look for the bare necessities, the simple bare necessities. Most of the things I picked up went into the bathroom, and when I went to put the comb on the vanity table, I found a note already there. It had a red wax skull on it, and the sight made me freeze. It could only be from one person.