Alright, first let me say thank you for coming to read this- I am much obliged. This is a phanfic written by both myself and my best friend Sumner Bain that I have been waiting till theright moment to post on here. I know that it might start off a little slow, and such, but I promise-cross my heart and hope to die- that it grows to be, in my opinion, extremely addictive. Nowfor a heads up, please forgive me if something might be slightly historically incorrect, but the likelihood of this is slim. Anyways, I just wanted to see what you generous reviewers thought of it- and please feel free to tell me whether it is a compliment or a snide remark- I appreciate all opinions. Alright, well this is just a little portion of the beginning to allow you to familiarize with the new lead female characters and see how you all react to it- if its total crap and no one likes it then I will spare you all the horror of seeing it again. Ok, so, thanks for reading my endless babble, please review, and thanks!

-Olivia N.

Chapter 1

The beauty struck her, relieving the breath she had been confining from her body. The sheer magnitude of the building produced excitement in its purest form, causing her chest to rise as she took in the rich Parisian air. However, the magnitude held with it an air of great foreboding. The deep shadows offered a chance for the night's touch to creep in, even during broad day light. Here the rich played, and with it came the Upper Class's snobbery, those within it reflected the higher standing of which they lived. Only the best made it inside; only the greatest remained. The gargoyles upon the roof offered great imagination with dark stories, and great mythologies of the past. Could they be true? Ghosts, and the what not? Most doubted it, yet there is always an unspoken history with such buildings of grandiose. Perhaps it was the price of fame. The deep dark past which the light tried to hide came out at night, but luring of the building became a drug that few could resist the addiction to. The knowledge of the interior, and its people was as intoxicating as any drug, or drink. Rumors became truth, like a beautiful goddess awaiting a chance to play. Possibly Aphrodite lived within, feeding off the beauty, the rich, and the gossip inside. Such wonders held few at bay for all longed to enter the threshold of the Opera Populaire.

Rarely did she ever feel the twinge of anxiety, the pain of doubt and fear, but in this world of such splendor an outsider like herself could not help but feel uncertain. She was not raised in this beauty, not native to its magnificence, and in fact was not even born on the same continent. American born, a pure blood Southerner, elegance and sophistication was something in her life she had seen only mere glimpses of, and unfortunately this was far too obvious. Here she stood in her faded, dirt smudged, day on the farm picking cotton dress, her chestnut brown hair hanging freely and curling wildly down her back. She stared with large, curious chocolate brown eyes at the magnificent Opera house, poised at its steps with two tattered leather suit cases tucked under her peculiarly muscled and tanned arms. She was a fit but not petite woman, her build being some what more broad and strong than most females, although she had been told her figure was very well proportioned. Her face was oval shaped and nearly faultless, with few scars from past blemishes, a slightly prominent nose, dark arched eyebrows, high cheek bones, and full succulent pink lips. In her world she had been considered lovely, one of the rare beauties to emerge from her diminutive home town in south Georgia, but in dazzling Paris this was not so.

Intimidated, nervous and hesitant of her decision, panic began to rise in her chest, her breath becoming heavy and ragged. For a moment she felt like fleeing, just turning tail and sprinting right back to her simple Southern life, living out the remainder of her days wasting her strength and soul on the land she'd never had a passion for and being subordinate to a husband she'd never love. But no, she had to remind herself bitterly, not even those simplicities were open to her anymore. She couldn't go back, not even if she wanted to. This was her only option.

She swallowed down her insecurity, forcing her shoulders back and somewhat lifting her head to give an air of confidence about her image. She would walk through those doors with bravery and an open mind; will herself to begin a new life. This time she would not doubt or fear- this time things would work out. With this thought fresh in her mind she found her strength had returned to her, and so with a look of determination about her expressions she ascended the stairs and entered the magnificent Opera Populaire.

Thanks for reading! Please comment and I'll update again soon! Thanks!