Paper Faces
I stood in front of the mirror carefully pinning up the rest of my bouncing curls. I was almost ready. I turned to look at the small clock sitting on my desk in the corner of my dressing room. Nine twenty.
I quickly examined my costume in the full length mirror before me. It was stunning. The gown was a sage color with a flattering bodice and lace trim along the square neckline. The skirt was bustled in the back and quite voluminous compared to my everyday dresses. I would never be able to afford such a dress on my meager dancer's salary. I had to remember to find Meg at the end of the evening, so we could return it to the costume department. She had borrowed a beautiful, but rather over the top costume from Il Muto.
Giggles and rushed footsteps could be heard from outside my door, as my fellow dancers hurried to the New Years masquerade party. They were headed to the main hall and grand staircase, where the ball was being held; the perfect place to show off the exquisite architecture of the opera house. I took one last look in the mirror to add the finishing touches. I clasped a black ribbon necklace, with a round opal pendant around my neck and stared back at myself. Something was missing. I took the rose from my desk and gently pinned the flower in my hair. I quickly grabbed my white and silver domino mask and was out the door.
Making my way through the maze of halls I realized everyone must already be at the party. Reaching the double doors at the end of the last hall, I entered the masquerade ball.
This was my first masquerade and it was like nothing I could have ever imagined. Hundreds of people crowed the main hall and staircase. My eyes could barely focus on anything with all of the bright colors dancing before my eyes. I took several minutes to simply stand there in wonder and take in the scene.
The first floor, where I was standing, was used as the dance floor. Colorful costumes twirled around in time with the small orchestra playing just above them on the second floor balcony. I recognized Monsieur Reyer leading them in a cheerful song and looking just as professional as ever, despite the chaos surrounding him.
On the other second floor balconies I saw couples laughing and drinking from sparkling crystal Champaign glasses; the sound of chatter and laughter coming from all directions. As my eyes continued to travel upwards to the other level balconies, I found similar scenes of cheerful masked party-goers.
Finally overcoming my awe enough to be mobile, I looked at the crowd in front of me. I instantly regretted not leaving with the other dancers. 'How on earth will I find anyone I know?' I asked myself, as I looked around at all the masks. I roamed through the crowd, looking for the Il Muto gown Meg had chosen.
Without realizing, I walked through the mass of chattering guests, and straight into the dance floor. I tried to quickly remove myself from getting in the way, but I was engulfed in a swarm of spinning, masked couples. The dancers around me were oblivious to my attempts to escape. The sound of music and a thousand voices drowned me out and left me feeling hopeless.
I suddenly sensed someone behind me; someone who was not dancing. Feeling half relieved and half shocked that someone had come to my rescue, I whirled around to face them, the hem of my dress swirling at my feet.
I gasped at the sight before me. It was a man. This fact alone is not what shocked me; I was at party after all. What set him apart was the cold, distant, yet passionate and dangerous air that seemed to radiate from him. He was dressed formally, but nothing in his outfit made him stand out, except perhaps its simplicity. He wore a charcoal black waistcoat, overcoat, and gloves. His white cravat was tied fashionably around his neck and, as I looked down at his feet, I noticed that his shiny black boots were surprisingly spotless. Which I found rather odd, the streets were rather dirty this time of year. He looked like he was dressed for the opera, except for the gold mask that covered his entire face.
The gold, expressionless mask unnerved me as I stood there looking up at him stupidly. I was about to attempt to scurry away in the other direction, when he gave me a small, graceful bow and out stretched a gloved hand to me. I looked up, into his eyes. All my thoughts blurred as I stared into those stormy-grey orbs. Without breaking eye contact, I placed my hand in his.
What happened next seemed almost like a dream. He swept me into his arms and began to lead me into a dance as the music changed. The new song seemed to be some sort of tango. It was slower than the previous songs, but much more passionate. I felt like I was floating as he swept me across the dance floor. His graceful step never missed a beat.
My eyes never left his and his mine. His gaze was tender and despite being in the arms of a man I have never meet, I felt oddly safe and at ease. There was something else in his eyes I tried to decipher as we danced. Was it sadness, pain, hope, bliss… or something else? I could not tell.
We danced together perfectly, as if we have done so for years. My heart was beating rapidly as he spun me in a circle and expertly drew me back to him as we continued to dance. It was as if no one else existed in that crowded hall, except for him and I. Looking into his eyes I forgot everything else and let myself go to the bliss I felt in that moment.
The dance ended too soon for my liking. I think he was also upset by the end of the dance, because he held on to me for several moments after the dance had ended. His passionate gaze met my euphoric one for the last time. He hesitated for a split second before leaving the embrace. Without a word he gave me an apologetic look and a small elegant bow and disappeared as mysteriously as he had come.
Once he was gone, I finally remembered to breathe. Regaining my senses, I found myself at the outskirts of the mob of dancers. He had rescued me. My eyes darted around the ornate hall, searching for the man whose name I didn't even know.
Not seeing him anywhere, I returned to my former task of looking for Meg. Roaming through the crowds, I could not abandon the strange emotions he left me with. Who was he? Does he work at the Opera House? Have I seen him before? Will I see him again?...
"Christine! Christine, over here!" Meg's voice interrupted my thoughts. I turned around trying to locate the direction of her voice.
I saw her by the stairs, beneath a gold, life-size statue of a woman, perched on the top of the wide marble railing. I made my way over to her and saw she was with two men. One taller, was dressed as a court jester. He wore a full white mask, complete with a crafty smile. On his head was a hat with three points all in different directions, and his outfit was black with gold buttoned down the front and gold embroidery. His black cape, with red lining completed the look. His outrageous costume fit in quite well. Next to him was a slightly shorter man, dressed as a soldier. He wore a small dark blue domino that matched his soldier's costume. As I looked at his friendly eyes, I slowly began to recognize him.
"Christine Daaé? Is that you?" the man I recognized to be my dear childhood friend, moved to lift off his mask.
"Raoul! You must not remove your mask until midnight! That is the only rule of the masquerade; I cannot allow you to break it, brother." The man I recognized as Philippe de Chagny, Raoul's older brother scolded him merrily.
I gave a happy laugh, "there is no need to break the rules Raoul, I remember you. How could I forget the boy who braved the cold ocean to rescue my scarf?" He smiled at the memory with me.
"It was my pleasure to help out such a lovely lady and good friend" He replied.
"It is like they never parted. They have always been quite the little love birds." Philippe said loudly to Meg who giggled flirtatiously at him, as Raoul and Christine blushed. "We should leave them to catch up. Would you care for a drink, my dear?" Philippe asked Meg, leading her up the stairs.
**
Raoul and I shared as many memories as we could, until the noise made it impossible to continue. Then he asked me for a dance to which I happily agreed. He led me to the dance floor and we began to dance together to a lovely waltz.
My experience dancing with Raoul was very different from my dance earlier that evening. Although he was a more than adequate dancer, he lacked the ghostly grace of my previous partner. There was also something slightly less romantic about this dance. It seemed too light hearted and friendly. Not like the passionate tango from earlier.
I did my best to force these thoughts from my mind. I was very fond of Raoul, and I did not know anything about the man I meet earlier. I would surely never meet him again. It is best that I just try and forget. I felt ashamed for thinking about dancing with another man while I was in Raoul's embrace. I put on a big smile for him and put a new energy in my step, causing him to smile back at me.
All of a sudden the music stopped. We heard a several gasps and a few cries of terror. Everyone looked around, searching for the cause of the drastic turn in the formerly merry festivities. All eyes rested on the red figure at the top of the staircase. A hush fell over the party as he slowly, deliberately, made his way down the steps. He wore a terrifying mask, resembling a skull and a lavish red costume. He was the Red Death.
"Why so silent? Why do you not welcome your Opera Ghost?" His voice was harsh, yet oddly musical. Everyone stared, fascinated and frightened.
"You! How dare you?" Firmin's voice, the opera house manager, demanded, breaking the silence. The other manager, Andre, stepped out of the crowd as well, to defend his business partner.
"I was about to ask you two the very same question. I will no longer tolerate this horrible disrespect of your humble Phantom. I am here tonight to give you one last warning. You will be wise to not let my demands go ignored, as they have been these past several months. I have been more than patient. You will promptly see to it that my salary is paid, including the past few months that you have missed. In addition to paying your debt, I want box five to be reserved for my use once again, and I want my opera to be the first performance of the New Year." He pulled out a large, bound manuscript and tossed it to the ground.
He stared around at all the eyes staring back at him. He stared them all down with a calm anger. Then his eyes stopped in their tracks as they rested on Raoul and I. I was staring back with wide eyes as Raoul held on to me protectively, not realizing what was transpiring between myself and this menacing specter. Then, the Red Death stepped back and gave the crowd one last look as he became engulfed in flames and vanished completely.
Once he disappeared, chaos returned, as voices took over the room once more. The managers, looking terribly stressed and weary, went over to collect the abandoned manuscript. Raoul looked down at me, hiding in his arms.
"Are you alright, Christine?" He asked, looking at my shocked expression. I tried to cover up the emotions that were raging inside me.
"Yes, I am fine. I am just feeling rather tired all of a sudden. Do you think you could help me back to my room? I would very much like to get some sleep." I asked him, avoiding his concerned gaze.
"Yes, of course. Whatever you need Christine." He replied. He walked me back down the winding halls. A few others also decided they had enough excitement and were returning to their rooms as well. When we reached my dressing room he gave me one last embrace, and said goodnight.
I wearily entered my room and closed the door. As soon as the door closed, I fell to my knees sobbing. After a few moments I did my best to pull myself together. I could sense his presence. He was there with me.
I angrily lifted myself up, wiped my tears away, and stood before the mirror.
"Why?! Why did you lie to me? You are no angel! You are the Phantom of the Opera! You are a man!" I demanded, pounding my tiny fists against the cool surface of the mirror.
I knew he was there, but he did not answer me.
"Who are you?"
Happy New Year! Thanks for reading. I would love to hear what you think if you have a moment!