Hi everybody. Wow-castle here. This is my first ever fanfic so I hope you all enjoy it. The chapter is rather short but I'll try in future to expand. I really hope you enjoy it. Please read, rate and review.
...Elizabeth:
I slump against the edge of the catwalk as the first notes play below. The amount of effort that has gone into this production of Hannibal is below the minimum you'd expect. I roll my eyes as the leading diva Charlotta steps onto the stage, in a cascade of jewels and feathers. The outfit she wears reflects her personality perfectly, brash and vulgar with just a hint of ugliness. I turn back to the lyrics I have written in my book. My quill hangs immobile in my hand as my mind races to come up with the next line. I close the book in frustration and move closer to the edge so I can see my sister, she twirls out in time to the music, elegant and lovely as always. Christine and I have always been really close since father died years ago. While she dances in the corps de ballet, I help with the costumes. I am too young to be a part of the productions but some day I will be able to sing and dance just like the people on stage. I sigh. Till then I'm just the runt of the opera populair. Suddenly I can hear quarrelling between the music director and piangi, who is the leading male. The manager, Mr Lefevre enters with 3 strange men. One Looks like a boy in a photograph in Christine's trunk as a child but the others are unrecognisable. I listen In on the conversation only to hear that they are the new managers of the opera house. Unbelievable, I think to myself, R
Lefevre is leaving through the middle of a production. Movement not far from me draws my attention away from the conversation for a while. I can see something or someone recede into the shadows but I quickly become to absorbed in the conversation to follow. The men watch as the ballerinas take the stage for their dance number, their looks far too intense for my liking. The song comes to an end in a crescendo of drums and strings. I can see the top of charlottas head stomp angrily towards the new mangers, complaining about their interest only in the " dancing girls" yelling and screaming to the bewildered men, who immediately started sucking up to the annoying woman, showering her with compliments and begging her to stay. One of the managers asks her to sing. I huff and sit back. Another song! From her! She prepares herself and begins. It's a great aria with wonderful lyrics but it's ruined by her shrieking voice. Suddenly I can hear ropes moving and the rustle of cloth. My curiosity Spurs me to move closer towards the source of the sound. A man comes into view. He has his back facing me and seems to be fiddling with the ropes of the backdrop. I'm about to turn back when screams draw my attention to the stage below. The backdrop plummets towards the stage before landing on top of Charlotte. I spin around to face the man but stop before I can say anything. He stands there staring at me. I take in his features. Dark hair hidden by a felt hat, piercing eyes and a stark white half mask covering his face. I gasp and step back. He looks down one last time before sprinting off in the other direction and into the shadows once more.
...Phantom:
I run as fast as I can, feeling the gaze of the young girl as I turn the corner. Something about the girl strikes me as familiar but I can't quite put my finger on how. I slip into the corner between the edges of the wall and pull the lever hidden behind the curtain of silk and tassels. The ground drops from beneath me and I fall into the secret tunnel I used to get onto the catwalk in the first place. I sit down and replay the past events through my head. That girl saw me. I'm surprised she didn't yell or scream when she did. She didn't even look scared. She looked more confused than frightened like she was trying to figure out who I was and why I dropped the scene on the leading soprano. Perhaps she is to young for the story of the opera ghost to be told to her. I shrug my shoulders, too tired to dwell on the subject, and start on my way to the lair. As I walk, I think back to how bad the outfit they chose for Christine is. She deserves silk and lace of the finest quality not the coarse cotton of her current ensemble. I take off my hat as I approach the stage from underground. Oh how I look forward to my lesson with Christine tonight. Suddenly I can hear the most angelic singing. I would know that singing anywhere. Christine has taken charlottas place! I almost jump for joy at the thought of my beautiful Christine singing the part. I rush off towards the trap door leading to box five.
...Elizabeth:
I run over to Christine as she finishes her aria and almost tackle her to the ground in a huge hug. I can't stop jumping around as she lets go, a rather distant look on her face. She looks as if she's cruising through a hazy dream. I brush off the thought and follow her towards the corps du ballet chambers. She opens the door and collapses onto her bed in a daze. I sit at the edge of my bed. She takes a few moments, breathing heavily, before breaking out in a humongous smile. "I did it." She whispers "my angel will be so proud." I raise my eyebrows, confused by this statement. I'm about to ask her what she means when suddenly the entire dance ensemble comes crashing into room, squealing in a girly fashion. I sit back against the bed frame and wait for the screaming to die down. I glance up and notice Meg looking at me, she smiles and waves. Out of all the ballerinas, she is the friendliest, besides Christine of course. I smile back and close my eyes, drowning out the sound of the clamouring ballerinas. Suddenly one turns to me and asks, a puzzled look on her face, "why on earth did you drop the backdrop on charlotta?" As she says this, the other ballerinas turn to me, nodding in agreement and giving me questioning looks. "But I didn't." I reply "it was a man, up on the catwalk." A few girls gasp and look to each other in shock. "And did this man by any chance, have any extremely distinguishing features?" Another girl asks, shivering in fear. I think back to my encounter with the strange man. "well yes actually." Suddenly all the girls stop swarming around Christine and gather around me. "He was all dressed in black and had a felt hat on his head. He was rather tall and dark, not just in clothing but in appearance, his most distinguishing feature though was his mask." At this every girl either screams or gasps. Christine gives me a strange look then settles back on the bed. "Do you have any idea who that is?" Shrieks Audrey, the oldest ballerina in the group. I Shake my head. " she stands up on to her bed and yells "you have just witnessed first hand, the horrible feats of" she gives a pause for dramatic effect before screaming "the Opera ghost" now every girl is screaming in terror. Madame giry slams the the door wide open, an angry scowl plastered on her face. The whole room falls silent. "What have I told you about telling lies." She scolds Audrey as the pack of girls separate to their beds. I wonder what Christine knows about this 'opera ghost.'
...phantom:
I get up from my seat in box five. So they have new managers I think to myself. Well we'll just have to show them who's boss. I push the weak point on the pillar as the trap door springs inwards. I step into the tunnel hidden behind the wall, making sure to close the door behind me. Christine's voice was magnificent as always. I feel so proud of her. I'll have to make sure to tell her that during our next lesson. But in the meantime I'm going to write those new managers a letter, curticy of the opera ghost.
So that's my first chapter. I will try to keep chapters consistent but school has been hectic the past couple of days so I don't know how I'll do. Happy reading fellow POTO fans!