Prologue

The tall girl with the lanky frame came out from behind Mme Giry who had grabbed a hold of the girl's wrist. She gave her a look, a knowing look as they were all called to attention. Every manner of person who worked at the Opera Populaire had been called forth to hear the news. Apparently Mme Giry had thought it wise that the girl with the mousey brown hair should pay attention to such news. And immediately, Ivy knew why. If it was news, he would want to know about it. It was his Opera house. He always was supposed to know what was going on. That was the only reason she was up here really, to count the news to him. She didn't mind so much. She liked the people around here (at least most of them, especially Mme Giry and her daughter Meg) and they were always respectful to her. And no one ever gave a second thought to her or asked exactly what she did there at the Opera. It was easy, because Ivy did not speak.

The manager of the Opera came forth, calling for everyone to pay attention. He had an announcement. Ivy watched from beside Mme Giry with a bemused expression on her face. She would listen to what the news was and no more. She had things to do. Things for him. "Excuse me everyone.. I have announcement. As you may have heard, about my immenent retirement.. well it's all true. I'd like to introduce your two new managers. Monsier Firmin and Monsieur Andre ." She heard Carlotta behind her remark something in some language she couldn't understand and turned her attention back to the two men who now stood beside her former manager. "We would like to introduce you to our new Patron, the Viscount de Chagny." The shorter, but no less handsome man had bowed and made a little speech of which Ivy had barely paid attention. Mme Giry had nudged her and she knew it was time to go.

Leaving the ballet mistress to tend to the new owners of the opera, Ivy disappeared into one of the rooms and vanished behind a curtain. She entered a long corridor which took her down into cold wet stairs that led downward. She traveled beneath the Opera as fast as she could. She knew that Erik would need to be alerted to what was going as soon as possible. Finally coming to his domain, she came over to him. The man was seated at his organ, playing a haunting melody. She put her hand upon his shoulder, announcing her presence in the way he wanted to be informed she was there. Feeling her hand on his shoulder, he turned to look at her. He was wearing one of his famous opera suits, his cloak beside him and draped over the bench. On his face was half a mask, covering the right side of his face. The left side of him was striking, and well chiseled. Ivy loved gazing into his eyes, and watching his lips, especially when he sang. He looked pleased to see her and scooted over for her to sit.

"Tell me, my dear Ivy.." Erik began in his low dulcet tone. "What news has that twit from above come to tell?" Ivy sat down next to him and smiled. The girl who the rest of the world thought was mute did not smile. "I'm afraid it's rather bad news. He is retiring. Two men have bought the Opera." She quickly informed him of their names, and the new patron. Erik's expression changed with each word, lines forming across his forehead. He wasn't pleased, she could tell that even when he did not speak. He never needed to speak, she could tell everything by his face. "And Carlotta? What of her?" he finally asked, taking her hand in his.

"I'm afraid she's still going to go on. They don't have a replacement for her." Ivy told him quietly. Erik's face twisted into a smirk and he shook his head. "They do, they just don't know it yet. I've been talking to Madame Giry.." he patted her hand and let it go. Ivy tried to hide her expression of disappointment. She adored when he touched her. It was a rarity, especially without the gloves. His skin was so warm and smooth. "Then perhaps we should go up and make sure that she is taken care of?" Ivy suggested. She knew he was planning something anyways. That was nothing new. She just wasn't sure who he had chosen to replace Carlotta. In her dreams, it was her. But Erik would never do that.

Erik rose, taking her hand again, eliciting a soft sigh from Ivy's lips. He smiled at her warmly. "Come my dear.. it is time to put that old bat out of her misery." he chuckled, making her laugh too as they headed back up towards the opera house.