Author's Note: Ok, now I know that not a lot of people like Carlotta. Its basic nature, who likes a diva (in all reality)? So, therein all my thinking, I thought of a Carlotta phan fiction (sad pun… ); I don't want to give a lot away, but I hope I make Carlotta's past a little more tragic to make the Diva a wee bit more likeable. Read on and drop a review if you want.

Teresa is my Beta reader for this chapter and she rocks.

Disclaimer: I don't own Carlotta, who is actually owned by Gaston Leroux and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber; I do own a pencil though….

Open your eyes to the love around you
You may feel you're alone
But I'm here still with you
You can do what you dream

Listen to the Rain Evanescence

The warm Spain day brought the dark blanket of clouds rolling over the horizon. Carlotta sat at the edge of her window and gazed out to the bay. How serene the gentle rolling waves were. The fishermen were bringing their boats in from a long day at sea, tossing their catch to shore.

Spain

For all of its beauty and lively culture, Carlotta hated Spain. Her home country, the place where her flesh was created and where her ash would seep into the earth, but her passion against her own country was shallow and meaningless. Spain gave her family all the amenities that her family ever needed and more. In a ruthless backlash, she never saw her father. Who knew if he was even alive? Every few days, a courier would come with that weeks pay, and her mother would take it.

Because of Spain she forgot her father's name.

But tonight was not a night to speak or even think of such matters. The grand ball at Liceu was tonight, and the managers were going to be there. The managers that were going to make her a prima donna.

'Senorita?' Carlotta twisted her head lazily back to her door. Luciana, her family's maid, stood at her door, awaiting commands for whatever duty.

'Mhmm, Luciana,' she stretched out on her day bed like a lazy cat awaking from its afternoon nap, 'Please fetch my dress from Carmen. I know the little brat stole it.' Another thing she hated, her smaller twelve-year-old sister Carmen. She, at the delicate age of sixteen, was a proper lady of aristocratic nature. A true prima donna in the making. Luciana nodded as she scurried back down the long hall, intent on her task.

Hazily shutting her bedroom door, she gazed into her open closet, pondering what corset and under dress would charm the managers the most. At random, picking the first one she saw, Carlotta opened her changing screen and quickly undressed from her red robe. Slipping on her white chemise and long lace under skirt she stepped out, awaiting Luciana to return with her dress. The maid softly tapped on the door, waiting for Carlotta's voice.

'Come in.' Luciana carried the large orange and red ball gown dripping in layers of the best silk and velvet.

'Ah! Perfect! I assume she gave it to you with no trouble?' Carlotta walked over to her screen again with the maid behind her. Draping the ball gown on the near by chair, Luciana grabbed Carlotta's corset and started the taunting task of lacing the undergarment up.

'She gave in with some persuasion,' Carlotta smirked to herself, sucking in a gasp of air. Each tie on the corset constricted her chest a little more each time.

'Beauty is never easy,' she thought to herself as the last row of ribbon was tightly tied. This corset pushed everything up, making her already large breasts seem increasingly larger. Satisfied, Luciana started the daunting task of placing each layer of silk and velvet on Carlotta's frame. Standing erect as if in the Spanish armada, the layers of scarlet dress came to become a ball gown to envy that of a queen's.

With one last bow tied in the back, Luciana rubbed her sore hands as she dashed away the beads of sweat on her brow. Carlotta turned as the heavy fabric swayed with her weight. She giggled in delight as if a small child receiving gifts at Christmas. Prancing around her room, she took a long gaze in the mirror.

'Perfection! A little rouge, some perfume, my grandmother's jewels, and then we'll see who can beat me in auditions!' Carlotta laughed again, brushing her fingers through her thick, black curls. Luciana smiled to herself, better to enjoy it now.

'I will tell your mother to fetch the carriage then?' Luciana inquired, stepping out of the doorway. Carlotta nodded, walking to her vanity. She went through her countless diamonds to find the fiery red ruby necklace that was the size of a gold coin. Some old family heirlooms and her new joy, the diamond ring that her aunt bought her, was piled on to make her envy a princess. A thin veil of rouge and some strong French perfume completed her façade as she strutted slowly down the staircase to her mother's library. Standing in the doorway, Carlotta cleared her throat softly, but loud enough to catch her mother's ears. She turned with wide eyes.

'Oh Carlotta, you look dazzling!' her voice was so sincere, like always.

'Only to make you proud Mama.' She received a warm embrace from her mother, but just barely reached her. Rebeca was a classic Spanish woman, short in statue, but a hot temper to match. She took great pride in her girls, even though Carmen was the more intelligent of the two, Carlotta had the talent of her grandmother to match.

'Those managers, they can be harsh hija, so take criticism in stride. There is no other way the Liceu could not accept you!' Rebeca smiled, showing her daughter to the door, placing her invitation her hand along with a handkerchief. The handkerchief was actually an old scarf used to look dramatic while singing.

'Carmen, bid your sister good bye for the love of God!' Carlotta was floored by her mother's powerful voice, but not surprised. Slowly, the sulking Carmen slowly came to the entranceway, holding a book to her nose the whole time. Her mother glared daggers as she obliviously continued to read.

'I'm sure you'll get an audition right Carmen?' Rebeca snapped her voice, only for a muffled, 'Yes,' to pass her lips. Carlotta rolled her eyes at her sister and trotted for the door once again. Opening the larger oak doors, there stood a carriage with a prestigious driver in the front. Luciana bustled out to help her in the carriage, but something seemed to be shaking her soul. Carlotta cared not as Carmen and her mother stood at the edge of the doorway, Carmen still engrossed with her book.

'Make me proud Carlotta. Give the Guidicelli family the fame it at last desires,' Rebeca gave her daughter once last kiss on her flushed cheeks and smiled. Carlotta smiled, turning to her carriage. With the help of two maids, she and her dress made it into the small chamber. One last glance and wave to her small and humble family gave Carlotta the confidence she needed. Luciana paid the carriage driver a healthy sum before slipping a note in his hand, nodding to the driver's instant wink.

The carriage drove off, leaving the Guidicelli family full of hope to redeem the family name.

It would be their only chance.