As usual, I do not own any form of the Phantom of the Opera… I am simply a devoted fan with a bad imagination >.>
Nor do I own Evelyn de Morgan or any of her work, but I loves her very much XD
Summary
Set two years post the 2004 movie (after Christine chooses Raoul over Erik); we all know the sad story of Erik and his life in the Opera Populaire. But, what happens to Erik's beloved pipe organ when it is sold and exported as a gift for a young talented musician who lives in Southern England?
It was perfect.
Although it seemed aged past its actual years, due to damage from moisture and darkness, the pipe organ was in good condition. The monstrous structure stood grandly in the library, tucked in neatly across from the open fireplace.
Juliya de Morgan couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness as she stood back and gazed intently at it.
Looking to Jacques, who stood nearby, she waited until he gave a smile and a small nod, approving that she step up to examine the instrument and open the lid. A flourish of keys lay before her; many of them were worn down... to an incredible extent. Curved indents, which were no larger than a fingerprint, lay in what were originally flat ivory keys where they had been played the most.
She breathed in the thick dust, which no amount of cleaning could possibly resolve.
A hand suddenly appeared at her shoulder; Juliya gave a weak smile.
"I hope you enjoy it, mon cherie," Her father spoke softly in his slowly diminishing accent, sadness strong in his voice "This is the most beautiful pipe organ in Paris; I have not yet had it tuned or repaired, but I assure you, I will arrange to have it done for you as soon as possible."
Turning to Jacques to embrace him, Juliya held back tears and gave him an eager reassurance
"Oh, thank you father! It's beautiful!"
They parted and Jacques' eyes dropped, to look away from his only child "I thought this would be an appropriate time to tell you, I will be leaving for New York tomorrow. I know it is so soon after your dear mother's death, but there is much to attend to. You're a young woman now, I know you will take good care of the estate while I am gone."
"Yes, father." Juliya gave a weak smile. It worried her that Jacques had not yet grieved for the loss of his wife, a brilliant artist and beautiful woman by the name of Evelyn.
However, she did not question his decision... He was an elderly man now, and she knew he had an agenda in which there was little time left to fulfil.
Juliya leant forward and gave her father a light peck on the cheek, as a sign of respect.
Jacques turned and walked away. There were still arrangements to be made before his departure. The thought that mostly ran through his mind was that his daughter would be safe in the house alone. He dared not hire servants; Evelyn had always seen it as unnecessary and lazy to have someone else to do the housework for her.
Oh, Evelyn... The love for his wife had only grown stronger as she'd left this world. She was a hardworking woman, a talented artist; this was proof through his only daughter, who had sought to become an artist, much like her mother; not only an artist, but a musician as well.
Juliya had all of her mother's talents, and more. Her rich French complexion had come from her father, who faired from Normandy. At the age of nineteen, Juliya was a very independent young woman.
Jacques remembered a time when his daughter's talents had been finally united with her slowly emerging confidence, only a few weeks before her eleventh birthday. The song she had performed publicly for the first time, a haunting Nocturne that enchanted her audience. The music she played at her parents' dinner parties was a hit among guests.
From there, Juliya had gained a reputation for her beautiful music, in the coastal town in which she was raised.
As the young woman sat down to play her new instrument, her fingers stroked the curves in the keys lovingly as she tried to think of an appropriate tune.
Juliya sighed softly, thinking of her mother's favourite song...
Her hands seeking out the appropriate chords to begin with, she closed her eyes and began to play…
...THUD!
Juliya's piercing green eyes snapped open. Instead of the beautiful flowing music, which started the piece, there was simply a loud banging sound that emitted from the body of the pipe organ.
She closed the lid took a sharp breath, it was an old instrument after all... She would have to wait until father had it fixed.