Chapter One: Well Placed Error
Gildan's Note: The first chapter to my Phantom of the Opera story! Takes place in modern-day, does lean to Erik's favor...
Some songs that have been inspiring the feel are of course the song this story was named after, Under Your Spell by Desire, but Relax, Take it Easy by Mika is inspiring me too (for future night club scenes) Hope you like it!
Christine Daaé rushed to the music studio down the street from the loft she shared with her best friend, Meg Giry. She was late for her lesson with her mysterious Angel of Music. She hadn't met him, yet, but his teachings were too valuable to really question why. When she arrived she immediately began to apologize, and from afar it would seem she were talking to herself.
"No need for apologies, my dear, let's just begin shall we?" the voice echoed throughout the room.
Christine began to sing, and the Angel had her practicing the lead role, even though it had been made clear earlier that Carlotta, who was older than Christine by a few years, had gotten the part already. He had said not to worry about Carlotta, and that she was the one who truly deserved the lead.
Christine belonged to the Opera Populaire, a prominent theatre company in her side of the city. She had only played minor roles previously, and was really preparing for another minor role, but the Angel had persisted that she was to get the lead anyway.
When the lessons were over Christine said goodbye to the Angel, and walked home. Inside Meg was waiting for her; she was constantly questioning Christine about her "private lessons".
"Meg, please, I don't have some 'secret' boyfriend, I'm taking legitimate lessons from a mostly legitimate instructor." Christine explained for the 100th time, pouring herself some tea Meg had been making.
Meg threw her arms exasperatedly over the kitchen island. "Ughhh, wait…" she situated herself back up. "What do you mean 'mostly legitimate'?"
"I just mean that…well, you know I've never met him or seen him. That isn't new news."
"Aren't you ever worried he's going to turn out to be some psycho murderous-for-your-love who will stop at nothing to be with you, going so far as to ultimately almost kill your loved ones but eventually accepting his fate and fading to the darkness?"
Christine rolled her eyes, "Where do you get these ideas?"
Meg shrugged, "Fanfiction? Okay, well I have to go to my dance class."
"This late at night? Are you SURE it's not more than just a dance class?" Christine teased.
"Girl please you know I WISH it was more than a dance class." She grabbed her bag. "See ya later."
"Yea, bye."
Christine sighed, she wished Meg would stop thinking more of her music lessons. But she had to admit, she did feel a love for her Angel, whoever he was. He had helped her make her start in the city and the opera house. Without him, she wouldn't be nearly as close to her dream as she was. She smiled contentedly and went to bed, thinking of tomorrow's auditions. Would her Angel be there?
The next day Christine headed to the Opera Populaire for her audition. Meg was already there with the dancers, and Carlotta was on the stage ready to sing with the auditioners. Christine narrowed her eyes; she hated Carlotta and her prima donna attitude. She had become the lead player at the opera and Christine was getting sick of it.
The opera had also just been purchased by two men named André and Firmin, and they adored Carlotta.
Firmin looked at his clipboard, "Christine Daaé?"
"Here, sir." Christine stepped onto the stage with Carlotta.
"Don't choke little toad." She murmured, venom in her whisper.
Christine scoffed and was ready to sing when suddenly there was a large crashing sound from behind them. The girls turned around quickly to discover that one of the backdrops had fallen.
"Holy hell." Breathed Christine.
"UNACCEPTABLE!" cried Carlotta
"Dude I bet it was that Phantom Ghost Guy." Meg said, walking over to Christine.
"Phantom? Please everyone, don't be ridiculous, it was nearly a technical error." Firmin explained, trying to calm down Carlotta and the rest of the now anxious crew.
"YES, a technical ERROR that nearly CRUSHED ME!" Carlotta screamed.
"You were like…ten feet away." Firmin reassured.
"ARE YOU-ARE YOU JOKING? NOT ACCEPTABLE! Simply NOT." She fumed.
"Please Carlotta, shall we continue with the auditions and rehearsal?"
"No." she said, storming away, "No we shall NOT continue." She stomped away muttering about mediocre management.
"Ahem, well, that is certainly a setback." Firmin sighed nervously, looking at his clipboard. "What's going to happen now, with no lead?"
"Christine can do it!" Meg piped up, clutching Christine's arm.
"Whoa wait…" Christine began.
"Come on Christine don't act dumb," she turned to Firmin and André, "she's been taking private lessons and completely knows Carlotta's part!"
"Is this true Miss Daaé?" André asked.
"Um, yes, it is…" she replied, clearly nervous.
"Well, sing for us. Go straight into Think of Me, and let's see what you got."
Christine began very quietly, but as she began to dive further in the song, all her teachings came out of hiding, and she sang with all the confidence her Angel had instilled in her.
"Amazing!" Firmin cried. "We have our new lead!"
Christine's jaw dropped, "Oh my God, thank you so much!"
"Ladies and Gentlemen, the show will go on!"
The crew applauded and rehearsals began immediately.
After the late rehearsal Meg and Christine returned to their apartment.
"I can't believe what great luck you had today." Meg said, congratulating her friend's achievement.
"I know, I'm still in shock."
"Do you think it was the Phantom, though? The one who knocked down the backdrop?" Meg asked, always interested in gossip.
"I don't know, maybe it WAS just a technical error."
"Yeah…" Meg muttered. "A well-placed technical error."
Christine stopped for a moment, thinking about Meg's words just now. Well placed? Her Angel had talked about how she would get the lead…she wondered then if the Phantom could be the very same man who had been teaching her. It seemed definitely a possibility…She wondered if she should ask him in person, or, as in person as it gets, or if she should email him. Sometimes they exchanged emails, only about song material though. When that began, however, Meg really started to get interested in the juicy side of it, even though this juicy side was still yet to be discovered.
Christine decided to wait for tomorrow's lesson, and she went to sleep a very happy lead role taker.