In Dreams They Came: Phantom Doll
Condensed Version.
[Author's Note: All credit for the characters, songs, and plot line goes to Gaston Leroux, Andrew Lloyd Webber, whoever else helped make up the Phantom of the Opera, and Lucy Labcom.
As for a few of my own additions, twist arounds, and songs, I credit that to myself.
Based on different parts of all 3 depictions, book, musical, and 2004 movie.]
Summary:
A modern take on Raoul's and Christine's undying love. Raoul is French for Ralph, just as Christine is French for Christina. After being split up at the age of 9 and 13, they find each other again just as Christina is going through a terrible phase in her life, graduating her 2nd year of community college, and facing an unknown horror. She is a psychic experiencing the bout of a strange phantom doll, unaware of the ties to the history of her own past. The meeting of her supposed 'Muse of Melodies', Merrik Loyle, just leads to her further dismay.
Originally was: Horror/Romance Rated: M for Language, Violence, Sexual Content, and Graphic Descriptions
[I deleted sexual scenes so the story may be read by a younger audience. If you like I will post them as a one-shot side story labeled 'Deleted Scenes'. ]
Condensed Version Rated: T for Language, Violence, Sensuality, Adult Content
Prologue:
"Better is open rebuke, than secret love."
A strong deep almost inaudible voice whispered into the chill of Winter. The voice sounded tired, hoarse as if shouting through the depths of the night for ages, and choked in emotion. Hot held-back tears fell down the mourner's misshapen face and onto the silent grave. A strong, calloused hand touched cold stone as broken waves of green stared at the words so delicately carved into the farewell rock:
'Viscountess de Chagny
Loving Sister, Daughter, Wife
1859 - 1884'
The other hand reached from a black cloak and pulled out a crimson rose, a glittering amethyst ring hooked around the stem by a thorn. The mourner's chapped lips kissed the memoire before placing it at the base of the onyx stone. He meditated and prayed for the lovely woman beneath the frozen Earth. With one last sigh and look, the mourner left the cemetery, headed home, sat into his dark dismal den and wrote a letter to an old Persian friend to tell his story.
His friend came, but before the entire story was told, the misshapen mourner's growing illness advanced further. While the Persian friend slept, the mourner returned to his dark den, covered himself with his cloak, and blew a last breath. He passed into the night like a slithering serpent in the shadows. The Phantom of the Opera fell into eternal dream.
Chapter 1: Childhood Sparks
2002
Christina Dahlin was a young shy girl with great intelligence. She had the highest grades in the Catholic private school she attended, and was already two years ahead of all the other girls and boys. So it would be practical that she would befriend the smart, handsome young boy, Ralph de Chancy, who attended all of her classes. Christina did not get along with anyone her own age for they despised her. So, Ralph, three years her senior made their brewing friendship ideal.
Christina was in the church choir and had what most girls called an 'angelic' voice. She could sing two notes higher than all the other girls, having been trained by her father for two years to become a young soprano opera singer. Ralph was in the church choir as well and his voice was strong and sweet. He had no professional voice training so it remained slightly on edge, but beautiful nonetheless.
Christina's mother died when she was 5 so she was raised by her father, Gustav, who was a violinist and vocal teacher. Christina became quiet when she started going to school, and even more quiet when she noticed everyone's attitude towards her because of her excelling grades, and possibly for other reasons as well. That was until she finally advanced another grade at age 9, from 7th to 8th. That was when she met Ralph.
As Christina walked to class by her father's side, her nerves were shot. She gripped her notebook binder so tight her knuckles were white as snow, and it hit her thighs as she walked forward. Her long hair as golden as the sun's rays fell in lazy waves past her shoulders, and her innocent deep blue eyes gazed at the polished wooden floor as if it were Christ himself.
"Father, what if they don't like me? Just like the others." Her young sweet voice was filled with sorrow and worry.
"Why wouldn't they like you? You're smart and sweet. Don't worry about it, my little Chrissy."
"But no one else likes me. Why should they? They're 8th graders, that's worse than 7th graders!"
Gustav bent down to look at his daughter's face, gripping her shoulders. "Dearest little Lotte, don't ever think you're below them or above them. You have your own charms, personality, and if they don't like that then they aren't worthy of your friendship."
"Daddy..." A lone tear fell down her cheek.
Gustav had never really seen his daughter until now, scared and unaccepted by her peers. He didn't understand it. He couldn't see how anyone could not love his daughter, for he loved her dearly.
"My dear... I'll make you a promise. If at least one person does not become your friend in the next 2 weeks, I will have you transfered."
Christina nodded then smiled nervously. She was sure of her father's promise. He never broke one and the weight in her heart and stomach were lightened tremendously as she sighed. "Alright, father."
Gustav gave his daughter a hug before she turned to the door and entered the classroom, Gustav leaving the school.
As Christina walked slowly into the classroom she glanced up twice, unsure of how everyone else would react. Half the students were busy looking at the chalkboard ahead, the other half turned to look at her. 'Just like everyone else. Always staring, always judging. Sizing me up.' The teacher, Mrs. Smith turned from the chalkboard and saw the students' drawn attention. She turned towards Christina as well.
"Hi," Christina's whisper was barely heard even in the silence.
"Ah, Christina Charlotte Dahlin. Class, welcome Christina to your class. She was the top student in all her grades and is an excellent singer, so give her a warm welcome."
'Oh no, the teacher told them I'm a know-it-all.'
"Hello, Christina." the class chorused in a monotonous manner.
"Hello." Christina cringed underneath the gaze and reply of the whole class, about 24 students in all. Her eyes stopped on a certain distinguished boy in the back row if desks. His demeanour was not like theirs, his mere presence shouted 'Sire' rather than the 'Hum-dum' of the rest. The boy's eyes were not on her, instead focused on something underneath his desk. She studied him carefully and noticed he was holding something. Her attention was pulled back to the teacher, whose arm gripped her right shoulder.
"Choose any seat you like," Mrs. Smith said, ushering Christina down the row.
Christina made her way down the row, earning a few odd glances from the boys and snickering from the girls. She noticed the only empty seats were 3 in the back, two directly next to the boy who wasn't looking at her, and the other in the left corner of the classroom. She chose the one on the right corner of the room, passing by the boy who was too busy to look at her.
She took a few seconds to really study him. His hair went past his ears, thin and blond with streaks of strawberry and amber. Only half his face was visible; a small but sharp pointed nose, pale skin with a few freckles on his hands and cheek, a strong defined jawline. She tried to steal a glance at what he was holding before she sat at her desk. She saw a glint of silver that was hastily covered by the boy's hands, as he had probably sensed someone watching.
Christina sighed and put her binder on the desk as Mrs. Smith started talking and writing on the board again. A small gasp almost escaped Christina's lips as a piece of folded paper was pushed onto her desk. She looked to the young boy next to her and saw him still looking down at his hands. Picking up the piece of paper and unfolding it, she read the message inside:
"Hi, I'm Ralph. I've seen you in the choir. Your voice is very pretty."
She silently wrote with her pen: "My name is Christina." She folded the paper and slid it to the side of her desk, watching for who would take it. Sure enough it was the boy next to her. She smiled as he glanced at her, catching the light blue of his eyes before he looked down in his hands again, unfolding the note. 'Ralph'. His name rang in her head repeatedly until the piece of paper was on the side of her desk again.
Their conversation went exactly like this for the last 30 minutes of class, amidst the lessons and reading instructed by the teacher.
"You don't take to greetings, do you? Or graces."
Christina furrowed her brows at this one. "I don't know. Nobody ever talks to me, except for the teachers."
"Sit with me at lunch."
Christina's eyes widened at this. Her eyes glanced over at Ralph just as he looked up and smiled before looking back down at his hands. "Why?"
"I like you, and I have something to show you."
Christina was bewildered with that last note. He liked her? But he didn't even know her! Nobody in the entire school talked to her let alone liked her. "Okay, which table?"
"The one closest to the bulletin board."
Christina knew that table very well. All the oldest boys and girls sat at it. She had never noticed Ralph there though and wondered why. "I don't know..."
"I'll walk with you. After class."
Christina's nerves started jumping. She didn't know whether she was worried or excited, but she wanted to walk with Ralph to lunch. He was being kind to her and talking to her, and she didn't know why. She hadn't done anything, had she? Whatever thoughts or feelings she had she couldn't help a small smile from spreading across her face. "Okay, Ralph."
"See you at lunch."
"See you," wrote Christina just as the bell rang.
Christina slipped the note to him just as she rose from her desk and headed out the door. Next class was choir, then recess right before lunch. She was almost too fluttered to sing as she walked into the chorus room and noticed Ralph was in this class as well. 'He, a singer? Who is he? How come I've never heard him before?'
From across the bleachers Ralph saw her and smiled, then looked away. Christina couldn't tell if she smiled as she followed the teachers' orders to stand in her designated spot. As class began the teacher, Mr. Berger, had her sing the scales in front of everyone, seeing as she was new. New to the class but definitely not new to this school, and singing.
Christina's voice left her mouth in perfect pitch, tone, and velocity. As she reached the high D two octaves above the C everyone in the class either 'oohed' or snickered, except for Ralph who already had a special place for Christina in his heart. Everyone was amazed that such a strong clear voice could come from a little girl.
Christina ended her note and exhaled a breath, blushing.
"Very good, Ms. Dahlin. Your vocal chords are kept in the best of conditions... your voice is very clear and melodic. It is evident through your father's teachings, he is a great man indeed. But there's a slight hesitation, a skip between intervals, we'll need to work on that."
Christina nodded and took a step back to fall in with the rest of the students. She was the same height as the shortest of all the other girls despite her being younger and so she fit in very easily. She looked backward to catch a glimpse from Ralph and they both smiled before she turned forward.
"Class. Begin your warm-ups and scales. Mr. de Chancy, you have the lead today. Ms. Dahlin, listen to the class and you should fall right in. If not, we'll stop for a few minutes and rehearse."
Christina nodded, admiring Mr. Berger already for his affacy to include everyone. The class began singing warm ups just as she wondered who this 'Mr. de Chancy' was. To take the lead of class must mean he was fairly good, if not the best. Christina thought Mr. Berger the type of man who wouldn't nit pick the students abilities, however. She could sense that about him.
Christina focused intensely on the notes the class was singing, noticing they skipped every other note going from a low C to E to G, etc., also noting that they held each note 1 full length, then 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16. Christina started singing along with them easily and Mr. Berger gave her a nod of approval as he swept his director's baton.
After the warm-up was finished all the students started chattering and she heard a few chides from the boys,
"Way to go, Ralph. Your rusty old windbag actually sounds decent today."
"Charles, you swallowed another frog, didn't you?"
Christina knew they were joking because truth be told, Ralph's voice was divine. She knew it wasn't sharp, and sometimes hoarse, but she doubted he had the voice schooling she had. Everyone in the class had their own little weakness, just like she did, and she didn't hold it against any of them. A beautiful voice was just that, beautiful. She despised the one who wouldn't sing and take advantage of it... but it's very easy to despise and be guilty of that dislike yourself.
"We'll start a new song today. 'In Time's Swing'. Mr. de Chancy, your lead again, after I sing the words to you a few times."
Christina quickly followed Mr. Berger's gaze and she held in a gasp as she saw Ralph give the teacher a curt nod. 'Oh Ralph is de Chancy!' She felt her fortunes increase tremendously. Not only had she possibly befriended someone, but one who loved singing too. She could sense most of the students only sang because they had to. Ralph's feelings were geniunely connected to the melodies, and she felt that.
She returned her attention towards Mr. Berger again with a huge smile on her face, her eyes alight. She knew the song 'In Time's Swing', an old childrens poem from McGuffey's Reader. Her father had sang her that song and actually played a nice tune on the violin to go with it. Now she was going to sing it in school... How many people would be struggling with the words while she was already ahead? And she especially wanted to sing to impress Ralph!
Suddenly she felt that pang of anguish take over her, and she frowned. If people heard her sing a song they didn't know, they would hate her and despise her, just like the others had. Why should it be any different this time? She pursed her lips to keep from uttering any low sounds of sadness.
Christina's mind was all aloof while Mr. Berger sang the song; she barely heard his voice or the other students struggling to catch on. Mr. Berger was teaching only the first verse today, and told them they would practice now and at home then the 2nd verse would be taught tomorrow. She remained quiet, afraid to open her mouth and let the words flow with ease.
"Ms. Dahlin, are you not to join us?" Mr. Berger's voice was loud and clear.
Christina was startled and she lifted her head and nodded quickly. "Yes, sire, Mr. Berger."
The class continued singing in a sketchy manner and Christina joined them, pretending to stumble on the syllables as well. She caught Ralph's eyes and he looked puzzled. She shook her head and turned around thinking, 'I can't wait for class to be over.'
And soon class was over.
Christina rushed to the door and didn't take the sheet of homework papers Mr. Berger had laid on a desk for the class. Nobody noticed her quick escape except Ralph and he rushed after her into the now student filled halls, leaving behind his sheet of paper as well.
"Christina!" a soft yet strong voice called to her.
She turned. "Oh, Ralph. Hi!" she quickly added, remembering his words on their notes about greetings and graces.
He seemed pleased to hear her talk and smiled, but it quickly disappeared. "What's wrong?" He asked, matching her fast pace as she headed towards the girls' bathroom.
"Nothing, I just really need to go." She lied innocently and took her escape into the restroom, Ralph's sympathetic eyes the last thing she saw. She leaned against the door and let out a huge breath, closing her eyes. She folded her arms and gripped tight, trying to calm her breath as she let out a small sob.
She was knocked to her senses as the door was opened by a few chattering teenage girls. Christina quickly claimed a stall before they could. She waited until it was quiet before exiting and she stared in the mirror, her big blue eyes wild and scared. She washed her hands and rinsed her face in ice cold water, trying to shock herself back into happiness for recess. She dried her face with a paper towel, threw it out, and took a deep breath.
Opening the door she stopped mid-action by what she saw waiting for her, or rather who. Ralph was leaning against the wall, one foot placed against the brick, arms crossed. Hearing Christina he pushed himself off the wall and gave her a friendly smile. "Hey."
That simple 'hey' made Christina smile. "You waited for me?" Her whisper was still strong enough to vibrate the empty halls.
"Yes, might I say you're a hard girl to keep up with. Now if I walk you to recess, will you please tell me what's wrong?"
Christina sighed then nodded, feeling his words geniuine.
"Good." Without warning he grabbed her hand and started walking. Christina was surprised by the gesture and pleased with it as well. It warmed her insides and made her feel accepted, and liked, and in disbelief. "I can see you like purple."
"Oh?" Christina answered without thought, lifting her eyebrows at his guess which hit the mark perfectly. "How did you know?"
"Your bracelet."
"Oh..."
"You don't speak much, do you?"
"Um... I don't know."
Ralph laughed. "Right, I'm sorry, nobody talks to you," he added.
"Except you."
"Yes, except me." Ralph opened the door to outside. "Ladies first."
They both walked to an isolated part of the grounds, the merry-go-round, which had been left spinning by a few boys who decided to play soccer instead. The two sat side by side, seperated by one metal bar. They held on and it span slowly as they looked at each other in silence.
"So... will you tell me why you didn't sing that song in Mr. Berger's class? Your voice is perfect for it."
Christina looked down at the dirt below her dangling feet. 'Can I tell him? Should I?' Her thoughts were mostly for her sake, to try and talk herself out of it. She couldn't deny she felt a huge amount of trust and acceptance in Ralph's presence and wanted to share with him! Plus, she had promised him, and like her father, she never broke a promise.
"I... I already know the song, and very well." She answered very quietly.
"Well, that doesn't make sense. Then you should have sang it with us just fine. I saw you stumbling just as well as everyone else, worse so if you ask me. Tell me, Christina, were you acting?" Ralph sounded slightly amused and it made Christina look up. He wasn't smiling though the corners of his eyes twitched and played. He was definitely amused.
"You think I did that on purpose? To mock everyone?" Christina suddenly shouted, shocked at her own outburst. She was too raged to care.
"Why no. I'm asking why you did it." Ralph smiled and waited patiently.
Christina looked down again, feeling a smile curl on her lips as well. Her eyes rose to his slowly and she sat there for a minute just gazing before continuing. "I... I was afraid..."
Ralph waited, knowing very well that she wanted to continue but didn't. "It's okay, tell me. What were you afraid of?"
"Afraid..." Christina reluctantly continued. She admired Ralph's patience very much. "Afraid of everyone hating me because I would sing better than them on my first day."
Ralph abruptly looked away, hitting his leg with his hand. "Ah, forget them. If they can't take a young girl's beautiful voice then I'll, I'll kick 'em."
Christina laughed and soon Ralph joined in. After a minute Ralph stopped, letting his eyes rest on his new comrade's. "Sing the song, Christina."
"What?" Christina blushed with a smile. "Really, you want to hear?"
"Yes, and everyone else will want to hear too, no matter if they say so or not. Waste not, want not."
Christina smiled and nodded. "Okay, Ralph." Then she started singing:
Father time your footsteps go
Lightly as the falling sno-ow.
In your swing I'm sitting, see!
Push me softly; one, two, three,
Twelve times only. Like a sheet,
Spread the snow beneath my feet.
Singing merrily, let me swing
Out of Winter into Spring.
Suddenly, to Christina's shock, Ralph joined her.
Swing me out, and swing me in!
Trees are bare, but birds begin
Twittering to the peeping leaves,
On the bough beneath the eaves.
Wait,-one lilac bud I saw!
Icy hillsides feel the thaw.
April chased off March to-day;
Now I catch a glimpse of May.
Oh, the smell of sprouting grass!
In a blur the violets pass.
Whispering from the wildwood come
Mayflower's breath and insect's hum.
Roses carpeting the ground;
Thrushes, orioles, warbling sound:-
Swing me low, and swing me high,
To the warm clouds of July.
While they were singing their hands had unconsciously clasped together. They shared a look of understanding in silence before the next stanza. However the bell for lunch rang, interrupting their song.
Ralph and Christina walked to lunch together and sat at the table nearest the bulletin board. It was empty! To Christina's shock.
"I told them you were going to sit with us..." Ralph said to Christina.
'Is he shocked too?' Christina thought. 'He must have not believed me before about the nobody-talks-to-me thing.'
They sat across from each other at the table and pulled out their home lunches.
"So what is you want to show me?" Christina asked curiously, taking a bite from her chicken caesar salad.
"This..." Ralph said in an almost-whisper. His hand disappeared underneath the table for a few seconds, then it returned to reveal something in his palm. It was a shiny coat of arms pendant of silver, maroon, and gold. Christina stared at it in awe, fascinated, reaching her hand out to touch it as if it weren't real and would disappear any second. It looked like an amulet from myths and legends.
"Wow... where did you get it?"
"It was my fathers', and his father's before him, and his before him, and his before him..." Ralph said, placing it back in his pocket.
Christina giggled. "A family heirloom."
Ralph's eyes were filled with laughter and pride. "Yes... According to my grandfather I am a descendant of Counts from France, and from the Mountains before that. We're a royal blood-line."
Christina stopped chewing her salad. She couldn't breathe. Ralph was to be a... Count? Were there any Counts in America? "Wait, why are you in America then? What happened?"
"Some time after the war with Napolean III we migrated to America, before the turn of the 20th century. I've never told anyone this before." He took a bite of his sub sandwich.
"Is it because you don't want people to treat you differently?"
"Partly, yes. It's not a secret, yet it's not commonly known. And some people laugh at the thought thinking Counts, Princesses, Kings are just a thing of the past, a play of some sort, and that there's no real magic to it."
"Magic?" Christina really listened then.
"Yes, real magic. Miracles, fairy tales, the royal bloodline. Everyone scoffs at it, and if they don't they're crazy fanatics who draw our faces on a 'Wanted' poster."
Christina remained silent as she tried to digest what Ralph was saying. She never imagined anyone would speak to her like this. The only other one who got remotely close was her father, who told her stories of the North, old Scandinavian, Danish, and Swedish tales. Her two favourites were the Mermaid, and the 'Muse of Melodies'. She believed with all her hearts those tales were real and alive, just as alive as Ralph's royal bloodline. "I'd never scoff at you, Ralph." Christina answered softly, feeling true meaning behind his words even if she didn't understand fully. Maybe she would ask her father about it later.
"I'm glad. I should like us to be very good friends, Christina." Ralph smiled and continued eating.
They ate in silence for a few minutes, an idea churning in Christina's mind. She finished her salad and took out her pasta and sauce, finally mustering up enough courage to speak. "Would you like to visit my house, this weekend? I'd like you to meet my father."
Ralph's eyes lit up. "Sure, I will. What is your phone number and address? My mother needs it just in case."
Christina gave him her address and phone number on a slip of paper, so excited her usually neat handwriting came out scrawly, and they continued lunch. They talked of many things, literature, singing, more on Ralph's coat of arms pendant, and what they enjoyed doing outside of school. The school bell rang, and with irritated sighs they smiled, and went to their classes. They ended up being in all the same classes, Ralph very pleased and Christina very fluttered.
Before school ended that day, before they parted at the 'Parents Pick-Up Spot', Ralph's last sentence to Christina was, "Don't be scared to show your true colours, Christy. Many a flower blush unseen, their fragrance wasted on the desert air, or something like that."
Christina had nodded with a smile and went to her father.
Gustav had noticed his daughter's changed expression from the morning. "Little lotte, you have found a friend, haven't you?"
With a shy smile she said, "He found me."