Disclaimer: I do not own The Phantom of the Opera, any of its versions, or any of the characters.

Title: Le Spectacle des Merveilles

Summary: Swept into the world of a traveling circus, Christine unexpectedly encounters two men who will forever change her life. One: a young man with dreams and aspirations that go beyond the limits of the circus. The second: a monster.

Author's Note: I probably should have mentioned this in the previous chapter, but I am no good at French. All of the French you see here is google translated. I will provide a translation of the phrases at the bottom, but I don't intend to use much. Also, I do not live in France, so I am not an expert at where everything is/how long it takes to get places/etc. Bear with me here! . I certainly try to be as on point as possible, but there is only so much I can do.

This chapter ended up being longer than I expected. It works to get Christine a little acclimated to the circus and to the people. Thank you so much for the interest so far. ^.^

Chapter 2 – Four White Horses

The carnival had completely transformed. It was like stepping into two different worlds. By day, it appeared drab and depressing. But now, during the evening, it was alive with energy and excitement. For whatever reason, Christine felt underdressed and out of place in her simple periwinkle frock.

Monsieur André was seen within the ticket booth that stood at the head of the grounds. Gustave and Christine headed toward him with their bags under their arms. They didn't have much belongings, but it was a little sad to reflect that they could fit all they needed within two cases and a sack.

They arrived at the booth just as a man and a woman walked away sporting two fresh admittances into the carnival. André spied them before any greetings could be made. He came out from his area, beaming with the joy that only the spectacle could produce.

"Monsieur and mademoiselle Daaé! It is a pleasure to play host to you tonight!" He clapped Gustave on the shoulder, as the man's hands were all occupied. Then he gestured toward where the train cars were parked. "Please take your luggage toward the cars. One of the laborers will be there to show you your new quarters and assist you with your bags."

"Thank you again, monsieur," Gustave called as they turned in the direction André had gestured. "You won't regret placing your faith in us. I promise."

"Father," Christine said lightly, "I know we should be grateful for this opportunity that we've been given, but don't you think that perhaps you are a bit too eager? Those men may use your gratitude to take advantage of you."

"Christine, I've always taught you to appreciate what you are given," her father began. "This is no different. Our lives will change with this opportunity. We shouldn't pretend that it is less than what it is."

Christine sighed. It wouldn't be the first time her father was taken advantage of. It was part of the reason they had lived with so little. But, she loved his kind heart; and, she couldn't deny that at least they would be taken care of within this traveling circus.

They approached the darkened train cars. A man with a mess of straw-colored hair was leaning against the outside of one of the cars. When he saw them approach, he stood up straighter and dusted his pants of some unseen dirt.

"Well, hello there," he greeted. "You two must be the newest additions."

"And, you are?" Christine asked before she could stop herself, her tone much more formal.

He cleared his throat. "My name is Philippe. I tend to the animals and anything else that needs attention around here."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Philippe. My name is Gustave, and this is my daughter, Christine."

"I've finished straightening up one of the cars for you." He patted the one he had been leaning against. "This here will be your quarters. May I assist you with your items?"

"Thank you," Gustave said as he handed over one of the cases.

Philippe led the way on board the car. He took the luggage up one piece at a time then held out a hand to assist each passenger. Christine knew she could have performed much more gracefully. She nearly slipped, while finding her footing, and had to be dragged up onto the platform.

The car had an exterior railing along one side of it, just enough room where one person could squeeze along without fear of falling off. The rest of the platform was taken up by a large box with a single door. Philippe lit a gas lamp and turned it up to allow enough light in which to see by inside of the train car. It wasn't terribly impressive by any means. It was a little smaller than their previous apartment. One bed hung from one wall, and a second bed hung from the opposite long wall. Both of these were positioned at the back of the car. There was a small vanity and a lounge toward the front. Other than these pieces, though, the train car was empty. Just by eyeing the space, there would be room to store the cases beneath the bunks.

"It's not much to look at," Philippe was saying as he towed one of the cases toward the bunks in the back, "but you'll think of it as home soon enough."

"This is more than enough for us," Gustave responded. "Thank you."

"Your car will be between Monsieur Reyer's and one of the cars for the labor hands," Philippe explained. "Once everything is set up tonight, I will send someone along to show you both where everything and everyone is located." He grinned at this, which Christine found odd. "Right now it will just seem like a mess if I try to explain."

Gustave nodded. "Understandable."

"You've still got some time to enjoy the show tonight," Philippe said. "You can do so without charge, being part of it now and all. We will start tearing everything down and preparing to depart afterward. At that point, Monsieur Daaé, we may ask for your assistance. Everyone tends to lend a hand for tear down and set up."

"I would be most happy to assist in whatever needs to be done," Gustave beamed.

"That's the spirit!"

Gustave turned to Christine. "Dear, why don't you go enjoy yourself. I'd like to ask Monsieur Philippe here a few more questions, if I may."

"Of course," Philippe consented.

Christine looked at Philippe then back at her father. "Well, alright, if that's what you wish." She kissed him on the cheek then left the cabin.

Outside, she had to lower herself to the ground carefully. She was afraid of slipping and injuring herself, though the light from the interior allowed a bit to see by outside of the cabin. The curtains weren't thick enough to block out all of the light. With her feet safely on the ground, though, she headed back the way they had come, toward the beginning of the spectacle.

She ducked into the small tent where they had given their audition, filing in behind a small gaggle of people who were just arriving. Even the inside of the small entryway appeared changed. The torches were still alight, but they seemed magical when compared to their ordinariness earlier that day.

When she emerged on the other side of the tent this time, she was struck by the majesty of everything, so much so that she was halted in her tracks. She glanced about in wonder, mouth agape, at the flickering candlelight, the crowds of enthralled spectators, and the hugeness of the main tent.

Instead of following the group of people toward the main attraction, she edged along the left side. She wanted to take everything in, though there wasn't much to see out there. She stopped at the first tent she came to, which was being monitored by a second ticket booth. A large poster was set up next to it, featuring a woman named La Carlotta in an alluring pose.

"Interested to see what's inside, my pretty?" a voice called to her.

Christine turned and looked at the man behind the ticket booth. "What is this?" she asked.

"A private show," he explained, grinning and showing off his unclean teeth. "It requires an additional admission in order to keep the riffraff and underage out." He chuckled.

She understood clearly what type of private show occurred within this tent, and she had no interest to confirm it with her own eyes. She shook her head, lowered her eyes, and moved on. Luckily, the man had other takers awaiting their turn to peek inside the forbidden tent.

Christine opted for the tent next to it, which appeared to hold significantly less interest in the male spectators. A small sign next to a flickering candelabra read 'Fortune Teller' with a monetary amount. She ducked inside quietly. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust, but then she noted the table with a colorful cloth thrown over it and a woman dressed all in black seated at it.

"Good evening," the woman greeted. "Are you here to test the boundaries of this plane and dive into the unknown?"

Christine couldn't help smiling at the rehearsed script. Though the woman made it sound so natural and mysterious, Christine knew how it all worked now.

"I apologize," Christine said. "I'm actually a new addition to this little show. I was just wandering about, and I didn't mean to disturb you."

The woman smiled. "Yes, of course. We were told that there would be two new additions to our family."

"That's my father and me," Christine confirmed.

The woman gestured to the empty chair opposite her. "Please, have a seat."

Christine obeyed.

"This is quite lovely," she said, glancing about.

"It works for what it was intended." The woman shrugged. "I am referred to as Madame Giry, for this," she motioned to the set up around her, "and merely out of respect, I suppose, outside of the show."

"Madame Giry," Christine tried out, "it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Christine. My father is Gustave. He is to be the new violin player."

"He was much needed, I assure you," Madame Giry replied. "He will set the mood for a number of our shows, my daughter's included."

"Your daughter?" Christine was surprised and sought to clarify.

Madame Giry nodded. "She is a great performer. She does the acrobats on the horses and assists Nadir in his tricks."

"That would certainly be amazing to see," Christine exclaimed. "She must be awfully skilled."

"And what is your skill?" Madame Giry asked, turning the conversation.

Christine shook her head. "What do you mean?"

Madame Giry laughed, but stifled it before it got out of control. "Monsieurs André and Firmin don't take people on who cannot contribute in one way or another."

Christine nodded somewhat absently. "Yes, I believe that. I suppose I sing then."

Madame Giry rested back in her seat, staring at Christine with an expression that couldn't quite be placed. "Interesting. There will certainly be a couple people curious in your gift then."

"What do you mean?"

But before Madame Giry could explain her cryptic words, a mother grasping her child's hand appeared in the tent opening, looking for a reading. Christine stood and took her leave, not wanting to interfere in business. As she moved along, past a tent advertising a strongman and another for an illusion and magic act that was currently closed, to the largest tent of all, she was left wondering what Madame Giry could have meant by her final words.

Christine didn't venture all of the way into the tent. Instead, she took a few steps inside, enough to come up next to some make-shift stands that had been erected. Most of the seats were filled by an entranced audience. All eyes were turned on the tan-skinned magician and petite young assistant in the middle of the floor.

Christine watched the tricks that awed the audience, but mainly she was interested in the female assistant, who she knew now to be the daughter of Madame Giry. She was dressed in a pink costume that revealed her legs and hung low in the front. The sparkles embellishing it caught the candlelight and shimmered magnificently. Her blonde curls bounced with every movement she made. Beneath all of the paint on her face, it was clear that she possessed an attractive look.

Seeing the girl's joy and energy, Christine couldn't help thinking that they might actually become good friends. But, she would have to wait her turn to meet the younger girl. For now, she smiled with the thought, and turned and left the tent.

Bypassing the remainder of the small tent acts, the last place she ventured to was where she had really been interested in going. The stables were located next to the large tent. The four white horses were still housed within, though each was sporting a bridle with a decorative flourish of feathers on the top. She squeezed into the first stall, between the horse and the wooden boards keeping the stable standing.

"You must be the loveliest creature I've ever seen," Christine cooed, petting the horse gently on the neck.

The horse lifted its head and peered back at her. Finding no threat, though, it turned back to the pile of hay.

Christine laughed. "You must get told that all the time. Don't tell me that I've just inflated your ego."

"It's Bells over there that you have to worry about," a voice said, startling her. "Her ego, I mean. She will be pretty stubborn unless you compliment her first."

Christine glanced around, somewhat frantically. She had thought that she had been all alone with the horses, but it seemed that someone had eavesdropped. Finally, she spotted the figure loitering near the horses' heads.

She hesitated a moment, not sure how to proceed, then said, "And who is the most playful and outgoing?"

"Millie. She's on the other end."

Christine continued to pet the horse in front of her, a smile on her face. "Then who is this?"

"That's Agatha. She is a little shy, but the sweetest of the four. Keep petting her like that and she'll be your friend forever."

The figure walked closer to her, and she was finally able to see that it was the man she had witnessed tending to the animals earlier in the day. Immediately a blush warmed her cheeks. Her smile faded, and she sobered instantly. She became self-conscious and awkward.

She took a step back, her hand falling to her side. "I apologize. I shouldn't be here. The girls look like they are preparing for a show anyway, so I will leave them to it."

"You're right," the man said rather bluntly. It took her off guard, causing her to stop and stare at him. "They are in the process of getting ready for a show, but you can stay if you'd like."

Her words caught in her throat. She wasn't entirely sure how to respond, but before she could even try, a coarse brush was forced into her hand.

"You can brush her, if you'd like," he suggested, and almost automatically, she started to. "Are you visiting with your husband or a male escort of some kind?"

Christine scoffed before she could stop herself. "That is awfully forward of you to go right into my personal life. I don't even know your name, let alone-"

"Raoul," he interrupted. "My name is Raoul."

Christine smiled, staring at him. "Raoul," she tried aloud.

"And, you are?" he asked softy.

Christine looked away with a sly smile on her lips and a blush on her cheeks. "You seem to know females so well, Monsieur Raoul. I am surprised I have to tell you anything."

"I know my horses," Raoul clarified. "The fairer gender I actually know quite little about. But, you certainly make the mystery attractive."

"And you don't know how to be subtle, do you?"

Raoul shrugged. "It wasn't something I was ever taught, I suppose."

"Well," Christine said, setting the brush on one of the wooden boards making up the stall, "you certainly don't lack in confidence."

"My brother's influence, I assure you."

She laughed, knowing something he didn't and wanting to play on that. "Be confident that we shall meet again then, Raoul, and perhaps it might even come true." She backed out of the stall and began to walk slowly away, a small, pleased smile on her lips.

"For a chance to meet you again, mademoiselle, I will show such optimism the world has never seen," Raoul called after her. "Fate will bring us together again. Just you wait."