Elizabeth quickly caught up to the striding woman matching her pace to allow an even playing field for her question, "Madam will I immediately be sent to him or…" any words that would have followed were clipped off by the loud thunk of wood and metal slamming into place, sealing Elizabeth into this daunting new world.

Madam Giry turned toward the girl pity filling her eyes, "No you will not at once be sent down to him, first you must meet your fellow dancers." The shock was evident on Elizabeth's face but before she could raise a question Madam amusedly answered it, "Your father told me of your long hours of training in ballet, although you are here on unusual circumstances, we here at the opera would still be shamed to waste such talent." The diction used whilst she spoke of "we" wanting her to continue her long years of dance during her long stay in the opera made it clear that the wish was held not only by her future instructor but also by her new master as well.

With the inquisition answered Madam Giry once again took off carried quickly by lean legs strengthened by years of rigorous practice. Elizabeth trotted after her into the house of the opera, they passed rows of seats coming closer with each step to the stage. It was a sight to behold and it stole Elizabeth's breath away. The entire ceiling was painted with the skill that could only be brought about by the dexterous hand of a master, statues lined the walls regally guarding each break between sections of rows, and upon the stage was a troupe of graceful young girls stretching. At the head of a group was a bright eyed blonde who smiled fondly at the new girl.

As the starkly contrasted pair climbed the stairs reaching up to the stage the troupe of girls turned eager to see who had been selected to be the cursed phantoms victim. Each girl appraised her quietly as Madam Giry quietly introduced her to her daughter Meg, the new girl had a calm and quiet beauty that would easily be over looked by a random passerby on the street but when viewed for long periods of time her unique features merged in the imaginative mind to create a mortal masterpiece. Satisfied by their quick overview the cluster of girls began to whisper of the pity of such wasted beauty.

Elizabeth fidgeted fully aware of the girls scrutinizing gazes, straining to put it from her mind she straightened her back and began to talk with the bubbly blonde who she had just found to be named Meg. It surprised Elizabeth that the ray of sunshine that stood before her could be the offspring of the tight laced woman that led her on to the stage, although in face they did look similar. Meg chattered eagerly hoping to form a friendship with the new girl now that her dearest friend had just been married and was now too busy with wifely duties to perform in the theater they had both called home for so long.

Before too long Madam Giry tore Elizabeth away from her daughter and sent her to her room to change into clothes suited for practice. Elizabeth delighted in the fact that she would be jumping right into practice the first day being that before she was told that she would be performing with the ballet corps she had been worrying about how sorely she would miss being able to train and dance. Elizabeth walked down the hall that had been pointed to her by Meg as she began to limber up to prepare for practice, the dimly lit hallway sent a chill down her spine and she turned back suddenly with a sense that she was being watched. All to eager to escape the openness of the hallway; Elizabeth quickened her pace as she watched the numbered doors increase until she found her room. Pulling the key Madam Giry had given her from a small space in her corset Elizabeth unlocked her door and entered into the much welcomed solitude of the dim room. Quickly she walked around lighting candles before turning to her trunk which was placed carefully at the foot of her bed. A letter was sitting on top of the lid made of thick parchment that spoke of fine quality, Elizabeth smiled warmly suspecting that her father had left it there as a final farewell. The letter was tossed aside onto her bed to be read after she was finished changing landing with the seal facing upwards. Elizabeth dug through her chest until she found the proper uniform a cream leotard and a fine long skirt made of a flowing peachy material. She slipped behind the screen set up in the far corner of her room with her uniform in tow; she changed quickly eager to read the note that her father had left her.

Finally she selected ribbon from the collection that she had tied around a strap on the front of her chest, pulling her hair into a neat bun so that should wouldn't be thrown off balance whilst doing complicated spins and turns. Properly dressed Elizabeth set down on her bed picking up the letter when a strange color caught her eye. Instead of her father's usual green seal a black patch of wax with a skull pressed into it held the letter shut. A cold chill ran through Elizabeth's veins as she opened the letter, this letter wasn't from her father but she was quite sure she did know who had written it.

Mademoiselle,

I am pleased to see that you are as lovely as your father had promised and you will do for serving my needs, but keep in mind that silence can be thought of as dimness and that questioning your elders so irreverently will not be tolerated. I expect you to come to me after dinner tonight, Madam Giry will show you how to do so.

Until Then,

OG

Elizabeth shuddered, so her reprieve will end alongside her dinner, suddenly food and dancing felt all the more precious and the night more dangerous.

So our friend the opera ghost does not seem to want to play nice, maybe Elizabeth does have something to be afraid of.

I promise there'll be more than just a letter from our dear phantom in the next chapter. As always helpful criticism is always welcome :)