Okay, here's the third chapter of Eric's POV. I'm sorry it's taking so long to update, like I said we're on a road trip and there's no internet access when we're driving, and we've been camping a lot. It should be another week before I can update regularly again, maybe longer. We're in Montana, and we're going to Oregon. You probably don't want to know all the details of the trip, so here is the third chapter:


It took several minutes of convincing –with Mme. Giry insisting that Miss Daae had "been taking lessons from a great teacher, and has been well taught.", until the Msrs. Firmin and Aundre consented to let Christine sing "Think of Me" for them. I had just finished teaching that to her in our lessons, and was confident that she would impress both of the fools.

As Christine stepped forward somewhat hesitantly, I herd Firmin mutter, "Aundre, this is doing nothing for my nerves," and Aundre cut him off quickly, saying "Oh, hush, she's very pretty." I smirked down at them, realizing that for the first time I agreed with Carlotta about something: The two new managers were quite excitable when it came to the subject of the ballet dancers. You two are absolute fools, I thought to myself. They, like so many of the other patrons and managers of my opera house, only saw the money that could be made from whichever singer, or dancer.

"From the beginning of the aria, then!" Msr. Reye said, and started conducting the accompaniment. Christine opened her mouth and began to sing,

Think of me

think of me fondly

when we've said goodbye

remember me

once in a while, please promise me you'll try

when you find

that once again you long

to take your heart back and be free

if you ever find a moment

spare a thought for me

The rest of the day passed in a blur, and suddenly I was below the orchestra pit, listening to Christine sing before a full house. Yes, I thought, I'll speak to her tonight, first in the room where she prays for her father, then through the mirror of the prima donna room. Little did I know that Raoul was sitting in the audience, and that he recognized her. I didn't know that tonight would be the beginning of my fall.

I was waiting in the rooftop room just above the tiny chapel of the opera house when Christine entered. As she lit the candles, I gave her a moments' peace, out of respect for Gustav Daae, and spoke to her,

Brava

Brava

bravisima

Christine had just begun to look up, an expression of joy and wonder on those perfect features, when I heard another voice calling to her. Damn! I thought angrily why did that little pest Meg have to show up now?! She always seemed to appear right when she wasn't needed! There will be no speaking to her while Meg is here. Christine always focused all her attention on her friends when they were there, something I did understand because, well, she could see them, they weren't just a beautiful voice coming from the roof or the mirror. You may as well leave I told myself, and I did.

***

Leaning against the wall of the hallway behind the two-way mirror, I watched Mme. Giry lead Christine into the prima donna room, shutting and locking the door against the hoards of fans. "You did very well my dear," she said, squeezing Christine's arm, and picked up the rose tied with a black ribbon that I had left on the nightstand, "he is pleased with you," Yes. Yes I am. I thought. It would be hard to be more pleased than I was then. Christine sat at the vanity and began removing her makeup. Suddenly, the door opened. The Vicomte, Raoul de Chagny stepped in. "Little Lottie, let her mind wander," What? I thought, What the bloody hell is he talking about? Who was Little Lottie? "Little Lottie thought, my founder of dolls, or of goblins or shoes"Christine looked up and smiled.

"Raoul!"

"Or of riddles or frocks,"

"Those picnics in the attic?"

"Or of chocolates"

"Father playing the violin"

"As we read to each dark stories of the north?" He came and knelt before her, taking both her hands in his own,

"No. What of the best, Lottie said, is when I'm asleep in my bed." she began to sing softly, "and the angel of music sings songs in my head" Raoul nodded, and finished the last line with her, "The angel of music sings songs in my head."

He moved forward and embraced her. I turned away, anger contorting my face. How dare he touch her! Christine was mine! I doubted he'd even remember her if she hadn't been the lead soprano tonight! I moved further down the hall, so that I couldn't hear them speaking to each other; it would make me too angry, and I still had yet to visit Christine tonight.

And chapter three comes to an end. Please review!

SDC

xoxo