A/n: Yay! A review! Thank you thelostboys78! Thank you The Lady Raven! (I don't know about spelling errors… dumb computers… I did spell check. –shrugs-
I do not own any of this!
Chapter 4:Dancing on the Stage
She pushed open the doors into the Opera Populaire, studying the glorious welcoming staircase in front of her. The whole place was busy and full of excitement. She recognized some of the people rushing around. Many dancers that had their faces plastered on walls around Paris and she recognized a few of them. She had always inspired to be a dancer, but no one ever seemed to give her a chance. No one noticed her shaggy appearance as she entered the grand Opera house. She reached out and touched the staircase, running her hand up the railing. The whole place was amazing- covered in head to toe with red satin and gold statues- she only wished she could be apart of it.
"Can I help you?" A stern voice said form behind her. She turned to meet a stern woman's gaze. She wore a dark dress and her hair was done up, all piled on her head. She had a stern face, but not mean. Before hearing her voice she knew that she was one that was important- and one not to be trifled with.
"I came looking for a job." The girl with the red hair said, taking her hand away from the railing and stepping forward.
The woman looked at her up and down. "I don't believe we have any room." She answered, turning to leave the girl to show herself out of the theater.
"Oh please Madame!" The girl said before she could stop herself. "I'll clean for you if you need that! Maybe some day I could work up to being a dancer! But I'll do my very best!" She said, almost reaching her hand out to grasp at something that was not in the air.
The Madame turned to look at her again. This time she looked at her body, seeing what kind of a dancer she might be. She glanced to her face. "You may show me what kind of a dancer you are." She answered. "I am Mme. Giry, if you are good I will talk to the owner."
"Oh thank you Madame!" The girl said, bowing her head in appreciation.
"Let us go to the stage, not waste any time." Mme. Giry said. The woman picked up some of her skirt and began up the huge staircase.
The girl quickly picked up her own skirts and followed the woman. As they watched the girl noticed a few stares coming her way. Maybe it was because she was so dirty…
When the two women reached the stage Mme. Giry gestured for the girl to go on stage and dance for her. The girl was too busy staring at the stage in fascination. Her mind was completely into the magnificence of what she saw. Mme. Giry cleared her throat bringing the girl out of her strange state.
The girl clumsily gasped at her own foolishness and dropped her single bag. She removed a small bonnet that was resting atop her red curls. She removed her shoes and walked onto the stage.
As she began to dance, a passion began to be shown through her. It was easy to detect that she loved dancing almost more than anything. She moved her arms as she danced and twirled. Her eyes were closed as she did this and all the clumsiness in her was gone.
Mme. Giry watched the young girl dance with a small smile on her lips. She had seen enthusiasm like that before. The girl twirled again and ended her dance and the imaginary music that had surrounded her while she danced disappeared.
"What is your name?" Mme. Giry asked the girl as she struggled to put her shoe back on, rather clumsily.
The girl looked at the older woman. She smiled and blushed slightly when she said her name. "Ana Marquette." She said softly, "My mother was a famous dancer, though I never knew her real name."
Mme. Giry nodded. "You have an interesting style." She said, "If you would like a spot I will talk to the new owner."
A smile touched Ana's soft features. "Much appreciated, Madame." She said with a hopeful glee written all over her face.
"Do you have a place to stay, my dear?" The woman asked, sternly still. She watched as the girl put her bonnet back on her head and tied it under her chin.
"No…" Ana said, looking to the ground. "I can always find somewhere with time."
"Nonsense." Mme. Giry said, with a firm nod of her head. "Wait here, I must speak to the owner."
With that she left Ana sitting by the stage, holding her bag awkwardly to the side of her.
Mme. Giry began her search for the new owner of the Opera Populaire.
A/n: I know, such short chapters! But it seemed like a good place to end this chapter. By the way… I don't think I'm going to make a love story with Ana and Erik, as you might've thought. I don't think this is going to be much of a love story for Erik… Anyway, Well! I hope everyone likes this so far!