Meg woke up before her alarm but laid in her bed, watching the rainy summer night cast a dark filter over her room. She adored when it rained, the Earth was darker, and the trees were a fabulous green. Men and women carried various umbrellas, and dressed in protective outerwear. Meg stayed that way until her alarm finally went off.
At the sound, she stood up from her bed and began to strip the covers, replacing the sheet with a fresh one, and replaced her various covers. Smoothing out the duvet, and fixing the pillows, Meg walked to the window in her room and watched people come into the opera, to make sure the Opera was in order, and to warm up for the show.
Meg liked to stretch before starting her hair and makeup, before she did so, she quickly switched to her Degas style rehearsal dress. After stretching her limbs, Meg sat down at her vanity and began to brush her hair so she could put all of it up in various ribbons. Meg twisted her hair up, when she was about to start tying with a ribbon, when she began to pose in the mirror. She didn't like to wear her hair up, but posing did make her feel like a model in those elegant studio photos actresses took in dramatic stances.
She tilted her head up and looked at the barely there bruises, somehow sad they were fading, it was a physical reminder of something she couldn't quite name. Tying her hair and placing some more decorative ribbons and ornaments in her hair, and she was done. Starting her makeup, perfect for stage, with dark eyes, pale face, and sweet doll lips, perfect for a jeweler and a breathtaking sylph.
She took her time getting ready, so when she was done she had to leave right away, grabbing her bag and pointe shoes, Meg made her way to the rehearsal room for full company warm up. As she became closer to the room, filled with almost every dancer of the corps, Meg became nervous. She made her way to the front of the room, near La Sorelli, as usual. Normally Christine and Meg would be there in that spot together, but now it was just her.
La Sorelli was offered the position of Prima Ballerina by Monsieur Lefevre when Meg was just ten years old. She came in as this tall, intimidating swan-like creature. With dark hair and a swarthy olive complexion, she was the most graceful person Meg had ever seen. Madame Giry in her youth could've danced circles around La Sorelli, but of course Meg never saw that side of the ballet mistress.
Now as the years kept turning, Meg began to outshine the rest of the corps, and eventually La Sorelli herself. La Sorelli knew that this year was her last with the title, and she tried her hardest not to be jealous of the young dancers, especially Meg. So the older dancer tried to clear her conscience by being like an older sister to the young girls. They would cling to her gauze-like dresses and crinolines. La Sorelli claimed to be completely unafraid of the Opera Ghost, She would pull her dagger and swish the air just to prove she was fearless of the Phantom, and of little dancers who could, and would replace her.
"Hello Meg, are you alright? we didn't see you at barre yesterday." Meg pulled her torso from its position over her leg resting on the barre.
"Hello Sorelli, I felt under the weather. Thank you for asking." Meg was shocked every time Sorelli talked to her. She was unreachable in Meg's eyes.
"I saw you on the steps outside this morning. You looked as though you were sleepwalking."
"Yes, every once in awhile the building takes my breath away." Sorelli couldn't help but think the girl was odd. Just after Meg replied Madame Giry smacked her cane from her position next to the piano. That sound made even La Sorelli jump into first position in silence. Class warm ups began at once.
At 30 minutes to curtain call, every singer in the opera, including La Carlotta, would do a large group warm up. Except now Carlotta was not present. Tonight, and for the rest of Il Mutos run, Christine would play The Countess. Meg stayed in her spot until every one came in, the dancers who didn't sing went elsewhere. The quiet room started to fill with chatter as she dreaded Christine's arrival. When she did finally walk in, Christine came in like an angel, unreachable and bright. Giggling with the girl replacing Christine as the pageboy. When Christine spotted Meg, she ran to the dancer.
"Meg!" Pulling her into a hug. "How are you?"
"I'm great Chris, itching to perform, how have you been?" Meg felt like she would break down in tears again.
"I am so nervous. I'm not used to being the lead." She came close Megs ear. "I'm afraid he will do something. Something terrible." Meg knew exactly why he would be angry with Christine, but her slightly younger friend still didn't know she was on the roof. Christine was sure he knew, he knew everything.
"Why would he do something, you are playing the countess. That's what he wants. isn't it?" Meg had to use her acting skills once again, on someone who was basically her sister. She felt incredibly guilty. Madame Giry smacked her cane again and the two fixed their posture, and kept their heads down. Then Monsieur Reyes began warm ups. Meg and Christine loved to warm up together, then had the same exact range, sometimes one would push to sing slightly lower than the other, until they sounded truly awful. Too many performances almost ruined with laughter.
People were always surprised when Meg sung around them for the first time, She was simply fantastic. If she fought hard enough, she could be Prima Donna. Meg was consistent, a perfect performer. She could improvise, and act with so much feeling. Yet her voice had a more down to Earth quality, compared to Christine's ethereal tone. Meg was a star, while Christine was an angel. Meg could get any part she wanted, but she only wanted dancing roles, and roles like a jeweler in Il Muto.
When they adjourned, Meg and Christine walked to Christine's dressing room, where Christine asked one of her girls to get Meg's costume. There they got ready together, in a fit of giggles and normal chatter. When both were ready, the dressers left the room, leaving them alone. Meg put Christine's bushy hair into pins, so the Countess wig could go over the tresses. That's something they both had in common when it came to looks, hair like a lion's mane. When Meg was done she kissed Christine's forehead like she used to all of the time. What was unusual about the transaction was the fact that Christine began to sob a little.
"Christine?" Meg moved to sit on her knees, she grabbed hold of Christine's hands. "What's the matter?"
"Oh nothing, Meg! Why are you being so nice to me? I've been awful to you since my debut in Hannibal, and being with Raoul has made me distracted." Meg gave a little laugh.
"Oh Christine! You're my sister, You deserve happiness, I won't ever be mad at you for wanting to be happy. Raoul makes you happy, Singing makes you happy. I will always be here for you, just call and i'll be there." Christine flung her arms around Meg and dried her tears on a handkerchief. Then, Madame Giry barged into the room in a panic.
"Eleanor is missing, we have no one to cover the pageboy." The ballet mistress had many jobs, messenger just happened to be one.
"What!" Both girls yelled.
"Who's replacing her?" Meg asked right away.
"Yes, who?" Christine rushed to fix her makeup.
"We don't know. We might have to cancel."
"The managers will throw a fit mother!" Christine turned around like a bullet to Meg, who was fixing her blonde hair in the mirror.
"Meg! You do it, you'll fit right into her costume." Both Giry's stared at the brunette in shock. "You know the part. Very little singing, and mostly acting."
"I'll have the dressers bring in her costume. Get your hair down. Christine walk her through it." Meg didn't say a word, until Christine had Meg on the stool and was pulling her hair out of its position to pull it into a low pony tail. Meg turned and put her hand on Christine's arm.
"Christine, if this is your way of thanking me for Elissa, I'm okay. You deserved it."
"No Meg, please do this for me, Raoul's coming to see me tonight." Christine was pleading like a little child, Meg couldn't refuse.
"Alright. I'll do it." Just then a dresser bolted in as Christine explained the role so Meg wouldn't forget. Christine also remembered to go through the very few sung lines Serafimo had. Another dresser removed Meg's doll lips, and left the dark eyeliner and face details, taking the blush down slightly. When they were done it was two minutes to curtain. Meg had to be done and on stage in position as the curtain came up. So there Meg was right before curtain, in a tear away skirt and cap, a young woman acting like a man pretending to be a lady's maid. Meg was determined to wow the audience with flirtatious flair, and boyish charm. Just before curtain, Christine ready in the wings, gave one last encouraging smile to Meg.
"In tonight's performance of Il Muto the role of the Countess will be played by Mademoiselle Christine Daae, and the role of the Pageboy will be played by Mademoiselle Marguerite Giry. Conducted by Monsieur Reyes." Christine's name was like a jab to the ghost in box five, but the moment he heard Little Giry's name he couldn't help but give a full laugh. Neighboring boxes knew the box would make sounds occasionally, they thought the Opera did it simply for publicity. However the laugh gave the patrons great confusion. The curtain rose to unveil Meg turned away from the audience, Christine along with jewelers came in from both wings, singing while Meg pretended to dust.
"I would happily take the maid, with me!" Meg turned to show her fake disgust, she had to admit, This was fun. Christine sung beautifully, but something was missing. It was like every word became even more distant from her priorities. Meg watched with a sneaky expression until it came time for the reveal.
"Serafimo! Away from this pre-tense!" With that Christine tore away the skirt as Meg pulled the cap off to reveal her blonde hair pulled into a low ponytail, and dark trousers that fit her better than the girl they were made for. "You cannot speak, BUT kiss me in my husbands absence." Meg played Serafimo with perfect boyish charm, as she set out to do. Through the rest of the scene, Meg and Christine had to act like lovers. The movements made it very hard for them to stifle their laughter. They made it to final bows without a hitch. Just as it came down to the last two people to run to take a bow, Christine started to walk out first.
"Christine wait, I go first."
"No you don't. The show's called Il Muto, you're the Muto!" Then Christine ran to the sound of overwhelming applause, leaving Meg stunned. Carlotta would've rather died than let someone bow after her. Meg's mother had to push her out. So she ran to the front for the stage, the already loud applause somehow became louder. The other half of the audience who stayed seated when Christine ran out, stood up to applaud Meg. Giving a few bows, Meg grabbed Christine's hand to bow together, then the rest of the company joined them. Meg searched box five, expecting to find it empty, but she was shocked yet again to see that the infamous Opera Ghost was standing in applause. The curtain fell as Christine tackled Meg to the floor in excitement. Both girls giggled the way they hadn't in the longest time.
"Meg! You did so well. You have to play Serafimo for the rest of the run, I'm talking to the managers right away." Christine tried to get up but failed due to the cage in her gown. "When I can actually get up!" They laid on the ground giggling and complimenting each other until Raoul came to the rescue and pulled Christine off of Meg.
"You did wonderful Christine! And you Meg! The perfect Pageboy! Sorry Christine." All three gave hearty laughs.
"Thank you Monsieur Le Vicomte"
"Raoul. Please." As Meg gave a light bow with her head in a reply, Christine spotted the Monsieur Andre, and where there was one manager there was the other.
"OH! There's Andre, I must speak with him!" Christine gave Meg a kiss on the cheek. "Goodbye Meg, see you tomorrow!" With that she dragged Raoul away to get Meg that role, and have supper. Meg looked for her mother, finding her walking her way.
"Maman! How was it?"
"You did wonderfully! You work very well under pressure."
"Thank you maman. I'm so tired, I am going to Christine's dressing room to change, and going straight to my room!" Madame Giry wished her daughter to sleep well. "Goodnight, maman." Meg turned away to walk to Christine's dressing room. Christine wouldn't have been back yet, so Meg changed behind the screen into her rehearsal dress once again. She grabbed all of her thing and put them back into her bag, then switched into little slippers she wore around the opera. Meg left the whole costume laying on a chair. Meg sat on the vanity stool, and unclipped her hair from the ponytail, shaking her hair out Meg heard a voice.
"I want to see you." The voice read exactly what Meg wrote on the note just hours before. It had to be him.
"Erik!" She said in a whisper. "Where are you?" Meg looked around the room. "Oh." Meg said as she watched the full body mirror on the wall open in the vanity mirror. She swung her body around as she stood up.
"That's how you took Christine." He simply gave a low nod.
"Come." Meg grabbed her things and quickly followed him into the mirror. They started the journey to his home in silence, The light from the dressing room went away when they turned a down a staircase. He grabbed her arm and interlocked hers with his so she wouldn't fall. After exactly 20 steps, she counted in her head, Meg spoke in the darkness.
"I'm glad you saw my note, I thought you might not see it. Or my mother would find it first." He gave a deep, slightly unsettling laugh.
"It was smart of you to leave it where you did." Meg was happy for what seemed to be a compliment.
"Maman would've taken it if I put it on the ledge."
"You are right. Good thinking."
"Thank you!" She whispered. The rest of the journey was spent in silence. He decided to avoid the boat, and took her to a door that led to the room down the dark hallway she had wondered about on her first visit. Meg immediately took a seat on the throne she now claimed as her own.
