The next morning I woke up as someone was shaking my left shoulder. I yawned and sat on bed as my hand took Howls. I blushed and moved my hand as I said:,, Good morning . I don't want to sound mean, but where did you slept? ,,

Howl said as he looked at me: ,, I slept on the bench . Why? ,,

I looked away as I said: ,, Well, I like to sleep alone and respect the privacy . ,,

I thought that my music teacher won't understand me, but he did. After a few minutes of silence, Howl said: ,, Briana , I thought about your words . Are you sure that I don't scare you? ,,

I smiled and nodded, then Howl took his mask of. I blushed as I looked at his face. He looked like the angel, which was sent to guide me. The loneliness and false stories made Howl worried and afraid of his face .I felt sorry for my music teacher, who was exiled from the world. I looked at Howl as he said: ,, We better go back, before they discover that you are missing . ,,

He put his mask on and took my hand as we went to boat. We got in and he gave me a small satchel, before we got back to the tunnels. We went through them to the dressing room. After I got through the entrance, I looked at Howl as he said: ,, Believe in yourself and don't worry . Good luck. ,,

I thanked him and went to change into my harem dancer costume. It had halter top and belly skirt that was the same color as the top. After I changed into my costume, I put on ballet shoes and joined Sophie as she was getting ready for the show. Ester joined us and looked at me as she asked me: ,, Where were you Briana? Sophie and were worried sick, when we didn't see you in our room. ,, I said as I tried not to tell, where I spent the night: ,, I couldn't sleep, so I got out of bed and went on a stroll . I got to the box five and fell asleep in the hallway. When I woke up, I went to the dressing room. ,,

Sophie sighed and said. ,, you were lucky ,that phantom didn't find you and hurt you. ,,

I smiled and after we got ready, we went to the stage .As we got there, we rubbed chalk on our slipper tips, then we joined other dancers at the barre. We warmed ourselves and I looked around the stage. Christine was in her costume and covered with make-up. She sang as she held the puppet that looked like severed head:

This trophy
From our saviors
From our saviors
From the enslaving force
Of Rome!

I had to cover my ears as prima donna sang. I silently prayed for god to help Howl or someone else get that screeching siren of the stage, before I lose my patience. Christine threw the head away and came to servants as chorus got on stage. Women sang as they came closer:

With feasting and dancing and song
Tonight in celebration
We greet the victorious throng
Returned to bring salvation

A group of male singers, who were dressed as solders joined in singing:

The trumpet of carthage resound
Hear, Romans, now and tremble
Hark to our step on ground
Hear the drums!
Hannibal comes!

As Christine walked away, her dress had tear and she said as she looked at her servants: ,,You made my dress to long !,,

She held her white puddle as Piangi came on stage and sang :

Sad to return
To find the land we love
Threatened once more
By Roma's far-reaching grasp

Reyer tapped his baton and said as he tried to get Piangi's attention for messing up his line: ,, Gentleman, gentleman ...,,

Everyone was interrupted when Monsieur Levefre was showing two men around the stage . One of them had blond hair tied in a ponytail, while other had short blond hair. Both men had purple eyes and wore nice clothes like nobles. Lefevre showed them around, then Reyer called, ,, Monsieur Lefevre, I am rehearsing! ,,

Lefevre didn't listen to composure and announced: ,, Monsieur Reyer, Madame Grady, ladies and gentlemen, thank you. May I have your attention, please? As you know, for some weeks there have been rumors of my imminent retirement. I can now tell you that these were all true and, er...it is my pleasure to introduce you to the two gentlemen who now own the Opera Populaire: Monsieur Schneizel vi Britannia and his brother Monsieur Clovis vi Britannia. ,,

Everyone applauded to welcome them and I joined them in applauding. I had bad feeling about new opera managers, who looked at show off Christine. Lefevre said as he looked at new mangers: ,, I'm sure you have read of their recent fortune amassed in the junk business.,,

Clovis corrected him: ,, Scrap metal, actually.,,

Schneizel said as he looked at everyone : ,, And we are deeply honored to introduce our new patron. ,,

Clovis called, before everyone applauded: ,, Suzako Kururugi !,,
As if he said it, young man with dark brown hair and green eyes walked over. I recognized him .It was Suzako and he was so handsome, that I blushed. Sophie looked at him and whispered to me and Ester: ,, It's Suzako . Before my father died...at the house by the sea...I guess you could say we were childhood sweethearts. He called me 'Little Sofia'. ,,

Ester whispered as she looked at her friend: ,, Sophie, he's so handsome! ,,

I smiled a bit, but my smile faded as I thought of Howl .He was kind and also handsome even if he scared me. What is wrong with me? Howl is my music teacher and friend. Pull yourself together and stop acting like love sick teenager! Oh, great. If this fight goes on, I will lose my mind.

Suzakowalked over and smiled as he said: ,, My parents and I are honored to support all the arts, especially the world renowned Opera Populaire. ,,

Of course Christine acted all showy towards Suzako to get his attention. Lefevre introduced her to the three men: ,, Kururugi, gentlemen, Signora Christine Ranshelli, our leading soprano for five seasons now.,,

She gave a curtsey as her maids cheered : ,, Brava! Brava! ,,

I turned away and rolled my eyes . Piangi cleared his throat as Lefevre introduced him: ,, And Signor Ubaldo Piangi. ,,

He gave a humble bow and Suzako said : ,, An honor, signor.,,

Lefevre saw me and smiled as he said : ,, We also have a new member in our chorus that arrived from Austria weeks ago. Kururugi, Miss Briana Bolcina ,,

I held my hand out and smiled as I said : ,, Pleased to meet you, monsieur Kururugi ,,

Suzako kissed the back of my hand and smiled as he said : ,, The pleasure is all mine, miss Bolcina . I believe I'm keeping you from your rehearsal. I will be here this evening to share your great triumph. ,,

Then he turned to Reyer and said: ,, My apologies, sir . ,,

He left as Reyer tried to cue in the musicians. Christine turned to her maids and sighed: ,, He love me. He love me. He love me, love me, love me. ,,

I rolled my eyes and said nothing. Shnizel said to Suzako: ,, Thank you, sir. Thank you indeed for the wonderful words, so inspiring and encouraging. Everyone's going to get great encouragement from that. We'll do our very best, I promise.,,

As Suzako walked past Sophie and Ester, Sophie bowed her head as she sighed sadly: ,, He wouldn't recognize me.,,

Ester looked at her and said : ,, He didn't see you. ,,

I joined my friends and said: ,, Maybe you will meet again. ,,

She smiled a little, then we started to dance as Madame Grady signaled us. We danced around as I heard Madame Grady say: ,, We take particular pride in the excellence of our ballets, monsieurs. ,,

Clovis looked at one of ballerinas as he said: ,, I see why. Especially that little brunette angel? ,,

Madame Grady said as she looked at her daughter: ,, My daughter: Ester Grady. ,,

Sophie danced her part as Schneizel pointed: ,,And that exceptional beauty? No relation, I trust? ,,

Madame Grady said as she looked at one of her ballerinas: ,, Sophie Hatter. Promising talent, Monsieur. Very promising. ,,

Clovis asked as he looked at Sophie: ,, Hatter did you say? No relation to the famous violinist and owner of hat shop? ,,

Madame Grady said as she looked at ballerinas: ,, His oldest child, orphaned at seven when she came here to live and train in the ballet dormitories. ,,

Schneizel asked as he looked at Sophie : ,, An orphan, you say?,,

The ballet mistress said as she looked at both managers: ,, I think of her as a daughter. Mademoiselle Bolcina is also like a daughter to me . ,,

Clovis said as he looked at me dancing: ,, She dances like a nymph . ,,

I did a few pirouettes and turns before I got into my place with the other girls for the dance. The chorus kept singing and we got into our places:

Hannibal's Friends!
The trumpeting elephant sound
Hear, Romans, now and tremble
Hark to their step on the ground
Hear the drums!
Hannibal comes!

One of the chorus girls accidentally stepped on Cristine's skirt, which made her complain: ,, Not on my dress! Why? ,,

A mechanical elephant came onto the stage, which was wheeled on for Piangi to get on. The trunk nearly smacked the fat tenor, but luckily missed and his helmet fell off as he tried to climb on it .The girls and I did the high kicks, a few pirouettes, and a half turn when we got on one knee in a graceful fashion. We all stayed in place as the song stopped playing. As we took a break, Christine ranted: ,, All they want is the dancing! They should listen to me! ,,

Lefevre said to the her: ,, Well, monsieur Kururugi is very excited about tonight's gala! ,,

Christine walked over and smirked: ,, Ah, ah-ha-ha. Allora, allora, allora. I hope he is as excited by dancing girls as your new managers because I WILL NOT BE SINGING! ,,

Then she turned away and called: ,, Adiamo, tutti! Get my doggie! Bring my doggie and my boxie! Bye-bye! ,,

A few of the chorus members gave waves for good riddance and I smiled as I thought of no more screeching singer. The new managers didn't know what to do, until Lefevre told them to grovel. Prima donna whined: ,, See you later, because I am going now! It is finished! ,,

Clovis came to her and said : ,, Principessa! Bella diva! ,,

Christine said as she moved on : ,, Si, si, si...,,

Schneizel added: ,, Goddess of song!,,

Prima dona said only : ,, Evello.,,

I thought a little : ,, Those two are nothing but butt-kissers. Howl, please get this show off bitch of the stage. ,,

Schneizel asked the composer : ,, Monsieur Reyer, isn't there a rather marvelous aria for Elissa in Act III of Hannibal?,,

Before he could get the answer ,Christine interrupted and complained: ,, Yes, yes, yes! Ma, no! Because I have not my costume ready for Act III! Because somebody did not-a finish it-a and I 'ate my hat! ,,

I held back a giggle, because she sounded funny and looked like spoiled little princess. She began to pull fake tears, then Schneizel said: ,, But I wonder, signora, as a personal favor, would you oblige us with a private rendition? Unless, of course, Monsieur Reyer objects...,,

Prima donna flattered herself as she said : ,, If my managers command. Monsieur Reyer? ,,

Reyer gave a sarcastic bow as he said: ,, If my diva commands. ,,

Christine said like she was a spoiled princess: ,, Yes, I do. ,,

She got back towards the stage and told everyone to be quiet. Clovis asked the manager why was he retiring and heard that the problem was health. It seemed to me that he just wanted to be away from spoiled prima donna. She turned to the chorus and managers as she said: ,, Shh, shh. You as well! You too, you stupid robin! ,,

I clenched my fists and prayed that Howl would teach the show off peacock a nice lesson. She spritzed some throat spray, gave it to one of her servants and said: ,, Maestro. ,,

The song began to play and Christine`s singing was horrible as usual. I noticed that both new managers were surprised, while maids who clean the Opera House put cotton balls in their ears. I had to cover my ears the third time and as I looked up, I saw a dark figure in the rafters undo some rope and had a backdrop fall towards Christine The girls screamed as it fall , one of the singers named Feliciano pulled me away and my friends moved away . Christine screamed as she got herself squashed. She was alive, but angry as she shouted: ,, Get this thing off me! ,,

Ester gasped as she looked around: ,, He's here, the Phantom of the Opera! ,,

I sighed and looked at rafters, but Howl disappeared. The managers and Piangi helped Christine up, then Lefevre shouted in anger: ,, Buquet! For God's sake, man, what's going on up there? ,,

I looked up and saw one of the stage members Joseph Buquet fix the rigging. He called as he pulled the rope and lifted the backdrop: ,, Please, monsieur, don't look at me! As God's my judge, I wasn't at my post. Please, monsieur, there's no one there. Or if there is, well then, it must be a ghost. ,,

I looked away and thought: ,, What a sick pervert. He is only interested in female naked body. ,,

After Christine was out, Clovis looked at angry prima donna as he said: ,, Signora, these things do happen.,,

Christine looked at them and yelled: ,, For the past three years, these things do 'appen! And did you stop them from happening? No! And you two, you're as bad as him! 'These things do 'appen!' Ma, ugh! Until you stop-a these things from 'appening, this thing does not 'appen! UBALDO, ADIAMO! BRING ME MY DOGGIE AND MY BOXIE! ,,

Piangi followed slowly and scoffed at the managers: ,, Amateurs. ,,

Christine still ranted and yelled like wet hen: ,, BYE-BYE AND CIAO! Now, you see! Bye-bye, I'm really leaving!,,

I tried not to laugh, but I started to laugh as show off prima donna stormed from stage . She looked so funny, that the whole chour almost died of laughter.