"One last announcement before I allow this celebration to officially start, I would like to introduce you our new patron… Count Lucas Alard"
A patron? And also a count?!, his rage suddenly increased as he remembered Raoul and how he took his beloved Christine away from him. How he had charmed her away but only saw her once she sang while he had seen her grow.
His eyes landed on the man and then at Morgana as they looked at each other. One hand turned into a fist and started to shake as he tried to take deep breaths. He couldn't understand why he cared so much.
What if the count wins her over? What does it matter? He was handsome and young and rich… Before he knew it, he found himself storming off through the passageways and down to his lair, unable to think.
How he hated that once his eyes had landed on a woman when his heart had started to beat and a small hope started to exist it was then when a handsome count would show up. Angry he sat in front of his organ and let his anger being taken upon the keys.
He still hadn't composed nor he could yet but he did find it effective to take his anger on his beloved organ than on his cave. He had broken too many stuff and he had spilt too much ink during one of his outburst.
Two weeks after the grand opening and the Opera was back on track. Every night it was a full house and after it a smaller this time celebration between the cast members and a few rich men.
Then, the production stopped as Christmas arrived and then, of course, they had to prepare for the masquerade of the New Year Celebration.
Even until the night of the masquerade, Opera Populaire was filled with music and dances; alcohol and many gossips on ballerinas and sponsors. Everyone was having fun, everyone but a lonely Phantom that had locked himself inside his lair.
However, despite battling with his inner demons, the sudden news and the voice of his nightingale that echoed throughout the Opera; he had made a plan. He wouldn't let the count win this time.
Oh no, this time he would play his cards better.
Morgana and Arthurian were in the former's room. Dressed already in their costumes and simply chatting about the latter's trip.
"I cannot believe you are leaving in 2 days, Rian"
"Well, Mor, I have to you know. But I will be back for sure. This place is so much fun and the gossip and the wine"
The two women laughed when there was a knock at the door before Meg walked into the room.
"Meg! Oh, you look beautiful!", the dirty blond woman said and motioned with her finger for the ballerina to do a twist around herself.
She was dressed in a beautiful ballerina costume from reproduction the Swan Lake. Her skirt was fluffy and barely covering her rear, high white stockings, a long sleeved white tight shirt with the exposed collarbone.
A plan white masked with fake white feathers at the side was on her right hand and she used it to hide the blush on her cheeks from the comment.
"Both of you look stunning as well", she replied as the two friends stood up and did a circle around themselves.
Morgana wore a strapless purple corset with black plant veins on the front and lace around the chest, finishing with a black ribbon in the middle. At the bottom, a black skirt was connected to it.
The back was longer than the front but the said front had a second layer of transparent black lace and exposed her long legs. Three black ribbons were at the front of her waist and she wore black tall socks and closed toe shoes.
Her hair was braided at the left side, starting from her temple and led all the way to the left side where the rest of them fall on her shoulder and stopped right after her chest in length.
Arthurian wore a similar corset only at the colours of green and black and with much less lace and exposed shoulders but long sleeved. She had a black long skirt, ankle length which had also a second layer of lace above it.
Her hair was split in half and each one was braided into circular buns above her ear, giving her a more old English style.
"I do not like the hair though honestly", the shorter Irish said and pointed at Meg's simply hairstyle of half up and half down that she usually wore. "I know. Come here, Meg. I will make u a princess"
Hesitantly, the dancer walked towards the older women and she was pushed to sit on the chair in front of the mirror before having her ribbon being pulled gently away, allowing her hair to fall free on her back.
"Relax Meg. Rian is the best when it comes to hair", she said and gave a reassuring smile as the said woman massage Meg's scalp and combed the blond hair with her fingers.
"I need a song to give me inspirit-", before Rian could finish her sentence, her face light up as the perfect song came into her mind and looked at her friend with a smirk.
"Oh dear. I know that smirk"
"Come on! It will be fun, plus it will feel like home"
"Rian-"
"Please, Mor. For your dear friend who has to leave"
Morgana was hit by blue-green puppy eyes and she found herself smiling and leaving a deep sigh. "Very well", she said and looked at Meg who was confused beyond the point. "You just relax and enjoy this so Irish song"
The blond nodded as the two older women started to tap their shoes on the ground, creating a sort of music, a beat to help them.
(M: Morgana, A: Arthurian, D: Duet)
D: Tonight we're going to meet some lads. As girls who dressed up gaily
And we'll be dancing till the dawn. We're going to the Céili
*Meg observed as the two women kept tapping their shoes, while Riana had started already to braid some of her hair while signing*
The ones they come from miles around. From Venice and from
To show us all their fancy steps. We're going to the Céili
*As the braiding continued, Meg found her own fit tapping at the beat while Morgana was passing flowers to Arthurian*
They're playing tunes on everything. From pipes to ukulele
It sounds so good you can't sit down. We're dancing At The Céili
M: All the boys we love so well. So handsome, young and charming
They're in New York and Boston now. They should be home here farming
My own true love has sailed away. To be an endless rover
Cause times are tough and he will save. To start a new life over
A: He writes me letters every week. To say how much he's slavin'
And he promises that he'll be back. Before the hay needs savin'
But it's hard to love somebody. That you're not in touch with daily
So I'm looking for somebody new. Tonight down At The Céili
*the braid was finished and Rian leaned on Meg's shoulder as she sang and motioned for her to look at the mirror. However, the two of them moved away and did a few spins and Meg couldn't help but advert her eyes on them instead.*
M: The winter nights are long and hard. And time goes by so slowly
I wish my true love he was here. And in his arms I'd go
He'd whisper tender words of love to me. And kiss my lips so sweetly
And quickly I'd surrender to. His manly charms completely
D: He writes me letters every week. To say how much he's slavin'
And he promises that he'll be back. Before the hay needs savin'
But it's hard to love somebody. That you're not in touch with daily
So I'm looking for somebody new. Tonight down At The Céili
So I'm looking for somebody new. Tonight down At The Céili
*the two women connected arms and started to dance in a circle, their feet beating and dancing to the rhythm of the song while smiling. They grabbed Meg and put her in the middle as the tree of them started to dance, Meg slowly trying to follow their jumping steps*
*Suddenly Morgana spins and head towards the window but not before she grabs a rose and holds it in her arms as she slowed down her dancing*
M: I only need someone tonight. Who'll make my heart beat fast
A handsome man with loving eyes. Who smiles as he walks past
The harp may play in old time worlds. He'll twirl me round the floor
He'll promise me that I will be. His girl forevermore
His girl forevermore. His girl forevermore
He'll promise me that I will be. His girl forevermore
*eyes closed, she danced but her slow song was interrupted by the loud blond who jumped in front of her and started to sing*
A: I'm somewhat ill and bothered. That is really quite alarming
I have to lads pursuing me. And each of them is charming
One of them is dark and poor. One pale with lots of money
I don't know which one to choose. The flowered or the funny
D: What on earth am I to do. It's driving me half-crazy
Tonight I'll make my mind up. When I see them At The Céili
*the two women, next to each other, dance a little*
M: To be a poor man's wife will be. A life of washing dishes
When a rich man's wife will surely have. Great luxury and riches
A: In comfort how I know. It wouldn't be too hard to wallow
But being poor is that much fun. Which one should I follow?
D: What on earth am I to do. It's driving me half-crazy
Tonight I'll make my mind up. When I see them At The Céili
*once again Meg is trapped between the two women as they dance the Irish way, slowly she follows thanks to Morgana's lessons. The three of them laugh and smile*
A: I've been lucky I've found a lad who's handsome and a neighbor
M: And me I've met a decent man who's friendship I will savor
A: And me I've made my choice as well and in no way was it easy. But I'd rather have a man for love
Then to be a rich man's lady
D: And that is how the story ends. Be true and never fail me
We got ourselves three men tonight. And we met them at the Céili
*finishing the lyrics, the two women started to dance faster, in circles and in a couple. Meg laughed and clapped her hands in rhythm as she sat at one of the two beds while her friends kept dancing*
The women stopped, panting heavily and looked at each other before all burst out laughing.
Deartháir = brother
Deirfiúr = sister
Máthair = mother
Athair = father
Luch = mouse
Stook -=idiot/fool
