Disclaimer: I own nothing Phantom or phantom related. My only claim is over the original characters created and used in this story, and my own additional plot.
Alright, so confession time. That was certainly a lot longer than a few days before this portion of the story was up. I apologize for that. Apparently I am turning out to be one of the worst updaters yet. Don't know how many people read this Author's Note but I've got a few treats for you all to make up for it. Extra little tid bits.
I have recently drawn pictures of the whole Deviant cast, as well as some individual pictures of Aideen and Brig. I am in the process of coloring them in Photoshop as we speak and will have them up shortly. If you wish to check them out, my deviantart account is where you can find them. Unfortunately, fanfic. net isn't allowing me to post the link. I'll try to figure out a way to post it and then put a note of what the link is, but for those who are more computer savvy than me, my account on deviantart is LaVieBoheme18. Yes, I am a Renthead. And if you know a way for me to get a link posted without fanfic. net blocking it out, let me know. Those pictures should be up soon.
Now for my thanks of the past reviews:
GhostlyWail: Welcome to the story, and thank you for the compliment. And gotta tell you, I understand the length of the back story is a little irritating. In truth, I just couldn't find a way to make the rest of the story comprehensible without it. The good news, we are pulling away from back story now and about to enter Opera stage.
Ashleigh711: Hey Ash, I'm glad you're still enjoying this story. Long time to update, but good to know you stick around.
Skekitot: Glad to be back, and no worries, there is an Erik approaching.
AngelicFlutist: Hey, glad to see you're still around. Sorry about the lateness, again. Still, thanks for understanding, and for the record, yes, I'm doing a lot better. I hope this chapter helps make this story coming back to.
DarkRose666:Thanks for the welcome back, and yea, I'm returned. Sorry about the wait, really lost my own hype there. Oh well though, here's what I got. I hope you enjoy.
Icelands: Glad you are still around. And thanks for being so understanding. So yea, I took a long time to update and for that I am sorry, but I'm here, and back. I hope this was worth the wait.
fictionreader: Thanks! I'm glad you've enjoyed this story. I appreciate the time you've taken to read it. I hope this update was worth the long, long wait. Thanks for reviewing.
Alright, thats all I have to say for now. I hope you all enjoy the story, and remember, if you want to see my pictures of the Deviants, check my deviantart link in a day or two. Enjoy friends!
-N. Shadow
Inferno
By Nuria Shadow
Book One: The Deviant Carnival
Chapter Seven: Arrangements (PART TWO)
The morning Monsieur Poligny received the red note, he was certain that his prayers had been heard.
It had been hand delivered to his office at the Opera Populaire by the oddest acting person of color; a woman who bizarrely seemed to cackle chronically under her breath at every little notion. Out of politeness he had tipped the woman before sending her on her way, but surprisingly the jackal stood fast. When asked her intentions she would simply laugh before flatly demanding an immediate response. Poligny, being so taken back by the woman's animalistic laughter, hadn't thought to refuse such a swift demand. Instead he fell into the fine fabric of his best office chair, tore loose the shapeless black seal, and began to read the scribbled ink laced upon blood red paper.
What Poligny read he wasn't quite certain he could believe. At first he had acted appalled, dubbing the letters contents a ghastly lie. He denied the existence of such a notion entirely. Childish he had said, childish that one would believe is such a silly thing as a ghost. However, the woman seemed not in the least daunted by his act. She stated simply that her employer had a solution to his... problem. After that she snickered her way out of his office, taking with her his uncertain response while Poligny was left with his thoughts.
Truthfully, Poligny had had no intention of going anywhere that day. The Populaire was experiencing problems once more as they prepared for their coming performance of 'Faust'. Props had gone missing, pages from scores had simply been torn out, and all the costumes had completely vanished. Not to mention there monthly allowance was due to be paid. In all he couldn't afford to leave that day. Still somehow that afternoon Poligny found himself seated on the shaded patio of La Pourpre Vigne, awaiting the appearance of his mysterious caller.
The second rate cafe was dank and gloomy, overshadowed by the taller and more sophisticated structures built up around it. The décor was simple, unartistic slosh. The table cloths were heavily stained. The floors were coated in a thick dust that Poligny was certain was permanently stuck to the tiling. In all it was a disaster of a meeting place. To his relief, the patio at least supplied fresh air and the cafe offered a passable Chardonnay.
Still, Poligny wasn't quite certain why he was at this excuse for fine dining, sipping on hardly fermented wine to meet a radical stranger. The idea was all so deranged. A ghost hunter is what the letter suggested he would be meeting, a poacher of the supernatural. Normally Poligny would have scoffed at the thought, but after the things he had seen in the past few years he was just about willing to take anything. In all honesty, Poligny had become a very desperate man. And so he waited at the cafe, ignoring his duties for a solution to his spectral problem.
He had waited for a good half hour before his guests arrived. Three people had entered onto the shaded patio: a tall, lengthy woman with odd zigzagged hair; a shorter, voluptuous woman with fiery red curls; and a dark, trim man with vibrant jade eyes. All three held an air about them that seemed to swarm with some unseen oddity, a sensation that both compelled and alarmed Poligny. An unusual sort, he surmised as he tipped his head in acknowledgment of their presence. The man alone nodded back. Jade eyes had turned to his female companions then and whispered something before making his way to the table. The females remained at the threshold, silently watching them from afar.
He approached smoothly, a gentleman in black, offered his hand out to Poligny on meeting. "Monsieur Poligny," The man greeted, smiling pleasantly beneath the line of a groomed mustache, "Please forgive my lateness. People in our position must be discreet in our travels."
Poligny shook the man's hand, firmly taking hold so as to present his status, "I have no doubt. Please, have a seat, uh, Monsieur...?"
"I prefer to remain anonymous," The man said with a polite smile as he took the chair opposite Poligny, "My line of work, you understand."
"Oh... of course," Poligny responded politely. It doesn't matter anyways, I won't be hiring them for their names. A trembling hand loosened his collar as he cleared his throat and continued, gesturing to the two woman watching them from afar, "Will your associates be joining us?"
"Momentarily," The man said casually, "I wish to discuss our terms first before I involve my staff."
Getting right to it I see. "Of course," Poligny breathed before continuing in a lighter, more conversational voice, "I must say, you're intentions do perplex me. I was surprised to receive contact from... a ghost hunter. Many don't take our little problem literally enough to express such interests. How did you hear of it?"
The jade eyed man smiled slightly behind his mustache, "It is hardly a well kept secret Monsieur. And as for my interests, lets just say, I am a collector of sorts."
Poligny nodded but remained quiet, half expecting the stranger to continue with his explanation. Oddly, the man didn't. He remained silently staring at Poligny, his odd eyes seemingly stripping him of his stature. Poligny sighed hard and took a quick sip of his bitter wine, gathering his nerves so to ask in as much a business fashion as he could, "So, let's get down to it shall we? You're letter clearly explained your knowledge of our Opera Ghost and your hopes to... well..."
"Capture him," The man replied in a short, matter of fact sort of way.
"Ah, yes, capture him. Now forgive me Monsieur, but I am curious. How exactly do you intend on capturing a ghost? It is my understanding that such apparitions-"
"Because what you have is not a ghost Monsieur Poligny," The man interrupted as he leaned forward and placed his hand firmly on the table, "What you have is an abnormal, living being. Now you have every right to fear him; although this man is not of the spiritual realm that does not make him any less dangerous. But the thing that resides in your Opera is very much alive. And very easily attainable."
"I think you may find that less true once you enter my Opera sir," Poligny sighed, staring for a moment into the depths of his wine before stating grimly, "There is much mystery in that place. One can easily get lost in the winding halls, or drowned in the darkness. And our ghost is no silent apparition. I have heard him myself, a voice without a body whispering in the night. Of course, after we received his list of... requirements, well, I knew that some shrew blackmailer was trying to victimize me. I said I wasn't going to give in to his hoax like my partner has, but... denying him only seems to incur his wrath. He keeps my staff in a constant state of unrest, he disrupts productions, and there have been more than one violent occurrence. He is terrorizing us. His demands are costing us thousands, and if they are not met then indescribable horrors pursue. And to make matters worse, no one has been able to stop him. Behind the curtain, the theater is his domain. It is a perfect world to hide in."
Surprisingly his guest only scoffed, "My people are perfectly capable of navigating hidden worlds. Trust me Monsieur, there is nothing in your Opera that my staff have not seen."
"How is that possible?" Poligny said, leaning in slightly as he shifted his gaze between the man and his companions in the distance.
The jade eyed man followed Poligny's view and seemed to hiss almost as if it were a warning, "I'm afraid, that is another of the things I must keep anonymous Monsieur."
"Ah," Poligny slumped a little before turning his attention fully upon his guest once more. Inside a part of him cringed under the weight of the man's gaze. The man was not horrid to look at, in fact he was a rather handsome fellow, but those eyes had a spine tingling effect. They seemed to stare right through to every shameful secret underneath. Nervously Poligny tried to retain his air of control, folding his hands neatly in his lap as he inquired, "Well... have you had much experience in this sort of thing?"
"Oh yes," The man nodded, resting casually into his seat, "In fact, most of my team are the result of my success." A proud smile spread beneath his mustache, clearly displaying the man's unusual vanity in such a fact.
Poligny on the other hand was not as impressed by this statement. "What?" He muttered, almost choking on the shock, "You... you staff these spirits?"
"Yes," The man stated, almost in a way as if to ask Poligny 'you don't'? The man smiled broader before continuing in that same measured tone, "I told you Monsieur, this is no ghost. It is a man, a very... unique man." The corners of his lips twitched a little as his smile slipped into a more mischievous grin.
Poligny's eyes narrowed. This man was clearly not playing with a full deck of cards. "Believe what you wish," He said, simply ignoring the man's odd preferences, "But whatever is in the Populaire is no man. Men do not vanish into thin air."
Surprisingly the mans smile only seemed to deepen. That look of knowing crossed his eyes once more, but as before he only diverted, "I'm sure there is much to be discovered within your Opera House and I assure you we will get to the bottom of it. But, might I suggest we return to settlements?"
"Very well," Poligny sighed. Now comes the inevitable fraud. Poligny brought his folded hands atop the table and cleared his throat uneasily, "How...how much? I'm willing to pay a good sum for his capture, but I have you know, I am not a man of endless funds."
"Oh no sir, you mistake me," The man replied, looking earnestly surprised, "We have no need of your money."
Poligny's mouth momentarily fell open in shock, "No... no money? Well what then? What do you expect to gain from this?"
The man smirked, "A ghost Monsieur." He adjusted in his chair, straightening his dark suit as he almost apathetically stated, "Make no mistake, we will not be doing this for you, or for your money, or your precious Opera House. What we are after is far more valuable. Simply stated sir, you have an unusual problem, and as I said earlier, I am a collector of unusual things." He smiled inwardly and then leaned forward, staring Poligny straight in the eye. His tone turned to a one of strict business and he stated confidently, "Allow two of my staff to reside in your Opera, give them insignificant jobs, poor housing, pretend they aren't there. Allow them to blend with your team so that they may search the Populaire in secrecy. One month Monsieur, three max, and I promise you, your ghost will be gone."
Poligny nodded, partially pleased. Still, he tried to haggle and groaned, "Months? That is quite a bit longer than I had hoped this operation would take. Are you certa-"
The man cut him off however with a quick snap, "This is a delicate process Monsieur. It can not be completed in a day." The man ran a hand roughly across his brow before sighing, "Act in haste and we could miss our opportunity completely, of which then you can count on having a ghost for as long as the Populaire stands."
Poligny frowned, "Well what could possibly take that long? What is your process?"
"Also," The man said, dropping his eyes to the table in a nearly uncomfortable fashion, "Something we can not reveal, Monsieur."
Poligny took the moment of discomfort to gain back his confidence. He straightened his posture and cleared his throat, taking back his air of manager before he began to object, "So let me see if I have this correctly. You expect me to allow two total strangers, doing God knows what, to run ramped in my Opera, on the whim that you will capture a violent spirit, without sharing with me credentials, a plan, or even your name?"
"Yes," The man replied flatly, "Unless of course, you have better means of dispatching the problem." Poligny froze and for a second the two of them came eye to eye. They stared for some time, silently sizing each other up, until the jade eyed man suddenly stood. Poligny habitually jumped, startled by the mans rapid movement, but to his greatest surprise, the man straightened his suit as if he meant to leave.
"You could perhaps try a seance, or a priest," The man said, smiling mockingly at Poligny as he aimlessly shifted the fedora upon his head, "Although I can guarantee you that the only thing they will leave your Opera with are your francs."
Poligny watched him, questioning the man's motives with his eyes. He was quiet too long though because soon the man began to gather himself to go. "Wait," Poligny heard himself say, even before he had the time to think his words over. The man paused and lowered his eyes curiously upon Poligny. For a second Poligny fidgeted in doubt, but he didn't allow himself to dwell on it too long. The man was right, what other opportunities would he get? "If..." Poligny stammered, "If you turn out to be petty thieves, I swear to you-"
The man scoffed loudly, "Please, the only thing of value in that pretentious theater is your ghost."
Poligny stared at the man skeptically, "So that's it? I house your people, ignore them, allow them free range, and you rid me of my nuisance? All without pay?" The man nodded in response, and Poligny sighed a small sigh of relief before asking lastly, "And if it doesn't work?"
The man calmly replied, "Then we shall leave, without a cent."
"And... that's all?"
"That's all."
"And the catch?"
"Monsieur, it is only your ghost we want. I assure you, nothing, and I mean nothing, else is of greater importance to me."
The men held their gaze. Now was his final moment. Poligny could barely believe his luck. After all the torture and all the fear, he would finally be rid of his tormenter and without a single cent spent. He could barely hide his excitement, but still something didn't seem right. It was all far too easy. Even so, Poligny was no fool; he knew this chance would not come again, and if he refused, this man looked like the type who would force his way into what he wanted. This man desperately wanted his ghost. Poligny sighed and tapped the table nervously, coming to his decision. Surprisingly, the words slipped easier out of his mouth than he expected, and Poligny nodded, "Very well."
The man sat back down with him then, settling back into the conversation. "Very well," The man repeated with a smile, and then turning his attention off to the distance, the man waved to his two female companions in a 'come hither' sort of fashion.
Poligny watched as the two attractive females approached. Like a gentleman, he stood when the women reached the table. He had moved to pull out their chairs, but both of the women coldly refused the gracious action with a cold shake of the head. Poligny was slightly puzzled but sat back down, settling back into his chair as the women seated themselves.
Once settled, the jade eyed man introduced his beautiful companions, gesturing to them as he stated, "Monsieur Poligny, my associates, Aideen Shaw and Brigitte Anderson."
The red head nodded her acknowledgment, but the zigzagged woman bluntly stated in what Poligny noted as an American accent, "I prefer Brig."
Poligny smiled and nodded politely at them both, "A pleasure to meet you Mademoiselle's. Aideen and Brig, unusual names. Are they your birth names?"
Aideen and Brig exchanged glances, but the red head confirmed it by sighing, "Aye."
Poligny eyed her, noting the clear Scottish accent before the jade eyed man dragged his attention again. He smiled at his two companions and then stated casually to Poligny, "Considering you'll be spending a greater deal of time with them, we decided keeping their names would lesson the chance of a mixup."
"Ah, yes," Poligny laughed pleasantly, seconds before what the man had said hit him. What? Poligny exchanged a confused gaze between the three strangers."Wait...," Poligny stared hard at the three of them, trying to read their facial expressions in hopes that they were joking, "Are... are these the agents you plan to send after my ghost? But, shouldn't someone more... qualified be handling this problem?"
From across the table, Brig had crossed her tan arms over her chest and scoffed rudely, "You aren't going to get much more qualified than us."
Poligny frowned at the woman, "Mademoiselle, I mean no offense, but it is just...you are such fragile creatures and our ghost is an extremely dangerous one."
Poligny saw both women visibly stiffen, both turning an evil eye upon him. Of course, the jade eyed man stepped in before any more could be said. "My ladies," He said sternly, his voice aggressively trying to make his point, "are fully capable of handling this particular situation, Monsieur. They are the best; they will be the most likely to succeed. They both have extensive experience in luring the unusual."
But women? "But...what of their covers?" Poligny said, trying his best to come up with a plausible but discreet excuse, "There are not many positions open in the Populaire for women without... gentler expertise."
"We've both got experience in many things," Brig stated, although her tone had a slight warning spark to it, "Building, cleaning, sowing... hurling large bolts of lightening at peoples heads."
Poligny blinked, "Pardon?"
"We're resourceful people," Aideen chimed in coolly, her grey eyes laying a hard gaze on him.
Like their master, these women held a sort of frightful air about them, the nature of people who had seen too much. They made a deathly shiver run up his spine, but Poligny was all too aware of what worse things were out there. "Well..." He finally sighed, saying slowly with uncertainty, "I suppose I could manage one of you a maids position, but as for the other... I'll have to come up with something. I hope you are as resourceful as you claim Mademoiselle's. The Opera Populaire is not a simple place to live. I expect you both to behave accordingly. Hmmm... housing might prove to be difficult."
"They'll manage with whatever you have to offer," The jade eyed man stated as a broad smile returned to his face. Poligny eyed all three, taking in the last moments before he sealed such a risky deal. He couldn't help but think of the consequences, and what would become of him and his Opera if the infamous O.G. were to discover his betrayal. Things would end badly for him if find out, and he could only imagine the repercussions if they failed. But despite all this, Poligny couldn't for the life of him see any other choice. He could no longer take the monsters torture; something had to be done, even if it meant hiring alleged ghost hunters. Finally, Poligny conceded, nodding slowly as the weight of it all settled in his stomach.
The man took that and with a smile he slipped a gloved hand into the inner folds of his coat. He withdrew from the black a rolled parchment, seemingly have the same texture of animal skin. It crinkled as he unrolled it and placed it before Poligny.
Poligny frowned at the old parchment, "What's this?"
"Our contract," The man said, spreading the parchment out flat so that Poligny could clearly see their exact agreement already sketched out in thick red text. The document was full prepared, holding every word they discussed to key. The only thing it was missing were their signatures. "Legal measures, you see," The man explained, "For securities sake. It is simply so that we have proof that you have agreed to allow my agents entrance into your Opera."
Poligny nodded. Being a man of business he could understand the need for documentation. Poligny gestured to take the parchment from the man, saying calmly, "I prefer to read this before I sign. Just to make certain I am not signing anything I wouldn't agree to."
"Go ahead," The man said, casually offering the parchment, "You will find everything in proper order."
And it was. Poligny couldn't find a single flaw. The agreement was written out in clear red letters, everything exactly as they had discussed, as if someone had been writing down their every word the whole time. It was peculiar; had the man really known every note they would discuss? It couldn't be possible. No one could predict the future. Poligny lifted his gaze to his three guests. Oddly, the two women had diverted their eyes, looking any place but the parchment, while their leader focused intently on it.
The jade eyed man got his hesitation though and quickly addressed it. "Is there a problem Monsieur?" His voice came out harsh, clearly noting the man's irritation in such sluggish finalities.
Poligny swallowed hard, becoming nervous once more under the mans terrible glare. "No...no, everything seems to be in order," He said, carefully handing the parchment back to the stranger.
"Of course it is," The man responded confidently, "All it lacks is your signature."
"Well, I have nothing to sign with now. Perhaps I can take the article with me back to my office. Sign it there and then-"
"We need no pens or ink for this parchment," The man snapped, his voice just as harsh as before. Poligny froze, giving the man the hundredth confused look of the day. The man however simply lifted an open palm to the man. "Your hand Monsieur," He said.
Poligny's face squinted, "What?"
"Give me your hand," The man responded, this time his voice practically demanding it.
Cautiously, Poligny obliged, offering his right hand out to the stranger. He expected nothing of it, perhaps only a hand shake would suffice, but before Poligny new what was happening the man had him by the wrist. He forced Poligny's hand over so that his palm faced the sky and gripped tight on his wrist, restraining him from moving. Within seconds the man had furnished one of the table knives, and before anything could be said, cut into the tender flesh of Poligny's palm.
Poligny had instantly released a blood curtailing scream. "What- what are you doing?" He shouted, struggling as he tried to pull his bleeding hand back, "Are you mad? Let go!"
The man ignored him. Instead he flipped Poligny's hand back over and forcefully pressed the bleeding wound to the crisp parchment. For a moment, there was nothing, just the heavy breathing of a terrified man, but seconds later a sound emerged. From beneath his palm there came the noise of suction and Poligny felt a pressure tugging at the cut on his hand, drinking from him. It only lasted long enough for Poligny to shout in terror before the jade eyed man released his hand.
Poligny instantly withdrew, bringing his bloody palm to him as his eyes stared wide at the parchment. Upon the paper there was the dark red stain of his fresh blood, slapped jaggedly across dried animal skin. The man reached out and began to roll up the parchment. For a second, Poligny could swear he could see the blood begin to move upon the parchment, slithering into shapes along the fabrics, but the man had pocketed the agreement before he could tell.
"Wha..." Poligny stuttered, his mind trying desperately to form words through the shock.
His guests did not wait to hear any further questions though; they had gotten what they had come for. In a moment the three had stood and gathered themselves. The women gave Poligny an empty smile before walking off without so much as a word. Their leader stayed only for a beat longer, adjusting himself casually as if nothing in the past moments had happened. "Pleasure doing business with you Monsieur Poligny," The jade eyed man said softly, tipping his hat to Poligny, "We'll be seeing you soon."
Poligny was left then with his injury and his thoughts once more, praying silently to God that he wasn't making a mistake.
