Disclaimer: I don't own these characters. Gaston Leroux, Andrew Lloyd Webber, etc own them. No copyright infringement intended. I'm just using these for fun.
Author's Note: My online friend, Nicolebsb from Neopets, created the character of Helene. All sections about Helene and thoughts, speech, etc. are all hers. I am writing the general stuff, plus Madame Giry, Meg, and Erik.
----------------------------------------------------------------
New Beginnings: Chapter Nine
After a few hours, Meg awoke. She hurried to get ready, putting on her best dress and then brushing her golden hair until it shined. She put on a bit of makeup and then surveyed herself in the mirror. Finally satisfied, Meg began gathering things to help for Helene. She paused, then thinking that it would be easier to bring Helene here. She left the things and hurried down to Helene's rooms. She quietly knocked, hoping Helene was awake. Helene's eyes darted to the door when she heard Meg knock. Jumping to her feet, she walked hurriedly to the door, opening it for Meg.
"Hello!" Helene said in a happy sort of mood, smiling at her friend.
"Hello!" Meg replied. "I hope you were able to relax. I finally got some sleep that I have been needing." She noticed that Helene was looking a bit anxious.
"I'm glad you got sleep," Helene answered. She knew Meg was trying to help her relax and get her mind off this afternoon.
"Here's what I propose, Helene. Let's go get some food, and then you can come back to my room and we can get ready. I have a dress for you and everything." Meg linked arms with Helene, and they made their way down the hall. Helene smiled when they linked arms. Helene thought about the suggestions. Meg seemed to be in a very good mood. Maybe Erik wasn't a bad man after all, or else, why would Meg be so happy when they were going to meet him soon?
"I have a wild idea. Let's go to this little cafe nearby. My treat." Meg looked at her friend, hoping for the affirmative. She had a bit of pocket money to spend and didn't get out very much. She hoped Helene would be up for it. The suggestion of a cafe made Helene pause in thought for a moment. She had never eaten out, before. Cafes were things she often couldn't afford.
"Are you sure you would want to pay?" Helene asked after a moment, looking over at her new friend. "I could pay you back when I get my paycheck," she offered, not wanting to be a freeloader.
"Absolutely. My treat. I insist. I haven't been out in ages, not since, well, Christine was here." Meg happily linked arms with Helene again, and the girls happily left the Opera House. They wandered down the Parisian streets, laughing and talking, just enjoying being outside in the fresh air. Meg led Helene into her favorite cafe, an old hangout of hers and Christine's. The thought of her best friend gave Meg a pang, but she knew that Christine was very happy, which Meg had always hoped for. They didn't get to meet as often as she wished, but Meg knew that their friendship was as strong as ever. They corresponded by letter several times a week as to not miss portions of each other's lives. Helene would never be a substitute for Christine, but Meg wouldn't want her to be; Helene was her own wonderful person, and Meg was happy to get to know her new friend.
The girls ate quickly, just enjoying their time together away from the Opera House. Meg was happy to be doing something else other than dance for once. They finished up and skipped back to the Opera House to get ready for the big meeting. Helene had had fun at the little cafe-like place Meg had taken her, even if she felt horribly bad about not paying for anything she had gotten. Not like she really could, anyway. Helene had almost no money, after all. The managers still hadn't given her her paycheck. She suspected they'd give it to her after the upcoming opera. Ah well. She really didn't need to buy anything anyhow. Having a good time laughing and talking with Meg, the two had set off to get prepared for the meeting with Helene and Meg's new teacher. The thought brought butterflies in poor Helene's stomach. They were off to meet a disfigured man living below the opera. What was there to be comfortable about? As usual, Helene feared the worst. Meg felt a small twinge of butterflies, but she pushed worrisome thoughts aside, knowing this meeting promised to be a productive one. She navigated her way to her rooms, opening the door and ushering Helene inside. Meg stopped for a moment, finally deciding to get Helene ready first.
"Here's what I'm thinking. Let's do your hair and make-up, then we can fit you for a dress," she said softly, her brain already spinning with ideas. First, the make-up. Helene had a tan complexion and freckles. She had amazing eyes, which Meg considered to be a wonderful feature. Meg pulled Helene over to the dressing mirror and faced her towards the light. "Trust me. Let me work my magic, and you'll look fabulous."
Helene found herself being attacked by brushes, make up, powder, etc. Meg had helped with enough stage makeup to know what would make Helene look lovely. She applied a light foundation and powder, making the skin tone a bit lighter. The tan was part of Helene, and Meg didn't want her looking like everyone else. She applied a loose powder highlighter over Helene's face and shoulders, the glitter glinting subtly in the light. Some light blush highlighted Helene's cheeks where Meg applied it. Meg looked at Helene's eyes, noting their light green color. Knowing that Helene herself would call them dull, Meg was determined to make them really pop out. She lightly lined them and applied mascara; just enough to create a dramatic effect, not enough to make Helene look like a silly clown. She grabbed her palette of eye shadows and applied some smoky grey tones with a darker brown to really enhance the eye. She finished by putting a light pink lip stain on Helene and then punching it up with a hint of gloss.
Meg stepped back to admire her artistry with the make-up, giggling to herself when she fleetingly thought she had missed her calling. Now for the hair. Helene's hair embodied a vibrant red color, which Meg knew she could use to her advantage. She stepped behind Helene and brushed the red hair until it shined. Helene yelped when Meg had to brush her hair, for it hadn't been brushed for a long while, and even when it was brushed, it still had awful knots hidden under the thick hair. Helene didn't really complain, though. It was still somewhat frizzy, so Meg broke out her hair balm, which smoothed all the crazy hairs. She lightly pulled the top of Helene's hair back with a pretty green ribbon and let the rest flow down her back.
Meg made her way over to her wardrobe. She searched through her dresses, finally finding an emerald green one she didn't use too much. She and Helene were about the same size, so Meg knew the dress would be an almost perfect fit. It would match the hair ribbon and pull out the green in Helene's eyes. Meg eyed Helene's slippers, deciding that they would suffice for the meeting. She handed the dress to Helene to put on and ushered the girl behind her changing screen. When Meg gave her the dress and instructed her to put it on, she did as she was told and went behind the changing veil.
Hurrying, Helene pulled her ratty, unflattering dress off and put the new, lovely green one on. Meg waited in anticipation for Helene to emerge. When she finally did, Meg was not disappointed. Gone was the messy girl who looked unsure of herself. In front of Meg stood a lovely girl, sure to make the heads turn of those around her. Meg excitedly clapped her hands with glee, noting Helene's disbelief at how lovely she looked, despite what Meg told her. Meg pulled Helene over to stand in front of the looking glass. As Helene walked back to the mirror, she found herself no different. She still doubted her looks, and she felt that Meg had just wasted time putting make up on a cow. Helene never did think highly of herself. Meg alone could see her quiet beauty, and Meg was determined to get this girl some confidence.
As Helene gazed at herself in the mirror, Meg put herself through the same treatment. She refreshed her makeup and brushed out her hair again, this time adding a blue ribbon to her golden hair and putting on a baby blue gown that accented her pale blue eyes. When she finished, she stood with Helene in front of the looking glass, the two girls creating quite a vision of beauty. Meg fluffed her hair one final time, grabbed her miscellaneous last-minute items and practically shoved a still-shocked Helene out the door. It was time to meet up with Madame Giry. Instead of whining about how ugly Helene thought herself, and how no amount of pretty things would make her pretty as well, she simply thanked Meg again and headed off with her to see Madame Giry once more.
Meanwhile, Madame had spent her luncheon lost in thought, a bit apprehensive about the meeting ahead of her. Meg was coming along nicely. What if Erik rejected her? Antoinette knew Meg couldn't take another rejection. And was it fair for her to do this to Erik? He had already been through so much. Was it fair to bring him two fresh proteges and ask him to put himself on the line again? Then again, maybe he needed that extra boost. She couldn't bear a world without the beauty of Erik's music. What about Helene? The poor girl was finally settling in, and with this new development, she wouldn't even know which was was up. Was it right to put her through this? Madame sighed, trying to push the questions away. She knew Meg was headstrong and would manage this with or without her. She also knew Helene needed guidance she couldn't give, especially if she was to be accepted at the Opera House. She heaved another sigh, then resolutely went to meet the girls. She would only follow her heart. The time for questions was over, and what would be would be.
Antoinette arrived in the room a bit early. She sat quietly, waiting. She knew Erik had received her letter and would be waiting. She tried to push all of her doubts out of her mind and focus on the postive. Since when had she become a worrier anyways? The mother-thing was kicking in again in full force. Antoinette willed herself to know all would be well.
Helene walked awkwardly, her hands folded in front of herself as she stared at the floor, fearing people would whisper how desperate she seemed to try to look beautiful. It was a stupid wish and one that would never happen. Tan, freckled, and awkward... Meg poked her friend and just gave her a look.
"Helene, you're beautiful! Believe me. You have no confidence, but we'll change that," she said confidently. She cracked a joke to get a smile on Helene's face. The girls broke up into laughter but soon grew quiet, their nerves and thoughts getting the better of them. Helene was afraid that no man would ever look upon her with any sort of desire or want, just laughter and mockery. She felt she was crazy to go and meet this stranger, fearing he wouldn't think any better of her than anyone else did.
Soon, Madame Giry heard footsteps and quiet laughter and then did a double-take when the girls entered. Helene had been transformed, and Antoinette saw her daughter giving a knowing smile. If Helene could transform her looks this dramatically, what else she could accomplish? Meg herself looked heartbreakingly lovely. Antoinette looked them both over with approval.
"Hello, my darlings. My, don't you look wonderful! This definitely exceeds my expectations. Now, I know we're all a bit nervous, but believe me, this is all for the best." She paused, letting everything sink in. "Erik is waiting. Do either of you have any last questions or comments before we go?" Meg shook her head in the negative. Helene was broken out of her sad thoughts when she just realized where she was and who was talking to her.
"No, Madame, I have no questions," Helene said quietly, starting to feel like this was a bad idea, once again. Helene still wondered exactly what Erik would be planning on teaching her, and, also, if he'd refuse to help her because of her looks. She feared he would say that she had no place in the Opera and that she ought to just go back to working in the stables, where the Irish scum belonged (even though, technically, Helene wasn't REALLY Irish). Helene stood in front of her friends, grasping her hands together and hoping for the best. What was to become of Helene? That was about to be decided in a matter of moments...
When the girls had no questions, Antoinette knew it was time to leave. Madame Giry led the way through the door, briefly glancing over her shoulder to see if the girls were following her. It was best to get things moving, as she could tell that Helene was growing tenser with every passing second. She stopped to light her torch, and then she followed the halls to a long forgotten corridor towards the back of the theater. She quietly checked the room around her, making sure they hadn't been followed. Satisfied, she slowly opened a decaying door to reveal a long, dank hallway. She ushered the girls in and quickly closed the door behind them. Meg's eyes were round with curiosity, silently taking in their surroundings. Antoinette took the lead again, carefully negotiating her way down the corridor. No one used this route anymore beside herself, so she was careful to spot anything that could cause injury to her young dancers. Cobwebs hung along the ceiling, and the flickering flames occasionally revealed a scuttling spider or other bug. Helene looked around the hall that Madame had lead them through. It looked sort of dusty and unused. Helene followed the group from the rear, finding herself surrounded by an old corridor that looked rotting and frightening. Helene never had found herself afraid of the dark, and even the insects that wandered about didn't much bother Helene. Her only fear was what was to come.
Helene followed after Madame Giry and Meg, still feeling rather nervous about the whole thing. She could only run images of this Erik man through her head, what she thought he'd look like. Maybe he was burned? Maybe that's what Madame had meant about being disfigured. She suspected him to be old; after all, Madame was aging, and she had said Erik was her old friend. Helene supposed she could handle someone with burns or maybe a disfigured face. After all, she had been raised in one of the poorest parts of Paris, and usually, there were a lot of rejects in those parts. Her father told her it was wrong to judge those who looked different, because they couldn't help it. Poor Helene had no idea about the intensity of Erik's disfigurement, though. She was completely unaware of what she was getting herself into. The only thing that was important to her was the man they were going to meet. Who would live in a place like this? Even though it didn't bother her at all, she knew it wasn't somewhere where a normal person would live. Helene's old apartment, where her father had lived, had been infested with rats and bugs. Now, it wasn't as bad as the stone corridor, of course, but Helene had still learned that little animals and bugs were more afraid of you than you were of them in her old home. After all, insects couldn't harm you. Not the ones in Paris, anyway. Rats, she was wary of, though.
Soon they reached a steep, spiraling staircase. Helene soon realized how steep the staircase was. She curiously looked down at the steps, wondering how old they were. It was getting chilly, but it wasn't unbearable. Following Madame and Meg, Helene looked around the huge space with interest. Madame Giry turned to the girls.
"Be careful, loves. It's very steep from here. We can't risk either of you getting hurt." She remembered her first trip down to Erik's sanctuary: it had frightened her almost to death. She gently gathered her long skirt as to not trip and crept down the staircase. After about fifteen minutes, the three reached the bottom without incident. The air had a definite chill, and Meg pulled her sweater tighter to her to keep warm.
They made their way down another set of corridors leading out to a small, peaceful lake. Helene's interest was spiked when they came across the lake, a few minutes later. Helene stared at it, a million questions popping in her always curious and active mind. What was a lake doing down here? What purpose did it hold? Where did the water come from? She nervously wondered if it ever flooded down there. Meg's eyes turned to her mothers, wondering how they would get across the lake. The last time she had been down here, they had taken a slightly more unorthodox method. Antoinette looked back at the girls.
"Just a moment. He will be coming for us." She whistled a birdcall, hauntingly beautiful. Now all they had to do was wait. Helene looked further up the water, but was unable to see anything, for it was too dark. She moved up, so she wasn't in back any longer. She wanted to see what her teacher would look like and how he would come across the lake. She felt her heart race. In a few moments, she'd meet the man who would decide her fate at the opera.
