A/N: *We find Team Free Will including Bobby Singer, the Final Fantasy 7 Golden Trio with Zack and Cloud having a Hobbit Extended Edition and Lord of the Rings Extended Edition Movie Marathon in the main room of the Fanfiction Manor. Suddenly PG enters the front door.*
PG: Hey Guys! I've got good ne- *she is met with multiple weapons pointing at her. She blinks then looks at the Readers, deadpanning* Why this happens every time I get a hair cut I have no idea...
Genesis: W-well you've never come here without your long hair pulled up or hanging down. *puts away his weapon along with everyone else* You've never come in with your hair THAT short before.
PG: What? *runs a hand through her short hair* I like the Pixie Cut style and thought I'd try it out. It's easier to care for and my head feels lighter. Lots of people are saying I look like my mom. *shrugs* It's a complement.
Dean: *snorts* Yeah? Where did you get the money from? Your broke! Did ya take a leaf from my book and went the old 'credit card scam' way? *He's slapped on the back of the head by Sam*
PG: No. *sits on the loveseat, motioning the others to do so as well* The week before Opening Night of 'The Little Mermaid', which I move more set pieces then I thought I would and have finally gotten used to the quick costume changes, I got a call from the Manager of a nearby SUBWAY I placed an application in for. She wanted an interview and when I asked when she said, and I quote: 'How about Now?'
*eyebrows are raised as they all sit down. Genesis goes to sit in the loveseat with PG as both of them pull Sam to sit with them. He blushes but sits down, PG sitting in his lap and Genesis sits on the armrest.*
PG: I got Gussied up and headed there. She told me that usually her boss and her interview candidates separately but her boss was so impressed with my resume that they gave me the Job on the spot. *she is hugged and kissed by Sam and Genesis while everyone else congratulates her, Castiel proofing up a bottle of Champagne before, seeing PGs look, turns it into Sparkling Grape juice and bottles of nonalcoholic beer. The drinks were passed out and she continues, sipping her flute of juice.* We worked out my schedule around the Musical so I've officially only worked five days in total. A little over fifteen hours all together. My schedule is five to closing which goes to nine, ten or eleven at night depending on the day. I also got a call yesterday (7/26/2018) from the School Board Office telling me I also have the Job as a Substitute Bus Aid.
Zack: *whistles* Two Jobs in one month?
PG: *nods* Both with Benefits.
Castiel: *tilts his head a bit* Doesn't that mean you want have time to work on your stories anymore or come back here?
*Everybody freezes at that, and after a pause PG laughs.*
PG: I'm going to be a Substitute Aid, Cas. It means they'll call me if someone cannot make it to work. I'll work it out. I have mornings off during the Summer. And Megan, my manager, says the schedule can be worked out. The Bus Aid details I'll get on Monday.
*Everyone relaxes*
PG: Disclaimers Guys? Or should we just put them up on the screen and begin our Movie Marathon?
Everyone: The Second.
PG: *nods before turning to the Readers* Well, below are the Disclaimers. Please read them and Enjoy the Chapter!
-PhantomGirl17 DOES NOT own Phantom of the Opera it's plot characters or otherwise, only her OC Rosie.
-A bucket of water has been set aside for ANY AND ALL FLAMERS! Any who avoid the bucket will be escorted out by Team Free Will, The Final Fantasy Seven Golden Trio, Zack Fair, Cloud Strife and any others currently living in the Fanfiction Manor.
-Any Questions, Comments and Reviews can be PMed to her or left in the Review Box below.
Eight:
"So tell me Rosie, how did you come to work at the Palais Garnier?"
I sat up in my chair and put my spoon down beside my soup bowl. We were in a restaurant, one I wouldn't have been able to afford by a Long Shot if the Vicomte wasn't with me, eating the soup course of the Five-Star, Five Course meal. It was a cold soup from what I understood and we had a small amuse bouche (a sort of 'before the first course' food) of a Garden Pea and Mint Lollipop (which was unusual for me but tasted fine) with a vintage red rose wine before this. Afterwards, would come an hors d'euvre, the entrée (the appetizer/starter), a releve, a salad, the main course, a deservir and a cheese course last.
"Well, I'm honestly still not sure what happened. I was standing on the stage of the local theater back home when it all went black. I was told I was found on the steps with a fever. I was given a job when I awoke three days later."
"You were found by the man who you commissioned the violin for.' I nodded. 'He was also the one to help you gain a job at the Opera Populaire, correct? You seem to have quite an affection for him." He gave me a knowing look.
I shook my head sadly. "He has a girl he wants to court. He said he was going to speak to her about it tonight. I'm friends with this girl and I fear she will break his heart because she already loves another."
Our topic turned to lighter things when the next course came. After dinner on the carriage ride home he asked me another question. "Have you gotten into contact with your family? Any letters or unexpected visits?"
I felt my smile drop and my eyes sadden as I shook my head. "Rien, monsieur le Vicomte. Rien de tout. Même de mon frère."
The carriage stopped in front of the opera house but neither of us made to get out. "Well then,' Raoul spoke up, placing a hand on his chin in a thinking pose. 'I suppose it is now my job to watch out for you.' He chuckled at my shocked face as he climbed out of the carriage and helped me out, leading me up to the door. 'We've met each other many times already and you've left me impressed. In the short time I have known you, I have come to care for you. As an older brother would a little sister."
I licked my lips before slowly looking up at him. "Monsieur le Vic..."
"Raoul, please. I wish for you to call me by my name."
I nodded. "I will. Thank you for the wonderful evening, Vico- I mean Raoul. I had an amazing time, despite the sad talks."
As we stood there on the steps facing each other, an odd feeling came over me. One I haven't felt in almost a year. Familial Love. I smiled as he placed his palms on my cheeks, his fingers brushing my ears, and he kissed my forehead.
"~No more talk of sorrow,
Forget your wide-eyed fears.
I'm here,
Nothing will harm you-
My words will warm and calm you.
Rosie, let me be your freedom,
Let me calm your fears.
I'm here,
With you, beside you,
To guard you and to guide you.
Rosie,
Dear Rosie...~"
"Rosie..."
A chill went through the air as his head snapped up and he pulled me close. I gasped and shivered as I realized I wasn't the only one who heard His voice.
"Whose there?" Raoul called out.
There was no answer and I wasn't expecting one. Sighing, I stepped away. "Bonne nuit, Raoul."
He smiled and kissed the top of my head. "Faites de beaux rêves, petite soeur."
He walked back to the carriage and I watched as it drove off. I smiled a bit before heading inside. I had to use the front way as the back way steps were being repaired. I had to pass through a 'common room' to reach my room this way and I didn't like it because, this late at night, drunk stagehands would wander in and try to feel up the ballet girls.
It seemed not to be my night as I walked in to find Joseph Bouquet in the center of the room telling tales and horror stories of what he 'saw' when he encountered the Opera Ghost to the girls. I rolled my eyes and tried to make my way past.
"~Like yellow parchment is his skin.
A great black hole
Served as the nose that...
Never grew.
You must be always on your guard,' He held up a rope he had tied into a noose.
'Or he will catch you
With his magical lasso!~"
I gasped as the rope was suddenly around my waist and I was pulled into his chest. I tired getting away, but that only seemed to encourage him.
"You won't escape me for long, little Ashputtel."
I stiffened and trembled at his words as he pressed himself against me, pressed his nose into my hair and let his free hand start to wander under my dress. It was a relief when Madame Giry pulled the rope off me and gently pushed me away from him. Reaching the door to the hall where my room was I turned when I heard her turn to Bouquet, speaking both to him and the girls.
"~Those who speak of what they know
Find, too late, that prudent silence is wise.
Joseph Bouquet, hold your tongue!~'
Everyone gasped as she slapped him, placed the noose around his neck and tightened it.
'Keep your hand at the level of your eyes!"
I saw many put their hands to their throats wide eyed before I slipped out and rushed to my room.
THE NEXT MORNING
I woke early the next morning to a knock at my door. Getting up, I put on my robe and went to the door. A letter and a small note was taped to my door. The note was from the doorman that said the letter was for me, delivered by a well dressed Footman. Opening the letter, I was surprised to find two letters within it: the first from Raoul, thanking me for joining him for dinner and the second from his mother, inviting me to dinner in a few weeks to formally meet the one her youngest son claimed as a sister.
I smiled and sat at my vanity to write the reply. As I was waiting for the ink to dry on the letter and the address on the envelope, I heard the loud sounds of an Organ being played with furious concentration. Standing, I walked over to the mirror, stood on my tip toes to flip the switch to open the passage, and followed the music while avoiding the traps.
I arrived at the edge of the lake just in time to see Erik, sitting at the organ, pause in his playing to write and hear the Music Box play Masquerade. I saw Christine open the door and come out of the room he commissioned for her, half awake. There was a room prepared for me as well, a few doors down, for whenever I feel homesick and don't want anyone to bother me. I partially hid around the corner and watched everything.
"~I remember there was mist,
swirling mist upon a vast, glassy lake.
There were candles all around
And on the lake there was a boat,
And in the boat there was a man.'
My breath caught in my throat as I watched her approach the only man in the room.
'Who was that shape in the shadows?
Whose is the face in the mask?~"
Three times. Three time she reaches for his mask, he turns, almost catching her once. I held my breath for each attempt. On the third she succeeds, causing Erik to scream, spring up and round on her furiously. She clearly sees his face bare of his mask. I do not, turning to press my back against the wall so as not to invade his privacy as I told him to show me his face only if/when he wants to. I placed my fist in my mouth, shut my eyes tight hearing the sound of candelabras crashing to the floor, his boots pounding the ground in a furious stride and his voice, furiously and madly shouting at her.
"~Damn you!
You little prying Pandora!
You little demon is this what you wanted to see?
Curse you!
You little lying Delilah!
You little viper! Now you cannot ever be free!'
I wince as another candelabra hits the floor and see some candles fall, some roll towards me and others roll into the lake.
'Damn you.
Curse you.'
There was a pause. Heavy breathing. Quiet, terrified sobbing. I opened my eyes and peeked around the corner to see Erik with his back to me and his hand over half of his face. He was looking out over the lake, seemingly trying to calm down.
'Stranger than you dreamt it
Can you even dare to look or
Bear to think of me: this loathsome gargoyle,
Who burns in hell, but secretly
Yearns for heaven, secretly. secretly.
But Christine...'
He turned to the girl, kneeling and partially crawling over to her while she curled up into herself.
'Fear can turn to love
You'll learn to see, to find the man
Behind the monster: this. repulsive carcass,
Who seems a beast, but secretly
Dreams of beauty, secretly. secretly.~ Oh, Christine."
I watched as Erik turned away from her and cried silently at the pain he was feeling at this betrayal of his privacy. I stood as Christine handed him his mask and returned to my room hearing Erik speak behind me.
"Come we must return those two fools who run my theatre will be missing you."
I quickly got dressed, and placed the letter in the envelope, sealing it before placing it into my apron pocket to give to the doorman later. After a quick breakfast of cinnamon and brown sugar oatmeal and milk, I was given my list of chores and was surprised to see I had a new chore: cleaning the Managers office as the last person who did it retired late last night at the last second.
Shrugging, I grabbed my broom, feather duster and dustpan and headed to the office. I heard rigorous laughter from within and when I got closer I saw Monsieur Firmin holding the paper and laughing. Knocking on the door, I got his attention and announced I was here to clean. He nodded in acceptance and I began to clean, taking care to also organize some of the papers that Monsieur Lefevre left unfinished when he left.
I saw Firmin nod at what I was doing before returning to read the paper and laughing again.
"~-"Mystery after gala night,"
It says, "Mystery of soprano's flight!"
"Mystified baffled Sûreté say,
We are mystified we suspect foul play!"-'
He lowered the paper and threw his hands up in lassitude.
'-Bad news on soprano scene
First Carlotta, now Christine!
Still,-'
He shrugs before smirking at me.
'-At least the seats get sold
Gossip's worth its weight in gold.-~"
He kissed the paper and I, having never really liked Firmin and preferred André, frown at him and mutter, 'Bad Form, Bad Business.' under my breath.
"~-"Diva Tenders Resignation!"
"Cover Does a Moonlight Flit!"
Half your cast disappears, but the crowd still cheers!
Opera!
To hell with Gluck and Handel –
Have a scandal and your sure to have a hit!-"
I shook my head again and move to Monsieur André's desk to organize his papers as Firmin goes to stand behind his. Andre then burst in, in quite a temper.
"·Damnable!
Will they all walk out?
This is damnable!·"
Firmin placed a hand to his head.
"-André, please don't shout.
It's publicity!
And the take is vast!
Free publicity!-"
"·But we have no cast!·"
Firmin picked up the mail on his desk while stating calmly to his partner.
"-But André, have you seen the queue?-'
He pauses when he finds two letters from the Phantom.
'-Oh, it seems you've got one too.-"
He handed the letter addressed to André to the man and he opens it curiously.
"·Dear André what a charming gala! Christine enjoyed a great success! We were hardly bereft when Carlotta left -otherwise the chorus was entrancing, but the dancing was a lamentable mess!·~"
André looks at me and I shrugged. "Even an Armature to the Opera business knows the ballet girls could have done better." He nodded in agreement as Firmin read his.
"~-Dear Firmin, just a brief reminder: my salary has not been paid. Send it care of the ghost, by return of post. P.T.O.:-' he flipped the note over. '-No-one likes a debtor, so it's better if my orders are obeyed!-"
The two men leaned against their desks while I continued cleaning, ridding the office of one rather stubborn cobweb.
"*Who would have the gall to send this?
Someone with a puerile brain!*"
Firmin examined letters closely before stating, as well as pointing. "-These are both signed "O.G.".-"
"·Who the hell is he?·~"
I cleared my throat. When they look over at me, I shrug and says simply, "Opera Ghost."
Firmin frowns at me, quite unamused. "~-It's really not amusing!-"
"·He's abusing our position!·"
"-In addition he wants money!-"
"·He's a funny sort of specter.·"
"*To expect a large retainer!
Nothing plainer-
He is clearly quite insane!*" they both exclaim together.
They are interrupted by the arrival of Raoul, who brandishes another note.
"Where are they?"
André turns to him confused. "·Who do you mean?·"
"Miss Hollins?"
"Here." I spoke raising my hand a bit. Raoul looked at me and calms down a bit but then turns to Firmin.
"And Miss Daaé -where is she?"
"-Well, how should we know?-"
"I want an answer!'
He brandishes the note in his hand.
'I take it that you sent me this note?"
Firmin looked confused while André denied it. "-What's all this nonsense?-"
"·Of course not!·"
"-Don't look at us!-"
Raoul furrowed his brows. "She's not with you, then?"
I shook my head. "No, sir."
"·We're in the dark.·" André added.
"Monsieurs, don't argue-
Isn't this the letter you wrote?"
"-And what is it, that we're meant to have wrote?-~' Raoul, André and I look at Firmin simultaneously. Realizing his mistake he corrects himself. 'Written!"
Raoul hands the note to André, who reads it.
"·Do not fear for Miss Daaé and Miss Hollins. The Angel of Music has them under his wing. Make no attempt to see Miss Daaé again.·"
The Managers look mystified and I was shocked, hearing Erik wrote about me to Raoul.
"Well, if you didn't write it, who did?" He turned to me to ask but...
Carlotta burst in with Piangi hot on her heels, knocking me down as she passes. Raoul catches me and helps me straiten out as the Diva screeched.
"~^Where is he?^"
"·Ah, welcome back!·" André said gleefully.
"^Your precious patron-^' she spat out. '^Where is he?^"
Raoul looked at me and rolled his eyes at the Italian before stepping forward. "What is it now?"
She spun towards him. "^I have your letter-^' she held up said letter he supposedlysent to her. '^A letter which I rather resent!^"
Firmin turned to Raoul and asked. "-And did you send it?-"
"Of course not!"
"^You didn't send it?^" Carlotta asked seriously.
"Of course not!"
She held out the letter and spat out. "^You dare to tell me,
That this is not the letter you sent?!^"
"And what is it that I'm meant to have sent?~"
Raoul takes the letter and I look at it over his shoulder.
"It's not your handwriting."
The toad spun towards me. "And how do you know that, Little Mouse?"
I pull out Raoul's letter to me from the pocket of her apron and shows it's signed by the Vicomte de Cheney. "This is his handwriting. He took me to dinner last night as Christine "left" before he returned to escort her to dinner. I was with him all night and all we did was dine at a rather nice restaurant before escorting me back. I saw Christine briefly, but she was gone when I turned around. Oh!' I pulled out my reply and handed it to the man. 'Please give this to your mother and tell her I'd be delighted to come over for dinner sometime."
Raoul nodded, placing the letter in his pocket before he read Carlotta's note aloud.
"Your days at the Opera Populaire are numbered. Christine Daaé will be singing on your behalf tonight. Be prepared for a great misfortune, should you attempt to take her place. And please, no more insulting Miss Hollins. She is a sweet girl and under my protection. And insult to her honor shall be retaliated back full force."
I blush and Raoul turns to me with a question in his eyes. The Managers look at all four notes together and sigh, truly beginning to tire of the intrigue.
"~*Far too many notes for my taste-
And most of them about Christine!
All we've heard since we came is Miss Daaé's name.*"
A bang had us turning to see Madame Giry with her cane in hand at the door with Meg behind her.
"/Miss Daaé has returned.\"
"-No worse for wear as far as we're concerned.-" Firmin stated dryly.
André frowns to Firmin before turning back to the Ballet Mistress and asked. "·Where precisely is she now?·"
"/I thought it best she was alone.\"
"\She needed rest./~" Her daughter said stepping forward.
I looked worried. "Is she hurt?"
Madame Giry shook her head while Meg said, "A few bruises, like she was pushed down onto a stone floor, but nothing major." I nodded in relief.
"~May I see her?" Raoul asked stepping towards them but Madame Giry lifted a hand.
"/No, monsieur, she will see no-one.\"
"_^Will she sing? Will she sing?^_" Carlotta and Piangi asked at the same time.
"/Here,\' she brandished from her pocket... '/I have a note.\~"
"Let me see it!" Almost everyone exclaimed before Firmin interrupted and reached to take it. "Please!"
I, however, take it. "Allow me, monsieurs.' I clear my throat and start to read. 'Gentlemen, I have now sent you several notes of the most amiable nature, detailing how my theatre is to be run. You have not followed my instructions. I shall give you one last chance..."
"~Christine Daaé has returned to you, and I am anxious her career should progress. In the new production of "Il Muto", you will therefore cast Carlotta as the Pageboy, and put Miss Daaé in the role of Countess. The role which Miss Daaé plays calls for charm and appeal. The role of the Pageboy is silent -which makes my casting, in a word ideal.~
I shall watch the performance from my normal seat in Box Five, which will be kept empty for me. Should these commands be ignored, a disaster beyond your imagination will occur."
"I remain, Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, O.G."
[A/N: I debated ending the Chapter here, but I wrote most of this in an hour and I was on a roll!]
"~^Christine!^" Carlotta cried in outrage.
"·Whatever next?·" André asked throwing his hands in the air.
"^It's all a ploy to help Christine!^"
"-This is insane.-" Firmin said grabbing the letter from my hands and ripping it to shreds along with the others signed O.G.
"^I know who sent this:^' Carlotta cried pointing an accusing finger to Raoul.
'^The Vicomte -her lover!^"
Sneering ironically, Raoul spoke. "Indeed?' He turned to me and the others. 'Can you believe this?"
"·Signora!·' André cried in protest.
'·This changes nothing!·"
"^O traditori! O mentitori!^"
"-Signora!-" Firmin cried.
"·You are our star!·" André insisted, moving closer to her, allowing me to step over and sweep up the pieces of ripped paper into my dustpan. I would turn them into puzzles and repair them later.
"-And always will be!-"
"·Signora.·"
"-The man is mad!-"
"·We don't take orders!·~"
"Miss Daaé will be playing the Pageboy-' Firmin announced loudly to the room causing us all to pause in whatever we were doing and look at him. 'the silent role."
"Carlotta will be playing the lead!" Both Managers announced.
I stood and asked, "Are you sure that's wise, Monsieurs? After the success Christine had last night, people will be expecting more shows starring her."
They seem to consider this but Carlotta, seeing the attention was no longer on her, started waxing melodramatically in her usual way.
"~^It's useless trying to appease me!
You're only saying this to please me!
Signori, Š vero?^"
She turned to Piangi who took her hands in his and sang with her.
"_^Non, non, non voglio udire!
Lasciatemi morire!
O padre mio!
Dio!^_"
"/Who scorn his word,
Beware to those.\' Giry sang warningly
'/The angel sees,
The angel knows.\"
"^You have rebuked me!^" Carlotta yelled almost hitting me with her purse as she swung it at the two men.
"*Signora, pardon us.*" The were groveling now.
"^You have replaced me!^"
"*Please, Signora, we beseech you!*"
"/This hour shall see
Your darkest fears.\" Madame Giry began again.
"I must see her."
"^Abbandonata!
Deseredata!
O, sventurata!^"
"/The angel knows,
The angel hears.\" Giry finished.
"Where did she go?"
"^Abbandonata!
Disgraziata!^"
"*Signora, sing for us!
Don't be a martyr.*" The Managers exclaimed.
"#What new surprises lie in store?#" Raoul, Meg and Madame Giry asked.
"*Our star!*" the Managers insisted.
"^Non vo' cantar!^~"
I roll my eyes again as the two men continued to suck up to Carlotta.
"Your public needs you!" André insisted.
"We need you, too!" Firmin added.
"Would you not rather have your precious little ingénue?" She asked unassuaged.
"Signora, no! ~*The world wants you!*"
The Managers adopted their most persuasive attitudes and I rolled my eyes and muttered, "No it doesn't." Meg, Raoul and Madame Giry seemed to hear me and the first two snickered while Madame Giry's lips twitched.
"*Prima donna
First lady of the stage!
Your devotees
Are on their knees
To implore you!*"
"·Can you bow out
When they're shouting your name?·" André asked while Firmin showered her with flowers, chocolates and sweets.
"-Think of how they all adore you!-"
"*Prima donna,
Enchant us once again!*"
"·Think of your muse.·"
"-And of the queues
Round the theatre!-"
"*Can you deny us
The triumph in store?
Sing, prima donna,
Once more!*"
I went back to cleaning and ignored the song. Don't get me wrong, I love the song itself. But when your living it like I was at the moment and actually met the characters and not the actors, you get kind of annoyed with how much sucking up the managers do.
"*Surely there'll be further scenes-
worse than this!*"
Looking to the four who were not paying attention to the toad I noticed four things.
Madame Giry was warning. "/Think, before-\"
Raoul was firm in his decision. "I must see these-"
Meg was worried. "\If his threats and-/"
Piangi was finally standing up to defend his lover. "_Just make sure those-_"
"#Demands are rejected!#"
"*Who'd believe a diva
Happy to relieve
A chorus girl,
Who's gone and slept
With the patron?
Raoul and the soubrette,
Entwined in love's duet!
Although he may demur,
He must have been with her!*"
"Christine must be protected!"
"^O, fortunata!
Non ancor abbandonata!^"
"*You'd never get away
With all this in a play,
But if it's loudly sung
And in a foreign tongue
It's just the sort of story
Audiences adore,
In fact a perfect opera!*"
"/This is a game you cannot hope to win!\" Madame Giry insisted.
I bit my lip as shivered as I felt eyes on me. I looked around but saw no one was looking at me and now knew Erik was watching. "And now-"
"/For, if-\"
"\But if-/"
"/\His Curse is on this Opera./\" I felt his gaze disappear and I breathed easier but I was still worried. I would go down when I finished work and talk with Erik to see if some sort of agreement could be made between the Managers and Him before someone gets hurt.
"#Prima donna
The world is at your feet!
A nation waits,
And how it hates
To be cheated!
Light up the stage
With that age old rapport!
Sing, prima donna,
Once more!#"
[A/N: I also debated ending it here, but I had what is written after this short note already written and finished so I decided to put it in this chapter!]
~Time Skip~
~Narrator's POV~
"Erik? Are you here?" Rosie knocked on a wooden post Erik placed at the entrance to the path leading from his home to her room. Receiving no answer, she walked in and wandered towards his library/study. She found him pacing furiously in front of the fire. His desk nearby was scattered with papers, drips of wax and quills and fountain pens.
"Erik?"
He turned to her and she held in a flinch at the anger in his eyes. They softened looking at her.
"Rosie.' He came over and kissed her forehead, which shocked her. 'I'm sorry I haven't spoken to you sooner. How was your night about town?"
Rosie blinked out of the short daze she was in and smiled. "It was wonderful! I was invited to dinner with a friend and apparently I've impressed him so much, he believes me to be a younger sister of sorts and his mother wants to meet me for dinner."
He frowned and gripped her shoulders. "Are you sure he's not using you? You are a bit naïve about the world and the wiles of Men."
She pulled away from him. "That may be, but I know Raoul would never-"
"You were with the Vicomte?!"
"He only took me out to dinner and brought me back home. I was going to talk to you but Bouquet was in the common room telling stories about you and-"
"Did he touch you?" his voice became harsh.
She didn't speak but shook her head. He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "My day is getting better and better!' he said sarcastically heading over to the desk. 'First this morning with Christine, and don't think I didn't know you were hiding in the shadows then, then the Fools refusing my demands and now I learn My Lily Rose is having dinner with Pompous Fop and almost gets raped by that INSOLENT, Drunken Bastard!"
He starts organizing the papers, trying to calm down. Rosie felt her nose twitched a bit before she spoke up.
"Erik, both you and the Managers, Monsieur Andre, I think, more then Monsieur Firmin, want what's best for this place. You'll have to come to an agreement of some sort somehow! And forgive me for saying this, but...' she hesitated. 'Christine is new to the Prima Donna scene. She might be ready to take Carlotta's place but is she ready for the pressures and trials that go with it?"
He continued arranging papers on his desk, only stopping when she started to sing.
"~When the days are cold
And the cards all fold
And the saints we see
Are all made of gold...'
She placed her hand on his shoulder.
'When your dreams all fail
And the ones we hail
Are the worst of all
And the blood's run stale..."
He shook his head, ran a hand through his hair and clenching his fists.
"I wanna hide the truth..."
He then turned to Rosie.
"I wanna shelter you..."
He touched his mask looking away.
"But with the beast inside..."
"There's nowhere we can hide!"
He looked back up at her.
"No matter what we breed,
We still are made of greed!"
She replied about the Managers, but he shook his head again and stood, turning to her fully.
"This is my kingdom come,
This is my kingdom come
When you feel my heat,
Look into my eyes,
It's where my demons hide!
It's where my demons hide!
Don't get too close,
It's dark inside!
It's where my demons hide!"
He had gotten closer to her with every step.
"It's where your demons hide!"
He seemed to back off but he held his hand in front of her face before swiping it to the side.
"At the curtain's call
Is the last of all
When the lights fade out
All the sinners crawl."
Rosie, slowly, reached out and brushed his mask.
"So they dug your grave
And the masquerade
Will come calling out
At the mess you've made...'
He grabbed her wrist tightly, his anger showing.
'Don't wanna let you down!"
"But I am Hell bound!"
She shook her head.
"Though this is all for you,"
"Don't wanna hide the truth!"
She tried to get him to release her but he held on tighter.
"No matter what we breed,
We still are made of greed...
This is my kingdom come..."
"This is my kingdom come!'
He pushed her back.
'When you feel my heat,
Look into my eyes,
It's where my demons hide!
It's where my demons hide!
Don't get too close,
It's dark inside!
It's where my demons hide..."
"It's where your demons hide!'
Rosie straitened and slowly edged closer to him.
'They say it's what you make,
I say it's up to fate!
It's woven in my soul,
I'll never let you go!"
He seemed to calm down a bit and brushed her cheek with the tips of his fingers.
"Your eyes, they shine so bright,
I wanna save that light!"
She shook my head at him, taking his face in her hands.
"We can't escape this now..."
"UNLESS YOU SHOW ME HOW!"
He pushed her away and for one slow, painful moment they both ended up hurt.
Once she sat up from the floor, rubbing the elbow she landed on and wincing at the tingling from an unfunny funny bone, she saw that in her hand was his mask. Rosie slowly looked up and saw his face for the first time. Have you ever seen the 'Dark Knight' and their version of Two-Face? Imagine that but no burns, the skin over his mouth and around his eye is twisted, his skull can be seen clearly and some of it was missing, revealing a tiny portion of his brilliant mind. And unlike in other stories you may read about the man, he was not wearing a wig.
He looked at this insolent girl quite angrily and looked like he was about to bust a blood vessel. As he came closer to her, eyes full of anger, he saw her try to move away. It was then he remembered...
~Flashback~
"You are afraid of me."
"Not of you. Of your temper. The only way I would fear you is if you give me a reason to."
~End Flashback~
He came to himself and calmed down. He kneeled down in front of her and his face saddened when he saw her flinch from his touch. He took her hand and pulled it to his lips. She began to cry.
"When you/I feel my/your heat,
Look into my/your eyes
It's where my/your demons hide!
It's where my/your demons hide!"
"Don't get too close
It's dark inside
It's where my demons hide..."
She reached out and touched his deformed face.
"It's where my/your demons hide!~"
He pulled her into a hug.