Wishing everyone a happy new year :) But we have another chapter :) YAY! :D Reviews are welcome as always :) They really make my day and reassures me I am doing something right with my writing :) As you know, any OCs are mine and lyrics you don't recognise also belong to me :) Anything else belongs to their respective owners :) Now on with the show!
Ange De Soi: Angel of Self
Chapter Nine: Wishing you Were Somehow Here Again...
Charlene's POV
I woke up the next morning, to find myself in my Angel's embrace. Did he stay beside me the entire night after I broke down?
"I'm so glad you're awake." A voice said gently.
"I'm sorry for being such a burden. I wish I was stronger." I said meekly.
"You are not a burden at all." Erik said passionately, as he tipped my chin a little to face him.
"But as much as it pains me to say this, you better go to rehearsals, before the managers or the Duke gets suspicious. Don't worry, I'll be nearby if it gets too much for you." He continued gently, which saddened me a little, as well as cause fear to grip my heart. Once I was freshened up and ready, we made our way up to the surface. I found myself in my dressing room, before bidding goodbye to Erik, and making my way to the stage area. Once I arrived, I saw row upon row of gilt chairs, as well as the chorus, Carlotta, Piangi, Christine and Meg present. I sat down between Meg and Christine, who gave me a music book, as the chorus began to rehearse.
"Hide your sword now, wounded knight! Your vainglorious gasconnade brought you to your final fight – for your pride, high price you've paid!" I then opened my mouth and rehearsed my part of the song.
"Silken couch and hay-filled barn – both have been his battlefield." However, I winced when I heard Piangi mangling Erik's music.
"Those who tangle with Don Juan..." Suddenly, Reyer stopped him, as he said impatiently.
"No, no, no! Chorus – rest, please. Don Juan, Signor Piangi – here is the phrase." Before demonstrating it:
"'Those who tangle with Don Juan...' If you please."
[Piangi]
Those who tangle with Don Juan...
Yet again I winced when he mangled it.
"His way is better. At least he make it sound like music!" Carlotta said to the others.
"Signora – would you speak that way in the presence of the composer?" Madame Giry asked.
"The composer is not here. And if he were here, I would..." Like she was at this point deaf to the implications of the remark.
"Are you certain of that, Signora...?" She asked ominously, cutting in to the conversation.
"So once again – after seven." Reyer said, before giving the note and counting in.
"Five, six, seven..."
[Piangi] Yet again singing it wrong.
Those who tangle with Don Juan...
I tried my best to block out the noise, as everyone started to either talk or practice the phrase simultaneously.
"Ah, più non posso! What does it matter what notes we sing?" Carlotta asked impatiently.
"Have patience, Signora." Madame Giry said gently.
"No-one will know if it is right, or if it is wrong. No-one will care if it is right, or if it is wrong." Carlotta said, before singing mockingly.
[Carlotta]
Those who tangle
With Don Juan!
[Piangi] Trying once again to sing it correctly.
Those who tan...tan...
"Is right?" He asked me curiously.
"Not quite Signor." Before I demonstrated to him.
[Me]
Those who tan...tan...
"Ladies... Signor Piangi...If you please..." I heard Reyer, as he attempted to restore order.
I watched as he thumped the piano keys impatiently, before leaving the piano, and attempting to attract attention using signals. It was at the height of this mayhem, that the piano suddenly started to demonstrate the music unaided. It played with great force and rhythm, as everyone fell silent and froze in place, before singing the piece robotically and accurately. I began to move away from the group, as they continued to sing.
[All except me]
Poor young maiden! For the thrill
On your tongue of stolen sweets
You will have to pay the bill –
Tangled in the winding sheets!
The singing became background, as I found myself singing transfixed, all alone backstage.
In sleep they sang to me,
In dreams they came,
Their voices call to me,
And call my name,
And do I dream again?
For now I find,
My parents are always there,
Watching over me.
Before I knew it, I found myself at the chapel, where Erik was waiting for me.
"You handled things so well, and you sang beautifully." He cooed gently, wrapping me in his embrace.
"It was you playing the piano wasn't it? But how did you do it?" I asked curiously.
"A magician never reveals their secrets. I came by the chapel, because I was wondering if you would like to visit the grave of your parents."
"I'd like that. But is it safe for you to be out in the open?" I replied quietly.
"Don't worry, I'll take you on Caesar, and it is beginning to get dark, so no-one will really notice me or my difference." He replied gently. After getting into mourning colours, before wrapping a cloak around my shoulders, we made our way to the stables. I looked nervously at the large black stallion, as the moon rose up into the sky.
"Don't worry, he is very gentle. He may look big and intimidating, but I trained him personally, and he will never hurt anyone, unless I tell him to." Erik said gently, as he placed a hand on the small of my back, causing me to suck in a breath. How could one touch from this man, send shivers down my spine? He then helped me onto his back, before climbing on gracefully behind me.
"Don't worry; I won't ever let you fall." He cooed gently, which caused me to relax a little. As we rode towards the cemetery, with Erik holding me gently around the waist, he asked curiously.
"I take it this is your first time riding a horse?" And I nodded in agreement. We soon arrived at the cemetery, and after Erik helped me down, we made our way to their grave. As we walked, I became lost to the world around me, as the words forming in my mind were released.
[Me]
You were once
My only companions...
You were all
I needed...
You were once
My only family –
Then fate took
You from me...
Wishing you were
Somehow here again...
Wishing you were
Somehow near...
Sometimes it seemed,
If I just wished,
Somehow you would
Be returned to me...
Wishing I could
Hear your voices again...
Knowing I
Never could...
Wishing for you
Won't help me to achieve
All that you wanted
Me to achieve...
Passing minutes
And changing seasons,
Passing by all
Too quickly,
Time appears
To be
A cruel master –
Your time came too soon.
Too many times
I wished I could be...
Sleeping by your side...
But why can't I
Be with you...?
Wishing you were
Somehow here again...
I know I have
To say goodbye...
I want to live...
Teach me to forgive...
Give me the strength
To forget...
No more remembering,
No more empty silence...
No more looking back
At the missing memories...
Please help me
Forget...
I fell to my knees in front of their grave, tears falling heavily down my cheeks. I felt someone wrap their arms around my shoulders, and I instinctively leant against their shoulder, as I recognised who it was. I then noticed a bunch of red roses residing on their grave.
"Did you bring them along?" I asked curiously, as I wiped the tears from my eyes.
"I thought you might want some flowers for the grave." He replied quietly, as he continued to hold me within his embrace. Before I could say anything further, I heard an almost-animalistic growl, coming from behind me. I turned around and breathed.
"You..." When I saw who it was coming towards us on a white steed.
"Let her go you monster!"
"He's not the monster Chevalier, you are!" I yelled angrily, not knowing where I got the courage from.
"You know what happens to those who disobey me." He said slowly, causing me to draw back warily. Suddenly, there was a high pitched whistle, and a moment later Caesar came bounding in, before rearing up threateningly at Chevalier. Erik suddenly lifted me onto Caesar's back, before climbing on himself, and riding off towards the exit. The last thing I heard, before we disappeared from sight was.
"So be it! Now let it be war upon you both!" I shivered when the opera house came into view, as I thought about the fate that was awaiting me there. The last thing I heard, as we made our way into the building was:
"I'll be with you tonight. Only love and music are forever..."