A/N: Well I got two new reviewers, which I seriously did not expect. I really didn't like that last chapter, like at all. So I decided to update sooner rather than later, in fear that I would lose all of you lovely people. So please forgive me for the literary blunder that was last chapter... I am ashamed. Thank you so much to everyone who reads, even if you don't review. Although I would like to tell you that I do have it set so that you can review without an account, so don't let that dissuade you. Coming at you now is the much anticipated (by me) performance of Il Muto as well as the culmination of Erik's plan.
Amber: I look forward to it because you are such a dear :) You stroke my ego more than I deserve lol. I'm glad that you like the story :) By the way how is the puppy I sent you? Potty trained, I hope... here are some virtual treats for the little guy :)
Stechpalme:Hahahaha brownie points go to you as well! I'm really glad that you reviewed, because it makes me happy (also I shamelessly use my basset hounds to beg for votes, don't worry it works out well for them as well). Yeah I figured that if I had a lake, then I would totally utilize it, but he has alligators. Unfortunately for him that means no swimming (unfortunately for us, that includes skinny dipping), so I figured a leisurely float would do. Thank you so much for the review, I'm glad you like the story, and I absolutely love hearing from readers :) This story partially goes out to you 3
Endor Solo: Thank you! I agree, I love those songs, especially Learn to be Lonely :) And yeah, I really wanted to catch the human side of Erik, especially when the movie really pretty much focuses on the beast bit. thank you so much for reading and especially for reviewing :) I love to hear from you!
Markirs: As you wish, sir :)
Bable7: You are too kind, I don't deserve it hahaha. And yes indeed I did, nice catch. See that's the down side of writing in the middle of the night, you don't feel a whole lot of motivation to proof read... my bad. Thank you for reading and I really appreciate the review, this chapter goes out to you as well. Thanks for reading, and I hope to hear from you again soon!
Il Muto
Christine grimaced inwardly as she leaned forward to 'kiss' Carlotta behind her fan. She found it hard to go to a silent role after being Elissa in Hannibal, but who was she to question her managers? As she thought this, Carlotta turned towards the audience and began to screech as usual.
Poor fool, he makes me laugh
Ha ha ha ha ha
It's time I tried to get a better, better half!
As Carlotta sang, a black gloved hand moved towards the tray that was usually protected by one of Carlotta's harpies. Fortunately said harpy was occupied by the men's chorus at the moment, so Erik removed the bottle of throat serum and replaced it with a dehydrant of his own creation. It would slowly steal the moisture from her throat, making singing (if you could call it that) impossible, but first he had to give her an excuse to lubricate her voice. Erik hurried up to the very top of the auditorium, up on the ledge that was used to clean the ceiling mural. He took a deep breath into his diaphragm before projecting his voice to fill the entire theater.
"Did I not instruct you to cast Miss Daae? Were you not informed of my salary and seating arrangements? This will not stand, monsieurs!"
"It's him, Eri-The Phantom!" Christine whispered to herself, careful to avoid saying his name. It sent a thrill through her whole body just to hear his voice again, angered on her behalf. She could barely repress her smile.
"Your part iz zilent, littel toad!" Carlotta said in a scathing voice, contempt clear on her face, With that, she filled her hair, whipping Christine's face in the precess, and stalked away with barely a glance back.
Hearing that, Erik swept through a small door and into the inner workings of the Opera House. He heard Monsieur Reyes state that the show would begin again in a moment, and hurried even more so that he could witness his plan in action. He watched from the flies as Carlotta moved towards the wings and sprayed copious amounts of dehydrant into her mouth. He sprayed maybe 6 or 7 shots and Erik smiled at her overkill, it was a bad idea to spray that much lubricant to begin with. The woman was hardly the professional she thought that she was. Carlotta strutted back towards center stage as Erik watched from above and positioned himself in just the right place.
"Maestro, I am read-ey to begin," said Carlotta with her nose in the air.
Serefimo, away with this pretense
You cannot speak, but kiss me in my CROAK!
Carlotta sharply shut her mouth in shock, looking around nervously she tried to gauge whether it had been as bad as it had sounded to her. All of the other actors, as well as the audience members whose facial features she could make out, were staring at her in disbelief. Laughing in an attempt to assuage the audience's, as well as her own, fear Carlotta began to sing once again.
Poor fool he makes me laugh
Ha ha ha ha ha
She started out normally and felt her fear lessen by a fraction, perhaps she had simply hit a wrong note, that happened sometimes, even to the best performers which clearly I am... she thought to herself for reassurance.
It's time I tried to CROAK!
As Carlotta was singing this last line, Erik pushed a can of green paint over the edge of the hanging wooden walkway above. It went crashing to the stage below, missing Carlotta by a centimeter. Its contents however, cascaded around her, covering every inch of her face and upper torso before running down the rest of her body in rivulets. The singing she had just done had given the dehydrant enough time to take full effect, so even as she screamed, all that came out was a croak.
CROAK! CROAK! CROAK! CROOOOAAAAK!
Every 'croak' became more and more desperate, as she tried to turn the noises into speech.
"Perhaps it is you who are the toad, madame!" Erik projected once again, laughing darkly afterward. He then worked his way to the outside of the building to put the final touch to his warning.
"Firmin! What are we to do? You were so concerned with Carlotta's feelings before now, you insisted we cast her, what do you think of that plan now? If this keeps up, no one will want to work here for fear of that damned specter!" Andre said in a frenzy. Firmin looked over at Andre in exasperation, he always panics, always I swear you'd think that the world was ending if the man didn't cheese on his sandwich! he thought to himself. Taking a deep breath, he tried to calm Andre
"Gilles, just think of all the money we'll make! Yes, Carlotta will be upset, but I doubt she would be willing to give up the lime light forever, and if she did we have Miss Daae as a back up. We will be fine, Andre, never forget that the arts will never be at a want for hopefuls to fill roles. This is little more than a publicity stunt."
Firmin led Andre to the door of Carlotta's suite, where sobbing could be heard from down the hall, and knocked politely. An attendant opened the door and immediately granted access. The site they saw was almost funny, if circumstances had been different. Carlotta was whirling through the room in a fury, she had smears of green on her face where she had attempted to wipe the green away and her hair was dripping green tinted water onto the white robe she wore. She was screaming and crying as she moved throughout the room, throwing clothing and furniture alike. No one was safe from her wrath, even the two dogs that huddled in the corner had to skitter away from the occasional flying shoe or petticoat. Carlotta was displaying Olympian-like strength which gave Firmin a little twinge of nervousness. Deciding on preventative measures, he pusher Andre through the door first. "Er, Signora-" Andre began before getting cut off.
"No, you do no talk to me! You two let zhis 'appen! "Enjoy going bankrupt, because I weell no' be zinging! Get out, get out now. Zhis is ze last dat you weel be zeeing of me!" Carlotta stormed before slamming the door in both of their faces. Realizing defeat, at least for tonight, the two men turned away from the door and looked with dread on the groveling that they knew would be accompanying the morning. Walking out the front door, Andre turned around and looked back at the Opera House in an attempt to process the events of the night.
"Dear God, Firmin, look." Andre said in a low voice. Turning around, Firmin's eyes immediately went to the life size promotional poster for Il Muto. The image of Carlotta had been meticulously painted green, not going outside of the line once and the caption underneath read "The Opera Populaire presents: Il Muto starring: La Carlotta* The Croaker. The last words were written in a flowing script that was all too familiar to the two managers, all that was missing was the grinning red skull and the signature O.G.
*The undeline means that is was crossed out. grrrr stupid formating (or lack thereof) on this site!
A/N: Is it short? Yes. Are you angry at me? Hopefully not... I figure that this guy is allowed to be a little short seeing as he's coming sooner than is per usual. As always, please review, because I squeal when you do and that leads to the ever entertaining conversation in which I explain to strangers that I am not dying and that both my physical and mental health are in perfect order. Also if you do, my dogs get treats, would you deny a dog a treat? (If so, then you're heartless!) I do not own any of this, except the paint bit.. if you recognize something, then it ain't mine. It is currently 2:44 AM, I think it'll be interesting to just let you guys know the time from now on... so there you go. I hope you guys like this so far, please let me know. Lots of reviews = a nice long chapter that has lots of emotional confusion and eventually clarification (which always means angst). Dear Lord, I just begged twice... I'm going to bed before this situation deteriorates. Good night, everyone.