The rehearsals started about an hour after they arrived at the stage. Cassandra was bored beyond belief by this time, but as the orchestra started warming up a smile grew on her friends face.

"What?"

"Oh, its just… I don't know something about an orchestra is so…beautiful."

"Why I can't believe it, my dear, perfect friend Jade is actually unable find the right words!" Cassandra inclined her head with a smirk upon her lips and put a hand dramatically to her chest.

"Oh and how remarkable! Irritating, darling Cassandra actually managed a smirk!"

"Don't call me Cassandra, its Cassie."

"Don't call me perfect, so now we are even."

"Sure you aren't; I would die to have your body Jay."

"Don't say that, it is always when someone says such things that something goes horribly wrong. And anyway you do not want to be me, for with this body comes many challenges, experiences and sights that you'll never want to see."

"I'm sure what ever you endured wasn't that bad."

Jade turned her head at her friend and glared.

"And I'm sure you do not know what you're talking about." Jade turned her head to the stage frustrated that her friend should assume something like that. Of course, as Jade thought on that Cassie didn't really know what was going on, so perhaps she had a right or she was at least justified for being peeved herself.

"Ok fine, I give in. Truce?" Cassie held out her hand and Jade put a dramatized serious face on and peered at her friend's hand as if speculating. Just when Cassie was getting tired of holding her hand out her friend clasped it in a firm shake.

"Truce." Jade looked back at the stage with a mischievous gaze and was glad to see the audition members filing onto the stage.

The first five were mediocre Jade knew they would get only small parts (they were all men for the other women would be in chorus for the opera only had one female role the rest were chorus). Finally someone interesting appeared on stage. He was tall with thick curly brown hair and blue doe eyes. He stood straight and was respectful to maestro, by his slight bow to him and a whispered "merci". And by Cassie's gushing attitude Jade figured he must be handsome, for she was not one to look at the looks. She was interested in how his voice would come out. If it turned out powerful he most likely would get the lead, Rigoletto. If it turned out rich, he would get the Duke.

But as it turned out his voice was neither one nor the other. It was powerful but sweet and sad. Strong without yielding, only to self-assurance, but confident with its rich tone.

"Oh, he's so handsome."

"His voice is very talented he'll go far." Jade peered at her friend whose eyes had not left the young man's face. "Why don't you introduce yourself? Or else you'll never get enough guts to do it." Cassie shook her head in fear.

"I couldn't."

Jade giggled quietly to herself. "Then I will." She got up and started to head for the stage where the young man was getting off, it took Cassie about a few seconds to realize she was serious and then ran after her. She grabbed her arm.

"Jade what do you think you are doing?"

"I'm getting your crush to ask you out to dinner."

"Oh, right like he is going to do that on a first…" At that moment the object of their argument walked up with a pleasant smile on his face.

"Mademoiselles? Were you coming here to talk to me?"

"As a matter in fact we…"

"We were just going." Cassie interrupted as she stepped in front of Jade and blushing a deep crimson.

"Ah, you must be Mademoiselle DeMonte's traveling companion. What is your name, I don't believe anyone has taken the responsibility of asking yet?"

Cassie nervously stepped forward. Her embarrassment not helping her situation.

"My name is Cassandra, Cassandra Johnson."

Jade smirked thinking of Cassie and her contradictions, but she smiled as the young man stepped forward with a smile. And as he lifted Cassie's hand from her side, Jade thought that he was over doing it a bit, when he leaned down and said what he said next.

"Pierre Dupree at your service mademoiselle."

The rest of the day was spent out and about the Opera House. Pierre was determined to show Cassandra every inch of the Garnier. As they were going up the stairs to the private boxes Pierre seemed to get very quiet for once and he stepped lightly.

He bent down conspirately and whispered, "Would you like to see the world renowned Box 5?"

Jade paled, this wasn't going to turn out well. But when she saw Pierre's mischievous but determined eyes she knew there was no stopping him. Perhaps nothing would happen after all.

Pierre went to the door and then clutched the handle only to find out that it was locked. Jade let out a visible sigh of relief and while Cassandra looked at her curiously Pierre pulled out a wire from his pocket.

"Didn't think this would come in handy? But you never know." He inserted it into the lock and in about three minutes he had it open. "Bit disappointing though, after all it's supposed to be the ghost's box." And with that he made a sweeping bow, while opening the door wide open, as if to say, 'Ladies First.' Yet Cassandra just stood there finally remembering the enormity of where she was, she looked to Jade who had her head down.

"Is it alright Jade?" Jade just shook her head and gave a pained smile.

"I'll go first." Jade made her way through the door into the darkness within and if it weren't for the shiver that went down her spine perhaps they could have had a quite enchanting time investigating Box 5. But perhaps it was not to be so.