Isabelle(1st person):
"Are you almost done, Emma?" I called out, poking my head through the door to look for Emma. My eyes caught sight of her hurriedly putting her hair into a braid and failing horrible. Barley resisting the urge to roll my eyes, I walked over to her and pulled her hands away and began to braid her hair, weaving a gold and gem studded ribbon in her hair. "There we go! Now lets hurry up or we're going to be late for our last dress rehearsal. Meg and Christine already went ahead!"
"Sorry, I can't braid today for some reason," Emma apologized before we went sprinting through the opera house. I let out a soft growl when my hair whipped around and hit me in the eyes. For the opera, Madame Giry had told me to leave half my hair down while braiding the ends and putting jeweled beads at the end. Let's just say, I wasn't jumping for joy at the decision. But she said it would look well with the costume and I had to reluctantly agree with her.
Even though I wasn't exactly comfortable in the slave costume, it was very pretty. The main reason why I wasn't comfortable was because the top half only covered the breasts and mine aren't exactly small. It was extremely uncomfortable since the costume made them more apparent and I knew people could tell since I saw a male dancer or two stare.
"Thank god we're not late," Emma murmured as we got there right before Madame Giry walked through our line. We began to do our warm ups like usual and I had to cringe when I heard Carlotta begin to sing. God it sounded awful, I have no clue how people could enjoy her voice! We stopped doing warm ups and put are wrists into the chains used in the dance. A moment after Carlotta threw the dummy head, the chorus singers began to march in singing and in their costumes. I had to admit, their costumes were very pretty.
"With feasting and dancing and song
Tonight in celebration
We greet the victorious throng
Returned to bring salvation!
The trumpets of Carthage resound
Hear, Romans now and tremble!
Hark to our step on the ground
Hear the drums
Hannibal comes!"
I heard Emma snort as we saw Carlotta trip on her dress and glare at one of her maids. A moment later Piangi and little Piangi walked in and stood in the center of the stage. Little Piangi mimicked everything Piangi did, and I couldn't help but wonder what his purpose was.
"Sad to return to the land we love
Threatened once more by Roma's
Far-reaching grasp!"
I cringed when I heard Piangi mess up and I could tell that Reyer wasn't pleased. He stopped the orchestra but before he could say much else three people walked in. One being the manager and two being the new managers, or that's what I remembered.
"This way," Monsieur Lefevre began as he ushered the two new managers closer to the stage. "As you can see, rehearsals are underway for a new production of Chalumeau's Hannibal."
"Monsieur Lefevre, I am rehearsing," a very annoyed Reyer protested.
"Monsieur Reyer, Madame Giry..." Lefevre looked at both people he called to. "Ladies and gentlemen, please, if I could have your attention? As you know there have been rumors of my imminent retirement. I can now tell you that these rumors were all true," I saw Carlotta point at Piangi with triumph. "It is my pleasure to introduce to you to the two gentlemen who now own the Opera Populaire...
"Monsieur Richard Firmin," the man nodded, "and Monsieur Gilles André," he waved. Everyone clapped politely, sending our new managers smiles, or some of us did. "I'm sure you've all read of their recent fortune in the junk business."
"Scrap metal, actually," André corrected with a glare.
"They must be rich," I heard one of the dancers say. I saw Emma roll her eyes and suppress a scowl.
"And we our deeply honored to introduce our new patron..." Firman began.
"The Vicomte de Chagney," André finished, beaming in pride.
I grinned as I watched Raoul walk up to André and Firman, shaking their hands. Christine and Meg walked up behind us and I saw Christine's eyes widen.
"Isn't that your brother?" Emma asked in a soft whisper. Emma was the only one I told, I trusted her not to run her mouth like some excited child. And I was right to tell her, she rarely brought it up and acted like I was no different.
"Yes," I nodded. "I didn't know he was becoming the new patron, he didn't tell me anything! He must have wanted it to be a surprise..."
"It's Raoul," I heard Christine say softly. We turned to look at her with confusion, only mine was faked. "Before my father died, at the house by the sea... I guess you could say we were childhood sweethearts. He called me Little Lotte."
"Christine, he's so handsome," Meg said, turning back to look at Raoul.
"My siblings and I are honored to support all the arts," Raoul said, looking over everyone. When he saw me he smiled and sent a nod, thankfully Christine didn't notice. "Especially the world-renowned Opera Populaire!"
Carlotta walked over to Raoul as we clapped over his speech and she lifted her hand for him to kiss. I made a disgusted noise at the back of my throat and scrunched up my nose as Raoul reluctantly kissed her hand.
"Gentlemen, Signora Carlotta Giudicelli, our leading soprano for five seasons," Lefevre introduced, nodding his head at the woman.
"Poor Raoul, he's going to have to bleach his lips now," I muttered, earning a confused look from Emma. "Bleach isn't invented yet, is it?"
"Nope," Emma shook her head.
"I fail at comedy," I sighed. Lefevre introduced Piangi a moment later.
"An honor Signor," Raoul said. "I believe I'm keeping you from your rehearsal. I will be here this evening to share your great triumph," he turned to Reyer. "My apologies monsieur."
Raoul began to walk away with André and Firman trailing behind him but he stopped once he reached me.
"Ah hello Isabelle," Raoul greeted, bowing his head. I could feel Christine glaring a hole at the back of my head. Shit. "I would love to talk but I don't want to keep you from... Christine? Is that you?"
"Hello Raoul!" Christine said happily, smiling as she realized that he recognized her.
"It's great to see you! Now I really want to talk and catch up but I must go. Would you like to have dinner tonight, after the opera?" Raoul asked with a hopeful smile.
"Yes! I mean of corse," Christine corrected herself, her cheeks a light pink at her previous excited answer. "I would love to!"
"Great!" Raoul sent her one last smile before he walked off.
"He's been here for only five minuets and you already captured his heart Christine," I teased, grinning. "And don't worry about me coming between you two because we're related..."
"Oh! Sorry about glaring," Christine apologized, her blush darkening.
"Don't worry about it," I waved it aside. As soon as I did, I heard the orchestra begin to play and we headed to the stage and began to dance. It was a decently easy dance and I had it memorized by heart so I didn't really have to worry about messing up.
"If you please Monsieur," Madame Giry said, gaining the new managers attention and ushering them away from our area. "We take particular pride in the excellence of our ballet."
"I see why," André nodded as he spoke. "Especially that little blonde angel!"
"My daughter, Meg Giry," Madame Giry said proudly.
"And that exceptional beauty," Firman nodded over to Christine. "No relation I trust?"
"Christine Daae, very promising," Madame Giry nodded.
"How about the white-haired beauty over there?" I heard André ask and I nearly tripped.
"Isabelle Wolfe," Madame Giry said. "She's a dancer from Germany, her older brother is in the orchestra," she nodded to Wilhelm who was playing. I wondered why Madame Giry said Germany since me and my brother actually came from America. "She's a very talented child, a little outspoken and clumsy, mind you, but she's very promising."
After our dance was finished, we backed off and the chorus began to sing again. One of the male members of the chorus accidentally stepped on Carlotta's dress and she scowled at him. "Ah me! Not on my dress! Why?" I watched as people began to wheel in the elephant and I couldn't help but wonder how Piangi was going to get on. I didn't think much of it because a moment later, the chorus began to sing,
"The trumpets of Carthage resound
Hear, Romans now and tremble!
Hark to our step on the ground
Hear the drums
Hannibal comes!"
Me and the other dancers slipped back into the circle that the chorus members made and we did are last spin, holding our last pose for as long as we needed. I got up from my position and stretched, ignoring the complaining Carlotta.
"Thank god I broke these shoes in before today," I said to Emma, comfortably standing on the tip of my toes. "I would have been screwed other wise!"
"Lucky, I haven't yet," Emma pouted. "I should have bought new ones the same time as you did!"
"Weren't you the one who said, 'I can break them in within the week'," I mimicked her and earned a glare. "I'm just kidding!"
"Bella Diva!" I heard André say to Carlotta who kept saying she was leaving when all she wanted was attention.
"Goddess of song," Firman praised.
"Monsieur Reyer," André looked at the man. "Isn't there a rather marvelous aria for Elissa in act three of Hannibal? Perhaps if Signora..."
"Yes, yes! Me, no!" Carlotta interrupted him. "Because I have not my costume for act three because somebody not finish it! And I hate my hat!"
"I wonder Signora, as a personal favor, would you oblige us with a private rendition? Unless of course Monsieur Reyer objects," Firman said.
"If my managers command," Carlotta said as she finished pretending to cry. Oh god, I wished someone would just slap her or get her to shut up. "Monsieur Reyer?"
"If my diva commands," Reyer nodded, barely holding back his scowl.
"Yes, I do!" Carlotta glared before walking toward the front of the stage. "Everybody, quiet!"
"And just when I was getting my hearing back," I sighed sadly, causing Emma to snort in amusement. "Maybe she'll stop singing if something falls on her..."
"More than likely, she'll complain everyone's ear off and annoy everyone to the point of madness," Emma shook her head.
"I hate to admit it, but you're probably-"
"Shut up you little toad!" Carlotta yelled, turning and glaring at me.
"Did that wretch just call me a toad?" I growled, "she's dead!"
"Calm down, Izzy," I heard Emma say softly. I pouted before I forced myself to calm down and not attack her. Instead I settled for glaring a hole at the back of her head. Maybe, if I glare hard enough, she'll burst into flames. I watched as she sprayed throat spray into her mouth and turned to begin singing. The piano started as she began to sing,
"Think of me, think of me fondly
When we've said goodbye
Remember me once in a while
Please promise me, you'll try!"
Oh my god me ears are bleeding! It was horribly out of tune and she used vibrato way to much. If someone was going to stop her, now would be good! And as soon as I thought that, I heard Meg scream as the backdrop fell and landed on top of Carlotta. I looked up quickly to see who did it and I caught sight of a disappearing black cloak. Of corse! Erik did it! He did it in the movie, now I remember!
"He's here, The Phantom of the Opera," Meg said, almost singing, as she looked at Emma, Christine, and I with worry as some members of the chorus tried to help Carlotta.
"Signora, are you alright? Boquet! For God's sake, what's going on up there?" Lefevre demanded.
A moment later, Boquet started to pull up the backdrop. "Please Monsieur, don't look at me! As God's my judge, I wasn't at my post. Please Monsieur, there's no one there, or if there was, well, then it must be a ghost!"
"Signora..." André began once Carlotta was safe and standing. "These things do happen..."
"For the past three years these things do happen, and did you stop them from happening?" Carlotta yelled as she looked at Lefevre. "No! And you two... You're just as bad as him! 'These things do happen.' Until you stop these things from happening, this thing does not happen! Bring my doggy and my boxy!"
I watched as she stormed off the stage and I rolled my eyes at her, glad that she was gone. Something told me she would be back but I was planning on enjoying the short time in which she wasn't here.
"Gentlemen, good luck," Lefevre said before he hurried away. "If you need me, I shall be in Australia!"
"Signora Guidicelli, she will be coming back, won't she?" André asked Reyer while he simply shrugged.
"You think so Monsieur?" Madame Giry question as she walked up to the two. "I have a message from the Opera Ghost."
"Oh God in heaven, you're all obsessed," Firman rolled his eyes.
"He welcomes you to his Opera House!"
"His Opera house?" Firman asked, outraged.
"And commands that you continue to leave box 5 empty for his use and reminds you that his salary is due."
"His salary?"
"Well, Monsieur Lefevre used to give hin 20,000 francs a month," Madame Giry shrugged.
"20,000 francs?" Firman asked, his eyes wide with shock.
"Perhaps you can afford more," Madame Giry said with amusement. "With the Vicomte as your patron?"
"Madame, I had hoped to make that announcement public tonight, when the Vicomte was to join us for the gala, but, obviously we shall have to cancel as it appears we have lost our star!"
"But surely there must be an understudy," André frowned.
"Understudy?" Reyer let out a humorless laugh. "There is no understudy for La Carlotta!"
"A full house, André, we shall have to refund a full house!"
"Such a shame, I was really looking forward to tonight," I murmured under my breath and turned around to talk to Emma when I heard Madame Giry say something that made me freeze.
"Isabelle Wolfe could sing it!"
"I could do what?" I squeaked but both managers and Madame Giry ignored me. I was on the verge of panicking. I wasn't ready for this! So, so not ready! I needed more time, more lessons... If I went on now I would fail and fail Erik and then he would be so disappointed and probably want nothing-
"What? A chorus girl? Don't be silly?" André scoffed, freezing my thoughts.
Oh, you sir, just declared war. I glared in his direction and fought off the urge to be childish and stick my tongue at him.
"She has been taking lessons from a great teacher," Madame Giry reassured.
"Who?"
Oh crud, what was I supposed to say? I panicked and blurted out my first thought, "I don't exactly know his name, sir! He's very um... Secretive? And he hadn't told me his name!" Okay that was a total fail, I need to get better at lying.
"Let her sing for you Monsieur," Madame Giry said, standing beside me and placing her hand on my shoulder. She looked down at me and gave me a look that said, you suck at lying. "She had been well taught!"
"All right," André said after sharing a look with Firman. "Come on, don't be shy. Come, come along, just..."
I stood at the front of the stage and looked down to see Wilhelm looking at me with narrowed eyes. In return, I sent him a cheeky grin and a wink, hoping that it would stop his thinking. If I knew my brother, he was putting the pieces together and probably already guessed who was teaching me. Great.
"From the beginning of the aria then, please, Mademoiselle," Reyer said, standing by the podium.
"Got it," I said, nodding my head. The music began and I took a deep breath, remembering everything Erik taught me. I fixed my posture before letting out a soft cough. I could easily hear Firman and André whispering behind me.
"André, this is doing nothing for my nerves," Firmin frowned.
"She is very pretty," André whispered back and I merely rolled my eyes before I began to sing,
"Think of me, think of me fondly
When we've said goodbye
Remember me once in a while
Please promise me, you'll try!"
I hesitated for a moment and looked back at Madame Giry who gestured for me to continue.
"When you find that once again you long
to take your heart back and be free!
If you ever find a moment
spare a thought for me!"
I finished the note and turned back around, looking at the managers nervously. I hope they liked it... It was silent for a few moment before I heard Emma and Meg clapping enthusiastically and soon everyone joined in. I felt my heart skip a beat as I realized that everyone loved it and I smiled brightly, beaming in my spot. Thank you, Erik!