Disclamer: No, I do not own Erik. ( i simply borrow him for my own purposes )
AN: Voila!
Impropriety Amidst Ivories
But it was not the Phantom! It wasn't even one of the managers! My tense muscles relaxed and the blood started to flow in my veins again. I leaned against the upright piano and sighed. The person who had scared me started to laugh and annoyance pricked at me. I glared at the man who had decided to step into the glow of the ghost light. Recognition slowly made its way into my mind but I couldn't place the person who stood before me.
"You take pleasure in sneaking up on people, do you?'
He stopped laughing but a smile did stay on his face. "Come on now, you have to admit it was pretty funny."
I crossed my arms. "I don't think so."
"I suppose you thought I was the Opera Ghost?" He laughed which prevented from seeing my panic.
"Well, it's a natural thought, when one is by themselves," I snapped when I had gotten my voice under control.
"I don't think we've been introduced. My name is Michel Faucher."
"Faucher?" My eyes widened and recognition clicked. "You're the person responsible for the backdrop falling last week!"
He raised his hands in defense. "I was not responsible! I had all the ties securely fastened."
"Mm-hmm." I made my way past him, walking slowly so my eyes could adjust to the darkness. But he was quick to follow me.
"Mind if I walk you back to your room…um….what's your name, again?"
"Hillcrest," I replied, continuing to walk away. "Anne Hillcrest."
"Enchanted, Mlle Hillcrest." He hopped in front of me, took off his cap and bowed.
I nodded back at him, still keeping silent.
"You're not upset about me coming up and scaring you are you?"
I sighed. "No, I suppose not. But I do not like it when people interrupt me while I'm practicing."
"Practicing?" He asked, apparently determined to see me to my room as we made our way out of the stage area and towards the Prima Donna's room. "It seemed like you were performing out there. I haven't seen someone tear up the piano like that in a while."
"Then you haven't seen people play quite often. There are far better pianists than me. I play what I like, because I like it. I'm nothing compared to the composers who wrote those pieces."
"Don't sell yourself short. You've got a real gift. You were so happy while you were playing. You seemed at peace and you looked as if you hadn't a care in the world. You looked a lot different than the first time I saw you."
"Oh, really?"
"You looked so sad and lonely the when I saw you from the rafters."
"And do you spy on every new person who comes to the Opera House?"
"Just the pretty ones." He smiled but I was not fazed.
"You shouldn't tell lies, M. Faucher." We had reached my room and I turned to him. "Now, you will kindly see yourself as far away from me within the next five seconds. I am tired and retiring for the night."
"And should I refuse?" He leaned in close and my hand made a sharp smack across his face.
"I'll be speaking to the managers first thing in the morning about your improper conduct!"
He laughed at me and it was all I could do not to slap him again. "Ah, but you're in Paris now. 'Improper conduct' is far different here than it is back in England. Here, everyone lives by pretty words and tender caresses."
I opened my door and stepped in. Before slamming the door in his face, I turned back. "Well then, isn't it such a wonder that I am not 'everyone?'" I slammed the door shut and quickly fastened the bolt.
Despite seeing Anne and that Faucher leave the stage, and knowing the stage hand's reputation for inappropriate advances, Erik was still in Box 5. Restless and unable to compose anything half decent, he made a round of the Opera House when he heard someone playing on the piano. Curious more than anything else, he leaned over the banister of Box 5 not worrying about anyone seeing him as the on light came from the solitary candle on stage. The piano was occupied but it was Anne seated there! Several times he had heard music coming from the stage but that had usually been a few overzealous chorus girls who wanted to take advantage of the fact that no one was present so they sang, or at least attempted to sing, lead parts and giggle about when they thought no one was looking.
Anne's playing, however, was like a sudden breath of fresh air that he had no idea he was missing. The smile that played across her lips and the peace settled across her face was unlike anything he had seen before. When people played from memory as she was doing, it was always done with such a fierce countenance due to their concentration to not mess up. She seemed to play from the soul and to let the music take on a life of its own. Her technique was fair, but it was the effortless playing that caught him off guard. It was rare for him to hear anyone that seemed to play just because it was something they did naturally…not because it was something they learned. Her hands seemed to glide across the keys and the ivories had a mind of their own playing, all on their own.
When the music was interrupted, Erik was unceremoniously dropped back to reality. She was a woman of surprises and of contradictions. What was she really like? After watching the two down below he could tell she was not a woman easily swayed or easily flattered, and the change in her was drastic. Gone was the peaceful girl who had not a care in the world and replaced was the person he had met earlier, sorrow etched in her face like marble.
"She has seen enough ugliness to last a lifetime." Giry's words from earlier sounded in his ears and seeing that change happen so sudden made him second guess his earlier comments and accusations. But surely such travesties could not happen to someone who was not cursed with his own hideous face. She possessed every ounce of distinction that came from someone who was raised at the top of society and should have every door open to them. Why, then, was she here in the Opera House, instead of enjoying a season with the rest of the fashionable world?
"Honestly, Anne, you're being quite ridiculous!"
I ran the brush through my hair attempting to get all of the tangles out. I had had another restless night and my hair had sufferrerd from it, as always. "Aunt, he was being too forward! I thought he was going to kiss me or something!"
"You shouldn't take Faucher seriously, dear. He's always been a bit of a ladies man."
I dropped the brush on the vanity and turned to face my Aunt. "Well, then you will pardon me if I treat him as any proper lady should when faced with such impropriety."
She laughed and helped me up from the seat. "Oh, I have no problem with you boxing his ears should he deserve it, but you're in an Opera House, Anne. People don't take too much pride in their…virtue."
I colored a little for it was a subject not commently addressed when I was with my mother. "Yes, well, I can't be expected to lower my standards, Aunt. Not for anyone and especially not for a man like Faucher."
"No one's asking you to. But if you had heeded my advice and waited until Jane could accompany you, you might not have to have dealt with him."
"I couldn't ask Jane to go with me, when she should be resting." I withdrew my hands from her and began getting dressed. I was glad that I could forego the usual attire of a morning dress and my new clothes would be finished soon. But even with the new clothes, I was probably going to continue wearing the plain skirts and button up blouses for quite some time. They were far more comfortable than the buttons and bows and frills of the more society appropriate dresses.
"All the same, did you enjoy you practice?"
I smiled. "Oh, Aunt, I had forgotten what really playing felt like. I was so used to practicing scales and technical work for my teacher that to just have the opportunity to sit down and play something because I liked it…well, it was a great relief."
"And it was just Faucher that was there? No one else?"
I heard the unspoken question. "You mean, was the Phantom there? I don't think so. It was so dark I couldn't really see, and I doubt my playing would have entranced him. He tends to falls for beautiful singers. And I am neither beautiful or a singer."
"Anne!"
"Well, it's true! And don't you try to convince me otherwise!" I laughed and sat down to work on my hair. I studied my reflection finding the usual faults with it. "No manner of style or make-up is going to change my lack of beauty."
"You're only saying that because that's what your Grandmother drilled into you to keep you from upstaging Elizabeth."
"Not true," I replied, pulling back my hair and securing it back with two plain combs. However, I couldn't help a flicker of truth cross my mind at her words.
"You'll never be as beautiful as your sister, Anne. You must do everything in your power to make sure that your sister marries well. Turn down all proposals, not that you'll have any to worry about, and let your sister take care of everything."
"Your mother thought you beautiful. She told me so every time she wrote me."
"She wrote to you?" I turned to face her. "She never told me!'
"Did she need to?" Aunt Giry smiled and knelt down next to me. She took my face in her hands and brushed a few stray curls away from my face. "She told me how your eyes reminded her of a clear sky that had no sign of clouds. She told me that your smile could light up an entire room. But she would also tell me of your pure heart and mind. Of your good heart and kindness."
My eyes misted over and I looked away. I missed her so much and it seemed so unfair to be apart from her.
"It is true that life has not been kind to you, and you did not have the opportunities that seem to be so imporrtant to Elizabeth. But you have opportunities here and now that are important to you. Would you have cared for a season in town, surrounded by all the best in eligible bachelors?"
I laughed and wiped at my eyes. "Certainly not!"
"Instead, you are here, where your passion for music and art and literature can be heightened. You are where you need to be and you are surrounded by what is important to you."
I thought for a moment. It was true what she said. Music had been my life since I was a little girl and here I was at one of the greatest centers for music and entertainment right at my fingertips. I may not be able to be out on stage, but I could learn so much from being here. I was where I was supposed to be.
"Feel better?"
I smiled and wrapped my arms around her. "Thank you, Aunt Giry."
She patted my back. "Anytime, my dear. Anytime."
