A/N: Skipped a head a little to the morning before the Masquerade. Most of the plotting happened a week ago.
The Opera House was in a whirlwind of sights and sounds. The orchestra was practicing in the main entry hall of the Populaire as the stagehands worked on their new job of decorating the great hall. Transforming the once simply gold gilded room into a fantasy world of candles, feathers, glimmering mirrors and sparkles that made the room a magical place.
The halls along the dormitories were full of girls getting prepared for the Masquerade, they were busily rushing back and forth giggling and squealing as they were donning their dresses and work on each other's hair. For most of them this was their chance to cosy up with the patrons in hopes that they would get a better role in the upcoming season. Or even better, they had a chance to create a lasting connection to a rich man and perhaps be married.
Beneath the Opera House was calm and serene. Erik and Éponine had slept in late, had a slow breakfast, and perfected the manuscript, before they began getting dressed.
Éponine's dress fit her perfectly; the red and black silk flowed over the hoop skirt beneath, the bodice fit snugly against her ribs pushing her bosom up in a very seductive way that was framed by the low neckline. Erik helped her lace up the corset, careful that it wasn't too tight across her stomach. Her feathered mask jutted up to high levels giving the appearance that she was taller than she was.
Erik's mask was a terrifying sight to be seen. It had sharp corners along his cheek bones, the eye hole sank deep in, and the nose was nothing but a sharp bone. It was the mask of a skeleton. It covered nearly all of his face, except for his mouth. The blood red tail coat and breeches fit snugly to his torso and his legs. It highlighted how lean and subtly muscular that he was.
"They won't be able to say no to you, mon bel ange." Erik wrapped his arms around her waist, letting his lips skim against the curve of her neck.
"We know there will be one against us."
"Forget about Antoinette," Erik purred against her ear, nipping the lobe.
Éponine chuckled, "I just go dressed Erik." She nudged him the ribs playfully, "Be good."
"We have a few hours until the masquerade, I plan on making a grand and fashionably late appearance."
~o~
Jules had been called away from the masquerade to work on some element of the evening that was not exactly what Monsieur Lefarve had expected, leaving Antoinette alone at the ball to mill around with her friends and meet the faces that paid for their shows.
"Ah, Mademoiselle Giry and Mademoiselle Lucien come and meet Monsieur Pierre Montparnasse." The Ballet Mistress said, taking a hold of both of the girl's arms. "Monsieur Montparnasse these are Mademoiselles Giry and Lucien two of our most promising young ballerinas."
"I must say your dress is exactly what I imagined." Montparnasse bowed grandly towards Antoinette as she curtseyed with a laugh.
That name. Where had she heard it before? "It's a pleasure to meet you again."
"You know each other?" Lousia asked as she curtsied to the masked man.
"I met him the other evening, after a performance." She didn't need to say that they she had gone out to get drunk. Especially in front of the Mistress.
"A face of spades and hearts," He commented as he admired her outfit.
Antoinette smiled at him, "I see you chose a yellow cravat. Inspired?"
"Perhaps," Montparnasse held his hand out, "Would you like to dance?"
Antoinette took his hand, "I would."
Erik had wanted to dance with Éponine, but not be seen just yet. As the music swelled up the stairs of the Opera House they danced on one of the upper landings, away from all of the people and the frivolities.
"Our big night." Éponine smiled as they twirled around to the music. She had never been to anything so fancy and so exciting before in her life. Everyone who was anyone was at this ball.
"Not only will we be announcing our new musical, the opera house's new star, but we will be announcing our engagement."
"Me, engaged?" Éponine laughed, pressing her cheek against his shoulder. "It's hard to believe."
"Believe it. I haven't given you the ring yet."
"There's a ring?"
Erik's smile spread under the skull mask, "It's a beautiful antique that I actually purchased and did not steal."
The music began to change tunes, the rhythm becoming fast paced. "I think it's time to unveil ourselves." Erik said before pressing a kiss to her lips.
With a wave of his hand the music came to a sudden stop; everyone who was dancing turned their head to see the couple that was walking down the stairwell.
"What's going on?" Montparnasse asked looking down at Antoinette.
"Ah, hello dear patrons and dancers, singers, and actors. Pardon my intrusion," Erik announced as he took their slow decent down the stairwell. "I hope you are enjoying your masquerade tonight. Monsieur Lefarve my fiancée and I are glad to be in attendance."
"I swear to God, he takes every attempt to flaunt that little whore." Antoinette gritted, keeping her hand in Montparnasse's.
"I would assume that this is the man you're in love with?"
"And the little brat Éponine."
Montparnasse dropped her hand, "Éponine?"
"Some little urchin he kidnapped and I tried to get rid of her but she found her way back."
"Éponine?" Montparnasse shouted, louder than he expected.
Éponine's smile faded suddenly when she heard her name. She ignored the male voice, trying to search them out with her eyes.
Erik continued un-phased, "We have come to announce our latest arrangement. She is my muse. Lefarve." Erik tossed the leather bound manuscript at the owner's feet. "A tragic love story about Roxane and Tristan." He turned to smile at Éponine, wrapping his arm around her waist. "This will be your new star. Her talent is natural and pure."
"My Éponine?"
"You Éponine?" Antoinette gasped, turning to look at him. The name finally rang a bell. "You're Montparnasse!"
Éponine looked down into the crowd of people, Antoinette. It was obvious that it was her. But who was that beside her? He was tall and thin, dark hair. With masks everyone looked the same.
"You expect to come here and just tell me how to run my opera house?" Lefarve snapped, picking up the manuscript. "Who is the girl?"
"Éponine Thénardier." Montparnasse stepped forward through the crowd. "MyÉponine."
"Montparnasse." Éponine gasped, leaning against Erik's arm.
"This is where you have been?"
"Please don't do this now."
"I think our time is run short. Lefarve you know how to contact me." Erik took a step backwards, pulling Éponine back with him. She expected that she was going to feel the impact of the ground but there was an empty space beneath her. They fell down for a few seconds before he caught her impact. "Come, we must hide."
A/N: Antoinette's dress and Eponine's dress can be found on my main page.
.E