Wow…I honestly did not expect the flood of approving reviews for my Pitch chapter. I actually thought that my writing style would not suit the character quite well, and so due to the demands that flooded into my mail, I am making the companion to this.
I am taking a short break writing this Pitch and Jack friendship arc, so that I can think carefully about the end to Human!Bunny and start on the rough draft for the next arc Visions that you are all eagerly awaiting.
I hope you do not mind
Pitch sighed, he was currently lounging in his lair, and he had to admit that he was actually bored. It was near time for Christmas, and of course the Boogeyman would be the last person who would be feeling festive, so it only made his current situation worse. Thinking back to just a scant month earlier, the dark specter remembered his odd and yet surprisingly enjoyable afternoon that he had spent with Jack Frost. He couldn't remember a time when he had had that much fun, maybe because he wasn't alone, and that made the experience of watching his favorite Opera that more delightful.
Pitch shook his head, and then slapped his face forcefully, what was he thinking? Was he actually just having feelings of fondness and nostalgia over someone who had rejected his offer to become a Guardian? The very idea made him want to run to his bathroom and retch violently.
Flopping one arm over his eyes, the Boogeyman wondered how he had managed to have sunk so low. He was just fine over a month ago, but it only took one afternoon of reluctant companionship, and someone willing to just sit down and not treat him like some monster of darkness, but like a person to effectively shatter every notion and lie he had built up around his heart in what he had hoped was a titanium suit of armor, but unfortunately he was proven wrong and now here he was sitting like a sad sack of potatoes fighting against every hope and fear he had worked so hard to banish into darkness. It just wasn't fair.
"Hey Pitch!" A familiar voice sang in the caverns that served as an entrance to his home "You home?"
"Oh joy," Pitch moaned sarcastically "the object of my torturous existence has dropped by for a visit, I'm soooo happy."
"Hey," the voice barked "I heard that!"
"Good," Pitch snarled back "then maybe you can take the not so subtle hint that I don't want you here, and leave!"
"Nah," the voice chuckled as it slowly came closer "I'm not very good at taking hints…or orders…or anything that involves me doing something I don't already want to do."
"Trust me, Frost," the specter hissed as he sat up to face the smirking winter child standing behind him "you want to leave, it is in your best interest to leave!"
"It may be in mine," Jack drawled as he rested his hands behind his head "but I can bet that it is most definitely not in yours."
"I doubt it," The specter sighed as he flopped backwards onto the stone of his cavern and once again covered his face with his arms "what could possibly benefit me from you staying?"
"This," Jack replied simply as he lowered himself to the ground so to peer under the limbs hiding Pitch from view "I came with an offer."
"Allow me to save you some trouble," Pitch sneered "…No…"
"Aw come on, you haven't even heard me out yet!" Jack whined.
"I don't need to, I already know that it is nothing that I want to be a part of!" Pitch retorted.
"You can't be sure," Jack practically sang as he poked the side of Pitch's head "come on, just five minutes, that's all I ask."
Finally the Boogeyman heaved a reluctant sigh as he caved to Jack demands "You have three," he growled.
"Ok," Jack burst with a grin "remember how we watched Les Miserables together?"
"…Yes, unfortunately…" came the grumbled reply.
"Well I was thinking about it yesterday," Jack continued as he began to bounce up and down excitedly "and so I decided to do a little research, and guess what?!"
"I am positively aching with suspense," Pitch sighed with sarcasm "please tell me and alleviate my pain."
Jack rolled his eyes at the Boogeyman's obvious disinterest "So I looked around and I discovered that the same theatre in Chicago is putting on another Opera!"
Pitch paused, he had to admit that actually piqued his interest "Oh," he drawled in seeming apathy "and what may I ask is being put on?"
"Some play called Phantom of the Opera," Jack shrugged "I've never heard of it, I mean I have, but I've never seen it. So, I thought…maybe you would like to go see it too."
Pitch lowered his arms to stare at Jack in shock, his eyes wide as he scrutinized the Guardian sitting next to him, unable to form any words that could accurately convey his thoughts "…huh…?""
Jack's smile grew into a large grin "So I knocked ya speechless, eh Pitch?"
"N-No," Pitch stammered as he stood up and stalked to one end of the cavern his face creased in thought "I'm just wondering how you could manage to achieve this new level of stupidity."
Jack's smile fell as he considered the reluctant specter, and finally he heaved a sigh "Look, if you want to come then come. I'm only asking because I know you like live productions of musicals and Operas, and Phantom of the Opera is supposed to be dark and creepy which is pretty much up your alley."
Standing up, the winter spirit strode out of the cavern, his chin held high as he left the Boogeyman to his thoughts. Pitch watched the child leave, and exhaled in relief when he had finally gone "At last," he hissed "the brat's gone."
But as Pitch thought about what Jack had offered, he suddenly began to realize that he wasn't all that relieved to be alone again. If anything he felt…empty. As if he had turned down a golden opportunity and some part of him was sane enough to acknowledge it, and it in turn left him feeling dissatisfied and restless. It was not a feeling he enjoyed, in fact he quickly decided that he hated it, and thus needed to remedy it as soon as possible, which only made things worse, because if he was going to rid himself of this hateful mix of emotions then he needed to go meet Jack at the Chicago Theatre and enjoy watching Phantom of the Opera. But if he did that, he would have to deal with the inevitable consequence of maybe enjoying the child's company and, dare he say it, actually wanting friendship. The thought was too terrible to contemplate, and it made Pitch's stomach twist painfully as he considered the pros and cons of both arguments. Should he go, and risk the possibility of becoming soft? Or should he stay and maintain his aura of evil and maliciousness at the cost of not having another enjoyable afternoon with a friend? His grey hands gripping the hair on his head, Pitch gave an unhappy snarl as he stomped his foot petulantly, and finally the specter made a decision.
"Alright!" he finally bellowed to no one in particular "I'll go!"
Throwing his hands up into the air, Pitch summoned the shadows and teleported himself across the continent towards the city of Chicago. Stomping past the crowds, and into the building, the Boogeyman made his way up to his usual spot not surprised when he saw Jack already seated and waiting for the curtain to rise.
Turning around in his seat, Jack gave the man a small wave "Heya Pitch!" he chirped.
"I'm not here for you," the Boogeyman snarled "I'm only here because it just so happens that Phantom of the Opera is one of my favorite books, but I've never had the chance to see it live on stage."
"Ok," Jack shrugged "you came just in time the first act should be starting at any minute."
Pitch sat down with a huff "You better stay awake this time," he grumbled "because I'm not dropping you off at home again."
"I'll try," Jack smiled innocently as the lights dimmed and the orchestra struck up the opening song.
Actors walked onstage, one woman pushing a wheelchair with a well dressed elderly man inside coming to the side of the stage while others filed in, an auction scene that was set within the dilapidated theatre in Paris. The auctioneer began to auction off various pieces of artwork, along with posters of the shows once performed in that theatre that they had gathered in. The old man bought nothing until a paper-mache music box with a Persian monkey on top playing the cymbals, with which he battled another elderly lady for until he won it. The elderly man wondered over the music box until the auctioneer began to start the bidding for the chandelier, and as they took the canvas off the object and began to raise it to the ceiling, the theatre went through a startling transformation as shrouds were ripped away in the illusion that they had gone back in time to when the Phantom still haunted the Opera house.
The winter sprite jumped at the opening notes from the organ as it reverberated throughout the theatre causing the hair on the back of his neck to rise and his teeth to clench "Whoa," he whispered breathlessly "ok, that was unexpected…and creepy."
Pitch coughed to cover the bark of laughter that wanted so badly to explode from his lips, but instead smirked at the boy "It's exquisitely done, and this story is...creepy, as you call it. I'm not sure you'll be able to handle it."
"Yes I can," Jack pouted before putting a finger to his lips "Now hush, you're ruining the mood of the music!"
"Trust me Jack," Pitch smiled maliciously "this is one Opera where I sincerely doubt I could do anything to ruin the mood, if anything I would enhance it."
"Narcissist," Jack snorted as he fought the smile tugging at his lips.
"Frost brat," Pitch retorted.
"Oh," Jack moaned sarcastically with one hand rushing to clutch his chest "your originality wounds me."
Pitch rolled his eyes then placed a grey bony finger to his own lips "Shhh Jack, you're ruining the mood of the music."
Jack's jaw dropped and he crossed his arms with a petulant pout before allowing a smile to stretch across his face "Jerk,"
The Boogeyman shook his head at Jack's need to get the last word, but merely maintained his silence, his heart and soul thrilling with the beauty of the music resounding around them. Closing his eyes, he smiled maliciously at the hidden messages within the opening theme. He had loved the book, and he couldn't wait to see the Opera. Finally the song came to an end, and a diva walked on stage in garments of a rather ridiculous nature, and began to sing in a high pitched screeching voice which Pitch immediately assumed that this was the prima donna who played the rival and bully of the main protagonist Christine. Jack winced as her voice hit the ceiling, and battered at the rafters, one hand gently cupping an ear as he sunk into his seat.
"Wow…ow," he muttered "please tell me she isn't the main singer."
"Nope," Pitch said popping the p "she is the rival who gets replaced by the main singer."
"Thank God," Jack breathed "I was fearing for my poor eardrums."
The dark man snorted "Not to worry, just be quiet and watch the show."
The scene progressed with said Diva eventually walking off the stage in a huff, and Christine leaving the chorus girls to take the floor and audition for the lead part. Jack and Pitch leaned forward in unison, both unaware of the other, and each anxious to hear the voice of the lead soloist and protagonist of this morbid tale. Christine looked back at her teachers on stage in nervousness before opening her mouth and allowing her angelic voice to flow into the audience.
Think of me, think of me fondly when we've said goodbye
Remember me, once in a while
Please promise me you'll try
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.
Jack and Pitch sighed at the beauty in her song, and leaned back into their chairs so to better listen. Sparing a glance, they realized that they had been mirroring each other, and Jack felt a broad smile stretch his face and Pitch allowed a small smirk to tug at his lips before they both enjoyed a chuckle at the absurdity of it.
The show continued, showing Christine's debut on stage, and her childhood friend Raoul coming to reunite with her after years of separation. Jack watched with rapt attention, his eyes wide, and a smile playing across his lips as he was sucked into the story. He loved Les Miserables, the music was amazing, and the acting superb, but Jack could already feel that it was swiftly being replaced by Phantom of the Opera as his favorite. Crossing his legs in his chair, the boy braced his elbows on his knees, and resting his head in his hands as he immersed himself in the world of the haunted Opera house.
Pitch watched as the girl was abducted and taken deep into the foundations of the Opera house into the catacombs of Paris, his face slack as he too was sucked into the plotline. Leaning over, the Boogeyman whispered to Jack "I bet I could give that phantom a run for his money in terms of being frightening and dark."
Jack shot him a surprised glance "Can you even sing?"
"Of course," Pitch sniffed "I've been catching enough Operas across Europe over the course of the centuries, and have had plenty of time to practice. I'm probably better than any man who has ever played the Phantom."
Jack laughed "Too bad you don't know the songs, otherwise I would dare you to stand on the railing and sing the Phantom's parts just to prove it."
"Ah," Pitch said with a gleeful smirk "I said I've never seen it live, but I HAVE seen the movie."
"What?!" Jack gave an indignant squawk "After all your ranting about how movies can't compare, you watched the movie adaptation before you saw it live?!"
"The black and white version," Pitch replied smugly "and I still maintain the opinion that the live production will always trump a film adaption."
"Alright," Jack bounced in his chair and pointed at the railing "get up there, right now!"
"What?" Pitch scoffed "surely you're joking."
"Nope," Jack grinned "you're the one who bragged, so go prove to me that you can do it."
Pitch pursed his lips unhappily, that is until the Phantom began singing his favorite song and finally stood with a roll of his eyes "Fine," he growled "I'll show you just what I'm capable of."
Walking over to the center aisle, Pitch climbed up onto the statue arcing out from the balcony, then closed his eyes and began to sing.
Nighttime sharpens, heightens each sensation Slowly, gently, Night unfurls it's Splendor
Darkness wakes and stirs imagination
Silently the senses abandon their defenses
Helpless to resist the notes I write...
For I compose the music of the night
Grasp it, sense it, tremulous and tender
Hearing is believing, music is deceiving
Hard as lightening, soft as candlelight.
Dare you trust the music of the night?
Jack's jaw dropped as a voice that he never expected to hear come out of the Boogeyman's mouth, and his staff dropped to the ground the man sang over the voice of the Phantom subbing in his own.
Softly, deftly, Music shall caress you Close your eyes - Floating, falling, Sweet Intoxication
Hear it, feel it, secretly possess you
Open up your mind, Let your fantasies unwind
In this Darkness which you know you cannot fight,
The Darkness of the Music of the Night!
Start a journey through a strange new world
Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before
Close your eyes -
And let music set you free.
Only then can you belong to me
Touch me, trust me, savor each Sensation
Let the dream begin, Let your darker side give in
To the Power of the music that I write,
The Power of the Music of the Night!
As the song came to an end, Jack stood and clapped, and Pitch suddenly felt extremely embarrassed, and he scrambled down off the statue and returned to his seat. Jack flopped into his seat, his grin huge as he gaped at Pitch in wonder.
"Wow!" the winter spirit breathed "that was awesome."
"It was nothing," Pitch mumbled as he turned so Jack wouldn't see the dark blush brushing his cheeks "like I said, I have had time to practice."
Jack considered him, before turning back to the show not wishing to push Pitch any further. As the plot progressed, Jack began to draw platitudes between the Boogeyman and the Phantom, wondering if the similarities he saw between them were accurate. Pitch attacked the Guardians, true, but Jack had a sneaking suspicion whether if he like the Phantom were a devil who longed for heaven, and wished for companionship and a friend who would look past his façade of evil boogeyman who haunted the underbelly of caverns, and see him as someone ever casting their gaze up to the skies longing for their exile to end. It was a compelling thought, and the boy suddenly felt that he understood his reluctant friend just a little better.
Soon the intermission began and Jack stood up so to stretch and pop his stiff spine "I think this one is my new favorite."
Pitch nodded "I must admit it is giving Les Miserables a run for its money."
"Hey," the winter spirit turned with a smile "I'm gonna stretch my legs during the intermission and maybe take a look around the gift shop."
Pitch nodded waving one hand dismissively "Don't let me stop you, anything to keep you from falling asleep again."
"Ya just can't let that go, can you?" The sprite pouted as he stuck his tongue out and flew over the rail and down to the main floor.
The boy meandered towards the gift shop, his mind buzzing with an idea he had gotten during the end of the last act. Bouncing towards the small shop, he pressed his nose against the glass as he gazed at the Phantom masks they had for sale. The sprite had seen countless kids already wearing them, and he wanted to get one for Pitch both as a joke, and as a sort of thank you for coming to watch the show with him. Looking at the mask carefully, Jack used his power to craft a delicate mask made of ice, and pouring all his concentration into the gift, he imbued it with the power not to melt or break unless put in an extreme environment. After finishing it, Jack grinned at his creation, and then turned around to sprint back to their balcony and present Pitch with his gift. But he did not expect to run into something tall, and muscular, and…furry.
Looking up slowly Jack felt his already pale face go white as a sheet as he stared horrified at the person currently pinning him with a hot emerald glare.
"B-BUNNY?!"
This was becoming extremely long, so Phantom of the Opera is becoming a two part mini arc. Hope you like my little cliff hanger!
