Author's Note: Sorry for the delay, I had a fan request for an actual TohruNo love scene and set this story aside for a few days in order to write "B&B Love Bites", which actually took me a few days longer than I expected. Sorry, guys but even my TroJin BL OC has to take a back seat to TohrUno once I have an idea for them; without Shiki, I wouldn't be the Yaoi writer you've all come to expect of me. Everyone, thanks for the Kudos, faves, and follows during that time. And, of course, LiterallyDirt and KONCT_Chizza_Picken, as always, thank you for the comments and feedback. Hope everyone made it through Ira alright. Heavy business in Lowe's thanks to the storm also made me delay a day or two working on this because I was too tired to focus on it after work.
Like with "Peter Pan" Play scenes will be written in Script style and centered. Songs will be centered and in italics. Gareki and Tsubame will be listed as themselves, but will answer to their character names. All other characters will be listed as the characters they're playing, because I can't take the time to create names for all of them. *Sweatdrop*
I have read the book twice, own the movie and the soundtrack, but am still using the copy of the script here: story/6047092/Phantom-of-the-Opera-Script for cues what scenes to use.
For those of you wondering, the seating arrangement is as follows; Nai in the end seat, at the center aisle, Koroku, Yogi, Tsukumo, Iva, Hirato, Tsukitachi, Jiki, and then Kiichi on the end on the outside aisle, so the two smaller members can lean to the outside, if someone taller sits in front and obstructs their view. The Captains chose the left row seats, not the right row. Also, I just realized I've been spelling her name Sesirie, but it's supposed to be Sesiri. I'm going to continue with Sesirie, because I'm too far into the story to go back and fix every instance.
¥000549.45 = $005.00
¥001098.90 = $010.00
¥002747.25 = $025.00
¥000274.73 = $002.50
¥001373.63= $012.50
¥010989.01 = $100.00
¥66093.85 = $600.00
¥77109.50 = $700.00
¥05507.82 = $050.00
I'm just rounding up/down to the nearest 5 or 10, so she's charging an even ammount. Yogi gets a grand total of 60 pictures, counting the Sesirie's package offer and the extras(if my math is right).
Overture: m. youtube w atch? v=3n Dw 2Fk 8tuY
Think of Me: m. youtube wat ch? v=XfTg CPU JwRk
The Mirror/Angel of Music Reprise: m. youtube watch ?v=yh 3_p s50y rg
The Phantom of the Opera: m .youtube wa tch?v=p gz6PnH kmpY
But, this chapter's pretty much gone be like the final chapter of "Peter Pan", but it's already gotten so long, I feel l need to split it in two. :\
Synopsis: Gareki readies himself for the final run of the play, unknowing he has supporters, and critics, alike, in the stands.
Karneval: Pyromancy
Chapter 24: The Show Must Go On Act 1
Gareki checked his phone for the umpteenth time today. No missed calls, no new messages. "It's been four whole weeks, now. Just how far out did they really go?"
"Gareki-Kun, ten minutes till opening curtain," the director called, knocking on the dressing room door.
Gareki sighed and looked himself in the mirror. Tonight was the final run. "I never thought I'd find myself actually longing to hear their voices," he begrudgingly admitted, "Oh well, the show must go on." He double checked that his costume was straight and joined the opening cast members back stage.
"Hirato-San, why are we so far in the back?" Koroku questioned as the crews of the first and second ships took up an entire row in the back, "Wouldn't we get a better view up closer to the front? Especially Nai and Kiichi-Chan?"
"I can see the stage just fine here, Koroku," Nai said , as he settled into the seat at the very end of the aisle, "I'm sure Kiich-Chan will be fine at the other end."
"Koroku-Kun, I'll gladly go up a few rows with you, Nai-Chan, and Kiichi-Chan, if you're having trouble seeing? " Tsukumo quietly offered.
"I would prefer we all day together, and refrained from drawing attention to ourselves," Hirato stated, as he and Tsukitachi removed their top hats, "We don't want to detract from the actors on stage."
"Tsubame-Chan is also playing the lead protagonist," Tsukitachi added," It might distract her if she looked up and recognized Nai-Chan or Yogi sitting closer up, so Hirato and I agreed the back row would be better."
"Hirato-San, is Gareki-Kun in this play, too? Is that why you told us not to let him know we're back, yet?" Yogi asked, sitting between Koroku and Tsukumo.
"I want our return to be a surprise," Hirato insisted. "He'll be seeing plenty of us in for the next few weeks, after tomorrow, " the dark haired Captain quietly stated. He smiled, noticing Yogi was quietly glancing around at the rest of the audience, "You can relax, Yogi. Akari-Sensei won't be joining us tonight," he chuckled. Yogi released a quiet sigh of relief and settled into his chair. Hirato huffed and tested his cheek on his knuckles. "He said he didn't trust us to 'behave ourselves 'n public', so he already attended last night's showing so we don't embarrass him," he muttered, somewhat irritabily.
"If they let Gareki-Kun have a role in this play, I'm sure it's nothing more than a bit part," Jiki said.
"A lowlife novice like him? He couldn't act his way out of a paper bag!" Kiichi laughed, ignoring everyone's annoyed looks, as she made her way to the end of the row, "Maybe after two years of training, he would be able to handle a talking role."
Tsukitachi gave Hirato a gentle pat on his arm, knowing the Dark haired Captain wasn't the only member of the second ship that wanted to slap the walking, talking blueberry muffin. "Now, Kii-Chan, be nice!" the ginger scolded, "I honestly don't understand what either of you have against Gareki-Kun, but he may just surprise you, one day."
"iGareki-Kun's really trying his best, why does everyone else feel the need to cut him down?/i" Yogi complained.
Hirato and Tsukitachi both exchanged knowing smiles. The look on Kiichi and Jiki's faces would be priceless, and they were sure the others would be more than proud. Tsukumo placed a supportive hand on her partner's arm, as did Koroku to Nai. "Ignore her," the eighteen year old scientists said, "She's just jealous they gave any of the roles to the students, before calling her first. If the ships were putting on this play, she'd probably be upset that she was chosen as the Primadona Carlotta over Christine."
This caused all the older males to feign a cough in order to laugh at Kiichi's expense. Jiki saw the annoyed look on Kiichi's face and tried not to laugh. "Honestly, all of you! Stop bickering and behaving like children," Iva scolded, "Just in case someone does see us and recognize us, we should be on our best behavior and set an example for the students."
"Yes ma'am," the younger six all replied, like a group of children who'd just been scolded by their mother. Again, the two captains feigned a cough in attempt to hide a laugh. Both quickly, quietly straightened up, however, when the teal-haired twenty-five year old flashed a look in their direction that seemed to say 'iI don't care if you are my superiors, I WILL slap you!'
The lights went down and the Overture began. The curtains opened on the screen of an auction.
AUCTIONEER Sold! Ladies and Gentlemen, up next is lot 665, a paper-machine music box shaped like a barrel organ with the figure of a monkey in silk robes playing the cymbals. Discovered in the vaults of this theater, still in working order..
PORTER: *Holds it up.* Showing here! *Winds it up.*
AUCTIONEER: I start at twenty fancs? No, fifteen then? *Someone raised their hand* Fifteen I am bid./center/pp
bicenterATENDEE 2: *Raises hand* Eighteen!/center/pp
bicenter ATENDEE 1: *Raised hand.* Twenty-five!/center/pp
bicenterGAREKI (As Raul): *Raised hand* Thirty!/center/pp
Nai's eyes widened in awe for a moment. He reached over and tugged at his creator's sleeve and pointed at the stage, "Look, Koroku, it's Gareki!" he whispered excitedly.
Hirato and Tsukitachi both smiled. As Tsukumo, Yogi, and Koroku all let out a happily surprised gasp. Tsukitachi glanced to his left, taking notice of the equally surprised looks on Kiichi and Jiki's faces, then gently elbowed his partner and nudged his head in their direction. Hirato gave a glance that way and both captains quietly began to chuckle. Kiichi looked as though someone had slapped her right across the face as she was taking a sip of her soda pop. Jiki looked like he was about to choke on his popcorn.
Tsukumo, taking more notice of Yogi than of Kiichi and Jiki, daintily curled a hand to her mouth and giggled. The Lieutenant had nearly choked on his caramel corn Naturally, Nai would have recognized the raven haired teenager, right away, but the makeup artist had done an amazing job of making Gareki look older. Tsukumo gently patted Yogi's arm, "I know he looks good in that outfit, but if you keep your mouth hanging like that, you'll start to attract flies," she giggled.
"Good is an understatement," Yogi said, blushing a little, "iHe's gorgeous!/i. He flashed a look down toward the two captains who were still quietly chuckling at Kiichi and Jiki's expense. "I KNEW there had to be a reason they didn't want us to tell him we were back yet!/i " he thought, "iI'm gonna have to find Seserie-San and ask her if she has pictures of him in any of his costumes."
AUCTIONEER: THIRTY! I hear thirty, do I hear thirty-five? Thirty I am bid. Thirty going once... Going twice...? *Hits his gavel on his podium* SOLD! For thirty francs to Vicomte Dr Chagny. Thank you, sir.
GAREKI: *Facing where the audience can see his face, as he studies the music box. Speaks half to himself, half to the box.* A collector's piece indeed. She spoke of you often, if your silk and velvet linings and figurine of lead. Will you still play, my friend, when all of us are dead?
AUCTIONEER: Next, Lot 666, a chandelier in pieces. Some of you may recall the mysterious Opera Ghost, a phenomenon that was never fully explained. We are told this is the very chandelier featured in that disaster. Our workshop has repaired it and fittied it up with wiring for the new electric lighting, so we may get a glimpse of what it would have looked like so many years ago. Perhaps, gentlemen, we can frighten away the ghost of so many years, with a little illumination. *The chandelier is raised off the ground and lot up. There's a flash of light, bright enough to disturb the audience's vision, long enough to for a scene change and the overture behind to play.
A group of actors and actresses are practicing their lines as three gentlemen enter the room.
LEVERFE: Ladies and Gentlemen, some of you may or may not have already met M. Andre and M. Firmin.
REYER: So sorry, Mr. Levere, bit we are rehearsing, if you please.
LEFERVE: Quite right, so sorry, please continue. *Points to Ryere* M. Reyer, our chief repetiteur. Quite the tyrant, I'm afraid. *The rehearsal continues as a group of ballet dancers move past them. Leferve points to a rather portly man* Signor Piangi, our primary tener. He plays opposite La Carlotta.
GIRY:*Exasperated with the men standing in the way of her ballet dancers. Bangs her came angrily on the floor* Gentlemen, please move to one side?
LEFERVE: So sorry, Madame Giry! *He leads Andre and Firm in to the side and gestures in the elderly woman's direction* Mme. Giry, our ballet mistress. I don't mind admitting, M. Firmin, I shan't be sorry to be free of the whole blessed business.
FIRMIN: I keep asking you, monsiure, why exactly are you retiring?/center/pp
LEFERVE: *Ignoring the question, draws attention back to the ballet dancers.* We take particular pride here in our ballets. *Meg becomes the prominent dancer.*
ANDRE: Who is that girl, Leferve?
LEFERVE: Her, that is Meh Giry, Mme. Giry's daughter. Promising dancer, most promising.
TSUBAME(As Christine): *Becomes the prominent dancer and absentmindedly falls out of step.
GIRY: *Bangs her came in the floor again.* Christine Daee, focus girl!
"Look at her! Who put all that work into curling her hair?" Yogi asked, sounding stunned.
"You know her?" Tsukumo and Koroku both asked.
"Tsubame-Chan looks so pretty" Nai said.
Yogi nodded, "That's Gareki-Kun's adopted sister, Tsubame-Chan," he explained.
ANDRE: Daee? Curios name.
LEFERVE: Swedish.
FIRMIN: Any relation to the violinist?
LEFERVE: His daughter, I believe. Always had her head in the clouds, unfortunately. Such a shame. If she could only focus, she'd be golden. *The rehearsal ends and Leferve claps his hands for silence.* Ladies and gentlemen, Mme. Giry, thank you. A moment of your time, please? For the last few weeks now, you have been hearing rumors of my retirement. Tonight, I am here to tell you, they are all true. I am pleased to introduce to you all, M. Richard Firmin and M. Gilles Andre, the gentleman who now own the Opera Populaire.*The actors and actresses give polite applause, some bowing. Carlotta comes forward to greet them and make her presence felt.* Signora Carlotta Giudicelli, our lead soprano for five seasons now.
The two new managers gush over meeting her, Andre and Firm in bothadmitting to having seen several of Carlotta and Piangi's roles. Andre requests a private rendition of the aria Carlotta is to sing during the third act of 'Hannibal', the play they are currently rehearsing for and she agrees. The music begins.
CARLOTTA: iThink of me. Think of me fondly when we've said goodbye
Remember me. One in a while
Please promise me you'll try
*A backdrop crashes, cutting her off from half the cast*
TSUBAME: *Voice sounding weak and frazzled.* He's here...
MEG & OTHER CAST MEMBERS: *Also sounding freightened* The Opera Ghost! He's here with us tonight.
Nah gives a quiet whimper as his hands fly to his ears. Not that the girl's singing was bad, but she was definitely hitting those soprano notes, and the crash of the backdrop on top of it bothered his sensitive ears. He was suddenly glad Hirato had opted for the back row seats.
"Nai?" Koroku asked worriedly, placing a concerned hand on the halfling's shoulder.
"I'm alright, Koroku," Nai assured him, "It's just her voice is loud, and this room echoes."
There's a lot of chatter on stage about the 'Opera Ghost' and how M. Leferve used to pay him twenty thousand francs a month and how he insist box 5 be left open for him. They also discuss that Vicomte Dr Chagny is expected to be at the next performance and how Carlotta refused to go on stage until the 'Ghost' is taken care of.
ANDRE: *Heaved a frustrated sigh and addresses Madame Giry* Madam, who is the understudy for the role?
GIRY: *Shakes her head.* There is no understudy, the production is new!
MEG: Christine... Christine Daee can sing it, monsieur!
ANDRE: What, the chorus girl?
MEG: She's been taking lessons from a great teacher. *Nods her head.*
ANDRE: From whom?
TSUBAME: *Hesitantly shakes her head, curls slightly bouncing off her shoulders.* I'm not completely sure, sir.
"Wow, Yogi's right! Someone must have really tortured her hair, not a single curl fell out of place," Tsukitachi whispered to Hirato.
FIRMIN: Oh, not you, too! Can you believe it, Andre, a full house and we'll have to cancel!
MEGi: Please, Sirs, let her sing for you! She's been taught very well.
ANDRE: *Sighs* What can it hurt to hear her out, at least?
REYER: Very well, Mademoiselle Daee, the aria, from the top, if you please?
TSUBAME: *Gives an uneasy nod and steps forward.* Think of me. Think of me fondly when we've said goodbye
Remember me. One in a while
Please promise me you'll try
Once again, Nai's hands went to his ears as Tsubame hit the high notes, near perfectly. "If THIS is bothering him, will be be alright when we get to the title theme?" Yogi asked, leaning over to Koroku.
"He says he's fine, we'll just have to see," Koroku shrugged.
*The spotlights go out on stage for a brief moment, the spotlights on the sides slowly fading in to show what would be the Opera House audience stands, which slowly begin to fill. A conversation between ANDRE and FIRM IN can still be heard amid Tsubame's second and third lines over the darkness. The stage lights stay faded on all but 'CHRISTINE' and 'RAUL', who are now spotlighted as the main focus. 'CHRISTINE ' is now in full costume as Tsubame continues to sing.*
FIRMIN: I must tell you Andre, this is doing nothing for my nerves.
ANDRE: Relax, Firmin
"I wonder if Gareki-Kun's an Alto or a Baritone?" Tsukumo murmured
TSUBAME: iWhen you find that once again
You want to take your heart back and be free
If you ever find a moment spare a thought for me.
We never said out love was evergreen
Or as unchanging as the sea
But if you can still remember
Stop and think of me
"Her voice is beautiful! She's sending shivers down my spine," the audience member sitting in front of Hirato said. Hearing this, the two captains exchanged smiles, beaming proudly.
TSUBAME: Think of all the things we've shared and seen
Don't think of what might have been
Think of me
Waking, silent and reserved
Trying too hard to put you from my mind
Recall those days
Look back on all those times
Think often things we'll never do
They will never be a day
Where I won't *Her voice swells* THINK O-F YO~~U
*The 'AUDIENCE' begins to cheer and applause with scattered shouts of 'BRAVO'. The real audience joins in with the applause.*
GAREKI (As Raul): *Sitting in the manager's box. Just as stunned now as he was the first time he'd heard Tsubame sing these lines, allowing the way the lyrics actually cut the chord with him to motivate his speech, raises to his feet, as if recognising her for the first time.* Can it be? Can it really be Christine!? BRAVO! What a shock! You're really not a bit the gawkish girl that once you were.
"Pft! He's not even singing!" Jiki protested, "I thought this was a musical?"
Hirato buried his face in his hand. Tsukitachi leaned over to Jiki and whispered, "This from the guy who tried to talk his way out of 'So Long, Farewell'during his rendition of'The Sound of Music '."
Kiichi sputtered on her drink in a failed attempt not to laugh as Jiki's face flushed bright red, remembering that argument. "iI was nine!" he protested in his defense.
GAREKI: She may not remember me, but I remember her.
TSUBAME: iWe never said our love was evergreen
Or as unchanging as the sea
But please promise me
That sometimes
You will think
Ah ha haha ha
Ah ha haha ha
O~~Of
OF ME
The curtains fall for a brief intermission, allowing everyone a chance for a bathroom break or a run to the concessions stand while the scene changes to Christine's dressing room. "Oh, Lt. Yogi! " A familiar voice rang out. Yogi looked up to see Sesirie, Shishi, and Ranji all in the middle aisle.
"Hey, you actually made it," Shishi beamed, "Does Gareki know you're here?"
"Not yet," Yogi reluctantly admitted.
"It's supposed to be a surprise," Nai said.
"Awe, what a cute little boy!" Sesirie and Ranji both squealed.
Shishi smiled and knelt down so he was eye level with the albino. "You must be Nai?" he hazarded a guess. Nai quietly nodded. Shishi reached out a hand for a hand shake, "Pleased to finally meet you."
Koroku wrapped his arms around Nai, protectively. "And who are you?" he asked cautiously.
"And you must be Koroku," Shishi chuckled, "I'm Gareki's roommate, Shishi."
Koroku relaxed and shook hands with Shishi. "Nice to meet you, sorry if knowing him has caused you any inconveniences," he joked.
Ranji have an excited squeak. The crossdresser pointed toward the two captains sitting in the center of the row. "Are me eyes deceiving me, or is that actually Captain Hirato!? "
"No, that's him," Yogi admitted.
"Don't look now, Hiro, sounds like you've got a fan girl," Tsukitachi teased.
"Ne, Sesirie, have you been taking pictures?" Yogi asked.
Sesire giggled, holding up both her camera and her phone. "The three of us have been here every night since it started. OF COURSE I'm taking pictures, and filming!"
"¥550 on stage. ¥1100 backstage. ¥2745 for the film," Sesirie said. "We haven't gotten with the cast to decide which ones are going in the year book yet. But, since you guys are so close, I'll make you a deal; half price, so ¥275 on stage, ¥550 backstage, and ¥01375 for the film, or ¥10990 for a set of any twenty pictures on or off stage PLUS the video footage,and my discounted asking price for each picture after that. Let me run to the ladies room, real quick, and I'll come back and show them to you."
Yogi sighed, once the three students were out of sight. "¥10989? Man, that's a steep price." He pulled out his wallet and deflated so that he was draping over the back of his seat.
"Pft, disgusting," Kiichi huffed, "Drooling over the kid like that."
"And you two are encouraging it," Jiki said, looking at the captains.
"How many pictures of your friends and family do you two have?" Tsukumo snipped. Kiichi and Jiki both blanched at her unexpected retort. They both had some pictures of their own friends and family, even Tsukumo, the captains, and Iva had a few. But Yogi, they knew he had nothing.
Hirato sighed and pulled out his wallet. "Yogi, who were those kids?" he asked.
"The grey haired boy is Gareki-Kun's roommate, Shishi - he's an engineering student. The one with the long black hair is Ranji from the Management Information Course and the student body representative. The girl with green hair I was just speaking with was Sesirie, she's also in the Information Management course and photography is her hobby."
"Anyone else interested any any of her pictures?" Hirato offered.
"You mean it?" Tsukumo asked.
"That's uncharacteristically generous of you," Iva pointed.
"I know, don't worry, I don't intend to make a habit of it," Hirato replied, "Karoku, Nai, would either of you like some of these pictures?"
"Ah, that makes more sense," Iva giggled.
"Hiro, that's ¥66,095, if you buy for all six of you," Tsukitachi balked.
"The school was asking more than that for the training bots," Hirato replied.
"iYeah, but I was willing to offer to help you pay for that one,/i" Tsukitachi stated under his breath.
"I'm only offering to pay for her package deal, 20 pictures a piece and a copy of the play," Hirato stated, looking point blank at Yogi, "Anything extra, you have to pay for it yourselves."
Tsukitachi clicked his tongue. "Hell, why not? Tsubame-Chan's in this play, too. Kiichi, Jiki," he pulled out his wallet, "I don't suppose either of you are interested?"
"No thanks," they both answered, still hanging their heads in shame from Tsukumo's earlier scolding.
Sesirie returned and came straight to Yogi, pulling out her laptop and plugging her phone and camera into it. Yogi explained Hirato's offer and suggested Sesirie allow the others to choose their pictures first, she happily obliged. Having made an easy ¥77110 from both captains combined, she showed them all her pictures and began setting up the packages to send them in folders. While Tsukitachi and Hirato bought on stage pictures of not just Tsubame and Gareki, they both picked out at least one each of the two of them backstage and a few other cast members on stage, though Tsukitachi's package had a few more pictures of Tsubame, while everyone else had chosen several more of Gareki. Iva and Tsukumo chose mostly on stage pictures of Gareki or Gareki and Tsubame both. Koroku chose a full set of 20 onstage pictures of either Gareki by himself, or Gareki with Tsubame. Nai chose an even split five of Gareki on stage, give of Tsubame on stage, give of both of them together, and four of each of them separately backstage, and one of both of them together backstage.
Finally, it was Yogi's turn to pick. "Wow, these are really good quality, Sesirie-Chan," he praised, "Even your back stage pictures look professional."
"I couldn't help but notice, in all the onstage pictures you have during the romance scenes," Tsukumo interjected, as Yogi scrolled through the pictures, "They never kiss on the lips, was that the directors decision?" She asked, not because she was disappointed, but because she was curious how much anyone knew about the situation.
"Actually, Gareki-Kun and Tsubame-Chan insisted on it," Sesirie explained , as Yogi scrolled up a picture of 'Raul' kissing the back of 'Christine's hand. Everyone looked up at her. "They both seem hesitant to full anyone else in on the details, but it's obvious they knew each other before coming to Kuronomie. They insisted they would only do the roles if they were allowed to keep the kissing restricted to one another's cheeks, forehead, or back of the hands. Gareki also insisted against singing any of his lines. The director's the only one who knows why, but she allowed it, and they've managed to pull it off beautifully, so far. They still have enough chemistry between themselves to make it feel natural."
By the time Yogi had picked out all the pictures he wanted; not just Sesirie's offered 20- all of which had been either on or off stage of Gareki alone, but an additional 20 of Tsubame both on and off stage, all five of the onstage and the one offstage picture of both of them together, and one picture each on and offstage of some of the main cast; Meg, Madame Giry, Eric/the Phantom, and Carlotta and Piangi- not individually and together, and a single on stage and backstage picture of the entire cast and crew, for a total of 40 extra pictures, and a discounted price of ¥5510 for the bunch, the play had already started back, 'Raul' and 'Christine' had already had their reunion, and 'Raul' was off to grab his hat, after insisting 'Christine' join him for dinner.
centerThe orchestra stroked up a foreboding music as Eric, The Phantom, makes his presence felt./center
PHANTOM:*Bitterly*iInsolent boy! This SLA-VE of fashion, basking in YOUR GLORY
Ignorant fool, this brave young suitor, sharing in MY TRIUMPH!
TSUBAME: *Spellbound* iAngel, I hear you, speak I listen. Stay by my side, guide me. Angel, my soul was weak, forgive me, enter at last, Master!
PHANTOM: *Softening his voice, as though he is unable to stay mad at her.* Flattering child, you shall know me
See why in shadow I hide
Look at your face in the mirror. I AM THERE INSI~DE!
TSUBAME: *Approaches a full body mirror against the wall and the image of the phantom becomes discernible on the opposite side of the glass.* Angel of Music, Guide and Guardian! Grant me your glory!
Angel of Music, hide no longer. Come to me, strange angle!
PHANTOM: I am your Angel... Come to me, Angel... *Christine's dressing room begins to fill with thick fog.*
GAREKI: *Hearing the Phantom on the other side of the door.* Who's is that voice? Who is that in there? *A lick of the dog rolls out of the room, under the crack in the door.* Christine!? Angel? *He tries the door, but finds it locked.*
PHANTOM: *Opens a door on the opposite side of the mirror, an inferno of white light and thick fog behind him. He reached through and grabs Christine firmly by the wrist. She gives a gasp at how cold his hand is, as he pulls her through.* I am your Angel... Come to me, Angel... *Christine disappears through the mirror and the hidden door shuts. The dressing room unlocks and swings open, Raul stumbling inside, only to find the room empty.
Jiki took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes as the entire stage fills with enough for to hide the change in scenery. "Jiki-Kun? Don't tell me you're getting sentimental?" Kiichi asked.
"No" Jiki refuted, "Damn, how did they get a white light THAT bright!?"
*Slowly, the fog dies down to a light mist and candle light becomes visible. 'Christine's voice is heard low and lilting, but gradually becomes stronger as the image of her and the Phantom in a gondola becomes visible and the music begins to swell.*
TSUBAME: iIn sleep he sang to mebr
In DREAMS he came
That voice that calls my na~me
And do I DREAM again
For now I Fi~nd
The PHA ~NTOM OF THE OPERA` is there~
Inside my mind/i/center
PHANTOM: *Rowing the gondola.* Sing ONCE AGAIN with me
Our strange due~t
My power over you
Gross stronger ye~t *He reaches his free hand toward 'Christine', who turns away, staring at the water*
And though you turn from mebr
To GLANCE BEHI~ND
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA` is here~
*He returns to his rowing.*iInside your mind
TSUBAME: iThose who have seen your face
Draw back in fear~
I AM the MASK` you wear
PHANTOMi: It's me they hear~
BOTH: YOUR/MY SPIRIT AND YOUR/MY VOICE
IN O~NE COMBI~N~ED
THE PHA~NTOM OF THE OPERA`
Is there/her Inside your/my mind
Again, Nai's hands went to his ears. Tsukitachi and Hirato exchanged uncomfortable looks, and everyone on their row quietly shifted their eyes to Yogi, wondering if any of the lyrics we're resonating with the blonde's dual personality. They had already began to notice how close to home this story must have struck for Tsubame and Gareki. For Tsubame, her now missing twin could easily have counted as the devilish Angel of Music, having turned into a Varuga. But who, in Gareki's mind hit closer to the Phantom; his now late adoptive brother, or the lieutenant?
"No wonder they can make it worki" Tsukitachi whispered.
Voices Off Stage: i He's there
The Phantom of the Opera
Beware
The Phantom of the Opera
PHANTOM: i In all your fantasies~
You always knew
That man and mystery~
TSUBAME: *Kneels down and watches her reflection in the misty river* Were both in you
BOTH: AND IN THIS LABYRINTH
WHER NI~GHT IS BLI~ND
THE PHA~NTOM OF THE OPERA`
IS THERE/HERE INSIDE YOUR/MY MI-ND
PHANTOM: Sing my Angel of Music
TSUBAME: *She stands again and begins to vocalize, beautifully, gradually hitting higher notes.*
PHANTOM: Sing! Sing, my Angel *'Christine ' gradually continues to hit the higher notes as he continues to urge her on.* SING FOR ME!
Iva held open one of her hands and quietly formed a small crystal ball. Tsukumo quietly watched her in blinked as she realized what Iva was doing.
TSUBAME: AAAAH *She hit the final note and the whole room felt as though it shook.*
Nai had already left the room, a nd he and Koroku we're both now standing just outside the auditorium. When Tsubame hit the final note, the little halfling sank to his knees, hands over his ears curled into a ball. As the music and aplause subsided, Koroku gently lifted the albino into his arms and carried him back inside.
"I was worried about that, is he ok? " Yogi asked.
"I think so," Koroku replied, sitting back in his seat and gently tusseling his he nd through the halfling's hair, "Seems like sitting in the back row was the better option after all."
"Well, she didn't shatter it," Iva said, sounding impressed, "But there's definitely a crack in it. This kid's got potential."