Chapter 4: The Music Of Time
Erik found his usual routine of the day disrupted... Normally he would spend most of the day composing his opera, Don Juan Triumphant before using a secret corridor that stood behind the walls of the opera house's chapel in which he would teach his beloved Christine how to sing like the angel he believed her to be... Whilst at the same time, Christine was believing that she was being taught by an angel of music sent by the spirit of her father from heaven... The time the masked phantom would usually spend composing his opera had been replaced by a new routine in which he would make his way up to the opera house via one of the many secret corridors and he would find Clara... She would be sitting within one of the opera house's practice rooms and she would be sat at the piano... He watched as she awkwardly played the scales before opening her mouth but then... He would see her close her eyes hopelessly before closing her lips once again and the masked phantom couldn't help the ache that he felt within his heart due to the knowledge that it was his cruel words that had been the cause of the doubt that prevented her from singing... Prevented her from doing what she loved.
Clara had been laying in her bed one night and stared at the ceiling of her room when a gentle knock was applied to her door causing her to look up just as it opened, revealing the face of her aunt whom offered her a gentle smile,
"I thought you might like a nice cup of tea" she suggested, as she carried in a tea tray,
"Thank you auntie but I've never really been a fan of tea" Clara told her as she sat up but the ballet mistress smiled at her before offering a mug,
"It's a good thing I brought you hot chocolate then" she teased causing Clara to smile with soft amusement and she accepted the mug and took a little sip,
"... You know that there will be auditions for the next season being held next month..." Antoinette said gently after a long moment of silence and she watched as her niece sighed sadly before shaking her head,
"I... I can't..." she murmured,
"Clara, dear heart. You cannot let that... Imbecile's feedback destroy your spirit and love for singing" Antoinette told her,
"... It's not that... I... I just... I need time to find my drive once again... My wrist is still healing... Perhaps once it is fully healed and I am able to play the piano again and in turn able to practice singing again... Maybe it will ignite that spark again" Clara explained and Antoinette nodded gently in understanding,
"Well I can assure you that I have total faith in you" she assured before pressing a kiss to her niece's forehead before they both enjoyed their warm drinks.
It was a few weeks later that Erik was listening in on a meeting that the managers were having with Antoinette,
"The caterers have been booked, the posters and invitations have been printed and everything is on schedule" the manager named Richard stated causing Erik to tilt his head in a curious manner,
"I still think we should have waited... What if... he... is displeased?" Andre asked nervously,
"I am sure he will not be phased. I can assure you with complete honesty that I do not care either way" Antoinette grumbled, earning the manager's surprise as Madame Giry had always insisted on them treading carefully when it came to making decisions that would affect the opera house just in case it angered the opera ghost... Erik released a silent sigh... He knew that Antoinette was still furious with him and he didn't blame her... But the masked phantom soon looked up quickly when he heard a familiar voice speak up after knocking on the office door,
"... I'm so sorry to interrupt" Clara said gently before looking towards Antoinette,
"The ballet uniforms for the next season have arrived" she explained causing her Auntie to smile in thanks before leaving the room to review the delivery,
"Always good to see you, Miss Du Bois" Andre greeted politely,
"Are you excited for the upcoming ball?" Richard added,
"Oh... I wasn't aware there was one" she explained causing the managers to smile proudly,
"Oh yes. We haven't sent out the invitations yet or had the posters displayed" Richard recalled and Erik rolled his eyes at their 'subtle' way of getting Clara's attention so they could boast about their amazing idea... A ball? What a ridiculous waste of money,
"We intend to hold a ball in celebration of the upcoming new year. Staff, public and loyal customers are all welcome to attend" Andre explained,
"Oh... I'm sure it will be wonderful but... Won't La Carlotta refuse to attend?" Clara asked suddenly which caused Erik to frown in confusion... Why would the banshee refuse to attend? She loved anything that gave her the opportunity to be adored by her beloved public,
"... I only ask because I am certain she might dislike the idea of being hounded the entire night by other opera house managers, talent scouts and so on..." Clara explained instantly causing the managers to look horrified,
"Other... Opera House managers?..." Richard mumbled,
"Talent scouts?" Andre murmured,
"Yes, due to it being open to the public but perhaps I'm wrong. She may be overjoyed by the offers she will no doubt receive..." Clara stated but noted their concerned expressions,
"... Unless you wanted to prevent that possibility?" she pressed,
"What do you suggest?" The managers chorused at the same time,
"... Well... You could make it a masquerade" Clara suggested,
"I'm sure the stars of the opera house might appreciate the ability to hide in plain sight" she explained and Erik watched as the managers smiled brightly,
"GENIUS!" they yelled before rushing out of the room just as Antoinette re entered the room and crossed her arms looking at Clara with an unimpressed expression,
"What?..." Clara asked innocently,
"... Quite an ingenious idea and I'm sure it's nothing to do with the fact that you might know someone whom would appreciate being able to hide in plain sight among a sea of masked guests..." Antoinette accused and Erik instantly earned an expression of surprise... Surely not... He watched Clara sigh in defeat,
"This is his opera house at the end of the day... It's only fair that he should have the opportunity to attend..." Clara reasoned and Antoinette couldn't help but smile gently,
"... He doesn't deserve your kindness" she pointed out,
"... But I cannot stay mad knowing that it was a gesture born from that selfless heart of yours" the ballet mistress praised before hugging her niece gently and Erik couldn't help but be stunned... Clara had deliberately tricked the managers into making the new year's ball a masquerade just so that he would have the choice to attend?... After the way he had spoken to her so cruelly?... The phantom was filled with multiple thoughts that soon had him fleeing back to his cavern home far below the opera house.
It was five days before the masquerade ball when Clara was finally able to play the piano again due to her hand being practically healed... She was playing a gentle melody when she felt a presence behind her that caused her to stop playing,
"... I... I hope you will Forgive the intrusion..." Erik spoke up after a long moment with a gentle tone filled with guilt and he noted how Clara didn't turn to look at him for a long moment but finally took a deep breath before standing from the piano stool and turned to look at him,
"How can I help you, Mr Destler?" she asked politely with a half smile,
"... I couldn't help but overhear your suggestion to the managers that the upcoming ball be given a masquerade theme..." Erik explained,
"... I also couldn't help but overhear your true reasons for doing so..." he explained,
"Well as manager's stated. The staff, the public and loyal customers are all welcome to attend and I thought it was only fair that the true manager of this opera house should at least have the choice" Clara reasoned bashfully,
"... I am truly grateful" Erik told her before a long silence fell between them,
"... I... I am curious to know if you will be attending?" Erik asked causing Clara to look at him surprised as she wasn't sure why he would care if she would be attending or not,
"... I haven't given it much thought... I still need to find a costume and a mask but... I think I will try and make attempts to attend" Clara answered and saw the masked gentleman smile in relief, nodding as more silence filled the practice studio,
"Despite my obvious appreciation for the arts... Dancing is not something I am experienced in" Erik explained after a long moment, taking a hesitant step towards her,
"... And... I was hoping that... If you were willing then you might agree to..." he struggled as Clara looked up at him gently despite his obvious struggle of trying to maintain eye contact with her,
"... Teach you?" she provided gently before watching him nod,
"Yes... Your assistance and instruction would mean a great deal to me" Erik explained and Clara couldn't help but smile at his hesitant and bashful request,
"... I would be happy to teach you" Clara told him, smiling brightly at his deep sigh of relief.
Erik removed his cloak and gloves, placing them over the piano before hesitantly making his way over to Clara whom gently placed her left hand on his shoulder,
"I put my left hand here and you place your right hand on my waist" she instructed,
"What?" Erik demanded, his ears turning a shade of pink and Clara couldn't help but giggle gently as she took his right hand and placed it against her waist before proceeding to hold up her right hand which Erik hesitantly took within his own,
"... Ok now you step forward..." she encourage, watching as Erik did so and she took at step back as she began instructing him on the simple 3 steps of a basic waltz,
"I feel foolish" Erik grumbled and Clara shook her head in amusement,
"It won't feel that way at the ball. There will be music when you dance with your partner" she explained but frowned when Erik stopped dancing, bringing her to a halt at the same time and she watched him hesitantly reach into his jacket pocket and retrieved a stunning silver fob watch,
"... Perhaps I should try to practice with some music" he suggested before clicking the watch open causing a light music box like melody to fill the air and Clara couldn't help but smile in amazement,
"... How extraordinary" she praised, watching as he hesitantly placed the musical fob watch on the piano beside his cloak and gloves... He hesitantly offered his hand to Clara once again,
"... Might I have the honor?" he requested gently with a polite bow of his head and he saw how Clara smiled at him gently before placing her hand within his own and she curtsied gently,
"... The honor is mine" she assured as she once again placed her left hand on his shoulder as he placed his right on her waist and they began a gentle waltz around the room... Both were unaware of the fact the Antoinette had come to check on Clara but witnessed the sight of them dancing together and the ballet mistress couldn't help the gentle smile on her face... She silently retreated leaving them to enjoy their time together.
The tune that plays on Erik's fob watch is a music box tune of disney's beauty and the beast for obvious reasons :D
Review For Chapter 5!
Kind Regards,
QueenOfDisney96