(This part was hard to do. In the play, this is all a lot of singing, as is the rest of the story. but because I have grown to know this part with the singing so well, it was hard not to rhyme a few things here and there, and word it just right. I am sorry if any other Chapters, including this one, is confusing. It was difficult to write.)
p
It was over an hour after the curtains dropped, and dancers still surrounded me, glistening over my performance. I couldn't help but smile as they fawned over the situation itself. Madame Giry appeared out of the shadows. "You did well. He will be pleased..." Horror struck me. She knew...she knew everything... "And you!" she said, pointing to the dancers.
p
"You were a disgrace tonight! Here - we rehearse. Now!"
p
Each word was emphasized with her cane, as she stamped the ground. The ballet girls walked away to rehearsal, and I was left alone. I stood in the dark for a few minutes, and then advanced to my dressing room. As I walked, I thought about the day, and smiled. I never knew anything like this would happen...but then again...I never thought that....
p
"Bravi, bravi! Bravissimi...." I heard his voice somewhere inside of my dressing room. I looked around the outside of the door, startled. Then I heard a shuffle from behind me. I turned quickly, to find Meg standing behind me.
p
"I'm sorry Christine...I didn't mean to startle you...just....you sang so beautifully tonight...where did it come from? I only wish I could sing like that. Did you really get a new tutor for singing?"
p
I felt I needed to tell Meg what had been happening to me; about my new voice. But would she believe me, or would she think I am insane? I unlocked the door, and she walked in behind me.
p
"My father told me that when he was in heaven, he would send me the Angel of Music. You do know the story, don't you?" Meg shook her head. "Well, I always used to dream he would come to me, and sing me to sleep. Now when I sing, I can feel his presents. Like in this room...he is calling me now, very softly."
p
Meg looked at my puzzled. "Christine....you must have been dreaming, your talking in riddles. Stories like this can't come true..." I turned my head, and looked down. I knew it, she didn't believe me. I suddenly felt an urge to call to the Angel of Music my father had talked of. but I felt the only way he would come, and believe that I needed his guidance, was by singing.
p
"Angel of Music, guide and guardian, grant to me your glory." Meg interrupted me. "Who is this Angel; this Angel of Music?" I stopped, and looked at Meg. I felt like I had lost it all...my sanity, my spirit; everything. I felt myself feeling faint. I looked up at Meg, and said seriously, "He's with me even now; he's all around me." Meg grasped my hands to confort me, but pulled them away quickly. "Your hands are cold!" she said. She looked into my eyes, and saw my sudden fear, and noticed my pale face. "Your face, Christine! It's white! It frightens me!"
p
I told her quietly, "Don't be frightened..."
p
At this, Madame Giry stamped her cane on the floor, and turned our attention to her. She had just walked into the doorway of the dressing room. "Meg Giry! Are you a dancer, or not? The come and practice!" At this, Meg left my side, and joined the rest of the dancers away from the dressing room. Before Madame Giry turned to leave, she reached her hand out to me, and said, "I was asked to give you this, Ms. Daaé."
p
I took the folded letter into my hand, and waited for Madame Giry to leave the room before opening it. I held the letter up to the light, and read aloud, "A scarf...the attic....Little Lotte." I knew who it was from. It was from the Vicomte de Chagny - Rauol.
p
-
p
(The following is not Christine's point of view. Because Christine doesn't know what they were saying outside of her dressing room. There will be other parts like this in following Chapters.)
p
"It was a tour de force! There is really no other way to describe it!" André announced. "And no single refund!" Firmin added. "We have made quite a discovery in Miss Daaé Firmin!" André proclaimed.
p
They stopped in front of Christine Daaé's dressing room. "Ah, here we are Monsieur le Vicomte." Firmin announced. Raoul looked up at the room, and turned to the two managers. "Gentlemen...this is a visit I wish to make alone." he said. André and Firmin looked at each other with a grin, and started walking in the other direction. "As you wish, Monsieur!" Firmin called out. They walked away from the dressing room, laughing to themselves, and the last word heard by Raoul was Firmin, saying, "They've appeared to have met before."
p
-
p
(Back to Christine's point of view.)
p
A quiet knock came from my door. I looked up, and wondered who would be still in the opera house at this hour. Suddenly, a familiar face appeared in the doorway. Raoul had let himself in.
p
"Christine Daaé! Where is your scarf?" he asked. I cocked my head, puzzled, and asked, "Monsieur?" He gave a slight laugh. "You couldn't have lost it! After all of the trouble it took me to get it? I was just fourteen, and soaked to the skin."
p
Remembering the incident that brought us to meeting so many years ago, I laughed, "Because you had to run into the sea to fetch my scarf. Oh Raoul, it is you!" We laughed, and I assumed that he was going through childhood thoughts, as I was. I walked to my dressing table, and sat down, as he started to chant a familiar tune.
p
"Little Lotte...let her mind wonder..." he sang. "You remember that too." I said, more seriously. He continued. "Little Lotte thought, 'Am I fonder of dolls, or of goblins, of shoes?" I found it hard to resist joining in with him. "Or of riddles of frocks..." Raoul stopped. I couldn't stop though...I kept bringing back more memories. "Father playing the violin...as we would dance and sing to every song..." Raoul nodded. "As we read to each other dark stories of the north." he said.
p
We had drifted away from the 'Little Lotte' story, so I brought it back up, only because it was one of my more fonder memories. It still affected me today..."Know what I love best, Lotte said, is when, I'm a sleep in my bed. And the Angel of Music sings songs in my head..." Raoul smiled, and joined, "The Angel of Music sings songs in my head..."
p
I turned away from Raoul, holding back tears, and said, "Father said, 'When I'm in heaven child, I will send the Angel of Music to you.' Well father is dead now, Raoul. And I have been visited by the Angel of Music!" Raoul smiled, "No doubt of it! And now, we'll go to super!" I thought about it, and what had happened earlier, while Meg was in the room. How I almost felt him with me.
p
The feeling was back. I tried to shake it off, but couldn't. "No Raoul, the Angel of Music is very strict." I simply replied. He looked at me puzzled. "I shan't keep you up late." He replied. Before he could say more, I replied, "No Raoul." But he wouldn't listen. He said, "You need to get dressed. I must get my hat! Two minutes, Little Lotte!"
p
With that, he was on his way. I called out helplessly, "No Raoul!" but he didn't hear. I said to myself, "Things have changed now Raoul..." I went back, and sat at my dressing table once more, combing out my hair, and wondering what to say upon Raoul's arrival.
p
I glanced at the lamp beside the table, and say the crystal beads shaking. I watched them sway back and forth, and suddenly heard tremulous music all around the room. I looked everywhere. No one. Suddenly, I heard a voice. It was a new voice, but it seemed like I had heard it since childhood...
p
"Insolent boy! This slave of fashion! Basking in my glory! Ignorant fool! This brave young suitor, sharing in my triumph!" it said. I looked around the room more. It sounded like the voice was coming from behind my mirror. I knew now why this voice was familiar. It was my Angel! Like in my dreams! I sang to it, just as it sang to me.
p
"Angel I hear you, speak, I listen. Stay by my side, Guide me. Angel my soul was weak forgive me, enter atlast master!"
p
The Angel's voice was so soft, and comforting. Even as he spoke normally, it was melodic. His voice grew softer as he said, "You are a flattering child. I have come to teach you to sing like an angel. You act as though we've just been acquainted, but you should know me well. Look at your face inside of the mirror, child."
p
I stepped forward, and strained to see past my reflection. Instantly, a tall man appeared. He wore a black cloak, and a hat that covered his face. He started to call in a soft, smooth voice, "I am your Angel of Music...come to me Angel of Music..."
p
He offered an outstretched hand, and I accepted it. His grasp was cold, and damp, and I gasped as his grip tightened. He started leading me into the mirror, and without feeling anything brush against me, I stepped inside.
p
Before the mirror closed completely, I saw Raoul swing through the dressing room door, frantically, and look around hopelessly. He cried, "Christine! Angel!"
p
p
It was over an hour after the curtains dropped, and dancers still surrounded me, glistening over my performance. I couldn't help but smile as they fawned over the situation itself. Madame Giry appeared out of the shadows. "You did well. He will be pleased..." Horror struck me. She knew...she knew everything... "And you!" she said, pointing to the dancers.
p
"You were a disgrace tonight! Here - we rehearse. Now!"
p
Each word was emphasized with her cane, as she stamped the ground. The ballet girls walked away to rehearsal, and I was left alone. I stood in the dark for a few minutes, and then advanced to my dressing room. As I walked, I thought about the day, and smiled. I never knew anything like this would happen...but then again...I never thought that....
p
"Bravi, bravi! Bravissimi...." I heard his voice somewhere inside of my dressing room. I looked around the outside of the door, startled. Then I heard a shuffle from behind me. I turned quickly, to find Meg standing behind me.
p
"I'm sorry Christine...I didn't mean to startle you...just....you sang so beautifully tonight...where did it come from? I only wish I could sing like that. Did you really get a new tutor for singing?"
p
I felt I needed to tell Meg what had been happening to me; about my new voice. But would she believe me, or would she think I am insane? I unlocked the door, and she walked in behind me.
p
"My father told me that when he was in heaven, he would send me the Angel of Music. You do know the story, don't you?" Meg shook her head. "Well, I always used to dream he would come to me, and sing me to sleep. Now when I sing, I can feel his presents. Like in this room...he is calling me now, very softly."
p
Meg looked at my puzzled. "Christine....you must have been dreaming, your talking in riddles. Stories like this can't come true..." I turned my head, and looked down. I knew it, she didn't believe me. I suddenly felt an urge to call to the Angel of Music my father had talked of. but I felt the only way he would come, and believe that I needed his guidance, was by singing.
p
"Angel of Music, guide and guardian, grant to me your glory." Meg interrupted me. "Who is this Angel; this Angel of Music?" I stopped, and looked at Meg. I felt like I had lost it all...my sanity, my spirit; everything. I felt myself feeling faint. I looked up at Meg, and said seriously, "He's with me even now; he's all around me." Meg grasped my hands to confort me, but pulled them away quickly. "Your hands are cold!" she said. She looked into my eyes, and saw my sudden fear, and noticed my pale face. "Your face, Christine! It's white! It frightens me!"
p
I told her quietly, "Don't be frightened..."
p
At this, Madame Giry stamped her cane on the floor, and turned our attention to her. She had just walked into the doorway of the dressing room. "Meg Giry! Are you a dancer, or not? The come and practice!" At this, Meg left my side, and joined the rest of the dancers away from the dressing room. Before Madame Giry turned to leave, she reached her hand out to me, and said, "I was asked to give you this, Ms. Daaé."
p
I took the folded letter into my hand, and waited for Madame Giry to leave the room before opening it. I held the letter up to the light, and read aloud, "A scarf...the attic....Little Lotte." I knew who it was from. It was from the Vicomte de Chagny - Rauol.
p
-
p
(The following is not Christine's point of view. Because Christine doesn't know what they were saying outside of her dressing room. There will be other parts like this in following Chapters.)
p
"It was a tour de force! There is really no other way to describe it!" André announced. "And no single refund!" Firmin added. "We have made quite a discovery in Miss Daaé Firmin!" André proclaimed.
p
They stopped in front of Christine Daaé's dressing room. "Ah, here we are Monsieur le Vicomte." Firmin announced. Raoul looked up at the room, and turned to the two managers. "Gentlemen...this is a visit I wish to make alone." he said. André and Firmin looked at each other with a grin, and started walking in the other direction. "As you wish, Monsieur!" Firmin called out. They walked away from the dressing room, laughing to themselves, and the last word heard by Raoul was Firmin, saying, "They've appeared to have met before."
p
-
p
(Back to Christine's point of view.)
p
A quiet knock came from my door. I looked up, and wondered who would be still in the opera house at this hour. Suddenly, a familiar face appeared in the doorway. Raoul had let himself in.
p
"Christine Daaé! Where is your scarf?" he asked. I cocked my head, puzzled, and asked, "Monsieur?" He gave a slight laugh. "You couldn't have lost it! After all of the trouble it took me to get it? I was just fourteen, and soaked to the skin."
p
Remembering the incident that brought us to meeting so many years ago, I laughed, "Because you had to run into the sea to fetch my scarf. Oh Raoul, it is you!" We laughed, and I assumed that he was going through childhood thoughts, as I was. I walked to my dressing table, and sat down, as he started to chant a familiar tune.
p
"Little Lotte...let her mind wonder..." he sang. "You remember that too." I said, more seriously. He continued. "Little Lotte thought, 'Am I fonder of dolls, or of goblins, of shoes?" I found it hard to resist joining in with him. "Or of riddles of frocks..." Raoul stopped. I couldn't stop though...I kept bringing back more memories. "Father playing the violin...as we would dance and sing to every song..." Raoul nodded. "As we read to each other dark stories of the north." he said.
p
We had drifted away from the 'Little Lotte' story, so I brought it back up, only because it was one of my more fonder memories. It still affected me today..."Know what I love best, Lotte said, is when, I'm a sleep in my bed. And the Angel of Music sings songs in my head..." Raoul smiled, and joined, "The Angel of Music sings songs in my head..."
p
I turned away from Raoul, holding back tears, and said, "Father said, 'When I'm in heaven child, I will send the Angel of Music to you.' Well father is dead now, Raoul. And I have been visited by the Angel of Music!" Raoul smiled, "No doubt of it! And now, we'll go to super!" I thought about it, and what had happened earlier, while Meg was in the room. How I almost felt him with me.
p
The feeling was back. I tried to shake it off, but couldn't. "No Raoul, the Angel of Music is very strict." I simply replied. He looked at me puzzled. "I shan't keep you up late." He replied. Before he could say more, I replied, "No Raoul." But he wouldn't listen. He said, "You need to get dressed. I must get my hat! Two minutes, Little Lotte!"
p
With that, he was on his way. I called out helplessly, "No Raoul!" but he didn't hear. I said to myself, "Things have changed now Raoul..." I went back, and sat at my dressing table once more, combing out my hair, and wondering what to say upon Raoul's arrival.
p
I glanced at the lamp beside the table, and say the crystal beads shaking. I watched them sway back and forth, and suddenly heard tremulous music all around the room. I looked everywhere. No one. Suddenly, I heard a voice. It was a new voice, but it seemed like I had heard it since childhood...
p
"Insolent boy! This slave of fashion! Basking in my glory! Ignorant fool! This brave young suitor, sharing in my triumph!" it said. I looked around the room more. It sounded like the voice was coming from behind my mirror. I knew now why this voice was familiar. It was my Angel! Like in my dreams! I sang to it, just as it sang to me.
p
"Angel I hear you, speak, I listen. Stay by my side, Guide me. Angel my soul was weak forgive me, enter atlast master!"
p
The Angel's voice was so soft, and comforting. Even as he spoke normally, it was melodic. His voice grew softer as he said, "You are a flattering child. I have come to teach you to sing like an angel. You act as though we've just been acquainted, but you should know me well. Look at your face inside of the mirror, child."
p
I stepped forward, and strained to see past my reflection. Instantly, a tall man appeared. He wore a black cloak, and a hat that covered his face. He started to call in a soft, smooth voice, "I am your Angel of Music...come to me Angel of Music..."
p
He offered an outstretched hand, and I accepted it. His grasp was cold, and damp, and I gasped as his grip tightened. He started leading me into the mirror, and without feeling anything brush against me, I stepped inside.
p
Before the mirror closed completely, I saw Raoul swing through the dressing room door, frantically, and look around hopelessly. He cried, "Christine! Angel!"
p