Title: Muse
Author: kire evoli
Pairing: ErikChristine (because Raoul thinks he's soooo cool.)
Rating: PG-13 (just a guess here but most of my writing is never below that. Might it go higher? We'll see.)
Disclaimer: Sadly, and no matter how much it breaks my little heart to say this, I don't own "The Phantom of the Opera" or Erik or Christine or anyone else. But if I did... heh
Warning: Raoul-bashing, abnormally cranky Raoul. I don't really fancy the Vicomte so when it looks like he's going to get some love, bah!
Genre: Romance/Drama
Summary: Raoul goes mad when he finds out that Christine, his fiancé, still yearns for the love of her phantom. Takes place a few days after the happenings in the labyrinth.
Author's Notes: Okay, a friend of mine finally convinced me to put my work up here so whopee! First submission! This story will be longish, I never really fancied obnoxiously short stories so just keep checking back for new chapters. Well, I owe my courage to Rachel, I guess this story is kinda for our little Raoul-less PotO. Woot! Go us. Erikathon. XD
Muse: Chapter One
"Christine, darling?" Raoul had opened the door to her dressing chamber and strode in. Since they had been engaged he felt no need for barriers between them and he welcomed her into his own room as quickly as he entered hers.
The young brunette sat at her vanity dragging a soft bristled brush through her curls. She still wasn't accustomed to her fiancé's good mannered intrusions but she sat unmoved.
"I have a present for you!" The Vicomte cheered as he trotted over to her removing a velvet jewelry case from his coat pocket.
Christine placed the brush down and stood to greet her future husband with a smile. "A gift? For me? But why?"
"Must a man need an excuse to buy a gift for the woman he loves?" He counteracted as he turned Christine around and dangled a golden locket around her neck.
Gasping, Christine's fingers touched the locket in instant reaction. "It's beautiful! Heavens Raoul! Why ever did you…"
The Vicomte laughed as he kissed the top of her head. "Christine. There is no reason why I shouldn't shower you with beautiful gifts. I saw it and I simply had to buy it for you."
"Thank you. It's wonderful." She replied, moving over to the full length mirror that has always inhabited the room. The vanity mirror never did justice in her mind and she made an extra attempt to always use that mirror when she was admiring herself. It had already been a few days since the turmoil in the labyrinth but she couldn't quite bring herself to forget it and she knew soon enough she would be the Countess of a man she always admired, living in a beautiful home, hopefully distant enough to snap the very last thread of frightening memories she had about the Populaire. Turning back to Raoul she smiled. "I love it. Does it open?" She questioned, fumbling with the latch and popping the locket open to reveal a picture of the man who owned her heart since childhood. "My father. Raoul where did you find this picture?"
"It was in a drawer of your dresser along with a few others." He began to pace around the room almost unsure of whether she liked the sentimental value of the locket or whether she was angry with him for invading her personal belongings. "I figured the photographs weren't being used and to be able to carry one around with you all the time would give it more meaning."
"Thoughtful gift then." She closed the locket and noticed that Raoul's peaceful composure came back.
"Have you finished packing?" Raoul began noticing the half filled suitcases spread throughout the room.
"Almost." Christine's smile faded as she picked up the brush and dropped it into the nearest suitcase. "I just need a few more minutes."
Raoul nodded in acknowledgement. "Then I will make sure the carriage is ready and I will send someone to help you with your bags." He smiled lovingly and departed before Christine could conjure up a response.
"Is this right?" She spoke out to no one. "I guess some memories are supposed to be forgotten. It's what I wanted isn't it? A beautiful life with the man I love, away from this mess. Just, I feel like I haven't properly said goodbye." She looked in the mirror and laughed. "Why am I talking to myself about such things?" Touching the glass she felt her heart beat in an awkward manor, almost as if it pained her to touch something that had to do with him. "One will always remember her muse, it's not something so easily forgotten."
"Miss Daaé, I am here to help with the removal of your luggage." Entered a young gloved and capped man.
"Oh, yes." She replied smiling at the man. "Those over there are already latched and ready. I just have these last few to close." Walking away from the mirror for the last time she latched the remaining few cases and put on her heavy cloak making sure that the locket was still in view. She reached for a suitcase but another gloved hand stopped her.
"Miss, let me take that. The Vicomte is waiting for you outside."
"Yes, thank you." She watched as the two men left the room with her belongings and she almost felt like crying. "So long I've been in the opera house, I never thought about what it would feel like to leave."
"You'll make plenty of new memories."
"Meg!?" Christine smiled as the blonde girl came through the door and greeted her with a friendly embrace.
"I'm going to miss you Christine. Promise you'll come back and visit?" Meg pleaded as she backed away enough to see her friend who was now even further on the edge of tears.
"I promise Meg. You must keep up on your ballet, I'll be coming to watch you now."
Meg smiled. "Yes, of course. Don't worry Christine, you're going to love being with the Vicomte. You'll have your own beautiful home, a new beautiful family, and a wonderful husband."
"You're right." Christine laughed, wiping away the remnants of her tears. "And I can always come back and visit."
Meg nodded. "You best be going. Raoul's been sitting in the carriage since it arrived nearly ten minutes ago." She gave her friend one more hug to reassure their promise and she fled the room with a cheerful wave. "Goodbye Christine! Come back to us soon!"
"Of course." She whispered as she turned and looked at the mirror again. She wanted to speak, she wanted to leave with one last prayer for that secret panel of glass but she couldn't find the words and so she left. Closing the door behind her she locked in all of her unwanted memories, locked in that life that she tried to keep hidden, locked in that man. From now she was to start anew she thought, walking quickly down the stairs to the front exit of the grand Populaire, as long as her heart would let her.