2 Overture/Hannibal
The two mischievious figures had bypassed the floor of the Opera altogether and headed up to the loft above. Ivy watched to make sure no one was coming, especially that horrid Joseph Buquet. She wasn't sure what Erik had planned, hoping it wouldn't hurt Carlotta too bad. The woman was entirely insufferable but she didn't wish anyone get hurt. The woman had ignored Ivy, which was just fine with her. Currently she heard Carlotta bemoaning about no longer performing and having her pulling a diva acted. Ivy watched, rolling her eyes and jumped when she heard the crash. Turning around she saw that Erik had let one of the backdrops fall, knocking Carlotta over. Ivy tried not to snicker as Erik had pulled her down out of sight. Joseph Buquet was coming, denying his involvement in the whole thing. The phantom handed Ivy a letter and instructed her to carry it to Madame Giry. She nodded, and slipped down the ladder, giving the woman a letter which she automatically recognized.
She wasn't sure what the note had said, but she soon found out. It was instructions to the new managers, and Ivy wondered when Erik had taken the time to write it. Maybe he had known all along and was waiting her confirmation. Whatever it was, the managers had scoffed, just like the man before them did and Ivy shook her head. They would learn soon, that he had his eye on everything and everyone in this place. It wasn't long before the gentleman began to panic at the thought of refunding a full house. Was Carlotta really and truly gone? Apparently, she was.
She watched as Madame Giry suggested one of the chorus girls, Christine to sing the song. Ivy turned her head towards Erik and saw the look in his eyes. He looked entranced as she stepped forward. And then Christine started to sing. Ivy had to admit the girl's voice was very lovely, and she recognized right away that she had sounded much like Erik. He had been disappearing lately and not telling her where he was going, and now Ivy had to wonder if perhaps he had been going to see her. This was his plan after all, he had told her so. Christine would sing in place of Carlotta and Erik would be pleased. That was all that mattered to Ivy, at least that's what she had told herself.
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3 Think of Me
Later that evening, Ivy was sitting down, a pad of parchment in her lap. She was writing a song, unbeknownst to anyone not even Erik. Hearing his voice clear, she looked up to find him watching her. Ivy blushed and put her things away, getting up. "Yes, master?" she asked at once, giving him a bit of a curtsy. "Tomorrow Christine sings in the opera and I have you to thank. You've done everything so perfectly. I couldn't do these things if it weren't for you." Erik had put his hand on her shoulder and gazed at her. "You do know how much I trust you, Ivy? You're the only one I can trust here. You'd never disappoint me would you?" he asked, cupping her cheek. Ivy's cheeks flushed and she shook her head. "No master, I'd never dream of disappointing you. I am your humble servant." she smiled, using his own words. He smiled and kissed the top of her head.
"Tonight shall be splendid. Now get some rest, for we have lots of things to prepare for my dear." And with that, the phantom left the girl to her own devices and disappeared into the darkness. That night Christine blew the audience away with her rendition of Think Of Me. She knew that Erik would have been truly pleased. But she had caught the eye of something else. Someone else. The new Viscount de Chagny had seemed quite taken with Christine as well. If both men had their eyes set on Christine, it would not bode well for the Viscount she knew. Erik could be more then persuasive when he needed to be. She knew that first hand. Standing there watching, she thought back to the first time she had ever seen the Phantom of the Opera.
She had been a little girl, no more then 12 and orphaned. Ivy never seemed to speak, even when she was found by Mme Giry, not much older then her perhaps 15 and one of the ballet dancers at the opera. Ivy was alone in the cold, and every night Mme Giry would bring her a blanket and food until one night she said she had an idea. Ivy was taken deep into the opera house, and down below. As they climbed further down, the older woman spoke to her softly. She explained that she had known a boy who very much needed a friend and needed someone to help him. She couldn't keep going to get him food, and her and that this would be a way for them to take care of each other. As long as Ivy was warm and had food to eat, she didn't care much about the company she kept.
The first thing she saw was the mask, and from that moment Ivy had been more then curious about the boy in front of her. He too seemed to be only about 15 years old, though looked older. Half of his face was covered up, and he was shy. "Erik... this is Ivy.. she has no where to go like you. I thought.. perhaps.. she could stay here with you and help you?" Mme Giry spoke softly. Erik looked up at the only friend he had ever known and then looked over at the girl. For a girl of twelve, in which puberty had just barely set in, she had been almost weak in the knees. Though he was nearly covered up, she was drawn to him. And in that moment, she knew she would help him no matter what.
"She does not say a word, Erik.. she is mute. But she listens well and can read and write a bit. I will still be here to help you both, but sticking together would be the best thing for both of you, especially if anyone ever found out you were down here." The french girl told them. She took Erik's hand, who flinched slightly and then grabbed Ivy's. She put their hands together and Ivy smiled at him. "Thank you Mademoiselle.." Those were the first words Ivy ever heard Erik spoke. Now, it was almost 15 years later, and their bond was something that Ivy was sure that could never be broken. She prayed and hoped that no matter how this turned out with Christine, she'd always have a place in his heart.