9 i remember/stranger then you dreamt it

Ivy pulled up at her cloak, the one she borrowed when she needed to deliver things and not be seen. She first went to the manager's door and slipped one envelope under the door. She knew that Monsieur Andre was inside, hearing him quite loudly through the door. And she didn't hear the other one, so that proved a difficult find. Leaving that one, she left the opera house for the first time in a very long time. It was rare the Ivy ventured out the doors of the opera but this was indeed a necessary duty since she needed to deliver notes to Carlotta and the Viscount. It was lucky that she knew where Carlotta stayed.

Her mansion was expansive and outlandish, just like her. Ivy sighed and very much hoped that being out in the middle of the night wouldn't have any ill effects on her, such as they had when she wandered around the other night. Coming to the door, she rang the bell and the butler answered the note. Her face covered, she handed the note to the man. "For Miss Carlotta, about the Opera." she spoke quietly and then fled into the night. Now she had a couple of other stops. The Viscount would still be looking for Christine perhaps, though the girl probably knew where he lived.

Going back to the Opera, she knocked gently on Christine's door. The girl seemed surprised to see her, but welcomed her inside. "I was curious if you had seen Monsieur Firmin?" Christine had shaken her head. "Afraid not..." And then Ivy asked her about the Viscount. Before Christine could answer her, there was a knock at the door. It was Mme Giry and Meg. Meg had immediately come in and went to Christine to embrace her. Meg started chattering, asking about a zillion questions, making Christine fluttered as she tried to think up a story to tell her.

Mme Giry however looked over at Ivy and smiled. "I am glad she has returned.." The older woman spoke to the younger, who nodded. "Yes.. she's back.. for good.. I have notes.. but I cannot find Monsieur Firmin.. or the Viscount.. oh and there's one for you too.. from .. him." She reached into her cloak and handed Mme Giry her note. "I know where Monsieur Firmin is... and I could have this delivered to the Viscount if you wish?" Ivy looked at her, her curiousity piqued and Mme Giry gave her a almost lecherous grin. "I have my ways, dear Ivy.. thank you."

Ivy gave up the rest of the notes, glad she didn't have to go back out of the Opera that night. "He wishes that she stay inside and get rest until tomorrow. He has instructions for the next opera." Ivy told the three of them. Christine blushed, slightly and Meg only looked confused. No doubt Christine would tell her what happened once Ivy left. Meg hadn't even paid much attention that she had Ivy speak in the first place and she almost laughed at the young girl's insistance at Christine's encounter.

Ivy have a curtsy to the women and departed the room, Mme Giry following her out onto the hall. "I wanted to check your neck my dear.. here let me see.." She began to check Ivy's neck, glad the swelling had gone down. As she did, Ivy spoke quietly of what had occured down below. Mme Giry gave a knowing nod, quiet as she listened. "I will make her rest, do not worry of that. I'm glad you brought her back." Ivy nodded in agreement. "So am I... Mme Giry? Have they found Joseph yet?"

Mme Giry shook her head slowly. "No my dear I am afraid not, but have no fear, he is obviously not around here." She gave the girl a small hug of comfort and lead her back towards the entrance to the catacombs. They departed and Ivy slipped back down into the familiar walls of their lair once more. She found Erik already asleep in his bed and sighed. Normally she would not do this, but she had a very day. Shedding her cloak and her shoes, still dressed in her plain gown, she moved into his bed. He did not stir, the mask not on his face, but beside him as he slept on his side. Ivy didn't go to her bed, instead wrapping herself against his back. Slowly and tentatively she put her arm around his waist and rested her cheek against his back. He was the warmest person she had ever touched, which was thankful since it was usually cold down below.

Finally Erik stirred, feeling something against him and turned his head. Ivy was already asleep, her face buried into his back. He blinked, unsure what he had done to deserve such warmth and understanding and reached down to pull a small blanket over the both of them. He looked at her once more and then sighed. He did not deserve her obedience, or her warmth. The simple gesture, wanting to sleep next to him when had lashed out so cruelly. He hated that rage inside of him. It was almost as bad as his obsession.

And yet when it came to her and Christine he could not tame it, not for the better or the worse. He wished he could turn around to take her properly into his arms but she was securely snug against him and all he could do was resume his position on his side. Finally Erik slept, and for the first time in days his dreams were filled of the woman holding him instead of the beauty who had captured his soul with her voice.

10 notes/prima donna

The next day, Ivy had not spoken or even hinted that she had slept in the bed with him waking and moving before he had awoken. He did not want to make her uncomfortable so he said nothing. She would go up and see if the letters had the desired impact he wished. Ivy hated that things were so quiet, but perhaps that was for the best. When she spoke she always felt like blurting out her feelings, and she didn't want him to break her heart like she knew he would.

Going up, she found a rather amusing sight indeed. Each manager had definitely gotten their note, and were not amused in the slightest. The Viscount was there, still not having known where Christine was and was quite annoyed. They were all clearly uncertain who had sent them the notes, until Mme Giry had arrived. The news that Christine was well and laying in her chamber was quite a comfort to them all, Ivy saw. And then came the news that Erik demanded Christine and Carlotta's parts be switched.

Ivy was nearly knocked out of the way when Carlotta had come storming through oblivious to the taller and thinner woman next to her. She was shrill and more angry then Ivy had ever seen her. It had been a struggle not to laugh outright, trying to keep into she shadow. Carlotta was throwing a absolute and perfect fit and sadly the managers were eating it up. Ivy shook her head, tsking to herself. Erik would not like this, not at all. They were insistent in keeping the opera the way it was.

Once more Ivy came to deliver the news to the man who already seemed to know everything before she had said it. Erik didn't seem surprised that they were denying his request. After all, he was simply known as O.G. to them and they thought of him a joke. "Well my dear Ivy.. I suppose it is time to make sure our dear Carlotta never WANTS to sing in public. Again." Ivy had smiled at him, glad things were a bit back to normal, Erik's ranting and raving about the diva one of her favorite pasttimes.