Authors Note:: Helllloooo all! I am back in business! AGH. Whew. Sorry, I had to get that out. I started school again so that's why I haven't updated but here you go! I worked hard at this so…um…ENJOY!

Disclaimer:: WHAT! ERIK ISN'T MINE! I'll fight you for him! ::puts on huge Strong Bad like boxing gloves.(lol those of you who know Homestarrunner.com know what I am talking about)::

Michael stood behind the counter bantering with the new customers. Carley had been up in her room for most of the afternoon, and it was growing into early evening.

"Well we have a nice room upstairs…." If I get these two upstairs I can peek in on Carley and talk to her. Perhaps she would like to go for a nice dinner….

"Alright, we'll take the room upstairs. But only if it has a window, Monsieur!" The couple lifted their baggage and followed Michael.

"This way please." He led the couple up to the room. It was right next to the room where he put the man who was traveling with Carley in.  Beautiful music flowed elegantly from the room. A lovely soprano was singing. Who was it? Michael distractedly showed the couple to their room and hurried over to the room from which the music was emanating. He looked in. Carley was singing a song, but a song from which all pain, sorrow, and every kind of punishing feeling in the world came from. But in a sense, it was oddly beautiful. He walked into the room. In the center of the room stood Carley, erect, beautiful, and oddly chilling, like a goddess. Out of her mouth came the most magnificent sounds. The song gave him goose bumps hearing it. Suddenly the music stopped.

"May I help you Monsieur?" Erik asked, his golden eyes fixed on Michael. Michael jumped uncharacteristically. Erik's stone cold gaze froze Michael on the spot. It was so eerie, so chilling to look at.

"No… I just… I mean… No, Monsieur. Sorry to bother you."

"You'd better leave Monsieur." Erik stated icily. Something, threatening rose from his throat. Carley's frightened glance begged him to go away.

"Michael, sorry, now is not the best time." She said with a slight note of pleading. Michael backed out of the room.

"My apologies, Monsieur, Mademoiselles." Erik turned his head back towards the music, and the piano at hand. Carley didn't meet his eye, and Erin was back to her violin. Michael's footsteps soon receded down the hallway. An awkward silence ensued.

"I think, we should just go on with the lesson." Carley said quietly, breaking the silence. Erin nodded, agreeing.

"As you wish, Mademoiselle." Erik said after a moment. The air was tense and uncomfortable and soon after starting the lesson, Erik stopped.

"I'm sorry, Mlles. I can't go on. I need to be alone." He said. Erin remained silent. Carley nodded and pulled the music together.

"No." Erik said putting a hand on her arm. "Leave it." Carley obeyed.

"Good night, Erik." Erin said as they walked towards their room.

*                              *                            *

          "Well that was a complete failure." Carley said after an agonizing silence. But she was dying to know what Erin was thinking. What had kept her silent during the entire lesson? She started playing the violin again, and herself, singing. It had been so far back… so long ago.

          "Carley." Erin started after a moment. "

"Yes?" Carley answered slowly. Erin turned to face her, but her eyes were clearly somewhere else.

"Do you…" she laughed in a short, embarrassed manner. "Do you remember when we were in the orphanage?" Carley froze.

"Yes…" She said slowly, not quite believing her ears.

"How we swore…never to be separated? Whoever was adopted needed to be adopted with other?" She asked, gaining confidence.

"Yes." Carley smiled reminiscing. Then she frowned. They never talked about the orphanage.

"You remember when mother adopted us… and the first thing she had us listen to?"

"Music of the Night. And we both fell asleep listening to it." Carley's smile grew.

"And ever since that night,…"

"We wouldn't listen to anything else." Carley finished.

"I think…now that were here… we should perform it. Our way. At a gala." Erin said. Carley gasped.

"No! Really?! Could we get into a gala?!"

"We'd have to ask Erik."

"I see nothing wrong with it. I think it's a wonderful idea." Erik's voice carried through the room from the door.

"Erik!" Erin and Carley exclaimed jumping in surprise.

"So? Do you think we could do it?"

"I happened to find out they are giving a gala within the next few months. I believe with a little hard work you shall have what you wish." He said calmly.

"I love it! We should do it!" They said excitedly.

*                  *                  *

Erik had walked into their room unannounced. He had grown accustomed to being silent. He overheard the girls talking. An orphanage?! These poor girls… What had they been doing in an orphanage? Erik laughed morosely at himself. Do not be stupid, Erik. You didn't know anything about them in the first place .You learn a new thing everyday. But an orphanage…He could picture it now. Two young girls forsaken by their parents then thrown in an abysmal, unsanitary wretch of a house. Stuck with skinny, underfed brats. Clinging helplessly to each other as the master of the house stuck them to work…A living nightmare. Overworked, underfed…He grew angry at the thought. Humankind…he thought distastefully. What an ugly creation. He was brought back to attention when they mentioned performing. Of course! Give them fame! He considered it. It would work. And with a little help from an Opera ghost…He nearly heard Erin and Carley's voices at this point. "What?! NO what are you thinking Erik! You'll get caught!-" He shook his head. No. I think I have a better idea…

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