Fools With Starry Eyes

Chapter III- Submitting or Else


Meg walked through the mirror without a second thought. She wondered if the Phantom had Christine walk through mirrors the same way she just did. It was all very peculiar. Looking around, she observed a little corridor that gray stone walls. It was nothing special; in fact it was very grimy and dirty. The Phantom was waiting there, holding a torch and leaning against the walls.

The Ghost- or a man, as Meg supposed she should call him, for he was very much a man- extended his hand to help her down the stair. She took it, and followed him down the corridor.

There was almost no light at all, and Meg was constantly stepping into puddles, or onto rats. Meg screamed when she stepped on her third rat. Meg leaned onto him, her hands on his bony shoulders, and tried to kick away the rat. If there was anything she hated more than not being noticed, it was rats. The Ghost-Man started and looked back at her. Once he realized what Meg was so scared of, he waved the torch in front of the rat, and it scurried away.

"They are mere rodents." He said, brushing off her hands. "They will not hurt you." He sounded disgusted at her, and how she was touching him. She apologized quietly at her foolishness, and they continued on, in an uncomfortable silence.

There was one thing that the Ghost-Man did that Meg quickly realized- he would not look at her in the face. She felt extremely self conscious and began smoothing her hair, as it was her nervous habit. Finally, she gathered up courage and asked why he was not looking at her.

"I assure you, Madame, there is nothing to look at." He said, coldly, and flicked his cape at her in a way to say 'Get In'. They had finally arrived at the lake, and there was his boat, resting on the shore. She sniffled and got in the boat, offended at what he had said. No gentleman would ever insult a lady!

It was then determined by Meg that the Ghost-Man was no gentleman. But still she wondered… she turned around to face him and asked, point blank. "You must have a name… what is it?"

The Ghost-Man again seemed to be surprised by her. "I have a name," he said, looking like he was debating whether or not to reveal his name. "It is Erik." Finally, he revealed his name.

"I'm Meg," she said, accustomed to introducing herself after another did.

"I know who you are!" He snapped. "If you are going to be a fool with starry eyes during my lessons you will get out and swim back to your dressing room!"

"I'm sorry, I was just making conversation." She said. Why did he always make people feel so sheepish? He would be much more liked if he was at least amiable.

"Did Christine know your name?" She said… Oh dear, she shouldn't have mentioned Christine…

He grabbed her arm in that painful grip and turned her face to look at him. "Don't mention her ever again!" He pushed her away, and she almost fell over the bow and into the water.

She got out without his help and stood on the shore, waiting for him to beach the boat. He did so quickly, and led her, both not saying a word to each other, to his Lair.

It had changed so much in five months, it was unrecognizable. The beautiful charcoal and oil paintings were torn and flung across the rooms, the awnings were town down, there were leaks, and his throne was toppled over, and a part of it was broken. Meg felt very sad to see such beautiful things destroyed so carelessly.

"Did you…?" He nodded. She wanted to say that he shouldn't bottle in his emotions so much… but he might bring out the Punjab Lasso. She had half a mind to keep her hands at the level at her eyes, just to be certain.

"I'm sorry." She said simply. She was still quite shaken. Maybe the Dancing Lessons wasn't such a good idea after all.

He pushed her into a room and started playing the piano. It was one of the Faust ballet numbers, and it had not been choreographed yet. She looked at him, wondering what to do.

"Dance!" He growled. Having all the encouragement she felt she would receive from him, she pirouetted a few times around the room. Erik slammed his fingers on the keys, standing up, and moving the piano to face the room. "No, no, NO! You're not feeling the music, and you just look like a fool! Feel the emotion in the piece this time, and try again!" He sat down, and he continued to play, this time banging on the keys with rage.

Try again? She thought she was doing alright. Well, she could try a pirouette there, and jump there, and a twirl there, and at the bridge…

Erik banged on the keys again, and Meg began to wonder how Christine ever managed to sing like she did, under these circumstances. "You still are dancing like a fish! Do it again!"

So she did it again, and again, for three hours. Meg felt faint, and Erik declared they needed to be getting back, for the Ballet Rehearsal was starting in an hour. Meg was seriously considering skipping the rehearsal all together.


However Meg found herself just in time for rehearsal, and she was extremely drained. Her mother, who was extremely less lenient on her than the rest of the ballet dancers, yelled at her all practice, and Little Jammes still out shone Meg easily.

Meg sincerely hoped that Erik was watching. She wanted him to see just how much his work was cut out for him.

Apparently she was channeling his spirit, because all of a sudden, his voice came booming out of the chandelier.

"HEAR THIS NOW!" It yelled, "MARGEURITE GIRY WILL BE THE LEAD DANCER IN THE NEW PRODUCTION OF FAUST OR I WILL KILL WHOEVER IS!"

There were screams, a few ballerinas fainted, and even the Ladies Jammes fainted. A note floated from the chandelier, recognizing the red scrawl, Meg caught it before anyone could see it.

Marguerite,

I want you to know that I am doing this at great risk, so you best be very grateful.

Your Obedient Servant, etc

Erik

Meg gulped, and above there was an ominous voice, singing Othello. Meg knew it was Erik's voice. For the hundredth time that day, wondered what exactly she got herself into.


Authors Note-

Okay, so maybe Erik wasn't really sexy in this chapter, but expect bare skin in the next one.

Seriously. No shirt or anything. I promise you. Seriously. 100.

And I promised you guys a review song. Sorry if it isn't really funny… my great uncle just died, and I really don't feel very funny.

Well, here's Erik to serenade you.

-Erik-

This is the moment!
This is the day,
When you send all her doubts and worries
On their way!

Every endeavor,
She have made - ever -
Is coming into play,
Is here and now - today!

This is the moment,
This is the time,
When the momentum and the moment
Are in rhyme!

Give her this moment -
This precious chance -
She'll gather up my past
And make some sense at last!

This is the moment,
When all I've done -
All the dreaming,
Scheming and screaming,
Become one!

-Meg dance break-

This is the day -
See it sparkle and shine,
When all She's lived for
Becomes hers!

For all these years,
She's faced the world alone,
And now the time has come
To prove to them
She's made it on my own!

-Erik and Meg tango-

When I look back,
I will always recall,
That moment when,
You all review and then,
That would be

The greatest moment
of them all!

I know that one stunk guys, but please. Review one for the Gipper.