Disclaimer: Yes, I make up my own lyrics in this…thing. Erm, in this chapter, I own the made-up play "Renaldo", the lyrics, and yeah. All things related to The Phantom of the Opera belong to Gaston Leroux and/or Andrew Lloyd Webber. Go split the credit amongst them.
The Nightingale
Chapter 2: Angel of Legend
Her soul was being dragged down, the power of the voice accompanying hers full of such want…such need…it was empowering her. The voice faded and stopped. She stepped away from the statue and was unaware of her now shaking form. That voice, it had filled her with such emotion and excitement. It reminded her why she loved to sing! Needed to sing!
She turned around and froze at first sight of the dark figure moving along the rail towards the steps. His gaze was steady and never left hers. He walked towards the steps but looked as if he were really floating. His black cloak dragged behind him and down the steps as he slowly approached her. The darkness crawled away and she could see him now.
She focused on the part of his face that was visible. The same lock of hair in his dark eyes. They both looked as if his eyes were fire within but his face was emotionless. The paleness of his face glowed against his dark attire. The mask he wore on the opposite side of his face radiated elegantly and looked so still that she could still have thought of him as a statue.
She could still hear the voice that sang with her. "…in warm arms in the dead of night…" How her heart was beating so!
She was still shaking all over, her hands clutching the side of her dress. He saw this as he got closer and stopped about five feet in front of her, his hand still trailing on the rail and one foot still on the last step. Erik's mind seemed in a daze. The only thing that went through his mind was how this was the closest he's ever been to a person in almost two years now.
They both heard the opening of a door somewhere off and Erik spun around hearing "Adrianna!" He ran swiftly to the side and she saw him just stand there against the wall, completely hidden in shadows. His black cloak stopped of its swishing and he became indivisible though she knew he was still there.
"Adrianna! There you are! Come, they are ready to hear you now!" Meg ran swiftly down the steps and took Adrianna's hand. She was still focused on the shadows where /he/ still watched them. "What are you looking at? There is nothing there. We mustn't let them wait!"
She finally awoke from some sort of dream-state and followed Meg up the stairs and into the theatre where she saw people, dancers, musicians, stage workers moving about.
Erik moved out from the shadows and watched them as they ran towards the stage. He had just revealed his existence to someone, just one person, but he hadn't intended to for a very long time. Would she tell someone immediately? Would they believe her? But she hadn't revealed him to the young Meg Giry just now…he fingered a gold ring on his finger and whispered a name that could only be half heard.
"Christine."
He had often thought of that very name. He had never spoken it out loud before until now. He swept toward Box 5 with a graceful turn of his heel.
In his Box 5 he saw everyone moving below him as he hid in that dark, concealed space. His glowing eyes could be seen if anyone took the time to notice.
No one cared…
He crept over to the edge and stood so he could see the two figures of the women walking up to the stage below him. He saw that girl, her name was Adrianna, tug on young Meg Giry's arm. Perhaps she would tell her friend? Meg Giry would have had the look of either utter fright or surprise but instead she looked amused at whatever Adrianna was saying. He could distinctly see her mouth say "you want to know more?" So, this new young singer wanted to know more about him.
But they were both met by those two nutters, as Erik liked to think of them, the two managers, Firmin and Andre'. The young lady looked at Meg as the managers spoke to her and Meg nodded with a reassuring smile. She walked onto the stage where the two managers waved for her to stand. Madam Giry with her cane walked over to the girl and handed her some papers…"Okay, can you please sing these lines here?"
She nodded and took the papers.
"What is a kiss from the angel himself?
Sweeter than the legend that is told
And with a kiss goodbye
The story will never grow old…"
By now, the stage had gone completely silent and everyone was listening. Adrianna tried her best to ignore this. Someone seemed to whisper into her ear like they were right beside her "…sing, sing…sing…" And then she closed her eyes and heard only her voice singing.
"With the touch to make spring come early
I want the angel with the touch of gold
I want the angel for only me
That kiss, sweeter than the legend that is told…"
She opened her eyes and expected whoever was whispering to her to be there but only the empty audience seats stared back. She looked back at Meg who was watching from offstage, she looked so happy. Monsieur Firmin and Andre' were both excitedly amongst each other. They turned to her with bright expressions. "Miss Hale, we would love for you to be a part of our Opera House…" Firmin said.
"…and for you to try out for our next leading female role too." Andre' quickly added.
Everyone continued to their work and the stage was all abuzz about the new singer and maybe future Prima Donna. Adrianna was introduced to others on the stage and Meg led her offstage to see to her new dressing room.
They both walked in silence but both were equally excited.
…and he followed her…his eyes still anchored on her…
Should hewould he…no, no one's used that dressing room in years. But he needed to keep an eye on this new singer. He had to sing with her—even for just one more time! As he followed them, he quickly scribbled a note down for her but she had to receive it when she was alone. He could not have her tell anyone about his existence like…she did.
He pulled himself together and was able to find a way to see into her assigned dressing room. The two girls talked a bit, Meg congratulated her again and Adrianna was left alone. He watched her as she brushed her hair, staring intently at her reflection. He gazed at her and something stirred inside. He couldn't tell if it was anger or longing or both. She was beautiful. And then…there was something else about her, was it because he had heard her singing? She did sing with such an unknown talent to mankind.
He continued to watch as she strode over to the couch against the wall and decided to take a nap after locking her door.
Erik silently crept to her vanity mirror and placed the note upright against the glass where she could easily see it. He turned to leave but he stopped and took hesitant steps toward the couch.
He stopped and was now at her side where he knelt down to get a better look at her. Now he was really close. He was so close that he could…he might touch her…and he subconsciously lifted his hand to her face. His long, gentle fingers caressed her cheek, stroking her hair and removing stray hairs from her face.
His hand froze as he realized what he was doing. He became angry at himself and instantly left. On his way to his underground home, he told himself over "this is just to bring her voice out to its full potential, no feelings, for the sake of music only…you are the angel of music, soul purpose to see that everything in this opera house has the right singers, dancers, musicians…" He was in the boat now and he stopped rowing, so he was just being cradled by the lake's weak waves.
He ran his hand through his dark hair, the image of that girl lifting her hand to the statue of what he thought to be "an angel transforming into a demon". The image of her gently caressing the man's face… But there was not even a devil in hell uglier than he. He needed to keep his heart as ice, needed to keep it safe from harm. And he whispered part of the line Adrianna had just sung:
"…the angel for only me…"
