I thought I'd write one of these little things up here. No direct mention of our Phantom on this chapter but he does interact with Claire. If you haven't noticed already, Christine does not exist; I'm giving Erik a clean slate. If this bothers you…don't read it. I think I'll survive.
She felt eyes on her as Madame Giry called her over to talk. Pushing a strand of loose hair back behind her ear she scanned the empty auditorium. Her eyes wandered to box five where she felt the eerie presence. She shook off the feeling and turned to Madame Giry.
"You wanted to see me?" Claire asked. Madame Giry nodded.
"I've noticed your improvement, child. You've easily mastered all the dances I've taught you, yet you won't take on any of the solos I've offered. What is keeping you from excelling?" Claire looked into the elder woman's eyes and saw only concern and kindness. She could see when Madame's daughter Meg got her sweet disposition.
"There's nothing wrong. I just don't think I'm quite ready to take on that more daunting task." Madame Giry nodded and smiled. She put a hand on Claire's shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"When you are ready," she reassured Claire. With a heavy heart Claire returned to her place in line and continued the lewd and exotic dance. Claire knew she had the talent to take the lead in any dance.
She had come to the Opera Populaire at age fifteen looking to excel in her talents as a dancer. She came from a wealthy family, the Lafayette's. Her dad was a merchant and had made vast amounts of money doing his craft. But like most men he wanted his daughter to marry into a noble family and play the good house wife. Claire had not wanted this. For years she had taken dance lessons from a private teacher and was passionate about continuing her craft in a more professional setting. Behind her parents back, her dance instructor had taken her to the Opera Populaire to see about continuing her studies there. Upon seeing her dance Madame Giry had more then delighted to take Claire as a student.
Upon telling her parents this news they brushed it aside. It was silly for a girl of her age to be making such announcements. She knew they didn't take her seriously and she knew what had to be done. The night before she was too leave, she had stood up from their formal dinner and declared,
"I'm going to the Opera Populaire tomorrow to continue studying dance. Madame Giry thinks I have talent." Her father's face had flushed a deep red and he'd also risen.
"You will not disobey us like this, Claire! You are a young lady and as my daughter you are expected to act like one!" Her father yelled this was such anger and malice that Claire almost backed out of her plans. But, that night she made her final decision and packed her bags. Her parents had gone to bed without saying another word to her. She had slipped into sleep that night with a heavy heart and a tinge of excitement for what lie ahead of her. When she awoke the next morning the sun had just begun to rise. She quickly got dressed and headed down the stairs. The house was silent and each step she took echoed throughout their home. On her way to the front doors she had to pass by the library, the door had been open. Claire had moved with anxiousness the whole time and now that the door seemed within her grasp she'd treaded heavily past the library.
"If you leave you are never allowed in this home again," she had heard her father say, his voice full of an icy malice. Claire had almost dropped her bags in disbelief. She turned around to face her father. He was still in the clothes he'd been in the night before and smelled of alcohol.
"You are willing to throw me from your life so easily father?" Claire had asked, her eyes brimming with tears. He had stared at her for what seemed like an eternity before he had replied,
"If you wish to run off and live the life of a commoner, I see no other choice." The tears threatened to cascade down her cheek but she held her own. She would not let him see how his words ripped at her heart.
"If that is how it is father," she had responded her voice hard and deep, "Then this is goodbye." With that she had turned from his life forever. She'd taken a carriage to the Opera and collapsed in the arms of the Madame and from the moment on she'd lived her life at the Opera Populaire. That had been two years ago. Over those two years she'd quickly become a favorite amongst the patrons of the theater and excelled in her craft. She'd become close with Madame Giry's daughter Meg, whom she confided in like no other. Late at night in the dormitories they'd stay awake for hours trilling over the latest gossip and events going on in the Opera. Claire enjoyed Meg's innocence and longed for her own.
The other dancer's didn't take as kindly to Claire. They loathed the fact that she danced and looked like an Angel. Most of the girl's also disliked how she stole all the attention when in the room. Men would simply drop at her feet and offer her the world to be hers for the night. She rarely accepted such invitations and when she did she felt unfulfilled and in need of more.
As the rehearsal came to a close it was nearing dinner and Claire was ravished. She couldn't wait to sit down to a hot meal. As she exited the wing with Meg at her side she looked into the empty wing. Most of the stage hands had already left for dinner or to return to their own homes. The many who lived in the Opera Populaire bustled about beyond the wing, out of sight for the moment.
"Come Claire, I think I might die from hunger," she said with a wide grin. Claire shook her head and looked back over her shoulder.
"I'll be there in a moment," she replied. Meg gave her a confused look and started to say something but decided against it.
"I'll be in the dormitory when you're ready come find me," Meg said and gave Claire a kiss on the cheek and dashed away. Now the wing was entirely empty. A chill ran down her spine. Leaning against a pole she closed her eyes and gently massaged her temples. She stood like this for a moment and let the silence settle in around her. That was when she heard the ruffle of paper above her head. Opening her eyes slowly she gazed up. A piece of paper spiraled towards her face. She gasped and moved out of the way. It landed on the floor gently by her feet. Claire looked up but saw no one. Where could this letter have come from? She stared down at it once more. A skull grinned up at her. Taking a deep breath she reached down and picked up the paper. She looked at the emblem with intrigue and then ripped it open. Her eyes fell to the messy scrawl which read,
I've watched you for awhile my dear Claire. You are a marvelous dancer and I look forward to seeing you dance in the finished production of Hannibal. You are an exceptional beauty. I look forward to meeting you.
O.G
