I apologize that this is so short but I've been busy. I will be finishing the next chapter by tomorrow. Again please review.
Allegratree, Thank you again for your review. I will take probably be keeping it with an opera music theme to some extent because I want to reach all people's likes in this story, and yes some of us cheese heads love the stuff, me being one myself. I very much agree with the fact I need to read the novels. I'm gonna try to get one read before next Wednesday. I am going to need some insight into some things so it'll be perfect and then the story can touch the fans who love the novels. I know I'm missing a lot but I'm a noobie Phan and I've got some reading to do. Thank you so much for your review and I hope you will critique me more in the future.
Little Letter
"Oh, I love it Lucas!" Isabelle held up a small metal box. It was engraved intricately with mermaids and had a beautiful blue lining of silk. Isabelle wound it and a miniature mermaid twirled on a large clam shell. The notes of one of her favorite lullabies played softly and she smiled.
Isabelle looked up to meet her brother's eyes. He was happy to see how touched she was. The look on her face was almost too thoughtful for a six year old. For a moment he saw his mother, laid against satin, telling him goodbye one last time before she left him. Her eyes had sparkled just the same.
"I am so pleased you like it Isabelle. When I saw it I new right away it would be yours" She gave him a hug and ran to her father's side to see the miniature buildings he had received. In exited tones they spoke of their miniature games and Lucas smiled knowing that they were in their own little world.
"Absolutely perfect son. Just the buildings I needed." He beamed and went back to examining them.
"Thank you Lucas" Kathryn placed her hand on top of a book. It was filled with many of the newly published scores from all over France.
"How did you manage this?" Kathryn sat across from him and grabbed his hand. Her curiosity was peeked and her heart touched.
"Well" His face started to turn scarlet and he ran his fingers around the edge of his hat. "I met this lovely girl whose family has connections to and runs a number of publishing houses"
Kathryn gave him a sly smile and knew he wanted to say nothing more on the matter so she stayed silent. Lucas thanked her under his breath. But, his father blew out a puff of smoke and chuckled.
"Lucas, are you" he glanced to Isabelle who was pretending to be uninterested "twitterpated?" 'My boy in love' he thought as he chuckled again. Kathryn hoped he wouldn't press him for information because he looked increasingly uncomfortable.
"Oh, I, uh, well, she goes to my college and I met her during a stage production we were putting on. She has become a very good friend and" he shifted in his chair "is a very sweet girl."
"Oh come now, you can be frank with me. Answer my real question first though" Kathryn cleared her throat and announced how hungry she was.
Lucas winced "Father, maybe later perhaps?" Nathaniel caught the look in his son's eyes and sat back in his chair.
"Of coarse my mouth was running away from me again. Kathryn's mention of food sounds good right now." laughing "I'll fill it full of food and hope it takes a nap."
Lucas smiled and Kathryn found her father's attempt at wit funny. So did Isabelle who fell on the floor laughing at the thought of something so silly.
Kathryn's grin turned thoughtful for a moment then she looked to Isabelle with a questioning face.
"Isabelle, where is Ben? I saw him for a moment earlier this morning but not since then." Kathryn knew he liked to disappear now and then but not for this long
"Benjamin must not want his present then. I'll take it." She said with a giggle. Lucas gave her a look and she knew this was not the time to be silly.
"Sorry and I haven't talked to him today. He wasn't in his room when I went in to look for my stuffed bear."
"I haven't seen him at all today." Said Nathaniel, worry in his face.
"He told me yesterday after I had found him in the unfinished area, that he was very bored."
Lucas sighed "Knowing his taste for exploration he went back. Is it dangerous?"
Nathaniel yelled for Samus and replied "Well yes, a beam could fall on him or he could hurt himself falling on debris. It's a mess back there." Everyone stood ready for a search as Samus entered the room except for Isabelle who had become engrossed in watching her mermaid spin.
"I'm sure he is close by. He had no way of knowing Lucas would be here." Kathryn was hoping she was right, hoping he hadn't gotten himself into trouble.
They all left the bright sunlight of the sitting room, hoping they wouldn't have to search the back of the opera house, wishing it was finished and free of the lingering ghosts of its past.
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Eric,
It is with a heavy heart that I write you this. I am assuming you have long fled the catacombs of Opera Populair following your unmasking and all the destruction that followed. I only hope you have found or plan to find a place to heal and come to terms with all that happened. My hope for you is that you find or rather see the beauty you possess, the beauty that shines through your disguises and rampant temper. Find something that will replace the sorrow and darkness with peace, and God forbid, love. As for myself, you have forgiveness if you so desire it.
Moving on to other things, I for the first time entered your dark home. My Meg led me there after the mobs had given up finding you. It was, I am afraid, some what destroyed. I know it was not a place of joy for you but it was your home for a long time. I took it upon myself to gather the few things that were not looted or destroyed. I could also only save a fraction of the music you left behind. Those fools burnt most of it when looking for you. I imagine it's all emblazoned in your mind anyway.
I do not know if you fled in haste or if you intentionally left everything, but here it is. I was told by a certain person of what happened below. Not in detail but the parts that mattered. My respect for you still blooms threw the ruins of our past.
I am also assuming you found my first note on your organ, or you wouldn't be reading this now. I know I took a risk but I could not let you believe no one in the world cared or loved you. You are the family member I never had the chance to know.
In closing, I will always have a candle lit for you and my heart has the utmost compassion for your plight. Live and find the joy and yes the love you have been deprived of.
With friendship and respect,
M. Giry
Benjamin finished the letter in the glow of candle light unbelieving at what he read. He saddened when he realized the letter had never reached its destination. 'Father will be amazed when he hears this' Ben thought then his face went white "Blast" he yelled to the dust and darkness. 'Father is going to kill me. No everyone is going to kill me. What do I do? I should hide this so no one else finds it. Workers will find it. It might be months till then but I might find it difficult to get back here again after today. What time is it? I wish I had a watch.'
Those thoughts raced through his young head as he tried to stuff the masks into or under his cloths. He decided he would carry the music box out because it seemed somewhat inconspicuous. He also stuffed the seal of the skull into his pocket. Satisfied he put the lid back on the crate and stacked it back where it was before. He was sad to leave some things but made sure he had the letter safely in his pocket.
He took one last glance around the room in case he couldn't return before it was refurbished. He wanted to remember everything incase nobody else did.
Glancing about he put to memory the few portraits that hung on the wall. One was of the gentleman he saw before and the other of a lovely girl, perhaps his age at the time. She had a blonde bun in her hair and sat on a white velvet chair, her long and beautiful ballerina dress spilling about her legs and the floor. Her hands held pink roses and her face was angelic and sweet, with a strength behind her eyes that was undeniable. Ben blushed at his interest in the painting and turned to snuff the candles out.
'I wonder who you were. Maybe a young Madame Giry or perhaps her child.' Ben thought on this as he left the room, back into the dusty hallway.
A little closure but not much. We all know who the girl is and I will be bringing her into the next chapter or the one after, not sure. Ta Ta for now.
