A/N: RubyMoon2, you're gonna hate me. It get even more... well, whatever it was that you don't like.

Chapter 6: Garish Light of Day

"Ludivine? Ludivine!" Meg's frightened voice echoed throughout the dressing room as the young dancer rushed in, clutching a key and wearing only a thin dance skirt and leotard, along with her customary ballet shoes. She seemingly floated over to Ludivine and descended on the crumbled form with all the grace of a dove. She was followed closely by the managers and Kathy, all worried–looking and flustered. Ludivine slowly awoke, her eyes opening on the worried face of Meg.

Still in a dreamlike torpor, her gaze drifted from the dancer to Kathy to the managers, and back to Meg. Meg asked for some privacy; and the others complied. They left the room, quietly closing the door behind them.

"This dress… how did you get it?" Meg questioned. Ludivine fell silent for a moment, then looked up at her friends with large, glassy eyes.

"When I came in last night, it was here waiting for me…" Her mind was still distracted and her thought trailed off. Meg was alarmed at the change in Ludivine. Her gaze drifted to the chaise, where the blanket and rose still lay"Did you… sleep here?" Meg asked, and Ludivine nodded slowly. Meg moved to the chaise and picked up the blood-red rose, cradling it cautiously in her hand. "And this did it have a ribbon; A black velvet ribbon?" Ludivine's hand drifted dreamily up to her neck, her fingers caressing the soft ribbon there.

"Ludivine, no! Do you know who that is from?"

"The Phantom of the Opera…" Lidivine murmured,

"A murderer!"

"A tragic lover… a deep poetic soul whom no one understands and all fear…" At this, Meg pulled Ludivine up by her shoulders, tearing her hand away from the ribbon.

"Ludivine… Look at me!" She said this with such force that it demanded Ludivine's attention. "Did he come to you? Last night, as you slept, did the Opera Ghost visit you?" Ludivine shook her head. "Only his voice…" she said, recalling that beautiful, soul-raising voice which has filled the room and awakened her soul, causing her to fly…

"Oh my God…" Meg whispered. "Ludivine, why did you sleep here? Why didn't you go home?" Ludivine cast a glance about the room, and then leaned closer to Meg.

"I… I have no home," she whispered to her friend. "I've been living on the streets for the past six months… So you can see why I was thrilled to be cast at the Opera… Oh, Meg, please," Ludivine implored, her large eyes teary, "Please don't tell anyone! I'm afraid I'll be dropped and all I've wanted for so long is to be part of the Opera House, and now I have that and I don't want to lose it…" Ludivine was crying now, large tears falling down her pale cheeks. Meg took her friend in an embrace in an attempt to calm her.

"Don't worry; your secret is safe with me. And… according to my mother, you're right about him. The Phantom of the Opera – he is a deep soul who only wants love and who only receives hate and fear… Christine Daae pitied him, though… and id anyone doubts his soul, they should view his home…" Ludivine pulled away and sat on the white leather chaise, Meg following suit. "I at least kept my promise – I didn't go looking for him," Ludivine stated.

"Yes, that's true. And since I've been to his home… heard my mother's story… heard his cries of despair… I can understand how you feel about him. Not a creature to hate, but a man to admire for his genius and his poetic soul. I will not condemn you, nor keep you from him. I will, however, warn you – when things do not go his way, he kills and destroys."

"Yet you say he let Mademoiselle Daae and Monsieur le Vicomte go free?" Ludivine asked, confused.

"He loved Christine and realized she could not be happy with him."

"SO there is a chance that she changed him?"

"Perhaps… nothing has truly happened since that incident, so it is possible… however, I myself am more cautious than others, having been Christine's friend at that time. I do wish you the best, however. No doubt he has discovered that you are not Christine, though his obsession and love was so great that he will undoubtedly return to you, for your voice is remarkably similar to that of hers." Ludivine looked at the dancer, and Meg took her hands in her own in a sign of friendship. "I do wish you happiness."

"Thankyou Meg," Ludivine smiled. "This means so much to me… but what will the others think?"

"Don't worry, I won't tell a soul… well besides my mother, if you wish."

"What is your mother's story, by the way?" Meg then proceeded to tell Ludivine all she knew about the one whom the dauars call the Phantom of the Opera and who calls himself the Opera Ghost, beginning with her mother's rescuing him from the Gypsy Carnivale. She explained his genius, how he had once, as an adolescent, built a palace of mirrors for the Shah of Persia. Ludivine just stared, wide-eyed and amazed, as the whole true story, much more fantastic than the legend, was laid before her. After Meg finished her explanation, the two sat in silence for some time, Ludivine pondering everything that had been told to her. "Well, that certainly explains many of the things that have happened," Ludivine stated thoughtfully. A knock on the door startled both of them, and they jumped. Meg went to the door and, without opening it, asked who was on the other side. It was Monsieur Firmin.

"Mademoiselle Giry, we are in need of you and Mademoiselle Juliette – rehearsal has begun, and Ludivine's measurements must be taken."

Meg glanced back at Ludivine, who was still in the couch, and observed Aminita's costume which seemed to be a perfect fit.

"As far as measurements go, I think we have them already."

"Whatever do you mean, Mademoiselle Giry?" Firmin questioned.

"She fits Christine Daae's costume perfectly!" Meg chirped.

"Well then… that is definitely an advantage for us. We still need to rehearse, however…" Meg smiled and glanced back at Ludivine.

"Of course, Monsieur, we will be out shortly!" She said, ever cheerful. "Come - we must establish your role as leading lady? She ran back gaily and took Ludivine's hand. They ran, giggling, to the door. However, as Meg opened it, Ludivine shrunk away from the sliver of light that now penetrated the dim lighting in the room. "Well? Come on!" Meg said. As she was led from the room, Ludivine raised a hand to the level of her eyes, but it was to shield herself from the harsh light, not and unseen attacker.

Far below the Opera House, the man – the Phantom of the Opera – had stopped his furious playing. He now was huddled on the steps to the water surrounding his lair; his knees pulled to his chest, his hands, which cradled his face, rested on his knees. He did not cry, as all his tears had left him already. His mind was blank; his depression had grown so great. That voice… it should be a sin for anyone to have a voice so like Christine's… It reminded him of Christine's voice towards the latter part of their lessons. It was beautiful, yet it still had a few slight imperfections, all of which could be easily remedied within a few short lessons…

Of course – that was it!

Why hadn't he thought of it before? This was just the opportunity he needed, something to get his mind occupied and out of his depressing. He could five this young woman voice lessons. He would avoid getting too attached this time, however. She would be simply a student, no matter how much she sounded like Christine Daae. Pleased with his decision, he rose and straightened himself up. Tonight, he would begin the young woman's lessons. Tonight, he though as he listened to the rehearsal above; Tonight, I will redeem myself…