The music filled the room and caught Marie up like a great wind; she spun and leapt as if she was a bird… or on fire (in her opinion that's how some dancers looked, like their butts were on flaming and they couldn't put it out so they just ran around trying to extinguish it through the air.)

All the dancers stopped as the leading lady started to sing:

Pie Jesu, pie Jesu, pie Jesu, pie Jesu

Qui tollis peccata mundi
Dona eis requiem, dona eis requiem

Pie Jesu, pie Jesu, pie Jesu, pie Jesu
Qui tollis peccata mundi
Dona eis requiem, dona eis requiem…

Marie closed her eyes and saw the colors that seemed to fill her mind with the music. She had heard this solo many times and could sing it herself, and that's what she did. Her unknowing voice crept from her throat out into the large room, a little lower and rather hollow sounding but not airy.

She felt a sharp elbow jab her in the ribs, Chantel. Opening her eyes she saw everyone, including the leading lady staring straight at her. Quickly one of the Populair's owner's stood,

"I'm sorry for this interruption the performance will continue shortly!" He said and turned to look back at Marie who bit her lip and blushed. The curtains closed and Madame Giry marched over to Marie and pulled her off stage.

"What were you thinking?"

"I dunno. I'm sorry!" Marie said sounding rather distressed, what was she supposed to say? She couldn't think straight, no, she didn't seem to be thinking at all. Babbling, she felt herself pulled into an empty room facing Madame Giry. The older woman seemingly young face suddenly showed miniscule crow's feet near the eyes and other wrinkles around the mouth and forehead.

"There's something wrong and I can tell." She said sternly looking into Marie's eyes. Marie groaned and looked down.

"I'm sorry. Please, do you mind if I just sleep." She said starting to yawn until she saw Giry looking around then back at her worried. Guiding Marie to her private quarters, she sat Marie on the bed. "Go to sleep, we can last without one dancer." She said sternly again. Too tired to reply Marie fell onto the bed instantly falling asleep on the soft down cover and mattress.

Marie woke up again to the soft whisper of a man. It's time. It's time. She stood up and gazed around the room. Her eye caught movement by Giry's mirror. "You're here, aren't you?" She asked boldly. She took a step toward the mirror, "Why are you here?" she asked, her hands outstretched to the darkness around the mirror.

"Here, I'm in here." The voice sang again.

Marie gasped; her hand had brushed against something hard, like plaster, then fleshy. In the half light she could only see a white half-mask floating above a man-shaped mass of dark.

"Who are you?"

"You'll know soon."

"Well then, why are you here?" Marie asked, now only slightly afraid.

She felt his hand slide over hers and seeing the figure move back, through the mirror.

"Whatever you are, be it man, spirit, ghost, or other fairy-"

"Phantom."

Marie started, phantom? What was that supposed to mean? Feeling the gentle tug she stepped carefully over the mirror's bottom frame. The Phantom turned still holding her hand and led her down into the darkness.

Okay… that was a… strange chappie. Sorry it took so long guys! Heh.. Procrastination.

Ooh… My friend keeps IMing me "EVERYONE HAS SOMETHING TO HIDE EXCEPT ME AND MY MONKEY!" ouch. Anyone who can tell me who sings that song will win…. NOTHING! (Oh and I already know who sings it, 'cause guess what, I'm not an idiot like some people… yeah) Yay! Okay I'm done… oh and I don't own any of this shit save for the characters you haven't heard about. Yay!