Chapter 2
"Discoveries"
He passively observed the mediocre performance from the shadows of box five. It was only the beginning of rehearsals, but Erik's eyes and ears had had enough abuse for one day. The Opera House was getting ready for the opening night of Faust, no easy task. Up until today, things had been going remarkably well, but it seemed that everyone was having an off day, including the lead soprano who was in the role of Marguerite.
The managers had quickly replaced Christine and Carlotta with Laurette Dalry. At first glance, no one would have pinned her a leading soprano. In fact, the managers had nearly dismissed her before she had even auditioned.
She was unnaturally tall, nearly six foot. Her long, pale face was framed by stick straight, bright red locks that nearly reached her waist. And her voice…Erik nearly shuddered at the thought. She spoke as though she had a close-pin permanently attached to her nose. It was almost comical, but quickly became irritating.
But when she sang, it became clear that she not only had a naturally talented voice, but she had been lucky enough to have had lessons.
Erik himself thought she was quite good; nothing special, of course, but good. Her only real fault was that she lacked emotion. As much as he had loathed Carlotta, he still had to admit that she had sang with a passion that was unmatched by Laurette. As she sang the words "My spirit longs with thee to rest", her face did not display feelings of anguish, but rather those of apathy and listlessness.
Having had enough, Erik stood from his seat and turned and left the box, leaving a note for Madame Giry behind. The contents of the letter read as follows:
My Dear Madame Giry,
Please inform Mademoiselle Dalry that it would be to her advantage to focus on her acting as much as she does her voice. The Parisian people pay to see over the top, and nothing less.
Your obedient servant,
O.G.
He slipped silently through the hallways behind the stage, under the cover of shadow. Although everyone was either on stage, in the wings, or in the practice rooms, he still preferred to be hidden.
His precautions had served him well. He had not gone a few feet before he heard footsteps coming his way. He backed up against the wall and waited for the wandering stranger to pass.
He noticed that the footsteps were light, those of either a woman or a dancer, or both. They were also hurried, as if their owner was running a bit late. As the person passed by, he dared not breathe.
Just as they walked in front of him, light flooded in from a nearby window and illuminated the person's face. It had indeed been a woman, a young woman. And she was indeed a dancer, dressed in her practice attire, a pair of Pointe shoes in hand.
But what he had not accounted for, was her beauty. She had olive toned skin that looked as though it had been kissed by the sun, ever so gently. Raven curls cascaded down her back. Her face was adorned with a pair of large green eyes that looked like pools of emerald. She was of an average height, maybe 5'6", which made her far shorter than he. She had a lithe body, but managed to retain her natural curves. She was a sight to behold.
He shifted slightly, almost unconsciously, and she stopped where she stood. She turned around slowly, recognizing that the sound had come from behind. "Who is there?" she questioned. When no response came, she grew agitated. "Show yourself this instant. I will not be stalked like some prey. I ask again, who is there!"
Having lost control of his senses, he stepped out from the shadows. Instead of backing down at the sight of him, she walked up to him and stood on tip toe, trying her best to level with him. "What are you doing here? Who do you think you are?" she asked angrily.
He was slightly taken aback by her forwardness, but not for long. He began to lose his patience with the girl. No one questioned him. He was the dominating presence in this Opera house.
He stepped out of the shadow further, revealing to her his mask. In an ice cold tone he replied, "I am the Phantom of the Opera. And who might you be mademoiselle?"