To all my reviewers!!! Thank you for all your comments and support! Is it really spelled Giry? I always thought it was Girdy! My bad! :) Also I apologize about the changing perspective, I never realized it could be confusing! Please try to bear with it... I'm afraid it will spoil some of the fun to take that little bit of confusing thought out! Please keep reviewing and letting me know all your opinions! Thanks!
Chapter Five
All of Paris France seemed to be at the opera house on September the thirteenth, the scheduled night of the company masquerade. Within the marble walls, all of the upper class chatted and moved about like the swell of the oceans tide. Crystal wine glasses clinked in the corners and gay laughter wafted down the stairwells. At the heart of all this joy and merriment, the viscount and the managers set talking. Their minds recalling with detail a very similar gathering several years past. With a cough, Firmin excused himself and went to mingle with the crowd.
"Do you suppose that the Phantom will burden us with his presence this year?" Andrea whispered when it seemed that no one was listening. Roul smiled and shook his head. "If he has not attended the masquerade since the time I was last here, what inclines you to think he will attend now?" Firmin returned with three glasses of wine and handed the other two to his companions. "Quite a turnout we have tonight eh?"
Diana swirled around her dressing room with a joyous laugh, her new dress flowing around her in satin waves. Lifting up the mask that had come with it she modeled her outfit in front of Kirsty who applauded with enthusiasm. "Diana, its perfect! Where on earth did you get it?!" She took the mask from Diana and stared at its intricate design etched in silver. "Here's another question, how did you afford it?!" Diana smiled, her eyes dancing. "That's the best part! I think it must have been a gift from my brother, I knew he had been saving up his extra pay for awhile!" Kirsty could only gape in awe. "It's people like your brother that make me wish I had a sibling of my own! That was so sweet of him!"
Both girls continued to marvel over the dress until Phantoms excited meowing drew them to the door. A parcel was sitting outside with a note tied to its cover. With the eagerness of children, giggling with glee, they ripped of the crude wrapping. A beautiful pair of new ball shoes greeted their eyes. "What on earth?" Diana opened the note and read,
Dearest sister,
I was told by Madam Girdy a week ago of the dress you had purchased, so I decided that you wouldn't get very far without some shoes! I hope these match well! Please enjoy yourself tonight sister, I will be watching for you! I wonder if I'll know you when I see you with a mask on?
With love, your brother Peter.
Kirsty and Diana stared at each other in shock, their eyes wide with wonderment. "So it wasn't you brother!" Diana nodded, her confusion plain. "Madam Giry thinks I purchased this dress? There's no way that I could have!" Kirsty raised an eyebrow, then shrugged. "We'll figure this out eventually, till then, you have the best dress and mask out there!" catching a glimpse at the time, kirsty blushed with embarrassment and ran for the door. "I have to go! I'll see you there Diana!"
Diana sat back and tried to understand what was going on. If Peter didn't send her the dress, than who did? Suddenly, in the reflection of the mirror, an envelope on her desk caught her eye. She rushed over, wondering to herself why she had not noticed this before. The familiar red ink greeted her like an old friend. With excitement growing, she tore open the note and blinked as a sapphire rose shaped pendent on a silver chain fell into her hand. At first, she could only stare in awe. Then, remembering the letter, the read the following.
My dearest Diana,
I hope you do not think me to forward, I simply saw the dress and had to see it on you, it would not have suited another. I was pleased to hear that your brother took care of the shoes. He is such a good brother to you! My thoughts did not leave our last conversation, and so I have decided to attend the masquerade, if it still pleases you after my earlier refusal. You will know me when you see me, I promise. Also, please wear the necklace so that I will be sure to recognize you. With all the people in Paris, there is the slim chance that someone else will have that dress. However, no one will have that necklace. Let us enjoy the beauty of the night together. I am waiting for you.
Erik
With a cry of surprise and joy, Diana threw on the shoes, and carefully put the necklace on her throat. Then, with a whispered thank you, and a stroke or two for her cat, she quit the room
She emerges into view, an image of perfection. I cannot stop the sigh of contentment that escapes me. She looks so beautiful, no mater what she wears... a smile sneaks onto my face as she recognizes me. She waves to catch my attention, foolish child, as if I would not spot her beacon of light among the crowd. "Erik! Thank you so much for coming! I was so surprised that you reconsidered! And all this... you really shouldn't have..." I laugh as I take her hand in mine. Her eyes shine so brightly, I could lose myself forever in her eyes... she smiles as I take her toward the dance floor."...You are quite welcome, however, in payment, I demand the first dance of the evening." she laughs and I feel my heart beat faster. "That is of course, should you wish to dance..." she puts her hand on my shoulder, the glow of happiness on her face. I'm not even sure what we are dancing to, and for the sake of everything, I don't care. Here is heaven, here is peace. Her head resting against my shoulder, her breath soft on my neck...
For a moment, a tinge of fear runs through me, dear God, I... I cannot have allowed myself to love her... I become aware that all eyes are on us as we sweep across the dance floor. Should they discover me, with her... Her eyes meet mine, happy and unaware of all danger. She trusts me to keep her safe... "We're being watched..." Her whisper sends a shudder of pleasure down my spine, renewing my faded confidence. "Let them watch." The rest of our dance is lost to me in a wave of pure bliss. To feel so free, having her in my arms, dancing with me... trusting me... "We should have danced together whenever we had lessons, I feel so alive like this..." I smile, feeling more at peace than I had felt for a long time. The dance stops, the crowd applauds with admiration.
"Diana! Can't you ever just go somewhere without being the center of attention?!" Kirsty, a chorus girl, comes forward and embraces Diana with a grin. Diana turns to me and laughs at my amusement, "In all honesty kirsty, these things just seem to happen..." It's apparent that an introduction is expected. Diana looks at me, I nod in agreement. "Erik, this is Kirsty, Kirsty, this is Erik... he's an old friend of mine." Kirsty curtsied politely, "It's a pleasure to meet you monsieur Erik." I bow to return the gesture, "Please, the pleasure is all mine Mademoiselle, I enjoy meeting Diana's friends."
Diana of course had to go off and talk to other people, she has a carrier to worry about, and so with my free time I searched for Daroga. I eventually locate him by one of the many windows in the ballroom. He smiled at me, a smirk of humor subtly present on his face. "How goes the party my friend? I've been trapped by the crowd in this corner since it started!" I shake my head in disbelief, does his sense of humor have an off button? "Don't be such a stranger! Come speak with me, get a drink!" silently I wonder how much he has drank this evening, then the stupidity of that thought hits me. Daroga doesn't drink very often, and never enough to even become tipsy! Get your thoughts in order!
I watched the Phantom as he made his way from the dance floor to where the Persian stood. Kirsty and Diana made their way in the opposite direction toward the managers. A hand descended on my shoulder, I whirled around to see the Viscount. "Monsieur! You startled me! His eyes locked with mine. "Why is he here? Is he trying to get himself killed?!" I could do nothing but stare at him, my tongue at a loss for words. "I have no idea why he is here! All I know is that it has something to do with Diana Grey." A chalky whiteness passed over his features, he seemed about to speak, and then stopped. Silently we turned and looked to where the Persian and the Phantom had been standing, an empty corner greeted us mockingly. "This is definitely not good Giry, not good at all."
"You know, considering this is a masquerade, should we really know each others names?" Diana looked at Kirsty in puzzlement. They looked around to see how many people they recognized. Only a few stood out from the crowd. "Well, we don't know everyone... in fact, I don't see anyone else I know!" Both smiled and tried to guess whom the man coming up to them was. "Well! I think I know you two! Kirsty and Diana?" They nodded and stared at the mask, then Diana blinked. "Peter! I didn't even recognize you!" Peter smiled and did a little dance. "Pretty nice eh? Meg helped me make it! She's very good with these things. Who was that man I saw you dancing with Diana?"
Diana paled behind the mask and tried to come up with a good answer, nothing new came to mind. She had never been a good liar. "I can introduce you to him, if we ever find him again..." she sighed with relief when Peter agreed, Erik would know how to handle this much better than she could. Looking back at Peter, she could not help but sigh. How she wished she could just tell him... they had never kept anything from each other before. "Diana? I see your brother figured out who you are." Peter looked into Erik's eyes and smiled, "I'm sorry, I don't believe we've met?" Erik smiled and bowed at the waist, "You are correct, we have not met formally before. I am Erik." Peter blinked, feeling silly for not realizing that this man, with his manners, could easily be a patron of the opera!
Attempting to seem on top of things, Peter mimicked Erik's gesture. "I am Peter Grey, you seem to know my sister Diana." Silently Erik approved of the act and rewarded Peters efforts with a smile. "Yes, Diana and I are very well acquainted." For no purpose but to seemingly lay down more tripwires, Daroga came over and joined the conversation. It soon became apparent that to many people had arrived, with a smile and nod, Erik and Diana excused them selves. Alone at last, the two sat on the benches outside the Stages entrance. Timidly, Erik reached over and placed his hand on hers. She smiled and snuggled against him. For a moment he froze, then relaxed into her embrace. "Thank you for convincing me to come." Diana tuned toward the whisper, her eyes shining in the golden light. "No Erik, thank you."
I have been studying with Erik for almost seven months now, since the masquerade he has relaxed around me a bit more every day. When I wake up in the mornings I can sometimes expect to see him smiling at me from the chair beside my bed. He somehow knew that I have nightmares, even though I never told him. The firs time I caught him he was deeply ashamed, afraid that he had overstepped his bounds and imposed his presence upon me! I was more than happy for his company, I explained, for it stopped my nightmares and allowed me to sleep. It makes me feel safer knowing he might be there when I wake up. As imposing as he can be, there is no human alive more gentle than he is with me. His voice could bring me to tears of joy with only the softest songs. Together, when we sing, I could have sworn by my life that we had dropped all ties to earth. With our hearts and souls as one, there is no duet that can intimidate us, no song to difficult, no pitch to fine.
As I began to become more skilled, we would try harder and harder pieces. Sometimes I sounded so horrible we could do nothing but laugh! I know that Erik is looking for perfection; I always try my best when we practice. However, when I am on stage he claims that I lose my fire, as fine as my voice is, it is just not enough! One evening, after a rigorous lesson, he led me to the stage. "Diana, we need to solve this problem. I want you to sing for me, do it as if we were still in your dressing room." I nodded nervously, and when he looked into my eyes, I knew that he had complete faith in me. "Lorsqu sola co-chaunt, le riveris sont roses! E Quinta, defris son cor sur le champs–de-blea..." A signal from Erik stopped me, I looked at him with despair, he was right! "Diana... are you afraid of the stage? Does anything up there disturb you? Make you uncomfortable?" I shook my head no. Erik seemed puzzled by this. "Did anything frightening ever happen to you on a stage?"
Peter, who had been walking outside the theater, paused when he heard the familiar voice of his sister on the stage. Opening the doors a crack, he peeked inside. Diana stood on the stage, the dim glow of a lantern the only light by her. In the darkness, a figure he could not see but by the way he spoke was obviously a teacher for his sister, questioned Diana. Peter's heart turned to ice when he heard the man ask if Diana feared the stage. Unable to stay hidden any longer, peter made his way down the isle. "Did anything frightening ever happen to you on a stage?"
"Because of a stage we lost our parents. Diana was only six, but I remember." Diana's eyes grew wide. "Peter! How long have you been here?" the figure glanced at Diana, then back at her brother. "If I may ask such a thing, how did it happen?" Peter strained to see the man who spoke to him, but the darkness was too deep. Then he recognized the voice. "Erik? Is that you? You're the person who's been training my sister?" Diana nodded with a smile, "How did you know I was receiving lessons?" Peter smiled. "With such an improvement in your voice, how could I not know?" There was a cough from the shadows, Erik turned back to Peter. "Forgive me, but it is of the utmost importance for me to learn of the negative experience that happened Involving a stage. Your sister's career depends on my ability to help her drop the screen between her voice, and the audience." Peter sighed, and sank into a chair.
"You really need to know, well here's the truth. When I was only eight, and Diana was only six, our parents died." On the stage Diana paled. "They were both performers, and were working late rehearsing a scene; the stage they practiced on was old and needed to be replaced. However the management of that theater never told them that!" Erik nodded to himself; since he had helped to build the opera house they stood in, he knew the importance of a safe stage. Peter's eyes narrowed as he continued. "Suddenly, the stage just collapsed beneath them! They didn't even have time to cry out for help..." Diana ran off the stage and placed her arms around her brother, her entire form shaking. Erik wanted to comfort her himself, but knew better then to interrupt the two siblings.
"Please, I know this is hard for you, but what happened next?' Peter looked back toward the shadow-covered form of Erik and nodded. "The crash caused the entire building to shake, fearing for Diana's life as well as my own, I took her hand and ran outside. Help arrived too late, our parents were crushed to death." Peter shook his head, unable to go on. Diana's soft weeping was the only sound that could be heard. "Thank you peter, I know this was hard for you. This definitely explains our problem..." Diana looked at Erik, one look at her tear stained face, and he felt an unbelievable need to wrap his arms around her. Just to keep her safe. Determination iced his features.
"I will check with the management immediately, I'm sure they will hire someone to check the stage for flaws. I swear to you both, if this stage is found unsafe we will have it replaced the moment we find out."
"As hard as it is to believe, Erik seems to have fallen in love again." The Persian and Roul sat in front of the roaring fireplace, their forms outlined by the flames. With a low sigh, Roul got to his feet and offered another drink. He had invited the Persian to his house to chat. However, as usual, their conversation seemed to revolve around the opera. "Nothing good will come of this, why can't he see that?!" Daroga shook his head, "Erik has always wanted nothing more than to have what others take for granted. Why do you think that he would stop loving for the good of mankind? The thought is nothing more than amusing!"
Roul nodded, his eyes on the flames. The flickering light seemed to take form for a moment. Dancing in the flames, Christine beckoned to him, her eyes burning right into him. "I feel as if Christine wants me to stop this disaster before history repeats itself, what do I do Daroga?"
The Persian sighed. "If you think that you can take him in a fight, you must be crazy." He winced as he sipped his wine, Roul nodded. "I fear this was not a good year for wine..." Both put their glasses down with distaste. In the distance a dog barked, then the night was still again. Gathering his hat and cloak, the Persian turned to Roul. "I thank you for inviting me to your house Viscount, however, as it is getting late, I will take my leave."
The opera house was silent as the Persian ascended its steps, his crisp footfalls shattering the nights quiet. Once inside, he removed his coat and hat. The warmth that greeted him inside was a relief, the smell of cedar wood and the perfume of an evenings crowd lingered in the air. Tonight had been a true triumph for Diana Grey. Daroga knew he would find himself reading about it in the papers when morning came. The only noise disturbing the tranquility of the hall were his hushed footfalls.
A soft cough behind him caught Daroga's attention. Erik smiled at his friend, obviously having just woken up. "Daroga, what brings you here at this hour?" Daroga sighed. "The knowledge that you do your morning rounds at this hour, that's what." With a sweep of his cape, the opera ghost offered a chair. Once both men were sitting, the calm that had flowed threw the room shattered. A seriousness settled over Erik's features as he watched his friends sudden silence, something was wrong... "Daroga, what is it?" Daroga looked into Erik's eyes. His mouth forming silent words,
"Erik...it's a trap..."
Chapter Five
All of Paris France seemed to be at the opera house on September the thirteenth, the scheduled night of the company masquerade. Within the marble walls, all of the upper class chatted and moved about like the swell of the oceans tide. Crystal wine glasses clinked in the corners and gay laughter wafted down the stairwells. At the heart of all this joy and merriment, the viscount and the managers set talking. Their minds recalling with detail a very similar gathering several years past. With a cough, Firmin excused himself and went to mingle with the crowd.
"Do you suppose that the Phantom will burden us with his presence this year?" Andrea whispered when it seemed that no one was listening. Roul smiled and shook his head. "If he has not attended the masquerade since the time I was last here, what inclines you to think he will attend now?" Firmin returned with three glasses of wine and handed the other two to his companions. "Quite a turnout we have tonight eh?"
Diana swirled around her dressing room with a joyous laugh, her new dress flowing around her in satin waves. Lifting up the mask that had come with it she modeled her outfit in front of Kirsty who applauded with enthusiasm. "Diana, its perfect! Where on earth did you get it?!" She took the mask from Diana and stared at its intricate design etched in silver. "Here's another question, how did you afford it?!" Diana smiled, her eyes dancing. "That's the best part! I think it must have been a gift from my brother, I knew he had been saving up his extra pay for awhile!" Kirsty could only gape in awe. "It's people like your brother that make me wish I had a sibling of my own! That was so sweet of him!"
Both girls continued to marvel over the dress until Phantoms excited meowing drew them to the door. A parcel was sitting outside with a note tied to its cover. With the eagerness of children, giggling with glee, they ripped of the crude wrapping. A beautiful pair of new ball shoes greeted their eyes. "What on earth?" Diana opened the note and read,
Dearest sister,
I was told by Madam Girdy a week ago of the dress you had purchased, so I decided that you wouldn't get very far without some shoes! I hope these match well! Please enjoy yourself tonight sister, I will be watching for you! I wonder if I'll know you when I see you with a mask on?
With love, your brother Peter.
Kirsty and Diana stared at each other in shock, their eyes wide with wonderment. "So it wasn't you brother!" Diana nodded, her confusion plain. "Madam Giry thinks I purchased this dress? There's no way that I could have!" Kirsty raised an eyebrow, then shrugged. "We'll figure this out eventually, till then, you have the best dress and mask out there!" catching a glimpse at the time, kirsty blushed with embarrassment and ran for the door. "I have to go! I'll see you there Diana!"
Diana sat back and tried to understand what was going on. If Peter didn't send her the dress, than who did? Suddenly, in the reflection of the mirror, an envelope on her desk caught her eye. She rushed over, wondering to herself why she had not noticed this before. The familiar red ink greeted her like an old friend. With excitement growing, she tore open the note and blinked as a sapphire rose shaped pendent on a silver chain fell into her hand. At first, she could only stare in awe. Then, remembering the letter, the read the following.
My dearest Diana,
I hope you do not think me to forward, I simply saw the dress and had to see it on you, it would not have suited another. I was pleased to hear that your brother took care of the shoes. He is such a good brother to you! My thoughts did not leave our last conversation, and so I have decided to attend the masquerade, if it still pleases you after my earlier refusal. You will know me when you see me, I promise. Also, please wear the necklace so that I will be sure to recognize you. With all the people in Paris, there is the slim chance that someone else will have that dress. However, no one will have that necklace. Let us enjoy the beauty of the night together. I am waiting for you.
Erik
With a cry of surprise and joy, Diana threw on the shoes, and carefully put the necklace on her throat. Then, with a whispered thank you, and a stroke or two for her cat, she quit the room
She emerges into view, an image of perfection. I cannot stop the sigh of contentment that escapes me. She looks so beautiful, no mater what she wears... a smile sneaks onto my face as she recognizes me. She waves to catch my attention, foolish child, as if I would not spot her beacon of light among the crowd. "Erik! Thank you so much for coming! I was so surprised that you reconsidered! And all this... you really shouldn't have..." I laugh as I take her hand in mine. Her eyes shine so brightly, I could lose myself forever in her eyes... she smiles as I take her toward the dance floor."...You are quite welcome, however, in payment, I demand the first dance of the evening." she laughs and I feel my heart beat faster. "That is of course, should you wish to dance..." she puts her hand on my shoulder, the glow of happiness on her face. I'm not even sure what we are dancing to, and for the sake of everything, I don't care. Here is heaven, here is peace. Her head resting against my shoulder, her breath soft on my neck...
For a moment, a tinge of fear runs through me, dear God, I... I cannot have allowed myself to love her... I become aware that all eyes are on us as we sweep across the dance floor. Should they discover me, with her... Her eyes meet mine, happy and unaware of all danger. She trusts me to keep her safe... "We're being watched..." Her whisper sends a shudder of pleasure down my spine, renewing my faded confidence. "Let them watch." The rest of our dance is lost to me in a wave of pure bliss. To feel so free, having her in my arms, dancing with me... trusting me... "We should have danced together whenever we had lessons, I feel so alive like this..." I smile, feeling more at peace than I had felt for a long time. The dance stops, the crowd applauds with admiration.
"Diana! Can't you ever just go somewhere without being the center of attention?!" Kirsty, a chorus girl, comes forward and embraces Diana with a grin. Diana turns to me and laughs at my amusement, "In all honesty kirsty, these things just seem to happen..." It's apparent that an introduction is expected. Diana looks at me, I nod in agreement. "Erik, this is Kirsty, Kirsty, this is Erik... he's an old friend of mine." Kirsty curtsied politely, "It's a pleasure to meet you monsieur Erik." I bow to return the gesture, "Please, the pleasure is all mine Mademoiselle, I enjoy meeting Diana's friends."
Diana of course had to go off and talk to other people, she has a carrier to worry about, and so with my free time I searched for Daroga. I eventually locate him by one of the many windows in the ballroom. He smiled at me, a smirk of humor subtly present on his face. "How goes the party my friend? I've been trapped by the crowd in this corner since it started!" I shake my head in disbelief, does his sense of humor have an off button? "Don't be such a stranger! Come speak with me, get a drink!" silently I wonder how much he has drank this evening, then the stupidity of that thought hits me. Daroga doesn't drink very often, and never enough to even become tipsy! Get your thoughts in order!
I watched the Phantom as he made his way from the dance floor to where the Persian stood. Kirsty and Diana made their way in the opposite direction toward the managers. A hand descended on my shoulder, I whirled around to see the Viscount. "Monsieur! You startled me! His eyes locked with mine. "Why is he here? Is he trying to get himself killed?!" I could do nothing but stare at him, my tongue at a loss for words. "I have no idea why he is here! All I know is that it has something to do with Diana Grey." A chalky whiteness passed over his features, he seemed about to speak, and then stopped. Silently we turned and looked to where the Persian and the Phantom had been standing, an empty corner greeted us mockingly. "This is definitely not good Giry, not good at all."
"You know, considering this is a masquerade, should we really know each others names?" Diana looked at Kirsty in puzzlement. They looked around to see how many people they recognized. Only a few stood out from the crowd. "Well, we don't know everyone... in fact, I don't see anyone else I know!" Both smiled and tried to guess whom the man coming up to them was. "Well! I think I know you two! Kirsty and Diana?" They nodded and stared at the mask, then Diana blinked. "Peter! I didn't even recognize you!" Peter smiled and did a little dance. "Pretty nice eh? Meg helped me make it! She's very good with these things. Who was that man I saw you dancing with Diana?"
Diana paled behind the mask and tried to come up with a good answer, nothing new came to mind. She had never been a good liar. "I can introduce you to him, if we ever find him again..." she sighed with relief when Peter agreed, Erik would know how to handle this much better than she could. Looking back at Peter, she could not help but sigh. How she wished she could just tell him... they had never kept anything from each other before. "Diana? I see your brother figured out who you are." Peter looked into Erik's eyes and smiled, "I'm sorry, I don't believe we've met?" Erik smiled and bowed at the waist, "You are correct, we have not met formally before. I am Erik." Peter blinked, feeling silly for not realizing that this man, with his manners, could easily be a patron of the opera!
Attempting to seem on top of things, Peter mimicked Erik's gesture. "I am Peter Grey, you seem to know my sister Diana." Silently Erik approved of the act and rewarded Peters efforts with a smile. "Yes, Diana and I are very well acquainted." For no purpose but to seemingly lay down more tripwires, Daroga came over and joined the conversation. It soon became apparent that to many people had arrived, with a smile and nod, Erik and Diana excused them selves. Alone at last, the two sat on the benches outside the Stages entrance. Timidly, Erik reached over and placed his hand on hers. She smiled and snuggled against him. For a moment he froze, then relaxed into her embrace. "Thank you for convincing me to come." Diana tuned toward the whisper, her eyes shining in the golden light. "No Erik, thank you."
I have been studying with Erik for almost seven months now, since the masquerade he has relaxed around me a bit more every day. When I wake up in the mornings I can sometimes expect to see him smiling at me from the chair beside my bed. He somehow knew that I have nightmares, even though I never told him. The firs time I caught him he was deeply ashamed, afraid that he had overstepped his bounds and imposed his presence upon me! I was more than happy for his company, I explained, for it stopped my nightmares and allowed me to sleep. It makes me feel safer knowing he might be there when I wake up. As imposing as he can be, there is no human alive more gentle than he is with me. His voice could bring me to tears of joy with only the softest songs. Together, when we sing, I could have sworn by my life that we had dropped all ties to earth. With our hearts and souls as one, there is no duet that can intimidate us, no song to difficult, no pitch to fine.
As I began to become more skilled, we would try harder and harder pieces. Sometimes I sounded so horrible we could do nothing but laugh! I know that Erik is looking for perfection; I always try my best when we practice. However, when I am on stage he claims that I lose my fire, as fine as my voice is, it is just not enough! One evening, after a rigorous lesson, he led me to the stage. "Diana, we need to solve this problem. I want you to sing for me, do it as if we were still in your dressing room." I nodded nervously, and when he looked into my eyes, I knew that he had complete faith in me. "Lorsqu sola co-chaunt, le riveris sont roses! E Quinta, defris son cor sur le champs–de-blea..." A signal from Erik stopped me, I looked at him with despair, he was right! "Diana... are you afraid of the stage? Does anything up there disturb you? Make you uncomfortable?" I shook my head no. Erik seemed puzzled by this. "Did anything frightening ever happen to you on a stage?"
Peter, who had been walking outside the theater, paused when he heard the familiar voice of his sister on the stage. Opening the doors a crack, he peeked inside. Diana stood on the stage, the dim glow of a lantern the only light by her. In the darkness, a figure he could not see but by the way he spoke was obviously a teacher for his sister, questioned Diana. Peter's heart turned to ice when he heard the man ask if Diana feared the stage. Unable to stay hidden any longer, peter made his way down the isle. "Did anything frightening ever happen to you on a stage?"
"Because of a stage we lost our parents. Diana was only six, but I remember." Diana's eyes grew wide. "Peter! How long have you been here?" the figure glanced at Diana, then back at her brother. "If I may ask such a thing, how did it happen?" Peter strained to see the man who spoke to him, but the darkness was too deep. Then he recognized the voice. "Erik? Is that you? You're the person who's been training my sister?" Diana nodded with a smile, "How did you know I was receiving lessons?" Peter smiled. "With such an improvement in your voice, how could I not know?" There was a cough from the shadows, Erik turned back to Peter. "Forgive me, but it is of the utmost importance for me to learn of the negative experience that happened Involving a stage. Your sister's career depends on my ability to help her drop the screen between her voice, and the audience." Peter sighed, and sank into a chair.
"You really need to know, well here's the truth. When I was only eight, and Diana was only six, our parents died." On the stage Diana paled. "They were both performers, and were working late rehearsing a scene; the stage they practiced on was old and needed to be replaced. However the management of that theater never told them that!" Erik nodded to himself; since he had helped to build the opera house they stood in, he knew the importance of a safe stage. Peter's eyes narrowed as he continued. "Suddenly, the stage just collapsed beneath them! They didn't even have time to cry out for help..." Diana ran off the stage and placed her arms around her brother, her entire form shaking. Erik wanted to comfort her himself, but knew better then to interrupt the two siblings.
"Please, I know this is hard for you, but what happened next?' Peter looked back toward the shadow-covered form of Erik and nodded. "The crash caused the entire building to shake, fearing for Diana's life as well as my own, I took her hand and ran outside. Help arrived too late, our parents were crushed to death." Peter shook his head, unable to go on. Diana's soft weeping was the only sound that could be heard. "Thank you peter, I know this was hard for you. This definitely explains our problem..." Diana looked at Erik, one look at her tear stained face, and he felt an unbelievable need to wrap his arms around her. Just to keep her safe. Determination iced his features.
"I will check with the management immediately, I'm sure they will hire someone to check the stage for flaws. I swear to you both, if this stage is found unsafe we will have it replaced the moment we find out."
"As hard as it is to believe, Erik seems to have fallen in love again." The Persian and Roul sat in front of the roaring fireplace, their forms outlined by the flames. With a low sigh, Roul got to his feet and offered another drink. He had invited the Persian to his house to chat. However, as usual, their conversation seemed to revolve around the opera. "Nothing good will come of this, why can't he see that?!" Daroga shook his head, "Erik has always wanted nothing more than to have what others take for granted. Why do you think that he would stop loving for the good of mankind? The thought is nothing more than amusing!"
Roul nodded, his eyes on the flames. The flickering light seemed to take form for a moment. Dancing in the flames, Christine beckoned to him, her eyes burning right into him. "I feel as if Christine wants me to stop this disaster before history repeats itself, what do I do Daroga?"
The Persian sighed. "If you think that you can take him in a fight, you must be crazy." He winced as he sipped his wine, Roul nodded. "I fear this was not a good year for wine..." Both put their glasses down with distaste. In the distance a dog barked, then the night was still again. Gathering his hat and cloak, the Persian turned to Roul. "I thank you for inviting me to your house Viscount, however, as it is getting late, I will take my leave."
The opera house was silent as the Persian ascended its steps, his crisp footfalls shattering the nights quiet. Once inside, he removed his coat and hat. The warmth that greeted him inside was a relief, the smell of cedar wood and the perfume of an evenings crowd lingered in the air. Tonight had been a true triumph for Diana Grey. Daroga knew he would find himself reading about it in the papers when morning came. The only noise disturbing the tranquility of the hall were his hushed footfalls.
A soft cough behind him caught Daroga's attention. Erik smiled at his friend, obviously having just woken up. "Daroga, what brings you here at this hour?" Daroga sighed. "The knowledge that you do your morning rounds at this hour, that's what." With a sweep of his cape, the opera ghost offered a chair. Once both men were sitting, the calm that had flowed threw the room shattered. A seriousness settled over Erik's features as he watched his friends sudden silence, something was wrong... "Daroga, what is it?" Daroga looked into Erik's eyes. His mouth forming silent words,
"Erik...it's a trap..."