Everything and Nothing

Notes- Thank you to pemberlee, MoonDancerCat, GoldenLyre, and Ryushi Nagami. To the last person on this list: Yes, I AM on a Phantom writing streak, but I'm getting back to work on the Bishie story. Honest. I will post eventually, I've just been on a writer's block on that for the longest time, and had a need to write some fluff. Hope you all enjoy the next installment!

Chapter Five: In Which Lessons Begin

Unfortunately, my attempts at buying children's songs failed.

It had been long enough since I last slipped out to get provisions, so I added the music to my list of things to buy. But when I reached my usual shop, no children's songs were to be found. Upon questioning the shopkeeper, I only received a strange look. So I sighed and picked up some of the simplest songs I could find, resolving to compose some damn music if it came to that. I had a pupil, and I was not going to work with her on anything less than the best I could do.

I considered writing a letter to Madame Giry about the children's songs, but decided against it. Certainly, she knew of my interest in Mademoiselle Daae- how could she not, after last night? But for some reason, the fact that she would learn the details of my plan made me uncomfortable. I'd never lied to anyone in the Opera House before, except perhaps for those outrageous threats I occasionally sent the managers… But the thought of explaining my deception to Madame Giry, a woman I respected, was enough to make me squirm like a guilty schoolboy.

So the night after Christine Daae woke up singing happily to herself, I worked on memorizing the pieces I'd bought and coming up with lesson plans for her. I had to remember little Daae couldn't be more than nine years old, and a very average girl despite her voice potential. The lessons had to be short and concise, or I would lose her attention- Angel or no Angel.

Two days after I proclaimed myself to be her Angel of Music, I found Mademoiselle Daae in the little chapel. She was praying, of course, but the candle she'd used before was gone. In its place was one of the usual ones; one, thankfully, with no scent.

I paused to watch her for a moment. For a while, I had thought about bringing up my violin to play the music I wanted to teach her. But after trying to play it, I winced and set it aside. No, I would have to perfect my skills before using that. My voice would do for now.

A little frown scrunched up her otherwise smooth forehead, making it apparent that she was thinking very hard about something.

I couldn't help but smile at that face, which surprised me; I was not one to smile so often. Yet, with Mademoiselle Daae around…

I shook my head, and softly began to sing.

Her head snapped up a moment later. "Angel?" she asked quietly, awed.

I continued to sing, wordlessly.

"You came back," she said wonderingly.

I stopped.

"No, no, that's good! I'm glad you came back!" she added. "I just… didn't expect you to come to me again."

I bit back a sarcastic comment about the Spanish Inquisition; doubtless it would have earned me nothing more than a blank stare. "My dear, how are you supposed to learn how to sing properly without my teaching?" I asked gently.

A soft gasp escaped her lips as I began to speak- speak, not sing- and one hand covered her mouth in her surprise. "Oh!" was her reply. I imagine that if she hadn't already been kneeling, she would have knelt at that moment.

"Fear not, my child. I am your Angel, and I am here to teach you. Shall we begin your lesson now?"

Her eyes were so wide and she was so still that I worried that perhaps I had broken her somehow, making her shock so powerful that she couldn't produce any sound at all. But, a moment later, she was nodding her head. "Yes, oh please! Yes! Teach me, Angel of Music!"

"Very well."

I started her on simple scales, like the ones Monsieur Reyer had been giving them when he had time away from the actual performers to teach them.

"Follow my voice and do as I do," I told her. Then, after a moment, I began. "Do Re Mi F-"

And the worst of luck happened to me. The worst thing that could ever happen to a musician who is performing, be it before a private audience or in the public.

Yes, my voice cracked.

It was a miniscule one, thankfully, but she seemed to notice it nonetheless. Her eyes widened in surprise as I quieted.

"Angel-" she began.

"Tell me what was wrong with that scale, and then sing it correctly," I said quickly, thankful that no one could see my face reddening.

She paused, blinking. "Oh," she said. "So you meant to do that?"

"Of course, my dear. I am the Angel of Music. Everything I do is completely intentional."

"Oh!" she repeated, relaxing. "That's all right then."

"I'm pleased you approve. Now, the scale," I prompted.

And the lesson continued.

Until of course, I had to eat my words about everything I did being intentional when I accidentally used the wrong rhythm in one of the children's songs I'd elected to teach her. And she had to point out to me that nobody sang it in such a way.

I had the last word, of course. After a moment of silence, she quickly added that she liked my way better anyhow, and wondered if I could teach her "my way".

But overall, the lesson went well for a first time. Mademoiselle Daae was attentive- much more so than I would normally expect from a young child. Yes, both of us were more than a tad uneasy, learning each other's voices and knowledge and talent. Yet as I bade her goodnight, I had apparently done something right in my teaching, despite my mess-ups in the first hour.

"Angel?" she asked quietly after we'd finished our last song. "Are you still there?"

"I am always here, my child," I replied, turning back from the passage I'd been about to enter.

"Um…"

She fidgeted, and I wondered what could possibly be wrong. Though I had not known her long, I did know that for her to be so awkward was unusual. Quiet, yes. Awkward, no.

"What is it?" I pressed gently.

"It's very silly, Angel."

"I'll decide if it is so, my child."

She paused. "Well, it's just that… You know who I am and I know who you are," she began. "But Papa said that you always had to introduce yourself to someone. And I haven't introduced myself to you."

I sighed in relief. "Is that what is bothering you?"

She nodded.

"Well, then by all means my dear, feel free to lighten your burden."

She smiled. "All right!" She stood up and proceeded to curtsy at the candles. "How do you do? I'm Christine Daae," she said brightly.

And yet again, the child managed to bring a smile to my face. "How do you do?" I responded politely, a touch of my humor in my voice. "I'm the Angel of Music."

She clapped her hands delightedly. "Nice to meet you!" Then she blushed. "I know that was silly of me-"

"Never forget your manners, my dear. Manners are good allies when you are meeting new people."

Christine nodded.

"Now, I will see you tomorrow, at the same time. You have rehearsal early tomorrow, so I expect you to be prompt."

Again, she nodded. "Yes, Angel."

"Good."

"Good-bye, Angel," she said softly.

"Good-bye, my dear Christine," I whispered back, then began my descent.

It wasn't until I'd reached my lair that I stopped and wondered when I'd begun to call her Christine.