A/N: So sorry for not updating in a while! My life has been pretty hectic lately… my best friend is moving to Montana in two weeks (I live in Maine! cries ) so we've been spending pretty much every waking moment together to make up for lost time… then my other best friend from Massachusetts came to visit me for TEN DAYS, so that set me back too… I DID NOT FORGET THIS STORY AND I NEVER WILL! So if it takes me a few weeks to update (which I promise WON'T happen that often) it's most likely due to real-life issues getting in the way.
I can't forget to thank my totally awesome readers for leaving such kind reviews! I love you guys! You really make my day! Now let's go see what's going on with Amandine and Erik… muahahahahaha
Chapter Four
Amandine was more distracted than ever during the next day's rehearsals. The hours seemed to drag by like years as she waited in anticipation for her lessons with the Opera Ghost. As the day wore on, Amandine found her confidence from the night before slipping away. Was this really a wise decision? How could she be certain this would be of benefit? What if he tried to harm her? Could her screams be heard so far below the opera house? "Mademoiselle Laroque!" the girl jumped with a start at the shrill sound of her name. The conductor tapped his baton anxiously against his music stand. "Focus, mademoiselle." He let out an exasperated sigh as Amandine felt many pairs of eyes burning into her back. How long had he been calling her? "My apologies, monsieur." She murmured, her cheeks the same shade of crimson as the gown she wore.
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"Amandine!" She glanced over her shoulder to see the small figure of Meg Giry fighting her way through the crowd. After finally making her way towards her friend, the ballerina paused to catch her breath. After a brief pause, she continued. "Amandine, are you alright?" her azure eyes were glazed with worry. "You seemed so…lost today… What's troubling you?" A small, reassuring smile found its way to Amandine's lips. "I'm fine, Meg… I'm just anxious, that's all." She failed to mention what she was anxious about. The look that crossed Meg's face proved just how observant she was; she knew her friend was hiding something.
"I'm worried about you..." Meg's eyes drifted temporarily towards her mother, who appeared to be lecturing a ballerina on proper posture. When Meg continued, her voice came out as a sharp whisper. "Don't play stupid with me, Amandine. You know as well as I what happened in that room… Lord knows why you had to choose that one..." Her eyes hardened as they passed over Amandine's shocked visage. Meg's voice softened slightly, but she continued to whisper. "I'm frightened, Amandine. I don't want anything to happen to you." Empty silence came between them after Meg finished speaking. Not yet wanting to reveal her secret, Amandine chose her words carefully when she decided to speak.
"Meg, I swear to you- I'm fine, really. Just nerves, that's all. Don't worry about me." She smiled warmly and set a small hand upon her friend's shoulder. After a few moments, her smile was returned. "Alright, I believe you…but remember- I'm always here if you need to someone to talk to." Amandine widened her smile, glad to have handled the situation with such ease. "I know Meg. Thank you." With a final comforting squeeze of the girl's shoulder, Amandine made her way back to her room, both anxious and apprehensive.
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The silence in the room hung thick in the air, like fog. Amandine sat on the bed for what seemed like an eternity, staring nervously around the room. Though she had lit several candles, the room still seemed strangely dark and lonely, the shadows cast by the flickering flames dancing about her. Feeling desperate for some sort of movement, Amandine lifted herself off the bed and approached her vanity table. Though unsure of why she did this, she found herself nervously pinning back her wild hair and applying yet another layer of rouge to her cheeks and lips. Smoothing her skirts, she rose once again to inspect her appearance in the large looking glass. "I suppose it will do." She muttered, glancing at herself from several angles. Too distracted to notice the soft thud of approaching footsteps, a small shriek escaped her lips as the mirror abruptly slid open, a dark figure emerging from the shadows.
Before her stood her Phantom, looking as menacing as ever. Amandine's breath caught in her throat as he approached her suddenly. "I thought it would not be necessary to gag you, but it appears I was mistaken." A hint of a smirk played across his lips. Amandine shook her head slowly. "No, monsieur. Forgive me, I did not hear you approaching… I was distracted." A hint of laughter colored his next words. "Distracted? With your appearance, I presume. Vain and inattentive. Marvelous." Hot anger welled-up inside Amandine, but she knew it would be unwise to bicker with this man. Without another word, the Phantom turned his back and retreated through the mirror. Amandine presumed she was expected to follow. With a final backward glance, she stepped through the doorway and slid the mirror shut behind her with the familiar click.
The sight of the long, torch-lined stone passageway was a complete shock to Amandine. It seemed impossible for such a large and strangely beautiful place to go so long without being discovered. This man must certainly be skilled to remain hidden for so many years. Keeping this thought in mind, she followed him silently for what seemed like hours. Never once did he make a sound or even look back to make sure she was behind him. It was not until they had reached the bottom of a long and winding staircase that he even acknowledged her presence.
They had reached a shimmering underground lake, though had she not known any better, Amandine could have sworn it was an ocean. She could not even see to the other side. Wordlessly, her companion turned around and offered her a single gloved hand, gesturing towards a small black boat with the other. With only a moment's hesitation, Amandine grasped his hand lightly and allowed him to help her into the small boat before entering it himself. "Thank you" she murmured, though it was unclear whether or not he heard her. She did not speak again as they began the journey across the lake towards what Amandine assumed to be this man's home.
It seemed like mere moments later when they finally reached the other shore. Once again, the masked man held out his hand for Amandine to take, but this time she did not hesitate. The Phantom's home was most definitely not what Amandine had expected. The shore area appeared to serve as a music/sitting room with a short set of carved stone stairs leading toward an open hallway lined with doors. Though his home appeared to be carved out of the stone itself, it was still beautiful. The walls were lined with exquisite paintings and a sea of candles lit the entire home, their ornate gold holders glowing in the soft light. It was truly breathtaking to behold. "Did you do this?" Amandine asked breathlessly. "Yes." His reply was short and snappy. "I am an architect." Amandine stared in amazement as her companion removed his cloak and hung it upon a tall oak hanger which sat in the corner. "It's beautiful." She whispered. He did not reply.
Amandine followed him over to the highlight of the room- A beautiful organ with gleaming keys and a set of flawless pipes. He took a seat and gestured for her to stand beside him. She noticed that the music from "Hannibal" had already been set out. "Just a moment," said Amandine suddenly before he could give her further instructions. "Forgive me, monsieur, but would it not be proper for one to know the name of their instructor? Surely even the infamous Opera Ghost has a name." She smirked slightly, though shocked at her own daring. How could she speak so casually to such a man? He glanced at her for several moments without replying. "My name is Erik." He finally muttered. "Erik…" Amandine echoed. "Such a lovely name." As expected, he ignored her comment. "Let us start with a few scales." Erik struck a note and paused before nodding, and indication that she should begin to sing.
Before Amandine could even hit the top note, he stopped playing and sighed in frustration. "What's wrong?" she asked suddenly. Amandine had thought it was going well, but Erik obviously did not. "Your breathing." He replied. "You need to breathe from your diaphragm! Have you been taught nothing?" Erik approached her and began to reach out his hand before pausing mid-movement, his eyes pools of uncertainty. Amandine took a deep breath. He was close enough to touch her. Erik shook his head slightly and returned to his seat before the organ. "Try again." They did the same scale three more times, each time stopping short due to her improper breathing. Amandine's patience was wearing thin. "Well then, Erik," she paused, secretly savoring the sound of his name on her lips, "Why don't you show me the proper way to do it? It is obvious you are far more experienced."
Erik once again rose from his seat and approached her, yet he hesitated once again before stepping behind her and placing one hand on her chest, right above her breasts, and the other on her stomach, level with her navel. Amandine could feel how tense his hands were, yet she did not understand why; He seemed to have no problem holding her in such a way when threatening her life. Though she admittedly enjoyed the feeling of his touch, Amandine found herself strangely calm and at ease. "You're breathing too much from here." He patted her chest gently with a leather-clad hand. "Your breath should come from deep within your diaphragm, like this." He took an exceptionally deep breath behind her, pressing his hand to her stomach as he did so. She could feel that the air had not entered his chest, but lower, in his diaphragm. Amandine did her best to imitate this and found herself inhaling more air that she ever had before. The breath felt stronger and deeper; much better for air control than the way she had been doing so previously. "Better." He murmured, moving away from her a bit too quickly. A long, slow breath escaped Amandine's lips as she watched Erik once again take his seat. "Again."
The final time Amandine performed the scale, he did not stop her.
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After singing through almost the entire first act, Amandine found it hard not to lose her place and simply let herself listen to that beautiful voice. As Erik sang the accompanying tenor parts, memories of the night of "Don Juan Triumphant" flooded Amandine's mind. His voice was truly a gift from God. When they finally reached the finale of the opening act, Erik stopped playing. "Better," He said for what must have been the hundredth time that night. "But your breathing is still in need of improvement." He paused before standing and glancing at a clock which sat on a nearby shelf. "The hour is growing late." Without another word, he approached the boat and held out his hand expectedly. Amandine followed and took it gently. Neither uttered a word during their return journey.
When they finally arrived at Amandine's mirror, Erik operated the mysterious mechanism and slid the glass pane aside, gesturing Amandine through. She glanced back after taking in the familiar rosy smell of her dressing room. "Goodnight, Erik." A gentle smile formed on her lips. He merely nodded his head in acknowledgement and turned his back on his new pupil. The mirror slid closed with the familiar "click" and he was gone.
A/N: Liked it? Hated it? Moving too fast? Too slow? Let me know! (But please, NO FLAMES) Chapter Five will be up soon! Thanks again, faithful readers!
-Amanda