Chapter 2
Whispers and murmurs of questions, gossip, and just plain stares accompanied Ana as the two made their way to the box. When they got situated in their box, Ana was amazed on how beautiful the opera house was. There were statues everywhere, carved into the boxes, into the ceiling, and on the top of the stage. The stage itself and some of the seats near the stage seemed to be rebuilt and brand new.
"Auntie, is the stage new? It doesn't look like the older part of the opera house." Ana asked quietly for the pit was warming up and it looked like they were going to start to play soon.
"Yes, there was a horrible accident here five years ago. But that is in the past, now come. Let's watch the play."
Ana watched the play with wide eyes. She was entranced by the story of the play and the dancers. But the thing that caught her attention the most was the singing. It rich melodies blended together, all except for the woman playing Zerlina. Her's was more screeching and yelling than singing. Soon, it was intermission and Ana was still staring at the stage.
"What do you think my dear? Is this place not beautiful? Ana, are you alright?" her aunt asked her, brows knitting together to form a slight scowl.
"This place is beautiful Auntie, and I'm alright. I was just thinking something. Would you like to hear it?" here she paused to see if her aunt would nod and then continued, "I know this will sound strange, but...I'd like to be a dancer here. I've had more than enough experience. Mama started me dancing when I was four years old, and I had to stop when I left for France. Oh please Auntie, do you think I could get in here?" Ana questioned her, her pale blue eyes wide and pleading.
Marishka had to smile. So Jeanne wanted Ana to live to her dream when Jeanne was a little girl. Marishka knew it wouldn't be hard, since she was friends with one of the managers and the dance instructor. "I have hardly any doubt that you wouldn't. Remind me after the show to go talk to the managers." Ana broke into a large, beautiful smile and thanked her aunt profusely. Then sitting back, she watched the rest of the play with anticipation about what would happen afterwards.
He stood and watched the scenes unfold below him. It had been near five years now since the horrible accident. But everyone, with the exception of Madame Giry, believed him dead. They thought he had escaped and would never show his face again. He winced as La Carlotta tried to hit a high note that was not made for her mezzo-soprano voice. Just as quickly as the second act had begun, then it ended. The actors, actresses, dancers, stage crew, and the rest were talking about the parties that they would attend. And he watched him, a look of disgust on his face. They could go and do things, like normal people, but he was forced into hiding. Just then, he saw one of the managers rush onto the stage with an older woman and what appeared to be her younger daughter in tow.
"Madame Giry! I must speak to you!" Monsieur Andre called over the loud gossiping crowds. Madame Giry appeared with her daughter Meg right beside her.
"Yes Monsieur?" Madame Giry questioned the incompetent manager.
"I was talking to my dear friend's wife, Madame Reynaldo, and it seems that her niece, Mademoiselle Knoll, is interested in the dancing end here at the Opera Populaire. Do you have any open positions?" Andre inquired the dance instructor.
'Now here's an interesting twist. She has the right build to be a dancer.' he mused to himself. Then, before he heard Madame Giry's response, he disappeared leaving no trace of himself or that he had been there at all.
Madame Giry glanced at the young girl. She was built well and seemed to have the strength of a dancer. "Do you know any moves Mademoiselle?" she inquired the young girl.
"I do, but I'm afraid I left all my belongs for dance in America." Ana said, bowing her head in shame.
"What is your shoe size?" the girl to the left of Madame Giry piped up.
"I wear a five in pointe." Ana said looking at the girl and giving her a warm smile.
"So do I. Here, you can wear mine." Meg said as she sat down and began to untie her shoes. Ana sat down opposite of Meg, and began to put on the shoes. Lacing them tightly, she stood up. Then, taking a deep breath, she began to dance. Her body moved gracefully to the music that was playing in her head. She did pirouettes and spins, doing double and triple sometimes even more spins. Finally, she leaped up into the air, both legs perfectly straight in the air. Landing, she turned back towards Madame Giry, her aunt, the young girl, and the manager. Madame had a very pleased look on her face.
"I believe, Mademoiselle Knoll, you'll do quite well. There is one opening since one of the ballet girls had gotten herself pregnant. I believe you'll fit in just fine." Madame Giry said as Ana sat back down to give the shoes back to the young girl. Ana smiled towards her new ballet instructor.
"When can I begin? Could I spend the night here or move in tonight?" Ana was excited. She had finally achieved her mother's dreams. She knew her mother was proud as she looked down on her daughter in heaven.
Madame gave a small smile to Marishka Reynaldo. "It's up to your aunt my dear. I would not mind if you stayed here with my little Meg." She watched as Ana turned her pleading eyes on her aunt. She watched a smile spread across the older woman's face. "My dear niece, you have just arrived and already you want to leave me? Well, I can not blame you, you have the same spirit as your mother. You can stay here, I'll send Pierre back with all your belongings this evening. That way, you can begin your practicing tomorrow bright and early. As for your dance supplies, do not worry about them. I'm sure I can find something...acceptable back at my house." Ana jumped up and ran to her aunt, giving her a huge hug.
"Oh thank you Auntie! You have made me the happiest girl alive!" with that said, Ana walked back over to Meg who was standing by her mother.
"Thank you Madame Giry, Monsieur Andre." she said, a smile still upon her face.
"You are quite welcome my child, now Meg, why don't you show her around and introduce her to other members of the ballet corps. Oh, and tell her...of the past happenings. She might find it...interesting." the last part of the sentence had been whispered so only Meg could hear. Meg nodded silently and took the young girl off.
"I wish to thank you as well Madame Giry. You have made my deceased sister's wish a dream come true for her daughter. I shall check up on her constantly, and most likely be coming to every show now." Marishka said quietly as she watched Meg and Ana walk arm and arm to the back part of the stage.
Meg introduced Ana to all the actresses first and Ana found out the screeching woman's name was La Carlotta Guidacelli and she was the prima donna of the opera house. She was then shown around to the costume room, prop room, where everything was made, and then finally she was shown to her room. Her room was beautiful, a little on the small side, but Ana really didn't mind. The wallpapering was a gold and maroon mixture. There was a small vanity set with a closet near by and sitting on the small bed was her belongs along with a present. It sat next to her small worn travel bag.
"I'm really glad I've made a friend, Meg." Ana said sitting down on her bed, and put the small parcel on her lap.
"I'm glad I could be of assistance. But, there is one thing I must tell you about. It's about the ghost that is said to reside here, maybe not anymore, but he did something terrible. There was a singer and a dancer here by the name of Christine Daae. She was beautiful beyond compare, and was a much better singer than Carlotta. The only problem is the Opera ghost fell madly in love, actually, it was more of an obsession than love. But she betrayed him and his horrible face to the whole world during his play. He took her down to his lair to becoming her bride, but her lover, Raoul the Vicomte de Chagny followed her as well. And the Phantom threatened Christine to choose between Raoul and himself. She chose Raoul after giving the Phantom the kiss he was searching for. He let the both of them go. But because of his anger on the stage, he sent the beautiful chandelier crashing down into the audience, killing innocent people. But he is said to be dead, or far from Paris as possible. Mama believes he's still nearby, who knows? Oh dear, I'm sorry, but I really must be going. I'll see you in practice tomorrow." Meg got up quite suddenly and made for the door. "If you hear any man singing and it sound's beautiful, beware, for that voice may lead you to your doom." With that said, she left Ana alone.
Ana shook her head and smiled. Opera ghosts, and ghosts for that matter, did not exist. And it was nice of Meg to tell her some petty little legend that really didn't exist. Ana looked back at the package that was currently sitting on her lap. She pulled the ribbon away from the package and gasped at what was inside. It was her mother's old dancing outfits and her old ballet and pointe shoes. In it was also a small picture frame of her mother in her ballet outfit. Tears brimmed Ana's eyes as she gazed at her mother. The picture was taken when her mother was her age and she looked exactly like Ana. Ana placed the picture on the nightstand and began to put away her clothes. Something, like cloth swishing against a rock, resounded throughout the small room. Ana cocked her head and listened harder. It had to be her imagination and so she went behind the small changing screen and slipped out of her beautiful evening gown and into her long night shift. Then, sitting at her vanity set, she pulled out all the pins and let her raven black hair cascade down to her shoulders. Picking up her brush, she slowly brushed her hair. As she continued to brush her hair, she felt the hair on her neck begin to stand on end. She was being watched or at least, she felt like she was being watched. Looking in her vanity mirror, she focused on the large ornate mirror that engulfed half of her room. Then, seeing nothing she shrugged off the feeling and turned down the covers. Kneeling by the bed, she said a quick prayer, then blew out the candle. Her body relaxed and she fell into a deep sleep.
