Hello Everyone I bring you another chapter and obviously by the title you can probably figure out what it's about… but nevertheless I'm here begging for your reviews…please review! And please attempt to ignore my horrendous grammar and spelling, I know it's awful and incredibly unprofessional but I do the best I can (smacks brain and spell checker) I don't exactly have a lot to work with here!
Author's notes- Wow over 100 reviews I am so not worthy! (But of course I humbily thank you all anyway!)
Disclaimer: I got nothing…but does anyone think I can get away with trading the spell checker program for Gerald Butler?
xxxxXXXXxxxx
"But we have no choice!" Firmin sneered to his companions.
Andre looked around in an exasperated fashion towards the group of onlookers who refused to take their eyes off the authorities congregation who were desperate for their next move.
"We simply cannot let that woman sing!" Madame Giry stamped her foot stubbornly.
"Well we can not wait much longer either! The audience is getting restless!" Whined Andre.
Firmin closed his eyes tightly and shook his head with a sigh. "Madame, as much I agree with you, Andre (for once) is right! We cannot wait any longer-"
"There is no need to Monsieur." Called a gentle voice from the crowd. The group turned and gasped at the sight of Mademoiselle Daae: her hair was knotted and matted with dead leaves, dirt smudged her features and her clothing was torn and ragged.
"Good lord child where have you been?" Firmin demanded.
"I am sorry sir I-"
"There is no time for explanations," Began Mme. Giry as she cut off the girl and led her by the hand to her dressing room. "We won't be more than five minutes gentlemen!" She called to the confused managers behind them.
Christine smiled to herself as the ballet mistress began preparing her for her performance. She tried to explain her actions to the Madam but she simply shushed her with a wave of her hand and continued to lead her though the halls.
She and Erik had indeed arrived safely at the Opera no more than a few minutes ago and while Erik insisted she needed time to rest and yet Christine could tell he was secretly disappointed by her incapability to perform as the reality of Don Juan dawned on them both.
"But Erik I am fine!" She said in an amused manner.
He stopped abruptly and looked at her with a careful but precise grin.
"We are bother very lucky to be alive tonight Christine. And as much as I would adore your talent this evening…I would rather not risk it and just be grateful-"
She dismissed him with a wave of her hand as a newfound sense of energy and adrenalin rushed through her. Filling her with a brilliant confidence that Erik swore he had never seen before.
But her smile quickly faded as she observed the wounds he carried.
"You however need to rest," She said sternly taking his hands into her own. "I wouldn't blame you for not coming after all-"
He cut her off then by gently pulling her by her waist and forcing her closer to him. Tenderly he stroked her cheek and reassured her.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world. If you think you can handle it…" With that he grinned wildly at her at kissed her forehead in a lame attempt to hide his excitement.
So as of now Mme. Giry was absent mindedly mumbling curses to herself as she attempted to fix Christine's hair and makeup. Luckily for them both there had been a spare gown that she could wear in replacement of her original opening attire and it suited her quite nicely. The relief the theater company felt as Mme. Giry delivered the young soprano to the stage as good as new as surly indescribable…
Christine had to remind herself to breath as the curtain was ceremoniously lifted. An excited if not overly enthusiastic clap erupted from the audience, as they clearly were pleased to see the initiation of the program. Christine nearly jumped out her skin when a timid Charlotte handed her a small wicker basket that was to be used as prop. She found herself at a loss for words when the young girl heartily whispered her good luck and genuinely wished her a successful performance. Christine realized her emotions were probably overly active at this point but the thrill was forcing her senses to new highs.
Glancing up at box five Christine could make out the abstract shape of a limping shadow as he entered and took in the settings around him. She bit her lip nervously knowing that Erik probably had been hurt more than he had let her believe but hopefully it wasn't anything he couldn't recover from. She recalled saddened as he described the death of Raoul, and a part of her felt guilt for the relief that came with knowing that Erik hadn't 'technically' killed him. Of course these thoughts were quickly filled with shame at the thought of her being so calmed over the death of her friend. Surly he had loved her in his own way…and yet he had been poisoned by his own insanity and obsession of her.
Again she looked up at box five and a chill ran through her spine when she realized he was no longer there but the sound of Piangi's voice soon brought her from her stupor and she fell into role of Antima once more and slipped into the fiery depths of hell.
Chorus:
Here
the sire may serve the dam; here the master takes his meat! Here the
sacrificial lamb utters one despairing bleat.
Carlotta
and Chorus:
poor young maiden! For the thrill on your tongue
of stolen sweets, you will have to pay the bill- tangled in the
winding sheets! Serve the meal and serve the maid! Serve the master
so that, when tables, plans and maids are laid Don Juan triumphs once
again!
Don Juan (Piangi)
Passarino, faithful
friend, once again recite the plan
Passarino:
Your
young guest believes I'm you- I, the master, you the man,
Don
Juan (Piangi)
When you met, you wore my cloak, she could not
have seen your face. She believes she dines with me in her master's
borrowed place! Furtively, we'll scoff and quaff, stealing what in
truth is mine. When it's late and modesty starts to mellow with the
wine.
Here's my hat, my cloak and sword. Conquest is assured, if I do not forget myself and laugh.
Erik smiled from his spot on the rafters and couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with joy at the sight of Christine as she walked onto the stage radiating gasps of jealously from the women in the audience from her beauty. The pride he felt towards her was only highlighted by his love for her.
He winced as he attempted to apply pressure to his foot. Luckily he had stopped the bleeding and yet it still throbbed and he knew he should have not been walking on it so, let alone going to do what he was about to do and yet he knew he had to.
The final test.
He had to make sure Christine was still his and would be forever.
Piangi was exactly where he wanted him; Erik hit him upside the head roughly enough to render him unconscious but not hard enough to make his state of sleep permanent. He couldn't risk upsetting Christine. He would never again do anything to make her unhappy if he could at all evade it.
Aminta
"...no
thoughts within her head but thoughts of joy. No dreams within her
heart, but dreams of love."
Passarino
master?
He smiled smugly to himself only hoping that Christine wouldn't disapprove of his sudden appearance he began to sing.
"You have come
here
In pursuit of your deepest urge
In pursuit of that wish
which till now
has been silent
Silent.
I have
brought you
That our passions may fuse and merge
In your mind
you've already succumbed to me, dropped all defenses
Completely
succumbed to me
Now you are here with me
No second thoughts
You've decided
Decided.
Past the point of no
return
No backward glances
our games of make believe are at
an end!
Past all thought of "if" or "when"
No use
resisting
Abandon thought and let the dream descend
What
raging fire shall flood the soul
What rich desire unlocks its
door
What sweet seduction lies before us?
Past the
point of no return
the final threshold
what warm unspoken
secrets
will we learn
beyond the point of no return?"
She turned to face him and if she was surprised she never showed it. In fact she continued on as though she didn't even realize it was he and instead lowered her eyes innocently and stood assertively as she readjusted the straps of her gown.
"You have
brought me
to that moment when words run dry
to that moment
when speech disappears
into silence
Silence.
I
have come here,
Hardly knowing the reason why
In my mind I've
already imagined
Our bodies entwining
Defenseless and silent,
Now I am here with you
No second thoughts
I've decided
Decided…"
She looked at him straight in his eyes at this point and nodded her head slightly knowing that only he would understand the action. A shiver ran through Erik as she stood against him like that. So filled with confidence and passion he scarcely believed she was the child he had once deceived or the mourning girl who wept nightly for her father. She was an adult now. Matured by a love and understanding that was so deep that even music would never be capable of capturing it's essence.
"Past the
point of no return
No going back now
our passion-play has now
at last begun.
Past all thought of right or wrong
one
final question
how long should we two wait before we're one?
When will the blood begin to race
the sleeping bud burst
into bloom
When will the flames at last consume us?"
At last they stood a mere few inches from each other but Erik changed that as he secured her body with his wrapping his arms around her protectively and stroking her arms gently with his fingertips: a sensation that appeared to make Christine weak in the knees for she breathed heavily against him and sighed deeply before they continued their passionate duet.
Past the point of
no return
the final threshold
The Bridge is crossed
so
stand and watch it burn
we've passed the point of no return.
The audience stood by speechless as they watched the occurrence take place. It was truly the most heartfelt and realistic performances they had ever had the privilege of seeing. Some were even afraid that if they blinked they would miss something for an air of suspense lingered in the air and forced everyone to hold their breaths.
As Don Juan began singing once more however the tone to the song had changed from something demanding and dangerous to beautifully sincere and miserably melancholy. Erik began the last verse of his song, which was unknown to anyone, but himself and he spun Christine from his side so she stood in front of him and her wide eyes remained on him refusing to leave his own as she tightly clutched his hands.
"Say you'll
share with me
One love, one lifetime
Lead me, save me
from my solitude
Say you want me
With you here
Beside
you
Anywhere you go
Let me go too
Christine that's all
I ask of you!"
The last note rang with such love and such beauty that the majority of the audience was in tears by the time it ended. Christine herself only waited until the lights of the scene closed around her and the curtain closed for intermission before she gently lifted Erik's mask and whispered softly into his ear words that he had been waiting a lifetime to hear:
"I love you."
She felt him shake and sob but before she could say anything more the lights returned and he was gone. The stagehands ran her off the platform so they could prepare for the next act. Christine smiled to herself as she ventured into the shadows and prepared to change into costume for the next scene. Her smile grew even wider as she remembered him whispering the very same words to her that evening. She hadn't thought about it when she leaned towards him to say them and yet somehow…
…She knew they were true.
XxxxXXXXxxxx
Later on as the company and its associates celebrated the success of the evening a few guards arrived and were received humorlessly by Madam Giry. They whispered to her in a morbid fashion and spoke to her very slowly of the news they wished to unveil. The ballet instructor nodded carefully and escorted them to the exit with a formal goodbye. Madame giry turned as the door closed behind them trying to decide if she should indeed break word of this news now. She shook her head fiercely and decided it best to wait until morning. Her daughter however witnessed the conversation between her mother and the police and was eager to receive word on the topic.
"Mother!" She called out in hopes of getting her attention. The older woman led her daughter away from the hectic scene and silently took her behind the shadows to tell her of what she knew she could not hide.
"There was a fire tonight Meg." She stated plainly. "At the de Chagny estate." Meg gasped at the meaning of this and read her mother's eyes at what it most likely meant.
"Was-was anyone hurt?" She asked quietly swallowing hard as she did so. Her mother merely stroked her daughter's long hair and nodded morbidly.
"I'm afraid the Viscount died this evening Chéri." She whispered. Madame Giry allowed the information to sink before she continued further. "You must tell no one of this knowledge Meg. I will formally announce this information in the morning," She looked around at the happiness and joy of the theater workers around her and smiled sadly. Knowing that they would all be burdened with the Viscount's passing soon enough anyway. "Do you understand Meg?"
Meg nodded softly and clasped her mother's hand with reassurance.
With that they silently parted ways and each went on their own venture and attempted to celebrate.
XxxxXXXXxxxx
Below the Opera House Erik was anxiously awaiting Christine's arrival. She of course had to make an appearance at the celebration to allude further suspicion, smiling and laughing she explained that she had been involved in an misunderstanding with a carriage accident and luckily for her acting skills (and the freshness of the wine) everyone believed her unfortunate tale.
Those moments were ones of pure annoyance for her however as her only current desire was to join Erik within the layers below the Opera House. Her happy expression faded as she walked passed a steaming Piangi as he held his hand to his head and argued angrily with Carlotta in Italian. She couldn't help but smile at the scene for it was so rarely that the lover's argued…although Christine suspected it had something to do with Piangi's headache and the Senoria's eagerness to control him. She waved farewell to her friends and claimed illness but gave a special wave to Meg who winked and smiled humbly in response. Theses were the times Christine was truly grateful for the relationship they had for although Meg had a rather obvious reputation for rumor spreading she knew the blonde would never reveal the secrets of tonight once she revealed them to her.
These thoughts remained with her as she entered the entrance through the dressing room mirror and walked through the dark tunnels, she was ecstatic when she realized the gondola was already awaiting her arrival on the other side. She smiled knowingly and climbed inside as she proceeded to eagerly row to the other side of the shore.
Erik was deeply transfixed on a piece he was performing when she arrived. The sound of the organ drove her to him as though it were the voice of siren and she allowed the haunting harmony to travel through her as she closed her eyes and swayed to the music.
"You were magnificent tonight." He said at last when the music stopped. Christine awoke from her trance to see that Erik had yet to face her and instead still sat at his organ bench faintly imitating the rhythm of the keys with his fingers.
"So were you." She replied suddenly feeling shy. Yet still after a moment of silence passed she took a place next to him on the bench and leaned her head against his shoulder abruptly feeling as though she should be very tired.
"Did you mean it." He asked suddenly. His voice louder than usual revealed a crack in his emotions as though his heart would be broken forever depending on her next words.
Christine naturally knew what he was referring to and simply placed her hand within his own and enlaced their fingers.
"With all my heart." She whispered with her shaking breath.
Erik shuttered then and broke down with such powerful weeping that Christine was startled and forced to move to kneel beside him.
"Erik? Erik are you alright?"
He looked down at her face of apprehension then proceeded to brush the strand pieces of hair from her face.
" I have never been better my dear."
He embraced her then and shocked her into a frightened laughter and he spun her around in his arms playfully. She stopped his though after a moment and the seriousness of her position made him frightful once more. She didn't speak for several moments however and straightforwardly removed the black mask he still wore with her shaking fingers.
"As long as we are together I refuse to let you hide." With that she brushed the scared flesh with her fingertips and placed small kissed on each crevice of the hideous features.
The gesture forced him to cry such tears of joy that by the time he could regain his composure he realized that she had also been crying and was now attempting to rekindle her demeanor as well. They were lost in the silence of their tears as their bodied grew closer together, at long last their lips met in what started as a gentle kiss but turned quickly into something much more deep and passionate. They each desired more than could be spoken and greed took over every sense that they possessed. Eventually it came to a time where they had to pull apart…a desire that neither of them found necessary until the need for breath won over.
XxxxXXXXxxxx
Hey everyone hope nobody is at all disappointed with this chapter! You see, I had a slight writer's dilemma for some of you wanted to see some fluffiness and others begged me to banish Carlotta from that stage…so I compromised and included a little of both. Please oh please let me know what you think!
(gee I don't sound too pathetic do I?)