Disclaimer: I don't own The Phantom of the Opera but Autumn is mine.
Check it out! Not only did I break my writer's block, but I got the story posted early too! Woot! My life's been kinda rough lately with piano lessons and all but I've managed to keep up the story. (Ok sure there was big chunk when I didn't write anything but still) I've got some bad news though. I'm going to be gone from July 2-9. I don't know whether I'll post a story before then so I'm telling you now. In other news, Neko is out of town (Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! I miss her!) and since I'm leaving before she gets back I won't get to see her until I get back! I miss her sooooooo much! Anyhoo, enjoy the story. I'm working on the mood/tone so tell me what you think. Thanks and read on!
Once again the red-faced Autumn began to lag behind on the staircase and once again I made a motion to carry her. The stubborn girl acted the same way she had before, still refusing my help. Every time I moved to pick her up, she would push me away quickening her pace. At the end of the five-story climb she was breathless and flushed. I motioned for her to stay in the cellar so I could see to my business.
I happily plopped down when Erik told me to stay. That was just fine with me. He set down the little lantern he had brought up with him and left me to catch my breath. As time passed my chest heaved less and my face had cooled…a scuttle in the darkness and my heart leapt in my chest. I remembered the lantern, which sat nearby, and scrambled for it. When the handle lay in my hand, I stood up quickly, swinging the light around to frighten away the shadows…another scuttle… I whipped around and the light fell on a pitch-black rat that seemed to be part of the darkness. Startled and disgusted I let out a cry of distress as I jumped back, tripping over a loose board. I lost my balance and tumbled back onto a weak material, ripping it. For a while I coughed and waved away the dust that floated in the air making my eyes water. Finally my vision (and lungs) cleared and I glanced around for the lantern. It lay unbroken (thankfully) on the floor, illuminating a painted forest. In an effort to pull myself up I grasped at the material I had fallen though but ended up ripping off another piece. Feeling the rippling paint strokes, my curiosity spiked. After several vain attempts at escape, I eventually crawled out of the canvas cave I had made, reaching for the lantern. Gently I stroked the branch of a painted tree. Was this some kind of art museum? Black market? Raising the lantern some I followed the road of painted cloth with my eyes till I spotted a large roll of it…What is this place? I stood up holding my lantern even higher. In the weak light I could make out shapes. Rolls of cloth, canvas sets, props…I'm in a theater…or at least the basement. Now Erik's weird clothes and fancy furniture made sense. They were costumes and props. I chuckled to myself as large weight lifted from my mind. What had I been worried about this whole time? Alien abduction? Time travel? I had been so stupid! I spotted another staircase leading up. Full of enthusiasm I dashed over to it…then stopped. Erik had told me to stay here. He's been so kind and considerate to me, but…I looked around at the dusty darkness. I don't want to wait here. (1) I'll bet he wouldn't mind me looking around just as long as I didn't leave the basement. I smiled mischievously as I jogged up the few steps. He never said exactly where "here" was anyways.
From a secret compartment within the wall, I watched the two intruders strut around the entrance hall. It had obviously been a good idea moving the "siren trigger" to the entrance. (2)The shorter one, a chubby little man with a fluffy brown hair surrounding his mouth and a bowler hat on his head (3) had piggy features and clothes that radiated a sense of affluence while his rosy cheeks gave him a cheerful yet comical appearance. The taller, a slim clean-shaven young man with curly blonde hair had the appearance of a nervous crane as he fidgeted, constantly circling the piggish man and squawking at him hectically.
"After the fire," the crane-like man pressed acting as a teacher would. "M. Firmin and Andre were left broke and slightly mentally unstable (or so the story goes) and so the Opera house was abandoned." Evidently ignoring him, the piggy man scanned his surroundings, leaning on his cane.
"Yes yes yes," He replied absent-mindedly " When did you say your acquaintance would be meeting us?" The younger man sighed at the futility of his speech.
"Half-past nine, misour," The crane-like man answered impatiently. "If you would just listen to me, M. Leroux! Didn't you hear me?" Leroux waved a plump hand at the young man without turning to face him.
"Of course, of course, dear boy." He prattled. "You need to learn respect for your elders and speak when spoken to. And another matter! Speak up! You're as quiet as the dust in here!" His voice was as cheery as his expression and made him appear even more eccentric.
"They were entirely crazy, M. Leroux!" The young man insisted. " If you ask my opinion only someone as daft as the former managers would buy this place!" Leroux raised his cane and rapped the youngster on his head.
" In that case," He replied. " It's a good thing a didn't ask for your opinion then. Isn't it?" He tapped the young man on the head again then waddled toward the approaching figure, a young woman. The young lady wore clothes that expressed adequate living conditions and walked as graceful as a doe. Her sunshine hair was braided into a rope that hung down her back. Something in her stride echoed in my memory. Leroux hung his cane on his arm and clasped his large hands around one of hers shaking it energetically.
"It's wonderful to meet you, Madame Giry! Now. I'm a very busy man…" He said in what appeared to be a mock seriousness. "So what I want is an overview of the opera house." He then turned and thrust the end of his cane toward the crane-like man. "All this lad knows is some garbage about the previous owners and keeps repeating the same thing over and over. All he needs are wings and he could be a parrot." The young man's cheeks flushed while the young woman hid her amusement behind a dainty hand.
"I'm sure, misour, but I'm not Madame Giry. She's sick and unable to come," She explained. ' I'm Meg Giry, her daughter." Ah! That's why her stride was so familiar! This was little Meg, my songbird's confidante and friend. My heart twisted at the thought of my dear Christine but I continued to watch the scene before me. Again Leroux shook her hand vigorously.
"I'm very very please to meet you, M. Giry," He announced. " Now. Let's begin the tour." M. Leroux then began dragging young Giry up the once elegant staircase. The young man jogged slightly to catch up to them, running to Giry's side to whisper in her ear. After a brief exchange of words, M. Giry nodded in agreement before turning her attention to Leroux.
"Why don't we visit one of the boxes first?" The young woman insisted sweetly. "There's a wonderful view of the entire theater from there." After that they turned a corner passing from my sight. I left my hiding place…I had a feeling I knew what they were planning. Unfortunately if I wished to achieve anything, I would need M. Giry by my side. Fortunately for me that young man wanted to convince M. Leroux to not buy the opera house. I smirked at the idiocy of it all. If one wants to protect others from ghost, it's foolish to show them my favorite haunt.
1.She's still kinda young and an only child therefore she's still kinda self-centered but she's only like…11 or 12. I don't know. I haven't really decided on an age yet but I guess that'll work.
2. If you haven't read the story that'll make no sense.
3. Did they have bowler hats back then?
Review answers
Lady Lefty- Sorry. I have trouble with that sort of thing. Not putting in the detail but being careful not to overdo it. Plus that chapter was tricky for me. I don't know why. I guess i wasn't in the zone or something like that. Thanks for telling me.
Madameoperaghost- I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Ridel- thanks for bringing that to my attention. I've fixed it.What stuff didn't you understand? If it's not a revealing thing i'll explain it to you.Oh! another thing. The bag will be in the next chapter. Promise!
Octopus1738-Je suis content que vous l'avez apprécié si beaucoup de. J'ai traduit votre message sur un site de traducteur libre. Il a tourné hors très drôle mais il a compris l'idée principale. P.S.La revue très créative.