Chapter 20: Return to Music
The Paris opera house was filled to the brim with Parisian aristocrats on the eve of the first peformance of the opera reopening. It was a relief to all involved, for they had been concerned that it would have been the opposite. But apparently the Parisian public was more curious than afraid and their love of the opera overcame their scandalous gossip about previous events at the opera. But that was not to say that the atmosphere was not sickeningly tense, especially backstage. Andre and Firmin themselves had been seen pacing back and forth, shooting nervous glances at box five, which remained empty. But this feeling was undoubtedly felt most in box seven where Raoul, Lucien, and Felix sat and backstage, in the dressing room where Christine and Marie now where, putting the finishing touches on their stage makeup. It was about twenty minutes until curtain call, and all of the audience were situated in their boxes. It was a moment of mixed emotions between mother and daughter. Emotions of excitement, happiness, but also a fear of the unknown. Christine, who was ready first, went silently over to her daughter and put a warm hand on her shoulder.
"Marie Claire sweetie, are you alright?" asked Christine softly.
"I think so," said Marie tentatively, her body filled with the tingly excitement that only an opera performance could bring, but her heart was beating rapidly with worry. "This will be the last opera that I do until after the baby is born, so I don't want to go through it being afraid, and yet I still feel apprehensive."
"I thought as much," said Christine as she turned to face her daughter. "And I cannot say that my heart is not a bit afraid, but we musn't let our fear consume our music. Your grandfather Daae would be asahmed of me if I let that happen." she said with a small smile. "Now what do you say to going out there and astonishing the audience? And if you feel afraid, look up into box seven at Papa and Felix, I find that always helps."
Marie Claire took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. "You're right mama. I believe that this will be my best performance yet, seeing as I have new inspiration." said Marie putting her hand on her stomach, which hadn't really started to show, considering that she was only about a month along. " I love you mama."
"I love you too, darling." said Christine, offering her daughter a hand. " And I'm so proud of you.'
And as Marie looked into her mother's eyes, she understood just how many things that Christine was proud of.
A soft knock was heard at the door and Meg poked her blond head in. "Are you two ready?" she asked, the double meaning of the words reflected in her blue eyes. It was clear that Meg was worried about the Phantom as well.
"Yes we are. I supposse that we had better go or your mother will be quite ruffled with us." said Christine knowingly.
Meg gave each of them a hug before they left, as though she couldn't help herself. "Oh, we must all be careful out there tonight, but the two of you especially. Please, be aware of your surroundings, I don't want to anything to happen to you if the Phantom is to appear."
Christine smiled at ere loyal best friend, glad at least, that one of them was calm. "We will be Meg, don't worry just dance."
"If Meg is jittery, I imagine that Lizzie is quite a bit worse." said Marie in a whisper to her mother as they walked out.
And indeed Lizzie was quite jittery, walking back and forth in her costume and pointe shoes. When she saw Marie, however, a serious look came onto her face. She took her friends hands and looked into her eyes meaningfully.
"Marie Claire you must promise me that you will tell someone if something, anything strange happens you will tell someone and not try to sort it out yourself."
"I promise," said Marie, hugging her best friend, as Madame Giry came by making the last adjustments to their costumes, a smile breaking through the look of stress on her face at the sight of them.
When Marie walked over to Arthur, she noticed that he had the same type of look on his face, but his face lit up slightly at the sight of Marie. They shared a quick kiss before the curtain rose.
"Are you alright?" he asked Marie as he rubbed her shoulders.
"Partially," said Marie, frowning a bit. "But I am going to enjoy this, it will be my last opera until after the little one is born after all." she said, her heart fluttering happily at the thought.
"Quite a good philosphy love." said Arthur, who was glancing apprehensively at the approaching Madame Giry, who was most likely coming over to reprimand them for talking just a minute before the curtain rose.
"Good luck darling." whispered Marie as the curtain rose and Arthur stepped out onto the stage. He winked at her, and then his astounding tenor voice, that always made the females melt, but especially Marie sprang into the air, and the opera began.
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The opera itself was simply amazing. The audience seemed dumbstruck by the beauty of it. It was sure that the trio of Christine, Marie, and Arthur was the most famous in the history of the Paris opera. The same went for Giry ballet legacy. A roaring standing ovation was given as the cast took their last bows, and it seemed to last forever. Bravos were heard from every corner, the voices of Raoul, Felix, and Lucien prominent among them.
Andre and Firmin seemed to be resisting the urge to jump up and down in triumph in their box. No one could have hoped for more of a grand return than this. It was a full theater and there had been no disturbances from the Phantom, or at least not yet. But just because there had been no trouble, it did not mean that Erik was not there. He was, sitting in a middle row conspicuously disguised and applauding, though somewhat sullenly, along with everyone else. He had to be quite careful, for fear of anyone recognizing him. He glanced up to the Vicomte's box with a frown. But he had to give the man credit, he did appreciate the arts. Erik had quite enjoyed the performance, the music had been lovely, second in Erik's mind only to his work. He felt that the standing ovation had been well deserved, and that every part of the opera was quite well put together. Christine's pure soprano, Marie's lovely Mezzo- soprano, and Arthur's tenor, along with the chorus and the excellent dancing had been a quality way to spend his time.
Although Erik wondered how Andre and Firmin, who were currently jumping up an down in their box, could possibly put together this fine performance. Erik thought that Madame Giry and Reyer probably had more to do with it. He smirked as he saw his three proteges walk off of the stage. He had taught them well. But his blood boiled at the sight of Arthur, with whom he could hardly stand to see the sight of now, but his heart beat rapidly at the sight of Christine and Marie, who he could never see enough of. It was a shame about Arthur really, Erik pondered, he could have been even better, if he had just obeyed Erik's commands. He glanced upward at the chandelier, remembering the chaos that he had caused with that object in the old opera house. A part of him longed to cause some sort of trouble, just to let them all know that they had not run him off. But he had to stop himself from doing so, to keep his plan intact. He left his seat and walked out into the theater, to amuse himself by listening to the talk of the French aristocrats.
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Raoul had been accosted on his way backstage by several high class couples, and despite his polite protests that he needed to go backstage, he was forced to go into the lobby to talk with them. He was handed a glass of champagne, and smiled kindly at the couples, one of whom were good friends of his parents. He hoped that he could get away from this conversation as soon as possible.
"Well Vicomte, that was a most wonderful opera. Your wife, daughter, and son in law make quite the trio, I must say." said the woman, who was a countess, as she sipped champagne.
"Well thank you countess. I must say that they all have a very astonishing talent." said Raoul, plastering a smile on his face. Sometimes he found it difficult to talk to such gossipy people, that were so fake.
"Yes," said her husband jovially, "That was one of the most enjoyable operas that I have attended in years. Give your family my congratulations Vicomte."
"I shall be sure to do so," said Raoul with a genuine smile now. He knew that Christine and Marie loved to hear what the public thought of their singing.
"It is so nice to see the opera house in such good condition after all that chaos a few months ago." said the countess. "Have you had any trouble with that opera ghost fellow lately monsieur?"
Raoul's smile fell. He knew that that was the polite way of prying into the Phantom affair. He knew that there had been quite a bit of gossip about everything that had happened, ever since the Don Juan incident over twenty years ago. But the most recent events, had only put a fuel in the fire, and the many newspapers articles had not helped. Raoul answered in a voice of strained poiliteness.
"No we have had no trouble, countess. It appears that he has dissappeared once more." said Raoul, not knowing that for sure, but trying to find a way to kill the conversation, and prevent the gossip from spreading.
"Well that is a relief for the opera house, I know." said the count. "Especially on the financial side. I believe that these renovations cost a pretty penny."
"Yes," said Raoul nodding as he took a sip of champagne, "They did."
Then Raoul heard his name being called, and he turned to see Christine,Marie, and Arthur coming towards him. He smiled and waved as they approached. He shook Arthur's hand, kissed Marie's cheek, and then kissed Christine quickly on the lips, taking her hand. Then the group turned back towards the count and countess.
"Well Vicomtess, that was one of the best performances I have seen you do yet." said the Countess, "I enjoy hearing you sing. And you as well, Madame and Monseiur Page'."
"Thankyou very much," said Christine, eyes sparkling. "It seems that there is a rather large crowd tonight."
But before the count could answer, Lucien, who was accompanied by Felix, came over to say that Meg and Madame Giry were looking for them, so they were rescued from the stiff and scandal filled conversation.
"Thanks for that Lucien, old pal," said Raoul as he tickled Felix. "I often find myself trapped in conversations that I cannot find a way out of."
"Well, that is what you get for being one of the most well liked aristocrats in Paris and being involved in one of the biggest mysteries to hit this opera in years. Just be glad that you have me here." said Lucien, grinning.
This drew a laugh from all as they met the rest of the cast in the middle of the lobby and toasted to the phenomenal success of the reopening.
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Later that night, as everyone was leaving, Erik found himself, as though out of old habit, hiding in the shadows of the lobby, watching the de Chagnys. He slipped out through the front doors, careful to not let Lucien see him. He could at least have a little fun. He climbed to a hiding spot and watched as they came out, trying to supress a laugh.
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The family came out, Marie's hand in Arthur's, Christine's in Raoul's and Felix on Raoul's shoulders. Lucien followed them, shaking his head. Laughter was in the air, as was the immense happiness that filled each soul after such a great performance. It seemed that the world was righting itself again.
"That was quite fun." said Arthur, grinning broadly.
"Yes, it was." said Marie as she twirled about the snowy sidewalk.
"I think that was the best that I've sung in years." remarked Christine. "It felt so natural."
Raoul, who was attempting to walk while Felix playfully covered his eyes with his hands,smiled at that comment.
"You know, perhaps we should all just sing instead of talk now." he said, grinning playfully.
Christine hit him playfully on the shoulder as she kissed him. "Haha, very funny." she said laughing.
But Lucien, who was the first to reach the carriage, stopped suddenly at the sight of two crimson red roses that lay on the seats.
"What is it Lucien?" asked Raoul. Then his eyes came upon the flowers. "Oh, blast." he said, his voice brimming with worry and anger.
"You've got to be kidding me!" said Arthur angrily as he picked up the two lovely roses and handed them to Christine and Marie. "I believe that these are for you."
Christine and Marie took the flowers reluctantly, and with a shaky hand.
"I don't know why I'm surprised." said Christine grimly as she squeezed Raoul's hand warmly. "I should have expected this."
"I know," said Marie sadly. "But I guess hoping that this would not happen was just wishful thinking. Our singing obviously draws him. But at least nothing happened during the opera." she said, trying to find a positive air to the situation.
"That is true," said Raoul, smiling at his daughter's attempt to look for the silver lining of the situation. "But I would feel better if you all got in the carriage."
Raoul and Arthur helped Marie, Christine, and Felix into the carriage. Then Arthur climbed in, looking angry and holding Marie close. Raoul looked around once more, trying to see if he saw anything suspicious, and then got in, holding both Christine's and Felix's hands. But as the door closed, a voice, a voice that was creepily familiar, floated through the air.
"Brava, Brava, Bravissima!"
And at these words, everyone could feel that there was an inevitable storm heading their way.
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A/N: Okay, I hope that you all like this chapter! Thanks so much to Samantha, Asia1st, I am the Angel of Music, BlazeLogan lover, and Guitarprincess(RC forever!) for all of your great reviews, they really encourage me to keep going! The next chapter should be up in a few days and will be called Chapter 21: Visions of the past. Until then, see you later!
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