A/N: Hello again, all! Welcome back to my world. I'm glad that everyone liked my first story so much, especially Kchan88, leotabelle13, torch baby, GerryLover15, and Daisy Diva, who have been some of my most helpful reviewers from the first, plus everyone else who left a review (I do love the long responses, by the way). Especially Daisy Diva, for her Carlotta chapter. Oh, and kudos to Glitter Queen of the Ice Show for becoming an R/C shipper. Also, a shout-out to Emma and Anri who came in a little late, but who left thoughtful and intelligent comments, nonetheless. I probably forgot a whole bunch of people I meant to mention, but didn't (I have a notoriously bad memory). To all of you people: you rock!
This is my first attempt at an actual phic with a plot, a narration, and stuff, so tell me whether I should keep going with this, or stick to letters and such. I won't be offended if you tell me my strengths lay elsewhere, I promise. Just be honest.
Enough chit-chat. On with the phic!
Please see my bio page for disclaimer.
Meg Giry stood by the curb in front of the newly-refurbished Opera Populaire, dancing from foot to foot with nervousness and chill on the brisk September morning, looking this way and that, up and down the crowded boulevard. She was wearing a very fashionable outfit gown, but apparently "fashionable" wasn't nearly the same thing as "comfortable." She itched, couldn't breathe, and was freezing, even in the comparatively mild fall air.
It was a pretty bad time for her to leave her job, what with preparing for the annual Christmas gala, which was attended by everyone who was anyone, including the emperor, Napoleon III. Still, it was her birthday, and Christine had invited her out to the Vicomtesse's palatial manor, for a day of riding and picnicking. Madame Giry, still in charge of the ballet corps, insisted she go.
Finally, a fine carriage drew up, drawn by two lovely matching bays, and driven by a rather elderly footman in livery, who hopped down and opened the door for the ballerina, touching his hat respectfully as he closed it after. "Thank you, Mr. Weatherby," Meg murmured in slight embarrassment. She was used to doing the waiting, not being waited upon.
"No problem, Miss Giry. My, but you're all done up today. Goin' pickernickin' with 'er Ladyship, are ye?" The footman called back cheerfully his strong Cockney accent making the French nearly illegible, as he swung himself up onto the seat, shook the reins, and clucked at the horses.
It had taken Meg months to learn to understand the de Changy's two elderly servants, who both came straight from England. They had worked for the old Comte Philbet, Raoul's father, and were in charge of the hiring and dismissal of other servants. Because they trusted hardly any "young folks," there was a perpetual staffing shortage in the de Changy household.
"I'm hoping to. Do you know a good spot this time of year?" she replied, raising her voice slightly to be heard above the wind generated by the carriage.
"If I were you ladies, I'd go down across the pastures, right into the creek and that nice little grove of walnuts…" Mr. Weatherby said, turning his head so that her Ladyship's friend would be able to catch his words.
Carrying on chatting in this manner, they left Paris and were soon out on country roads. Meg took a deep breath of fresh air, sighing happily as the passed orchards with fruit half-ripened, plowmen sharpening their tools, and farmwives hanging out the homespun washing to dry in the breeze.
Slowly, a mansion drew into sight. It was quite modest, as mansions go, but it still left Meg with a slight sense of awe as they drew up the long, sloping driveway. Most of the bay windows were open, for airing.
They pulled up to the door. Mr. Weatherby leapt down with an agility that belied his seventy-three years, and opened the door for Miss Giry, bowing deferentially.
Just as Meg stepped down, there was a muffled "BOOM!" that rocked the carriage slightly, and dense, acrid smoke poured out of one of the windows.
A/N: ooh, starting out with a cliffhanger! I'm so evil ;). Anyway, tell me what you think! Thanks again to the people who left the 146 reviews.