Chapter 11 - Madame Finds Out
The next morning went just like the day before. Carlotta in a huff, Piangi getting his accent in his singing, and the Managers going grey before their time. Still Christine loved every moment of it. Morning rehearsals went quickly, and after Madame Giry swooped down on Christine just as they were leaving.
"My dear, a word.." she said simply. A growling feeling grew in Christine's stomach. How stupid of her! Of course she'd know about her transition. As Madame Giry lead them to her room, the feeling grew larger in Christine's stomach. Was she in trouble? She bit her lip.
They entered Madame Giry's room, and she gestured for Christine to sit. Not much had changed since Christine had last saw it, on the night of her first arrival. Only a few more pictures and clothes around the room. Christine swallowed hard as she sat down, Madame Giry's steely glare opposite.
"I am aware you have made the permanent transition between our times," Madame Giry began, fingers together, "And I must ask you why you have done this. It is very serious if you accidentally cross the times, but to do it on purpose…" She fixed Christine with her grey eyes and lent forwards. "Why, Christine?" She asked.
Christine couldn't look down no mater how much she wanted to. "I felt I didn't belong there…" She said finally. Madame Giry released her glare, "There was nothing for me, my parents dead, my friends unknown to me pretty much." Christine looked up, "There is so much more here. I have Meg, you, E.." She had nearly said Erik's name, but she had just stopped herself. She didn't think Madame Giry would know about his name. "So many more friends and so many more thing for me to do." Christine's eyes were stinging with unshed tears, "This feels like my true home…." She whispered, and a single tear rolled down her cheek. Madame Giry sighed and handed Christine a white handkerchief, Christine dried her eyes and handed it back.
"My dear, there is nothing right about what you did," Madame Giry said, a little softer, "But I understand why you did that now" She patted Christine on her back and stood to leave. "But never the less, you made it look natural, oui?" Madame Giry looked expectantly at Christine, on hand on the door. Christine nodded, "Suicide…" She said softly. Madame Giry took her hand and gave it a squeeze. "Don't worry, what is done is done…" She said, leading Christine out of the room. They walked back to the stage, where yet more rehearsals were being held. Christine rejoined them, and they carried on till the late evening.
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Once Madame Giry had made sure all were asleep, especially Christine, she took out her own Talisman. It was her cane. The last Futori in the region had brought it back from his travels and gave it to her. The cane itself was a very good talisman, no one would've thought it was one. She gently stroked the smooth mahogany surface of it, up to the elegant swirled handle. She put it down on her bed, and went behind her dressing screen to dress in something more comfortable. It was a black travelling dress, she wouldn't mind what people thought, she never did. Once she was ready, Madame Giry took hold of her cane again, and laid back on her bed. After a few moments she fell asleep.
When she woke, she was in a shadowed door way next to Mr. Levine's Jewellery Shop. She stood up, and brushed down her skirts. It was just after midnight, just as it had been in Paris. Madame Giry briskly began to walk in the direction of Christine's house, cane swinging as she walked. She came to a stop outside the door, and rapped on it with her knuckles. It took a while before she heard the clumsy stomps of a sleepy person descending the stairs. After another few moments and the scraping of a key in it's lock could be heard. Then, finally, a bleary eyed Louisa appeared at the door.
"Louisa, is it?" Madame Giry said sharply, pulling herself to he full height. Louisa peered at Madame Giry before replying.
"Yes," She said, "Can I ask who you are?" She rubbed at her eyes and yawned slightly. Madame Giry was ruffed at this, she didn't approve of yawning in public, it was very rude.
"I'm a friend," She said simply, "I am here to talk to you about Christine." Louisa looked up sharply, and all traces of her tiredness vanished.
"You know…knew, Christine?" Tears welled in her eyes as Louisa corrected herself with the past tense. Madame Giry's steely gaze softened.
"Yes," she said softly, "May I come in?" Louisa looked Madame Giry up and down. She looked out of place here, in an old fashioned black dress. Still she might work at that Jewellery shop where Christine's mask necklace came from.
"Of course," She said, opening the door more and stepping back to let Madame Giry through. Madame Giry swiftly entered the house, and sat herself down on a squishy chair in the living room. She made herself as comfortable as possible as Louisa sat opposite on an equally squishy chair.
"So, about Christine?" Said Louisa, leaning forwards eagerly.
"Firstly I must say I am awfully sorry for your loss…" Madame Giry began. Louisa nodded glumly, more tears raising in her eyes. Madame Giry continued,
"And secondly, I must reassure you she is well." Louisa stood up.
"What?" She said, she sat slowly again. "That is what she put on her note…" She whispered.
Madame Giry nodded, "She is somewhere else now, but she is fine. It is hard to comprehend, but I assure you she is still living." Madame Giry stood to leave. "Now, do not cry for her, and I must go," She walked to the door and opened it. Louisa ran after her. She grabbed Madame Giry's arm,
"Who are you?" She asked again, Madame Giry smiled.
"I am a friend," Was all she said. And at that, Louisa released her arm and watched her stroll down the road.
"Thank you…" Louisa whispered. She shook her head and rubbed her eyes before returning to bed. She slept easily for the first time since Christine had 'died', her dreams filled with memories of days with Christine.