Chapter 2-Aphrodite

I shook my head and wheeled around, making my way to the pillar of Box 5. One of the first things I had done when the managers succumbed to my power was to fire Carlotta, the magnificent singing toad. Since then, however, it had been hard to find another soprano, and of course none of them had been as angelically gifted as Christine. Desperate for a new soprano now - the newest play was to be The Love of Aphrodite - the managers were having auditions today. And the young chorus girls had no choice; every one of them was to audition. I watched boredly as the first girl stepped into the middle of the stage before Reyer and the new co-director, Fayette, (who was reasonably talented at tutoring young voices). Her name was Cecile, and I recognized her high, whiny voice from the girl's dormitory. I sighed patronizingly and let my mind drift. Many other voices followed Cecile's, but nothing close enough. A new voice began to sing, and it brought me back from my daydreams of Christine. In the middle of the stage stood Aria. I took a closer look at her while I listened to her singing. Aria was not tall, but she was not short either. She seemed to have deep red hair, but it was tied tightly back in a plain-looking bun. She had deep, clear green eyes, like the color of the tall forests of the Congo. Her skin was milky-pale, and very lovely, as were her full red lips.

I smirked slightly. Aria voice was not nearly as angelic as Christine's.

But, being fair enough, Aria was talented. I reminded myself that Christine's voice only sounded excelling when I had guided her.

Aria looked the part for Aphrodite. With some help from Fayette she could probably perform passably. I stole some paper out of the manager's office and wrote a short letter, explaining my purpose carefully so that the stupid fools would understand. I would have to do without a wax seal, so I drew a skull on the envelope and let it drop down to Madame Giry, who was waiting diligently. I returned to Box 5 just in time to here the managers read my instructions aloud.

My Dear Co-managers,

As usual, most of the girls you have auditioned sound terrible.

The managers glanced guiltily around at the rejected singers before continuing.

The new chorus girl, however, is a passable Soprano, and is the best you can do. Aria is to have lessons with Monsieur Fayette to improve a little before she begins work on this play. Please note that you still need a bass to play the part of Aphrodite's lover, Heracles.

The Opera Ghost

I don't bother adding 'Your obedient servant' anymore. I noticed several of the other chorus brats- Cecile included- shoot sparks at Aria, who looked amazed but frightened. I felt a very small wave of pity, but it quickly passed. What if she thought I had given her the part just because she had been acquainted with me? I would have to set her right.

I caught her alone the next day as she waited for her lesson with Fayette.

"Don't think I'm favoring you by giving you this part." I called out. My voice was slightly threatening, but only for effect. I observed in amusement as Aria jumped about three feet in the air.

"Do you always feel the need to sneak up on me?" She growled.

I returned the noise. "Answer me."

"You said a statement, not a question. And no, I rather had the feeling that you didn't like me, so I was sure it wasn't that."

"You are nearly correct." I replied dryly. I really didn't not like her, but at the same time, Aria had a way of sparking my temper.

"Oh, well, that's kind," she replied sarcastically.

"Watch your tone!" I snarled, just wanting to see my power at work. To my immense bemusement and hilarity Aria simply stuck her tongue delicately out in my direction.

"Same to you."

But at that moment, Fayette entered the room, along with Reyer. Reyer did not understand much about the voice, and I was rather irritated that he was there.

"Good day, mademoiselle. Who were you talking to?"

I held my breath. Would she give me away?

But, stunningly, Aria replied, "I saw a... mouse in the corner."

Reyer frowned. "A mouse? I thought we were rid of those long ago..."

But the matter was dropped.

Fayette tested Aria's voice to a more strenuous level than before, and I could hear that she really didn't lack in too much. She reached a high D with some straining, and she could get all the way down to a low G. That was talented for a soprano.

Aria had had no training before, except by her mother, who knew a spare bit about singing. She followed a tune very well, but she was a poor site reader. The two directors swiftly solved that problem; if one of them laid out the rhythm first she was able to get it almost perfectly. Aria sang very clearly, very crystalline. Fayette explained to her how she should open her lips more and roll her "R"s.

Hearing a chiming voice like Aria's was paining me, forcing me to leave...It reminded me of my lovely Angel. Oh, how I missed her! I would see her in dreams, I would relive our one kiss over and over... Christine's hand along my unholy skin, desperate to save her true love. I knew she did not, never had, never would loved me, but I could pretend. I could pretend that she had consented to marry me, that we whispered soft words to each other before I wrapped my arms around her and slept in peace. I could pretend that she was different from everyone else, loving me for myself and not hating my horrible face. I could pretend, I could fantasize. But really in the end, I was alone. No one loved me; no one could love me for me. Even my poor, unhappy mother was able to sum up courage from her heart to love me. I remembered, my first memory... My mother, not touching me, knelt in front of me. She tried to smile, but she was so disgusted with my face she gave up. "I have a present for you," she said. I could feel my interest peaked. "What is a present?" I questioned. Never had I received a 'present'. Mama held out a piece of leather the size of half my face. I instantly knew what it was for. I felt so much gratitude. I took it from her and slipped it on. It was rough against my face, but it didn't matter. Now I could hide from the world without isolating myself. "Oh Mama, thank you!" I cried out, rushing to hug her. But, as usual, she backed away from me. "Never take it off, Erik."

Many such other memories haunted me, of my family. But I had only endured them for a short time when my father sold me to a traveling circus when I was 5. I had thought it would be a relief, leaving my abusive father, but the circus was indefinitely worse.

I sighed. Why think about it? I pushed the thoughts from my tortured mind and instead turned on the Opera House. Now, under my guidance, it was a booming business. There was a full house every time they introduced a production, even old favorites. But, of course, no one contributed it to the Opera Ghost, at least no one from outside. They all said how truly wonderful Andre and Firmin were, that after the terrible accident they had come back better than ever. I sighed.