It was the opening night for Hannibal everyone was busy doing there things. Cherie was practicing her scales. The ballet girls were fixing their hair and powdering their shoes. Collette was taking deep breaths in and out. She would have a solo it did something to your nervous system. She crept to the chapel and hoped the angel of music would hear her.
"Angel? Please come. Please. I am sorry. Please come." She knelt down and bowed her head in remorse.
"Collette…" The voice echoed off the walls. Collette's head shot up.
"He's here, the angel of music." She thought.
"Angel, I hear you. Speak I listen." Said Collette, it was the only thing that popped in her head. Only silence was heard.
"Angel?" Collette began to breath harder. Collette's head whipped around when she heard something behind her. Emptiness stared at her, Collette stared back at the mural angel.
"I get a leading role today, angel. I have been the center of attention before but not in a good way. You will be there wont you? You will see me?" Collette wondered why she was talking like an eight year old who was so nervous about the talent show.
No sound was heard the candle flickered and went out. Collette gave a gasp but quickly let the air escape. Collette heard the opening music beginning to play. She left the chapel and headed to the backstage area. Madam Giry was giving order's and everyone was in a flurry. Collette wondered if there were ever a there was an organized and calm back stage performance.
"Collette, Aggie, Chantal, Meg, place four. Cherie', Celeste, Emeline, Molly, Place two, The rest of you take place one." Madam Giry said pointing with her cane to the positions the girls were to go. Cherie' pushed passed the rest of the group and primped herself. Collette rolled her eyes and Meg gave a small giggle.
"Dancing girls." Cherie' said with a disgust. Collette felt her temper rise but her cue started before Collette could bite back a retort. Her feet flew across the floor, Cherie' gave her song and the rest of the dancers danced their parts. Collette only counted two mistakes she made, ones she knew Madam Giry would talk to her about. It could not have been better if it was perfect. The crowd cheered, Cherie' was in somewhat of a good mood. Madam Giry was smiling and Meg was pleased as ever. Collette glanced up at the ceiling and watched the chandelier. It shone brightly tonight as if it knew there was something special about this evening.
Walking down the lone and dark hallway Collette forgot that she should be afraid. Her heart was light like the steps she took. Her looks had a carefree expression and a sparkle was in her eye.
The crowed was enthusiastic about the play and Collette knew that somewhere deep inside her angel was watching. She danced with her heart instead of just her feet. She became the role. Quickly she entered her dressing room and sat at the vanity and looked at her reflection. Her face was beginning to take shape; instead of the pale frightened girl that first arrived at the opera house she found a rosy-faced dancer. Collette rose and walked over to the basin and washed her face free from makeup. The water wasn't cold but it wasn't warm either, she gently rubbed the face paint off her face. She turned her face to look at the large full-length mirror that stood on one end of the wall. Her costume was still in place for she hadn't changed yet. Her legs were still made of bones and she could still see her ribs through the knit top of her costume. She shook her head and sat back down at the vanity. Gently pulling out her bun she let her hair fall softly around her shoulders and encircling her face. Her head was feeling weird and begged to be pulled back up in the bun. She began to massage her scalp hoping the pain would soon cease. She moved her hand to pick up her brush but stopped short when her eye caught a sight of something out of place and frightening. A crimson rose lay on her jewel box with a black ribbon tied around it. Collette gave a small gasp and stood up quickly, so quickly that the chair fell with a thud to the floor.
She wondered what to do, before she could react, other than pick up the chair, there was a knock on the door. Throwing a dressing robe around her she softly and slowly opened the door. Joseph Badeau was at the door with a Chester cat grin on his face.
"Miss Badeau." He said giggling like a girl. Collette felt her stomach churn and hoped she wouldn't get sick all over Jo's expensive looking suit.
"Mousier Badeau."
"Oh, please, call me Joseph. I am after all your manager?" He said giving rather expensive looking flowers through the door's crack.
"Madam Giry, is my manager. Thank you for the flowers, You will excuse me that I do not invite you in, I am not completely dressed." Collette said taking the flowers and pulling her dressing gown closer. Joseph seemed to study her figure.
"Yes, I can see that, well never mind M'dear. Just you finish getting dressed and we can have a nice dinner for two at Le Maison." Collette didn't know what the Le Maison was but Mousier Badeau, as she resolved to call him, seemed to make it a matter of great importance.
"Mousier Badeau, I thank you kindly for your invitation-"
"Oh Mademoiselle, You don't know how much happiness this gives me."
"Wait, let me finish, BUT, I have rehearsals tomorrow, early and I would like to be awake for that?"
"Oh my dear, don't dancers have to eat?"
"Yes, but would it be proper for me to go with you, unchaperoned?" Joseph seemed to ponder on this a bit more. Collette feeling like she had won was prepared to bid him goodnight and close the door. Meg decided to pass by at just that moment.
"Ahh, Meg Giry, you were divine. I just invited Collette and I decided it wouldn't be proper without a chaperone, would you care to join us M'dear?" Collette swore if Mousier Badeau said 'M'dear' one more time she was going to slap him. Meg beamed up at Collette.
"Oh Mosier Badeau, I cant begin to express my happiness. Collette, May I?" How could Collette refuse now that Meg was so delighted? She owed her so much.
"When would you say we would be leaving Mosier Badeau?" Collette said slowly shutting the door. Mosier Badeau gave another big grin and tipped his hat.
"10 minutes…"
It was going to be a long night.