Meg was giddy and excited. Madam Giry did not look pleased but then to Collette's somewhat comfort, she never did.
"Oh Collette, cant you imagine? A dinner, a fine dinner!" Exclaimed Meg and she danced about the room fiddling with this and that. Collette being quite practical and serious rose from the chair and headed over to the bed and sank down.
"Well dearie we obviously cant go in our chemise's." And with that the two set about preparing themselves for dinner. Meg wore a fitted royal blue outfit, Collette knew it matched beautifully with the blond hair. Meg's silvery voice floated to the other side of the room where Collette was working on keeping her dark green gown on.
I must either gain some weight or learn how to fit my clothing better." She thought to herself. The gown hung kind of low and Collette was very thankful that she wasn't heavily endowed.
She immerged from the dressing screen and saw Meg raise and eyebrow.
"Collette, I think you need some help from Madam."
Collette never felt her face turn so red as Madam filled her dress. Of course it was common but what if Madam Giry asked about her scar? Worst off, she was having to endure some stranger poking around her. Wasn't the Opera Ghost jealous? Wouldn't he lock her up in the room to protect her from such a horrible man? She could hear Mousier Badeau's laughter accompanied by another laughter. What? Could she handle TWO men tonight?
"Heaven help us all." Said Madam Giry.
"Ahhh my dear, how beautiful you look." Said Mousier Badeau when Collette and Meg were in site. Collette all innocent like turned to Meg and smiled,
"Yes, Meg you are beautiful, I couldn't agree with Mousier Badeau more." Madam Giry gave a slight cough and excused herself.
"Ah, yes Meg, a vision of elegance." Said Mousier Badeau. Collette noticed the accompanist grin and stare at the ceiling to hid a laugh that threaten to escape.
"Well Mousier Badeau-
"Please call me Joseph my dear."
"Joey- we should probably be leaving as I can see, Meg is almost faint with hunger." Said Collette gathering her hat and heading without her escort to the door. Meg looked somewhat surprised but waiting for the accompanying gentleman to take her arm. Joseph Badeau almost threw his hat back on and leaped after Collette.
The Gentleman's carriage was ready, complete with driver and it was quite soon that the foursome was on their way.
"Caleb- this is my dear Collette, and of course Meg one of the dancers." Collette felt her anger step up even a notch futher.
"Yes, us dancers are only to be considered if we have a great shape." Said Collette. She felt Meg's foot kick her. The men shifted uncomfortably in the carriage. Collette remembered that it was improper to speak of such things, but it was ok to think them. It was rather a stiff and uncomfortable ride, Collette was not use to so much jerking around in the carriage.
The place was very fine, true china dishes, not the cheap stuff she was use too or have seen. Everything was delicate and orderly, fine and elegant. The men began to descend the steps to enter the dining room, Collette forgetting that she had a floor length dress, took a tumble and fell down taking Joseph Badeau with her. Unfortunetly he was the one on top of her leg.
"OWWWWWWWW, get off my leg you moron." She exclaimed. The room grew very silent. Every eye was on her. Even Joseph Badeau looked at her with a frightened eye.
"uh, my leg you are on it. It kind of is in intense pain!" She said sweetly as she could. Joseph took his time getting up much to Collette's discomfort. Meg knelt beside her.
"Collette, are you ok!" She said, a small crowd had gathered nearby.
"No, I just humiliated myself. Now I cant even begin to figure out how to get up without my drawers showing. And, Mousier Badeau has such a smirk on his face that I want to wipe it off with some lemon juice." Said Collette adjusting her hat and figuring a way to get up without the help of the gentlemen. Meg snickered.
"Well I am please that atleast you have a small sense of humor at a time like this. Ugh, I wish I never stepped out of my dressing room tonight, now James is going to haunt me all over again."
"James- who is James?" Asked Meg. Collette realized her slip and amazingly found herself upright.
"uhh, my dead brother." She lied. Before Meg could react, Joseph was having them seated to his advantage. Thank goodness the proprieties were better now then they were in the future. Thought Collette.
The dinner was a disaster after the other, Collette felt like she was in a Jane Austen comedy. The whole time, Collette felt like she was being watched. There was something about the room that made it eery and chilly.
The phantom had sent Madam Giry in a disguise to watch over the ladies. Madam Giry complied to the fullest when Meg was to go with them. She did not trust either man. O.G. would never step out of his opera house. The world was full of hatred and judgmental. Giry wondered if the hardened heart was going to soften up a bit after Collette had arrived. Christine was of course more easily persuaded, but Collette was a bit naïve and had character that gave you interest, even for a woman like Giry. It did not take long for her to see Collette's disgust and Meg's innocence over the men.
Collette practically flew into her dressing room when she had rid herself of Mousier Badeau- or Joey. She giggled. A note was waiting for her on the table,
"Collette, keeping at such late hours will not become you. Remember the past. O.G."
Was a peculiar note, she thought it had to have meant something. Remember the past? Goodness knows she was a girl of the future.