V
Christine and Meg skidded to a stop in front of their separate parents. Both of them were puffing away and their faces were flushed.
"What have you two been doing?" Antoinette asked.
"Playing tag," Meg smiled, "I was it."
"Oh, and did you catch Christine?"
"No," Meg said sulkily, "she can run really fast."
Gustave laughed and patted Meg's little blonde head, "Well I'm sure you gave her a good run."
"Uh huh," she beamed.
"Papa," Christine said, "guess what I learned from Meg?"
"What did you learn?" he asked. Antoinette seemed interested in what she had learned as well.
"That there is a ghost in the theatre!"
"Is there?" Gustave asked, "and is he frightening?"
"Uh huh, he scares everyone and plays mean tricks on them."
"Yeah," Meg chimed, "and once he broke some dancer's leg and once he dropped a backdrop on a singer!"
Gustave gave a nervous chuckle, "Is that so?"
"Oui Monsieur," Antoinette agreed, "it is all true."
"Well, thank you for letting my daughter and yours play together today. I really must be returning home now."
"Bonsoir Monsieur Daae, have a good evening."
"Papa?" Christine asked quietly, "Can I come back here again tomorrow?"
"We will see my little Angel."
The next day Gustave arrived with Christine following him like a second shadow. He was barely able to stifle a yawn and covered his mouth with the back of his hand. He looked more tired then he had the entire week.
"Now be good Christine," he said, kneeling so he was level with the young girl.
"Of course papa," she replied, and then she kissed him on the nose.
"Good morning Monsieur Daae," Antoinette said, Meg dashed in front of her as they approached.
"Christine!" she exclaimed, then she stopped and gave a little curtsey, "hello Monsieur."
"Good morning little Meg," he replied, "Christine why don't you and Meg go off now?"
Christine nodded eagerly and scurried off with the other girl. Gustave stood up again and gave Antoinette a crooked smile.
"You look unwell today," she commented.
"Just tired, life here is terribly hectic."
"That it is, you will get used to it though in time. And in two months we will be holding the Bal Masque."
"That sounds exciting…well I should get going, I still have to tune my violin and pray for a smooth rehearsal."
Antoinette gave a small chuckle, "Indeed monsieur, indeed."
His prayer seemed to actually have some effect on the normally hectic stage. Charlotte was still off by a count and there were a couple of minor collisions and forgotten lines or cues. But all in all it went well they were certainly improving.
"Praying works," Antoinette teased as she stood over the orchestra pit.
Gustave gave a small laugh, it was the first time he had heard the strict ballet mistress joke about anything, "Perhaps, but I wouldn't count on it for every day."
"Ah Madame Giry," Monsieur Reyer said, "I would like to discuss-"
"Charlotte?" she interrupted, "yes I know, I will speak with her."
"That may not necessary," Monsieur Reyer sighed, "you see, I found this."
Antoinette's face dropped when she saw the envelope with the red skull seal. Monsieur Reyer nodded in agreement and handed the envelope to her. She always had to read the messages; it had become almost a second duty.
"No," Monsieur Lefevre groaned, "no, not now."
"I am impressed with the rehearsals," she read aloud, "they are beginning to actually resemble something other then chaos."
"At least he is pleased with something," Monsieur Lefevre sighed.
"However," she continued, "I would like to advise some changes…he wishes Charlotte to be cut from the corps."
"Is that all?" Monsieur Lefevre asked.
"Oui, c'est tout. Oh, and if his advice is not taken seriously then-"
"A disaster, I know…you will talk to Charlotte then?"
"Yes…that is all monsieur!" she snapped.
The manager started at her sharp tone and quickly left the stage, followed quickly by Monsieur Reyer. Antoinette sighed and tore up the note, throwing the pieces onto the stage irritably.
"Madame-"
"Don't!" she snapped, "Just don't…"
Gustave found her in the hall backstage, leaned against the wall with her hand pressed against her forehead. She glanced in his direction when he walked over.
"It was going to be her first performance," Antoinette sighed, "she was very excited."
"Then keep her in the ballet."
"Non Monsieur, I cannot. Besides he is right, she is always a count behind, she cannot keep up. Still, I had hoped that with practise…"
"I don't see why she can't perform. Why do you even listen to this Ghost? Keep her in the performance."
"You do not know Monsieur, you cannot go against his wishes. Terrible things will happen, terrible things!"
"How terrible?" Gustave demanded, suddenly irritated by the woman's superstitious ways, "what is the worst that could possibly happen?"
"He could break her leg or twist her ankle, anything he wished to do. He has done it before, Monsieur Duchamp, the man you replaced…"
"Yes, what about him?"
"The stubborn fool would not leave, of course that was partially Monsieur Reyer's fault. He had no replacement, and he was taking too long to find one. Well the Opera Ghost took the matter into his own hands. He shattered the man's wrist and broke his arm in three places. He will be lucky to ever use his hand again, let alone play."
"I see, so this ghost really is dangerous."
"Of course…I must go and speak with Charlotte now."
"Of course Madame Giry, I am sorry."
"Merci Monsieur, you are very kind."
Gustave smiled as she turned to walk away. It was strange to see her upset; she always seemed so calm and collected.
"Madame Giry?" he called, she turned her head, "would you like to come over to my apartment for supper tonight? I'm sure Christine would be thrilled if you and your daughter joined us."
"That is a very kind offer, and I would be happy to take you up on it. Merci."
Gustave gave a relieved sigh and turned away to head back to the stage. He would have felt a complete fool if she had said no. It had seemed as if she needed a friend, or at least somebody to talk with.
"You bastard!" Antoinette shouted at the inky blackness of the shadowy chapel, "salaud! Show your face Erik."
"Colourful language Madame," he replied coolly as he slipped from his hiding place.
She regarded the mask figure before her, a smug look on his face, murky eyes mocking her. If it were not for the mask he would have blended in perfectly with high society, tall, lean and terribly handsome, almost cursedly so for the other half of his face.
"I-you-I cannot believe you. This was her first performance and you force me to remove her from the ballet."
"She could still be in the chorus," he droned, "well, that is if she could sing."
"There is no more room in the chorus and you know that Erik, you know everything that happens in this theatre."
"Far from it Madame. I only know what takes place in he performances and the management."
"She has trained her entire life, since she was six years old."
"Perhaps she should train a short while longer then."
"Or maybe she should be given the opportunity to perform."
"I asked her to be removed from the performance, only this one. If I want I can have her removed from the theatre, for both you and I know that she will never make a good dancer."
Antoinette heard her hand hit his cheek and felt her palm sting as it collided with the flesh. Then she felt the vice grip close around her wrist and throw it away with bruising force.
"I would be careful if I were you Madame," he spat, eyes glowing like embers in the darkness, "you do not want to cross the line."
She watched as he melted back into the shadows, too afraid to move. His temper could be so terrible at times. She shook her head to clear it and turned to leave the chapel, praying silently that she had not gone too far.
Thank you for the reviews, good to hear from you again Chibi and thanks for the cookie. As for you questions they will all be answered in time, though yes, Christines fatherdoes die. I hope you all enjoyed the latest chapter and please continue to read and review.
