XXVIII

Lessons, rehearsals and sleep, that seemed to be the life of all the dancers and when the theatre set the schedule for the next performances the entire place was thrown into mildly organized chaos yet again. Christine and Meg spent most of their time in the dormitories or on stage and Christine began to find it hard to get to her singing lessons on time and with enough energy to perform well.

"I know," she panted, "I'm late, please do not be angry Angel!"

"I'm not angry," he replied, though there was an edge to his voice, "Perhaps we should move your lessons until later though."

"No, I can't. Then I would be late to bed and Madame would be angry. Please, rehearsals will die down a bit soon."

"I do not care about soon, I care about now. And now my dear, you are too tired to do your best and I will not have any less. Go to bed and rest, only come from now on if you can do what I ask of you, understand?"

"Yes," Christine replied quietly. She hated it when her Angel spoke to her in that way. She knew he did not mean to be cruel, and his voice was always gentle, but it still felt like being scolded.

"Practice your scales though," he added, "you still need to use your voice."

"Could we just talk then?" Christine asked, sitting on the window seat.

"Of course Christine, what do you want to talk about?"

"Nothing…you're right, I should go to bed and rest."

She bade him farewell and hurried up to the dormitory where Meg was sitting on her bed and chatting with two of the other dancers. They spotted Christine and called her over, she sat down on her own bed and joined the conversation.

"Lights out," Antoinette called after an hour.

"Good night Madame!" the girls called and turned off the lamps.

"Christine?" Meg hissed, "are you asleep yet?"

"What do you think?" Christine replied, "what?"

"Where did you go after rehearsal? You missed supper."

"Meg can we talk in the morning?" Christine asked, hoping that her friend would forget, "I'm really tired from all the commotion."

"Alright. Good night Christine."

Christine heard the mattress groan as her friend rolled over and closed her eyes. Not only was it getting harder to find time for her lessons, but also to find excuses to where she went or why. As she drifted off to sleep she thought she could hear her Angel's voice and drifted off to the sound of his voice.

Erik found that time passed quickly for him. Hours bled by in a mixture of sound and writing. For a time he had taken a break from composing and had focussed on Christine, but with the ballet demanding more from the girl he had more time to focus on his music. The rich sound of the organ filled the lair again and his hands became calloused again as well as ink stained.

Weeks passed for him in this manner, lessons and composing, the occasional visit to the theatre for performances and to make sure his notes were received. One day he finally decided to pay a visit during the day, to observe the rehearsal and perhaps even say hello to an old friend.

"Madame," he said, allowing his voice to ring through the empty hallway. He was pleased when she put her hands on her hips and frowned.

"Speaking for the walls again are we Erik?"

"It is good to see you as well Madame," he replied silkily.

"Some day someone will come to see talking to thin air and wonder."

"Simply explain what you are doing then," Erik replied smugly, "talking to walls."

"Coming out Erik?"

"Give me a moment Madame."

He made his way to the exit of the passage and entered into the deserted hall. Antoinette immediately turned to greet him.

"I have not seen you in a long time," she said, "since when? The masquerade?"

"Correct, I have been very busy Madame."

"I can see," she said, motioning to his hands, "composing again?"

"Perceptive, very perceptive."

"Hmm, the fact that you have been lenient with Monsieur Lefevre was another sign, and that you have not been attending performances as often. Take care of yourself though; I know that you tend to neglect yourself. Do not forget to eat, or sleep."

"What would I do without you Madame?" he asked.

"Without me?" she repeated, "you would most likely starve or faint or perhaps fall in the lake and drown."

"Yes…well it wasn't actually the lake and in my defence I was much younger."

"So, why don't you tell me what brings the Phantom of the Opera above ground?"

"I was watching the rehearsal Madame and to grab a quick meal."

"And did you get something to eat?" Antoinette asked.

"Yes…tell me Madame, is it nice out?"

"The weather is fair, I believe it was raining earlier."

"I see, and it is dark out by now, isn't it?"

"What are you thinking Erik?"

"I am thinking," he said, pulling on his gloves, "that I will go for a walk."

"A walk?"

"Yes, I haven't been outside in ages and perhaps some fresh air will do me good."

"It certainly could not harm you," she agreed, "have a pleasant walk."

"Would you like to join me?" Erik asked as she walked away.

"No, I have too much work to do in the morning to spend long hours out in the dark with you. I trust you can manage without me?"

"One never know Madame," he replied with a wry smile, "I might fall in a lake and drown."

Antoinette rolled her eyes and headed to check on the dancers before she herself went to bed. All of the girls were sitting either on the floor or on their beds talking, very few of them actually sleeping. Meg and Christine were sprawled out on their beds, staring at the ceiling and talking to one another.

"Lights out," she said to a few moans of protest, "hurry up, there are rehearsals and practices tomorrow."

She waited until all the lights were out before closing the door. She could hear them whispering to one another but paid no attention to it. They were girls and she remembered the nights she had spent in the dormitory, giggling and whispering with her own friends. It was part of life in the corps.