Chapter 30

XxX

The night of the Masquerade was clear and…cold. If it was cold, so were Erik's lair. Poppy stood shivering in her room. She was already dressed, with help from Mme. Giry. She had not heard from Erik all day. Probably for the best. She didn't want to him to see her just yet. For the first time in ten years, she felt beautiful, not like the scarred bitter girl that she normally was. As Poppy tugged nervously on her hair, the huge clock up in the Opera House chimed 9 clock. TheMasquerade has started. Time to go. Poppy swallowed, picked up her skirt and began the long trek up the tunnel that she uses. Mme Giry met her at the hidden entrance.

"Ready Poppy?"

Poppy thought for a minute, and then simply answered, "No," She turned to walk back down the tunnel.

Mme. Giry grabbed her arm, "Come on. It's only a Masque. It—you will be fine." Mme. Giry pulled her along to the Grand Foyer, where the Masque was talking place. "I talked to Erik earlier today. He expects you there. So stop struggling, and come on."

Poppy let out a sigh and stopped trying to pull her arm away so that she could run back to the lair. As they got closer, Poppy heard the music. Her mouth went dry.

Mme. Giry watched Poppy. The girl was terrified, which was a change. Poppy never showed fear. Antoinette sighed and pushed Poppy though the doors.

Poppy stumbled into the room. The Masquerade was in full swing. The beautiful music was playing loud and clear. She straightened up and walked to the side of the room. For the next half hour she fidgeted. Suddenly some man, asking her to dance, approached her. At first, Poppy thought to decline, but changed her mind. It was her birthday. Might as well have soon fun. She nodded, and was swept out onto the dance floor. She was awkward at first, but soon flowed into the step of the dance. It was the fist time she was glad that her parents had made her take those 'stupid' ballroom dance lessons.

Soon she was laughing as she danced. She was twirled around the dance floor, being passed back and forth. Normally, she would have hated it, but she was caught up in the music and the sheer fun of it. Soon she was passed again in to the arms of another man.

XxX

Erik was watching the people dance from his hiding place. He had searched the crowd for Poppy. He hadn't seen her at first. He was afraid she hadn't come, until he saw Antoinette push Poppy into the room. The girl looked terrified. She regained her composure and straightened her dress. Erik had to do a double take. She was almost unrecognizable. Her long red hair and white skin was in stark contrast against a pure black dress. The dress had sliver stitches and trim. The shoulders drooped down. The waist was tight; the corset shaping her body into a slight hourglass shape. It ended just above her hips where it gently flared into a black skirt. Her masque was black with shiny black and sliver feathers. It covered her upper face. Erik tried to get his breathing under control by looking elsewhere. He spotted Christine and Raoul. It still hurt, but he was right by letting her go. He still cared for her. He only hoped that the fop will not be too much of one and will take care of her. No, he loved the sharp-tongued redhead. Erik's gaze wandered back to Poppy. She was finally out on the floor dancing. Slight jealousy rose as she danced across the floor. He pushed it down and disappeared. It was almost time for the Opera Ghost to crash the party.

XxX

"I want to thank you for introducing me to Christine."

Shit. Just her luck. Raoul. She forced a smile. "You are welcomed." She tried to spin out of his arms, but he tightened his hold.

"Christine tells me that that you are in love with her vocal teacher. And that this same 'vocal teacher' is quite possibly the so-called Opera Ghost, that is scaring the mangers here."

Double shit. Damn the rubber lipped twit! "Hmm. Well, I don't know about that. My…her teacher is very much a real man. I, for one, don't believe in ghosts. Much less the 'Opera Ghost.' I think that some stagehand is playing a joke on the mangers. One that was taken too far." She succeeded in twisting away from him. Poppy walked over to the Grand Stair case, wishing she knew her way around the foyer better, for she stumbled a few times. She missed her cane. She had tied to fix it when it had broken, but couldn't, so she had to establish a feel of her surroundings around her.

Masquerade! Paper faces on parade!

Masquerade!

Hide your face, so the world

will never find you!

Masquerade!

Every face a different shade!

Masquerade!

Look around -
There's another
mask behind you!
Masquerade!
Burning glances,
turning heads . . .
Masquerade!
Stop and stare
at the sea of smiles
around you!
Masquerade!
Grinning yellows,
spinning reds . . .
Masquerade!
Take your fill -
let the spectacle
astound you…

Unexpectedly to the people but not to Poppy, the music stopped. She heard gasps of fear. Oh how she wished she could see! The looks these people must have! She let out a small evil giggle. Poppy heard the purposely-heavy footsteps of Erik. He drugged out the suspense. With out warning, his silky voice echoed though the large foyer.

"Why so slight, good messieurs? Did you think I have left you for good? Have you missed me good messieurs? I have written you an opera! Here I bring the finished score—"Don Juan triumphant"!

Poppy heard a loud thump as he threw the manuscript. She then heard him continue down the staircase. She slowly walked along the staircase.

"Fondest greetings to you all, a few instructions just before the rehearsal starts: Carlotta must be taught to act…."

Carlotta was back? She had been so uncharacteristically quite.

"Not her normal trick of strutting around the stage." A pause," Our Don Juan must lose some weight—it's not healthy in a man Piangi's age!"

Aww, didn't know that he cared! Poppy rolled her eyes, stifling a giggle.

"And my mangers must learn that their place is in an office—not the arts! As for our star…." He dropped his voice so that it was slow and sinister," Miss Poppy O'Cullen…"

Poppy froze. She was not excepting that! What the hell was he doing?

"…No doubt she'll do her best—it's true her voice is good. She knows though, should she wish to excel, she was much to learn. If she lets me teach her…"

Poppy didn't know what he was playing, but she played along. She moved up closer, until she was in front of him. Without warning Erik reached out and grabbed Poppy by the waist. Poppy let out a surprised gasp.

Holding her close Erik lets all hear, "You will sing for me!"

Poppy then heard a small pop and smelled smoke. She then let out a small laugh of joy at the feeling of her and Erik free falling. When they landed Poppy heard a slam above her head. Poppy pushed Erik away playfully, "What was that up there? What were you thinking?"

Erik smirked, "So, I like to show off. So sue me." Using one of her lines.

"That's my line! You're starting to sound like me."

"And is that good or bad?"

"Bad! Very bad. I can see it now: the Phantom of the Opera uses slang when threatening the mangers or scaring the Rats!"

They both laughed until they heard the music start up again, precariously. Erik stopped laughing. Turning serious, he walked up to her. Taking her hand, he bowed. Then pulling her close, whispered, "May I have this dance?"

Poppy could only nod. Around the room they waltzed, Erik holding her close. After Poppy was able to clear to fog that was trying to settle over her brain, something came to mind. "Erik?"

"Yes?"

Poppy raised her head from his shoulder where she had laid it. "Up there, what did you mean by it?"

"It means that you will receive singing lessons from me. To become even better. So that you can take the lead role in the opera."

Poppy stopped, making Erik stop too. She looked in his eyes. Even though she could not see, she always tried to face the one she was talking to. "I hope you will not try to turn me in to a Christine. Because I'm not her, and I am not planning on being like her. I hope you know that."

Erik understood, "I sure hope not. No, I thought hard about it. Now that I look at it, Christine could never make it believable. She is too young. She would not understand the meaning of the words. You would. The music will suit your voice."

Poppy nodded then let out a groan, "I only really wanted a simple answer for the moment and you Maestro turned it into a long answer."

Erik laughed, "Oh hold on. I have something for you. Wait here, close your eyes."

Poppy let out another groan, "Ha, ha, ha. Very funny." But she laughed anyway.

Erik stepped away. He was gone for perhaps five minutes. When he came back he told her to hold out her hands. She did so, and a hard, long, thin object was placed into her hands. She felt up and down the pole. Carved into it were designs. On the end was a brass tip. She turned to Erik. "What is it? A cane?"

"Yes. I noticed that you had broken your cane weeks ago. I had started to make you a new one, but I had gotten caught up with Christine and had forgotten about it. You remembered your birthday last night, I remembered your cane, and therefore I finished it last night. Happy Birthday."

Tears came to Poppy's eyes. They hurt, but this time she ignored them. She hugged Erik, "Thank you. Thank you very much. What are the designs?"

Instead of answering her, Erik begin singing softly,

"Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, Cream colored ponies and Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wing, When your feeling sad, simply remember your favorite cane, And then you won't feel so bad."

As he sang he guided her fingers over the cane. On it he had carved roses, cats, horses, geese and a moon. She looked up at him. "It's beautiful. Thank you." She reached up and gave him a small kiss. Just a brush of her lips over his. Suddenly she winced.

Erik stood shocked, finally he shook his self. "What's wrong?" he asked thinking it was he that caused her to flinch.

"Something just pinched me. Think we can go… hom—back now?"

"Yes." He took her by her hand and led the way back to the lair.