Author's notes: Quick update, people, I had to get this out of my head. Anyway, wish me luck tomorrow – math test and singing lessons, you know!
Raoulisafop – I know, I know… read on!
lady kathrin – here it is!
Phantom'sJediBandieGirl – any name is okay… well, the Sunburn of Doom is legendary.
Unseen-Presence – No, Erik is too dear to me to get hurt… anyway, graveyard scene is planned out, and… well, I can't tell!
unseengenius – here it is, read on! Yes, Raoul is in big trouble!
Nota Lone – Yes, indeed. He tried to help… but didn't quite understand.
Nixieharpist – El Foppo is cool! Heh, anyway, he will suffer, trust me!
mrs. malfoy – Yes, I want to see Voldemort! I love the character, and I adore Ralph!
Enrinye – Indeed, indeed, Z.
Kathy.L – I will, thank you! Read on!
X X X
Chapter 11 – Notes a bit differentlyX X X
"Mademoiselle... Mademoiselle, please wake up..."
Christine stirred in her sleep and mumbled something incomprehensible about vacation and no need to go to school. She didn't feel like waking up. She was having a good dream… there was music in that dream… but it was a decent dream, not that kind of good dream. Too much of the ingénue nature had passed to her – she had been considered chaste before, but now…
"Mademoiselle, Monsieur le Vicomte has asked me to wake you – breakfast will be served in a moment."
At the sound of the title, Christine's sleepy eyes jerked open immediately, and she sat up so quickly that she almost collided with the small stubby maid that had been trying to wake her up. She was surrounded by light – the sunlit room seemed to be from a Cinderella-style palace, the white sheets of a queen-sized bed almost glittered. This wasn't the Opera Populaire.
The maid ignored Christine's unease and shock and smiled kindly. "Good morning, Mademoiselle. Please forgive me such a rash wake-up call, but Monsieur le Vicomte asked me to…"
"Where am I?" Christine demanded, ignoring her manners for a moment. She had a bad feeling about this.
"Chateau de Chagny, Mademoiselle." The maid said, aware that the girl had been brought here exhausted or unconscious. After what she had heard about what had happened, she didn't really blame her.
Christine winced as if struck and paled, if that was even possible. She didn't want to believe it, but all seemed to support the maid's words. Her mouth fell slightly open and she struggled to find words. "How-how did I get here?"
"The young Monsieur de Chagny brought you here yesterday. You were asleep – he believed it would be best if you would not be disturbed. After the events at the opera house, I do not blame him."
A wave of white-hot anger rushed through Christine's mind. He… he… the f…! "And-and you are?" Christine asked, trying her best to force calm into her voice. This woman wasn't at fault – she had to save her rage for Le Fop.
The maid gave a little bow. "Ancelin, Mademoiselle. I am one of the maids at the de Chagny mansion – I shall attend to you while you stay here."
Nodding curtly, Christine checked and to her immense relief saw that she was still dressed – if anyone would have tried changing her clothes, she would have killed them mercilessly. She got up immediately and without answering to Ancelin´s words that breakfast was being served, she stormed through the corridors like a very, very angry Grim Creeper would have done, and found the place she had been looking for. Downstairs, Raoul was conversing with some butler, but dismissed him as soon as he saw Christine at the stairs.
The Vicomte was fully dressed, as if it was already late in the afternoon, and seemed to be oblivious to Christine's blank, empty stare. Or perhaps he was simply too far away to notice. Instead of inquiring why she was in a bad mood, he smiled brightly at her, as if it was her birthday.
"Good morning, Christine. I didn't expect you to be up yet – you seemed exhausted yesterday." He said, with genuine brightness. "I would be honored if you would join me for breakfast."
Like a silent ghost and twice as ominous, Christine descended down the stairs slowly, almost menacingly. The joy he was generating was nauseating and only fed her anger. In that very moment, had she had a sword at hand, she wouldn't have hesitated – not to kill, merely to cut off something very, very important. Like his hair… or something far more valuable to him. Or both. She wasn't picky. "Kill Bill" taught her a thing or two about cutting off body parts.
Once she was directly in front of him, Raoul´s smile froze a bit when he saw the expression on her face and her paleness. "Christine, are you ill?" he asked with great concern, and tried to place a hand on her forehead do check if she didn't have a fever.
With one move, she caught him by the wrist and forced him to lower the hand. Still glowering at him, she gave him the look of deepest loathing for a few seconds, then, raising her other hand, she slapped him across his perfect cheek as hard as she could, which was more than enough – his head jerked violently to one side, and an ugly red mark appeared where she had hit him.
A torturer's gleam in her eyes, Christine spoke only just above a whisper. "If you ever… ever… as much as lay a finger on me without my permission again, I shall gladly fulfill the wishes of the phangirls out there and personally render you incapable of having children, Raoul."
Finally giving him one last look that plainly wished him a painful death, Christine turned on her heel and stalked off to the dining salon.
X X X
The next few months were boring to Meg. Or at least they would have been, if she didn't have the constant feeling of being watched by unseen eyes. well, everyone in the Opera Populaire had always had that particular feeling, but it seemed to have intensified while she was separated from Christine.
Her "date" with Gaston went well – she remembered to give details only from the Leroux!Phantom when he asked about things, and she found that she enjoyed his presence now not only because of his Jason Isaacs looks. He was a pleasant person to talk to, and didn't mind her occasional sarcasm. She could finally be Amanda again for a while.
At the Opera Populaire, things seemed to return to normal. There hadn't been a sight or sound of the Phantom since the now legendary Il Muto premiere night, and all began to be terribly boring. Her only other hobby was her correspondence with Christine – after all, with the absence of emails and phone calls, they had to compensate somehow.
Even the week before the masquerade, she received the usual daily letter, in which Christine explained what she had been doing. Mostly, it involved usual stuff – but she never forgot to ask how things were going and if she had seen Erik.
Dear Amy,
Nothing new here, unfortunately. I've gotten used to the whole "I'm an aristocrat so I'm rich, rich, rich" atmosphere a while ago, but that doesn't mean I like it. I'd much rather be back at the Opera House, even if it would mean enduring Carlotta. I actually miss making fun of her.
Raoul is annoyingly sweet as usual, but it has its uses – I have a whole new set of dresses and jewelry. He's been buying me stuff ever since I threatened to remove Vicomte jr. (not that it would be that much of a loss, mind you – after long observations, I can confirm it ;-p ) and I can't say I don't like it. The stuff, I mean.
Do you have the White Boobzilla outfit ready:-P Just joking – it'll look great on you. I'm counting the days till the masquerade – I'll finally get to get out of here. I like the Chateau, I learned to ride horseback and practiced my martial arts a bit. I hope my singing didn't get choppy from lack of practice – you can guess how Raoul feels about me returning to the opera.
Makes me want to stick that flashy engagement ring he's been throwing at me for weeks now up his noble backside. Anyhow, I might try to nick some weapons here – I like the gun collection, and it might be useful for Don Juan. They would never even guess that I can fight. By the way, my marksmanship is getting far better, I might try some archery before I return. What can I say, living like a queen has its positive sides.
Any sign of Erik? Don't answer that – I know there hasn't been. Anyway, I hope he didn't get the wrong idea when Raoul "rescued" me… or we might have a problem.
Got to go – I can hear His Foppness coming, we're going to visit some rich snobs in the city.
Kudos & May the Phorce Be With You!
Your friend, official Star Wars maniac and the future Madame O.G. (:-)))) )
Christine Daaé
P.S.
I'm actually beginning to like the name! I love being able to sign like this. :-D
After reading the letter, Meg grinned.
Dearest Regina,
God, how these letter beginnings suck:-b Heh. Well, I'm alright, THANKS FOR ASKING. No sign of O.G., as you know without a doubt, though "Maman" seems a bit jumpy, which is unusual, since she and Erik are supposed to be good buddies.
Anyway, my date with the guy I've been telling you about went well – I'll introduce you at the ball, k? And no, I'm not telling you his name… yet. I want u to be surprised. :-p Well, it's been rather quiet, so the managers are getting cocky again. Carlotta is as bitchy as ever, Piangi is okay, Reyer is still a tyrant.
I congratulate your ideas of exploiting Le Fop's wealth. I could do with new dresses myself. I finally got used to the corsets, but the Boobzilla outfit… I don't have anything better to wear, though! Well, you know me, rebel – runs in the blood, so I guess I have to bring some extreme adrenaline to the party.
Speaking of the party, prepared for Red Death? I hope you are… in case he's mad at you, it'll be hard to get out of that one. I can't wait to see him, though – from what you said, he has to be great.
The weapons could be handy, try using Le Fop for target practice! I wish I could ride horseback… you'll have to teach me! I practiced my fighting as well, though not as intensively – you have a lot more privacy at that manor, be certain of it. I constantly think someone (coughErikcough) is watching.
Back to ballet practice for me, I guess… just remember not to accept any kind of ENGAGEMENT ring or anything, you know what'll happen if you do.
Peace & blood.
Your not-so-obedient friend and da M.E.G. (mucha excited ghost :-P)
Meg Giry
P.S.
Remember – save the gondola, ride the Phantom!
