When Christine turned, her breath caught in her throat. She had been dazzled by the grandeur of the corridors she had just passed, but it was nothing compared to the beauty she saw in front of her now. The walls were a deep scarlet pattern, with gold inlay and dark wooden panels. The room they stood in led off into different ones, dwarfing her cabin by at least 20 times. The room was lit softly, she noticed, that the port holes had been blocked with curtains.

In the centre of the room was a huge black piano. Christine had never seen such an instrument, and she yearned to try running her fingers across the white keys. Yet a shutting of the door behind her brought her back to her senses.

She turned again, facing the masked man who had now turned to acknowledge her. Christine suddenly felt afraid again, and her mouth turned to cotton. Monsieur Garnier was so astonishingly handsome, she felt herself turning red under his stern gaze, and she shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot. Frustratingly, he said nothing to calm the atmosphere. He paced past her and sat at the piano, ever watching her.

"I'm sorry if that man gave you any trouble." He spoke finally. His voice sounded dark and hoarse. Christine shook her head quickly.

"No sir, not at all. No trouble whatsoever."

Monsieur Garnier never smiled, but his expression softened considerably. Again, he went back to that agonising silence, to the point Christine hoped he had made a mistake and he would send her away. It would be better than standing in a room alone with a man she never even knew. Her father would have beaten her senseless if he knew where she was.

Erik Garnier had trouble thinking of what to say. He still felt furious from the night before, and would feel his arms aching from where he had pushed things over and slammed his fists. Yet this girl had arrived, and he had immediately forgotten his own self. He just couldn't help but stare at the timid beauty that stood before him, clutching her hands together, and biting her bottom lip in suspense. Her tattered clothes did little to hide her pretty features, which he couldn't help but admire. Finally, he worked up the stamina to ask her to begin.

"Right, Mademoiselle Daae. Please, if you will." He beckoned for her to stand next to the piano. She edged slowly towards him as he ruffled through a few music sheets in front of him. "Do you know any arias?"

Christine shook her head.

"None whatsoever?"

Again she shook her head solemnly, knitting her eyebrows together in a worried frown. Maybe this was going to be harder than he thought.

"Well…just sing what you are comfortable with. I want to hear your voice once more. Come, sing."

To her surprise, he turned away from her. Christine had felt her heart sink at his expression when she had revealed her ignorance of opera. Her mind scanned so blindly through all the songs her father had taught her. She had to think quickly, as she felt compelled to not let Monsieur Garnier down.

Finally, she remembered a suitable song; a song which her father had told her had been her mothers favourite. It was soft and meaningful. It suited her voice wonderfully.

When she began to sing, she felt her fear slip away. The apprehension and embarrassment were all carried away with each note she sing so wonderfully.

Erik felt his heart soar. He knew he had not made a mistake. This was the girl he needed so badly to be his top student. Her voice came from her soul, from the very core of her emotions. She seemed to know a pain that he could relate to, an emotion she drew right out with her expression and beautiful pitch. It sent his mind to a place it had never even glimpsed before.

He opened his eyes to find she had stopped singing. She was waiting for his criticism, for him to turn her away and scorn his mistake. But that was not the case.

"Sing it again. This time, when you breathe out, contract you stomach muscles in. Breathing in should bring your lungs out, giving you sufficient air for longer notes. Try again."

She obeyed, and this time he stood up and stood beside her, muttering small instructions to her as she sang. She found it extremely difficult to remember all that he was saying, especially since he strove for utter perfection. She was out of breath the next time she finished.

"Good." He nodded. "Do it again."

She looked at him exasperated. "Again? I'm completely out of breath!"

But as soon as she spoke, she regretted it, as he turned on her with a bitter expression. She never gave him a chance to speak; she just took a deep breath and began quickly.

The instructions were much faster this time; he uttered one after another, sometimes repeating ones if she was concentrating too much on a new one. At the climax of the song, he stopped and just listened.

What he heard was the beginning of perfection. A voice so clear and radiant, he wanted to continue the lesson for as long as he could. But he could see, for a first instruction, he had clearly over worked her.

"Forgive Miss Daae. I have kept you for far too long."

She just looked at him, her expression unreadable. He looked back at her.

"I… should like it if you were to return for futhur instruction." He almost felt his words fail him, to his utter astonishment. Her face lit up drastically.

"So...so you think I have talent?" She smiled.

Her face was so full of hope and happiness at that very moment, Erik felt a surge in his heart. Something that stirred deep in his centre; like a tiny light lighting up the darkest corners of his soul. It felt mind numbing and very disturbing.

"Yes, Miss Daae. You have an astonishing talent I have not heard in a very long time."

It felt strange to be complimenting one so young and untrained, especially since he was renowned for his harshness and brutality. Yet, it felt like the entirely correct thing to do. Her voice was what he had heard in his dreams. He had finally found what his whole life had been dedicated to search for.

Christine laughed with glee, and then quickly stifled her laughter with the back of her hand, as if remembering her manners.

"Thank you, Monsieur Garnier." She seemed completely on the verge of tears. Erik was not used to enjoying someone's company so much, so in a moment of utter indecorous-ness, he asked the unexpected.

"Miss Daae, would you care to accompany me to lunch?"

Christine felt her heart leap into her mouth. Erik Garnier had just told her she was one of the best talents he had heard, and now she was being invited to dine with him, in the 1st class lounge? It was a complete shock to her, and even one to Erik. He had never, ever asked anyone to dine with him before.

"I…I cannot. I wouldn't be welcome."

Erik frowned slightly. He had no female clothing she could borrow, so more than likely she would be asked to leave the 1st class dining hall. Third class passengers were forbidden on that level.

"How about I meet you on the deck after lunch?" She smiled. "I'm sure I would be less of a burden there."

All Erik could do was look at her. She felt no sorrow for herself, and accepted her place so willingly. It made him hate his own status even more.

"Of course, Miss Daae. It will be a pleasure."

Christine smiled wider, and then looked to her feet before walking to the door and opening it. She turned before leaving and looked back at him.

"You can call me Christine." She shut the door behind her. Erik watched the door for a few seconds before muttering her name softly, enjoying the sound it created as sweet as her own angelic voice.