Inside Opera Populaire, two weeks after Gustave and Jean Paul have their discussion over Theo Constantine Giry and the solo-violinist career.
Never in his four and a half years had Gus felt as alone as he did now. Two weeks ago his brother had found Monsieur Constantine-Giry and told him that he had considered his offer. Theo had immediately made contact and brought Gustave to the theatre to practice and meet the cast as well as his fellow band mates. The managers expected him to play with the rest of the orchestra and then do his solo bit when the intermission was over in the fourth act. Honestly, he'd never seen an opera so he had no idea what the managers meant. When he looked at Theo with wide panicked eyes, Theo laughed and promised that they would tell him what to do. After meeting and briefly playing for the managers, Theo introduced him to the uninterested cast and then brought him over to the orchestra. All at once poor Gustave was bombarded with insults and shouting voices who greatly objected to a mere child playing above all the experienced members. The conductor however, saw the raggedy state of Gustave and took special note of the length of cloth wrapped around the right-hand side of his face. Clearing his throat, he spoke, breaking Gustave out of his brief reflections.
"We cannot judge the poor boy until he plays. Go on now son, play something."
Mournfully sighing, Gustave brought his violin to his chin and gently laid the bow across the strings. Like a lark's morning song, he played one of the many songs he himself had written. Once finished he resumed his respectful position and looked at the conductor with anxious eyes.
"My Lord…where did you learn to play that way…? And that song, I've never heard of that song before."
Glancing at Theo for permission to answer, Gustave spoke only after Theo had nodded.
"My Mother used to say that music is in my blood, so I guess you could say that is how I know how to play…as for the song, I wrote it. I call it Requiem for a Spirit."
"That's beautiful boy, now come here, I have the sheet music for you."
Finally growing excited, Gustave raced over to the conductors form and took the papers from him. Bowing politely he turned to leave, but was caught by the arm.
"If you don't mind me asking, why is your face covered? Are you injured?"
Gustave's eyes widened briefly in fear before he tapped into his intuition and thought up a crafty lie.
"Yes, you see…there are many wild dogs in the streets and well I was mauled a little while back and…"
"I'm terribly sorry my boy. Well, be sure to practice and be ready to play two weeks from this Friday."
Relaxing and nodding, Gustave was leaving when Theo called out to him.
"Be sure to tell your brother he's invited!"
"I will thank you sir!"
--Apartment #131
Erik was just enjoying another page from one of his favorite books, when he suddenly felt something very slimy and very alive, moving on his head. Crying out, he leapt from the chair like a cat and drew a fat frog from his head. Furiously, he turned his head just in time to see the mischievous form of Pierre racing from the room giggling like a madman. Dropping the terrified amphibian, Erik took off after Pierre Hell-bent on revenge. Racing around the couch, Erik caught the sight of the brat's left shoe and was just about to grab him when an extreme pain exploded from the back of his head.
"Arrgh! Damn you woman!"
Holding his pounding head, Erik looked up to see the raging form of Meg bearing a frying pan and a giggling Gizelle. Behind her stood Pierre who bore a smug face and a stuck-out tongue. Reaching for Pierre earned Erik a smack to the hand with the metal cooking utensil and he stood up. World War was about to break out within the home when suddenly the front door opened to an ecstatic Theo and a tanned/mustached foreign man laughing happily alongside him. Theo's face fell upon sensing the ominous aura that hung on the air between his wife and (for lack of a better phrase) brother-in-law. The mood was ruined when a happy three-month old gurgled and reached her tiny hands out for her Papa. Sighing loudly and secretly swearing payback, Erik turned and suddenly broke into a smile upon recognizing the foreign man.
"Nadir! You old dog, what on earth are you doing in this dump?"
Another smack compliments of Meg was prevented thanks to the quick action of Theo.
"I'm here to celebrate Christmas with you Erik and thus I present you with my gift."
Rolling his eyes because he knew that Nadir wasn't even Catholic, he took the small box from his friend and undid the wrapping to reveal a flier for an opera.
"What the…?"
"Oh come now! For Allah's sake Erik it's the Annual Christmas Opera!"
Erik had never been closer to smacking someone in his whole life than he was at that moment.
"I know that you dolt! I'm a wanted criminal, what do you think they'd do if I showed up, kiss my ass and whistle Dixie?"
This time Theo did not stop Meg from smacking Erik again.
"My friend you're the infamous Phantom! I figured you'd be able to sneak us in!"
"You make it sound as though I am as underhanded as a common thief."
Meg interjected the banter with her own snobbish comment.
"You are as underhanded as a common thief."
Erik growled lowly at Meg before Theo wisely dragged his family towards the kitchen.
"Come on my friend! I happen to know you have not been to an opera well, since your own."
Thinking to himself Erik grumbled a quiet sarcastic, 'I wonder why that is.' Before answering Nadir again.
"Alright, alright, I'll go if you're going to be this adamant."
"Good, the first showing is on-."
"I lived at the opera half my life I know when the Annual Christmas Opera is."
Nadir rolled his eyes before heading towards the sound of an over-worked Antoinette Giry who called shrilly for dinner. Taking his time Erik glanced out the window before following. In his mind his thoughts jumbled.
'Christine always loved the Christmas Opera…'
Making a mental note that the opera was scheduled for two weeks from the end of the upcoming Friday, Erik joined the Giry's and Nadir at dinner.
--A Small Room in the Opera Populaire's Dormitories.
"Jean…?"
"Hmm?"
"You awake?"
"Obviously since I'm speaking…"
"Do…do you think Mum would be proud of us…?"
" I don't think stupid, I know. If she wasn't proud of us she'd show up right now and beat some sense into us."
"Mum would never do that!"
"I know you idiot, I was kidding, now shuddup and go to sleep…"
Sighing, Gustave closed his eyes and whispered a prayer towards the Heavens.
'Please, grandfather Daae, Mother, Father, please let me do all of you proud. Let me make the name Destler and Daae go down in infamy. I'll make you proud…I swear it.'
End Chapter 13
A/N: Please Review! I hope this chapter makes up for my lack of updating yesterday. Forgiveith me, I am unworthy! T-T
