That Face in the Mask

Chapter Nine: Courting Rituals


A/N: Okay, I'm really pressed for time right now to update, but I am trying very hard, so please keep that in mind, and so sorry if this chap is rather short!

And please, try to keep from sending an angry mob after me after you read this chap.

Disclaimer: I own Cedric Grieg, cause I created him in this fanfic! Come on, that must count for something...


Cedric was very nervous and jittery as he bounded up the steps to the Opera House. He had been planning on doing this for quite some time, and now just wanted to get this over with before he lost his nerve.

Again

He realized when Meg had been ill how much she meant to him and how found he was of her. Well, fond couldn't really describe the strong emotion he held for her. He had been struggling to admit it to himself these past few weeks, but he really did love Meg. He knew he had already told her, and he also knew he'd told her such when she was unconscious and couldn't hear him. He had to express the way he felt about her. He realized he hadn't just said those three powerful words to her just because he realized she may be dying and didn't want to not say something to her in case she left him. He did it because he meant it, and had to tell her before he burst. He'd known it ever since that day in the meadow, when they ran and laughed and almost kissed, and just had fun. No, he'd known that he loved her before that even. He realized it that day, lifetimes ago, in that supposedly "Phantom's" lair, when she had taken charge of the mob fearlessly, ran down to whatever hell could have waited for her with no second thoughts, and adamantly refused to come back upstairs. He realized what a powerful, wonderful, beautiful young woman she was, in dripping wet male clothing and trousers that clung to her form, standing her ground and gaining control. He had thought and worried about her every second since then. She was the only thing that ever occupied his mind now. And he just had to let her know.

So, in the honorable tradition of being a proper gentlemen, and showing his affection the way a well brought up man should, he had thought about, and now decided, that he was going to court Meg. But he couldn't just ask her. It wasn't done like that. He had to ask her parent's permission. Technically, he should have been going to ask her father's permission, but it made no difference. He would ask her mother for permission to court Meg. He'd been rehearsing this for quite some time, and he hoped Mme. Giry would approve of his, well, rather sudden request. Once, well, if she agreed, he would be free to ask Meg to court him. And he was counting the minutes until that happened. He was almost positive Meg would agree, and if she did, well, as everyone knew successful courtships were just a formality before a wedding and a successful wedding. Agreeing to court him would almost be like agreeing to marry him, and he dearly hoped that was what Meg wanted too. He hoped Meg felt the same for him, that she loved him so deeply she couldn't even begin to express it, but was too vulnerable and afraid to let it show, as he fekt the same. But, before he could even begin expressing it, he had to get this over with, and it was perfect timing, for Mme. Giry was coming down the hall right now. He took in a nervous, hasty breath and bounded over to her.

"Mme Giry!" he called out. She turned around to face him, an amused knowing look on her face. Unknown to Cedric, she knew exactly what he was going to ask before he even opened his mouth. She had seen young men, mainly stage hands and the occasional opera viewer, look exactly as the young man before her look now; nervous, excited and flustered all at once. Unknown to Meg, Mme. Giry had had dozens of young men coming up to her to ask permission to court Meg. Dozens. All the rakes and scoundrels and black sheep in Paris had come up to Mme. Giry at one point or another, believing they could just waltz right past her and have their fun with an innocent, petite little ballerina after seeing her dance in a show. But Mme. Giry knew how a young man's mind worked, and what they thought about doing alone with young woman, and Mme. Giry refused to allow that. Any man interested in Meg had to ask her permission first, and she had turned most of them down. A few nice, honest gentlemen she had allowed Meg to court, but it always turned out the same: they would court Meg for a few days, maybe a week, and then run off again, or politely end their courtship so they could have their fun with some other girl, and Meg always turned, heartbroken and upset, with her hopes and fantasies dashed to her maman to comfort her.

Hopefully, Cedric was going to be much different than all those other suitors over the years. He was extremely kind and proper, hard-working and dependable, just a perfect gentleman. He would be a perfect match for Meg, as a suitor and eventually husband. Mme. Giry always knew that her daughter and Cedric would one day become more than just friends they had been throughout their childhoods. And it looked like that day had finally come.

She cleared her throat "Yes Cedric. May I help you with anything? Meg's down the hall in our room packing our things if that's what you wished to know"

"Actually no, Mme. Giry, I didn't come to speak to Meg. I, uh, I came to speak to you." Cedric grasped his shaking hands together inside his waistcoat, trying to disguise how nervous he was.

Mme. Giry tried to suppress a smirk.

"Whatever about, Cedric?"

"Well, um" Cedric awkwardly cleared his throat. This was it. No turning back now

"Mme. Giry, as you know, I've been good friends with Meg for quite some time now. I really enjoy her company and spending time with her. I think she's a wonderful, intelligent, charming, beautiful young woman, and now that we're both getting older, I would like to have a bit more...meaningful relationship with her."

Cedric heaved an inward sigh as he took the plunge

"Mme. Giry, I would like to ask your permission to allow me to court your daughter"

Cedric stood, awaiting her response. Mme. Giry kept her face emotionless for minute as she pretended to consider it, but of course she would allow the boy to court Meg. She was so happy and satisfied he'd finally asked.

She smiled gently, grasped her hands together and said

"Of course you have my permission Cedric. You're a kind, dependable, proper young man who I am quite fond of, and I couldn't imagine a more perfect suitor to court my daughter. You are welcome to Cedric"

He had to fight back an urge to run to Meg this very minute and somehow managed a civil response to Mme. Giry

"Oh, thank you so much Mme. Giry! I'm so pleased you agreed, I've been wanting this to happen for quite some time. May I go ask Meg now?"

Mme. Giry bit her lip "Oh, Cedric, now may not be the best time. She's probably exhausted from all the work we've been doing around here lately preparing for the move, and she'll probably want to look pretty and perfect for you when you ask. It had better wait until a more suitable time "

Cedric quietly sighed and tried not to show his obvious disappointment. Asking Mme. Giry's permission was hard enough. Now he'd have to wait even longer before he could ask meg, and have more time to worry and wonder about it. Oh well. At least the first bridge was crossed.

"That's all right then. I'll come back another time. Thank you again, Mme. Giry. Au revoir!" he called cheerfully, turning to leave

"Au revoir" she said softly. She was so happy. Of course a mother should be when all her hopes and dreams for her daughter came true. She could hardly wait until Meg found out.

Still, Meg had been acting strange lately. It could just be some small lingering after effects of her illness, or her displeasure at the thought of moving to the boarding house. But it seemed like she was keeping something a secret, always sneaking off to do something she didn't want her mother to know about. She wondered what it was...

Oh well. She would think about that another time. All she wanting to think about now were her daughter and Cedric, courting, possibly, even husband and wife...someday.


As I stated before, please don't send an angry mob after me. Please. Just review.