The carriage rocked back and forth ever so slowly. Then, a huge jerk of the vehicle made Christine lose her hat. "Damnation!" she said, as she began to pin it back into place. She did not want to come back to the awful reality of this stiff and unloving world. People were glorious in their diamonds and gowns, but inside there was no feeling, no power, no emotion, only void. She hated the fact that she was seen as a whore, to have been a Prima Donna, and made love her patron before he had asked for hand, from which she had broken that engagement. The secret had leaked out from some servants who had over heard them talking.
Christine felt a sudden stop coming, and braced herself just in time. "Muddle-headed, fat carriage driver," she muttered as she got ready to walk out of the carriage. Once the gray-haired driver took her hand and lowered her down, she knew immediately something was wrong. There was a young lady, waiting at the door in a green morning gown that agreed very well with her brown hair and hazel eyes. She looked as though she were rooted to the earth, but still pretty enough to stay above the sky.
Christine felt apprehensive. Raoul had once mentioned he had a sister, but she was travelling the Continent. Could she have come back without her knowledge? The woman took her hand and squeezed it gently. "My name is Nalria. I'm sorry about our driver, we have yet to train him. I am Raoul's sister,"
Christine looked into kind eyes, and saw some pain hidden in there. "Where is the devil of which we speak of?" she said jovially. If she could be casual, then the woman could trust her.
Nalria laughed and then said scornfully, "He has left once again. He has not been home for more than a day to see me. I despise the fact that I know that he is always at his country estate, for that is where his mistress lies in bed waiting for him. He should be back in six days, or so he has said,"
"The bastard," she said softly, already in a bad mood from leaving Erik all alone for a week.
The other woman smiled, and brought her inside. Time passed quickly as Christine and Nalria became best of friends. Christine talked about Meg, and how she had left her, and Nalria talked about her brother. One day, after a few days of doing non-stop outdoor activities, it rained.
"Oh, Christine, if only we could ride in the park, or pluck a bow, or race our horses!" Nalria exclaimed, gazing wistfully at the tedious weather. The pair were in the parlor, waiting for the rain to stop.
"Nalria, do you not tire for one moment?" Christine laughed. "Sometimes I wonder if you are actually two people!"
"I would not be surprised!" Another round of laughs ensued, and the maid came in. "Mistress, I have the tea and a letter for you," she said softly, as to not interrupt the fun. Christine thanked the maid after the tea was served as Nalria read the letter. The paper flew from her hand, and made it to hem of her rose gown. Christine picked it up once Nalria began crying.
My Dearest Sister,
It is without a doubt a sorry day. I am afraid, due to the weather here in Chagny that I will arrive sooner than you believe me to come. I will be arriving in the afternoon of this day, and I hope that all will be well for my arrival. My friend and I have just separated, and I need to come back to Paris quickly. If Christine is not there and ready to accommodate my needs, there will be hell to pay.
Yours Truly,
Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny
Christine knew well what the sly dog wanted, and hell, she was not going to "accomadate HIS needs". If he wanted her, then he had better well accomadate hers for companionship. She was not liking the way this letter sounded at all. The maid came in and Nalria, who had restored herself after weeping began spitting out orders. " Make the beds, clean the master bedroom, prepare the fowl for dinner, along with a feast, and if possible, send me two maids to help us dress,"
"Yes, milady,"
Christine saw Nalria's face, and knew that her doom had begun.
The night was a disaster. Nalria was wearing an exquisite silk red evening gown, and had lended Christine a pretty velvet blue gown with royal blue borders. They looked magnificent, and Raoul walked past them to the dining hall. Nalria sighed softly, and walked in after him. Christine frowed indignantly, and walked in after her. Raoul had already grabbed the fowl and begun eating it. Christine was appalled by his lack of manners this night, but Nalria seemed to be accustomed to it, which did not seem appealing at all. Her appetite soon was destroyed and Nalria smiled at her over an empty plate.
once Raoul had devasated his feast, he belched and demanded that Nalria sing for him. When Nalria refused softly, he bellowed, "NOW!" The poor woman stood up and ran to the pianoforte.
I linger in the doorway,
Of alarm clocks screaming monsters calling my name,
Let me stay, where the wind will whisper to me,
Where the raindrops as they're falling tell a story.
In my field of paper flowers,
And candy clouds of lullaby,
I lay inside myself for hours,
And watch the purple sky fly over me.
Don't say you're out of touch,
With this rapid chaos, your reality,
I know about what lies beyond my sleeping refuge,
The nightmare I built my own world to escape.
In my field of paper flowers,
And candy clouds of lullaby,
I lay inside myself for hours,
And watch the purple sky fly over me.
Swallowed up in the sound of my screaming,
Cannot cease for the fear of silent lies,
Oh, how I long for the deep sleep dreaming,
In the depths of imaginary light.
In my field of paper flowers,
And candy clouds of lullaby,
I lay inside myself for hours,
And watch the purple sky fly over me.
"Good, good, my little sister. Now run off to bed," Raoul said gruffly. Nalria glanced at Christine sadly, and ran out the door. The moment she was gone, the screaming began. Raoul began screaming about how Erik had made his life hell, how she was responsible, how h hated them both, how he was going to give up on her, how he was going to kill the monster. Christine had had enough. She waked out of the room, and went to the carriage once she packed her things. She would not stay a moment longer with that beast.
This haunted face hold no horror for me now,
It's in your soul where the true distortion lies.
She sang softly in the carriage, knowing how wrong she had been about Raoul and Erik.
