Author's Note: I do not own The Phantom of the Opera and make no profit from this story.
"Meg! Have you seen the postings board?" Christine asked. From her tone it was clear that something scandalous had occurred.
"No, what is it?"
"The Phantom left a note. He accused one of the crew of being a would-be rapist! Imagine, working here! The man left just hours ago. Said his reputation is ruined and he's never coming back here."
Meg shuddered. "Good!"
"You don't think the Phantom's lying?"
"No." Meg replied stiffly. She really wanted nothing further to do with the matter.
"Say, did you ever get your costume together? I can't wait for you to see mine. It's so pretty!" Christine's face lit up in excitement.
"I've been so busy lately I just haven't gotten a chance. And mother and I never seem to be in the same place at the same time for me to ask her to do something up for me."
"Are you going to have enough time? There's only a few days left and your mother is awfully busy as it is with everyone's costumes for the production."
Meg shrugged. "It won't be something incredibly fancy anyway. It's not like cast and chorus make that much money to spend it on a dress you wear only once."
"Oh!" Christine's hand flew to her mouth in dismay. "I'm so sorry Meg! And here I've been prattling on about my dress this whole time!"
"Don't be sorry. I'm excited for you Christine. It must be wonderful to have a vicomte care for you."
"I don't ever think about it that way. We just grew up together. And he was so kind to me after Father died and before I came here."
"And now?"
"Oh, he's wonderful Meg!"
"I'm glad you're happy." And truly was, even if she regretted the way things had gone between Christine and Erik.
"Look, there's your mother!" Christine gave Meg a little push. "You should go ask her about your costume right now!"
Meg smiled back at her friend and hurried after her mother.
"What is it Meg?" Madame Giry asked her daughter as she marked down something on a clipboard.
"I meant to ask you-I still need a costume for the masquerade."
"Come by the costume dungeon tonight and we'll see what can be done with the spare material left over from The Magic Flute."
"Thank you Mother." Meg said and tried not to grimace at the thought of what kind of costume she'd end up with from the remains of the last opera's fabric. She hadn't much cared for it at the time.
"Now shoo! I have work to do."
Meg knew she was early that night but there was always something interesting to look at in the costume dungeon. She always felt like a child playing dress up when she was in there, examining outfits and creating fairy tales to go along. Her fingers skipped along the racks, feeling the velvets and satins, the silks and furs. She even pulled a few off the rack to hold over herself in the mirror, imagining herself in them. She was careful to put them back exactly as she'd found them, not wanting to mess up the organization system.
On a side table lay a glimpse of white and dusty rose. Curious, Meg unfolded the gown and held it up. Instantly she was jealous of whatever girl got to wear this for the production. It didn't seem to her to be quite in keeping with the style of the other costumes but she'd given up questioning costuming after having seen how they could so easily be transformed. Still wondering, her fingers sought out the tag in the inside of the neck that would tell her the cast member to wear the gown. Her own name greeted her eyes. "But I already have my costume," she murmured.
"It's for the masquerade." Erik's voice came to her softly.
She turned but didn't see him anywhere. "You shouldn't have. I could have done with something of mother's."
And what was I going to do with a lady's dress?" His voice was playfully mocking.
Meg smiled and held the dress up to herself in the mirror. "It's beautiful. Thank you, Erik."
"I could never let that pitiful vicomte out-do me."
"You really dislike him, don't you?"
"He's a foolish puppy. He has no concept of the real world."
"That's no reason to hate him, is it?"
"I despise ignorance."
And Meg was relieved because it wasn't real hate, only disdain. "Well, thank you even if you only did it to get back at him."
Abruptly he appeared to her behind the mirror. "Not only for that. I wanted you to wear it."
She smiled. "Will you be there?"
"Perhaps." She could tell by his face that he'd already made up his mind but she couldn't tell what he'd decided.
There was a sound from the door and Meg glanced back to see her mother enter. She glanced back at the mirror but the Phantom had disappeared.
Madame Giry's eyes fastened on the dress. "I see you will have no need of me."
"I should still make sure it fits."
"He will have made sure of that."
"Erik?"
Her mother's eyes widened for a second as though she had not known his name. Perhaps she hadn't. "You should go put it away before you get it dirty."
"I will. Thank you." She kissed her mother on the cheek and left.
Madame Giry stared hard at the mirror. "My daughter is not a game piece, monsieur."
"I never thought she was. She gives me uncommonly good advice. She is much like you in that regard."
"What are you planning?"
He sounded bored. "Nothing at the moment."
"Why do I not believe you? You are always scheming."
"You wound me Madame. Truly."
"I'm sure. Just see that you keep my daughter out of your games."
His voice was suddenly deadly serious. "I would never hurt Meg."
Madame Giry nodded sharply. "See that you don't." She turned on her heel and left, her words hanging heavily in the air.
Author's Note: Please review. I haven't gotten very many reviews so I'm worried no one likes this. And if no one likes it, then I completely need to redo my writing style and I would be very sad.
