Author's Note: I do not own The Phantom of the Opera and make no profit off of this story.
"Meg, sing this for me. I would like to hear how it sounds in a female voice." Erik passed a half complete score of music to her across the top of the piano. "I just need to hear that part on the top."
They were down in his island home, Meg watching as he composed. "Are you sure?" she asked nervously. "My voice isn't really…"
"I don't need perfection. It would just give me an idea of how it sounds."
She cleared her throat and sang hesitantly, waiting anxiously for him to make a comment about her less-than-stellar ability. He didn't even glance up, hurriedly making notations on another sheet and absently humming a few notes, a look of intense concentration upon his face. When he didn't say anything Meg breathed a tiny sigh of relief and wandered a little away from the piano to inspect some of the curiosities he kept. She was busy inspecting a miniature stage when he spoke up.
"You should sing more often. Your voice is not an unpleasant one."
She shrugged, uncomfortable. "It's not worth it. I know my voice isn't anything special."
He raised an eyebrow. "That doesn't mean you shouldn't enjoy it."
"And have everyone comparing my voice against someone's like Christine's? No thank you."
Erik frowned, obviously coming to some sort of conclusion that he didn't much care for. "Music should not be a competition."
"I know. But when you have a friend like her you learn that sometimes it's just better to…I don't know…not make a fuss. She's talented and pretty and everyone likes her. It tends to make anyone else look like they're trying too hard and failing. It's not a big deal."
"That does not make you any less attractive or kind or talented. There are different standards of beauty after all."
"Obviously, if people can think someone like Carlotta worth keeping around!" She joked.
Erik snorted in derision. "That creature had no right to even breathe near a stage. She had no talent what-so-ever and even less class. Speaking of class, how are the wedding plans going for Miss Daaé?"
"Don't you know?" Meg asked, surprised. He seemed to know everything else about the people of the Opera House.
"Not when so many of the plans are being discussed outside of the theatre. I can only overhear if it's spoken in the building."
"Oh. Well, you know I'm the maid of honor."
He nodded, scribbling some more musical notations on the sheet of paper.
"The wedding itself will be held on Raoul's estate. It's very beautiful."
"I would imagine so."
"Are you…are you upset that she's marrying him? I know you cared for her a great deal." Everyone loved Christine and she didn't see why Erik should feel any differently now. She wasn't sure if she should have asked but it felt important to her somehow that she know.
He set the sheets aside to look at her directly. "No. I didn't love her. I just thought I did. I shall be eternally grateful to you for showing me the truth. You have shown me… a great deal. I am extremely fortunate to have met you."
Meg's heart felt like it could light up the whole room with the warmth that spread through it.
Author's Note: Well, I don't know if I've succeeded or not but I've been trying to give Meg a bit of an inferiority complex. After all, she has to need Erik the same way that he needs her. And it would be hard to grow up next someone like Christine who is so incredibly talented and gets so much praise. I think you'd stop trying after awhile if you knew that your efforts would never be noticed because someone else was always better without even having to try. You'd be really self-conscious about it too. It's not really Christine's fault or anyone else's-that's just the way it goes. It's not necessarily bad either. My sister always got praised for her math skills so I didn't bother. I chose English instead and I'd say it's all worked out in my favor! Anyway, you know the drill. I appreciate reviews greatly!
