Alright- I've posted most of this on the phantom of the opera. com so just to keep you all up to date I am going to put in the next few sections. Thanks for the reviews and hits!

-Olivia N.

The few moments it took for Vits to lead her through the interwoven mazes of the backstage had become somewhat of a blur to Raylan when they had reached the costume room. She had been in such awe of the magnificence built around her, in such a complete shock that she had not bothered to pay attention to where they were traveling. She could recall the countless times that stage hands would approach them, swiftly telling Vits of the problems and miscalculations of the set design. Vits would answer them all quickly and snappishly, his tone cold and harsh, before continuing on their journey in a frosty silence. When they had reached the costume department Vits had made her wait outside while he entered to speak with someone named Madame Dacio, who he then quickly informed her was the matron of the seamstresses before vanishing through the threshold.

Relief was a bliss she had rarely experienced, a feeling that she was nearly unfamiliar with but now found coursing joyfully through her veins. The tension in her muscles had gradually relaxed as she allowed her body to lean heavily against the wooden frame of the door, taking long and measured breaths to ease the excitement that had built up over the past few moments. Her hands still clenched protectively to her two suitcases, but for the time being she had allowed her arms to loosen up and dangle carelessly at her sides. Resting her head against the door frame, her eyes stared absently at the rafters overhead, not truly seeing for her mind focused on the rhythmic sound of her breathing. In and out, in and out, her air would crescendo and decrescendo as steadily as the roll of a timpani. It consumed her senses, this clear and calm sound drowning her worries until all that remained was this gentle wind tunnel, this soothing breeze. She could feel her eyes fluttering shut, begging for the sweet sleep it had so long been denied, but just as the world had begun to darken she had caught the fleeting shape of something above. A figure had caught her eyes in the rafters but before she could bring herself completely out of her trance it was gone, leaving nothing but a soft breeze that had hinted that something had been there just a moment ago. Fully aware now her eyes searched thoroughly above, straining to see through the darkness that loomed overhead. Vits had returned though just as she had begun to make shapes out of the darkness, diverting her attention instead to the woman that accompanied him.

The female was a short, round woman with beady green eyes and thick, crimped grey hair that had all been piled up into a bun on the top of her head. She wore a simple but fashionable navy blue dress that fell over her shoes to give off the illusion that she had no feet. Her face was made up quite nicely, thin amounts of blue eye shadow applied on and a soft red blush adding color to her pale cheeks. Other than that she looked surprisingly normal, with the exception of her teeth which had been coffee stained yellow.

"So you're the new blood," The plump woman snorted, sending Raylan a wide, yellow grin, "Well- I hope you didn't make that rag you are wearing- hate to have to fire you on your first day. My name is Madame Adèle Cyran Dacio, but you are to address me as Madame Dacio alone. Is that understood?"

Raylan nodded respectfully, "Perfectly, Madame Dacio."

"Good, we'll get along then," Madame Dacio's smile faded then, replaced by a look of absolute seriousness as she firmly continued, "Now, listen carefully to me child because if the rules I am about to lay down are not followed do not think that I won't hesitate to dispose of you. You are to wake up every morning an hour before sunrise, get a substantial breakfast in you and preferably wear something much more presentable than what you are presently wearing. I refuse for my department to earn a bad name just because you were too lazy to fix yourself up. Now, you are to be here in this room at dawn each morning and you will work until midday before you are given a short lunch break. I would suggest you do not wander far during your time off because we start up again rather quickly around here. After that you will work until dusk, and depending on the amount of work you had finished during the day will decide whether or not I let you leave when the others do. In the evening I want you to eat a decent dinner, clean up, and then go straight to bed- you need your rest so no late nights. This is how you are to spend your time, no more and no less. Is that understood?"

She paused for a moment only to digest the information given to her, and then responded tenderly, "Yes Madame Dacio- I understand."

"That's a good girl. Alright, well come in here when you are done making arrangements with Vitusia. I'll have Michèle show you your work station when you are ready," Madame Dacio seemed pleased for the time being, giving Raylan an approving slap on the arm that nearly knocked her suitcases from her hold. She didn't seem to notice Raylan scrambling to keep her luggage close as she exchanged grateful nods with Vits, turning gracefully and strutting her way back into the costume department.

Once Raylan was certain Madame Dacio was out of ear shot she inquired to Vits, "What did she mean by making arrangements with you?"

Vits shrugged his broad shoulders nonchalantly, "I told her you were rooming with me, which you are welcome to if you need a place to stay."

Raylan's mouth dropped, and for an instant she looked appalled by the suggestion, "Stay- with you? Isn't that a little frowned upon?" In Georgia it was considered disgraceful to hold hands with a man you weren't married to, nether the less live in the same quarters with one, and so the proposal seemed some what immoral to her.

Obviously the thought did not bother him one bit for he shrugged and said casually, "Would you rather sleep on the streets?"

"Well, no, it's just a little odd, that's all," Her voice went very shy, those chocolate brown eyes drifting to the floor as if embarrassed, "I do need a place to stay though, so I suppose your place is as good as any others."

"Well hold on one second before you make up your mind," He said, causing her to lift her eyes to stare questioningly at him, "Before you get yourself into this I want to make a few things perfectly clear to you. I don't know how long you're staying, and I don't care just as long as you keep your nose out of my business. I don't enjoy sharing so try to keep to your things as much as possible. And finally on the subject of paying rent, you'll cook to earn your keep until you get your own place or board with someone else. Can you handle that?"

"Sure, I enjoy cooking anyways," Raylan remained calm and collective as the rules were laid before her, although internally she was beginning to feel more and more like she should have gone back home, when she had the chance, "I know how to live out of a suitcase, so don't worry about that, and I'm neat so I will leave no mess. As for staying out of your business, I will if you keep out of mine."

"Good. I'll drop around here after work to lead you to my apartment," Vits sealed the deal with this, giving a small bow to Raylan and turning to leave. He had made it half way down the hall before pausing to say one last thing to Raylan, this time his voice dark with threat and caution, "Oh, and Raylan, I suggest you keep to your room. It is not wise to wander these halls alone." And with that he continued walking, disappearing around the corner after only a few lengthy strides.

Raylan's brows creased towards his last statement, her mind trying quickly to figure out the hidden message in his warning, but she was given little time for Madame Dacio's voice sounded demandingly, "Raylan! Get your head out of the clouds and get in here! You are falling behind already."