Chapter 20: Deception Lurking.

Christine's first day back with the Opera Populair had been a trying one. She ached from head to toe from the extensive practice she had been thrown into. She had remembered much of her way around the floor and much of the choreography hadn't yet changed for the new show, but it was still very difficult. She knew that it would only get harder as she worked her body back into shape. How ever would she be able to find time to work on her singing. Auditions were coming up very quickly for all parts of the show and she was starting to feel desperate, even after her first day. She had thought that for sure the Phantom would have come to her, but after hearing what the ballerina's had to say about Meg and the Phantom, she had began to doubt if he would even care to see her again. She knew that the only way for her to regain her wealth and her image was if the Phantom was to coach her again. It was not yet known to the public that Christine Daae, the Phantom's Christine, had returned. She understood why, she had become plain and hadn't sung. Her voice was in jeopardy and her dance wasn't in any condition to bring her into for the for front of the theatrical scene. And yet her need for revenge, her want to show the De Chagny's that she was worth something was fuelling her urge to cause controversy, but she felt terrible to want to bring any harm to her old friend. If only she could put her name out there, or convince the Phantom to help her.

She stared dreamily out the window of the practice hall. She had remained there, once practice had ended, to continue her practising or to try and remember some of the things that the Phantom had once taught her. So many things had already started to come back to her but she had yet to open her mouth to sing. She hummed to herself at the windowsill, it wasn't a beautiful sound by any means but a plain, untrained sound. She could hear it herself, it was nothing like she once had been. It was sad to know that she had lost so much, and gained so little. Something that was so a part of who she was, in the beginning, had warn away with her youth and her dreams.

"Maybe I was never meant to sing," She sighed to herself.

"I think you were," She heard a voice from beside her.

She spun around quickly to see Meg, looking sad and tired, only feet away from her.

"I'm sorry if I am bothering you, do you mind if I practice?" Meg asked as she lowered her eyes to the floor.

"I don't mind at all," Christine smile happy to finally have the chance to talk to her friend, "why would I mind Meg, you were always the better dancer and your dance has changed so much since I knew it. Please, I would love to watch you dance."

"You don't have to say those things to me," Meg said as she slipped off her ballet slippers.

"But they are true," Christine answered, "I don't believe anything that the ballerinas say, if that is what you are worried about," she smiled.

"People say a lot of things, most of the time they are untrue because they want to see the world through their eyes only. Everyone has a different experience of reality and even if I wanted to change people's minds about me I wouldn't be able to," Meg said sadly as she moved across the floor.

"My idea of you has never changed Meg," Christine smiled, "you've always been my friend and I hope that we can still be."

"I hope so too," Meg whispered, "but I don't want to give you any negative publicity as I am getting myself."

"I am not worried about that," Christine said as she too began to practice. She was no where near as graceful or as fit as Meg but it was nice to have company to try and get her back into the swing of the Opera Populair, "I've got enough negative publicity for just coming back here."

"That is true," Meg sighed, "but the question on everyone's mind is why did you come back here?"

"I had no where else to go," Christine said as she stopped and looked at her friend, "you have to believe me."

"I do," Meg said as she too stopped, "but I can tell there is something else you want," she said a she looked at her friend, "you've changed a lot while out in the open."

"And so have you," Christine said, "but you seem to have everything you ever wanted. Don't you have even the smallest desire to leave this place?"

"No," Meg said as she turned and returned to her dancing.

"Why?" Christine asked, "what is here that keeps you tied to it?"

"My craft, the dance and the things I don't yet know about it. The changes that are happening in the theatre and the music and the drama itself. Its always changing and evolving and I want to be apart of it," Meg said with a smile, "who knows what is next for the ballet, or for the opera. It takes forward thinkers to know those answers and it takes us, the performers, to make them a reality. Why live in a corrupt world of wealth and pride and judgement when you can be here in a world of creation?"

"Why not go out and see how the rest of the world lives, before you judge it with clouded eyes. Its not as bad as it looks from these windows," Christine answered, "see the city, the country, the world outside these walls. Know what money can buy you and see how people outside the arts act."

"And have my talents and youth stolen by some man who wants me only as a prize to show to the world. You, of all people, should know what it is like, you are the one who has come back to this place after being swept away from it and yet the greed and the want for it all is still with you. I'll not be sold by the glitter, I don't want to see the world through the rich mans eyes," Meg said, "you can have it."

"Well what more are you but a prize to be shown if you are the star of a new musical drama?" Christine asked, "doesn't it just fuel the fire and the rumours, you are the new centre of the Phantom scandal. He's got you under his spell."

"There is no spell, I go of my own will and no one else's. I was given a choice to accept of reject the proposition of the Opera Ghost and I accepted it," Meg said as anger grew in her voice, "let the people think what they want to think but I know the truth and I am happy with my decision. I am just not happy to see the corruption and the controversy starting so early and it will only grow as more and more people come to this place."

"Well you should say something about it," Christine said not paying attention to the passion in Meg's voice.

"And just cause more rumours and speculation?" Meg asked, "no, I will do what I have been asked to do and I will do it in silence. Once I step on that stage to dance this roll that is when I will worry about what judgement will be pasted."

"There will be no negative judgement from the audience, they will love you," Christine smiled, "you've got the magic."

"There is no magic, its only perseverance and practice," Meg said.

"And good teachers," Christine said, "the Ghost is teaching you isn't he."

"There are no such thing as Ghosts," Meg said.

"Alright, then the Phantom of the Opera, the man that lurks and haunts this place. The man with fair in his eyes and lust in his heart. You speak of corruption, he's as corrupt as they come," Christine said as she came closer to Meg.

"Think what you like," she answered trying to keep her anger under control, "besides what does it matter to you? You chose to come back here and to deal with all this. You say you had no other choice but really if it was such a terrible time for you then you could have found some other way to live. There has to be another reason that you returned here, why?

"Because," Christine said as she lowered her eyes to the floor, "I need his help, I am willing to pay."

"How can you pay if you have nothing to your name?" Meg asked.

"I'd fine some way to pay, I just need to sing again," Christine said, "please help me find him."

"He'll find you if he wants to find you. I am not going to be the gate way to the other realms," Meg said as she shook her head.

"You tall of realms but no ghosts what is this dream you live in?" Christine laughed sarcastically.

"You have no idea what is lying in this place, no idea of the things I've seen," Meg hissed letting her anger slip.

"Ah ha, so you have seen him, couldn't you mention me to him?" Christine asked her voice excited.

"Christine, I'll not start something that was put to rest years ago," Meg said as she stopped and looked deep into her friends eyes, "you'd be wise not to push anything anymore."

"Yes Madame Giry," Christine said anger growing in her own voice.

"Don't go looking for the Phantom, he'll find you if he wants you," Meg said as she turned on her toes, picked up her ballet slippers.

"How could he not," Christine said, "he told me he's always love me."

"Well if that is the case then I am sure that you will be seeing him very soon," Meg said.

"I'm sure I will," Christine shouted and turned back to the window, "and you're going to make sure of that."

"He already knows you're here," Meg said from the doorway, "and he's probably just heard every word you just said," she added and turned out of the practice room.

Christine spun fearfully around glancing all around her. She looked to every dark shadow, every corner and alcove. She suddenly felt like millions of eyes were on her once more. It was a feeling that had never really left her, almost as if the building itself was a live and watching. She shivered with discomfort and rushed out of the practice room.