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As a crowd raged outside, an oddly figured woman stood at the top of the opera house, excited and frightened for the show tonight.
"Ok, full house tonight can't mess this up. Mom and Grandpa are watching too."
The figure fell hitting their head, messing up part of their well-crafted make-up.
"Oh, I spent five whole paychecks for the bag of marshmallows, I'm not gonna have enough."
The figure took a marshmallow out of the bag and held it near the candle cautiously, as the marshmallow felt a little gooier the figure placed it near their eyes already ignoring the slight burning sensation the marshmallow caused.
"The show is not for another hour, Nataliyna." From the shadows of the attic, a beautiful woman stepped out in an equally beautiful dark blue dress.
As all the burn scars had finally been filled, Nataliyna turned to face her mother," I have to do it now. I'll forget in an hour, besides I have to be greeting people when they come in."
The woman in blue left the attic as Nataliyna applied powder around her eyes to cover up the now hardened marshmallow. As several minutes passed by Nataliyna heard someone coming up the stairs, hiding the marshmallows and the skin-toned paint.
"Nataliyna, are you ready for the show it's going to start here soon? Everyone wants to see the first Christine Daaé actress."
Laughing, Nataliyna stood up and looked at the mirror once more before leaving and following the new owner Mosier Dupeck to the Main Hall. In the hall, Nataliyna took a deep breath and went down the stairs as several people instantly surrounded her asking many questions.
As the people began to settle down and enter the Opera Hall, Nataliyna noticed one couple walk past most of the cast. Nataliyna saw that their son was looking at her, giving the boy a warm smile Nataliyna waved but the boy looked away.
Watching as the boy went with his parents to the box hallway where her Mother and Grandfather are. Nataliyna thought to herself before leavening to the stage,* I've never seen eyes so sad. Does he need our help? I'll tell Grandpa at intermission or have some in the ensemble deliver a letter to them.*
On stage the blonde wig was already styled and ready at her stand, taking advantage of the fact she was not needed to be on stage for almost ten more minutes Nataliyna began to write her letter to her grandfather about the boy.
Grandpa,
I know this may seem silly but I saw a young couple in their mid to late 20's with a young boy enter the box hallway where you and mother are sitting. I'm telling you this because his eyes seemed incredibly sad and the boy can't be older than 7. The couple looked similar in looks but I got just a bad and strange feeling when they passed by me for only a second. I'll let you and mother decide what to do about it.
Nataliyna.
Standing up from the stool Nataliyna sealed the letter with a skull that had become a symbol of their family. Approaching one of the many females in the ensemble who weren't needed until 'The Phantom Of The Opera' which Nataliyna was still dreading about singing.
"I have a letter for Box 5, could you please deliver it?"
The woman took the letter carefully, nodded, and left as Nataliyna went on stage trying to focus on the performance instead of the audience. With almost a blink of an eye 'The Phantom Of The Opera was the next song as the orchestra had begun and Nataliyna felt her heart in her throat and went fast enough to keep several people alive for almost a year.
Nataliya's P.O.V.
" In sleep, he sang to me, in dreams he came that voice which called to me and speaks my name. And do I dream again, for now, I find the Phantom of the opera. Inside my mind."
Quickly glancing at Box 5 I can only see grandpa, he looks happy. Alright, I can absolutely NOT mess up!
"Sing once again with me, our strange duet. My power over you grows stronger yet. And though you turn from me to glance behind. The phantom of the opera is there inside your mind."
Oh, why is he so perfect, for grandpa's role I'm going to look like a fool at the end.
"Those who have seen your face drawback in fear, I am the mask you wear."
"It's me they hear."
"My 'your' spirit and my 'your' voice, In one combined. The Phantom of the Opera is there. Inside my ' your' mind."
It's here, CAN'T! MESS! THIS! UP!," He's there the phantom of the opera."
The ensemble next notes, I can see mom now her and grandpa are talking. Now they're looking at me. It's only like six or seven notes I can do this.
"He's there the phantom of the opera."
"Ah, ah, ah."
Alright, not bad so far up another octave.
"Sing my angel of music."
"Ah, ah, ah!"
Can still breathe, not hurting yet, it's going to hurt soon.
"Sing for me."
"Ah, ah, ah!"
Starting to hurt oh 'Music of the Night' is going to be hurt. I don't sing in that one.
"Sing."
"Ah, ah, ah!"
I can't breathe, why was I cast as grandma, I don't think I can hold out till the end.
"Sing my angel."
"Ah, ah, ah!"
My throat's like nails on a chalkboard, I need more time. I NEED AIR!
"Sing for me!"
"AH! AH! AH!"
NOT ENOUGH! I still can't breathe, I won't make the whole 5 minutes of 'Music Of the Night.'
I'm feeling too lightheaded, wait why is Louis taking my hand? I can't remember what to do. Just tell me what to do, please.
"Slowly, gently night unfurls its splendor. Grasp it, sense it tremulous and tender."
I still can't breathe properly, the air feels like razors and I don't even remember what to do. Can time slow down for only a minute and let me breathe, I don't even want to blink. I fear it will be 'Point of no Return' or 'Masquerade' when the air becomes normal.
"Floating, falling, sweet intoxication. Touch me trust me savor each sensation! Let the dreams begin, let your darker side give in to the power of the music I write. The power of the music of the night."
My legs, they're numb as Louis pulls me to his body. God even with the costume it feels like a perfect feather pillow with a brand new bed. Just one measure, hold yourself together Nataliyna, but he's so warm and comfortable I feel the numbness from my legs growing soon I feel as my body gives out.
Third Person P.O.V.
"Help me make the Music of the Night."
As Louis picked up Nataliyna's limp body several loud claps erupted from the audience. Two silent claps came from Box 5," I knew she was perfect for Christine."
Clarisse giggled quietly," No, she was freaking out the whole time, and was out long before your stage counterpart asked to help make the music of the night."
As the claps died down Clarisse looked at the note from Nataliyna about the suspicious family," Now, what are we going to do about the sad boy from the letter?"
Erik paused thinking of his daughter's question and watched as the Opera continued," If they leave the box in intermission simply observe from a distance. If not, watch them as they leave from a distance. If he does, we'll take him."
Clarisse nodded and began to write a response letter as she heard small and quiet footsteps," Guess I'll find out first hand."
Erik turned as Clarisse handed him the unfinished letter and left the Box. In the Main Hall, Clarisse saw the young boy at the end of the stairs. Calmly walking to him," Hello young one, are you lost?"
Clairsse sat next to the boy," No, I'm alright miss."
The boy looked at Clarisse, who noticed how sad he was by his eyes," Forgive me for intruding but I can see you're lying to me."
As the boy began to cry," Why can adults always tell?"
Clarisse gently put her hand on his shoulder, as the boy latched onto her," Sometimes young one, you can tell from someone's eyes. Now can you tell me why you're sad?"
The boy was still hugging Clarisse as he gripped tighter," My dad doesn't care about me, he only cares to continue his research and preserve his stupid family line. My aunt's no better, I can't tell her anything without her telling my dad."
The boy's story seemed to match what Clarisse saw in his eyes before he had hugged her," Well I have a proposition for you."
The boy let go and looked at Clarisse," What is it?"
Smiling at the boy Clarisse stood up," Well, I and the actress of Christine out there are related to the Phantom of the Opera, he here too. My proposition is you stay with us until you feel-."
The boy hugged Clarisse tightly before she could finish," Yes! My name's Jake."
Clarisse hugged the boy back as the two were in a silent embrace for several minutes. Clarisse let go and took Jake's hand leading him back to the Box hallway.
"I must say that is an interesting name to have. Are you perhaps American?"
Jake's eyes saddened once again," My mom was American, My dad is French I think. He won't tell me anything that happened before I was born."
As the two approached Box 5 Jake looked at Box 7," Is that where you were formerly?"
Jake nodded yes as Clarisse opened the door as Jake was blown away," This is the most expensive Box in the whole house."
"And we watch every show from here." Clarisse approached the edge as 'Prima Donna' was nearing its conclusion.
"Where is he? Your precious , where is he?"
As Jake continued to watch the show Erik slightly tugged on Clarisse's arm," So you're adopting him?"
Clarisse looked at her father then Jake," I suppose so."
As Jake watched in amazement Nataliyna appeared on stage and glanced up for a moment looking confused but her attention went back to the show. Clarisse pulled Jake away from the ledge the three watched as the opera continued; In Box 7 Alex noticed Jake wasn't back,
" Albert, where did Jake say he was going?"
Albert didn't even bother to look at his sister," Bathroom, it's a big Opera House. Give him time."
Alex sat down worried as Nataliyna and Raminn's duet had concluded its ending," Anywhere you go let me go too, Love me that's all I ask of you."
As the curtains went down all three of the people heard fast footsteps," Probably my aunt, she is the only one who 'cares' about me."
Erik and Clarisse knew Jake was being sarcastic, standing up Erik held his hand out to Jake," Come now, you wouldn't want to leave your sister waiting now do you?"
As the two went to the walls and left for the stage, Clarisse went to the main hall seeing a worried woman in a dress like hers but white,* I wear the dress better.*
Watching as the crowd conversed, several people looked at Clarisse and waved to her. Seeing the manager was walking towards her more people noticed her,
"It is lovely to see you, here Madame."
Clarisse nodded slightly and smiled softly," It is a pleasure to see you as well, along with everyone that decided to come to our first ever showing of 'The Phantom Of The Opera.'
Leaving Clarisse heard someone approaching her," Do you require assistance?"
Turning it was Alex, Jake's aunt, and the dress copier," Yes, I've lost my nephew and his father is also searching for him."
Eyeing the woman from head to toe, Clarisse noted she was visibly disturbed about the events," What is the name and what does he looks like? I'll keep an eye out."
Alex looked relieved," His name is Jake, he has an American accent, he has really short dark blond hair, bright blue like yours, his face looks young for a boy his age and he's 8 but looks about 6-7."
Clarisse didn't respond instantly," I'll look. I make no promises I'll find him."
Turning to leave Alex stopped her again," Don't you need to know where to leave him?"
Laughing slightly," Darling, I know everything just because you're new here doesn't mean I know almost everything about you."
Clarisse entered the Box to find Erik and Jake there already," So, what did Nataliyna think about a brother?"
Sitting down Erik chuckled slightly," She loved him at first sight."
Taking a seat behind the two Jake was fascinated by the showing," Well, that's good. Jake your aunts looking for you, she didn't say anything about your father."
Jake looked back at Clarisse and he didn't even look like he cared," That's a shocker, they noticed that fast."
Clarisse took Jake's hand as the two continued to watch the show outside all three heard frantic footsteps but didn't even pay any attention.