(Disclaimer: I do not own A Monster In Paris; just Madeleine.)
(Authors Note: Hello dear readers and fellow writers! I hope you've all been enjoying the story so far because I've still got plenty of inspiration for further content. Also, thank you for taking the time to read my story and feel free to leave a comment (if desired). No hate please. Until next time, happy reading and enjoy!)
Chapter 8
-Later-
Although she was tired from work and yesterday's trip, Madeleine was wide awake. She'd close her eyes hoping sleep would come, but it never did. Glancing to her right, she noticed Lucille was fast asleep, to which she smiled before quietly slipping out of the bed and donning her night slippers and shawl.
Afterwards, she silently made her way out of the bedroom and down to her dressing room where upon entering, she closed the door and approached the couch where her violin rested within its case. Picking up the familiar instrument, Madeleine closed her eyes and began to play, unaware that her music had attracted attention.
Like her, Francœur had also been unable to sleep and was currently lying in his bed when he suddenly heard soft violin music. Curious to see where it was coming from, he got up and silently exited his room where he then followed the sound over to the dressing rooms.
Upon opening the door to Madeleine's room, he saw her standing at its center wearing nothing but a thin nightgown, shawl and slippers, while her strawberry blonde hair hung down the length of her back in a thick, loose braid. Her eyes were closed as she continued to play, to which Francœur noticed that she wasn't wearing one of her masks. With his superior night vision, he could clearly see the burn scars along the left side of her face and neck, as well as some of the larger scars along her left arm, to which he emitted a slight gasp. Not out of fear, but shock at how much pain she must have endured.
Hearing the foreign sound, Madeleine's eyes suddenly opened to meet those of Francœur, who stood in the doorway of her dressing room wearing a pair of blue and white striped pajamas. Rather than scream at being caught in her nightgown, she was more concerned with him seeing her scars, to which she quickly turned around as a means to hide her face.
"..I..I'm sorry you had to see me like this..," she softly spoke as she kept her back to him while pulling the shawl tighter around her frame. Sensing he was still there, she emitted a sigh and sat down on the couch, to which she then set her violin aside and patted the cushion beside her as a way of offering him to sit down.
With a curt nod of thanks, he sat beside her and listened as she began to tell her story:
"From the time I was fourteen until two years ago, I sang at a small cabaret in Poitiers called The Blue Horse. Back then I was known as The Rose of Poitiers and was renowned for my talents..," she felt his eyes upon her as she stared into her lap and continued, "..I was changing into my costume for the final performance when there was a sudden explosion and fire everywhere. Apparently, the boiler overheated and was left unchecked. All I remember is waking up in my bed, covered in bandages and the doctor telling my parents that I'd have permanent scarring along most of my left side." *sigh* "I have no reason to complain as I am lucky to be alive, but when people see me like this they sometimes regard me as a monster."
With a frown, Madeleine wiped away a stray tear, to which Francœur emitted a soft chirp and gently placed one of his hands atop of hers while also brushing a loose strand of hair behind her left ear, causing her to look up at him with glassy, sapphire eyes.
"Thank you for listening. You're very kind."
He emitted a clicking sound before reaching over and presenting her with her violin, to which she graciously accepted it and asked, "You want me to play for you?"
Francœur gave a nod and watched as she then stood up and brought life to her beloved instrument while a beautiful smile lined her rosy cheeks.
