"She cannot-a be the lead! And why am I the evil one?" Carlotta shrieked, her voice relatively healed after a week.
The cast list was just announced for Ruslan and Lyudmila, Christine winning the lead role without any of Erik's intervention. It would begin with a scene of foreshadowing for the recently-married couple. She was to bid her two former suitors goodbye. Toasts would be made by guests, then a sudden darkness overcomes the stage- the light returning to reveal Lyudmila being kidnapped. The three suitors set off to find the missing girl through Act II: Ruslan seeking out a wizard for help and the suitor, Farlaf, being approached by the dark sorceress Naina. The third suitor, Ratmir, meets the maiden Gorislava, instantly falling in love with her and later running into Ruslan.
Lyudmila longs for her betrothed, trapped in the gardens of her kidnapper- the dark sorcerer Chernomor. The rescuers resist the enchantments of the forest, challenging the wizard with the call of a trumpet and succeeding in saving the kidnapped girl. Overnight, they all camp in a moonlight valley with Ratmir standing guard who soon hears that Lyudmila has been kidnapped again and Ruslan went out to find her. The wizard returns to Ratmir and gives him a magic ring to awaken the girl upon reaching her.
In the final scene, Farlaf stands beside Naina. The suitor meant to pose as her rescuer but turned out to be her abductor all along, and is unable to awaken her. A rumbling of approaching horses grows louder as the rescue party arrives, Ruslan bringing the magic ring for Lyudmila and the girl awakening in his arms. They return to Kiev, people celebrating the young couple and their gods.
"Signora, the role suits Mademoiselle Daae's voice best and she has been the center of attention for the Populaire, which is what the managers are really paying attention to." Monsieur Reyer said, mumbling the last part.
"And you gave that blond rat a part the same size as mine!" The self-assured diva proclaimed, now spitting at Meg.
"That is incredibly unprofessional, Sign-" Reyer began.
"How dreadfully rude! First, you prod at me and now you attack my friend." Christine proclaimed angrily.
Carlotta gawked, "How dare you shout at me you-!"
The deep voice of the infamous Opera Ghost echoed through the theatre: "I dare you to finish your sentence, Signora. It would be unfortunate should another tragic befall you, as you have remained impossibly in-employment here."
A silence befell the cast. Carlotta's jaw dropped, the Italian diva quickly starting to shout again and leaving the stage in a mad frustration. She shouted in her native language, ordering everyone to collect her belongings because she was determined to leave the Populaire Naina-less for the show and hopefully in shambles. It obviously wouldn't be that big of a problem, the cast having plenty of other mezzo-sopranos to do the part.
"As Signora Guidicelli has left, the role of Naina will be given to Madame Adele Deblois." The conductor announced nonchalantly.
"Thank you, Monsieur Reyer." Madame Deblois responded, smiling discreetly as she joined the cast on stage.
The first rehearsal began, Christine playing as the desired Lyudmila and clutching onto Ruslan's arm as they made their way through crowds of people. Soon to be married, the people congratulated the couple. At the end of their route stood the kinder, yet mysterious wizard played by Signor Piangi; surprising that he stayed despite Carlotta's departure. He sang out a prophecy for them- the couple would soon be troubled, and later live happily.
Scenes were going well, the orchestra was rehearsing, ballerinas leaping across the stage. But Christine felt something was wrong. Madame Giry's choreography was perfect and fitting, the orchestra only missed a few notes from sight-reading, cast members playing townsfolk were following their directions...and yet there was something else that was askew. This feeling lingered over the whole duration of the rehearsal.
A sole interruption disrupted her thoughts- Raoul de Changy. He came onto the stage during a break. It was only then that the girl remembered their arrangement for tomorrow's lunch and briefly felt guilty for forgetting. His bright, boyish smile attracted everyone's attention, bringing all of the working to a halt.
"Hello Christine, excuse me if I'm disrupting the practice." The blond Vicomte greeted.
"Not at all, Raoul." She smiled.
"I'm looking forward to seeing you tomorrow as well. If it suits your plans, I would be happy to escort you from the entrance of the Populaire at noon."
"That works wonderfully, thank you."
"Which show is the theatre putting on? I heard a few of the potential ideas earlier."
"It's Glinka's Ruslan and Lyudmila."
"I think I remember that story, it was Russian...by Pushkin!"
"Yes, that's the correct story."
"It struck me as being a bit odd, I don't understand how one of her suitors kidnapped her to pretend to be a rescuer while the other falls in love with some other dame along the road."
"I suppose." Christine shrugged, pausing the conversation when Reyer announced the end of the break.
"Ah, I should leave you to your work. See you tomorrow, Little Lotte." Raoul waved, exiting through the backstage area.
The young brunette bid him goodbye and turned her attention to the orchestra conductor, still feeling a bit odd about the acting. She mindlessly went through the rehearsing, her heart incapable of being fully invested. Reyer must've blown off her blunders and assumed it was just from starting to work on this opera.
Once rehearsal ended, Christine chatted a bit with Meg over their dinner along with the rest of the dancers she'd grown up with. But she didn't waste extra time in talking to them, seeming to only look forward to seeing Erik. That visit from the Opera Ghost he performed made her heart pound excitedly in her chest. Her return to the dressing room was hurried and she glanced over her shoulder every once in a while to ensure no one followed her.
In the safety of the room, she locked the door and stood before the mirror. Erik must not have been there, the panel not sliding away to reveal his mysterious, cloaked figure. Perhaps he was occupied with watching the managers' business dealings- he never seemed to trust them with such responsibilities. Christine remembered how Erik would tell her how unprofessional these men were: drinking whenever possible, smoking expensive cigars, using the ballet harlots for fun, and spending many a night partying.
With her older age, Christine realized that this was why her teacher pushed her to focus on her work. He wouldn't bear to see her being used like a handkerchief by one of those idiotic men of the theatre. And it was likely a bit of the fondness the pair acquired for one another over the years. Christine had no idea how she could've come so far and continue to go on through her life without his ghostly presence.
Amidst her thoughts, she didn't immediately notice the mirror sliding over to the side.
"A penny for the thoughts of a goddess seems inferior." Erik's deep, teasing voice echoed through the cavernous tunnel behind him.
"Erik!" Christine cheered, her head turning upwards to look at him.
The girl stood up, rushing over to embrace him.
"Hello Christine, you didn't seem this invested during the rehearsal."
"Sorry, Ange, I couldn't help but feel something amiss about the acting."
"Were your suitors mediocre?"
"That seems to be a harsh word, but something didn't feel quite right."
"How can I be of assistance, dear girl?"
"I need you to teach me. Whenever we have a lesson, the rehearsals go much better."
Erik obliged to her wish, leading her down to his home by the arm. Along the way, he asked her what plans she had for the day off tomorrow. Nervously, the student confessed that Raoul invited her out and she had accepted his offer...but only as childhood friends. He was a kind, playful soul that Christine was fond of. But she couldn't think of courting him- the Vicomte was too much like a brother to her.
This news clearly angered the instructor, his responses seemed to become colder and more bitter. Christine was hurt that he didn't seem to understand her true sentiments.
"Erik, I only mean to be polite. He is like a cousin or brother to me, not at all a suitor and definitely no distraction." The girl explained.
"Yes, but what of the boy? Surely he wouldn't be so bothersome if he merely wished to be your friend."
"Raoul would respect my wishes."
"And if he does not?"
"He is a Vicomte, there is a set of morals his family must uphold."
"Ah, but he is a Vicomte, permitted to get away with much more than any ordinary person and won't need to listen to a 'lowly opera singer'. Though in my mind, you are the only person deserving of the world's adoration."
"You flatter me, Erik. And you overestimate Raoul's animosity."
"Let's forget the boy, shall we? Once again, the focus shall remain on music."
"That would likely be best." Christine agreed upon reaching his home, stepping towards the all-too-familiar hall to the music room.
The music began, dramatic chords of Erik's pipe organ sounding in the air with the echoing walls of his underground home. Christine felt euphoric in singing her heart out about longing to find her way home as Lyudmila did in the opera. The soaring notes rose her very soul from her heart and dizzied her. Once Erik chimed in, singing the other characters' lines, it was pure paradise. Their voices intertwined like two birds loftily flying beside one another in a most graceful fashion. Both of their hearts were drumming in their chests by the end of the piece, giving Christine the satisfaction and delight that nothing else seemed to provide her with.
Through singing her very soul out, Christine was drained of energy and nearly collapsed onto the stone floor. Erik was quick enough to catch her, smiling sadly as he carried her onto the bed which was always available for her use. Even though he felt wretched every moment of doing so, he couldn't help but caress her delicate face and examine the unique curls of Christine's hair as she slept. It was pleasure that he glut himself upon knowing that his student would one day leave him, and probably for that insolent de Changy boy. And in that moment, the masked man formulated an ultimatum for Christine to respond to relatively soon.