I'm BAAAAAAACK!
OH my gosh! I NOW OWN THE DVD TO THIS MOVIE! IT'S ALL MINE! ALL MINE I TELL YOUUUUUUUU!
By the way, yes, I own it. I got it on the first day it got out (May 3, everyone, and yes, I was counting the days. Yes, I am weird). When I got to my wonderously loyal Target store, it was almost sold out! My friend went there a day later and had to get a rain check because they were all gone! Haha, the early bird gets the worm (once again, Alexis). And, for those who want to buy it, I recommend buying the Widescreen 2-Disk Special Edition version (I did—obviously).
EmeraldShine-thank you! I always appreciate complimentary reviews!
RavensAngst-wow, thank you so much for your many wonderful reviews! I was wondering where you were…and yes, moving can be quite a hassle. I completely understand. And I am very happy that you are so impressed with the story, I find it a compliment coming from you for some reason…although I don't know why. Oh, well, whatever the reason, it's a good thing!
Jaina 12-that was your favorite part! AAAAAAW! I also love that part. The reprise is the main reason of why I like "All I Ask of You" mostly, other than the great voicing that usually comes from that song. Every time I hear the Phantom say his last lines, it gives me chills!
Another Freakish Fan-thank you! Robin has a car, at that time.
Lady of darkness055-oh, really, it's your favorite song? That's cool. I like that song, I just think it's so darn cute! And the voicing is done very well, so it sounds amazing!
Laurashrub-yessirree, that would be me: the paranoid one. Although I did not see the other mistakes you found, I did see the "thathe" that I misplaced in the previous chapter. I apologize for my perfectionism and all out weirdness. I drive my friends in my art class insane because I always find something wrong with my painting, then they end up taking my brush away from me!
Jackalobe-hi, Rose! HAHA, sorry about the song. If it were up to you, I'm sure you would have just cut that part out and make the Phantom and Raul switch places…along with having something very unfortunate happen to Roul (cough cough). But, as we all know, it had to happen (sadly, in your case). Hope you like this chapter!
RRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIINGGGGG
Kori raised her eyes to the black and white clock. 10:55. She clutched her books and made her way to the door through her crowded third hour English class that had just come to an end. Her next hour was lunch, and she needed it. She had missed breakfast, lest she would be late for school that morning.
As she left the classroom, she made her way through the busy hallways to the stairs. After going a few flights up, she made it to the third floor, where her locker lay. She fiddled with her lock combination for a minute or so. It had refused to open. Weird things had been happening lately against her favor over the past month. It had begun to make her a bit frustrated. After the fourth try, she spun the lock with immense speed and it flew open, pouring out a multitude of books at her feet. She sighed, puffed a strand of vibrant red hair from her cheek, and reached for her gigantic Chemistry book.
At the closing of her clanging locker door, she turned to see her pink-haired friend, waiting behind. Jinny's usual grin was a bit more giddy than usual, and Kori was about to find out why.
"Hi, Kori," she said brightly, "Ready to go?"
"Yes, finally," she said, a bit exasperated.
It had been a full month since the performance of "Il Muto", and Kori and Richard's one-month anniversary was drawing near. It was a chilly December morning, with light snow scattering the outdoors. It was Thursday, and Friday was the last day before Christmas break. Most of the students were overly hyper at this time, all very eager to be off school for two weeks.
The two girls made their way down two flights of steps, and left the building. They then began to make their way across the campus to the building on the other side of the parking lot, where more classes stood, along with the cafeteria. Three main buildings in all made up the whole school, but Kori didn't have any classes in the third building. As they walked across the parking lot, Jinny turned to Kori in a whip of excitement, light snow falling into her hair.
"So, are you going to the New Year's Eve dance?"
"I do not know," Kori replied, a bit wary, "I have not honestly considered it. Richard said something of it the other day…"
The girls approached the cafeteria, and got their food, continuing their conversation. They sat down, and Jinny's eyes widened.
"You mean to say that you aren't going?"
"Oh," Kori said, "I might go, if Richard does."
"You should" Jinny returned, "and do you know what the theme is?"
"What?"
"Masquerade ball!" she almost jumped out of her seat in excitement, "You all wear masks, and you dress up as a certain person, and you get all decked out and everything!"
"You mean," Kori said, her eyes glistening, "we get to wear costumes?"
"Oh yes," Jinny raised her eyebrows, "and I know exactly what I'm going to wear."
"Really? Oh, please, do tell…"
"Well," Jinny began, "I'm not going to be a witch, that's for sure, but, I do know that I'm tilting towards something near that description."
"A sorceress?" Kori offered.
"Yeah!" her eyes enlarged, "but, I do know that it's going to be all black, purple, and pink."
"Oooooooooh" Kori smiled, "That sounds absolutely wonderful! But," she faltered, "I have no idea what I am to go as myself."
"Actually," Jinny calmed down a bit, "I don't think you have to be anything in particular, as long as you wear something really outlandish and pretty. And a mask, of course. Ooh, we could get one of those mask things that you hold up with a stick. That would be so cool. Although, I really do think that most of the people there are going to be dressed as something."
"Well then," Kori said, "I think I shall go. I greatly anticipate this 'Masquerade' and I want to find my costume right away!"
"We should go to the mall and get ours soon," Jinny said, with her mouth full of pasta, "the dance is in a week-and-a-half."
Kori gasped. It was true, today was December 20, and the dance was obviously going to be on the 31st.
"We must go after school and get our dresses!" Kori squeaked with delight.
"Yes! But first," Jinny's eyes turned sarcastically cold, "I have to try and not fail my stupid Computers test…" she rolled her eyes, "Why oh why did they make a class entirely for stupid computers? Can't they just let the repair man do that?" She turned to Kori, who shrugged, trying to repress a giggle.
Later, after school, Jinny and Kori went to dress store. Almost any and every dress imaginable was there before their eyes. All the poofy skirts and trains would lead assumption that this was a costumed prom dress store. Extravagance was an understatement. Many other students from their school were scattered across the place, looking every outfit up and down. Obviously this was the main place to shop for a Masquerade ball. A section near the back had masks of every kind. Jinny picked one easily, and beckoned Kori to join her. Kori searched for a few minutes, then finally found one that suited her fancy.
It took them even longer to find a dress. The place was crowded, but not so crowded as to keep them away from the prettiest outfits. Kori found a beautiful dress and tried it on. When finished, she came out to see Jinny with her picked costume, ready to pay. The girls paid for their dresses and masks, and promptly went home, as Jinny wouldn't allow herself to fail yet another test.
When Kori walked into her house that night, carrying her bag of newly bough clothes, she saw her sister strutting across the house, in search of her favorite perfume. Kori followed Kiona into their giant living room, to find her sister almost pacing.
"Sister," Kori said in her usually sweet voice, "Are you going to the 'Masquerade'?"
Kiona lifted her eyebrow in haughtiness to her younger sibling, and replied in her smug tone,
"Why, of course, darling," she said, with a new smirk now spreading across her face, "what did you think I was going to do, stay at home and, dare I say it…READ?"
Kori pouted her lip at her sister's stupidity, but said not a word. She tried once again to win her sister's temporary favor by acting nice.
"So, sister," she said brightly, "what are you going as?"
The senior kept her smugness, but lost her spite as she turned her dark black eyes to her little sister. A genuine smile escaped her lips as her curvy eyes danced with subdued excitement.
"I am torn," she said, keeping her smile, "between a spider and a peacock." She moved her eyes to the ceiling, still trying to decide.
"May I suggest the peacock?" Kori said sweetly, slowly entering Kiona's interest as a human being.
"Do you really think…?" Kiona paused, surmising over Kori's opinion.
Kori herself was shocked that Kiona would even consider her opinion, nevertheless allow herself to ponder her ideas. A mixture of the Christmas spirit and the excitement of New Years had surely gotten the best of her sister. She found herself even more surprised when Kiona smiled.
"Yes, I think I will…" Kiona approached the door.
"Well, I'm off, sister dear," she said, still snobbish, but cheerfully, "I should best be off to that dress store. I know exactly what I'm going to get now."
Kori smiled. She knew when her sister was fake or genuine, and today there was a true cheer in Kiona's jet-black eyes. Any day that she made an impact on Kiona, especially a happy one, was a good day. Kiona was obviously already in a good mood that day to begin with, therefore the night was going to be a much deal easier to live through.
She walked through her big house to her room, where she flopped onto her bed and grabbed her World History book. Finals were approaching, and not one soul wished it would.
Eleven days later, on the night of the "ball", Kori appeared in the gym doorway to see the wonderful dance for the sheer magic that it was. White, black, gold, and silver were strewn left from right, with masks as far as the eye could see. Decorations of every kind and measure were hung in brilliance, as to make the scene even more dazzling. The gym had been designed in a way to signify an actual old Victorian ballroom, and the dance committee had done an excellent job in doing so. The more she examined her surroundings, the more it looked even more realistically majestic. People were everywhere, wearing gigantic dresses and outlandish outfits that only a Masquerade would invite. Every soul on the floor wore a different mask; each having its own significance to its owner. Kori truly gawked at the sight.
Kori herself did not stick out in the extravagant dance. She wore a lilac purple Victorian dress with giant frills falling down the back. Her top half fell in puffy short sleeves and didn't touch her shoulders. Sections of white lace and a darker purple décor ornamented her top and train. White necklaces fell loosely from her neck, and around her slim arms were white gloves that ran above her elbow. Her hair was something she had become proud of that she had done herself. Her ruby red locks had been curled to its limit and wrapped back into a loosely graceful half-ponytail. She wore dark mascara and liner on her green eyes, and a light pink shadow on her eyelids. On her ears she wore earrings of purple pearl. And held gingerly to the level of her eyes by a decorated stick was a violet-white mask with shimmering creamy pearls and soft glitter of gold.
She was a beautiful sight to see, and Richard was not the only one who noticed her enter.
Richard approached his girlfriend in a rush of excitement, obviously very glad to see her. He was dressed as a soldier, shining from head to toe in blue and gold. He had a black, white, and blue mask that covered his face.
"Kori!" He said, beaming, "You look gorgeous!"
She turned an unthinkable shade of red, and smiled. Although it had been only a month since they had been together, she was now totally convinced that she loved him. It was only too obvious that he loved her too. They seemed perfect for one another.
"…Thank you, Richard," she blushed again, sheepishly turning away from his gaze. She took his offered hand, and they walked towards the well decorated dance floor.
She looked over the room and saw Jinny talking to Victor. Jinny looked very pretty herself; her hair was up in a single messy bun, with single strands falling carelessly onto her fair face. Her dress was indeed black, with long sleeves and random places of purple and even smaller places of pink. A pitch black mask with black glitter was held by a stick in her hand. Her trademark choker hung from her neck as she turned her head to see Kori making her way over to her. Victor seemed a bit disappointed when the girl faced his opposite direction to speak to her friend.
"Kori! You finally came! We were waiting forever for you!"
"I am so sorry! I was late because my sister took an eternity to get ready, and as she was my only source of getting here…"
"We understand," Richard put a loving hand on her shoulder, as she turned to smile broadly.
"Do you wanna dance?" Richard said calmly.
"Well, not yet," she replied, "I would merely like to watch for a bit. It is all so beautiful!"
"Alright," he laughed. He, Kori, and Jinny then walked over to Raven, where she stood.
Raven was very beautifully dressed as well, dressed everything in black, mask and all, with a dress that flattered her figure to a great extent.
"Hello, Raven!" Kori smiled brightly.
"Hello," the Goth replied.
Te girl seemed at extreme peace, for she showed no sign of stress whatsoever. What you could see of her eyes were that they were calm and relaxed. The four friends stood and talked in content happiness.
Meanwhile, after Jinny left Victor, who was dressed as a warrior, looked over to see a dawdling boy with green hair. He cocked his unseen eyebrow and walked over.
"Gar?" he said queerily, "That you, man?"
"Say HUH? Oh, hi, Vic." The junior, who was dressed as a warrior as well, but in a different ethnicity, smiled at Victor.
"Dude, Victor,
What an awesome party!"
Victor looked around, pleased with what he saw.
"The prologue
To a bright New Year!"
It was known that Victor helped the dance committee every once in awhile, and that he had helped with this one. He had helped put up many of the decorations, him being one of the tallest people available. Gar nodded his head in approval of the décor.
"Quite a night,
I'm impressed!"
Victor tugged on his shirt slightly, nodding too.
"Well, one does ones best…"
Gar quickly grabbed a cup of punch and almost threw it into the air.
"Here's to us!"
Victor laughed, and took up a cup himself.
"I must say,
All the same
That it's a shame
That 'Phantom' fellow isn't here!"
They then guzzled the punch and walked over to where Raven, Jinny, Kori, and Richard stood.
"Hey, guys," Gar waved. The two boys came over and were accepted into their conversations as they gaily watched the amazing sight before them.
After a few minutes, the orchestra band members specially chosen for the dance picked up their instruments. They began to play a familiar tune that caused everyone in earshot to burst into song. The song had been specially picked for the dance, and almost the entire student body knew the words to begin with. It had been a school favorite for years. No one knew exactly where the song came from, only that it was catchy, and no teenager in the room went without knowing the song by heart. The six friends sang along as those who danced sang it loudest of all, almost every soul singing with the enchanting song.
"Masquerade!
Paper faces on parade…
Masquerade!
Hide your face
So the world will never find you!
Masquerade!
Every face a different shade…
Masquerade!
Look around,
There's another mask behind you!"
Just then, all the girls, including Raven, Kori, and Jinny, sang softly along to the first verse of the song.
"Flash of mauve…
Splash of puce…
Fool and king…
Ghoul and goose…
Green and black…
Queen and priest…
Trace of rouge…
Face of beast…
Faces…
Take your turn, take a ride
On a merry-go-round…
In an inhuman race…"
All the boys quickly picked up where the girls left off, right on cue.
"Eye of gold…
Thigh of blue…
True is false…
Who is who…?
Curl of lip…
Swirl of gown…
Ace of hearts…
Face of clown…
Faces…
Drink it in, drink it up,
'Till you've drowned in the light…
In the sound…"
All went silent, for none could have seemed to remember the next line. As if on impulse, Kori just sang out as if as usual, but this time, alone.
"…But who can name the face…?"
She said this solemnly, and with a horribly straight face, but she didn't realize it, and she didn't know why. Nobody noticed, as the rest of the school continued in the wonderful melody of the music.
"Masquerade!
Grinning yellows, spinning reds…
Masquerade!
Take your fill,
Let the spectacle astound you!
Masquerade!
Burning glances, turning heads…
Masquerade!
Stop and stare
At the sea of smiles around you!
The teenagers continued on, but this time in a quieter tone than before, as not as many knew the versus as far as thus follows. But those who did, sang it with perfect voicing, as many would chime in randomely.
Masquerade!
Seething shadows, breathing lies…
Masquerade!
You could fool
Any friend who ever knew you!
Masquerade!
Leering satyrs, peering eyes…
Masquerade!
Run and hide,
But a face will still pursue you!"
Kiona and Steven walked over to the six friends, smiling, hand-in-hand. Kiona was indeed dressed as a peacock, with blue and green everywhere, including her mask, which was ornated with dark blue feathers. Not many were sure of what Steven was, but that he looked pretty darn good in it.
They were both obviously in an outrageously good mood, and struck up a surprisingly joyous conversation with the others, just as if they had been friends for awhile now. Their good company was appreciated, and all were again content.
Raven suddenly spoke up to her friends, a calm smile on her lips.
"What a night!"
Jinny gawked around the gigantic room once again.
"What a crowd!"
Victor looked to the pretty sophomore, and said, smiling,
"Makes you glad!"
Gar then finished his friend's sentence with refreshments stuffed into his mouth. He was thinking fondly of pastries at the time, so brought on his fake French accent while eating a croissant.
"Makes you proud!
All the crème de la crème!"
Kiona beamed in her own limelight.
"Watching us watching them!"
Jinny and Raven sighed in relief and said together,
"And all our fears
Are in the past!"
Victor put his hand to his forehead.
"A whole month…"
Steven spoke up this time, with an exasperated smile on his handsome face.
"Of relief!"
Kiona looked at him and smiled in agreement.
"Of delight!"
Victor and Gar rested their shoulders and said together,
"Of long-needed peace!"
Raven took a cup of punch and Jinny took a chip, and both said at once,
"And we can breathe at last!"
Kiona smiled, dramatizing her every move.
"No more notes!"
Steven turned, eyes dancing.
"No more ghost!"
Raven then got herself some chips and dip.
"Here's a health!"
Gar raised his punch glass again, so all could see.
"Here's a toast!
To a prosperous year!
Victor pointed out the window and to the auditorium.
"To the new chandelier!"
Kiona and Steven seemed to be very enthralled with one another at the moment, and said together,
"And may its splendor never fade!"
Gar piped up, with no reason.
"A whole month!"
Raven looked at Gar calmly, with a small smile.
"What a joy!"
Jinny looked to Victor, who had been looking at her the whole time.
"What a change!"
Gar and Victor then said together at once, with Victor still looking to Jinny,
"What a blessed release!"
And then at that moment Gar just had to burst out one final sentence.
"And what a Masquerade!"
All eight of them then raised their punch glasses and drank, still chattering cheerfully. Richard then took Kori's hand gently and led her to another side of the room where it was quieter.
"Here, I have something for you," he said in his calm, but strong voice.
Kori almost screamed with joy when the soldier brought out a little velvet box from his pocket. He gently opened it to reveal a shimmering necklace. Its chain was of a sensitive sterling silver with a small diamond in the middle. She felt her eyes water with tears of joy as the junior wrapped the necklace around her soft neck and fastened it.
"Consider it an anniversary present." He said, brimming.
"But," she said, trying to hold her tears of happiness, "We have only been together a month, you did not need to…"
"Ssshh," he hushed her with his charming smile, and she could not help but smile back, although she felt like enveloping him in one of the biggest hugs she could muster.
She fiddled with her beautiful necklace, then let it drop. She let it fall in camouflage with her other white and silver necklaces. She almost made an effort to hide it, but without his notice.
"Kori, you can barely see it," he said, reaching out a hand to make the gift more visible.
"No, it is alright," she said, moving his hand, "I can see it perfectly." Unfortunately, the boy had an excellent gift of sensing when she was hiding something.
"Kori…"
She looked pleadingly at him, smiling weakly.
"Please let's not fight…"
He tried to comfort her once again.
"Kori, you're free!"
She still kept back his hand, with her own persuasive way.
"Wait 'till the time is right…"
He looked at her oddly.
"When will that be?
It's just a necklace,
Not a crime!"
He took lowered her mask, so he could see her eyes.
"Kori, what are you afraid of?"
She looked up into his eyes now, with a new determination for him not to find the answer to that question.
"Let's not argue…"
Richard held her hand in his.
"Let's not argue…"
She smoothly raised her mask back to her eyes, so he could not see her nervousness.
"Please pretend…"
He looked at her in an unspoken defeat.
"I can only hope I'll…"
She took his hand reassuringly.
"You will…"
The two looked into eachother's eyes, locking gazes without moving an inch. Without looking away they said together,
"…understand in time…"
She turned from him, but did not let go of his hand, for she now wanted to dance. He smiled at her, and she at him as the music increased.
They twirled and swirled together, gracefully combining step with song as the wordless music played on. After a brief moment, a boy about Richard's height came and asked Kori for a dance. Being the polite girl she was, Kori accepted.
The boy looked oddly familiar, and gave her a creepy feeling, as if she could not remember his face, but every one of his features. He stared her down as they moved with the song. He then spun her out of his grasp and into the arms of another boy who gave the same signals as the last. Only this boy was different. He would spin her with increasing force, and this intimidated her. He then yet again flung her from his grip, and another boy caught her into a spin and swung her around with him.
Kori was getting more and more confused, for each boy that she passed looked an awful like…
She did not get to finish her thought, as she was rescued from the boy's tight grip and fell into Richard's arms. She had felt as if she had been drained of all strength in those few minutes she spent dancing with the boys. She looked her tired eyes up to him and sighed.
"Thank you." She said, almost out of breath.
He only smiled and hugged her tighter. He, in turn, began to dance with her, but slower, as to keep Kori at a normal pace. She suddenly felt rejuvenated, and was no longer tired. They danced faster, this time singing loudly along with everyone else, laughing in between intervals of the verses.
"Masquerade!
Paper faces on parade!
Masquerade!
Hide your face
So the world will never find you!
Masquerade!
Every face a different shade!
Masquerade!
Look around,
There's another mask behind you!
Masquerade!
Burning glances, turning heads…
Masquerade!
Stop and stare
At the sea of smiles around you!
Masquerade!
Grinning yellows, spinning reds…
Masquerade!
Take your fill,
Let the spectacle astound you!"
Just as the last joyful words had been spoken, the electricity went out. The orchestra band students stopped playing, for they could not see the paper in front of their faces. The entire room was in pitch darkness, and some began to panic. A few screamed in shock, others groped around for a light.
But what was the most unsuspected of all was when all suddenly looked toward the pitch dark open gym door. The banner hung above was suddenly caught in an instant blaze of fire, and even more began to scream. But below the blazing banner stood a ghostly red and black figure with a skeleton skull styled mask. Beneath the firelight the creature looked like a demon, a true angel from Hell. All the people could do was stare in wide eyed fear as the deadly figure stepped menacingly toward them.
Oh my freaking GOSH! That took so long for me to write! Eeek! I'm starting right away on the next chapter, for all who wish it.