Part VIII

Singing Lessons and A New Perspective

1874

Erik

Erik talked with Madalynn longer than he had ever spoken to another human in his life, even including Madame Giry. He actually felt as though he was starting to warm up to her, and though he still attempted to keep his distance, he found it difficult. She was of course beautiful, and intelligent, but something else made him want to continue speaking with her. It was almost like there was something special about her, a strength not common to any woman he had ever seen. Madalynn had more to her than what could be seen on the surface, and that was refreshing.

After a lull in their sparse conversation, he asked her, "So we have talked about the opera, and the weather and every other dull topic of conversation imaginable, but you have made me curious Mademoiselle Pelletier..." He looked at her and saw her look away. Perhaps he scared her? It would not surprise him, as most people feared him, but surely that was not it. Had they not just been talking for a while in relative ease? His head told him she had every right to be afraid, that she should even run, yet his heart cried out in mutiny for the hope of love and acceptance. He mentally shook himself. He did not deserve any such luck. "Tell about yourself," He finally finished, his voice slightly strained, "Truly. Where do you really come from?"

He noticed her tense slightly at this last question, but then her expression reverted back to one of ease so quickly it caused him to almost doubt whether he had actually seen her tense at all. Madalynn pulled her legs up over the bed again and sat Indian style, pulling her night dress over her knees. His eyes widened slightly as he had never in his life seen a woman sit so improperly. He looked at her quizzically, but decided it was best just to let it drop. She was, after all, not your average woman it would seem.

"I am homeless, remember?" She said guardedly, with an uneasy smile. He could tell that she was not giving a lot of information on purpose, trying to avoid the question.

"I do not believe you. If you were homeless, then even in the hustle and bustle of the production, as you put it, you still would not have gotten into the Prima Donna's dressing room. Some one would have noticed you in your ruffian state." He looked at her, waiting for a reply, and could not help but perceive the annoyance she was no longer able to conceal.

"Look, I would rather not try to explain it to you. You would not understand and think I was lying anyway. Just let me be on that issue." She looked at him with an almost daring gaze, and raising the eyebrow not concealed under his mask he shrugged and let it drop. Who was he to inquire into other's personal lives when he himself worked so hard to keep his own concealed?

"Well, in either case, I would like to know a little bit more about you." She looked at him almost surprised that he would still be interested. After another moment she replied.

"Well...ahh...I enjoy dancing, and drawing. Ummm...and reading..." Erik picked up on her odd way of speaking, which was very uncustomary of a refined young woman. Perhaps she really was homeless? Yet all of her other sentences seemed articulate enough. He pondered this as Madalynn trailed off, running out of hobbies. He sensed her reserve and offered a look that suggested that she continue, and at last she added, "...well and I guess I like singing too, but I am absolutely horrible at it." She smiled at him sheepishly.

He looked at her again and decided that it would not hurt to give her a shot; after all, it was what he did best. Besides, maybe if he could teach her to sing, she would keep coming down to his lair and he could learn more about her. But that was it, he assured himself, just to learn more about her and share in her company. He had no desire to fall in love.

"Sing for me."

She had obviously been thinking about something else in the time he was thinking over the situation and this caught her off guard. Her eyes widened and she began to shake her head vigorously.

"What?!" She looked worried, "I could not possibly sing for you Monsieur…I have not the slightest idea of what to sing...I do not know much...well...about your kind of music."

"My kind of music? I do not know whether to be offended or feel pity. Regardless, I suppose we will have to fix that will we not?" Erik stood up and held out his hand to her, a half smile playing on his lips. Still dumbfounded, Madalynn took it. Let the training begin.

Madalynn
Erik had been rehearsing a piece of music with her for about an hour, and finally having learned it, she tried to sing it roughly.

Think of me;
Think of me fondly
when we've said goodbye…

"Stop!" He said suddenly taking his hands off the ivory keys of his organ. Madalynn started and then blushed, looking at him. "No need to be embarrassed, you certainly have potential," he said, looking at her from behind his mysterious mask, "but you need work, a lot of work. Here, try something." He stood up and approached her from behind, making her temporarily stop breathing. He placed one hand on her stomach forcing her to straighten her spine, and the other on her shoulder, causing her shoulders to drop. She became lightheaded from his touch. What was wrong with her? He stayed like this behind her and Madalynn began to quiver slightly, not understanding the effect his touch had on her. She tried to control it as he spoke, close to her ear in a whisper that almost made her faint, "Sing it again."

Erik
As he touched her he could feel her begin to quiver slightly. He smiled to himself, loving that he had this effect on her. It would seem that the Phantom had not lost his touch. He tested the waters by dropping just at the level of her dainty ear and whispering "Sing it again." Erik felt her diaphragm expand as it filled with air, letting him know she was breathing correctly, and keeping her shoulders down for her, she began again. She sounded a lot better with a just a little breathing help and he let go of her and stepped back. She considerably relaxed. Again smiling, he came around to face her. "Much better. We will work on the emotion of the piece tomorrow."

Madalynn
She nodded and turned away, her heart beating madly. She was blushing, the heat that suddenly came to her face was like fire. She had never felt that way before with anyone. Not even her old boyfriend Pierre had this effect on her in his car, trying to touch her and force his sloppy kisses on her. No this was a different feeling indeed. She walked to the gondola and the Phantom got in behind her silently, and picking up his oar, began rowing them towards the staircase.