Hi! So sorry for waiting a long time to update, and that it is so short! However, I like to flick between the POV's of Christine and Erik, plus I felt like I needed this chapter! Thanks for all the lovely reviews, favourites and follows. This was beta'd by the amazing Not A Ghost3. Here is Chapter Six!
Chapter Six:
THE INQUIRY
Paris, March 15th, 1881
Erik's POV
These past three days have been exhilarating – I feel alive again, for the first time since my parents' death. My spirit is on my, and my voice soars. I leave my human form and travel to a strange new world, completely forgetting about life I left behind. On earth I know that any second could be my last, but when I sing, I am eternal.
All because of her, my beautiful angel. She has given me the unrivalled gift of song, a gift so precious, I will never lose it again. I am determined to have it in my clutches until my very last breath.
It's unbelievable – the fact that she arrived when I need her most. For I was about to be evicted from my home, albeit a dark, lonely one, with no other place to go, and she has helped me improve my voice so that I shall be able to keep living at the Opera Populaire whilst being a part of something I really enjoy. And I do enjoy just being a part of the almost invisible ensemble.
My Angel has told me that she thinks I could be the star one day, but I highly doubt that. I'm not good enough. It's as simple as that.
I wonder what she looks like. The thought suddenly strikes me like a clock chiming. Where did that come from? I suppose it's a question that my subconscious has been harbouring for a day or so, after the initial shock of finding out that my Angel's real, and that she has come to teach me to , she is an angel, ergo she will have bright blue eyes, porcelain skin, long blond ringlets, and soft, pink lips. Her nose and ears will be small, as is her build. Thin, but not skeletal. And the most gorgeous face, all in perfect symmetry and proportion. The complete and total opposite of a monster.
"Erik?"
I jump, and blink a few times, before recognizing Madame Giry's voice. I turn round to face her, and find out that she is standing a few feet in front of me, her arms folded. I didn't even hear her come in! She is dressed in black, as always, and is wearing her hair in a tight French braid.
"Yes, Madame Giry?"
"Oh, I'm sorry, Erik, I didn't mean to scare you. Whatever were you thinking about, as you were oblivious to the first time I spoke you name," Madame Giry says, so sweetly I almost thought she was being saccharine.
"I – I'm fine, Madame. I was just thinking about" – I hastily search around for some sheet music I had been previously looking at; I see it under a pile of my clothes and pull it out triumphantly – "sheet music for practise tomorrow. You know how Monsieur Reyer likes everyone to memorize it so that we don't waste too much time learning them in rehearsals the next day."
"Ah, yes, of course, Erik." Madame Giry sounds suspicious; I can tell she doesn't fully believe what I am saying. She looks straight into my eyes and I feel a fire burning in them. I feel as if she can see into my soul. I reassure myself she can't, and continue holding her gaze until she looks away, and says:
"Anyway, the reason I'm here, Erik, is that I wanted to know how you are getting on with being a part of the Opera Populaire's choir."
"It's quite soon – I've only had two sessions – but I must confess I am quite excited about the whole thing, Madame Giry. I dare say that it's been the best thing that's ever happened to me, since, well. . ."
"Ah, yes, since your parents' unfortunate demise." Her words are cold and emotionless, however I expect this; since I've known her this way of dealing with tragic events has been her coping mechanism. "Have you been to their graves recently?"
Her question surprises me – she has never asked me that before. Not once. Now it's my turn to be apprehensive. "I haven't, no. I haven't been in a long time. I don't like to; it upsets me. Plus, I've never really had an opportunity."
"Yes, silly of me for asking. Anything else you're enjoying in your life at the moment?"
What?
Does she know?
She can't; my Angel assured me that we were the only beings present in the theatre. And I've only had two lessons. We can't have slipped up already.
"No, just the choir."
"Hmm, all right." Madame Giry isn't fully convinced, I can tell, but that isn't my problem, I decide. She has no business in knowing about my lessons, therefore if she does she should discontinue that course of investigation. But I should remember to check with my Angel one last time, just to be sure.
There is an awkward silence for a while. I look down at the music still in my hands; I can feel her eyes on me, but try to ignore them as much as possible. After a while it gets too much and I have to tell her to leave.
"If you don't mind, Madame Giry, I am quite tired. I would like to rest a little. It is an early start tomorrow!" It's a blatant attempt to try to lighten the mood, one which Madame luckily catches on to:
"Yes! Of course! Sorry, Erik. I was just curious to find out how you were. You are fine, aren't you?"
"Yes, Madame. I am perfectly fine."
"Good then. Goodbye, Erik."
"Goodbye, Madame Giry. See you tomorrow."
She gives me a bright smile before abruptly turning her body on me and leaving. The door slams shut.
"Whatever was that about, Angel?" I look up towards the ceiling, and imagine that I'm face-to-face with her. She gives me the most beautiful smile; I give her one in return, and embrace reality again. My life used to be quite horrible, but now it shows a sliver of promise.
I decide to put the short yet strange conversation out of my mind completely. There is no point in pondering over questions that you will never get answers too.
I sigh and journey over to my bed, when I climb into in, put my head on my pillow and close my eyes. I breathe in and out slowly. I feel slightly more peaceful when I try to sleep now than before. Has my Angel of Music really affected my mind that much?
I feel elated, now, and an anticipation for the next day. I want to sleep, so that tomorrow can arrive faster, when I used to dread the moment I had to close my eyes. There is now a future before me. And I intend to experience it.
I don't know how much my Angel has affected my mind. For I still woke with nightmares yesterday and the day before. But they weren't as bad, and were later than usual, which means I got more sleep, so felt better. Maybe one day there will disappear completely.
I roll over on to my side and start to let my mind wander through the heaven my Angel is in. It is a safe place there; I know my Angel will protect me and guide me and love me. That's all I ask of her. I know it is quite a lot to want, but I know my Angel can deliver it. After all, she is an angel, isn't she?
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