Chapter 2. Raoul's meeting with Christine. Christine's meeting with the phantom.

Redheaded Raoul had come to the opera for a show, and found his childhood sweetheart instead.

The moment the show was over; he grabbed a rose from a bouquet of flowers and ran to Christine's dressing room.

Christine was just opening the door when Raoul walked up and said. "Christine Daeé, the opera diva."

Christine smiled then turned around and said. "Raoul!"

They hugged then Raoul gave her the rose and said. "You sang beautifully."

"Aw shucks." She said blushing. "I had an amazing teacher."

"Who is this fine voice trainer? I would like him to teach my sister that's her wailing isn't music."

"Raoul, do you remember how my father said he would send me the angel of music? Well he did! The angel is my teacher!"

"Well it must be if he could get a voice that beautiful to come out of a mortal being. And now we must celebrate! I'll bring my coach around front right now if you will just wait here."

"No Raoul…" But before she could finish he was off.

Christine sighed and stepped inside her room and sat in front of her dresser and smiled at her reflection in the mirror as she washed her makeup off with a towel, then put on her favorite pink dress.

Then suddenly, a wind blew through the room, blowing out all the candles on the chandelier though the window was closed.

"Angel, are you there?" Christine said.

"You sang amazingly." The voice said. "What a shame it wasn't a full house. I hear that it will be next time you preform."

"Oh but Carlota won't permit it. She demands it all be done her way or no way at all."

"Oh but she will, if she knows what's good for her. I have my ways, my dear Christine."

Just then, Raoul walked up to the door and knocked and said. "Christine are you ready?"

Christine stood up and said. "I must go. My friend wants to celebrate my voice."

"But Christine, it is late; you shouldn't go out, besides he's probably just going to take you to some place that is classy on one side with a smoky pub on the other."

Christine nodded then opened the door slightly and said. "Raoul, I'm not feeling well, I don't think I should go out."

He put his hand on her head and said. "You do feel a bit warm. Should I take you home?"

"No, I'm alright, my cousin Meg will take me home. I'll see you tomorrow."

He nodded and said goodbye then left.

Christine closed the door and turned around, and said. "He's gone."

"Christine my dear," He said. "I trust you'll find that it was a smart choice you made."

Christine sighed and said. "Why won't you show yourself to me?"

"You must go home and rest; we have lessons tomorrow, elven-thirty sharp."

Christine gave a nod then said goodnight and left, the remembered she had left her purse in the room, and quickly walked back in, not seeing her Angel of Music anywhere in the room.

The next day.

As Christine stepped into her dressing room, a chill went up her spine. Something was different about the room, something that seemed out of place.

Christine paid no attention to it, and stepped in front of her mirror then closed her eyes.

"Angel," She said. "I'm here."

"My dear Christine." He said, and Christine opened her eyes to see a mask, a blank mask that only showed his mouth, chin and eyes, a mask that hid a sad story.

"Angel."

He reached out his hand and brought her threw the mirror, guiding her threw a winding maze of passage ways and stair cases, to a large cave lake, where he helped her climb into a gondola, then he took the oar and rowed them across, while a strange golden light lit the entire cave.

The river streamed through a series of hallways, with sconces lit with snow white candles lining the wall one after the other, ending at a large gate, which lifted up as he pulled a lever beside it, and brought the boat into a clear lagoon, where a large chandelier hung from the ceiling above to light the unnerving room.

He brought the boat to the shore and stepped out, then gave her his hand for her to climb out after.

Christine took his hand and was filled with a strange sensation, somewhat like fear, somewhat like pleasure.

He gently pulled her to a large grand piano with a lit candle on closed lid.

He sat down on the stool and said. "You already sing with joy and grace, my Christine, but now they will be expecting more of you. They will be demanding you sing with more emotion, more passion for the music, to a point where if it's a tragedy you will be holding back tears, or laughter if it's a comedy."

"Yes master." Christine replied.

He began to play the piano and said. "Der Vampyr Emmy reciting the legend of the vampire."

Christine nodded and began to sing, but soon her thoughts started to drift off to Raoul.

The pianist stopped playing and looked at Christine annoyed and said. "Would you rather go back and think about whatever the bloody hell is keeping you from singing right and never preform again? Or shall we continue the lesson?"

"Forgive me Master." Christine said and began to sing again as he continued playing the piano.