A/N. Okay so I'm still feeling a bit yucky form the car crash I was involved in yesterday, and he dance exam that I just did, with whiplash. I know smart decision, not. But before you fly off the handle I was NOT the one driving. Any ways, not that its any excuse but I'm on several doses of painkillers so my spelling and grammar has gone a little bit hay-wire. Lots of love goes to my readers naturally and to my one (and only) much appreciated reviewer, zrose. Loves. L x


"My voice is a blessing, and no matter what other people say, I can't block it..." Patti LaBelle


"You!" there was a screech from somewhere up stage, "I demand to know where Henri is!"

At that moment, a magnificent sight came into view. There was a pink haze making its was over the horizon of the upstage area. As it swept into view Gaston could see that the sight was in fact a rather large woman, dressed in what could only be described as a rather large merange. This was then followed a group of people who looked and sounded like files around a carcass.

Celeste blanched a little and seemed to look about for a discrete escape route but another loud shriek caused her to stop and turn.

She looked the gigantic pudding in the eyes and curtseyed politely, "La Eclarice. I am very sorry, but I have not seen Monsieur Marteau this morning."

this perfectly simple exclamation was greeted with another outraged cry. "I was promised a rehearsal" La Eclarice turned around to her fly like cronies who where all buzzing sympathetic.

Celeste took a few more steps towards Gaston with the apparent attention of ushering themselves away from the frothy pink mountain. Gaston remained transfixed, "who is this wonderful creature?" he asked quietly.

"This is La Eclarice," she responded in equally hushed tones, "she is Paris's leading Prima Donna"

"Where is the orchestra!" La Eclarice shouted into the auditorium. The duty to break the news fell to Celeste once more.

"Excuse me Madame, but they are not due in for another five hours" she replied simply

"But I must have my rehearsal. Damn musicians!"

"I'm sorry" at this point Celeste made a definite attempt to move. But for some reason Gaston remained routed to the spot. Not wanting to appear rude, his host remained routed with him, her attempts at escape foiled.

However it did momentarily seem that the stage could go back to normal. The pink desert made a distinct attempt to waddle of stage and Celeste breathed a momentary sigh of relief. It was too soon though. A particularly greasy looking crone turned to his mistress and whispered something.

"I knew I recognised you from somewhere girl! You play in the orchestra" the realisation that she had been caught out made Celeste turn even whiter then before, "play for me!"

"I'm afraid I can't Madame. Monsieur Gailhard asked me to take Monsieur Leroux on an extensive tour of the opera house."

"and what would he want with a little rat like you?" she asked in a disgusted tone.

"Ah Madame," Gaston finally took the chance to speak, "I am researching for an article in L'Echo de Paris"

La Eclarice's face suddenly light up and she looked directly at Gaston with a flirtatious, almost threatening eye.

"I've always been interested in architecture" Gaston said, hoping to avoid being eaten but the prima Donna. The plan worked and she fast lost interest in the reporter. Instead she aimed her fire at Celeste.

"I will rehearse, you will play for me!" she demanded

"But Madame, My violin..." and yet form no where, a crone thrust one into her hands. Another fetched a music stand and a score was shoved under the poor girls nose.

"Play the aria from act three"

"But I'm only a second violinist, you need a first to play this..!"

"Now!"

realising that arguing was hopeless Celeste raised the instrument to the pace on her shoulder. She looked disparagingly at Gaston then turned her head to the stage wings where, much to her surprise, a group of chorus members and dancers had gathered.

It was like they has come to see an execution.

And, like a condemned prisoner the poor girl lifted her head, as if for divine inspiration. She apparently got it.

She heaved an almost heavy sigh and asked, "will two bars introduction be aright madame?"

"Fine. Play!"

With that, Celeste drew he bow against the strings of the violin that wasn't hers and played a part that wasn't hers either. Every one present drew a breath just waiting to hear a disaster. After all, she was only a second, and a very bland one at that. How on earth could she be expected to play such a complicated piece in the presence of a Diva?

But she did, beautifully...

the music that resonated form the violin on Celsete's shoulder was some of the most wonderful that Gaston had every heard. For some reason, the two bars that she played made him want to cry with happiness at the shear beauty of it all. But there stood Celeste, quiet as ever, appearing oblivious to the shear heaven that she was creating.

Everyone was enthralled, even La Eclarice who missed her cue. Celeste was wise enough not to say anything, played the two bars a gain and waited for her to sing.

Come near me, its so cold out side

would you stay by the fire and be warm

let the glow of the flames dance upon you face

come by me, shelter here from the storm...

the note coming form La Eclarice's mouth sounded harsh and dissident against the soft tones of Celeste's violin. But the sounds the diva was producing where far better than any she had previously produced. It was as if this heavenly violin gave her this inspiration this sing with a distinctly human voice, unlike the animalistic screeched that normally resided in her throat.

Its far to late to be out on your own

whilst the rain and the wind doth blow

in the dead of the night theirs a mystical air

and the moonlight dances on the snow

for though you are a stranger in this town

you are welcome to stay here

an although you have not yet told me your name

I will love you like somebody dear

she continued to play, but a question needed to be asked, "Madame, I'm sorry. The note written here is not the same as the one you just sung"

"WHAT?" and we where back to the animalistic cries

here Celeste stopped and the auditorium was broken out of its dreamlike stupor.

"I'm sorry, but the notes here aren't the same. I've got a B flat written here, you sung a B natural. And earlier it happened, I've got E natural and you sung D sharp... I don't mean to say that you where wr..."

"how dare you suggest that I was off key!"

"I didn't say that madame!"

"You implied it!"

"What I meant to say was, there might have been changes made. This score might not have been transposed proper..."

"How dare you insult the great Eclarice! Impudent child!"

"Madame!"

"Oh these musicians! I've had enough! Damn girl!"

and with that final curse she swept out from the stage in a swirl of pink and lace. Celeste was left standing alone on the sage.

Painfully aware that everyone was staring at her, Celeste quietly took the music stand and paced it on the side wing. She also left the violin with it, but was careful to put it to the side so that no one would step on it. She then walked calmly back to the centre of the stage betraying no hint of her inner emotions. In truth, she didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

"Monsieur I think you said you wanted to see the back stage area." Gaston nodded, "if you would kindly follow me..?"

she lead him through the hoard of chorus members who where making there way back onto the stage. She didn't make eye contact with anyone. This was not because she was a hard, selfish person, but due to the fact that she didn't want anyone to see the rather large blush spreading across her checks.

From the rafters of the stage, a figure in a white half masked looked down on his daughter and smiled. He had never been sure when, or even if, she would reveal her true talent to the world. Even though she had only been heard by a few people, he found it quite hard not to glow with pride. He turned away to relay the tale to Gailhard still chuckling in spite of himself. Everything seemed to be going so well.

And yet, from box five, another pair of eyes where watching...


A/N haha, clifie. Well only a small one, but a clifie all the same. Here's a fun fact; as far as I'm aware Eclarice means 'ray of sunshine' in French. Which she certainly isn't. So anyways, I know I'm stating to turn into a review whore but seriously, you would make my day! Loves, L x