A/N: It's time! The Masquerade! I still don't own a thing but Calliope.
Calliope entered her rooms and slammed the door. The ball would be starting in an hour, and she would be once again resigned to listening to the music filter through the walls. She moved to her chair by the fire and picked up a book of tales from Egypt. She tried hard to focus on the pages, but her vision swam and a tear dropped to the page. Angrily, she slammed the book closed and stood, wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her dress. Why was she so upset this year, as opposed to the times before? The first year she had been there, the idea of attending the ball had terrified her. The second, she hadn't thought anything of not having time. What made this year so different?
You are what is so different, a part of her mind whispered. You have more nerve these past few months, and you want what you deserve. Calliope shook her head, and went to her chest below her bed. She pulled the ropes of black pearls from one corner and laid them against her skin, remembering how her mother had worn them for her father, who had said they were the most beautiful thing in the world when she wore them. A knock at the door distracted her from her thoughts, and she stood quickly, pulling the door open to find Madame Giry holding a pair of boxes.
"You're going to be late, Petit. Now, quickly, get dressed." she said, handing the larger box to the young woman. Surprised, Calliope allowed herself to be ushered behind her dressing screen, where she opened the box. A gasp rose from her throat at the sight of the gown. It was black, with red embroidery in the bodice and skirt the same color as her hair. The sleeves were off the shoulder, and barely covered her upper arms. There was no corset, but the bodice fit her perfectly, and Calliope marveled at the skill put into the gown. She had no idea that anyone had done this, and had certainly not stood for a fitting, yet the gown fit perfectly. She stepped out from behind the screen, and allowed Madame Giry to pin and curl her hair so it framed her face. Finally, she opened the smaller box to reveal a beautiful black mask that covered her face from her forehead to the tip of her nose. Calliope quickly added her mother's pearls around her neck, and Madame Giry added one strand to her hair. When Calliope looked in the mirror, she was amazed at the sight before her. The woman in the mirror was stunning, an exotic beauty that could take any man's breath away. Dark memories lurched to the forefront of her mind, and her hands began to tremble.
"Madame, I don't think I can do this." she whispered. Madame took her hands and smiled warmly at the costume mistress.
"Petit, you are going to go to the ball, and you will enjoy yourself. I made a promise that you would attend, and I intend to keep that promise. I think that you will outshine even Christine." she replied. Calliope grinned widely and allowed the older woman to lead her out to the ball.
When she entered the main area of the opera house, Calliope felt all eyes on her. At first, she was nervous, but then she realized that no one knew who she was because of the masks, so she stood tall, and moved gracefully through the crowd. She smirked inwardly at the sight of Carlotta gaping at the gorgeous woman who flowed through in black and red silk and lace, and Calliope smiled slightly at the diva as she breezed past. She looked around to see if she could spot Christine and Raoul. Finally, she noticed Christine at the edge of the crowd in a lovely pink gown and no mask. Calliope slipped through the crowd and leaned over her friends shoulder.
"Christine, you look beautiful, even though I normally detest that color." she whispered, and the soprano turned in surprise, meeting a pair of familiar amethyst eyes.
"Roux? I didn't think you were coming! You said you didn't have time to make yourself a costume!" Christine said.
"I didn't. Madame Giry arrived at my door not an hour ago with this gown. It isn't like her to spend this much money on me." Calliope replied. A flash of light attracted her attention to a beautiful diamond ring that hung on Christine's neck by a silver chain.
"Well, you look gorgeous." Christine said. Calliope grinned and leaned forward to whisper in her ear.
"Your engagement ring outshines me, rossignol." The young singer blushed and smiled as Raoul appeared to sweep Christine onto the dance floor. As she watched her friends dance, Calliope noticed a man garbed in blue satin approach her. When she looked fully at him, she froze in terror as her eyes took in the sultan's costume. He bowed and Calliope instantly knew he was French.
"May I have this dance, Mademoiselle?" he asked, his eyes raking over her. Calliope drew in a deep breath and shook her head.
"I am afraid I must decline, Monsieur. I am a terrible dancer." she said smoothly. The man nodded, and turned to find another partner, and Calliope looked down to see her hands trembling slightly with fear. Suddenly, a loud bang and a plume of smoke, followed by several gasps drew her attention to the stairs, where The tall figure of the Phantom stood. Calliope was stunned as she took in the sight before her. He wore a shirt that matched the embroidery in her dress, and black trousers and boots as well as a black cape. He had traded in his normal mask, and now wore a mask that covered his entire face to his mouth, in the shape of a skull. Calliope quickly rushed to Christine's side as she saw that Raoul was nowhere to be seen. She gripped the soprano's hand tightly as the Phantom began to descend the stairs, giving instructions to the managers in song. Calliope was entranced by his voice.
No wonder Christine called him her angel of music. His voice alone could captivate anyone! she thought. The Phantom was approaching Christine now, his eyes locked on her ring. Right as he reached for the chain, Calliope pulled her away and stepped in front of the girl, finding herself staring into blazing green eyes.
"Ah, yes, the lovely costume mistress. The one person who does not fear me. Let us see how long that brave front will last!" he cried, and caught her around her waist, pulling her body flush against his. A wall of fire surrounded them and Calliope felt the ground beneath her feet vanish. She didn't even have time to scream before they landed, and he pulled her into the shadows, pressing a finger to her lips.
"I am sorry for the theatrics, dear muse, but it was necessary. Don't say a word. The fool Vicompt has followed us. Stay here for a moment." he whispered. She nodded, mesmerized by his voice. He moved away, and Calliope grabbed his arm.
"Don't hurt him. He is only doing what he thinks is right." she breathed. He looked down at her and nodded, his eyes softening, and he led her away from the spinning mirrors and down into the tunnels leading to his lair. When they arrived, Erik turned around and crossed his arms, looking at her. She sighed and placed her hands on her hips.
"How will your opera be completed when the costume mistress has been kidnapped?" she asked, a teasing lilt to her voice. Erik did not reply right away, simply gazing at the gown she wore.
"You look beautiful. I am glad my instructions were followed." he said softly. Her eyes widened in surprise.
"You did this for me? But why? I would think that Christine-"
"Christine has a lovely singing voice, and she can bring my music to life, this is true. However, you have given me inspiration, and your eyes hold no fear of me. Even when we stood in the middle of the ball, you did not look afraid of me. There have only been two times I have seen you truly afraid. First, when that pig Bouquet had you beneath him, and then tonight when that man approached you . Was it the man himself, or the costume that had you so frightened?" he asked. Memories assaulted her, and she turned away, tears filling her eyes.
Erik silently cursed himself when he saw his muse turn from him, trembling with fear. Guilt and concern flooded his chest and he moved swiftly forward, pulling her into his arms.
"My sweet muse, if I have upset you, I am sorry. It is clear to me that your memories are painful, and I will not ask you to relive them aloud just for my curiosity. I cannot bear being the cause of your pain." he whispered. Her tremors slowed, and finally ceased as she leaned into the warmth of his arms. Finally, she moved away, sitting down on the bench before the organ, her eyes fixed on the lake beyond them.
"I am something of an outcast like you, Erik. My father was French, but my mother was a Persian woman. She was so beautiful, with ebony hair, and eyes like sapphires. Many men were envious of my father when he married her. He died when I was a child, and my mother and I had to work rather hard to survive. We made beautiful clothes for the woman of our village, and when I was old enough, I began to dance to earn more money. The local chief would often hire me to dance at his banquets. He was a very handsome man, and had several women. The night after my mother died, the men came and dragged me to his home. He wanted me for his harem. I fought him so hard, shrieking loud enough to put Carlotta to shame! When he was finished with me, he marked me as undesirable. I escaped and spent two years making my way here to Paris. I never told Madame that I could dance because I didn't want to put myself in a position like that again. In Paris, I am a foreign half-breed unfit for marriage, and in my homeland, I am marked as more trouble than I am worth. Worse than that, I would risk my life returning for my crimes. It is why I stay hidden away in the costumes." she said. Looking up, her eyes were filled with tear as she gazed at him.
"Erik, you are lucky. You can hide behind a mask, and people will only focus on what you want them to see. My very skin betrays me, and reveals me for the outsider I am. It is why I am treated as little better than a slave." she whispered. Erik was stunned. The woman before him was one of the most beautiful creatures he had ever seen. But she was right. She at least had fearful respect. She was treated horribly by those in the opera house. The managers never called her by name, and hardly ever addressed her, and Carlotta was even worse. His heart ached for her, and he pulled her to her feet and into his arms. He held her for a few moments, just relishing the feeling of holding a goddess in his arms, a woman who did not care what he looked like under his mask. Looking down, his eyes were drawn to her mouth, and he wondered what she tasted like. With hardly a thought for Christine, he lowered his head and pressed his lips to hers.
When she had finished her story, Calliope had expected Erik to tell her she had no idea of his torment, but he had pulled her into his arms. She had leaned her head against his chest, smiling softly at the feeling of his arms around her. She had looked up and met his eyes, and was surprised to see pain, and sympathy in those emerald depths. Then he had leaned down and kissed her, his lips pressed firmly to hers. She melted against his body, feeling his arms tighten around her as she returned the kiss. When air became necessary, he pulled back and gazed into her eyes.
"The world must be blind, if they cannot see the goddess that moves amongst them." he breathed. Calliope gazed into his eyes as his hands slowly cam up and pulled the mask free from her face and set it aside. She kept her hands locked behind his neck, not willing to do as Christine had surely done. Slowly, and with a shaking hand, Erik reached for his own mask as if to remove it. She unclasped her hands and laid them over his own, holding his mask in place.
"I won't make you show me your face. Don't take it off unless you are truly ready. Please do not feel you have to." she whispered, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. She moved her hands away from his face and slid her arms around his waist, resting her head on his chest. She felt Erik sigh at the action, and one of his hands went around her waist to hold her close. She watched as his right hand slowly descended before her field of vision, his mask clasped gently in his fingers.
A/N: Well?! God, I hope this turned out right. But it's not going to be all roses and music for these two, there is still a lot more to come. Please let me know how you like it.