My turn! No rambling! No nonsense! On with the show! Erik commands it and so it is so! Bwahaha!

Chapter 5

Cossette

Cossette barely caught her balance in time before she almost joined Raine on the stage floor. She felt herself turn a shade of crimson in embarrassment for her new found friend as well as for herself. She toyed nervously with a string on her dress as she found herself staring dumbly at Madame Giry. The other girls and performers stared and laughed and pointed at the awkward pair. Cossette could have sworn she heard one of the managers snicker…most likely Firmin.

"Get Up!" bellowed Madame Giry as she tapped her cane impatiently. Her sudden outburst brought Cossette back to reality and caused her to bolt upright which almost caused her to loose her balance. "I haven't all day, Mademoiselle de Chagny. Now help up your friend and perhaps we may continue? Our managers are very busy men and haven't the time for your nonsense and nor do I. Being tardy is enough, but wasting precious time is another. Now move!"

Cossette turned obediently and tugged Raine to her feet a little less gently then she could have. "I thought you said she was a softie," Cossette whispered as she pulled her friend to her feet. Raine brushed aside Cossette's comment and smoothed out her dress and shot Cossette a quick glare before turning her gaze down to her feet.

"Quiet," Madame Giry commanded and the giggling ceased at once. "Now, perhaps since you two are now here we can begin with the briefing…Monsieur Firmin?" Firmin gestured for her to continue without even a single word. "Very well."

Madame Giry walked up onto the stage and paced around Cossette and Raine for a moment before walking to the front where she was visible to all. "You all have been hired and are now the employees of the Opera Populairé," she said addressing the dancers and singers. "Now, I will go through the basics and if there are any questions wait until the end." She paused and cleared her throat. "Breakfast is at six in the morning. Practice begins at seven o'clock sharp everyday except for Sunday. How long practice lasts depends on your performance. The better the practice the sooner you are dismissed. I advise you aren't late," she said shooting an icy glare at Raine and Cossette.

"As for the rest… I assume you will figure it out soon enough. No one is to be wandering the Opera after dark for your own safety," Madame Giry added quickly. She turned and looked at Firmin who gave her a nod of what Cossette took as approval. "I'm sure most of you have met the managers: Monsieur Firmin and Monsieur Andre," she said gesturing to the two men. "And this is our new patron; Comte Julien Badeau."

The Comte rose from his seat briefly and greeted them in a not-so-cheery tone and what appeared to be a rather forced smile. "Bonjour, I am glad to be of service to the great Opera Populairé. I look forward to working with you all," he said solemnly then sat back down.

Cossette took a moment to look at the patron as she was sure Raine was doing also. He was a rather handsome young man; dark hair that was pulled back in a loose ponytail, cobalt blue eyes, despite his face being in a pout while he continued rubbing his neck, he had an welcoming face and smooth features, and to top it all off he was dressed in a most elegant blue suit that complemented him nicely.

"Any questions?" Madame Giry asked. She paused for a moment. "Good then, you are to return to--What is it Mademoiselle de Chagny?" she asked rather irritated.

Cossette tore her eyes from the Comte. "N-nothing," she mumbled. Her mind teased and harassed her with the question that was haunting her about the infamous Opera Ghost. She wanted to ask, but decided she and Raine made a big enough scene and got enough attention as it was for today.

Madame Giry eyed her oddly for a moment. "You are dismissed," the old hag said crisply. Everyone was all too happy to do as she said and the auditorium was clear in less then a minute.

Cossette stood where she was for a moment and watched the managers leave. She chuckled lightly as she saw them start bickering as they left. Cossette looked back over her shoulder at Raine who was tapping her foot impatiently.

"Come on, Coss. Let's go," Raine said slightly annoyed.

"Alright," Cossette sighed. As she turned to go Madame Giry called her back.

"De Chagny," Giry called sternly.

Cossette turned back to her. "Oui?"

"I need to speak to you," she replied a little more quietly.

"Okay…" Cossette looked at Raine, who only gave her a small shrug.

"Alone."

Cossette turned back to Raine. "I'll see you later, I guess," she said low enough that Madame Giry couldn't hear. "I wonder what she wants."

"I don't know…" Raine started. Seeing the young Comte rise form his seat, she nearly bolted of the stage. "I'll see you later, Coss," she called over her shoulder.

Cossette looked back at Madame Giry, whose features now softened. "What do you want with me?" she asked.

"To warn you of the dangers of the Opera House--"

"What--" Cossette started.

"Hush, you eager girl!" Madame Giry scolded, which made Cossette flinch, then continued. "Rules are given for a reason, Mademoiselle de Chagny, and I advise you don't go wandering about after curfew. You never no who is lurking in the shadows and stalking the corridors at night."

Cossette took a moment to digest what Madame Giry just said. Why was she telling her this and only her? Then it hit her. "Are you referring to…to…the Phantom?" Cossette asked hesitantly.

"I didn't say that did I?" Madame Giry responded all to quickly for Cossette's likening. "I suggest you get some sleep, dear," Madame Giry said in a motherly tone.

Cossette nodded and slowly walked of the stage and headed to the dormitory with many questions plaguing her mind. First off, why was Madame Giry one minute a mean old hag and then one minute a kind old woman? Second, how come everyone knew of the so-called phantom except for her? And Lastly, why did Madame Giry warn her? So many questions…

Thanks for reading and reviewing! Erik would say thanks, aussi, but he's in one of his "moods".