It be Reccie's turn...again. Hehehehe...

Chapter 6

Raine

Raine skipped lightly up the center aisle after Julien, but once she reached him she pursed her lips. What was she to say? Before she had time to come up with some flirtatious hello the Comte turned around. She ran right into him and stumbled backwards.

Before she had time to fall the Comte caught her arm and steadied her. She watched him awkwardly as his blue eyes looked up and down her. She regained her composure and smiled at him. He smiled back and let go of her arm, brushing it lightly as he put it back by his side.

"Comte," Raine said curtsying, "I'm—"

"Mademoiselle Raine Désirée," he cut her off with another smile, "I remember. That was quite the fall you took there."

"Er…yeah, well…" she put a hand behind her head and grinned sheepishly.

He smiled again. "Don't worry, I found the way you blushed quite adorable," his eyes sparked curiously making Raine cock her head and stare quizzically, ignoring the blush, similar to the one before, that covered her cheeks.

"Merci?" she asked unsurely.

"Of course," he replied, "Now, if you don't mind, I have important matters to attend to. I look forward to seeing you...later. How are you a part of the Opera?"

"Corps de ballet," she said with a flustered laugh.

"I see," he laughed with amusement, "I hope you dance better than you walk." With that he turned and ambled out of the theatre leaving Raine to fume over that last remark.

After crossing her arms, she turned and stormed the other direction back to the stage, through the wings, and to her dorm where she found Cossette reading a book on her bed. Arabella and her rat friends where not in sight. Raine flopped down at the end of Cossette's bed and sighed dramatically.

Cossette peeked over the top of her book. "What happened?"

"The nerve of him!" Raine said ignoring Cossette.

"Who?"

"Stupid Comte," Raine grumbled to herself more than answering Cossette's question.

"What happened?" Cossette repeated.

"He told me he hoped I danced better than I walked!"

Cossette ducked behind her book to snort a laugh, then recompose her features. When she had control of herself she closed the book and put it on the dresser. "Raine, don't listen to him. He's rich. They are always snobs."

It was Raine's turn to laugh, "Cossette, your rich."

Cossette shrugged, "I've left that life. I'm not going back, I hated it."

"You hated having money?" Raine asked incredulously.

"No, I hated being told what to do."

"Oh," was all Raine could reply, "Anyways, do you still have the note?" Cossette brightened and pulled the now crumpled note out of her bodice. She sat up further and propped herself against the headboard of the bed. Raine tucked her knees under her and leaned forwards, anxious to know what the note said.

"Dearest Madame Giry--" Cossette looked up at Raine with wonder. Raine shook her head and motioned for her to keep reading. "I hope this note finds you well. I approve your choice of the cast. I praise the selection of a younger company this season; makes for a grand opera…as long as those insolate managers leave me to command my employees—" Cossette stopped and looked up at Raine who was watching wide-eyed. "This is too weird," Cossette shivered.

Raine leaned back against the foot board of the bed and bit her lip. "Agreed. Just keep reading."

"Two young protégés have my attention: First, Cossette de Chagny—" Cossette halted her reading nearly choking on her own name, "Raine," she whispered.

"I swear, Coss, if you stop one more time I will finish myself," Raine said gritting her teeth. She wanted to know what this was about and who the other was.

"—she resembles much of her mother—don't fret, that is not what concerns me…" Cossette stopped and reread that line silently to herself. Raine cleared her throat. "Though her voice is good, she is in need of a suitable tutor before she is able to be lead soprano. She must first prove her voice has been properly trained." Cossette looked up but when she saw the look on Raine's face she continued hurriedly.

"Second: Raine Désirée—"

"Seriously…this too weird," Raine interrupted though she wasn't as surprised as Cossette was.

"How does he know you?"

"I don't know…I used to come to the Opera when I was young but—" Raine's eyes widened. "It was him…" she reached up and touched the back of her head. Caressing it softly.

"What are you talking about Raine?" Cossette said and leaned forward folding the note and putting it in her lap.

"When I was about five years old I used to spend every Sunday here, the Opera used to let the orphans come and Madame Giry would give us ballet lessons. It's where I got my love for dancing." Raine smiled fondly at the memory. "Anyways, I used to like going down to the stables afterwards and give the horses carrots. I had one favorite in particular, his name was Caesar. He was a beautiful black stallion, and he was gentle. He used to nibble my hair and whinny whenever I came to pet him. One day when I went to go to him the horse in his stall was also black—but it was not him." Raine shivered.

"But I didn't know that at the time. So I reached up and unlatched the stall door—like I would have if it had been Caesar, but this horse was not tame. It reared up and kicked out. I stood frozen with fear, but before the wild animal had time to strike me I was tackled and pulled out of the way. My head hit the concrete and rendered me unconscious…" Raine rubbed the back of her head again, where the small knot still was.

"When I woke someone was leaning over me. They asked me—in a concerned, yet…detached voice—if I was alright. I had sat up but almost fainted again. He caught me and held me in the crook of his arm. Then he asked me who I was…I told him my name was Raine Désirée and I was an orphan. I asked him the same question but he didn't respond. Instead he helped me up and carried me back to the Opera. I was so frightened I fainted again…" she laughed at her young stupidity. "When I woke he was gone, Madame Giry was in his place, sitting next to a bed which I was lying on. I asked her who the man who saved me was and Madame Giry had only replied 'an angel' and that's what I believed…until now."

After Raine had finished her story Cossette stood staring dumbly at her. She opened and closed her mouth several times but couldn't say anything.

Raine laughed awkwardly at Cossette's gaping. "What?"

"I…hm…wow."

"Yeah, I'd say. Anyways, continue reading."

Cossette nodded and picked up the note unfolding it again and smoothing it out. "…;she has become a young woman of potential talent and a decent dancer. I will see her leading le corps de ballet. If you find her worthy, which you will. Regardless, I will be watching these two closely and monitoring their careers. Sincerely Yours, -O. G." Cossette looked up. Raine began to laugh nervously.

"He knows us."

"Oui," Cossette said in a strange high-pitched tone that reminded Raine of her soprano voice.

"How strange…Well than, I guess we better be on our best behavior!" Raine said sarcastically clapping her hands and laughing.

"Raine be serious."

"Fine. Now, what did Madame Giry want with you?"

"She told me to be aware of the dangers of the Opera and not to wonder alone at night."

"Darn," Raine said disappointed.

"What?"

"I wanted you to come with me tonight when we help Monsieur Phantom deliver his letters to Madame Giry's and the Manager's offices," Raine shrugged and snatched Cossette's note sliding off the bed and getting the envelopes from the dresser. She re-melted the wax, just enough to reseal the notes.

"I'm coming," Cossette said crossing her arms defiantly.

"Whatever you say. Just remember: Beware, the Phantom of the Opera!" She sang very off tune.

"Nice song," Cossette laughed. Raine shrugged and finished with the envelopes. "What now?" Cossette said impatiently. Raine handed one of the notes to Cossette, who tucked it again in to the bosom of her dress. Raine did the same with hers, than sat on her bed and leaned back leisurely with a smirk on her face.

"We wait."

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