A/N: I am so glad everyone likes this story it makes me happy to know I am doing well with it. I will try to keep it up thank you for all the wonderful reviews! By the way I don't know much about the rules of etiquette back in this time period. I mostly did costume studies not social stuff, though costumes can represent social class but this isn't a story about outfits. So anyway it's a very basic night for these guys mostly focusing around a certain pair of people you know who!
My final note before I shut up is that I chose the song Pie Jesu because it is in fact a song usually aimed for higher singers. But also because if you look up the song Pie Jesu by Charlotte Church she did a "duet" of this song and I could literally see her and Meg singing this. The album is called Voice of an Angel, which I believe is fitting all things considered. Thie version of Pie Jesu I will be using was ironically written but Andrew Lloyd Webber. So enjoy! By the way at the end of this story I will have the translation of the song up for anyone who cares to read it. Thanks and enjoy!
Chapter 8
Dinner and Dilemmas
Christine and Meg admired each other in their dresses, "Christine we look so radiant!"
It was true too, the pink dress that Meg wore made her light pink features pop and her blonde hair seem to shine, her eyes sparkled like baby blue crystals. Christine's soft brown hair complimented the dark shades of blue and the black that moved as she walked and her pale skin came across like polished ivory. Both women had their hair done up in beautiful fashions and each wore a beautiful necklace that only added to their picturesque forms.
"You look beautiful Meg." Christine said giving her friend a hug.
"You look like an angel." Meg replied squeezing her friend back.
The two girls had been talking and spending non-stop time together trying to reason out what Christine was going to do. Where she might end up with the choices she made.
In all actuality it WAS Christine's choice, and she would have to make it tonight. Right after dinner. The question was, would she choose Erik and his music, would she return to Raoul, or would she simply go off on her own to live a life of solitude. Meg had begged her to consider a nunnery. At least there she wouldn't be alone and she would have a roof over her head. She would have the peace she needed to think about all the events of her life and to put things into perspective. She would also have the warm embrace of her Lord, which, Meg noticed, seemed to make Christine consider this idea more so then the others.
One way or another she had four hours to figure out what she wanted to do.
"Meg! Christine! Allons!" Madame Giry called up the stairs.
The girls quickly grabbed their small bag like purses and hurried from Christine's room. And what a room it was. When Christine had first seen it she was utterly stunned. It had been the most beautiful room she had ever seen, it was better then the one she had had at Raoul's home. And the mural on her ceiling, it had made tears come to her eyes.
"Look, Meg! The cottage by the sea! My father and I lived there every summer for years!"
When Christine had learned that Erik had designed all the rooms in the house she had made the effort to find him and thank him for her beautiful new room. He had simply nodded and left.
That was what Christine feared about choosing Erik, if she did, would he always be so cold to her? Would he always dismiss her like that if they worked together, lived together, what about after they made love if they ever reached that level? Would he leave her alone and not speak to her again until her next lesson?
So uncertain was she that Christine wasn't sure she would have the nerve to confront him after dinner. But she had to! She must! For her sake and for Erik's after the dinner she would confront him.
Christine reached the front door with Meg in tow and Madame Giry gasped, "Mon Mot!" She said with a large smile, "How pretty you both look!"
"Thank you mother! You look Beautiful as well!"
The three women talked for a few more moment before a noise was heard and they turned to see Erik standing on the stairs. He was wearing a fine suit and a beautifully polished porcelain mask. His deformities all but hidden and on his face a smirk of confidence, at least that is what it appeared to Christine. He was looking at Madame Giry who nodded to the girls, Erik's head slowly turned and he locked eyes onto the two beautiful women.
"Beauty has never been so truthfully represented in the eyes of man." Eric said as he descended the stairs.
Meg giggled and gently pushed Christine forward, she stumbled slightly but regained her balance and looked up to Erik and blushed, "You look very handsome Erik." She said softly with a small warm smile.
For a very brief moment Christine thought she might have seen the corner of his mouth twitch up. But it had vanished as soon as it came and Erik held out his arm. Christine slowly and nervously wrapped her arm around his and then Meg followed suit when Erik offered to her. Madame Giry took hold of Meg's arm and they headed for the coach.
It had been odd at first. Christine meeting new people with Erik, she had never known he was so charming. At first it had taken a moment for Madame Giry to explain her lie in a believable fashion. Erik Had been in an accident, leaving his face damaged and to keep people comfortable he wore the mask.
Kathryn, who was the wife of Mr. McBride, had tried to ask questions but Mr. McBride had been graceful enough to side step her questions and have them escorted into the sitting room.
Here they sat and drank some tea and the real conversations began.
Christine, Meg and Madame Giry sat on the main sofa and Erik leaned against the far wall, his arms crossed tightly across his chest.
"So Antoinette, how long do you plan to remain in the country? Surely your house out here offers much more then a flat in the city?" Mr. McBride asked casually.
"Oui, it does feel like I have returned to my true home. But the kind of work I love can only be found in the city. Ballet is an art and sadly I fear there aren't many Opera houses out here."
Mr. McBride chuckled and Madame Giry sighed, "We only plan to stay for a few months while charge Christine Daae recouparats."
Mr. McBride looked at Christine who suddenly felt an extreme amount of pressure under his kind gaze, "I was sick Monsieur." She said.
"Ah yes! Christine Daae! We have heard of you, even all the way out here in the hillsides. Your voice is compared to that of an angel by many."
Christine blushed and looked down, "Thank you Monsieur, but I have not sang in a long time. I am sure that is no longer the case."
"Not sing? With a voice like you? Pourquoi?" Mrs. McBride asked in total shock.
"She was married." Meg said.
"Ah! Who was the charming young knight to sweep you away from your life of stardom! To take such a flower from the stage as such a young age is worse then picking grapes to early from the vine."
Again Christine blushed, her smile hidden from view as she looked at her hands.
"She is no longer with her husband." Madame Giry said softly giving the McBride's a somewhat relaxed smile.
Mrs. McBride brought her fingers to her lips, "Oh dear! I am sorry my child! Look at us yammering on about things we have no business to talk about! I apologize!"
Christine looked up at her and gave a true smile, "It is alright. I actually left him for that very reason. I wish to return to the stage. But have yet to find a teacher to instruct me. My voice is so weak and untrained it will probably take years…"
A sound came from behind and Christine turned to see Erik's gaze burning into her. The color left her face and she snapped back around just as Mr. McBride said, "Surely your previous teacher would pick up your studies for you?"
Christine felt her anxiety growing as she tried to compose herself and not let her emotions take over, "Actually… my previous teacher and I had a… few disagreements and he left to find a more capable student. I couldn't give him the performance he wanted so he left."
Christine glanced back at Erik… his gaze was no longer heated, it was on fire. His eyes sliced into her and Christine had to fight back the tears.
"His loss I suppose."
"On the contrary…" Christine started as she looked back at Mr. McBride, "He was the best… finding someone to even come close to him would be near impossible."
The conversation carried away from this topic and for the next half hour or so they talked of many things that were not very important. Mostly just the basics of any conversation between people who have not seen each other in a long time.
Christine didn't look back at Erik again and when the maid came in to announce dinner Christine was glad. She could feel Erik's cruel gaze on her and she was glad for the reprieve.
They were led out onto a rather large patio, it was beautiful. A giant trellis was overhead and vines climbed up the sides of the massive structure and hung down. Lanterns were also hung from it and candles were placed all over the edges of the waist high brick walls that surrounded the patio as it expanded from the house.
On the far side the brick walls ended and Christine could see the beginning of steps which led down into the grounds and the vineyard. It was such a peaceful place. On the patio there was room with a large table and chairs, a small area that looked slightly more elevated for a band perhaps then plenty of space for people to stand or walk or even dance if they wanted to.
The dinner went smoothly and there were drinks a plenty to be had. Erik sat at the end corner by Mr. McBride and Madame Giry. Those three spoke quietly amongst themselves as Christine, Meg and Mrs. McBride held a conversation.
"So would it be to rude to ask where Liam is tonight?" Meg asked.
"Oh, he will be along. He went for a hunting trip with some of his friends and has been gone a few days. He was planning on coming home next week but once he heard you would be here Meg he hurried home."
Meg blushed and smiled, "I was hoping he would be here… I have not see him since I was very little."
Mrs. McBride gave a knowing smile, "I am sure he will be along."
The rest of the dinner was just as uneventful, that is until Mr. McBride approached Christine with a smile. Christine felt her heart flip and she knew what was coming.
"Mademoiselle Daae… I understand it's been a few years since you have sang for anyone but I was hoping that you might consider singing something for us?"
"Oh yes! Please do dear!" Mrs. McBride jumped in.
Christine stared at them and then slowly shook her head, "Oh no Monsieur… I have not sang in so long… it would not do justice. But if I ever get on the stage again I will be sure to keep two of the seats open for your personal use."
"My dear… we rarely get such beautiful people out here, let alone such a charming young Diva. It would be a pleasure to hear you even if you missed every note."
Christine gave an inwardly sigh and glanced down the table at Erik and Madame Giry. The latter of the two nodded her head and gave the go ahead with her hand. Shooing her with a quick and even flick of her wrist.
"What would I sing with Monsieur?"
"Well it just so happens that we have a very fine piano in one of the sitting rooms… I will have my servants bring it out." Mr. McBride swept away and Christine shot up from her seat. She stiffly moved down to stand next to Madame Giry ignoring the fact that Erik was still watching her every movement.
"I can not do this. I have had no training, my voice… the music has left me mama!"
"Now stop this foolishness… Christine even before your training you had a lovely voice. I am sure it will be just as lovely. You will get up there and do what you love. Now go!"
"But what would I sing!" Christine pleaded.
"Sing Pie Jesu." Erik said suddenly and silence fell between the three of them. Christine stared at him and then shook her head, "I am to out of practice to sing something of that difficulty."
"My darling, these people will not judge you. They just wish to hear you sing. They will not think any less of you if you miss a note." Madame Giry encouraged.
"But I have no one to accompany me."
"It would be my honor." Erik said. Christine felt her heart almost stop. It was just like practice. Christine couldn't even count how many time she had rehearsed this song with Erik when she had first started singing under his tutelage. Not because Erik liked the song, in fact he found it boring and emotionally empty. But Christine had thought it was the most beautiful song and it was a song about the Lord, which had furthered her adulation for it. He had humored her and helped her to learn it despite the fact she had struggled with every note.
Erik stood and walked into the house to help bring out the piano and Christine felt like she was going to be sick.
She took a drink of water from a glass near by not even curious as to whom it might belong to and turned to see that Meg and Mrs. McBride had moved towards the center of the table so that they could turn to face the area where Christine would be standing.
Christine watched as the piano was brought out and she slowly started to walk towards the house. She didn't feel like she was walking but her legs were moving. Soon enough she was standing next to the piano that was now in position and she turned to face the table.
Madame Giry, Meg, Mr, and Mrs. McBride and two or three of the servants stared back at her. It was the smallest group she ever performed for but she had never felt so nervous in her life. She felt someone approach and sit down next to her at the piano.
"You can do this Christine. Just focus on the music and let everyone else slip away."
Christine nodded despite herself and cleared her throat. She quickly ran up the scale hoping perhaps a brief warm up would help her calm her nerves. When she hit the top not her voice cracked slightly and instantly her mouth clamped down.
"I can't do this Erik."
"Child you have grown weak and nervous in your time away from me. Remember who you are and remember who trained you. I know you can do it so you better show me you can do it. I will be right here playing with you and if you falter I will help you."
Christine nodded and took a deep breath, she ran up the scale one more time, and smiled a little when her voice didn't give way. She nodded to Erik and he started to play the short intro. Christine readied herself to sing.
Pie Jesu. Pie Jesu.
Pie Jesu. Pie Jesu.
Qui Tollis peccata Mundi
Dona eis requiem.
Dona eis requiem.
She made it through the intro as Erik's beautiful piano skills started to show through. At first her voice was weak and timid but since her it had done what she had asked she felt a little more bold. When she entered to repeat the first verse she closed her eyes and tried to pretend it was just Erik and herself. The music leading Christine to a glorious triumph at the theater.
Pie Jesu. Pie Jesu.
Pie Jesu. Pie Jesu.
She had finished the repeat of the beginning of the first verse and started to go into the third line when suddenly she heard a voice ring out with her own. She didn't let it stop her because the voice was even more beautiful then her own.
Erik! It was Erik! He was singing with her! They were harmonizing! And it sounded magnificent! He was guiding her through!
Qui Tollis peccata Mundi
Dona eis requiem.
Dona eis requiem.
When that verse was finished there was a short pause where Erik played the piano but Christine didn't allow herself to break the trance she had fallen into. She needed his support to finish this song. The high note at the end, she couldn't do it with out his guidance.
They started the second verse:
Agnus Dei, Agnus Dei
Qui tollis peccata mundi,
Dona eis requiem
It was one of the most beautiful things Christine had ever heard, her voice and Erik's raised in a harmony that brought tears to her eyes. It felt so good, so right to be up here singing with him. Sharing her soul with his and feeling him in a way she had not felt him in a long time.
They repeated the second verse again continuing their triumphant debut but when they got to the last word Christine allowed her voice to waver. She looked at Erik whose eyes were burning into her; they spoke volumes, Hit the note or quit singing now.
Christine took a deep breath and with as much strength as she could while still keeping the note soft and passionate she hit the final note and felt it ring through out the entire patio.
Sempiternam.
Christine looked to Erik who had a smile on his face and a glimmer in his eyes. Then she turned to her small audience and saw their blank expressions.
"Oh…" she said suddenly not so sure she had done as well as she had felt she had.
It was almost to quick to follow but all those who had been sitting shot to their feet and started to applaud and clap like they had just heard Mozart himself.
Christine smiled and bowed, she could feel Erik's gaze on her, she motioned to the piano and the clapping increased. She took Erik's hand and pulled him up to stand next to her.
"My collaborator!" Christine said and Erik bowed with her, she could feel his nerves suddenly at being pulled in front of an audience. He was so used to being heard and not seen.
"Take your accomplishments with grace and gratitude…" Christine Began as she whispered to Erik.
"Or don't perform at all." Erik finished knowing where she had been going with that. He had said it to her once, long ago when he had first come to her.
"My dear that was wonderful! Stunningly beautiful!" Mr. McBride said as he came and took Christine up in his arms. She was shocked by the sudden affection but let it go and hugged him.
"Thank you Monsieur!"
"And you! Erik! What a wonderful talent you have as well! Surely you could take this girl and teach her all you know! She is looking for a teacher after all! Together you two could bring Paris to its knees!"
Christine blushed when she looked at Erik whose face and stony as ever, "That would depend on Miss. Daae." Erik said purposefully choosing to ignore her married name.
"I will let you two talk it out! I must go and round up my musicians! After that beautiful piece I wish to share the music from my country!" He said darting from the patio in a very mischievous manor.
Mrs. McBride approached with a warm smile, "My dear you were wonderful. I have never heard such a pure voice!"
It went on this way for a few more minutes. Even the servants approached Christine and Erik to compliment them and speak of how incredible and fantastic they thought the two were together.
Finally Madame Giry and Meg came to them and Madame Giry spoke, "We should leave soon. Once Mr. McBride starts playing his music we shall not be ourselves."
"Please can we stay a little longer Mama? Liam has not arrived yet and I wish to see him."
"A little longer my child then we should go before we are taken up by the drink."
As if Mr. McBride had heard her through the house he burst from the doors holding to bottles in his hands, "Madame Giry, come and have a glass with me."
"Oh bon seigneur!" Madame Giry said taking a deep breath and shaking her head. Meg and Christine laughed and soon the festivities truly began.