Chapter 2
AN: Wow, I'm surprised to see I'm getting reviews for this story. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed or alerted this story! :D I hope it continues to be good. I apologize in advance if anyone is OOC, out of character.
I hurried after Madame Giry with my violin case held tightly in my grip. I slowed down once I had caught up with her. As we walked further into the opera house, I tried remembering the path we were taking for future reference. I kept getting distracted as my gaze wondered to all of the rooms that we passed: costume rooms filled with every outfit you can imagine, dressing rooms with makeup practically overflowing the dresser tops, prop rooms where I could see old props from past operas, and construction rooms filled with equipment for when they needed to make new stage props.
Not to mention the people that seemed to fill the rooms with life. Laughing women as they dressed each other up, arguing men as they fought pointless arguments, giggling couples as they shared secret kisses. Everywhere I look there's life around me.
Madame Giry looked over her shoulder at me to make sure I was keeping up and smiled slightly as she saw my amazed expression while I took everything in.
"It's a lot to take in the first time," she said as we walked past a bunch of giggling girls in ballet outfits. They all waved at Madame Giry as we passed and looked at me in curiosity. Two girls broke off from the group, one blonde girl and one curly brunette. The blonde was shorter than the brunette though they both seemed around 16 years old. Not quite done growing up but close.
"Hello, Maman," the blonde teenager greeted Madame Giry as both the teenagers stared at me. "Who is this?"
"Girls this is Mademoiselle Sienna Giudicelli," Madame Giry introduced as I gave the teenagers a bright smile. "Sienna, this is my daughter, Marguerite Giry, and this is Christine Daae."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Mademoiselle Giudicelli," Marguerite curtsied. I smiled at her and waved her curtsy away.
"Please none of that formal stuff. It's so pointless," I rolled my eyes causing the teens to laugh. "Call me Sienna."
"Only if you call me Meg," Meg smiled. I winked at her.
"You got an accordo, Meg," I smiled as confusion consumed both teens' faces while Madame Giry watched amused.
"Accordo?" Christine questioned, her eyebrows scrunched together.
"It means deal," I shrugged, "I'm from Italy. I often switch between speaking French and Italian. It keeps me fluent in both languages and I just love speaking Italian."
"You sound really cool," Christine told me. A bright smile spread across her face. "Say something else! Please."
"Oh yes! Please!" Meg asked wanting to hear, too. I thought about what to say for a moment before picking something.
"Questo teatro d'opera è molto bella," I said as I spread my arms out to motion to the opera house buzzing with life around us. "Sei fortunato a vivere qui."
Madame Giry looked at me curiously wondering what I said while Meg and Christine both looked ecstatic.
"What'd you say?" Christine asked me excited. I laughed as Meg leaned forward slightly, almost subconsciously.
"I said, this opera house is very beautiful and you're lucky to live here," I smiled as both girls got big smiles and nodded in agreement.
"Yes, it is. I've lived here my whole life," Meg agreed as she spared a glance at the people moving around us as they walked down the hallway to other parts of the opera house. "Christine has lived here since she was a little girl."
"If I may be so bold, why are you here?" Christine asked me out of curiosity.
"I'm going to try out for a violin position in the orchestra," I explained gesturing to my violin case which held my violin. Interest sparked in Christine's eyes.
"My father loved playing the violin. Would you mind playing for me sometime?" Christine asked me hopefully. I nodded with a smile.
"Sure, I would love to," I agreed. A big smile spread across Christine's face and I smiled in return.
"How did you manage to even get a chance to try out?" Meg asked me as the girls switched off on interrogating me. "Monsieur Reyer is very picky about that kind of thing."
"Carlotta is my big sister," I explained shrugging like it was nothing. Madame Giry and I both barely held back a laugh at the shocked and horrified expressions on Christine and Meg's faces.
"You're related to Carlotta?" Meg asked her mouth open in shock.
"But you're nice," Christine asked astonished. They both looked embarrassed as they realized what they had said. I was unable to keep back my laughter as Madame Giry tried to give them scolding looks but was unable to keep the smile off her face.
"Va bene, it's fine," I laughed as they stuttered to apologize. "I get that a lot. Most people are shocked to find out we're related, let alone sisters."
"Well, yeah, I mean you don't even look alike," Meg struggled again as Christine nodded in agreement.
"Alright, Meg, that's enough," Madame Giry smiled as she shook her head at the girls' antics. "Look how distracted you two have made me! I was taking Sienna to have some tea to warm up after being outside in the rain."
"Can we come with you?" Christine asked. "I have some questions, if you don't mind."
"Sicuro, sure. I don't mind," I agreed. Meg and Christine both smiled at each other and Madame Giry simply turned around and continued to lead the way to the kitchen.
Each of the girls stood by my sides and started to relentlessly question me about my life and what it was like in Italy. I happily answered and told them everything they wished to know. Their questions continued even as we sat down in the dining hall and ate some snacks and warm tea. They enjoyed my stories of what it was like growing up with Carlotta as an older sister and the pranks I had played on her growing up. A crowd started to gather together as I told them of how I embarrassed Carlotta in front of her many boyfriends when I was little. Everyone got laughs out of anything that embarrassed her. I felt kind of old having so many people crowded around me, intently listening to my stories. I even got into talking about how I first started playing the violin as a little girl when I found an old one in our attic while I was playing hide and seek one day with my friends.
"I drove Carlotta pazzo, crazy, when I got my first violin," I laughed at the memories as everyone listened intently and laughed. "I was absolutely awful at it, but I thought I was a little protégée. Whenever I woke up in the middle of the night or couldn't sleep, I would get it out and start practicing. She always had a huge temperare bizze, temper tantrum, whenever I woke her up with my playing. Carlotta wasn't afraid to tell me I was awful, but I didn't believe her."
"That sounds like Carlotta," a stage man commented as others agreed with him while laughing.
"Why didn't you believe her?" an elder ballet girl asked me.
"It's Carlotta," I rolled my eyes. "She's always jealous of anyone who's good at anything she can't do. I figured she was just stupito, amazed, of my talent and didn't want to admit to being second best to someone else, especially her sorellina."
"Her what?" someone asked confused.
"Oh sorry, little sister," I explained. I had noticed that as I talked more with everyone that I was getting into the habit of saying something in Italian and then repeating what I said in French for them to understand me. Though I didn't always do that, so sometimes I had to go back to explain something.
"Alright, shoo! The girl hasn't been here for a day and you won't stop bugging her! Don't you have jobs to do?" Madame Giry scolded as she broke apart the group that had gathered around Meg, Christine, and I. Everyone grumbled but separated and went off to wherever they were supposed to be.
"Wow! I want to go to Italy someday," Meg sighed dreamily probably still thinking about my descriptions of what it was like growing up in Italy. Christine also looked like she was daydreaming about it.
"Get such silly ideas out of your head," Madame Giry scolded Meg. She turned to look at me. "Sienna, are you ready for your audition with Monsieur Reyer?"
"Sicuramente, definitely!" I agreed excited as I got up and grabbed my violin case.
"Can we come watch?" Christine asked me. I nodded.
"Sure, you wanted to hear me play," I agreed.
Meg smiled brightly as her and Christine both hurriedly got up to follow after me. I chuckled and shook my head at them. Madame Giry's lips twitched to an almost smile but she turned around and led the way to, I assume, the opera stage. Meg and Christine walked next to me and pointed things out along the way. Shortcuts through the opera house if I ever need to get somewhere fast. Or a quiet place that I could go to if I ever wanted some alone time, which is apparently very hard to get from what I'm told.
As we came to the backstage, we had to walk around people even though there wasn't a performance even picked out yet. Tryouts, afterall, were still going on for positions in the orchestra and they needed to make sure they had all of the necessary spots filled, first.
I followed Madame Giry onto the stage as Christine and Meg stayed behind to watch from the side of the stage. I noticed an old, white haired man and a middle aged brown haired man talking to some people in the orchestra pit. I felt nerves twirl around in my stomach as I assumed that one of the men is the conductor. I stopped a bit ways away from them and the edge of the stage. I'm usually pretty confident in whatever I do, must be a trait from Carlotta, so I rarely feel nervous, but this occasion is special. It's not everyday you get the chance to tryout for the Opera Populaire's orchestra. This is the real deal. My stomach starts to tighten even more and I swallow lightly.
"Monsieur Reyer, Monsieur LeFevre," Madame Giry calls to the men from the edge of the stage. The white haired man is the first to look up at her, so this must be Monsieur Reyer and the other man must be the manager, Monsieur LeFevre. Madame Giry waves towards me, "This Mademoiselle is here for her tryouts for first violin."
Monsieur Reyer looks surprised and scrutinizes me for a few minutes before shaking his head. He says to me, "I'm sorry, Mademoiselle, but the position is not open for tryouts."
I felt my heart drop from my throat to my feet.
"W-what? But I was told-" I started shocked. He shook his head firmly.
"No, I am sorry. You are welcome to tryout for third or fourth chair if you wish," he told me like this was great news. My eyebrows scrunched in confusion. I swear Carlotta said that he agreed to let me tryout. Then again it is Carlotta. He probably said one thing and she heard another. Typical.
Just in case, I ask, "Are you sure because Carlotta-"
Speak of the devil and he shall appear.
Before I could finish my sentence, Carlotta came storming onstage with Piangi not far behind her. She was holding up a bottle of perfume in the air. I could tell that this must be expensive perfume from the looks of the bottle, but that it must not be up to Carlotta's standards, considering the sneer on her face.
"What is this! This is not the perfume I asked for! This is spazzatura!" she said spitting on the floor, showing that she considered the perfume the garbage she called it.
"Signorina," Monsieur Lefevre said trying to sooth her temper. "I'm sure it was a simple mistake. You will get the right one."
"Mistake! You call this a errore?" my big sister demanded. "What kind of stolti incompetenti make this kind of mistake!" Incompetent fools.
"Carlotta, qual è il problema grosso? E 'solo profumo," I asked her pulling her fuming attention to me. What's the big problem? It's just perfume.
"Sono allergico ad esso!" she screeched. I am allergic to it!
My eyebrows raised in amusement as I reached for the bottle. She huffed indignantly but handed me the bottle without a fight. She looked at me expectantly while I read the label on the perfume bottle. I read the ingredients and felt confused as I saw nothing that would cause an allergic reaction.
"Non vedo qual è il problema. Sembra a posto per me," I shrugged in confusion. I squirt a little bit into the air and sniffed it. A rosy scent surrounded me and I took a deep breath of it, "Buoni odori, anche." I don't see what's the problem. It looks fine to me. Smells good, too.
While Carlotta and I discussed the problem in Italian, everyone looked on in confusion. Most looked fearful for what Carlotta might do next. For example, throw the bottle at their head.
Oh, there it goes.
"Carlotta! Perché l'hai fatto buttare? Si sentiva odore meraviglioso!" I demanded as I looked sadly at the smashed rose perfume bottle that she had yanked from my hands and chucked at a random stagehand. Why did you throw it? It smelled wonderful!
"Sono allergico alle rose," Carlotta stuck her nose in the air. I'm allergic to roses.
"Siete allergici al polline rosa! Tu non sei allergico al profumo!" I snapped at her angrily. You're allergic to rose pollen! You're not allergic to the perfume!
"Oh," she blinked in surprise. She shrugged and her temper tantrum ended swiftly. "I can get more in that case."
I rolled my eyes at her spoiled behavior. I took a deep breath to make sure my own temper didn't get out of hand. Carlotta has a talent of easily angering other people, in case you haven't noticed.
Her eyes lit up as she noticed Monsieur LeFevre and Reyer watching us warily. A giant smile spread across her face as she clasped her hands together happily.
"Oh! Did my sorellina get the part? I knew you would, Sienna!" Carlotta crushed me in a tight hug as I gasped for breath. I felt suffocated against her giant, poofy dress.
"Sorellina?" I head Monsieur Reyer ask Madame Giry.
"Little sister," Madame Giry explained.
"SISTER?" Monsieur Reyer and LeFevre both exclaimed. They both started apologizing to me as soon as Carlotta let me out of her death hug.
"I am so sorry Mademoiselle Giudicelli-" Monsieur LeFevre started.
"If I had known you were La Carlotta's sister-" Monsieur Reyer continued.
"Of course, you have the part of first violinist!" Monsieur Lefevre assured me. My eyebrows scrunched together in confusion as I looked between their frantic faces. Carlotta was watching confused.
"What are you talking about?" Carlotta demanded, her nostrils flared as I could see another tantrum coming. Monsieur LeFevre and Reyer both cowered slightly. "You did not give her the part? Che diavolo! Non voglio dire niente, come prima donna?" What the hell! Do I mean nothing as the prima donna?
"Carlotta! Chiuso per un minuto!" I snapped at her. Shut up for a minute!
I rubbed my temples to get rid of my minor headache as she gaped at me. I shot her a look and she huffed and crossed her arms but remained silent. A miracle. I turned to look at the nervous men.
"You're going to give me the position just for being her sister?" I asked sadly. "Is there no respect for the arts anymore? *sigh* Listen, I just want my fair audition. I would love to be the first violinist but only if I deserve it."
Monsieur Reyer and Monsieur LeFevre huddled together for a minute before separating and nodding at me.
"Alright, play a piece for us and I will decide if you deserve the position," Monsieur Reyer told me and had a grateful look in his eyes.
I smiled thankfully at him. I opened up my violin case and pulled out my violin and bow. I took a second to tune it and make sure I was ready.
I paused as I saw a flutter of something from above. I looked up to see a flash of white before it disappeared. I stared up there for a moment before I brought back my concentration to the audition. Whoever was up there, I could feel their intense gaze watching me. I felt butterflies swirl around in my stomach. I gave a tiny nod to Monsieur Reyer to let him know I was ready.
I took a deep breath to calm myself and closed my eyes as I started to play. The tune started out gentle with a happy tune to it. A smile spread across my face as gradually the tune started to get faster, almost unnoticeably. My emotions poured into the music as I lost myself in the piece as usual. A barely noticeable pause held for a second as my smile transformed into a tiny smirk. I started to play faster and faster, this time definitely noticeable. My smile grew wider as my eyes popped open to see everyone watching me in shock. Through the music you could hear my joy at playing the piece as it went faster and even faster. Unconsciously, my hips started to swing with the beat as I played. The beat slowed a tiny bit as I repeated parts of the song. Then I took off, playing through the last scales and music by heart. The music ended as I held up my violin bow.
Everyone listening burst into applause causing me to blush, pleased with their reaction.
"You have the spot!" Monsieur Reyer told me enthusiastically.
"Oh, grazie! Grazie! Thank you!" I smiled elated, pride and joy swirling through my body. Meg and Christine ran over to me with squeals of joy.
"Congratulations, Sienna!" Meg told me joyously as they each gave me a tight hug.
"You were amazing!" Christine added with a gigantic smile.
"There are a lot of people who are better than me," I said reluctantly but truthfully
"Don't ruin the moment!" Christine giggled causing me to laugh. "You were wonderful!"
I was pulled away from them by Carlotta's grip.
"I just knew my sorellina would get the part!" Carlotta said happily. She smiled proudly as she looked at me. "You are a Giudicelli afterall. We always do favoloso." Fabulous.
I laughed and hugged her back. As I pulled away, my gaze returned to the spot where I had seen the flutter earlier. I felt my heart give a start as I saw another flash of white. I stared at the area curiously until my attention was pulled back to Meg and Christine who were dragging me off to somewhere they wanted to show me while Carlotta went off with Piangi.
The last thing I saw before we turned around the corner down another hallway was Madame Giry picking up a letter as it fluttered to the ground.
AN: Hehe, she saw Erik! :D lol I'm sorry if anyone is OOC. I've never done a POTO fic before so I'm just kind of winging it. If you want to listen to what Sienna played for the tryout, look up Celtic Women- The Butterfly on youtube.
Please review so that I know if I'm doing good or if changes are needed!