Disclaimer: I don't own Vampire Diaries...or anything from Phantom of the Opera for that matter.
Chapter One
Paris, 1882
It was a wondrous day. The late fall weather was very cool but it did not hinder the usual activity seen in the Parisian streets; carriages and horses filled them and one such carriage with two large, black horses came to a halt in front of the Palais Garnier.
It's two occupants climbed gracefully out of the car and looked around. Both were tall and exceptionally handsome.
"It's supposed to be haunted," one said to the other with a sidelong glance. His eyes twinkled with mischief while he smirked and took off his top hat, flecks of gold in his hair shining in the sun.
"That is but a tall tale, Niklaus, told to keep the young ballet girls from wandering off into places they should not venture," the other responded with a heavy sigh as he fixed his cuffs. In contrast to the blonde haired, blue-eyed man beside him, he had brown hair and brown eyes to match.
"Knowing what we do about the monsters who exist in plain daylight, roaming the world unbeknownst to the ignorant human eye, I find it funny that you would pay little mind to such tales, Elijah."
Elijah gave Niklaus another exasperated look, "And I find it funny that you would take store by such simple-minded tales. And, not that you aren't eternally aware of this but I appall your audacity. Do you ever take heed to your surroundings, Niklaus? We would be wise not to speak of the world's lesser-known species so openly. Now, I've had enough of your games, they are waiting for us."
And with that, Elijah walked off with a glance at Niklaus, telling him to follow. Niklaus repressed a growl and climbed the stairs to catch up with Elijah.
"Is there nothing I can say to deter you from this, brother?" Niklaus asked, stepping into stride beside the other man.
"No. I continue to tell you it will be a good investment! Stop attempting to make it seem like you do not enjoy the opera, Niklaus. We both know that you do, in fact, enjoy the fine arts," Elijah said with a wry smile.
Niklaus huffed and placed a hand on Elijah's elbow and pulled him to a stop. Standing nearly nose-to-nose, Niklaus studied his brother's face with an intense gaze, his face drained of all emotion, "Fine," he said through gritted teeth, "But when this project of yours fails, and it inevitably will, do not come to me complaining of your problems."
"I can care for my own endeavors, Niklaus. Thank you for your concern, though. Now, let us go act like civilized men and graciously greet the staff of our opera house," Elijah replied evenly. He clapped Niklaus on the back before stepping away and walking on. Once again, Niklaus followed, his jaw taught in annoyance.
"Ah! You must be Monsieur Mikaelson!" A man in his late sixties with a shaky voice and a feaux sense of confidence greeted them before the entrance.
"Yes," Elijah replied, sticking out his gloved hand, "Elijah Mikaelson. And this is my younger brother, Niklaus."
Niklaus scrunched his nose at his introduction but copied Elijah's actions and stuck his own hand out, "Please, Monsieur, call me Klaus," he said with a devilish smile as the man hesitantly shook Klaus' large hand. He held on for a second longer than necessary, relishing in the man's skittish behavior and earning an eye roll from Elijah.
"Liam Grant," the man introduced himself once he was free of Klaus' grasp. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you both and I cannot express my gratitude towards you, Monsieur, for purchasing the Opera Populaire. It has become quite the chore for my associate and I."
"I speak not only for myself, but my brother as well, when I say we've enjoyed the opera during our time in Paris. When we were presented with the opportunity to purchase the Opera Populaire, I simply could not refuse."
"Well, as I said, we are simply delighted to have you, Messieurs Mikaelson. Let me give you a brief tour. You'll have to excuse the chaos indoors; we are in the middle of rehearsal for tonight's performance of Hannibal."
The Palais Garnier was a hustle of activity, color, and sound. Ballet dancers ran to and fro, costumes were being thrown off and changed faster than one can imagine in the last run through. The three gentlemen came to stand on the edge of the stage and watched the bustle of activity after walking through the maze of back stage.
Niklaus ignored the polite small talk between his brother and the former manager and let his gaze wander while they watched the rehearsal. The woman singing on stage soon caught his interest. The woman caught Klaus' intense, scrutinizing gaze and her heart rate quickened as she tried and failed to break eye contact. She swallowed hard as his eyes narrowed at the fact that she seemed to be frightened of him. He dropped his chin slightly, giving the woman a look before her attention snapped back to the conductor.
"Niklaus," Elijah said in a low voice, lingering behind Liam to scold his brother. "Now is not the time be a womanizer."
Niklaus repressed a smirk and chuckle at his brother's accusations before they easily caught up with Liam as he ventured to the middle of the stage.
"Excuse me," Liam said in his ever-shaky voice when the conductor halted the rehearsal to address a small issue.
"But, sir, we are in the middle of a rehearsa-"
"I know, Monsieur, I am aware but this will only take a short moment. I need everyone's attention! Madame Flemming, if you please," Liam snapped with his false bravery. The woman whom he addressed rolled her eyes and snapped her head in Mr. Grant's direction dramatically, flipping her dark waves of hair over her shoulder. "Ladies and gentlemen, as you know, for some weeks there have been rumors of my imminent retirement. I can now tell you that these are all true and it is my pleasure to introduce you to the two gentlemen who now own the Opera Populaire: Monsieur Elijah Mikaelson and his brother, Monsieur Niklaus."
There were mixed reactions to the announcement but the brothers were greeted rather warmly nonetheless. Klaus and Elijah nodded their heads in thanks for their welcome.
"Messieurs, may I have the honor of introducing Mademoiselle Katerina Petrova," Mr. Grant introduced the woman proudly. "She has been our lead soprano for five seasons."
Katerina's attendants cheered enthusiastically as she made her way to greet the brothers. Klaus kissed the woman's hand and looked up at her as he did so, a deadly glint in his eyes despite the way his dimples lit up his cheeks. Katerina recoiled her hand and backed away in alarm at Klaus' actions, her eyes wide. He was distracted a moment too long and was tugged backwards by the elbow.
"If you please, Messieurs," Madame Flemming snapped, striding over to the three gentlemen as Elijah pulled Klaus backwards. "We are in the middle of a rehearsal, after all."
"Of course, of course Madame Isobel. Perhaps you could discuss the ballet with Messieurs Elijah and Klaus and I shall take my leave?"
Isobel sighed and narrowed her eyes but otherwise did not oppose, "Very well," she said haughtily before walking off with her hands behind her back. "We take particular pride in the excellence of our ballet, Monsieur," she continued to explain to Klaus and Elijah as they followed her around the stage.
"I see why. Especially the young brunette," Elijah said casually and Klaus scoffed in disbelief. Of all the young women here, his brother would take interest in the young brunette.
"That is my daughter, Monsieur," Isobel replied proudly, a hint of warning in her voice. She glanced up at Elijah before her eyes flickered back to her daughter. She observed the girl's movements carefully before continuing, "Elena Gilbert."
"And that blonde there, quite the pretty little thing. No relation, I trust?" Klaus inquired, pointing out the girl had spoken of. His statement only earned him a pointed look and a mouthed warning from Elijah but Klaus decided if Elijah was now 'womanizing' it was acceptable for him to as well.
"Caroline Forbes. Promising talent, Monsieur, very promising. She and her father moved to Paris shortly after the death of her mother. I practically raised her with Elena- our families go back a long ways. Caroline has been training with us ever since her father died when she was twelve," Isobel said, lacing her hands together behind her back as they crossed to the other side of the stage. They stood in silence for a time, simply watching the rehearsal. Klaus for the most part ignored the small comments Elijah made to him and the small talk that passed between his brother and Isobel until he had enough.
"As fun as this has been, brother, you'll have to excuse me from your little excursion. I have my own business to attend to," Klaus whispered to Elijah.
"Very well. Do know that I expect you back this evening for the performance, Niklaus," Elijah responded without looking at his brother.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world, Elijah," he said over his shoulder, smirking as he walked away.
"I take it that your brother does not have much patience for these type of things, does he, Monsieur?" Isobel asked, turning to watch Klaus' retreating back.
Elijah chuckled, "Do not let Niklaus' rough exterior fool you. He is very much a renaissance man and has a deep appreciation for the fine arts. I must take responsibility for his moodiness this time, Madame. Our acquisition of the Opera Populaire came as quite the surprise to him seeing as he has an…unexplainable interest in the supernatural and seems to be distrustful of your Opera Ghost. I do apologize for his behavior and I hope you don't take it to heart."
"He is smart to be wary of our friend," Isobel said thoughtfully. She pursed her lips and laced her hands behind her back, eyes never leaving the activity on stage. "I suppose it is your responsibility to deal with the Opera Ghost, now. Rehearsal is just about to conclude. Follow me, Monsieur Elijah, and I shall tell you what is necessary for you to know about the phantom just, please stay out of the way of my dancers!" she warned, turning on her heel and walking off stage with Elijah following briskly behind her.
"Caroline, where are we going?" Elena whispered, following behind the blonde cautiously.
"We're going back to our dressing rooms just like we're supposed to, Elena. Just taking a little detour, that's all. It isn't a big deal- I come this way all the time."
"Because you wander off! We'll be in so much trouble if my mother finds out we've been back here."
"I don't wander, 'Lena. And since when are you so superstitious about being back here?" Caroline asked with a playful smile. "Weren't you just saying the other night that you didn't believe a word Katerina said about all these things that have been happening to her? That you think she's just out for more attention?" Caroline said with a pointed look and a sly smile.
"Caroline," Elena hissed. "You swore you wouldn't repeat any of that!"
"And who's around to hear it? Oh, the Ghost, of course! Silly me, I forgot!" And with another playful smile, Caroline ran off into the darkness, leaving Elena alone.
"Caroline!" Elena called. "Caroline this isn't funny!"
The brunette could hear Caroline laughing so she put on her brave face and walked off into the dark shadows, following her friend's laughter when it suddenly stopped.
"Seriously, Care? Where are yo-" Elena tripped over something and lost her balance. Righting herself, she peered closer to see what cause her to stumble.
As soon as she could make out what it was laying there in the darkness, Elena screamed.
A/N: :)startin' off with a cliffy.
I know I said I would finish 'Movie Night' before I updated this one again but I couldn't resist. And yes, while this a Klaroline retelling of 'Phantom of the Opera' I'm sticking to the major plot points and rearranging stuff and all that jazz so just bear with me!
Thanks for reading! Please take a minute to tell me what you think in a review:)