Chapter 1: Within The Dark
The Opera Populaire was in strict preparations for the upcoming opening night of a new production by the name of Hannibal and the opera's ballet instructor, Madame Antoinette giry wore a firm expression upon her aging face as her frustrations grew due to the sight of her student ballerinas once again distracted as they whispered among themselves, sharing their latest gossip... Antoinette gave a firm bang of her cane earning the ballerinas instant attention,
"Need I remind you that we only have a week until opening night?" the ballet mistress demanded firmly with a scolding tone,
"Only a week for you to learn several dance numbers that still have far too many flaws that you all need to perfect before you are to be even half way ready" she warned them, banging her cane upon the stage floor once again as she began barking out directions for their warm ups.
The rear entrance of the opera house was bustling with activity as set pieces, props and costumes were being delivered, unloaded and carried into the backstage area... It was among the chaotic preparations that an old farmer's wagon pulled up, his cart filled with straw bails, and chickens within caged crates,
"Here we are miss" The farmer stated to the young girl that sat beside him and she smiled at him brightly,
"Thank you so much" she told him, climbing off the wagon, collecting her battered suitcase from the back of the wagon and the old man smiled at her politeness, tipping his hat to her with a bow of his head before flipping his horse's reigns causing the steed to begin pulling his owner and the cart away.
The young woman made her way into the backstage area, being careful not to bump into the busy workers before a woman wearing a ridiculous costume with an equally ridiculous crown headpiece walked right into her causing her to drop her suitcase, it's contents falling out which the young girl began gathering up,
"I'm so sorry" the young woman tried despite it not having actually been her fault,
"Foolish little toad! You should 'vatch ver your going!" the woman in the ridiculous costume screeched in a strong Italian accent before storming her way on stage,
"Sorry!" the girl called after her in vain but her voice caught Madame Giry's attention, prompting her to smile brightly,
"Clara!" she cried joyfully,
"Aunt Antoinette!" The girl named Clara cried in return before rushing up to her and hugged her tightly, the ballet mistress happily returned her gesture before proceeding to press multiple kisses to the girl's forehead and cheeks causing Clara to giggle,
"At last you have finally arrived" Antoinette stated,
"I'm so excited to be here" her niece replied,
"Well don't worry. I'll have you in the position as Prima Ballerina by the next season. You have my word" the ballet mistress assured her but Clara smiled awkwardly,
"Well... I do love dancing and I love ballet as much as you and my mother did when you were my age but I was hoping to..." She tried but her Aunt looked towards her ballet students and developed a firm expression,
"Sorelli!" Antoinette yelled, banging her cane before storming over to the current prima ballerina, Sorelli whom was flirting with the new managers in a shameless manner and Clara couldn't help but sigh,
"... actually learn how to be a singer" she finished hopelessly but smiled despite her minor frustration as she watched her aunt begin barking instructions at her students once again.
Once rehearsals were finished, Madame Giry beckoned Clara forward which caused a young blond ballerina to squeal in delight,
"Cousin!" she yelled, bouncing over to her and hugged her tightly causing Clara to smile brightly,
"Hi Meg" she greeted,
"Oh I'm so happy you're finally here! This is my best friend, Christine" Meg introduced, gesturing to another ballerina with brunette curls whom smiled at her,
"I've heard so much about you" Christine said,
"It's nice to meet you" Clara greeted but Sorelli... The prima ballerina suddenly craved the attention that was currently being denied her by the fact that Clara had everyone's curiosity aimed in her direction,
"And... Who exactly might you be?" she sneered with a false smile,
"Oh... Sorry. I'm Clara. Clara Du Bois. Madame Giry's niece" Clara greeted gently just as the ballet mistress came to her side and placed a proud hand on her shoulder that matched her smile,
"A great talent just like her mother. A talent that will no doubt have her as the next prima ballerina in no time" Antoinette praised,
"WHAT?!" Sorelli demanded angrily,
"Errr... Auntie I actually..." Clara tried but Antoinette looked at the prima ballerina firmly,
"Don't be so surprised little madame. You never show up to rehearsals on time. You act like you need no instruction at all. It should come as no surprise that I hold no hope of your maintaining your place as prima ballerina next season" the ballet mistress scolded,
"Auntie..." Clara tried awkwardly,
"Oh so she gets to take my place simply because she's related to you?" Sorelli demanded angrily, stomping her foot in a childish manner that resulted in Madame Giry banging her cane,
"Enough!" she ordered, causing Sorelli to fall silent despite her pout but still stormed away off stage and Clara sighed in embarrassment when Antoinette dismissed the rest of her students.
Due to the ballet dormitories being full, Antoinette lead Clara to a small room that had been once used for storage but was now cleared out and filled with items and furniture that made it a quaint little apartment,
"Aunt Antoinette?... I know that you and mother have your hearts set on me being a ballerina but..." Clara tried as she watched Antoinette light some lamps,
"... But what?" she asked gently with a kind smile,
"... I... It's just... It's not what I have my heart set on" Clara explained, rubbing her arm awkwardly earning her aunt's curiosity as moved to open her suitcase and retrieved a binder filled with various music scores.
"... I want to be a singer" she admitted,
"Oh..." Antoinette said with realization but Clara sighed in relief when her aunt smiled at her gently,
"My dear. If that is what you wish then of course you have my support" Antoinette assured her,
"Really?" Clara pressed with a bright smile,
"Absolutely. I do hope that you will still consider joining my ballet school even if it is to just help me with teaching my other students" Madame Giry encouraged and chuckled lightly when her niece hugged her tightly, Antoinette happily returned the gesture.
Sorelli was furious about the arrival of Clara and glared as she saw her teacher's niece obtaining a dance uniform from the wardrobe department... The prima ballerina soon developed a vicious smirk on her face as a cruel idea filled her head... She made her way over to Clara and put on a false expression of guilt,
"Hey... I... I just wanted to apologize for the way I acted upon your arrival" Sorelli lied,
"Oh. Please there is no need to apologize. I'm not actually..." Clara tried but the prima ballerina looped her arm through her own and pulled her into a walk with her,
"Please let me show you were you'll be staying" Sorelli said whilst practically dragging Clara along with her,
"Oh, well my aunt actually already..." Clara attempted just as Sorelli opened a door that revealed a staircase that drifted down into a seemingly endless darkness,
"Oh she did? That's too bad. Shame you'll be staying here instead" Sorelli interrupted with a vicious smile before shoving Clara down the staircase causing Clara to cry out in shock as well as pain as she rolled down the steps,
"I hope the phantom shows you no mercy!" Sorelli yelled after her before slamming the door shut and locking it before skipping off in the direction of the dormitories with a content smile on her face.
Clara winced as she hit the bottom of the staircase,
"Great joke" she mumbled unimpressed, sitting up but winced pulling her arm close to her,
"Ah..." she cringed before sighing,
"... Just what I need. A broken wrist" she grumbled to herself and awkwardly stood from the ground and looked around the dark chamber when she thought she heard movement,
"... Hello?" Clara called out cautiously,
"... Ok I'm definitely not growing nervous about not being alone down here due to that witch Sorelli mentioning something about a phantom..." she mumbled to herself before turning to try and make her way up the staircase and she winced once again, forgetting about her broken wrist for a moment when she tried to grab the banister,
"Normally I would punish you with eternal imprisonment for entering my realm without permission but it would seem fortune smiles on you due to the fact that I happened to be haunting the area when I saw the ballet rat shove you down here against your will" a voice spoke suddenly causing Clara to spin around quickly to search for the owner but she accidentally slipping, falling back against the steps and winced, holding her wrist close to her chest,
"Ah..." she cringed due to the throbbing pain,
"... You're hurt..." the voice stated with concern in its tone but Clara shook her head,
"... I'm ok" she lied more so because she didn't want to be seen as a big baby... She soon saw two black boots come to stand before her and a leather gloved hand was offered to her causing her to look up at the mysterious male stranger whom wore a white porcelain half mask across the side of his face,
"You need not fear. I only wish to return you to your own realm safely" the man assured her and Clara looked at his offered hand hesitantly,
"... Are... Are you the phantom that Sorelli referred too?..." she asked nervously,
"Indeed I am but you have my word that I will not harm you. You did not break the rules intentionally and so I shall forgive the intrusion this time" he replied... a long silence fell between them but Clara gently took his hand so that he could assist her to stand and Clara looked up at him curiously,
"... Thank you, Monsieur... Forgive me but..." Clara tried,
"It is no surprise to me that the mask distresses you" he interrupted,
"Why will no one ever let me finish what I'm saying?" Clara grumbled to herself in frustration, earning the masked man's surprise,
"I was going to say Forgive me but you seem no more a phantom than I am" Clara stated and watched the masked man smirk with a light chuckle,
"Quite intelligent, Mademoiselle. This is something I respect... You are correct but... I ask that you keep that just between us" he told her with a smug wink that made Clara blush gently and he offered his arm to her,
"Might I have the honor of escorting you back to your realm of light, Lady...?" he enquired,
"... Clara Du Bois" she provided with a slightly amused smile that grew when he offered her a polite bow,
"Erik Destler, At your Service" he greeted, offering her his arm once again and smiled charmingly when she hesitantly looped her arm through it and he lead her through a secret corridor that would take them to Antoinette's office.
The idea popped into my head and I just had to write it down before I forgot LOL :D
Review For Chapter 2!
Kind Regards,
QueenOfDisney96