Author's Note: I do not own The Phantom of the Opera. Nor do I own Primadonna Girl; that belongs to Marina and the Diamonds.
32
She spent three dances with Enrico as a partner, and quite enjoyed herself. Enrico was Carlotta's second cousin, and lived in England. He was studying English Literature and Classics at Oxford, which allowed for the friendly conversation that thrived between fellow Arts students. Thanks to her Greek and Roman Studies courses from first and second year, she was able to quite easily follow his enthusiastic discourse on Greek mythology. Enrico seemed pleasantly surprised that she knew much of what he did, and because they had so much to talk about, any awkwardness dissipated almost immediately.
"Mademoiselle Abbots!" The eager, chipper voice came from right behind her.
Kayla sighed and tilted her head back so she could watch Raoul and Christine's approach from her peripherals. "Vicomte," she greeted flatly, turning to face them as Enrico spun her.
"I am quite surprised to see you here, mademoiselle!" Raoul exclaimed, holding Christine's hand tightly as he strolled forward. "I did not believe that you and La Carlotta were on such good terms."
"Who I am and am not on good terms with is really none of your concern," Kayla replied dryly. "Hello, Christine, nice to see you," she addressed in a much friendlier tone. "Relieved to be done with a show?"
"Yes, I rather am," Christine agreed softly, gently fidgeting with her white gloves. "It was quite a lot of work."
"But you're done, and you did quite well, considering it's your first big stint as prima donna," Kayla affirmed encouragingly.
Enrico coughed next to her. Kayla frowned at him. "What?" He tilted his chin subtly towards the couple in front of them. "What?" she repeated. He repeated the motion.
"Oh. Um, Christine, Raoul, this is Enrico Giudicelli, one of La Carlotta's cousins," Kayla presented awkwardly. Bloody etiquette. She had totally screwed that one up. "Enrico, may I present the Vicomte de Chagny and Christine Daäe, the second lead soprano at the Opera Populaire."
"A pleasure to meet you, mademoiselle," Enrico said politely, bowing and kissing Christine's gloved hand. "Sir," he greeted shortly, smiling at the nobleman with a rather cold pleasantry. "Being sole patron of the Populaire is suiting you well, I trust."
"Yes, in fact it is," Raoul replied, his tone courteous. "I was, however, wondering if I might persuade you to lend me Mademoiselle Abbots for a dance or two."
"Um, no, I couldn't possibl-"
"Certainly," Enrico allowed graciously, not noticing Kayla's wide-eyed 'please no' expression. "If I might have the pleasure of partnering your lovely companion for the same amount of time."
"It would be my honour, Monsieur Giudicelli," Christine accepted gracefully, with a curtsey. And before Kayla could blink, she and Christine had switched positions. Christine, much to Kayla's annoyance, looked perfectly calm about the whole situation. The soprano was a whole four years younger than she was; was Christine just born with all the knowledge of social situations and etiquette?!
"I will come and retrieve you shortly," Raoul beamed at his secret-fiancé. Christine smiled at him adoringly. Kayla resisted the urge to gag.
"Make sure to bring Mademoiselle Abbots with you when you do," Enrico teased with thinly veiled warning. "It would not do to lose one of my dear cousin's special guests."
"Very well, monsieur," Raoul acquiesced. With that, Kayla found herself suddenly swept away into the swirling crowd.
As the two moved into an empty space, Raoul firmly spun Kayla to face him, and deftly positioned her hands, one on his shoulder and one gripped in his. The nobleman's other hand slipped to the small of her back. "Forgive me for repeating myself, but I am quite surprised to see you at this particular gathering," he smiled, pulling her slightly closer to him.
Kayla locked her elbows, preventing her from moving any closer to the Vicomte's chest than necessary. He looked at her askance before trying again, but Kayla kept her arms in locked position. "No thank you," she said sternly. "Don't bother trying it again, my dad taught me how to dance and how to maintain personal space while doing so."
Raoul's eyes narrowed slightly, but he allowed her to move back a bit. "How did you garner an invitation to this party?" he inquired, expertly settling into the rhythm set by the music and the other dancers around them.
"Well, how did you get an invitation?" Kayla shot back.
Raoul laughed, the deep sound pealing like a bell. "I am the patron of the Populaire, mademoiselle," he stated soothingly. "And part of one of the most powerful families in Paris. It is only natural that I am invited."
"And it's not natural that I'm invited?" Kayla demanded, trying to keep herself calm by focusing on the sounds of her skirt as she stepped from side to side.
"It is not unnatural; you do have a friendly relationship with the managers, and you are becoming an integral manager at the Populaire, but you are one of the only guests here without a title or high societal standing," Raoul chuckled.
Kayla raised a scathing eyebrow. "Enrico doesn't have a title, and he's a university student, just like me," she snarled.
"True, but Enrico is a member of the Giudicelli family, and probably heir to some large portion of their family's estate in Italy."
"So it's 'cause I'm a poor little set crew girl, then, is it?" she returned with sickening sweetness. "Forgive me, but I don't see why you, a rich, titled Vicomte, would be dancing with me, then. Aren't you afraid that I'll spoil your pristine reputation?"
"Now, now, mademoiselle, no need to be so defensive," Raoul reassured.
"Unfortunately you've made it clear that I have every need to defend myself," Kayla commented coldly.
They danced for a few minutes in frosty silence.
Raoul smiled down at her. "You are quite spirited, aren't you?" he mused.
"For the love of Crowley, what are you playing at?" Kayla hissed, releasing his shoulder and pulling her hand out of his. "You insult me and follow it up with a creepily delivered compliment. What are you playing at?"
Before her brain could even process the movement, her hand was back on Raoul's shoulder and her other hand was trapped in his iron grip. "You have spirit, I have power and influence," he pronounced silkily. "We could make a good team, you and I, if only you could see it."
"I have no interest in being even remotely associated with you outside of work," Kayla growled as she struggled to pull her hand back. "Not as friends, not as business partners, nothing. Besides, you're engaged, you twit."
He stopped short. He and Kayla stood frozen, like ice statues, as the colourful shapes of the other guest moved like shadows around them. Kayla's gaze flickered briefly to her ensnared hand trapped in Raoul's, her paling skin almost like a beacon between the bloody crimson of his uniform jacket and the azure of her dress. She was vaguely reminded of the American flag, and almost chuckled, despite the stress of the situation.
"Who told you?" Raoul whispered dangerously.
"No one," Kayla muttered. "I live with a bunch of sixteen year old girls, gossip spreads."
Raoul sighed, then abruptly smiled. "Plans change, little one," he teased. "Even if I am engaged, it does not change the fact that we would make a good team." His hand drifted an inch downward, closer to her hip. Kayla's blue eyes bulged.
"Abbots!"
"Oh, thank you God," Kayla murmured, relaxing slightly as her ears caught the tones of Carlotta's voice.
The diva approached like a violet storm-cloud. Sashaying saucily up to Kayla and Raoul, she cocked her head and placed her hands on her hips. "Vicomte," she acknowledged.
"Signora," Raoul dipped his head politely. "Many regards on this special day."
"Grazie," Carlotta shrugged. "Pardon me, but I will be stealing Miz Abbots now." With that, she grabbed Kayla's arm and escorted her forcefully away from the perplexed Vicomte.
"You are a blessed Angel of the Lord," Kayla complimented gratefully. Her pulse was pattering in her ears, and her hands started shaking. "I thought I was going to have get violent."
"I'm not letting that ignorant fop treat my guest like that in my 'ouse," Carlotta declared fiercely. "Not today. And he's already trying to seduce Daäe, so he should not be trying to seduce two little girls at once."
Kayla choked. "Carlotta! That's how rumours get started!" she admonished.
"The rumour was already thriving before I said dat," Carlotta excused flippantly.
Kayla hung her head and sighed. "Well thanks anyway," she repeated.
"No one threatens my ally," Carlotta nodded, patting Kayla on the shoulder.
Kayla spent the remainder of the dance hidden in a cluster of chattering Italian cousins, concealed on all sides by tall, dark, brown and black up-dos, olive skin, and yellow, red, and orange silk and lace. They were loud and boisterous, drawing attention to themselves but not to the twenty year old Canadian disguised in their midst. Having been accepted as a friend of Carlotta's, the friendly protection of the Italian cousins extended over Kayla like a rowdy, accented personal guard. They included her in conversation and made her feel perfectly comfortable, subtly standing on tip toe and huddling even closer together whenever the Vicomte came within ten feet of their gathering place in the corner of the ballroom.
A gong echoed from the doorway, sternly overpowering the pause in the music. "If the guests could please gather in the music room for the presentation of the gifts," a butler announced.
Kayla gulped. "Don't worry, all the gifts will be opened first, you have some time before performances start," Allegra said comfortingly, nudging Kayla supportively on the shoulder.
"What's this I hear? Mademoiselle Abbots will be performing?" Enrico exclaimed as he appeared next to them. "Shall I get the lady some champagne to steady her nerves?"
"Thank you, but no; I shall be remaining stone cold sober as long as the Vicomte remains in the same building," Kayla explained tersely.
"Ah. Troubles with the nobility; that would explain your disappearance," Enrico nodded sagely.
"Sorry about that," Kayla apologized.
"No need for remorse, mademoiselle; Ms. Daäe was a perfectly charming dance partner," Enrico winked. Delfina smacked the back of his head.
When all the guests had gathered in the music room, practically shoulder to shoulder in the barely-large-enough space, Carlotta regally lowered herself into an elegant wing backed chair next to the grand piano. Adjusting her wide skirt neatly around her, she folded her hands in her lap and smiled out at the crowd. "Let the presentations begin!" she announced proudly.
One by one, each elegantly wrapped parcel was delivered to the diva. Exquisite boxes of chocolates, elaborate and gaudy jewellery, colourful paintings of the soprano, cosmetics, pink-bowed yipping toy poodles, and other extravagant items found their way to the growing pile at the prima donna's feet. The torn shining papers and silky bows were scattered around the chair like a mountain of fallen leaves. The managers had contributed two tall, broad white ceramic Japanese vases, engraved with a silver cross-hatched pattern and blue, red and gold phoenixes, while Raoul, and supposedly Christine, gifted an embroidered gold and fan, which, if Kayla's memory served her correctly, could go quite nicely with the diva's similarly hued masquerade costume. It would possibly kill Raoul to know that he was inadvertently supplying the diva with the guarantee of future attention.
When all the gifts had been unwrapped, of which there were countless, the performances started. Most of the cousins performed, groups of them singing intricate Italian medleys that had Carlotta laughing out loud, while the remainder of the French-born guests listened in amused confusion. Kayla could tell from a tilt of Allegra's black brow that the song was meant to be humorous, and she laughed even though she could not understand the lyrics.
Enrico stood and recited The Jabberwocky in a dramatic tone, making the weird and whimsical poem seem like an epic ballad. Kayla was grinning like the Cheshire Cat at the familiar poem, while Christine was listening to what – to her ears – was a new poem, with rapt brown eyes, her lips parted as the foreign words swam through the room. The intricacies of the poem, however, seemed to go right over the Vicomte's head, as Raoul listened with a perplexed expression on his handsome face.
Then Carlotta nodded at Kayla, smiling, half encouraging and half malicious. Oh shit. Her turn.
She walked forward on shaking legs, feeling incredibly thankful that her boots had barely any heel. Enrico clapped her supportively on the shoulder as she passed him. Focusing on putting one foot in front of the other, Kayla moved steadily towards Carlotta and the grand piano in the centre of the room. Once there, she turned and curtseyed to Carlotta before addressing the rest of the room. "Forgive me in advance, I'm not a musician, but my options were pretty limited," she requested formally. Friendly laughter rippled through the room. "Nor am I as talented in the singing department as our friend La Carlotta, so forgive me that trespass as well," she added. More chuckles followed this pronouncement.
Kayla slid onto the piano bench and settled her hands over the ivory keys, mentally picturing the progression of chords she had pieced out in her empty studio. Taking a deep breath, she pressed her fingertips down on the first chord and began.
"Primadonna girl, yeah
All I ever wanted was the world
I can't help that I need it all
The primadonna life, the rise and fall
You say that I'm kinda difficult
But it's always someone else's fault
Got you wrapped around my finger, babe
You can count on me to misbehave…"
Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Enrico, Allegra, Delfina, and the other Italian cousins laughing hysterically. Christine looked horrified. But she put the reactions out of her mind and pressed on, making her voice as energetic and sassy as possible.
"Primadonna girl!
Would you do anything for me?
Buy a big diamond ring for me?
Would you get down on your knees for me?
Pop that pretty question right now, baby?"
Piangi glanced at Carlotta out of the corner of his eye and blushed. Kayla inwardly cheered.
"Beauty queen on a silver screen,
Living life like I'm in a dream
I know I've got a big ego
I really don't know why it's such a big deal, though…"
A glance at Raoul showed a mesmerized Vicomte. They made eye contact and Kayla's fingers almost faltered. A swear word flashed through her head.
"Ooh! And I'm sad to the core, core, core,
Yeah! Every day is a chore, chore, chore,
Wow! When you give, I want more, more, more
I wanna be adored!
'Cause I'm a primadonna girl, yeah,
All I ever wanted was the world
I can't help that I need it all;
The primadonna life, the rise and fall
You say that I'm kinda difficult
But it's always someone else's fault
Got you wrapped around my finger, babe
You can count on me to misbehave…"
She grinned at the white keys, realizing the reason Erik loved music so much; she knew she was no musician, but this was fun. Kayla sped up her fingers, playing each note with enough energy to make up for the lack of percussion.
"Primadonna girl, fill the void up with celluloid,
Take a picture, I'm with the boys
Get what I want 'cause I ask for it
Not because I'm really that deserving of it
Living life like I'm in a play
In the limelight I want to stay
I know I've got a big ego
I really don't know why it's such a big deal, though
Ooh! Going up, going down, down, down
Yeah! Anything for the crown, crown, crown
Wow! When the lights dimming down, down, down
I spin around..."
She took her hands on the keys and drummed a riff of rhythm on the top of the piano. The cousins applauded. Grinning, she returned her fingers to the keyboard and sang again,
"Cause I'm a primadonna girl, yeah
All I ever wanted was the world
I can't help that I need it all
The primadonna life, the rise and fall
You say that I'm kinda difficult
But it's always someone else's fault
Got you wrapped around my finger, babe
You can count on me to misbehave
Primadonna girl, yeah
All I ever wanted was the world
I can't help that I need it all
The primadonna life, the rise and fall
You say that I'm kinda difficult
But it's always someone else's fault
Got you wrapped around my finger, babe
You can count on me to misbehave
Primadonna girl!"
There was a slightly tense pause as Kayla's voice faded and the final notes died away from the belly of the piano. Carlotta stood, stepping over piles of jewelry boxes and puppies as she walked towards Kayla. Finally deciding to announce its presence, her survival instinct ever-so-helpfully pointed out that perhaps that particular song was not the best gift to give to a vain woman whom she was still on somewhat shaky terms with. Click, click, click went the metronome of Carlotta's purple heels as she moved to stand above the seated set manager. Kayla stared up at the primadonna and tried to stay calm. Their gazes remained locked for an infinite moment.
"I love it," Carlotta declared, leaning down and hugging Kayla violently. "You silly girl, you."
Kayla sighed with relief and hugged her back. The guests burst into applause.
There were a few other performances afterwards, but Kayla readily admitted to not paying attention, as she spent the remainder of the evening seated cross-legged on the ground next to Carlotta's throne, playing with the three fluffy puppies that had been given to the diva. She named all three: Minnie, Jeff, and Fitzherbert.
It was half past one in the morning when the party began to die down, but the Italian cousins were still drinking and laughing merrily as the managers approached Kayla to inform her of their departure. She gave the puppies each one last scratch behind the ears, and the three tiny fur-balls whimpered when she stood. "Give me a moment, I would like to thank La Carlotta," she informed the managers tiredly.
"Take all the time you need, mademoiselle," Andre agreed. "Please thank her for us when you find her. We shall wait in the foyer."
Kayla nodded and made sure the puppies were settled in their little blanketed basket before moving out of the room to begin her search.
Carlotta was reclining on a couch in one of the sitting rooms as a cluster of miscellaneous guests gathered around her, likely fans if their awestruck expressions were any indication. Kayla paused, unsure, just outside the doorway. When the diva glanced her way, she immediately clambered to her feet and shot over, ignoring the people who were cooing over her. Most of the guests in the room sent Kayla looks of mistrustful, jealous rage. Kayla grinned cheekily back.
"Abbots!" Carlotta shrieked, barreling towards her like a purple locomotive. "Where are you going? You can't be leaving!"
"The managers are heading back, so the bell tolls for me, I'm afraid," Kayla shrugged. Carlotta glared at her. "Hey, I've got no choice in the matter!" she rebuked teasingly.
Carlotta hugged her, curls of cherry red hair entwining with loosening strands of streaked blonde. "Thank you for the song," she mentioned, her voice slightly muffled. "It was tongue-in-cheek and I loved it."
"I'm glad," Kayla replied sincerely, squeezing the diva back.
Carlotta suddenly stilled. "You need to go. Now," she said firmly, letting go of Kayla and nudging her towards the door.
"Wha-"
"I just saw the Vicomte, he's alone and he just saw us," Carlotta whispered grimly. "I will visit you at da Populaire tomorrow, but now you should run."
Kayla took a quick glance out of her peripherals. The Vicomte, with Christine nowhere in sight, was headed down the hall towards the sitting room. "Thank you, my dearest love!" she cried dramatically, giving a sweeping bow.
"Go, you silly girl!" Carlotta squawked, making shooing motions with her hands.
Kayla laughed and hastily retreated.
Her boots thumping on the marble floor of the foyer, she breezed past the waiting managers. "Sorry, gentlemen, I think I'm going to pass out from exhaustion, I'm going outside," she rattled off hurriedly, thankfully grabbing her cerulean cloak that Minette held out to her before throwing open the door and heading out into the cold.
"Our carriage is just outside, mademoiselle!" Firmin called after her.
Scurrying lightly down the stairs, she scanned the queue of coaches for the Populaire coat of arms and the bay horses they had arrived with. Once spotted, she threw open the door and climbed ungracefully in, pulling in her long skirts in after her. Huddling into the corner, she threw her cloak around her, shut her eyes, and tried to regulate her breathing.
She heard the boisterous timbres of the two managers echoing in the snowy air as they clomped down the stairs. She heard them moving closer to the carriage and relaxed for a moment. "Monsieurs!" came a muffled voice.
"Vicomte!" Andre replied distantly.
Dammit, thought Kayla.
"I just needed to have a quick word with Mademoiselle Abbots before you leave," the nobleman requested politely.
Over my dead body.
"Oh, yes, of course Vicomte," Firmin fawned, pulling open the carriage door and peering inside.
"Quiet, quiet, Firmin!" Andre hushed, clambering into the carriage and peering at Kayla's immobile form. She breathed in and out steadily. "She is asleep, Vicomte," Andre whispered, sticking his head back out of the coach. "She must not be used to the nightlife in France. You'll forgive us, Vicomte, if we do not wake her; she's worked so hard this past show period."
"Of course," Raoul allowed chivalrously. "Let the lady sleep. I shall drop into the Populaire tomorrow, then, if it is not too much trouble."
"Of course not, Patron," Firmin blustered proudly.
Kayla heard Raoul moving back up the steps to the house, calling for Christine, as the managers settled themselves into the seats and signalled the driver to leave.
Fake sleeping, Kayla thought smugly. Works every time.
Author's Note: That chapter was a beast! But there we go, Carlotta's birthday is finished and we are not 1/6 of the way through Elysian Peace! (I know that doesn't sound like a lot, but now that I know I can get through a week or two per chapter, it's going to make it that much easier to get to the Masquerade!)
The song Kayla sings is Primadonna Girl by Marina and the Diamonds. The first time I ever heard that song I immediately thought of Carlotta... It fits her so well. I highly recommend listening to it.
Thanks to everyone who read, followed, favourited, and reviewed last chapter, and to E-man-dy-S and DetectiveOfTheOpera as well for your kind words. Please feel free to continue being such awesomely active readers in this regard!
In case anyone was even remotely interested, I've included links below for the vases that the managers gave to Carlotta, as well as for Kayla's dress.. in the image the dress is yellow, but I'm sure you can use your imaginations to make it azure.
Anyway, thanks for the support, guys! I love you all!
Tierney
readpaintwrite
The vases: imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F% %2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2010%2F11% &imgrefurl=http%3A%2F% %2F2010%2F11%2Fpair-japanese-imperial-satsuma-vases-c%2F&docid=EpaIR3JhXtm3aM&tbnid=WE-y0_FcBuscKM%3A&w=826&h=633&ei=qQ7lVPHfPIauogS5n4GoBw&ved=0CAIQxiAwAA&iact=c
Kayla's dress: .