I'm baaack! So hi, I think I will be doing one update a week, as that's when I can make time between work and college. I had a lot of inspiration lately and got typing away so more chapters are being completed! In this chapter the whole shabang begins, Katia meets people and the show gets on the road! I made sure to make this chapter longer so there's a bit to read!

Thank you for taking your time to read and follow! :D Enjoy!

Chapter 3: The Opera What?

I open my eyes as I hear the chime of the clock tower in the distance. Today was my first day as the new pianist! I must do well. I have to play perfectly tonight!

I take a look around the quarters to see if anyone else is awake. The room is at the very top floor, and there are four others sleeping in this room. I think they are ballet dancers, their shoes were at the foot of the bed last night. Bess is sitting beside my bed staring at me. Creepy little madam haha!

But there is no one else here today… that's odd. Unless…

Their shoes were gone! They were already away!

"Oh no!" I shout as I throw my quilt off and scramble out of bed. I am late! My first day and I am late! Bess barks away as if she is laughing at me. Thank you, Bess! I totally need mockery right now! I have to leave her downstairs in the stables. Madam Giry made sure to tell me that's where she would be most looked after. The men there have dogs of their own. I hope she will be OK! But I cannot think of Bess right now, I am super late!

Throwing on a random dress from the selection that Madam Giry had given me, I rush out of the room, picking up Bess as I go and down the numerous flights of stairs. I must look crazy; I have not brushed my curls or even washed!

I turn down the stairs and enter the stables, tapping the first person I find on the shoulders.

"Please sir, I need to get to rehearsals and..."

He chuckles as his bright blue eyes take in my disheveled appearance.

"Madam Giry informed me of your situation. I'll make sure she is looked after, miss..."

"Katia, and thank you," I smile at him politely,rushing back before Madam Giry has my head!

As I enter the performance hall, I see numerous dancers and stage hands setting up props and scenery. The prima donna Carlotta was "singing" away. Lord did she sound terrible!

'Hannibal COMES!'

Oh my ears! How can people actually enjoy her voice? Everyone else looks around apprehensively as if they are thinking the same thing as me: She is horrible!

Just as she finishes, three men appear in front of the conductors stand, interrupting the performance. Hmm… I wonder what's going on. I step forward and stand beside Madam Giry, pulling my messy hair up and tying it into a messy top knot.

"You are late!" she says quietly to me, looking me up and down.

"I know I'm sorry! I was so exhausted from last night I.."

"There is an announcement to be heard! Stay here and listen. Then you shall begin piano practice!"

"Yes Madam!"

I watched as she sauntered off into another area of the stage before turning around and listening to what was going on.

"As you know, for some weeks there have been rumours of my imminent retirement. I can now tell you that these were all true, and it is my pleasure to introduce to you the two gentlemen who now own the Opera Populaire, Monsieur Richard Firmin and monsieur Gilles Andre."

Oh! Mr Lefevre is retiring? I wonder why, he doesn't seem that old. But I'm sure the new owners will do a good job like him.

They then introduce a young man called Vicomte de Changy who is the new patron. He looks very handsome and young. I see two ballet dancers staring and whispering about him, a blonde and red head. The red headed one looks starry eyed at him. I know that look, she likes him. Aww….

Just then Madam Giry pulls me aside and points to the piano at the side of the stage.

"Go and practice! You shall be playing tonight one solo to get you used to performing in front of a live audience."

Oh gosh, performing in front of a live audience tonight?!

I quickly make my way to the piano and sit myself down, skimming the pages of the open score books in front of me. This looks waaayy more difficult that I had expected! How am I meant to play this tonight!

"Think of me" I say aloud the title. I can read the notes, so I know how it should sound, it's just putting the sound out of the piano that's the issue. I don't know all of the notes.

"Think of me, think of me fondly when we've said good bye" I sing quietly and play at the same time.

That wasn't so bad! I kept in tune to the lyrics. I think I'll give the next line a try...

"Remember me. Once in a while, please promise me you'll…"

AAAAHHH!

I hear screaming and shouting from beside me and I look over the piano to see one of the backdrops on top of Carlotta! The ballet dancers are dashing around frightened and yelling about some sort of ghost.

I get to my feet and dash over to Carlotta, pulling the backdrop up and assisting the stage hands. She immediately storms off the stage after ranting and raving that 'this keeps happening' and Piangi follows her. The rest of the dancers and performers look aghast and gossip amongst themselves.

Um ok, that escalated quickly. Now what will they do? With the first show with the new owners tonight, the audience will be expecting Carlotta like last night. And I for sure am not stepping in to replace her!

"I have a message sir, from the Opera Ghost," says Madam Giry holding a white envelope with a red mark hanging from it. I step towards her curiously, wanting to get a closer look at this envelope. The Opera what?

"You're all obsessed!" Monsieur Firmin scoffs, rolling his eyes.

"He merely welcomes you to his Opera house, and commands that you continue to leave box five empty for his use."

She continues to babble on about this 'Opera Ghost'. What on earth is an Opera Ghost? Why does everyone appear to be afraid at the mention of him? Maybe he just hates Carlotta's terrible singing! I wouldn't blame him. I couldn't listen to her all day, every day in rehearsals. I hope he doesn't try and throw me out for playing badly on the piano!

"A full house and we have to cancel!" Monsieur Firmin shouts again, throwing his arms in the air in exasperation. Oh for goodness sake he is such a drama queen! I'm starting to dislike him.

"Christine Daae could sing it sir!" Madam Giry pushes a random girl in front of the crowd of dancers. It's the red headed girl I saw before who was drooling all over The Vicomte! I feel so sorry for her, she looks terrified.

I decide to introduce myself and stride towards her.

"Hello Christine. I am Katia, the new pianist. I'll play the aria for you if you'd like" I smile trying to be as friendly as possible to this girl. Maybe she and I could become friends, I don't really have anyone else right now and knowing someone here might be helpful!

"I'm Christine. That would be nice of you, Katia. I am so nervous. What if they don't like me?"

"You will do great Christine. I'll make sure I won't mess you up"

I take my place at the piano and the two new owners get prepared to criticize what they haven't even heard yet.

Christine takes center stage and begins to sing, despite the protests of the rude men behind her...

AAHH! So will she do well? Well we all know but yeah, so Katia heard about the O.G. and Christine took the stage! I wonder what else will come to pass in the next chapter! I think I like the idea of Katia and Christine becoming friends but I don't know for sure yet. And I was debating whether or not to use the 2011 show characters for face claim or the 2004 movie characters, but this might be confusing but I think all the movie characters are what I have in mind except Raoul I like the 2011 Raoul better purely because he has a more English voice which suits the story better. SO Hes my Raoul. If you's picture Patrick raoul thats fine! Stay tuned to see how Katia fits into the POTO world next timee! :D