Chapter 2: A face unseen
Disclaimer: Though I wish I could get my hands on Meg's character rights and stage a production for her that she deserves I can't. I own nothing!
Mothers usual schedule for visiting the 'phantom' was only once every couple of weeks. Before, Meg used to think of that as inconveniently regular. She didn't like having her mother go out so late at night. No matter how well she liked the people she was staying with at the time she would always stay awake until her mother came and collected her.
Now though, the situation had changed. Meg was a bundle of expectancy. Waiting on the night where instead of readying her for bed mother would dress her in that cloak and they'd escape into the night.
After visiting the phantom, the masked man had taken up quite a good portion of her thoughts. The interaction they had, had been brief to say the least. But just enough for to pique her interests and lead her to conjuring up all sorts of ideas of him. He was basically a blank slate, something for her to throw an endless amount of theory's at until one stuck. He was clever. He was blunt. He was courteous. He was patient. At the moment he was anything in the world.
Obviously thinking about the phantom and thinking about her studies was hard to juggle, and Meg was inclined to go with whatever was more interesting. Which was to say, not her penmanship or embroidery.
Mother had noticed of course, mother always notices. She hadn't been particularly pleased about it either. "Meg Faustine Giry! You will get your head out of the clouds this instant!" Had been said just a touch above polite voice level. Mother didn't like to shout, and with the meaning she could put into her tone she didn't need to. When people heard it, they listened.
She desperately wanted her mother to allow her to accompany her, so she complied to the best of her abilities. She danced more though, that being the best way to clear her head of anything, not just phantoms. When she danced, something deep within her took over. Everything else was forced to the back of her mind as her passion ruled center stage. She supposed she'd inherited that from her mother.
About two weeks after their last visit-it was hard for her young mind to fully grasp the exact number of days-mother came into her room unannounced in the late afternoon.
Meg put down her doll and rose from her feet. "Mother?" She asked questioningly, with just a touch of hope.
She breathed in deeply, then answered in a flat tone. "I must go to see him again tonight." Her mind brightened at that, but she tried to keep it from her face. She had a suspicion that if she showed too much enthusiasm then mother wouldn't allow her to go. She chose to merely nod, not trusting the building excitement she felt to stay out of her voice.
"You will be coming with." She declared." Meg's eyes must have visibly brightened because she quickly added. "However if you disobey the rules once more you will be forbidden to accompany me again, and will receive the first swat in your life. Am I being clear?" She asked in a stern tone, clipping the edges of her words. Mother was always clear.
She nodded and when her hard stare did not relent she gave in and spoke. "Yes mother."
She gave a short nod in acknowledgment and went to fetch their cloaks.
Soon they were taking to the streets, the lamps lighting their way as before. Meg wasn't as frightened by the surrounding shadows as a couple weeks ago, but she certainly didn't fancy them.
She stays close to her mother, their gloved hands entwined tightly. Meg had been very grateful when mother had surprised her with them nary a week ago. She'd given a quick apology for not thinking of it before, and told her to take care with them.
Though her fingers were feeling worlds better than their last trip there was only so much that could be done about the rest with their limited funds. Meg knew little of finances and cared less, she was too young to worry about the value of coins or the like. However she did know that their were certain things her mother was simply unable to do, even with her indomitable will, and that spoke volumes to her in itself.
So by the time they dismounted the boat across the lake she was once again shivering. Though that was little consequence to her compared to the reward for braving these cold nights.
When mother opens the door, first checking that Meg has her hand at the level of her eyes, she is only slight offset by the shadows. She tries to make her mind singular, focusing only on the promise of seeing the 'phantom' again that is whispering in her head.
It takes longer for her to hear the music this time, the organ not being played quite as loudly. But it's more than the volume of the piece that has changed, it's the entire style. It is light, melodic, almost happy sounding. Meg is reflexively smiling before she even thinks about it, and mother does not go unaffected as well. She hears a very soft sigh and as she looks up she sees her shoulders lose some of their rigidity and she begins to walk faster now. Meg doesn't ask though, too afraid to break whatever calm has taken over her mother.
They reach the huge room that serves as the Phantoms lair and stop at the bottom of the stairs, awaiting acknowledgment.
After a few bars he looks up, and Meg's breath catches in her chest. His eyes, the ones that were so clouded and distant before have taken on a spark of something. She can't come close to name it, but it doesn't matter. She is inexplicably happy with that look on his face. And irrationally thinks that she might have a hand in it.
"Good evening madam's." he nods curtly. Mother lowers her hand and Meg follows suit. She tries to hide her happiness at hearing his voice, tries and fails. She at least can stop herself from taking a few steps towards him, which is a relief.
He turns back to his music and mother moves then, going straight to the corner once more. Despite all their hard work the room looks like it hasn't been touched in a month. Everything is scattered about, just like before.
Just like before Meg is only half able to do the work while her mind keeps turning to the music that the phantom is playing. Despite the nip in the air it makes her feel warm.
Once they are finished mother returns all the cleaning supplies to the corner and waits by the stairs. "We are finished Monsier." He nods once more and stands, picking up something from the top of the organ and approached them.
Standing as far as possible once more-though to Meg it seems so very close-he extends his arm and reveals the coins in his palm. "Here is the cab fair."
Once again mother is seemingly caught off guard, but she is much better at disguising her feelings than her daughter, and goes on unperturbed. "Thank you Monsier. Goodnight to you.
'No!' Meg's mind shouts childishly. Not yet. Just as he is turning away, as she can feel mother doing the same she speaks.
"Why did tonight's piece sound so much more happy than last time?" It comes out too quickly, a little too high at the end to seem casual.
Just like mother the phantom does not faultier at her question, leaving no hints as to wether she's caught him off guard. His gaze slides to her and she belatedly realizes his eye is brown.
His mouth quirks slightly. "I was unaware of your impending visit the last time you came madam. As a gentlemen I wanted to give you a proper welcome to my world."
Her heart thuds with joy at that and she almost steps forward, almost. She's already dug her grave, she knows, but she doesn't have to lie in it, not yet. She smiles widely, her cheeks reddening.
He chuckles lowly and turns away. Mother says nothing more and sweeps her away, out of the lair. As they are traveling home Meg can feel the iciness in the air, and it's not from the chill outside.
It's hard for her to care at the moment though, she feels as if she is riding on a cloud. In her young mind she can not yet grasp lying without a purpose, lying for no reason other than to lie. So it would only make sense for his words to be true, heartfelt.
'He really does like me! I wonder what he'll play for me next?' She wonders excitedly.
As they get home mother takes her to her room. As she shuts the door she breathes deeply and all of Meg's earlier happiness has no hope of staving off the anxiousness she now feels. She has disobeyed mother twice. This does not bode well for her. She sets the candelabra on her nightstand as mother has not yet lighted the lamps.
As if hearing her thoughts she rounds on her. A stern, vaguely angry look in her blue eyes. She crosses the room in a few elegant strides and with them the rooms atmosphere gets heavier and heavier. Her hand suddenly shoots out and firmly grips her forearm, bringing her in close as she leans down to stare directly into her eyes.
"What did I tell you?" She asks lowly. Her eyes are ice, any motherly warmth gone. Meg has never seen her mother this upset with her. It's frightening. When she doesn't speak she shakes her. "What, did I, tell you?" She punctuates the words, driving them in harshly.
Meg purses her lips, eyes watering without her permission. "Mother I'm sorry I-"
"That is not what I am asking, now what did I tell you?" This is the closest to shouting as Meg has ever heard her and in such close range it rings in her ears.
She sobs. "Mother I don't understand. I just want to speak to him. That's all! He looks so lonely and I just want to speak to him!" The tears start to stream from her eyes and her mothers soften in turn. Her earnest reply melting the cold blue.
She loosens her grip on her arm and brings her other hand to gently cup her wet cheek. "Shhh, shhh, Meg there is no need for tears. You must simply understand that what I'm saying is for your own good."
Meg shakes her head, blonde curls flying in disarray. "But I d-don't understand, mother!" She protests between sobs.
She sighs deeply and a sad look changes her stern features into something softer. "I know. But Meg these rules I have placed are not without merit." She begins to gently brush the stands of hair that have caught on the tear streaks out of her face. "They are there to keep you safe, to keep a safe distance." She adds almost as an afterthought.
Her sobbing is calming down, but she still takes jerking breaths, making speech hard. "I-still don't-understand."
Her mother shocks her with an unprecedented hug. She is warm, unyielding. "I know." She repeats softly. "And I hope to god you'll never come to see why." She sends it up like a prayer, and Meg is so utterly lost she can't form a reply to that.
It's ironic though, that very soon Meg would come to see why with her own two eyes. She will learn that with every beauty there is a beast, and sometimes they reside in the same person.
A/N: Just a heads up that no two sided romance stuff will happen until Meg is around the 16-18 and above range.
Though a few hints and tidbits might be thrown in every now and then.
Yes I'm aware that this chapter was mostly set up for the next, but I just wanted to introduce some stuff in this chapter. I wanted to build up Meg's character a little. Really work on her personality!
The Meg I'm trying to work towards is almost a single minded girl at this point in her life. Has so much passion for things, but can only direct it towards one thing at a time! She is caring, considerate, but also a child. So that means that sometimes those things get thrown out to make way for her own selfishness.
I'll add more to her later, build her up and add to her and emphasize quirks in her personality with every chapter. Or at least give it one heck of a try.
Even though that's a while down the road this story is planned to follow the canon events of "Phantom of the Opera" with my little twists here and there. But you know what they say, plans change.
I would love some input on how I'm doing, especially pace wise! Constructive criticism is welcome, but no flames please!
Until next time~