Disclamer: No, I do not own Erik. ( i simply borrow him for my own purposes )

AN: For Nuria786 who has more faith in my knowledge of where I'm taking this than I do! 3

Chapter 5

Dinner, surprisingly, turned out to be quite entertaining. I had hardly ever seen my Aunt and had never really been acquainted with Meg so there were years to catch up on. When I had ordered my dinner with perfect French pronunciation, Meg had wanted to know what great school I had attended and what other talents I had hidden up my sleeve.

"Oh but you must play the piano and sing divinely!" Meg ejaculated taking a small sip of red wine. "I hear that's what all the fine girls in England do."

I saw Aunt Giry look nervously at me, as if my talents was something that would be worried over. I took a sip of water and looked back at Meg. "I did sing, once upon another time, Meg. But at times I still play. I had a very good tutor while living with Grandmother." I felt tears prick my eyes and I blinked rapidly to keep them at bay. Singing and the piano brought back memories of a happier time, when Papa was still alive. It was a time before the great sorrow and I didn't want to dwell on it. I had been carefree and there was nothing to worry over. We didn't think about where the money was going to come from or what we would have for dinner.

"Do you read, Anne? Did you get any sort of taste of literature?"

I met Aunt Giry's eyes and saw compassion there. Undoubtedly, Mama had told her everything about our circumstances and while part of me was angered at the thought of our situation made known, I was also grateful. Obviously, Mama trusted her.

"I did. There's an English authoress that I am quite fascinated with."

"A female writer!" Meg squealed. "How scandalous."

"Not necessarily," I corrected. "It's quite refreshing and liberating to hear a love story told from the side of a woman as opposed to that of a man."

Meg appeared to have nothing to say to my remarks and so I returned to my roast chicken, broiled tomatoes and buttered green beans. I didn't order wine with my dinner as I found it have too many negative effects. I had just finished cutting a piece of chicken with something occurred to me.

"Aunt?"

"Yes, Anne?" I waited until she had finished chewing her food before posing my question.

"The ropes today that held up the backdrop. Did you happen to notice that they had been cut?"

I watched the expressions play across her face. Surprise, fear, worry, and then absolute calm. It almost unnerved me to see her face so composed. "No, I didn't. And in any case, it would be impossible to cut all the ropes at the same time."

I tilted my head. "What do you mean?"

She smiled sweetly and I couldn't tell if this had been something she had rehearsing or if she was used to making these type of…excuses? "You noticed, I'm sure, how the backdrop fell at once. There would have to be a group of people up there that cut them all at the same time. It's quite more plausible that the ropes were not secured properly."

"All the ropes, Aunt?" I asked. "Sounds just as improbable that all the ropes were not secured well."

Aunt Giry looked away, clearly uncomfortable. Both mother and daughter silenced within the space of a few moments. It hadn't been intentional. I hadn't intended to make a fuss or make anyone uneasy.

"Aunt, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything, but I was curious. I guess there really isn't a good explanation." I smiled and when she returned it, I knew I was forgiven. "So, Meg, how long have you been dancing?" I turned the attention away from me, and on to someone who was far more willing to talk.

"I've been dancing for as long as I can remember. I'm close to becoming the Prima, with just a little more practice and a bit more…maturity." She whispered the last word as if it was some great big secret that I was to help her keep. I chuckled and was once again amazed at how much she resembled Elizabeth. They both were very personable with the same golden hair and blue eyes. I had no doubt that when and if Meg was introduced into what was considered "proper" society, she would be immediately sought after.

"I have no doubt that you will reach that level in no time." I gave her hand a quick squeeze and looked at my Aunt. "And you've been teaching for…?"

"Several years, Anne. I came to the Opera House when I was about five and have been here ever since. Your mother even danced for a few years before she met your father."

My ears perked up. "Really?" I never heard the story of how my parents met.

Aunt Giry smiled in remembrance. "Your mother, though never a prominent dancer, was quite a beauty and she attracted your father's interest during one of our performances, I don't remember what it was." She laughed. "Oh, they were so in love." Her smile faded and she looked to her left. I could tell that she wasn't necessarily looking at anything in particular. "It was a great sadness when she left. I hardly ever saw her after she moved to England. We wrote letters every so often. I still have the letters announcing your birth and then the birth of your sister." She returned her eyes back to me and I could see there were tears standing there.

"To think…I shan't see her again." Her voice broke but her tears would not fall.

I clenched my fists in my lap trying to hold my own tears at bay. "There is still time. Perhaps you could make a journey to see her. I'm sure she would be delighted to see you."

But Aunt Giry just sighed and shook her head. "I'm afraid that would be impossible. We parted on such on equal terms."

"It cannot be so unequal that she asked you to look after me during her final…time." I wasn't really sure how much time Mama had…years? Months? Days? I put a hand over my mouth and rested my elbow on the table.

"Anne…are you alright?" Meg reached over and put a hand on my shoulder.

I regained my composure as well as I could and smiled. "Yes, Meg. I'm fine."

"Oh, Mama! Did I tell you about what Anne said during rehearsal?" Meg's voice had dropped to that ridiculous whisper again.

Aunt Giry cast me a sly look and I ducked my head. It sounded so foolish now to be talking about the nobility the way that I had.

"Yes, and I do believe that Anne was quite right. You know so little of the world, my precious child. However, you should know enough to know that not everything is as it seems. Even the nobility." Mother cast daughter a meaningful look that I found myself slightly irritated at not understanding that meaning.

As dinner progressed into dessert, something I had to not partake of since I was quite full, Aunt Giry began to tell stories of what my mother was like when she was a dancer. She told me of the little pranks that got caught in and how my mother was quite the mastermind behind them all. I was amazed at having my mother talked of in such a way since I had never even suspected she could conceive such tricks!

We spent the rest of the evening in amiable conversation and I, despite any earlier apprehensions about coming to France, felt strangely happy about being here. I knew that it wouldn't last. Happiness never does, but I would enjoy the time I got to spend with my newly discovered family.

We made our way back to the Opera House sooner than I had expected, but then looked out into the night and saw that night had officially fallen and stars had littered the night sky. The street lamps had all been lit but their light cast eerie shadows on the pavement. Aunt Giry had insisted on not taking a carriage to the restaurant and I was now extremely grateful. I was going to need to take a long walk after that filling dinner.

"Do you think you're going to miss home very much?" Meg asked, looping her arm through mine.

"Well, it was my home, Meg. I think I'll probably write to my mother nearly everyday."

"Oh, well, we'll go to the La Poste on Saturday! We can even go some of the shops! I won't have rehearsal, so we'll have all day."

I was very excited to be able to send letters home, and I could tell that Meg would become quite a good companion…well, eventually. She had a little growing up to do, but maybe being more acquainted of the world could be a negative thing. Her carefree manner, not to mention beauty, would be a good asset for any young man who was looking for beauty…not fortune.

The walk the Opera Populaire was filled with just as much conversation as dinner. Meg talked about roles she had danced, her hopes for the future, and even dropped hints of the latest gossip running around the opera walls. I laughed along with her, finding it all truly amusing considering the different lives we had led.

While I was walking along, I felt another presence amidst our trio. I couldn't really describe it, but it made me feel cold and a little nervous. I saw shadows where there was light, and merely assumed that it was just someone else walking the beautiful Parisian streets. But I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was following us. Aunt Giry seemed to sense it too as she was constantly looking over her shoulder and around her as if she knew someone was there.

"Aunt, is everything alright?" I whispered, while Meg was sighing over the lead tenor in the troupe.

"I have to keep a sharp lookout, Anne. We don't want any problems while we're out walking, now do we?" She smiled and patted my arm affectionately. I couldn't help but wondering why every time I asked her a question, she always appeared to be hiding something. Though her answer seemed plausible enough, it still held the hint of uncertainty and secrecy. I had seen my mother hide the truth from my little sister often enough to know when someone wasn't being entirely forth coming.

"Of course you can go on a trip with the Miss Wetheringtons, Elizabeth. We can more than cover the expense!" Mama's voice rang in my head from one of the many times she had allowed her youngest child to go off on some new excursion or adventure. We never really had the money, but Mama always did what she had to, to make things right.

We reached the Opera House quicker than I had thought and Meg was on her way to the dormitories before I could even return her goodbyes. Aunt Giry, however, followed me to my room. Jane would either be waiting for me in my room or she would be fast asleep in her own chambers. Either way, I spoke softly to my Aunt who was just as quiet beside me.

"Aunt, I am quite sure that Mama has told you most if not all of our circumstances before residing with Grandmother."

"She made me aware of everything, Anne. It was not the main reason that I agreed to look after you, but she did feel it was important for me to know all." She wrapped her arm around my shoulders and I couldn't help but walk closer to her as we reached my room.

"I wish that…well, I would rather that…" I bit my lip nervously and looked around in case anyone should hear.

"Yes, child?" She looked at me expectantly and I leaned against my closed bedroom door.

"If you would be so kind as to not relay any of that information to anyone…I should be most grateful." I lowered my head and I could feel my cheeks burn. "It's not for myself, you see. It's for Elizabeth."

"Elizabeth? Whatever for?"

I opened my room and gestured for her to come inside. I did not want anyone to hear what we would be talking about. Thankfully, she came in and, after closing the door, we both sat on the divan. I put my hands in my lap and clenched them tightly.

"Anne…what is it? You must know that I would never tell anyone what you or your mother went through, but is there something else I need to know about? Someone from you past that I…?"

"Oh, no! Nothing like that!" I raised my eyes to hers and saw only compassion and friendship there. If Mama could trust her, then I most definitely could. "It's just that…it has always been expected, especially when we lived with Grandmother, to make an eligible match." I laughed, for even though my sister and I didn't always get along, I still loved her and wanted to do well. "She's quite a beauty and will therefore be most sought after she finishes her schooling. I would really wish that no one really know about what her life was like before we regained our footing in society. Mama never really went out much after…well, when the sorrow was all over. I, never could find anyone to match my level of understanding and passion for things other than tending to a house, so I probably never shall marry, but I would hate that our past be a hindrance for Elizabeth. She is destined to do well for herself and I would not like our history spread around."

"You do realize that I have not the acquaintance that would reach all the way to England, Anne."

"Well, if Elizabeth should come here, however unlikely, but if she did, I would like her to have every possible advantage."

Aunt Giry smiled suddenly and reached out and touched my face. She cupped my cheek and rubbed her thumb across my cheekbone.

"What?" I smiled, tilting my head. "Have I said something nonsensical? That happens every so often."

"You are quite a beautiful person, Anne."

I scoffed. "You haven't seen Elizabeth."

"I wasn't talking about outward beauty, Anastasia," her voice didn't sound stern but it held a touch of authority that caught my attention. "You have a real inner beauty, and even though you've been here for only a day, I'm very glad that I could offer you refuge here. But, rest assured, I won't say anything."

I sighed. "Thank you, Aunt."

"No thanks needed, Anne." She kissed my forehead. "Now, do you need some help getting ready for bed?"

I shook my head. "I think I can manage."

"Well, then I will say good night. You should write to your mother in the morning. I'll come and see you about noon. So, feel free to sleep as long as you like."

"Thank you." Though I had only been here for a day, I still felt very happy to be here with Aunt Giry and with Meg and to be at the Opera House. I felt that I could be happy here forever, if time allowed it and necessity never called me elsewhere.

I watched her rise from the divan and walk to the door. We said goodnight to each other and she closed the door. Though she was gone, I still felt a presence in the room. I had an eerie feeling, just like I had while we were walking back from the restaurant. I could feel another pair of eyes in the room. I crossed my arms, feeling suddenly cold. Putting it up to my imagination, I went behind my changing screen, got ready for bed, blew out the candles, said my prayers, and fell promptly to sleep.

AN: Sorry about not putting the Erik and Anne together. I'm not one of those who throws people together without good provocation and right now, it's not there. So...if you're looking for a quick read, you should probably move to another story. Sorry! But if you DO stop here and choose not to continue on, drop me a line! I'd like to know why you chose to stop here...or even better still...why you want to come back for more!