Welcome back everyone!

I hope you all like this chapter.

I worked really hard on it.

[Still don't own Erik or Phantom. Just my O.C.s.]

5.

Notes and Phantom

When Delphine told Louis of the latter, he became frantic.

"From an O.G. ?" He asked, eyes wide.

"Yes. Is that a bad thing?"

"Yes!" Louis paced around the room.

She had waited to tell anyone until she was free for the rest of the day.

She had spent another day at the opera house, just observing the organized chaos, when she was able to ask Louis to speak with him in private.

"It must be some sort of sick prank." Delphine shrugged.

"This is no prank." Louis muttered, shaking his head. "The ghost has never targeted someone before. Have you done anything to anger him?"

"No." Delphine said, rethinking the words she had read. "Quite the opposite, in fact?"

"Pardon?"

"He seemed fine with me becoming a patron. But he advised me to give him the money instead of the managers."

Louis crossed his arms, his back leaning against the wall. "Do you plan to do so?"

"Of course not." Delphine admitted. "I have no belief that ghosts are real. Perhaps this is someone who wishes me harm or wants to steal my wealth. Perhaps-"

Perhaps this was someone payed my Hugo to catch her off guard.

"It's no matter." She was dismissed. "I will hear none of this nonsense."

"You heard the little dancers! They have seen him! With their own eyes!"

"Children often see things which are not there."

"Your still a child."

"I'm nothing of the sort!" She hissed. "I am 24!"

"That's young."

They two stopped, catching their breathes.

"No more about this ghost business."

(add more)

That night, she found another piece of later tethered to her clothes, this time to her coat.

This one was a lot shorter than the other.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Dear Madame Caraway,

I am disappointed that you do not believe in me, though we have touched hands before.

I wish to inform you that I am indeed real. I also wish for you to oblige to my previous requests, no matter how 'silly' they may seem.

Though you hold a deep place in my heart, I will not tolerate disobedience.

Your loyal and obedient servant,

O.G.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Delphine reread the note several times.

"This cannot be!" She exclaimed, folding it back up and placing it with the other, which still lay on the bedside.

Even as a young child, she had never believed in ghosts.

They could not be explained in the world of science, one she had grown up around.

Her father, a man with great intelligence, had told her to base her mind only on the facts of science.

This left little room in her life for things like ghosts.

She continued her day to day, ignoring the ghosts notes.

She sent the money to the managers, who had finally accepted her as a patron.

She offered her suggestions, though she always rethought her words afterwards. She was secretly happy that they never seemed to listen to her suggestions.

Almost every day, either she or someone else found the pieces of paper, which she would tell Louis of afterwards.

Sometimes, Madame Giry herself would slip it into her hand.

Each time, the words become more and more harsh.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Dear Madame Caraway,

I am a patent man, but if you refuse my orders any longer, there will be at war between us.

Your loyal and obedient servant,

O.G.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Delphine couldn't understand the thoughts of this man.

What ever did he mean by "war"?

She wasn't doing and harm.

In fact, wasn't she the one giving her money to him?

All in all, not of what was being demanded of her made since.

She folded up the letter, placing it alongside the others.

Why she didn't burn them all, she didn't know.

Perhaps she kept them there for proof.

She didn't pretend to know.

Standing from her bed, she grabbed her own paper and a pan.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Dear Mr. Ghost,

~.~.~.~.~.~.~

She wrote, an angered expression playing upon her face.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~

I don't quite understand what you want from me.

You have given me no proof that you are, indeed, a ghost. I understand if I am going beyond my place, I am but a patron what do I know of the arts, but I still do not like being ordered around like this.

Though you claim we have indeed met, I had no memory of this encounter.

The poor little dancers of the opera house claim that you exist, but how should I know if you are truthful. Girls have wonderful imaginations, especially younger ones..

If you wish to tell me what to do, do so my word of mouth. Not this silly game you have been playing up till now.

You can write one more letter, one! And only to tell me your response. After this, I shall not hear of this nonsense again.

I will be by the opera house tonight, what time I have not decided. Once you have written a response, please let me know in person, or give me the letter tonight. I apologize if I am making little to no since.

Your's Truly,

Delphine Caraway

~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Delphine looked at her letter and nodded, satisfied.

In the morning she would give it to Madame Giry.

She hoped this 'O.G.' understood her wishes.

If not, perhaps she would have to look for a job after all.

She did not receive another letter that night.

Though she was relieved, she couldn't seem to fight the growing feeling of uneasiness.

What would be his response?

How would he react to reading her words? W

hat would he do if it angered him?

She shook herself.

There was no need to worry about him that night, especially when she would worry about it tomorrow.

Sighing, she walked throughout the halls of the opera house.

It was night, therefore most of the workers had already retired home.

Surprisingly, the opera house was peaceful then vacant.

Delphine, lost in thought, collided with another.

She yelped, turning to the man.

He was a fine gentleman, his age being able to range from 40 to 50.

His ebony skin matched his tailored suit, a short astrakhan cap resting upon his curled hair.

But what caught Delphine's eye, were his eyes.

They were a brilliant set of bright jade, shining from his sockets.

"Good evening," Delphine smiled, nodding her head.

The man eyed her warily, confused by her presence.

"Evening," He responded, his voice smooth. "Why, may I ask, are you here?"

"At the opera house? Well, you see I-"

"No." He corrected. "At night."

Oh.

Delphine frowned.

"Well . . . to tell you the truth, I am waiting for someone."

His eyes narrowed. "Someone?"

"Well, more like something." Hell, she wasn't sure this phantom would even send her a letter like this.

Perhaps she was pushing her luck.

"Ah." Though the man didn't let his guard down, his expression softened.

Though she knew she shouldn't ask, she asked anyways, "What of you? Why are you here at the dead of night. I have given you my reason, therefore give me yours."

"I am here to speak to an old friend of mine." The man confessed. "I have not spoken to him in a while, but there is something that I must get off my chest."

"I hope you work it out."

"I do so as well. But, I'm afraid, that won't happen."

Delphine smiled sadly. "I apologize for not introducing myself." She bowed her head lightly. "Delphine Caraway."

"I am known as the Persian."

It took a while for her to process those words. "The . . . Persian? As in, a man from Persia?"

"Indeed."

She blushed from embarrassment. "What is your true name. It feel odd to call someone the name of their nationality."

The man coughed into his fist. "A apologize, madame. My name is Nadir Khan."

She smiled lightly at him. "Well, it's a please to meet you, Monsieur Khan."

"You as well, Madame Caraway."

The two stood in silence, both unsure how to continue their conversation.

"Your friend . . . " Asked Delphine. "Does he work at here?"

"Not quite. He mostly stays behind the curtain."

"So a stagehand, then?"

Nadir barked a laughed. "I would love to see that. But no. He is more important than a stagehand."

"A patron."

Shake of the head.

"A secret manger."

Another shake.

Delphine sighed. "Fine, keep your secrets."

Nadir smiled at her. "And you? Who is this 'someone' whom your waiting for?"

"I'm not quite sure." She huffed, staring into the darkness. She told him the story. How is this O.G. kept sending her letters demanding things from her. It felt nice, to finally get this off her chest.

Nadir nodded. "I am afraid I know of the man who is sending you letters. And I believe he will not speak to you."

"What? Why not?"

Grounding, he ran his fingers through his thick hair. "You see, this O.G. is a very private man. He does not speak to others unless he has to. I don't think he is desperate enough to exchange words with you." He paused, thinking. "Perhaps, if you wish, I am relay a message to you from him."

"He talks to you?"

"Sometimes, if I annoy him enough. He'll never admit it, but he enjoys my company."

Delphine crossed her arms, the cold air throughout the opera house settling around her. "Though that is really kind of you, I wish to take care of this matter myself."

"You're shivering and tired. It's clear you have not slept in the last few nights."

He was correct. Delphine had found herself refusing sleep. This ghost problem haunted her throughout the day, and followed her when the sun had retired.

"Nonsense," She said, waving him off. "I am just fine." As if on cue, she let out a small yawn.

No. She had to get a response from this dreadful ghost.

"I can stay awake."

Nadir smiled. It reminded Delphine of her own father's smile. "I insist. You are clearly tired, and I will be around the opera house tomorrow if you with for us to meet."

"But-"

"And, as i have already stated, he might only talk to me. Please, let me help you."

Delphine, still unsure, nodded. "Alright. I trust you, though I don't know you."

"Not always the best choice. To trust someone you've never really met."

"I know. I know. But we have to have some blind trust, shouldn't we?"

He didn't answer. Instead, he patted her lightly on her head.

"I still think I should stay. . . "

"Fear not." Nadir beamed. "I promise to fulfill your request. Please, go get your rest."

Before leaving, Delphine nervously looked around at the darkness. She still wasn't comply sure, but (against her better judgment) she found herself trusting this stranger.

She silently prayed that he would keep his promise, and find her to tell her what had happened.

Nadir watched her leave, his smile dropping.

"Oh, Erik." He sighed. "What have you gotten into this time?"

We got Nadir!

I was trying figure how to introduce him in the story . . . so yeah.

To be honest, he is one of my favorite characters in the fandom. I hate that he isn't in the musical.

If it had been any other day, Delphine probably would have been stubborn and would have stayed. But, like Nadir said, she was really tired. She didn't really want to deal with Erik.

Songs:

For Erik: The Middle of the Night (Elley Duhé)

I don't know why but looking at the lyrics remind me of out favorite ghost.

For Delphine: Message In A Bottle (Taylor Swift)

Partly putting this song in there for fun. But this song also describes her a lot.

Thank you all for reading!

I hope you are enjoying this story and characters!

Please leave a comment to let me know what you think!