Chapter 16: Glimmers in Semi-darkness
That evening, after Meg's meeting with the Phantom, Christine came to their room to show her a response she had received from the Opera Ghost. The note was written in black ink on good quality parchment, but it consisted of only three simple words scribed in slightly slanted handwriting: "Thank you, Christine…"
For some reason, it brought a peculiar tightness to Meg's throat.
This message, though enigmatic, eased some of their worries, but wasn't quite enough to give the Phantom of the Opera's case full closure.
The following week in the opera house was rather hectic; apart from keeping their current repertoire, scheduled rehearsals for a short revival of last year's production of La fille du régiment had already begun. Animated discussions about the Phantom and the hired guards could be still heard in the theatre's corridors, but – to Meg's relief – they were dwindling. The explanation that Messieurs Andre and Firmin had created for the press – that the Opera Ghost's arrival had been planned, and the extra security was related to administrative changes – had become the official version of events, which definitely helped in quelling gossip. According to Christine, Raoul wasn't happy about this, but had agreed to uphold the pretence after persuasion from the soprano.
Joseph Buquet wasn't pleased either, of course. He confronted the managers again, telling them in no uncertain terms what he thought about employing some shady individual to play the Phantom. Nevertheless, even he relented at last, muttering only that he didn't wish to have "more freaks tampering with his fly system".
With the beginning of the year, several new employees were hired, including Joseph Buquet's fifteen-year-old nephew and his friend, who joined as stagehand assistants and runners, giving the chief stagehand an extra task and obliging him to forget about chasing ghosts. The fresh faces quickly became a popular conversation topic among the cast – especially since Cecile Jammes had taken an instant liking to Lucien, Joseph Buquet's nephew.
In the days that followed, despite the lighter mood in the coulisses and the extra work, Meg couldn't stop thinking about the Opera Ghost, particularly whenever she practised in the Foyer de la Danse. Her insides still burned with guilt at the thought that maybe, unwittingly, she had treated him unfairly again. At the same time, she couldn't stop thinking about the last part of their meeting.
She had already been aware that the Phantom had some insight into what was happening within the opera house, but it was strange to learn that he was able to spy on them from a much closer distance. However, both the foyer and the stage were, in some way, public places that were frequently visited by rich subscribers or other employees, so all in all, it didn't bother her too much.
Instead, a part of her kept focusing on the fact that somebody had seen her first, own choreography – danced by herself, not Sorelli – and considered it good. When her dance sequence had been accepted as a part of the play, she had, of course, received congratulations from her mother, Christine and a few other ballerinas, but hearing praise from someone outside of the corps de ballet was something entirely different.
She just couldn't help but admire the way the man had talked about the opera, music and ballet. In that short moment, his voice had changed, transforming into more velvet tones, and his rough, tensed features had softened in an astonishing way. For that brief while, before her had stood a completely different person from the cold and aloof Opera Ghost or the fearsome Phantom.
Was it a side that Christine had seen – or rather had heard – more often in her teacher? Meg couldn't help but wonder. If so, then she was finally beginning to fully understand her friend's attachment to her tutor and her statements about the amount of support she had received from him.
If only the Phantom would abandon his tricks and stop hiding behind walls of anger and callousness, he might be perceived as the nice person that Meg was more and more certain he could be.
Only… Well, it wasn't all that simple in his case, was it?
It was hard for her to fully decipher the Opera Ghost. One moment, he would do something extraordinarily kind; the next, he would revert to his harsh, distanced and wrathful self. She highly doubted that he wished to intentionally cause real harm to anyone, but she still worried a little.
A similar mixture of emotions filled Meg again on Friday afternoon, when her mother called her to her room to hand her a small package accompanied by a short letter.
"It's from him."
Surprised, the ballerina unfolded the note, recognising the same slightly slanted handwriting:
–
Mademoiselle Giry,
If there are still some matters that you need to discuss, I will be waiting for you to fulfil my obligations towards the Giry family in the same place as before, an hour after tomorrow's rehearsal.
P.S. I believe that some books deserve not only to be "flipped through", but rather to be properly read instead. Therefore, I hope you find what accompanies this letter to be quite enjoyable.
With best regards,
E.E.
–
Meg met her maman's gaze over the sheet of paper, and in the ballet mistress's eyes, she saw a spark of the same hope that flickered inside her. Madame Giry squeezed her daughter's shoulders, a shadow of a smile brushing her lips. Meg returned the gesture, then unwrapped the brown paper from the parcel, revealing a book inside. Her smile widened as she read the title.
Volume II: Cosette.
Meg hugged the tome to her chest, mouthing a silent thanks and a prayer for further guidance.
Perhaps all they needed was a little more time. She had to be honest, but choose her words wisely, and maybe soon everything would finally be all right again.
"We should tell Raoul and Christine the truth."
Meg Giry looked forthrightly at him from her usual seat upon the wooden crate, and Erik instantly regretted agreeing to this meeting. His teeth clenched and he barely stopped himself from starting to pace across the small storage room.
"Maybe it's surprising, but I prefer not being locked behind bars," he ground out.
The ballerina winced slightly at the tart sarcasm in his words.
"But Raoul is a good man. I'm sure he would understand if we just talked." Her gaze locked on him pleadingly. "He really cares about Christine and our family. What's more, he has a lot of connections, so perhaps he could give us some advice regarding our…" She hesitated for a moment. "Well, our law problem…"
Erik nearly choked.
Hell and blazes, what kind of world was Meg Giry living in?! Raoul de Chagny had already hired several guards simply because the Opera Ghost had made an appearance at the ball! She couldn't seriously believe he wouldn't do anything worse if he learnt more, could she? Besides, the fact that the cursed viscount cared too much was precisely the problem!
Anger flooded the Phantom again, and his jaw muscles tensed harder.
"It's absolutely. Out. Of. Question." His low hiss made the ballerina hunch, but this time it actually brought him a pinch of satisfaction.
A heavy silence hung in the air.
"Could I… Could I at least talk with Christine?" Meg Giry looked back up. "It hurts me that I can't be honest with my friend." Sadness in her tone and expression stopped his growl before it had fully formed, and the Opera Ghost averted his gaze.
"She's already told Raoul de Chagny a lot. I can't trust she won't do so again." A hoarseness slipped into his voice, and he cursed inwardly. His hands curled into fists at his sides.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the blonde lowering her head.
"I understand. I would be grateful if you would give it some thought, though…"
It was hard not to notice the anguish etched in her features and posture, and despite himself, Erik felt a pinch of guilt settle in his stomach. It wasn't like he could do anything else, could he? Besides, it was only Meg Giry's fault that she was involved! He certainly hadn't asked for it!
The Phantom gritted his teeth.
There was a long pause, and then the girl sighed deeply.
"Anyway, there is one more favour I would like to ask you. But, I hope it's an easier and more pleasant task." The ballerina smiled slightly as he turned back to her with a frown. "I was wondering if you would be my accompanist for a day."
For the second time that day, Erik couldn't help but question Meg Giry's ability to think logically.
"Your what?" he rasped.
"My accompanist," the dancer repeated, as if it were a completely normal suggestion, and lighter notes tinged her voice. "Back when my papa was alive, we always helped with preparing the spring festival play for our district. Now, even though Maman and I no longer reside there, we still take part in it. I promised to prepare the choreography for children, but I need a pianist's help to finish it.
Usually, Monsieur Valérius helps me, but he retired at the beginning of the month and has already left Paris with his wife. I've asked the other members of the orchestra, but they are all busy. The man who will play at the festival works as a mechanic-engineer in a factory, so it's hard for us to find a time when we are both free. Therefore… well, I thought I would ask you." Meg Giry's eyes rose to meet his.
Erik was unable to stop himself from staring.
The ballerina shifted under his gaze and looked down, biting her lip. "I'm aware that most skilled artists wouldn't be pleased with a task so far below their abilities," she added more quietly, "but it's a short play for children, so it won't take a lot of time."
For a while, Erik was lost for words.
Meg Giry was probably the only person who would consider the Phantom of the Opera the right choice to help in something like this. It was undoubtedly one of the most absurd ideas he had ever heard! Blazes, he didn't even know if he should feel more irritated, offended or baffled!
And yet, a small part of him couldn't help but focus on the fact that, by doing so, she had put him in the same category as the other theatre employees, even though he was evidently last on her list.
A strange lump formed in his throat.
"I suppose I might have a few hours to spare…"
Meg Giry's features brightened.
"Oh, thank you!" The ballerina jumped down from the crate and made a few excited steps in his direction, only to stop half way. An embarrassed smile flitted across her face as she awkwardly clasped her hands in front of her, but her expression didn't lose its previous warmth. "I promise I'll try to rehearse the steps to make it as quick as possible. I've already written out most of my ideas, and now I only need to try them out."
Not sure what else to do, the Phantom simply nodded.
"Perhaps we could even use one of the practice rooms a floor below? There is barely anyone around early in the morning or late in the evening. I also think that I saw an old piano next door to here, in the attic…" Meg Giry tilted her head.
Erik's mouth twisted. "That old piano is barely serviceable. As for the practice rooms, they are unfortunately out of my reach. Especially now." His voice lowered into something akin to an irritated growl, and his muscles tensed as frustration, burning low inside him, flared anew.
The dancer swallowed hard and saddened. "So…"
The Opera Ghost scowled. "We would have to meet underground," he said.
Meg Giry's cheeks paled, but she quickly tried to cover it. "Oh, well… I think I could ask Maman for help in getting there." She smiled again, but he would have had to be blind to miss the tension in her features.
Erik silently muttered a curse and exhaled. "I'll escort you, Mademoiselle Giry."
Now, it was Meg Giry's turn to stare at him.
Against the Phantom's will, his face (or maybe a semblance of it) became somewhat warmer, and he looked aside with a twinge of irritation.
"I would rather avoid problems related to letting you wander freely through the tunnels," he grumbled, "so I'll wait for you in the secret corridor behind the Foyer de la Danse. We can meet there on Monday evening around seven, when the main actors and company members will go for their planned meeting." His words sounded rather stiff, but as he gazed back at the ballerina, there was nothing but gentleness in her expression.
"I'll be there at seven, then." This time, the smile reached her eyes, softening the lines around them in a strangely warm way. The sight brought a peculiar feeling to his chest.
The dancer glanced at her hands. "However, there is one more thing I would like to clarify." A corner of her lips twitched as she raised her head. "Just Meg is enough."
Erik frowned, not exactly understanding.
Meg Giry grinned radiantly once again. "All my friends and colleagues from the opera house just call me just Meg, so I think being on a first-name basis in our case is fitting too," she clarified softly. Her hazel irises met his own. "Of course, only if you don't have anything against me calling you Erik."
Author's notes:
1) La fille du régiment (The Daughter of the Regiment) is an opéra comique in two acts by Donizetti, first staged in 1840 in Paris Opéra-Comique. In Kopit's miniseries, Christine, trained by the Phantom, sings a song from this opera to show her vocal skills. I thought it would be nice to include it partially in my fanfic. :)
2) In Leroux's novel, Valérius was the surname of Christine's father's friends – the professor and his wife, but in this fanfiction it's just a name of some friendly pianist.