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xoxo
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Chapter Three: Too Many Notes
Previously
The Phantom's Lair, Underneath The Palais Garnier Opera House Paris, France, June, 1894
Christine rose from the bed and stood behind him. Placing her hand on his shoulder, while he tensed at her touch he turned to face her. Chocolate met emerald. "Oh, mon ange who did this to you?" Christine resorted, he sighed shaking his head, placing the small strands of hair behind her ear. Her eyes closed but then opened again, placing her hand on his chest "Erik please tell me."
Cupping her face, "Christine I don't want you to have more of my darkness in your life."
Shaking her head and placed her hand onto his, "But ange we promised no secrets no lies, to be completely and openly with each other."
Erik cupped her cheeks, looking into her chocolate eyes. "Are you sure?"
"Yes."
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The Phantom's Lair, Underneath The Palais Garnier Opera House Paris, France, June, 1894
"Christine my past is dark and it's twisted and I don't your pure soul destroyed because of me." He whispered.
"It won't I promise. Do you really think I'm going to turn you away because of something that wasn't in your control? Look at me. I love you and your past isn't going to change that." Erik's eyes filled with tears, as she kissed them away. Looking at him again, he nods as she turns to face his back.
Scars.
As she reached out to trace the one long crisscross scars that looked as if it hadn't healed properly but the skin still grew over it, along with the other scars her fingers moved over to the deeper ones, Erik's body flinched at her touch. She began to count but then lost count as the scars continued down his back, stopping at his hips. She begins to whimper as her chocolate eyes filled with loss and pain.
Oh, ange I'm so sorry that the world has treated you this way.
Hearing her cries Erik immediately turns and pulls her into his arms as her hands moved down his back again. Pulling back her back to look in her eyes. "Do I disgust you now? This is who I am Christine. This is who I am. I'm no angel, I'm a broken man."
"NO!" She screams hitting him on his chest. "No, you are not! Do you know what I see? I see a beautiful man, a survivor, I see my angel of music." she falls to her knees in front of him sobbing.
"Oh, Christine." he kneels in front of her, pulling her close to his chest.
"Please mon amor. Tell me who did this to you." He cupped her face and bent his head to kiss her tear-stained cheeks. "Don't cry for me, angel. Angel's don't cry." She sobbed, throwing her arms around him. "I'm so sorry, Erik, I'm so sorry this is how the world has treated you."
"Thank you min dyrbara ros." he whispered running his hand through her curls. "Before Antoinette brought me to the Paris Opera House. I was... I was part of the main attraction for a travelling carnival." Christine winced, holding him tighter, he caressed her back and continued. "I was only a child when they took me."
"How old were you?" she asked, stroking his chest slightly.
"I was only three years old. My.. My mother abandoned me, after my accident and she sold me to them." He swallowed hard. "They locked in a cage. Like I was a circus animal and I was, in their minds at least. During the night it was quiet and peaceful and sometimes it felt safe." She caressed his back, offering him comfort. "For the next ten years of their cruel behaviour night after night, I wanted nothing more than to die. I wanted to die, Christine! Every time, they unlocked my cage it was a fight. and I tried to fight Christine. I really tired, but knowing it was helpless I felt absolutely nothing. I couldn't feel the leather whip slashing my broken flesh anymore, or my blood oozing from my back. I couldn't even hear the laughter of those who watched from afar, I suppose I should be grateful for that."
"No," she whispered pulling him back, his emerald eyes black with haunted darkness. "No one should be treated or feel that way." She cups his face and sings to him. "Beautiful creature of darkness...What kind of life have you know?"
God give me courage to show you. You are not alone!
She pulled him closer, "You are not alone anymore Erik, I am here with you, beside you and I vow to stay and love you for all of eternity."
He smiled. "Thank you ange."
"Will you tell me more?" she whispered.
"It was Antoinette who saved me. She's the reason why I was brought to the Opera House and she was the one who helped me heal."
Christine nodded, "Thank you for telling me Erik, I know this must of been awful for you but it means the world to me, it means that you trust me and that you love me."
"Yes, my love I absolutely do."
She smiled stroking his hands. "Can we do to bed now?"
"Yes, mon ange we can."
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The Traveling Fair Of Freaks Carnival, Calais, France, March 1876
Erik wakes up to see his master walking up towards him, with his whip. Erik pushes himself til his back is pushed to the back of his cage. "Haha The Devil's Child is frighted now is he?" Erik whimpered as he was dragged out of his cage, and pushed onto his stomach as his master kept thrashing his back with his whip. He screamed at Erik. "Monster, Devil's Child, Devil's Child, A little freak."
"FREAK!"
"DEVIL'S CHILD!"
DEVIL'S CHILD!"
The crowd roared. Erik's head filled with the names and the insults as he continued to hear the whip.
"NO!" He screamed.
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The Phantom's Lair, Underneath The Palais Garnier Opera House Paris, France, June, 1894
"NO!" Erik awakens in sweat as he gasps out for air, he closes his remembering the nightmare. He shook his head as he felt a familiar presence next to him. Turning to see his sleeping beauty lying on his chest, sleeping perfectly in his arms, he sighs in relief. He wasn't in Calais anymore, he was in Paris. Home. Safe with his love in his arms. Pulling her closer, kissing the side of her head, and he could have sworn he saw her smile in her sleep. Mon bel ange. He smiles at her again and drifts back to sleep.
As dawn breaks upon the Opera House. Erik awakens to the familiar sounds of water flowing throughout the lake of his lair. He turns to see his beautiful angel, who had a halo of messy curls above her head from her sleep. Taking his arm that was wrapped around her, he grabs his pock watch from his bedside, checking the time. 5:45 a.m. Though Christine had dance rehearsals at 8:00 a.m. she's usually awake by 6:00 a.m. Putting his watch back on the beside table, he turns back towards Christine gently placing his left hand to her face brushing his thumb over her cheek, he whispers, "Christine."
She moved slightly on his chest rubbing her face against it, her eyes opened and looked up at him. "Good morning mon chérie."
Christine smiled, "Good morning mon amor, this is nice." She whispered softly kissing his chest as she traced the curves of his muscles. Pulling her up to meet her lips to his they fall back into his bed. Their passion took over, as Erik lay on top of Christine, he groaned as her nails caressed his scars. Erik then pulled her off. "Erik did I-"
"No, no my love you didn't do anything wrong."
"Then why push me away?"
"Because I can't control myself with you when we're in this position."
Christine blushed in realisation and he pulled her into his lap. "Look at me Christine never doubts that we have, we shall wait to see what passion as in line for us on our wedding night." She nods, kissing the right side of his face. Brushing back his chestnut hair as her stomach begins to growl. Christine freezes and looks down in embarrassment.
"Hungry darling?" he smirks.
.
Erik watches the kettle boil, "What smells so good?" he turns to see his Christine walk down the steps wearing an emerald green dress with laced sleeves. He notices the chain of her locket hung between with breasts, and as she reaches for it and begins to play with it. Her hair which was wide and curly had been pulled back at the sides with pins and her ringlets now curled perfectly down the length of her auburn hair.
"It's eggs on toasted bread." He replies. Walking up her to her and standing behind her chair, Christine smiles and sits down looking at his creation. She immediately notices the red rose beside her plate, she picks it up to inhale his scent. Putting the rose down, she reaches for her fork and begins to dig in. Erik walks up behind her with the teapot, pouring it into her teacup, while placing a kiss on her cheek.
"Mmm thank you, Erik, this is delicious." As he sat down beside her, she frowns at him, "Erik why are you wearing your mask? Surely it's difficult to eat, with it."
"It is, I'm sorry love I'm just so used to wearing it's just a habit suppose."
She smiles reaching to pull it off. "I believe all habits can be broken."
Watching her pick up her teacup, Erik took a breath, as her lips touched the porcelain cup, closing her eyes with enjoyment as the warm liquid filled her warm stomach. "What will you do about that boy?" His jaw clenched. Christine sighed knowing that he is being protective, and she loved him for it. "I'm going to let him know through a letter." He nods, and she takes his hand into hers, "I don't love him, Erik. I only see him as a friend and as a brother, nothing more."
"I know, you do mon ange, it's just after showing you more of my darkness last night I somehow feel guilty that I'm not giving you the world that you deserve."
"But I don't want to live in a world if you are not in it. Being with you is all I want. I don't want a fancy title or fancy houses to live in. I want to perform on stage in your Opera House and sing only for you, as you sit in Box 5 just like before. Remember the promise we made to each other. Rising from her chair and placing herself on his lap, wrapping one arm around him.
She pulls out her locket and opens it up. Looking into his eyes as she sang. "Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime. Say the word and I will follow you. Share each day with me, each night, each morning. Say you love me..."
She pulled his hand to her heart, he nods. "You know I do."
Love me, that's all I ask of you
Together they tidied up the kitchen, Christine walks up and wraps her arms around him. Erik drops the dish, and wipes his hands, grabs hers in return, looking down at their joined hands, he smiles.
I'm going to marry this woman.
He pulled away to turn to take her into his arms properly, she rests her head on his shoulder, while he placed his chin onto her head. Looking at the clock on the wall he realised the time, his takes the mask from the table and places it over his face. "Come, we must return. Those two fools who run my theatre will be missing you." she lets out giggle, as Erik took her hand in his, gathering his letters and left for her dressing room.
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Christine Daaé's Dressing Room, The Palais Garnier Opera House, Paris, France, June, 1894
Antoinette Giry and her daughter sat in Christine's dressing room, waiting for them to return. While Antoinette sat still on Christine's bed, her daughter, wearing her ballerina attire paced back and forth, anxious about her friend's arrival. "Oh for God's sake Marguerite!" Stomping her staff, "Come sit here, they won't be long."
"I know, I'm sorry mama, it's just the girls keep asking questions about where Christine was last night."
Antoinette froze, "And what did you say? I'd hoped you told them, what I told you."
"Yes of course I did mother! I told them that Christine is now a prima donna and she sleeps in her dressing room."
Antoinette nods, proud of her daughter. "Good. I'm sorry. I know this is hard for you Meg, but we have to protect them. I promise my love this won't be forever." She strokes her cheek and continues. "I don't always say it and I should. But I love you, mon cher and I'm very proud of you. Meg sat down beside her, kissing her cheek.
"Thank you, mama, I love you too, and I know even though you scare us with your staff, I'm proud to be your daughter."
Hearing giggles of laughter coming from the mirror, Meg blushed as she watched her best friend and her ange laugh as he grabs Christine, kissing her cheek. "Erik, you can't say that about her." Christine laughed as they walked through the mirror. "Why not? it's true, she can't sing mon amor." He pulled her close to his chest.
Antoinette clears her throat causing Erik and Christine to part. "Oh good morning Madame Giry, hello Meg." Christine blushed.
"Good morning my dears, Erik it's not nice to speak about La Carlotta's voice behind her back, even though we all have to tolerate it." Antoinette warns him. Erik rolls his eyes at Madame Giry, watching as his ange walked over to Meg and hugs her. Pulling out the locket Erik had given her last night. He smiles at the sight. T
urning his attention back to Antoinette. "Speaking of being tolerable, here is my letter to you." Erik hands over the letter to her.
"Little Giry?" Meg looks up from Christine's locket. "Yes, monsieur?"
"Excellent performance last night, you've managed to convince the managers. Now can you manage the Vicomte?"
Meg looks at him curious then with a smile she said,"What did you have in mind?"
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The Catwalks Of The Palais Garnier Opera House, Paris, France, June, 1894
"Erik where are we going?" she asked, holding his hand walking the catwalks of the theatre, taking a left corner, they stood by the spiral staircase, leaning to their destination. "A Phantom never shares his secrets ange." Christine scoffs, lifting up her skirt and walks up the spiral stairs, stopping at the top. She took a breath, feeling Erik's arms around her waist.
"Walk slowly across ange."
Christine took a step across the bridge, grabbing the handrail realising how high up they were, she turns back to him. "I don't understand Erik, aren't I supposed to be in my dressing room?"
Erik smiles kissing her hand, pointing down to the managers as they stood from balcony hidden from view. "You are to them."
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The Manager's Office, The Palais Garnier Opera House, Paris, France, June, 1894
One very drunk Firmin was laughing as he the newspaper of Christine's success.
"Mystery after gala night. It says 'Mystery of soprano's flight Mystified', baffled Sûreté say 'We are mystified, we suspect foul play'. Bad news on soprano scene. First Carlotta, now Christine, still at least the seats get sold, gossip's worth its weight in gold. What a way to run a business, spare me these unending trials. Half your cast disappears but the crowd still cheers. To hell with Gluck and Handel. It's a scandal that'll pack them in the aisles!"
"Damnable! Will they all walk out? This is damnable!" André screamed.
"André, please don't shout!" Firmin rubbed his forehead, still recovering from last night's celebration of drinks.
"It's publicity, and the take is vast." André said,
"Free publicity," Firmin insisted.
"But we have no cast!" André protested.
"But André, have you seen the queue?" Firmin asked picking up the letters from the desk.
"Oh, it seems as though you've got one, too."
Dear André, what a charming gala, Christine enjoyed a great success.
We were hardly bereft when Carlotta left. Otherwise, the chorus was entrancing. But the dancing was a lamentable mess.
O.G
.
"Dear Firmin, just a brief reminder my salary has not been paid.
Send it care of the Ghost by return of post, P.T.O
No one likes a debtor, So it's better if my orders are obeyed."
.
"Who would have the gall to send this? There are both signed "O.G." Firmin inspected the two letters, Erik had had written to them. "Who the hell is he? Wait what did Madame say he was oh yes, Opera Ghost!" André said shaking his head. "It's really not amusing." Firmin shook his head, pouring himself a drink. "He's abusing our position." André said. "In addition, he wants money." Firmin said. "He's a funny sort of spectre, to expect a large retainer." André looked at Erik's letter again.
"Nothing plainer, he is clearly quite insane." Firmin said.
.
"Where is she?" Raoul storms into the office holding his letter to Firmin and André.
"You mean Carlotta?" André asked.
"No I mean Miss Daaé. Where is she?" he exclaimed.
"Well, how should we know?" Firmin shrugged his shoulders.
"I want an answer. I take it that you sent me this note?" Raoul gritted his teeth.
"Of course not!" André said to Raoul. "What's all this nonsense?" Firmin asked,
"Don't look at us," André replied.
"She's not with you, then?" Raoul asked,
"Of course not!" André resorted.
"Monsieur, don't argue. Isn't this the letter you wrote?" Raoul exclaimed.
"And what is it that we're meant to have wrote? Oh! Written." André scoffed, opening Raoul lettering reading aloud. "Do not fear for Miss Daaé. The Angel of Music has her under his wing. Make no attempt to see her again."
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"When did you write this?" Christine frowned looking at Erik. "Last night while you and Meg were in my room." she looked at him curiously. Erik signed "Antoinette doesn't like him Christine and neither do I, especially with the way he's behaving right now." Christine looked down at Raoul again, it's true the way he demands things and the looks he gives to her and the other ballet girls doesn't sit right with her.
"You're right ange, I just brushed it aside last night, when I told him that I was busy." Christine whispered into him. "He had a very harsh tone when he discovered your disappearance." he whispered.
.
"If you didn't write it, who did?" Raoul looked at Firmin, then André hoping to find an answer, both gave him the same answer, they didn't know. Carlotta came screaming in. "Where is he?"
"Ah, welcome back!" André greeted her. "Your precious patron. Where is he?" Carlotta demanded. Raoul rolled his walking up to her. "What is it now?"
"I have your letter, a letter which I rather resent."
André looked at Raoul. "And did you send it?"
"Of course not!" Raoul replied. Firmin threw his hands in the air dismissively. "As if he would!"
"You didn't send it?" She asked Raoul and shook his head. "Of course not!"
"What's going on?" André looked at Firmin.
"You dare to tell me, that this is not the letter you sent?" She holds out her letter to him. Raoul pulls the letter from her grasp. "And what is it. That I'm meant to have sent?" opening the letter and reading aloud. "Your days at the Opera Populaire are numbered, Christine Daaé will be singing on your behalf tonight. Be prepared for a great misfortune, Should you attempt to take her place."
"Erik, what are you planning?" Christine placed her hand on his chest. "Just a little harmless prank that's all my darling." he replied smiling.
"Far too many notes for my taste and most of them about Christine." Firmin said. "All we've heard since we came is Miss Daaé's name." Andre agreed. Antionette stomps her staff and makes her presence known, as Meg followed close behind. "Miss Daaé has returned."
"I trust her midnight oil. Is well and truly burned?" André resorted. "Where precisely is she now?" Firmin asked.
"I thought it best if she was left alone." Madame replied.
"She needed rest." Meg said as she stood beside her mother.
Raoul walks up to Antoinette, smiling "May I see her?" Antoinette shook her head. "No, monsieur, she will see no one."
"Will she sing?" they asked. "Here, I have a note," she replies holding up the crisp white envelope. Firmin grabs it from her, "Let me see it!" He opens Erik's letter as the other gather, listening to the Phantom's note. "Gentlemen, I have now sent you several notes of the most amiable nature, detailing how my theatre is be to run. You have not followed my instructions. I shall give you one last chance…"
From above where Christine and Erik stood, Erik begins speak through the note. "Christine Daaé has returned to you, and I am anxious her career should progress." Christine smiled and pressed a kiss to his mask. "In the new production of "Il Muto". You will therefore cast Carlotta as the pageboy and put Miss Daaé in the role of countess, the role which Miss Daaé plays calls for charm and appeal. The role of the pageboy is silent, which makes my casting in a word, ideal."
"I shall watch the performance from my normal seat in Box Five, which will be kept empty for me. Should these commands be ignored, a disaster beyond your imagination will occur. I remain, gentlemen, your obedient servant. O.G."
Christine gasped. "Erik surely not, you aren't going to hurt them are you?"
"Of course not, ange-"
"Christine!"
Christine jumped in Erik's arms. "Well except, maybe her." he whispered. Christine slaps his arm playfully, as he smirks kissing her cheek looking down below.
"Whatever next?" Firmin groans.
"It's all a ploy to help Christine!" Carlotta screeched.
"This is insane," Firmin said.
"I know who sent this, The Vicomte, her lover." Carlotta resorted to Raoul, as he rolled his eyes. "Indeed! Can you believe this?"
"Signora! This is a joke, This changes nothing. Signora! You are our star! And always will be!" André begged.
Signora, the man is mad! We don't take orders Miss Daae will be playing the pageboy! The silent role, Carlotta will be playing the lead!." Firmin said.
"It's useless trying to appease me. You're only saying this to please me." She remarked.
"Your public needs you! We need you, too!" Firmin and André begged.
"Would you not rather have your precious little Ingenue?" she whispered, pulling off her gloves.
"Signora, no! The world wants you!" the managers replied.
Prima donna, first lady of the stage!
Your devotees are on their knees
To implore you! Can you bow out
When they're shouting your name?
Think of how they all adore you!
Prima donna
Enchant us once again!
Think of your muse...
And of the queues round the theatre!
Can you deny us the triumph in store?
Sing, prima donna, once more!
Raoul begins to remember Christine's words from last night looking at Antoinette. "Christine spoke of an angel..."
Prima donna your song shall live again!
Think of your public!
You took a snub
But there's a public
Who needs you!
Antoinette looks up to Christine, who smiles at her. "She has heard the voice, of the angel of music..."
Those who hear your voice, liken you to an angel!
Think of their cry of undying support!
"Is this her angel of music...?" Raoul looked at Meg, hoping she could help. "We get our opera..." André looks at Firmin, who replies "She gets her limelight!"
"Follow where the limelight, leads you!" Carlotta sang.
"Is this ghost, an angel or a madman...?" Raoul wondered.
Leading ladies are a trial!
Antoinette looks up at the couple again. Heaven help you, those who doubt...
"You'll sing again and to unending ovation!" Carlotta said.
"Orders! Warnings! Lunatic demands!" Raoul yells to Antoinette, realising that she might be in on it. "This miscasting, will invite damnation..."
Antoinette looks away from Vicomte, scolding at Meg as she ate the grapes from the fruit bowl.
"Tears...oaths... Lunatic demands are regular occurrences!" Antoinette warned. Meg looks at her mother, "Bliss or damnation, which has claimed her?" Antoinette turned to her. "Stay out of this my love this isn't your fight."
Think how you'll shine
In that final encore!
Sing, prima donna
Once more!
Madame Giry warns them. "Oh fools, to have flouted his warnings!' Raoul looks at Meg, knowing she is Christine's best friend. "Surely, for her sake..."
"Surely there'll be further scenes worse than this!" André and Firmin announced. Madame Giry warns them again. "Think, before, these demands are rejected!"
"I must see, these demands are rejected!" Raoul nodded.
Who'd believe a diva
Happy to relieve a chorus girl
Who's gone and slept with the patron?
Raoul and the soubrette
Entwined in love's duet!
Although he may demur
He must have been with her!
.
Christine gasps her eyes filled with tears as the managers made their assumptions about her. "Is that what they truly think of me? That I'm just some silly ballerina who got with the vicomte to get the role of your Opera?"
Erik growls seeing his angel in tears. Holding her close he continues to watch below, smiling slightly hearing Meg stand up to Christine. "Christine must be protected!"
"No. Look at me ange, You got this role, because to work for it. I've seen the work you've done to archive where you are. So has Meg, so had Antoinette. I just gave you the map to get there." he reassures her.
"I know." she whispered, sniffing slightly "It just hurts."
Erik's eyes flared. "I'll make them pay ange." Christine pulled back and shook her head, placing her hands to his chest.
"No you won't, remember your promise to me?" Erik sighed and nodded. "Never kill another." she smiled at him.
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"O, fortunata! Non ancor. Abbandonata!" Carlotta screamed. "You'd never get away with all this in a play. But if it's loudly sung and in a foreign tongue.
"It's just the sort of story. Audiences adore in fact a perfect opera!" the managers said.
"His game is over!" Raoul called out.
Antoinette tries to make the Vicomte understand. "This is a game. You cannot hope to win!"
Ignoring her insistence and continued. "And in Box Five, a new game will begin. For, if his curse is on this opera."
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Prima donna
The world is at your feet!
A nation waits
And how it hates
To be cheated!
The stress that falls upon a
Famous prima donna!
Terrible diseases
Coughs and colds and sneezes!
Still, the dryest throat
Will reach the highest note
In search of perfect opera!
.
"Then I fear the outcome." Meg and Antoinette look at each other. "Christine plays the Pageboy. Carlotta plays the Countess…" Raoul resorted them, Antoinette held Meg's hand in reassurance. "Should you dare to when you once again."
Light up the stage with that age old
Rapport! Sing, prima donna
Once more!
.
Erik had had enough. Christine glances at him, with remorse and slightly sniffs. "I'm sorry that they don't respect or listen to you mon amor. But I'm more than happy to be the pageboy."
Erik shook his head, cupping her face and wipes away her tears. "No you are the countess. I wrote this aria for you to be the countess, I purposely made the pageboy silent, so we and the rest of Paris doesn't have to hear that woman sing." Christine smiles as he gave a kiss on her cheek. His voice filled the catwalks and the labyrinths through to the manager's office.
"So, it is to be war between us! If these demands are not met, a disaster beyond your imagination will occur!"
.
xoxo
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Translations:
Min dyrbara ros = My precious rose
Songs:
All I Ask Of You: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Notes / Prima Donna: Andrew Lloyd Webber