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Post by eliza on Feb 26, 2008 22:16:19 GMT -5
Quietly, the woman stood in the middle of the one of the aisles, staring up at the stage. So this was what it was like to actually be in the audience... She'd never thought that she would experience the feeling of being in the crowd. She couldn't say she liked it, it didn't appeal to her. Obviously as a performer she had been the kind of person that had wanted to put on the show, not sit and take it in. There was an adrenaline rush in all of it, a thrill that couldn't come from sitting in a comfortable seat.
A small sigh fell from her lips as her eyes observed the magnificent theater. She had missed it in the three years she'd been away. Who wouldn't? This had been her home for so long... Everyone inside had been a friend of hers in some way, save for the blasted Prima Donna, Christine would've rather choked her instead. Perhaps that would influence her to keep her mouth shut, and she would no longer attempt to use the motley voice that should've been put to rest so long ago? Then again, Christine hadn't seen (or heard, for that matter) anything of the diva since she'd returned. She could only hope that she was gone and wouldn't be returning.
Her fingers danced along the plush velvet, relishing in the soft feeling that leapt out at her fingertips. Her eyes looked up to the stage, longing for the previously mentioned adrenaline to flood her senses and captivate her mind once more. But... that was incapable of happening, at least as long as she saw no sign of her former teacher. She longed to learn from him again... But would he teach her? After what she'd done to him? Though, it was unfair to think that way, after all, he'd been the one to send her away! She'd wanted to stay, but he wouldn't have anything of it. Perhaps he would reconsider? No, that was foolish to think that she would finally be able to be with him... She couldn't leave Raoul, her mind constantly nagged, though her heart told her something else.
If only that something else was actually possible... [/blockquote]
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Post by inactive on Feb 27, 2008 22:14:29 GMT -5
Meg gracefully ran down the aisles of audience seating, panicking as her heart started beating faster. She ducked and looked under each seat, finding nothing. They had to be here somewhere! She felt so irresponsible. She had only gotten her new pointe shoes a little over a day ago, only to loose them after rehearsal. This was her last attempt. If they weren't here they weren't anywhere. Sighing, Meg stood up and realized she wasn't the only one in here.
The lights were fairly dim, but she instantly recognized the figure. A part of her informed her that there was no way it was her. She never thought she would come back, not after all that happened three years ago. After standing frozen for a moment she concluded that it could be no one but Christine. "Christine?!" She sang, her voice raising up a few octaves at her excitement. So many thoughts ran through her head. Why didn't her mother tell her she was coming back? Did the rest of the opera know? She ran over to the center aisle, completely forgetting about her lost toe shoes.
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Post by eliza on Feb 27, 2008 22:41:58 GMT -5
Christine perked at the sound of someone moving around a few aisles away, she watched half-heartedly for a few moments, almost snickering to herself. It seemed to be a ballerina that was looking for something. Probably a lost possession of some sort, Christine knew many of the ballet rats to be rather... 'bad' with keeping track of their things. She had been the same way to begin with, then she'd grown so possessive of her belongings that she'd made sure to know where they were at all times.
Her body tensed as her name was spoken. She turned, looking fully at the figure that had been rustling through the aisles. Her eyes widened, her jaw nearly dropping in shock. Christine had been so preoccupied with concocting ways to find Erik, or at least attract his attention in some way, that she'd forgotten completely about her! Well, that wasn't all true, Christine had made a point to look for her various friends after finding her teacher. Slight guilt sprang into her chest. If anything, Erik wouldn't want to see her, but her friends would. How selfish of her...
"Meg!" she cried, grasping her skirts and meeting the girl half way to the center aisle, immediately enveloping her in an embrace. Christine felt tears spring to her eyes. Three long years she hadn't seen or heard anything from her friend! No, friend didn't fit here, Meg was more like her sister, and Madame her mother. She pulled away, her smile wider than it had ever been since returning. "Oh, Meg," she began, pausing to allow herself a few seconds to calm herself, if only slightly, "how I've missed you!"
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Post by inactive on Feb 29, 2008 17:59:16 GMT -5
Meg returned Christine's tight hug. She was glad to see that she hadn't changed much at all. She was still just as beautiful as ever. Her hair looked a bit longer from what she remembered, but other than that she seemed to be the same Christine.
"And I've missed you!" Meg exclaimed, holding on to Christine's arms as they pulled away from thier embrace. "What made you decide to come back?" She asked, extremely curious. She wanted to know all about her past three years. "...You are staying, aren't you?" she asked, hopefully. She knew she may have gotten too excited and jumped to conclusions; she had a tendency to do that. Meg took slow,deep breaths and tried to calm herself, she didn't want to be upset if she said no.
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Post by eliza on Feb 29, 2008 19:57:09 GMT -5
A smile spread on Christine's face, she blushed slightly, brushing a curl or two away from her face. "I've missed the Opera so much," she stated sadly, looking around the magnificent performance room. "I know now that I should've never married into the aristocracy - Raoul's family does not like me, they think lowly of me, and I'm never really allowed to sing!" She sighed, a distressed look appearing on her face. "I hate to sound ungrateful for what's been given to me, but... it just... isn't what I expected it to be, Meg! Truthfully I do not know how those people can handle it."
A small smile grew on her face at the second question, though. Just those words alone managed to send the gloomier thoughts away, no longer leaving her forlorn with the road that her life had been forced to take. "Oh, Meg, of course I am staying!" the smile had grown, looking more dazzling than ever before. "And anyone that wishes to take me away from here, I simply won't allow it!" She giggled. "If I have to, I'll even resort to throwing a tantrum like La Carlotta!"
While waiting for the reply from her friend, she made a point to observe any changes that had occurred in her while she was gone throughout the three years. Three years may have not seemed like a long time to most people, but to Christine it was far too long, especially for her liking. She hadn't been able to visit, let alone even write a simple letter, in those years, and the lack of communication between Meg and herself had made her rather weary and depressed.
Meg had always been pretty, Christine knew that, but in the three years away, perhaps... perhaps she'd matured, more than she had been in the previous years? Christine had never thought of Meg as one of those other foolish ballet rats (though the relationship she had with the girl could've effected this decision), and she never would, to state it simply. But now, looking at her, Meg was no longer the pretty little thing that had been her best friend, she was absolutely beautiful, even stunning. But above all, Christine had to hope that she was happy. The physical appearance of a friend meant nothing to her now, she had learned her lesson there, and definitely well.
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Post by inactive on Feb 29, 2008 20:24:13 GMT -5
"Not allowed to sing?" Meg echoed. "That sounds dreadful!" Meg never expected her life to be that way. She started feeling angry for her. If Meg was told not dance, she wouldn't have been able to do it. She couldn't imagine giving up her passion like that.
She had always pictured Christine being very happy. Maybe even singing in another opera somewhere. She was surprised Raoul could go so long without hearing her voice and she hated to think that Christine hasn't had any practice with singing in a while.
Meg giggled at her last comment. She was so grateful she didn't have to deal with the prima donna anymore. "I don't think you could be capable of throwing a tantrum like Carlotta did! Thank Heavens she's gone!"
Meg felt overwhelming happiness as she looked at her best friend for the first time in so many years, but something bothered her. Meg picked up on the fact that maybe Christine was regretting her marriage to Raoul. She was so dissapointed that Christine's family was not what Meg had hoped for her. "Is Raoul coming as well?" she asked, hoping things were still alright between them.
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Post by eliza on Feb 29, 2008 21:34:29 GMT -5
"No, not allowed to sing... or at least not in the presence of others. Occasionally I still sing for Raoul, but rarely ever. He has asked me to several times, but... oh Meg, I've lost any passion that he had rekindled in me," she sighed. "I probably sound like a rusty door hinge," she smirked.
Christine giggled, "Oh, I should hope that I wouldn't be capable of it! And well said, I don't know if I'd be able to stand listening to her any longer. I suppose after what... happened... she was probably traumatized enough." Her nose wrinkled in slight distaste for that particular topic. She didn't like to think of the bad experiences at the Opera, especially the night she'd been forced to choose between her teacher and her childhood friend.
A small sigh escaped her lips at Meg's question. "Yes, eventually he will be here, I suppose," she stated casually, her eyes searching a few of the boxes, pausing on Box Five. Unwillingly she averted her eyes back to Meg. "I don't know what to think of this, Meg..." She sighed, rubbing her face with her hands, the distress becoming rather blatantly obvious.
"I... I do love him, Meg, I really do love Raoul but... but I do not know if I can remain in his presence and lead him on in thinking that I love him in a way I do not. He is one of my dearest companions, and I truly cherish our relationship, but... but his love is so.. casual," she smirked, hoping that was the right word to describe it. "It's not like what I was offered three years ago." She paused, smirking slightly as her arms crossed over her chest. "And to think that I had chosen that love, but I was told that I couldn't have it," her expression fell. She shook her head. "And I am happy when I am with Raoul, but... the lack of music and the lack of learning things is going to drive me insane, eventually, I just know it! Raoul cannot play violin, he cannot play the piano... The good Lord only knows that I cannot do either of those." A sad smile came to her face. "And I cannot sing duets any more. You should've heard the Ange Adorable when we sang it together, Meg... Oh, his voice was so extraordinary..."
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Post by inactive on Feb 29, 2008 22:56:16 GMT -5
Meg stood still for a few minutes as she listened intently to Christine. This all came as such a shock to her, but she tried not to show that in her expression. Meg laughed at the thought of Christine sounding like a rusty door hinge, but also feared that she may be true about that. She made small comments as Christine explained more of her three years away, but she was worried for her. She didn't miss the inflection in her tone, either. Meg could tell exactly what she meant, but she didn't want to believe it.
"Christine," Meg said as soothingly as she could, "I think I understand what you mean... Raoul seems more like a brother, is that right? But I don't think that he was ever an option. He was an excellent teacher, but he's gone now. No one has seen him since the place was rebuilt." Meg smiled. "You have just been away from the theatre too long. Once you get started singing again and you take your place on the stage, I'm sure you will feel better."
She made sure to make it clear between who she was referring to. It wasn't so much that she didn't like saying "Opera Ghost", but more that he deserved to be called by a name... and she didn't know what that was.
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Post by eliza on Feb 29, 2008 23:23:48 GMT -5
Christine listened attentively, nodding slightly at Meg's explanation of what she'd begun to imply. A brother perhaps, or a very dear friend... She could deal with spending the rest of her life with a friend that she loved, but it wasn't the same as having a husband that she could love. Friends and husbands were two different things, obviously, or at least that had dawned on Christine shortly after her marriage.
She felt tears spring to her eyes at Meg's words, in an attempt to stop them, she placed her face in her palms, emitting a bedraggled sigh. "He was an option, Meg... but I destroyed the option," she stated quietly, her hands dropping back down to sides. The sad smile had returned, though it was gone again as she pursed her lips in an attempt to keep herself from completely coming undone.
But as soon as the words 'he's gone' reached her ears, a look of complete horror conquered her expression, leaving her to stare blankly at Meg with wide eyes for a moment or two. "...Gone? How do you mean 'gone'?" She questioned. Her heart was beating rapidly in her chest, she could hear the pulse in her ears. "As in... he no longer resides in the Opera, or... he's... gone?" She began wringing her fingers in her nervousness, anticipating the answer, her anxiety growing worse with every moment that passed.
But her reassuring words crept to Christine's ears, and she calmed herself slightly. "Perhaps you are right, perhaps I can sing without him... Or at least I hope I can, otherwise this trip would have been for nothing, not that I do not enjoy coming and seeing everyone, especially you, Meg, but one who returns to an Opera would not return simply to visit. If I am to be singing again, I must learn some things... and begin practicing more, which, the Lord only knows I'll have time for that..." She sighed. "I believe that I came here to gain a position as the soprano," she stated, a small grin creeping onto her face. "Perhaps I will have to compete for that position, unless I have no competition, hm?" The grin became slightly mischievious. "Tell me, Meg, is there anyone else here that has had thoughts of taking that place?"
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Post by inactive on Feb 29, 2008 23:49:03 GMT -5
Meg had not intended her words to upset her. She had no idea they would impact her so much. It was as if Meg could feel how tense Christine felt when she asked her about the Phantom. She regretted any assumption she made about him. Who was she to give out such information? All that she knew was that it was accepted from the majority of the company that he left and he should not be thought about. She hadn't thought about him so much until Christine brought him up. "I suppose I shouldn't say 'gone'" Meg started, speaking slowly so she wouldn't say the wrong thing. "He hasn't been seen. No one has brought him up, or even thought about him, I'm sure. I could always ask my mother, she seems to know more about the opera than most."
Meg sighed again. She wasn't sure where Christine's love for him came from. She thought she knew Christine so well, like a sister. Now she was acting differently than she did three years before. Perhaps time has changed her mind, or maybe she misses her past memories from years before. Meg felt she was positive Christine loved Raoul and was terified of the Phantom. Meg found it hard to talk about it all so openly. Christine seemed to be forgetting that the Phantom caused horrible violence. The fact that he was a murderer didn't seem to bother her at all.
"Of course you can sing without him! Even if you do sound as bad as you say, there are several good teachers in Paris!" She reasurred her. "Oh! Mother will be so happy to know that you're back! Does she know yet? I'm sure there would be no competition. She loves you!" Meg started talking so quickly there wasn't much time for a resonse. She was so thrilled to have her back where she belongs. "There may be a few women who have thier eye on that role, but they're no competition with you!"
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Post by eliza on Mar 1, 2008 0:00:33 GMT -5
Christine could feel herself lighten up slightly at the thought of him not being completely... 'gone', as Meg had put it. Perhaps he had completely terrified her, but she had been so horribly naive, not sure in what she had wanted until her innocence had to be destroyed to make her conscience sooth with her.
Another smile broke out on her face, this time much brighter as though the thought of not having much competition in being replaced had completely wiped away and misery or gloom that the previous thoughts had caused her. "Do you really think so, Meg? That I could? Oh, it would be so wonderful... To be able to perform again! That was one of the only things I really wanted while I was away," Besides the deranged want to live five cellars below the building you're standing in now, her mind snapped at her, "and to think that I could have it if I worked for it!"
Christine paused, smirking slightly, hesitating before speaking. "No, I have not seen your mother any where, actually... And I've missed her dearly, even if her rehearsals did kill my legs," she giggled childishly before continuing. "But I know that if I plan to regain my place as the soprano," she stated the words 'the soprano' as if attempting to sound rather 'upper class' or 'snooty', as some called it, "then I will have to begin working on my voice immediately. Perhaps I should look into one of those teachers, but in the mean time I may have to go over what I've already been taught." She nodded to herself as if she was writing the entire blueprint for the plan out in her mind. "Yes, yes that will do... I'll sing the all the arias he taught me, and every warm up to ensure that my voice is back to what it used to be. I believe that the Vicomtess de Chagny will be giving them a run for their money," she stated slyly.
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Post by inactive on Mar 1, 2008 10:35:09 GMT -5
"Absolutely! I'm sure the audience will be glad to have you back as well." Meg complimented. She meant what she said, though. She remembered her debut performance. Christine's dressing room had a vase of flowers along every wall.
"I think that's an excellent idea" Meg was glad they had moved on from the Phantom topic. She couldn't help but notice Christine's attitude change, however. The aristocracy must have changed her more than she thought. One thing that always got on Meg's nerves were conceited people, and even though it was her closest friend she was speaking to, Christine's last comment hit her the wrong way. "Yes... I'm sure she will" She agreed, not wanting to say anything hurtful to her. It was only a matter of time. She was sure Christine would become herself again soon.
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Post by eliza on Mar 4, 2008 23:36:05 GMT -5
[ooc: my apology for the horrendously late reply, love... lots of exams and such, making schedules for school, finishing the hannibal gown... x.x]
Christine felt her lips turn upward in a smile at Meg's comment. "Do you really think so? But... what if they remember..." she paused, eyeing Meg cautiously. "You know... that night..." A slightly worried look came over her expression. It had been partly Christine's fault (or at least that was how she felt) for the Opera nearly burning to the ground, how could she be so sure that the public would willingly give her a place on the stage again? Some held grudges about things, they didn't simply listen to the beauty of a voice or the appearance of a perfectly painted face. Audiences remembered things, good and bad - though Christine felt they tended to focus more on the bad - and they never seemed to allow a performer to live it down.
A small sigh was released and her eyes began wandering around the theater again. "I hope so... I hope the new managers see in me what monsieurs Firmin and Andre did." She looked about, almost in an angsty manner. "Not that I am worried about my reputation, but more so for Raoul... have the other ballerinas been... saying anything?" She asked, looking all together rather worried. "I know how gossip tends to breed in the dormitories," she began wringing her fingers lightly. "The last thing I need is a bad word before I've even actually made a permanent return... Oh, Meg, they don't hold anything against me, do they? The... fire, or anything like that?" She began pacing slightly, something that tended to happen out of sheer habit. "I can't help but feel that part of it was my fault," she sighed, stopping her pacing momentarily to look to her friend, "because otherwise this magnificent building wouldn't have nearly burned to the ground." She brushed a curl or two away from her face, crossing her arms over her chest. "I can't help but think that there are at least a few people here that despise me for that."
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Post by inactive on Mar 7, 2008 17:14:54 GMT -5
(( it's fine, don't worry about it! I've been super busy, myself. ))
Meg has always tried to ignore the gossip of the other ballerinas. If there was anything worth knowing she was usually one of the first people to find out, anyway. She didn't see any need to take part in the gossiping or spreading of rumors. It's hard not to overhear some things however, but Meg wasn't about to say anything negative to Christine now--not when she was so worried.
"Most of them leave the blame to the Phantom and see you as nothing but the victim. After all, what other choice did you have? It would have put the Opera Populaire in more danger if you hadn't gone through with his show." What Meg said was truly the way a lot of performers felt, but she wasn't sure how the public viewed the catastrophe. "As for the audiences... I don't think they have anything against you. As long as the Phantom isn't here, then they shouldn't worry"
She said her last comment only in attempt to cease her worrying. The Phantom was no where to be seen. If his arrival was made public, why would anyone want to see an opera here? And why would the blame fall on Christine? "I'm sure the company will be as thrilled to have you back as I am! You really have nothing to worry about"
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Post by eliza on Mar 13, 2008 22:46:05 GMT -5
She nodded carefully to herself. So they'd left all the blame on Erik... in a way, that was good. It was good for her career, but it didn't help the guilt she felt when the subject of Erik surfaced. There was always part of her that would hold compassion and sympathy for him, and of course all of the other newly surfaced emotions.
"If you say so, then, Meg," she smiled and brushed a few more curls away from her face, smoothing her skirts again in slight nervousness. Just because she'd been reassured didn't mean that all of the anxiety had spilled from her body completely. "Do you know what the Opera plans to perform next?" Christine was anxious to work on something - anything - even if it was only to get her mind off of a certain someone and her current "situation" if you could call it that.
Christine clutched her skirts, smiling sadly at her friend. "Look at even asked you how you or your mother have been." She me, worrying only about myself," she smirked, "and I haven't even bothered to ask how you and your mother have been." She to work on that. Christine could be quite self-centered at times, but then there were moments when compassion dominated and she would sacrifice herself for another. "So," she began again, "how have you been? What have you both been doing since..." she gestured with her arms as if implying what the rest of the sentence would finish as. She could only assume that Meg would know what she was talking about.
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