The Phantom of the Opera: A Beauty and a Beast (Guile and Melody)

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine jumped, hand still on the door, but spoke to her teacher. "Master, you are correct." She cleared her throat. "I was not expecting you at all, my friend." She relinquished her door and turned to face him, or, at least, his voice which echoed all along the walls of her room. "Thank you so much for your praise, friend." Christine didn't bother changing out of her chorus girl attire as she sat on her bed. "Thanks to you, I will sing on the morrow, my angel of music."

 

[Guile]

"Once again, I apologize." Erik was smiling now, her presence getting to him again. "I did not mean to frighten you." He listened to her speak in silence, watched her walk over and sit on her bed. "I expect you will be getting tired of praise soon, if not already." Erik allowed a small chuckle to escape him. "What with little Meg bringing it up continuously." Meg, you are an angel. Keep lavishing her with praise no matter what - she deserves it after years of being held down by the managers. Erik thought silently to himself before continuing. "And I hardly had anything to do with it." He assured her quite honestly. "All I did was put sense into those dreadful new manager's heads. You, my dear, provided the talent that is worthy of the Countess. If you had not done as I asked all these years during our lessons, you would have not been where you are today. No, I had very little to do with this. This was you, Christine." It was only after he had finished that Erik realized he was smiling.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine felt herself grow hot in the face as she just laid down, not bothering to change out of her grass skirt that was hanging over the edge now. "But, had you not been so selfless, I would never be here." She muttered into her pillow. "You are the righteous one, not I." Christine turned over, watching out the window now. "Good night, my friend. I shall await the morning with you."

 

[Guile]

Erik's eyes were drawn, once Christine lay down, do her skirt that hung over the edge of her bed. Once he realized what he was doing, Erik snapped his gaze back up to look at her, but she had not noticed for, as Erik quickly remembered, she could not see him. Sighing inwardly, Erik kept his gaze on the floor, feeling quite ashamed of himself. All he could do was whisper, "good night, Christine," before silently sitting down on the floor. He did not wish to go home yet, he would wait. Erik knew it was silly, but he wanted to see her sleeping, wanted to watch her rest. Perhaps you're going too far, Erik... He started to think to himself, though he never got the chance to think further for, the next time Erik opened his eyes, it was morning. He had fallen asleep just behind the mirror and, astonishingly, had no nightmares that woke him.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Christine, wake up." A voice was at her door. "Christine, you must get up. Breakfast is ready, then we must rehearse once more." Meg kept knocking until Christine gave in and readied herself, running a hand through her hair. "You won't believe who I saw,Christine!" This got the girl's attention. "Who?" She opened the door, allowing Meg to drag her along the corridors until they reached a group of men. Among them, a man, slightly older than Christine, with shoulder length brunette hair. "Raoul..." he had walked by her . "He doesn't recognize me." Christine spoke sadly. "He didn't see you." Meg corrected, before leading her away.

 

[Guile]

Erik woke to the sound of the door closing. He opened his eyes and looked out into the room - surprised to see it and not his home - and saw that Christine was gone. That would have been her leaving then. He noted the sound of the door that woke him. What am I doing here? Rubbing his eyes and shaking his head to clear this fog of sleep from him, he remembered. I drifted off to sleep here. I didn't even make it back home. Standing groggily, Erik stumbled his way tiredly back to his home, noticing an aching in his back from having slept on that hard stone floor. It was only after he got back, cleaned himself up and got dressed in new clothes, that he remembered today was Christine's first practice as the Countess. Hurrying to tie his tie and comb his still-wet hair back, Erik made it clear in his mind that he would watch her practice - if only for a few moments.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

From behind, Christine could hear the hustle and bustle everywhere in the theater. "I'll have to go practice my number, then." Christine almost flew away toward the stage, just as her song as Countess came along. "I'm sorry. I'm just so very nervous." She admitted to her cast members before starting. When she had concluded, her little heart was fluttering like mad. "Oh, I cannot wait for tonight." Christine performed the rest of her scenes over the next few hours that she was on.that stage.

 

[Guile]

Erik had been making his way up the stairs when he heard Christine's lovely voice echoing throughout the Opera. He stopped walking and closed his eyes, taking in the sound and the words, and...her, though she was not there. When Erik opened his eyes again, he realized he was smiling, then looked down at the floor in shame. She is your student...you would be wise to remember what she told you as a child. That friend of hers is whom her heart truly belongs to. Raoul de Chagney. Erik had forgotten him, rather, he had slipped his mind. Now, he heard, he was back. Wonderful. Now I can watch him sweep my Christine off her feet and carry her further and further away from me...Anger over took him suddenly. "No. Not if I have anything to do with it." Erik rumbled his hidden threat under his breath.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine wanted to at least catch a glimpse of Raoul before she had to prepare for her performance, which was mere hours away. That thought caused Christine's heart to soar. "Oh, I cannot wait around!" She rushed herself through lunch and then sat in her room, singing softly to herself before speaking. "Master, I want to thank you ever so much for what you've done." She cleared her throat. "Because of you, it happens tonight. All of this is because of you."Meg heard her friend speak to nothing and started to worry. "She can't be focused on that voice. People will think her mad!" With those thoughts, she rushed past her mother, who went to Christine. "Hello, child." Madame Giry took her normal seat by the fire. "Your father would be so very proud." Christine took Madame Giry's words to heart. "Thank you, Madame."

 

[Guile]

Erik had been up only for a few moments to watch Christine practice. Guiltily, Erik realized about twenty minutes in, that he was not watching her to see how well she was doing. He already knew she would do beautifully. No, he had been watching the practice simply to watch her. To see her again. That's when he left. He had went back down to his home and got ready to view the performance by changing into a nicer suit, checking his hair again, and picking up a rose. Erik stared down at it for a while, remembering the last time he had given her a rose. Oh, yes. How could he forget? Well, placing it inside his jacket, Erik figured he would do so again tonight. With a smile on his face, Erik climbed the stairs to the world above once again and decided to drop by Christine's mirror before the show. He didn't plan on saying anything, for he would speak to her after the show. But, he wanted to see how she was fairing and he assumed he would be able to tell by her attitude. Hopefully she won't be too nervous. She will do just fine... Once at the mirror, Erik saw her with Madame Giry. He grinned, knowing that his dear friend was always looking out for Christine. He should have known that she would be beside her at a big moment like this.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Madame Giry sat back. "There is no reason to be nervous about this." Taking a deep breath, she reminisced her very first performance. "Nervousness, however, is not a similarly to weakness. You are not weak." Her words came as a comfort to the young performer. "Well, thank you." Christine cut their meeting short and escaped the room. Now was the moment when, unknown to Christine, her life would change forever. "If that was Raoul, I must meet him afterward." She reminded herself. "Hurry, Christine!" People were rushing her everywhere and practically pushed her to where she needed to be.

 

[Guile]

Satisfied with what he heard, Erik turned and made his way back through the corridors. Within just a few steps he found the door he was looking for and opened it, stepping out into the hall that was thankfully empty. Grinning about the fact that he had once again entered the Opera without those idiotic managers, or anyone else for that matter, finding out, Erik made his way to box five. His heart was beating quickly in his chest. He had to see Christine. He needed to be there for her - as her teacher, as her friend. Yet, nothing more... he reminded himself sadly. Oh, how he wished that weren't true!

 

[Saiyan Princess]

The poor girl's heart was about to come up past her teeth. "Oh, I cannot." She was talking herself out of it, until the curtains opened at last and the Countess was supposed to sing her solo. Thinking of her own story of how she had gotten so far in such a short time, she received her cue. "Think of me, think of me fondly when we've said goodbye! Remember me, once in a while, please promise me you'll try." She stepped further out onto the stage. Into the spotlight. "When you find that once again you long to take your heart back and be free, if you ever find a moment, spare a thought for me." She sang the first few lines, searching Box Five.

 

[Guile]

Erik watched from his seat in box five as the curtains opened and Christine stood before them. Oh, how lovely she looked tonight! But, what Erik was so anxious for had not come yet - he leaned forward in his chai, literally holding onto the edge of his seat. Then, she began to sing. Oh, was it beautiful! Like a heavenly choir! He couldn't believe it! She always had a beautiful voice, but the way she sang tonight was superb! And she was not even finished yet. Immediately, Erik relaxed his shoulders and let the music take him, though not too far - for he was still with Christine, in his mind. Even in his thoughts she was there, but he couldn't take his mind from her tonight, not while she was finally out there on stage singing, as she rightfully deserved to be. Christine...you are beautiful. Erik meant her presence and her voice, for both were equally stunning.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine's voice was like the bells of the Notre Dame church that were actually not too far from her home. "We said our love was evergreen, or as unchanging as the sea." Her voice got higher, then lower. "But if you can still remember stop and think of me." She was finally playing the role that she always wanted, though how she had obtained it was less than.satisfactory. As the next lines came to be, she thought of her childhood. "Think of all the things we've shared and seen. Don't think about the way things might have been."

 

[Guile]

Erik smiled, unaware he was doing so as he was lost in the moment to be honest. He couldn't remove his eyes from Christine, not that he would ever want to, though. Listening to the lyrics, Erik got a strange sense of sadness sweeping over him within seconds. Would you think of me Christine? Erik thought to himself. Will you? When you've long gone from this place and moved on. Will you remember me? Your angel of music? For, that was what Erik was sure would happen. Christine would grow uninterested of this place or have a better offer somewhere else, then she would leave, wanting to start a new chapter of her life. Erik would surely lay up every night thinking of her, and every day he would see her even in the smallest of things. But, would she care to think of him every now and again? The fact that Erik didn't know if she would or not, hurt him. I don't want her to go. I can't let her...she should stay here, where she belongs. She needs nothing outside of this place- this is her home, where she longs to be. Then, Erik's heart softened a little bit more. If I could get her to love me...she wouldn't have to go. She wouldn't want to! She could stay here, with me.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine couldn't keep the sheer joy from her voice. Then, her sights were set on Box Three. Raoul! That man was Raoul! "Think of me, think of me waking, silent and resigned. Imagine me trying too hard


To put you from my mind." She was now locked into Raoul's gaze. "Recall those days, look back on all those times, think of those things we'll never do. There will never be a day


When I won't think of you." Raoul finally realized who he was looking at. "Can it be?


Can it be Christine? Bravo!" He left his box, still singing. "Long ago, it seems so long ago.


How young and innocent we were. She may not remember me, but I remember her." Christine kept singing, even as Raoul left. She started to feel the same abandonment that she once felt. "Flowers fade, the fruits of summer fade. They have their seasons, so do we, but please promise me that sometimes, you will think of me!"

 

[Guile]

Erik was long since lost in his thoughts, her voice and person being the only think Erik was focusing on that was actually happening at the moment. Then, he saw Christine do something out of the ordinary - she looked up into the boxes. However, it was not at he, nor at the managers or any other stranger - no, she was looking dead into Raoul's eyes. Fury and anger started to surge through Erik. Though, oddly enough, he found that it wasn't directed at Christine. It was directed at that fool, that Vicomte. Yes, Erik was jealous. How could she still love him? After he abandoned her! He left her and...and see! He leaves her again! Erik had looked over and seen Raoul leave the box. In the middle of her performance! God, he breaks her heart, I guarantee. Still, Erik did not move, even when she had finished - beautifully, he would add. For that last line was fantastic! Perfect, even! Oh wonderful, Christine! Absolutely marvelous! Erik stood and clapped his hands together, just once though. He did not wish to draw unwanted attention to himself.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

The flowers and praise that Christine received was the only thing that she was focusing on. I've done it! But, where's Raoul? She couldn't leave just yet. The play wasn't quite over. When the next scene happened, Christine wasn't needed for it and it was the final scene of the night. God, how she wished it would hurry so that she could take a final bow and leave to find Raoul, or...no, she would let him find her. Soon, very soon, she was going back under the stage and toward her dressing room.

 

[Guile]

Erik waited, simply to watch Christine take a final bow. Or, well, he had waned to stay. However, a thought occurred to him: if he waited for the show to end, he would never be able to get back to the corridors in a reasonable amount of time to speak with Christine. There would be people all over the halls and he would have to wait for it to clear. By then, it may be too late. Slipping out of the box, Erik made his way through the empty hallways, found his trap door, and slipped inside. Once in, he could still only think about Christine and how wonderfully she had done. How beautiful her voice was. How beautiful she was! He wasted no time in heading to her mirror. He knew she would be a little yet while, but he would wait, happily.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

The cheers and laughter and congratulations that she heard from the other performers was absolutely in the top ten things that she treasured. Right at the number one spot, was her childhood and her father. Two was her music with the Opera Ghost. Politely turning down several toasts, she found herself in her room. Raoul wasn't far behind her, flowers in his right hand. When she sat down, it wasn't long before he came in. "Little Lottie..." Christine saw him in her mirror and spun around. "Raoul!" She tackled him. "No one calls me that but you!"

 

[Guile]

Erik watched from behind the mirror as Christine entered. Smiling, he had opened his mouth to speak. He even reached in his coat to pull out the rose, as if he were going to step out and hand it to her. However, just as he was preparing to do all this, Raoul entered. Upon seeing the Vicomte's bouquet of flowers, Erik scowled. Then, he saw their embrace and took the rose from his coat completely and threw it as far as the light-weight object would fly, into the darkness of his corridors. What's the point if pretty boy here has an entire bouquet and all she sees is him? There's no way she cares about my one rose. All she sees is that Raoul. Erik longed to turn around and leave, but something was compelling him to stay. He had to see, had to know, how she really felt about Raoul. If there was any chance for him, Erik would do anything in his power to help his own cause. He just had to know if there was a chance.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

The Vicomte almost lost his footing as Christine took him down. "You were absolutely stunning, Little Lottie." He handed over the flowers, which Christine took and set them on her bed. "They're lovely, Raoul. Thank you." The man kissed her. "We must celebrate. Down by the beach, like always. Get your coat. I will meet you at my carriage." He kissed her once more, but Christine was scared now. "Raoul!" She screamed after him, but he was already gone. "Things have changed, Raoul." She whispered, trying not to feel that sense of abandonment that was so familiar, though her voice was shaky. "Raoul, please don't."

 

[Guile]

Erik was taken aback, shocked that the Vicomte was kissing Christine. How dare he! The man leaves for years, returns, and suddenly they act as though they've been with each other all this time! He was furious, but he could not deny that at the same time, his heart was breaking. Blinking away the tears in his eyes, Erik watched Raoul leave. Now, he would speak. Unfortunately when he did, a bit of his anger showed through. "That fool! Who does he think he is, coming in here like this after so many years he spent away from you! After he left you behind? He walks out in the middle of your performance and has the audacity to come in here with flowers for you, to congratulate you! He doesn't know how hard you've worked for this! Nor does he care, I believe! All he wants is you and he cares not how he gets that wish fulfilled, just so that he does." Erik had to force himself not to growl in frustration.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine jumped again. It was so silent at one point and then the loud booms of the Phantom's voice, his infuriated, sinister voice, echoed off of the walls. "My teacher, thank you for your concern, but he means no harm." She was still pretty shaken up. "Now, please, calm down." There were tears that threatened to cause her make up to run down her cheeks. "If you'll excuse me, Raoul is waiting for me to change so that we may have our dinner together." She tried to turn the knob. "What's this?" She was petrified. "Oh, what's happening?" She whipped around and spotted the rose that she kept in the box on her wardrobe. "My goodness, this...this precious flower."