The music of the night... (m possible v)

[Deleted]

The year was 1870. The Opera Populaire was being placed under new ownership and a beautiful chorus girl by the name of Christine Daaé became their brightest star with much frighteningly loving prodding from the mysterious man known as the Opera Ghost. Daaé believes him to be the Angel of Music, sent by her father after his death when she was young to coach her in the vocal art. Madame Giry, the ballet mistress, knows this man’s true face and serves his every desire as her ballerina daughter, Meg Giry, believes he is but a phantom. The Phantom steals his prodigy away in a night of both confused fear and compassion before her heart is later stolen away by the young Vicomte, Raoul de Chagny. After a performance none of them were likely to forget in which the grand chandelier plummets from the ceiling and the stage sets a blaze, The Phantom takes Christine away once more into his lair in the catacombs beneath the Opera Populaire and once Raoul is captured and in danger he gives her an ultimatum. To free her lover and remain his for all time or to refuse him and in turn end the Vicomte’s life there. When she selflessly offers herself to him he sees that her heart truly lies with Raoul and sets them both free, destroying his home. Meg Giry finds his empty lair and presumes him dead...

Just a little over ten years after the horrors of the Opera in Paris Christine Daaé is now wife to Raoul De Chagny, the now alcoholic and gambling addicted Vicomte, and a mother of a ten year old son, Gustave. Her family is invited to Coney Island for Christine to make her American debut. When they arrive, much to Raoul’s disgust, they are greeted by a trio of side show freaks who claim to be sent by their host. It isn’t until they arrive that the motives are revealed and, as Raoul awaits their host in the bar below and their son slumbers in his room, Christine is visited by none other than The Phantom. He reminds her of their passion and she confesses she had loved him but when he begs her to sing for him she refuses still. Her decisions have been made, poor as they may be, and she can not turn back now. Gustave walks in on their scene, frightened, and The Phantom waits to use him as leverage. With the threat placed Christine agrees to be in his show. The next day she meets the current star of Phantasma’s show, Meg Giry, and is overjoyed to see her dear friend. Meg returns this joy until she finds out why her old friend is there. Eventually the truth comes out when The Phantom takes Gustave to his new lair and finds that this boy is too much like him to belong to Raoul. A bet is made between the drunken Raoul and Phantom that Christine would perform as promised. If she did Raoul would leave alone and if not they were free of him forever... Raoul, clueless, agrees. The news of Gustave reaches the Giry’s and causes a break within Meg. And so on the tragedy goes and Christine does perform his new song ‘Love Never Dies’, breaking the heart of her husband and quickening the life in both her and The Phantom. But their touching scene is cut short when they realize their son is missing. In a horrid, confused scene by the water a crazed Meg is talked back from the brink my Phantom, only to be nudged back again when he once again compares her to Christine’s perfection. In a struggle the gun she’d been holding goes off and Christine is hit. With her last strength she tells Gustave The Phantom is his real father and tells her true love that their love would live on...

But what does all of this have to do with anything? It’s just a story right? Well....

It is 2012. In Australia, home of the grand Opera House, a young woman by the name of Crissa Wilde is trying with all her might to be noticed in the theatre scene. She pays her way through her performing arts classes by working as a stage hand at the Opera House. Her boyfriend and childhood friend Ralph doesn’t understand her love of the stage, her yearning to perform, and is constantly trying to convince her to leave Sydney to travel the world. He has all the money in the world, growing up successful businessman’s son, and although he loves her with all of his heart he just can’t seem to make her happy. But she stays with him, clinging to the familiar.

Meanwhile the main composer employed by the house is having trouble finding a muse. He finds the leading ladies of late to be dull and tiresome and refuses to write for them. No one really knows what he looks like, and when he does address people he wears a mask over half of his face.

Crissa hears of an audition for the upcoming production of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ and excitedly prepares.

Could it be that the characters of this famous play were once quite real? And could it be possible that these souls live again and if so... will history repeat itself?

[Deleted]

Tonight was the night! The night that Crissa had been waiting for her whole life.
Why? Because it was the night she would finally be auditioning for the role she had always dreamed of playing, the one role she felt deep down she was born to play.
Christine Daaé.
The Phantom of the Opera had been her favorite story for as long as she could remember. Her mother had sung her 'Think of Me.' to put her to sleep as a child and as soon as she was old enough she was taken to a live showing in the city. It was the show that sparked in her the burning desire to perform. She had even sung 'The Point of No Return.' with her best friend Antone in school for their HSC performance in music. She knew every song and every line as if she'd played in it a hundred times before and this time was her time to shine! All she had to do was get through the rest of the day and boy was it a beautiful one. The sun was shining and the city of Sydney was bustling with life. Crissa stood in front of the window in nothing but an over sized t-shirt which was almost long enough to be a dress on her, undies and a pair of purple socks and watched the street from her fourth floor apartment as she waited for the toaster to pop. Once she heard that familiar jolting metal sound she ran to the kitchenette, her socks sliding on the wooden floor, and grabbed the toast. She buttered in and spooned out the scrambled eggs she'd just made on top of it. With two plates made she carried them skillfully through the apartment and to the bedroom where Ralph lie still asleep.

Crissa gently placed the plates down on the bedside table and curled up beside her boyfriend. "Baby. Time to wake up. I made you breakfast." She cooed, her soft pouting lips against his ear as she toyed with his long dirty blonde hair. His muscular back tightened and relaxed as he let out a soft groan and awoke from his slumber with a smile. He rolled over to her just in time for Crissa to lean down and place a sweet kiss upon his lips. "Mmm, what's the occasion?" He asked, his voice hoarse from sleep. Crissa grabbed the plates again and waited for him to sit up before handing him his. "I was just too excited to sleep in, what with my audition tonight." As Ralph was taking his first bite he frowned somewhat at her words. "That's tonight? Babe do you really have to do this? I mean, we will hardly see each other if you are rehearsing all the time and I was hoping you would come out to World Bar tonight." He pouted at her while he begged her to give up her dreams, as he did every other time. Crissa wasn't taking any of it today. She simply shook her head and took a bite of her own food. "I am going to pretend you didn't just ask me to give up the biggest, once in a life time opportunity to go out to a night club that we have been to a million times before and pulses out putrid sounds people these days call music." Ralph sighed in defeat and continued his food with a mock grumpy air. "I vividly remember you dancing to those 'putrid sounds' ya know."

After breakfast Ralph got out of bed and showered while Crissa cleaned up the kitchen, dancing about to the music on her iPod which at the moment was 'Addicted to You.' by Avicii. Soon Ralph came up behind her and pulled one of her earbuds out before sliding his big arms around her waist and hugging her close. He rested his head in the nape of her neck and left a kiss there. "I'm off to work. I guess I will see you after the audition?" Crissa nodded and spun around in his arms, placing hers around his neck and smiling up at him. "Don't worry, I will take care of your drunken ass after you return from World Bar." She kissed his nose playfully and her chuckled. "You're the best." He moved away and grabbed his messenger bag, headed for the door. Crissa scowled and called after him. "Fine, don't wish me luck!" He peered back through the door with a smile and said simply "Break an arm." before leaving. "It's leg..." Crissa sighed and continued her cleaning.

((Out Of Cookies: This is what Ralph looks like.))

[xxLostChildrenxx]

I gave you my music, made your song take wing
....And now, how you've repaid me, denied me and betrayed me! He was bound to love you, when he heard you sing....

Emerald eyes peered out of a darkened corridor, alert and scanning the lit area down the hall. As the irises flickered in the dim lit corridor, the figure seemed to retreat back to the safety of the blackness. Voices could be heard in the distance, and it was this distance that was covered as the shape twisted its way towards the sound. Never leaving the safety of the shadows, it clung to walls and appeared like mist at the end of its destination. 


As the figure stood, a shape of darkness and mystery, it watched intently on the production ahead of it. Its head cocked to the side as the events before it played out, almost like a dream of remembrance to times before. It wasn’t until its position was almost compromised by the sudden spotlight above, that the figure took flight and vanished like smoke back into its down domain of shadows. Safe inside the darkness, it made its way to its own terrain and stepped into a room lit only by several candles.

As it stepped into the light, the cloaked figure relaxed and could be seen a bit more. A male stood tall and erect against the flickering light, the shape of some form of mask covering what would have been a smooth and tanned face. He moved against the wall and into a room that he had claimed as his own long ago, sitting down on a black fabric couch.


His light eyes sparked with disgust at what he had seen outside, though he remained calm and collected as he pondered what all he would do about the situations at hand. “Brava…Brava…Bravissima,” he whispered into the darkness surrounding him. He turned his attention to the room around him, though it was too darkened to actually be seen by any but him.

He was used to the lack of light, and thrived in it. He thrived in the mystery he provided the others that resided in the same location as himself, a Phantom of sorts to all who knew he existed. By name none knew him. But by feeling, terror, and by remembrance all knew who he was.


Settling into the sofa beneath him, he leaned back and gave a long sigh of contentment in the settling insanity around him. He kicked back, shutting his eyes and allowed the feeling of sleep to overtake him. He had finished his rounds for the day, and had nothing more to do than to simply be. To relax, to ponder, to stalk. He would wait for his prey, for it would come to him as swiftly as a sheep slinks past a wolf. He would get what he needed to substance, although it would be a patience game he would have to play.

Especially with those two idiots out there running things. No one gave him enough credit for the way he ran his stage productions. He was the genius behind it all, they were simply the pawns…..opening one eye, the man settling himself back in as he moved himself from the floor and lay on the sofa instead.
 No need to get upset. Just relax.

Remember. Just be. He reminded himself of everything he had to gain, nothing he had to lose as the day drifted on and he drifted into a peaceful and almost content sleep. The lights around him slowly flickered off, as if in understanding that their master wanted rest, and they would do well to not bother him in his time of relaxation. The man turned to his side, settling into a sleep of darkened dreams and despair for all those who didn’t know him or fear him. Of course, without a name to the face, it was kind of hard to fear at all.

He smirked at his dreams to those who screamed and cowered away from him, knowing he was rising above any and all who could oppose him. “Who are you?” a woman shrieked in his dream, causing the man to stand straighter and taller in pride. A toothy, evil grin stared down at her, although he made no move to harm or touch her. “The Phantom,” he stated softly, the voice steady and mocking as the girl gave a final scream before she, too, faded into blackness.

═════════════════

OOC;

You will curse the day
You did not do
All that the Phantom
Asked of you

[Deleted]

Once the house was spotless Crissa jumped into the shower. She stood there under the almost scolding hot water, steam filling the room as she sung softly. She didn't belt it out like usual so she could save her voice for the audition. Surly her neighbors would be thankful for the quiet for once. After her shower she dried her hair with a dryer and then, still wrapped up in a towel, continued to style it with her curler and trusty hair spray all the while still dancing about to the music in her head.

Crissa set out for the day wearing her favorite blue jeans, a comfy white tank top and red cardigan. First it was off to her classes. Today was mostly lectures but it didn't matter to Crissa, she loved every second of it! While most of the class was falling asleep, doodling in the books or playing angry birds under their desks Crissa was taking pages of notes and listening intently to every word. Most people avoided her, thinking she was just a boring teachers pet. Didn't bother her though, just left her with more time to focus on her studies so that she could reach her goals.

Later on that day she found herself walking along the harbor looking out at the Opera house while she sipped her hot chocolate. In only a few short hours she would be standing on the stage inside that wonderful building singing her heart out for the production team and boy was she excited! She hurried home to get ready.

After changing Crissa stood in front of her full length mirror and just stared at herself for a moment. She was wearing a long flowing black skirt, ankle boots with a heal and her favorite turquoise 0ff the shoulder top with a plunging back. She fixed up her hair, letting it cascade over her shoulders in waves of chocolate brown and finally drew in a deep breath. "Here I go." And with that it was back out of the appartment and onto the next bus.

As she walked up the looming stairs of the Sydney Opera House Crissa had never felt so nervous! Her stomach was going crazy with butterflies and her heart was beating at a million miles and hour. Once inside she was ushered into the backstage area where they were all given the run down she herself had given so many people before on the rules and regulations of the house. And now to wait. The worst part by far of the auditioning process was the waiting. Watching all the people before you come and go, some confident both ways and others obviously kicking themselves for what ever mistake they felt they made. After what felt like and eternity finally they called her name.

"Crissa Wilde. Crissa Wilde, they will see you now."

The sound of her own footsteps as Crissa made her way out onto the stage were almost defening against the harsh silence in the room. The only light was a spot that shone upon the stage where they expected her to stand. As she stepped into it she put her hand up to shade her eyes against the blaring light hoping to get a glimpse of the panel. She heard the director was to be the houses most famous writer. The man who goes by the name Phantom. Oh how she wanted to see him, know what her looked like. She'd seen all his work over the years and adored it. She cleared her throat, giving up on vision and instead spoke.

"Hello. I'm Crissa Wilde and I will be performing 'Think of Me' for you today."
No answer.
She waited another moment and then drew a deep breath before gesturing to the pianist in the pit below to begin.

"Think of me.
Think of me fondly as we've said good bye.
Remember me once in a while
Please promise me, you'll try

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."

As she sung out to nothing but darkness Crissa's heart beat like a village drum but still she carried on through the song, her angelic voice ringing through the air sweetly. Once the song came to it's powerful conclusion she drew another deep breath and smiled sweetly and bowed her head slightly. "Thank you." She said as she awaited her next instruction. Usually after the song if they liked her they would ask her to do a reading from a scene with one of the panel.

((Out Of Cookies: ))

[xxLostChildrenxx]

I gave you my music, made your song take wing
....And now, how you've repaid me, denied me and betrayed me! He was bound to love you, when he heard you sing....

“THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA IS THERE. INSIDE YOUR MIND!” A shrill voice shrieked out. The man under the stage shot up, his ears half bleeding from the coarse voice. He wanted nothing more than to cut the chandelier above the stage and wipe out whoever was making that racket. As the man moved off where he lay, he made his way to the side of the room that held his vanity. Looking into the mirror, he noted his facial features, strong and stoic despite the rumors that flew about his body. Those who feared him, considered him a ghost in the night, considered him ugly, nasty. He smirked at the thought. Of course, he was nothing of the sort. Just fairly…misunderstood.

As he brushed his hair, he also took into hand a black and gold tinted mask. Placing it over his eyes, he settled into a smile, despite the noise being screamed out above him. Taking to the shadows, the man maneuvered his way out of his dark hell and up to the light above. It wasn’t until he slid into one of the boxes above the stage that he even considered who was down below. A woman of maybe twenty was singing his music...Yes, he had claimed it…and how had the audacity to suck. He cringed as she hit one of the high notes of the song, and had half a mind to show himself right there and beat her head into the stage floor. Her voice was going to send him screaming madly down the halls. Thankfully the song ended before he could do dire damage to anyone, and the female gave a bow.

The look on her face when she expected a good feedback was appalling. His two pawns were sitting down, direct center of the stage and watching the performances. The men whispered among themselves, but the Phantom gave a sigh of relief. At least they weren’t stupid enough to send this girl to a call back. “Madame, we’d love to hear a rendition of ‘Wandering Child’. Please go back and prepare and we’ll call you back in half an hour,” one of the older men stated. The Phantom almost gave away his position to strangle the man. Of course. Of COURSE these idiots would do this. She was a beautiful girl, there was no denying it, but for the love of God. Give her a silent role! A dancer, something! Not the singing! Especially not the lead.

The Phantom turned on his heel to head down to the judgment area, and considering offing both men right there. “Crissa Wilde. Crissa Wilde, they will see you now.” A speaker chimed. The Phantom huffed and returned to his seat in the box, deciding to at least listen to the contestants before he killed them off. Crossing his arms, he sat back boldy. No one would be able to see him up there, anyway, so it wouldn’t matter if the girl somehow could see through the spotlights. A young looking female walked out on stage, in an outfit the man would have scoffed at. Clearly she had no fashion sense, and clearly wasn’t the prettiest of things. But, all things could be trained. He listened to her introduce herself, and the song she was going to sing. An interesting choice for an interesting girl.

Think of Me was a beautiful song, though the Phantom knew it would not be associated with him. The main lead male….the idiot of the play, his arch nemesis. The Phantom rolled his eyes at the thought, though didn’t take them off the female. As Crissa prepared herself, the man expected a shriek to come from her and the same bloody voice as the previous girl. She wasn’t much to look at on the stage, and she clearly did not have the posture for a lead position. It was as she began to sing that the man took slight interest in her.

“Think of me.

Think of me fondly as we’ve said goodbye.

Remember me once in awhile,

Please promise me you’ll try.

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.”

The man rested on one arm, listening to the girl’s captivating voice. She had the voice of an angel, something the man would not have expected to come out of that body. He watched in silence as Idiot 1 and Idiot 2 talked it out amongst themselves what they would do next. If they rejected her, the Phantom would take matters into his own hands. “Thank you, Ms. Wilde. Please return backstage. We would like to see you in costume. We would like to hear “All I Ask of You” next, if you please,” one of the men stated. The Phantom nodded. Good, they clearly weren’t completely hopeless. The Phantom nodded to himself, settling back in to wait for the girl who would come back out probably in about an hour.

═════════════════

OOC;

You will curse the day
You did not do
All that the Phantom
Asked of you

[Deleted]

It was only another short moment before a voice bellowed out from the seats but it felt like an eternity.
They liked her! They had to otherwise they would not have asked to see her again. Crissa's worried expression transformed into one of absolute joy and she bowed her head again to the shadows in the stacks. Before she could say another word an assistant came out onto the stage to usher her off. Crissa felt a little rushed but did as she was instructed and followed the woman back out into the hall. She was a stern looking woman, maybe in her early thirties, but the air about her screamed maturity and power. "Come now girl, this is no time to dawdle!" She said in a faint french accent as she reached back and grabbed Crissa's hand to hurry her along. They walked right past the waiting room and further down the hall, headed straight for the dressing rooms. Crissa had only ever been in there to help performers get ready and now she was on her way to be dressed!

The older woman shoved her into the dressing room and closed the door behind them. Crissa paused a moment as the woman stared at her expectantly. The woman then scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Do not tell me you are shy my dear?" She asked bluntly. Crissa shook her head, simply overwhelmed. Although it was the first time she'd had to dress infront of a stranger in a long time and this woman was intimidating! "I will turn around then. Tell me when you have the corset on so I can help with the laces." And with that the woman turned away. Crissa still stood frozen for a moment before eventually stripping down to her underwear and pulling on the long flowing rose pink skirt that hung waiting for her. She then placed the corset over her chest and cleared her throat. "I am ready miss..."

The woman whirled around and moved to start tightening the lacing on the white corset. "Madeline. I am the head of costuming for the show." The woman said, her tone softer than before. Crissa nodded and braced herself as the corset started to become almost too tight. Once Madeline was done tying off the lacing she grabbed a bright red hooded cloak and skillfully draped in over Crissa's shoulders in one fluid movement. She then stepped in front of Crissa and played with her hair, fixing it to her liking. She stopped for a moment and just looked at her in silence. Then, she turned Crissa to face the mirror behind her. "I am shocked. You actually look the part. Stunning!" Crissa felt her cheeks fill with colour.

About an hour later Madeline returned to the dressing room to collect Crissa. All that time she had been in there going over the song in her mind a million times. Who would she be singing it with? One of the mysterious men? More likely one of the call backs for Raoul. Oh how she hoped they liked her! "Crissa, it's time." the pretty young woman nodded and pulled herself up to her feet.

Moments later she found herself back out on that stage, waiting for her partner to make an appearance. Where was he? Who ever he was why was he not already here. And then the music softly began and a smooth, sweet male's voice began to chime from the side of the stage.

"No more talk of darkness.
Forget these wide-eyed fears.
I'm here, nothing can harm you
My words will warm and calm you."

The man that was stepping towards Crissa now was definitely handsome. He had long dirty blonde hair much like Ralph's that he slicked back to match his attire, was tall and slender but looked as though there were muscles under that suit he wore. And that voice! So pure and yet strong. He reached where Crissa was standing, bewildered by the suddenness of it all, and reached a hand out to caress her cheek.

"Let me be your freedom.
Let daylight dry your tears.
I'm here, with you, beside you.
To guard you and to guide you."

And then it was Crissa's turn, the man had taken her hand and in one swave movement had spun her around so he could hold her from behind. He was going to be a hard act to follow for any other potential Raouls! Crissa lent into his embrace and placed her hands upon his gently as if cautiously enjoying the contact, a soft smile playing across her lips.

"Say you'll love me every waking moment.
Turn my head with talk of summer time.
Say you need me with you now and always.
Promise me that all you say is true.
That's all I ask of you."

She turned around in his arms and pulled back somewhat, their hands still together as he contunued to sing. The two played off each other so well it would be a surprise if they didn't get the parts!

((Out Of Cookies: ))

[xxLostChildrenxx]

I gave you my music, made your song take wing
....And now, how you've repaid me, denied me and betrayed me! He was bound to love you, when he heard you sing....

A few more songs went by, in which the Phantom had to get up and leave for several times because of the horrible ringing in his ears that followed each and every one of their voices. They looked the part, of course, but their voices were just not okay for the part. One girl was cast as a dancer, a nonsinging role, and several others were given chorus parts in the background of his play. Thank god. Sure, they would be drown out by the others, but at least they would be pretty faces to look at during the performance. It took a bit longer than he had originally hoped for his rising star to appear back on the stage. But it was the moment she entered that he was sold on her part. She looked so breath taking and stunning, that the man couldn’t help but leave his box. He journeyed quickly but silently through the halls and onto the main floor, slipping past the bustle of people and hiding out in the darkness near the front row of the stage. The two managers didn’t’ see him, clearly too enthralled with the way she carried herself onto the stage to notice someone else had joined them.

And the others wouldn’t see him, thanks to the spotlight above. No, he looked like any normal man coming to listen, and was not cause for alarm. Thankfully. It wasn’t until the male’s voice who was supposed to be the lead came from the side that the Phantom’s eyes narrowed. Oh, no! This was not how it was to be. He listened passively to the male’s voice as he sang his little lovely melody to the female, watching her intake on his words. Okay, so yeah, she was being drawn to it. This just couldn’t be.

“No more talk of darkness

Forget these wide-eyed fears.

I’m here, nothing can harm you

My words will warm and calm you.”

The Phantom almost dove onto the stage and took the part for him, but only stood up and vanished from everyone’s view. How he got back to his box so quickly, he wouldn’t tell, but he was there just as the male was finishing the second part of his duet.

“Let me be your freedom

Let daylight dry your tears.

I’m here, with you, beside you

To guard you and to guide you.”

All eyes turned to the female on stage, who looked exactly like Christine did all those years ago. Or, at least by play standards. The Phantom watched eagerly as the music swelled and the female took off like a dove into the bliss of musical genius that was his.

“Say you’ll love me every waking moment.

Turn my head with talk of summer time.

Say you need me with you now and always.

Promise me that all you say is true.

That’s all I ask of you.” 

The Phantom settled back, wanting to finish the beauty that was the song before he even bothered to react. He, himself, knew what was to come, but the rest would remain unaware of his intentions all the way up until it was too late. Only then would they know he was there, ready, and by the way side. Always watching. Always hearing.

“Let me be your shelter.

Let me be your light.

You’re safe, no one will find you

Your fears are far behind you.”

“All I want is freedrom

A world with no more night.

And you, always beside me

To hold me and to hide me.”

The man smiled at the girl’s words. He would always be there, she needn’t fret. He would always be there to hold her. Protect her. Hide her. Thoughts swirled in his head as the two sang it out, but it was the very end that made him the most hurt as the two shared a rather fake stage kiss.

“Anywhere you go

Let me go too.

Love me

That’s all I ask of you.”

As the music swelled and continued, the two took a step back from each other like they were staring deep into each other’s eyes. It was too much for the man in the upstairs box to take, and he took a step out of view of the spotlight and the others. The Phantom could not be heard from the others, his voice was far too quiet.

“I gave you my music

Made your song take wing.

And now, how you’ve repaid me

Denied me and betrayed me.

He was bound to love you, when he heard you sing….”

The men below talked it out, whispering could be heard in the now dead silence of the theater. One of the managers stood up, asked for the spotlight to be turned off, and waited until all of the lights returned. The Phantom by now was gone, but he knew their choice long before they knew. “Congratulations, Ms. Wilde. I think we found our Christine. And, with the way you two work, I think we found both our leads,” he said, grinning like the money hungry shark they all were.

═════════════════

OOC;

You will curse the day
You did not do
All that the Phantom
Asked of you

[Deleted]

The audition continued to its romantic little ending, the two performers sharing a slightly awkward stage kiss. Mostly awkward because 'Raoul' tried for a real kiss that Crissa was not down for. Once they were finished she shot him a sneeky glare to which he nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders and took his deep, over acted bow toward the seats. Crissa followed suit and dipped down into a perfect, dainty curtsey.

The next few moments were almost agonizing as two men deliberated between themselves not even giving off a hint of how they felt about the performance. The guy who'd just auditioned with her moved a little closer and took her hand into his own, looking over at her with a comforting smile. He must have seen how nervous she was and in a way she was thankful for the gesture. Apart from the obvious sleezey nature of this guy she could tell they may actually become friends. The spot light turned off and Crissa's grip on the man's hand tightened slightly. Then all the lights in the house came on. The auditions must be over already!

At the words of the older gentleman, who Crissa now recognized as one of main managers of the house, Crissa's heart leaped into her throat and the biggest smile spread across her lips. She looked over at the man beside her as he looked at her in glee and they hugged to a job well done. She then turned back to the two managers and bowed again. "Oh thank you! Thank you so very much!" The two performers were lead off the stage by Madeline and back into the waiting room which was now mostly empty except for all of those who were told they had their parts. The room fell silent as they entered and all eyes were now on them. "Everyone take a look around you. The faces you see here are the people you will be spending  the next five months rehearsing with. I expect over time you will learn each others names and form bonds that will stay with you for a life time. Congratulations and have a good rest because in two nights time we begin work!" Madeline called out across the room. The crowd roared with excitement.

Eventually Crissa was finally on her way home. They all stayed there for a while, introducing themselves and chattering with excitement about the show and their parts. Crissa had met many people including one rather rude woman who had been cast as Madame Giry when she had auditioned for Christine. "Ha! You got the part? You are but a child! Hopefully those fools wake up to themselves soon and recast. I'd hate to see you ruin it." Crissa was about to hit the woman when her new friend Molly ran over and pulled her away. Molly was Madeline's younger sister and had been given the part of Meg Giry, and boy did she look the part with her long straight blond hair and perfect skin like a little porcelain doll. And her Raoul was Tyson Orwell. He had been in hundreds of shows before and was a little up himself but over all a friendly guy. As Tyson, Molly and Crissa walked out of the main halls Ralph came into view in the entrance waiting, his hair a mess from a night of partying and his shirt unbuttoned and hanging. He looked up at them, his famous half smile across his lips. Crissa's face lit up and she ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck as he wrapped his around her waist and lifted her up. She kissed his lips and smiled down at him as he held her in his strong arms.

"I got the part!" She chimed happily. Ralph kissed her nose and smiled back. "Congratulations Baby! I knew you could do it." He was obviously drunk. He rarely showed support in her acting so the alcohol must have brought him here to see her. But it didn't matter because he was there! Crissa let him slide her back down to her feet and giggled. She then pointed over at Tyson and Molly who had made their way over to them slowly. "These are some of my costars. Tyson is Raoul and Molly plays Meg." Ralph winked at Molly and shook Tyson's outstretched hand. "Now don't you be getting any ideas there Ty, this one is mine got it?" He said playfully with his arm around Crissa's hips.

((Out Of Cookies: ))

[xxLostChildrenxx]

I gave you my music, made your song take wing
....And now, how you've repaid me, denied me and betrayed me! He was bound to love you, when he heard you sing....

“You will curse the day you did not do
All that the Phantom asked of you….”

The man above finished with a whisper, throwing his cloak over his shoulder once more and vanishing back down the balcony from which he came. He was no longer needed there, and clearly the two idiots running his theater would need all the help they could get from his genius performance. They forgot, of course, the best part of all for the play. The part of the Phantom himself. Yes, they had cast some idiot who would be playing him, but the Phantom himself only knew what he had in store for this new woman. The woman who was to help him with his own music of the night. However, in order to be ready for what she would provide him, he had to make himself ready. Presentable, even, to such a fine addition to the opera’s ranks.

As he descended the steps to his own hell, but heavenly home, the end of the play rang through his mind for a brief moment. And only a brief moment.

“Down once more to the dungeons of my black despair
Down we plunge to the prison of my mind.
Down that path into darkness
Deep as hell…”

It wasn’t until he was back in his…well, lair, that the thoughts dissipated and he was left merely to prepare for the weeks ahead. At least now he knew the female above would provide him exactly what he sought. It wasn’t every day he found someone to sing his songs so perfectly, and carry herself in a way only he knew was needed to make his plays perfect. She was special, this he knew, but wondered silently if she even knew how special she was.

No matter, though, she would soon find out. And this actor who entered the stage with her would soon understand the meaning of the word fear. Would soon come to face his own demons, but that would be later. There was much to do to prepare. Much to learn and much to set up. For now, it would be a waiting game. But he was good at that. He was like a spider, ever patient for the kill. He would wait until the time was right before making a move, there would never be a rush. The prey would come to him, not he to it.

It wasn’t until sometime later that the Phantom made his way back up to the surface. Not to make himself known, but to see the actors out. They would never know who he was, that faceless, nameless creature in the shadows. He did, however, come to see his Christine wrap herself in the arms of another man. Some enemy embraced her, but clearly he would be no issue disposing. The Phantom gave a silent chuckle at the state of affairs the man was in.

Drunk? Really? The Phantom merely grinned. He wouldn’t be an issue at all. The man playing his enemy would be, but not this stupid being that she was attached to. Right away the Phantom questioned her choices of a partner, but would not entertain the notion any more than that.

He merely waited until the couple talked it out with the other staff, before taking his leave and making his way to the manager’s office. Entering silently and still hidden in the shadows, he slipped inside and to the desk. Leaving a folder on top of all the papers, he slipped back out and returned home. He didn’t bother going to listen to the rest of the conversation. He had too much to get done before he made himself known. For now, he had to play his cards right and just merely wait. They would come to him.

═════════════════

OOC;

You will curse the day
You did not do
All that the Phantom
Asked of you

[Deleted]

As the four of the stood for a moment chatting Crissa started to get the strangest feeling she was being watched. She stepped away from the others for a moment, staring into the shadows. She could have sworn she saw someone standing there but in the blink of an eye what ever she'd seen was gone. She jumped slightly when she felt a hand upon her shoulder. "You alright Crissa?" Molly asked, taking her attention away from the darkness. Crissa smiled and nodded. "Yeah. Sorry. I think I am just tired." soon the four of them said their goodbyes and Ralph and Crissa were on their way back to their tiny city apartment. As soon as they were home Ralph insisted on taking a shower which seemed pretty acceptable considering he had been dancing all night and wreaked of booze and sweat. So much so that Crissa barely noticed the smell of the women's perfume that clung to his skin. Crissa on the other hand was too excited to sleep and decided to stay up and read. She pulled on her pajamas and curled up in bed with The Queen of the Damned in hand.

That night Crissa dreamed of herself in Christine's shoes. She was dressed in a flowing white night dress and corsets preparing for the show in an old style dressing room when the mirror opened up, billowing smoke as a deep, alluring voice sung out to her to follow. As if in a trance she stepped through the open doorway and into a dimly lit stair well. Rows of candles lit her way down into the belly of the beast. All the while that voice called to her "Come to your angel of music..."

Suddenly a cloaked figure came out of nowhere and grabbed her and that was when Crissa awoke, her heart a patter with fear. Ralph didn't even budge at the movement. She sighed and got out of bed, the sun wasn't even up yet but no way would she be able to get back to sleep now. She decided to go have a shower and go out for a walk in the harbor.

The bus pulled up and Crissa stepped off and looked around her. The sun was just rising over the city and the water shimmered in a way that hardly anyone got a chance to appreciate anymore. She smiled, pulled her dark blue trench coat tighter around herself and started to wander. Eventually she found herself climbing the steps of the Opera House, looking up at it's massive sails in awe of it's beauty. She was about to live her biggest dream! She could hardly wait!

((Out Of Cookies: sorry writers block >w<  ))

[xxLostChildrenxx]

I gave you my music, made your song take wing
....And now, how you've repaid me, denied me and betrayed me! He was bound to love you, when he heard you sing....

Sleeping sound that night was not terribly difficult for the male who was locked away in his own prison. He had nothing to worry about, nothing to lose, and he savored the feeling as he drifted off into slumber. For the time being he would wait. But the time would soon come when he would be able to strike back against those who had wronged him. Those he had blamed for their ignorance, blind to his pain and suffering. Alone in the far reaches of the opera house. Discarded, disgraced, dejected. 


The Phantom awoke slowly the next morning and set to work almost the moment he opened his eyes. IT was hard to believe sometimes that the man slept, but he was human after all. He needed to sleep when he grew wary. Making his way through the opera house, the phantom proceeded on his rounds of checking all corridors and secret passageways to make sure they were clear and free from debris, in case of an early exit. After checking the dimly light opera house, the Phantom made his way into his box and settled in, looking out among the stage.


Here is where he would be watching from then on. For performances, for practices, simply making sure everything in his creation was perfect. And now with Crissa there, it would all fall into place. All would be perfect, and all would bow to his whim.

═════════════════

OOC; Until we have them interact, there's literally nothing more I can do that's interesting or worth writing

You will curse the day
You did not do
All that the Phantom
Asked of you