Chapter Text
It was the the very first time Raoul had been to the Opera Populaire and oh dear, this was a marvellous discovery indeed. He'd found out that his childhood friend, Christine Daaé, was part of the ensemble of that place in the most unique way possible.
The leading soprano vocalist namely known as Carlotta Giudicelli, had given quite the ear-piercing performance, even for the Vicomte de Chagny, who never visited Operas unless asked to by his brother who... in most cases, never came for the plays themselves.
The Opera Populaire was a new little target of Philippe's dalliances and one of them being a mademoiselle named, La Sorelli who had unfortunately caught his dear brother's attention.
Back to the actual play itself, he felt nothing other the the painful urge to cringe everytime she hit a high note. It felt too sharp and a bit overdone.
Andre and Firmin, the two new supposed managers and colleagues of his brother who bought this place yesterday, sat stiffly beside him. Perhaps they too were fighting the urge not to implode their eardrums.
Suddenly though, a large sandbag dropped down from the ceiling in an unexpected turn. Carlotta jumped from utter shock and stepped on her gown, though soon followed a monsieur he recalled as Ubaldo Piangi, that caught the madame before she hit the ground.
"Again!? Goodness me, even infront of an audience...!?," Firmin proclaimed in exasperation.
Another sandbag had dropped, nearly hitting Ubaldo's head.
"He's here... he's here! The Phantom of the opera...," a maiden in blonde exclaimed in fear as the other ballet girls quivered. Well, one of them ought to be Miss Sorelli.
A madame dressed in all black appeared from backstage and with one slam of her cane, the blonde maiden immediately stiffened, "Back to your positions now, Meg Giry. Let's start over the song一"
"What is the point!? Have you no heart to see that my Piangi could have suffered a serious injury because of that!," Carlotta screamed at the madame with nothing but pure rage.
Dear, even her screams were ear-splitting.
Raoul turned to Andre and Firmin, too baffled to even think that this melodramatic sequence of events were not part of the play and that Miss Giudicelli had just had forgotten not to use the actor's name.
"Is this... erm, part of the show?," Raoul whispered, unsure and dumbfounded.
Andre stared at him for a moment before angrily punching out a, "No, not at all."
"Perhaps we should fire that damned man, Buquet. Wonder what his excuse may be this time around," Andre continued with an annoyed tone as he got up, soon followed by Firmin.
Whilst Firmin and Andre were whispering about firing a sort of stagehand employee as they waltzed down the stairwell to calm the patrons below, Raoul remained in his seat, unprompted to get up as the show beneath got even better. Or worse.
"Mademoiselles, enough chit chat. Back to your positions. As for you, madame," the women in black inched closer to the two figures hugging onstage, and continued softly, "Angry as you might be, please, the show must go on."
Carlotta looked as though she were about to storm out of this room at any given moment.
"Forget it! Forget it! I've had enough of this place and that Phantom that torments me to no end. I've had it!," And stormed out of the room she did with Ubaldo following close, like a puppy to its owner.
"Wait! Miss Giudicelli!," Firmin shouted, reaching the stage a little too late.
"Please, gentleman! Stay right where you are! This was just a technical difficulty that we will resolve quickly," Andre gestured frantically at the madame dressed in black.
The madame in black sighed, almost in frustration as she clenched the bridge of her nose.
"Christine, since Miss Prima Donna wishes to not perform tonight, please just take her place."
A maiden with curly, dark brown hair nearly stumbled forward as one of the girls, supposedly in an encouraging plight, pushed for her to sing. The same girl who shouted out something a few moments ago about the Phantom of the Opera.
The brunette, who looked quite familiar to Raoul, stumbled on her words at the first few verses of Carlotta's solo.
However, she was able to compose herself quickly and soon enough started singing with a wonderful air of confidence. Her voice far softer than Carlotta's but still very much was a soprano's. She sounded like that of a songbird, voice so enchanting to listen.
Raoul glanced at Firmin and Andre who were less frantic now that the performance was saved and were pleasantly enjoying it.
"Recall those days,
Look back on all those times,
Think of the things we'll never do,
There will never be a day...
When I... won't... think of you!"
Raoul had suddenly hit the nail to the head post-performance after pondering in thought of who on earth could this mademoiselle Christine be, if not for that Little Lottie who had once lost her scarf to the sea, perhaps even for forever if not for the Vicomte who had went to fetch it.
"Christine...? Is that really you?," Raoul whispered in this empty box he was sitting in. He was very happy to have seen her again! Such that he couldn't put them into words after the play had ended and he went to look for her backstage. He felt as though he was being watched by a pair of eyes with his every step, which did nothing in lessening his nervousness.
He didn't know what he could possibly say, but he did want to talk her again in person even if the possibility of her remembering her were closer to none.
It had been a full 10 years since they met.
Too sooner than expected, he found her dressing room.
As he knocked on it twice, a rushed, "One moment!," came and he waited patiently before the door pried open. Out came that little blonde mademoiselle, a dancer she was, who shyly scooted away from him and waved a hello.
He waved back with a smile before she turned on her heel to join the other dancers that were onstage to practice.
"Come in," a soft voice called out from the room.
Raoul entered and did a little dramatic bow, before clearing his throat, "Ah, if it isn't the Little Lottie who had lost her scarf, do hope that you've kept it well since I had such a hard time getting it back."
He was pleasantly surprised that Christine's head perked up a little before she turned around with a smile, "Well, if it isn't that Vicomte de Chagny! What brings you here on this fine night, monsieur?"
"For one, I just wanted to say, your performance was amazing, Christine."
"Oh monsieur, you flatter me," she said with a tease.
"Yes mademoiselle, and do I really mean it. I really do," he said with as much gracefulness as he could fathom himself having before he continued, "And second, well, I'd like to say hello to a dear, old friend of mine."
Before he could say anymore, Christine practically pounced on Raoul as her arms folded around him in an embrace, to which he chuckled.
"Oh dear, you're going to kill me if you do not let go. You still hug as tightly as when I last saw you!," Christine managed to laugh at that as well but only hugged tighter.
"I've missed you, Raoul," she said, sounding almost relieved.
Raoul said fondly, "Me too."
Once Christine hummed in reply, she let go of the poor Vicomte who might as well have been squished to death already. He's always known Christine's hugs to be a mirror of her emotions, so he couldn't think to doubt her words when she said she missed him, perhaps even smiled at the thought because of how long it's been.
"Where have you been all these years? I haven't heard from you since in a long while," she asked curiously.
"Well, I've been spending my time at sea, I'm a naval officer."
As he proudly proclaimed, Christine's smile widened.
"Really! I would've never guessed! How were your days at sea? I'm eager to know of your lovely adventures," and as soon as she mentioned it, Raoul sat her down in excitement as he explained about a recent rescue mission he'd been on.
Before long, 20 minutes had gone by in a flash and Christine looked up at the clock only to wear a frightened expression.
"What's wrong? ...Christine? Uh... Christine?," he snapped a finger at his friend who immediately got up and placed a hand on his shoulders.
"Raoul, I think you'll have to leave now..."
"Why? Is something up?," he asked, a bit concerned.
"Oh well," Christine paused for a moment but soon continued, "No, no. I just have a few lessons with my singing tutor. He'll be here in a moment now."
"Oh! Alright then, I'll be on my way. Will you be performing again?," he asked as he got up from his seat.
"Perhaps... we shall see if Carlotta's temper has cooled. She has always like this, it's just she's never stormed out during a performance. That second sandbag must've been her last straw," Christine sighed wearily.
"Ah yes, by the way. What on earth happened back there? Was everything that happened on that stage really not apart of the show?," he asked though he knew his question may have come off a bit dumb.
Christine laughed softly, "It might as well have been."
Raoul asked, "Were they already prepared for her to leave at some point? I was pretty surprised when they called you."
"Well, I'm Carlotta's understudy so..."
"Understudy? I would've thought it were the opposite," he replied with sarcasm flaring through his voice.
"Oh, don't say that Raoul. Miss Giudicelli has such a wide range with her voice and I admire her stage presence quite a lot too. Though I admit, I can see she has some pitch problems," she said in a manner that made it seem as if she were scolding the Vicomte. So he said no more of the matter.
She mumbled, "It's just that this Opera ghost has been一," but cut herself off before she could finish the sentence.
"Opera ghost?"
"Nevermind that, Raoul! You must go before he catches you here!," Christine ademnedly started to shove the Vicomte through the door.
"What? Oh but if he does... well, if he gets the wrong idea, Christine一 you know I can always just say I'm only interested in men," Raoul meant for it to be assuring to his friend, but perhaps that only made her expression closer to shocked than anything.
She paused her frantic pushing and asked in a timid manner, "Oh... wait, do you actually...?"
"Yes, I do...," he said, almost surprised. Though he really couldn't blame her for not knowing, after all, it had been years since they saw eachother. Of course she wouldn't be aware of the little 'relationships' he's been on with a couple of his crewmen.
"Oh, that's certainly a confession, have you been with one on your adventures at sea?"
"Er... a few times."
Christine let go of Raoul to what seemed like she was looking him up and down, "Hm, well, I can see it."
"See what一?"
"See why even a man would fall for you, Raoul," she let out a huffed laughter, but the sentence had the Vicomte de Chagny feel his cheeks burn.
"But Raoul, it'd still be best if you needn't give that explanation, that'd be uncomfortable having to force you to speak of it," she finally pushed Raoul lightly over the threshold, holding his shoulders to make sure he wouldn't trip.
"Oh yes, you're probably right. That would be a bit awkward for all of us," his face brightened as he gave Christine one final hug, he was glad she weren't one of those silently-judging types or judging him at all for that matter.
"You can trust that I will tell none about it," she whispered in assurance.
"I do trust you, that's why you're the first one to know since I got back," he smiled, feeling the need to hug her a bit tighter.
"Am I?," Christine pulled away, pleasantly surprised.
"Yes, I don't even know how to tell my brother of my... eventful days at sea," he sighed.
"Well, you don't have to tell if you don't wish to. I'm quite aware of how your brother is. His visits for Miss Sorelli are already a daily rumour talked about after every visit by the ballet dancers."
Raoul momentarily felt really embarrassed because of that, it seemed like Phillippe had already gained quite a reputation at the Opera already.
"But hey, you wanna know something about my eventful days in the Opera?," she said with a tinge of cheerfulness.
"Oh do care to tell," Raoul inquired, more than happy to listen.
Instead, Christine let out a giggle and hushed herself, "Later, later. My tutor will arrive soon, till then..."
"Farewell, Monsieur de Chagny," she happily said with a light bow. "So long, Little Lottie," Raoul replied, equally as happy as the door closed.
***
As he turned to backed away from the door, he heard someone call for him.
"Vicomte de Chagny."
Like a delicate whisper that floated quietly in the air, it was gone the moment he turned around to look. Raoul only then recalled the thing about the Opera ghost that Christine had all but briefly mentioned.
He decided in his mind that such a ghost could not exist, that this was just a made up story meant to scare the dancers because of how old the Opera Populaire was.
So he did not know what complied him to reply to the whisper. Maybe out of politeness. Maybe out of impulse. All he knew was if one were to see him now, he'd look almost as if he'd become a madman, talking to the unseen out of nowhere.
"Good day, Monsieur le Fantôme," he said with a small smile on his lips, unfathomably calm for some reason, perhaps to humour himself from ever hearing anything at all. There was no answer as should have been expected, however the feeling of eyes watching over him still lingered.
The only difference being that the gaze he felt now was less dangerous and threatening than before whilst he searching for Christine. It more so felt observant.
He really couldn't describe how he felt that it was but he added a light bow after he said those words.
Then turned around to find a horrified ballerina with brunette hair staring at him. And so someone really did find him talking to nothing.
"..."
"..."
"Uh... hello mademoiselle. Er... how long have you been standing there?," he replied awkwardly, felt the seething embarrassment start to kick in. Goodness, why had he done that! There was no such thing as an 'Opera ghost', it was just some story. He must've definitely looked like he'd gone crazy
"Long enough...," the maiden said and oh dear, Raoul could feel her staring him down intensely. "But, you... are the Vicomte de Chagny, right?"
At the mention of his title, he replied cautiously, careful to not frighten the maiden anymore than he already has, "Why yes, that would be me. Do you need anything?"
The brunette walked slowly towards Raoul and simultaneously, Raoul took note of the envelope that the girl carried in her hand.
"I'm La Sorelli, monsieur. Could you... pass this letter to the Comte de Chagny?," she handed a heavily perfumed envelope to Raoul. "It's a personal letter."
For a moment, Raoul just stood there and blinked at the young maiden, but soon composed himself to take the envelope in his hand. Truthfully, he could've brushed off this embarrassing interaction if it had just ended without the added significance that this was one of his brother's dalliances.
Because of course, it just had to be.
"Sure, I will deliver it on your behalf, Miss Sorelli."
"Oh, thank you monsieur!," once the dancer got her little affirmation that the letter would be delivered, she skipped away in delight though Raoul could see the pace in her steps did not quite match her face as she quickened her movements in what seemed like fear. Raoul watched her as she left the backstage area.
Yeah, he felt really embarrassed now.
Before he too went to leave, he felt as though he heard someone's laughter in the air surrounding him. Just as delicate and quiet, almost as if it was but a figment of the Vicomte's imagination if he focused on it for too long. It sounded like that person was amused by what had just occurred.
Distinctly, Raoul felt as if that laughter came from above the rafters from the ceiling.
He looked up and scowled at it.
"Not funny," he said.
Then quickened his pace towards the exit of the Opera Populaire.