Old Friends (LND Meg)

[ladybarbossa]

As the days past, and those few she met told her of other here, her mind did wander in hopes to meet one other whom she so eagerly wished to see again - Meg Giry. The prospect of seeing her old friend and fellow dancer was overwhelming. What thoughts fluttered through her mind of what it would be like to see each other again.

All this as she wandered the halls and rooms of the grand Manor. This place that seemed so endless and yet did not make sense at all. It was like the labyrinth beneath the Opera House, a vast network of passages and tunnels, conduits and sewers. Yes, that's what this place reminded her of. A place that one could easily be lost within and never see the light of day or another face again. The thought spooked her but dismissed it swiftly so as not to panic herself. It was easy to do when it had been nearly a few days since last she saw Raoul or her darling son, Gustave. Oh, how she missed Gustave. He was but a boy. To not have his mother? For her to not have him? It was devastating.

As she explored, she came upon another vast room. This room stopped her in her tracks, filling her with awe and wonder as well as utter confusion. How was it possible? The Opera.. here? In the Manor? This massive setting within a setting? It truly made no sense. But it did open within her memories and cause her to revert for but a moment to be that young woman, that girl who loved and adored the Opera. Before all the events that which only brought pain to her now.

Wandering the orchestra seats as she slowly made her way to the stage. Every bit of it was just like it was. It baffled her. And yet looked like it had not been used in ages. She explored a bit more to eventually go backstage.

Soon enough she found herself walking out on stage. Something she'd not done in several years. How she missed the stage of the Paris Opera Populaire.
Standing there in the center as though she were in an Opera again. Closing her eyes as she stood there and swayed, humming a tune.

Soon, as she opened her eyes she decided to sing the song that launched her stardom, a song she thought a bit befitting not only to herself, but for others whom were here - like Meg - or were not here - like her son, Gustave.

The words began to flow from her mouth in her melodious sweet voice, the song.... "Think of Me".

[Meg "Oh! La La" Giry]

After her meeting with the Master, she longed to see him again. Wandering the halls for awhile proved tedious, so she resolved to make her way back to the dilapidated opera house, for surely he must be hiding out in that place of music. After finding her chosen room and changing into a rather poofy black tulle skirt reminiscent of her glory days as a ballerina (as this verion of the Phantom knew her) and a low shoulder cream colored top, she left and retraced her steps back to the theatre.

As she neared the place, she hegan to hear a melodious sound drifting from the chamber. She sighed at the voice in bliss, feeling as if she'd heard it before. She opened the doors and let her eyes adjust to the dim light. She moved closer and realized with a start that the woman singing was Christine! She raced forward and gasped. It was indeed the woman who had been conspiring with her Master, the woman who had surely stolen her spotlight on Coney Island. Meg's eyes narrowed. Christine hadn't seen her enter, for she was still singing the song that had launched her into stardom. She would stay silent until she was finished.

Christine hadn't known her attachment to Mister Y. She wouldn't know of the hateful jealousy she felt toward her former friend... Friend... Perhaps... No! Christine had betrayed Meg in a way the singer couldn't even begin to imagine... But she would play nice. For now.

After her song ended, Meg pasted on her false smile and flitted up to the stage. She sang in a lyrical voice, that was more matured and trained than Christine would remember, a refrain from days gone by, "Christine... Christine!"

Christine...

She twirled as she came into the soprano's view, smiling brightly at her old friend. "Where in the world have you been hiding, really you were perfect! I only wish I knew your secret!" she giggled. "How long has it been? Ten years I should say!"

[ladybarbossa]

Finishing the song and closed her eyes. It was still not as good at it was that night she first sang it. Why? She was missing something.
But she stood there taking in the calm, eyes still closed and enjoyed the moment of being upon it's stage once again. Oh, how she missed it. Famed yes, But that was-

Opening her eyes upon sound of another in the opera hall with her. Bringing them over to lock upon a figure that seemed so familiar. As the voice rang out and sang, a huge smile appeared upon her face and she hastily made her way to the blonde woman. "Meg!" she joyfully exclaimed. Oh, what a thrill to see her old friend. They were like sisters dancing at the Opera.

Taking the other woman's hands into her own, it felt like she was a girl again. The sparkle in her eyes, the youthful feeling that took over. Oh, how she wanted to dance with Meg again. Something she'd not done in over ten years.

"Meg, it's so good to see you!" and never had anyone here ever drawn such a delighted and happy smile upon her face. And she hugged her friend. "Oh, you are the sanity in this mad place."

"How have you been? You simply MUST tell me everything." and wanted to sit upon the stage right then and there. Be damned with her aristocratic protocols and the expectations of others. She was with an old friend, this called for special exceptions.

[Meg "Oh! La La" Giry]

Meg had been testing Chrisitne with her ten years remark, and her theory proved correct. She hadn't seen Meg in ten years, rather than a few minutes before her performance. This meant that Christine had yet to come to her rehearsal, trying to find the musical director, in turn spilling the beans about her singing for Mister Y. She probably didn't even know she was going to sing, herself. "Oh, Christine! It's so good to see you again! A familiar face was just what I needed in this godforsaken place!" she lied, smiling as Christine took her hands.

"Meg, it's so good to see you!" Christine said. Then Christine hugged her, and Meg made a huffing sound at the unexpected gesture, but sighed, sinking into her old friend's arms and hugging her back. "Oh, you are the sanity in this mad place."

Suddenly, Meg wished she didn't remember the things that Christine had done to her, for at that moment she felt like Christine was her best friend again, her sister even. She wished dearly to turn back the clock, for them both to right all the wrongs they committed so she wouldn't feel jealous and vengeful toward the woman... Though she couldn't hate her, not now, especially when she wasn't plotting with her Master at that point in time. "Christine, I'm so glad you're here. You are one of the few people that I've recognized, and the only one who I can completely trust," she said, and realized she meant it. Christine wasn't a malicious person, she would never be. Christine just loved the same person Meg loved, and while that annoyed and enraged her, for now they wouldn't speak of such things, instead focusing on their friendship.

Meg pulled back, still holding her friends arms as she asked her what had happened to her. "I'm afraid it hasn't been ten years for me, Christine, only a few minutes, really, perhaps an hour at the most. At least before I came here, that is. I have no idea how long I've been here, but before I came here I was living in New York City, and performing on Coney Island. I have a feeling you were just there too, and if you'd stayed you would have met me anyway, because I met you as I was rehearsing for my big number at the end of the season!" she explained. She knelt down on the stage, dragging Christine with her as they both sat down, as she could tell Christine wanted to. "Sit, sit! We have so many things to talk about! Don't worry about your dress, there's clothes in the dormitories, and there's bound to be some your size!"

[ladybarbossa]

Smiling wide, truly thrilled to see Meg. Just a boost of luck and joy that she would see the one person that was sensible out of all this mess. Even her Husband here was still a bit unsteady.

Keeping the smile fresh upon her face as she listened to Meg as the two of them slipped to the stage floor. A stage that seemed both foreign yet familiar. Agreeing with trust for once, it was the truth. But trust was not just all and she nodded in agreement.

Only a few minutes? That baffled her as the smile partly slipped away leaving a curious appearance upon her lovely face. "Oh?" she simply replied.

Smiling again as she leaned slightly forward, legs slightly off to the side. "Yes! Yes, my Husband and son were with me on Coney Island. I've no idea why Mr Hammerstein had us go there. I accepted his invitation to sing at the new opera house in New York City." Sounding almost like she was ten years ago, a cheerful girl blinded to all that happened around her.
"Oh, Meg! I would LOVE to see your performances! No doubt they are spectacular! You were the best dancer out of the whole corps." She praised Meg, though no longer young. Neither of them were. Oh, how they have both grown and changed. How beautiful Meg has become and it stunned her.

Smoothing out the white embroidered dress. Well, it was looking grungy and was in dire need of changing again. No doubt there was something nice around for her to wear somewhere in this massive place. Oh, what wonders and horrors lay within these walls and beyond.

[Meg "Oh! La La" Giry]

"Well..." Meg continued, "You'd decided to go to perform on Coney Island, though I don't know why. We were going to share the bill together, but I don't think you saw my performance..." She sighed. "Not like they liked it anyway," she whined. "They were all waiting for you to take the stage!"

She smiled sadly. It didn't really matter if the audience had liked Christine better, only that Mister Y did. And he obviously didn't. "And I'm afraid I have no idea where your son and the Vicomte are, I'm afraid. But you know, at least we have each other," she said, taking the woman's hands in her own. "Perhaps we'll be able to help each other and find a way out of this dreadful place, what say you? Hmm?

"Tell me, when did you get here? Have you found anyone else roaming the halls? I've met a few colorful characters myself, but none that I know as well as you... I heard there were ghosts here as well, though I hardly believe in such things, of course!" She laughed, though she was truly afraid she'd come across one of them.

[ladybarbossa]

"I did?" Bewildered why on earth she would have accepted to sing on Coney Island rather than Mr Hammerstein's offer to sing at the new Opera house there in New York City. That made more sense than to sing on Coney Island.

"Together?" And she perked up. To share the stage with her dear old friend once again, it was almost too good to be true! They both trained hard long ago. They both deserved it. "Oh, Meg!" holding her hands with an absolute thrill but a bit more reserved, "That would be lovely! You and I on the stage once more."
"Oh, nonsense! You are a fabulous dancer!" Smiling whilst holding her friend's hands, "No doubt you have them mesmerized!" doing her best to boost her confidence that she was beyond splendid.

A weakened smile as she glanced down, "Gustave missing indeed has me worried. I do miss my little miracle so." Pausing as she looked up at Meg. "However, my Husband is here though." And stated no more than that.
Smiling a little more and nodded, "Of course," at the offer to escape this place.

Shaking her head. "I don't know. It has been perhaps a couple days at least since my arrival at this strange Manor." Nodding once again, "Yes, I have met a couple people. Though they have left me utterly confused." Paused as she looked rather stunned and almost fearful. "Ghosts?"

[Meg "Oh! La La" Giry]

Christine complementing Meg's dancing was almost like a breath of fresh air... almost. Of course she hadn't seen any of Meg's most recent endeavors, and she doubted a woman as classy and composed as her best friend would approve of the things she's done... The people she's done things for...

Meg laughed, patting her friend's hand. "Gustave should be just around the corner, wait and see! If you're husband's here, then surely he will be here soon, and maybe even my mother might join us!" Who knew? Maybe that was what was going on all along. Someone was bringing them there for a reason, and if her, Christine, Mister Y, the Vicomte (she had to keep him away from her Master) and others like them were there, more had to eventually join them. Something was going on, and Meg secretly vowed to find out what they were wanted for.

"Everyone seems to be arriving within days of each other. It's like a boarding house or something here! Hehe..." Meg shrugged, twisting a lock of her hair and sighing. "I'm not sure what's going on, but I don't think we're in any immediate danger. And believe me, I know what danger looks like! I've lived in New York, for god's sakes! It's the greatest city on earth and the worst at the same time." How she missed New York, though, and all its charms...

"If there are ghosts, Christine, they can't hurt us. They are ghosts after all, right?" she said uneasily. She wasn't convinced of even her own words...

[ladybarbossa]

Smiling almost weakly in return about her son's arrival soon. "I hope you are right, Meg," and tried not to be down-hearted over her missing son. The smile remained as she pondered what Meg said about everyone soon enough joining them. Wondering who she meant by 'everyone'? For now, all she could do was listen to Meg. Seeing the sparkle in her eyes as she spoke about New York. Was it truly that grand and yet dangerous? Almost sounded like Paris or London.

"True," but that did not convince her any for had they not deemed Erik a ghost, unable to do harm? And yet, He was by no means a ghost and definitely did harm!

A smile returned to her face while staring at Meg. "My God, you have changed. For the better that is!" and took Meg's hands, spreading out her arms to have a look at her. "No doubt you have the men falling at your feet! You are a belle!" And giggled! Young girls they once were. Now the both of them were beautiful women that mesmerized the world.

"Oh, Meg," she went on as she glanced about the Opera, "Wouldn't it be lovely to perform here, once again. Just like old times?" Her eyes drawn tot he rafters, to the boxes. And especially Box Five which was His preferred place to watch the performances.

[Meg "Oh! La La" Giry]

"I hope you are right, Meg," Christine said. Meg rolled her eyes playfully. "Oh, I know I'm right!" she giggled. "Don't be so down. There's nothing you can do now, and wherever he is, he's probably searching for you just as you're searching for him. I've never seen a little kid love his mother so..."

'Or his father...' Meg thought dryly, but she kept these thoughts to herself. She didn't want to reveal that she knew, but eventually the truth would out, and Meg would be pitying poor Gustave, and poor Raoul. Their relationship would be torn apart, and Gustave would never accept Erik... That's right, his name is Erik... He'd never accept him as his father after what happened when he unmasked him. She could still remember that blood curdling scream as if it was yesterday, and she very nearly had wanted to slap the boy for embarrassing Erik so...

"No doubt you have the men falling at your feet! You are a belle!"

Meg gave out a rather startled laugh. "Hahahaha!" She couldn't stop giggling at the irony of that statement! She would never tell her dear sweet friend, but it still drove to her core. "Oh! Oh, Christine, no no no, you're the belle!" she exclaimed. "You have such beautiful clothes, and you're so rich and famous, and so very very beautiful... I wish I had as much class as you..." she whispered as she calmed down. It was the truth. She'd always wanted to be just like Christine. She wanted to have the voice, the man (Erik, not the Vicomte), the gorgeous child, the dresses, the parties, the title... Everything. She especially wished she didn't have to sleep around just to get by...

"Wouldn't it be lovely to perform here, once again. Just like old times?"

Meg smiled thoughtfully. "Yes, just like old times..." she said, and her gaze, too, drifted to Box Five. They were both dreaming the same dream, she figured... That HE would notice her.

A smile widened Meg's lips, and she whipped her head back around and started gabbing. "Say, Christine! I've got a great idea! We could do a song together! I can sing now, don't cha know? You and me, when this stage is fixed we can belt it out! And then we can dance too! The kind of shows I do now makes it so that you can sing AND dance at the same time! Isn't that grand?" she laughed, gripping her friend's small, creamy fingers as if she'd never see her again...

[ladybarbossa]

Those words began to lift her spirits. To think of her son searching for his mother, was both wonderful yet distressing. She wants so much to protect her darling boy. But how would she know about Gustave? What he was like? this bewildered her greatly and tried not to show it. Try being the key word though she was most likely failing.

While looking at Box Five, her curiosity now arose to want to see that Box. Of all places she had never explored, never able to explore while at the Opera, was that mysterious Box Five that He always occupied.
From the corner of her eye she saw Meg gazing up at it, too. She never wondered for all at the Opera were aware of Box Five's mystic and curse.

Meg did not believe that she was beautiful? This saddened her. Of course her dear old friend was beautiful! Those golden locks and that gentle looking perfect face. Meg had grown into such a beautiful woman that surely men had to be throwing themselves at her! If she wasn't married by now, then my my... she was quite the spinster! But Meg was always a fun-loving, happy-go-lucky girl and feared little other than her mother and of course the Opera Ghost. Even though she declare often that every little or big thing that went wrong at the Opera was the handiwork of the Phantom. Meg then and Meg now. Now... now Meg was just radiating success and beauty and confidence. And yet, something dark about her. She dismissed it.

"Nonsense, Meg!" she exclaimed. Getting up from the stage floor and pulled Meg with her. Guiding Meg to the nearest mirror behind stage. Setting Meg before it and she gazed into it, standing behind Meg and off to the side. "Look at you!" And smiled a wily grin. "You are not that sheepish little girl any more, Meg." Holding her Shoulders with confidence. "I see a beautiful young woman who practically screams 'I'm a success and nothing will stop me!'" Pausing a moment as that grin dimmed, "fine clothes and money does not make one beautiful." She inhaled deeply before releasing it. "You have a class all your own, Meg. And no doubt from the looks of you, that you are quite famous!" Smiling again, "Beautiful and famous Meg Giry! the Belle of America!" And grinned widely. The world was at their feet it seemed. She had been called the Songbird of Europe, the Singer of the Century. And now here was Meg, beautiful and bold and no doubt was holding audiences captive!

A huge smile spread upon Christine's face at the prospect that Meg brought up. Both of them once again on the stage, dancing and now singing?!? It was too wonderful! "Yes! Oh, I would be delighted to sing and dance on stage with you again, Meg!" Gripping her hands in return, too. Then wrapped her arms around her in a tight hug. "It would be wonderful!" And sighed. "I missed you my dear friend."

[Meg "Oh! La La" Giry]

Meg looked into the dusty old mirror Christine placed her in front of with a placid expression. She smiled for her friend, but when she looked into the glass she couldn't see what Christine was talking about. Every time Meg looked into the mirror all she saw was a prostitute and a failure. Her eyes always seemed to be baggy, and her hair was always a mess when she wasn't performing. Makeup only went so far as to hide the face beneath, but it was only a mask. Meg knew what was there. Christine didn't.

And she didn't have to. Meg smiled a little wider when Christine spoke of them dancing together again, neglecting to reply to any of the statements she made about her beauty (because none of them were true, obviously).

She turned and took her friends hands, both of them standing in the dim light of the mirror. "I've missed you too, Christine. There was no one in America who became as good a friend as you are to me. I danced with many girls on the vaudeville stage, but none could match me as well as you do!" She blushed. "I'm afraid I'm not nearly as good of a singer as you are, but I try. I'm a mezzo, or so I'm told, so maybe I can be the harmony to your melody, if that's alright. I know a guy who's going to refurbish this place, and then we can sing to our hearts content to an adoring audience!"

Meg smiled widely, and dragged Christine out onto the stage. She gestured up at into the tiered audience. "I can hear the applause now! I can hear them asking for an encore, can't you?" she laughed. "I know you're a regal Vicomtesse, but I think us doing vaudeville will be spectacular! It's a little vulgar, but hilarious! You're an amazing actress too, Christine, and you'll have them rolling in the isles, I swear!" she giggled, twirling in a circle and letting her tulle fly. She swatted Christine away and flipped her hair behind her shoulders. "Watch this!"

She cleared her throat and gave a wide smile and started a routine she knew by heart.

"♫Welcome each and everyone to our festival of fun! Something notable and new!♫" she sang, winking at Christine and danced according to her mother's choreography. "♫We bring glamour from afar, plus a touch of the bizarre, and it's only for you!♫" Then she added a touch of her own, to demonstrate her improved dancing skill. If only she had some music to sing alone with! Oh well... Christine would get the picture."♫See the wonders of our age all assembled on our stage, too fantastic to be true. What sensation seekers seek, every kind of living freak, and it's only for you!♫"

"Haha! Oh, I can't do anymore. I'm used to having backup dancers!" she laughed, going over to Christine and patting her hands. "I have so many songs in my head that I've performed that I can teach you... And I'm sure there's more we can create together. How do you like that, Christine?"

[ladybarbossa]

Smiling wide with humility and dropped her head. Meg was giving her too much credit. Meg was THE finest Dancer at the Opera. There was no doubt in her mind that she'd become the Prima Ballerina someday. Well, apparently that didn't happen. But it could still happen.
"Oh, no, Meg. No one could measure up to you. You were the best. And now doubt that you are still the best! I was never as good at you."

Wide eyed and all smiles she gazed out at the run down Opera then back at Meg. "Let's do it, Meg! I would be delighted to do all that with you! It'll be like old times- no.. better than old times!"

Stepping back away from Meg as asked. Watching and listening to her eagerly. But each word started to draw that smile away with some dark memories of Him.
When Meg came back to her, the smile and cheer returned. "Yes!" she giggled warmly. To dance and sing with Meg would be more than wonderful! Did they not dream of that long ago? Dancing together on that familiar stage.

[Meg "Oh! La La" Giry]

It was nice to hear all the compliments Christine was paying her, but she'd heard them all before. From her mother, from the audience... Of course Mister Y thought she was good but he was never impressed. Maybe it meant something that the woman he loved was impressed... Maybe not.

Christine seemed to like her dance, but she looked a bit confused. Well, that was to be expected, because it really was a genre ahead of its time. Her time, it would seem.

"I'll teach you all the songs, and then the dances. Mother said I was getting to the point where I could choreograph myself! Wouldn't that be wonderful?" She hugged Christine in excitement, but when she held her she suddenly remembered who this woman was, and what she'd done. Her eyes steeled, but when she pulled back, they were warm again. She wanted to know if Christine had seen Erik... But she didn't know how to broach the subject. "Have you... met anyone else in the manor, Christine?" There... That should be harmless enough...

[ladybarbossa]

What incredible excitement! A chance to perform along side her dear old friend again! The both of them dancing and one of those interesting ensembles that was just demonstrated to her. It looked racy but tasteful at best. Something that seemed fresh and new. If the crowd loved it, who was she to argue? After all, it was entertainment.

Pulling back a bit with still a delighted look upon her face, well, somewhat of a delighted look. She thought.
"Yes, I have met a couple people," Her first thoughts were to the young golden hair girl not long after she arrived. "A golden hair young woman," she snickered, "With my name!" sounding astonished. "I don't know what to think!" Then her surprise mellowed as she glanced down with a strained smile. "And Raoul. The youthful version of my Husband." Shaking her head. "I was like seeing a vision of my past." Then thought a little more. "Plus my Husband is here..." Her face nearly paled as she slightly gripped Meg's arms. "And... Him." Returning her gaze to Meg's eyes. Those eyes filled with such turmoil. No doubt Meg would know what she meant.