Christine Svenna Daaé
Twisted every way, what answer can I give?
Screw being ladylike; Imma Pageboy!
Posts: 230
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Post by Christine Svenna Daaé on Jun 19, 2012 0:01:12 GMT -5
Christine listened to the man, or ghost, or angel (whichever he was), shaking her head. The more he explained to her, the more confused she became, and the more questions she had. What was this one thing he feared? Did the managers really have a say in that? She had thought it was mostly due to Carlotta's contract with the opera.... Question after question burned in her mind, but she dare not let them out. She wasn't sure how to ask them exactly...
Then he spoke of the opera house – the place where she had woken up when she first arrived here – and her head perked up. I would hope that you would be willing to participate in such a venture... “.... What sort of music did you have in mind exactly?” she finally asked. It was the only question running through her head for which she bothered to do so.
But then he asked her a question. Have you met anyone besides myself from the past...from the Paris opera? She hesitated a moment before replying. “I have.... It was an old friend of mine... He.... He took me to dinner yesterday evening for my birthday...”
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Erik Lenoir
Hide your face, so the world will never find you...
Hide your face so the world will never find you...
Posts: 1,241
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Post by Erik Lenoir on Jun 19, 2012 18:01:35 GMT -5
Christine appeared a bit confused when Erik tried to explain things to her. He must be pushing too much information at her at one time and she was still afraid of him. A pity, he had gone about it in the wrong way earlier and it had perhaps ruined any chance of a relationship with her, probably for good. And yet, Erik would not give up. She had just arrived. She probably needed time to settle in and explore the surroundings more. She would probably speak to other people, which might calm her down...or, on the other hand, distract her from Erik.
Christine seemed almost afraid to speak to him, to ask questions, to verbalize anything ... it was difficult to pull anything out of her. Erik knew that he must be extremely gentle with her to earn her trust.
Then she timidly asked about what type of music he wished to have performed once the opera house was refurbished. "Opera, of course, ballet, concerts with works by the great composers. I don't care much for the popular types of music...and my new assistant seems to be quite an advocate of such things. I rather think I shall not let her do anything like that."
Then Erik asked the question for which he dreaded the answer.....was there anyone here she had known from before, except for Erik of course... Her answer made him wonder. She said an old friend who took her to dinner. Could it be de Chagny? Erik's heart almost skipped a beat thinking about that. Of course eventually she would meet up with R. Christophe de Chagny, but Erik had hoped to open her heart to himself before that happened. He knew de Chagny would poison her mind against himself.
Erik managed his nicest smile. "Happy birthday, dear. I hope you had a lovely time. Was your escort anyone I know?"
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Christine Svenna Daaé
Twisted every way, what answer can I give?
Screw being ladylike; Imma Pageboy!
Posts: 230
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Post by Christine Svenna Daaé on Jun 24, 2012 14:41:30 GMT -5
“Assistant? the girl said, tilting her head a little in confusion? Were there two of them and the other 'Opera Ghost' was a lady ghost? “What sort of an assistant?” It was a rather curious matter. As far as she had always been aware, there was only one O.G. – the 'Phantom of the Opera' who liked to cause mischief about the opera house. Perhaps in this place there was more than one?
The Angel smiled at her, which reassured her ever so slightly, making her feel less uneasy. Perhaps Raoul had been wrong about how dangerous he was. After all, if the incident with the the chandelier was merely an enormous misunderstanding...
“Thank you,” she said when he wished her a happy birthday. It had turned out to be probably her most celebrated birthday since her father's death. “I.... don't think that you know him.... We had a wonderful time though. We ate something called sushi,” she said, dragging out the pronunciation a bit making sure she said it correctly. “I'd never had it before, but it really was quite good.”
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Erik Lenoir
Hide your face, so the world will never find you...
Hide your face so the world will never find you...
Posts: 1,241
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Post by Erik Lenoir on Jun 24, 2012 19:29:15 GMT -5
Christine asked about Erik's assistant. "It's your friend Meg, Christine. She is helping me with the details of the opera house refurbishing. " He stopped, realizing that the Meg he was talking about might not be the one Svenna knew. "It's another of the Megs, I am not sure if she is the one who was your friend or not. She speaks about you, and yet, there are quite a few Christines...."
Erik really didn't know how to explain it without confusing Svenna further. "I have put Meg in charge of advertising and things like that. We must make the opera house clean and refurbished before we can put on any productions. It appears, though, that Meg has had some experience in this, so I asked her to do the job. Much as I would like to, I cannot do everything myself. So I am hoping some of the others here would help me with the refurbishing. They would be paid, perhaps not immediately, but later, when we begin to have audiences for the shows. I will be financing the refurbishing, and in the beginning, people will have to volunteer their services. Perhaps you know someone who would be interested..."
"Christine, my job in this, will be to direct all the refurbishing and then once it is done, to direct all the productions, choose actors, singers, orchestra members, dancers, behind the scenes people. My theatre will be exceptionally good."
"And of course, I am holding many of the lead parts for you, my dear."
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Christine Svenna Daaé
Twisted every way, what answer can I give?
Screw being ladylike; Imma Pageboy!
Posts: 230
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Post by Christine Svenna Daaé on Jun 30, 2012 1:07:32 GMT -5
((Sorry these replies take so long. It takes a lot of effort to restrain from calling him “Erik” or “Monsieur Lenoir”))
Christine's eyes lit up when the Phantom mentioned that Meg was his assistant. “Meg is here, too?” she said, the excitement quite evident in her voice. Her initial bubble of happiness calmed a little though when he said that he was not sure if it was the Meg who was her friend or not. Christine was a little confused. How could he not be sure? Surely he had seen her friend Meg before. Meg was always the one to cry out 'He's here! The Phantom of the Opera!' whenever the Opera Ghost struck. Surely he would remember... Oh, the young woman was so confused.
And then, her thoughts were distracted when he asked her if there was anyone who she knew who might be interested in helping with the refurbishing. “Well... unfortunately I've only been here for less than a day, so I don't really know anyone here... Though I could possibly help, depending on what needs to be done...” Yes, Raoul had told her to stay away from him, but she wasn't really agreeing to meet him, right? She was merely assisting in the refurbishing of the opera house she had seen the evening before upon her first arriving in this place. That was all. Besides, it would be wonderful to have a place for music here...
She couldn't help but to blush a little when he said that he was holding many of the leading roles in the opera productions, once the place was finished, for her. “For me?” she repeated softly, almost in disbelief. She had only played a leading role a grand total of two times in her entire life, and both were on very last minute occasions, so the whole concept was still quite new to her.
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Erik Lenoir
Hide your face, so the world will never find you...
Hide your face so the world will never find you...
Posts: 1,241
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Post by Erik Lenoir on Jun 30, 2012 15:14:57 GMT -5
Christinie looked a bit confused when Erik mentioned that Meg was his assistant, but that it might not be the same Meg. The fact of the two sets of people from different times who shared even more of their past history than did the others of the same name was something Erik himself didn't understand, but rather accepted for fact at this point. However, to explain it was something considerably different.
"I am sure you will meet Meg at some time or perhaps I shall be able to introduce her to you.Then you can decide for yourself it it is the Meg that you knew. In any case, don't be concerned about it. You will understand more and more as time goes on."
"Now as to the question of what you can do for the opera house project, I was expecting that some of the women could work on making new stage curtains. And I have seen the lovely job that they have been doing in the garden. I would like to see the area near the public entrance to the opera house groomed and flowers and shrubs planted to make a pleasant experience for those attending our productions." He smiled at Christine again. "You do not have to do any of this, my dear. You are my star, the one about whom much of this revolves..."
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Christine Svenna Daaé
Twisted every way, what answer can I give?
Screw being ladylike; Imma Pageboy!
Posts: 230
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Post by Christine Svenna Daaé on Jul 13, 2012 19:07:01 GMT -5
“All.... All right...” she said, tilting her head ever so slightly. Would he not know whether or not she knew Meg? Surely he had seen both she and Meg – the Meg she knew – several times about the opera. The two were rarely apart...
Christine winced a little when he mentioned 'curtains' though. “You mean like sewing?” Christine had never sewed before. Her father couldn't sew, and so he didn't teach her to. Then, by the time she came to the opera, it was all training for the ballet, as she had gotten a much later start than all of the other dancers. She had always thought that it seemed a bit boring anyway...
But then he said that she didn't have to help with any of this; that she was 'his star.' As appealing as that sounded (she did enjoy the feeling of being in the spotlight the past couple of nights), something about it didn't feel quite right. “But I want to help,” she insisted. “It sounds like it could be fun.” …..other than the sewing, she added to herself.
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Erik Lenoir
Hide your face, so the world will never find you...
Hide your face so the world will never find you...
Posts: 1,241
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Post by Erik Lenoir on Jul 13, 2012 23:29:53 GMT -5
"Of course, of course, Christine, you have no need to do any sewing if you do not wish to. And as I mentioned before, there is no need for you to do anything really, unless you wish to. Meg, I am certain, would help you find something suitable if that is your wish."
"You have no idea how happy it makes me feel that you are here..." Erik smiled and looked at her with a kindly and loving look, mirroring the way he had felt toward her before she had so rudely pulled off his mask. But that was in the past. They must start their relationship over. He had made some bad mistakes and he was being given another chance. His love for her had grown again, just in the very short time since she had been here...he wasn't sure how much time had passed, but it was very little he thought...time had no meaning to Erik when Christine was near him. His heart felt mended just looking at her. She was conceding that the chandelier incident was perhaps an error and she did not seem upset about seeing his face. Now the only thing that could ruin their relationship going forward would be de Chagny....he could wreck it all! And he was here. Had she met him? Erik wondered... the friend who took her to dinner?
Forgetting his resolution not to take her hands because of the coldness of his own, he impulsively took her hands in his very gently. "Were you interested in continuing the music lessons, my dear Christine?" he asked, in all sincerity, hoping that she would acquiesce. Not that she needed the lessons anymore, really. But it added to their closeness. His music had a very lovely effect on her...
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Christine Svenna Daaé
Twisted every way, what answer can I give?
Screw being ladylike; Imma Pageboy!
Posts: 230
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Post by Christine Svenna Daaé on Aug 5, 2012 4:21:38 GMT -5
Christine gave a little sigh of relief when the Angel told her that she would not have to help with the sewing if she did not want to. "Oh good," she said. "I do want to help, but I'm really no good at sewing." She had learned a little bit before her father had died, but it was only enough to mend a hole in clothes if she absolutely had to, and it was by no means pretty. "May I see Meg soon? Is she nearby?" The young woman really was rather curious if this were the same Meg which she knew.
She smiled a bit when he looked at her with a kindly gaze and thought for a moment that perhaps Raoul had been completely wrong. After all, he certainly did not seem to mean her any harm now, and if it had all been an accident with the chandelier... Her thoughts suddenly changed though when the Angel seized her hands as he asked if she would care to continue music lessons, and feeling his cold grasp, she was made to remember that morning when she had awoken, surrounded by the mist of the lake in his underground lair and he had chased her about the place yelling hideous curses at her after she had removed his mask. Instinctivly, she quickly withdrew her hands and let out a little gasp. "I... I would like to continue sometime, but... I am not so sure right now," she replied nervously, hugging her upper arms as a sort of security. He is just a man. He is just a man...
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Erik Lenoir
Hide your face, so the world will never find you...
Hide your face so the world will never find you...
Posts: 1,241
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Post by Erik Lenoir on Aug 5, 2012 15:22:16 GMT -5
Erik smiled when Christine mentioned about how lacking she was in sewing skills. "As I said, you don't have to do anything but sing. I told you that you are my star." He paused when she mentioned Meg. "As to Meg, I would certainly introduce you to her...as I said before, but most of the time I do not know where she is. She makes herself rather scarce sometimes and I expect that if I needed her to do something immediately, I would be in dire straits. But that is not your concern. And the next time I see her, I shall mention that you wish to re-acquaint yourself with her. I am sure she would be quite pleased."
Christine smiled a bit when Erik looked on her with a gaze of kindness. He was elated; he was perhaps wooing his angel back! But then he broke the spell by taking her hands gently and she pulled them away and gasped. He could have kicked himself. His cold hands had startled her. He must remember she was a delicate girl and he must tread carefully so as to not frighten her. But he thought he had been doing that. Perhaps she was still afraid of him. She started hugging her upper arms in an odd gesture.
Erik blinked a bit, not knowing how to bring her out of her fear. Perhaps his odd looks were frightening her too. He knew he looked a bit strange, even with the mask firmly in place. And when he thought about it, the times when he had been with Christine when she had seemed comfortable, were the times when she had been mesmerized by his singing. When the spell was broken, she was afraid. Certainly she remembered clearly the time when she had pulled off his mask and his reaction of extreme anger. He supposed it must have been frightening for her; he had meant it to be...Now he wished desperately that he had not exploded in such a tirade of cursing and anger...But all was not lost.
"Christine, I realize I have never told you my name...It's Erik...Erik Lenoir. And I would like to invite you to sing for me. Would you care to see the opera house? You could try the stage for yourself, even though the place is not refurbished yet, it has been cleaned. I would dearly love to hear you sing again..."
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Christine Svenna Daaé
Twisted every way, what answer can I give?
Screw being ladylike; Imma Pageboy!
Posts: 230
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Post by Christine Svenna Daaé on Aug 24, 2012 16:41:42 GMT -5
Christine pondered to herself as he spoke of Meg. The Meg that she knew, whenever there was a sign of the Opera Ghost, she would run crying He's here, the Phantom of the Opera! She supposed that by his description of her disappearing frequently, she supposed it could be the Meg that she knew, but then again, if it were, then why would he not be sure? She and Meg were rarely apart while at the Opera....
She clasped her hands in front of her in an attempt to keep the from the masked figure before her. His hands had been quite cold, and his touch had startled her a bit, and she was made, once more, to remember what Raoul had told her the night before. She was about to turn to try to run, but something he said made her stop.
Christine, I realize I have never told you my name...It's Erik...Erik Lenoir.
She paused. Erik.... Her 'Angel of Music' finally had a name. “It..... It is good to finally know your name, Erik.... I actually have already seen the opera house here.... last night..... But thank you”
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Erik Lenoir
Hide your face, so the world will never find you...
Hide your face so the world will never find you...
Posts: 1,241
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Post by Erik Lenoir on Aug 25, 2012 12:07:34 GMT -5
"Christine, you know I'm not a ghost or phantom really, do you not? I am a live man, there is nothing about me of which to be frightened... The rumours at the Opéra Populaire made me into a fearsome spectre, but I am not a ghost, I assure you. I am a man with feelings and thoughts the same as anyone...And I would never hurt you, really...Please forgive me for being a bit rough with you back at the opera house; I had no right to become so angry with you...I am terribly sorry..."
Erik could feel himself losing her, little by little. Everything he did to try to assuage her fears of him had only made it worse. Her body language, clasping her hands in front of her seemed an unconscious attempt, he thought, to keep him at a distance, both physically and symbolically. He would not have been surprised had she tried to run out the door.
He finally told her his name, for he had withheld it so long to create and sustain the aura of mystery and ghostliness that he had tried to create as the Phantom. Now, face to face, and after she had seen his real face in his lair at the Opéra Populaire, and most importantly, remembered it and his screaming rage at her, he knew that he had a lot of work to do to win back her confidence and for her to see him without fear. The first step, he hoped, was telling her his name. The next step? He didn't know.
Erik normally was quite persuasive, but it didn't seem to be working with Christine. Erik knew there must be a way to bring her around, but what? Music, then, must be the answer.
"Christine, please sit down." He gestured toward a chair and took a seat in one next to it. "Your voice...we must continue with the lessons. Your voice is perfection, but one must continually work to keep it at that level and strive to make it even better." His voice grew soft and persuasive. "I have really missed our sessions together. And this time we would not have to be separated by the mirror. "
"Christine, I really long to hear your voice again," he said, and he truly meant it. "If you don't feel comfortable sisnging upon the stage in the opera house, then where? I would be amenable to any place in the mansion..."
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Christine Svenna Daaé
Twisted every way, what answer can I give?
Screw being ladylike; Imma Pageboy!
Posts: 230
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Post by Christine Svenna Daaé on Sept 29, 2012 4:53:05 GMT -5
“I... I do realize that,” she began. “That you are a man and not a ghost... I.... I remember how sad you were.... When I took your mask from you... I'm... I'm sorry... I didn't know. I was never trying to upset you...” She paused, unsure of how to respond to 'And I would never hurt you, really... Some part of her, deep down, believed him, but she also remembered Raoul's words and the falling chandelier the evening before... but did that really matter? After all, she and Raoul weren't married. She was in no way obligated to listen to his requests... “I forgive you,” she said finally. There. It was done.
She hesitated for a brief moment, but then sat down as he gestured toward a seat at the dining room table. Se listened as he spoke. Their lessons, of course!.... He was right, and she knew it. Her father had practiced his violin every single day, and Madame Giry would have her and all of the rest of the corps de ballet practice their routines daily. Practice, after all, was the key to success.
“I... I never said that I felt uncomfortable singing in the opera house; just that I had been there last night...” She had often been curious during their lessons as to what could possibly be there behind the mirror. She didn't know now whether she should consider that curiosity to be satisfied, or if she should regret having wondered in the first place...
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Erik Lenoir
Hide your face, so the world will never find you...
Hide your face so the world will never find you...
Posts: 1,241
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Post by Erik Lenoir on Sept 30, 2012 14:11:22 GMT -5
"I know you weren't trying to upset me...you were just curious. And I am sure I made that curiosity more because I taught you t hrough the mirror. But you understand, I could not suddenly appear without having you know me in some other way...through my voice. And as for the "Angel of Music," that was quite incidental. You had heard of this from your father and quite naturally it seemed to fit when you brought it up. I shouldn't of course, have perpetuated it, but you seemed quite delighted with the thought."
Then she said the three words Erik had hoped she would say, I forgive you. He became slightly emotional at that and a tear escaped his eye before he could turn his face and brush it roughly away. "Thank you, Christine, for that. As I said, I never meant to hurt you..."
"And you do understand why I masqueraded as the Phantom for so long. I know everyone was afraid of me, but that was the point. They would never have listened if I had simply shown up and made my demands. And really, I had the good of the opera in mind..." He looked at her with sincerity in his eyes and was telling the truth as he saw it.
"And Christine, there is another reason I could not appear in person. You yourself know what curiosity is like when you saw the mask. You immediately wish to know why I was wearing it, so you pulled it off. I have to be constantly aware that someone might do that. So you see, I needed to keep that aura of ghostliness about myself."
He looked happy when Svenna said she would sing in the opera house. He thought it a better choice than his lair. That would probably frighten her terribly. "Excellent. The opera house it is. When did you wish to start again?"
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Christine Svenna Daaé
Twisted every way, what answer can I give?
Screw being ladylike; Imma Pageboy!
Posts: 230
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Post by Christine Svenna Daaé on Nov 13, 2012 15:41:18 GMT -5
((Sorry this took so long. Somehow I missed this thread when I was recollecting for the list of replies to do.))
Christine's bright eyes darkened.
You had heard of this from your father...
Father... Yes, the 'Angel of Music' was something that her father had spoken of quite frequently. It was an Angel who was supposed to inspire musicians to create the greatest of music. Christine thought that her father, being the the talented musician he was, had most certainly heard the Angel of Music, though he denied ever having heard so. He had promised though, that when he was dead, he would send to her the Angel of Music, and until only a couple of days ago, she was certain that he had...
“I know,” she said, shaking the sudden gloom and trying her best to appear pleasant once more. “I know you were trying to help...” She listened as he continued to speak, but she was still distracted by the past and her mind wandered about from memory to memory in confusion, the images of the lessons with her father and the lessons with Lenoir blurring. It was beginning to make her head hurt.
He asked her when she wanted to start again. “I... I'm not sure, really... tomorrow, perhaps?” She rubbed her temples. “I'm so sorry. My head is just hurting me a bit...”
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