Old Friend, New Beginning (R.Christophe)

[Alfred Worthington]

Alfred Worthington had left his employer's chateau earlier that morning on his day off. Alfred had worked for the Vicomte Raoul Christophe de Chagny's family for many years and recently had come with the young man as his personal servant at his lovely chateau just outside of Paris. Alfred took a walk nearly every day and was very familiar with the environs surrounding the chateau.

However at this moment, Alfred found himself strangely confused as to where he was. He was standing, looking up at a huge mansion. A beautiful garden surrounded it for quite a distance, disappearing into a wooded area. Alfred has first noticed that he had possibly made a wrong turn when he found himself at the edge of a graveyard. He had never passed any such place when he had come this way before. He had noticed a lovely little gazebo in the garden as he walked by it to come closer to the house. He looked up. The house looked as if more rooms and towers had been added many times over the years. Turrets and balconies and all sorts of windows could be seen. A clock was even in evidence on one of the towers. Odd, thought Alfred. One would normally find a tower clock in a public place where it could be seen by many people. This place was extremely secluded.

The overcast day had made the ever-prepared Alfred take his unbrella along on his walk today. It started to rain gently just then, but instead of opening the umbrella, Alfred tried the door that led from the garden into the house. It was open. Perhaps someone here could set him straight as to where this place was, how he had wandered onto it and how to get back. Alfred took off his bowler and went inside the house. He found himself at the corner of two corridors, where they met at a 90 degree angle. Alfred frowned. There was no one about and he certainly didn't wish to walk about in someone's home...

Alfred looked down the hall to his right. There were windows, high ones, and very clean, he noted with satisfaction, that let in the gloomy light. He sat down on a carved wooden bench under one of the windows. He set down his umbrella and hat and took out his pocket watch. He had plenty of time to walk back to the de Chagny chateau before dark...if...he could find some directions. He wasn't fond of going out in the rain, which, with a glance over his shoulder, he could see had started to become a downpour.

But everything was quiet except for the rain, and soon the thunder. The sky began to become quite dark and the lightening and thunder came quicker and quicker. His umbrella would give him scant protection in this rainstorm. Alfred hoped whoever lived here would be hospitable to strangers. Then, the rain began to slack off and Alfred thought he heard footfalls coming from the other hallway. He stood up and hoped whoever it was could tell him what place this was and how to return home.

[Raoul Christophe de Chagny]

Raoul finished straightening his red tie and walked downstairs, book in hand. The young man was dressed in a plain black Edwardian three-piece sack suit. He had recently visited the legal library and was currently studying for the Common Professional Examination. He had refrained from telling Christine because he didn’t want to disappoint her if he didn’t pass his course, and if he did pass, he wanted it to be a surprise. Besides, then he would feel a lot less insecure in asking Christine to marry him. He would have something to offer her.

He would respect himself far more than he did now if he became a solicitor. He wanted it, badly, and he also wanted her. The sooner he took the final exam—and passed it—the better. The sooner he would be able to pass it, the sooner he could begin his apprenticeship and take her away from this place, away from that demon. They would be happy, he would fix whatever damage he had done to her mind, and they would be free.

He still feared losing her. Lenoir was still influencing her, he knew it. He wouldn’t lose her—he couldn’t—not to that thing, that hell spawn. How could she not love him and only him? What advantage did he have over him? That stupid voice of his—why did that even matter? He had never committed a crime, and he aimed to defend justice, not obstruct it. He would have money, and he would make her comfortable and happy.

He entered a sitting room and started walking toward an arm chair, but stopped when he saw a white-haired man sitting by the window. “Oh, hello, I didn’t see you there.” He stepped closer and stopped in his tracks upon realizing who he was looking at. “Alfred!”

[Alfred Worthington]

Alfred looked up, almost startled as someone spoke his name. He had been daydreaming a bit, tyring to figure out how to find his way back to the de Chagny chateau. He stood up at the sound of the voice, a very familiar voice and his eyes opened wide. He smiled widely and said, surprised, "Master Raoul!" He proffered his hand, but then it became a hug, as he had hugged Raoul as a child. Alfred looked at the young man again and said in a puzzled voice, "Whatever are you doing here?"

Alfred was so delighted with seeing Raoul that he almost forgot about returning to the chateau. "Sorry for my outburst, Sir, but I didn't expect to see you here. I seem to have become lost on one of my walks." He looked a bit troubled and touched his temple. "It's not like me. I don't know what happened."

Alfred looked at the young man whom he had known since Raoul was a child. He smiled. "It's good to see a familiar face, Master Raoul. How long are you staying here? I should prepare the chateau for your return."

"And Master Raoul, what is this place? I've never seen it before on one of my walks and I come past here every day..."

[Raoul Christophe de Chagny]

Raoul was surprised by the hug, but in all honesty if Alfred hadn’t initiated it, he would have. He wasn’t used to giving hugs to people but this man was all that his father should have been—no, I shouldn’t think that… Part of him was angry at his father for not paying more attention to him…but he was the reason for his mother’s death. Alfred however, had made his life at the family mansion much more bearable, and he had been the one to comfort him after the Comte’s death.
“You can’t possibly fathom how happy I am to see you, Alfred.” Raoul said brightly when the older man pulled away. He began to open his mouth to answer his question but was interrupted when he apologized. The young man smiled patiently and shook his head. “There’s no need to apologize, Alfred—you’re family, you know that.” He knew quite what he meant when he explained that he had gotten lost on one of his walks. He was known for taking plenty of walks around the grounds and around the area when he wasn’t on duty. Somehow he must have been taken here on one of his walks.

“It is very good to see you as well, Alfred.” he repeated, still grinning. At his question he paused. “I’m going to be here for quite some time I’d imagine…unfortunately I don’t believe there is any way to return to the chateau. I’ll explain to you what I think has happened, but you might take it better sitting down.”

( OOC: Sorry about the wait! )

[Alfred Worthington]

"Perhaps, Master Raoul, you should show me where you are staying, I would be delighted to take care of your clothing and tidy up a bit, that is if you wish me to do so." Alfred. became quiet for a moment and frowned a bit. "When did you arrive? I saw you just yesterday, at the festive event you hosted with Master Phillippe..."

When the young Vicomte said he understood how Alfred could have become lost on a walk, Alfred shook his head. "No, Master Raoul. I always know where I am. I never go anywhere without being able to retrace my steps. It is so strange. I ended up near the mausoleum and graveyard some distance from this house. And on a day like this, pouring rain and thunder...a bit unsettling."

"Is there a place where I could hang up my wet clothing? Do they possibly have a spare room? If you are staying here for quite some time, I should stay here with you to take care of those valet duties or anything else really."

Alfred's heart was warmed when the young Vicomte said that he was like family. "That is, of course, a very lovely thing for you to say..." Then Raoul offered to exzplain some of the things that happened. "Here in the hallway, Sir...perhaps somewhere else...a bit later, when my clothing dries?:

[Raoul Christophe de Chagny]

“Of course, of course—and I can show you your own quarters as well.” Raoul suggested when Alfred asked if he could see where he was staying. “Well, that’s just it—I arrived here several months ago, not long before my birthday. It was the night of the gala at the Populaire celebrating the two new managers and my patronage—and I was going to visit Christine Daaé.” He knew that this of course was after whatever party he was referring to. “It’s rather confusing Alfred—how I ended up here…”


“Well, you see, that’s sort of like what happened when I came here too. You see, I was walking through the opera house and I felt faint. I ended up blacking out and woke up in a chair in an empty room here. After some exploring I discovered that I was in England. I thought initially that I had been drugged, but as I met more people with similar stories I discovered that it was unlikely that it was the case. This place…is a bit of a madhouse. I should like to go home but I don’t know how…this place we’re in…we’re in the future, but a future in which no one thinks we exist—that is, the name ‘de Chagny’ means absolutely nothing…”

He stopped when Alfred asked if there was somewhere he could put his clothing. “Yes, yes. Follow me. There’s an empty room next to mine that no one uses.”

[Alfred Worthington]

Alfred's prominent eyes opened wider and he looked surprised. "I have a designated room of my own? Whay that is splendid, Master Raoul. I was not expecting such a thing." The explanation of how the Vicomte had arrived at the manor made Alfred feel a bit better. Apparently the confusion was wide spread. However, he still could not explain how the young Vicomte could have been at the party just the evening last and yet said he had been here for months. And how de Chagny had been patron at the Populaire for at least a half year and Alfred had attended several operas with his good friend Juliette. So it didn't make sense that Master Raoul had arrived just as they were celebrating his patronage of the opera house...but it didn't really matter. Alfred put it out of his mind. He always tried to live in the present and to do his job the best way he could. There was no use thinking about the strangenesses of the mansion, at least now, when there were no answers.

De Chagny told him the whole confusing story of how he ended up at the mansion. "So, who have you met here? Are there any interesting people about? I suppose it's none of my business, but I expect I should know who your acquaintances are so that I can properly greet and serve them when they come to call."

Then de Chagny said the place was a bit of a madhousse and he expressed the wish that he could go home. And then he said the oddest thing...that this place was in the future. Alfred looked up noncommitally. "In the future, Master Raoul? Is that not an impossibliity?" He mentioned that the name "de Chagny" meant absolutely nothing any more. "Indeed, Master Raoul. It's a shame. But perhaps not a tragedy. We shall see what this strange future brings then."

Alfred hoped that his master would show him to this room that was designated as his. Instead he said he would show him to an empty room next to his own suite. Alfred said nothing. Whatever Master Raoul wanted, suited Alfred.

[Raoul Christophe de Chagny]

“Of course, Alfred. I figured you’d like it if our rooms were in the same wing, since it is kind of easy to get lost here, at least when you’re first getting used to the layout.” Raoul replied with a faint smile. It had certainly taken him forever to get a feel for where everything was. He had gotten lost in the manor several times, but he had always managed to find his way back to where he had started. Now that he knew where everything was, he at least didn’t feel as trapped as he had felt initially.

“Well it’s rather funny, actually. I met an older version of myself—well…no I wouldn’t like to call him that. He looks a little like me, but shorter—and he’s middle-aged. But he’s a little odd. He’s certainly nothing like me. I’ve met his wife and their child, and I thankfully have managed to find Christine—she was dragged into this whole messy business as well. And there’s this man—the one who’s been giving the opera house trouble. He calls himself the ‘Opera Ghost’, but his name is Erik, Erik Lenoir. He’s a murderer and a kidnapper, but he…he tricked Christine, and taught her how to sing, and I’m afraid that she has feelings for him. There are a few others I’ve met—there seem to be several people with my name, and quite a few with Christine’s as well. For example, the older man and his wife—their names are Raoul and Christine de Chagny.” he answered when Alfred asked him about his acquaintances.

“That’s precisely what I thought when I was told…but I’m afraid there’s no other explanation, at least not any that makes more sense than this one.” He nodded at Alfred’s comment and smiled. “Well it’s all the more bearable with another familiar face.” he stated as he showed him the way to the room.

[Alfred Worthington]

"Yes of course, I would be happy with any place you would wish me to stay, Master Raoul. How does one obtain clothing here? I will also need a schedule of what you wish me to prepare for you...when you wish breakfast, lunch, dinner and how many I should prepare for."

"I agree, the manor seems quite overwhelming. Perhaps I shall explore a bit on my own time."

When de Chagny began to enumerate the acquaintances he had made in the mansion, Alfred was quite surprised to hear that there were more than one Raoul and Christine. "An older version of yourself?" Alfred smiled. That seemed odd. His blue eyes lit up when Raoul mentioned that Christine was here at the mansion. "Miss Daaé? Why that is splendid. I have not seen her for so long, except at the opera. She has the loveliest voice I have ever heard. Her teacher must have been good, but he did have a lot to work with."

Alfred frowned when de Chagny said that the man named Lenoir was a kidnapping murderer. "Oh? I was in the kitchen just this morning, having found it myself, and two fellows entered. One a tall older fellow with white hair and a moustache. He seems about my age and height. He calls himself Billie Cristoferson. And the other...a shorter, younger man who wore a half mask. Odd looking, but pleasant. He said his name was Erik Lenoir.... He certainly didn't seem like a kidnapper or a murderer to me. But then, I suppose, what does a kidnapper or a murderer look like?" He thought it very odd that Christophe's acquaintance bore the same name and so did his wife. "How very cryptic. Well, I shall keep an ear out and perhaps will learn something of interest."

"And yes, it's very good to see a familiar face, and I look forward to serving you here in the mansion, Master Raoul." Alfred smiled at the young nobleman. "Perhaps with time, I think this mansion could really become home."

[Raoul Christophe de Chagny]

“The room I’m going to show you should have a few sets of clothes in your size. It appears our host knew exactly who was coming and what type of clothing would fit his guests.” Whoever he is. He used to despise the anonymous owner of the mansion, but now his feelings toward the man ( or woman for that matter ) were ambivalent. He had, after all, a comfortable teaching job, was nearly finished with a master’s program in law, and was preparing to practice law at a little firm in the village. And he could marry Christine without fear of society or his brother’s reprisal. It wasn’t as bad as he had originally believed.

“Thank you, Alfred. Usually it is just me…but lately Miss Daaé has been joining me for dinner. I usually take lunch at a little café in the village, or at work—I’m teaching at a school, you know. It’s rather fulfilling actually…it’s just until I finish with my study of the law. I should be able to practice by the end of this year as a solicitor.”

He nodded and gestured toward the stairs, beginning to climb them. He smiled as the butler spoke of Christine. “That she does. And a lovelier face I’ve never seen…” He blushed a little, not having intended to say what he had out loud. His face darkened at the mention of her teacher, but he tried not to let his voice betray his anger. “I believe that her talent is hers and hers alone—regardless of who taught her…she had the potential. And I am happy that she’s realized it…it’s only I’ve met her teacher—and he is the murderer I spoke of.”

He stopped at the first landing when Alfred mentioned having met Lenoir. “He seeks to deceive everyone around him—as he has done to Christine. He led her to believe that he was an angel—like the one her father would tell us about in his stories. She believed him and…well I have reason to believe he tried to compromise her honor. And I won’t have it. Nor will I have him killing stagehands and opera singers in angry fits.” Not as the patron nor as the man who was courting the woman the Phantom was terrorizing—he would not stand for this.

“Yes…well looks can be deceiving. He makes it his business to deceive everyone around him.” Raoul answered when Alfred said that Lenoir hadn’t looked too much like a kidnapper or murderer. “He’s my rival as well, can you believe it? I…I intend to marry Mademoiselle Daaé and I have reason to believe that she may have feelings for this man.”

His face relaxed into a smile and he nodded congenially at the older man. “Perhaps…until…well if I wed Miss Daaé I should like to buy a place of our own. It’ll be much smaller for the time being—I don’t suppose you’d like to stay on?”

( OOC: Sorry this took so long! )

[Alfred Worthington]

Alfred smiled when Raoul said that he often had dinner with Christine Daaé. "I had hoped for a long time that something good would happen between the two of you," said Alfred, obviously pleased. He noticed the slight blush on his employer's face as he spoke of Christine. Then Raoul said that he would be studying the law. "That is quite an honourable profession, Master Raoul, if the one who takes it up, takes care to be scrupulously honest, as I know you shall be."

Then Raoul said something a bit shocking. "Miss Daaé's teacher is a murderer? And lying to the poor girl! How is that possible? He's not here, is he? You must keep her away from this teacher by all means! Is there anything I can do to help?" So disturbed was Alfred with t his news that his questions came as a torrent.

Then Raoul said that Christine could have feelings for Lenoir, the Phantom. "That is even more incredible," said Alfred. "I know she is a bit naiive, but really..."

"Of course I would stay on, Master Raoul. Your family has always been congenial and good to me and I shall gladly serve you as best I can."

"So where is this room, Master Raoul? I would like to become settled here. I have no desire to leave as long as you and Miss Daée are here." Secretly, the only reason he would even wish to leave at all was Juliette, his best friend and the woman he had hoped to marry. Alfred sighed inaudibly. He would have to find a way to correspond with her. Perhaps a way to bring her here..."

[Raoul Christophe de Chagny]

Raoul smiled at Alfred’s comment about him and Christine. “So have I, Alfred…when I left I was afraid we’d never cross paths again. I suppose fate just has a way of bringing us together.” Words could not describe how happy he’d been the night he saw her again at the opera after five years. Because of whatever had happened to him not long after, he had not been able to speak with her until several months later, and by then he was bitter because of his meetings with the older Christine who was married to his supposed older, drunken self. Thankfully as far as he knew, Christine didn’t know about either of them. If she found out that he would turn into a drunk, there was no way she would accept his proposal.

“Thank you, Alfred. I shall do my best to uphold the law once I pass my exams—which should be in a few months, actually. Once I have enough saved I would rather like to buy a place in London and work there.”

He nodded gravely. “Yes, he is I’m afraid. He admitted it to me himself, and I’ve heard the testimony of several witnesses…but due to the circumstances it’s highly doubtful any of it will be admissible as evidence in court.” he stated a bit bitterly. “Unfortunately he is. I know he didn’t hurt you but it would be in your interest as well to stay away from him. That animal tried to kill me. Luckily I taught him a lesson, but that doesn’t mean he won’t try to seduce Christine. I’ve told her to stay away from him but I’m afraid she won’t listen. She’s impossibly stubborn at times…” he muttered. A grim smile appeared on his face when Alfred commented on her being naïve. “Indeed. Which is why she must be protected. I would like to take her as far away as I can from that monster.”

“Thank you, Alfred. I appreciate it. It’s nice to have someone on my side.” Raoul replied with a grin when Alfred agreed to stay. “It’s just down this hallway…ah, here we are.” He stopped outside of the room and opened the door. “No one has stayed here since I arrived. I hope you’ll find it agreeable.”

[Alfred Worthington]

Alfred entered the suite which Master Raoul had pointed out. He stepped into the room and blinked. When he opened his eyes, the room was still the same...Yes the same as his room at the de Chagny mansion just outside of Paris! Now how could that be? It was just as he had left it when he had seen it last. The outer hallway was the same and the sitting room also, with its marble fireplace and elegant chandelier. Alfred had always wondered why Master Raoul had not set him a room in the servant's quarters, but it may have been because he considered him a part of the family, having been his teacher and almost a father to Christophe when he was growing up. Master Raoul's real father and older brother had always been quite distant.

He peeked into the bedroom, with its elegant canopy bed and another fireplace. His beloved violin sat upon the dresser. He almost ran over to it and removed it from its case, almost caressing it. He rosined the bow and fine tuned the strings. He played a bit on the instrument. It was as lovely as always. His collection of antique firearms were mounted on the wall in the sitting room as they had been when Alfred had painstakingly made display cases for them. Then he looked at the rest of the suite. Everything was as if the whole suite had been brought from the de Chagny mansion and set here in the manor.

Alfred was so taken aback by the amazingly familiar suite that he thought for a moment that it must be a dream. Then he went outside in the hall again. As he was shutting the door, he saw a gold engraved sign on the door with the words, Alfred Worthington...

Christophe was still outside the door and Alfred looked at him, frowning in confusion. "How can this be, Master Raoul?"