Broken Song- Chapter 2

Chapter 2:
Erik followed Christine and the girl as long as he could in the flies until they hit the hallways. After that, he took to the tunnels and looked through the small vents set up in the halls to see where they were going. That girl needed to leave Christine alone so he could speak with her! Soon he saw they were going in the Prima Dona's room, and he stopped and took the route that would lead to the dark space behind the mirror. He shuddered thinking of his past experience with this tunnel, but shook them off and hurried down the passageways.
Once Erik made it to the looking glass, he saw the pair had already made it to the room. Christine had her back to him and appeared to be admiring the vanity. Erik saw her hair wasn't nearly as curly as it used to be, and she had gotten more curves. Seeing her this close now took his breath away. What would he say to her? 'I'm here, your angel of music.'? What was he expecting? Her to come back for him? Why would anyone come back for poor Erik? He realized that it was foolish of him to think she would ever come back for this disgusting gargoyle... Christine was probably just visiting Antoinette's daughter. The feeling of doubt and disappointment was crushing. He stared dejectedly at her as she went on surveying the vanity. Something brought her attention over to the mirror and she started walking toward it. Erik cowered farther into the shadows, for fear of her seeing him. She walked right up to the mirror and put one of her delicate hands against the glass. He observed her face, wanting to take in every detail, because he knew this was probably the last time he'd ever see her. Wait. His Christine didn't have green eyes! She had big brown eyes, like a doe's. This- this imposter had startling green eyes! On closer inspection he saw her face was more round than Christine's as well. He was angry at the girl, as if it were her fault he'd thought she was Christine. A snarl was about to escape his lips, while a voice in the back of his head told him to punish her for fooling him, for giving him false hope. She had brought her attention away from the mirror and began talking, but Erik was no longer listening; all he could do was imagine having the girl's neck between his hands.
Damnit!
Erik turned on his heels and stormed back down to his lair. On the way, he thought of what would be the best way to go about punishing the stupid girl. While pushing the gondola down the water ways he thought to his red death mask and black Don Juan cloak. Surely, he could scare the wits out of her with that, and for good measure he would bring his punjab lasso. Yes, it was all coming together now... He jumped out of the boat, almost stumbling to his knees, and took a large sip of the closest ale bottle; he was going to have some fun with this.
Claire walked with Genevieve to the girl's dorms and went inside. The small room was now packed with girls changing from their ballet attire to casual wear for dinner. Claire squeezed past all the girls changing and sat on her tiny bed.
Might as well start unpacking
Claire got up and began opening her bags. She took out her few dresses and stuffed them in the tiny drawers under her bed. She carefully took out the two books she had brought with her and put them in the bedside table's cabinet. Lastly, she took out her ballet attire and stored that in the drawer next to her normal clothes.
By the time Claire finished, the room was beginning to empty as the girl's all began heading to the cast and crew's dining hall. Genevieve tugged Claire's arm and started pushing ahead of all the girls still in the room.
"Excuse me. Make way."
Finally, they burst out into the hallway and began walking to the dining hall. They passed a wide array of people on their way through the opera house. Soon the duo came to a large pair of double doors that were open. Inside people were walking around and taking food from tables to the side of the room. The sound of people talking was almost deafening as Claire timidly walked through the room. Genevieve weaved through the crowd to the table that had enormous stacks of plates on them. Genevieve snatched two and tossed one to Claire.
"Every ballerina for themselves!" She laughed then slipped into the crowd to get her food. Claire stood there bewildered in the crowd of moving people for a moment. She didn't even know where the tables were! Claire jumped on her tip toes, to try and see above the tall people's heads. She saw the table and began making her way through the crowd. After almost tripping about five times, Claire finally made it to the food. During her tour, she hadn't really thought about eating, but now her stomach was growling like a lion. Claire quickly threw two rolls, a slice of roast beef, and cooked tomatoes onto her plate. Claire then dodged her way through the crowd and got to the tables where everyone was sitting down. She scanned the tables, hoping to find Genevieve somewhere. Right as Claire started to lose hope of finding her, she saw her friend waving her arms in the air and gesturing for her to join her. Claire swiftly maneuvered to the table and sat down next to Genevieve. Genevieve quickly introduced Claire to everyone sitting at the table. She sat quietly and just listened to what everyone was saying while she was eating since Genevieve was by far the most talkative.
"Have you all heard what the new ballet is going to be in a few months?" a blonde girl, Paige, asked.
Genevieve was quick to respond.
"Oh yes! It's going to be Coppelia."
Claire thought she had heard of it before. Something about a doll that looked real and a man fell in love with her. It seemed really interesting.
"What would you want to be in it, Claire?" Genevieve asked, trying to get Claire in the conversation. She looked down for a second at her plate, then back up.
"Um, well, I-I haven't really heard that much about it... Isn't it about a doll that looks real or something?"
Genevieve laughed and began to explain Coppelia to Claire.
"Coppelia takes place in a small village, where an old man-"
"Dr. Coppelius," Paige interjected.
"Yes, Dr. Coppelius lived an old broken down house in the town. A girl named Swanilda also lived in the town and was in love with a man named Franz. One day, Swanilda saw a girl through Dr. Coppelius' window reading. She waved, but the girl wouldn't respond, so she left. Next, Franz saw the girl and fell in love when she got up and blew kisses at him." Genevieve stopped, taking a breath.
"What he didn't know was that Dr. Coppelius had actually wound up the doll, Coppelia, and that the kisses were for him," another ballerina, Elicia, said.
"Swanilda saw Coppelia 'flirting' with Franz and became mad. After they argue and make up, Franz goes to the bar with some friends and Swanilda goes to be with her friends. Franz's friends harass Dr. Coppelius when he goes to the bar. Swanilda sees the doctor dropped his key so she and her friends sneak into his house with it. Franz sneaks into the doctor's house through the window." Genevieve took another bite of her roll then continued. "Swanilda and the friends looked around his house and accidentally turned on some of his other life sized dolls. They then found Coppelia in a closet and saw she was only a doll. The Doctor comes back into the house and then chases all the girls away, except Swanilda, who hides in the closet and changes into Coppelia's clothes. Franz by this point has climbed into the house and gets surprised by Dr. Coppelius. He takes Franz and knocks him out and brings out Coppelia, or Swanilda. Dr. Coppelius thinks he can bring Coppelia to life by taking Franz's spirit and putting it in the doll. He starts doing some magic stuff, and Swanilda plays along. Dr. Coppelius continues bringing her to life, while she is trying to wake up Franz. Eventually Franz wakes up and they both escape, leaving Dr. Coppelius sad and confused."
Claire picked at her food while listening to this great ballet. She looked around at everyone at the table and noticed someone was looking at her contently. He wasn't at the table, he was sitting across the room with a bunch of other men. When she caught him staring at her, he smiled and winked, then went back to eating. Claire's face felt red hot as she suddenly became very interested with the cooked tomatoes on her plate. She would need to ask Genevieve who that was later. Claire quickly tuned back in to what Genevieve, who was finishing explaining the ballet's plot, was saying.
"And then they all live happily ever after!" Genevieve smiled and looked around the table. Claire decided it was her time to say something so everyone wouldn't think she was mousy.
"So what are you guys going to audition for?" She smiled and waited for their answers. All the responses were either Swanilda or a doll in Dr, Coppelius' home. Claire didn't know what she would try-out for! There were so many parts, but she knew she would probably be cast as one of the villagers because of her being new.
Everyone began picking up their plates and disposing of them in a bin next to the exits. The crowd slowly began to thin and soon Claire and Genevieve were the last ones in the dining hall.
"Are you ready to go, Claire?"
Genevieve didn't wait for an answer as she got up and started toward the doors they'd entered the room through. Claire scrambled to get her plate and cup and scurried after her friend. They had just left the room when Claire began debating whether or not to ask Genevieve who that man was in the dining hall. They had rounded a corner in the maze-like opera when Genevieve looked at Claire.
"You look like you're debating about something. What's on your mind?" The kind smile on the ballerina's face reassured Claire it would be a good time to ask.
"Well... When you were telling about the ballet, I was looking around the dining hall and I saw a man looking at me across the room, he smiled and winked at me when I saw him."
"What does he look like?" Claire thought for a second.
"He had curly bronze hair, and he looked really strong. Like a backstage hand maybe?"
Genevieve looked annoyed as they started down another hall.
"Ugh, I know who that probably is. It's probably Geraud Fontaine." She shook her head while continuing, "He thinks he's so great and strong. Practically thinks he's God's gift to the world."
Genevieve stopped and took Claire's arm.
"Claire, if he tries anything on you don't fall for it. He's just an arrogant air head that has been with more women than all the other guys here put together."
Claire thought the man had looked nice, but now that Genevieve was telling her all this, she was becoming more weary.
"If he tries anything clever, tell me, and I'll show him what for."
With that Genevieve stormed off down the hall, leaving Claire very confused behind her until she began hurrying to catch up with her friend.
Claire followed Genevieve inside the door to the dormitories and saw that most of the girls were changed into pajamas and getting ready for bed. She trudged to her bed, the excitement of the day finally getting to her and making her tired. Claire changed into her night gown and took out her silver hair brush. Claire listened to the other girls talk amongst themselves and laughed when she saw one of the smaller ballerinas fall off her bed. She gently placed the brush on her bedside table, then snuggled under her covers and fell asleep.
Claire woke up to someone shaking her.
"Wake up, we're going to be late to practice!" Claire recognized Genevieve's voice and slowly opened her eyes. Her friend was standing over her, already dressed in her ballet attire.
"You have about ten minutes before you have to be on stage. I have to go, so you'd better hurry up unless you want to suffer Madame Giry's wrath!"
With that, Genevieve was out the door, and Claire was left to stumble around and slowly get dressed. After successfully tying her shoes, Claire dashed out of the room and ran down the halls. Thankfully, she remembered the way to the stage, or else she would have gotten lost for who knew how long in the seemingly endless halls. Claire scurried onto the stage and hastily joined the other girls in stretching. Luckily, Madame Giry didn't seem to notice her arrive, so she just joined in with the other girls. She saw Genevieve talking to Paige across the stage and thought it would be better to just stay where she was so she wouldn't stick out. Soon Madame Giry had all the ballet rats doing pointe work and practicing different routines. Claire had never done so many things in one practice and was ready to drop to the floor towards the end.
"That was a decent job today girls, but we still need to work. Be here the same time tomorrow."
Giry dismissed all the girls to leave after three and a half hours of practice. Claire began walking off the stage with Paige and Genevieve until she heard Madame Giry.
"Claribel, can you come here?"
Claire froze and turned around. Was she in trouble on the first day? Did Madame Giry notice her showing up a little late? Claire's imagination on all the ways she could be in trouble whirled out of control as the ballerina walked to Madame Giry.
"Yes, Madame?" Claire said in a small voice while looking at her shoes.
"Lift up your face silly girl, you look as if I'm going to spank you!"
Claire quickly lifted her face and looked at Madame Giry and listened as she continued.
"Now, I was wondering if you would like some extra practice. I don't mean to sound offensive dear, but I could see you having a little trouble keeping up with some of the other girls."
Claire's face turned beat red and she looked down again, embarrassed.
"It wouldn't be on the stage, there is a small room backstage that has mirrors and a piano, I think that would suffice."
Claire didn't even notice she was having trouble! She wanted to yell at the woman for saying such a thing. But, then again, a little help never hurt anyone... Swallowing her pride, Claire looked up and said, "Thank you, Madame, when would you like to help me?"
Without missing a beat Madame Giry replied, "Right now if you wouldn't mind, Claribel."
Claire wanted to cry out. She had just finished a grueling practice! She didn't know if she could handle anymore. But the look on the woman's said that she would not be pleased at all if Claire didn't do as she was told right now. Sighing, Claire nodded and began following Madame Giry to the ballet room. They exited the stage opposite of the way Claire entered, so she was completely lost after they hit the hallways. Giry led Claire to the room which had mirrors lined on all sides and a small piano in the corner.
"Now, I want you to start by showing me a grand jeté."
Claire went across the room and got a running jump, while doing a split in the air.
"Very good, but you were not in a full split. Try again."
The tired ballerina knew this was going to take forever.
By the time Madame Giry released her, Claire felt like her legs were going to fall off. They had spent the whole two hours perfecting her grand jeté and Madame Giry still told her it needed work. About ready to drop, Claire stumbled out of the ballet studio and began walking down the halls.
Wait... I have no clue where I'm going!
Sadly she realized that after walking for a while. Claire looked both down the halls and thought it would be best to try to retrace her steps. She began to walk down the ones that she thought she remembered going through. After a while, Claire lost hope and decided that starving down here would be easier than having to walk anymore. She plopped herself down in the hallway and began massaging her aching legs. After a while the soreness faded a bit, and Claire decided to forge ahead. Standing up she randomly chose a hallway to walk down. Could it be? Claire saw what looked like backstage! She started to lightly jog and almost wanted to squeal in joy when she found herself amongst the various backstage hands. Now she knew she could find her way back to the dorms. While navigating backstage, Claire felt a tug on her arm. She whirled around, wanting to hit whoever stopped her from getting to her room. She turned around to see that man from the dining hall staring curiously at her.
"Sorry for interrupting you, but I had just never seen you around here and wanted to introduce myself. I'm Geraud Fontaine."
She watched him do a small bow and thought it would be rude not to give him her name.
"I'm Claire Bellenger." She remembered what Genevieve told her and wasn't going to start a conversation with him. "Well, it was nice meeting you, Geraud." As she turned around, he caught her arm again and turned her back around.
"Wait, I was wondering where you were from. You look different than the normal ballerinas."
Claire wanted to slap him for taking her arm like that, but she just huffed and answered, "I'm from a small town named Macon in North France."
Geraud smiled. "That's interesting. Well, I used to be a sailor on La Maîtresse before coming here. I've sailed all around the world and have seen almost everything."
Claire thought it was interesting, but she was not really interested in talking because she was too tired. She took Geraud's hand and took it off her arm.
"That's very nice, but I need to go now. It was a pleasure talking to you." Geraud snatched Claire's hand and put a kiss on it.
"It was a pleasure talking to you too, mademoiselle." The look on Claire's face must have been hilarious because Geraud was laughing as he walked away. She stood there bewildered for a moment then turned around and quickly began walking to her room. That man was ridiculous! Who does that to someone they don't even know?
Claire was still infuriated as she stormed into the dorms. Upon arriving she saw that there was a note on her bed. She picked it up and read it. The note was from Genevieve saying she had gone out for a while and would be back in a few hours. Great. Now Claire was all alone with nothing to do. Oh well, this would actually give Claire time to write to Clemence! After she realized this, Claire hurriedly got a pen, paper, and envelope for the letter. She also picked up one of her books on the way out as she hurried to the Prima Dona's room.
Claire knew the way through the candlelit halls and hastily swung open the door and closed it shut behind her. She went to the little love seat and got to writing.
Dear Clemence,
I got to the opera around noon yesterday, and it's been great! I made a friend, her name's Genevieve, and she showed me around and has been really helpful. All I did the first day was wonder around the building with her and then we went to go eat dinner in an HUGE dining hall. I couldn't hear myself think over everyone talking in there. The food was okay and I found out the next ballet is going to be Coppelia. It's looks so good, and I don't want to spoil it for you when you and mama come to see it. Today, I had ballet practice and am so tired as I write this letter. I practiced for a grand total of five and a half hours today and I can already feel improvements. I miss you so much little sister, write me back as soon as you can and tell me everything that's been happening.
Love and kisses,
Claire
Claire sighed as she signed her name at the bottom. There was a dull ache in her heart that the only way she could talk to her beloved little sister was through a letter. She closed the envelope and signed everything so that it could be sent off. Claire now laid across the love seat and took out her book. The book was about a man named Gulliver who went to a place where there was only people the size of his thumb! Claire thought it was extremely amusing to read about the miniature town and people. She would rather read fantasy than a romance novel any day. Claire thought that the romance was silly and that things like that never actually happened in real life. Some random guy was not going to swoop in and save Claire from tedious everyday life. The thought made Claire laugh and nearly drop her book.
Soon, Claire felt her eyes droop as she looked at the pages. She continued trying to read but just couldn't do it. She gently set the book down next to the couch and curled up, then went to sleep.