Bravissimo

Rare and Terrifying

Christine-

"Okay! That makes more sense than I had thought." Annabel says as she walks between Firmin and Andre who teach her little by little the mechanics of all the money and payments of the Opera.  Annabel must have just arrived as I haven't seen her all morning, surprisingly I caught Erik on his way and came with him. "Oh, really!" Andre says with a chuckle. "You don't say?" Firmin remarks. "Yes?" Annabel says a bit confused. "Well how about you take these and explain this all to your father?" Firmin says with a smile. "Except!" Andre says and Annabel smiles bigger. "Subtract this number by...." He says running his finger down the paper and landing on one section. "THIS much! And you tell him why fifty thousand franks is outrageous, for this kind of year." He takes his finger away and places his hands on his hips. "Ah yes, we had so much less fourteen years ago." Firmin agrees. "Well, with this much.... how did you get by? You purchased the house from Lefevre for quite a bit, if this number you point to is factual. How did you get by?" She asks and I raise my eyebrows at them with my lips pressed together. I honestly don't know how Erik would like them to answer that. Tread lightly my friends, I think to myself.

"Well of course we had the Vi-" "Very same man who writes your and your mother's and all of our music." Andre says putting a hand on her shoulder and moving her along giving a look to Firmin. "The  Phantom?" Annabel whispers, though no one is here this morning that doesn't know the truth, except for Carlotta who is in her room. "Well, I would say his music saved the Opera, as did your mother's talent, but we cannot deny the rumors of our Opera Ghost did in fact bring in a number of curious people. No matter how deadly the day ended." Annabel squints her eyes thinking, no doubt wondering what Firmin was going to say. "My father..." "What about your father?" Erik says coming around the corner and scooping her up like she's five once more. Annabel laughs as Erik kisses the top of her head and plops her down once more. "Just learning how the House got by in 1881." Erik takes a breath in and crosses his arms raising his eyebrows at the two who nod their heads. "A difficult year it was, thank god for your mother. Now you have the stage to yourself today dear, but first could you go see what Carlotta needs. Probably wardrobe? Thank you." he says as she nods and is already on her way. Though I have in fact noticed she's looked back with a curious gaze. Annabel tugs her brown gloves up to where they are comfortable and continues on to find Carlotta.

I walk over to the group and smile as Erik's face lights up as he steps aside for me to join. Firmin clears his throat; "She's a fast learner no doubt." "Oh, yes. Nothing gets past that one." Andre says with a laugh accidently setting the wrong tone yet again. "So, I am to leave very soon for the next two days, as we finally have a small break. I suppose you all shall as well?" Firmin says and I nod. It will be good to stay home for a bit, heaven knows Gustave misses us all. However getting Annabel to come and stay home will the most challenging part of it all. I smile up at the stage as Annabel laughs at something Carlotta has said so much so she labors for breath. "I agree. We can continue this later over dinner?" Firmin says and Erik nods. "Of course, thank you." he says. "Carlotta? My Diva?" Andre asks. "Oui?" Carlotta answers with her nose up and proud. "Join us all for dinner won't you?" Carlotta looks around for a moment and reluctantly answers with another. "Oui." But this time happier.

Antoinette walks in with a happy Gustave and he immediately runs to Erik. "Well isn't this a surprise!" I say with a smile and Erik grins. "He fell asleep right when we got to my house. So your ball of energy is happy to see you and very rambunctious." Antoinette says with the same small smile she's always had. "Well good thing, cause after today we are going home for the next couple days." I say and fix his small shirt's collar. Gustave begins to kick his legs and Erik lets him down, immediately he begins to run through the rows of seats and Antoinette goes off to find him. Annabel calmly watches over us as Carlotta has left already, and she slowly begins to dance to the music that exists solely in her head. What I wouldn't give to hear how she does, and see everything as clear as she seems to. The music in her head must be astounding and nothing short of what her father creates. The day we all perhaps perform her pieces will be a day to remember, and a sad day for all other operas around the world, as nothing will ever compare. It hardly seems fair having both Erik and Annabel, but something would always seem out of sort without both. I lean over to Erik and he hugs me tightly for a moment. "What exactly were you off doing this morning?" I ask of course not expecting a straight answer. "Delivering a letter of importance." he says as both of our eyes lead up to Annabel. I smile as the faded Opera lights glisten off her hair, Annabel's eyes remain shut as she softly moves about. Erik removes his arm from behind me and walks to Maestro's piano and softly begins to play Masquerade.