His Chosen Angel

Christine's Farewell

   Rain poured heavily outside of the Paris Opera House drenching the cold cobblestone streets. The sharp clack of hooves sounded on the pavement often accompanied by the creaking of carriage wheels. Many Parisians hurried about attempting to escape the downpour that fell from the dreary autumn skies. However, one carriage adorned with silk curtains and of fine construction had been parked at the front entrance to the Opera House. Its coachman was wrapped in a heavy cloak his hood drawn upward to protect his garments from the elements. In one hand he carried a riding crop while he held the reins to a team of beautiful white horses. This carriage in question belonged to one of Paris's upstanding noble houses the Comte de Chagney. 

   Engaged to the Comte de Chagney was the renowned Prima Donna Christine Daae earlier within the year. She had come to the Opera House to gather her final papers and bid her friends farewell as she had been invited to London to sing for a period of two years. Her fiance and childhood lover Raoul had given his blessing despite the recent events involving the Phantom of the Opera. Once Christine's meeting with the managers and her friends are complete they would be setting sail to Great Britain. The Comte was sitting inside his carriage awaiting patiently for Christine's return. To occupy his mind Raoul read from the evening paper. 

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  "Well, Miss Daae it appears everything is in order," Firmin stated solemnly neatly stacking a bundle of papers upon his desk. "Are you certain we cannot persuade you to remain here as our Prima Donna?" Andre asked expectantly from beside his business partner's chair. Christine sat regally across from Firmin dressed in a sapphire blue gown, her almond brown curls had been tied in an elegant bun. A soft sigh escaped her red as rose lips, her innocent eyes gazed downward. "I am afraid not gentlemen, though I have enjoyed my years of singing for Paris, I yearn to see the shores of England," Christine declared sadly. The managers nodded in silence. "Well, we would like to wish you and Monsieur de Chagney a very safe journey then," Firmin added rising from his seat. Christine rose as well and shook both their hands warmly. "Thank you gentlemen I must be off there are others I must see before I depart." 

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   Christine embraced each of her friends tearfully within the ballet dormitories. These were the same young ladies of whom she had grown very fond of over the years even if they had gotten into pointless squabbles. The ballet girls were like sisters to the Prima Donna especially Meg Giry daughter to the ballet mistress Antoinette Giry. The shy blonde ballet girl hugged Christine with tears rolling down her cheeks. "Please keep in touch Christine, we will all miss you," Meg murmured her tone quavering. "I promise to write you soon Meg. I will never forget you." Madame Giry stood at the door resting upon her black cane watching the exchange attempting to keep her own composure. The little orphaned girl she had brought to the Opera House all those years ago had matured into a fine young woman. Christine was a daughter to the ballet mistress whether she was blood-related or not. After her final hug with a black-haired teenager by name of Little Jammes did Christine approach Antoinette. 

   Madame Giry beckoned Christine to follow her outside the dorms into a vacant corridor. Glancing around to ensure they weren't being followed or eavesdropped upon Madame Giry handed Christine an envelope with a crimson skull for a waxed seal. "He wishes to see you one last time my dear. Please grant him that courtesy," Antoinette regarded softly. Breathlessly Christine opened the sealed letter feeling her heart race. In scrawling scarlet letters as if written by the hand of a child came the following message: 

My Dearest Christine, 

I beg of your presence one final time before your imminent departure. You have nothing to fear from me and you shall be able to be on your way with your young man soon. Meet me in the chapel I eagerly await you.