The Masked Parisian

The Angel of Music

Christine found solace in her sorrow by praying to her mother.
"Dear Mamen. You said when you were in heaven that you would send me the angel of music and that he would teach me of his ways. I thought, perhaps, that this was true when my voice began to improve. However, Monsieur Giry's reaction has proven to me that I have not improved at all and I have been visited by no such angel." She sighed and closed her eyes, placing her head in her hands.
"I have never been selfish, Mamen and I have never asked you for anything. But please, now, just this once, for father's sake, send me the angel of music and bestow upon me the talents to impress this masked genius." She sighed after her prayer, unsure as to whether it was going to be answered.

Erik watched from the window, unable to be seen by the Daaé girl, hearing her prayer.
"For father's sake, send me the angel of music and bestow upon me the talents to impress this masked genius." He paused in shock when he heard the words "masked genius" leave her soft lips. He had wondered all day, how to apologise for his rude behaviour. He had written twenty notes, that had all been discarded seconds after they were written. He found that the best way to apologise contained no verbal component, simply a single rose and a black ribbon.

Christine opened her eyes, after finishing her prayer and gasped when she saw a single red rose, lying on her pillow. She approached the flower, with caution, not knowing where it had come from. Around the rose was tied a single black ribbon. She held the rose to her chest and looked up to the heavens.

"Thank you, Mamen." She thanked her mother, sure that this was a sign that her prayers were going to be answered.

Erik awoke to the sun shining through his window. He moaned, uncomfortable with the light, unused to waking with the sun. He changed quickly before going downstairs to eat with his friend. Erik was quite taken aback when he saw the Giry girl sat with Daroga at the breakfast table. He was unsure as to how this had come about. However, he greeted the girl before sitting down to breakfast.

Meg had gone to Monsieur Daroga's house to check on Monsieur Giry. She was certain that he had fallen ill the previous day, causing him to depart as quickly as he had, and wanted to ensure that he felt better. Also, she wished to invite them both back to the Daaé house, to hear the rest of Monsieur Daaé's music and to make amends with Christine.

She had arrived early in the morning and had found Monsieur Daroga sat at his breakfast table, squeezing an orange into a glass. He had not noticed when she entered, so she cleared her throat lightly. He looked up and, in shock, dropped the orange into the glass of squeezed orange juice. Meg placed her hand over her mouth, covering a laugh. Monsieur Daroga smiled at the gesture before offering her to stay for breakfast.
"I must say, Monsieur Daroga, that my motive for coming this morning was to check if your companion was quite in good health. I feared he might have fallen ill yesterday, causing him to leave so promptly." Daroga smiled at the girl. She could not think badly of anyone and thought him to be ill, rather than bad tempered.
"I can assure you, Mademoiselle Giry, that my friend is in perfect health." He said, in an attentive voice.
"I am glad, Monsieur. Then, please let me convince you to come to Daaé house today. Both Christine and her father were left in quite a state and I daresay that the sooner you return, the sooner their nerves can be soothed." He beamed at the girl, being so kind on behalf of her friend.
"There is no objection on my part, Mademoiselle. However, we must wait for the verdict of Monsieur Giry." He stated, smiling at her kind and pretty face.

Erik sat in front of the two, chattering away, about things and people who he cared very little about.
"Ah, Erik. What would you say to a trip to the Daaé house today? You did say to Monsieur Daaé that you would hear the rest of his music." Erik pondered his friend's request for a moment. He did want to see the Daaé girl again and he was sure that paying her a visit was the least that he could do after his rude behaviour the day before.
"If it would please you, Daroga then I would be happy to pay a visit to the Daaé house today." He replied, attempting to hide his excitement at seeing Christine Daaé again.