Stuff and Nonsense at the Palais Garnier (Teen Version)

If you'd prefer to read a mature version with a romance scene then please read the story of the same title, but marked 'Mature Version'.

I do not own the characters of Erik, Mary Poppins or Madame Giry, but all original characters are my own.

Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoy it!

The Palais Garnier, 1902

Erik was bored. He'd successfully managed to subdue the managers into paying him twenty thousand francs a month, they now followed every note of advice he gave them when it came to artistic direction, and he'd ensured that every member of staff, from the Prima Donna to the stable boy was sufficiently scared enough of the Opera Ghost not to go looking for him. Yes, the status quo was stable, but dull. There were times he missed his old tricks and occasionally actually longed for them to ignore his demands. Alas, his word was cardinal, and so peace continued.

He still composed of course, but nothing currently inspired him. Giving up, after looking at the blank manuscript paper for the hundredth time that morning, he decided to go and read on the rooftop. As he passed by the wall that ran alongside the ballet studio he heard a familiar voice, that of his ally and sometimes friend, Madame Antoinette Giry.

"You can be certain that here in my class she will learn discipline."

"Discipline in dance, but is that likely to interfere with my teachings?" replied the voice. Her accent was English, though she spoke in perfect French. Erik had visited England once, London to be exact. He'd liked it, but had shortly returned to France and made his home in Paris.

"If anything, it will only strengthen what you teach."

"Splendid, and the other girls, what sort of influence might they have on my charge?"

"Truthfully, I believe most of the girls could use a dose of your discipline outside of my class, though one or two have not been swayed by the many and I shall encourage Violet towards them. My advice to you Mademoiselle Poppins? If this girl ever gets out of line, simply threaten her with tales of the Opera Ghost."

"The Opera Ghost? But who is he? A tale designed to scare the children?"

"No, no, I assure you he's real, though not an actual ghost—,"

"Well of course not!"

"Just a very intelligent recluse who lives in the cellars and practically runs the theatre."

"He sounds rather fascinating."

"His artistic eye is unmatched, though I daren't tell him that, as his ego is already overblown. You'll hear of him soon enough from the mangers I'd expect. You needn't fear him, simply stay out of his way and he'll stay out of yours."

"I'm not afraid of anything."

Madame Giry eyed her for a moment. "No, I don't believe you are. Besides, we may not need the Opera Ghost, I'm certain you and I can work together on this girl, teach her to be the young lady her parents seek. I hear from the managers that she is somewhat of a hellion."

Mary sighed. "I have never yet failed in my work, nor do I intend to."

"Let me show you to your room and then perhaps we might take coffee?" Antoinette offered.

"I'd like that, though I'd prefer tea..."

"'Not afraid of anything'," Erik scoffed quietly as heard the women leave the room. Perhaps this Mary Poppins character would allow him a little fun after all. Not so much that he'd actually scare her away — unless of course, she gave him reason to — but just enough that she'd obey him as everyone else did. "Challenge accepted," he announced to himself as he abandoned all thought of the rooftop in favour of planning pranks for this newcomer.