Music of the Masquerade

Thats All I Ask of You

Listen to the songs as you read

   Elizabeth was always a fine student. She was respectful to her teachers, and her peers, did her work, with little, to no errors, and dressed and acted like a young French girl should.
   She was also a fine performer. She had been told many times by her vocal teacher that her singing could be compared to only the best opera performer of their time, Mme. Christine Daaé.
One evening, after lessons, she told her patron she would be staying at her friend Marie's house. She really was planning on venturing the recently renovated Opera Populaire in hopes of finding the Opera Ghost.
She was walking down a back alleyway, and saw a door labeled 'Backstage'. She opened the door, closing it quietly. She wandered down the halls, and found a dressing room labeled 'Daaé'. She figured if he'd be found anywhere, this would be a good starting point.
She walked in, and was surrounded by wilting roses, and a shattered mirror. No ghost. She wandered out into the lobby, right below the large splitting staircases.
She walked those too, and found herself just outside Box 5 somehow. She stood at the door, slight tremors running through her body. She heard a quiet voice singing a solemn, and sorrowful song. She felt something wet run across her face, and realized she was crying.
She opened the door, and saw a large dark frame, and a white plaster mask on the floor. She accidentally stumbled, and hit the door, causing the angelic voice to cease.
He stood quickly, and turned to face the sound. Half his face was covered in shadow, and the other by a hand. "Who are you?" he asked, his voice cracking slightly, so you could tell he had been crying.
She immediately felt all of the memories and tales of the Phantom of the Opera. He looked impatient, and she regained her composure, and stood tall. "Elizabeth. Elizabeth Clariee."
He looked into her deep blue-green-grey eyes, and it was as if he could see her untouched soul, and undeniable spirit, both of which still possessed a darkness that he wished to further explore.
He took her by the wrist, and started walking. She followed closely, and once he realized she'd follow willingly, he let go. After about five minutes, she reached for his hand. He tensed at the sudden movement, and stopped walking, but continued holding her hand.
She was so focused on him that she didn't even notice that she was no longer in the warm, comforting, opera house. She was in the bitter cold, and remembered, she had left her wrap in the dressing room.
'I forgot my rose! Where is my rose?!' She thought hard about where it could've been, and remembered, she had dropped her rose in His seat in Box 5 after he grabbed her.
She had brought it for him. After she had first heard his story, she had bought a rose plant, and cared for it. She had cut her best rose, and tied a small, black ribbon around it, along with a small note.
Dear Opera Ghost,
Thank you for inspiring me to sing how I used to when my father and mother were here. I've never felt more alive than when I sang.
-Lizzy Clariee
She smiled to herself as she pictured Him returning to his box, and seeing her small flower, and note. How surprised must he be when he realizes, even now, he's still making a difference in people's lives.
She looked around the two, and saw she was near her patron, Mme. Vera's, home. She was curious as to how he knew where she lived, but then remembered, they were walking side-by-side, and she was subconsciously leading him.
When they were about to exit the shadows, and cross the road, he stopped. She turned to face him and said "Aren't you coming? Would you like for me to leave you here?" He nodded and she whispered, "Actually, I'm not supposed to be here at all tonight. Mama Vera will have worried if she thinks I was walking about. Is it possible for me to stay at the opera house? I can sleep in a dressing room if need be, I don't mind sleeping on the floor even."
"That won't be necessary. I'll take you with me." he said, smiling thinly at the young girl before him. He knew he was going to die soon, but he also felt that way before Christine came into his life. He wanted, no, needed, someone to make his song take flight, and he wanted it to be her.