The Angel of Music Sings for Me

Chapter 8: Masquerade

Rachel's POV

Well I was wrong, there was literally nothing I could do to see Erik again. Tonight was the night of the masquerade ball, and I was stuck in a hard place. I just have to meet up to him once I get there.

Though I have to say, Christine outdid herself with helping me find a dress. She was in her dress which was in the stage production. After a few days search, I found the perfect dress. It was a lilac purple gown with butterfly wings sewn into the arms. My mask was the same color with butterfly accents. I absolutely loved it! I also found a necklace with a gemstone that would hopefully hide Christine's ring, which was now hanging on a chain around my neck.

"You ready to go?" Christine snapped me out of my thoughts. We were in the carriage just outside the Opera Populaire.
I smiled back, giddy, "Yeah, I am."

With that we got out of the carriage and Raoul who was sitting with the driver, escorted Christine into the ballroom. By the time we got there the party was in full swing. Andre and Firmin were going through their dialogue.

"Monsieur Firmin!" Andre exclaimed with his wife on his arm.

"Monsieur Andre!" Firmin nodded before singing, "Dear Andre, what a splendid party."

"The prologue to a bright new year," Andre nodded now singing as well.

"Quite a night, I'm impressed," Firmin sang.

"Well, one does one's best," Andre sang, looking at the decor for the ball.

"Here's to us," both of them sing.

"A toast to all the city," Andre said lifting a glass of champagne.

"What a pity that the Phantom can't be here!" Firmin laughed clinking glasses with Andre. At this point all the guests were entering the ballroom as well. They all burst into song.

"Masquerade! Paper faces on parade
Masquerade! Hide your face so the world will never find you
Masquerade! Every face a different shade
Masquerade! Look around, there's another mask behind you," The chorus sang all with a variety of costumes.

"Flash of mauve
Splash of puce
Fool and king
Ghoul and goose
Green and black
Queen and priest
Trace of rouge
Face of beast
Faces!
Take your turn, take a ride
On the merry-go-round
in an inhuman race
Eye of gold
Thigh of blue
True is false
Who is who?
Curl of lip
Swirl of gown
Ace of hearts
Face of clown
Faces! Drink it in, drink it up
Till you've drowned
In the light
In the sound."

"But who can name the face?" Raoul, Christine and I sang as we got in the middle of the fray. We started singing with everyone at this point.

"Masquerade! Grinning yellows, spinning reds
Masquerade! Take your fill, let the spectacle astound you
Masquerade! Burning glances, turning heads
Masquerade! Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you
Masquerade! Seething shadows breathing lies
Masquerade! You can fool any friend who ever knew you
Masquerade! Leering satyrs, peering eyes
Masquerade! Run and hide, but a face will still pursue you."

Just then I saw Madame Giry, Meg, Carlotta, Piangi, and the managers walking down the large stairs.

"What a night!" Madame Giry exclaimed.

"What a crowd!
Makes you glad
Makes you proud
All the creme
De la creme," The managers observed everyone dancing and laughing.

"Watching us, watching them," Carlotta smiled on Piangi's arm.

"All our fears are in the past," Meg sang softly.

"Three months," Firmin and Andre said, referring to since the Phantom has been gone.