Phantom of the Concert Hall

The door opened to the blackened dressing room, and a calm Antoinette Giry stepped inside. She shut the door softly behind her, and looked around. She squinted to focus through the black room. She held a filmy shirt in her hand and the other was propped up on her hip.
"Erik are you decent, dear?" She asked, studying the pitch dark room for any sign of his presence. She heard soft laughter seep from the corner of the room.

"Would you have truly cared if I had not been?" a dark voice asked, amused. A light clicked on on the small end table and the room became illuminated in a soft glow.

Erik lounged in his chair, leaning back against the cushions. His thick black hair fell lifelessly across his brow, not yet styled and giving him a very rugged look. The rugged appearance did not go well with his black leather pants and bare chest. He looked up at Antoinette with a smirk, propping his chin upon his knuckles.

She frowned and tossed the shirt into his lap.

"You need to be getting ready Erik. It would not do for you to go on like that." She said, running her hand along his messy hairline.

Erik stood in one smooth movement and pulled the slinky shirt over his head. The glittery article completed the outfit nicely. The sleeveless tank showed off well toned arms and shoulders. Erik looked at his appearance in the mirror, and nodded approvingly. He moved to his dressing table and sat down, massaging his temples.

Antoinette sat down in the chair he had vacated and cleared her throat. Erik turned his head toward her.

"I need to speak with you about something." She said after a time. Erik turned in his chair and crossed his arms across his chest.

"I am listening." He said softly.

"It is about your new intern, Erik. She is..." Antoinette began. Erik waved his hand to silence her.

"I am aware of every aspect of this little project that you have hired against my wishes. She is a dainty little American dancer, is she not? Does that honestly sound like the appropriate description of someone soon to be my intern?" He asked, his voice hiding any of his displeasure.

Antoinette sighed. "Erik, forgive my actions but I believed her to be the best for this tour. She is not exactly what you may have had in mind, but you must trust me." She said.

Erik's eyes narrowed, but he did not let his temper get away from him.

"Very well. But you will keep an eye on this girl. I will not have her roaming around aimlessly and getting into things that she need not be in." He said roughly, knowing that it was pointless to fight with her.

Antoinette smiled, pleased with herself. "Thank you for understanding." She stood up to leave.

"Now you must finish readying for the concert. You shall be meeting the girl before the performance." She said, walking toward the door.

Erik nodded and turned back around in his chair as she shut the door.

Christine looked out of the window of the limosine that had been sent for her and for Meg. Paris was amazing. The lights, the glamour, the people. It was everything that she had hoped it would be. She must have been smiling, for she heard Meg laugh.

"France is a beautiful country is it not?" She said. Christine turned her head and nodded.

"I've always wanted to visit Paris." She said listlessly. Meg placed a hand on her arm.

"Well you are finally here my dear. Welcome to Paris madamoiselle." She said softly.

The limo pulled to a stop in the rear of a large building that Christine assumed was the venue that her employer was performing at. Meg gathered her belongings and Christine followed suit.

"Do not worry about our luggage. It shall be taken to the hotel that we shall be staying in tonight." Meg assured.

Christine nodded, and remained silent. She was very nervous about meeting these new people, but she attempted not to show it. The door opened and Meg slid from her seat, her heels clicking on the pavement as she stood. Christine was out of the car right behind her and she looked up at the venue.

It rose hundreds of feet into the air, creating a menacing shadow over everything around it.

"Stop gawking. We must get inside. You do not want the concert to be late on our behalf do you?" Meg asked, ushering Christine away from the limo and up to the doorway. Meg tapped on the door and a small slit slid aside so that the doorman could talk. He barked something in french and Meg answered him. Within seconds, the door opened and the bulky man stood aside for the pair to enter.

Christine was not at all comfortable in her surroundings and clung to her new friends' side. Meg shook her head.

"He's not going to bite you Christine." She said, leading her down a darkened hallway. Christine frowned.

"Oh I don't care what he thinks. I am out of my element is all." She said quickly.

In truth, Christine was quite nervous about meeting this so called "Phantom" person. If no one knew anything about him, then how was she to know if he would be civil to her or not.

Meg raised an eyebrow to her as they stopped in front of another door.

"I would certainly care." She declared. Another burly bodyguard stood in front of the door, and stepped aside as Meg approached.

"Evening Mdmsle. Giry." He said. Meg nodded in acknowledgement and yanked Christine through the doorway. Meg stopped again in front of the second door. She turned to Christine and surveyed her appearance. She was quite laid back looking. Jeans and a t-shirt, her hair up and away from her face. Meg tapped her chin, and then moved her hand to Christine's hair.

"May I?" She asked. Christine looked puzzled, but nodded. Meg pulled the pins from her hair and the dark chocolate waves tumbled down around her back and shoulders.

"Much better." Meg said, pleased. Christine smiled. 'If you say so.' She thought. Meg turned back to the door and knocked. There was movement inside and a short, but defiant looking woman answered the door. Her stern expression melted and she latched on to Meg in a tight hug. Christine assumed the woman to be her mother.

Meg pulled away and turned toward Christine.

"Maman, this is Christine Davenport. We met on the plane on the way from New York." She stated. Christine smiled and held out her hand to the older woman. She smiled and took it, giving it a firm shake.

"Ah, Madamoiselle Davenport. So nice to meet our lovely new intern. My name is Antoinette Giry." She said, her french accent causing Christine to smile.

"Same to you Madame Giry." She said with a nod of her head. The woman smiled.

"Very good, but no need to use formalities on me. Antoinette shall do just fine." She said, tapping the girl's shoulder lightly. She then opened the door wider and ushered Meg inside. Antoinette entered, and held out her hand to Christine, who took up the rear.

Christine saw a man leaning against the wall, hands inside his pockets, apparently deep in thought. He was very handsome, just like she had seen in the live shot. She gulped and waited to be introduced.

"Monsieur, your intern has arrived." Antoinette began. She pulled Christine out from behind Meg and thrust her towards the man.

"Monsieur, this is Madamoiselle Christine Davenport. Christine, this is the Phantom." She said, backing away.

Christine was startled to be thrust into the center of the room, for she was not prepared. The Phantom looked up at her, his amber eyes glowing inside of his half mask. At first he appeared to be annoyed, then when he looked down at Christine, his glare faded into that of a strange softness. Christine felt at a loss for words, the man's presence being enough to silence her. She smiled up at him and bowed her head in acknowledgement.

The Phantom smirked and strode to where she stood, his graceful movements drawing Christine to stare. He clasped her hand, and bent his head to her knuckles, pressing his lips to them. He straightened and stared down at her.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Madamoiselle. Welcome to France."