Authors Note: Scarlet is going to play a song in this chapter called A Dance Around The Memory Tree by Oren Lavie. Feel free to listen to the song as you read, I wrote it so it matches along. I'll put in a little clue for when you can begin the song, it'll look like this (
xXx
Arriving back at the Populair I stormed inside and walked quickly up the grand staircase. But as I reached the top of the stairs I felt an arm reach out and grab me, yanking me aside and almost knocking me into their chest before I caught myself, and I looked up at Firmin as he grinned down at me.
"Ah! Mademoiselle Moore! I apologize for startling you! It's so nice to see you alive and well! I heard from Madame Giry that you have been ill for quite some time, yes?"
Still quite startled from being yanked on so suddenly, I nodded my head and choked out, "Y-Yes, I was. But, I'm feeling quite better now," I put on a sincere smile, while on the inside telling my beating heart to slow down, "I do appreciate your concern, Monsieur."
Firmin let out a booming laugh before taking my arm in his and began to lead me into the auditorium and towards the stage where a group of Ballerinas were practicing. My arm was gripped in his so tightly that I couldn't pull away, "It was a good thing that Andre and I let you have a break for La Dame Blanche, isn't it? We wouldn't want you to fall ill during the production and get everyone else sick, now would we?"
My face turned red and I looked down at the floor as we walked, as I was still a bit upset that they forced me to remain out of the production, "Yes, indeed."
Monsieur Firmin chuckled and patted my hand, "Do not worry. I swear that you will be in the next one. Trust us, mademoiselle, a well deserved rest is exactly what a woman like you needs. What, with working so hard, and in a man's job of all things."
I blinked, quite taken aback by this statement, but Firmin continued before I could put in a word about it.
"Oh! And that reminds me!" Firmin exclaimed as we stopped walking, "We are going to have a new stagehand join us next week, and someone needs to give him the grand tour of the place and backstage before he starts, and I believe that you would be perfect for the job! Since you currently have no duties to keep you busy, it would be perfect if you gave him a tour. Will you do it?" he asked, giving me a big smile and raising his eyebrows at me.
My eyes widened at his question, but seeing how hopeful he was that I'll do it, I sighed and nodded my head, smiling. Why not, it's not like I had better things to do.
Firmin grinned, "Brilliant! When he arrives, I will introduce you! Just wonderful! Oh, and another thing, Andre and I are planning the annual Masquerade Ball as a end of the year celebration and I insist that you attend! In fact, with your beautiful piano skills, you should even play a piece for the audience, yes? Oh, it will be such fun!"
I opened my mouth to say something, but he cut me off with, "Oh, there's Andre! I apologize, mademoiselle, for I must take my leave. Good day!" before walking past me to join Andre at the front of the stage. The two talked together before Andre looked back at me with a grin, and turned back to Firmin and nodded his head. I smiled at them in politeness, but once they had turned their attention away from me I huffed in annoyance and turned around, picking up my dress slightly and left the auditorium.
I walked and walked until I finally made it to my room. I opened the door and walked in, slamming it shut behind me. I stared down at the yellow rose, it's petals tipped with red as it sat on my bedside table. I sighed and walked over to it and picked it up, twirling it in my fingers. I began to think about today's events. How Christine has suddenly become suspicious of me, how I agreed to show someone new around to Monsieur Firmin, and how he invited me to the masquerade ball to play in front of everyone, and just the thought of that alone made me shiver. I hadn't played in front of an audience in years.
I groaned, "But I don't know what to wear!" I said and tossed the rose to the end of my bed, putting my head in my hands and trying to think of any ideas on even how to attain a dress that would be nice enough for the grand masquerade ball and have it not be too expensive either.
After sitting for a moment and thinking about my current predicament, I decided that I needed to take a moment and try to relax. Quickly leaving my room I walked down the halls and up a staircase until I finally reached the piano room. Opening the door and spying the sleek, black piano, I left the door open a crack and sat down on the bench. My heart cried out for me to play to venture back to the modern world, but what I really wanted to do was just play. I didn't want to play for anyone but myself. All I wanted to do was listen to the music. So I placed my fingers on the keys, and with my eyes wide open, I began to play 'A Dance Around the Memory Tree' by Oren Lavie. (
The notes started softly as my fingers danced over the keys. The smooth melody calmed my nerves almost immediately as I continued to play, the music sweeping me off my feet in it's rich sound. I desperately wanted to close my eyes and become lost in the music, but knowing what would happen if I did, I kept them open. I played by memory, having practiced this song many times before. As I played the notes became softer as the melody slowed down slightly, and the song's beautiful words rang out in my mind as if I was hearing them.
'Words we have said,
Grew in my head.
Colored I thought,
Send me to bed.
Lost memories,
Grew into trees.
Cover the door,
Swallow the cure.
Winters have come and gone, you know.
Winters have come and gone, you know.
But I'll miss you young and free,
For a dance, round the memory tree.'
The music picked up its pace in a sweeping flourish as my fingers moved across the keys. The music tugged on my heartstrings and tears threatened to fall, but I held myself together to the best of my ability. As I played, I thought about my home and how much I missed it all. I yearned to be in my apartment, to open my window when it rained and listen to the thunder, or to wake up to fresh snow and build a snowman with Emily. I especially missed her, and how much I've missed her smile. Deep down I really wanted to go back, and yet, I knew that I couldn't leave. Not yet.
'Said I forgot,
But I have not.
Dreams we have had,
Play in my head.
Did we believe,
The cry of the wind?
Did we regret?
Would we forget?
Winters have come and gone, you know.
Winters have come and gone, you know.
But I'll miss you young and sweet.
For a dance, round the memory tree.'
I have to stay for Erik, and to show him that he's not alone in this cruel world. I have to show him that no matter how hard he tries, or how much he begs and pleads, Christine will never be his, and that there are other ways of keeping the music alive in his heart. And if I show him this, in turn I could save the Opera House from destruction and maybe even prevent Erik's heart from breaking. Christine wasn't always his Music of the Night, and I have to show him that it's alright if she isn't. You can't always depend on someone to pull you out of the darkness. Especially if they're not willing to lend you a hand.
But help from a friend who is willing to help is a great start.
The music softly slowed down as I played. A single tear slipped down my face as the notes rang out into the air, but I remained calm and sighed deeply as the music filled my soul with many emotions. Happy, sad, content, and mournful feelings coursed through my veins as the music smoothly drew to a close, and I found my fingers dancing across the ivory keys slowly at the last few notes of the song ended, the music that once soared through the room dying as the last note rang through the air. My right hand was slowly lifted off of the keys and wiped away the stray tear from my cheek.
"Wow."
I spun around in my seat and looked up at a woman standing in the doorway, looking at me in awe. She had greying red, wavy hair that was cut off at the shoulders, and was wearing a white dress with a gray apron on and brown heeled boots.
"I am so sorry to intrude on your playing, but that was the most beautiful thing I have ever heard!" She exclaimed in a slight Irish accent as she took a step in the room, "I've never heard anything like it in all of my years."
I turned towards her a bit more, "Thank you. I hope I don't sound rude, but who are you?"
She stepped up to me and held out her hand, "The name's Claire McElwain, sweetheart. And what might your's be?"
I reached out and shook her hand with a smile, "I'm Scarlet Moore. It's nice to meet you."
"And you as well! And what might a girl like you be doin' in 'here? For a minute it looked as if you were crying'." she tilted her head at me and smiled softly, the smile offering kindness and understanding.
I looked down at my hands, "Oh it's nothing. Just caught up in the moment, I guess. Music does that to me."
"Are you a musician in the Opera House?"
I looked up at her, "Oh no. I'm a stagehand."
She gave me a funny look, "A woman working as a stage hand? I've never heard of such a thing."
I chuckled, "Yeah, I get that a lot. Do you work here too?" I asked.
Claire nodded her head, "I'm a seamstress. I work with the costumes."
I tilted my head, "I've never seen the costume department. Is it fun?"
Claire let out a booming laugh before grabbing my hand and pulling me out of my seat, "How 'bout I give you a grand tour instead?"
xXx
I looked around the large room as it bustled noisily around Claire and I. There were women and clothes everywhere. The room was packed with noise and strips of cloth, lace, and buttons as Claire pulled me through. Women sat on little stools as they worked with their needles. On the walls were racks of fabrics of every color imaginable, and underneath were drawers full of sewing thread and needles and buttons and ribbons, lace and pins and even thimbles too. As we walked, I spied a woman working on a black dress as she sewed white lace at the sleeves.
Clair looked back at me as we stopped at an empty stool, "Well, what do you think about all this?"
"It's quite..." I looked around once more, "Loud."
Claire let out a booming laugh again and I couldn't help but laugh with her. It was quite infectious and it made my sad mood start to dissipate, "You're quite right! It's a lot to take in at first!" she agreed, looking around at the hustle and bustle of the room.
I nodded my head and smiled, taking another glance around us, "It is." I whispered in awe.
"Claire! Dress 17 needs to be started on!" shouted a woman at a stool near the front, "Stop dilly dallying and get to work!"
"Yeah, yeah!" Claire shouted back with her hands on her hips. She turned back to me, "Well, this is where I leave ya. I hope to see you again, miss!"
I nodded, "You too. It was nice to meet you."
xXx
I stared at the rose once again as I entered my room. I sighed, and couldn't help but smile at the rose as it sat on my bed, as if it was waiting for my return.
I poured water into the cup from my bedside table, and placed the rose in it before leaving to head down to dinner.
'But I'll miss you young and sweet,
For a dance, round the memory tree.'