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Disclaimer: I do not by any way shape or form own the characters of Phantom of the Opera, but again in line behind LysiMarie.
Author's notes: Beginner but learning. I hope that you all will bear with me on this story.
No.
It is a storyline given to me by LysiMarie who is writing You Must Love Me. I am so pleased with the reviews and help so far. Thank you all very much.
Summary: last time on Love Upon the Sea: Christine is on her way to a speech to be given by her father, the governor. "What are you doing, Christine? We are LATE!" scolded her mother, once more awakening the girl from her trance. Christine sighs as she enters the horse drawn carriage, knowing that she is only going to hear more bickering on the short ride to the center of town.
That wasn't necessary.
[snip same bolded, italicized, and underlined bullshit from last chapter]
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Love upon the sea
Chapter 2: Dreaming away a speech
The sea view from the Kesslar estate is breathtaking. The Great House was newly constructed for the Governor and his family when they came from France. The elaborate four-bedroom mansion rests upon a hill. It harbors two gardens, three reception rooms and a conservatory, where Christine practices her singing daily.
Thank you so much for that pointless description.Christine stares out the window of the carriage admiring the gardens, still in a daze from the rushed events of the morning. Thoughts of her meeting with the Vicomte were preying upon her mind. What will I say to him? How will he look upon me? Christine was 10 years old the last time she saw Raoul, and she remembered him as a friend that would sometimes tease her about her "scrawny" appearance and "mare's teeth".
*sighs* Here we go again...Meanwhile, her mother was preoccupied with their dispute and neglected to notice her daughter's attire. Alana was beside herself, when she realized her daughter's bare arms, showing off her white shoulders.
Okay, so she was really upset, and she realized what? What's going on here?"Christine, you are coming off as a harlot."
I find that very hard to believe for multiple reasons. One, strapless dresses didn't appear until the 1930s. Two, no 17th-century upper-class girl would wear anything that made her look like a prostitute. And three, if Christine really was dressed inappropriately, somebody would've noticed and made her change into something more suitable before she left.
she said, moving to sit by her daughter.
This not being the first time, her mother, in a huff, pulled the out a pair of white poofed cap sleeves with slits of crystal that would sparkle in the Caribbean sun.
Detachable sleeves. Who knew? And stop going on about sparkly stuff, it's giving me Twilight flashbacks."This will have to do. Although it would be nice, to have the sleeves that actually does belong with that gown. They are very elegant. Where is your shawl, young lady?"
I was under the impression it was warm out. What does she need a shawl for?Upon Christine's shy look, Alana rolled her eyes reaching under the seat to the nearby compartment, which she had built into their carriage for emergencies like this.
She must be a very good carpenter.
She grabs a shawl and hands it sharply to Christine. Alana stares out the window then turning to her husband complains, "obviously, our daughter has neglected to see our place in high society." Christine shamefully looked to the floor.
"Christine!", her mother paused to glare into Christine's eyes
As opposed to glaring into her nose.
sternly, as to be understood clearly, "your behavior had better fit the part of a governor's daughter today, young lady. I will have none of your fantasies embarrassing our reputation like last time."
Alana painfully recalled an embarrassing dinner with the Baron Von Pancost's son. "I mean, did you actually think, that a gentleman would want to here those pure tales
As opposed to wanting to there those pure tales.
of a girl, being allowed on a ship." Alana ridiculed the girl's fantasies, "Or finding love in the black heart of a pirate. The mere idea is preposterous.
I agree!
I mean, had you not been feeling ill, you would not have said those mindless things, in front of a respectable young man. I thought our family would never get over that little travesty."
Embarrassed Christine thought to herself, why can't I please her? Today, I will find her favor or at least, I will try.
Coming out of the carriage, following her mother and father closely, Christine emerged with a sudden determination to act out of character,
She's already out of character.
thus pleasing her mother. She smiled sweetly and curtsied where proper, making her feel like she was passing the test of high society.
Alana is very surprised. Maybe our little conversation helped my daughter to see her place. She thought smiling with approval, turning once again to greet the members of her circle. Walking along thru
Through.
the crowd, the people eagerly awaiting the speech of their Governor. Christine took her place, beside Alana who in turn, was standing proudly behind her husband. The Governor starts his speech by standing proudly as the very foundation of the common people.
"Hear me, O people of Port Kesslar... Twas but one month ago, when Port Carlisle's shores had been breeched by the blackness of pirates.
The blackness gave the shores breeches? How generous.
I, Your Governor, have heard your cries of turmoil
"Turmoil" means "a state of great disturbance, confusion, or uncertainty." Try again, author.
at the thought of this menace that now plagues our waters."
The men began to murmur, as the women gasped. Christine couldn't help but daydream once again at the mere mention of the pirate.
He didn't mention any specific pirates. Snap out of it.
Alana noticing, nudges Christine, and returns to holding her head high. Christine, remembering her promise to behave, did the same knowing what was expected.
"I am here today to assure you all. I have taken every precaution to make sure that our Port Kesslar is safe from this, Captain Sebella and his crew of black dogs.
Is Sirius among them?
Piracy is treason of the highest nature! Treason, as you know, is punishable with death by hanging."
The crowd cheers thunderously! Christine looks at the men with disgust and gasps at the sudden thought of Captain Sebella's death.
I'm disgusted, too. She's never even met him!
Alana notices and once again nudges her daughter, this time whispering to her, "Collect your thoughts, Christine."
Christine remembers her posture stands up straight, takes a deep breath, and sweetly smiles with a nod to and nods at her mother.
Fixed.
Alana stands tall and returns her nose to the sky. Governor Kesslar raises his hands to silence the crowds, so he may continue.
"We have a hero among us today. One that has so generously offered us aids.
He offered you a disease? That's not very nice.
He has added to the strength of our armada ten fold.
-ed napkins.
He also brought in more than a hundred men to help protect our great port
Fixed.
and rid us of this annoyance, once and for all time. I give you, the Vicomte de Changy."
Raoul stepped up to address the people, excusing himself as he brushes past Christine. Alana nudges her daughter in jest. He was handsome but Christine senses arrogance in his walk.
OH, SHUT UP! *bitchslaps*"Governor Kesslar and citizens of Port Kesslar, my country and I are deeply honored to assist. Our decree is this: ALL can be certain, that the Phantom will receive a startling welcome, should she ever attempt to dock here."
As the crowd's cheers as Governor Kesslar and Raoul raise their hands, turning the crowd's attention the fleet of ships.
"See, O Port Kesslar, here is your protection!" Raoul shouted over the applause looking proudly at the armada.
Suddenly, the sound of rhythmic marching began, the crowd parts, revealing the hundred men who came up from the docks.
Only a hundred? That's not very many.
The crowd's applause grew louder as they finally felt safe. Christine's heart sank as she looks at the armada set before the entire town to see. Alana grabs her daughter's arm, turning to her with a fake smile, and squeezed it reminding her to behave. Christine fixes her posture once again and smiles, clapping with less enthusiasm than the rest.
As Alana was predisposed trying to capture the attention of the rich and powerful man before Madame Reynolds did,
Oh, hello, random never-before-mentioned character who gets no description and will likely never show up again. How are ya?
Christine quietly slips away. The crowds surrounding her were buzzing with their own conversations about the task at hand. The girl listens intently, hoping for any news of the Phantom or Captain Sebella.
The men are cruel. "Kill them! You can't reason with a pirate. Death is the only way."
They're right.Some women are scared. "They will steal from us and murder our men, we should be cautious."
So are they.Younger women are intrigued at the romantic tales of the Captain.
They're stupid.
"I hear, under that mask, Captain Sebella has blue eyes, like the sea.
His eyes are yellow, dammit.
They also say, any woman who looks at him comes under his enchanting spell."
Christine smiles with amusement, as the tales vary in each conversation. Just then, her mother came rushing towards her.
"Christine, there you are! You have kept the Vicomte waiting." Raoul! Christine had almost forgotten.
The horror shone on her face, as she was being lead lifelessly by the hand.
"Shone"? "Lifelessly"? Bad word choices, author.
The man was quite different from the boy she once knew, having hair like the sun's rays, eyes like the clear blue sky.
-and prose like an emperor's robes.
His stature spoke authority as he was used to commanding many of his family's affairs.
Raoul awaits the governess with anticipation. Seeing a nearby pot of flowers, he picks one then, quickly returning back to his place, hoping no one noticed. At last, there was Christine, strolling toward him.
He studies her appearance. Not the scrawny, little girl he had in memory. Her smile could launch a thousand ships. She truly is a treasure. He thought as he watches her come closer. Christine has curly locks that are a chocolate brown with light flicks of red in the spring sun. Her gown accents her petite figure, with a smile that could melt even the strongest man.
*sarcastically* Yay, more purple prose!Swallowing hard, Raoul greets her, with a bow, offering the flower. "Christine Kesslar, I hardly recognize you."
The young girl curtsies and accepts the flower, as she knew she should.
Bitch.
"Yes, dear Vicomte, an honor to meet again." She smiles politely and smells the flower, which made Alana proud.
"No, no, miss. The pleasure is all mine." Raoul admitted, catching her eye and causing a flush to run across her chest.
It ran across her chest? What?
"Governess, if you wouldn't mind, I would like to take a walk with your daughter, merely to show her the armada." Alana agreed happily. Offering his arm to Christine, he led her towards the docks.
"I wanted to thank you for that, dear Vicomte." Christine said hardly above a whisper.
"Please Little Lottie,
I thought Lottie was a nickname for Charlotte, not Christine.
call me Raoul. We have known each other since we were young." He said with a raised eyebrow.
Timidly she replies, "All right, Raoul."
"What I mean is, we are hardly strangers." He indicated.
-the stain on her dress.Christine feels angry by his assumption.
When did he assume anything?
"Raoul, you haven't seen me in 8 years, how can you presume to know anything about me?"
The Vicomte laughs, "So, you still have your mother's temper."
Christine saw the boy once again in his eyes that ridiculed her as a child.
*bitchslaps again* YOU STOP THAT RIGHT NOW!
Christine turning red, snaps, "excuse me, I have walked far enough. Will you take me home?"
"Now, Christine, I didn't mean to upset you.
*sighs again* You didn't do anything wrong, Raoul. The author just hates you.
But, if you wish to return to Kesslar estate, I will order my carriage."
Within minutes, Raoul's carriage arrives and Christine climbs inside without speaking a word. They sit in silence, as the carriage passes the gardens, in front of the Kesslar mansion. The horses stop, as the stable boy runs out from behind the barn, to attend to the horses. Raoul got out of the carriage, hoping to speak with Christine.
"Little Lottie, I do apologize for my behavior. I did not mean to jest.
When did he jest? Oh, never mind. I'm just glad to see someone's relatively in character.
But I would like to learn about you again. If you would, do me the honor of having dinner with me."
Christine's anger had subsided. "You may call upon me tomorrow, if you would like."
Enjoy this moment of ICness, folks. We all know it won't last.Christine smiles as the Vicomte bows before her. "Until tomorrow then, rest now, Little Lottie."
Alana and William had been watching from the window with anticipation. Andre, the butler
Don't remind me that I could be watching Scaramouche instead of reading this, author. Just don't.
opens the door, as Raoul's carriage pulled away.
"Good Evening, Miss." he said.
Alana appears from around the corner and startles Christine. "Did you have a nice time, dear?" she questions, prodding for an answer.
"Yes, mother, Raoul is wonderful." Christine replies merely to tickle her mother's ear.
What?
"He is going to call on me tomorrow."
Alana grew excited and calls to her husband, "did you hear that? The Vicomte is going to call tomorrow." William nods as his wife looks for the maid. "Carlotta, oh where is that girl?"
The maidservant came from the slave's quarters,
What was she doing in there?
hurrying to her mistress. "Yes, Governess?"
With nose in air, Alana gave instructions, "Take Christine to her room. I want you to attend to anything my daughter requires. Tomorrow she has an important visitor."
The servant carried out her duties
That we don't get to hear about, apparently.
as Christine gets ready for bed. This was Christine's favorite time of day, for she would look out across the sea and dream of Captain Sebella.
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phantomlvr: Thanks..it was actually an idea from my friend, LysiMarie (you must love me)
No.
It was my "beta of the year" award LOL
Me: Thank you much, I am glad you like it.
the Mouse in the Opera House: I agree! Alana is a take from Rose's mother, Ruth from the Titanic.
I hate it when authors do that. Not everyone reading this has seen Titanic, you know.
Adds a little drama. Bear with me and I think you will like it.
jtbwriter: Had to add the humor.
What humor?
I am glad you are enjoying it thus far. Please don't give up on me, Erik will make a
-sundae.
memorable appearence in the next chapter.
Whatever that is.
Keep reading!
IceCrystalline: Thank you for your honesty in your review. I am new at this writing thing but please stay with the story I hope to make you all proud. I hope you will see, the changes I made in this chapter. I also did my homework to help correct some errors in the first chapter.
Only some errors, though. Not all of them.
I hope you like it!
LysiMarie: I could not do this without you. you are an inspiration and a terrific beta.
Ahahahahaha, no!
Keep it up! huggles and kisses for Lysi
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That concludes chapter two. Join us next time, where Christine has a symbolic dream and does something very weird.
