Dominic
- Ingenious Pilot -
Posts: 139
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Post by Dominic on Jun 1, 2006 8:37:16 GMT -5
Dominic stood out on the roof, the soft silvery-pink glow of dawn growing hazily on the horizon of Paris. He stared out at the expensive buildings and elegant avenues and grit his jaw bitterly.
I deserve more...
He had been a stagehand for just three years, but it seemed that he'd been in this Opera house for eternity. His mother, the lovely prima ballerina, had caught the eye of an affluent nobleman. Decieved and seduced, she had been left pregnant and would have been thrown out if it hadn't been for her reputation as the best dancer in Paris. Dominic's paternity had been a secret, kept closely guarded and never spoken about, no matter how hard he tried to discover who his father was.
He had been raised here in this Opera house, with the dancers and chorus girls coddling him and providing him all the affection a young boy could ever need. A few kindly stagehands had taught him the ropes when he came of age, and he was forever running about, ducking in and out of the flies and helping out when help was needed. It seemed only natural that he would follow in their footsteps and become a stagehand himself. And he had, after his mother had aged and weakened and retired in the countryside.
But... was this it?
He enjoyed his work and liked being a part of the Opera's hustle and bustle. He was friends with everyone and got free views of the performances.
But the truth was, he was lonely and yearned for female companionship. Just someone to talk to, to laugh with, to sit in the flies with and watch the operas. Most of the girls were a great deal younger than him, and the ones his age were only interested in hooking a wealthy nobleman. He certainly didn't fall under that category.
He let out a sigh and leaned against the stone statue, crossing his ankles and pushing his hands into his pockets.
If only I could meet... someone.
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Post by Bonnie-Marie on Jun 1, 2006 9:00:06 GMT -5
*is totally someone*
*appears out of nowhere through the light mist of early morning fog on the roof like a heavenly vision sent by God or Buddha or whatever entity Dominic believes in, her wavy hair blowing freely in the breeze. Shivering a bit in a very sweet and endearing sort of way, she roped her hair in with a tiny, delicate hand. Spying Dominic at the other end of the roof, her cheeks suddenly went pink, and she found herself feeling very shy and out of character*
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Dominic
- Ingenious Pilot -
Posts: 139
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Post by Dominic on Jun 1, 2006 11:31:54 GMT -5
Dominic heard a slight scuffle behind him, and turned his head to see a petite, lovely young woman standing nearby. Her skin seemed to glow in the dawn's light and she was shivering slightly, curling her dark hair around her hand and staring out over the city. Had she been there all this time? He suddenly felt awkward.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude on you," he said slowly, his masculine voice carrying over the rooftop. "I'll leave you alone now."
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Post by Bonnie-Marie on Jun 1, 2006 14:02:36 GMT -5
*her heart jumping like a nervous, jumping thing, she took a quick step toward him*
No! I--I mean...you don't have to leave. You aren't intruding. In fact, I believe you were here before I was, and I'm the one bothering you. I'm so very sorry, excuse me, I do have the tendency to enter at improper moments.
Curse my lack of psychic abilities!
*turns to go, her dark hair whipping magnificently about her face*
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Dominic
- Ingenious Pilot -
Posts: 139
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Post by Dominic on Jun 2, 2006 12:08:36 GMT -5
"No, wait, it's... alright."
Dominic took a step toward her, then paused, feeling uncomfortable. He was quite the character when he was around the other stagehands, laughing and cracking witty jokes, but the girl's sudden appearance had startled him into an uncharacteristic awkward silence.
He was suddenly conscious of his plain coat and shabby neckcloth, despite the fact that they'd been washed just yesterday. He felt like an ugly moth in the face of a iridescent butterfly.
But after a moment he shrugged inwardly. He had nothing to be ashamed of. She undoubtedly worked at the Opera, too. A dancer, perhaps? Or a chorus girl?
"Are you new here?" he asked. "I don't think I've seen you around before."
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Post by Bonnie-Marie on Jun 3, 2006 0:35:21 GMT -5
*eyes lighting up, her nervousness seems to evaporate*
I am rather new, and I'm here to become a dancer! It's always been my dream to become a prima ballerina at the world-reknowned Opera Populaire! I've never even been able to come here before because--*claps a hand over her shell-pink lips*
Oh no, what have I done? What was I thinking? Oh, I've just ruined everything! Why do I keep doing that? I should know by now that I can never have real friends...
*turns to go, her eyes glistening with unshed tears*
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Post by Nadir on Jun 3, 2006 13:45:55 GMT -5
*Nadir steps through a low doorway, bending to allow his height to pass through the doorframe, stepping onto the roof to see two other figures. A young man stood farther away, and a petite pretty brunette, blinded by tears, ran smack into Nadir's broad strong chest. He reached out and caught her shoulders, steadying her lest she fall in surprise.* "Careful, my dear," *he said comfortingly in a smooth, low tone, recognizing the girl from the kitchens.* "Mademoiselle de Chagny." *He swept off his hat and bowed low before her in respect and courtesy.*
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Dominic
- Ingenious Pilot -
Posts: 139
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Post by Dominic on Jun 4, 2006 6:17:15 GMT -5
"Wait," Dominic called out as the girl turned away, "You don't need to... go." He stopped as he saw the young woman collide with a tall, dark-featured man who seemed to have appeared from the shadows. He murmured something to her, something that sounded suspiciously like "my dear", and bowed elegantly.
Dominic unconciously balled his fists, then relaxed them, casting his gaze to the ground. How stupid of him, to think that a beauty such as she had no lover! It was apparent by the familiar way this man gazed at her that they knew each other - or at least, that he would like to know her.
Dominic cleared his throat suddenly. "Before you go, mademoiselle," he said politely, meeting the girl's eyes, "May I please have your name?" He paused, then continued on, "And perhaps I could have the honor of escorting you to your destination?"
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Post by Lune on Jun 4, 2006 6:30:27 GMT -5
"Oh, geez! What's with all the commotion??"
*Lune appeared, as if from nowhere, looking rather qurious.*
"What's going on here; can't a girl be here alone wit her thoughts anymore?" *Lune's smile faded when she saw the look in the youn man's eyes.* Oh, dear...why is he so tense? I wonder what happened?
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Post by Nadir on Jun 4, 2006 15:57:51 GMT -5
*Nadir's eyes flashes subtly at the young man nearby. The swift flush of anger or the near-untraceable stutter in his words might have gone unnoticed by a less seasoned observer, but the Persian had found his senses had never led him wrong before.* Best let the pup have the bone...he would do the lady more justice than an old mutt like me. *He took Bonnie-Marie's fair slim hand and held it towards the younger man.* "Monsieur?" *He placed a strong, lean brown hand at the small of the girl's back and gave her a light pressure, easily propelling her towards the other man. The boy seemed good enough. He was handsome. And everyone knows that only the ugly have really bad intentions.* Except Erik, perhaps... *Nadir chuckled to himself.* Who am I kidding? Erik's a psycho. *With a slight bow to the boy, Nadir turned towards the doorway he had just entered through, seeing yet another pretty young thing come out of nowhere. He easily caught her hand in his own and placed a light kiss on the back of her knuckles.* "Mam'selle," *he murmured, with another courtly bow before he disappeared back into the dim and dusty attics of the Opera.*
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Post by Bonnie-Marie on Jun 4, 2006 18:53:55 GMT -5
*glances up, embarassed, at the man she ran into, and steps back with a gasp*
Mon ange de nourriture!
*eyes grow even larger than usual as she stares at him, and a sudden gust of wind blows her hair fetchingly across her creamy face. She blushes daintily as Nadir takes her hand, then turns a beautiful deep scarlet when her eyes meet Dominic's and she remembers the conversation she was attempting to run out of. Unable (or unwilling?) to break free of Nadir's grip, she gasps when he pushes her toward Dominic, then suddenly she is in his arms and nothing else matters*
I...I...
What is happening to me? Why do I feel like this? I can't feel like this! He's not like me! No one is like me, and no one will ever love me!
*turns to leave once more, but she's captured in his arms, and a small sob escapes her perfect lips*
I'm sorry! I'm sorry!
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Dominic
- Ingenious Pilot -
Posts: 139
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Post by Dominic on Jun 5, 2006 6:53:48 GMT -5
Dominic was startled and confused by the strange exchange, by the mysterious older man. But the young woman was crying quietly in his arms and he slipped his arms around her waist and held her, hoping that a friendly embrace would provide some small comfort.
"I hope that it isn't me who has upset you," he said with a smile, hoping to cheer her. He pulled back and looked down at her delicate tear-stained face. "My name is Dominic, by the way. Dominic Dupont. You may have heard of my mother, Annette Dupont. She was once the prima ballerina here."
She had said she wanted to be a dancer. Perhaps if they discussed something she obviously enjoyed, it would take her mind off whatever was troubling her. He itched to ask her what had distressed her, but he decided against it. He didn't want to overstep any boundaries or pry into private matters.
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Post by Bonnie-Marie on Jun 6, 2006 5:57:41 GMT -5
*eyes brighten ridiculously fast, sparkling excitedly*
Annette Dupont! Of course I've heard of her! She was the greatest dancer that ever lived, and I know that even though I've never been out of my house before a month ago and TV hasn't been invented yet! Wow, Annette Dupont, how wonderful!
*glances up at him, reverting to shyness once more* And Dominic Dupont...how equally wonderful...*shakes her head to rid herself of the fancy* I'm Bonnie-Marie. Bonnie-Marie de Chagny. I'm very happy to meet you.
*beams at him, and you'd never know she was near-suicidal just seconds ago*
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Dominic
- Ingenious Pilot -
Posts: 139
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Post by Dominic on Jun 6, 2006 14:06:40 GMT -5
"Pleased to meet you," Dominic replied, returning her smile. He took her hand in his for a brief moment, then let it go. Shaking it was too formal, kissing it was too forward...
"Are you related to Raoul de Chagny? The patron?"
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Post by Bonnie-Marie on Jun 6, 2006 15:13:56 GMT -5
*is lost in his eyes and doesn't respond for a moment*
Hmm? Oh! Yes I am, he's my cousin! And I've just discovered recently that I have a cousin-in-law here too; her name is Anneke and she's the little sister of Raoul's wife, Christine. Isn't that exciting?
*clears her throat and looks down, her chocolate hair falling into her eyes*
Stupid, stupid! He doesn't want to talk about my family! Why can't I talk without making a fool of myself?
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