Maria’s P.O.V.

“Ah 5, 6, 7, 8.” Meg chanted, I rolled my eyes, she thought that the more she worked on this, well I won’t even comment on what that song is, and she would win my father’s favor.

“Right this way Viscountess, this is wh-“I said being cut off by that woman.

“Christine? What are you doing here?” Meg nearly screeched

“Meg? Well I am here to sing!” Christine said excitedly

“Sing? Who hired you to sing here?” She said, almost sounding mad.

“Who do you think Meg? Mr. Y,” I stated with clipped tones “And you should be getting back to practice.”

“Fine. Christine it was a pleasure to see you again.” Meg said, with certain sarcasm to the word pleasure, I glared at her.

“As I was saying Viscountess, this is where you will be practicing my fa- Mr. Y’s aerie.” I stumbled

“Have you ever met Mr. Y Maria?” She asked

“Um, yes, once or twice.” I said calmly “Why where you wondering? If I may ask?”

“You just seem very comfortable with his name.”

“Well he treats everyone the same here and anyone who he hire’s is deformed in some way or another, like myself.” I showed her my arm, her gasp was actually funny. “My family died in a fire when I was younger, Madame Giry took me in as her own, and so I have been here in Phantasma since its opening.”

“Oh,” Her face fell “I am terribly sorry about your parents, if you need anything, at all, tell me.” She said with a soft smile.

“Thank Madame, now here is the aerie you can practice whenever you are ready.” I said quickly

“Mother! When can we go see our friend?” Gustav called

“Patience Gustav, I am sure he’ll send when he is ready, now go find your father I need to rehearse.” She said, with love so deep in her eyes, I envied the boy in that moment. He ran off, I followed saying I would keep an eye out for him,

“Gustav? Who is your ‘friend’ that you met last night?” I asked

“Mr. Y! Can you believe it?” He said, in a very excited tone

“I know where he works, if you want to meet him?”

“Yes! Oh please!” he cried

“Follow me then” I giggle, I showed him down to the workshop

“Mr. Y? I have a Gustav DeChangey here to see you.” I called

“Right this way Viscount” He smiled, I was to leave, but then again, I never listened to my father’s orders.

He was showing Gustav everything he had ever made, I heard Christine calling for her son, and the I saw it, the glint in his eyes, he took off-more like ripped off- his mask, Gustav screamed

“Gustav!  It’s alright! It’s me!” Christine cried

“Take the boy and leave!” Papa said calmly

“Erik plea-“  Christine pleaded, Gustav had run back to his father.

“LEAVE!” He screamed

“He is yours Erik.” She started crying, I was frozen with shock where I sat. Gustav was my brother, and I was never going to let that fool Raoul hurt him.