Irk’s famous Lythikos Mausoleum is known for granting entertainment and keeping our mighty Empire’s culture alight. Today wouldn’t have been different, but the gala’s star, Tenn Sakhak, has mysteriously vanished from her dressing room. Security has searched under every crack and crevice in the mausoleum, but she is nowhere to be found.
Rumors say that she’s been spirited away by the infamous ‘Phantom of the Mausoleum’. This mysterious character has already generated quite the controversy throughout the Mausoleum. Though nobody’s ever seen him in person, some dancers or staff claim to have glimpsed him in Box Five or moving through the rafts in a black cloak.
Real or myth, there’s really no proof that miss Sakhak was kidnapped. After a thorough check up in her dressing room, the authorities didn’t find any signs of struggle or fight. In fact, witnesses have stated that she never even left her dressing room and no one went in, bringing more questions.
Where has miss Sakhak gone?
X-X
Tenn awoke groggily, rubbing her forehead as her vision adjusted to the lack of light. Her head was throbbing. Owowow. What happened? All she remembered was getting herself ready for the performance in her dressing room, then someone coming from behind and putting a cloth over her mouth. She tried to fight, but…
As her vision adapted, Tenn examined her surroundings. She was in a nicely decorated room. Violet and purple carpets hung from the walls, and there were lots of cushions with matching colors. Her own bed was a wide with a mauve duvet and nice, comfortable pillows. In fact, There were lots of candles spread around the cave.
She had no idea of how she got there, but she did know she had to return to her dressing room and get ready. Damn it, Red was going to have a heart attack if she didn’t show up!
As she got off the bed, Tenn heard the unmistakable sound of an organ being played. So someone did live here. Perhaps they could tell her what’s going on and how she got to this place.
The entrance of the ‘room’ led to an even bigger room also illuminated with candles, a few lamps and decorated in shades of purple. Whoever lived there must really love that color. A magnificent chandelier hung from the ceiling, bathing the place in colorful lights. The music was coming from an large ivory organ in one side of the room; its pipes glistened with pink and gold light from the chandelier.
A tall Irken dressed in a white long-sleeved shirt under a black vest and jacket with matching black pants sat in front of the organ; his fingers gracefully flew over the keys and pressed them rhythmically. Tenn had heard people playing the piano or the organ at the elitist events she often attended, but this man made them all look like amateurs.
“Excuse me?”
His reaction was almost comical: slamming his hands on the organ’s keys, thus bringing his music to an abrupt halt, the Irken jumped off his seat and turned around abruptly, his lekku straight. His wide purple eyes were fixed on her. Now that she saw his face, Tenn noticed the right half was concealed under a white half-mask.
Wait a minute. Purple eyes, white half-mask… She had heard the gossips and rumors about him, but she’s never really paid any attention to them.
“You are the Phantom.” Tenn deduced.
“T-Tenn! You’re awake!” What the-?! She wasn’t supposed to wake up until much later! Didn’t he use enough chloroform? damn it, he wasn’t ready! sweet Irk, what to do now? “I…” Purple chuckled nervously as he pulled on the collar of his shirt.
Okay, he could do this. He’s been talking to her all this years. The only difference was that there wasn’t a mirror between them anymore. Purple took a deep breath.
“I’m glad you’re finally awake, my dear.” He said, calmly this time, offering Tenn a smile.
“You didn’t answer my question.” Tenn insisted. “You’re the Phantom of the Opera, aren’t you?”
“That is one of the names I’m called, yes, but you know me better as your Angel of Music.”
Angel of Music? That couldn’t be, he wasn’t real. He was just a figment of her imagination that she made up as a smeet to have someone to talk with in her loneliness… At least, that’s what she told herself all these years. But his voice was so familiar, and all those singing lessons… they couldn’t be a figment of her imagination. could they?
“Would you like to take a seat, my dear? You look a bit pale.” Tenn stepped back when he took a few steps forward.
“I’m f-fine, I’m just… processing it.” Tenn said quickly. “But you’re the infamous Phantom too. The one who hung the stagehand backstage!”
It took Purple every ounce of self-control not to panic again. He had been hoping she wouldn’t bring that particular topic up. “Just for the record, it was an accident.” He clarified. “A rather tragic accident. He drowned in the lake and I just put him there.”
“Lake? What lake?” Tenn blinked as she recalled what she wanted to ask in the first place. “Where are we?”
“Oh, right!” Purple spread out his arms, gesturing to his surroundings. “Welcome to my humble abode and your new home, my dear!”
Tenn glanced at the chandelier. I wouldn’t call it humble, she thought. “Right. And where are we, exactly?”
“Under the Opera house, of course!”
Tenn stumbled back a bit, blinking. “Under the opera house? Are you kidding me?”
Purple’s smile faltered a bit. “Well, it’s not like someone like me can just rent an apartment in the neighborhood, right? It’d attract…” he turned away, hiding the masked half of his face from view. “…Unwanted attention.”
Tenn did sit down in the nearest chair this time. Resuming: she’s with the fucking Phantom of the Opera, who turned out to be her ‘imaginary’ friend and mentor, in a big house underneath the Opera House. It almost felt like she was having a very weird dream.
“Okay… So why did you bring me here?”
“I…” this is it, what he had been waiting for for years. He took a deep breath. “I love you,” Purple finally confessed, kneeling before his beloved. “I brought you here out of love, my dear Tenn! Ever since I first heard you sing, I wanted you, needed you here with me to compliment my music.”
Tenn stepped back warily. “Love?” She frowned. “You have quite an odd way of showing it, considering you kidnapped me.”
“I had no choice. You wouldn’t have come willingly.” Admittedly, he was right. She wouldn’t have. “I apologize for deceiving you, forgive me!”
“How can I when I barely even know what kind of man you are?” Tenn retorted, frowning. “Have you heard the saying ‘never trust someone who hides his face? Let me see you.”
As she reached out for his mask, however, his hand grasped her wrist with a tight grip, his expression darkening.
“Don’t touch the mask. Ever.” The tone in which he spoke sent shivers down her spine. “As long as you don’t touch it, you’ll have nothing to fear from me.” He stepped back from her, his mood lightening again. “Besides, what matters isn’t the face, but the heart,” he placed a hand over his chest. “And mine is filled with love for you.”
Tenn wasn’t satisfied with that. What’s the big deal? It couldn’t be that bad, could it? Besides, if he actually wanted something serious with her, he’d eventually have to show her his face, anyway. Was it such a sensitive topic for him? Then again, she had heard rumors that the Phantom’s face was so horrible that it haunted one’s nightmares for a long time.
“What are you afraid of? I’m your prisoner, remember?” Tenn pointed out matter-of-factly.
“You’re a prisoner of love, my dear. I’m not that bad once you get to know me!” Purple insisted. She didn’t look convinced, though. What to do now to break the ice…? “You must be hungry. Follow me, I’ve prepared something tasty for you!”
Tenn wasn’t sure she wanted to eat anything made by him (part of her considered he might poison it or something). Following him into a small dining hall, the Phantom pulled out the chair for her to sit. Well, at least he was a gentleman.
Admittedly, the soup he made was tasty. He hadn’t even gone out of the room when she practically devoured it along the bread, cheese and fruit in the table. If anything, Purple was a good cook.
X-X
The following days, things started a bit… rocky, to say the least.
Tenn tried to escape a few times, but Purple’s home was like a labyrinth and she always ended up returning back to the main room, much to her chagrin. And no matter how many times she demanded or even asked nicely that he take her back to the surface, he always refused. She tried following Purple when he left to run his opera house, but always ended up getting lost and returning to where she started. Then she’d vent off in the cushions imagining they were Purple’s head.
Despite this, Purple was nice. He acted gentle and kind, never raising his hand against her not doing anything to hurt her. He spoke sweetly and left her a rose every day as she slept. Other times, he entertained her with some of his magician skills, or played the organ for her.
He hoped that, in time, she’d grow to love him through these small details.
After a while, Tenn grew somewhat comfortable with her captor. She was mostly impressed by his refinement, culture, and gentlemanly manners for someone who’d lived underground most of his life. Purple demonstrated to be a talented architect, magician, technician, illusionist (this part wasn’t so surprising), and, surprisingly, painter.
But his greatest passion was his music. Purple was a gifted composer and he’d play anything she asked; the way he performed the Requiem for Cyanin, The Conquest of Vort and even the Fall of the Springgas had no comparison.
One morning, though, she casually saw him working on blank music sheets. Every now and then he’d write on them, only to cross them out seconds later and write something else.
Tenn tip-toed from behind to take a look at it. She managed to read the words Soliloquy before Purple suddenly put the sheets into the desk’s drawer.
Damn it, when did she get behind him?! He quickly hid his work before she could see it completely.
“Don’t.” Purple warned her sternly.
“What was that? Is it another opera?”
“It’s… something I’ve been working on, but it's not ready. It’s still not finished. Besides,” Purple’s expression became pained. “It’s not something I want you to hear.”
“Why not?” Tenn inquired.
“Because it burns.” Purple said darkly. “It burns with a fire not from heaven. You’re lucky not to come to that kind of music yet.”
Tenn felt a shiver down her spine. “If you say so…” her lekku straightened up as she saw something in the corner of her eye. A tiny, hairy, six-legged-!
Purple swore his heart almost went up to his throat when Tenn shrieked and he felt a new weight in his arms. It took him a few seconds to realize she had jumped into his lap and was now clinging to his neck. His cheeks felt hot.
“What the-? What’s wrong?!”
“There’s an antula over there!” Tenn pointed at said spider-like bug walking calmly on top of the table. “Kill it!”
“But it’s harmless.”
“I don’t care, it’s nasty!”
Sighing, Purple placed Tenn on his seat and went to deal with the problem. He took a blank paper sheet, but instead of rolling it up to squash the antula, he gently led it to walk on it and then placed the critter on the wall so it could go back to its cobweb.
Tenn just couldn’t believe it. “What are you doing?! I told you to kill it, not let it go!”
“For your information, those critters are the closest things I’ve had to companions over the years.” Purple said simply. “Besides, it did nothing to you.”
“I swear, Purple, if that thing crawls on top of me at night, I’ll kill you!” Purple shivered in delight at the show of temper.
After those doodles I made, i couldn’t help myself. I HAD to make this!
Just so you know, though, this won’t be like my other fics following a linear plot. I’ll just be posting one-shots without any particular as they come without chronological order.
Enjoy!
-IZ-
Tenn poured her heart into her voice as she sang. Her song’s melodic tones echoed throughout the auditorium, captivating her audience. The glitter and satins in her dress’s lavender fabric almost seemed to glow under the white spotlight. Her hands delicately moved along with her singing in perfect synchrony, conveying more emotion into her performance.
As the music reached an inevitable crescendo, Tenn knew the cue that the performance was near the end and followed it with her voice until it culminated with a powerful note.
Tenn returned to the real world just in time to see her public clap their hands loudly and get to their feet in a standing ovation, all of them cheering as roses and exotic flowers landed at her feet. Tenn delicately lifted the gown of her dress and curtsied in gratitude before she elegantly made her way backstage, still hearing the echoes of her adoring public.
It didn't end there, though. All around her, the dancers, chorus girls and workers clapped their hands. Tenn strode through the corridor and towards her dressing room, proudly glancing at her carved name in the door before stepping inside and closing it behind her.
Tenn’s dressing room was spacious and fancy, and as always, it was filled to the brin with flower bouquets, chocolates and many other lavish gifts from secret admirers. While Tenn accepted the gifts out of courtesy, she refused any advances anyone made.
She had no time for silly romance, not now when her career is at its peak.
With a relieved huff, Tenn quickly removed the layers of makeup and changed into a more simple dress to relax. She loves to sing, but finds all the costume wearing and dressing up far too stressful. Letting herself fall into the couch, Tenn closed her eyes for a few moments to clear her head.
Bravo! You did spectacularly, my dear Tenn!
Tenn didn’t open her eyes. She merely smiled a bit as her unseen, maybe imaginary mentor praised her, just like after every performance. While she remembered her father’s tales of the Angel of Music quite fondly, she was far too old to believe in fairy tales.
”Miss Sakhak?” Tenn raised her lekku. That voice wasn't an hallucination.
”Come in.” Tenn said, not moving from her spot even after the door opened and a tall Irken with crimson eyes stepped inside.
”Exhausted?” he asked.
”What makes you think that? The fact that I am trying to nap?”
”No offense, but you are quite predictable.”
”What do you want, Red?” Tenn asked impatiently.
”I wanted to congratulate you on tonight’s performance. You blew them all away, as always!” Red said, smiling a bit. ”I don't know who your tutor is, but he certainly did a good job!”
Tenn sighed. She wasn't sure of who had provided her with singing lessons; all she remembered was an Irken dressed in a black cape in her dreams, but a figment of her imagination doesn’t exactly count.
“Whoever he is, he is a great teacher.” she said simply. Red gave her an odd look, but said nothing on the matter.
“Anyhow, if you need a break, Spork is willing to give you a free night tomorrow. Tak could perform the lead in Mausk.”
“She’s back? Last time I heard, she threw another fit and left after a sandbag fell on top of her head.”
Red shrugged. “You know Tak, she hates when the spotlight is on top of anyone that isn’t her.”
Tenn chuckled. Tak is perhaps the only person she considered a worthy rival, but all her talent is wasted in her self-serving attitude and smeetish tantrums when things didn’t go her way. But in a way, Tenn was grateful; if it weren’t for her fits, she wouldn’t have had the lead in tonight’s performance.
“Okay, then. I could use the free time for myself.” Red nodded.
“Very well, then. I shall inform Spork in a while. Meanwhile, you’re free to go home for the day. You deserve it.”
Thanking Red again as he left her dressing room, Tenn shifted on her couch. She’d go home, alright, but first she’d take a small nap. She wouldn't like to fall asleep on the wheel. Better late than never, after all. Besides, it’s not like there was anybody waiting for her back home, anyway.
-IZ-
Once he delivered instructions and sent most of the dancers and workers home for the day, Red went to his usual spot in the rafters and lit up a small cigarette. It’s supposed to be forbidden, but everyone’s gone home, so it’s not like he’s bothering anyone right now.
Besides, it’s not like Spork was roaming around like security; he’d rather lock himself inside his office and not come out.
His lekku twitched when the metal planks behind him creaked. “You’re losing your edge, Pur.”
The shadow behind him chuckled.
“Ah, Red. You heard me because I wanted you to. Otherwise I’d already be next to you before you even blinked.”
Red looked back at his companion. A tall Irken of his stature clad in a black vest and cloak; one might think he was his twin, except his eyes were a shade of purple instead of bright crimson. The defining feature, however, was the white half-mask his companion wore at all times, concealing the right side of his face from view.
He’s got many names: The Phantom, Opera Ghost, murderer, Angel of Music, but Red knew his real name.
Purple.
“How’s Miyuki?”
“She’s coming back to work next week.” Red smiled a bit. “We had a little girl. Her name is Ilk.”
“One of these days, you should bring her. I’d like to meet her.”
“I will if you can spend the whole week without throwing the chandelier on top of the audience.”
“Hey, you should thank me for that! Thanks to that incident, Spork gave you your job back!” Purple countered. “Besides, the only person who got hurt was the guy who was supposed to replace you.”
Red sighed. He kind of felt bad for that poor fella; it wasn’t his fault. Spork had gone against Purple’s will and fired Red, and Purple retaliated by frightening his replacement in an exaggerated manner. The guy didn’t die, but he quit as soon as he could speak again.
Red didn’t hate Spork perse, but he’s been coveting his manager status for a good while now. Spork wasn’t fit for the job: he merely shouted orders without fully understanding them, all he cared about is to fill in his pockets. All the workers and performers feared him, but didn’t truly respect him.
Red’s the one that takes charge and makes sure everything runs smoothly for each performance. He’s the one everybody looks up to for guidance when there’s a crisis or a clash between stars.
“Miss Sakhak did a spectacular job tonight, didn’t she?” Purple said, tenderly caressing the petals of a blue rose. “She sings like a chorus of songuans from the Imperial Palace.”
“Indeed. Not even Tak can hold a candle to her.”
“That’s because I’m a great teacher!” Purple chimed. Red frowned.
“I thought we had talked about spying on people.”
“Come on, nobody knows about that. Besides, you know there’s only one person I’m interested in.” Purple looked down at the rose.
“Indeed. Anyhow, do you have any notes this time?”
Purple looked inside his pocket and took out a black envelope, which he placed in Red’s open hand. “Make sure that he reads it tonight.”
“Don’t worry, he’s learned to take any notes from you seriously.”
“Is Miss Sakhak in her dressing room?”
Red turned to his companion. “...What are you going to do?”
Purple sighed and ran his hand over his head. “I think it’s time I actually introduce myself, Red. I’m taking her down to my lair.”
“Pur, are you sure you don’t want to just ask her out like normal people do? I mean, I’m not sure she’ll take it kindly that you just whisk her off underground and hold her there against her will.”
“It’ll only be for a few days until she gets to know me better.”
“She can do that on an actual date.”
Purple tensed up, averting his gaze. “Right, and where do you suggest I take her? I mean, it’s not like I know my way around the city, and besides people would stare at my face…”
“Pur, I still believe you’re being a bit too drastic. How do you think she’s going to react if you take her underground against her will?”
“I got it covered.” Purple said.
Red had the feeling that he was lying, but shrugged it off.
“Just a favor. At the very least make it look like she left home, otherwise Spork is going to have my head.”
Purple tipped his hat and disappeared into the shadows, his long cape flowing behind him.
Red sighed. Why do I have the feeling I’m going to regret this?
-IZ-
Tenn wasn’t sure of how much time she slept. When she woke up again, there was a long silence outside. Everyone must have gone home, even Red. Tenn looked up at her electric clock, which marked 01:19. Yup, it was very late. She better go home.
As she grabbed her coat and headed for the door, she heard something.
Tenn….
The irkenette looked around. Who said that? She warily reached out for the knob, but found her door locked.
“What in Irk?” Tenn battled with the door's handle, trying to force it open.
Don’t be frightened, my angel. I won’t hurt you. Come to me…
At some point, Tenn lost motion of her surroundings. The voice’s mysterious charm was captivating and familiar, calling her towards the mirror like a siren song she couldn’t resist, as hard as she tried.
I am your angel of music. Come to me, angel of music.
The lights in her dressing room suddenly became dimmer and the atmosphere turned colner. Tenn shivered at the sudden drop in temperature and rubbed her forearms.
She soon found the reason why: she wasn’t in her dressing room, but she wasn’t in the corridor either. Instead, Tenn found herself in a dark, dimly illuminated corridor. Tenn sneezed at the strong smell of musk and humidity.
And in front of her was a tall Irken clad in a black cape. She couldn’t see him clearly, except for the violet eyes glowing in the darkness
“Who are you?” She asked warily.
“As you can see, I’m no ghost or spirit.” the Irken said in a gentle voice, taking a step closer. “I am-”
“Stay away!” Tenn yelled, stepping back.
“Hey, calm down, I’m just-”
Ignoring him, Tenn tried to go back the way she came, but the secret door had closed shut. She pounded on the door with all the strength she could muster. “Somebody!”
“Tenn-!”
“HELP! REDDOK, TAK, ANYONE!”
Tenn panicked when she felt the stranger place a piece of cloth over her mouth. Desperate, she nailed at his arm, but soon her strength faded away as she saw black holes in her vision.
The last thing she saw before slipping into unconsciousness was a white mask and those violet eyes looking down at her.
