OVERTURE

[stagemanagers]

You wake up, and realize you don’t remember how you got here.

This bed is soft and warm, but it’s certainly not yours. And the room is unfamiliar - unless perhaps you’re an actor, seeing as it looks almost exactly like every dressing room in the world. It's not quite large enough to fit the bed and trunk comfortably alongside the vanity, but it what it lacks in open space, it makes up for in coziness. This could be something you’ve seen in a movie, or dreamed about experiencing one day. But whatever the case, you aren’t supposed to be here.

There’s a silver key resting on your vanity, along with a thin program booklet. The cover - where the name of the show would usually be - is blank, but if you flip through it, you’ll find some startlingly familiar information. Maybe a few familiar faces as well…

The hallway outside is narrow and poorly-lit, lined with star-studded doors. But if you make your way past them and out into the lobby, you’ll find something entirely different: an elegant, refined opera house. Crystal chandeliers glitter overhead, and the red carpet is perfect for putting on a show. A large clock on the northern wall marks the time, though with the windows shuttered and locked it's difficult to tell whether it's morning or night. There’s also some framed information pinned up that you might find helpful. If you explore further into the adjoining wings, in fact, you'll see there's an identical copy in every room.

There’s also two sets of double-doors in the lobby: one leading back the way you came, deeper into the Opera House, and one leading out. For the moment, neither of them will open.

It looks like you’re stuck. But hey - at least you aren’t alone.

Comments

[dechagny]

[Raoul nods, acknowledging the grave error in these pamphlets. The information in these is creepy.] Nor I an actor - and I am fairly certain this must be some sort of opera house, but none I am familiar with in the least.

[He sighs, and slips the pamphlet into his coat pocket.] Ah, but, where are my manners? Charmed to meet you, miss, I am the Viscount de Chagny.

[sunshineprincess]

An opera house? [She's read about them, but this is her first time being in one. It's grand, but creepy without a lot of people in it.]

A Viscount? [She clasps her hands together in front of her and gives him her brightest smile.] I'm Princess Anna of Arendelle. It's nice to meet you as well, Viscount de Chagny.

[dechagny]

I believe so - I have only just begun to patron one myself, but the grandeur here is similar enough.

[Raoul's jaw kind of...almost drops at that. Oh dear. Oh wow, where are his manners????? HE NEEDS ALL THE MANNERS IF THIS IS REALLY A PRINCESS. Raoul is quick to bow, fumbling as he reaches for his hat, which...he doesn't have. Nope, no hats for you to doff.]

Goodness! The pleasure is mine, Your Majesty, forgive me for being so frank with you before. [And he rises, all honest, charming smiles.] Though I am sorry to have never heard of Arendelle before today.

[sunshineprincess]

It's beautiful in here. I just thought opera houses would be more... lively.

[Anna tries not to giggle at his sudden change in demeanor.]

Oh no, it's fine! I don't look like much, so... now my sister Elsa! She does look like royalty. You can tell just looking at her that she's the queen! [Hah. Low self-esteem, what is that.] I don't think anyone here has.

[dechagny]

That they are! They are full of life even in what many would call the dead of night. [Performers practicing, costumers sewing, construction workers building sets...work never ends in a theater.

He smiles a little at the giggle - yes, he knows he looks a fool, but Raoul is happy to have brightened someone up a little.]

Goodness, don't say that! You are a lovely young lady - queen or princess or not. What is your kingdom like, if I may ask?

[sunshineprincess]

That's amazing... [Oh, if only things could be like that right now...

Taking a moment before answering, Anna tries to smile.]

Thank you... It's called Arendelle. It's pretty far up in the north.

[dechagny]

[Raoul looks wistful for a moment, remembering what happened just before he found himself here. The stage, the applause, Christine.] It is truly a spectacular sight.

[Up north? So that might be...]

Would it be, perhaps, close to Norway or Sweden?

[sunshineprincess]

One day I hope I can see that. Sure, it's means I'd have to leave my country for a while... but it would be worth it! [Once in a lifetime opportunity? She wants to leave Arendelle so badly sometimes.

She's thinking.]

Sounds about right.

[dechagny]

If you are ever in Paris, I shall make sure you have the finest seats at the Opéra Populaire.

[And at that, he smiles.] I see! Though I have not been there myself, the north, in my opinion, produces very kindly and wonderful people.

[sunshineprincess]

Paris? That would be wonderful! I've always wanted to go...

[She admires Joan of Arc. It would be wonderful to go to the country she's from!]

I agree. Everyone there is so sweet and kind. I've rarely seen anyone be cross with others.

[dechagny]

Then you should make a trip out of it! You and...I believe you mentioned you have a sister? If it's possible to take that sort of trip, I believe you should!

[Go out there! See the world! Be part of it!]

I have an old friend from the north, actually. I was going to go to see her before...all of this happened. [It's not like she won't be there when he gets back, but. This is definitely a wrench in things.]

[sunshineprincess]

She would love it! We've been in that castle for so long that I think we both need a break and just... see everything...

[Elsa needs it even more than Anna does.]

I see... well, I hope when we get out of here that she'll still be waiting for you. Especially when you explain to her just what happened.

[dechagny]

[He smiles, just a touch bashful.] Ah...that's the thing. She actually does not know to expect me. We haven't seen each other in years, and I saw her performing on stage...it was the surprise of a lifetime, to say the least. I wanted to surprise her.

[sunshineprincess]

[She claps her hands together, her eyes wide.] That's so romantic! She'll be so surprised! Did you being her flowers, sweets, or a other gift?

[dechagny]

I had planned to find some flowers before I found her. Perhaps roses. They are a very sweet token - and admittedly, better if they are red. The color reminds me of how we met.

[sunshineprincess]

Ah! Red roses mean you love her!

[dechagny]

[He laughs, definitely bashful now. HAHAH, yeah, he's definitely crushing on Christine, but does she feel the same? She has full right to rebuke him, if he gets the chance to see her again.]

Well! There was...something, when we were young, but it's been many years. She may have plans of her own! I was thinking more of the color of the scarf I retrieved for her from the sea.

[sunshineprincess]

[A scarf? This story is getting more and more romantic... What a gentleman to do such a thing.]

I'm sure she'll love them then. A gesture like that speaks a thousand words...

[dechagny]

[And he was only fourteen at the time! The de Chagny line raises 'em up young.]

I do sincerely hope so. But, if I do not return soon, I might not find her again for some time. The show had just ended before I...fell asleep? Or found myself asleep. I don't know how much time has passed, and she may well have returned to her home.

[sunshineprincess]

[Clearly.]

Can't you see if anyone knows if she's left? When you go back? They might know and you can go find her then.

[dechagny]

I should be able to, but to call upon her at home after her very first performance...it is a bit forward of me, and I'm not sure how she would react.

[sunshineprincess]

Hmm... that would be a problem. Maybe send her a letter announcing you'll visit her?

[dechagny]

That, unfortunately, ruins the surprise...

[Unless...it's not directly saying "sup girl it's ya boi raoul"]

...But something to that effect might not be amiss, if written well.

[sunshineprincess]

Does she know your handwriting? You could always dictate and someone else can write it for you.

[dechagny]

She might not. Like I said, it has been some time since we last met. I shall give it some thought.