Melody (Frerard)

Phantom never came down that night. Leaving me curious, and disappointed.
I could've gone up there and greeted phantom myself but it would've been rude to trespass into their home. Even if it was starting to fall apart.
Still, I couldn't get the melody out of my head. How could something so beautiful, be so unknown?
Then it dawned on me. Phantom was a peasant.
The truth of it broke my heart. Knowing such an exquisite musician lived in a horrible state.
"Good morning brother!" Mikey comes in my chambers, radiating excitement and joy.
"What is is with you and your gleam?" I chuckle. "It's only morning."
"Lady Lindsay is throwing a ball tomorrow evening." He clapped his hands together.
"So?"
"In your name, Gerard!" He pulls my sheets from over my bed and pulls me upward. "She likes you."
"Blatantly so." I laugh.
"We must get your best tailor. And have him make you an extravagant suit."
"So she'll be able to notice you, from every corner of the earth."
As soon as he'd said that, I paused. Terrified of his strategy.
I was never one who wanted so much attention. Of course it was nice, but not to such an extent of being the center of an event. "No, I'll have him make the usual fancy attire. You know, I'm not that kind of person."
Mikey nods, accepting my request. He knew better than to try and change my mind. "My suggestion, would be to at least try a new color."
"Red is duller than the eyes of the dead." He says as he made his way out of my chambers.
He was right. Everyone, including me have worn red more times than necessary. Often times it was either red or different shades of blue and green. It was time for something different. But how different?
Later that morning the tailor arrived, eager to show me his newest designs.
They were nice as usual. But I took what mikey had said to heart. They were all the same colors that everyone wore.
After trying on the several suits, I found only one that seemed to fit my liking. But it wasn't the color I wanted.
"You don't seem to be impressed this morning sir. Is there something wrong with the fabric?"
Shaking my head, I take off the last suit and placed it on his arm. "Nothing about the fabric is wrong. It's the color. Though, i do love the design."
He seemed confused. "But it's the same as I've always made you."
I chuckle. "That's my point, Giova. I want something different.." I trail off, thinking of a color to change it to. "Black!"
His eyebrows knit together, surprised by my choice. "Sir, might I suggest a different color? Black is for mourning and war." He seemed worried.
I laugh, reassuring him that it wasn't for that occasion. "This is merely for exploring options. I want to simply be different is all."
Giova nods as he packed up his materials. "I'll have it ready before the ball."
Later that night, I found myself painting the street again.
This time with more tones of blue and grey. To add a midnight gleam of it.
I've gotten an obsession towards finding out who phantom really was.
I often fantasized what they would've looked like. More especially before bed.
Though the more I thought about phantom, the more guilty i felt.
Look at me, living and breathing the wealthy life. While more deserving people like phantom starved and froze in the night. Everything about me felt wrong.
"Mikey!" I call out.
It takes him awhile to get to my chambers but he does so looking concerned. "What is it? Are you hurt?"
I shake my head. "I need you to send out a parcel. Tonight."
His worry ceases and his eyes knit together in confusion. "You have messengers for that. Why me?"
"You are the only one I know, who knows how to get there."
"Fine. But what is it that I'm sending? And to whom?"
"Phantom."
"Phantom?" He laughs. "That's very obscure. Does this phantom have a real name?"
I smile, thinking of the wonderful person who could possibly be phantom. "Perhaps. But that is a mystery. I know nothing of phantom, but I'm in a generous mood."
Mikey nods, probably thinking of how ill minded I seem. "What is it that you want me to take to this, phantom?"
I quickly grab a piece of sketch paper and an ink quill to write down the list of things and some instructions of how they should be given to phantom. Shortly after writing it, I write another note, to be put inside the parcel with the listed items. I fold the note, and hand both papers to mikey.
"Make sure no one else reads the note." I tell mikey just before he went off.

Notes