"L'amour est dans l'air ce soir!" He then let out a laugh.

   "Shut up," Steele replied, pushing his brother on his back on the couch, but he couldn't help but grin, "No need to rub it in." He then hopped off the couch, "Now, if you excuse me, I'm heading off to bed."

   "Good night, brother." Philippe chuckled to himself, as he sat back on the couch. He was somewhat surprised by how his brother reacted to his question. He was sure that Steele would be in denial about this whole thing, but he wasn't. He almost felt like he was really talking with his brother, not some conceited alpha-male.

   I'm proud of you, brother, he thought, and to think, the great Steele de Chagny has fallen in love, hehe. He chuckled again, as he got up from the couch to call it a night as well.

Chapter 8

A NEW MARGUERITE

by Monsieur Louis Harris of Le Département des Beaux-Arts, published Tuesday, August 24, 1881

As we all know, the Opera Canine is one of the most distinguished foundations of the 19th century, a God given gift by Monsieur Charles Canine himself, and it is my pleasure to give my fellow Parisians a quick overview of Monday's performance of Charles Gounod's Faust, as it is my sole duty to do so.

Upon entering the auditorium, I had expected to view the presence of the great La Carlotta in the lead role of Marguerite, the young love-sick peasant girl who falls in love with Dr. Faust upon the command of the demon Mephistopheles. My hopes were rather high, as La Carlotta has satisfied my palate before in her performance as Tosca in Puccini's Tosca, and Lady Macbeth in Giuseppe's Macbeth, but I was unfortunately incorrect.

So, imagine my disappointment when La Carlotta was somehow replaced by an unknown dog, who goes by the name of Jennifer Daae. Curious, I decided to give her a chance, as she might be somewhat decent. However, my surprise came when I found that she not only worked as the Canine's costume girl, but she also has never had the proper training that a "true" opera singer has had.

Someone like this does not, in my opinion, belong in such an establishment as the Opera Canine. Therefore, I highly recommend that Jennifer be replaced by La Carlotta, who has believed that Mademoiselle Daae had actually "planned" to take her place in the lead part. I for one will not tolerate such behavior, and she must return to her duties as the House's costume girl. It certainly "suits" her best.

Hopefully Monsieur Managers and Monsieur Belmont will take this review into account and… Please refer to page 8 for more details…

   Jenna had gotten the paper as soon as she heard news that the review of the first performance of Faust had hit headlines. However, once she had read the above snippet in her dressing room, she was nearly crushed with disappointment.

   I…I don't understand, she thought, completely embarrassed as she almost wanted to hide under in her dressing cabinet, what did I do wrong? I mean, I followed everything that he had said, but I guess it wasn't enough. Maybe I should speak with him about this.

   Just then, Monsieur Belmont knocked on the door, "Mademoiselle Daae, may I have a word with you?"

   "Yes, come in Monsieur," She replied. The short-tempered beagle came into the dressing room rather upset of what he had read in the paper that morning.

   "Mademoiselle, I've read that you're opening performance was rather off." He began, "And, might I add, you actually planned to replace La Carlotta? Is this true?"

   "What?" Jenna responded, clearly confused by what that statement in the papers about her being a fake, "I didn't plan anything, I swear I didn't."

   "Then why did Monsieur Harris say so?" Monsiuer Belmont retorted, "That critic is always right, you know."

   "Maybe there was a mistake, somebody had lied to him, given him bad information?"

   "I'm not buying it, Mademoiselle. I'm not exactly pleased with the way you clearly tricked us. I thought that you had proper training, but upon taking a closer look at your resume, I've found that you've never even taken any classes or courses in the Paris Conservatorium!"

   "But, I've had training."

   The beagle raised a brow, "Oh, with whom?"

   Jenna shuffled her paws, "Well, I can't exactly say who he is, but he's given me an amazing gift, and I know you really don't believe what Monsieur Harris said, do you?"

   Monsieur Belmont sighed, "Jennifer, I understand where you come from, and who your Father is, but I just want you to know that I do believe what Monsieur Harris said about you. I knew something was off about you, but I didn't think that this was for real. I'm sorry, Madame, but I'm going to have to show this to the managers. It seems unfair and wrong for La Carlotta's career to be ruined like this."

   "What!" Jenna gasped, "You can't!" She knew if Monsieur Belmont reported this to the managers, then they would surely fire her for this.

   "I'm afraid I have no choice," He said sternly, "Now, if you would please come with me, Mademoiselle."

   Jenna felt ashamed as she walked with Monsieur Belmont down the hall, down to the Grand Staircase, and finally to the manager's office, where said manager (Monsieur Kaltag was the only one present that day) were not exactly happy with this.

   "Is this true, Madame?" Monsieur Kaltag asked, clearly upset with what Monsieur Belmont had said, "Did you intentionally replace La Carlotta?"

   "No, I didn't," Jenna repeated, "I never wanted to replace her, I just wanted to be in the lead role, that's all. I meant no harm. You can't honestly believe just one critic, can you?"

   "Oh, so you admit it then!" Monsieur Belmont interjected.

   "Monsieur, let me handle this," Kaltag assured the beagle, "Mademoiselle, I'm afraid that we can't exactly tolerate this kind of behavior, as I've read many of Monsieur Harris' works, and he's always 100% accurate. So, I'm sorry, but were going to have to let you go."

   "But, Monsieur, I didn't do anything wrong," The husky pleaded, her ears drooping, "This is all a big mistake."

   "I'm afraid I have to do this, Jennifer. Now please, take your things, and clear out of the Canine." Jenna hung her head in disappointment, saddened by the fact that she would never forgive herself for this, but before she got to the door, La Carlotta suddenly entered, making the husky jump.

   "Monsieur Managers, I would like to have a word with you." She said, clearly upset about something.

   Monsieur Kaltag groaned, "What is it this time, Madmae?"

   "Have you read what that Monsieur Harris has said about Mademoiselle-," She then noticed that Jenna was in the room, and pulled her close to her, wrapping an arm around her, "Oh, you poor thing," she cooed, "getting bullied by that jerk critic."

   Jenna was somewhat uncomfortable, as she wasn't expecting this. This was the first time that La Carlotta had actually said something nice to her (or had acted nice to her).

   "Um, uh…" She began, but La Carlotta shushed her.

   "Monsieur Moncharmin, there's been a horrible mistake," She continued, "That Monsieur Harris has framed poor Jenna in order to ruin heramazing first performance, and I for one will not stand for this kind of stunt that he's pulled. I am absolutely appalled."

   "So, Monsieur Harris lied?" Kaltag inquired.

   "Yes, and I shall file a complaint immediately, this poor dog has been a victim of a horrendous crime," She then held Jenna tighter, making her feel even more awkward and uncomfortable, "In fact, I demand that you give her job back to her immediately!"

   "But, La Carlotta, she's-," Monsieur Belmont pleaded, but was soon stopped when the poodle growled at him, giving him a dirty look.

   "Um, on second thought," He said, grinning and sweating nervously, "She should get her job back, Monsieur Manager. Hehe," He then whispered, "as soon as possible."

   Kaltag sat got up from his desk, "I think La Carlotta is right, Monsieur Belmont. Perhaps we were too harsh with Mademoiselle Daae, and I think she should stay."

   "Oh, I knew you'd see it my way, Monsieur Manager!" La Carlotta cheered, giving Jenna a tight hug, "Come, my dear, I'll take you back to your dressing room."

   "Um, thank you, Carlotta," She replied, still not sure as to why the poodle had stood up for her, but she was just glad that she was able to stay at the Canine.

   As the two walked back to Dressing Room 1, Jenna thanked Carlotta for doing that for her.

   "Oh, you are so welcome, darling, it's my pleasure." She smiled.

   "Thank you, but thought you never liked me." Jenna replied.

   "Oh, that's because you