Music of the Night: The Phantom of the Opera Returns (Guile & Melody)

[Saiyan Princess]

"Anyone can wear a mask, m'lord." She giggled. "Just, not everyone can pull it off. It looks good on certain people." Her voice got lower as she counted on her hands the number of ghosts she's been with. "Well, there's...no, he's still ali- oh! There's...no, no, he didn't manage to entice me." She laughed at this, playing with her hair and throwing it to the breeze. "That's right, Papa." Lillith said. "You don't get mad when I hit Alistair." She teased, hopping into a puddle of mud. They laughed as Christine moved away from him. "I do not talk like that. My voice is much more satisfying, that's why my date chose me above all other..." she got in his face, "five...year..old...girls.." she paused again. "As for my being a grandmother, any man would kill to have an older woman. Some already have!" She teased.

 

[Guile]

Erik had a smirk on his face as she listed off the ghosts she'd been with. "Alright, alright already. I get it." He mumbled under his breath, "it still doesn't compare to all the opera singers I've been with, but whatever makes you happy..." He had to keep himself from laughing as Lilly jumped into the mud. "Of course, I don't sweetheart. Because I'm the fun one..." He glared at Christine, hiding his smile. "Oh, but my love, you do talk like that!" Erik started laughing right there, not directly in her face, but close enough as he pointed a finger at her. Then, he stopped suddenly and stood up straight. "Oh!...so you're in to murderers, then?" Erik looked up, thinking for a moment. "Well, that explains the indecent exposure from earlier - the men you like are attracted to that!" He joked with her, a grin still on his face.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"I knew it!" She pushed him into the boat. "You were seeing Carlotta!" She pinned him down and pretended to hit him over the head with her ore. "How dare you step out on your student! Your angel of music!" She hesitated. "Murderers? No, not just any murderers. They have to have...certain qualities, which my beloved date has."

 

[Guile]

Erik fell into the boat and within seconds Christine was on top of him, pinning him down. He started laughing and shielding his face as he let out screams of pain as if she were actually hitting him. "Oh! Oh, I see! It's alright for you to step out on me with this new masked date of yours, but I can't have a little fun once in a while?" He couldn't contain his laughter anymore. "And, no, how many times must I tell you, Christine." He rolled her over so that he was on top of her. "I. Don't. Like. Carlotta." He could barely say her name without becoming disgusted. "No, I'm talking about all those other girls..." He lay down in the boat and closed his eyes, reaching out with his hands as if he were touching someone. "Oh, yes, they were beauties." He stopped, opened one eye and looked at Christine questioningly. "And what certain qualities must this masked, murdering date of your posses that make him so special?"

 

[Saiyan Princess]

She blushed. "Th-They have to...get off!" She pushed him out of the boat, causing it to rock. Taking the ore, she rowed as quickly as she could, away from Erik. "Hurry! Hurry, open the gate!" The gate opened up and closed as soon as they came back home, right before Erik could get in. "Well," she got out, followed by the others. "He's an amazing singer, amazing father, could use help as far as being a husband and lover goes." She teased him. "I mean, his bride hasn't got a ring, for God's sake!" She smirked. "He's got this way with me. He can make me do anything he wants when he holds me just right. His acting skills? Magnificent! His dancing is still that of a beginner and..." she held onto the lever so that it wouldn't let Erik in. "He needs to be on this side of the gate, with his family, and he needs to keep a super short leash on his wife" she paused. "God, I've said wife again. I cannot even say fiancee without a ring."

 

[Guile]

Erik flew into the water with a splash. By the time he resurfaced, shook his head and breathed in air, they were nearly at the gate. Erik stood, soaked from head to toe and leaned against the gate, his hands wrapped around the metal bars. He glared in at Christine, a smirk on his face. "You flater me." He said in an almost monotone way, his hair dripping water into his eyes. "You know, I always thought I was an amazing lover, but then you go and turn your back on me, Miss Daae. I suppose I was wrong..." He stared intensely into her eyes. "You know, since we aren't married yet, that is still my home you're in. So, I'm going to ask you to kindly open the gate now, please." He titled his head and smiled sweetly at her, still teasing. "You have marriage on your mind, Christine - it's why you keep saying wife. Well, I'll let you in on a secret. So do I." He let go of the gate, but still stood there with that devious look in his sparkling eyes. "However, if it's a ring you want...well, I sure can't give it to you from this side of the gate now, can I?"

 

[Saiyan Princess]

She turned her cheek toward him and uncovered her ear, which was hidden by hair. "Doth mine ears device me?" She teased. "Does that mean that I am free to go on that date with any one I wish to?" She teased. With a sudden thought on her mind, she laughed. "What fool doesn't have a key or something to their own home?" She climbed into bed and shut the lights off. "Good night, and good luck getting in here. But, I should warn you..." she mumbled. "My husband doesn't appreciate strange men in his home." Sitting up, she pretended to go about her business, putting each child into the tub in turn. Her features were red and sweaty. He had a ring?

 

[Guile]

Erik laughed, a part of him really believing that she might let him out here. No...she wouldn't...would she? "The fool you love, my dear." He teased. "Hard to make fun of me, isn't it, when you admit to loving many things about me." When she shut the lights out he actually started to panic, but he was also laughing. She won't let me out here...not if she wants this ring. He fingered the soft, velvet box in his pocket that contained the ring he had gotten for her quite some time ago, but didn't know when the time was right to give it to her.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

After getting the little boy out, she dressed him and laid them all down in bed, before going over to the lever again. "This lever? This..." she points to it. "Raises that?" She points to the gate. "Tell me, how can I be sure that this isn't a trick?" She tapped her chin. "How can I be sure that I can trust you and get my ring?" She turned around and grabbed her father's violin from it's case and started playing her children to sleep, her elbow hit the lever and she gasped. "Oh, dear! I'm letting a dangerous monster into our home, children!" She cackled.

 

[Guile]

Erik laughed and shook his head. "It does indeed. And if you don't open it now, well, you'll just have to come out sometime. And when you do...I will be waiting." He placed his hands in his pockets and stood in silence, listening to the violin with a smile on his face, when she hit the lever. He ran through the gate and over to Christine, wrapping his arms around her from behind. Erik lifted her a few inches off the ground, but made sure not to hurt her or the violin. "This is what you get for trying to keep me away from my family and pushing me out of that boat!" He took the violin from her carefully, but abruptly, sat it back in the case and before she could do anything about it, Erik lifted her up in his arms. He started walking out into the water to where it got deeper and deeper until pretty soon Christine was almost touching the water. "Are you going to apologize?" He answered for her. "No? Oh, well then, I suggest holding your breath." He dipped her down in the water and brought her back up almost instantly. "It's very unfortunate - being wet, isn't it?" He laughed at her, now soaked.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

As she came up, she sputtered and choked. "You...didn't...give...me...a chance...to answer!" She shivered in Erik's embrace. "C-Cold...so c-cold!" She couldn't stop, but carefully hid her front body, for the dress was soaking into her skin. "Er-Erik, I..." her teeth chattered. "I hate you." She tried to tease. "Wh-Where is it?"

 

[Guile]

"Aww," Erik held his arms around her, teasing a little bit, but trying to keep her warm. "I hate you too, sweetheart." He kissed her cheek and decided to pick on her more. Putting on a surprised and mildly confused look, he shook his head and furrowed his eyebrows. "Where's what, darling?"

 

[Saiyan Princess]

She glared at him, eyes still wide. "Erik, y-you...you pro-promised!" She felt like crying. "Erik, please!" She rips the mask off, yet again, showing that she meant business. "Erik, I-I need...I n-need dr-dry clothes." She trembled madly. "I th-thought we were g-going on th-that date!" She really started crying at the thought of missing the promised night, the childless night. "I thought w-we w-were celebrating o-our en-g-gagement!"

 

[Guile]

"Oh, Christine..." Erik suddenly went serious the minute he realized he had actually upset her. He wiped the tears from her face, and pulled her close to him, kissing the top of her head. "I'm so sorry, darling, I was only joking." He looked her up and down - he hadn't though about the fact that he had only one dress for her, and that was her wedding dress. Then he remembered, Catherine had bought an outfit for everyone - including Christine - to wear to the ball they were going to throw. "My dear, I have a dress for you. Your eldest child picked it out, so I hope you like it. Come," he held his hand out for her to take and started helping her out of the water and over to the wardrobe. He fished out the dress and handed it to her. "Here, you change into this and then we will go on our date." He placed a comforting kiss on her cheek.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

She shivered as she smiled at him, but didn't return the kiss. Stepping behind the curtain that surrounded the tub, she changed into the exquisite gown. Stepping back out, she tugged on her daughter's arm and basically tackled her in a hug. "Bless you, my darling." She was eternally grateful to Catherine for this. "You saved my life." Catherine blushed. "Sure, Mother." She yawned sleepily and huddled with her siblings. "Well, you two kids have fun.""Well, I had better go meet my date. He doesn't like to be kept waiting." Christine opened the gate again and rowed herself along.

 

[Guile]

Erik changed into dry clothes himself, while Christine was doing the same from another part of the room. When he had finished and came out, Christine was already through the gate in the boat. "I fear I have upset her..." He mumbled to himself. "I can see why, I just wish I had seen it before I did it." He started to make his way out, but turned around at the last minute and pulled the velvet box out of the pocket of his wet clothes. He rubbed it a few times and opened it to look inside - neither the ring nor the inside of the box was wet and he was grateful. Tucking it into his pocket, he said goodnight to Catherine and made his way out of his home. Erik caught up with Christine outside of the Opera.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Oh, it's you." She turned away from him in her fake anger. "Come to dunk me under water again?" Her voice was soft. "If so, I can't, I'm waiting for my carriage to get here." A horse drawn carriage came around the corner. "He should be here by now!" She couldn't believe what she was seeing as she faked her cry. "H-He can-cancelled without t-telling me." Her voice sounded as though she really was crying. "And, w-we were supposed to celebrate!"

 

[Guile]

"Yes it is, me. And no, I haven't - I'm through with water for tonight." He tried to smile at her, but she was turned away from him. When she started fake crying, Erik got up the nerve to see if she were really crying or not. Sometimes she's too good at acting...He placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her around gently to face him. When he saw that she was not really crying, he grinned. "Look, my love, I know I was a...well, an ass." He meant it, truly he had no right to dunk her in water. However, he started to go along with her joke again. "As it seems your date has cancelled on you - God only knows why, the poor fellow must be dying if he's standing up a lady like yourself - perhaps I can be of assistance?" He looked up at the starry sky and the full moon before looking down into Christine's eyes again. "It seems like such a beautiful night, too beautiful to waste crying. Instead of crying over this fool, perhaps you would accompany me instead? If, that is, you can forgive me." He smiled at her and held out his hand for her to take, if she wished.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

She also smiled at him. "Wi, Monsiuer." Christine's hand was shaking as she reached for Erik. "I guess I don't really have a choice now." She laid her head on his chest. "I want to thank you for being so precious and kind to me." She kissed his shoulder, for that was all she could reach. "You were there for me when I needed you after my papa died." She ran her hand from his shoulder, all the way across to his chest. "I forgive you if you can forgive me for wanting to go out tonight with another man." Her grin couldn't be more evident. "Where are you taking me for dinner?"

 

[Guile]

"I'm glad." Erik smiled as she took his hand and laid her head on his chest. He wrapped his other arm around her waist and pulled her a little closer, listening to her speak. "Well, my love, it was the least I could do. I always hated to see you upset and I tried everything I could to make you happy." He placed a kiss on her forehead. "And of course I forgive you." Erik grinned at this. "Of course, It'll sting for a while," he placed his hand over his heart like it hurt, "but...as long as you're nice to me tonight, I think I will get over it." He looked around at the streets before them and thought back to a beautiful restaurant he and Catherine had passed when they had gone out to buy the clothes. "It's a surprise." He whispered, starting to lead her towards the restaurant, her arm linked with his and his opposite hand over her hand. As they walked down the dark streets of Paris, lit only by the moonlight, Erik couldn't help but keep glancing over at Christine. Oh, how beautiful she looked in that new gown, out under the stars. And, best of all, she was with him making the picture even more lovely. When they approached the restaurant, lit up inside with people chattering quietly, Erik opened the door for Christine and allowed her to step inside. A waiter came and ushered them into a private room, thanks to a little tip from Erik, and before them was one small table, just big enough for two. Erik pulled out a chair for Christine so that she could sit, before going and sitting across from her.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

The journey was short, yet satisfying to Christine. She had always enjoyed the chatter and laughter among other restaurant diners. It made her smile, seeing how normal things really were outside that cold and lonely abyss that was her home now. "I am truly sorry..." she teased. "But, my date was so handsome that I couldn't refuse him or he would attack any one that stood in his way of getting to his beloved." Her light air made her happy. "He just has one...teeny...tiny problem. Actually, four teeny tiny problems that stand in the way of our marriage." She laughed as she placed her elbows on the table and entwined her fingers. "You see, we wanted peace and quiet, so we decided to step out from his children and his wife. Now, she's on an outing to dinner with some strange man and he's sitting in a chair at a restaurant across Paris."

 

[Guile]

Erik smiled at her. Listening to Christine tease was the most amusing thing he had ever seen, and he loved it. He let their fingers entwine as she went on about her date. "My, my, Christine." He finally said when she finished. "I didn't know you went for married men with children." Erik teased her back. "But, I suppose I have to thank this lad." He admitted with a grin. "For, if he hadn't been the fool he was and had showed up, I would have missed out on this golden opportunity to spend time with you. Perhaps," he added, looking up into her eyes, "even get you to prefer me instead of this other fellow."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

As their hands touched, she thought about what he said. "Yes, he was a fool, but I hear his wife, or, soon to be wife, hopefully, if he doesn't get the lead out of his trousers and propose, is an absolute treasure to be around." She kissed his hand. "I mean, it's been twenty years, I believe its time for him to, as they say, pop the question." She threw her head back in laughter. "She's already left him a few times and feels absolutely dreadful," she laid her head on the table as she said this, "about it. She hopes he can forgive her."

 

[Guile]

Erik smiled and let out a breath of laughter. Knowing she was talking about him, he started to feel a little awkward. After all, he had dreamed of marrying her for years and now, here he was, dragging it out. "If I know this fool at all," Erik began, "he forgave her the minute she left and thanked God the minute she came back." He smiled at Christine for a few moments and they sat in silence until Erik stood. "Speaking of proposing..." he felt around in his pocket and his fingers touched the velvet box, making him grin. "I wish to ask you something, my love." Then he added, "before this other fellow gets a chance." Taking her hands in his, he pulled her gently from the chair and walked her over to the large windows that was allowing the moonlight to shine in. Erik glanced out at the full moon with a smile, then back at Christine. "It's been long, too long." He confessed, all the tease in him replaced with seriousness. "I wanted to do this a very long time ago, but you weren't ready. Now that I think you are, well, I suppose there's no better moment than right now." Getting down on one knee, Erik pulled the black velvet box from his pocket and opened it for Christine to see the beautiful diamond ring inside, which had a shimmering glow about it, thanks to the moonlight. "My dearest, Christine," he whispered, "will you do me the honor...of becoming my wife?"

 

[Saiyan Princess]

She had his forgiveness. She had his forgiveness! That was all she wanted at this moment. With her ringlets thrown over her left shoulder and away from the right, Christine felt the tug on her arm as she was led into the moonlight. The glitter in her eyes that came from the precious gem was like a thousand more stars had lit the night sky. "I-I'm speechless." Her heart was indeed close to coming up into her throat, it was jumping so high. "I honestly don't know what to say, Erik." She sighed. "No other man has given his heart's song to me." Seeing that they were in a private room, with no one to tear them apart, she removed his mask. "Yes, Erik, my most precious companion. I will marry you and love you until life escapes me." She forced him into the biggest hug ever, as well as made him bind their lips together.