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

[Guile]

Erik waited in silence for his own words to come. He had to avert his eyes several times as she was speaking for he saw her tears and could not help feeling like crying as well. When at last he was able to choke out his words, they cracked at first, before he was able to steady his voice. "Don't...don't cry, Christine. I'm sorry for bringing it up again." After she kissed his hand, Erik reach his arms out and slowly pulled her close to him in an embrace, hoping to stop her tears. Whispering, he tried to console her. "I'm glad you understand, but it was wrong of me to do. Again, I apologize for it. Let us be done with it, and move on to happier things." As he held Christine close to his body, he silently prayed that they could.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Of course we can move on." She kissed him. "Let's just be happy and prepare for that masquerade in only a few hours." She had her hand on his chest and smirked as she walked them up his chest and to his neck. "It's going to be a beautiful night. I asked everyone, even Tremaine to attend. You should make that grand entrance again." She shivered slightly, thinking about how he did it. Christine was then a child and newly intended to Raoul. She was a little unnerved during that experience, but she had this idea that Erik could make the same appearance and then convince Tremaine to let Catherine back the same way he had told the managers to allow herself the part of countess, just a little old Phantom action.

 

[Guile]

Erik laughed at her idea, and felt himself embarrassingly getting ticklish from the way she moved her fingers up his neck. He forced himself not to laugh at that though. How embarrassing would that be for a man to be obviously ticklish. Though just thinking those thoughts he was laughing at himself. "That sounds like a wonderful plan, Christine. And you're right - I should make an entrance just like that again." Smiling at Christine, Erik kissed her back. "In fact, I will."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

She sighed. "But then, I won't have a date." She teased him. "He'll be there late and I won't stand for that." She kissed him again. "I guess I'll just have to deal with what I have." Her voice was suddenly childish, just like when they first spoke to each other. Catherine still wasn't sure about the whole experience of seeing other people. She loved William and had a baby with him, but decided to go along and attend the party after all of the effort. She was a Daddy's little princess anyway and would do anything to please him. "Yay! We'll get to see how that worked?" Ali couldn't keep the twinkling excitement from his eyes. Catherine thought of baby Will and sighed. "What will we do with my son?"

 

[Guile]

"Aw, my poor princess will have no date for a while." He made his eyes look like a sad puppy's eyes, trying not to laugh. "I shall have to join you as soon as I can. After, of course, I escort you above to the party - one thing I will not stand for is my lovely Christine to go without an escort." Grinning, he turned his head and looked at Ali who was very excited. "Yes, son, I suppose you will." Erik said, the thought crossing his mind only just then. Laughing, he observed, "it's like history repeating itself!" He thought about Catherine's question for a few moments. "Well, I suppose we bring him. He would enjoy it, wouldn't he?" Erik chuckled at the idea. He didn't want to burden Catherine, but he couldn't think of a better plan.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"You're right. Hopefully, I'll be able to speak this time instead of just standing there like a frightened child." Christine moved her curls behind her ears. "I suppose you'll just have to stay behind, dear, if you are so worried about William. Even so, my lovely mistress, Madame Giry agreed to stay behind and settle the child and meet up after a while. He'll be fine." She was trying to sound confident. Giry had never let her down before. Looking into Erik's eyes, she attempted to tell him, without words, that she herself missed having a baby on her hip all the time. She inclined her head toward their marital bed and waited. Catherine understood. "Ali, Lilly, we're going above to sleep in Mother's dressing room." She cradled her baby to her and waited for her siblings to follow. "Why?" Ali questioned. "Just, come with Sissy." She pulled his arm.

 

[Guile]

"Well, this time I promise not to frighten you - only Tremaine." Erik chuckled, then he made himself a reminder to thank Madame Giry. "Madame Giry is such a wonderful woman - I must remember to thank her." He said with a smile. "William will be in good hands." Looking back at Christine he caught something in her eyes, but he couldn't exactly tell what it was. She was trying to tell him something, and Erik - noticing she was looking at their marital bed - thought he knew what she was trying to tell him. However, he didn't want to assume anything, for fear of upsetting her again. He waited until the children had left to address it, the soft smile still on his lips. For lack of better words, Erik said eventually, "I wish we had a baby of our own to take care of and worry over." He tried to make his words playful and light, not too serious, but he meant what he said. Erik had wished for a long time that he had been around to raise his own children from infancy, and he knew in his heart that he longed to get that chance. When William had come along, it was a blessing - Erik had seen it as an opportunity to experience what it was like. However, "it just isn't the same when the baby isn't yours..." he admitted.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine smirked at him. "Oh, I don't frighten as easily any more, Erik." She teased. "Not as badly as that squealer anyway." She walked and talked. "And, I suppose Madame Giry loves children and respects you very much. For, if she did not, I would have been sent to a home if you hadn't requested to her that I be brought up here." She teasingly passed the curtains and held them shut behind her. "No peeking, Romeo." She giggled. "This bed is all mine tonight." She flopped down on it, her face in the pillow.

 

[Guile]

"Yes, Madame Giry has been such a dear to me for many years..." Erik's voice trailed off as he watched Christine walk into the curtains. He stood and moved to the curtains as well, a few steps behind her. Standing outside the curtains as she flopped down on the pillow Erik laughed and started to tease back. "All yours! Now, that isn't fair, Christine.' Parting the curtains as he walked inside, he laughed. "You need to learn to share Christine."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

As the night wore on, their time together grew more intense until Christine finally passed out from exhaustion. Upon waking, around only half an hour later, she smiled at him. "Well, are you happy now?" She hoped he was, for she was the very same way. "I suppose this is where we separate and attend the party. "Christine? Monsiuer Erik?" A voice came up over the rippling water. "I have come. Are you ready?" Christine blushed in embarrassment as she answered. "Madame, pardon. We were not expecting you so early." She pushed Erik away just enough for her to leap behind the shower curtains to change into her ball gown. Madame waited by the gate. "Oh, dear. Forgive me."

 

[Guile]

Erik lay in silence, staring up at the ceiling thinking about Christine, until she woke just a while later. He smiled at her as she spoke - noticing how beautiful she was even then, with her hair not as perfect as it always seemed to be, and tired. After placing a kiss on her lips, Erik nodded. "Yes, very much so, my love. And I suppose it is, unfortunately." However, he stayed there smiling down at her from where he rested on his elbow, until he heard a voice calling from the gate. Startled, Erik sat up in bed and thanked God that they were covered with the blankets and behind the curtains. He allowed Christine to get passed and get behind the shower curtain. "No need to forgive, Madame." Erik assured her himself, his own face turning red as he pulled on his own clothes. "In fact, I have to thank you." He said as he stepped out from behind the curtains, fully dressed, and bowed his head slightly toward her. "You are doing us a great favor tonight. We appreciate it." Erik's eyes shone and his smile lit up the awkward atmosphere with a cheery lightness.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"I absolutely adore your family, sir. It is a great honor to be able to help you with the children for a change." She noticed that the baby was not in his cradle, then remembered that William was indeed asleep in the darkness of Christine's dressing room, while his mother, aunt and uncle prepared themselves. "Your children plan to meet you at the party. No one knows who is who. Catherine is anonymous." Giry assured them. "Thank goodness for you, my lady." Christine kissed her hand. "The baby will be safe." Her eyes, Giry's eyes, were sincere.

 

[Guile]

Erik chuckled at Madame Giry's kind words. "Well, thank you Madame, I'm glad to hear it." Erik listened as she spoke of the children, planning to meet them at the party. His mind wandered off to what he would do to frighten Tremaine, but not the children. Pulling himself back to reality, Erik thanked Madame Giry again. "We know William will be in good hands." Smiling, he held out his hand to shake hers, but something in him made him pull her in for a hug. She had been so much like family over the years that he couldn't just shake her hand cordially and leave, he had to hug her. Releasing her from the hug that ended as quickly as it had begun, he smiled and took Christine's hand in his. "Shall I escort you to the world above, my dearest?" He asked Christine.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Giry smiled. "Oh, you're quite welcome. Honestly, it is I that should be thanking you, Erik." She pointed out. "You helped Christine overcome the worst of deaths that could happen to a young girl." She was taken aback by the actions of her old friend. When, at last, he finally let her go, she straightened her dress and examined the basement of her home. "Well, they shouldn't be long now. As for the two of you, the host and hostess of the ball should not be late. Go." Christine smiled and hugged Madame Giry before taking Erik's arm rather than his hand. "Wi, Monsiuer. We should get going."

 

[Guile]

"Quite right, Madame. We shall see you soon, and thank you again." Letting Christine take his arm, Erik grinned as he led her to the boat and helped her in. He rowed the whole way across to the other side in anticipation - he hoped that his plan to frighten the managers would work. A part of him feared that it would not. Helping Christine out of the boat, he offered her his arm again and side by side, the walked the stairs to the world above. Erik could hear the bustle of people arriving, greeting each other, the music starting to play. Looking out at the crowd Erik turned to Christine from where they stood, still out of sight. "Shall I go in with you, or do we part ways now? I suppose if they don't know who I am, it wouldn't hurt to take you in, then sneak away for my grand entrance." He chuckled at the idea.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"No, I want you to come." Christine insisted when she thought that he might leave her. "Please, come in. I need protection." She joked. "Please."

 

[Guile]

"Of course!" Erik laughed, kissed Christine on the cheek, and walked into the mass of people. He was so distracted by all the different colors of dresses that the ladies wore, and the masks that he could hardly focus. But, he kept his destination clear in mind: get to the ball room, and find the children. However, it was no rush and he took his time as he escorted Christine into the massive room. "I've never been so close to this many people," he confessed to her over the music and chatter. "It's quite...exhilarating."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Catherine entered with Alistair and Lillith and saw her parents enter before her. "Sh...don't let them see us." She warned them. Christine hugged his arm tighter to her and smiled. "Well, I like it very much." She reached a group of people. "Why don't you go and get ready?" She asked. Catherine hid and then came to her parents. "Mama! Papa!" She hugged them both, kissed them, and allowed Lilly and Ali to do the same. "Papa, you should get going." His son pointed out, watching Tremaine move closer.

 

[Guile]

Erik smiled down at Christine, his eyes shinning with excitement. "Oh, yes, I love it!" Turning, he saw Catherine as she came up to them, hugged, and kissed them both. He bent down to let Ali and Lilly do the same before standing and patting both of them on the head. "You're all right - I don't want to miss such an opportunity." He looked to where his son was motioning and saw Tremaine getting closer. "Or, risk getting caught..." Kissing Christine on the cheek once more and waving to the children, Erik began making his way back out. He managed to tell his family, "see you soon" with a slight laugh before disappearing in the crowd or people. Erik slipped back through the hallways of the Opera House and managed to make his way around to the staircase in which he would appear as he had once before.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Perish the thought. None shall witness the Phantom of the Opera getting caught by mere mortals." Lilly grinned as they watched him go. Christine bent down to her son. "Will you join me for a dance?" Alistair giggled and led her away as Catherine suffered glares from her manager. "Where's your Phantom this time?" He chuckled. She felt like crying. Are you ready?

 

[Guile]

Ready. Erik grinned maniacally before violently throwing the doors open to the ball room. Everyone in the room grew to a silent hush at the entrance of the mysterious masked man, now taking a few steps into the room and observing the crowd below. The left corner of his mouth curled up in a cynical grin and he watched fear glisten in the eyes of many guests, confusion in others that did not know him, or did not know of the Opera Ghost - though there were very few that did not. Even the music came to a screeching halt as he stood in silence as he glanced around. Erik's eyes shone with a vicious glare as he met the eyes of none other than Tremaine himself. After moments of stunned silence, Erik uttered his first words to the crowd of people - his voice echoing off the walls and surrounding them with and air of unease. "Welcome, my guests. I'm so glad you were able to make it." Erik chuckled, and even this small laugh bounced around the room. "I apologize for interrupting the party, but I must confess that I have not been too happy about certain things happening with this Opera House that I wish to address, now, in front of you all." Stepping down a few steps of the staircase, he kept his eyes locked on Tremaine and spoke directly to him. "First and foremost, Catherine Daae will be accepted back into her much deserved position here in the Opera House. I shall not make any exceptions to this request - it will happen, or there will be severe consequences. Second, and lastly, I will not have anyone here denying my authority ever again. When I ask for something to be done, I expect it done. Believe me," he said, a crooked smile forming on his lips, "it will be in everyone's best interest to comply with my demands."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Tremaine was perplexed by the fact that the Phantom of the Opera would dare come to the world above, demanding that Catherine be accepted back. "Now, see here, Monsiuer, you cannot just come into my Opera Popular and demand that I put a girl on stage. You did that years ago and it won't work this time." He gasped as he spoke, he was frightened beyond words. Christine stood still as a statue and waited to be acknowledged among the crowd. "Papa, please be safe." Lilly trembled as she muttered into Christine's dress. Giry was among them.

 

[Guile]

Erik laughed as Tremaine spoke. It was a laugh that had started out soft, then grew into a booming noise by the end of the manager's protest. "Oh, can I not?" Erik responded and took a few more steps down the staircase as he spoke, getting intimidatingly closer and closer to Tremaine. "Even a girl who obviously deserves to be on stage? One who has worked almost as much, if not more than, her mother - who was an extravagant, well-known, and all around talented singer at this very same House." Erik glared into the eyes of the manager. "Well, Monsieur, I do believe that I can. And I dare you to try and stop me from getting my demands fulfilled." Erik put so much emphasis on 'dare' that the word seemed to crack, and he almost stunned himself. Then, his sight shifted and he saw Christine and the children standing huddled together. Erik's eyes seemed to lighten a slight bit, and his demeanor changed but only for a brief second. Then his eyes had flickered back to Tremaine and stared deep into him, threatening him, daring him to say something else. "Forgive me," Erik finally said, his gaze still not wavering from the manager, "I have one last request." Now, he made it obvious that he was looking at Christine for he turned his entire body towards her, perhaps even smiled at her slightly, though he still spoke to Tremaine, not any less harsh than before. "I wish for Christine Daae to sing again as well." Then he added, more for Christine, "if that be her wish." He turned back to Tremaine. "You cannot deny that both her and Catherine could be huge assets to this Opera House. Therefore, you are an even bigger fool than I imagined you to be if you still refuse me."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

The man rolled his eyes and glared at him. "Stop ruining your own party, sir. I will not allow them back. If you ask again, they are dismissed!" He smirked. "Never again will you threaten my family." Christine hid the children from the manager and scowled at him. "Erik, my darling, come to me, my angel of music." She inched forward.

 

[Guile]

Filled with rage, Erik felt as though he were mere seconds away form grabbing Tremaine and choking the life from him. However, he did not move, but stared the manager down, trying to weigh his options. He could protest and have them both dismissed, or ignore Tremaine and life would be no different and he would have made a spectacle of himself. For a moment, Erik was about to speak again, but then he heard Christine's voice calling to him form across the room. His eyes sought her out immediately, once again, and met their mark. Seeing her inch foreword and calling to him to go to her, made Erik take a few steps foreword. Even so, he glared once more at Tremaine as he deliberately passed right by him - getting closer to the manager than he ever had before in his life - feeling as though this argument had not been settled, but went to Christine anyway. He crossed through the mass of people until he was at her side, wrapping one arm protectively around her waist - though there was no need to.