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

[Saiyan Princess]

Don't show weakness. Don't show weakness. Christine urged herself to stay standing, not wanting to crush her baby. "Oh, fine." She put her son in his father's arms to at least get Erik to stop teasing her like this. "Take him back before I pass out." She moved away when she was certain that Erik had the babe. "I cannot stay up with you doing this and you know that." Christine spun around. "I will come back to entertain you when I feel that it is necessary. Right now, hold your son." Feeling disgusted with the smell that was possibly emanating from her, Christine jumped into the shower, holding the curtain shut behind her. "You obviously want a child more than your wife."

 

[Guile]

Chuckling, Erik held out his arms and took Jonathan into his own once again. "Of course I know it. Why do you think I do it?" Placing a kiss on her cheek, Erik allowed her to go shower, but hadn't noticed if she needed one or not. However, her showering made him want one as well. You better hurry up in there...I know how long it takes you women to get a shower, believe me. Everything has to be just right. Chuckling at his own thoughts, Erik allowed himself to take a seat and hold his baby in his arms.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine started singing while she washed up, or, rather, vocalizing, for she never used lyrics. Think of Me once again escaped her lips. Before she knew it, Christine was done and out, now in a nice sleeping gown. "Did you say that you wanted one?" She took her turn with the baby. "Don't you worry, we'll all be here." She laughed at her tease, but the mood was ruined when Andrew started using his skills and strength to make more beds before nightfall. "Oh, how very unromantic!" Christine was furious with this boy now. "I had such a nice evening planned out."

 

[Guile]

"Indeed I did, love. And you better be here. I wouldn't want to have to chase you down with this pain in my side, but I will if I need to." Erik chuckled and handed the baby to Christine before stealing one last kiss from her. "And who's to say we can't still have a nice evening? Don't fuss at the man, darling, he's only trying to help." Erik laughed, for he was picking on his lovely wife. However, he didn't wait around much longer before grabbing his clothes and running in to get a shower. Within seconds the water was running again and Erik took his time in the shower - allowing himself the time to cleanse his body and mind.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

She relaxed her shoulders as he got in the tub. Christine had another idea other than an evening with her beloved husband. She didn't want to wait for him to get out of his shower to have fun, so, sneaking out, she handed the baby to Catherine and left. Left the entire theater, actually. She took a horse drawn carriage downtown to a place that was familiar only to two people: Erik and Madame Giry. She wanted to know what the man went through as a child. Of course, the attractions were all different, because their star was gone.

 

[Guile]

Erik spent another few minutes in the shower before getting out, drying, and dressing himself. He smiled to himself as he looked in the smaller mirror on the wall, fixing his hair as he always had to, because he felt rather refreshed - both physically and mentally. It was good to just sink in the water and let it wash your worries and stress away. Upon leaving the bathroom, Erik scanned the house and laughed. "Good Lord1 That woman does not know how to stay put. Must she always disappear when I shower? Perhaps I should stop showering if this is going to happen every time I do." Though he was joking and not concerned, Erik was curious as to where Christine went. He turned to Catherine, who Erik observed was holding Jonathan now. "So, where did she go anyway?" A part of him wanted to go after her, only to spend time with her, not to force her home. Even still, Erik took a seat on the chair again, making it clear that he would not. I'll give her some space...some time alone. Though, my curiosity will get the better of me and when she get's back I'll just bother her with questions about her time out.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

The children laughed when their father came out and saw that Christine was no where to be seen. "Oh, Papa, you're out." Catherine was quiet as she observed this. "Mother just had to go...do something." She didn't really know for certain why Christine chose to go back to Erik's childhood prison, neither did Christine. The woman shuddered upon hearing the.screams and refused to go any further than the open curtains. "I can't go in and see how he was living." She turned back to get into the safety of her carriage.

 

[Guile]

Erik eyes his children because of their laughter, though he smirked at them. "What's so funny? What if she never comes back?" He was only teasing and had to try and hide his laughter as he did so. "You'll be the ones without a mother, then." Turning his attention to Catherine as she spoke, Erik became serious. I wonder what Christine is up to...it has to be something out of the ordinary, otherwise Catherine would tell me what it is. No matter, I'll ask her when she returns. "Well, alright, dear. Don't worry," he attempted to joke slightly, "I'll wait here for her this time."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

There was someone behind Christine. "Miss Daae, come home." Madame Giry held her hand out to the young woman. "Please, do not go inside. There is a great evil inside that tent." Christine didn't need telling twice. Though she was confused as to how Madame Giry got there, she was grateful for it just the same. "Yes, ma'am." She followed her back. The horses trotted on. "Ma-ma..." William babbled. "Ma-ma..." Catherine was overjoyed. "Oh, my boy!" She picked him up and held him close. The twins didn't think that their father's joke was funny. "Papa! How could you!" Lilly asked. "That's not right! You shouldn't leave Mother out there, all alone!"

 

[Guile]

Erik turned to the twins, his brow raised in confusion. "Why, I didn't think there was any reason to worry. I figured your mother just went out for a little. You know, to have a few minutes alone?" He stood from where he sat in the chair, as if he were contemplating on leaving to go find Christine. "Do you think I should? She can handle herself, you know. You've all either thought it before, or said it." Again, the memory of last time Christine went out when he was in the shower came back to him. Catherine had gotten upset with him. Is this why I don't want to go after Christine? Well, I don't want to upset anyone. I thought she'd want some alone time... "Do you think I should go after her?" What he was thinking was, 'is there any reason why I should go after her'.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Catherine hated having to keep a secret from her father. Especially when Christine's well-being could be at stake. She stood there, arms wrapped around her son, as she contemplated telling him the truth. "Father,..." she watched him as he was left in the dark as to where Christine had gone

 

[Guile]

Erik's eyes widened out of fear for Christine. He knew now that Catherine was obviously keeping a secret from him. That bothered him, that she would keep a secret from him - especially if there was a possibility that Christine could be in danger. Erik was not a fan of secrets. Still, this was his daughter and he knew she didn't enjoy keeping something hidden from him. Christine had probably asked her to. Where would she go that she didn't want me finding out? "Catherine, please tell me." Erik kept his voice soft, though he was starting to sound as if he were begging. "If she's anywhere that something could happen to her, I need to know. You must understand this." He smiled warmly at her, trying to remain calm. However, all he could think about was he and Christine's last outing. The two men, the stabbing. If Erik hadn't been with her that day...something awful could have happened. She wouldn't go back there. Still...there are other dangerous places in this city.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Catherine sank to her knees, as if the sin of dishonoring her father was killing her. "Okay, I'll tell you! Just don't look at me like that, it burns!" She was starting to panic. "Mother went to a circus or show of some sort!" Christine made her decision to enter through the curtains, but what she saw upset her. People pointed and laughed at grotesque figures, each deformed in their own way. There was also the normal lions and bears and other animals that a circus required, but all Christine focused on was a small memorial set aside for someone that died long ago. "Strangled." An old, crippled man spoke. Christine backed away from him.

 

[Guile]

Erik felt horrible that Catherine felt this way. "My child don't..." then, he cut off his sentence for he heard Catherine's confession. At first, Erik thought Catherine must have heard wrong. What would Christine be doing at a circus? Then, it dawned on him. His wife hadn't just gone to any circus, she had gone to the circus. The one that held him for so long as another of its freaks. "Oh, Christine, no!" Erik yelled to himself, seemingly, and didn't wait around to say another word to the children. He didn't want to just run out on them like this and scare them, but he needed to get to Christine. As he ran up the stairs, out the doors of the Opera, and down the street Erik felt his heart racing. God, who knows what she'll see there? What if someone tells her about everything that happened there? What would she think of me then? The shows, the beatings, the...the killing. Oh, God! Then, at last, Erik reached the entrance, though he stayed in the shadows nearby, not daring to enter just yet. I can't go back in there... Now his heart was racing just from the sight of that tent. That oh so familiar tent. The horrors inside...I can't face it again... He felt his throat tighten and he clenched his fists in desperation. He had to get to Christine. What if they see me? What if they recognize me?

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine was so frightened. Frightened of all the screams of pleasure and amusement. The laughter of the audience. "When did this happen?" She read the date on it. "This was over thirty years ago. When I was young." She pointed at it and backed into Madame Giry, who was almost in tears herself. The old man raised his brow in suspicion and almost amusement. "Yeah, the thing that did him in was our star attraction. Disgusting thing, that boy, if you can call him that." Christine shuddered. "What exactly was wrong with this boy that he had to be here?" The man guffawed and kept sweeping up what looked like dung. He said nothing other than, "it doesn't matter. The beast is probably in Russia by now."

 

[Guile]

Erik stood just outside the tent, eyes closed in panic, his heart racing like never before. Being so close to this place again was making him physically ill - his stomach clenched up and his head was throbbing. If he hadn't known any better, Erik would have sworn that he could still feel the slash of that whip against the skin on his back. But...Christine... Opening his eyes again, Erik turned around abruptly to face the entrance and slipped inside - not sure what he would find waiting for him. He had heard the screams and the laughter all from outside, but inside it was worse. Louder, more real...almost tangible. He could now see the people that were laughing...as well as the people they were laughing at. Erik's stomach threatened to empty its contents, but he turned his gaze away form the sight as best he could and refused to throw up here. As he turned his head, Erik noticed Christine with Madame Giry - she was standing just on the other side of the tent, looking at some sort of display. Thank God...I've found her! Making his way over to her, slipping as inconspicuously as he could around people without being recognized, he finally got to the other side. Coming up behind her he was careful to wait to show himself until that old man, whom Erik felt he vaguely recognized, was looking away from them. "Christine!" Erik whispered in her ear, loudly because of the laughter. "What are you doing here?"

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Madame Destler jumped almost out of her skin. That voice sounded so threatening, yet so calming. Do I dare turn around? Who is it? She felt herself give in to this familiar sound and was grateful to God that it was Erik and not anyone else. "Oh, God!" She jumped on him. "It's you!" She whispered, tears stinging her eyes. "Phantom, I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have left without letting someone know." She held his face in her hands. "God, I'm sorry, Phantom." She wouldn't dare use his name here. "Please, forgive me. I had to know." She kissed him over and over, as if.they hadn't seen each other in years. "Oh, God, I love you."

 

[Guile]

"Oh, Christine..." Erik wrapped his arms around her and held her tight, relishing her kisses. Christine could make even this horrible place somewhat bearable to be in. "Don't cry, my dear." He had seen the tears in her eyes and wanted her to know that he was not angry. "It's alright, everything's alright." Erik stole a glance over her shoulder and took notice, once again, to all those unfortunate people still being viewed and tormented so that the circus could make some money. Feeling that sickness deep within the pit of his stomach again, Erik closed his eyes and groaned, unable to look any longer. "I..." he took a moment to compose himself. "I love you too, Christine. And I understand your curiosity. But...all you would have needed to do was ask me what it was like. Why bring yourself here? It...it's such a horrible place." He started to feel tears forming in his eyes, though he didn't let them fall.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine couldn't bring herself to answer her husband. She didn't know why she came here in the first place. It was so depressing, watching living, breathing beings be tortured and laughed at. "I-I don't know." She confessed. "This is completely barbaric." Taking her mistress with the other hand, she led them out, pulling them along quickly so as not to be discovered. "Please, I wish to return home." She kept moving, though people would call her back, laughing drunkenly and whistling. Christine ignored that and thrust her carriage door open. "Oh, how awful!"

 

[Guile]

Erik allowed her to lead them out of this cursed place. He was glad to be rid of it, though the laughter was still piercing his eardrums like a knife. His throat was still tight and his stomach still clenched with each bout of laughter he heard. Still, with each whistle a man would make and call out to Christine, Erik would turn his head and glare at the perpetrator once he fished them out in the crowd. At last, they were at the carriage. Erik stood there for a few seconds just taking a few deeps breaths. He felt that at any moment he could be sick, even though the feeling was starting to subside. Then, he saw it. Just out near the tent, off to one of the sides. He had missed it before, but from the angle they were at now, he could see it plain as day. The cage. His cage. Suddenly, Erik felt claustrophobic. He felt trapped as if he were condensed into a small box one could not escape from. It became hard to breath, hard to move. His head throbbed like someone was jabbing at his temples with a piece of metal. Then, he felt a watering sensation in his mouth and turned away from the women just in time before he threw up the contents of his stomach at last.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Madames Giry and Destler both cringed in disgust at this behavior. As Christine spoke to the driver ("The Opera Populair, please, sir.") Madame Giry saw what caused the Phantom so much discomfort. "Erik, please relax." She took his hand, running her nails between his fingers. "Please, you must not let this mess get to you." I'm a bloody fool! I am also letting this get to me. They rounded a corner and were soon out of eye and earshot of the wretched place.

 

[Guile]

Erik didn't look up from his lap until they were far from that horrid place. He continued breathing heavily, hardly registering that Madame Giry had taken his hand in hers. He was a mental wreck - all of those horrible memories just kept coming back to him. They had never left him, but now...now he had been back there! Now they were stronger, more real again, as if he were still living that life. When he allowed himself to raise his head, sit up straighter, and look at them he looked very shaken. His cheeks were stained with tears he hadn't realized he'd been shedding, his eyes were red and his face pale. "I'm sorry..." Erik managed to apologize for his behavior, though his voice was raspy and hardly audible.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine took matters into her own hands as Erik looked up. "My darling, forgive me." The look of guilt that was in her eyes wouldn't escape her. "I should never have come back. You didn't deserve that." She kissed his vomit laden lips, not caring about it, just wanting the man to be happy. "Oh, my dear one. Let us keep this between us." She kissed him again. "Don't tell the little ones." She laid against him. "Such a sweet and kind man you are. Very patient and loving, dear."

 

[Guile]

"There is nothing to forgive, Christine. I do not blame you for having curiosity - we all do." He smiled at her, indeed feeling better after her kiss. Though, he did felt guilty that she had to kiss him while he was such a mess, in this disgusting state. At least my clothes came off clean from that embarrassing display... "You needn't worry, Christine. I won't say a word to them." Erik promised her as this sickness in his was going away quicker and quicker now that his body had shamed him in front of everyone. Still, another thought pressed at the back of his mind more than that. "Do the children...the little ones, I mean...do they still not know?" He cleared his throat nervously, wondering what her answer would be. "Do they know the extent of my crimes...my early life too? Are do they only know...the basic outline of my story?" He eyed her questioningly. Erik was merely curious to know what his children knew of him.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine turned away to wipe her mouth of that taste, but smiled all the same. "You have been through more than any man should ever go through." Wiping his mouth clean of the excrement, she kissed him again. "They know very little about your past. Just that your father presumably died and that your mother wasn't so nice to you." She lowered her head in shame for bringing up the subject. "But, no matter, I don't want to dwell on such a thing."