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

[Guile]

Erik let out a yell at the sudden pain in his foot, but he had definitely over exaggerated it for Christine's sake. "Good God, woman! What is wrong with you?" He laughed as he buttoned up his coat, still playfully glaring at his darling wife. "I think you've lost your mind...with all due respect, my dear." Erik added, mumbling under his breath. "But fine! If you do not wish to partake in this family adventure, then I shall take my children out and spend time with them myself." He exaggerated 'my' as a sly grin crept onto his lips. "Have fun competing with my for best parent, love. I think we all know who will win." Erik teased, of course. Christine was a wonderful mother, but he couldn't resist the fun of picking on her. Holding out his hands for the children to take he said to them, "now stay with me. The last thing I need is to be chasing after you two. We don't need any more trouble in our lives." Erik joked.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine grumbled under her breath as she perked up her ears, hearing them leave at last. "Now's our chance, my dears." She spoke to her two remaining children, Andrew and William. Catherine gasped. "Mother, how can you do this? Won't we get caught? Father's heart will surely be broken!" Christine just laughed as she took the baby with her and left the Opera Populair completely. "He'll never find me now."

 

[Guile]

Completely unaware of what was happening at home, Erik wandered through the darkness of the corridors with Ali and Lilly. "Alright, children. I suppose I have to ask - what kind of dog were you looking to get. Remember, your mother said small, now." He grinned, thinking this was going to be a rather pleasant outing. And then, when the children were satisfied with the pet they had chosen, Erik figured they would return home. I do hope this will be enough to keep them entertained at home. I hate to see them sitting around bored. They're young, they deserve to be having fun. At last, they came above and had exited the Opera House.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

The twins looked at each other again, as if silently communicating with each other. From an outsider's perspective, it would have been rather amusing to look at. Finally, they had to speak, knowing their father couldn't read their minds no matter how hard he tried. Asking his own question, Alistair tugged Erik's sleeve. "How small is small, would you think?" They both stared intently at him. "And, where would we find him, Papa?" Lilly asked. Meanwhile, Christine ventured toward the park and into the cemetery to Monsieur Daae's grave, Johnny wrapped in a towel and nothing else. With a rose from one of her admirers in the other hand, she searched further toward the back of the cemetery, where her father laid at rest for forty years. "Papa, this is your grandson, Jonathan Erik Destler." She introduced her boy. The wind whistled in her ears and through her hair.

 

[Guile]

Erik looked back and forth between the two twins as they stared each other down. His brows furrowed in confusion and he was about to ask them what on Earth they were thinking and how they were doing it when, at last, Ali spoke to him. "How small? Well, I'd say about the size of a little terrier. What do you think?" He glanced down at the twins as they continued on down the street. "And I suppose where we find him depends on what kind of dog you want. I've seen a good few puppies for sale around this area - people with homes not big enough for all of them put them outside for people to get a good look at." Erik smiled at his children, but inside he was beginning to feel a little anxious. He knew he would have to speak with people, interact with them. The thought was making him uneasy once again.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

They saw the fear in their father's eyes. This made it hurt for either of them to really speak. They knew what he was thinking about. It truly was painful. Alistair looked at his sister again, who looked back in an unspoken understanding between the two. Lilly finally broke the silence. "Papa, we don't have to have a dog. We're fine without one. We'll find other things to do. Honestly." She squeezed his left hand. "It's okay, really. You're frightened of people and that's enough for us to want to go home." Her younger brother nodded in agreement. "That's right. It'll be fine." He squeezed Erik's right hand."Let's go back." He tugged his father's arm back the way they had come.

 

[Guile]

Erik had been lost in his thoughts, but as soon as he realized what his children were trying to do for him he got down on one knee and pulled them to him in a tight hug. "My children, you are too wonderful." Erik kissed both of them once on their forehead. "I appreciate what you're trying to do for me, but I must face people sometime. You children need something to do at home - especially with your mother and I running off all the time." At this, Erik chuckled. "Not only that, but you deserve this. You are both wonderful children - all of you are." Erik brought Catherine and Jonathan into the equation now. "You're the best children any man could ask for. I want to do this for you. After all, I promised you." He looked into their eyes as he let them go, wondering what they would do.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Still, the little ones were unsure about all of this. They wanted their father to be happy. He deserved that much, after being alone all of twenty something years. "Well, if you say so, Father." Alistair sighed. "We'll do it quickly, then. I heard about this one place where this man has a few new little puppies. Andrew told me about him. He's really nice." Without another word, he pulled a slip of paper out of his pocket and read the address. "Do you know how to get here?" He handed the paper over. "It's supposed to be some kind of farm or something." He laughed at the idea.

 

[Guile]

Satisfied, Erik stood and listened to Alistair's idea. When the paper was handed over to him, Erik read the address. "A farm, huh?" He said, glancing over the pice of paper a few more times. "Well, I don't know exactly where this is, but I might be able to find it. It'll be out of town, obviously. And I believe this road isn't far from the road this place is on." Memorizing the street name and house number, Erik folded up the paper and slipped it in his pocket, not knowing if he might need it later or not, and took his children's hands in each of his. "Well, let's be on our way, then." He kept on down the street making turns here and there and they eventually found their way out of the city, which didn't take too long at all. Probably all of about twenty minutes, Erik would guess. They were now on a little dirt road, in a more wooded area than the city had been, obviously. "I suppose the farm could be that one there." He suggested, pointing to a place out in the distance that looked big enough to be a farm. Especially considering the animals that were fenced in around it. "The road is the same one from the paper you gave me, Ali. I'd say there's no harm in checking it out."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Yup! Looks like it!" Lilly agreed, tugging excitedly on her father's arm. "Come on! That looks like Andrew up there!" She kept pulling. The man she was pointing at had his back turned, shirt off, and was holding onto a sheep with one arm, sheers in the other. After having the tool knocked out of his hand by a flying hoof, he released the scrambling beast, which took off to join its fellows. "Damn! Not ag- oh!" He had turned around and spotted the family. "You must be Erik. Yes, Catherine and my son have told me all about you, sir." He grinned toothily, holding his wrist. "Yes, I wouldn't mistake you ever. Your nose was passed down to her." He guffawed at that. "I would shake your hand, but..." he waved his bloody hand. "Damn thing got me."

 

[Guile]

Erik made his way up to the farm with Lilly and Ali tugging at him excitedly. When he finally got there, Erik noticed a man that looked a lot like Andrew. This must be his father. The man's later words confirmed this hunch. Well, now I know where he got his shirtless habits. Erik wanted to laugh, but reminded himself that he had made the comment in his head and not aloud. "It's nice to meet you, sir. Andrew is a fine young man." He chuckled along with the man at his joke before noticing his bloody hand. "Oh, please, there's no worry. I'm sorry about your hand though. Is there anything I could do to help?" Erik waited for a response to his offer before explaining their visit. "I apologize if we're disturbing you, but my son, Alistair here, informed me that you had puppies. My children were interested in getting a dog, so I thought we should stop by and see if they were interested in one of yours."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Wiping sweat from his balding head, the man stared at his badly damaged hand. "This thing? No, I've had worse injuries than a kick from a creature that's about to be on the menu the next time this happens." He cast a sideways glance to the sheep pen. "I'll just have Andy's sister wrap this up or something." He noticed the kids on Erik's arms, hanging onto them. "It's always the same beast." He chuckled. "Yeah, I'll bring you inside for now. The dogs are out back." He stepped over a sleeping mutt that laid on his side, bathing in the sun. "Don't worry, that's not what you're gonna see. He's too old." He laughed to himself. "He's given me some good ones though." Laughing again, he waved a hand over his home. "Sorry it's not much. But, the best men grow up where they are loved." He waited for his daughter to start wrapping his hand before speaking again. "Now, about these puppies. Because you're Catherine's family, I won't charge you." His daughter noticed them and her eyes brightened. Suddenly, there was a pitter patter of little feet, or paws coming down the hallway, followed by slower, human feet. "Who's the jerk that put the dogs in my room?"

 

[Guile]

Erik heard the comment this man made about his own home and found himself smiling slightly. "Please, don't worry. I think your home is lovely. Besides, it is not the building that matters, but the occupants, which make it truly home." He had been busy watching Andrew's sister bandage her father's hand when he was drawn from his thoughts. "Sir, that's very kind of you, but I must insist on paying you. I wouldn't feel right just taking one." Suddenly, Andrew's comments at their wedding came flashing back to his mind. This family was not doing well, not financially. Erik had plenty of money to spare and no need to spend it, really. He would most certainly pay for this dog. It was the least that he could do. Then, Erik's attention was diverted to the new person who had entered the room complaining about the dogs being in their room. He was curious as to who this person was.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Monsieur De Chagney stared at his second son. "Well, I did, James. I asked you to get up and help with the sheep. You kept sleeping and I got bit." He raised his now bandaged hand. James said no more about the puppies, who were playing with each other on the floor at their feet. "Well, don't be shy, you two. They don't bite...hard." The man winked at the twins. "No, they're just babies." James wiped his slobbery face with his shirt as his sister finally spoke. De Chagney looked at Erik. "Oh, I've forgotten my own manners, as my cousin always says. I'm Peter De Chagney. This is Andrew's brother, James, and sister, Elizabeth. The little ones are out back right now."

 

[Guile]

Erik smiled down at Alistair and Lilly once Monsieur De Chagney gave them permission to go see the dogs. "You heard him, children. Go ahead." He put his hands on their backs and pushed them ever so slightly, and gently, foreword. He chuckled at this before turning to hear Peter's introductions. "Ah, no worries, Monsieur. I seem to forget quite a lot myself." With another soft laugh, Erik reached out his hand to first Elizabeth, then James, for them to shake. "It's nice to meet you all at last. I apologize for never initiating contact with you before, but I never really thought about the fact that we will be family soon. Forgive my slip up. As I said, I forget quite a lot. It's rather a bad habit of mine that I'm sure Christine would be happy to attest to." The thought made him grin.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Alistair and Lillith over exaggerated how hard Erik had pushed them and each fell to the ground beside the puppies, who immediately started licking their faces. James and Elizabeth each shook Erik's hand, as did their father, with his good hand. The twins finally sat up, still playing with the three little puppies. "Well, I am certain that your Christine is a lovely woman." He had seen Christine with his cousin many times. He knew what the woman was like. "She is definitely a pleasure to be around. Very kind, very beautiful. She is truly a gift to this world, as Catherine is. We can't wait for the wedding. We're truly excited." Elizabeth added. Just then, Andrew opened the door. "Ah, Erik. There you are." Catherine and the babies were behind him.

 

[Guile]

"Oh, indeed, she is." Erik smiled, his eyes glazing over for only a brief moment, as he thought of Christine. That's when he remembered that was was at a relative of Raoul's home. Guilt came to him, but he tried to suppress it. Just, do not mention it. These are good people. I just hope they don't resent me for my actions toward their cousin... "I thank you for the kind words. I'm sure my wife and daughter would as well." He smiled and added, "oh, yes. We are just as excited. Truly, I am so happy that Catherine found your Andrew. He is a fine young man and I have absolutely no worries about him. You should be very proud - he has done my family plenty of services without even us asking him to do so. He's simply a generous and overly kind man. I'm proud that my daughter is going to marry him." It was then that Andrew came in with Catherine and the babies. He turned to greet them looking and feeling pleasantly surprised. "Andrew, Catherine! Hello. I didn't expect to see you here. We left you at the house. What's brought you all over?" It was then that Erik realized Christine wasn't with them. He looked to Catherine for an answer, not feeling any reason to be concerned. Though, if she had stayed home, why hadn't the babies stayed with her? "Where's your mother, dear?"

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Everyone stared at the two for an answer, it seemed. Catherine shifted her son over to Elizabeth while still holding her brother. "She went to...um...we aren't exactly sure. She said something about a game the two of you play and I didn't want to play, so I came over here to help with the chores." She said this with a smile, not the least bit worried about Christine. "She may be with Meg again." Ali and Lilly decided on one puppy, after arguing back and forth for a while, then, an excited Lilly showed the animal to Catherine, who smiled, still nervous about Erik's reaction.

 

[Guile]

Erik waited with anticipation. At first, Catherine's answer frightened him. She doesn't know? The worst thoughts came to his mind, all of them beginning and ending with 'Raoul'. Still, as soon as Catherine mentioned this game of theirs, Erik laughed. "Ah, so she's gone running from me again." He made sure every knew it was simply a joke but that he could not stay too long - Christine would no doubt be expecting him to come after her sometime. However, for the moment, Erik noticed that the children had picked a puppy. "Is this the one you want, children?" He asked them, making sure that they were positive they wanted this dog. Then, he turned to Peter. "Monsieur, you just tell me how much and I will be happy to pay." He smiled at the man, making sure that he knew money was no option. He would pay this family and he would be happy about it too. If he didn't feel that it would offend them, Erik would give them more money than asked for. Still, that was a touchy subject that Erik didn't wish to call attention to.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Catherine sensed something very intense happening before her very eyes. She wasn't sure how well Peter would take this. De Chagney, on the other hand, wanted to say that he didn't want to take money from family, but Erik looked so very sincere as he offered. "For that one? Er, I will take ten francs for him. He's a runt." He pat his daughter's hand as he said this. "I see your wife is a rather adventurous woman, is she not?" Andrew stared at Erik as his father spoke. "She left the House, sir." He was quiet. "We don't know where she got to." Meanwhile, Christine left Gustav and journeyed to the park, where she hid in their tree again.

 

[Guile]

Erik immediately took the ten francs from his pocket and gave it to Peter with a smile. He wished he could give him more, but he knew how Monsieur De Chagney felt about this whole ordeal. "There you are, my friend. Thank you. I do believe you've just earned your spot as number one on my children's list of 'favorite people in the world'." He joked with a small chuckle. "Oh, yes, Christine is quite the trouble maker. She's always running off, wanting me to go after her and find her. I suppose it's her way of entertainment - it sure entertains me, that's for sure." He let out another laugh. "It doesn't bother me at all. I like that she goes out and gets out of the house. She needs it." That's when Erik heard Andrew. His tone was rather quiet and it unnerved Erik. Andrew sounded concerned which, in turn, concerned Erik. "Left the house, you say, son?" His smile faded and his tone became serious, though he still did not worry too much. "I suppose I should go look for her..." Preparing to leave, he turned to Andrew's father and shook his hand goodbye. "Thank you once again, Monsieur. If you and your family ever need anything, do not hesitate to ask. After all, we will be family soon and what is family for?" With a last smile at Peter, Erik turned to Catherine. "My dear, would you mind watching over Ali and Lilly for me, please? I don't know where your mother is and I don't know that I want to drag them all over Paris looking for her. I'm sorry. I don't want to inconvenience you but..." Erik couldn't mask the hint of concern that was beginning to enter his mind as he thought of where Christine could be. His eyes pleaded with his eldest daughter and he hoped she wouldn't mind.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Of course, my friend, my brother, now." Peter smiled at Erik. "They can stay here for as long as you need them here. They'll just have loads of fun with the little ones outside." He shook Erik's hand before Catherine could say anything that may have been a protest. "They'll be perfectly safe with us. My cousin never comes here anyway." He ushered the twins out back with the puppies. "Go play." He pushed them gently. Catherine laid with the babies in Andrew's room while Andrew performed his chores. "You go find your trouble making wife and don't worry about anything here."

 

[Guile]

Erik turned once again, rather surprised though grateful, that Peter was offering to let them stay here. He smiled, delighted and feeling reassured, as he shook hands with him again. "Thank you, my friend. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this. I promise not to be too late. I don't want to burden you with my children - you have some of your own to worry about and don't need the extra work. I will come back as soon as I find Christine." With one last smile, Erik made his way out the door and down the street after Christine. He had no idea where she was, but assumed that she was back in the city somewhere so, that's where he was headed.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine held her baby close to her as she decided to just lie against the tree and close her eyes, smiling at the thought of hiding from her husband. "Don't worry, dear child. Your father will never find us here. He's thinking that I'll stay home when I have all of Paris at my disposal." She laughed at the very idea of this. "He's a fool." Christine rocked the baby to sleep. "Don't cry...sh..." the child started crying, wanting his father.

 

[Guile]

Unfortunately for Christine, Erik didn't go back to the Opera House. Andrew had been sure that Christine had left the Opera and so, he didn't think it necessary to go there. Still, he didn't know where to begin. If I were Christine...where would I hide? Erik asked himself, smiling at the ridiculousness of that thought. Naturally, the cemetery was Erik's first choice. A rather gruesome place to go when you're playing around. He shrugged and made his way there anyway, avoid everyone on the streets. When he got there, he searched the whole cemetery, even around her father's grave, with no luck. She most certainly was not there. "Where in the world could she be if not here? Where else would she go?" A sudden flash of the two men that had came after them before on an outing crossed Erik's mind and he shuttered. Well, I know where she won't be. He paced for a few minutes, thinking hard. When he didn't come up with anything, Erik decided to just start walking. He left the cemetery and made his way back down the streets, passing all of the places he had ever gone with Christine, Catherine, or any of the children. At last, he entered the park. He hardly even noticed that he was there, he had been lost in thought. It wasn't until he heard the far-off cry of a familiar baby that Erik was pulled from his thoughts. A sly grin crept onto his face and he looked around, but saw no one. Ah, so they're hiding then, are they? Running away wasn't good enough, no. They had to hide too. He wanted to laugh, but wouldn't allow Christine to know he was there - if she hadn't already seen him already.