Fandom The Gathering of Death Eater Children

[Hikari Chan]

"You said that the Baroque Spanish architecture sparked your interests. We shall first be visiting a charmingly grand cathedral that interested me when I first explored this city." Alastair smiled.

"Yes," Aislinn replied with an excited smile. "I would love to see it…"

'Only the best for you' his smile said.

She smiled in return, blushing. It is so sweet of him...always choosing the best for me…a true gentleman indeed…

"Welcome to the city of Campeche, my lady." Alastair said elegantly after they had left the carriage and stared out onto a lovely view.

"Ahhh...." Aislinn tried to take everything in view at once. It was the first time for her visiting Mexico. She had never seen such colorful buildings before. The city looked playful yet charmingly old.

Alastair turned to Aislynn with a charming smile. "Would you prefer to apparate to ground level, or shall I jump with you in my arms?"

"Jump with you..." She giggled and threw her arms around his neck when he extended his arms, spreading them gracefully as if he was inviting her into an embrace.

They landed softly on the cobbled streets.

She let go of the embrace but kept holding his arm instead. She looked curiously at the people who were around. They were colorfully dressed in clothes Aislinn never have seen before. She could not help but stare at some certain women, dressed in skirts and shirts with ornaments in their black hairs. They had darker skin tones than her. Merlin's beard....perhaps that is their formal attires here?..

"We shall enjoy this sunny walk through the city. It won't be long until we reach the cathedral, but would you perhaps like to stop by a shop as we pass and purchase something to drink as we walk?" Alastair smiled.

"Yes please, I am thirsty, I would love some ice-cold juice..." Aislinn replied, looking away from the colorful dressed people who were passing around in the streets.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

“Those are called China Poblanas. It originated in China, and the historical story is actually worth reading. It would be happy to write you a summarized version consisting of, perhaps, two paragraphs, if you are interested.” Alastair smiled when he followed Aislynn’s gaze at the women dressed in traditional Mexican dress.

“Now, some cold juice.” Alastair reminding himself taking a few steps back; he had almost completely walked by the door to a small café that sold juice.

“Buenos días, señor y señora! (Good morning, Sir and Madam!)” A calm, middle-aged lady greeted in Spanish. She was Mexican, and she wore the sort of apron that was common in cafes and coffee shops.

“Buenos dias. (Good morning.)” Alastair returned her greeting formally. “What kind do you desire?” he asked Aislynn in a quiet voice meant only for her ears; seeing that the menu was in Spanish.

He read the drinks section through quickly. “They have almost every sort of juice, some water, and some Tequila, which is a disgusting alcoholic drink.” Alastair explained in the same quiet voice.

 

[Hikari Chan]

“Aww...thank you, dear...I appreciate it…" Aislinn smiled, blushing. "When you have time, you may write me some paragraphs of history..."

She followed Alastair inside a cafe when he just remembered about the drinks after walking past it.

The language was foreign to her ears when she heard him communicating with the lady behind the cashier. She tried to catch up some words, but it had gone so fast that she was pondering what Alastair had been saying.

Hmm tequila?... She thought curiously but decided against it. Since he had described it as disgusting, she trusted him that it would be disgusting. And it was not the right time to drink something that would make her soft minded and dull. She needed to stay alert with her mind clear, especially in a place where the crime rate was so high according to information by Alastair.

"Hmm...I would love a pineapple and mango mixed drink..." She replied. "...if they have that...if they don't, then I am fine with either one of them..." She smiled.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Hmm...I would love a pineapple and mango mixed drink..." She replied. "...if they have that...if they don't, then I am fine with either one of them..."

"Disculpe, senorita? (Excuse me, miss?)" Alastair asked the woman behind the counter. "Podrias mezclar el mango y la pina con mi senora? (Could you please mix the mango and pineapple juice together for my lady?)"

"Si, senor. (Yes, sir.)" The woman nodded, writing pineapple and mango in Mexican in a small notebook she took out from her apron. "Z'Algo por usted, senor? (Anything for you, Sir?)"

"No gracias. (No thank you.)" Alastair answered. He had forgotten that she had never heard him speaking Spanish, which he spoke fluently.

The woman nodded, turning around and calling something to the workers in the kitchen through a small window. The window didn't have any glass; it was just a small square between the counter and the kitchens that wasn't covered by the wall. It was large enough to fit a decent-sized serving tray through, but not much else.

"They only had pineapple and mango juice separately, but she will make you a drink with both." Alastair explained to Aislynn. When she asks, I will just tell her that they did not have what I wanted. No, then she will tell me that I am welcome to share hers....I'll tell her that I was not in the mood for juice. Perfect.

They watched as the woman was handed a two chilled pineapples and three mangoes from the back by a pair of hands, which were tan just like hers. She placed both on a large chopping board, and began cutting off the thick skin of the pineapples quite skillfully; routinely. Then, she put the meat aside, and began with the mangoes. She didn't peel them first; the cut around the large pit in the center, then pulled the skin off the remaining pieces with the knife. She began putting the pieces, one by one, in a large chute connected to a professional juicing machine, which removed the pulp and fiber from the fruit meats, only leaving the smooth juice. The juice collected in a metal cup near a spout, and when she was finished she poured that into a clear, plastic cup, secured a lid with a hole in the center on top, and pushed a pink straw through the hole. "Disfruta, senorita." the lady smiled cheerfully to Aislynn as she handed her the drink.

"She says 'Enjoy, miss.' You must return her words with a simple 'Gracias, senora.' Do not stumble on your words, or else she will think you are mocking her because you have paler skin." Alastair said quietly and quickly in Aislynn's ear, slowing down when he advised her on what to say, emphasizing the two words.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Oh...thank you," Aislinn smiled. She watched as the woman behind the counter was handed two pineapples and three mangoes, thus she was expecting that Alastair had picked the same drink as her.

But she was surprised when she was handed her drink while Alastair got nothing.

"She says 'Enjoy, miss.' You must return her words with a simple 'Gracias, senora.' Do not stumble on your words, or else she will think you are mocking her because you have paler skin." Alastair said quietly and quickly in Aislinn's ear, slowing down when he advised her on what to say, emphasizing the two words.

"Gracias, senora..." Aislinn spoke out aloud and slowly. Speaking Spanish was surprisingly easy. Much easier than Japanese... She thought amused.

"Are you not getting anything for yourself?" She asked him.

"Oh....would you like to share with me?" She asked, looking romantically at him and then blushed.

"...may you tell me what you prefer to drink, that they did not have? please..." She asked curiously. She had on her mind to surprise him with his favorite drink as soon as they got back to England after the sightseeing and the creative adventure.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

“My favorite drink isn’t something you would know.” Alastair said mysteriously. “But I would love for you to try it.” He smiled.

They walked outside, passing many people scattered about. Some were in the traditional dress that Aislynn had taken interest in earlier. Some were in simpler, brightly-colored Muggle clothing.

“If you see any shops you would like to enter, feel free to do as you please.” Alastair said kindly.

They passed a park with a see-saw, a small children’s slide, many trees, but no swings. They observed the brightly colored buildings which made the town look like the sort of city a child would draw with his crayons. Most of the streets looked the same; the shops seemed to repeat themselves with the exception of the décor inside. A café, a bakery, a restaurant, a barber shop, a convenience store, a grocery store, and then another café. Every once in a while there was a furniture shop, or a clothing shop. It was charming; in its own way. Within twenty minutes of walking, they turned a corner and saw the cathedral Alastair had chosen for their first stop, fifteen yards ahead of them.

“This is the Cathedral of Campeche, my lady.” Alastair said.

They went inside, where a small bunch of people were praying at the very end of the room. The walls were painted a beige colour, and there were pictures on the walls depicting various religious people in different poses. Each frame was set under an arch in the wall, and between some of the arches were square pillars. The ceiling was high and arched, with a chandelier where the people were praying. Wooden benches were uniformly lined on either side of them. At the end, there was a large wall ornamented with flowers and statues of some of the people in the paintings. Behind the wall were open doors leading to a back room.

“Excuse me for a moment.” Alastair said quietly once they reached the end of the room. He seemed to disappear before Aislynn could say anything or see which direction he went.

A moment later, he sat, kneeling in the confessional box, a priest on the other side of the window.

“Welcome, son.” The priest said calmly. His voice was laced with an unbearably artificial compassion that would sound genuine to a human’s ears.

“Forgive me, father, for I have sinned.” Alastair said solemnly, before standing to sit on the small chair.

“Calm yourself, my son, and allow yourself to release your sins with words.” The priest said.

“Four years ago, I killed four people. My mother, my father, and my older brother. All stabbed in the back with the same blade. “ He paused. He had been using a passionate voice, as if the killings had brought him a great emotional pleasure. “My darling little sister…” he continued, his voice growing deviant. “…was the last to go. But she was so beautiful…I couldn’t let her go without saying goodbye. So I defiled her corpse before cutting open her chest and devouring her heart. That way, her heart would always be mine.” He breathed, as if remembering the taste.

Behind the window, the priest shifted in his seat, growing more and more horrified at his sadistic visitor. “Surely…” said the priest “…you are joking?”

Alastair smiled at the way the priest’s voice shook with fear. “Her cold lips and glassy eyes were so beautiful that evening. I placed her in a glass box and she rested beside me for the night, filling my dreams with her beautiful screams.” Alastair continued in the same voice.

The priest’s face grew white with fear, and he wanted more than anything to banish this soul to hell.

“My crimes are murder, necrophilia, sadism, cannibalism, and rape, although I scarcely think that counts, since she didn’t say …no.”

Alastair paused, and the priest seemed to have lost his voice.

“Will He forgive my sins if I feign remorse?” Alastair asked.

“Is there…anything…else?” the priest breathed in a bare whisper, his hands shaking.

“My current paramour will not stop looking at other men. She seems to think it is alright to dine and speak with them, even as I suffer to remain perfect in her eyes. How can I forgive her disloyalty in any other way besides in death? I cannot stop the dreams of her blood on my hands. I paint a picture of red roses with her blood, and hang it in my bedroom. The smell would put me to sleep every night, like a mother’s lullaby. My mother…”

“Leave here at once, son of Satan!” The priest choked.

“No no…my father’s name was Lucifer.” Alastair informed nonchalantly. “And your name is Armand Leopold, is it not? Would you care to come over…for dinner? My darling fiance's heart is the star of the meal.”

And with that, the priest fainted.

And Alastair laughed softly, having enjoyed the entire act. “Did you really believe me?” Alastair asked as he pointed a finger at the priest’s unconscious form, and his memories of the past ten minutes with Alastair disappeared. “I know you did. I am so pleased that demons can both sense most lies without fault and lie easily without detection. Thank you for playing with me.” Alastair finished in a cheerful voice as he left the confessional box.

“Are you ready to leave, or do you wish to stay longer?” Alastair asked Aislynn with his usual charming smile. Not a single trace of his other side showed; they had disappeared just moments ago.

They visited two more cathedrals during the afternoon, both similar to the first, but Alastair remained with Aislynn. Then, they walked back to the place where they had begun their tour, and calmly entered the carriage. “Did you enjoy the sights?” Alastair asked as they made their ascent for Venice, their destination the Theatre of Game.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Aislinn frowned slightly at Alastair's reply, as she sipped her juice silently. Perhaps it is just some extraordinary and exclusive wine... She thought, trying to guess since he did not tell her what he favored to drink.

“If you see any shops you would like to enter, feel free to do as you please.” Alastair said kindly as they walked.

"Sure..." Aislinn replied smilingly. She was looking at everything, trying to get as much as the view of every winkle as possible, when they passed by in the streets, the park and the various shops.

She looked through the windows of the furniture shop where both casual wooden and colorful furniture where displayed. Absolutely not my taste... She thought and did not bother herself to enter the furniture shop. She looked through the windows of the clothing store as well and decided against to enter it. The clothes displayed in the windows were too colorful for her taste.

“This is the Cathedral of Campeche, my lady.” Alastair said when they had reached to their first stop, the cathedral fifteen yards ahead of them.

"Oh...it is beautiful..." Aislinn commented. She was feeling excited about entering it as if she was about to enter shop. But the feeling that overcome her was different when they had entered it as if it was a sacred place and not a place to be loud or dress inappropriately. She suddenly looked down at her own clothes and sighed with relief that she was modestly dressed, covering herself from neck to toe in pure black.

“Excuse me for a moment.” Alastair said quietly.

"Mm.." Aislinn mumbled, not really hearing what he was saying because she was so engulfed by the view of praying people and the interior of the cathedral. She suddenly noticed that he was gone, and she had no idea where he had gone. As if he had quietly disappeared in the thin air.

"Alastair…?" She whispered, looking confusingly around her. He was nowhere to be seen. She walked away as quietly as possible as if she did not want to disturb the peace and the solemn atmosphere in the cathedral. She neared an unoccupied bench and sat down.

Seriously where did he go? She thought annoyed. A couple of minutes passed, and she was soon feeling bored. What am I supposed to do? She thought with a sigh as she eyed the paintings on the walls and in the high ceilings.

“Are you ready to leave, or do you wish to stay longer?” Aislinn suddenly heard a voice near her. She looked up to discover Alastair with his charming smile.

"I'd like to leave," She did not return his smile and the tone in her voice clearly hinted that it had not been enjoying to suddenly been left alone among strangers in a cathedral.

While they visited two more cathedrals, both similar to the first, Aislinn kept an eye on Alastair the entire time to see if he would vanish again. But he remained by her side.

“Did you enjoy the sights?” Alastair asked when they were back in the carriage.

"Mhm...it was enjoyable to see new things..." Aislinn smiled, but she had not forgotten the moment when he had suddenly vanished in the first cathedral. I wonder what he did...but how shall I put it in a good question? Perhaps he visited a restroom? Did he go through any of the open doors in the end of the cathedral? Perhaps one of them led to a restroom? …. Oh, of course....

"By the way, how could you leave me alone among strangers in the first cathedral? Where did you go?" She asked, demanding to know about his whereabouts, though she kept a polite and gentle tone. "...And I was supposed to stay close to you the entire time because of dangerous criminals..." She added, speaking more to herself than to him, though still in an audible voice.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"By the way, how could you leave me alone among strangers in the first cathedral? Where did you go?" She asked, demanding to know about his whereabouts, though she kept a polite and gentle tone. "...And I was supposed to stay close to you the entire time because of dangerous criminals..." She added, speaking more to herself than to him, though still in an audible voice.

"I had asked you to use the restroom before our departure, but neglected to do so myself." Alastair said calmly. "Raven was with you, sitting on a bench just behind yours. " Once again, his voice was flawlessly convincing.

"Now." he said when he was certain Aislynn was calm again. "Last time, at the Theatre of Game, I chose the theme. This time, you shall decide. Ponder that during our flight." he finished, with a gentle smile.

A minute later, he spoke again, attempting to assist his lady, whom he was certain must be overwhelmed. "Don't over think it. It doesn't have to be based on anything fictional you've read like Romeo and Juliet. You could simply choose a setting, and a vague story-line that leaves plenty of options open. " He paused. "For example: During the French Renaissance, a charming young lady of twenty three-" he gestured kindly to Aislynn "-is being forced into an arranged marriage with a useless rich man's son. Seething, she runs away to a nearby estate's farmhouse for the night, and falls in love with the kind servant who discovers her sleeping form and brings her a blanket and a glass of water. " His theatrical mask had unintentionally slipped on as he spoke, and although the story was unfinished, it was captivating. "Or something like that." he added quickly in his normal voice. And I'm getting carried away again with my imagination. These games are my favorite; you can be anyone you want, and your actions have no consequence in the real world. I wonder if she likes it just as much...She seemed to enjoy herself last time. Although last time Valetta was seeking revenge and Aislynn might associate that place with Valetta...Please, do not let that be the case... he thought to himself.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Hmm...well just as I thought... Aislinn thought. ...he just wanted to use the restroom after all...

"Ah…I understand..." She smiled, dropping the subject.

"Now." Alastair said. "Last time, at the Theatre of Game, I chose the theme. This time, you shall decide. Ponder that during our flight." he finished, with a gentle smile.

"Oh..." She was surprised that the creative part of the weekend activity was Theatre of Game. "...But eh…I have no idea..." She laughed after she had pondered about it for a minute, trying to figure out a story line but she could not think of any.

"Don't over think it. It doesn't have to be based on anything fictional you've read like Romeo and Juliet," Alastair said and she was trying to remember if she had ever read a story about a certain Romeo and a certain Juliet. She did not recognize the names but did not say anything.

"You could simply choose a setting, and a vague story-line that leaves plenty of options open. " he paused. "For example: During the French Renaissance, a charming young lady of twenty-three-" he gestured kindly to Aislinn who looked confused at him"-is being forced into an arranged marriage with a useless rich man's son."

Aislinn nearly grimaced at the story plot, finding it weird and at the same wondered where Alastair got such a story from. He sounds like as if he had been living through and experiencing the Renaissance...he must have read much more books than I have… She thought for herself as she listening to the story, he told her:

"Seething, she runs away to a nearby estate's farmhouse for the night, and falls in love with the kind servant who discovers her sleeping form and brings her a blanket and a glass of water. "

"…eehh..." ...a princess that runs away from an arranged marriage and falls in love with a servant…?

"Or something like that."

"Well...eh..." Does it necessarily have to be about princesses, Renaissances or Victorian times...

As she was thinking about it, she immediately realized what he had meant with his suggested story line. The right corner of her mouth was twitching slightly. She tried not to laugh. …Merlin's beard...I guess he was thinking me to be the princess and him the servant...he was butler the last time and now he wants to be a servant...hmm...oh...I think I have an idea…

"...I think I have an idea...." Aislinn said with a wide grin. "...Are you familiar with the muggle story Phantom of the Opera? It is about a girl, who originally was a dancer at an opera during the 19th century, who becomes a singer and there is a phantom…a man who lives in the undergrounds below the opera house, who falls in love with this girl because of her beautiful voice and beauty. He covers half his face with a mask because part of his face is deformed. Though there is a twist in this, because this girl, whose name is Christine Daae, her former childhood friend Raoul, Viscount de Chagny also falls in love with her..." Aislinn laughed, finding this twisted love story amusing. "I enjoyed reading that story once, when I visited a muggle library eight years ago..." She went on excitingly without pausing. "The book was filled with the songs which Christine and the Phantom used to sing in the story line. My favorite songs are Phantom of the Opera and Music of the Night...I don't know how to sing them, but they are beautiful...Anyway the story is about..." And on she went, telling Alastair about the entire story about Phantom of the Opera.

"…It is the year 1870. When the soprano singer Carlotta Giudicelli begins to sing for the managers, a backdrop collapses and causes everyone to blame the "Opera Ghost", a mysterious figure who is rumored to live in the catacombs beneath the theater. This opera ghost is the phantom himself, but no one knows him. Carlotta refuses to sing and storms offstage, and the performance get nearly cancelled. But then they ask Christine to step in and sing and later that night she makes a great debut on stage......" Aislinn was speaking nonstop with exciting and glowing eyes as if she was enjoying the story.

"....the Phantom smashes every mirror in his underground lair and disappears through a secret passage behind a velvet curtain just before the police arrive...." She finished. "What do you think?" She smiled. "We need to be at least three actors, and Raven could join us like the last time, but I cannot sing at all, and I don't know if you or Raven can sing...." Aislinn laughed. "...Both the phantom and the viscount kiss Christine, but you can't take two actors at the same time because it won't work with the plot..."

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"..I think I have an idea...." Aislynn said with a wide grin. "...Are you familiar with the Muggle story Phantom of the Opera?"

"Yes. I read it quite a while ago in my earlier years. I enjoyed it quite thoroughly. However, many of the details have slipped my mind." he said with a slight frustration.

He listened to her intently, his eyes interested as he remembered everything she spoke of with such clarity.

It is all coming back to me now...But how could we possibly pull it off? Even if Ravenna lent Aislynn her voice, and I simply used mine, we would still be short of a male actor...

"What do you think?" She smiled.

"It sounds like a lovely choice." Alastair complimented. He was about to add 'However, the complications are quite confusing.' when Aislynn went on.

"We need to be at least three actors, and Raven could join us like the last time, but I cannot sing at all, and I don't know if you or Raven can sing...." Aislynn laughed. "...Both the phantom and the viscount kiss Christine, but you can't take two actors at the same time because it won't work with the plot..."

"I was thinking the very same thing." Alastair sighed. "Ravenna has quite the divine singing voice, and mine is acceptable." he said, brushing it off as though it was truly nothing at all. "Perhaps she could lend you hers for certain parts. But we could not possibly go without another male actor. Even if Ravenna was to dress as a male, a kiss would be out of the question." he paused, thinking quickly with his hand to his chin and his arms half-folded.

"I know." Alastair said after a moment. "Ravenna would play as the Viscount Raoul, but we will, somehow, interrupt the kiss at the last moment. Would that work for you?" Alastair asked. I will, of course, as Ravenna the same question, since I have no business deciding how far she will go at our request.

As Aislynn answered, they began their descent.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Aislinn could not help but burst out in laughter as the thought of kissing Raven suddenly crossed her mind. She bit her lower lip and tried to muffle her laughter and calm down as Alastair went quiet for a moment, thinking about a solution.

"I know." Alastair said after a moment. "Ravenna would play as the Viscount Raoul, but we will, somehow, interrupt the kiss at the last moment. Would that work for you?" Alastair asked

"…Yes...or I and Raven could just embrace each other. We don't even need to kiss…" Aislinn suggested. "...we can actually play the story as we like instead for following it exact..."

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Of course." Alastair nodded to Aislynn's suggestion. He is, in my opinion, a most arrogant character; Erik. The 'phantom' seems to think that just because he is disfigured means that he can do as he pleases...Even kidnapping a frightening a simple-minded young lady by the name of Christine...I would much rather play Raoul, who, at least, feels for his childhood friend.

Soon, they landed. "Here we are, my lady. Welcome back to one of Venice's three Wizarding canals; Glimmering Canal. " Alastair smiled, opening the door for her.

Raven had wasted no time in landing, and they were on top of the building just across from the Theatre of Game. The canal was just as beautiful as they remembered it.

A wide canal stretched as far as the eye could see, eventually leading to the ocean. The canal was lined with several places, each meant for a certain purpose. Whether dining or painting, each one looked to be wonderful fun. Gondolas made their way up and down the canal, holding people; mostly couples, who were chatting and eagerly pointing to places they wished to visit. Unlike Muggle Gondolas, these small boats magically rowed themselves.

"To jump or to apparate? That is the question." Alastair said dramatically, with the back of his hand partially covering his eyes for extra effect.

"Come, my lady. " he replied when Aislynn chose 'jump'. His arms spread apart in the familiar embrace, he waited patiently for her to near him. Rather than simply jumping, he spun her around as if they were in a dance, before jumping a second later, landing elegantly on the other side of the street, his eyes on her the whole time; his gaze soft...charming.

"We have arrived..." he said, not yet releasing his firm grip on her. "...My lady." And he had let her go. He was now holding out his arm for her to take.

The entrance was large, but rather plain. A large white sign read:

The Theatre of Game in ornate, golden writing.

They entered through large glass doors, into a round lobby where people were busily walking in and out of ten different hallways.

"Yes. We have a reservation for Theater number 44." Alastair smiled to the woman at the front desk.

"Yes, Sir. It is located in the second hallway, a little ways down." the woman said, not looking away from her many papers.

"Thank you." Alastair nodded, then led Aislynn to hallway 2.

Many people were dressed in odd clothing. . . Pirates, servants, waiters, witches. . . even some animals. Each costume was well-made and made it easy to tell what the people were dressing as. Alastair opened the glass door to the hallway for Aislynn, entering after her. It was quieter in the hallway, and only two or three people were walking around, with more sense of direction than in the lobby. Alastair led them with purpose, his pace slightly faster than Aislynn's. Three...Five...Ten... Alastair thought as he walked. Twenty...Thirty...Forty... "Here we are; the same room as last time; number forty-four." Alastair said, opening another glass door, and they entered a dark room. He waved his hand, and every candle in the room lit up at once, revealing a large stage.

"Now-" Alastair gestured to the long rack of costumes. "Do you remember how the clothes hangers work?" Alastair asked Aislynn.

Raven was already there, dressed in a vintage set of man's clothing from the time that the story took place. She wore a wig that was short and black, and a calm expression.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Thank you," Aislinn smiled as she walked out from the carriage, out to the familiar place. The beautiful canal and the magical gondolas. A sudden thought crossed her mind.

Valetta...

Aislinn tried to brush off her worried thoughts and instead focus on the game she would enjoy soon.

...I don't know if she died because we just left her in her weak condition...even if she is alive as weak or with gathered strength, we have Raven to protect us after all…

"To jump or to apparate? That is the question." Alastair said dramatically, with the back of his hand partially covering his eyes.

"To jump..." Aislinn smiled, forgetting Valetta and the incident which happened the last time.

"Come, my lady. " His arms spread apart in the familiar embrace and she gladly flung her arms around his neck.

She giggled excitingly when they spun around before the jump which only took a few seconds.

"We have arrived..." he said, not yet releasing his firm grip on her. "...My lady."

She felt her feet on solid ground, but she did not let go of him until he did. She took his arm and entered the familiar theater. Even if she had been there once before, she still found it amusing to see other people walking around dressed in various kinds of costumes.

Merlin's beard, Alastair walks so fast... Aislinn thought as she hurried behind Alastair. ...it must be his demon side...to walk with a such fast pace...

"Here we are; the same room as last time; number forty-four." Alastair said, opening another glass door, and they entered a dark room. He waved his hand, and every candle in the room lit up at once, revealing a large stage. "Now-" Alastair gestured to the long rack of costumes. "Do you remember how the clothes hangers work?" Alastair asked Aislinn.

"Yes, of course I do remember," Aislinn nodded and then grinned when she noticed that Raven had already entered the room before them and dressed for her role.

She walked over to the long rack of costumes and browsed through them as she pondered with which costume to start with. She knew that her role required dark brown curls. She went through the wigs that she knew she would need. Then she looked through the gowns.

I will need several clothes for several scenes, first I need a white ball gown, second a white nightgown, a pink gown, bleh, a red cape to it...a black gown with a matching cloak...finally something black...and then a maiden's attire...and another white dress.....well I will start with this one.. She pressed the button on the hanger she chose.

Merlin's beard.....I am wearing so much white... Aislinn thought as she looked down at her gown.

"Raven..." Aislinn whispered, not leaving her place. She was feeling a little nervous to show herself in a complete white gown with off shoulder sleeves in front of Alastair. She hoped that he had went to change to a costume for his role and then gone somewhere behind the scenes. "How do I look? I must certainly look like a ghost, don't I?" She laughed

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Once Aislynn confirmed that she knew what to do, Alastair walked quickly to the other end of the room, and began searching for the sort of clothing the count usually wore.

He selected a tuxedo, a top hat, a cape, a domino, and a nice pair of black shoes. He combed his hair backward, away from his face, which looked unusual since his bangs were usually down, surrounding his eyes. He dressed, paying little attention to Aislynn as he tried to realize what was missing from his appearance. I.....There must be something I am forgetting...I have all of these things, and yet my costume feels incomplete. Ah...My face remains perfect, yet the phantom's face was disfigured...Rotted yellow flesh and no nose...That sounds putrid, even for a costume. The mask would be so uncomfortable to wear. Perhaps I can simply transform my features creatively? Yes...But where to find a mirror?

Meanwhile, at the other side of the stage. "Raven..." Aislynn whispered, not leaving her place. "How do I look? I must certainly look like a ghost, don't I?" She laughed.

"You do not look ghostly, even in the slightest." Raven said calmly, nearing Aislynn. She had been sitting on a chair in Aislynn's corner of the stage, her eyes flicking between Aislynn and Alastair in case they required assistance. She had been wondering what Alastair would look like, since the phantom's face was done differently in every movie and musical in the human world. "But the white does not suit you." she said honestly. "It makes you look so pretentious, henceforth clashing with your personality. However, it works just fine for a costume." she finished. Her facial expression said that her costume was fine, if Aislynn was to wear it only on the stage and not for a normal formal occasion.

Alastair was about to ask Raven if she could conjure a mirror for him, but he saw her looking to Aislynn as she spoke. She is assisting her at the present time...I shall wait a moment. He thought, choosing to sit calmly on a chair he conjured.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Well..." Aislinn replied, still whispering. "...I am only going to wear white for this play, since the role I have requires me to wear certain colors, where white is the major. I think my favorite part will be when I wear the black attire..."

She paused for a second, wondering what Alastair's opinion would be of her wearing white. ...I shall remember to ask him after the play... She thought.

"...Anyway…I am ready to start. I have selected everything I need to for the other coming scenes...oh we need the songs..." Aislinn suddenly reminded herself and started to look among the clothing racks as if she was expecting to find music notes and songs hanging somewhere. "Do you think they have some music sheets here at the theater?" She asked Raven. "I think we need about twelve songs...the first one is called Think of Me which I will be singing...with your help hehe..."

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"....oh we need the songs..." Aislynn suddenly reminded herself and started to look among the clothing racks as if she was expecting to find music notes and songs hanging somewhere.

Raven watched, her hand rose to her mouth as she stifled her quiet laughter. She was about to tell Aislynn that she could assist her when she asked for it herself.

"Do you think they have some music sheets here at the theater?" She asked Raven. "I think we need about twelve songs....the first one is called Think of Me which I will be singing...with your help hehe..."

"Yes. They have them in store, upon request. Excuse me a moment to retrieve them." Raven said, standing up from her chair and walking out of the room. She returned a minute later with a stack of papers. Every few sheets of paper were held together by a paper clip; each one was a different song. "I can enchant instruments to play as we sing." Raven explained, handing Aislynn the song that she had mentioned. "And I have made copies of the sheets so that Alastair and I can sing as well. " The number of copies matches the people singing, so that we do not have three copies of everything... "Is there anything else you require?" Raven asked helpfully a moment later when Aislynn had had time to glance at the papers Raven had given her.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Oh...thank you so much...Raven you are amazing..." Aislinn grinned excitingly when Raven had returned with a stack of music sheets.

"Is there anything else you require?" Raven asked helpfully a moment later after Aislinn had glanced at the music sheets.

"You could check if Alastair is ready, please, before we start" She replied, her eyes still on the music sheets in her hands.

Think of me... She read through the song and started to hum to warm up. If it was something she could do, it was humming to songs, even if she could not sing.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Yes, mistress." Raven nodded, before walking over to Alastair, who stood when he saw her approaching. "What may I assist you with?" Raven asked.

"I require a mirror so that I may transform my features." Alastair said calmly. "And the bathrooms here are usually clean and ornate, although quite crowded." I would use it, but since she is here, it would be more convenient to simply ask for a mirror.

"Of course." Raven said, handing him a mirror which materialized in her hand in the time it took her to speak the sentence.

"Thank you." Alastair said, taking it and walking away to the back of the stage, where a curtain was hung to cover a back room. He disappeared behind the curtain, but not before giving Raven a certain look; he nodded, his eyes serious.

Raven was soon standing beside Aislynn again. "Alastair says that you should begin singing now. Here-" Raven put her hand to her throat, then held it out as if to shake hands with Aislynn. "-as you shake my hand, I will lend you my voice. When it comes time for me to sing, I will take it back with the same handshake, then return it to you so that you may finish the song. Simple enough?" she asked, as if to confirm that Aislynn had understood.

Meanwhile, Alastair had finished with his transformation, having used his magic to achieve the perfect look for the part; in his opinion. His features weren't half burnt, and his nose was very much intact. He had simply made his face look very skeletal, so that the bones were showing around his eyes, cheeks and chin.

Aislynn began singing in Raven's divine voice. It was deep, smooth, and could reach both the highest and lowest notes without cracking or straining. It was effortless to use, and anyone listening would have found it enchanting.

Alastair, who could hear her from behind the curtain, was enchanted.

"How lovely a voice you have, Ravenna. I had forgotten since the first time you showed me..." Alastair said quietly to himself.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Alright," Aislinn nodded quietly after Raven had explained for her. She walked quietly and nervously over to the stage wondering how she would sound like when singing.

With the music sheet hovering midair in front of her, her arms spread around the wide skirts of her dress, her right hand clutching her wand against the skirts and facing the open place of many comfortable chairs where she imagined the audience to be, she started to sing the first words of the song:

"Think of me
Think of me fondly"

Aislinn was surprised when she heard Raven's voice coming out from her mouth, that she nearly went quiet for a whole second, before continuing the song:

"When we've said goodbye
Remember me once in a while
Promise me you'll try
On that day - that not so distant day
When you are far away and free
If you ever find a moment
Spare a thought for me"

The song gave her a strange sad feeling yet she was smiling. She did not know why, if she found the sad song amusing or if it was amusing because she had a different voice. She could not simply tell.

"And though it's clear
Though it was always clear
That this was never meant to be
If you happen to remember
Stop and think of me

Think of August when the trees were green
Don't think about the way things might have been

Think of me
Think of me waking
Silent and resigned
Imagine me trying too hard to put you from my mind
Think of me please say you'll think of me
Whatever else you choose to do
There will never be a day when
I won't think of you"

Aislinn wondered for a second how she would sound with her own voice if she tried to sing. She decided to give it a try as soon as she had given Raven's voice back to her. If I sound like a bloody disaster, I'll borrow her voice for the rest of the play...but I must try with my own voice first hehehe…

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

When Raven stepped in for her part, she gently put her hand on Aislynn's shoulder to let her know she was there. She touched Aislynn's hand briefly, and then began singing in her own voice, her lines of the song.

Can it be
Can it be Christine?
Brava, brava...

Long ago, it seems so long ago,
How young and innocent we were
She may not remember me
But I remember her

On the last line of the song, Raven reached for Aislynn's hand, to lend her her voice once more.

She was surprised when Aislynn decided to use her own voice instead. Raven put her hand to her mouth, interested at Aislynn's choice. She had mine to use at her disposal...I suppose she was merely curious to see how hers compared.

Alastair pulled back the curtain ever so slightly, confused. What is she doing? I thought we had agreed to use Ravenna's voice? However, I cannot deny the fact that I was curious to the way hers sounded....

 

[Hikari Chan]

When Raven had sung her part, Aislinn backed away with a smile, almost biting her lower lip, when Raven reached her hand towards her.

Aislinn took a deep breath and braced herself to try to turn her usual humming into singing.

"Flowers fade
The fruits of summer fade
They have their season so do we
But please promise me
That sometimes you will think of me"

Aislinn did not have the soft and deep lovely voice like Raven, but on the other hand she did not sound horrible. Because she used to hum a lot to the kind of music she listened to whenever she had spent time for herself before she met Alastair, she knew how to follow music with her voice and therefor she could follow the current playing music in the background. Thus, it sounded genuine when she sang even if her voice was subtle and tenuous. If there had been real audience attending the play, only the front row would have heard her singing faintly, but not the rest. Her voice was quiet but still loud enough for anyone close on and to the stage to hear her.

I need to sing louder... Aislinn thought, smiling when she had sung the last words.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Mistress Aislynn, your voice is so soft and gentle, yet faint." Raven spoke quietly. "Would you like a charm to make it sound louder so you do not have to strain?"

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Thank you, Raven," Aislinn whispered. "I could just use the Sonorus charm." She covered her mouth with her hand to muffle a quiet giggle. "Now let's continue to the next scene..." She whispered.

Aislinn pointed her wand at her neck and whispered the incantation to the charm.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"I could just use the Sonorus charm."

"Yes...Of course." Raven said. "How could I have forgotten?" she mumbled to herself in a voice that only she could hear. "Well then, for the next scene." she said quickly, raising her hand and the lights went out.

A second later, they were back on again, and the stage was set to look like an old-fashioned dressing room.

"Christine!-" Alastair said to Aislynn.

Raven was out of Aislynn's range of vision, but if she turned around, she would have seen Raven stooping behind the keyhole of a fake door. She was obviously pretending to be eavesdropping, much like the Viscount Raoul.

"-Tell me that you sang only for me!" Alastair said passionately, part of his face hidden by the domino. "I, who have tutored you...There aren't any childhood friends that you will plan to elope with, are there? Anyone in the audience?" Alastair asked. He was speaking quickly now, in a voice of mock paranoia.

 

[Hikari Chan]

When the scene changed, Aislinn changed her costume into a long white nightgown and robe with long sleeves. She also changed her wig to brown curls which were loose and down to her waist. She was in her dressing room sitting in front of her dresser where flowers were decorating it lavishly and burning candles were lit.

She suddenly heard a voice from somewhere, someone calling for her, as if she was not alone in her bedroom but there was no one to be seen. All the candles were blown out as if a ghost had been present or as if the wind suddenly had blown across the room

"Christine-!"

"Who is there…?" she whispered yet her voice was loud enough, thanks to the sonorus charm, for both Raven and Alastair to hear her.

"-Tell me that you sang only for me!" said the mysterious voice. "I, who have tutored you...There aren't any childhood friends that you will plan to elope with, are there? Anyone in the audience?" The voice continued.

"Who is there, if I may ask?" Aislinn spoke. She turned away from the toilet table and looked around. "Is it my Angel of music, the one who taught me to sing? My angel of music, whom I sang to this night, is that you?"

"Angel, I hear you. Speak, I listen. Stay by my side. Guide me. Angel, my soul was weak; forgive me. Enter at last, Master."

Aislinn turned her attention towards the floor length mirror, looking at her own reflection in the dark.

"Angel of music, guide and guardian, grant to me your glory. Angel of music hide no longer. Come to me, strange Angel."