The Phantom of the Opera: A Beauty and a Beast (Guile and Melody)

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine felt the weakness in her legs grow stronger, the weight that hovered over her was trying to take control. "I am truly sorry. I meant you no harm by entering your private quarters before my time had come." Miss Daae looked down at her feet, ashamed of herself for that memory. "I wouldn't like people entering my home without my consent and I was foolish not to think about that when it came to your home." She followed him willingly, thinking about the long journey. "I wouldn't mind coming here, as long as I am home when my mistress needs me." She sighed. "Madame Giry can be very strict if you aren't on time."

 

[Guile]

Erik felt a low rumble coming from his throat and realized that he was chuckling again. "Oh, Christine, do not worry. I know you meant no harm. You were merely curious, and I do not blame you for that." He found his smile growing ever so slowly but surely, as he continued to gaze into her eyes. Erik tried desperately to hide from his eyes, the longing he had to pull her close to him and hold her again. The only visible sign of this longing was not all that clear. He was simply standing with his hands at his sides, his fingers twitching lightly, nervously...longingly? Yes, he longed to touch her, but he could not. Or could I? Erik was trying to work up the nerve to do so when Christine brought up Madame Giry's strict behavior, causing his eyes to brighten at the mention of his friend. "Ah, yes. I know very well how Madame Giry acts, especially with her dancers." Finally, he gave in. "Well, Christine. If you wish to come down here, I would be delighted to see you. You are always welcome here. My home is yours, do not forget that. However, I will not make you come if you do not wish it." At last, Erik got his chance to touch her and he was so thankful that his gloves were now off, for he could feel her skin. Just a small strand of her hair had fallen from behind her ear and to the side of her face, causing an obstruction to her line of vision. Before Erik had the chance to think too hard about the possible consequences of such an action, he lifted his hand to her face and brushed the strand of hair back behind her ears. He let his fingers rest on her skin for just a brief moment before he reluctantly pulled his hand away slowly, his cheeks flushing as he realized what he had done. That, here they were, a young man and woman, alone in Erik's home and here he was, brushing her hair from her face. Oh, if her father were alive, what would he say? Surely he would not approve of such behavior! And yet, Erik couldn't help feeling that this was unimportant, for they were alive. He was alive...and Erik could only think about how he needed to live as normally as possible. How he longed to live normally. Christine, he thought, could be his key to a normal life.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine felt her heart climb up her throat as Erik fixed her hair. She wasn't expecting such a gesture so pleasant and loving. When his hand graced her cheek, Christine turned her nose into it, taking in the smell of something sweet, along with parchment ink. Surely, he had been at work previously that day. "Erik, bless you for everything. You've opened up your haven to someone so very unworthy of your kindness. You have been this way since you told me to hush on that terrible day." Her eyes glazed over, as if in memory. "I can't ever express my gratitude to you, sir." She moved closer, taking his hand in hers. "There, now I remember these hands. They held me once, if I'm not mistaken."

 

[Guile]

Erik felt as though he were dreaming. He had to be. The way she turned toward his hand, taking in his normal smell of roses and ink, no doubt. The way she spoke, so kindly...so softly. The way she took his hand in hers, the feeling of her soft skin on his. It was all too much for Erik to take. He knew that if there were much more of this he would break, if he hadn't already. Wrapping his fingers tenderly around the hand that already held his, Erik looked back into Christine's eyes with a soft smile on his lips. It was the words that came from his mouth that caused him to know he had broken already. He was far too gone to pull back now. "Christine, you are one of the only people worth of my kindness. For...you are one of the only ones that ever showed it to me in return." Erik felt his eyes almost get misty, but he refused to let the emotions of his past hurt him now. Not when he was with Christine, when she was so close to him. As she moved even closer and took his hand, the words she spoke brought out words Erik never thought he would ever hear himself say. "You are not mistaken, Christine. They did indeed hold you once." Then, he bent foreword toward her ear and whispered the words that surprised even himself. "They could hold you again, Christine. You need only ask." Before she had a chance to respond, Erik slowly wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into a tight embrace, praying she wouldn't be frightened or disagree with such an act. His heart pounded against his chest as he did, so much that he was sure Christine could feel it.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine felt pressure against her waist, as well as against her upper body as Erik pulled her near. His arms were so comforting, just like her father's were. Just as strong, just as broad, almost as if he were with her again. "Erik, I've wanted this since you first let go, though I told you to do so." She cuddled into him, resorting, almost, to her child like state of dependency. "Oh, this is wonderful." She was still bright red. "I love these arms." Her own heart kept rhythm with his like a metronome. "Your heart is racing, Erik." She giggled. "Is there something upsetting you?"

 

[Guile]

The racing of his heart was too much. Erik felt as if he were going to faint, but no. He knew he would not and, even if he felt that bad, he would not allow himself to faint. For, that would end this beautiful moment with Christine. No, he would stay conscious and be just fine. Oh, but he felt like melting into her arms. The way she cuddled up against him made his heart beat even faster, while his arms tightened around her. "I have as well, Christine, if I'm honest." Erik could see the bright redness of her cheeks, but he felt that just made her all the more attractive. "I never wanted to let you go. I still don't." He had resorted to whispering, so weak he could hardly manage audible words. Then, Christine giggled. Oh, even her laugh is attractive! Erik couldn't help thinking to himself as he tried to swallow but found it difficult to do so. Christine mentioned his racing heart and his own face flushed again and he stuttered to get an explanation out. "I-it, uh, that it is, Christine." He agreed with a sheepish grin. "But no, nothing is upsetting me." Suddenly, his voice leveled and he could speak normally. In fact, Erik found the strength to pull back just enough to look into her eyes and confess. "My heart..." here it is. The moment of truth. "...it's racing for you."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine felt her stomach twist and turn when he had finally confessed. "Mast-....Erik, that's truly amazing, yes, indeed, it is." She smiled kindly, also very sheepish. "Truly you know that I cannot stay here. I have a life and friends upstairs." She felt tears coming. Raoul had said that he loved her as well and she.couldn't choose a man that couldn't be seen in public. "Erik, I c-can't..." Heartbroken, because she couldn't feel the same for her Angel, Christine splashed back through the water, all the way up the stairs and into the light, whitefaced and saddened. "Poor Erik! I'm so very sorry!" She trembled. "Please, don't hate me, I still need you!" She sank to her knees in the middle of the hardwood floor.

 

[Guile]

Erik knew as soon as Christine opened her mouth to speak that his life was over. He could see the pain in her eyes and he knew she did not feel the same way, could not feel the same way. Oh, if only she knew the agony it brought to his heart! Watching her break from his grasp and run from him ripped his fragile heart into pieces. As soon as Christine was out of sight Erik sank to his knees, put his head in his hands, and wept. He wanted to chase after her, to apologize. But, how could he be expected to apologize for being in love? Erik could not lie to her and say that he was sorry for being in love with her. Yes, he was sorry for confusing her, for bringing her unnecessary heartache, but he could not feel sorry for loving her. "I am human!" Erik cried out through his tears. "I need to be loved! I deserve that much do I not?" He wasn't sure who he was crying out to, but it helped stop him from throwing his fist at another mirror. And that, at least, was some comfort.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine sobbed on her knees for a while, before she bucked up the courage to face her Erik again. "Wait, I must get back to him and at least apologize for running off like that." She walked over and placed her white hand on the mirror. "The gates of heaven have opened, my angel. Where are you?" She asked childishly. "Don't tell me that you've forgotten our secret coding, dear friend." She wrapped her knuckles against the mirror as though it were a front door. "I came to apologize and to say that I do love you, but, we're different from each other." She spoke the truth. She loved Erik, but she also loved Raoul. She felt so very alone in the moments that she spent in that room. "Please, let me in."

 

[Guile]

After several minutes of sobbing and wallowing pathetically in his own self-pity, Erik forced himself to stand again. He had to go to Christine for one reason or another - be it tonight to apologize, or tomorrow for a lesson. He could never avoid her. So, figuring he would get this off his chest now, he started to climb the stairs back to the world above. Only, he didn't expect to hear Christine's voice. She was talking...to him. Shocked, Erik made his way towards her mirror and saw her looking as if she wanted through. Then, he heard her words. I do love you, but, we're different from each other...oh, if only you knew just how different, Christine. Then, she was asking to be let in. Before he opened the mirror, Erik opened his mouth to speak. It was sudden and he wasn't sure if it would frighten her or not - he didn't know if she was aware of his presence. "And just how are we different, Christine? Your love, your passion, is music is it not? It enters your soul and surrounds your senses in a way nothing else ever could, does it not? You breath music, my dear. You and I live for it. Our souls are the same, yours and mine, in more ways than you can imagine - music being just one similarity. Is it not for happiness that we seek out love? Why else then would our differences matter?" At last, he opened the barrier between them and allowed her passage through the mirror. "I can give you music, I can give you love. I can give you happiness, Christine. Is that not what you want?" Erik knew his words were true, but he also there was more to it. She needed to be free, did she not? She deserved to be in the world above with people. But...I can let her! She can go as she pleases...just as long as she comes back to me. Right? Yet, despite his efforts to reassure himself, the pain in Erik's heart kept reminding him his efforts were practically futile.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Erik's words were enough to make any girl cry with tears of happiness and ecstasy. "Your words are true, my Phantom!" Christine flew through their secret portal and launched herself in his arms. "Oh, I do live and breath and eat music completely!" She was scared of loving Erik, for she had Raoul to love her as well. "Erik, there's just one problem. I have Raoul. He's come home and I'm sure you understand my position in all of this. I must go back. I will return regularly, I promise, Master." She kissed his forehead, part of her lip not touching flesh, but touching that mask that held her curiosity.

 

[Guile]

Erik held Christine tight to him, feeling as if this could be the last time he ever did so. It was such a warm, beautiful sensation that he never wanted to let her go, but he had to. He had said his peace, and now it was up to Christine. She had to figure out what her heart wanted, and Erik would wait for her no matter how much it hurt. "I-I understand, Christine. You must believe me when I tell you that I do not take your feelings lightly. I am sorry for any pain I may have caused to you. The last thing I want to do is hurt you, Christine." His words were soft as he was working hard to get them out and not break down in tears again. Then, Christine placed a kiss on his forehead, causing him to close his eyes in pure joy as he reluctantly released his grip on her. "I will be here when you need me...or want me, Christine. Just call for me and I will be here, I promise." He couldn't help but sense that his mask was a reoccurring thought of hers, which, he did not blame her for. Of course she would be curious. Who wouldn't be?

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"And you know exactly where I will be, Erik." She didn't let go, even after he did. "I will always have a special place in my heart for you, as I know you do for me." She kissed his forehead again. "Remember that first time that you held me and you will always have me with you. You know where to find me and, should you wish to hold me, you may, when I am alone." Finally, Christine met his gaze, smiling. "Let nothing come between us that will hurt our chances of happiness. Forget everything around us and be there for me. You swore your word to my father that you would do so. I read his will. It said that:


My dear friend, Madame Giry, please watch over my child, Christine Daae and allow my friend, the Angel of Music to protect and care for her.





Christine sighed, remembering that will from top to bottom, for it was her father's last handwritten statement on this earth. "Please, don't leave me. Don't hate me."

 

[Guile]

Erik was surprised, yet admittedly delighted to find Christine still holding onto him. He figured she wouldn't stay too much longer, to his own disappointment, but for the time being, Erik wrapped his arms back around her, letting his fingers grace over the fabric of her dress lightly. As he did this, after her second beautiful kiss to his forehead - one which Erik longed to return, but would not dare to - he bent his head down near hears and breathed in her beautiful scent and the soft feeling of her brown curls. "Christine, you must know, it has been my life's ambition since your father passed to make you happy." I live for your smile... "I will always be there for you, you need never doubt that promise, my dear. I could never leave you, let alone hate you!" Erik still kept his voice soft as he said his and hesitantly let his hand venture up and caress her cheek lightly.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine was delighted to have him so close to her, knowing that this would soon come to an end when her name would be called by either of the Girys or Raoul. When he caressed her cheek, she could almost feel herself melting into his arms, almost as if it....were really happening. She was soon fainted in his arms.

 

[Guile]

Erik was shocked by the sudden dead weight in his arms. He had barely felt Christine go limp in his arms until she was leaning against him. Quickly, Erik placed his hands under her to support her and swept her up into his arms almost as quickly as she had fainted into them. For a few moments Erik stood there looking down on Christine's pale, glowing, angelic face. She was so peaceful lying there and Erik couldn't help but listening for her steady breathing, which brought a smile to his lips when he heard it. Erik knew he couldn't hold here there all night, as much as he longed to do so, so he made a move to place her in her room. However, then he thought about the Vicomte and Girys. What if they came and woke her? Looking back down on her peaceful features, Erik knew he couldn't let anyone come and wake her - she had an exhilarating night and deserved rest. So, Erik carried Christine below once more with the honest intention to escort her home when she awoke the next morning, provided she woke then and not sooner. As he brought her through the gate, up to his house, and placed her gently on his bed, Erik hoped that she wouldn't be upset by waking up back here. At last, Erik pulled the covers up over her sleeping body and tucked them lightly under her chin, longing to place a kiss on her forehead, but still denying himself that particular action.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine slept for the rest of the night and well into the next day, for she had no concept of time in the darkness. When she did, however, Christine fluttered her eyes open and sat upright. Messing with her hair, she asked herself "Where am I?" She couldn't remember passing out in this bed, let alone this room. "Er-Erik?" She brought her hand back down to the mattress. "Erik, where are you?" When she got no answer, she pulled the curtains back and stepped from the bed. "Oh, I forgot about this place." She saw a figure in the distance. Walking toward it, she realized Erik's back was to her. Did he not sleep last night? I could have sworn...no, he would never! Walking toward her teacher, she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Good morning, dear friend."

 

[Guile]

Erik had been lost in thought, his guilty conscience eating away at him. It was true, he had not slept the entire night - had not touched Christine since he covered her up in the blankets - but he still felt guilty. He didn't know why, not fully. Perhaps it was because he had brought her back when she had purposefully left. Suddenly, Erik was jerked from his thoughts by the warm feeling of Christine's arms around his neck. In fact, Erik was so thrown off guard, he almost forgot to hold in his sigh. However, he caught himself just in time, not letting it be heard. Unable to stop himself, Erik reached up and placed his hand on the soft, pale skin of her arm, a smile forming on his lips before he realized what he was doing. Clearing his throat just a little nervously, Erik turned to face her. "Good morning, Christine. I trust you slept well?" His calm smile was still evident, though his heart was racing again.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine smiled at his tender and loving caress. "Of course I did, I did sleep very well." She let go of him to look back at his bed. "Thank you so much. It's quite lovely, Erik. I understand why you're so well rested all the time at least." She locked eyes with his lips. God, why must you keep them away from me! She raised her hand and moved toward his lips, stopped, and dropped her hand. Feeling an aching in her stomach, Christine rubbed the rumbling belly. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to sleep and run, but I must go." She said this, but didn't let go. "May I leave, Erik?" She felt as if she needed his permission since that horrific evening previously.

 

[Guile]

"I am glad." Erik's words were practically a whisper, as he was once again lost in Christine's presence. "And there is no need to thank me - no man would have left any woman, especially yourself, just lie where you were. Forgive me for bringing you back here..." his mind raced back to last night, but he tried to shake it away, "I just did not want anyone to wake you, and knew you could sleep peacefully here, undisturbed." Erik could hide his smile, however slight it was, as he watched her hand reach up slowly toward him and she moved closer. His heart was beating faster than before, but before Erik had a chance to think about what she may do, Christine had dropped her hand again. His heart sank. It was a horrible feeling, this longing in his heart. It ate away at the very fiber of his being and Erik was struggling just to keep moving through life. It was Christine that kept him waking each morning with just the faintest glimmer of hope for a new life, however farfetched that fantasy seemed to be. "Of course you may leave, Christine. You don't need my permission - you are no caged animal." A flash of memories from his childhood brought fear racing through him, but he fought his panic back down. That was in the past! There would be no more freak shows, no more relentless beatings...no more cages. Erik had to keep reminding himself that. "Please, allow me to walk you 'home'." He forced a smile back on his lips, fearing that perhaps Christine had seen the brief look of fear in his eyes.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine smiled at his comment. "Then, I will leave and come back tonight, after....after dinner with my friend." She sighed, feeling guilty about her plans with , getting bad vibes concerning the vicomte radiating from Erik. "I promise to come back." She felt sorry for Erik, all alone down here all the time except brief visitation from Madame Giry. Seeing his extended hand, she felt her heart leap again. Extending her own hand, she felt his rather cold digits. "You can escort me home." She thought long and hard.Why did he say home like that? I told him I can't stay here.

 

[Guile]

Erik smiled genuinely at her words and wrapped his fingers around her hand as she placed it in his. Of course the mention of Raoul had made Erik cringe, but he hid it as best as he could from Christine. He couldn't help feeling that warmth in his heart when she promised to come back tonight. "That's wonderful, Christine. I do appreciate it." Erik led her back over to the boat and helped her in carefully, making sure she didn't stumble. He got in behind her and began to row back to the other side of his lake as he brought up the subject from earlier. "It means a lot to me that you willingly come back...I suppose it's nice to have visitors once in a while." Surprisingly, Erik felt himself chuckling warmly again.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine felt her heart lighten up as she sat on the floor of the boat again. "I'm so very glad that you have accepted me as your student, Erik. That means a lot to me." She closed her eyes as the mist caressed her face. "And, I promise that I will come back. I never, not once have I ever broken a promise." She faced him the whole ride home. "And, why did you say 'home' like that earlier? Is there something else that you wanted to share, sir?" She wanted to know the absolute truth. "You know that it would be impossible for me to stay down here with you. I have a life up above." She didn't mean for her words to come out the way they probably did, cruel and heartless. "I have Raoul and Madame and Meg Giry. I have my performances to go to and be good at."

 

[Guile]

Erik rode in silence, listening to every word she said - clinging to them, as if it would be the last time he would ever hear her beautiful voice. When she stopped, Erik did his best to answer her questions without frightening or upsetting her even more."Well, you have been a very good student, Christine. The best, I believe, the world has ever known. And I am honored to be your teacher. I believe you when you say you will come back. My Christine would not lie to me." Erik smiled warmly at her and met her gaze as he said this, his heart pounding, hoping that it was true. He didn't realize until then how hard it was to look her in the eyes after confessing his love for her, and knowing that she did not love him back. It was heartbreaking. "Forgive my earlier accent on the word 'home', dear Christine. I meant nothing more by it than this: the Opera House is your home. Is it not? And, my home here, below, is also part of this Opera House, correct? Therefore, this is your home as well." Erik found his cheeks growing more red by the second. "Again, I apologize. Although that statement stands true - you are welcome in my home as if it were your own. Never be afraid to come here." Once again, Erik heard that fool of a Vicomte's name and he found himself wishing that the man had never existed. "I understand you have a life to live above. I will never try to keep you from it." His words were little more than a saddened whisper now, as the boat came to a stop and Erik crawled out, extending his hand once again to Christine to support her while she got out as well. "I just want you to remember that life is nothing without love." Oh, this is so hard to say...but I must. She already knows how I feel about her. "If you truly love someone, all other things in life suddenly become trivial - where you live, what you wear, all of that is meaningless. All happiness comes from love - a love of something or someone. You love music and therefore, must be allowed to go above and perform. I shall never wish to stop you from doing this, my dear. You live your friends, whom of which I care for as well and would never prevent you from seeing them." Erik hesitated, knowing he would have to say something about Raoul. "And...the Vicomte. Well," he turned to look in her eyes, his glazed with sadness, "it is on that particular matter that I feel you must sort out for yourself. Your heart must decide what it wants and then...I will not prevent you from seeking that out as well." The words almost burned Erik's throat as he had practically just told her that if she chose the Vicomte, Erik would not interfere with her heart's desires. However, he didn't know if that last statement were completely true or not. Now that he thought about it, he had meant to tell her the whole truth, but as he contemplated being without Christine his heart tore. Erik knew he could not live without her. He could not let Raoul take her from him.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine felt even more blood rush to her face at the sound of "my Christine." Her legs went numb and her arms weren't working either. "I would never be so cruel as to lie to you." She sighed and waited until she was ready to take his hand again. "I know it's hard for you to hear Raoul's name, but he is truly a gentleman. He would never hurt me." She got out with her teacher and started walking past him. "Whatever I decide, Erik, promise me that you will not leave me forever. I need my music to soothe me when I'm upset."