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

[Guile]

"I trust that you feel confident in knowing that I would never hurt you either." Erik paused for a moment to say this, then continued walking, catching up with her after just a few strides. "I trust the young man's chivalry and his treatment towards you. I honestly believe that he would never hurt you...on purpose. What I do not trust him with is your heart." His face continued to flush, though Erik was glad that the shadows helped hide this even if only a little. "However, I suppose that is not my decision to make." Erik quickly changed the subject from Raoul, to Christine. "I could never leave you. No matter what you decide I will never stop caring for you. I will never stop...loving you." He quickly looked away from her, unable to meet her eyes as he continued to whisper. "When you love someone else, you would do anything for them. I would do anything to see you smile, Christine, and music does just that to you. Yes, I will never stop providing you with beautiful music...no matter the cost to my own heart." Even now, Erik found his heart aching and she was less then two feet from him. He didn't know how he would be able to bear loosing her to Raoul. Then again...I never really had her, now did I?

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine felt the tension heat up quickly. Shrugging it aside, she repeated what she had told the man earlier. "I will always have a spot in my heart specifically for you, Erik, my Phantom. You must never forget that." She had journeyed to her mirror and stopped there, stomach growling again. "Well, this is where I leave you, dear friend. I must ready my supper." She took both of his hands in hers and did something out of character. She came close and turned away from him, backing into his musculature and closing her eyes. "Please, I wish to leave you with something pleasant." Taking her scarf from her neck, she handed it over. "As a token of my gratitude."

 

[Guile]

For a while, Erik felt that he had gone too far - said too much. His cheeks burned with embarrassment that he covered up rather well, for a few moments. Christine's actions surprised him, but never before had he felt happier than when she took his hands and leant back into him. Erik was so shocked and pleased that he couldn't mask the sigh that came from his lips, however, he was able to at least keep it soft. Then, Christine managed to bring tears to his eyes, that he did not allow to fall, as he wrapped his fingers gingerly around her scarf, brushing his fingers ever so lightly against hers as he did so. Oh, how delighted he was! He would finally have a small piece of Christine to hold onto while she was gone from him - a reminder of their friendship...of her. Yet, at the same time, he was bewildered. "But...Christine, I could not take your scarf. I..." I shall hold onto it until you return. Erik planned to give it back to her one day, but would keep silent for now and accept this beautifully kind gesture. "Thank you," was all he whispered to her in response.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine grinned, satisfied that he had a little piece of her to hold onto. Finally, she had to let this moment end. "I'm glad you like it, Erik. It really means a lot that you'll keep it, though, I'm not certain what use it will be to you." Smiling, she kissed his cheek again and stepped through her portal. ,"Be kind with it." These were her last words before she started making her supper. "Hmm, what shall I have?" She started cooking. "This should do it."

 

[Guile]

Erik's smile was quite clear as he muttered an 'of course' to her request as she stepped through the mirror and into her room. As soon as she was gone, Erik felt that sinking feeling in his heart and his eyes dulled over as if he were exhausted. He felt as if he were. However, the soft fabric of Christine's scarf between his fingers brought a little bit of comfort to him as he reminded himself of her promise to return that night. After she sees the boy... Erik wanted to let out a growl but forced himself to stay silent as he turned around and walked back down the passageway to give Christine her privacy, lightly fingering the scarf for most of the walk and thinking of how her lips had felt on his skin.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

The vicomte heard Christine's voice, having slept right outside her door that previous night. "Christine?" He knocked. The young lady let her friend in and threw her arms around him. "Oh, Raoul! I've missed you ever so much! I can't tell you how often I thought of never seeing you again!" She placed her lips on his. "Raoul, here." He pushed a plate to him. "I made supper. I'm sorry it isn't much." Raoul simply smiled at Christine. "Lotte, it's alright. Thank you for this." He sat and waited for her before they both continued.

 

[Guile]

As Erik kept walking through the corridors, noting that he could still smell Christine's perfume quite strongly, thanks to her scarf, a sickening feeling came to his stomach. He knew that the Vicomte would be spending time with Christine today. In fact, Erik had heard him entering her room as he walked away. The way she had greeted him - with such happiness and relief in her voice - made Erik's stomach churn. He felt as if he would be physically sick and could not wait around any longer. Of course, he had not seen anything and therefore missed their kiss. At that point, he was too busy hurrying down the stairs and away from the two of them. Erik's heart couldn't bare listening to Christine and Raoul sweet talk one another - it would destroy him.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

As they ate, Christine couldn't let go of the feeling that she was being watched. It made her very uncomfortable. She put her fork back on her plate, letting it clink against the glass. "Raoul, I must admit that I was quite frightened for a while." She admitted. "I was certain that you were frightened as well." Raoul put his own fork down. "Yes, I was. You wouldn't answer when I called you to unlock the door. That sent me into hysterics." He pulled her in and squeezed her tightly. "You're safe now. That's all that matters."

 

[Guile]

Erik continued his fast past down to his home, desperately trying not to look back. He knew if he did, he would want to go back to her, to take her from that pompous boy. Erik couldn't bring himself to let go of her scarf until he got to the boat and had to row. Then, as it docked on the other side he stepped out with her scarf laid carefully over his hands again. That's when Erik began his pacing. His heart was sinking lower and lower in his chest as each minute went by without Christine near, especially knowing that she was with the Vicomte instead. Erik felt as if he were falling, helpless to save himself. His world around him was crumbling piece by piece with each second that Christine drew further from him, and closer to Raoul.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Raoul, you don't understand it. He won't let me go. He won't leave me alone." She started crying. "Raoul, I don't want him to leave me alone! It would KILL me!" She buried her face in Raoul's chest, shaking. "You didn't see him. He was so lonely, so kind and good. He said....he said that he loved me!" Her grip tightened on the vicomte's top. "Please!" Raoul pat her on the back, soothing her. "Christine, I'm with you." The girl couldn't stop crying. "POOR ERIK!"

 

[Guile]

Oh, Erik heard her. How could he not? His Christine was calling out his name, and it most certainly reached Erik's ears. Her horrible wails sent a tremor through Erik's body and he sunk to his knees, buried his face in his hands which still held her scarf, and wept for her. Yes, he was weeping for her. "I'm putting her in pain! Oh, God, my angel cries because of me! What have I done?" Erik was whimpering to himself and he rocked slightly back and forth on his knees, the sound of Christine's sobs becoming to much for his heart to handle. "Oh, Christine! My beautiful Christine, forgive me. I am sorry...I'm so, so sorry." He kept repeating his apologies quietly to himself through his tears. Erik could not bare to think that she was upset right now because of him - because of the way he had acted. "I shouldn't have told her. I should have kept my secret, no matter what the consequences were to my heart. At least Christine would be happy then..." But it was too late. She knew and Erik could never take back what he had said. "Oh, Christine. I love you so much..."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Raoul tried his best to help Christine to her bed and laid her there. Moving a strand of hair from Christine's face, Raoul stood and pulled a blanket over his lover, then left her to her own devices. Christine took a long time to stop crying, but, when she did, she just stared at her face in her mirror. "My angel?" She whispered. "It is not bed time, but, will you come to me?" She whispered. "Angel of Music?"

 

[Guile]

Erik had stopped sobbing, but the tears were still lightly falling down his cheeks when he, once again, heard her voice. Christine was calling to him, and her words almost made his heart stop. She wants to see me? After the pain I caused her. I ruined her night with...with that boy. She still wants to see me? How can this be? As much as it pained him to do so, Erik stood, feeling rather weak in the knees, and forced himself to make his way to Christine. Erik's heart was breaking with each step he took. He wanted to see his Christine more than anything in the world, but how could he ever face her again? He hadn't meant to hurt her, but he had. She clearly loved the Vicomte and Erik knew this. He was sure that nothing he could ever do or say would make Christine love him instead. But, he could not force himself to turn back around. His angel was calling for him and he would not ignore her. "Christine." Erik whispered her name as he approached her mirror, looked into her room and saw her lying in her bed, her face red and tear-stained. "I am here." He assured her softly, his voice never rising above a soothing whisper.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine felt her fragile little heart lead her to the mirror. She felt drawn to him again. "Oh, thank you, God!" She pressed her cheek to the cold glass, trying to listen for her Angel again. "My friend, I've missed you ever so much! Do come in!" She hugged the mirror again. "Oh, please! Will you come to me? I wish to hold you!" She backed up to give him space. "Open up!" Raoul heard this screaming and jiggled the door handle. "Christine, I'm here, open the door!"

 

[Guile]

Christine's words surprised Erik. Not only did she wish to see him again, speak to him, but she wanted to hold him as well! How can this be? The poor girl was just weeping because of me. How can she ever bare to have me near her after the hurt I caused her? Erik felt as if he had sinned - as if it were a sin for a monster such as him to touch a beautiful angel such as her. Still, he did just as she asked and stepped through the mirror. "Oh, Christine," Erik found it rather easy to ignore the Vicomte's yelling. After all, Christine was standing before him. How easy it was to ignore the rest of the world! Erik didn't even wait for Christine to speak again before he wrapped his own arms around her and pulled her close to him, fighting back tears. "Forgive me. I heard you crying and I-I wanted to come to you, but I thought...I thought you would hate me for causing you pain."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine felt the man enfold her in his embrace. She opened her heart up to Erik. Her mind and body were at his command. She couldn't hear Raoul at all. "My friend, I'm so sorry." Her words came out soft. "I wanted to return to you, but I couldn't find you. I had been having so much fun here and then it came time to return and I didn't know how to get back." She caressed his hand. "My teacher, your hands are ice!" She pressed his knuckles to her lips in a desperate attempt to warm them. "For someone who spends so much time around warmth, you are very pale." She pressed her head further into him, feeling his own passion and love that he didn't shut away. She, on the other hand, felt guilt for not knowing this sooner. "Shall we go?" Raoul's hands could be heard fidgeting with the knob. "CHRISTINE!"

 

[Guile]

Everything about Christine made Erik feel weak, as if he may drop to his knees any second and beg for her love. He forced himself to stay strong despite this feeling, even when she placed her warm lips to his chilled knuckles. "Do not be sorry, Christine. There is no room in my heart for disappointment in you - I will never be able to feel such an emotion toward you." Erik smiled warmly at her as his heart pounded away in his chest at her words. Go? She wants to go with me again? Oh, I feel as if I will faint should she continue to say such beautiful things. Still, Erik remained calm and took her hand gently in his. "Of course,...my Christine." With a slight grin forming at the corners of his lips and a glimmer in his eyes, Erik led her back through the mirror toward his home.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Your Christine?" Her lips barely moved at the thought of belonging to her teacher once more. "Monsieur Erik, I don't understand." The corner of her lip turned upward in a smile. She understood clearly what the Phantom meant about being his Christine. "I can't tell you what that means to me, sir." Raoul kept hitting the door. "Christine! It's a trick! Don't listen. Whoever, whatever this man is, he isn't your father! He loves power! He loves greed! He loves music, Christine!" His words soared through Miss Daae's ears like wind. She heard nothing.

 

[Guile]

Erik stopped for a moment, after they had gotten a fair way down the dark corridor, and turned to Christine. He had hear her words - that is what made him stop. They had surprised him. Just what do they mean to you, Christine? Erik longed to know what she felt, but he wouldn't dare ask. Instead, as they stood just inches from each other, Erik forced his mind to focus on fighting his overwhelming urge to place his lips on hers. It was so very tempting, with Christine's body so close that he could feel the heat of her breath on his skin. However, Erik managed to simply whisper, "I believe you understand all too well what I mean, my dear." For a brief moment, his lips parted ever so slightly and his eyes went to close, as if he were going to kiss her. At the last moment, however, Erik simply turned and continued walking - his hand still entwined with hers - a horrid sinking feeling overtaking his heart.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine felt his lips close to hers. This was what caused her own sinking sensation at the moment. God, please kiss me! She was going to open her mouth to say those words, too, but couldn't get them out. "Alright, if you do not wish to tell me, that is just fine. It is simply your choice whether you tell me or not." She also continued walking, the ornaments on the walls making her skin crawl. "I don't want to force you into anything." The darkness seemed to open up not long after, the sound of running water filled her ears. It was just then when she realized how truly thirsty she was.

 

[Guile]

As they approached the water, Erik noticed that Christine was looking at it longingly. He raised his brow and hid the smile smile forming on the corner of his mouth. Helping her into the boat once again, Erik reached into his jacket and pulled out a metal flask - something he always carried filled with water. Though the water around his home was clean and clear, Erik didn't know if he should trust to drink out of it. With a hesitant awkwardness about him, he timidly held out the flask to her. "Here, it is only water...I promise." Erik felt for some unknown reason that he had to assure her it was, indeed, water. "I couldn't help but notice you seem rather thirsty." It was then that Erik picked up the ores and began to row, and he then addressed her earlier question. "I don't mean anything by calling you my Christine. Well, I suppose I do." For some reason, Erik sounded rather guilty, admitting this. "Don't think for one second that I'm the type of man who believes a woman is simply an object that can be owned. I do not - that is the furthest thing from the truth and is absolutely not why I call you that. I suppose...I suppose it's longing." Erik's cheeks flushed as he confessed to Christine the deepest feelings in his heart. "I wish you were mine..." he explained further, his voice getting softer as he rowed on. "Mine to hold...to comfort...to love." Closing his eyes for a brief second, Erik took in a deep breath, wondering what she would say to this. Then, he opened them again, but was unable to make eye contact with her.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine stared at the flask, as though she had x-ray vision or something. Judging that it was, indeed, water, and not some sleeping potion meant for her specifically, she reached her shaking hands toward the flask and took it. Raising it to her lips, she smiled at him. "Thank you, Erik." She couldn't stop thinking about how ridiculous she must have looked, staring at the river as though it would quench her thirst. "I appreciate it." His confession couldn't have come at a worse time. Just as he finished, Christine had taken in a mouthful of water. She sprayed it all over her. She couldn't believe that he loved her so much!

 

[Guile]

As soon as the spray of water erupted from her mouth, Erik jumped slightly, startled by her reaction, causing the boat to rock a little. Immediately, Erik pulled the ores back in and set them down on the wood floor of the boat. He placed his one hand on Christine's back, and the other around her hands that still held the flask. It was if Erik were making sure she wasn't going to choke on the water, thought how could she? She had just spit it out. "Christine, are you alright?" He sounded genuinely concerned and yet, at the same time, his voice was quivering and his face was horribly red. Erik was embarrassed beyond belief. He knew why she had done such a thing...it was his words - his confession - that brought this about. Oh, how he wished to just die then and there - to spare himself the humiliation. "I-I am sorry. Forgive me." Erik stuttered out as he pushed a few strands of her hair back behind her ears and hesitantly moved his hand toward her mouth, shakily wiping the excess water from her chin and lips with his thumb.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine coughed as she wiped her own face, even after Erik did. "Oh, I'm f-fine." How she wished to sink away as well. She had just completely and utterly embarrassed herself in front of her greatest friend. "Are you alright? I didn't mean to startle you like that." She let a smile form at her lips. She also wanted to laugh. Closing her eyes dreamily as Erik touched her face, she laid her hand against his head. "I think we're here." She stepped out of the boat and onto the shore. "I cannot believe how beautiful all of this is." She wiped her face again as she walked toward the furniture, now having the chance to examine each piece. "How did you find all of this?"

 

[Guile]

Erik found his breathing starting to slow, but his heart beat rapidly inclining - especially as Christine closed her eyes in such a way. He felt his body growing weak and he forced himself not to tremble in complete ecstasy. As much as it hurt his heart, Erik was, in a way, glad when they had reached the shore. I don't know how much longer I can keep my composure...I feel as if I will break soon. My heart cannot take all of this... Erik did his best to focus on his furniture and not on Christine's beauty, which was illuminated by the candles. "Actually, most of it is my mothers. As much as I hate looking at it - for it reminds me far too much of her - I needed it. I lived a lot of my life here with nothing, sleeping on the rocks with no way of getting warmth. When mother passed, which I read about in the papers, I went to her home by night and brought what I needed, or could use, back here. Some of it I built, my desk, for example. However, most of it is just one, enormous, painful reminder of mother and her cruel ways." Erik had to close his eyes for a moment to gather himself and avoid painful memories.