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

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine felt the fast, steady, rhythmic beats consume her. She was too far gone to come back from the trip she was taking. Her eyes relaxed, glazed over. "Erik, that would be such a delight that I cannot express how it truly makes me feel to hear you say such a thing." She heard the clock above chime three in the afternoon. "Oh, I have to go....Raoul invited me to the masquerade this evening." She waited for Erik to tell her that she could leave.

 

[Guile]

Erik smiled, still far too lost in her presence, at her delight. He knew he would make her happy by telling her this, and that was what he wanted. That was all he ever wanted - to make Christine happy, to see her beautiful smile. As soon as she said she needed to go, Erik's heart sank, but of course, he did not protest - even when she mentioned Raoul. "Of course, Christine. I won't keep you." He rose from where he sat, and looked down at her with a smile. "Would you like me to take you above?" Erik offered to escort her, partly because he wanted to make sure she got there alright. The larger part of him, however, just wasn't quite ready to leave her company just yet.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Oh, alright, my companion." Christine stood and took his hand. "I want to take Cesar this time, though." She grinned and led the way to her old companion. "Hello, my friend." She pat his nose with a soft smile on her lips. Then, he sort of lowered himself for her. Christine smiled. "You remembered!"

 

[Guile]

Satisfied that he would not have to say goodbye to Christine just yet, Erik smiled as she took his hand. He was more than happy to allow her to lead him toward Cesar. "Of course, Christine. As you wish, my dear." When they approached the horse, Erik watched, stunned, as the large animal seemed to lower himself for Christine. "Why...what on Earth?" Erik stared at Christine, his smile and confusion quite clear. "How is it that you can get him to do such a thing? He wouldn't do that for me if I begged him." Erik laughed, then helped Christine onto the animal, despite it being easier for her anyway, now that the horse was lower to the ground.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine smiled as Erik helped her up. There wasn't a need for it, but it was still quite nice to have him so very close. "Well, he was a performing animal, Erik. He is used to doing so, for women, at least." She let go of Erik's hand, Cesar was starting to rise to his feet again. He stumbled for a minute, like a newborn foal. "He's truly quite amazing when you know him. Perhaps he doesn't like being taken from his home, dear." She held his hand, and Cesar's mane. "I didn't like being taken from mine when I was a little one."

 

[Guile]

"Well, I must say, he is a rather smart animal. Though, I knew that the minute I took him - that's why I took him and not the others." Erik smiled up at her, then realized that he had just talked so simply of stealing an animal, as if it were not a big deal, that he had to look away in shame - his face was beginning to redden. Christine's words - about Cesar possibly not liking being taken form his home - made Erik feel even more guilty. "Perhaps you are right, Christine. I promise you, though, that I do everything in my power to keep him healthy and happy." Then, Erik added rather softly, "he is my only constant companion." Feeling as thought he couldn't bear to look up and see disappointment in Christine's eyes, Erik didn't meet her gaze as he took Cesar's reins and led him slowly foreword. Thoughts of his childhood kept flashing through his mind, thanks to Christine's earlier words. I would have given anything to have someone come and take me from my home - take me away from my mother.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine stayed silent, seeing that, it was possible, Erik needed a moment to take control of his blood and force it away from his cheeks. "Well, I know that I hated being taken from Father's home the night he died. It was truly as if someone had stabbed me in the heart. But, I suppose that there are worse things then getting taken away from a home." Her gaze never left Erik as she said this. "My mother and father never hated me. They never hurt me."

 

[Guile]

"I can't begin to imagine how hard that night must have been on you. Although...perhaps I can understand, to some degree." Erik admitted, after a thought came to him. He did not wish to explain this to her - for it would be far too humiliating - but Erik felt that he had a very good idea of how much that night hurt Christine. After all, she had been separated from her only remaining family - never to see him or talk to him again. Could Erik not associate this pain with the pain he felt when he was separated from Christine - the last hope Erik had left on this Earth of the possibility of a normal life? He would simply have to amplify that feeling and imagine what he would feel like if he were never to see or hear Christine again. Oh, God...the very thought make Erik want to weep. "I do not doubt that your parents were very good people, Christine. You are lucky, to that extent. I wish there was something in my power that I could do to bring them back to you, but you must remember - you were very fortunate to be loved so much by them, while they were alive. I know they loved you a great deal." Who could not?

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"I know. I just pray that my friend won't let his own hurt get to him. He doesn't deserve it." At last, they came upon the point where they would separate. That thought made Christine's heart scream, though her voice remained steady as she waited for her steed to stop. "I want to thank you for bringing me back safely, Erik, Cesar." She added to the horse as she stepped down and handed him her last apple. "I can't wait for the party tonight! You'll come, won't you, Erik?" She faced him now.

 

[Guile]

Erik heard Christine's beautiful words of concern and it warmed his heart, though he could not speak for his heart felt as if it were stuck in his throat now. When they came to the end of their path and Erik realized they had to separate - a dreadful smack in the face that was, too - he halted Cesar and held firmly to him so that he would not move as Christine got off. All was well, and then she turned to face him - looking so excited and...and asking if he was going to come. To the masquerade? What...so I can watch you dance all night with lover boy? He thought to himself, his heart sinking at the very thought. And yet, she looked at him with such bright eyes, hopeful eyes. Could he really deny her? "Of course I will come. After all, the Phantom must know all that goes on in this Opera. I will need to watch over this party and make sure it is to my liking." To his own surprise, he found himself grinning at his own joke.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Oh, what a delight it truly is to hear you say that!" Christine squeezed his neck for five or so minutes. "I can't wait to see you, Monsieur Phantom of the Opera!" She kissed his cheek and left him alone with the horse. "Christine, I must speak to you, alone." Raoul insisted, some time later. Christine followed him away, until, out of nowhere, he got on one knee.

 

[Guile]

Erik had to admit, the last thing he wanted to do was come to this masquerade. He knew that Raoul would be there and that Christine would be with him, no doubt. Erik couldn't bear to watch them dancing, holding one another close all night long. However, when Christine wrapped her arms around his neck, so pleased that he would be attending, it made Erik think that perhaps it would all be worth while. After she had disappeared back into her room, Erik found himself lightly rubbing his cheek where she had placed her kiss. He closed his eyes and smiled, for he could still feel her lips upon his skin. It was then that Erik forced himself to come back to reality and go back down below with Cesar, though he went with such an air of happiness that even the horse looked as if he found Erik's behavior odd.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine couldn't stop the blush that had come to her cheeks as such a perfect man had gotten on his knee before her. Then, oh the angels were smiling upon Christine now! Raoul had a little, velvet box. With trembling fingers, he opened up. "Christine Daae, will you give me the glorious honor of you becoming Christine De Chagney?" He.was shaking ever so nervously as Christine took her sweet time to answer him. "Y-Yes! Oh, Raoul, yes!" With such energy that they had on the balcony, Raoul scooped her up and planted a passionate kiss. "Come, we must tell all of Paris!""No! Raoul, no!" Christine was terrified. "It must be a secret. I don't want anyone to know." She quieted herself. Raoul looked upset, but obeyed. "You're right. This is special." He put her down.

 

[Guile]

After leaving Cesar to himself, Erik found himself back in his home, nervously pacing. He didn't know what he should wear, or what to even do at such a party. Surely he could not show himself - a stranger could be easily removed form the party, or worse...they may suspect him of being the Phantom right away. Then again...this was a masquerade. Erik hadn't thought of it, but he could simply wear a mask that covered his entire face and no one would even care that they could not identify him - that was the point of a masquerade, wasn't it? With a new sense of hope, Erik went to a chest he had in the corner of the room. He remembered a lot of old things he had put in here - things he had not touched for years - but there was only one item that Erik was intent on finding right now. After a few moments of digging through old newspaper clippings and other junk, he pulled out that which he had been searching for: an old mask. It was never one he had used to cover his face before, though he remembered finding it. It was such an odd mask that Erik had decided it was worth keeping. And now, this mask that would cover up his face and, therefore, his identity altogether, would come in handy. It was then that he hurried to shower and dress for the occasion. The time was running down when Erik would need to be there. However, what was the rush? Am I really going to go out there with those...people? I will be covered completely and yet feel completely exposed. But then, he thought of Christine. Oh, how she had practically begged him with her eyes - begged him to come. How happy she had been when he had told her he would be there! He had to do this. Erik had to do it for Christine...

 

[Saiyan Princess]

The newly engaged couple took to the stairs together, Christine stringing her engagement ring around her neck with an old necklace chain that was in her jewelry box in her room. "I don't want people to be suspicious of our engagement." She explained to her fiance. Raoul smiled and kissed her hand. "You're correct, as always, my dearest Christine." The time had come for the doors to open. De Chagney and Daae entered, together, and immediately took up their first dance. Raoul took Christine's hand and waist, waltzing with her. Christine could feel her heart again, and the little life that wasn't showing himself to anyone yet.

 

[Guile]

Just as the clock struck the hour of the starting of the Masquerade, Erik was heading up the stairs to the world above. He wandered the halls in the shadows until he remembered that he was masked and, for once, it would be acceptable to be seen. Erik quickly made his way to the dance hall, but as he stood a few yards away, he couldn't help feeling this strange sense of claustrophobia. Why on Earth did I agree to come? I'll never be able to go in there! His heart was pounding, this strange sense of anxiety - that was not uncommon for Erik to get when around people - was creeping from his pounding heart and up into his throat. His mouth was dry and he was shaking just slightly. For a moment, Erik thought that he would turn around and go back below. It wasn't until that he saw Christine through the doors - intermixed in the crowd of people - dancing beautifully, her brown curls swaying ever so lightly with each step she took. And, of course, Erik noticed the Vicomte latched tightly to her. Just the sight brought an envious fury coursing through Erik's body. It was that fury that gave him the courage to step through the doors and into the crowd of people who, to his astonishment, did not stare. Of course they won't stare...you're wearing a mask just like everybody else, for once!

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Miss Daae couldn't take her eyes from Raoul's. It was that very same enchanting feeling that she got when around Erik. "You never told me that you danced, my love." She whispered, just enough to let only Raoul hear. Raoul leaned in, his mouth directly parallel to her ear. "My darling, you failed to ask me such a question. You were too concerned about this Angel of Music I hear so very much about." Christine's face was pallid. She had completely forgotten about the request she had made to Erik.

 

[Guile]

Erik wandered through the crowd, circling slowly around the room, his eyes never leaving Christine. As he did this, Erik was sure Christine had not seen him - she looked far too lost in Raoul's eyes. The sight sickened Erik - making him want to both throw up, and break down into tears at the same time. Oh, how Erik longed to hold her in such a way! How he wished it could be he that entranced Christine so much. As Raoul leaned in to whisper something in Christine's ear, Erik stopped moving - his eyes locked on the two of them. His heart sank and he closed his eyes. They were both so obviously in love...oh it hurt! Erik's heart ached so badly watching such a thing. He longed to turn and leave, but he was powerless to do so - he still felt some loyalty to Christine. He could not go back on his promise. However, if there was going to be much more affection between the Vicomte and Christine, Erik would have to go. There was no way he could survive watching this all night.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Raoul pulled away just enough to look into Christine's eyes, holding her by the shoulders ever so gently. Christine couldn't look at him as he spoke, hoping to calm her. "No one will hurt you, Christine. He is not here and you don't have to go back with him." Rubbing her shoulders, he placed a kiss on her forehead before leaving for a chat with a colleague in the corner. But, Christine's gaze was on Erik, as were the eyes of the majority of the room. No one knew where the man got his wardrobe, that in itself was why he stood out. There were a few gasps as people thought of who the man lost in time might be.

 

[Guile]

Erik saw the kiss Raoul placed on Christine's forehead, but he did his best to ignore it. To his surprise though, not even the gasps and stares he was receiving from the majority of the room's occupants could distract him from Christine. He wanted several moments, after Raoul had gone, just standing and staring at Christine. She knows it is me...she must. Whether she likes it or not, she senses me as I sense her. Not waiting a second longer, Erik strode up to her, still ignoring the people in his path that were too busy staring at him to move. He was not a good six or so feet away when he opened his mouth to speak, but was distracted by the shimmering of silver around Christine's neck. Erik had not seen this necklace before - it was odd and had a strange sort of charm on it. As he got closer though, he quickly realized what it was. Stopping dead in his tracks, he stared into her eyes - his own filled with pain and disbelief - now face to face with her. "Too young, are you?" He growled softly to her, tears beginning to well up in his eyes - something he tried desperately to hide. "Too young to take a husband? Or are you just too good for me?" Now there was no hiding the tears, but even though they fell, they were hidden by the mask as they rolled down his cheeks. "How could you lie to me like that? I was not proposing to you but...even so, how could you tell me that you were not ready to take a husband and then turn around and agree to marry the Vicomte!" Erik's voice was filled with anger and the burning sensation of betrayal, though he kept his voice low, for only Christine to hear. Before he said the next few words though, Erik grabbed her shoulders and leaned in close to her ear to be absolutely sure that no one else would hear - as upset as he was, Erik still did not want to hurt Christine's reputation. "What will you tell him - your beloved? How will you tell him about your child? One that you conceived out of wedlock...with me!" He held back a sob that desperately tried to escape him.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine froze as a cold sweat trickled down her spine, when Erik was a good distance away. She wanted to run, hide, anything! She wanted to sink into the ground and disappear right there. Then, oh, the torture got worse! He had touched her. Grabbed her with what she felt was an iron grip like an owl would give a mouse! Her legs felt heavy. She had replaced her lungs with iron. "I-It's nothing like that a-at all, M-Master." She felt her own tears brimming up. "I'll tell him that it's his!" She tried to sound confident, though her shoulders were smarting like hell. "My child will be safe until I tell Raoul the truth!" She couldn't move from him. Christine was stuck. Raoul had seen this on the overhead landing and had a hand on his sword as he hurried to Christine.

 

[Guile]

Hearing this made Erik want to cry out in agony. "You will what? The child is not his, Christine. How could you say such a thing?" His heart was breaking as he pictured what the future held for him: endless nights alone, as usual. Not getting to see his child from any closer than shadows would allow, if he even ever got to see him. "I-I promised you that our child would know who his mother is - without a doubt." He was beginning to choke on his words as the tears kept flowing. "And you would have our child believe that Raoul is his father? You would bestow such a pain on me? How could you hurt me so?" Erik felt as if his world was falling apart before his very eyes. He didn't even notice the Vicomte.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"My child will know you. I promise, sir." She was still very much in pain as Erik still continued to have a vice grip on her. "Erik, I won't let you be forgotten. He must kn-.." she stopped talking as soon as Raoul was within earshot. She froze, not feeling her arms anymore. She was transfixed by Erik's gaze. Her hand immediately went to the ring around her neck, protecting it. "R-Raoul." The man moved closer, feet away. Christine was staring into the angry, sad eyes of the Devil's Child. "Erik, st-stop. You're causing a scene!"

 

[Guile]

"But he will not know me as his father!" Erik growled, knowing the truth. Christine could not tell her child who his true father was if she was married to Raoul. That kind of news would get around - she would be disgraced. As soon as Erik noticed that he was causing her pain, he removed his strong grip from her shoulders and more tears fell from his eyes. "Oh...Christine, I have hurt you!" Erik felt as if he had shot a dove - as if he had sinned. "Forgive me...I did not know what I was doing." It was strange, how quickly his anger went away, then resurfaced when he saw the Vicomte coming for him, just feet away. He could see the man's hand on his sword and longed to fight him...but how could he? He could not afford to draw even more negative attention to himself.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine felt the pain grow more intense, due to the aftermath of Erik taking his hands from her shoulders. The sleeves of her dress fell, and, as she tried to fix the mess, her hands left her engagement ring. In full view of everyone, especially Erik, the ring glimmered in the candle light. The bruises weren't there yet, but Miss Daae saw the red marks. "Christine, come away from him." Raoul took her in his arms and started to move away, but Christine would not leave. She was stuck under the spell of her Phantom. "I should never have asked you to come in the first place. I can't stay here either." She started walking away.