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

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine answered him, still smiling, though she couldn't find Erik doing the same thing. "I just thought about how anger doesn't help anyone live peacefully. It's quite possible that she wasn't intentionally trying to hurt her boy. His father left and she was alone and frightened." Christine whispered when they finally came to their final stop. "However, should you not wish to release your grudge, I wouldn't blame you for it, I just can't imagine going to my grave knowing that my son hated me." Upon hearing the promise of safety, Christine's smile never left. "Oh, Erik, I just want you to know how happy that makes me. It pleases him too." She moved her hand over her belly again. Hearing Erik's confession made the woman smile before disappearing behind her mirror again.

 

[Guile]

Erik heard Christine's words loud and clear. At first he brushed them aside, not because he didn't want to believe her or hear her out, but because he couldn't believe that his mother ever cared for him. He was pulled out of his thoughts momentarily as he noticed movement and his eyes wandered down to Christine's stomach and where her hand gently ran across it. Oh, her words brought him the utmost joy and bid her farewell with a smile on his lips. However, once she was gone, Erik was left to think of his mother again. A pain went through his heart. What if she truly is bothered that I hate her so? No, she doesn't care. Mother never cared an ounce about me. Why should she wish for my forgiveness? Why should I give it to her? Still, Erik couldn't help but feel a longing to see his mother again. Somewhere deep in his heart, Erik wished to apologize to her - for being born this way, for not being the son that could bring her pride and joy. What kind of life was it for her to live? To loose her husband, then give birth to a deformed child must have been hell. Still, I was her own flesh and blood. How could she do all that she had done to me? Erik's mind continued to whirl as he slowly made his way back down to his home - his thoughts going back and forth between his mother and Christine.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

As soon as Christine reached the other side, Raoul was there, a look.of complete worry and grief plastered to his face. "Christine!" He was shocked by the sudden appearance of his lover in the room. "Oh, Christine." His arms spread, and then came together as soon as he reached Miss Daae. "Are you alright? What of our baby?" He was under the impression that he was the father of Christine's child, as he was told that by the mother herself, unaware that Christine was only trying to protect the little one at the time. "He is fine. He is just happy to see his father, and now he wants to sleep." She kissed Raoul gently. "Don't worry so much about us. Gustav is just fine." Christine smiled still. She felt as though her father's legacy should be passed on, therefore, she gave the baby his name until further notice.

 

[Guile]

Erik had heard the voice of the Vicomte in Christine's room, he had heard his words. At first, Erik was displeased simply because of the man's presence, but as soon as he heard the man speak of the child that was not his, as if he were, Erik's blood boiled. "So...she did lie to him." He growled softly under his breath. He was doing all that he could to calm himself and understand Christine's reasoning for claiming that the baby was Raoul's. She has a reputation to uphold. And the poor child. Oh, if anyone knew that I am his father he would be hated! Christine would be disgraced! And yet, here I stand - a father, who cannot even publicly claim his child as his own. Meanwhile, Raoul is praised and congratulated by the world. He looks at Christine and truly believes that the life inside of her is part of him. I am allowed no joy in this...I cannot even truly be a father. It was then that Erik felt like weeping, but he did not. He kept himself strong as he stopped halfway through the corridor and listened back to Christine's room for more, if there would be any.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine couldn't stop the guilt that was eating away at her. "Raoul, I am - we are hungry, perhaps we should have a together." Christine took both of the proud vicomte's hands in her own. "We should celebrate the child." Please, don't be angry with me, Phantom. I am only trying to protect him. Christine was starting to feel sick, lying was horrible for anyone, but especially one that grew up to follow the Lord. "You're absolutely correct!" Raoul exclaimed as he lifted Christine up, then down from this mirror. "Tell me, what hides beyond the glass." Christine felt even worse as she had to create another lie for herself, Erik, and little Gustav. "It's simply a passage where I keep things that I treasure, my love." Christine told the truth, if not the whole truth, half of it. "That is all. I keep things that I don't want others to see beyond the mirror." Raoul pressed his knuckles to the glass, but it was solid, there was nothing there.

 

[Guile]

Erik's anguish continued to grow with each word that Christine spoke. She didn't know it, for how could she, but her words were cutting into Erik's heart like a knife. He was about to turn and leave, unable to bare anymore of this talk, when he heard Raoul question the mirror and what lie beyond it. For reasons unknown, Erik's heart began to race in fear as he slowly walked back to the mirror. He was now looking right at the Vicomte, but Raoul was none the wiser. As seconds ticked by without an answer from Christine, Erik grew more weary. Will she lie for me? Wait, what am I saying? Of course she will! Oh, but...there, in her eyes. God, she hates lying to him as much as I hate hearing her lies. Christine, forgive me for the pain I put you through. At last, she lied to Raoul, though her choice of words - her partial truth - sent Erik's heart leaping for a second. Did she really mean that? As Raoul pressed his knuckles to the glass of the mirror, Erik longed to burst through and shout the truth to him and the world. God, how it hurt to stand by and pretend as if his child was not his!

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Please, Raoul, come away from there." Christine begged, pulling on the arm that wasn't on her mirror right now. "I just don't want people near my treasures. Most of them are my father's and he's entrusted me with them." Raoul stared at her, trying to find a lie in Christine's eyes. He found none, and instead took Christine away from the room and outside to his carriage.

 

[Guile]

Erik waited patiently, oh so patiently, for the Vicomte to figure out Christine's lie. How he would enjoy bursting from this mirror and screaming the truth! Yet, it did not happen. Raoul trusted Christine, at least for now, and left with her. When they both had exited the room Erik let out a low growl. He paced for a few moments before stepping through the mirror himself and into Christine's room. He followed them out of the room and down the hall, staying in the shadows even though he was a good distance behind them. At last, he spilt up and went a different way. Erik found himself staring out one of the numerous mirrors in the Opera and down onto the street where Christine and Raoul were getting into the carriage. He would not attempt to follow them. Even if he did, what could he do? Watch them eat and converse? No, it would make no sense to follow them. Instead, he stood at the window, his heart bleeding out as he watched the angel - his angel - that was carrying their child, climb up into the carriage with another man.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine allowed herself to shut her eyes, trying to avoid the pain that she felt for lying to Raoul and having no consideration for Erik's feelings in this situation. Would Erik follow? No, that thought was absurd in Christine's eyes. A masked man in the same vicinity in a restaurant full of people, ordering food for himself as he watched her with the Vicomte. Still, part of her was curious as to what would happen, or, did she really want to know? "Christine, we're here." Raoul spoke twenty minutes later as the door opened and they were let out. Raoul took her hand and helped her into the restaurant, mindful of the baby. Lotte smiled and followed her date to a table in the corner.

 

[Guile]

Erik stood, watching from the window, until the carriage had at last pulled away and out of sight. It wasn't until he went to return home below that he realized he had been clutching the windowsill for dear life, his knuckles white from the grip. Erik's heart was in agony. God, how it hurt him to watch Christine leave with Raoul - after all the kind things she'd said to him below. "Why do you do this to my heart, Christine? I only ever wanted your love..." As Erik's pain grew, the fury inside of him returned as well. "She promised me that she would marry neither me or the Vicomte. I will see to it that she holds true to that promise and was not lying to me as well." He growled from somewhere deep in his throat as he ran below and hopped on the back of Cesar. They went out a back entrance, one that was barely noticed though it was large enough for a man and horse to get through, before Erik urged Cesar on faster. They took off down the street, running at a pace neither had expected, but were not bothered by. And, as they came to the restaurant, Erik hid with Cesar in an alleyway across the street. He could not go inside, but he would watch from here - there was a perfect view of their table, thanks to the window, and Erik and Cesar were both hidden in shadow - away from Christine, Raoul, and any strangers passing in the streets. Yes, he would wait here, watch, and follow them home. The conversation was unnecessary to hear - he would know what was being said simply by their actions. One can not hold back actions of affection or endearment if it is involved in a conversation.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Raoul pulled out Christine's chair for her, took her coat, and wrapped it around the.back of the chair, kissed her hand, and sat down himself. As their waiter came by and asked for their drinks, Christine simply ordered a tea, as did her date. Neither wanted to take wine, simply for the baby inside Christine. The man left to retrieve the beverages while the two joined hands and prayed. When they had finished, they had food in front of them. As they ate, Christine started to.fidget, getting very nervous, as though she being watched.

 

[Guile]

Erik watched Raoul kiss Christine's hand and that alone was enough to infuriate him. However, that was the Vicomte's doing - not Christine. What Erik was really waiting for was to see if Christine would return Raoul's affection or not. Hoe Erik prayed that she would not! But, a part of him, a large part of him, said that she would. "Oh, Christine...don't...don't do this to me. I care so much for you. I love you and...oh, I think you care about me. You would not have given yourself to me in such a way if you did not." Erik began whispering such things to himself as he stared intently through the window at Raoul and Christine. He couldn't remove his eyes for a moment.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Raoul watched Christine fidget for a few minutes, looking around to find what could possibly cause his love so much distress. "Christine what is wrong, my love?" He took her hand, reaching across the table and caressing it. Christine looked very nervous as he did this. With her food half eaten, the woman fled the restaurant, sprinting home. "I can't do this!" She cried.

 

[Guile]

Erik was shocked - just as shocked, perhaps, as Raoul. "Christine..." He watched her as she came running out of the restaurant and took off down the street towards home. Immediately, Erik threw himself back on Cesar, about to go after her and, at the very least, take her home. However, a thought stopped him. If she knows I was out following her, watching her...she may never forgive me. No, I cannot let her know that I am here. Once Erik was sure that Christine was far enough down the street that he could follow without being noticed, he led Cesar out of the alley and back towards home.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine was so scared of being caught with Raoul that she had to leave him there. She still wore her engagement ring, which was now around her neck again. "I can't do this." She started rocking back and forth on the ground in the park, almost panicking now. The thought of Erik's warning at the masquerade sent her into hysterics. "No...can't lose him. I can't lose someone else that I love." She kept rocking, tears attaching her hair to her cheeks. "Can't do this. I.can't give myself completely to one man." Her cries caught Raoul's attention as he brought the carriage around town searching for her. "Lotte!" He got out, picked her up, and took her back home. She was ill now, the cold getting to her as it was close to Christmas. "Christine, what happened? I'm here." He gave her a blanket. "I'm here for you." He kissed her forehead. "You just warm yourself. Our son needs you."

 

[Guile]

Erik had slowed Cesar down at the sound of Christine's cries. He stopped and waited far off in the shadows, just listening to her. He was about to go over to her and take her home, no longer caring about whether she knew he was spying on her or not. However, that's when he saw the shimmering of her engagement ring around her neck and Raoul showed up with his carriage and helped Christine inside. Betrayal. That was all that was running through Erik's mind as he raced home with Cesar. That, and the fact that Christine had broken her promise to him. "How could she? How could she break her promise to me? I've never broken a single promise I have made to her!" Erik was in hysterics by the time he got back to his home and started wandering around the premises, destroying all that he possibly could live without - other than his beloved piano. Though, there were times that the thought of destroying the instrument as well had crossed Erik's mind. Of course, never before tonight. "Why, Christine? Why?! I love you! God..." He was now sobbing uncontrollably, unable to continue screaming to himself.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Raoul continued to wipe her face with a hot rag. "Madame Giry, do you know something that would cause her to not speak at all to me?" He was truly worried as Christine did not speak at all to her betrothed. The woman remained stone faced, hearing Erik, or, at least feeling his heartache. "No, Vicomte. There is nothing." Christine tried to move, wanting to get to Erik, to apologize to him for all of this. "I have to see him." She was gently pushed back onto the sofa. "No, Lotte." Raoul got to his feet and left her with Meg.

 

[Guile]

Erik desperately tried to calm himself, but the sea of emotion that was filling up his heart was too strong to just ignore or push aside. Christine had lied to him. Even if the lie was not intentional at the time, she still broke her promise to him. That fact almost hurt him more than seeing her with Raoul. Oh, how Erik wished to die! She does not care for me! Christine does not care at all. If she cared...she would not have broken her promise to me! Yes, if she is going to break her promise...then I am going to break mine. Erik ran to his desk in a hurry, threw open the door - not caring about all the objects that came flying out at this sudden intense motion - and pulled out a knife. Putting the blade to his wrist, Erik pushed down on his skin, waiting to feel the sharp sting of pain...but it never came. He could not do it. "I can't...oh, God, I can't break my promise to her!" Furious with himself, he threw the knife away and it broke against the far wall, but Erik did not see. He had slumped down onto his knees and put his head in his hands as he fought with the tears that threatened to come once again.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Madame..." Raoul placed his hand on Madame Giry's shoulder. "Madame, she has not been normal for months now. Why is Christine acting like this? I must know!" He now had both of the woman's shoulders. "Who is this angel that she speaks of!" This angered Erik's keeper, for lack of a better word. "Monsieur, I know nothing! I swear it!" She yanked herself away, sending Raoul's hands into the air as he watched the hem of Giry's black dress disappear behind a statue again. "Erik, did I not tell you...no, warn you to stay professional with Christine?" She picked up the knife handle. "How dare you keep this with you, Erik! After all that I've done to help you!" She tossed it behind her. "You would commit self harm?!"

 

[Guile]

Erik looked up from his hands at the sound of Madame Giry's voice and was never more thankful that he had been able to keep his tears back. Now, he was simply enraged. "Yes, Madame, you did warn me! I admit it, alright? But can you truly blame me? I could not help myself! One does not choose who he falls in love with. And how could I not fall in love with her? She had been so kind to me. Christine...she has filled my heart with more joy than I have ever known! Unfortunately, she has also broken it more than I thought possible." When his friend began yelling at him because of the knife, Erik stood and glared at her, his fury growing with each word she said. "You have done much for me, Madame, but I do not see why that should make me want to live! If anything, it should make me wish for death. For, if I die, you are free of this burden you bare, thanks to my existence. And don't you dare badger me about self harm! For one, I did no such thing....I was unable to break my promise to Christine. Secondly, I shall do with myself as I see fit! If I wish to die, who are you to try and stop me? Death would be a blessing to me, Madame! Would you deny me my right to finally end my sufferings? To stop this endless pain in my heart?"

 

[Saiyan Princess]

The woman got in his face now, terror and relief hidden behind rage that she felt toward him. "You were to keep it professional! You promised Gustav that you would watch over her! Teach her! Nothing more! And now...oh, now! She has your child! The child will grow to be a bastard because he won't know his father! The Vicomte will find out!" She grew even more enraged. "Meg and I loved you, followed you, Erik!" Upon hearing Erik practically threaten her, she held up her finger to his face. "Or, what?! What will you do!? I am the woman that saved you from that pit of hell!" She raised her hand as if to slap the hell out of him. "I would deny that, for your contract with Monsieur Daae still stands!"

 

[Guile]

Oh, Erik was beyond furious with her. She had saved his life and he could not deny the respect and gratitude that he had always felt for Madame Giry, but at this particular moment, all was forgotten but his rage. "I have done what I promised Gustav!" Those few words couldn't have been louder, nor could they have echoed as much as they did just them. How dare she speak as though he has gone against his word! "Do not speak of my child in such a way! And I could care less if the Vicomte finds out! Let him know the truth and come down here after me! I should like a nice fight with him once before I slit his throat!" Erik's eyes flashed with anger as Madame Giry raised her hand as if to slap him. Enraged at the action, Erik grabbed her wrist firmly with his hand. "You have done many things for me, Madame." He was now practically growling his words in her ear. "But you are beginning to overstep your bounds. Do not touch me - I have known more pain than you could ever imagine and the last thing I need is to feel more of it. To you, I am eternally grateful. However, I will not stand here and take this kind of abuse from you."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Release me, Erik!" She yanked her hand away from him after a number of attempts at his face. "Christine told such a lie to the Vicomte to protect the child and the child's father! Whereas, you had such an available girl in your domain every single day for years and you can't acknowledge her at all!" She began to exit, taking the blade with her and tears in her eyes as if she were a mother that had just struck her son. "You have a sense of entitlement with Miss Daae, Erik. That will be your downfall should she choose another man." Christine continued her flailing, kicking and screaming for the Phantom of the Opera.

 

[Guile]

When Madame Giry was able to yank her hand away from his grasp, Erik did not attempt to take ahold of her again. But, oh, every time Christine's lie was spoken of, Erik felt enraged. How he hated that his child would grow up knowing the Vicomte to be his father! "She did not have to tell such a lie!" But she did. Erik knew the only way she would not have to lie about the child's father would be if she would choose to marry her angel of music. If she decided to be with Raoul, then of course she would have to lie about such a thing. Oh, how it infuriated Erik! That's why the calmness of his tone in his next words was rather odd, if not a bit frightening. "If you would jus let me die, Madame, everyone's problems would be solved." But he couldn't die. No, Erik knew he wouldn't allow himself to die, not if Christine was still living. And Christine! Dear God, her screams were piercing Erik's heart, as well as his ears. He couldn't bare it! Erik could not stand hearing her screaming in such a way while he stood by and did nothing to stop it. Feeling helpless, he raised his hands to his ears and attempted to block out the noise, but it was impossible.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Madame Giry took Destler's hands from his ears. "If you love her, you wouldn't care about being seen by anyone. You would go to her immediately." Her voice was that same, soft motherly voice again as she hugged the man awkwardly. "Christine wants you right now. I'm certain that the...child...will not be able to handle much more stress." Christine continued the screams, though the Vicomte and Meg held her down and tried to soothe her.