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

[Saiyan Princess]

"My friend, it was a great show. Thank you, for helping these good people, but, needless to say, I'm probably the only person that saw the trap door coming." She grinned, reminded of all his secret passages at the Opera Populair. "Oh, you did? Perhaps we should kill you to make sure our secret doesn't get out?" The snake man hissed, laughing. "Oh, ha ha." Christine laughed, sarcastically. "I'm so scared." She shrugged her shoulders. "Anyway, apart from your new friends, I really came to see you. Gustav wouldn't stop talking about meeting the exciting Mister Y." She chuckled this time. "He was so happy to see you that it was hard to keep him quiet."

 

[Guile]

Erik's smile widened as soon as Christine praised the show, but then she mentioned the trap door and he laughed. He jokingly clasped a hand over her mouth. "Shh! That isn't fair - you know me too well. We need not spoil it for everyone else, Christine!" Erik chuckled again, as he removed his hand, at the exchange between her and his employee. Why am I so shocked by this? Christine is a kind woman. Why would she be afraid of these innocent people? He once again reminded himself that she had looked upon his face and was still here, with their son, to show her support. That fact alone was amazing to Erik. "Well, I am delighted that you came - both of you. And, I am also glad that Gustav wasn't frightened by this. I don't know what I would have done if I had upset him." A thought came to Erik's mind causing him to think, rather in-depth, about their son. He wasn't frightened by what he saw tonight. Could it be...could he one day look upon my own face without fear? Gustav is still so young. Perhaps that is why he wasn't frightened. He has no concept of monsters and is, therefore, not afraid of them. Still, I could never bring myself to try and find out. I couldn't bare it if my son looked upon my face and cried.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Even as Erik said this, the same employee leaned over Christine's shoulder and smiled at Gustav. Christine was ignoring this, because she was paying attention to her friend. "Well, then, perhaps you shouldn't have been so predictable at home." She laughed and held his cheek. Gustav was mesmerized by the man at Mommy's shoulder. He was in a dead sleep before Christine shifted her arm to touch Daddy. He was now lost in those eyes, laughing.

 

[Guile]

Erik laughed at Christine's words, but what his mind was really focusing on was the warm feeling of her soft hands against his cheek. "I suppose you're right." He confessed with a smile, taking her hand in his and placing a kiss on her knuckles. "I should have learned to mix it up a bit. Just to keep you guessing." Erik stopped, startled. As he had began to laugh, he quickly realized that there was another's laughter mixing with his own. Erik looked down to see little Gustav in Christine's arms, staring up at his employee, giggling away joyfully. There was no fear in the boy's eyes, just pure amusement. A soft smile crept onto Erik's face as he watched this, feeling his earlier concerns slowly drifting away to the back of his mind. "Christine, it seems the child is enjoying himself more than you." He teased, looking into her eyes as his own asked an unspoken question: Where is Raoul?

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Little Gustav raised a tiny fist up to the other man, still laughing as the employee lowered his finger so that Gustav could have it, but, he was quite aware when the child attempted to suckle on it. The man quickly took his finger away. "Yes, he has no fear, no discrimination. He loves every one." Christine explained as Gustav attempted another go with the man's finger. "I just came to thank you for the invitation, Mister Y." She passed her son to him. "Raoul is waiting outside. We can't be here much longer. We have a lot to do."

 

[Guile]

Erik smiled, looking down at Gustav as the child attempted to take the man's finger to his mouth. "He's innocent." He added to Christine's list of their son's attributes. "I have no doubt now that he has taken after your sense of humanity." Erik looked up at Christine with soft eyes filled with regret. He couldn't keep the memory of the night she had first seen his face out of his mind. I cursed at her, yelled mercilessly. And yet, the fear I saw in her eyes - the fear that hurt me so deeply - was not entirely for my face. It was because of my anger as well. No, not even my wretched face could turn Christine away from me completely. She is an angel. She cares for all human beings, and she has passed this onto our son. Erik took Gustav in his arms as he was handed over to him and grinned down at his son. "Hmm?" He looked up then, at Christine, upon hearing her words. He figured she wouldn't be able to stay too long, but her last words intrigued yet confused him. "What have you to do, Christine?"

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine watched as the baby kept laughing. Even though he was with Erik, his attention was directed toward his new friend. "He has taken your fearlessness and sense of excitement and acceptance." Christine added. "Though he is a baby, he has the heart of a true angel, loving all." The snake man hissed again, backing away from Christine now that his boss had the baby. Still, Gustav didn't want him to leave. He started crying at once. "I have to go home, take care of Gustav and Raoul." She answered him, confused. "Why does it matter?"

 

[Guile]

"That is undoubtedly true, Christine." Erik agreed to her statements on the small child in his arms. Rather suddenly, Gustav began to cry and, though Erik knew why, he felt rather helpless as to how to stop his tears. "Hush, Gustav. It's alright." He cooed, then was interrupted by the announcement of Christine's departure. "Forgive me, my dear, I was simply curious." It was then that he began to panic inwardly. Christine was leaving...she was leaving without Gustav? "Christine, what are you talking about? You...if Raoul finds me with Gustav..." Erik couldn't even finish his sentences, for he was too confused and panicked to do so. "I don't know how to take care of a child on my own. Surely you can't leave him here without his mother?" Oh, what does she mean 'take care of Gustav and Raoul?' She's gone mad! "Christine." He said her name as if he were begging for an explanation, which, he was.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"I am not leaving my son with you. I said I must go home and care for Gustav and Raoul." She reiterated. "I would never leave him here. He could very well get hurt and you know it." She laughed. "Though your employees are good people, more than half have claws and could unintentionally hurt our son." Taking a deep breath, she heard him. "Christine! Hurry up, please. I have to rush!" Madame de Chagney turned. "I'm coming, Raoul. I just wanted to talk to them." She eyed Erik. "I'm sorry." She took the baby and left.

 

[Guile]

Erik let out a rather sudden laugh, one that was mixed with a sigh of relief. Good God, it is I that has gone mad! What would ever possess me to think she would leave Gustav with me? "Thank God..." He breathed, feeling a huge weight lifted off of his shoulders. "Forgive me, I was frightened for a moment. I...I don't know why I would think such a thing." Erik was cut off then, by the voice of the Vicomte. It burned a new hole of jealousy in his heart when Christine took Gustav and went off after him.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

With baby on her shoulder, Christine scampered away, but the child was looking at his true father, opening and closing his fist as if he were saying goodbye. "Lotte, fantastic news!" Raoul assured Christine. "We've practically struck gold with Hammerstein." Christine wasn't swayed. "You were gambling, weren't you?" Raoul's smile disappeared as they left. "Yes, I was, but that is not your business, is it?"

 

[Guile]

Erik watched Christine leave, Gustav resting just where he could look over her shoulder. He smiled at his son before hesitantly raising his hand and waving back for only seconds, as if the child understood the gesture. After they had disappeared, Erik stood looking after where they had gone. His heart sank, and a feeling of great loss hit him like the aggressive crash of a wave upon the sand. He felt weak - drained of power and the will to do anything other than mourn, as if he would never see them again. "What am I to do?" Erik whispered to himself as if Christine could still hear him. "My world, my success - it is all meaningless without you."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Meg was so happy with how things turned out that she didn't notice Erik's pain when she took his hand and spun herself. "We did it, Erik!" She celebrated. "We were a huge success!" She smiled and kissed his cheek. "Come, we'll celebrate together, as a family." She couldn't stop laughing. "Come on." She tugged, but Erik was too heavy. "What's wrong? Did Christine not enjoy herself? The show was amazing, sir." She looked at the spot where Christine disappeared. "She's lucky to have someone like you that loves her." Meg took the white rose from her hair. "Very lucky." She handed it back to Mister Y and scurried to her room to celebrate on her own.

 

[Guile]

Erik still stood, staring blankly off into the direction that Christine disappeared in, even as Meg came up to him. She was so happy, but he was hardly even aware of her presence. Unfortunately, his mind was elsewhere, even when she placed a kiss on his cheek. Erik said not a word the entire time, but stood as still as a statue and feeling just as lifeless. He did not come out of this state until he felt something being placed in his hand. For a few moments, as Meg ran off, Erik didn't acknowledge the item - he didn't even know what it was. It wasn't until he decided to look down that his yes widened slightly out of surprise. She had placed the white rose in his hand - the rose he had given her. Now he was out of his dreary daze of lifelessness and his mind was racing. Erik was trying to recall what Meg had even said to him because, to his shame, he had hardly been listening - not because he was ignoring her, but because he had been temporarily lost in his own thoughts. Now, as he looked down at the white rose, Erik felt a tremendous sense of guilt. Poor Meg...she had only been trying to cheer me up - to make me join in the celebration of our success. Though Erik was in no mood to celebrate, he still made his way to Meg's room - figuring she had gone off there - in hopes that he would apologize, and that she might forgive him for behaving so strangely. "Meg?" He called out to her softly, rapping lightly on her door with the knuckle of his middle finger. "Meg, may I come in?"

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Meg was busy pouring a wine glass, not even thinking about Erik, for she wasn't going to allow him to ruin her fun. She had worked too long and too hard in order for this lovesick jerk to ruin it for her. She downed her third glass. "Fine, come in and ruin the fun with your own depression, Erik." She laid back. Their friends were also drinking, some in her room, others with Madame Giry, and others still roaming their property, trying to frighten any trespassers. "Are you going to suck it up and celebrate or will I have to do so on my own?" She wiped off her makeup, which was easier because of the tears.

 

[Guile]

"Meg, I..." Erik opened the door and entered her room, still feeling the stinging pain her words had caused him. I deserve it. What have I ever done for her? What have I ever done to take her pain away? Still, he hadn't expected her to be so harsh. Then he saw the wine and realized why she might have said such things. That, plus the fact that I have been cruel to her. Erik added in his own mind, feeling ashamed of himself. As soon as he entered her room he began to apologize to Meg while she removed her makeup. "Forgive me, Meg. I have been nothing but neglecting to you ever since we left Paris. I never meant to upset you, you must believe this. The last thing I want is to see you hurting." It was impossible for him not to notice her tears. The sight made Erik furious - furious with himself. For once in my short time here I am going to do as Meg asked and suck it up. Hurrying over to the wine, he poured himself a glass and glanced at Meg. "For you, Meg." Erik allowed himself to smile at her before downing the alcohol in mere moments. He came up coughing, but that didn't stop him from pouring another glass. "For you, I will leave my woes at home in the back of my mind tonight." Erik prayed that she would be able to forgive him, at least for tonight, so that they could celebrate like she wanted.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Meg felt worse, it seems. She was blaming Erik for every little thing that she did. Wasn't she responsible for her own happiness? Still, the last time she took happiness into her own hands, she had ruined Erik's life. He enjoyed being together with Christine, but the one time they were together, he cried all night. God! She prayed that Erik would have fought her off! Would have killed her for doing this! But, he didn't. She didn't deserve his kindness or love. She decided that she would take her own advice and suck it up, at least for tonight. "For Christine." She toasted the woman, though it hurt. "May love overcome all obstacles." She drank again. "Meg, I believe that's enough, dear." Her mother interrupted. "You could poison yourself. You're too small for all of that alcohol." Meg put it down. "Yes, ma'am."

 

[Guile]

"Yes...for Christine." Erik agreed, his words a little more than a whisper. When the pain of saying her name hit him, Erik drank again and again. He kept refilling his glass as it became empty, begging God - praying - for just one night of peace from this horrible loneliness. By the time Madame Giry entered, he was laughing for no reason, his face almost as red as the wine. "My friend, Meg is a grown woman. Let her drink a little - it's only one night. She doesn't go gorging herself with alcohol every day!" Erik's words were slurred and, should he have been sober, he knew he never would have dared question Madame Giry's parenting. Unfortunately he was not, but at least his prayer was slowly being answered. With each swallow, Erik could feel his body numbing to the pain and he very quickly forgot about Christine.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Erik, I will allow two more, that is all. She is too small to take more than that. She could be poisoned." Madame Giry explained her own actions. "I am simply looking out for her." With those final instructions, she thought of something. "Erik, something must be done about the woman." She spoke of Christine. "It's killing you to see her with Raoul and you know this. We can't have her back here." She tried to stay calm. "Please, make her stop coming. Move on and let her go!"

 

[Guile]

Erik grinned in his drunken state, satisfied that he had gotten Madame Giry to allow Meg to celebrate at least a little more with alcohol. In fact, he was pouring himself another glass when his friend mentioned Christine. Erik froze, mid-pour. Even in the haze he was in, he could still feel a sharp stinging in his heart as his thoughts were forced back to Christine. He fought to remain calm, to not let his aching heart take over again. Not tonight... Erik finished pouring the alcohol for himself as Madame Giry continued to speak. He took sip after sip of the wine as she went on about her. When, at last, she stopped speaking, Erik took one last sip before speaking himself. "My friend, I don't know what you're talking about. I believe I am handling the bitter pain in my heart just fine. In fact, I don't think anyone on this Earth has ever handled having an empty, meaningless life as well as I have!" The words that had started calm ended up a furious shout. Erik finished the drink in his hand - not even remembering how many he'd had before it - and took a deep breath. He turned away, breathing deeply still, trying to contain his anger. Unable to do so any longer, Erik hurled the glass in his hand at the far wall, laughing momentarily at the satisfying shatter it let off. Pained and horribly drunk, Erik sank to his knees in an effort to calm himself, but simply began shaking as he tried to fight back sobs. "I can't! I can't move on! I've tried...I tried so hard! I've tried to convince myself that she doesn't love me, that I can never have her. Perhaps both are true, but my poor heart doesn't want to believe it!" Erik was no longer angry, just horribly upset. Though his words were slurred, the pain in them was quite clear.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Madame Giry immediately felt the present danger as she watched the glass hit the wall. "Erik, it was just a simple suggestion." She threw her hands up and grabbed Meg, leaving their home and heading into woods for safety. Madame Giry had never expected, nor seen her 'son' get this angry toward her, and she wasn't going to stay there, after everything she had done for him, and watch this abuse of her hard work. She was going in the direction of her Christine. She needed help. "Christine! Christine, please!" She screamed. Madame de Chagney opened up and let them inside.

 

[Guile]

Erik sat there, bent over on his hands and knees, trying to stop his grotesque sobs but the action seemed impossible. He was only vaguely aware that Madame Giry and Meg had left. Through his drunken stupor and thoughts of Christine a thought came to his mind about their departure: he couldn't blame them. He was behaving like an animal. Still, Erik couldn't stop. He crawled just a few feet towards the broken glass he had just thrown and slumped down with his back against the wall. Not caring that, as he had crawled over, his hands had been cut in several placed by the glass and were now bleeding, he let his head rest against the wall and looked up at the ceiling. His mouth hung open slightly as he stared up at nothing, the room beginning to spin thanks to the wine in his system. Feeling lost and more alone than ever before, he picked up one of the larger shards of glass and examined it. Erik smiled at the shimmering piece in his hand before ramming it into the palm of his left hand. He gasped at the pain, but his whimpers very quickly became soft laughter - the laughter of a madman. Though the glass did not go deep, it drew blood, but not enough to satisfy Erik in this state he was in. So, he drug it across his palm more, laughing at the pain that it caused. For once, physical pain! My heart is not the only thing that bleeds!

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"What's happening, Madame?" Raoul asked when the two women were settled on the couch. He gave them both a cup of tea. "Erik, it's Erik, Monsieur." Madame Giry sobbed into the tea. She couldn't stop. All celebration was off. She had lost her son. He was gone, lost in the mind, but not the body. "I can't believe he would even think of doing this!" She weeped, now holding Christine. "Oh, God!" She rocked back and forth, back and forth. "You're welcome to stay here, Madame." Raoul took her cup and led Meg upstairs, smiling. "Don't worry, dearest."

 

[Guile]

Weakened though he was, Erik still found the strength to stand. It took a great effort on his part, but once he was on his two feet and using the wall for balance, he shakily made his way across the room toward the door. Blood dripped from his hand, which still firmly held the shard of glass, as he made the difficult journey. Erik was lightheaded, not to mention more drunk than he had ever been, and this attempted move to his own room was taxing. Still, he fought his way down the hall, leaving small streaks of blood on the wall every time his left hand brushed against it, until he finally managed to stumble into his room. The entire place spun endlessly as he searched for the only thing that would end this nightmare he was living. Erik found the gun in a drawer of his and clasped it in his right hand. Luckily he collapsed to the ground before he was able to fire it. As he lay there on his back, looking up at the spinning ceiling, Erik began to whimper out Christine's name like a lost, injured child. At last, he dropped the shard of glass from his excessively bleeding hand in an attempt to wipe the perspiration from his forehead. All that effort did was manage to spread the blood across his face, but he had no time to care. Erik blacked out before he even had a chance to raise the gun to his head again.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine was so very frightened of this whole ordeal. What exactly was wrong with Erik? She wanted to go look, but didn't want to put herself or Gustav in any danger. "Erik, please, if you can hear me, let me know that you're safe and that Meg is only frightened." She walked to her mirror, as if some answer would come to her through there like it did back home. "My love, I miss you every day. Every minute of every day, it kills me to know exactly where you are and not be able to hold you." She prayed to her Angel of Music. "Today, I wanted you to pick me, simply because it would be perfectly alright for you to be near me then." She got on her knees. "Please, I love you so very much." Christine started crying. "I need you. Gustav needs you, and the Girys need you too."