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

[Guile]

Erik watched his son hold out his hand toward these people, not frightened in the least. It astonished him. I remember, when he was just a baby he did not shy away from this very same man. And yet, I had half-expected a different result today. He smiled, amazed that Gustav treated these people with just as much respect as any normal human. That's when he heard the words of the snake man and looked up to see him examining Gustav - looking from the boy, to him, and back again. Panic rose in Erik's throat. They are no fools. If they can tell by our appearance that he is my son...they may say something. Still, what could Erik do? It was too late to warn them not to speak of it, however, perhaps they would understand by the way he had addressed the child that they shouldn't mention it. "He is." Erik confirmed what Gustav had said. "He is a good child, raised by a kind woman." He assured them, knowing Gustav would do them no harm.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

The snake man smiled at Gustav. "It'ssss a pleassssure." He pat Gustav's head, warning his comrades with his gaze not to say a word. Gustav was none the wiser. "It's great to meet you all." He bowed to them. "My dad was so wrong about you." Gustav admitted. "He told me that people like you were dangerous and would kill me on sight." He sighed. "But, I don't see it. You're all so very beautiful." A woman with red eyes blushed. "Oh, he's adorable." She reached out to pinch his cheek, like a crazy aunt visiting for the holidays. "Oh, I wish everyone could be as kind as you." Gustav was completely red now. "W-Well, that's the w-way I-I was r-raised." He shook his head to rid himself of the redness. "Mister Y, did you have something else you wanted to show me?"

 

[Guile]

Erik saw the look the snake man gave to the rest of his employees and a great relief filled him. Thank God...they understand. Still, he couldn't help wishing that he himself could spill the truth, right there. He never would, though, for Christine would never forgive him. Erik was glad for the distraction that Gustav's words brought. A feeling of anger once again filled him as he heard the child speak of the Vicomte and his disgustingly untrue words. Who would tell a child such horrible things? Still, Erik found himself being proud of his son for being open-minded and understanding these unfortunate people. Christine certainly had raised him well. "I do, indeed, Gustav." Smiling down at the boy, Erik held out his hand to him once again. "I thought that, perhaps, you would like to see the stage." As they went to leave, Erik gave his employees a look of pure gratitude for not saying anything.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Gustav waved to the performers and took Erik by the hand. "I think the stage would be just as beautiful as everything else, Mister Y." He followed Erik out to the main floor where he could see what his mother had talked about with him for years. "It's just like my mother told me it was!" Gustav was breathless as he saw the stage, the lights, where the audience would be if it was show time. "It's all so beautiful, nothing like I've ever seen before." He looked up at the man. "Thank you so much for letting me come."

 

[Guile]

Erik couldn't help the feeling of pride that came to him as Gustav examined the stage, amazed at it's beauty. "Thank you, Gustav. I had hoped you would like it. I had it modeled after the one I knew in Paris. It isn't identical, but it's close. It feels like home here, actually." He smiled, bittersweet feelings hitting his heart mercilessly. Then, a thought came to him. "Your mother spoke to you of the stage?" The thought warmed Erik's heart and yet, deep down he felt that it was senseless to take this news to heart. She probably told the child about the stage to assuage his excitement about seeing Phantasma. That is all. "You are welcome, Gustav, but it is I who must thank you. I have not had any visitors, no friends, to take around and show my world to. Sure, people come every day to see Phantasma, but it simply isn't the same as sharing it with a friend." Erik smiled down at his son for a moment before another idea came to him. "I have one more thing to show you, if you wish to see it, of course."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Really? What more is there to see?" Gustav smiled at him still. "Anymore of this and I probably won't want to go back home." He laughed and waited for an answer. "Will you show me your work, something that you would do for your show, perhaps a private show considering that you're my mother's friend?" He asked so sincerely that it was almost impossible for someone to say 'no'. "Please?"

 

[Guile]

"Oh, it's nothing much, really." Erik grinned, thinking about where he would take the child next. "In fact, it's much less spectacular than the stage and such. However, it is my favorite place in the whole park." He looked at his watch because of Gustav's question. There would be time to show him some of his work and then show him this 'special place.' "Actually, Gustav, I believe I can show you some of my work. In fact, no one has heard it just yet. I don't know if there is time for me to give you a private show, however, you have an open invitation from me to come by anytime you'd like and watch the show. Oh, and I almost forgot. Your mother is going to be performing here, in a show coming up in the next few weeks. She will be singing a piece I wrote, the piece that I could show you now if you'd like. You are more than welcome, in fact, your mother may want you to, come and watch that performance." Looking down at his son, Erik knew that Christine probably would not approve of him saying such a thing, but he had to. Gustav was his son and he seemed to very much like Phantasma. "Gustav, if you ever want to come and spend time here, you are more than welcome to. I'm sure my employees would be more than happy to see you again. I know I would. You're always welcome here, and you need not ever pay to get in. Phantasma is open to you always."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Well, Mister Y, if it's your favorite place, then I want to see it." Gustav insisted. "I'm not ready to go home just yet. Mother will understand and Father doesn't care, really." This was the first time that the child frowned all day. "But, an open invitation is something that I'll enjoy, I know that." He was wide eyed. "Mother has the most beautiful voice. You'll be pleased with what she can do, even when she isn't even trying." Gustav was close to freaking out if Erik didn't hurry and show him the music Erik wrote. "Let's see it then."

 

[Guile]

"That she does, Gustav. I have no doubt about your mother's talents. After all, I taught her." Erik laughed at this, and at the boy's eagerness to see his music. "Alright, follow me, then." He took his hand and led him to the piano, sitting down on the bench and opening up the piece of parchment to reveal the music to the song he had written for Christine. Written clearly on the top of the piece, in his own handwriting, were the words Love Never Dies. Erik smiled weakly, just thinking about the meaning, before patting the open spot beside him on the bench. "Come, sit. I shall play it for you, if you wish." Then, another thought came to him. "Or, perhaps, you would like to play it?" Erik suggested, one brow raised in curiosity.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Gustav did as he was asked and sat down next to the man with a smile on his lips. "No, I don't think I should do that. It's not my work, after all." He whispered. Deep down, he was only scared of messing this up for Erik. Christine waited outside for her son, waiting for screams or anything that she normally expected for anyone's first time being around . "Please, let him come back to me, Erik. This is my son! He's all I have in this world that still cares about me!" She was on her knees, praying.

 

[Guile]

Erik nodded, understanding, as a smile graced his lips. "Then I shall play for you." He took a deep breath as he placed his hands over the keys, then began to play. Erik did not sing, he was far too wrapped up in simply playing the piece to even remember their was words. Instead, he was feeling them. The meaning of the song put an ache into his heart and, as he played, all he thought of was Christine. By the time he had finished, Erik had almost entirely forgotten that Gustav was sitting there. There was a long silence as he gathered his thoughts, then he remembered and looked down at his son with a smile. "What do you think? Is it alright?" Erik waited, eager to hear what the child thought. That's when he remembered what he had promised Christine. She was to have Gustav back by nightfall.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Gustav smiled up at him. "Yes, sir. It was beautiful. Mother was right. You are a genius." His words were soft, considering how excited he was earlier. "I loved it." Gustav stood and bowed to his father. "Well, it was wonderful, but I really must go. Mother must be worried about me." Gustav reminded him as the night outside got dark and the air got cold as Christine waited. "My Gustav, please be safe right now. Please." She prayed. "Father, please help my son, the gift you gave me ten years ago." She sat on a pile of leaves and buried her face in her hands.

 

[Guile]

Erik was taken aback by the child's words, but they brought a beautiful and genuine smile to his lips. "Thank you, Gustav. It means everything to me that you like my work, especially considering that I believe you could be a great composer one day." He stood after his son did. "Please, allow me to accompany you outside. I just want to make sure that you find your mother." Which was the truth. Erik knew that Gustav was no fool, but he didn't trust that he wouldn't get mixed up in the crowd of people. Without another word, but feeling quite satisfied with how the day had played out, Erik led his son out through Phantasma, and back to the gate.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine was getting so worried that she actually got up and dared to walk toward Phantasma to take her son back by force if she had to. "He's not taking my son from me!" She crashed her way through until she was at the door. "Erik! Open up, now!" She barked. "You aren't going to take my son from me! I won't let you!" She threw the door open and entered. "Gustav? Gustav, where are you?" She had tears in her eyes and hair. "I should never have turned you over to that man!" She tossed Erik's work on the ground. "GIVE HIM BACK!"

 

[Guile]

The two of them were about halfway out when Erik heard Christine's last agonizing scream to give back her son. Fear and panic rose in his chest - she thought he was not going to bring him back! "Gustav, quickly! Come with me." Still holding onto his son's hand, Erik gently but hurriedly pulled him back the way her screams had come from. God, she will never forgive me. I promised her to bring him back before nightfall. Still, I am bringing him back. I could never take him from her. "Christine?" He ran in through the open door, the child at his side, concern in his eyes. "Christine, he is here. Gustav is here." Erik's voice was laced with a soft tenderness, as well as a bit of worry, as he let go of the child, hesitantly, so that he could go to his mother. "Forgive me, I didn't mean to keep him longer than I promised. I was only showing him my work."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine was so worried about her boy that she waited for no explanation when Gustav ran to her with the biggest grin one would see on a boy his size. "Mother, you and Father should have seen it!" He wasn't the least bit worried about the fact that he had just frightened his mother to death. "Mister Y is amazing!" Christine looked up at her son, not releasing the grip that she had on his shoulders. "I'm glad that you had a good time. Truly I am." She kissed Gustav's cheek. "You're such a good boy." She took him toward the exit without a word toward her friend.

 

[Guile]

Erik saw how frightened Christine had been and it killed him inside. It was hard enough to see her tears, but it hurt even more to know that he had caused them, unintentionally, and she probably hated him for it. To make matters worse, she had gotten up and taken her leave without a word to him. Then again, what had he expected her to say? Thank you for not kidnapping my son? Erik sighed, sitting down just where he was, and put his head in his hands. It had been a wonderful day that had ended all wrong, thanks to him being late bringing Gustav back to Christine. "God, can I do nothing right?" Erik whispered to himself, furious at Christine for being upset with him, and furious at himself for giving her reason to be upset.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

But, Christine had not left yet. "Take a walk with Miss Giry." She told her son, holding the music that Erik had given her. "Thank you for not taking him from me." She sighed and laid the work on the floor in front of its creator. "I just don't know what to say about this deal though." She admitted. "How can I trust that you would keep your promise and leave us alone once I do this? How do I know that you won't take me from my family when this is done?" She wanted the truth. "Tell me!"

 

[Guile]

Erik looked up, quite surprised to see Christine there, willing to speak with him. "I told you I would bring him back to you. You didn't believe me, I can see that now." He stared into her eyes, once again fighting back the urge to weep at her feet and beg for her to come back to him. "I wouldn't expect you not to trust me, Christine. I have said and done a great many things, but I have always kept my word. I never once broke a promise to you. Why do you doubt me now? I have sworn not to take you from your family, so long as you do this for me. Why is it you have such a hard time believing me?" Erik sighed, only now looking away from her gaze. He didn't want her to see the tears that were beginning to form in his eyes. "I won't...I won't take you from them because I know how much they mean to you. I care about your happiness more than I care about mine, Christine. It has always been this way. I cannot take a mother away from her son. I may be hideous, but I do have a heart." Only now did the tears start falling silently, though he did his best to hide them.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine felt her own guilt when she heard Erik's words. She couldn't just leave him here, alone. "My master, come with me for a time, please." She picked up his work and took it, along with him, back into the park, where she would lavish him with all the love that she could offer before her husband had come back to fetch her. In his room, everything got more intense from there, until she reminded Erik that she had to go.

 

[Guile]

Erik looked up at her, astonishment in his tear-filled eyes at her request. Still, he did not object and gladly took her hand in his, marveling at her touch again, and allowed her to lead him to his room. The time that they spent together there almost completely made up for his ten years of loneliness. And yet, it ended to soon, as all beautiful things do. Christine had to leave. "Christine, thank you for trying to make my life a little less dark." For Erik knew it could not be completely light unless she were able to stay with him. "You are still an angel, as you always have been." He placed a hesitant kiss on her cheek, trying not to break down knowing that she would be gone in just moments. Once again, out of his life. "I love you, Christine. Whether you want my love or not, do not forget how dear you are to my heart."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"You are quite dear to my heart as well." Christine got up and smiled at him before she left. "I love you too, but I am still a married woman whether you like it or not." She muttered to herself, wanting to cry as she left. There was only one problem: Raoul. "Where the hell have you been?!" He demanded right outside the circus. "I-I was just speaking with my boss about business." She prayed that he couldn't smell another man on her.

 

[Guile]

After Christine took her leave, Erik was left feeling a horrendous mix of emotions. He didn't know whether to cry because she had gone again, or because she had blessed him with tenderness. He didn't know whether to be angry because she could not be his, or because he could do nothing to convince her to come back to him. Poor Erik felt all four, really, and it ached to have such thoughts. Christine had been so kind to give herself to him again, but the problem was, Erik couldn't tell why she had done it. He wanted to believe it was because she truly did still love him and ached to be near him as much as he did her. However, his mind told him that she had only done this, once again, out of pity for his lonely soul. Forcing himself to stand and dress once again, Erik couldn't stop debating this in his mind. Then, there was also that sense of fear he had for her. After all, she was a married woman, as she had said. Surely the Vicomte wouldn't know what she had done. He would probably be too drunk to tell she had been with another man. Still, what if he did find out? She swore to me long ago that he loves her. Perhaps he does, but any man can do horrible things when under the influence of alcohol. Especially if he were to find out she had been with me - it could enrage him. Surely he wouldn't hurt her...would he? Erik shook his head to clear it of such thoughts. Christine had been fine living with a drunk for the past ten years, she would be fine now. At least, that's what Erik kept trying to make himself believe as he left his room and began wondering the halls, lost in such thoughts.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"You're lying." Raoul told her threateningly as he dragged her home. Christine tried to fight, knowing what could possibly be coming next, but she didn't want to think that Raoul could do that to her. "Raoul, I swear to you that I did nothing wrong." She saw no problem with comforting an old friend, but she did see something wrong with going behind her husband's back for another man. "It all just came s-" "What came so fast?" Raoul pinned her against the bed now, in front of their son. "No! Father, stop it!" Gustav tried, but failed to protect his mother. Gustav could do nothing. "Mister Y!" Gustav remembered his friend as he ran back to Phantasma.

 

[Guile]

Erik couldn't stop feeling a tremendous sense of guilt for what he had done. Or rather, what he had let Christine do. It had brought joy back into his life, if only for a little while, but the thought of going behind her husband's back was probably eating away at the poor girl's conscience. "I shouldn't have let her. I should have stopped her. God, I am so selfish!" Erik was absolutely upset with himself for not thinking of her first. "I've always valued her happiness, far more than my own. How could I let her do such a thing? It will torment her, I just know it!" Little did Erik know, Christine's possible guilt was the least of his worries. Not too long after they had all left, he heard a small voice calling out his name in panic. Erik turned to see Gustav running toward him, looking rather frightened. "Gustav?" He got down on his knees in front of the boy, placing his hands on his shoulders in an attempt to calm him. "Gustav, what is wrong?" Erik's own heart was racing as he feared the worst.