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

[Guile]

Christine's confession made Erik's face flush red, but it warmed his heart as well. And then, she did something he had never expected nor would he ever have dared to do in return. She kissed him. It was simply a friendly kiss on the cheek, completely innocent. But...Erik had never been kissed before, not even like this. He had never felt someone's lips against his skin, and it brought even more tears to his eyes and stunned him into silence for quite a while. Especially when she kissed his forehead afterward. He still remained silent after she finished speaking, he was only able to move his gaze to look down at her pinky that she held out for him to take. At last, he had the courage to speak again, though his words were weak. "Forgive me...I just...I never had someone..." Erik cut off his words, too embarrassed to continue. In a desperate attempt to gloss over the embarrassment he'd just caused himself, Erik reached up and entwined his pinky with hers and smiled warmly at her. "Alright, Christine...I promise. With our next lesson...I shall let you see me again."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Oh, you poor thing." Christine murmured, knowing Madame Giry was listening in. "I never heard of such a tragic fate for someone so good and kind." She kissed his cheek again and then laid her head on his shoulder, taking in his smell and his voice, just to familiarize herself with his presence. "I love what you are doing for me and my father." She brought his hand to her face again and kissed it. "Such a beautiful creature should not have to hide." She started singing her scales, softly, of course, just to prove herself to him. "Does that sound better here or from behind your mirror?" She asked, wanting to laugh.

 

[Guile]

At her words, Erik's eyes brightened and he felt a lifting in his chest. Was it relief that she had accepted him, or was it something else? Erik wasn't sure, but he was sure about one thing: Christine still didn't know what was behind his mask. And thank God for that! If she knew what he really was, she'd take back everything she'd just said, for sure! At least, that's what Erik thought as he heard her words. Such a beautiful creature should not have to hide. At the same time these words lifted his spirits and reddened his cheeks, Erik felt himself drifting off into another thought. If only you knew what kind of creature I was...then you would not think so highly of me anymore, Christine. At the feeling of her lips on his hand, Erik couldn't help but smiling. Though there was still pain in his heart, he could not deny how happy she was making him in this moment. Then, oh but then she sang! Her scales were soft but, very beautiful. She had most definitely been practicing, and her voice stunned even him. At her words, Erik chuckled softly. "I must admit, Christine, your voice sounds much more beautiful here than behind that mirror. You have most certainly been practicing, I can tell. You get better with each day, and that is what I wish to see or, hear, rather. Those scales you just sang were magnificent." His words were honest, he could not lie to her. Especially not with her holding him so close. It was impossible.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine smiled at his words. They were so comforting as of now. "Did my papa really ask you to keep me as your student?" She asked, still hanging onto him for fear of him disappearing if she let go. "Did he really say that I could stay here with you?" As she asked this, she felt her throat get tighter, but she dared not cry in front of him. "I just want him back, my friend." She whimpers, almost crying, but not quite there yet. "He was good and kind. He didn't deserve this." It was too late to stop the tears that now came, too late to stop herself from squeezing Erik's shoulders as she cried.

 

[Guile]

"Yes, Christine." Erik whispered softly to her. "Your father...I spoke to him before he...passed away. I asked him if I could teach you to sing...he gave me permission." Erik could tell that the poor girl was close to tears and, when she finally did cry, it did not come as a surprise to him. Though, he hated to see her do so. Pain was not something and angel deserved to feel. Wrapping his arms tighter around her and rubbing her back lightly with his hand, Erik desperately tried to comfort her. "There, there, Christine. It's alright...I'm here." Erik cooed in her ear, forcing his own tears to stay hidden. "I know you want him back, but remember that he has not left you - not entirely. He still watches you, from his spot in Heaven with the other angels. I promise you this."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"I-I know, Master." She also squeezed him. She had such a connection to him now, but it was hard to explain how or why. "The angel here is you, Erik." She whispered. "You were not obligated to do anything for me or my father. You could have easily ignored us." She smiled and allowed herself to almost completely succumb to her teacher. "But, you chose to stay, even after humans were so cruel to you." As she said this, her eyes darted up to his mask, locked there, until Madame Giry opened the door again. "My lady, the De Chagney boy is here to see you." Christine's eyes lit up like the stars as these words filled her ears. "Raoul!" She exclaimed. "He's back!"

 

[Guile]

God! Why was Christine so kind to him? Her words were so gentle and sweet. Erik had never been talked to like this before by any human. No one had ever been kinder. "Christine, I could never ignore you. I-" his words were interrupted by the appearance of Madame Giry and her oh so 'wonderful' news. The thought of that young boy coming back and taking Christine away from him killed Erik, though he tried not to let Christine see it. He didn't want to upset her. And what was more upsetting than one friend despising the other? Then, Erik remembered something. Raoul was back - Erik had to hide. "Christine..." he whispered to her so that Raoul could not hear. "I...I must hide. He cannot see me. I am sorry." Sorry for not being able to meet Raoul? No. Sorry that he had to leave Christine, leave the warmth of her embrace. All so that this boy who had the ability to see her freely in public, any time of the day, could say whatever unimportant words he needed to say to her at, for some ridiculous reason, this very point in time! Such were the thoughts of jealousy traveling through Erik's mind.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

She hugged him once more, then wrapped her little finger around his. "Okay, promise that you'll stay." She tightened her hold on him. "There. Now you can't break your promise that you haven't even made!" She laughed, until she heard footsteps, similar to her own, coming quickly toward her. "Christine! Lottie, I am here!" He laughed as well. "I came to see your practice. I've been told that you are quite the little dancer." He hugged her, then kissed her cheek. "You must show me that new routine." He insisted. "Please." Christine smiled her cute little smile and nodded. "I'll show you something, but not everything."

 

[Guile]

Erik chuckled softly, even through his sadness, at her laughter and words. "Well, I promise anyway, dear Christine." With that, Erik snuck back behind the mirror and waited as she asked. Within mere moments, Raoul was rushing in and hugging Christine. Then, oh then the scoundrel dared placed his lips on Christine's cheek. His Christine! What am I thinking? Erik felt guilt consume him at his own rage. This boy is her friend and she, in no way, belongs to me! But, oh Lord, if she only knew how much it hurts to watch someone else hold her close and kiss her, even in simply a friendly way, while I cannot! It is agony!

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Well, Miss Daae, Little Lottie, proceed." He smiled and sat down in the chair before her make up mirror. "You have my full and undivided attention, my darling." Christine let another blush emerge as she bowed politely, then turned around to the mirror that the Phantom had just disappeared behind. "The Angel of Music sings songs in my head, Raoul." De Chagney didn't know how to respond. "I'm sorry, did you want music to dance to?" He started humming, which Christine couldn't stop laughing at for a long time, but, when she did, she started dancing around the perimeter of the room.

 

[Guile]

Erik grew even more and more furious by the minute. Not at Christine. Oh, no, never! How could he be angry with her? It was impossible! No, at that little brat, De Chagney. How dare he refer to Christine as darling! Let alone 'my darling!' If she did not belong to Erik, fine. She was her own free person. But she sure as hell did not belong to this...this boy! His humming is insufferable... Erik thought to himself as he crossed his arms over his chest. He didn't know why he cared whether Raoul could hum or not. In fact, he didn't care in the slightest. It was simply one more thing for Erik to blame his feelings of hatred on. However, Erik was temporarily drawn from his brooding by the sight of Christine, once again, dancing before him. Oh, what a lovely sight it was for she was an excellent dancer! Just wait, Christine...you will be so much more than just a chorus girl here, in my Opera. I have made a promise to make you a great singer and that is exactly what I intend to do.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine continued to dance, hearing Erik's every thought that coursed through his mind to hers. My God! I'm hurting him! Immediately, she stopped dancing and looked at his hiding spot. "The angel of music sings songs in my head." Raoul was surprised that she had come to a sudden stop and said something so irrelevant. "Lottie, what's wrong?" He held her by the shoulders, then lifted her chin up. Christine couldn't say anything, for fear of upsetting her friend. "The angel of music sings songs in my head."

 

[Guile]

Erik was surprised by her sudden stop. He didn't know that she could hear him and he certainly didn't suspect that she had, even when she stopped and looked dead at him through the mirror. However, it made Erik feel uneasy that she was staring at him and brought that horrible, burning guilt back into his body. What...what got into her? Erik was confused and even a bit concerned for her. Christine? He longed to speak to her, ask her what was wrong, but Raoul was here and he dared not.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

She moved forward, toward him. Master, I can have him leave if it upsets you. She could barely hear Raoul, even though he was mere inches behind. "Christine, there is no one there. There is no angel of music, my sweet Christine." He touched her face with his fingers, but her thoughts and eyes remained on the Phantom. When, at last, she came out of her trance, Christine's face was white and her hands were cold. "Oh, Raoul, you must go. I'm not feeling myself." The young boy, the future Vicomte, left after placing a kiss on little Lottie's cheek. "Goodbye, dear." He looked worried.

 

[Guile]

Erik was stunned into absolute stillness. Had he just heard her voice...without her speaking? Her thoughts? Am I...am I hearing her thoughts? Shocked, it took Erik a while to register what she had said...or, rather, thought. By that point, the young boy was leaving. But not, of course, without placing a kiss on Christine's cheek. As much as that angered Erik, he still felt even more guilt. When at last Raoul was gone, Erik dared to open his mouth and speak, though his voice sounded hoarse. "Forgive me, Christine...for my behavior. I shouldn't...I shouldn't say, uh, I mean...think such things. He is your friend..." He let his words drift off as he felt another pang of jealousy hit his heart.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

She laughed at his words. "So, I'm not crazy!" She smiled, her pearls showing. "I thought it was just me that heard it, Teacher." She hugged the mirror again. "If he bothers you so much, why won't you just tell me? I won't make you look at him if you don't wish to." When she let go, she felt that warm feeling of wanting another hug, but dared not ask him for one. Surely he was upset with her, so she changed the subject. "Your theater is lovely, Master." She twisted from side to side as she talked.

 

[Guile]

Erik listened in guilty silence to Christine's kind words. How...why is she so kind to me? Surely my jealousy...it must upset her! Raoul is her friend whether I like it or not. Why isn't she angry with me? Why doesn't she hate me? It was only after he thought these things that Erik became worried that she might have heard them. Unable to stand it much longer behind the mirror, while his Christine was just so close to him on the other side, Erik allowed himself to open the passageway between them and step into her room once again. Without an explanation as to why, or any response to her question, Erik didn't wait to pull her into a tight embrace again. After several moments of silence where they were just enjoying the embrace, he finally spoke. "Forgive me. I have no right to complain about your friend. He has done nothing to me personally, and you..." he could hardly choke out these words, "...and you seem to care for him." He paused for just a moment, allowing himself time to focus on blinking the tears in his eyes back. Erik cleared his throat, his cheeks turning red because he was painfully aware of how strange he must have sounded.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

She nodded. "Yes, sir. I care about everyone I meet." Christine was never one to complain or argue, just simply love and be happy. "Everyone has something to give the world." She held tight to him. "You have every right to tell me when you feel uncomfortable. You are my friend now. You can talk to me if you desire. I just want you learn to accept Raoul as part of my life."

 

[Guile]

"That is quite evident, Christine." Erik smiled warmly down at her. At her words, he found his heart aching again, though he knew he did have to accept them. He had to accept Raoul. At the very least, he had to learn to tolerate the boy. Otherwise, Christine would surely hate him for not trying. For not doing the one thing she had asked. "I understand, Christine. I will do all that I can to accept this friend of yours." Though it won't come without heartache... He thought in relevance to himself, his own heartache. However, he didn't tell her that and was too lost in her hug to remember how she had read his thoughts earlier. "You have accepted me into your life as your teacher...and friend. I must do this kindness for you back."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine didn't hear what Erik had said in his mind, perhaps because the first time that it happened, she hadn't expected it, so it came. Now that she sort of knew about this phenomenon, it didn't happen to her. Random selection, I suppose. She smiled at her teacher. "I would love it if you did that." She relaxed her hands. "It would mean a lot to me." Entwining their hands together, she ran her thumb across his. "Oh, forgive me, but I've never felt such worn hands, Phantom." She let go, still with a smile. "So, you don't know how long you've lived down there?" Christine made conversation, which was hard for her. "Tell me, what was your childhood like? Your mother and father?" She hadn't heard any mention of his origin at all since their meeting.

 

[Guile]

Erik smiled down at the point where their hands met. He had never felt someone's hand against his like this - never really had anyone to hold his hand. He laughed, in an attempt to make her smile. "Don't fret, Christine. For neither have I, other than my own, of course." Then, she let go and Erik felt something being torn from his chest. A piece of his heart perhaps? Relax...she is still here. He attempted to reassure himself, then came her questions. "M-my childhood?" She wants to know about that? My father? My...my mother! He thought the word 'mother' with such hatred for the woman that had given him life and then despised the child she had made. Though, he did not let any anger show. All Christine could possibly see was his confusion and fear. How will I tell her this without...without frightening her? I can't put in too many details... "My father," he began the safest way possible. "He died when I was a young boy. At least, I believe so. My mother always told me he left. She said..." Oh, God, what she had said had torn Erik apart! "She said he left because of me. Because he didn't want to have a son," no details, "...a son like me. All she ever told me was that I was a disappointment. Ah, yes. She made that very clear everyday. My mother hated me and I cannot, no one can, deny this fact. She would not hold me or comfort me. She would not even touch me or look my way, if at all possible." By now, Erik had tears of hate streaming down his cheeks. He was furious at the same time he was heartbroken. "I would compare my childhood to being treated like a dog, but we had one...and even the mutt was treated better than I - was loved more than I was. He, at least, got to sleep in a bed if he wished." Oh, why would I tell her all this? She doesn't deserve to have to listen to this sob story of yours, Erik. He thought to himself and went silent.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine felt atrociously responsible for bringing his memory back to him, scaring him like this, causing him more pain. "Oh, Phantom of the Opera, I am so, so sorry! Forgive me!" She dropped to her knees and then wrapped her arms and legs around his one leg, not caring if she looked like a fool. "I didn't mean to bring back those memories, but, if it makes you feel better, I never really knew my mother." Something about that last sentence made Christine feel like she said the wrong thing.

 

[Guile]

Erik was stunned when Christine dropped to her knees and wrapped herself around his leg. At her last sentence Erik found something inside of him boiling. Anger? "At least your mother did not abuse you." His words had come out harsh, but Erik had not meant for that tone to be directed at Christine. He was still furious with his mother for all the things she'd ever done to him. How could I be so heartless to my angel? Dropping down to the floor with her, Erik wrapped his arms around Christine and pulled her close. "I am so sorry, Christine. I did not mean for my anger to be taken out on you. I am in no way upset with you. I...I hate her!" He spoke of his mother. "I'm sure your mother was a wonderful woman." Erik continued to try and comfort Christine. "Far too good to be unable to watch her little girl, her own angel, grow up. She would have loved to see how well you dance." Erik added softly, hoping to make her smile again. And, not for the first time, did Erik long to kiss Christine. Oh, just a friendly one on the cheek, of course. But...even that he could not bring himself to do. He would feel as if he had just ruined a beautiful piece of artwork if he were to place his lips on her. My accursed lips...

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine was so, well, frightened wasn't a strong enough word. She had hurt one of the only people she had left in this world and now, oh, God! He going to leave her and never come back! Her extremities were shaking, making it hard for her to think correctly. "Phantom, don't leave me, but, I would feel much better if we didn't see each other anymore. We should go back to how things were. When we were both safe." She couldn't stop crying either. "I just wanted to make you feel better!" She got up and pushed him toward the mirror, then turned around and sprinted away from him. "Leave me alone!"

 

[Guile]

Erik had never felt more hurt or betrayed in his life. She...she doesn't want me to leave. She didn't mean to hurt me. He tried to reassure himself as he sat still on the floor where she had pushed him away to. It didn't work. She hates me! God, what have I done? I didn't mean to hurt her! His face burned and tears threatened to come again, but he forced them back. Erik stood, feeling more broken than he ever had. At least with my mother...she never let me work up the hope that she cared about me. At least, with her, I was hated from the start and not tormented this way. Erik knew in his heart that Christine wasn't trying to torment him, but that's what was happening. "I-I'm sorry if I've hurt you. I should never have come out..." He managed to choke out as he prepared to leave through the mirror again. Erik stood for a while with his hand and forehead on the mirror, still in Christine's room. He was preparing himself for the life of loneliness that he was about to head back into, forever it seemed. Perhaps now I can die peacefully, for the most part. Knowing that I got to hold someone just once. That I got to feel someone's warm skin on mine... Still chocking back tears, Erik stood up straight and tried to regain his dignity. He turned to look at Christine just one more time, the guilt and pain so clear in his eyes. "I truly am sorry." Then, before he left through the mirror he added reassuringly, "I will not leave you. I promise." And, just like that, he was gone again.