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

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine watched him go, holding onto that shred of memory that she knew was his hold on her. Maybe he wasn't holding her to him physically, but, mentally and emotionally, she was his and his only. The thought of her savior never coming back out tore her up inside, but Christine felt that this was for the best. "Thank you, Phantom." She left him there, to go back to Raoul again, for a walk around Paris, just for air. "Can we go now?" She asked him, finally spotting him among other boys. This made her nervous. The other boys parted, but didn't stop laughing at the orphan. "Angel of Music indeed, Christine!" One laughed. "He doesn't exist!" Raoul glared at him, wrapping his arms around Christine. "Ignore him, Lottie." He kissed her cheek. "We can go for that walk now." He took her by the hand and led her away. "Father, Christine and I are just going to the beach." He heard the Vicomte give them permission before departing.

 

[Guile]

Erik waited behind the mirror for a few minutes after Christine left. He sat down to think about the events of the evening and all that had transpired over the last few days. It seemed like a blur to Erik - one, massive blur that had left him with nothing but the memory of her touch and a heartache. And, for the first time in a long time, Erik spoke to God. One might call it praying, but it wasn't exactly that. More so, a lot of questioning. "Why did you allow me to go out there? I thank you for the moments that I got to hold her. I got to hold someone for once and it was a blessing. But...it was a blessing that turned into a heartache. I'm in more pain now than I was before I ever met her. Not that I would take anything back but...Oh, God." Erik put his head in his hands, emotionally exhausted. "Life would have been so much easier for many people if you would have been content with me dying at birth." Finally, he stood, ignoring the pins and needles feeling in his leg, and made his way back down to his dark little world. "Maybe it won't be so bad." He reasoned with himself aloud. "Perhaps this day will become a distant memory someday...one that does not stir up heartache. Maybe, after a while, Christine will seem just a student and, I, her teacher." Erik shook his head, knowing that was impossible. "She's the only one that's been so kind to me. Other than Madame Giry, who I fear only pities me."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Smelling the fresh, salty air of the beach, Christine's mood increased with a snap of your fingers. One might call it a strange bipolar disorder, but, this was more. She felt a freedom like never before, especially not.since her father left this world. "This is beautiful!" Her scarf blew in the wind, then unwound from around her neck and flew into the ocean. "My mother's scarf!" She wailed. Raoul took this opportunity to jump in, fully clothed, and rescued the fabric in distress. "I've saved it!" The water froze his airway, but he kept rowing himself toward the shore. "Here you go." He handed it over after wringing it out. She took it and then threw herself on him. "Thank you!"

 

[Guile]

At last, Erik was home - if one could call a place like this home. What's that saying? Home is where the heart is? Ha! Then I suppose I don't have a home...I never did and I never shall, it seems. Wanting to kick himself for reaching that pathetic stage of self-pity once again, Erik waded through the water and over to his bed, not caring that his lower half was soaked. Throwing himself on the hard mattress, Erik forced himself to close his eyes. He tried desperately to shake all the memories away that caused him pain, but he could not. They kept flashing on and on behind his eyelids and even when he opened his eyes, Erik could still see in his mind, what he had done - what had happened as of late.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Continuing to walk on, the couple talked about everything that had happened. When Christine had reached the part about her father dying and then this strange voice in her head, their session ended, he was taking her home. "You need rest. There is no Angel of Music." He was still trying to persuade her of his truth as he laid her in bed. "I love you, Christine." He kissed her cheek. "Don't leave until you rest." He then pecked her lips. "Tell this Angel to leave you in peace."

 

[Guile]

Tossing and turning, Erik could not, for the life of him, fall asleep. There were too many memories, not only of the past few days, but of his entire life. He could not fall asleep like this, no one could. Knowing that trying to sleep was futile, Erik got up and began to pace around the room. He didn't know why, but it was better than lying there left to his thoughts. Suddenly, he stopped as though his attention was caught by something. He was standing in front of one of his mirrors. This particular mirror looked as though it were brand new and, as Erik moved closer to it, he noted that he could see himself perfectly clear in it's glass. Finally up at the mirror, Erik moved his hand up to his face and gingerly took off his mask. He observed his face for several moments in silence, tracing the scars with his finger. Then, his mother's face flashed before his eyes. He was remembering everything she had ever done to him, everything she had ever said to him - all the hateful things she had called him. Furious, he screamed into the mirror as if she were there. "You were a wicked woman! Mothers are supposed to love their children no matter what! If no one else is their for a child, then at least they should be assured that their mother is! You are the monster! Not I!" Erik let out a tormented wail. "Rot in Hell!" With that, he slammed his fist into the mirror, shattering the glass around his hand that was now bleeding sufficiently. He sunk to his knees in the sea of shattered glass, not caring an ounce about his bleeding hand, and wept there on the ground until, mercifully, a dreamless sleep overtook him.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine took in every word that Raoul had said, but he didn't know the Phantom like Christine did. She wasn't about to just stop letting her teacher inside her mind, when he so kindly took her under his wing. This made her smile as she thought about it. "Raoul, he will always be part of me, now." She responded. "Father gave him permission to care for me and he won't leave." Raoul went wide eyed. "Then, we will just ignore him." Before Christine could respond, he was gone.

 

[Guile]

Erik woke up every now and again throughout the night. It was a dreamless sleep, indeed. Unfortunately, the dreams were replaced with nightmares. Erik woke up several times screaming and sweating. After a while he gave up on trying to sleep like this and got up off the floor which he had not bothered to do when he woke up previously. Decided that it was better not to sleep, Erik sat down at the edge of the water and cleaned his wounded hand, which the blood had now dried to. He painfully sucked in air each time he pulled a shard of glass out of his skin and, when he finally had it all out, he stuck his hand down into the water. The cool sensation that he felt as his cuts were being partially cleaned made Erik grin. Perhaps there was some comfort after the pain. That seems to only ring true for the physical pain, though. At last, he brought his hand from the water and dried it off. He looked down and observed his flesh. There were many scrapes and even a few deeper cuts that he was sure would scar over, but what did he care anymore? Once someone sees my face, the scars on my hand will be the last thing they care about. For the remainder of the night, Erik decided to play his piano. Music was a wonderful escape from reality and that was most certainly what he needed right then.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine couldn't sleep either, she was too frightened of the thought of losing, yet, never being able to escape the man behind the mirror. "That music..." she heard the melody that was playing, no, playing wasn't the word. Flowing, yes. The music flowed together and entered her ears. It was a beautiful little tune. "Angel of Music, speak, I listen. Stay by my side, guide me." She didn't know where these words came from. All she knew was that this music kept her awake. "Angel, my soul was weak, forgive me. Enter at last, Master." She held these words close to her as she sang, if you could call it singing at her age.

 

[Guile]

Erik could not hear her singing, yet at the same time she started, he felt something inside of him burst and he began playing with more passion. It was as if he were loosing himself in it all, the notes, the sounds, the feeling of the keys beneath his fingers. He couldn't stop, for the energy coursing through his body was too great. It brought a grin to his lips though his eyes stayed closed for he needn't look at the keys to play. Erik was unaware his music could be heard by Christine. Though, if he knew that it was keeping her awake, he surely would have stopped playing. Instead, he played on with that same explosive energy until his hands grew tired and his mind and body exhausted, and he was forced to take his fingers away from the keys. Oddly enough, Erik was breathing a little heavily - as if playing had worn him out, like he had been running. Unable to explain what had just happened, Erik decided not to question it. Music could be a very powerful thing, and one should learn not to question the beautiful sensations it gives you.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

She waited for a response, but none came. Christine didn't blame the man in the mask at all for his actions. How could she? She had upset him and that's all there was to it. Christine didn't take being ignored very well. To prove it, she stood and started toward his portal to her world, her portal to his. "Please, be there, Master." When she reached out her hand, it touched glass. There was nothing there. He closed it. I can't reach him. "Angel, good night, dear." She kissed the glass, like every night, or, every departure, then hopped in bed.

 

[Guile]

When morning came, it found Erik still sitting on the bench of his piano, slumped over the keys resting peacefully - or as peaceful as he was sure he'd ever sleep. Though there were no windows to tell him what time it is, Erik was sure it was early morning still. Probably just after dawn. For, he always woke at dawn. Usually it was because his nightmares did not allow him to sleep past it. Sitting up at stretching, Erik wiped his eyes and suddenly remembered last night. His departure from Christine, the mirror. He looked down at his hand to see if it were not all just a wicked nightmare. Nope...the cuts are still there. Erik sighed and moved off of the bench and began to pace nervously. "How will I ever face Christine again? Surely I must sometime. I promised her that I would not leave her, but...does she even want me to come around anymore? And how can I without feeling guilty for what I've done? Then again, the same guilt would haunt me if I broke my promise to her and never came back." He sighed and changed his clothes, feeling defeated. "I must return." Not knowing if Christine was awake or not, unsure if she had already left her room already or had never returned to it last night, Erik made his way up through the corridors and to her mirror. All he wanted to do was see if she was there or not. Then, he planned on returning home, satisfied that he at least knew where she was.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Feeling disgusted about the thought of the Phantom never coming back to her, she felt like puking up last night's dinner. "I cannot believe what I have just done!" She wasn't going to start crying, for Meg was asleep in her crib just feet from her. "Phantom, please forgive me. I cannot live without your music." She leaned into the glass, but felt no warmth. "Oh...no."

 

[Guile]

As Erik wandered up to Christine's mirror, the entire journey consisted of him wringing his hands together nervously and wondering what he could possibly say to Christine. Finally, at the end of the corridor, he saw light. It was coming from Christine's room and he could actually see Christine from where he stood, leaning against the mirror. He almost jumped at first, then had to remind himself that she could not see him. Shaking his head and feeling more ridiculous, Erik walked slowly on until he reached the glass. He swallowed hard, keeping as silent as possible. His mind twisted and turned as he fought to find words to say to her. She looked upset and, in the end, he could only say what he was thinking. "Christine...what's wrong?" Erik's voice was soft, but strong. He didn't wish to show her how wrecked his nerves were because of the night before.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

At long last, heaven was shining on little Daae. Though she could not see him, she heard him and her little heart leaped for joy, which is what she also felt like doing. "Nothing, nothing at all, now that you are here." She promised him and kissed the mirror. "Did you sleep well? What's wrong? Did you hear me sing?" She asked, not sure of what to say. "I waited for you, but you didn't respond." That seemed to hurt her. "What was that music that you were playing last night? It sounds like my lullaby." She kept hearing this same song every night since arriving. Now, she knew where it came from.

 

[Guile]

Her response could not have made Erik happier. It was like receiving a gift directly from God. Had she truly forgiven him? It seemed like it. Either way, she was most certainly happy to see him and Erik couldn't hide the feeling of immense joy in his own heart at her presence either. He even laughed a little, at her never-ending questions. Erik wanted to answer them all, and he certainly didn't want to lie. "Well...not really. I had a little trouble sleeping." She heard me playing last night! "Which is why you heard me playing...I couldn't sleep barely at all." He make a point to leave the part about the broken mirror, cut hand, and nightmares out of his explanation. "But nothing is wrong, Christine." Not anymore...I hope. Then, he heard that she had been singing! Oh, he had missed it! Erik felt like hitting himself. "No, I didn't." There was genuine disappointment in Erik's tone. "I'm sorry, Christine." She...she waited for me? "If I had known, I swear to you that I would have come immediately." What was that music? I don't have a name for it...I just wrote it down one night and... "Well, Christine...I don't know." His face turned red from embarrassment. "I never gave it a title. When I wrote it I just...it slipped my mind."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Before Christine could respond, a little upset that she had not been with her teacher last night, Madame Giry had come with Erik's food. "The managers give their respects and ask that you allow them peace once again." She looked a little annoyed. "They want to be left alone." Looking over Erik's shoulder, she noticed Christine standing there. "Good morning, Christine." She smiled, though the child couldn't see. "You have dance practice in fifteen minutes. Please, get Meg dressed and then yourself and go." Christine was shocked to hear Giry as well. "Y-Yes, Madame." She started doing as she was told as Madame Giry continued. "They want to sell Box Five by tonight."

 

[Guile]

"Thank you, Madame." Erik said because of the food, and because she had brought him this vital news. He started to grow angry, though not at her, of course. At those pathetic managers. "Maybe I would learn to give them peace, if they could learn to do as I ask." At the mention of Box Five being sold, Erik grew furious. "How could they do that? I specifically asked them to keep Box Five empty for me! My demands are not plentiful, nor are they unreasonable, in my opinion." He tried to keep himself from growling in frustration. "I apologize, Madame, for my tone. It is not directed at you. Nevertheless, you do not deserve to hear it. It is they who should hear this. And they will if they do not continue to do as I ask."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

She knew that her friend was going to be upset by this, so, she explained further. "In their defense, Erik, the show is such a success that they need your box to accommodate the other guests." Madame Giry breathed a huge sigh. "The managers will not listen to a being that they believe to be a ghost. They feel that this is their house and they can do what they wish." She explained. "You do not pay to watch, so, they are going to have paying customers." Christine heard all of this. "Are you talking about that show tonight? The one that....that I'll be performing in?" She asked nervously. Madame Giry smiled. "Yes, child. Now, go and practice your routine." Christine never moved. "But, I want to stay here with my teacher!"

 

[Guile]

"Yes, Madame. I am well aware that I do not pay. I just thought that perhaps they would be kind enough to spare one box for me, considering I do provide them with useful ways to keep the shows successful - whether they like them or not." Upon hearing that Christine was to be in the show, Erik knew that he had to see it. He would not miss if for the world. And especially not because of two rude managers, who knew nothing about the arts, that gave his box away. "I will not stand by and let them take my box, no matter how successful the show is. We have plenty of people paying to watch the shows and if they do not wish to have a destroyed Opera House that no show can be performed in, then I suggest they do as I ask." Erik had no intention of destroying the Opera House, nor did he have any idea how he would do so if he wanted to. However, he believed he made his point. Turning to Christine, though she couldn't see him, he spoke to her with a smile. "You must go practice, Christine. You are a beautiful dancer, however, even you must practice." Erik chuckled warmly. "Do not worry, I promise to be there watching you tonight. I will see you then." He hoped that was enough to make her content with leaving. He didn't want her to go either, but he knew she had to practice, otherwise...Madame Giry may not want Christine to continue on with his lessons.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine smiled at the man that she cared about, and, maybe someday that she would love as more than a friend. "Alright." She bowed to him, then stood up. "But, I won't like it." She continued after making it out the door. "I won't smile until I know that you're there." She assured the Phantom. Madame Giry stayed by Erik's side. "Well, I'm glad that she listens to you. At least she does." This put a smile on her face as she watched her 'daughter' leave, leaving the baby in her crib, crying. "I should probably go." She hugged the Phantom. "You must keep your promise."

 

[Guile]

At Christine's words, Erik felt himself smiling even more and his heart, in fact, his whole body warmed up at her kindness. I will be there. He promised again, silently, after she had left. Erik almost missed Madame Giry's words. "I'm glad she does too..." he seemed far off in thought, but his friend's hug brought him back to reality. "Of course, my friend. I understand. And I assure you, I will." Erik hugged her back but only for a few seconds, for her little Meg was crying out and needed to be tended to. "Thank you again, Madame! I must be off!" Before she could respond, Erik was racing down the corridor again back to his home. There was something he wished to grab before the show - something he wished to give to Christine afterwards.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Confused as ever, Madame Giry watched her friend leave. "He's so wrapped up in Christine." This thought made her smile. "It serves my heart well to know that my choice was the right one. I couldn't just leave Erik tied up like that with a paper sack over his head." As she walked back to her daughter, feeding little Meg, she prayed that Christine was the one. The one that would give Erik light. Give him something to live for. Immersed in her thoughts, Giry almost forgot the feeding baby. "Oh, you're done." She fixed herself and went down to the performance.

 

[Guile]

Erik was in such a rush to get home, he almost ran straight through the water again. No! You can't get your clothes wet, fool. What a ridiculous way to show up! So, he forced himself to get in the boat and row himself to the other side. It was agony, just sitting in that boat. Erik didn't know if running through the water would have been any quicker, but sitting still and rowing made him feel as if he wasn't accomplishing anything. Finally, Erik had reached his home and he made his way, quickly, to his dresser. He grabbed the item with a grin on his lips at how she would respond when she received it, and wasted no time jumping in the boat again. Placing his gift carefully inside his coat where it would not get messed up, Erik rowed to the other side again and raced up the stairs to box five. Those managers better have been smart enough to change their minds about selling my box!

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine was very nervous as it came close to the time when the curtains would rise on her first time dancing. She was quite happy, unable to hold still. "Ooh! I can't wait for this!" She spoke to no one in particular. "This will be so much fun!" She breathed in and out, slowly and softly. At long last, she heard Moncharmin and Richard introducing the performance, but Christine barely heard a word. The curtain started to rise and Christine forgot all shyness as she, along with fifteen or so other dancers began their routine, in time with the music. The whole theater was in absolute awe. Even the occupants of Box Five. Men, women and children would not notice the Opera Ghost that possibly watched them, as they were mesmerized by the children dancing. Little children would point out various things. "Mama, look at that!" or "How did she do that?" Were among the many questions or statements given by the youngsters. Still, no one heard or saw the Phantom of the Opera.