Prologue
Erik gazed at Christine's unconscious form lovingly as the black curtain fell about her. She was so beautiful, so perfect. He sighed as he turned away, inspired once again. His opera needed work, and his muse was in his midst. She was a goddess in her temple, and he was her priest. When she awoke he would tend to her every wish, but for now, he would write his masterpiece. His Don Juan Triumphant.
Casting a final look in Christine's direction, he sighed. He knew he wanted her more than anything, but he would not do anything to harm her or frighten her. He wanted her to come to him willingly. With a shake of his head he turned away for the last time and walked to his organ. Erik took a seat on the bench and began to play, inspired once more. The music flowed from his fingers like a stream from a river. His masterpiece was almost done. He paused and reached for a pen to write it, when he heard someone laughing softly.
"Who is there?" he demanded, his cold green eyes scanning the room. The laugh sounded again. "Christine?"
"No, try again." A woman's voice answered. It seemed…amused. "I demand you to tell me who you are."
"You could have taken her, you know…" the voice said, changing the subject. "You still haven't told me who you are!" He was getting annoyed now. The voice did not answer.
"Why didn't you?" it asked at length. "Because I do not want to dishonor her."
"Ah, such a gentleman." It was mocking him. "Indeed I am." He replied coldly.
"Might I remind you of the Rosy Hours?"
"And, pray tell, how do you know of that?" Erik asked. The voice seemed to be smiling. "I have my ways."
"Show yourself." The Phantom demanded.
"As you wish." Suddenly a pale-skinned woman appeared. She was dressed strangly to say the least. Exotic tattoos covered her stomach, arms, and legs. She wore a green skirt and a tan jacket, the cut far from proper. Jewelry glittered from every part of her. But most curiously was the headwrap that covered her face, which was then covered in more silver chains." Erik could say for certain that he had never seen anyone so strange in his entire life. And he had met a good deal of strange people.
"Well, you see me now. And about the outfit…I have been playing Guild Wars far too much…if you want I can change." She told him. Erik said nothing, and in the blink of an eye her outfit changed. She was now in black pants and boots with a leather bodice and brown jacket that was cut just below her breasts. Her light brown hair fell almost to her shoulders, and blue-grey eyes grinned at him through a white mask. "Better?"
"I suppose. Now, what is your name and why are you here?" he asked. Perhapes now he would get somewhere with this strange visitor.
"You can call me Tai, it is my fantasy name. And as for why I am here…I am an illusionist."
"You mean a magician." He said flatly.
"An enchantress might describe me better. Anywho, that isn't the point. The point is I am here to make you happy."
Erik raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. "And how do you plan to go about that?"
"Simple. Tell me what you want more than anything, and I can make it happen."
"How?" He did not believe her, but he was willing to take the bait. After all, what could happen?
"I have my ways. You'll figure it out soon enough. But, enough talk. What do you want?" Those eyes were searching him for an answer, as if she could read his mind. He was not intimidated by her, simply confused. He wanted her to leave him be to work on his music. Then an idea struck.
"I want a normal face."
"Can't do that, love." She told him.
"Why not? You said anything I wanted." He argued. She sighed. "I can't do that because it would ruin the plot…"
"Plot? What plot?" Erik was angry now. Was she part of a group who knew his secret? Was she trying to kill him? He glared at the woman who called herself Tai and she simply sighed and rolled her eyes.
"Don't worry about it. And as far as not changing your face…I can't do that because it would mess everything up. Your face is part of you…I can't change that because it would change YOUR past…it would change who you are. And I can't afford that. Besides, I like you as you are." Tai told him plainly.
"And you haven't seen what is under the mask." He said coldly. She shrugged. Suddenly the mask was gone. She didn't flinch or scream. She simply looked. "Not so bad to me. I rather like it. Stop beating yourself up. Now, will you please answer my question?"
As soon as the mask had disappeared, it was back on his face. Erik, being a magician himself, was annoyed. HE was the greatest magician in the world, not this mysterious Tai. And yet, he couldn't figure out her trick.
"I don't have all night."
"Let me think." Erik had to grind his teeth to keep from biting her head off. She was beginning to annoy him more, and his lasso was sounding very friendly about now. "Alright, I know what I want."
"And the choice is?"
"Christine to come to me and tell me she loves me." He smiled at her frown. "So you want love?"
"Yes."
"Your wish is my command." It was her turn to grin wickedly. As quickly as she had appeared, she was gone, but her voice rang through the lair. "Your fate has been decided."
Erik could never say he was more glad to be rid of someone in all his life. He would also look back upon that night as the one that changed his future. Little did he know what would come of his wish.
