A few quick notes: this fic was born of my love of Astrology. Now, to those purists out there, I am aware that Scorpio is a water sign, but in various research I found out that it was considered a fire sign at one point, many years ago. When or why it was changed I don't know. Maybe because the ruling planet is now Pluto, but it used to be Mars before Pluto was discovered and Mars is a fire planet. Anyways, I am going off of the old definition, as Pluto was not discovered until 1931 and this (obviously) takes place before that.
Disclaimer: I don't own Erik or Christine or the Zodiac. And forgive me if this is just short, but it was written very late at night......
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"What
are you doing?"
Erik jumped slightly, startled, at
Christine's words. He looked up from the papers strewn about the desk
and turned in his chair to see Christine. He wondered idly how long
she had been standing there.
Erik sighed. "Just...making
up a chart."
"A chart? What kind of a chart?"
Christine asked, looking intrigued.
Erik looked away, slightly
embarrassed.
"Well..."
"Oh, please,
Erik!" Christine pleaded, sounding like a spoiled child. "Please
tell me what you are doing!"
Erik took a deep breath and
ran a hand through his slick hair. "Well...all right, I will
show you. Please, sit down," he said, motioning her towards a
second chair.
Christine sat in it and looked at the papers
which contained strange looking pictures with dots and lines and
funny squiggly looking things. There were also numerous books spread
out open across the desk.
Erik sat the quill he had been
writing with back into a jar of ink. He glanced over the various
papers and books before picking up a specific one and studying it
closely.
"You told me that you were born on June twelfth,
correct?"
"Yes," Christine answered, looking
slightly bewildered.
"That would make you a Gemini,"
Erik said.
Christine looked at him blankly. "A what?"
"A
Gemini. That is your Astrological sun sign."
"My
what?" Christine asked, looking even more confused than
before.
Erik took another deep breath. "Let me start at
the beginning. Do you know what Astrology is?"
"Is
it like Astronomy?"
"Well, sort of. Astronomy is the
scientific study of outer space. Planets, solar systems and such,"
Erik explained patiently. "Astrology is the science of the stars
and planets and their influences on our lives."
"The
stars have influence in our lives? How?" Christine asked. "And
how do you know this?"
"I have been well taught in
several matters of the occult," Erik answered simply. "You
know I spent time with the Gypsies. They are a suspicious people,"
Erik paused as if gathering his thoughts.
"There are
twelve signs in the zodiac. The scientific definition of the zodiac
is a band of the celestial sphere that represents the path of the
planets moon and sun. In astrology the band was divided into twelve
parts bearing the name of a constellation for which it was originally
named. Now, everyone who is born is born under a certain sign or
constellation depending on the month and day. It coincides with the
placement of the planets and the sun and moon at the moment that you
are born. Does this make sense?"
Christine was quiet for
a moment. "Somewhat," she answered. "Is Gemini the
name of my sign then?"
"Yes. And the belief is that
people have certain characteristics depending on their sign, when
they were born."
"Oooh. I see," Christine said.
"So there are certain traits that people born under the same
sign will have."
"Theoretically, yes. But it depends
on a great many other things, such as where the other planets were
when you were born. A matter of minutes can make significant
changes."
Erik studied Christine, who was looking
overwhelmed. "So you are making my chart, then?"
"Yes.
This is it, or at least, it is a general chart, as I do not know the
exact time you were born. But it is accurate enough."
Christine
took the piece of paper and studied the chart, turning it this way
and that. "What does it mean?"
"Well, I can
tell you some of the traits of a Gemini," Erik said. "If
you would like..."
"Oh yes, this is fascinating!"
Christine said, her eyes bright.
"Gemini is the third
sign of the zodiac, represented by the constellation Gemini, or the
twins. They are known for the tendency towards split personalities.
They can be known as being fickle and restless, or wishy-washy, with
constantly changing moods and opinions. The twins are an apt symbol,
as it seems as if they have two separate personalities battling it
out in their head. They seem somewhat childlike, they wonder at the
marvels of the world. They possess a natural curiosity that is
unquenchable. They have a great thirst for knowledge."
Erik finished and watched Christine, who was thinking about all he had said. She felt a little shiver as she thought about the truth behind the words. Everything he had said described her so perfectly. She blushed as she thought of the many times that she battled between feeling like a little girl, a child, and wanting to be a strong woman.
"That
is...amazing!" Christine said finally.
Erik smiled
slightly. "Astrology is written off as foolishness, but I
believe that there is more to it that people will admit."
"When
is your birthday, Erik?" Christine asked. "What is your
sign?"
Erik fought back the instinctive pain that he felt
whenever he thought of his birthday, the first and only birthday he
had ever celebrated when he had first seen his face. He pushed the
memory down and forced himself to be calm.
"My birthday
is November second. My sign is Scorpio," Erik said.
Christine
noted the slight look of sadness that crossed his face. "What
are Scorpio's like?"
Erik pulled another chart from the
pile and handed it to Christine who looked at it curiously.
"Scorpio
is the eighth sign of the Zodiac, represented by the scorpion.
Scorpio's have the reputation of being vicious and vengeful. They are
known for their hypnotic appeal and their ablility to see through
you. It is said that a Scorpio can make you feel exposed just with
one glance. They are known to be intense, sensitive and mesmerizing
and somewhat...wicked."
Christine looked up at Erik, her
heartbeat quickening at the fire that blazed in his amber
eyes.
"W-wicked?" Christine repeated weakly.
"That
is correct," Erik replied, his gaze unwavering.
Christine
shivered again at the truth of his words. That decription fit him
perfectly, eerily so.
Erik glanced at the chart again.
"Gemini is an air sign and Scorpio is a fire sign," he
said absently.
"What does that mean?" Christine
asked, her voice soft.
Erik stood up and faced her, his
expression somewhat fierce, but Christine was not worried. She faced
him unflinchingly.
"Fire needs air, Christine. Without
air...fire dies..."
Christine stared up at him, lost in
his fiery eyes, in his hypnotic voice.
Erik reached out and
brushed Christine's cheek and she shivered slightly. He leaned down
and their lips met and Christine was overwhelmed by Erik's fire, by
the intensity of the emotion that burned her.
"Oh, Erik,"
Christine whispered and gave herself to the kiss, to the meeting of
their souls.
"Fire needs air, just as I need you..."
Erik said softly.
And they kissed again.
