So here is my new story i promised you all i hope it is going to be a good one! Quite different from the first :D
Enjoy and please review and tell me what you think.
The Making of a Masterpiece
Chapter 1
(Eighteen years after the fire at the Opera Populaire.)
A lowly shadow floated dreamily along the green tinted lake, a thin fog crawled along, stroking the soft water as if by the fingertips. The repetitive drip echoes over the lonely expanse mixed with the sound of water bumping against the great portcullis where the water stretched into the cavern. Drip, drip. A faint golden light shone from the opposite end of the portcullis, slowly it grew larger and brighter till wood made small insignificant ripples along the water like a ice skater's impressions on the ice as a skull topped gondola came into view; gliding sensuously across the lake.
Two figures were slightly obscured from view by the dank oppressive shadows, one sitting and one manoeuvring the water craft. A long pole sank slowly into the water causing the ripples to widen at the touch, some black material also traced the water's edge as the pole thumped against the lake's floor and the portcullis in front began to moan as it was startled into action. The pole withdrew from the water causing more droplets to fall, interrupting the monotonous drip and altering the tempo slightly, the material too was languidly removed from the green depths. The boat sailed through the open portcullis revealing the treasures inside yet neither person on the gondola appeared particularly astonished as the boat slowly came to rest at the cavern's edge. The misty fog was slightly thicker and added to the mysterious atmosphere wrapped around this secret. The first figure laid down the pole on the shoreline and jumped nimbly from the craft before holding out a black hand for the second who considered the gesture before repeating the first figures actions.
The first crossed over to a table and lit a candle as the only light source before swinging the great heavy cloak round and off his shoulders, revealing the muscular frame beneath a white shirt, he folded the cloak in his arms and stared at the unmoving figure. The candlelight revealed a womanly heart-shaped face but most of her was still in darkness, the man gestured to the material in his hands.
"You should have accepted my cloak."
The woman did not answer, "It smells dusty." She remarked carelessly turning her head, her hair falling over a shoulder.
"Dusty?" Inquired the man with a small laugh, "What a peculiar remark my dear, and here I thought I was the queer one."
"Perhaps not as queer as I once thought." Countered the woman. "It smells dusty and there are no candles. There has always been so much light when I visited before."
"The dust is due to my carelessness, forgive me and what use is light when I am not in the present room?" The man smirked slightly, most of his features were concealed too. "But still the cloak was meant for you."
"I did not mean to waste your kindness Erik." Answered the woman curtly.
"Just accidently wasting it then."
The woman cast him a scathing look before approaching a candelabra and picking up a box of matches, the man, Erik quickly crossed over and took the box from her.
"Allow me, you must remember I am not used to…visitors." He stretched out the word and an awkward silence fell between them both. Erik began to walk around the lair filling the lair with light and his features became clearer, the woman did not move from where she was standing.
"I believe that is enough light for now." She stated and Erik ceased at once, gave her a analytical look before taking a seat on the piano stool in front of the woman.
"Why are you here? No one was more surprised than me to receive a letter from you."
"I was surprised I had to send it. The lair has been restored I see."
"I have had eighteen, long years to do it in." Erik's hands absentmindedly played a few notes that fitted melodiously well.
"But that is not all you have done in these years apart is it Erik." The woman had reached her point.
"By what are you referring?" Asked Erik with an air of boredom.
"I came here tonight because I wish you to cease this obsessive act you have started again. She is too young for your attentions."
"She handles my attentions well as she is unaware I am watching her."
"Which makes it ever more scandalous."
Erik leaned forward his voice a touch colder. "I am no licentious lout. I have never once watched her to satisfy my own needs."
"How can I be sure of that?" Asked the woman.
"You cannot. You must trust me, something you have always had trouble doing round me."
"I did not trust myself around you Erik." The woman spoke truthfully and Erik's lips curled into a slight sneer.
"True."
"Regardless of me, this is my daughter we are speaking of as you rightfully know. She does not wish to know of you, of anything to do with you."
"Do not lie to me." Hissed Erik, "She asks constantly, her curiosity is intriguing."
The woman straightened herself and pulled her own thinner, finer cloak round her petite body, the navy hood still concealed her features yet her body was that of a dancers. "Stay away from my child. Do not lure her as you did to another before."
"I was wrong before, I was too foreward. I wanted the impossible and dared to hope it could be achieved but as I have grown older I realise the possibility of love is out of the question."
"I would not go so far…"
"I now know that things like me are better off without love, the cannot taint anyone with our poisonous touch." Interjected the man fiercely, his eyes shining.
"Erik, you are not poison. I myself have touched you and am perfectly alright. A little shaken and I still tremble at you but I too have grown and with it I am stronger. You wish of not tainting anyone so I beg you not to corrupt my daughter as you have tried in the past."
"Never corrupt!" Shouted Erik as he stood sharply his fingers making a ghastly sound of noise as if the organ was shrieking in agreement with the man.
"It still remains that she has not once spoken of any desire to meet or talk of you to me."
"Not to you she would not, she fears your reaction."
"The fact remains Erik…"
"Facts can be coloured by the personalities of those who present them!" Shouted the man angrily, storming away a few feet trying to keep his temper under control. The woman slowly approached and laid a tentative hand on his shoulder.
"Leave her be. Her curious nature will be her undoing if she is not careful, I am unsure if you are the person she believes you are."
The woman removed her hand and walked back towards the gondola.
"And what about me? I have no say in the matter, I must do as you say?"
"I would like you to at any rate."
"This is your daughter, I believe I have at least a small right to meet her, to be able to converse with her."
"I do not think you do. It has been…interesting seeing you again Erik, I am sorry I wish it to be the last." She climbed into the gondola and took the pole from the shore, "I am quite capable of making the trip across the lake myself." There was a moment's silence as the man watched the boat push away.
"What if I refuse?" Erik's voice had darkened again and echoed all around. The boat stopped.
"I shall set the gendarmes on you. I put them off you and I can easily reverse that."
Erik was left speechless as his opportunity slipped even further away from him. "I simply wish to watch over her, make sure she is alright and to possibly teach her."
"If she wishes to sing then we shall find her the tutor she needs. If I catch you one more time or if she mentions the shadow I will call the gendarmes. I want that passageway sealed shut and I will attempt to break through to test if it is." With that the gondola began its slow accent towards the light as the Phantom stood on the shore watching her sail away, the white mask gleaming in the candlelight.
Just a taster to pique your interest :) I wanted to capture some sensuous language in this. Oh and major brownie points to anyone who figures out who the "woman" is :D
Review please x