A ferry pulls into the harbor of Paris, a girl in a tattered blue dress with hair black as night stepped of the ferry. The girl slung a small sack over her shoulder as she walked into the city. She walked through the city looking for a cheep boarding house. She was passing by a dark alley when she heard a shout.

"Stop let me go!" A blond haired girl shouted from they alley.

"Hey let her go !"The black haired girl said, as she ran into the alley.

"Well what do we have here a friend your merchrie?" A short balding man slurred as he looked from the blond haired girl.

"I've never seen her before in my life" The blond haired girl said, as she tried to pull away from the bald headed man.

" I said let her go " The black hair said, as she changed into a fight pose.

"Very well I'll let her go, but only if you stay and take her place. "The man said, as he let the blond haired girl go.

"I don't think so the girl, and I are leaving" The black haired girl said, as she sent a flying kick toward her attacker.

"We will see" The man said, as threw an unsteady punch toward her.

The black haired girl dodged it easily swift move of her hand.

"Get out of here! "The black haired girl shouted as she pushed the blond girl out of the alley.

"What about you?!" the blond girl shouted as she ran from the alley.

"I can take care of myself now go !" The black haired girl shouted, as she turned back to her attacker.

Then the black haired girl fell to the cobblestones, as something struck the right side of her face. The world around her rolled, and swam as she pulled herself up from the cobblestones. Then her eyes widened as she took her hand away from her head, and saw the blood dripping in between her fingers.

"Oh having trouble are you, then perhaps you should have followed the blond." The man said as he quickly moved toward the girl . The girl took one last look before she ran from the alley. She ran as fast as she could go, but with each step she felt herself grow weaker. Then she found a place she could hide. She ran into the tunnels, with the man on her heels. She ran until she was dizzy to move, but she only stopped when she no longer heard the man footsteps. She laid there on the cold tunnel floor, allowing her body to rest. The girl closed her eyes wondering if she would die there, it was that last jolt; of fear that forced her body into slumber.

The girl awoke to find herself under scarlet red sheets, in a bed shaped like a swan. Her hand quickly flew to her head, where she found something that felt like a bandage. Slowly the girl pulled the rope that controlled the black gossamer curtains; got out of bed, and walked toward the most beautiful music she had ever heard. Erik sat at his organ playing a string of random notes, that had no connection. The only thing that made him look up from his organ, was a shy voice say "Hello"

"Hello are you feeling better? "Erik said as he rose from his organ, and went to help his new guest down the stairs.

"Yes thank you, but where am I "The black hair girl said as she walked down the stairs.

"Welcome to my realm illusions domain where music, beauty, and artifice reign. My name is Erik I mean you no harm " Erik said giving his guest a slight bow.

"My name is Noria, the orient sends you it's greeting."Noria said, as she gave Erik a curtsy.

"The orient, but your accent sounds British if you don't mind me saying so Erik said, taking in Noria's light brown skin, and black hair.

"Not at all my mother was a opera singer from Japan, she traveled to England with her ballet troop. She met my father at a gala, and decided to stay in England. My died when I was twelve my father died when I was fourteen, I lived in a British work house until I came here last night." Noria said.

"How old are you now mademoiselle?" Erik asked, as he looked at the bandage on the right side of her head.

"I'm nineteen misère I trust this bandage, was your doing "Noria said as she touched the bandage on the right side of her head.

"You were losing allot of blood when I found you last night; I hope you don't mind." Erik said, as he slowly and gently removed the bandage.

"Of course not you are very kind sir, and your home is very beautiful" Noria said.

"Think nothing of it my dear, and you will be happy to know that your wound has healed; completely and without a scar "Erik said, as he let his hands fall back to his sides.

"I am sir, but I fail to see how a scar would cause me any trouble" Noria, said as she touched her face.

"Trust me child it would have had caused you more trouble, than you could possibly imagen." Erik whispered, as he turned back to his organ.

"Excuse me?" Noria asked, as she turned to look at Erik.

"Nothing I made you some breakfast if your hungry" Erik said, as he waved his hand toward the table.

"Thank you I'm starving actually how long was I asleep?"Noria asked, as she sat down at the table.

"Three days "Erik said, as he went back to playing his organ.

"Your not going to eat?" Noria said, as started to eat her plate of sausage and eggs . Erik let out a sigh as he got up from his organ, made a plate for himself and sat down at the table .

"Did you build this whole place yourself?" Noria asked, as she looked around the lair.

"No the lake is natural, but the room you stayed in; and everything else you see I made myself. Erik said, as he finished his plate and took Noria's when he saw she was done with it.

"It must have taken you forever" Noria said, somewhat mesmerized by the misty lake. Then she felt something deep in her soul, and had to act quickly to keep it from escaping.

"I have something for you I hope you like it" said, as he handed Noria a big white box. Noria pulled of the lid to reveal a emerald green dress, made of the softest velvet with a green lace hair ribbon to match.

"Oh it's so beautiful, but I couldn't possibly accept it; you have done to much for me already, and this dress may mot look bust but it will do. Noria said, as she got up from the table. Then to Noria's great embarrassment she heard a rip come from the skirt of her dress.

"On second thought a new dress would be nice" Noria said as she quickly grabbed the dress, and ran back to the swan bed.

"Your welcome" Erik said, as he turned back around. Then Erik went back to his organ , and continued playing. Noria shed her old blue dress, and slipped the green dress over her body. The velvet felt cool on her skin, but she did see how beautiful she was until she looked in the mirror. It was like the dress knew her every curve, and accented it accordingly. There are no shoes, but I never liked wearing shoes anyway. Then she heard his music again, she tried to cover her ears but it was to late. Noria let her feet guide her, as his music infiltrated her soul. Noria walked to the top of the stairs, then giving into feeling she could no longer fight. she began to sing.