Greetings again! I'm so sorry the chapters are a little on the blegh side, but it is necessary and I hope you all won't kill me! It DOES get better, I swear! I tend to drag things a little long...hey it's a fault alright!? Okay, okay, so here's an update and I'm sorry about how long it takes. T-T Truely, I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for sticking with me and reading!

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Phantom, okay!?

Part Three:

Lark's room was softer than the other rooms' dark, hard colors. With a beautiful pale blue, flower patterned wallpaper with matching white lace curtains; Erik had immediately picked this room to be hers. It was comfortable of size and would contain enough room for her to make her way around without worrying about little things. One white covered armchair sat next to a darker blue desk and chair that had painted green vines entangling down the legs and surface. There was an old bed frame, but it sagged and Erik was personally very glad that he could load up her old bed into the carriage than try to make do the rickety iron one that stood before them. Rust had begun to form on its legs already. The large window, though, was Lark's favorite; she could feel the sunshine and the light pouring in. The large tree outside in the front yard also provided a little shade and so the sunshine became tinged with a soft green which complimented the room very nicely. "It already feels right!" She sighed happily, walking around feeling.

"I thought you might have liked it." Erik said, leaning against the door frame, watching her give a twirl of delight in the center of the room, the sun her spotlight. Lark turned to him, smiling broadly, her usually foggy eyes shining. "This is going to be a good change, Erik." She said seriously, pushing her hair behind her ear. "I can feel it." He tilted his head to the side with falsetto awe. "Glad we can have your professional insight, mademoiselle." He smirked as she rolled her eyes and closed them again. "Still…can't you feel it?" she whispered, holding herself tight. Erik was silent then… "Maybe I do."

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

The evening night was very pleasant, too pleasant even to stay inside or work. Especially work for Erik. "We can unload tomorrow," he said patiently as Lark tapped her foot looking meaningfully in his common direction. "I am not going to be able to get every piece of furnishing in this place all myself you know!" She sighed and gave him a rueful smile. "I suppose not…where are we going, again?" Erik came behind her and gave her a gentle poke in the correct area. "Outside, mademoiselle. Feel the air?" He opened the back door and led them both into the warm, sweet surroundings. She remained silent but her useless eyes opened in delight as the warmth caressed her. "Yes. It feels lovely." She said admiringly, wishing to all who would hear that she could see. Erik seemed to feel the same way but with a sudden curse he excused himself from the yard saying he left 'important business in the carriage that should not be left out.' No doubt he meant his music, Lark thought wryly, a grin twisting her lips. She rubbed her arms thoughtfully and dared not to stroll without someone watching her. How was she to know something wasn't in the yard that could trip her?

A rustle of bushes beside her made Lark jump, her heart skipping a beat. That is, until a familiar voice was heard…. "Psst! Hey, you!" Thomas hissed, more leaves rustling around him. Lark turned slowly in the direction, joy filling her. "Is that you, Thomas?" she asked equally soft although she had no clue why. She heard a grin in his voice. "Yep, you can't get rid of me that easily!" The girl's lips twisted again into a large smile, the one that was so identical to Richard's. A twang hit her heart. She missed the two siblings very dearly even after two days of their absence. The boy seemed to be disentangling himself from the brush and with a loud crunch that left them both wincing, she felt his presence very near to her own. Breathless, his rough voice came through. "I had to sneak away while chopping wood to see you." Her? Lark smile widened. "Why?" He snorted, sounding almost like Erik in the way. She hoped he wouldn't show up now…and hoped he was taking his time to get whatever from the carriage he needed.

"You're name, silly!" Thomas said, lightly tapping her head. "You never introduced yourself!" Her mouth dropped open and he let out a small roar of laughter. "You look hilarious like that," he explained as she stared in his direction. She crossed her arms. "If you're just going to gawk at me, there isn't any reason to know my name!" Lark's face was burning and she felt like a small girl again. Thomas was instant to apologize, but strangely it wasn't to her. "I'm sorry," he said quickly, sounding embarrassed and alarmed. Lark heard him take several steps back. "Is this your daughter, messier?" Lark's ears were on immediate alert. Who…? It was Erik's voice, calm and ominously polite. Obviously it had taken him very little time to fetch his work. "Yes, my good sir, yes she is." Erik never sounded more threatening when he was polite. She felt his bony, skeletal hand rest on her shoulder and give her a light squeeze. "And may I know why you are here? Also who you are?" he said coolly.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Thomas felt very flustered and disconcerted. He had only wanted to talk to the young, rather devilishly pretty girl and to find out her name when this…man came in silently as a shadow. Bathed in his seemingly personal darkness, the white face-mask had never looked more threatening on the head of this tall, thin figure. With midnight black hair, spiked with a few white strands pulled back from the mask with a short black ribbon, it matched perfectly with his equally dark suit. A cloak covered his thin but broad shoulders. This could have been an emperor or a king standing forbiddingly before him the way he held himself. Thomas felt sweat trickle down his spine. This was not a man to be messed with or disappointed. "Your name, boy." The man said, the eyes behind the mask flashing. Thomas glanced once at the girl the man had rested his hand on. Her eyes, always blank, looked surprised but not frightened. "Ah, right you are, messier." He ran a hand nervously through his thick hair, grimacing. "Ah, um, I'm Peter. Thomas Peter."

"Indeed." Amusement laced the man's cold voice. "Well what were you doing on our property?" The girl, curse her for not giving out her name, suddenly frowned and turned to the man. "Erik, is it wrong for me to meet people? He was just saying hello!" Thomas shifted uncomfortably, so the man was named Erik. He had also noticed he spoke of their property, not as if he alone owned it. Was this what the girl meant awhile back when she talked of her mother giving the house to her? The man, Erik, seemed exasperated at the girl. "Of course not!" he said rolling his eyes in a very unusual characteristic. "I will not forbid you to say hello but as you know, he has already come over." Thomas looked back and forth at them with shock as they bickered, unaware that he even existed anymore. Swallowing, he started to shuffle away. "I'll just…be going, then." He said softly, exiting out of the bushes he had entered. He turned back and was both annoyed and jovial that they didn't see them leave but continued to bicker until that Erik man led the girl gently back to the house. "Bye, then." Thomas said quietly. "I am going to find out your name."

Bum bum BuUUUUUM! Hahaa! Don't worry, Thomas is a good boy, he's not naughty. Hope you enjoyed and I'm currently writing the next chapter eating a PB&J!

Erik: ...Please someone shoot me. Or her.