Thank you all for reading, reviewing, alerting, favoriting! I know the start of this story is slow, but it will pick up speed once Christine reenters the picture. I first had to position Erik where I wanted him to be when they meet again

Anyway, as much as I wish I would I do not own a thing about POTO.

Chapter 4 – Acceptance

Once he had published his first album and both, reviews in the local newspapers as well as the large sum he earned from royalties, showed Erik that his compositions were well received by the German audience, he began to enjoy writing music for all those that could appreciate it. The fact that Mister Lüders had told him through Nadir that his company would be willing to print whatever else he might want to publish, encouraged Erik even further, and soon not a month went by without a new album by Erik Dumesnil. Erik wrote piano music, sonatas for violin, chamber music, choir music, and more songs.

While Erik's instrumental pieces sold well enough, it was mostly his songs that established his reputation as society's favorite composer. The wives and daughters of Berlin's most influential citizens adored his songs, which they were convinced were inspired by a tragic love-story. In their opinion, the fact that nobody had ever met Dumesnil, even though he supposedly lived in Berlin, added a mysterious, romantic touch to the composer, which increased his appeal to them even more.

On several occasions, Mister Lüders had tried to make Nadir promise that he would convince his reclusive friend to attend a social function of some kind, but so far Nadir had always told Lüders in no uncertain words that Monsieur Dumesnil hated that kind of attention and could therefore never be persuaded to socialize.

Erik had indeed no desire whatsoever of ever leaving the house again and of having to interact with fellow human beings. His life had been a solitary one at the Opéra Populaire, he was not used to having company, and he loathed crowds. He did miss opera, though, the chance of watching performances, of enjoying the effect created by the combined efforts of so many people, the ensemble of set design, costumes, music, acting and dance which was more than the sum of its parts and appealed to all the senses.

Nadir was a bit concerned about Erik's refusal to leave the house. In his opinion such a confined life could not be healthy in the long run. He therefore kept thinking of ways how to make Erik go out at least on occasion. Once he noticed that Erik missed opera, Nadir was determined to use this fact to his advantage.

One afternoon, when Erik was working on a new piano sonata, Nadir suddenly announced that he had to get changed, since he would be going out that evening. Erik barely seemed to listen, therefore Nadir explained again. "I am sorry, Erik," he said, "but you and Darius will be alone for dinner tonight. I am going to the opera. They are performing "The Magic Flute", and you know how much I like this particular play."

This time the message registered with Erik. He looked at Nadir, envy in his eyes. "The Magic Flute," he sighed. "It has been such a long time since I have seen a performance of it..." He remembered a particularly beautiful production of Mozart's masterpiece at the Opéra Populaire, shortly after Christine had joined the ballet. Both she and Antoinette's daughter, together with several others of the youngest rats de ballet, had played the wild animals that were attracted by the sound of Tamino playing the flute. How cute Christine had looked in her ladybird costume, while Meg had been a rabbit.

Nadir side-glanced at Erik. "I thought you would not want to leave the house," he said slyly. "Of course, if I had known that you would want to see this production as well..."

Erik shook his head, albeit a bit reluctantly. He did want to see the performance, but he was not ready to mingle with the crowd. "I cannot go, you know that," he brusquely told Nadir.

The Persian nodded. "I did not think you would come," Nadir conceded, then left.

Erik stood silent for a long time, staring at the spot where his friend had been just a few moments earlier. "If only..." he thought. If only he had a normal face, if only he could do all those things that every other person did, like going to the opera or a concert if he felt like it.

The next morning Nadir spoke about nothing but the performance he had seen. He described the sets and costumes to Erik and tried to convey the impression this production had made on him. "I wish you had come with me, Erik," he sighed. "I am certain you would have enjoyed the evening. The singers were mostly excellent, I particularly enjoyed Karl Heinzius, who played Sarastro. Such a luxurious basso voice!"

Erik seethed inwardly. Was it not bad enough that Nadir could go see an opera, when he, Erik, could not? Did Nadir have to rub it in like that and remind Erik of the limitations that his hideous face had forced him to accept?

Xxxx

A few weeks later Nadir went to a concert, then to the opera again. He never mentioned that he would have loved Erik to accompany him, but he always raved about the great experience for days, thus ensuring that Erik's desire to attend a performance kept growing, until one day Erik grudgingly admitted that he missed the theater atmosphere and envied Nadir for being able to go there from time to time.

"You could go, too," Nadir quietly commented. "The mask you are wearing nowadays is almost the same color as your skin, from a distance, most people won't even realize it is a mask, especially considering the poor light in theaters and concert halls. I do not think that it would be risky for you to go out in the evening. I am not trying to influence you, Erik, but I think it would be good for you to leave the house every now and then. Please promise me, that you will at least give it a thought. Maybe you should not choose the opera for your first excursion, but something smaller, more intimate, like a chamber music concert, and if this works out well, then we can start planning to attend a bigger event."

Another month went by, before they approached the topic again. Nadir was reading the morning paper at breakfast, when he suddenly burst out, "next week the famous pianist Franz Stegmüller will perform various sonatas and other pieces for piano at the small concert hall. He is supposed to be excellent. I have never heard him play, but now I will finally get a chance to do so." He looked at Erik pointedly. "I could get seats in the back, if I sit to your right, in the poorly lit concert hall nobody will notice your face. Please say, that you will come!"

At first Erik wanted to object, but finally Nadir convinced him to give it a try. "It will be such a small event," Nadir insisted, "not crowded at all. We can arrive at the last minute and just sneak in, and once Stegmüller is finished, we are the first ones out." Intrigued by the possibility of enjoying a concert again, Erik finally capitulated and agreed to attend the event.

Xxxx

To Erik's immense surprise, Nadir's plan worked. Nadir got them seats at the very back of the auditorium, they arrived at the last possible moment, when the lights were already dimmed, listened to the pianist's performance and left the moment he had finished the last piece of the program. Nobody noticed anything strange about Erik, nobody made any comment, and the two friends got in and out of the concert hall without any problems. Even Erik admitted, that his first excursion since his arrival in Berlin had not been dangerous for him at all. Since things had gone so smoothly, he was willing to consider another similar event in the near future.

About a week after Stegmüller's concert, Erik accompanied Nadir to the opera. Even though he was not a hundred percent happy with everything and might have done a few things differently, if he had been in charge, he still enjoyed the performance and especially the atmosphere of the theater. He almost felt homesick and longed for his old home at the Opéra Populaire. In fact, Erik was so overwhelmed by attending a live performance again, that he and Nadir began to go to the opera quite frequently.

Xxxx

Almost half a year had passed since Erik had attended his first concert in Berlin, when Nadir had an appointment with Mister Lüders, in order to discuss terms for the publishing of a piano concerto Erik was currently working on. Lüders mentioned a possible date for the first performance of the concerto, then went on to suggest various soloists. "I personally, would like to ask Stegmüller," he began, then added, "but since Mister Dumesnil thinks his legato is not smooth enough..." he let his voice trail, while closely observing Nadir's reaction.

Nadir looked up startled. Erik had indeed voiced that particular criticism after Stegmüller's performance, but how could Lüders know that? "What gives you the impression that Erik Dumesnil feels that way about the famous pianist?" he asked cautiously.

Mr. Lüders smiled. "I was at Stegmüller's solo evening as well," he admitted. "I saw you there with a gentleman who seemed to be in his late thirties, which is, as you yourself told me, Mister Dumesnil's age. I was surprised that you were sitting so far back, but thought that maybe you had been a bit late at the ticket office and that no better seats were available any more. Anyway, I had to hurry home afterwards, since my son Fritz was sick, so I left immediately after Stegmüller's last number. On my way out, I passed you and your young friend, who were waiting for a cab. The two of you spoke French and I overheard you address him as Erik, and he made that comment about Stegmüller's performance. That's when I knew that your friend had to be Dumesnil. I was about to approach the two of you, when..." Mr. Lüders paused, then faced Nadir. "I remembered that Mister Dumesnil does not want to socialize," he said putting a strange emphasis on his words.

Nadir was beginning to get nervous. "That was certainly very considerate of you," he said politely, but he could not prevent his slightly shaking voice from betraying his unease.

Mister Lüders shook his head. "I am not a stupid man, Mister Khan," he said. "When you told me that Mister Dumesnil did not go out and meet people, I knew this could only mean one of two things. Dumesnil was either the pen name of some high-ranking person, who did not want his real name associated with composing, or Mister Dumesnil had reason to fear he might not be accepted in society. A handicap of some sort came to mind. I easily dismissed the third possibility, namely that Dumesnil was really a wanted criminal, for no criminal would be able to write music like that."

Nadir fidgeted nervously. If Lüders only knew how close he had come to the truth!

"I also realized soon enough that it was not a pen-name for a nobleman. The speed with which Dumesnil produces one masterpiece after the other makes it quite clear that he spends most of his time composing. He would not have the time to represent or take on any other public duties as all the men of nobility do. That left the last option, namely that Dumesnil was handicapped. Since he needs his arms and hands for playing music, I thought maybe there was a problem with his legs. I thought maybe he had lost a limb in battle or was paralyzed or something of the sort."

Lüders glanced at Nadir, whose nervousness was proof enough that Lüders was on to something. "The man I saw you with at Stegmüller's concert was able-bodied, though,"Lüders continued. "And I was beginning to doubt my theory, when I suddenly realized that maybe the two of you had been sitting so far back for a reason, that maybe Dumesnil feared to be seen, that something was wrong with his face. Or rather, the right side of it, for I have seen his left profile and it looks not different from the faces of other people. But I also noticed that you were at his right side, shielding him from views. I've seen the two of you a couple more times over the past few months, and you are always to his right. Thus, I am fairly convinced that the right side of his face is somewhat scarred, disfigured, different."

Nadir gasped in shock. If Erik learned about Mister Lüders' theory he would most certainly throw a tantrum, or worse, kill him. Or maybe Lüders. Or both of them.

"Nobody will think less of Mister Dumesnil because of this, though," Mister Lüders continued. "We have many veterans here in Berlin with all sorts of scars and handicaps. Of course I can understand how a destroyed face might affect a man as young as Mister Dumesnil, especially since he would probably pass for handsome without that handicap. This affliction of his... it explains the tragic undertone of his love songs. They are all based on personal experience, are they not?"

Nadir nodded. He was speechless at the unexpected turn this conversation was taking.

"I understand why Mister Dumesnil may be reluctant to appear in public, but he is well-liked and appreciated for his work, his looks won't make a difference. People are eager to meet him, and the ladies will find him even more romantic once they understand that he has had no luck in love because of his injury. I therefore suggest that Mister Dumesnil perform his piano concerto himself," Mister Lüders continued. "I will make sure that the piano is positioned in a way that the audience will only see his left profile and that the lights will be fairly dim while he is on stage. He does not have to attend any function afterwards, if he does not want to. Nobody needs to know about his face at this first public appearance, let them cheer for the composer and pianist. Once he feels accepted I will personally introduce him to a few select members of society. I am sure he would be a great success if he could be convinced to do this."

Nadir shook his head in doubt. "Erik will kill me if I as much as hint at such a possibility," he said. "He has suffered a lot of abuse because of his – handicap – as you call it. He is wary of people."

Lüders nodded. "We therefore need to help him find his place in society. If you do not want to approach this topic with him, arrange a meeting between him and me, and I will bring it up. I am not giving up hope yet that he will perform his piano concerto himself."

Nadir sighed. "Give me a few days," he finally uttered. "I need to think about this, consider all the possible risks for Erik or objections he might have."

Mister Lüders nodded. "I really think it would be a great success for Mister Dumesnil," he repeated.

Xxxx

Erik noticed at once that Nadir was agitated when the latter returned home from his meeting with Mister Lüders. "Is there a problem with the piano concerto?" he asked. "Does Lüders not like it?"

Nadir shook his head. "No, nothing of the sort," he said, then added, "sit down Erik, I must tell you something." Erik gave him a surprised look, but sat down, curious to learn what had upset Nadir.

"Lüders knows," Nadir blurted out. "He saw us at Stegmüller's concert and a few other occasions. He explained to me why he thinks something must be wrong with your face." And he repeated almost verbatim what Mister Lüders had said.

Erik jumped up and started pacing. "We must leave immediately," he spat out. "It is too dangerous to stay here."

Nadir put his hand on Erik's arm. "Lüders has not told anybody," he said, "and he is not going to, if you do not want him to. He is even planning to make sure nobody suspects anything about your face if you ..." Nadir cleared his throat.

Erik stared at him. "If I do what?" he asked threateningly. "What did you promise him, Nadir, that I would do?"

"Nothing." Nadir's voice was steady now, for he spoke the truth. "I promised nothing. I only said that I would tell you..." He hesitated again.

"What?" Erik was screaming with rage. "Spit it out, man!"

"Mister Lüders wants you to play the piano solo in the concerto," Nadir whispered. "I told him that it is impossible, that you would not do it, but he insists. He says the piano would be positioned in a way that the audience would see only your left profile, and the lights would be dimmed..."

Erik laughed. "And who is to believe that?" he asked angrily.

Nadir assured Erik that he believed Lüders to be trustworthy. After another hour of discussing the issue, Erik finally agreed to see Lüders the next day. "But if he cannot convince me that he does not mean any harm, I will leave Berlin and go into hiding," Erik announced.

Nadir nodded. "I know you have a good understanding of such things," he said. "If you think Lüders is not to be trusted, I will accept your better judgment and we will leave."

Xxxx

Two days later, Lüders came to see Erik. To Erik's surprise he liked the man, who talked to him as if he did not notice the leather mask covering the right side of his face, who never stared, and was quite knowledgeable in music.

Erik did not agree to play the concerto at that first meeting, and Lüders did not push him. They met again a few days later and the week afterwards, Lüders accompanied Erik and Nadir to the opera.

Two weeks later, Lüders explained to Erik once again, how he hoped to arrange things for rehearsals and the performance, so that Erik would be able to play, and this time, Erik grudgingly agreed.

Rehearsals started a few days later. Lüders' cousin Max Kantner conducted. The piano was situated behind the orchestra, and positioned in a way that even the musicians would only see the left side of Erik's face. Erik only ever joined the rehearsals once everybody else had taken their seats, so that not even the members of the orchestra noticed his facial problem. They were all deeply impressed by Erik's virtuosity, though, and very predisposed to liking the eccentric composer.

Two weeks later, the music-loving crowd of Berlin had its new idol. The brilliant piano concerto by Erik Dumesnil premiered to roaring applause and enthusiastic reviews. Most concert attendees could not decide what had impressed them most: the haunting quality of the melodies, especially the second movement in minor keys, or the absolute virtuosity and heartfelt expression with which Dumesnil himself had performed his new masterpiece. Everybody agreed, though, that Dumesnil surpassed any other pianists they had ever heard perform before, and that they hoped he would grace the concert hall more often.

Erik would have been quite incredulous, had he known that the ladies in the audience had found him quite attractive, nor would he have cared if he had known - and believed them. Even after almost three years, his heart ached for one woman and one alone. Christine Daaé would forever hold his heart.