Erik: Hello readers, I have currently taken over control of this phanfic since a certain author has…annoyed me.

Me: THAT'S NOT FAIR! I MADE ONE LITTLE COMMENT AND HE TIED ME UP!

Erik: Now, you know that's not true. Just stay still and be quiet. I might even let you have dinner if you behave.

Me: you're kidding…right? *sheepishly looks at Erik*

Erik: Maybe, maybe not. You'll just have to find out. Ok, so the usual disclaimers apply to this story…something about Andrew Lloyd Weber…Leroux…and a movie (I'm confused). And she would like to thank everyone who has read her story!


Chapter 9

Erik watched the girl disappear into the night for the third time. He had to admit that she was a nice person; Caesar had trusted her very quickly. She had made him laugh to same extent as well. He would need to keep a close eye on her to make sure that she did not need to be silenced in some way. Erik also wanted to know if she had seen his mask, which he had been lucky enough to find in the Giry girl's bedroom.

Erik began to think of the girl's dancing. Though he was not a dancer himself, he had learned plenty from watching Antoinette's classes. After the girl had used her "barre" she progressed to center work and then pre-set choreography. For a girl her age, appearing to be a young teen, she was well advanced technically. She could use help with the actual concept of dancing, but that would come in time.

As he remembered the choreography that the girl had performed, Erik was struck by the one piece he had recognized. It was from a fairly new ballet, "Coppélia." he could see that the girl favored this piece greatly, and he noticed how it seemed to come more naturally to her than anything else she had danced.

As Erik reached his gondola, he realized that sooner or later he would have to make contact with the girl. He could try to help her, but he didn't know if a) she would want help, or b) if he would actually help her.

It depends on how you reach her, said the voice in his head. It almost seemed to want to help him instead of make fun of him. Hesitantly, Erik asked: What do you suggest?

Hmmm, I would just talk to her tomorrow. Start with a suggestion so that she isn't too concerned about what is happening. If she doesn't run away, I would offer to help her. Do you understand?

Erik had reached the edge of the lake by that point. Looking at the piles of music he had thrown around a few days ago, he sighed. I guess you're right, but how do I know it won't end similar to last time?

You don't. I'm sure she is different though. I approve of this girl… for the time being.

Erik half smiled at the thought. He needed a voice in his head to approve of who he talked too? That was not normal. Erik sat down at the organ, forgetting about the mess for another night. He began to play a new song. It was purely instrumental, and Erik wondered if he should write it down. Maybe he would do so later that night…


Erik woke up the next day with determination in his eyes, not that anyone was actually around to see that, but…yeah. He was planning on talking to the girl today. She needed a name, and Erik was going to find out one way or another.

That day, he groomed Caesar and took him out for some exercise. It felt good to have the wind in his face, and Caesar redeemed himself for running away the previous night. Erik wanted to thank Caesar for escaping because that was how he really met the girl. But, then he would realize that it was somewhat difficult to thank a horse, so Erik settled on giving Caesar some sugar cubes.

The meeting with the girl had really been strange. She had made him laugh so recently after…

No, I will not think about her. Erik was doing everything he could to forget the soprano who had captured his heart, to put it simply. He returned from his ride, took care of Caesar, and headed back to his cave. All the while, he hummed to himself. It was the song he had played last night. He intended to write it down eventually.

After spending most of the day finally cleaning the mess in the cave, Erik heard the sound of angry footsteps above his head. He also heard a voice, one that was quite angry. Wondering if it was the girl, and if it was dark already, Erik hurried out of his cave.

He headed to the stage, but found no one there. Looking around in hopes that he would find the person, Erik realized that the doors had been locked. He smacked himself on the head. He had the doors locked so that he wouldn't have to deal with this frantic searching.

Rushing to the main hall, he looked out to see the girl standing there. It wasn't exactly dark outside, so she must have come early. As he opened the doors to let her in, Erik noticed that the girl seemed particularly angry. He wondered what could have possibly happened to her.

Following the girl to the stage, Erik sat down in his box and watched the girl. Here he was in the shadows but he could see and hear the girl. Unfortunately the girl was mumbling for the most part, so Erik only caught snippets of what she was saying.

"Mother…not 'normal'…me? of course not!...stupid…UGH!" she finished.

With a sigh, the girl closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. She began to hum a tune with a slow tempo. Turning around, she placed her left hand on the chair and began to dance. All the time she hummed, one song flowing into the next. Eventually, the girl began to sing. It was soft, but Erik had very good ears. As the song progressed, Erik was able to make out the lyrics to the song because the girl grew louder and stopped dancing.

Child of the wilderness,

Born into emptiness,

Learn to be lonely,

Learn to be your one companion.

Who will be there for you?

Comfort and care for you,

Learn to be lonely,

Learn to find your way in darkness.

Never dreamed out in the world

There are arms to hold you…

She sang the entire song. Listening to the lyrics almost made Erik weep. Those lyrics had a strong impact on Erik. He was lost in memories. He almost forgot the girl was singing, until she stopped. With another sigh, she dragged the chair out of her way and began to dance. Filled with some emotion, the girl's dancing changed dramatically. Erik could feel her annoyance and grief from where he was sitting. Desperate to make himself known, Erik found some correction to make.

"When you extend your leg, hold it just a second longer. You won't be late, and the audience will fully get to appreciate your lines." Erik spoke gently so as to not frighten the girl.

Looking up, the girl tried to find the source of the voice. Seeing nothing, she shrugged and went back to her dancing. This time, she held the extension slightly longer, improving the dance greatly with such little effort. Erik decided to try again.

"Focus your eyes at all times. Even if you are looking at the floor, look down and out to keep your balance and to make your head part of a line."

Now confused, the girl looked around with a crease in her brow. She seemed to be asking herself who was telling her these things. When no other sound came, she tried to fix the correction.

"Look out more."

She did.

"Much better."

"Thank you," she said with uncertainty. She knew the voice was not in her head, but she could not see the man watching her. Erik smiled at this and spoke again.

"Can you show me something else? Another dance you know?"

"I-I guess I could." the girl walked upstage and began to dance again. This was a more joyful dance, with many jumps and hops. A natural smile found its way onto her face as she danced. Finishing, she waited for critiques. The girl had learned quickly.

"Not terrible. Tendu for me."

She did.

"Now really stretch your foot. Pretend you're reaching for something just beyond your reach. Feel the stretch in your arch and remember that feeling. When you jump, you want that same feeling in your foot."

"I never thought of it that way. I always thought to just point my toes," came her reply. For the next few minutes, she tried jumping around.

"One last thing, would you practice some turns?"

She prepared, and did a double pirouette. Quickly, she did more, falling out of one every so often. Then, she did one pirouette and started to fouette. After about eight turns, she finished.

"Not bad, but you're not—"

"-spotting. It's a bad habit," the girl finished.

Slightly taken aback, Erik replied, "Yes, that would be your problem."

The girl smiled. "If that is all, may I leave?"

"You may. May I inquire as to what your name is?"

"Emma. My name is Emma Lisle." Not knowing where to look, the girl simply curtsied to the audience and left.

Hearing the door close, Erik smiled. A plan forming in his head already…


Me: Yay! I'm free. Ok, so obviously the song is not mine, and in no way do I claim to own the song. Um, many of my chapters might be sort of boring, but I do have an interesting story in my head. At least, it's interesting to me.

Erik: Hey! What are you doing?

Me: Ok, so maybe I'm not free. Um, I'll update soon

Erik: *ties me up* Oh, and she wants me to tell you to please review. The button right below? Reviews make her happy.

P.S. I'm tied up because I told Erik that I was gonna post sooner than I actually did (sorry everyone) and I brought up his mother…I've learned that that is not a good idea in any way.