A/N: First, I really have to say that if you're reading this THANK YOU FOR PUTTING UP WITH ME!!! I really have neglected my story. First there was the whole writer's block, then Thanksgiving and a funeral, then 2 shows, exams, and my parents. Um, I think I know how I want the story to end; I just have to get far enough into the story before it will be really easy to write. I think that the reason I've had writer's block has something to do with a show I'm doing in the spring. It's Alice in Wonderland, and my teacher already knows the roles of me and my friends, but she absolutely refuses to tell us until the whole cast list goes up…being me? The whole thing is way more nerve-wracking than it should be. OK, I'm shutting up now.
Erik: And here I was thinking you would never be quiet…
*glares at Erik* Funny, very funny
Chapter 11
It was finally the next night. Emma had no idea where she had been dragged all day because she was exhausted from staying up so late the night before. Whoever had been correcting her seemed to have taken some interest in her. She had been alone in an opera house, dancing, in the middle of the night. She really would need to thank the…voice.
Emma slipped off her sheets and quietly stepped out of bed as soon as her mother fell asleep. She rearranged the pillows to give the illusion of a sleeping person, and quickly changed. She reached the opera house quickly, only to find the doors locked. Her new "acquaintance" must not have been expecting her so soon. She took the opportunity to go searching.
After a while, Emma found herself near the stables. She could have sworn she heard something in there, and against her better judgment she decided to see what was there. Cautiously peeking her head around the corner, Emma saw a horse. She had not seen the horse the last time she had been in here, and Emma wondered if it had something to do with her instructor. She stepped closer to the horse to get a better view of it, only to let out a sharp, "Caesar!"
As Emma had stepped forward, the horse had noticed her presence and had turned its head to get a better look at her. Emma would remember that face anywhere. it was the same horse that had escaped two nights ago, but who would be here? Thinking long and hard, Emma tried to remember the events of that night. She remembered the voice from that night, and compared it to the one she heard in the building. Emma's eyes opened as she realized that the voices belonged to the same man. Now she had a good idea as to who was coaching her, or at least she had a body that belonged with the voice.
Emma looked at the horse, "It's been long enough, he must know that I'm here by now." With on last glance at Caesar, Emma ran back to the front of the opera house.
Emma was breathing hard. She had just finished an intense combination the "voice" had asked of her. For the third time. Up to this point, she had tried not to think about the man coaching her. She had simply done what had been asked of her. Now it was time to take a chance.
"That was good. Get some water and rest for a moment," came the musical voice.
Emma walked over to the water she had been smart enough to bring and sat down. Slowly, her breath returned and she felt her pulse begin to slow. Taking a deep breath, she asked: "You're Caesar's owner, aren't you?" Emma tried to sound like it was of little importance to her, but failed quite miserably.
"Yes I am," replied the voice, no, person. It had been said without hesitation, so Emma took that as a good sign.
"Okay. Is there something you would prefer me to call you monsieur?" she asked somewhat randomly.
"You may call me Erik. There's really not a need for formalities here," came a reply.
"Erik…okay. Since we have, I guess, met before, why don't you show yourself?"
With his reply came a slight falter in his voice. it was almost like he was pleading her not to ask.
"Time will tell," he half-sang.
Emma was thoroughly confused. When she saw that Erik was not going to explain anything, she stood up and said, "What do you want me to do next?"
After a long time, Emma was ready to crawl into her bed and sleep. Just as she was about to sit down to take off her shoes, Erik began talking to her. He sounded much closer this time. Emma looked up only to be disappointed when she saw nothing.
"I wonder…I want to try something different. I wonder if you could dance to this," Erik mused.
Dance to what music? Emma thought to herself. Immediately, she heard the sound of an organ being played. Quite skillfully too. She recognized the song but she could not remember the name of it. She closed her eyes, completely entranced, and let the music wash over her. She knew that Erik had to be not only a natural at this, but he must be some sort of genius.
Erik cleared his throat just loudly enough to be heard. Emma snapped her eyes open, and started to dance. She wasn't sure of what she was doing, but she quickly forgot about everything and just let go of her body, letting it move with the music. She felt so free and alive that she didn't notice the music begin to fade out. In the middle of a turn, she could have sworn she had seen something white, causing her to return to reality. Stumbling out of the turn, she realized that it had been completely silent for the past few minutes. Emma's cheeks turned a bright pink very rapidly.
"Oops," she mumbled.
"Don't be embarrassed. That was…excellent," Erik said. Emma could have sworn she heard him chuckling to himself. "Now, go get some sleep Emma."
Emma slowly lost the bright color in her cheeks as she untied her pointe shoes and threw on her cloak. She had liked the way her name sounded when it came from his mouth, like a drop of honey on a piece of bread. As Emma left, she had one last question for Erik.
"Why are you helping me?"
"You have true passion for what you do, and you work hard to better yourself every time you dance. I can see more talent in you than in some well-known companies," was Erik's simple reply.
Emma was stunned. She stared at the door in front of her, not even able to say a small, "thank you".
"It's the truth, and you're welcome," Erik said. Even her silence had said enough.
With that, Emma retuned to the Peacock Inn and lay down to sleep. As she closed her eyes, she finally smiled.
The next morning, Emma woke up still smiling. Her mother looked at her in an odd way, but Emma didn't care. As the two waited for the other women, Emma's mother turned to her.
"Emma, I can imagine that being with these ladies might not be exciting for you. I've talked with them, and we have agreed that we will visit the Opera Populáre for you. One of the ladies knows an old stagehand who can give us a tour."
Hmmm…I wonder if I could get Erik to…wait. WHAT?
"Um Mother, can you repeat that?" Emma asked.
"Weren't you listening? On Monday we're going to take an afternoon tour of the opera house you've been wanting to see. And, I've decided that once the tour is over you can stay a little while longer if you promise not to try anything dangerous," her mother repeated.
"Oh my gosh Mama! Thant you! Thank you! Thank you! I don't believe this!" Emma couldn't help it. Even though she had already been to the opera house, something still made her excited about this trip. Emma noticed her mother smiling proudly.
Maybe I'll find Erik. Ooh, I should tell him tonight so he's not surprised. Once my mother and her friends leave we can talk…
Okay, two things: 1) I know that I changed the way Erik talked to Emma in this chapter (italics, quote marks, etc.). I did this to show Emma's perception of him. First as a figment of her imagination, then a strange voice, then a person. Sorry if it's annoying.
2) I must thank everyone who reviewed and who has read my story including: AngelicMinx, WeAreTheFuture, Kryn Strife, DelusionalSanctuary, and other people who I currently have forgotten.
I PROMISE TO WRITE MORE EITHER TOMORROW OR WEDNESDAY. Erik can torture me if I don't…
