AN: It's been a long time coming, but thanks for the patience, all. I just really wanted this chapter to be good, to convey the complexity of emotionI'm hoping to achieve.
REVIEWS make me happy...skip in my step happy...update happy...
Disclaimer: I own nothing, and that's what's wrong with me...
He lead her, three steps ahead to keep a comfortable distance, up the stairs and immaculate corridor. Christine watched him, an overwhelming sense of deja-vu creeping into her. But when had this happened? When had he led her, every now and then stopping to make sure she was still following? Eyes that she could see so clearly, even through that mask...
The click brought her back to reality. Erik had opened a very special door, indeed. He motioned her in with a languid hand, but she hesitated. Her head bowed slightly, she raised her eyes in question.
"Go on." His voice wasn't ordering her, but he was urging with a kindness, almost.
A-are you sure, sir? Her mouth formed the words, wanting to be very clear before venturing in.
"Before I lose all patience, Miss Daae." His mouth seemed to frown slightly more, and she decided it was best to do as requested. Timidly, she stepped inside his music room.
It was dim, the rich red curtains closed and no lamps lit, but she could make things out by the light of the fireplace. Volumes and volumes of flowing script, she assumed it was music he'd written, lay in piles beside a beautiful mahogany desk. Two comfortable looking armchairs laid just beyond it, facing the lovely fire that was only beginning to die down. But it was the beautiful ebony piano that took her breath away.
She stepped forward, and looked it over in ardent admiration. The detailed workmanship assured her that this had not been generically manufactured. Every key, every inlaid piece of lacquered wood, had been placed after meticulous decision. But how did it sound? Her hand unknowingly hovered above the keys, but never rested upon them. The intrusion might never be forgiven.
His hand reached, and a finger touched the key. The note hung in the air, its wonderful resonance keeping it alive. Christine would have closed her eyes to focus more intently, but her mind was preoccupied. Erik was just behind her, arm right next to her. She suddenly found it very hard to breathe.
"Would you like to hear something played on it, Miss Daae?" To this she could only nod her head dumbly, and hope she wasn't staring too closely at those clear, piercing eyes. But she didn't see her reflection in those eyes. They seemed to see through her, straight into the pain. "It's why I have brought you."
She thought, for a moment, his hand raised itself from the keys and came closer. It extended up, towards her bare arm, and she wondered what that touch might be like. The sensation of the past life she'd led didn't carry with her. In dreams and flashes, there were images but no touch. But she had an idea, no, she was sure, that if he got any closer she'd collapse due to lack of oxygen.
"Then you should take a seat, over there." The lifted hand gestured to one of the armchairs. She turned a bright pink as she nodded and moved quickly away. She sat by the fire, looking intently on the figure before the piano. His back was straight, in perfect posture, as he chose his song. Then, as if thunder had suddenly struck him, his hands descended on the keys.
Oh, my...
He was playing Chopin's Fantaisie-Impromptu in C minor, and he was playing with the hands of God.
The only thing he could do was drown himself in music, and try to block his thoughts. The girl! The odd, odd girl! Why was it she continued to bother him, even after she'd long learned to control herself better? Why had he brought her here, to listen to him? He was her employer, not her maestro! Why was her disheartened condition of any consequence, then?
Because there was pain in her. Because he could look at her, and know the frustration that silently threatened to kill her. He could understand, and that's why he wanted her to see him play. He would not allow her to give in so easily.
But, had he really tried to touch her? Even now, as he played furiously, he could not accept that. Wouldn't. Then why had he brushed the air by her?
Too many questions with unsatisfying answers were heavy on his mind as he played, but his hands knew the music by heart. Flawless, beautiful song flowed like water into his soul, and it began to flood out his anxiety. All he was left with, and he hit the final notes, was tranquility. And her quiet applause.
He turned to see her sitting in the chair, hands raised in applause. She could not have known that this was the first time anyone had applauded his work in front of him. This mute girl was his first appreciative audience. Slowly, she stopped her applause, and they looked at each other.
Thank you. Her words received a little nod of his head.
Christine realized that her opportunity was here. Courage, she told herself. She needed to do this.
Sir...do you, perhaps, sing?
He lost composure for a moment, and inhaled quickly. She was afraid she'd already displeased him again. "Why do you ask?"
Your voice...Christine admitted, feeling more rose in her cheeks. Your voice is very beautiful.
She was afraid she'd gambled too much, but after hearing him play a yearning had overtaken her. She remembered a voice that made something inside her ache. She so much wanted to hear it after she'd heard him play.
"What would you have me sing?" His question was quiet, almost timid.
Anything. Please, anything. She urged him, both with her eyes and silent words. He sighed, and stood, facing away from her. Again, she worried he was upset, when a plaintive tone touched her ears in such an intimate manner...
Mi mancherai se te ne vai
Mi mancherá la tua serenitá
Le tue parole come canzoni al ventro
E l'amore che ora porti via
No violin, no accompaniment of any sort, but perfect timing. It amazed her. But more, much more than this, was the loveliness of the song as this rich voice brought it to life. She could do nothing but sit as his voice enveloped her, and filled her with his presence.
Mi mancherai se te ne vai
Ora e per sempre non so come vivrei
E l'allegria, amica mia
Va via con te
Mi mancherai mi mancherai
Perché vai via?
Perché l'amore in te sé spento?
Perché, perché?
Non cambierá niente lo so
E dentro sento te
Mi mancherai mi mancherai
Perché vai via?
Perché l'amore in te sé spento?
Perché, perché?
Non cambierá niente lo so
E dentro sento che
Mi mancherá l'immensitá
Dei nostri giorni e notti insieme noi
I tuoi sorrisi quando si fa buio
La tua ingenuitá da bambina tu
Mi mancherai amore mio
Mi guardo e trovo un vuoto dentro me
E l'allegria, amica mia
Va via con te...
The song faded, but that voice was still within her. Tears traced her flushed cheeks, but she made no attempt to wipe them away. Her eyes trained themselves on his back, and would not leave his form. And in her warm, beating heart, she heard a voice. So this...this is the voice of an angel. This is the voice I would bow to gladly, that struck me so long ago...
He'd turned a little, and quickly turned away from her. The expression on her face would be his utter undoing if he looked for too long. Those tears...those beautiful tears...
"I brought you here for a reason." He still did not turn, would not turn until he was certain he was once again himself. "You have lost your instrument, Miss Daae, not your talent." He took another breath, then motioned at the piano. "Make your music, any way you can." Only after he'd said this, did he venture a look. Her tears were gone, but not that look in her eyes.
Yes, sir.
It was later that night, after that voice had stirred life again in her heart, that she remembered the song. Pain and eloquence made wonderful by Erik. By her maestro.
I'll Miss You (Mi Mancherai)
I'll miss you, if you go away
I'll miss your serenity
Your words like songs in the wind
And Love, that you take away.
I'll miss you, if you go away
Now and forever I don'know how to live
And joy, my friend, goes away with you
I'll miss you, I'll miss you, because you go away
Because the love in you is dead
Because, because...
Nothing it's gonna change, I know
And inside of me I feel you
I'll miss you, I'll miss you, because you go away
Because the love in you is dead
Because, because...
Nothing it's gonna change, I know
And inside of me I feel you
I'll miss the immensity
Of our days and nights,us together
Your smiles when it's getting dark
Your being naive like a little girl
I'll miss you, my love
I look at myself and I find emptiness inside of me
And joy, my friend, goes away with you...
No, by God, she would not fail this man now. She would save him by any means necessary.
AN: Yay. I liked how this chapter ended. Stay tuned for a little divine intervention...and the beginning of her career at the Garnier... REVIEW