On a beautiful September afternoon, not much after Florian's 3rd Birthday, Erik was peacefully gardening in the sunshine in the presence of his children and Shadow playing around him. Noel was put in a blue bassinet in the grass next to Erik, he was sitting in it, clapping at everything he saw, especially at the dog. The animal was jumping around happily, sniffing at the small boy, and he seemed to like him just as the other children. Noel would reach out from time to time, tapping the dog's nose or grabbing his face from the two sides and laugh. He would giggle endlessly as the light wind blew on him, he really enjoyed the garden, just as his father. He was babbling something in baby language to which Erik would tell short replies to amuse both of them, and maybe make the child recognize the language spoken to him and slowly learn to talk.
Erik loved to garden. He had beautiful yellow and pink rose bushes he loved to take care of and they were blooming. It was a nice thing to spend time on, it would settle his nerves and give him some refreshing thoughts. It occupied his mind while Christine was away at the Opera and it gave him some time to himself while the children could be taken outside with him to have some fresh air. They needed it, to finally be children. Mahtab would spend hours by reading or studying structures, and Flo was playing his violin a lot. They did not go out to the garden by themselves, only if Erik took them out with himself. Studying and practicing in the house all day long was certainly not for their health. He did not want to raise child prodigies, only healthy and happy children.
He loved to look at flowers, smell them and surround himself with them. If he was surrounded by beautiful things, maybe he seems to be less ugly and monstrous, even though he thought he should look laughable with a skull face, watering plants. The weather wasn't too unbearably hot as in summer, it was warm and refreshing, but not the hot Erik was nearly unable to take. Mahtab and Flo were playing hide and seek around him, and he was watering the flowers. He smiled as his children amused him, Mahtab, for example was counting up until 1.000, so Flo had much time to hide. Mahtab was a proud little thing, she loved to show off her skills to her brother so the younger one has a reason to admire her. Not that the small boy did not look up on his sister any other way – his adoration and awe were sensible towards the girl, who tried to follow the relationship pattern she saw from Erik – she was constantly protecting and teaching Flo. The little boy wasn't much talented in hiding, as he would always give away his hiding place by humming loudly. Really, only a deaf person would be able to ignore that.
- Shadow, away from the bushes! – Erik ordered. – If you dig holes there again I swear I will leash you.
The dog obediently walked away from the roses and lay down on the porch to chill in the shadow a bit. Noel pointed at the dog, giggled then imitated dog barking.
- Oh you clever little fellow. – Erik smiled at him. – I could eat you up, you are so sweet.
Noel was really a cute baby. He had quite much light blonde hair, just as Christine, and greenish blue eyes. His pointy nose and chin made his face unique but thankfully not ugly. He was still very pale skinned, but it did not make him look ill any more, he just looked like a small porcelain doll. He was a giggly little thing, he would babble and giggle a lot. He didn't cry as much as he did before, he slept calmer and most importantly: quieter!
Suddenly the doorbell at the garden gate rang. Erik lifted his head up in surprise. Who that might be? The Daroga still went to them for visits on Sundays or whenever he was invited but they did not make up an appointment for that day. They did not have any other visitors, and Christine would be sure way too early, and she had a key. Cautiously he rose up and put on his human mask to walk to see who that might be, and he quietly told Mahtab to go to the backyard until he calls for her. The children ran behind the house and continued playing as he heard the noises. He was slowly and cautiously walking along the path, small pebbles were rattling under his shoes. As he reached closer, he could see some blondish locks through the branches of the trees by the path, and between the leaf patterns of the beautiful wrought iron gate. As he opened it, he could finally recognize the unexpected newcomer: Raoul de Chagny.
- Good afternoon, Erik. – He greeted politely, clearly not in a harmful way.
- I bid you welcome. – Erik replied with surprise. – Well… Christine… isn't at home right now. She is working at the Opera. If you wish to talk to her, she is there. Or… should I tell her any messages…?
- I… I am not looking for Christine this time, Monsieur. – The boy assured. – I am here to talk to you.
- Me? – Erik's jaw dropped in astonishment. What business would they have together? – Umm… come in… I guess. – He turned around and showed Raoul in. He smiled awkwardly then bowed his head towards Erik.
- Thank you… I don't wish to bother you for long. – He reached out his left hand for handshake but Erik nervously let out a small chuckle, then explained.
- I… I have to… wash my hands… I don't wish to… shake your hand with… these dirty hands of mine… you know.
- Oh… I see. – Raoul nodded.
- Umm… well… sit down, please… I will be… right back. – Erik pointed at the nice set of garden furniture behind Raoul, which contained a table, a few chairs and a bench before disappearing somewhere.
Raoul sat down in one of the chairs and looked around in the nicely trimmed and tidied small park. Erik even had a fountain installed. He imagined Christine sitting on the edge of that fountain on a hot summer day and couldn't help but smile. What a beautiful home this couple had… Christine and the children sure live between beautiful surroundings. He had to admit that Erik had taste.
He still wasn't able to imagine what that family life can be with a man like Erik. Does he have those fits of rage often? He was terrifying at that inn, while right at this moment he rather seems to be terrified of Raoul. Could he be really a good husband as Christine says? Christine was always an independent and strong woman. She might have left Erik a long time ago if he mistreated her. And that child seemed to adore her father. Why would she adore an abusive monster? Might be he was really a good father?
The house owner returned shortly, bowing towards his guest, Raoul noticed he also put on a jacket and tidied his appearance. He even seemed to shine his shoes. Oh that man really took care of the details – you don't just simply sit down to talk to your rival with rolled up sleeves and unbuttoned shirt neck as he was before. Raoul wanted to stand up again to greet Erik, but he just lifted his hand up to show him "Stay", then he sat down in front of him at the other end of the small table. He wore treble clef shaped cufflinks and an elegant cravat with a silver cravat pin. Raoul had to admit Erik was now more elegantly dressed than him.
- Well… oh… - He jumped up again nervously. – Would you like… something… to drink…? Wine, perhaps? Or something stronger? – He added stutteringly.
- Oh, no, thank you, Erik, I don't wish to bother for a long time. Thank you for your offer though.
- So nothing? Coffee…? Should I make…?
- No- no, thank you Erik.
- Well. – Erik cleared his throat, pacing back and forth for some seconds, then jumped back down on his seat. – Then… you say you came to talk to Erik. Tell me… what do you wish of him?
- I would have a commission for you. If you accepted it.
- Commission? – His eyes narrowed. – What kind of commission? Music?
- No… I am not good at that art, sadly.
- Then? Do you want to rebuild your mansion? I am retired, Raoul, I don't think I could handle that work now. Even taking care of my children wears me out sometimes.
- No, it is not a building commission either, even though I admire how your home looks like.
- Thank you. – He nodded out of routine. – Then?
- Erik, I heard you were a very clever man and you had knowledge the world don't even knows about. Christine told me so.
- Ehh… Christine likes to flatter me. – He looked away embarrassedly. – But would you get straight to the point, Raoul?
- Oh, yes, of course. – He nodded. – Well… I need help. I need something only you can… create. Christine told me you once came up with an invention which would be very useful for me.
- Oh. – Erik scratched his head. – What kind of … invention that may be?
- Do you remember the doll you built for your child? – Raoul's voice turned softer.
- Cadence? – Erik tilted his head to the side. – Yes, I do remember it. I did not think Christine had mentioned it to you.
- She did… and said it was totally mobile.
- Yes.
- Even… its… fingers.
- Oh. – Erik leaned closer to the young man who turned somewhat pale. – I understand now. – He added on a serious tone.
- Erik, you don't know how much time I needed, thinking to finally be able to show up here in your house to ask for this… I spent nights awake…
- Yes, I know, my boy. – Erik answered understandingly.
- Erik… do you think you could… build me… my fingers? Cadence was able to move those fingers…
- Hm. Well, the only problem is that Cadence wasn't an alive thing out of blood and flesh. I created it out of metal, wood, screws, gears and such. I think you should consult to a doctor, which I am not.
- Doctors did offer prosthetic hands for me... but those were… so, at first those are completely immobile… I look like a mannequin doll with them and to tell the truth I have tried to wear one before but it got…
- Constantly infected. – Erik finished the sentence.
- Yes. How do you know that?
- I had to try out… numerous… prosthetic noses… until I found one which did not cause me a nasal infection every time I wore it. I know more of this issue than you could imagine. But I am not a doctor, as I said.
- But you know a lot about healing people. You are kind of a doctor.
- That's true I have studied human anatomy a lot because I wanted to find out… why I am so different. And I studied ways of medicine but not for curing… herbs and plants can be either used as medicine or poison… if it is medicine for one person, it can kill another. But… I am still not saying I am a doctor.
- I see, but I rather need an engineer right now, which you clearly are.
- I am many things, Raoul. I am an architect, a magician, a musician, an engineer… I am anything I want to be, other than being a normal man.
There was some pause, but Raoul just stared him in the eye and suddenly repeated.
- Please… I need your help.
Erik wiped some longer locks of his hair out of his forehead with trembling hand, then started playing drums with two of his fingers on his lower lip while blowing out some air. It might have seemed weird for an outsider, and Raoul wasn't sure what that meant. If Christine was there with them, she could have explained Raoul that it gave away Erik was thinking things through. Some minutes passed and one could hear nothing else but birds tweeting on the trees and the older children playing somewhere further in the garden. Finally Erik started speaking again.
- If I MIGHT agree to help, you must understand that I have only built robots up until this time. I never tried if it works with a human being. It will only be an experiment.
- I understand.
- And if things won't turn out as you wanted them to, will you accuse me about the outcome?
- No. This was entirely my decision and I shall face the consequences.
- And you are absolutely aware of all risks?
- I am, but it is my only hope for a normal life. I don't want to go on like this if there is even a hint of hope that it can be changed, and that crumble of hope is your mastermind.
- Oh. I don't remember you ever calling me that. – Erik smirked and shortly chuckled, which gave away his amusement. He was like a child, who loved to show off his talents- just as his daughter.
- Look, Erik, I don't… want to be Monsieur Lobster any more.
Erik lowered his head in a sudden change of his mood. He sighed. If someone, he knew it the most how very humiliating it was to be called by various names regarding one's appearance. He nodded and leaned closer to Raoul.
- Erik wants to ask for your forgiveness about that comment. He was getting jealous about your sudden appearance and did not think before he spoke. He did not mean it. But if you want a revenge you may tell me jokes about my nose.
- No. – Raoul shook his head. – I forgive you and wish not to repay you by any immature jokes. I have to admit you have changed a lot.
- So did you. You matured. – Erik replied. – You grew up to be a man. May I ask what has happened to you? I mean your hand. It might be important for designing your new fingers. How did they get the frostbites and how long were you without treatment? Can you still feel with your other fingers?
- We had a shipwreck with my fellow soldiers and I had fallen into icy water. Somehow managed to swim out… I was found later, I don't know how much time passed. My lungs had collapsed but I was saved. I woke up in the hospital. I was informed I needed surgery with my fingers but we had to wait for my lungs to get a bit stronger as I would have died otherwise. Actually they only told me about two fingers in the beginning, but by the time I got stronger, my ring finger couldn't be saved either… I can feel with my other fingers but sometimes they get numb.
- I see. Do you get phantom pain? I mean do you still feel your missing fingers sometimes?
- Yes. I get terrible cramps in… nothing. Why do you ask it?
- It means you have working nerves in your hand, that's why. Good. Let me see it.
Raoul reached out with his deformed hand towards Erik, who leaned closer and examined it with scientific interest. Raoul also got curious about something and he bit his lower lip not to accidentally ask something stupid, but his curious mind overcome his politeness in five seconds and the inquiry just burst out of him:
- Can you ever feel your nose then?
Erik stared at him in astonishment for a small amount of time, but after he nodded.
- It sometimes itches, yes. I catch myself scratching the air in front of my face. Even though it wasn't removed, I was born without it.
- I am sorry for asking.
- No worries. Humans are curious. About your hand… I think I can solve it. – Erik added after some minutes. – I have a plan for it. We will start working on it today.
- We…? – Raoul inquired.
- Mahtab and I. She is my right hand, she helps me with everything.
- That child isn't even six years old yet…
- I know, but she is extremely talented with building and designing structures. I only accept working on it if you accept the fact that she helps me.
- I do. – Raoul nodded. What can go wrong, possibly…? Erik sure only gives her some non-important works to do, just something a child can help with… supplying tools, or such. What else could a six year- old help with building a prosthetic hand?
- See me next week on Wednesday. I believe up until that we will come up with something you can try out. – Erik stood up and bowed his head. – Well, now if you excuse me, I have to take a look at Noel.
- Of course… I know the way out. Thank you.
- Don't thank me in advance. – Erik turned back a bit. – And don't forget one thing: that hand will never be like the one you were born with. Just a replacement that will suffice.
- I know. But I will be thankful for even that.
As Raoul walked out of the garden, he could hear Erik's voice:
- Mahtab, dear! We have a project to work on! Come here my darling!