Author's note: End of the weekend treat!!
Well now. I have managed to write this chapter in just over the two weeks allotted time I gave myself! Woo-hoo!
I have been tossing around the idea of writing a chapter, soon, all from Meg's POV. Is that something any of you would be interested in? I know one of you would ;) but let me know, the rest of you, if you would like to visit Meg's brain. The story does not require her side of things but it would be fun and if y'all are interested then I will take the time to write it. Let me know and of course...
Enjoy!
---
Christine
---
Friday morning I was waiting down the hall for Meg. We were going to the tailor this morning and she had to sweet talk her mother into letting her go. Their words had become heated so I walked down the hall to let them have privacy. Meghan knew how to finesse her mother and I had no worries that she would not be able to come with me.
My mind wandered to last night in Erik's arms and I felt my cheeks warm with colour. Erik had cooked a lovely meal for us to share but just before we sat down he took me roughly in his arms and kissed me. We allowed ourselves to be distracted quite heavily by each other and dinner was left without a single bite taken. By the time we emerged from the bedroom, hair mussed and draped in robes, our dinner was very cold. I was not sure if I should feel ashamed that my appetite for food was slowly dwindling while my appetite for Erik seemed to grow with every passing day.
I sighed thinking of how gentle and hesitant he'd been last night, as if our argument the night before still plagued him and he needed to make it up to me by seeking only my pleasure. And what a ridiculous argument it had been. My eyes dropped to the ground as I remembered my juvenile whining about my lack of knowledge and the ensuing argument.
Would I never learn that this man needed extra patience and things needed to be carefully thought out before I blurted them from my silly mouth?
"Chrissy!" I turned at the squeak of my shortened name and Meg was bouncing over.
"Chrissy?" I queried mildly and Meg shrugged.
"I get tired of saying Christine all the time. Maybe I should just say, you there!" she pointed at me and I smiled in return.
"What did you say to your mother?"
"I told her she was deterring me from acquiring a new, free dress that may catch the eye of a rich man, who would get me out of her hair by marrying me." I laughed as we left the opera house.
There was a carriage waiting out front with a tall, elegantly dressed man leaning against the side. He straightened when we appeared and it was my Erik winking at me from under the brim of his hat, the white mask, bright in the morning light.
"Good morning, ladies," he purred as he took my hand and kissed it slowly.
"Good morning, Erik!" Meg singsonged.
"How are you, Meghan?" he asked politely as he helped me into the carriage first.
"Oh, fine now that I've shed my maternal nay sayer."
I sat in the curtained carriage and pretended not to watch as Erik bowed over Meg's hand. "Is your mother still causing issues for you?" His eyes sought hers with genuine care.
Meg covered Erik's hand with hers and leaned closer with a smile. "There is nothing you can do about it. She will be a beast until the day she dies. No one can hold her back from doing and saying whatever she wants. Kind of like me, huh?"
Erik laughed lightly, relaxing and helping Meg into the confined space, before promptly following us in.
"Are you coming with us?" I touched his leg and slid closer as he rapped the side to let the driver know we were ready to go.
"I will see you there safely, but I will not intrude upon your visit. I have quite a bit of work to see to today."
"So, can I really pick anything I want?" Meg sat forward excitedly.
"Anything you want," Erik nodded and I laced my fingers through his, preparing to enjoy the few moments I had with him. He looked down at me with a small smile. "And how are you this chilly morning?"
"Good," I said softly, our eyes locking as I recalled the way his sensuous hands had traveled my body when we woke this morning. He'd asked permission to warm his 'chilly' hands on my flesh and I agreed, of course. I thought he might be thinking the same thing as his gaze darkened.
"Blah," Meg gagged and I glared at her for interrupting. "Can you two keep it contained for two seconds?" She looked out the window and shifted in her seat. "Makes me uncomfortable to be in a confined space with you."
"Forgive us, Meghan," Erik was smoothly apologetic. "I miss my diva dreadfully, but you should not have to endure such private moments."
"Thank you, Erik." Meg put emphasis on his name and gave me a pointed look and I stuck out my tongue at her and settled my arms around one of Erik's so I could cuddle to his shoulder.
The ride was much too short and Erik began helping us out as he informed us of the plans he'd made.
"The carriage will return once I relieve it and will wait here to take you back to the opera. You should be back in time for the afternoon run through."
"If I'm not, Maman will skin me," Meg grumbled and I couldn't help laughing.
"And you will talk yourself out of any resulting trouble." I took her hand and we entered the quiet clothing store through the door that said they were closed. "Are they even open yet?" I hesitated as the bell rang above the door and Erik helped me in with his hand on the small of my back.
"Only for you," he glanced around and a short, balding, well-dressed man came from the back room.
"Monsieur Erik. Bonjour, Mademoiselles," he nodded at us both but his eyes stayed on Erik. He looked frightened and I glanced at Erik to see if he was doing anything particularly terrifying. His eyes met mine briefly and his tense, stern face softened just a tad.
"I must go," he reached for my hand and I thought it was to kiss good bye, but he led me forward a few steps. "Monsieur Benoit, may I present, my fiancée, Christine Daae. Ensure that you do all you can to please her."
M. Benoit bobbed his head at me but still barely looked. He was keeping his eyes on Erik for now and I fought not to roll mine. Was a little, white mask over half his face so intimidating?
"Oui, Monsieur Erik. Whatever she desires, I will make it so." The man was practically grovelling to us.
"And her maid, Meghan Giry, also needs to be appropriately outfitted." Erik's voice was very strong and demanding and the man bobbed his head continuously, reminding me of a toy I had as a child.
"Oui, Monsieur."
"I will leave you now." He turned to go but I grabbed his sleeve.
"Will I see you tonight after rehearsal?" His hard, blank face unmolded as his eyes warmed with his love for me.
"I will try. There is much I must take care of today. I will be later than usual tonight, but I will find you." His fingers traced my cheek and then he was gone with the ringing of a bell and a cold breeze from the door.
Monsieur Benoit straightened and smiled at us, shrugging off the meekness he'd displayed for Erik. "Now, Mlle Daae, Mlle Giry, if you will follow me, we can look at some sample drawings and fabrics."
We were sat comfortably and shown a dozen different fabrics to choose Meg's dress from. She adored a beautiful burnt orange color and I agreed it would look marvelous with her hair and eyes. She chose a newer style and then suddenly they were both looking at me.
"Do you have any preferences?" the tailor asked politely, draping a luxurious white fabric over his arm. I fingered the lush fabric bashfully. I didn't know what to say. I was used to making my own dresses or having them bought by a mysterious angel who knew my exact measurements without touching me...
"Not particu..." Meg grabbed me.
"Christine, don't be silly! What about all you told me?" I gave her a curious look and she grinned. "Remember the tight sash and full skirt and long sleeves?" I fought the urge to gape at her in wonder and she turned to Monsieur Benoit with a lecturer's air. "Something that shows her neck with a graceful scoop," she gestured to her neck, drawing a line in the air. "Long tight sleeves and a satin sash or something intricate around the waist. Perhaps a bow at the back, but most importantly a full skirt that looks like clouds."
Monsieur Benoit had pulled out a pad of paper and was scribbling quickly while I tried to remember everything Meg had said and picture it in my mind.
"Something like this?" he showed us a rough sketch of a dress and my mouth finally dropped open. Meghan answered for me.
"Oh Christine! It's just like you described. Can you show us some fabrics?" She batted her lashes at the poor man and he went to fetch them.
"What are you doing?" I hissed, not liking how she very efficiently ordered Monsieur Benoit about.
"I know you." She patted my knee," You'd be polite and just take what was given instead of asking for exactly what you want." I was stuptefied.
"And how did you know I wanted that?"
"Well, you would not show your bosom on your wedding day, where as I might," she waggled her brows playfully and then sat up straight, fixing her skirt in a ladylike manner as she sensed my unease. "You have a tiny waist so why not show it off and who doesn't want a poofy dress to walk down the aisle in. Do you like it?" Her blue gaze rose hopefully to stare into mine. I did like it. Tremendously. What I didn't like was how the tailor had hopped to her command, but then, would I have commanded him to do anything at all? Was I not here to get a wedding dress of my very own, done as quickly as possible?
"I do," I reached for her hand solemnly, grateful that she knew me so well, and she knudged me playfully.
"You are supposed to save those words for your wedding day!" I giggled in surprise.
"Maybe I need to practice," I joked and glanced at the door the tailor had disappeared into. "Speaking of practice, is your mother very mad at you?"
Meg shrugged, "She's mad a lot. If it's not one thing, it's another. You get used to it after awhile."
My heart squeezed at the calm admission and I did reach out to hold her hand.
"I love the dress you described to him. It will be perfect. I could never have come up with that on my own. I love it! Thank you so much for taking charge."
"Yea!" She squeezed me in a tight hug, her jovial mood returning, and M. Benoit entered with several white confections draped about his arms. "Oooo," Meg made a comical pursed face and love for her swelled inside me. How could Mme Giry not see this wonderful person her own daughter was?
---
Erik
---
Bernard left me a note saying he would visit the site today and I wanted to be there when he did. I needed to be on top of this build like I had neglected to be the last time around. Once we appraised this situation it would also be a good time to discuss my private build that needed to occur. I would require help for it, as much as did not want the help. More than my desire to build Christine's house with only my two hands, was the desire to have it built before we wed. That would be nothing short of a miracle, judging from how impatient my angel was, but I hoped to have at least our bedroom completed. I needed to bring her somewhere other than my cave after we were officially married. A hotel would work, but I hated the thought of having other people around us.
I directed the carriage to Nadir's and then let it leave to set up post outside Benoit's shop. A quick walk to the stable and I was ready to make my way to the site. Midnight had not been run since Sunday, which was far too long for a horse of his caliber. I had hoped to sell him one day for a profit, but the longer I had him, the more I liked the idea of keeping him.
I could imagine Midnight siring many fine horses and thought I should perhaps plan a stable for Christine and I as well. If I bought her a fine filly to ride I could even try my hand at horse rearing. My head was full of future plans for myself and Midnight when I arrived on the site. Bernard was not yet present and I allowed the horse to graze while I waited in the shade of a tree.
Bernard arrived ten minutes past the time he'd mentioned in his letter and there were a few workers in tow. I hadn't thought of that possibility and cursed my stupidity. Of course he would need workers with him. I let them near without revealing myself but when Bernard saw my horse his face went completely shocked.
I stepped out from around the tree and he approached me quickly. "Erik! Are there changes I am not aware of?"
"No." I pulled my hat down a little further over my mask as one of the men with him got their first look at me.
"Are we to continue as discussed?"
"Yes." I watched as the men ignored me as best they could and efficiently laid out tools and began marking the ground.
"Are you here to oversee?" Bernard was having trouble understanding why I was here, since I had never before visited a site in daylight hours, and I led him away from the others.
"I do wish to proliferate this build as quickly as possible, but I have another project that I need to speak to you about."
"Another..." he trailed off as his eyes flicked to the men. "Arrêt!" He barked out and marched over to them. He instructed them that they were marking off the wrong area and that the house should be built at such an angle to allow the morning sun to spill into the kitchen and to make the siphoning of water easier. I watched him order them about and thought he did a marvelous job. Perhaps I should give him the reigns on this project to free up more of my own time for Christine's house.
And as soon as the thought floated into my head I dismissed it. I would never be able to relinquish control to that extent. If my name was attached to it, then there was no way I would let anyone but ME give the final word.
"Forgive me, Erik." Bernard came back quickly, brushing down his jacket as if it had been ruffled like the feathers of a bird.
"You are taking care of my business, there is nothing to apologize for." I replied curtly. "Now, this other project..." I led him from our workers for a few minutes so I could show him the preliminary plans for Christine's house. His eyes darted over the sketches, widening as he went. "Can you let me know what you think, many of these ideas have never been attempted," I prodded and he began pointing out parts.
"That is brilliant, a window in the roof, and who would have thought to put the cellar below the backyard with access from the kitchen. This window bench is intriguing, does it hang right over the water? Is that a wall of only window, is that structurally sound?" His surprised words went on but I was finding his awe engaging where as before I'd always cut him off at the first signs of any babbling. This was Christine's doing. Her own endearing awe and attention to anything I did was making me see it in others. I could see the intelligence burn in Bernard's eyes as they worshiped my drawings and a small amount of smugness made me straighten my spine. Perhaps he worked for me for reasons other than my money.
I let him talk himself out, hiding my own reaction to his engineering awe and then rolled up the plans. "I will not have just anyone help me with this. I want only the best of our men."
"I would not dream of providing anything less." He assured me with one determined nod. "Will we begin at once?"
"Yes."
"We should break ground before it snows," he looked up at the blue sky. "I'd say another week or so of this weather and the snow will most likely come by Christmas."
We parted ways after I'd borrowed a few tools that I needed and made a promise to contact him. He really did not need my help on this build until the walls were going in. Then I would be here day and night insuring that I missed nothing. I rode my stallion back to Nadir's and out to the site that would one day soon hold my home.
I began to smile as I walked off the walls and marked the grass. Technically, any place that housed Christine was my home. Actually I think it was her eyes that were my home, or perhaps her arms. Her lips were surely my homecoming, and those exploring hands...
I clenched my jaw as my thoughts turned entirely carnal and I stared at the pool of water where I'd already imagined swimming naked with Christine on a night off the full moon. The moonlight would cast her in an ethereal glow as we swam and frolicked and then made love on the grass.
I shook myself like a wet dog. Those dreams would have to wait a long frigging time! It was winter for Christ's sake! Are you planning to freeze your beautiful bride? Let's keep the love making indoors until the flowers are blooming again, Erik.
I doubled checked all my marks for the placement of walls and then started digging.
The rest of the day ticked by with the swish of my shovel. I barely took time for rest. I could rest tonight in Christine's arms. There was no time for resting now. Bernard was very right about beating the snow. If the foundation was in before the snow, then work could continue mostly unfettered by the weather, but if the ground freezes, so does your work. I finished digging a good portion of the layout before the sun set and when it did I gathered up my tools and headed for the main house.
I'd managed to get my clothing quite dirty and brushed off the majority of the dirt and removed my shoes before entering Nadir's home. I went looking and found him in the dining room eating dinner alone. I stopped in the hall as my mind took me back to that day so many years ago when I ate with him for the first time in my borrowed clothing and bare feet.
I began to smile, as he flipped the page of his book, and then strode in as I removed the hard, white mask from my face.
"Evening, father." I greeted him succinctly and plunked down in my vacant chair.
"Erik?" He looked shocked but very pleased. "Whatever are you doing here," he glanced down, "With no shoes?"
"They were covered in dirt. How are you?" I tossed the mask onto the table and helped myself to the water.
"Very well. Why were your shoes covered in dirt?" I should have known a simple answer would not do. He was every bit as curious as Christine.
"Because I was knee deep in dirt for the better part of the day."
"You look it," his eyes skimmed over me and he closed his book. "Have you started your home then?" he smiled as if he's been looking forward to this day.
"Yes," I took a long drink of water, closing my eyes at the sweet taste. I emptied my glass and sat back with a sigh. "On the road to completion."
"Completion?" he laughed, "You've only begun!" I knew he was right, but there was something about the beginning of a project that made me feel inspired. I would never leave anything incomplete and so, the first step always foretold the completion.
"Even the longest journey begins with a single step," I replied sagely.
---
Nadir
---
"Even the longest journey begins with a single step," Erik replied seriously and I couldn't help laughing again.
"The journey will be long if you try to shoulder all of the burden yourself." I easily gave him my own advice. With his perfectionist attitude I doubted he would let anyone help him, but I also knew with his desire to do everything in his life by the rules of some book I had yet to see, he would want it built before they wed. Which gave him no time at all.
"I've notified Bernard that we now have two homes to build," his eyes narrowed slightly and he looked like a belligerent toddler. There were smudges of dirt across his forehead and up his smooth cheek and I could see the fatigue in his eyes though he was very good at hiding it from me.
"Are you hungry?" I gestured to the food, determined to change the subject and keep him from becoming cross with me and my meddling ways.
His eyes raked over my plate, "I have not eaten since this morning..."
"Then you are hungry." I determined and then rang my bell for Berou before Erik could stop me. He slumped back in his chair just like a petulant child.
"Why did you have to call him in?" Erik sulked with his arms crossed and I fought not to smile at his childlike tendencies.
"He will bring you a plate and then you may join me." Erik mumbled something about having two legs of his own and begin perfectly able to fetch his own plate, but he stopped and held out one foot towards me. We both looked down at his pristine, white foot and he wiggled his toes.
"I suppose I shouldn't tromp about your home like a child in my bare feet."
I laughed and picked up my wineglass, "Tromp about all you like. My home is yours. I may even be able to procure a bib and rattle for you." I hid my smirk behind my glass as Erik fake laughed.
"Har har har..." he rolled his eyes and Berou popped in.
"Fetch my son a plate, would you, Berou?"
"Oui, monsieur." He disappeared as quickly as he'd appeared and was back momentarily with a plate and utensils and another wineglass. He set them all in front of Erik and when Erik thanked him quietly Berou glanced at me and then hurriedly left.
"He hates me," Erik sighed. "I have told you this, but you refuse to believe it." He scooped some vegetables onto his plate.
"Oh, I believe you, but hate is too strong a word. He dislikes you, you make him and his wife uncomfortable. We were unaware of the pull in your music, but now that we are, we can take steps to not have you play when they are near." I made light of it all because honestly, nothing could flag my mood. Having Erik stride in and call me father had filled me with paternal pride. He was a fine gentleman and a magnificent businessman. His insecurities and his quick anger were minor issues when compared to his giving nature. His fiancée loved him dearly for who he was and more each day I was realizing how much I did as well. So many wasted years...
"If that is the only problem they have with me," Erik mumbled as he ate some of the stewed dinner. I poured him some wine as I shrugged.
"Why worry about everyone around you and their acceptance? You have people who love you. Are we not enough? Do you want more?"
Erik's fork clattered to his plate and he hastily picked it back up as I studied the sudden tension in him. No sense pretending he did not just get extremely uncomfortable.
"Have I said something?" I queried gently as I resumed eating. Erik shrugged like his shirt was tight and kept his eyes on the food.
After a few silent, tense minutes he said quietly, "Do you want more?"
"More what?" I was confused and he rolled his eyes to me.
"That is what you said."
"And?" he was not speaking clearly or I was not understanding easily. Either way we were confusing each other, and he covered his face with one hand to grumble incoherently.
"Never mind." He began eating again, though now he did not seem to be enjoying it as much. I put down my fork.
"Erik?" I said his name firmly and those stormy grey eyes flicked up. "I have upset you, as I tend to do again and again. I am sorry. I have a rather large mouth and my foot finds its way in there time and again. Could we perhaps relax a little and start this conversation over?"
His lips quirked as he stared down at his plate. "That would be nice, father."
"A toast then," I picked up my wineglass and he did as well, his eyes calming and coming to my face with curiosity. "To the first step in new journeys." A rare smile pulled his lips apart and our glasses chimed together, ringing with the promise of what was to come.
---
Christine
---
We returned from the tailor's in time for afternoon rehearsal and Meg danced her heart out, to make her mother extra happy I assumed, while I sang with the chorus and Carlotta savored her precious limelight. I did not miss the sly glances my way as she stepped to the front of the stage. Her attitude was beginning to annoy me. I always tried to be polite and kind to her and she never showed me the same courtesy.
"She is a witch," Meg joked when we were back in her room after dinner. "She boils rat tails and eats them for lunch."
"Eww," I grimaced and began combing my hair before sighing. "She hates me."
"Oh yeah," Meg agreed with a hearty nod. "She would probably drop you off the top of the opera house if she could."
My mouth formed a surprised oh as Meg laughed. "Don't say such things." I couldn't hide my shock and she took the comb from my hands to help me with my hair.
"Sorry Chrissy, I know you don't like talk like that."
I made a face at her in the mirror. "I don't like, Chrissy, either."
"Oh, little Miss I-get-whatever-I-want." Meg tickled my ribs and I tried to fend her off.
"Meghan!" I started laughing and struggling to my feet.
"So, you think that just because Erik gives you everything you want and you had a tailor licking your boots all morning, that everybody has to do what you say, and abide by your wishes, and bow and scrape to Princess Chrissy!" We were laughing and struggling with each other, both trying to tickle the other when a knock sounded on her door.
"Eep," a tiny sound escaped me as I recognized the knock. I covered my mouth with both hands and looked at Meg, who was more than a little bedraggled.
"Is it Erik?" she whispered and I nodded excitedly, glad he was finally here. Not that I didn't enjoy my time with Meg, but my time with Erik was un-comparable.
Meg smoothed her hair from her face and straightened her dress as I did the same and then I looked eagerly to the door while Meg opened it. Erik's eyes found mine quickly but Meg blocked him from coming in.
"No!" She put a hand on his chest and I almost moved to pull her back. Erik looked down in surprise and I could see a smudge of dirt on his forehead. "You are only allowed into my room if you solemnly promise to not look at Christine with fawn eyes."
Erik relaxed and fixed Meg with a raised brow. "I do not make fawn eyes at her."
"Yes, you do, and you have to promise no yucky, private stuff. This is my room and my rules." Meg tossed her hair back and crossed her arms with a smile.
"Fine, Meghan. I will not even touch her," he promised and his easy pledge dampened my excitement considerably. Meg finally allowed him entrance, but she did not make me promise to not touch him, so my hands found the edges of his jaw easily.
"You're all dirty," I brushed at the dirt on his face before quickly kissing his uncovered cheek and lips.
"Hello, Christine," he purred my name and I saw Meghan shudder out of the corner of my eye.
"None of that!" she whipped around, sounding breathless and I turned from Erik to study her. Meg's bright blue eyes danced between Erik and I before she sat down heavily in front of her mirror. "Christine, please, no kissing." She began combing her hair and my hands dropped from Erik.
"I'm sorry," I said softly as I approached her back. "I kind of can't control myself around him," I confessed to my best friend and sister. Erik already knew, so it was no confession for him.
Meg smiled for me but her eyes darted nervously to Erik's reflection. "What did you do today, Erik?"
"I dug a large hole."
She gave Erik a strange look, but it did explain the dirt. I took the comb from Meg's hands to keep my own occupied so they wouldn't wander over to Erik.
"He's building me a house," I whispered in explanation to Meg and a genuine smile curled her mouth.
"Princess Chrissy and her mansion..." Meg trilled with fluttering lashes and Erik came closer.
"Chrissy?" he queried and I could tell he didn't like the nickname either.
"I told her to not call me that," I tattled and Meg laughed.
"Fine, fine, I'll come up with a better one."
"What is wrong with, Christine?" Erik asked easily as he leaned against the wall beside her powder table. I could see Meg's eyes following him intently in her reflection and jealousy burned slowly inside me. I knew she loved him as a friend and guardian, maybe even as an older brother, but watching her gaze at him was hard to take. Instead I concentrated on braiding her hair for her as she'd done for me.
"Do you know that when you say her name, your voice curls strangely?" Meg asked softly. I saw Erik stiffen, though he barely moved to betray his unease.
"I was not aware of that." His brow came down, "Does it bother you, Meghan?" Their eyes were locked with one another and I was a spectator to their conversation. Meg searched Erik's hard, severe face.
"Maman has told me things that I would never have believed...but I wonder if I should believe them." Her voice was small but she was boldly staring right into Erik's face.
"Ask me." He uncrossed his arms and stood away from the wall, but Meg stayed silent. "Ask me," he said again, his intense eyes testing her will and I could see Meg biting her lip. "Or do you believe that I would only lie about it?" Meg looked upset.
"No, I don't think you would lie to me," her lips trembled. "But...I...I don't want to ask in front of Christine." I had no clue what they were talking about, but what could Meg not want to say in front of me. Did she want to ask Erik for his favor?
"I have no secrets from Christine." Erik's eyes flicked to mine briefly.
"See, you just said her name again and it...it wasn't as obvious as the first time but it shivers and trembles on the air when you say it." My mouth dropped open. My name shivers when Erik speaks it?
"So ask me, Meghan." Erik sounded tired now.
"Have you hypnotized Christine?" My already open mouth was showing no signs of closing soon.
"No."
"But my name doesn't shiver when you say it."
"Perhaps, because as dear a friend as you are to me, I am not in love with you."
"I know you've never hypnotized me."
"I swear I have not and never will, Meghan."
"But you've hypnotized Maman."
"Not for any harmful purpose, I only needed information from her."
"Why did you not just tell her to forget it ever happened?"
Erik glanced at me quickly, his eyes showing how worried he was with this conversation. "I did not think it was possible to remember being hypnotized. What I do is not exactly documented in science."
Meg stared at him for a few silent minutes while she chewed her lip and I stood like a codfish with my mouth open to catch flies and Erik looked sadly from Meg to me and back again. "Well Erik," Meg sighed. "Next time you hypnotize her, could you give her directions to forget it happened? She has been going on and on about you speaking my name and trapping me in your claws and forcing me into evil situations and destroying me and on and on until my ears are bleeding." Meg tossed her braided hair over her shoulder with careless ease and glanced at me. "You should close your mouth, Chrissy, it's not very ladylike."
I shut my mouth with a snap and Meg stood to hug me.
"I'm sorry for upsetting you both," she whispered in my ear as she held me tight. "You should go now. It looks like you two have some things to talk about."
Erik and I left, returning to my room quickly, but he did not take us straight through the mirror. He sat on my bed and his shoulders slumped forward tiredly.
"There are questions in your eyes, my dear," he said to his feet.
"Of course there are." I knelt in front of him. "I knew you could hypnotize people but I never realized you use it on a regular basis."
He sat up, "I do not! I only used it on Antoinette because I needed to find out all she knew about me...about the Singing Corpse." I took one of his long hands in mine so he wouldn't feel too upset, but I realized I needed to know more and was surprised I hadn't asked before when his talent was first made aware to me. Now I wanted to know everything about it.
"How does it work?"
"If I say a person's name with a certain inflection I seem to be able to force my will on them. Some people are stronger and can resist it if they concentrate, but most people, especially if I'm only telling them to do trivial things, as in, walk a different direction or give me some information, then they comply."
I pondered this. "So, Meg was worried you had hypnotized me because she hears a tremble when you say my name?"
He took both my hands and bent over me, his eyes bright with conviction. "I have never purposely hypnotized you. It must be because of how much I love your name. I love to say your name, I love the way it rolls on my tongue, but I've never spoken it...that way."
I smiled and laid a gentle kiss on Erik's knuckles, "I know that, my love. I only wanted clarity on Meg's concern."
"Ma chardonnerette," he cupped my cheek in one hand. "I may have done terrible things in my past but it is firmly behind me. You have shown me the light." His hands framed my face. "You have shown me the only way I wish to live and that is with you by my side."
"Could you try it on me? So I know what it's like?" he pulled away and looked horrified.
"NO!" I followed him as he stood to get away from me and my request.
"Why not? Just say my name, tell me to flap my arms like a chicken and then release me."
"NO!" He stopped in front of my table and hugged himself with his back turned and I paused behind him.
His obvious unease at testing his voice on me made me ask, "Will it hurt me?"
"No," he said quietly, his arms relaxing a little.
"Then why not test it, Erik?" I gave him time to answer and he took his time. I counted the breaths that cycled in and out of my lungs and got to sixty four before he spoke.
"What are all these letters?"
It was not what I was expecting and I had to ask him to repeat himself.
"These letters?" He bent to remove some papers from my waste basket and I quickly reached to snatch them from his hands.
"Just letters from people who...who enjoyed my singing and want to meet me." They were all invitations from men and I did not think Erik would like to see them.
"From people? Or from men?" he asked with narrowed eyes and I tore up the pages and threw them back in my waste basket.
"From men who are interested in Diva Daae, not in Christine Daae and besides, what does it matter? I have not answered any of them and do not plan to." I crossed my arms and narrowed my own eyes at him. "Are you trying to change the subject?"
Erik looked slightly chagrined and I tsked at him. "You are the one who told me to expect that." I pointed at the garbage in the garbage pail and Erik braced his hands on the table, his shoulders rounding forward.
"I was changing the subject," he admitted and I let my hand run down his curved back.
"Why are you afraid to test your hypnosis on me?"
"It is an evil talent and I never wanted to use it on you."
"Talent, yes, but evil?" I sounded unbelieving and Erik whipped around to grab me by the arms.
"It is EVIL!" His face was angry and hurt as he shook me slightly. "I won't use it on you!"
"Please, calm down," I tried to put my hands on him but he wheeled away from me.
"A talent like that is pure Evil!" He gesticulated angrily. "I can make people hurt others. I can make them hurt themselves. I can force you to do things you would never do!"
"But you don't use it that way," I reassured not only him, but myself, by saying it outloud. He slowed his pacing and stared down at his feet.
"No," he said softly.
"Use your talent on me so we can see what it is like from both sides." He looked at me sadly, all the sadness in the world was gathered in that one look. "Erik," I reached for him once more, hoping he would allow me to touch him this time. "I just want to feel what it is like."
"And I can not refuse you anything," he sounded hopelessly distressed and I kissed his lips as best as I could from my lower vantage point. He barely kissed me in return and I wondered if my request was too much for him, but he suddenly said my name and everything but his voice went out of my head.
I waited for the voice to speak to me.
"Flap your arms like a chicken," the voice commanded and I tried to fight the urge to stick my hands in my armpits, but I could not. I wiggled my elbows up and down a few times and the voice repeated my name and I felt my senses rush back to me.
I laughed out loud. "That was amazing!"
He covered his face with both his hands and whispered, "That was awful."
"No, my love," I tried to pry his hands from his face. "It felt strange and wonderful all at once. Your voice felt very powerful, like it had the power to lift me right off my feet and carry me away."
"The blank look on your face..."
"I'm right here," I held him in my arms. I wanted him to test his skill on me again. I wanted him to try telling me to forget the hypnotism to see if it would work. He needed to know how his voice worked on people, but he was quite upset. "Erik, my heart..." I crooned at him and tried to intice him to kiss me.
His trembling lips met mine and I kissed him passionately, pressing my mouth over his and twining my fingers into his hair. His hands hesitated for only a moment before crushing me in a tight embrace.
---
Erik
---
I kissed her like I was coming undone. I certainly felt like I was.
Seeing her blank face, her eyes devoid of their sparkling light, had sent a dagger through me. I knew using my evil on her would be dreadful but I hadn't quite grasped how painful it would be to see her light filled eyes empty of life.
The mask was pressing hard into her face so I tore my wanting mouth from hers and clutched her to me. "My love," I breathed against her cheek. "I'm so sorry."
"For doing as I asked? Don't be silly, Erik" she chided me gently as her hands caressed my back. "But...Will it make you terribly upset if I ask you to do it again?" Her sweet angel's voice queried mildly.
I squeezed her in my arms. "Why? What for? There is no reason to do it again."
"You should test your skill on someone you trust." She tried to push back so she could look at me, but I wanted to hold her as close as possible, so I kept my arms tight about her. She sighed in resignation and embraced me tightly in return. "How will you know if your commands work if you don't test them? I don't mind you testing them on me. Just ask me a silly question and then tell me to forget it. We will see if it works."
"I don't like this," I whispered over her head, but it seemed that I would be doing it again since I was physically unable to say no to Christine and she was bent on being hypnotized.
"I trust you," she was so calm and collected about having me control her mind. I hated the thought. I despised the thought because if I was in control of her mind, then it was not even her. It was not my angel or my songbird. It was a doll with her face and body, but it was not her.
She sat primly on her bed and waited for me to gain the courage. I paced back and forth trying to recall every person I had ever hypnotized. Most of them had then been promptly killed by my own two hands. Was there ever an instance where it had failed completely? Did one of my subjects not come back to themselves when I released them?
I could not recall if it had ever happened, but I was afraid today, that it very well might happen.
"What should I ask you?" I glanced at her calm, golden radiance. She shrugged delicately.
"Something you know the answer to."
I knelt before her and took her hands in mine, kissing her dainty fingers one by one. "I do not want to do this. What use is there in discovering all the nuances of my evil talents if I plan to not use them?"
"But what if you need to use them, like with Mme Giry? What if using it would get you out of trouble? You should be able to rely on any skill to get yourself out of trouble. And if the person you used it on doesn't even remember you speaking to them, then...then that would be marvelous!"
I looked up at her with an unbelieveing expression on my face.
"Erik, trust me," she gazed at me as her fingers brushed my mask like it was part of my face. Her subtle touch over the mask, asked me to trust her in this as I trusted her with my face and I took her hands in mine to kiss them both again.
I sat back from her and turned my evil tongue on its side as I spoke her beautiful, angelic name. Her hands tightened on mine even as her eyes lost focus and I took comfort that perhaps her body still knew me when her mind did not. I suppose it was why I asked the most ridiculous question.
"Tell me who you love."
"Papa," she said sweetly and I smiled slightly. She still had to be within her own mind to answer my question in that manner, but I wanted more reassurance.
"Tell me the name of the man you love."
"Erik," a smile flickered over her face as if trying to surface and I wanted more.
"Tell me what it is you love about him."
Her mouth opened and she paused before saying, "Everything."
"Tell me what he looks like."
"He has magnificent grey eyes and a smile that could stop a train."
One of said smiles pulled on my lips and I had to refrain from chuckling at my precious angel. Even in this controlled state she was still herself. I didn't understand how it was possible, but I did have one more test before I released her. If it didn't work then she would know everything we just spoke of.
"At the sound of your name, you will remember none of this conversation. It will be as if we did not speak just now. Do you comprehend?"
"Yes."
I was about to say her name when another question came to mind.
"Has your man Erik ever scared you?"
"Yes." My heart clenched at the one word and I could not release her just yet.
"Tell me of the instances when Erik has scared you."
"When the other man boils up in his eyes, it scares me. It's not my Erik anymore."
I bowed my head over her hands and closed my eyes tightly. It was not often that I spoke to the Lord, but in that moment I prayed quickly that she would come back to herself completely, and that I could control that other man inside me, before I spoke her name.
"Oh," she said softly and glanced around the room before sagging. I caught her easily and my heart tripped in my chest.
"Christine? Look at me? Are you alright? Speak to me?" She was blinking like she'd been asleep and I cursed myself for bending to her will.
"Erik?" her brow furrowed. "Did you try it? Did you hypnotize me?"
"Yes dear. Your experiment has worked," I traced her cheek with my fingertips.
"I feel tired though," her lashes fluttered weakly. "The first time felt so exhilarating."
"Perhaps because I've forced you to forget a piece of your life." Why was I such a weak willed ninny when it came to this girl?
Her hands began smoothing over my chest. "What did you ask me?" she inquired sleepily.
"The name of the man you love." She stopped and pushed me away.
"Did you think it was possible, my answer might not be your name?" her eyes flashed angrily.
"It was a question I knew the answer to." I replied softly and Christine looked sheepish.
"I'm sorry, Erik." Her hands came back to me quickly, "I feel out of sorts right now."
"I know." I held her close and swore that I would never again use my voice on her.
