This year marks the first party RC can attend that his parents (father) is hosing. He's really excited and nervous about it, his mother doesn't want him to be there, but he's an adult now.
"Adult or not, it's not appropriate or fair for him to see Erik like this. That is his father." Meg states her protests and is denied and ignored. Reza-Charles is turning twenty this year and he is more than old enough to attend a party hosted by his father.
Meg and Christine will not be among the goers, nor will she clean up the mess, she is sure to come with the festivities. Nadir is going and he is playing the role he always plays, Papa. It has been some time since Nadir has been able to kick back and relax at a party.
"Stay where I can see you, don't eat or drink anything without asking me. Do not engage with your Papa once the party starts, he is not your father tonight, and he won't be right." Nadir says all of this with a smile and an air of urgency.
"And remember, The Phantom is hosting, you are not a contracted actor or otherwise member of the team, you're auditioning, and your sponsor, your mother, is not here, so stay close to me, the veteran and you might survive." Nadir hesitates before opening the door. He knows the door is unlocked; it's always unlocked when Erik throws these events.
"Mother was very odd about this too. It's a party my father is hosting at the penthouse I live, with people attending I've known my entire life." RC tries to push Nadir out of the way, so he can get in the door.
"You have not known us, not like this. You have seen shades here and there, when you were younger and came out from your room for potty or a glass of water. But you do not know any of this," Nadir swallows hard and slowly. He agrees with Meg and does not want Rezy to be exposed to this side of the Frenchies.
"It will get dark, and I need you to tell me when you throw in the towel. I will get you out and into a safe place."
The door opens, Charles pulls them both inside, he throws his arms over their shoulders and leads them into the main room.
"Did you bring a boon?" Charles licks his teeth and looks from Nadir to RC. Nadir shakes a clear bag, Charles takes the bait, he snatches the big and runs off like a greedy troll and joins Jules on the floor among a sea of pillows.
"That seems very normal," RC says and Nadir shakes his head. He leads the boy to the kitchen, there are different large crystal bowls. Nadir hesitates before he pours himself a glass, he sniffs, swirls, and takes the smallest, most delicate of sips. He waits a moment, before he dares to take a more generous sip and he waits again.
When nothing happens, he hands RC a cup of the same concoction. Holiday music is playing, the lights have been turned off to enhance the Christmas lights that haven set up all over the penthouse.
The wait staff are dressed as Christmas Elves, and all the food has some Christmas theme: cookies shaped like trees, gingerbread anything, roasted chestnuts, etc.
RC is almost disappointed that nothing darkly sexual or sordid is happening. His father is not terrorizing anyone like Nadir and his mother implied.
"Enjoying yourself?" RC jumps and the drinks escapes from his hand and rolls onto the floor. Nadir curses and he wipes the liquid from his clothing. He turns around to refuel.
Erik has his arm firmly draped around his boy's shoulders, he watches Nadir's movements. RC plays it cool. He ignores his faux pas, and he does his best not to look at his father or focus on him.
Erik is dressed in his Red Death velvet suit he designed years ago, and along with it, his red executioner's hood that conceals his face. Not the most cheerful outfit. But it is red, so half of the traditional Christmas colors.
"Yeah, I'm cool." RC does his best to be coy, he keeps his arms closed, to avoid inviting others to come at him. His father's finger drum against him, RC turns and is tempted to remove the hand and arm from him.
"Gideon not feeling welcome?" His father asks, disappointed.
"Uh, everyone was so weird about my attendance, I thought it would be best if he didn't." His father sighs.
"Ah. Next time." Erik lifts his hand and caresses his son's neck and RC bats his hand.
"Erik, Jules hasn't been subjugated by you for at least ten minutes," Nadir points at the man writhing on the floor. Erik tilts his head and walks over with predatory movements. Nadir nods for RC to follow him.
The Christmas music changes to a strange long noise, that RC cannot describe other than 80s, he feels 1980s. His vison is warped, melted, like a badly kept VHS tape. The music is distorted, and he has trouble keeping his head up.
There is something wrong with his head. There is a dome or some sort of bubble that are making thoughts difficult. He cannot think, something is interfering with the process. He is heavy, like a bucket of rocks or sand is on top or inside his skull.
He needs to lay down, he wants to lay down. He lowers himself to the floor and curls into a fetal position. He cuffs his ears and tries to block out the sounds.
"Time to pay the Pied Piper," Charles calls, he is holding a empty bowl. He stops at Nadir, who is kneeling beside RC, he puts his hand up and tells Charles to move along.
"Pied Piper?" RC wants to throw up, he props himself up on his elbow and moans. Nadir helps him in a better position. He is ready to get him out of this place.
"If you asked Erik for a favor during the year, you pay your debt tonight," Nadir explains. RC turns himself around on the floor and tries to watch what's happening, it is dark, his head is muggy, and smog filled. He cannot think or hear straight. Shadows pass. He cannot keep his head up.
"What is that?" RC hears Charles ask.
"My pound of flesh," Jules drops his debt into the bowl. Charles peers down before he he gags and moves his head way.
Charles offers the bowl to Erik, who accepts and then puts it aside. He finds Charles more interesting and pulls him into him. Charles stumbles and falls against him on the sofa Erik is lounging on. Erik puts his arm around him and presses Charles firmly against him so he cannot move away.
"Erik, I told you that was a one time experiment." Charles huffs a bit of laughter and tries move away, when he finds he cannot, he sighs.
"Where's your offering?" His voice is teasing, but Charles knows better. He licks his lips.
"My offering? I haven't asked for a favor this year." Erik moves his hand to the back of Charles's head and massages the scalp it is gentle and relaxing, before it grows aggressive.
"No? You don't think you owe me anything?" He sounds innocent, confused.
"Erik, I didn't ask you for anything this year. All my work is from loyal clients and word of mouth." Charles tries to break free.
"I'll give you one more chance," Erik squeezes the back of Charles's neck.
"I don't know what you want me to say."
"I asked you to look after my mate while I was otherwise preoccupied, not to try and fuck her." He raises Charles's head and forces him to face Erik, well his conceal face. He's lost the playfulness and anger has taken its stead.
"Erik, we didn't do anything." Charles's speech is slurred and he tries to wiggle and move out of Erik's hold. Erik moves his mouth to Charles's ear, "only because she said she needed more time,"
"I expect Christine to return to that boy's bed. They're practically married. Meg though," Erik runs his fingers through Charles's hair and massages his scalp with his nails again," she's mine. I share so much with you, with all of my precious pets, but some things are mine alone to enjoy. You've been a naughty boy, my dear."
Erik is radiating heat. His touch is starting to burn. Nadir appears from nowhere.
"What's up?" He asks, his voce pleasant and innocent. Charles tries to reach out to him.
"Law and order," Erik rests his chin against Charles's head.
"Law and order?" Nadir sounds like child.
"He's been naughty, he must be punished, his behavior corrected."
"Naughty?" Nadir asks, blinking rapidly and feigning confusion.
"Mm. Illegal play with Meg." Erik taps Charles's temple at each word. Nadir scoffs and waves his hand.
"Punished for that? Flirting with Meg isn't a serious offense is it? Everyone is this group has flirted with each other at least once, Erik. This group is incestuous, is Charles really deserving of a punishment over that? Erik, that's hardly a slight," Nadir turns to Charlies," Did you go to bed with Meg?" Charles shakes his head vigorously and Nadir claps his hands together.
"See? She's still yours in every way."
"She was tempted." Nadir is sure Erik is pouting his lips.
"Given a choice, she will always pick you, despite any temptation. Even when you throw her into the garbage, she has always chosen you. Charles's showing an interest will not change how you have her trained."
"I demand satisfaction," Erik will not relent.
"Erik," Nadir sighs.
"I'm not backing down on this. He used our situation to his advantage and he tired to take her from me."
"I did not!" Charles argues. Nadir hisses at him to be silent.
"Then there's what he did with you," Erik turns to face Nadir.
"What did I do with Nadir? What are you talking about?"
"This is about the tree?" Erik nods.
"The tree Jules got him?"
"You have no right to interact with Nadir without me or my permission."
"He's my friend!"
Nadir pulls at his face.
"Then punish Jules! It was his idea!"
"I will take Charles's place for his punishment, if you will let this go after tonight." Nadir looks where he think Erik's eyes are and directly at concealed face.
"Nadir," Nadir hisses at Charles to be silent. Erik is quiet. After what feels like 100 years, he nods, he lets Charles go, Nadir takes his place.
"Put the kid to bed!" Nadir calls after Charles, Charles nods and goes off to find RC.
