A/N: Sorry again for the short length, but I hope you all find it uplifting. I may add more tonight, it all depends on the reviews. I know, me comment whore.
This chapter is for wzlwmn, btw.
She did not make a sound as I made my confession, other than murmuring my own chosen name, or a sympathetic sigh of compassion mixed with horror at the brutality of the life which I had been granted so generously. She also never released my fingers, as if, even in her youth, she realized that her touch and very presence served as the only anchor to moor me to the miserable world. Of course, there were a few minor events I did not relate- not due to fear of her disapproval, but for propriety's sake. There was no need for Christine to learn that the khanum had found it quite entertaining to offer me a woman, a girl, more precisely. It was not lost on me that the poor odalisque who'd been thrown at my feet could not have been any older than the angel that now held my hand. How ironic that a girl trained for sexual gratification, ordered to pleasure others upon penalty of death, had vehemently refused to caress even the fabric of my shirt. And here was this innocent, who willfully clung to my fingers as intensely as her soul did my voice.
"The loss of memory would be a blessing, I think. Unfortunately, Christine, I have been honored with exceptional clarity in that area."
"I. . .think. . ."
Her eyes implored me to let her speak. I could not refuse even her silent wishes. And, I was certain she had plenty of thoughts fighting to be voiced. After all, I had just told her of my escape from the khanum, of Nadir's help, of his son. . .She would soon know everything, most likely. Some secrets were still unwilling to surface in the air between us.
"What is it, my dear?"
"It is not a burden to remember, Erik. I do not believe so. . .but if you had not recalled all the pain you have experienced, I doubt you would have been so compassionate to a little, newly-orphaned girl. You would not have been able to understand the agony of feeling completely alone in the world, had you ignored your past. I know I am very young, naive even. . .Christine Daae always with her head in the clouds, they say, but I am not daft. Suffering the loss of my father, and learning of your own anguish . . .it is comfort. To know that someone will listen, and understand." Flushing, the flesh of her palm warming under my own, she was overtaken by a sudden shyness, "I must sound very foolish. . ."
"No, never to me." Oh, could she not see how I worshiped her with every word! Did the subtle trembling of my hand in her own not reveal how rare and precious I found her prolonged and comforting touch!
My acceptance apparently heightened her emotions, as her pale cheeks reddened to a greater degree. "Would you like to hear the rest of it, then, Christine? I promise, it is not all blood and betrayal."
"Please."
It was a wonder to me, that she had not fled, had not fainted away at the continued pressure of my fingers. But, I had learned it was best not to pause and question the rare instances of good fortune to fall before me. The enormity of my tale would most likely strike her at a later time, without the sound of my voice to sweeten its taste. Once it became a reality, her visits to my home would retreat into memory, joining the countless images of a life her company had eclipsed in sheer loveliness, if only for a few precious months.
"There are a handful of deeds that I do not regret, times which I used my talents for the better of the world."
"You are a wonderful tutor," the girl interjected.
I thanked her with a faint curling of my lips that could be deemed a smile, had not half of my face been obscured by the white mask. "The opera house in which we met," I had to let out a light chortle. It had not been the average meeting between a man and woman at all. No taking the backside of the lady's palm to my lips with a flourishing bow, no formal introduction of names even. We were beyond social custom, because we could not function within all its prim and unnecessary regulations. So why now, should I expect her to respond to my behavior as any other woman would, so conscious to the confines of social dictates?
"Yes?" Christine's face filled with the expectation of a pleasant confidence. For once.
"I am sure you have wondered how it is that I have erected a home underneath its floors. It is quite simple, really, Christine, for I sketched the plans for my rooms, and what eventually would become your own chamber, in my drafts of the theatre itself."
Utter fascination flowed through her angelic features. To my delight, she did not appear to doubt me for a moment. "It all makes sense, now. . .such ornate beauty. A cathedral," her gaze traveled momentarily to the church behind our bodies, "to music."
"Exactly what I intended." In fact, at the time of its inception, I had used the same words to express my intentions for the structure.
"It suits you, Erik. The majesty of the Opera."
"It is far above me, Christine. . .just as you will always be. More so now, than before."
"You are wrong, Erik." I felt her grasp ebb from my palm, and feared she had finally chosen to leave. "If you will only let me take you inside, allow me to show you what I had planned for you to see this evening, you will realize that."
"I cannot, Christine. You must understand why, now?" I had not even finished unveiling the proverbial mask of secrecy, the truth only partially revealed.
"I do understand, Erik." She rose, her body solid with the glory of her convictions, "and that is all the more reason why you must follow me. Let me lead you this time. I will ask nothing more of you tonight, but please. . ."
There was no doubt of it- I could refuse her nothing, not even an audience with the Almighty himself, my creator, my tormentor. "Very well." I did not wish to evaluate my decision or the inevitable emotional consequences such a choice would bring as Christine pushed the massive door open with the force of her bird-like frame.
Christine Daae reclaimed my hand, and after silently securing the door behind us, searched for its gloved partner.