Chapter 11: Erik's Dream
Erik had found an old clock in the basement much to his delight as he was able to disassemble it and use the cogs and springs to tinker in order to pass the time and ignore his bored frustration for a while... He had been tinkering in the parlor when he suddenly chuckled as Sasha-Too took his screwdriver between her teeth before couching into a playful bend whilst wagging her tail,
"You certainly have the same spirit as the first Sasha" he noted, taking the screwdriver gently and smiled when the puppy gave a happy yap just before Nadir entered the room,
"Did you have to clear this place of everything and anything that had value when you moved into the underground below the opera house?" Nadir grumbled as he put a box on the table that Erik was working on,
"The basement is full of nothing but old useless junk" he wined,
"And yet you're not down there" Erik responded with a smug smile causing Nadir to roll his eyes before beginning to search through the box that was full of old things like newspapers, broken plates or damaged frames... One of which that Nadir pulled out in order to examine the picture it held,
"Who are they?" Nadir asked curiously, showing Erik the picture whom immediately frowned, instantly going back to his tinkering which made Sasha-Too whimper sadly as she sensed her master's sadness,
"... My mother and father" he grumbled simply,
"Oh..." Nadir murmured, placing the photo back in the box awkwardly before taking a seat beside his masked friend,
"... What happened to them?" he pressed cautiously and thought he wasn't going to get a reply due to the long silence that followed but finally watched the masked man sigh,
"... My father was an architect that died in an accident on a building site he was working on. My mother died of fever" he answered simply, pausing in his tinkering when Sasha-Too leaned her furry chin against his hand with a sad whimper before applying a comforting lick to his hand that made him smile sadly before scratching her behind the ear gently,
"I'm truly sorry, my friend... I can tell that this house does not hold many happy memories for you" Nadir told him and Erik scoffed with a humorless smile,
"An apt conclusion, Daroga" he confirmed and Nadir found himself looking towards the kitchen where he could the window that allowed a view to the back garden where he saw Clara trying to tidy up the overgrown space as best she could,
"... Perhaps you could fill this place with happier memories" he suggested after looking back towards Erik and gestured his head towards the sight of Clara in the garden,
"... Perhaps with a wife of your own" he continued causing Erik to look at him shocked but his expression grew firm,
"I really need to show you the bridge down the road at some point" he grumbled and Nadir rolled his eyes, shaking his head,
"I'm not trying to make fun of you, Erik" The Persian assured him, knowing that that is what Erik believed but the former phantom rolled his own eyes,
"I would not condemn Clara to live a life in this horrid ruin" he stated simply but this made Nadir tilt his head and develop a smug smile,
"... I didn't hear a protest about the idea of Miss Clara becoming your wife one day" he teased causing Erik to glare at him in warning,
"I have no intentions of..." he tried but Nadir smugly held up a silver pocket watch that Erik knew all too well and made him fall silent for a moment,
"... You've been in my attic" he growled,
"I was merely searching for anything of value but it was the engraving on this lovely piece that gained my curiosity" Nadir teased, smiling brighter when Erik snatched the watch from him, shoving it away safely in his pocket,
"... Clara Destler... It certainly has a nice ring too it" he continued teasingly but smiled genuinely when Erik growled at him warningly,
"I'm only teasing. It's ok if you have intentions of marrying the girl one day" Nadir assured him but Erik slammed his hand on the table,
"Enough, Nadir. I don't want to hear another word on the subject" he stated firmly but Nadir moved to speak again, only to fall silent when Clara entered the room, smiling at the two men and Cocker Spaniel puppy that yapped happily in greeting,
"Good morning" she greeted them as she petted Sasha-Too gently whom instantly jumped into her arms and licked her cheek causing her to giggle and Erik couldn't help but smile at the sight but glared at Nadir whom nudged him playfully,
"Has there been any update regarding the Parisian authorities?" Clara asked curiously causing Erik to sigh tiredly,
"... Their patrols and searches have lowered to a comfortable level and Calais has reopened its ports but the security remains... However, it would seem that safe travel from France is indeed a high possibility" Erik informed her causing Clara to smile,
"Will we be leaving soon?" she asked but Nadir sat back in his chair, folding his arms,
"I wouldn't count on it. Even if there is a ship willing to offer us safe passage out of France they will still seek payment for it as well as their silence" he pointed out but Erik smirked at him smugly before standing from his chair,
"Payment is not a problem" he assured causing Nadir to frown,
"Oh come on, this place is full of nothing but junk and you left anything you had of value at the opera house" he argued but Erik's smirk didn't fade as he looked at Clara,
"I think you'll find Daroga that my greatest treasure found it's way here" he murmured and Clara looked at him stunned with a soft blush on her cheeks and Nadir made a mocking sound as if he was going to vomit but Erik stepped towards Clara and bowed teasingly,
"My lady..." he said before standing once again and reached towards her ear before withdrawing a sparkling diamond from behind it and smiled brightly when both Clara and Nadir's eyes widened in shock, Erik took Clara's hand and raised it to his lips, placing a kiss to the surface,
"Many thanks for keeping it safe for me" he whispered, not breaking eye contact as Clara couldn't help but smile brightly due to the trick he just performed,
"Is that one of the diamonds you stole from the shah's throne back in Persia?" Nadir demanded as Erik finally smirked in his direction,
"A memento to the very first time I witnessed you get shot in the arse... One I am happily willing to part with as it will undoubtedly buy us all safe passage out of France" the former phantom stated certainly, chuckling as Nadir glared at him grumpily,
"Smug bastard" he grumbled,
"But where will we go? And how will we survive?" Clara asked with uncertainty haunting her gaze but Erik looked at her with a gentle smile and he brushed the back of his hand against her cheek in a comforting manner,
"Fear not. Let us take this new journey one step at a time" he told her, smiling when she smiled up at him gently... It wasn't long till Nadir, Erik, Clara, Antoinette and Meg were getting ready to travel to Calais in the dead of night where they hoped to find passage to a new beginning and a new life.
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QueenOfDisney96