AN: Petite Bijou (Small Jewel) Perle (Pearl). Second Phantom of the Opera fanfic.
Chapter 1: Adjusting to Life
3 months after the Opera House Burnt Down
Erik had fled the burning opera house after he let Christine and Roul go. He had nothing now and was roaming the streets in the shadows, so his face did not show. Though Christine has accepted his disfigurement, Paris and the world had not. Erik continued in hiding to tutor those who wished to make a living in becoming an entertainer in other opera houses. He, being the born genius that he was made a living in teaching those who were as disfigured as he was. His tender heart and empathy to the world beyond the flawless world, made him rather at home. He still longed for the life a normal person has, as he once did before. His only home remained here in the ghetto of Paris, where only the cursed and unwanted were found. Erik walked the streets in shadows and covered his face when he went out to the markets to buy food for himself and those around him.
" Erik," a voice said
Erik turned around and saw a young girl standing there, she looked rather familiar. He walked to her and she looked up at him and looked around.
" Mother says to give this to you," she said
" And who is your mother?" he asked
" Madame Giry," she replied
Erik opened his hand and she placed a bag of money in his hands.
" Mother, found this down below Monsieur, where you lived, its enough to live many years off of," she said
" Tell Madame Giry thank you," he said, " And what name is given to you?"
" Meg," she said
Erik lifted her hand and kissed it ever so gently.
" Good day Monsieur," she said
Erik gave a nodded and watched Meg go off and Erik went on his way. He bought what was needed and headed off, unspotted by anyone who recognized him.
Erik returned and handed the food to the ladies of the house and they began to cook. He hung his cloak and sat at the table.
" Monsieur, why the long face?" one lady asked
" No reason," he replied simply
" You've been out with the normal people again," another said
Erik looked at them and smirked a little and got up and the young children came running over to him.
" You got your hands full now Erik, off with ya and let us do the cooking," both women said
Erik walked with several of the children, some with worst distortions then he, himself. The old ladies looked at him and sighed.
" He's learning, can't say I blame him, he's lived in that opera house for many years and all he had was a mask to hide under," one said
" Still young," another said
Erik sat down and the children sat at his feet as he spoke about the music that played every night at the opera house. The young bright eyed children just stared out dreaming of the music that was heard. Erik looked at them and smiled, seeing they never got bored with the stories he told.
By dinner time the 9 people that lived in one apartment house ate together. The women served each young child first then the three adults that remained there.
" Shall we pray, it is after all our father in heaven who has blessed us with this fine meal," elder woman said
Erik lowered his head to pray and the elder of the two women looked at him.
" Perhaps Erik will say it this time," the elder of the two said
" No," he said
" Come on Erik, you are the one who brought us the meal," the elder said
Erik looked at them and said, " Fine only this one time."
Erik rose from where he sat and took a deep breath, though he felt even his prayer could not reach God's ears, because he was one of many who were cursed from grace.
" Dear Heavenly Father, we have come together to enjoy this blessed feast, you have bestowed upon us, we are thankful that you have provided us each day with a fine meal and ask to bless each one of us who eat this meal. All this we ask in your name. Amen," Erik prayed
" Amen," the others said
" Now, sit down and let's eat," the elder woman said
Erik looked at the people who gathered with him and saw they were happy the way they were. He still could not accept what he was no matter who told him other wise. He would try someday, but not now.
That evening Erik climbed up onto the roof, from the top floor, there put his hands behind his head and laid back. He looked at the stars and looked at the full moon that showed brightly. He sighed and closed his eyes as he thought back through his life thus far. He had made several mistakes through those years and yet never regretted one of them.
" Erik," a small voice said
Erik opened his eyes and turned his head, he saw one of the youngest of the six children come up. He sat up and reached out his hand to help her and she grabbed his hand. She pulled up a blanket and smiled as she handed it to him.
" Here, I thought you might be cold," she said
" Thank you," he said
He grabbed the blanket and she sat beside him and looked at him.
" Why do you come up here Erik?" she asked
" To free my mind, reflect from day to day," he replied
She smiled and said, " Do all adults think as much as you do Erik?"
Erik shook his head and lifted the girl into his arms, then sat her down in his lap.
" Some should, but I don't really think so," he replied pushing her hair back from her face
" Erik, are you ever going to get married?" she asked
" I don't think I wish too," Erik said, " I have lost everything, but more importantly I have lost the woman I love to a flawless man."
" You're talking about Christine, aren't you Erik?" the girl asked
Erik nodded and gently wrapped the blanket around her. She looked at him and smiled, then touched his face.
" You're the most handsomest man I've seen even someone as normal can't be as handsome as you," she said
" Thank you my Petite Bijou," he said
She smiled and laughed a little and leaned against Erik. She slightly yawned and he looked down at her.
" Are you tired?" he asked
" No," she replied closing her eyes
Erik looked at her and smiled and pulled her close to him as he stared up again. He touched his face and felt the marks and shook his head.
The morning bells rang from Notre Dame and Erik was out already.
" Erik," the elder lady called, " Breakfast."
The children came down and the elder lady looked at them.
" Perle, where is Erik?" the elder lady questioned
" He went out Madame Amical," Perle said
" Where did he go?" Madame Amical asked
" Erik went to the market place again," a boy said, " He said there was someone he was meeting."
" Someone he was meeting?" Madame Amical questioned
The boy said, " A woman I believe."
" Oh, I see," Madame Amical said, " Then let's eat, he can eat later."
Erik stood by the corners of Notre Dame and waited for the daily attendees to come out. He drew the hood tighter to cover his face, this time not wearing the face mask. Madame Giry and Meg walked out and Erik grabbed Madame Giry by her arm.
" Madame," he said
" Erik!" she exclaimed
" I wish a word with you," he said
Madame Giry nodded and walked with him, Meg followed steps behind as Madame Giry and Erik spoke of where Christine was. Madame Giry had asked him, so hard to forget about Christine and move on with his own life. Erik looked at the older woman and sighed.
" Erik, she's not the only one, you can keep an eye on her like you did when she was under your wing," Madame said
She led Erik to the small French apartment, that was enough for two, to have some tea. He removed his hood once he got up and Meg lowered her head.
" I'm sorry do you wish for me to leave it on?" he asked
" No, it's ok," Meg said
Meg smiled and Erik looked at her and turned back to Madame Giry.
" Christine and Roul have moved away Erik, to the place they first met," Madame Giry said
Erik took a sip of the hot tea and sighed. His eyes still filled with sadness, afraid to stray to far from where he was now.
" It's not far Erik, and I am sure they would both welcome you with open arms, after all you did spare them," Madame Giry said
Erik shook his head and stood up straight and Madame Giry whispered something to Meg. She got up and Erik looked at the young woman. She returned holding several fine garments.
" Here Monsieur," Meg said, " We kept these for you, they are most of your belongings."
Erik looked at her as she handed them to him. He looked at the black fabrics and touched them with his hand gently. Madame Giry looked at Erik as he closed his eyes to remember the times he wore these fine garments.
" Thank you," he whispered
" There's one more thing," Meg said
Erik looked up at her and Meg reached over for a box. She handed it to him and he looked at the nice box. He looked at both Meg and Madame Giry and they nodded. He opened the box, revealing the white mask, Erik removed it and then traced it before setting it back into the box.
" Erik, are you alright?" Madame Giry inquired
" I'm fine," he whispered
He stood up and tucked both the garments and box under his arm.
" Erik come see us again," Madame Giry said
" I will," he said
Erik lifted the face mask over his mouth and slipped the hood over his head. He thanked both of them once more and walked off. Madame Giry sighed and hugged her daughter.
" He is a good man," she said, " But so scared of the world beyond his own."
" Will he be alright?" she asked
" Where ever there is a shadow, Erik will be there," Madame Giry said
Meg nodded and leaned her head on Madame Giry's shoulder. They watched as Erik took the back road to get to where he was going.
Erik walked into the apartment house and smelled the fresh cooking of Madame Amical.
" Erik is back!" called a child
Erik walked towards the kitchen and the children came running to him.
" Did you bring us anything?" they asked
" I just went out," he said
A smile creased his lips and his eyes shined, a look neither old woman saw.
" That's a smile I haven't seen for a few months, not since you saw that young lady …what was her name?" Madame Amical said
" Christine," Perle said
" That's right, Erik, you've got a beautiful smile and it makes you just as handsome as those other men you see pretty ladies hanging on," Madame Doux said
He sighed and looked around and they looked at him.
" What are you making?" he asked
" Ah, Erik haven't you learn, we don't tell you what we're cooking until after it's served," Madame Amical said
Erik smiled and felt a tug on his shirt and looked down.
" There's my Petite Bijou," he said lifting Perle up
She laughed and kissed his cheek.
" Welcome back Erik," she said, " Did you see your lady friend?"
" I saw a friend," he said
Perle smile and hugged him and then the two old women went back to cooking. Erik went upstairs and washed up for supper and then came down, his mind raced with ideas about leaving the ghetto of Paris and finding where Christine was, but there was something holding him back. He sighed and looked at everyone as they were served and saw prayers.
Afterwards Erik helped clean up and the old women looked at him.
" Erik, don't be getting the wrong idea here, but you need to get yourself settled down, move on with your life. I know your very well versed in a lot of things and that could help you," Madame Amical spoke, " You don't need to worry about us old fools, just yourself."
" Your right, a life of my own," he said, " I have enough money to live on my own, but no one to share it with."
" There will be someone," Madame Amical said, " Some special…you are a very romantic person and what woman wouldn't have you for a husband?"
" All of them," Erik whispered
Madame Amical stopped and sighed, and Madame Doux hit Madame Amical on the arm.
" Now look at what you've done," Madame Doux stated
Erik got up, then walked out wrapping his cloak on and wrapped it tightly to fend off the cold. He walked down the street and felt the wind rip through his cloak. He sighed and looked at the cloudy night sky and just walked out of the ghettos of Paris and into the busy evening streets of Paris. He took to the shadows and slipped his hood off and looked around, then came to the abandoned opera house. Erik stood there and looked at it, it had been three months since that night. He had forgotten how bad it was, and how it would never be the same if it were to be rebuilt.
Erik walked on and the snow began to fall hard, but he continued to walk. He ignored the snow and the numbness he got on his hands. He walked until he came as far as the cemetery. He saw someone there and tighten the hood and he walked steadily towards the entrance of it. Erik saw someone standing before the tomb that read Daae. He made a quick pace and hid in the shadows as the person turned around.
" Christine," he whispered
He gently stepped out and stopped in front of her. She looked up and met his gaze and it was certain that she did not realize who he was.
" Excuse me sir," she said
He watched her from the corner of his eye. He removed the hood and looked forward.
" I am your angel of music," he chanted
Christine stopped and she turned around and he was gone. She looked around and pulled her long draping cloak tightly around her. Her ruby lips pressed together and she closed her eyes.
" I know your here," she whispered
" Did you think I would vanish?" Erik asked
She turned around and looked at him, he wore the white mask on. Her eyes softened and she walked towards him, he stared at her with the same look he had when they first met.
" It's been three months," she said
She grabbed his hands and he looked at her.
" Your hands, they are like ice," she said
" I don't care," he said
" Oh, Erik," she whispered
" Where have you been? I often go to the opera house to find you," she stated
Erik looked at her and touched her face and said, " I'm with you all the time, there isn't a moment I would not be."
" Christine!" a voice called
Christine turned around and saw Roul standing there. She turned around and Erik was gone, what was left to let her know he was there, was a rose. She picked it up and looked around.
" Thank you Erik for showing yourself," she whispered
She walked off and wrapped her arm around Roul's arm. Erik leaned his head against a tree and let tears fall from his eyes.
" I was wrong to come here," he whispered
He fled the cemetery, and headed back to the apartment house. He closed the door and locked it when he got back. He leaned against the door and closed his eyes for a second, there he removed his mask.
" Playing phantom Erik?" Madame Amical asked
" Madame," he whispered
" Why do you do this to yourself Erik? You look perfectly fine without this mask. Who cares what people think about you, they should accept for who you are. Now let me make you some hot tea, your cold as ice," Madame Amical said
Erik followed her and sat down, Madame Amical set the hot cup of tea in front of him. She looked at Erik's pale face and reached over and touched his forehead.
" You are pale as a ghost, why do you run yourself all around?" she asked
" I'm sorry, I went to the cemetery," Erik whispered, " To pull away from the life I live."
Madame Amical chuckled and grabbed Erik's hand and kissed his cheek.
" You are a rather odd boy," she chuckled
" Dark one is more like it," Erik said looking down at the cup of tea
Madame Amical stared at him and shook her head. She stood up and patted his cheek.
" Your much to skinny, have a bite to eat and don't go on the roof tonight. It's rather cold and your already catching cold," Madame Amical said
Erik shook his head and walked off before she could say another word. He climbed the stairs and stepped over the sleeping children. He looked at Perle, who was dreaming a terrible nightmare. Her tears showed she was scared and Erik sat beside her and gently rubbed her back. She calmed down and snuggled close to an old stuff animal, he laid down beside her and gently took her in his arms.
" Rest, Petite Bijou," he whispered
He gently sang to her a soft and she nestled up to Erik. He smiled and gently covered her up tightly. He closed his eyes and fell asleep and dreamt of a whole new life.
" One day, it will be normal." he whispered