8 magical lasso

Christine had awoken slowly, her voice quiet and melodious as she started to sing. It was apparent that she had almost forgotten where she was as she approached him slowly. Ivy stood and watched as she cupped his face. He looked so happy to have her touch against him. Ivy wondered if he had ever looked like that when Ivy had touched him. She felt her anger return, and willed the tears not to flow down her face. Ivy was about to speak in protest when Christine had ripped the mask off of his Erik's face.

Ivy gasped and stared in horror, just as she did, but for a different reason entirely. Where she was surprised and shocked to what was behind the mask, Ivy was more shocked she had the audacity to just rip it off his face. Erik had sprung into action immediately, crying out in anger and pushed her angrily to the floor. Ivy was reminded just briefly of Joseph's outburst the night before but quickly pushed that thought away. Erik put his hand over his face as he screamed at her.

Ivy scrambled, finally finding her legs enough to rush over to them. She might not like Christine at this point but if she was hurt, that was it for the both of them. Kneeling down beside the frightened girl, Ivy grabbed the mask which had floated down onto the floor. She listened in anguish as Erik's anger had turned to self pity. He slunk down and immediately she wanted to go to him. He hated himself, loathed himself. And for all of that, she could not make him see what kind of man he really was. Hearing him nearly sobbing, Ivy couldn't stand it anymore as she moved over beside him.

He stared up at her, and the look in her face and sobbed. Ivy wanted to take him into her arms, but all she could do was hand him back his mask slowly. "Thank you.." Erik barely managed to whisper and turned his head from both of them to put the mask back on. Ivy looked over at Christine, who had her own tears running down her face. The look on her face was of pure shock, and she knew that Erik had just been crushed by her reaction. Slowly Ivy moved closer to him and put her hand at his cheek. "Erik.. you are not a monster.. you're not in hell.. please don't think that. I know I am no beauty but you have such beauty inside yourself." Ivy whispered, feeling tears down her own face.

Erik looked up at her, and she could see his heart breaking. He wanted so badly to believe that. How could any woman think of him not as a monster? It was written so perfectly on Christine's face. And if she could not love him, or look at him without trembling what hope was there for him? He would be all alone for the rest of his life. Well not truly all alone. He would have his Ivy beside him. She cared for him, he knew but didn't know how deeply that caring went. He knew that she pitied him and was only staying with him because she had no where else to go. They relied on each other and nothing more.

Slowly Erik stood. "Come.. we must return. The two fools who run my theater will be missing you. Ivy.. get her ready.. please." He was gruff, and decided his time for self pitying was done. He stamped over to the organ, pulling out parchment and began to write once more. He focused on the anger, and the thought of how this girl he had given everything to had betrayed him. That she would take it upon herself to rip the mask away and reveal him like that. He would have done it when he was ready. It would've been gentle and he could've handled it then. But not like this. Not like this.

As he wrote the letters, watching Ivy dress Christine out of the corner of his eye, he thought back to the time that he had found Ivy staring at him without his mask. She hadn't flinched or moved, and though she had been more concerned for their safety, she never looked scared. She had told him that he should be lucky he's alive. He had let it go though, knowing what she said was true. But now, now he just felt like dying. He'd have to work harder at obtaining her. But he would always see that look in Christine's eyes. The one of horror. He would always be a rotting carcass in any mirror he looked upon.

Finally when the letters were all written, Erik grabbed his cloak and tied his mask securely. He led the two women, who were very quiet half way up to the opera house, when he could not bring himself to go any further. "Ivy.. take her back.. it would be easier that way. You can say you found her wandering around down here. And you.. it would be best if you stick with that story." He glared at her and with a woosh of his cloak, he was back down the stairs.

Ivy watched him leave and then turned to take Christine gently by the arm. "Come on.. people are missing you.." she spoke softly to the girl who finally looked a bit relieved. Relieved perhaps to be away from him. "I... I didn't mean to.." Christine spoke, her voice trembling. "Well it doesn't matter now does it? You did it, and what's done is done..." Ivy was curt with her, but it was her own fault, dammit. "Ivy.. why.. how did you.. I do not understand... you being here or him.. or..." Christine shook her head, truly confused and put a hand to her head. Slowly Ivy started to tell her about herself, and how Madame Giry had put the two together when they were younger. She spoke of Erik fondly, and lovingly though she had no meant to. She didnt' want Christine to think of him fondly, that was for certain.

"I see... so... you love him then?" Christine asked as they had come to the mirror in which she had so recently stepped through into a world which she had thought to be magical, that had only turned to be smoke.. and mirrors. Ivy blinked, pushing the mirror aside once she determined no one was inside. "That's not important.. " she spoke dismissively. Christine clasped her hands. "You look at him the way Raoul looks at me. It's two different things. The Angel of ... Erik.. he looks at me more as an object.. a possession to behold. It is love, but its possessive love.. Raoul... he loves every part of me, or at least I believe he does. I see that look in his eyes, and I see it in yours Ivy.."

Ivy sighed and turned to Christine, her hands still firmly clasped to the other woman's. "I've seen that look in the Viscount's eyes and I know he cares deeply for you Christine. I've always loved Erik, but he loves you. I cannot change his mind. And if what he wants is you... then I can do nothing but let him be happy." her words were betraying her, and though she half heartedly believed them now, she couldn't deny that she meant no part of it. She didn't want Erik to want Christine. She wanted him to love her.

"I.. I love Raoul.. I cannot change that.. but he... I'm sorry this isn't wise to talk with you about. I won't say anymore. You can go. I am fine." Christine smiled sheepishly at the other girl and gestured for her to leave. Ivy nodded slowly, not wishing to discuss the matter of love with this woman, not at all. "I have things to deliver... and please Christine.. you cannot tell anyone that I am there with him.. please.." she begged with her eyes. Christine nodded and smiled. "You have my word."

Ivy slipped out the door and into the night, off to deliver the notes she had been given.