"Ulterior Motives"
Author's note: Glad to see all the positive reviews! Heh, the most difficult thing about writing this phic is the beginning. I have no clue how to start everything out. I have an entire chapter written out, but it's not going to happen for a while. And I have a nice idea for an ending floating around in my head, but it's difficult to figure out how to get Erik and Raoul to be friends. Ah well. Let's see what I can do!
Oh, and Shande: John Cudia is indeed a sexy man. I absolutely adore him. He just got married…sigh. And has not been performing for 1.5 months. I'm assuming he's sick, since his honeymoon is already over (his now-wife is back performing in "Nine"). Oh, when I see him again... *cackle*
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Chapter 2 – First Impressions
Erik drummed his fingers absentmindedly on the side of his seat as he gazed out at the crowd filling the seats in the theatre. He was, of course, sitting in his usual box. Box 5, the box where even brave souls dared not venture. However…on this particular night, he was expecting a visitor. A special visitor.
A simple letter began it all.
Monsieur de Chagny,
There is someone who would like to meet you. To preserve our privacy, come to Box 5, so that we could talk.
He knew that Raoul would be attending that night's performance, so he left the letter in his usual seat. Now all Erik could do was wait.
A knock came at the door. Erik made sure he was not visible, and waited. Eventually, after another knock, the door opened, and the Vicomte came in. Looking about, he decided that he should be seated, before the performance began. As he moved to sit, another note was on the chair. He picked it up, reading it.
Monsieur de Chagny,
Unfortunately, I am unable to be present at the start of the performance, as pressing business has called me away. However, I shall join you as soon as I am able to. Do not be surprised to find me midway throughout the opera.
Raoul sat down, putting the note aside. The night was getting stranger and stranger by the moment. But, he thought to himself, mystery is one of the things that makes life worth living.
The opera began as usual. Erik, once sure that Raoul was entranced, spoke. "Quite a grand performance, isn't it?"
"Ah, yes, yes indeed!"
As Erik suspected. Raoul did not really know what was going on.
"Really wonderful… I just wish I could see this more often."
"Ah, yes… such things never grow old. Why, just look at Mlle. Daae. So beautiful. Such a wonderful voice. A man could just fall in love with that voice…"
Erik twitched.
"So I've heard… I've also heard that she came about that voice in quite a mysterious fashion. I would be careful, if I were you."
"I'm sure there's nothing to worry about… such rumors rarely have truth to them."
He smiled to himself. "Nonetheless. I would advise caution. We would not, after all, want someone like you to get hurt. Be careful, m'sieur. Mlle. Daae may be more than she seems…" With that, Erik turned and left. This would be enough for a first impression. And, after all, he did not want the boy noticing him yet.
A moment after Erik had left, Raoul seemed to come to his senses. "Wait a minute… who are you!?"
Of course, he was too late. Raoul cast about for a glimpse of someone in the darkness, but only the darkness stared back. He was getting slightly worried. He could have sworn he had just had a conversation with someone a minute ago. Perhaps the wine was getting to him…
But no. He still held the mysterious letter that had been on his seat when he entered his usual box. That was evidence enough that something…something had happened. But who was this voice? This voice that seemed to wrap him in some sort of spell?
"What is going on…?" Raoul thought, holding his head in his hands.
Meanwhile, a slight grin appeared on a man's face, cloaked in darkness.