Disclaimer: Phantom does not belong to me. Ariel, Darius, Ghost and the Phantom's Lair Theater and it's company belong to me.
Note: If you are against other woman stories and homosexual friends why are you reading this? lol. If you've made it this far you are not against these things so welcome and enjoy the story. Meet Darius and the rest of the Phantom's Lair company. Thank you to my few but loyal fans. Your reviews were wonderful and I hope you like this new installation.
( Erik's thought) Ariel's thoughts songs in italics
Chapter 5: Darius de Changy
After the comment about Darius and a lengthy explanation from Ariel she was still laughing periodically. She never thought it would be so easy to startle Erik but obviously it was. Knowing it was possibly bad for her health to openly tease the phantom she only gave him knowing smiles which he simply returned with an unthreatening glare. This may be fun.
Ariel and Erik were talking about the production for that night. Even though 'Blind To It All' had been playing for the last two weeks, at day the whole cast and crew were already working on sets and practicing scenes for the next piece for the following month. When Erik asked her to explain how the story went Ariel was a bit uncomfortable. How exactly do you explain a romantic piece to the person it's supposed to be about? In the end Ariel suggested he simply watch the performance that night in the light and sound booth.
Conversation went onto things like showing Erik how to use the stereo, dvd player, tv, vcr and computer. Definitely a learning process she wished on no one. She forgot that Erik didn't even know what electricity was and she had the strong urge to just shove a science book in his hands and leave it to him. But she was patient and answered every question he posed.
Ariel was so caught up in telling Erik which buttons not to touch so he wouldn't erase every file on her ibook that she hadn't paid any attention to the clock. A knock on the apartment door startled both Erik and Ariel. Erik's hand went instinctively to his mask as if to check if it was still there and Ariel absently wondered why he hadn't done that with her. Then the problem at hand took over her thoughts.
" Everyone's here." She looked at the clock. " And no wonder, it's seven-thirty. They actually had to use their key for once." Ariel said with a chuckle. " Who is it?" She called and she saw Erik back into a corner that hadn't been filled with light from the sun.
" Raoul de Changy of course." Came a very aristocratic voice and Ariel snorted.
" Yeah, and i'm Christine Daae. " She said sarcastically as she opened the door. It revealed a blond haired, blue eyed man in jeans and a white t-shirt. Hair slicked back with the right amount of hair product and clean shaven. If the man were straight he'd be every girls dream guy. Unfortunately he was dating Jeremy who worked at the bar down the street where the theater company frequented after shows.
" All right, so maybe i'm the best part for Christine but you won't let anyone cross dress." The man said in a mock tone of hurt.
Ariel smirked. " Only because your incredibly terrible at playing girls Darius. Have trouble getting in ?" She said walking into the kitchen to retrieve the coffee mugs for the cast and crew. Darius followed and was greeted by Ghost who jumped up on the man and he laughed.
" Well if it isn't our little Opera Ghost. How are you boy? Chasing off any guy who could make Ariel a good boyfriend?" He asked devilishly.
" Darius!" Ariel shot at him with warning. " I think it's you who chases off anyone who's interested in me." She said, pointing an accusing finger at him.
" Only because your pretty much my little sister. I want you to find someone who will take good care of you." He said and helped her pour coffee into the mugs.
" Erik you can come out and help us now." Ariel called over her shoulder. " Darius isn't going to bite you." She smiled as Erik slowly came out of the shadows and eyed Darius with a weary eye he was also probably trying to decipher everything the two had just said. Darius returned the gesture and they both looked at Ariel as if to ask ' now what? '
Ariel was enjoying this. " Sorry, I forgot to introduce you two. Erik this is Darius Ojeda our Raoul de Changy of our stage , Darius this is Erik Destler the Phantom of the Opera of the Opera Populaire in Paris. " She said sweetly as if this was not an unusual meeting.
Erik saw the resemblance in Darius to the real Viconte and Darius was still confused. He turned to Ariel questionably. " Is he here to audition for Anthony's part?" He asked, obviously meaning Erik's attire.
Ariel shook her head. " No, this is the man Anthony plays." She said and handed Darius his phantom mug. " Sit down, drink your coffee and i'll explain."
A few minutes later, Erik filling in the facts where Ariel wasn't sure and showing Darius the piece of fiction that had brought this all about left the actor floored. " Your seriously not playing a trick on me?" He asked, clutching his mug a little too tightly. " We're not joking Darius I swear." Ariel said who was absently flipping through the script for that days rehearsal and Erik was absently fiddling with his gloves.
Darius caught Erik's eyes and he saw that the young man was looking at him with awe in his eyes. " You wouldn't happen to like men would you?" Darius asked and Erik nearly fell off the back of the couch which he'd been leaning on. " What do you mean by that?!" Erik blurted out before he could check his words. Darius smiled. " I mean are you attracted to men. Like having a relationship with one?" He asked and it was Erik's turn to be absolutely floored.
" No!" Erik said quickly in reply and instantly glared at Ariel who was holding the script over her face which was turning red in her attempt to hold in laughter. " It's time to start rehearsal............so lets get downstairs...........and explain this to everyone else." Ariel said laughing in between some words. They managed to get downstairs without dropping the coffee mugs or Erik threatening to ring Darius's neck if he didn't stop staring at him.
Chapter 6: Blind To It All
After explaining who Erik was to the cast and crew and making them believe what they were saying was true, Ariel was able to introduce Erik to everyone.
" Jessica Talbot is our Meg Giry, Katarina Williams is Madame Giry, the two talking in the back are Kyle and Tyler who play Firmin and Adre." The people Ariel called attention to came up and greeted Erik warmly and he was astonished that they enjoyed meeting him. Ariel introduced many of the dancers and chorus then came to the people he was the most worried about meeting.
" And our most principle actors. This is Veronica Smith who plays Carlotta." The woman was maybe in her early thirties with short auburn hair and hazel eyes, she was a very skinny woman and she dressed like a twenty-first century version of Carlotta in slightly fancier clothes then most of the other actors casual practice wear. " I'm not really like Carlotta." Veronica said in her defense though everyone started to laugh at this. Ariel smiled.
" Maybe not as annoying as Carlotta but you still act like a drama queen."
Erik smiled when he realized that everyone was simply teasing each other lightly. They were like a huge family and Erik was suprised that they were welcoming him so easily. He also noticed the expression of awe on all their faces when they looked at him and it was getting unnerving.
" Darius you met already. But these are our most prized actors. This is Giselle Carter who is our Miss Christine Daae." Erik looked at the woman and didn't find much resemblance between her and the true songstress. Giselle had long blond hair instead of brown locks and her eyes were brown instead of blue. She definitely had Christines small frame and sweet demeanor. " I doubt he cares who I am Ariel." Giselle said, looking very flustered by all the attention. But Erik always the gentlemen waved her words away. " Nonsense mademoiselle Giselle, i'm sure you are charming as Miss Daae." He said and kissed her hand.
Ariel put a mock look of hurt on her face. " Well I never had such a reaction from him. I'm probably not that important." She said dismally. Erik smiled and bowed to Ariel gallantly, putting some theatrical flare into the gesture for her. " Why mademoiselle Ariel this isn't true. To be pleased is all I ask of you." He said mocking the words to the song from the musical and he daringly kissed her cheek instead of her hand. Though he couldn't explain his actions to even himself.
Everyone clapped and some of the men whistled and Erik smiled to see Ariel was blushing. " I wished you hadn't found the musical libretto." Ariel said with a laugh and touched her cheek where he'd kissed her. The troupe laughed and a man came forward and extended his hand to Erik.
" I do believe you've stunned Ariel too much for her to introduce me. I'm Anthony Carter, the one who has the honor to portray you on stage." He said and actually copied Erik's bow. The phantom laughed, seeing his own movements duplicated so completely before him. Anthony was graceful in his movements and held himself straight and proud. His face strong and dark featured, in a way Erik supposed his own would be if he was not disfigured. Like seeing a ghost of himself.
" Giselle is my wife, we'll be joining the musical production soon. We'll be the first husband and wife version of Christine and the Phantom." Anthony said and Giselle held his hand and Erik couldn't help but smile. Glad to see someone had benefitted from his story if not himself. " You have great taste monsieur, i'm sure your good to her." Erik said and Anthony seemed to understand his meaning. " We're very happy together."
Anthony said with a smile. Erik returned the smile and after talking to the everyone for a while he felt smothered.
" I believe i'm keeping your rehearsal from going on." Erik announced and immediately everyone started to object. Erik wasn't used to people wanting to be in his company and it only drove him to want privacy even more. " No, I won't delay it much longer. But I will watch, just not from the stage." They at least agreed to that. Though he saw the understanding stand out most in Ariel's eyes as she sadly nodded to him in silent agreement to the unspoken request. He wanted to be alone for a while. It was too much too soon.
Ariel was sometimes called the reincarnation of Madame Giry when it came to rehearsal. She drove the chorus, dancers and actors to perfection but was more light hearted and less harsh with her words then the venerable dance mistress.
" Giselle, Anthony. I need you guys closer during the words 'love is the only danger'. Anthony you know what I mean, use ' Music of the Night' as reference for the ghosting over her face." She said running her own hand over Giselle's cheek but not touching, just barely. Giselle closed her eyes and acted as if it was Anthony's hand and he nodded, knowing what she wanted.
" All right, Tanner I need ' Take Me As I Am' from the top." She called up to the sound and light booth and got a thumbs up. " Giselle, Anthony back at your first marks and lets see those voices and movements flow together this time." She said and everyone got in position.
Anthony had on the stage mask that had been specially made to fit his face correctly, when he left there would have to be another mask made for the new actor. Giselle still had her street clothes on but she never needed anything to fall into Christine. The music started and the two actors stared at each other, acting as if they didn't know how to approach each other. Then Anthony started to sing.
Sometimes I see past the horizon
Sure of my way, where I am going
But where's the prize I have my eyes on
Where there is just no knowing
Anthony held out his hand to Giselle and she slowly came forward if not sure of herself either. But he smiled at her and she smiled and came to him, slipping her hand into his.
And if despair tears me in two
Who can I turn to but you
You know who I am
Take me as I am........
Giselle touched his masked side of his face and Anthony closed his eyes at her touch as she sang.
Look in my eyes, who do you see there?
Someone you know, or just a stranger?
If you are wise you will see me there
Love is the only danger.
Anthony ghosted his hand over her cheek like Ariel had showed him and she smiled as the whole scene came together. Anthony took a well rehearsed shaky breathe and finally laid his hand fully on her cheek and Giselle closed her eyes as she sang.
Love meaning me
Love meaning you
We'll make that one dream come true
You know who I am
Take me as I am.
Anthony joined her and their voices rose to a joyous pitch.
Though fate won't always do what we desire
Still we can set the world on fire.
Give me your hand, give me your heart.
Anthony looked at her imploringly as he sang
Swear to me we'll never part.
Giselle only too happy to calm his fears
We'll never part!
And they finished together
You know who I am
This is who I AM
Take me as I am...............
The whole theater exploded with applause and Ariel smiling at her soon to be leaving friends saw Erik, high on the catwalks applauding the couple as well with a shaken look on his face. But when he saw Ariel he smiled at her and gave her what looked like a 'thank you' for what she had done.
" Okay everyone, that was awesome. Now practice the lines that follow for the next act and i'll be back in a minute." Ariel said and made her way up to the catwalk.
Erik had watched the two give themselves to each other so completely during the performance that it had brought a tear to his eye. He pictured himself with Christine singing the same song but the picture would not come together in his mind. Proof that no such thing was possible then or now.
" Erik?" He turned and saw Ariel standing beside him on the catwalk. A wonder that he hadn't seen her coming. She looked worried.
" Did Anthony and Giselle's performance bother you? I'm sorry if it did, I didn't think about what you'd think of all this. It has to be a lot to think about. How everyone here accepts you and what we do for a living." She started to babble nervously, she wasn't even looking at him and this bothered Erik.
" No, they were wonderful. Two grand singers who love each other very much. I find nothing wrong with that." He said, smiling down at the couple again as they read lines on the stage. Words of love and happiness he knew would never come from his or Christine's lips.
Ariel would still not meet his eyes and Erik touched her shoulder. In one day he'd been able to let her touch him and he'd kissed her cheek. He hadn't questioned the comfort he felt around her and he wasn't about to now. Somehow he thought doubting it would ruin such a feeling. Ariel finally met his eyes and blushed. Erik sensed that they were high above where no one could see them and they could barely see each other in the this near dark.
Doing something that he would he never have done were it Christine or anyone else, Erik closed the distance between him and the angel before him. Ariel's eyes held a sparkle in them that Erik took as permission and he kissed her. It was a chaste kiss, but they both felt the spark when their lips touched. Erik pulled away first, still able to smell the rose oil she wore and feel the warmth of her lips on his and her fingers when they had grazed his undeformed cheek.
Ariel watched the side of his mouth turn up in a unbelieving smile. His fingers absently playing with a strand of her hair. A warmth had spread through out her body when he kissed her, but no matter how much she wanted to she wouldn't push it any farther. Though she wanted to so badly. She had felt complete for a second and she desperately wanted that feeling back.
Erik wanted to hold her, close to his heart and body. To feel her heartbeat, to know that she was real and that she hadn't pulled away or run away from him. He didn't know who she was but deep inside he did. She shared something with him, though he didn't know what it was. So he simply stared into her eyes and leaned in to feel the warmth of her lips again.
" Ariel! We need you on the stage!"
Erik pulled back, seeing the disappointment on Ariel's face as she looked down to see that most of the cast and crew were indeed looking for her. Erik and he gestured that she should go. But the fiery haired angel showed no sign of moving. Erik ran his hand down her cheek, she sighed at the touch and Erik smiled.
" I will watch the performance tonight. But for now you have rehearsal to attend to and I have my thoughts to organize. Now run along my sweet Seraph." He said and Ariel chuckled. " You cheated. Calling me Seraph instead of angel, but I like it." She said and placed a feather soft kiss on his lips before heading back down to the stage.
Erik watched her go, staying in the dark so no one would see him. It felt familiar but Erik knew this was different. He had no one to hide from, not here. He enjoyed watching Ariel work, knowing that the smile on her face was because of him.
That night Erik made his way up to the sound and light booth before people started to file in to see that nights performance of ' Blind To It All.'
So what do you think? Next chapter will have a small piece of 'Blind To It All' and Erik's reaction to it. What will happen when Anthony and Giselle have to leave, who will replace them? And what will happen with our dear phantom and Ariel? Review and you shall find out.
By the way Seraph is just another way to say angel. I thought it would be cliché to let Erik call Ariel angel. The song in this chapter was called 'Take Me As I Am' from the musical Jekyll and Hyde. See you soon.