Before I start I would like to say thank you to Mizamour and Mademoiselle Justicia for your lovely reviews.
"Come, come in, come and see the Devil's Child." A gypsy was taunting a line of small girls. Through the bars he could see them. Their eyes were wide with fear and one in particular was crying. He did not know why, but he sensed that she was hurt. He then saw a shorter girl pull her hair. The girl screamed and cried, but did not hit back. He could not understand why. Soon the gypsy that had been yelling joined him in the cage. "Ladies and Gentleman, only The Devil himself could produce an offspring so vile as this." With that the bag was ripped from his head and the gasps and laughter started. His deformity was put on display. Then he heard the stick come hurtling through the air.
Erik sat up with a start. He was covered in sweat and his mask was ajar on his face. It was only then that he noticed that he was not alone. Meg Giry sat on the edge of the bed looking thoroughly frightened. "Monsieur," She said softly. "You were having a terrible nightmare. You were screaming so I had the innkeeper unlock your door. I hope I have not offended you I just wished to check that you were alright." She looked scared. As though he might hit her.
"Yes, thank you, I am fine." He growled back at her. "Would you like some fresh clothes to wear?"
"No thank you. I am fine in these. They fit rather nicely." She replied timidly.
"I will not have you running about in my clothes all afternoon."
"Your clothes?"
"Yes the clothes that you have on belong to me child." He told her throwing her a bag of money. "Buy three nice dresses. One everyday, one for a ball, and one practice dress."
"Practice dress?" She asked thoroughly confused.
"We can't have you falling out of shape can we? No." He replied.
"But how will I practice, I have no music." She asked.
Erik shook his head at the girls ignorance before continuing. "Mademoiselle, who exactly do you think you are stuck with?"
Meg blushed a deep red. "What time should I return?"
"Early evening I presume. Oh, I almost forgot. You will need shoes as well. You are allowed one pair of point shoes, one pair of slippers, and one pair of heels. Go."
"Thank you again, O.G." She gushed before reaching the door. His voice however made her freeze with her hand on the doorknob.
"If you do not return to me, the results will be quite devastating."
Meg flew down the hall and out into the street. She was about to do something she had not done since she was a mere child. Shop. She needn't worry about money, something told her price was not a setback. As she bustled through the busy streets she found herself looking for someone she knew. Anyone. Someone to talk to. Finding no one she continued on her appointed task.
Meanwhile, back at the inn, Erik seated himself at the piano in his room. He had sworn to himself that he would never play another note. Yet, he felt the keys calling his hands as the music flowed through his mind. It was his opera. He had every note memorized. Yet he found he could not play it. It hurt too much at the present time. So he composed something knew, something entirely different. A Ballet. It was light, but soft, with a kind of unwritten sadness, but at the same time, a kind of unidentifiable cheer. He found that it would make nicely for a ballet.
Several hours later Meg arrived at her room heavily laden with shopping bags and with the bag of money considerably lighter than it had been. She had bought exactly what she was instructed and one thing extra. She went next door with only one bag in hand and knocked on Erik's door. "Come in." He grumbled. She walked in and saw him seated at the piano, the last place she expected. "Did you do as I asked mademoiselle?" He inquired, finally looking in her direction. She nodded. "Good now go change. I expect you ready to practice in a quarter of an hour exactly."
"Oui Monsieur. I will just leave this here. It took me all day to find it. I hope it is to your liking." She whispered and quitted the room.
Erik had to admit. He was intrigued. She had purchased him something? She had actually thought of him while she was out today? He was amazed. He looked in the bag and found a brand new suit, boots, and jacket. But what was even more astonishing was that in the bottom of the bag was a white mask made to cover half of a human face. Where on earth did she get this?