Chapter seven
I have never felt like this before, I trust him with everything. My life, my soul, my heart... do I love him? Is it even possible for me to love a man whose face I've never seen? I think it must be, it's the only way I can explain the emotions running threw me! Other men have approached me in the past, since my success here some have attempted to court me... still my heart goes out to the man whose face is behind a mask. Despite his promise, he does not attend the performance. The first act is awful, I feel so alone without someone in the audience that I know... I fear that my voice will crack!
The rest of the cast can see my worry; I know that when the act finishes I will be questioned. I don't want that to happen... "Diana!! What is it? What's wrong?" Kirsty runs over to me and I look her in the eye. "He isn't here Kirsty! He promised that he would come..." Her expression turns into one of confusion, "I'm sure he's just late Diana. Erik has never missed a performance, until he shows up you just have to pretend he's here." Silently I thank God in heaven for Kirsty's common sense, he has been late before. Madam Giry hurries over to us. "Is everything alright you two? There's only three minutes left until we start the second act!"
I looked at Kirsty, she squeezed my hand. "Everything's just fine, we were just headed to our places." Giry nodded and hurried of, Kirsty smiled at me. "Your doing beautifully, just keep it up!" without another word we separated and went to our places. Erik never came. When the performance was over, I ran to my dressing room. Unsure of whether he was mad at me, or something had happened. He was not there either!
Fear began to get the better of me and I pushed against the glass of my mirror in frustration. To my shock the mirror sprang open! It had certainly never done that before! "When I find Erik I'll have to ask him to look at this thing... before I kill him for driving me crazy and breaking his promise." Phantom looked at me from where she lay and tilted her head quizzically. Despite myself, I smiled and picked her up into my arms. "You should feel very lucky you haven't met a tom cat Phantom, men can be very frustrating." She purred and rubbed against my chest, content to listen to me ramble as long as I petted her.
Looking back towards the mirror, a spark of curiosity was lit in my mind. What world was hidden on the other sides of mirrors? I had often enough seen Erik vanish into them, where did they lead? I myself had only passed threw them once before, and the Persian had led at such a fast pace that I had no time to see the areas around me. With cautious steps, I passed threw my mirror and into what could only be called a labyrinth. Phantom meowed with distaste and leapt back into the room.
I shrugged my shoulders and sighed, "Very well, I'll go alone. You big scared cat!" Phantom yawned and turned her back. As I walked away from the square opening, I could not escape the feeling that my cat was being smarter than I was. Which is a very strange feeling indeed! The path I was following had several side routs that led of in different directions. I resolved to explore them on my way back. The only sounds I could hear were the soft tapping of my shoes on the stone floor, and water dripping somewhere nearby.
The dim light began to brighten as I reached the end of the passage. The smells of hay and horses greeted my nose, allowing me to guess that I was near the stables. My assumption proved to be correct, soon I was up to my ankles in hay. A horse nudged me with its nose, sending me sprawling into an empty stall. The look I gave the creature said it all.
Erik was loosing his patience. The viscount had been rambling on for what certainly seemed like hours. In a way he had to pity his former rival, the man acted as if he was living from day to day by will alone. It was a feeling that Erik could relate to. However, Erik had finally moved on. The viscount on the other hand, behaved as if Christine were standing right behind him! "Do you think you have wasted enough of my time yet? My foot's falling asleep." Roul blinked, these were the first words the ghost had offered during his accusations. "What good can come of teaching this woman? Is this your attempt to replace Christine?!"
The ghost sighed and shook his head, "I miss her to viscount, but I have moved on. She's dead Roul." He stepped back when his rival attempted to lunge at him. The viscount crumbled to the floor sobbing. "Do you think I don't know that?" the tears ran freely down his face. "I think about her every other moment, do you know that her last thoughts were of you?!" Erik's eyes widened, but he said nothing. "She was always thinking about you! Talking about you! She was my wife, but you owned her more than I did!"
Their eyes met and Erik recoiled from Roul's wrathful gaze. "I loved her with all my heart, but you owned her soul." With the support his anger was giving him, Roul advanced, his rambling growing more crazed. "I think the child would have finally made her truly love me, but instead it stole her from me! Just like you!" A loud thwack echoed of the walls, the viscount crumbled under the force of Erik's blow. "ENOUGH!!"
Erik's breaths came in angry hissing gasps, his eyes burned with hellfire. "How dare you blame her death on me!!" under such an onslaught the courage that had allowed Roul to get this far fled him. Desperately he struggled to pull himself away from the enraged specter. "I loved her more than life itself!! That's why I gave her to you!! Ignorant fool!!" Towering over him, Erik pulled Roul to his feet and held him by the neck. "And to say it was my fault she never loved you? I never ruled her heart!" With a disgusted snarl he threw the viscount to the floor. Unsure of what to do Roul lay still, his eyes wide with terror. "Go Roul, do not return if you value your life! Go!!"
Diana watched as the Viscount fled down the passage. Once he was out of sight, her eyes turned back to Erik. Her teachers form seemed to lose its aura of danger, he swayed on his feet and braced himself against a wall. His eyes closed tightly with pain. "Erik?..." He stiffened, his eyes wide as she came towards him. "Are you alright?" With s sigh he shook his head dismayed, "Diana, this was not something you were suppose to see..." with caution, he placed his hands on her shoulders.
"That was the Viscount-de-changny, an old rival of mine with no purpose left in life except to torment me!" The anger in his eyes faded to pity, a small chuckle escaped his lips. "In grief over the death of his wife he comes to me and rants, hoping it will ease his pain. It consumes him, I know how it feels..." Diana took his face in her hands, a tear falling down her cheek. "You loved her, didn't you." Erik could only nod, internal pains, years of sorrow resurfacing behind his walls. "I never knew this Christine, but I do know this. If you loved her, she must have been blessed." Her eyes shone and Erik was forced to look into them in awe.
"And I'm sure she now resides happily with our lord in heaven, where you will see her again someday." The love that was transferred from her heart to his eased the pain, she lay her head against his shoulder and his arms encircled her. "I would be lost without you." The tender whisper warmed the silence, Diana raised her head to see his eyes. Their lips brushed lightly, a frightened caress... "Erik...I love you..."
Phantom looked up as her owner and Erik entered the room. Both were holding each other, she yowled a protest as they sat on the bed, almost right on top of her. "Are you sure your alright? You can stay here with me if you want to." Erik smiled and shook his head. "There are things that I must attend to, I will come back..." Their lips met again, Diana released Erik's hand. "I'll wait for you." Phantom jumped into Diana's empty lap and purred, her owner stroked her lightly. Erik bowed and disappeared threw the mirror. The glass seemed to shimmer as it closed behind him.
Walking threw the passage Erik's ears picked up the sound of footsteps, turning around he was greeted by Darogas concerned face. "Erik! I just saw Roul flee the vicinity as if hells fires were chasing him! What happened?!" seeing Erik's expression he quickly crossed the distance between them. "Is everything alright?" without warning, the phantom burst out into laughter! Daroga raised an eyebrow. "Erik? What on earth is so funny?" the look he received only succeeded in confusing him more. "I'm sorry, it's just your timing my friend! That fool kept me down her e for several hours, and you only wonder where I am when you see him running away!" The Persian shook his head, "I still don't know what's so funny..."
Right when he thought Erik had passed the limits of his confusion, he found himself trapped in a bear hug! "Erik! What has possessed you man?! Are you feeling sane?!" Erik's laughter once again reached his ears. "She can't possibly but she does! Daroga! She can't but she does! And I feel the same! Do you realize what this means?!" Daroga blinked, "To be honest, I didn't understand a word of that. Come again?" Erik took a deep breath, and tried again. "She loves me Daroga! Diana somehow loves me! I don't know how, but she does! And I feel the same! What do I do? I feel so confused!"
Daroga looked into his friends eyes and smiled, laying a hand on his shoulder. "If you love her, and she loves you, what can I say? Follow your heart. Go where it leads you, but please tell me this much. Has Diana seen you yet without your mask?" Erik shook his head. "She has never requested that I remove it, and I have no desire to." He sighed, "She's going to ask someday... I don't know if I can deny her." A sound from behind them caused both men to turn, Meg came out of the shadows. "Phantom, if I may... is this wise?" "I feel it's my duty, as one of Christine's friends, to prevent a repeat of the events from five years ago.
Erik's eyes narrowed sharply. "Are you implying something mademoiselle?" The silence that descended on the group was an uncomfortable one. "I am only bringing it up, we do not need anything like that to ever happen again." A smile crept over Erik's face. He tilted his head and almost seemed to dare her to comment. "It would seem you have thrown caution to the wind, do you no longer fear me?" Meg saw the trap he was laying, and knew that the danger was now very real. "No, I no longer fear you as I once did. I saved your life phantom. I know that you will remember that."
A look of amusement seemed to mold itself to Erik's face; the little that you could see was smiling. Yet, his eyes were cold. Sensing the growing hostility, the Persian coughed lightly and drew their attention away from each other. "It seems to me that it is getting late , perhaps we should all head our own ways." Erik nodded; his eyes catching the little light that shone threw the passage. "Until we meet again."
The first sounds of morning were slow to reach the opera houses bedrooms, Diana first became aware as she woke, of a figure sitting on the chair. She smiled, watching as Erik's chest rose and fell beneath his opera suite. His gentle breaths barely making a sound. She rose quietly and looked out her window. The sun was not quite up yet, looking at her clock the hands rested at 4:30. From the chair she heard a soft chuckle, and turned grinning. "I had a feeling that you were watching me!" Erik raised an eyebrow, "Oh? And how would you have come to that conclusion?" Diana laughed and sat in his lap. "I've told you Erik! I know you to well!"
She blinked with confusion as a deep sigh shook his form, "Erik? Are you alright?" he looked into her eyes and smiled. "Alright? I've never been so happy... just to have you near me..." Even as he smiled, a tear ran down his cheek. With the gentleness one can only give their lover, Diana kissed the tear away. "Some one has caused you so much pain, I wish I could free you from it..." She gripped him more tightly as his lips closed over hers. The embrace felt so right... she wanted to merge her soul with his and never move again. "It's hard to believe you're not just a dream, oh Diana..."
With her hands she held his face, bringing his lips to hers. He responded to kiss her, and was surprised when she stayed him with her hand. "There's something you must know." Her eyes were wet with her emotion. She took a breath, laying her cheek against his mask. "I swear to you, from this day on, I will always be faithful only to you." His attempt to speak was swallowed by her kiss, when it broke her eyes once more met his. "I will never leave you, I love you Erik." He buried himself in her arms, his breath soft on her throat. "I love you, forever, with all my soul."
A dim light shone in his eyes as he pulled away, a rip threw his soul... what have I been thinking... oh god... what have I done? ...I...I cannot... why did I even try to believe...I'm letting an Angel condemn herself to hell! "Erik? What is it? What's wrong?" His eyes refused to meet hers, a small sound, almost a sob, buried in the back of his throat. "I... Gods I want to be with you... I want it so badly that I could..." gently she reached out, trying to turn his face to her. His hands covered hers, squeezing gently. "Why can't you be with me? Erik, look at me, please! Why?" His head hung in defeat, he turned to face her gaze. In his eye's... such pain... "You have never seen my face, and that is why you can look at me as you do... feel for me... anything other than..." He stood, pulling away from her hands, from the painful warmth of her touch.
"I love you Diana, but I also loved Christine... and her reaction to my... to my face..."
With wide eyes she rose beside him, "Your face... what lies beneath the mask... your going to show me, aren't you." He moved farther off, his hand rose, running over the mask, tracing its lines. "Yes, I'm going to take off the mask." He turned to her, his form ridged, daring her to come closer. Gently, her hand reached out, retracing the cool curves. Her eyes met his. "And once I do, I will never be able to see you again... I hurt those I love Diana, all I can do for you, my last kindness, will be to end your illusions. Reveal the creature that loves you, before I let you go." Her eyes stared threw his, searching, "I will not run. Do you think I haven't been told the stories? Your title, your temper, neither of these scared me away. To love someone... the way I feel for you... show me your face Erik, show me what you are afraid to have me see! I, will, not, run." Tears ran down her cheeks, "I love your soul..."
Their forms merging in the hallway shadows, Erik led Diana onto the roof of the opera. Together, with shadows entwined, the lovers sat. As the fading light played against their forms, two pairs of hands, one steady, one shaking, removed the mask from the infamous phantom. A moments pause, then, gently, a soft hands touch. Diana fingers caressed Eric's face. Tender whispers, a gentle sigh, the two forms wrapped themselves into one. With a laugh, they tossed a shining object into the air. From the roof it clattered down the buildings face, landing on the opera's doorstep.
From the opera's steps, a porcelain mask stared into eternity.
I have never felt like this before, I trust him with everything. My life, my soul, my heart... do I love him? Is it even possible for me to love a man whose face I've never seen? I think it must be, it's the only way I can explain the emotions running threw me! Other men have approached me in the past, since my success here some have attempted to court me... still my heart goes out to the man whose face is behind a mask. Despite his promise, he does not attend the performance. The first act is awful, I feel so alone without someone in the audience that I know... I fear that my voice will crack!
The rest of the cast can see my worry; I know that when the act finishes I will be questioned. I don't want that to happen... "Diana!! What is it? What's wrong?" Kirsty runs over to me and I look her in the eye. "He isn't here Kirsty! He promised that he would come..." Her expression turns into one of confusion, "I'm sure he's just late Diana. Erik has never missed a performance, until he shows up you just have to pretend he's here." Silently I thank God in heaven for Kirsty's common sense, he has been late before. Madam Giry hurries over to us. "Is everything alright you two? There's only three minutes left until we start the second act!"
I looked at Kirsty, she squeezed my hand. "Everything's just fine, we were just headed to our places." Giry nodded and hurried of, Kirsty smiled at me. "Your doing beautifully, just keep it up!" without another word we separated and went to our places. Erik never came. When the performance was over, I ran to my dressing room. Unsure of whether he was mad at me, or something had happened. He was not there either!
Fear began to get the better of me and I pushed against the glass of my mirror in frustration. To my shock the mirror sprang open! It had certainly never done that before! "When I find Erik I'll have to ask him to look at this thing... before I kill him for driving me crazy and breaking his promise." Phantom looked at me from where she lay and tilted her head quizzically. Despite myself, I smiled and picked her up into my arms. "You should feel very lucky you haven't met a tom cat Phantom, men can be very frustrating." She purred and rubbed against my chest, content to listen to me ramble as long as I petted her.
Looking back towards the mirror, a spark of curiosity was lit in my mind. What world was hidden on the other sides of mirrors? I had often enough seen Erik vanish into them, where did they lead? I myself had only passed threw them once before, and the Persian had led at such a fast pace that I had no time to see the areas around me. With cautious steps, I passed threw my mirror and into what could only be called a labyrinth. Phantom meowed with distaste and leapt back into the room.
I shrugged my shoulders and sighed, "Very well, I'll go alone. You big scared cat!" Phantom yawned and turned her back. As I walked away from the square opening, I could not escape the feeling that my cat was being smarter than I was. Which is a very strange feeling indeed! The path I was following had several side routs that led of in different directions. I resolved to explore them on my way back. The only sounds I could hear were the soft tapping of my shoes on the stone floor, and water dripping somewhere nearby.
The dim light began to brighten as I reached the end of the passage. The smells of hay and horses greeted my nose, allowing me to guess that I was near the stables. My assumption proved to be correct, soon I was up to my ankles in hay. A horse nudged me with its nose, sending me sprawling into an empty stall. The look I gave the creature said it all.
Erik was loosing his patience. The viscount had been rambling on for what certainly seemed like hours. In a way he had to pity his former rival, the man acted as if he was living from day to day by will alone. It was a feeling that Erik could relate to. However, Erik had finally moved on. The viscount on the other hand, behaved as if Christine were standing right behind him! "Do you think you have wasted enough of my time yet? My foot's falling asleep." Roul blinked, these were the first words the ghost had offered during his accusations. "What good can come of teaching this woman? Is this your attempt to replace Christine?!"
The ghost sighed and shook his head, "I miss her to viscount, but I have moved on. She's dead Roul." He stepped back when his rival attempted to lunge at him. The viscount crumbled to the floor sobbing. "Do you think I don't know that?" the tears ran freely down his face. "I think about her every other moment, do you know that her last thoughts were of you?!" Erik's eyes widened, but he said nothing. "She was always thinking about you! Talking about you! She was my wife, but you owned her more than I did!"
Their eyes met and Erik recoiled from Roul's wrathful gaze. "I loved her with all my heart, but you owned her soul." With the support his anger was giving him, Roul advanced, his rambling growing more crazed. "I think the child would have finally made her truly love me, but instead it stole her from me! Just like you!" A loud thwack echoed of the walls, the viscount crumbled under the force of Erik's blow. "ENOUGH!!"
Erik's breaths came in angry hissing gasps, his eyes burned with hellfire. "How dare you blame her death on me!!" under such an onslaught the courage that had allowed Roul to get this far fled him. Desperately he struggled to pull himself away from the enraged specter. "I loved her more than life itself!! That's why I gave her to you!! Ignorant fool!!" Towering over him, Erik pulled Roul to his feet and held him by the neck. "And to say it was my fault she never loved you? I never ruled her heart!" With a disgusted snarl he threw the viscount to the floor. Unsure of what to do Roul lay still, his eyes wide with terror. "Go Roul, do not return if you value your life! Go!!"
Diana watched as the Viscount fled down the passage. Once he was out of sight, her eyes turned back to Erik. Her teachers form seemed to lose its aura of danger, he swayed on his feet and braced himself against a wall. His eyes closed tightly with pain. "Erik?..." He stiffened, his eyes wide as she came towards him. "Are you alright?" With s sigh he shook his head dismayed, "Diana, this was not something you were suppose to see..." with caution, he placed his hands on her shoulders.
"That was the Viscount-de-changny, an old rival of mine with no purpose left in life except to torment me!" The anger in his eyes faded to pity, a small chuckle escaped his lips. "In grief over the death of his wife he comes to me and rants, hoping it will ease his pain. It consumes him, I know how it feels..." Diana took his face in her hands, a tear falling down her cheek. "You loved her, didn't you." Erik could only nod, internal pains, years of sorrow resurfacing behind his walls. "I never knew this Christine, but I do know this. If you loved her, she must have been blessed." Her eyes shone and Erik was forced to look into them in awe.
"And I'm sure she now resides happily with our lord in heaven, where you will see her again someday." The love that was transferred from her heart to his eased the pain, she lay her head against his shoulder and his arms encircled her. "I would be lost without you." The tender whisper warmed the silence, Diana raised her head to see his eyes. Their lips brushed lightly, a frightened caress... "Erik...I love you..."
Phantom looked up as her owner and Erik entered the room. Both were holding each other, she yowled a protest as they sat on the bed, almost right on top of her. "Are you sure your alright? You can stay here with me if you want to." Erik smiled and shook his head. "There are things that I must attend to, I will come back..." Their lips met again, Diana released Erik's hand. "I'll wait for you." Phantom jumped into Diana's empty lap and purred, her owner stroked her lightly. Erik bowed and disappeared threw the mirror. The glass seemed to shimmer as it closed behind him.
Walking threw the passage Erik's ears picked up the sound of footsteps, turning around he was greeted by Darogas concerned face. "Erik! I just saw Roul flee the vicinity as if hells fires were chasing him! What happened?!" seeing Erik's expression he quickly crossed the distance between them. "Is everything alright?" without warning, the phantom burst out into laughter! Daroga raised an eyebrow. "Erik? What on earth is so funny?" the look he received only succeeded in confusing him more. "I'm sorry, it's just your timing my friend! That fool kept me down her e for several hours, and you only wonder where I am when you see him running away!" The Persian shook his head, "I still don't know what's so funny..."
Right when he thought Erik had passed the limits of his confusion, he found himself trapped in a bear hug! "Erik! What has possessed you man?! Are you feeling sane?!" Erik's laughter once again reached his ears. "She can't possibly but she does! Daroga! She can't but she does! And I feel the same! Do you realize what this means?!" Daroga blinked, "To be honest, I didn't understand a word of that. Come again?" Erik took a deep breath, and tried again. "She loves me Daroga! Diana somehow loves me! I don't know how, but she does! And I feel the same! What do I do? I feel so confused!"
Daroga looked into his friends eyes and smiled, laying a hand on his shoulder. "If you love her, and she loves you, what can I say? Follow your heart. Go where it leads you, but please tell me this much. Has Diana seen you yet without your mask?" Erik shook his head. "She has never requested that I remove it, and I have no desire to." He sighed, "She's going to ask someday... I don't know if I can deny her." A sound from behind them caused both men to turn, Meg came out of the shadows. "Phantom, if I may... is this wise?" "I feel it's my duty, as one of Christine's friends, to prevent a repeat of the events from five years ago.
Erik's eyes narrowed sharply. "Are you implying something mademoiselle?" The silence that descended on the group was an uncomfortable one. "I am only bringing it up, we do not need anything like that to ever happen again." A smile crept over Erik's face. He tilted his head and almost seemed to dare her to comment. "It would seem you have thrown caution to the wind, do you no longer fear me?" Meg saw the trap he was laying, and knew that the danger was now very real. "No, I no longer fear you as I once did. I saved your life phantom. I know that you will remember that."
A look of amusement seemed to mold itself to Erik's face; the little that you could see was smiling. Yet, his eyes were cold. Sensing the growing hostility, the Persian coughed lightly and drew their attention away from each other. "It seems to me that it is getting late , perhaps we should all head our own ways." Erik nodded; his eyes catching the little light that shone threw the passage. "Until we meet again."
The first sounds of morning were slow to reach the opera houses bedrooms, Diana first became aware as she woke, of a figure sitting on the chair. She smiled, watching as Erik's chest rose and fell beneath his opera suite. His gentle breaths barely making a sound. She rose quietly and looked out her window. The sun was not quite up yet, looking at her clock the hands rested at 4:30. From the chair she heard a soft chuckle, and turned grinning. "I had a feeling that you were watching me!" Erik raised an eyebrow, "Oh? And how would you have come to that conclusion?" Diana laughed and sat in his lap. "I've told you Erik! I know you to well!"
She blinked with confusion as a deep sigh shook his form, "Erik? Are you alright?" he looked into her eyes and smiled. "Alright? I've never been so happy... just to have you near me..." Even as he smiled, a tear ran down his cheek. With the gentleness one can only give their lover, Diana kissed the tear away. "Some one has caused you so much pain, I wish I could free you from it..." She gripped him more tightly as his lips closed over hers. The embrace felt so right... she wanted to merge her soul with his and never move again. "It's hard to believe you're not just a dream, oh Diana..."
With her hands she held his face, bringing his lips to hers. He responded to kiss her, and was surprised when she stayed him with her hand. "There's something you must know." Her eyes were wet with her emotion. She took a breath, laying her cheek against his mask. "I swear to you, from this day on, I will always be faithful only to you." His attempt to speak was swallowed by her kiss, when it broke her eyes once more met his. "I will never leave you, I love you Erik." He buried himself in her arms, his breath soft on her throat. "I love you, forever, with all my soul."
A dim light shone in his eyes as he pulled away, a rip threw his soul... what have I been thinking... oh god... what have I done? ...I...I cannot... why did I even try to believe...I'm letting an Angel condemn herself to hell! "Erik? What is it? What's wrong?" His eyes refused to meet hers, a small sound, almost a sob, buried in the back of his throat. "I... Gods I want to be with you... I want it so badly that I could..." gently she reached out, trying to turn his face to her. His hands covered hers, squeezing gently. "Why can't you be with me? Erik, look at me, please! Why?" His head hung in defeat, he turned to face her gaze. In his eye's... such pain... "You have never seen my face, and that is why you can look at me as you do... feel for me... anything other than..." He stood, pulling away from her hands, from the painful warmth of her touch.
"I love you Diana, but I also loved Christine... and her reaction to my... to my face..."
With wide eyes she rose beside him, "Your face... what lies beneath the mask... your going to show me, aren't you." He moved farther off, his hand rose, running over the mask, tracing its lines. "Yes, I'm going to take off the mask." He turned to her, his form ridged, daring her to come closer. Gently, her hand reached out, retracing the cool curves. Her eyes met his. "And once I do, I will never be able to see you again... I hurt those I love Diana, all I can do for you, my last kindness, will be to end your illusions. Reveal the creature that loves you, before I let you go." Her eyes stared threw his, searching, "I will not run. Do you think I haven't been told the stories? Your title, your temper, neither of these scared me away. To love someone... the way I feel for you... show me your face Erik, show me what you are afraid to have me see! I, will, not, run." Tears ran down her cheeks, "I love your soul..."
Their forms merging in the hallway shadows, Erik led Diana onto the roof of the opera. Together, with shadows entwined, the lovers sat. As the fading light played against their forms, two pairs of hands, one steady, one shaking, removed the mask from the infamous phantom. A moments pause, then, gently, a soft hands touch. Diana fingers caressed Eric's face. Tender whispers, a gentle sigh, the two forms wrapped themselves into one. With a laugh, they tossed a shining object into the air. From the roof it clattered down the buildings face, landing on the opera's doorstep.
From the opera's steps, a porcelain mask stared into eternity.