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5
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"Yo, ho! Yo, ho! A pirate's life for--" Jack paused, seeing Erik raise his hand up in a gesture for him to stop. He closed his mouth and returned to the chair to sit down. Looking at the Phantom smugly, proud of his voice, he assured Erik once more, "Good, eh? And let me remind you that I have not had any previous training. So what do you think?"
Erik stared at Jack blankly. "Honestly? I think I could have heard better if I were to bang a cat against a wall repetitively. Your voice is dreadful, simply dreadful."
Jack's smile turned into a frown for a brief moment before returning to the smile. He punched Erik in the arm in a friendly manner, causing Erik to cringe away and look at him apprehensively. "You ol' leg-puller, you," he said and laughed. "Let's sing a song together. Do you have anything that we could sing?"
Erik regarded Jack with a raised eyebrow for several seconds before standing from his seat and heading over to his organ where various sheets of paper lay scattered along the sides. Jack followed suit and stood behind, watching over Erik's shoulder as he rummaged through the sets of paper until finally bringing out a chart and turning around to Jack. He placed the chart into Jack's hands and looked at him, waiting for Jack to look at what he had given him.
Jack looked at the chart in his hands, turning it over in his grip and inspecting it. "Don Juan Triumphant," he read from the cover of the chart. "Hmm... sounds interesting."
"Yes, well I had written it for the Opera Populaire to perform. The originals were lost in the fire but this was an extra copy I had made that I was able to salvage. Go on, look inside."
Jack nodded and opened the chart curiously. He was faced with many notes which meant absolutely nothing to him. "I can't read music," Jack said, flipping the pages and seeing more and more meaningless notes.
"You won't need to worry about that. Just follow through with the rhythm I sing and use the words written under the notes," Erik explained, pointing to small letterings inscribed beneath the music bars.
"Okay," Jack said, a bit doubtful. "What song?"
"The Point Of No Return," Erik replied, staring Jack in the eye. For a second Jack could almost swear he had seen a strange glow come across Erik's eyes as he had spoken the song's title, but he decided that it was probably just his imagination, and turned his eyes away from Erik's, to return back to the chart. He flipped through the pages until he came to a sheet with the title 'The Point Of No Return' at the top. He squinted his eyes and turned them to the side of the page which said something. "Sung by: Don Juan and Aminta," Jack read aloud. He turned his gaze back to Erik. "Interesting character names... Aminta... that sounds like a female's name," Jack said and offered a nervous laugh.
Erik nodded. "Yes. It is a female name."
"But we're both males..." Jack said, pointing from himself to Erik. He stopped and turned his eyes down disappointedly. "Ah, let me guess. I'll be singing as Aminta, won't I?"
"Mmhmm," Erik confirmed.
"Oh joy," Jack said sarcastically. He looked at the paper and saw that as well as lyrics beneath the music notes, there were other words which looked to be actions. "How wonderful, this is choreographed as well?"
"Yes," Erik said, filling with enjoyment in watching Jack squirm and become uncomfortable in his presence.
"Let's just get this over with," Jack said, not amused by the Phantom's intentionally bad choice of song.
Erik backed away from Jack and stood several feet apart. "You have come here in pursuit of your deepest urge. In pursuit of that wish which till now has silent. Silent. I have brought you that our passions may fuse and merge. In your mind you've already succumbed to me, dropped all defenses. Completely succumbed to me. Now you are here with me. No second thoughts, you've decided. Decided." (Past the point of no Return – Andrew Lloyd Webber)
He twirled his cape and moved, focusing his gaze more intently on Jack, making him feel uncomfortable. "Past the point of no return, no backward glances. Our games of make-believe are at an end. Past all thought of 'if' or 'when'. No use resisting. Abandon thought and let the dream descend." (Past the point of no Return – Andrew Lloyd Webber)
He approached Jack and stood in back of him. Jack glanced behind at Erik and gulped. "What raging fire shall flood the soul," Erik sang, grabbing Jack by the neck from behind and wrapping his arms around him. Jack's eyes bulged in shock and Erik continued, "What rich desire unlocks its door. What sweet seduction lies before us?" (Past the point of no Return – Andrew Lloyd Webber)
He let go of his neck and stepped back, holding Jack's arm in his and caressing his hand. "Past the point of no return. The final threshold. What warm unspoken secrets will we learn beyond the point of no return?" (Past the point of no Return – Andrew Lloyd Webber)
Jack swallowed and looked at Erik with fright, then realized that it was his turn to carry out the tune of this strange song, and he turned his eyes to the chart in his hands. He opened his mouth with a wavering lip and sang, "You have brought me to that moment when words run dry. To that moment when speech disappears into silence. Silence." (Past the point of no Return – Andrew Lloyd Webber)
He glanced at Erik before looking back at the chart and continuing, "I have come here hardly knowing the reason why. In my mind... I've already... imagined... our bodies--" (Past the point of no Return – Andrew Lloyd Webber) He stopped and looked at Erik. "Entwining bodies? Erik, what kind of song is this!" He asked, aghast.
"Shh shh, just go on," Erik assured, impatiently.
Jack sighed and looked back at the chart. "Our bodies... entwining... defenseless and silent. Now I am here with you. No second thoughts, I've decided. Decided." (Past the point of no Return – Andrew Lloyd Webber)
Jack pointed to the chart and looked up at Erik. "Says here we need some stairs."
"We can do it without them, it doesn't really matter. Just continue."
Jack looked back at the chart. "Past the point of no return, no going back now. Our... passion-play has now at last begun. Past all thought of right or wrong, one final question: how long should we two wait before we're... one? When will the blood begin to race, the sleeping bud burst into bloom. When will the flames at last consume us?" (Past the point of no Return – Andrew Lloyd Webber)
Jack read on the chart that he would have to approach Erik. He reluctantly began slowly in Erik's direction, seeing Erik coming towards him as well.
"Past the point of no return, the final threshold," They both sang, coming to eachother. Erik pulled Jack into his arms and he became greatly overwhelmed. This kind of action with members of the same sex was greatly frowned upon and he hoped that he'd never have to tell anyone of this ghastly experience. "The bridge is crossed so stand and watch it burn." Erik twirled him around and Jack almost fell over, extremely dizzy and disorientated, but Erik caught him. "We've passed the point of no return." As Erik held him he could feel fingers grazing through his long hair and a shiver ran down his back. (Past the point of no Return – Andrew Lloyd Webber)
Suddenly, Erik pushed Jack away from him and he went springing into the pipe organ's direction, the hard wood of the surface of the key area stopping his flight and jabbing him hard in the lower abdomen. "Oof!" Jack exclaimed, clutching his stomach and turning to look at Erik.
Erik smiled and offered a small round of applause. "Very good, for a... beginner," he said, emphasizing the word beginner.
"Yeah... thanks," Jack replied, looking down at the chart. "You seem to be very experienced at this... performance. Have you performed it before?"
Erik laughed at Jack's foolishness. "Yes, I have. Only once, though. And it was very special." Jack observed the glow in Erik's eye once again as he spoke of the past. He knew for sure that it was not his imagination now.
"I see. And... was your partner for this performance someone as lovely as me? Or perhaps was she the infamous heavenly angel whom you speak so highly of?"
"Oh, how I miss Christine," Erik said sadly, returning to the chair, taking a seat and sulking to himself.
"Christine? Fancy name. Well, you won't be missing her for long, because, my friend, we are going to see to it that angel reunites with tutor."
Erik looked up at Jack hopefully. "Friend?" He asked, never before having anyone refer to himself as such.
"Well we'd better be friends after the performance we just carried through! Mate, you are very handsy! One more moment like that and I was sure we'd be more than just friends. Control yourself!"
Erik chuckled and raised from the chair. "What do you want to do now?"
"Well, seeing as how we got to do something you wanted to do--"
"What? You were the one who wanted to sing!"
Ignoring Erik's interruption, he continued, "--it's only fair that we should do something to my liking."
Erik sighed. "And what would that be?"
"This pit... this lair... whatever it is, it's so drab. We need to get out, get some fresh air, some sunlight," He approached Erik and looked at the unmasked side of his face. "You could really use a tan, you know." Erik frowned. "Come along, I'll show you me ship. You'll like it, I know it."
Erik paused to consider the proposal for a moment, before nodding solemnly and allowing Jack to lead him to the ladder which led out of the lair. Jack climbed out and stood at the opening, waiting for Erik to come. Placing a reluctant foot upon the ladder's rungs and pulling himself out from the darkness, he left his pit and joined Jack on the outer surface. After replacing the grate-covering over the opening, he straightened out and raised a hand to his eyes to shield the bright sunlight. His eyes were not accustomed to such conditions and the illumination burned his eyes and made them ache.
Jack pulled Erik's hand away from his eyes and pointed off in the distance to the harbor where a large, menacing ship stood anchored in the shallow waters. "Great! They didn't sail off without me. That there's my pride and joy: The Black Pearl. Fastest ship in the Caribbean and probably the fastest here as well. Isn't she a beauty?"
Erik didn't know much about ships. He had once had a boat... but he didn't think that it was the same. His boat was nowhere near as big or as special as this one was.
"Come along," Jack said, pulling Erik by the arm down to the harbor. Erik raised his hands above his head, trying to shield his face from anyone crossing their path on the way to their destination. He knew that he was an extremely odd sight to see in public and stood out. As well as being recognized and getting shunned for his deformity, they would recognize him for being the one to burn down the Opera Populaire and make him face the consequences of his actions. Jack slapped Erik's hands away. "Oh, just stop that. No one cares," Jack ordered, pulling him up the gangplank which led to the Black Pearl's interior.
Inside and away from the horrible sunlight and people, Erik felt the tiniest bit more comfortable. But he would not be fully comfortable until he returned to his precious lair. As they walked though the ship's halls and passed various crew members along the way, some threw strange and curious glances his way, others stopped to stare, some said things.
"Hey, who's he?" One strumpet asked another as Erik passed her direction.
"I don't know, but he looks kind of exciting with that mask on his face. Very appealing."
They giggled to themselves and Erik frowned in confusion. When their journey ended Erik found himself with Jack inside some sort of bedroom. "What's this?" He asked, never before having been aboard a ship so he did not know anything about them.
"This, my masked companion, happens to be the Captain's cabin: my cabin."
Erik glanced around at his surroundings and noted that amongst the small quantity of furniture apparent, there was a bed, a small table and chairs set, a corner table and a dresser. On the wall there was a small circular window and various sounds of the ocean could be heard through its opening. "Nice... very nice..." Erik said deceitfully. "Why are we here?"
"Well, mate, I suppose you were right back there. You cannot go around looking the way you do so I've brought you here to give you a bit of a... make over, if you may. Just sit down on the bed and allow me to transform you into the meanest, most ruthless pirate ever known to man." Jack rubbed his hands together in excitement. "Oh, this is going to be good, I know it is."
Erik sat down on the bed with a bit of uncertainty and watched as Jack went through the dresser, throwing items out behind him and creating a small pile of apparel on the floor. When he was finished, he bent down to the pile and rummaged through, picking out several items for which he would use on Erik. "Just relax," Jack said, approaching Erik with an armful of items.
Erik looked at the items which Jack held and saw some strange things that made him a bit nervous for what Jack was going to do to him, he didn't want to end up looking like a freak. Jack set the items which he had gathered on the bed next to Erik and sifted his hand through them until he pulled out a blue cloth. He folded it a certain way that Erik was unaccustomed to and lifted it to Erik's head. "Yes, this color's wonderful for you. It really highlights your eyes," Jack said as he wrapped the bandanna around Erik's head and tied it. Then he reached down to the pile and pulled out an eyepatch. He held it up to Erik's left eye, then his right, trying to decide which eye it would appear nicer on. He went with the left eye because with the mask already over the right side of Erik's face the patch might be too much. He slid the eyepatch over Erik's head and secured it over his eye. "Magnificent!" Jack commented, liking the new look so far.
"Stand up," He ordered. Erik stood from his seat and Jack looked him up and down. He gestured to the outfit. "We have to do something about all of this..." He said to himself. He pulled the string which fastened the cape on Erik's shoulders and it fell away, falling to the bed in a large black heap. Then he turned him around and slid the jacket off, placing it atop the cape.
Seeing a luxurious vest beneath and a fancy neck ruffle, Jack eyed them with distaste and did not hesitate to remove them, exposing a rather frilly white shirt underneath all of the covering. "Well, that's not bad," Jack said, observing the attire. He turned to the bed and picked several belts up from the pile. He attached the first, which was a plain brown leather belt with a large buckle, around Erik's waist. He watched as Jack then attached a second belt, which was a darker color and had a sort of holder at its side. A third belt then went on, which had a holder as well, and Erik recognized this one as a holder for a sword.
Jack placed the remaining belts back on the bed and let out a long breath. "One more thing," He said, raising a finger. He bent down, reached under the bed and pulled out a pair of rather old brown boots. The boots had holes in various areas and the color was worn. "Sit down again," Jack ordered and Erik did as was asked. He watched as Jack removed his classy shoes and tossed them aside, then placed the old, disgusting boots upon his feet. "Do they fit?" Jack asked.
"Well, they're a bit a tight but--"
"Good enough," Jack cut him off, lacing up the boots. Finishing, he raised to his feet and pulled Erik from the bed so he stood in front of him. "You know, you make quite a nice pirate after all," Jack commented, admiring the work he had done on the man. "Oh, wait a second. One itty bitty final touch," He said, placing his hands upon Erik's shirt and beginning to undo the buttons.
"What are you doing?" Erik asked, aghast that Jack was undressing him.
"What does it look like I'm doing? I'm unbuttoning your shirt-- Oh, I see. Well, don't get all uptight because you had your hands all over me before and I didn't offer the slightest protest, so I only think I'm entitled to the same."
Erik stared at Jack, overwhelmed. Jack continued to undo the buttons. He raised his head to see Erik's shocked look. "Well don't think that I'm enjoying this or anything! Because I don't swing that way. Sorry mate. I'm doing this because it's more natural for a pirate to walk around all disheveled and so on, rather to be all tied into a shirt."
Erik let out a long breath of relief, hearing that Jack was not trying to do anything indecent to him. Jack undid the last button and the shirt stood open. Jack parted it off to the side and took a look at Erik's body. "Nice, man! Really nice," He commented, staring at Erik's bare chest.
Erik furrowed his brow, feeling uncomfortable. "Don't you not swing 'that way'?"
"Oh, hush. It's just one man complimenting another. There's no harm," Jack said, closing Erik's shirt and doing up two buttons from the bottom so that it hung open loosely. He patted Erik's chest. "There you go. Let's get you armed," he said, walking past Erik and standing in the doorway, waiting for him to come along.
Erik let out a long sigh, contented that Jack's make over was finished. "Aren't you going to clean up this mess?" he asked.
Jack scoffed. "Clean it myself? No, I'll get someone to do it later."
Erik shrugged, followed Jack out of the room and down the hall. Jack stopped when they reached a stairwell, then proceeded to descend and Erik followed suit. When they got to the ship's lower level, Jack turned down the hall and stopped at a door that had multiple locks positioned along its front. He reached deep within his pocket, fishing around for his keyring. After a minute, he felt it and brought it out. He opened each lock in succession along the doorway until the door was no longer barred. Turning the handle and opening the door finally, he stepped inside the room and shut the door behind himself and Erik. The walls were lined with shelves and upon the shelves lay guns, knives, swords, boxes of gunpowder, cannon balls, various crates that were marked with the indication that they contained more guns and knives, and so on.
Jack skimmed his vision along the shelves until his eye stopped on a particular revolver. He approached the shelf, reached up and took the revolver into his hands. He looked at it for a moment, then thrust the gun into Erik's own hands. Erik looked down at the gun, examining the fine details along its length. "This will be your gun," Jack stated, turned to the shelving with his hand lingering along the path of several small boxes. He saw what he was looking for and picked up one of the boxes. He placed the box into Erik's hand and he looked at without the slightest idea of what he was supposed to do with it.
"Well?" Jack asked, waiting for Erik to carry through.
"What do I do with it?" Erik asked, wondering what the purpose of the box could be.
"Load it," Jack said simply.
"Load what? The gun? I don't think this will fit inside... but I'll try."
"Not the box, you fool. You have to open it up. There are bullets inside."
"Ah, I see. That makes sense," Erik said, now understanding. It was not his fault that he was inexperienced with guns. He had never held the opportunity to use one in his solitude. He stuck the gun in the crook of his arm and opened the small box, emptying the bullets into his hand. He placed the empty box on a nearby shelf and held the gun in one hand, the bullets in the other. He stared at each one, long and hard, uncertain as to where to begin. Finally, Jack grabbed the gun and bullets from Erik's hands and in one quick motion, snapped the gun's loading bracket open and placed the bullets into each slot in succession until the gun was loaded. He handed the gun back to Erik with a look of shame for the man who didn't even know how to load a gun. It was a real pity.
"Now, place that in your gun holder but be very careful because it's loaded and with one wrong move you can take off your own foot or anyone else's who's around you."
Erik placed the revolver carefully into his belt and Jack was satisfied. He turned back to the shelving and saw a sword on the bottom level. Taking it, he turned back to Erik and placed the sword into his hands.
"I know you know how to use one of these so this shouldn't be problem."
Erik surveyed the sword. "I can't use this. I can only use my own sword, specially crafted to my liking. This won't do."
"Yes, well, about that... you see... I don't care. Now place it in your holder and let's get out of here. I'll introduce you to some of the members of my crew. I'm sure they'll like you. And if not... well that's why you're armed." He let out a roar of laughter and walked past Erik to the exit. They left the room and shut the door, then proceeded to close all of the million locks which barred its opening.
Quoted Material copy righted to Andrew Lloyd Webber