Erik: (Sigh) The life of a muse is so demanding...
Suck it up, buttercup! We've got reviewers and they won't be happy if you're a no-show!
Erik: Oh, fine... Let's get it over with, then.
Elly McGregory: And to think if I had waited ten minutes Erik would have been able to answer your review during the last chapter. Erik, could you please give this girl a hug? She needs comfort.
Erik: You do recall that last time I let a phan hug me I nearly got raped? Oh, very well. (Hugs Elly) Now could you do me a favour? Could you please teach me that torture song about Raoul and Carlotta? Hehe... Raoul-torture... Carlotta-torture... Carlotta and the backdrop... Raoul and my Punjab... Hehe... Hehe...
Carkeys: You win the prize for the shortest review today!
Erik: Short, sweet, and to the point.
GerryISUChick04: I know how to cure a hangover! You see, alcohol dehydrates you and a hangover is basically the result of dehydration so if you just drink a whole lot of water-
Erik: Oh, shut up! You can buy anti-hangover pills at Wal-Mart! I can't believe she found amusement in me getting kicked in the n-
Annnnywaaaays... Next!
Starrylibra: My dear, Erik is always in trouble...
Erik: And whose fault is that?
darklady5289: Erik, I'm scared!
Erik: Personally, I think watching you get roughed up by one of your reviewers would be a pleasant way to pass the time… Hey! Why does everyone thing it's so cool that Fantine kicked me in the kr-
Let's continue!
RowenaIsolde: AWESOME! Erik, we're reading a torture-fic tonight… One where you get tortured! Oh, you are like the sister I have always dreamed of! Everyone read this girl's fic! It's called Cheaper by the Phantom.
Erik: What the… She was only kidding about the money? I want my $1000 dollars back!
VictorianDream: Rape? Did I say that? Well, alright, I think we all know what drunk-Erik's intentions were, but luckily Fantine can hold her own against perverted cads like–
Erik: I am not a pervert!
GalindaxlovesxErik: Ooh, I love Chinese! Could you please save me some breaded shrimp?
Erik: Yes! I have my own fop-bashing cheer! Wahoo! (Starts chanting the cheer while ripping the arms off of his Fop-Raoul torture doll).
zero sparrow: Ha! Erik is not the most likeable character when he's sober, either!
Erik: You think that's bad? You should see me on a sugar high.
Elphaba: Aw, Mara's upset? (Hands her a bag of clodhoppers). Boys can be so trying sometimes.
Erik: Define "good experiences." If your friend is saying I need some help in my sex life, I can assure you I need no help at all! I have all the experience I need!
Oh, come off it! You're such a virgin, you make nuns look kinky!
Erik: Oh, shut up! Anyways… I won't stare at your green skin if you promise not to stare at my rather unsightly facial deformity.
Araiona Dubois: Yes, let it be know, Erik is one mean drunk! However, I think that swift kick to his tender area will make him think twice about being drinking irresponsibly ever again… I think he needs some other distraction to get his mind off the booze…
Erik: Hey, look! Popcorn!
VagrantCandy: I don't like him very much when he's drunk, either… In fact, I don't like him very much when he's awake…
Erik: And I don't like you very much when you're breathing…
LadyArika: Oh, so you liked that, eh? I thought it gave the story an interesting twist.
Erik: Genius traps! Yes! I am a genius! Muhahahaha!
The Dancing Egg: Yay! A new reader! Um... what's AIM? Sorry, I am a very uneducated little angel.
Erik: Popcorn with cheddar cheese? Do you have any?
Haley Macrae: I really don't think Erik needs anymore sugar...
Erik: Oh, what do you know? I love mallows!
DarkSilverMaiden: Jazz band? I know how that is. I'm in my school's choir, Bejazzeled, and the rehearsals are enough to make the most peaceful person want to rip someone's throat out! Yeah, I'm Eastern Time, too.
Erik: Mmmm... mallows...
Tadriendra of Mirkwood: Oh, Advil! Hey, wait a minute! This isn't non-drowsy! You're trying to make me go to sleep so you can sneak off with Erik, aren't you? Ha! I have seen through your clever plan! Muhahaha!
Erik: Mallows are nice...
Oh, would you shut up about the marshmallows!
Silent Phantasy: Oooh, I love muffins!
Erik: What? Marshmallow peeps? What are those? They sound good! Can I come over?
dulciluisa: Hehe... Erik got beat up by a girl!
Erik: Well I got donuts and you didn't so neh!
I nearly lost my mind when I was in Connecticut... There were no Tim Horton's so I couldn't find any really good coffee anywhere so I went to Dunkin Donuts and (gasp) they had MOCK TIMBITS and they called them MUNCHKINS! I'm sipping on a Timmy's Iced Cap while I'm doing this... Mmmm... Best coffee in the world... Well, anyhoo, let's get to that new chapter, eh?
XxXxX
Fantine looked around. Where was she?
Oh, of course! She was backstage, at the Opera Populaire!
Fantine felt strange. In an instant, she realized that she wasn't wearing her mask! Her hand flew to her face, and she gasped at what she felt. Or rather, what she didn't feel…
Her face… It was normal! No scars… No burns… Just a smooth, rounded face.
Fantine examined her attire. She was wearing her costume for Don Juan Triumphant. Smiling, she stretched out her legs. She was fine! She was normal!
Perhaps the last five years had just been some horrible nightmare…
Then she heard it. The screams. The audience sounded terrified.
Fantine rushed out onto the stage. She raised her eyes and watched in horror as the chandelier came down. It hit the front of the stage, exploding into a fireball. In seconds, Fantine was surrounded by fire.
"Help me!" she screamed."Someone, please help me!"
The fire closed in. Fantine screamed in pain as she felt her face burn.
"Please, help!" she screamed."It burns! Oh, God! It burns!"
Fantine crumpled to the floor as the smoke invaded her lungs.
"It hurts…" she whimpered. "Oh, it hurts!"
Fantine felt strong arms grab her. Next she knew, she was being carried away by someone. Then she heard Madame Giry's voice.
"Fantine! Oh, Fantine, my child!" she cried.
The man holding her turned to Madame. "Where did he take her?" he demanded.
Madame hesitated."Let's take her somewhere safe. She needs to go to a hospital. I will take you to him, Monsieur. But remember, keep your hand at the level of your eyes!"
Fantine heard nothing else as she fell into darkness.
XxXxX
Fantine opened her eyes, which were wet with tears. She was still curled up on her bed, clutching her pillow to her chest.
The nightmare would never leave her…
It was worse than a nightmare… It was a memory…
Fantine sat up. Her clothes were wrinkled from her restless night. Taking the dress off, she searched her closet for something else to wear. She pulled out a lightweight, long-sleeved black dress and slipped it on.
Fantine removed her mask so she could run a brush through her hair. She froze when she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror.
"How could I not sicken Albert? How could he still love me after seeing my face? How could he even look at me without feeling ill?" She sighed heavily. Erik had called himself a monster the night before. But really, the only monster Fantine saw was the one that mocked her every time she gazed in the mirror.
Fantine snatched up her mask and put it back on, sparing herself the sight. She picked up a black ribbon from her dressing table and quickly tied her hair back.
She opened her door and stepped out, just in time to catch Erik running towards to lake. She furrowed her brow and headed after him, only to find him down on all fours by the shore and vomiting into the water. Fantine crouched down beside him while he heaved and placed a hand on his back.
Erik's body tensed up when he felt her touch him. Through the thin material of his shirt, which he hadn't changed in two nights, the warmth of Fantine's hand sent a fire coursing through his blood. She moved her hand over his back slowly, rubbing it as Erik's heaving subsided. He almost didn't hear her when she spoke.
"How do you feel?"
Erik squinted at her. The assault of candlelight in the dimly lit room made his head pound.
"I feel like a healthy corpse."
Fantine smirked. "Serves you right!"
Erik rocked a bit. "Fantine… about last night… I'm sorry for acting like such a…"
"Jackass?" she supplied.
He gazed up at her. "Well… yes… The things I said… and did… were completely out of line… I apologize…"
Fantine looked away from him. "Well, I hope that next time you will think twice before you over-indulge."
"Believe me," Erik held his stomach as another wave of nausea hit him, "it's not a habit I plan on nurturing."
"That's good to hear," Fantine said, her voice betraying no emotion. She stood up and turned to walk away.
"Fantine," Erik said quickly. She turned to him. "Is there… Is there anything else that you have been… less than truthful with me about?"
Her cold eyes bore into him. "No…" she turned her face away from him. "I'm going to be on the surface observing the rehearsals for Don Juan Triumphant. Will you be alright without me here?"
Erik grabbed his pounding head with one hand. "I'll be fine…"
Fantine cocked her head and looked at him. "You don't seem fine to me…"
If Erik didn't know any better, he would have thought that she sounded almost concerned for him. "I'm fine, really," he said. "It's just very bright out here… and really loud…"
Fantine snorted. "Reminds me of my days as a ballet rat… I've had a few unpleasant hang-overs myself…" She leaned down and took hold of his arm, helping him to his feet. "I'll help you to your room. Lying down in the dark gives some relief."
Fantine helped him to his room and sat him down on his bed. She paused, then leaned down and sniffed his clothes.
"You might want to consider having a bath later," she told him. "Here, let me help you out of that dirty shirt."
Before Erik knew what was happening, Fantine had grabbed the bottom of his shirt and pulled it over his head. He almost gasped when he felt her fingers brush his bare chest.
"That ought to feel better," she said, tossing the shirt to one side. "Lay down now, you'll feel better."
Erik gazed up at her. "Fantine," he began. "I…"
"What is it with men not doing what they're told?" Fantine hissed impatiently. She placed her hands flat against his chest and pushed him back onto the mattress.
The sensation of her warm hands against his bare skin made his senses reel.
Fantine felt her heart rate increase just a little from the contact. His chest felt so hard and strong. She remembered how that firm body had pressed against her the night before. She might have actually enjoyed the moment, had Erik not been so intoxicated.
"Do you need anything else?" Fantine asked, pushing the thoughts from her mind.
"Can I hold you in my arms for a little while?" Erik found himself thinking.
"No, I'm fine," Erik said, secretly cursing himself for thinking such things about Fantine. "Have a good time haunting the theatre."
"I'll scare a ballerina or two for you," she replied, heading off.
Erik curled up on his bed, grasping at his sheets with his fingers.
"Oh, the things she makes me think and feel…"
XxXxX
Fantine stood up in the catwalks, watching the rehearsals on the stage below. She watched intently as the ballerinas spun and twirled every which way. She was tempted to drop down onto the stage and join them. However, she feared that that would not go over well…
"Someday Fanny, you're going to be prima ballerina! I just know it!" little Meg Giry's voice echoed in her head.
"No, Meggy," Fantine thought bitterly. "It seems that that honour was reserved for you!"
Fantine turned her attention back to the stage again. They were beginning to run through Point of No Return. Robert Romard and Meg Giry had their hands on each other as they sang together. The looks they gave each other were ones of complete passion. Fantine balled her hands up into tight fists.
"You got everything," Fantine thought at Meg. "You got your handsome prince, your successful career… your pretty face! Why do you torment me, Meggy? It's unkind. Why must you flaunt in my face everything that I can never have?"
Meg smiled as she sank deeper into Robert's embrace.
"I hate you, Meggy… I thought we were friends… But I hate you now… Does that make me petty? Sure it does. But I still hate you."
Fantine felt her teeth grinding as Robert caressed Meg's face.
"Don't take it personally, Meggy… I hate Christine, too… In fact, I think I hate her more than I hate you! Not just because she has her pretty face and her pretty voice and money and everything else a woman could possibly want… No, Christine stole from me! She stole Erik!"
Fantine was shocked by her own thoughts. Why did seeing Erik with another woman anger her so?
Fantine shook her head and glared down at Meg again. "You make me so angry Meggy! Stop it! Stop touching Robert like that! Stop reminding me of what I can never have!"
Fantine seethed as she watched the rest of the rehearsal. The sight of Meg sharing such intimate embraces with Robert made her furious. How she wanted revenge…
She caught sight of the two holding hands after the rehearsal. Robert whispered something into Meg's ear. Then the couple went away together.
Fantine followed them for a bit, noticing that they were heading up to the roof.
She decided to see what they were up to.
Setting her jaw, she began her own quiet ascent to the roof.
XxXxX
"Not that I don't like surprises, Robert," Meg smiled as her lover pulled her out into the cool winter air on top of the roof. "But I must admit, I am curious as to why you have brought me here."
"To tell you how marvellous you were today," he smiled as he leaned down to kiss her lips.
"Why, thank you, Robert!" Meg smiled. "You were quite amazing, yourself. It's not hard to see why Lady Phantom wanted you to star in her husband's opera."
Robert looked uncomfortable and cast his gaze at the ground.
"Robert?" Meg looked concerned.
"Please," Robert said, "don't mention her to me."
"Robert, she's not going to harm you! You said yourself that her husband protected you the last time she tried to take you away. The Opera Ghost will not let anything happen to us."
"She still frightens me, Meg," Robert said. "And the way she behaved at the masquerade… I still think she wants to take me away from you. And I fear… what she may try to do to you…"
"Nothing will happen to me," Meg whispered, resting her head against his chest. Robert grasped her shoulders and gently pushed her away.
"Robert?"
"Meg… There's a reason I brought you up here… I want you to know that, no matter what Lady Phantom does, I love you and no one else." He took a deep breath. "This is a big step for us…"
Robert got down onto one knee. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a diamond ring. Meg gasped.
"Meg Giry… Will you marry me?"
Meg's voice caught in her throat as tears of happiness flowed down her cheeks. "Oh… Yes, Robert Romard! Yes, I will marry you!"
Robert slipped the ring onto her finger and stood up. Smiling he leaned down for a kiss…
Meg felt a strong hand clamp down on her shoulder and tear her away from Robert. She spun around and found herself looking into the angry eyes of Lady Phantom!
Fantine had her sword drawn with its end pointed at Meg's chest.
"Do you enjoy torturing me, Meggy?" she hissed. "Why don't you run off and marry some handsome prince like you had wanted? Stop tormenting me!"
Meg quivered. "M-M-Madame le Fantôme… I-I don't understand what you mean… I… I'm not trying to torment you!"
"Really?" Fantine sneered. "It must be a congenital talent, then!" She threw Meg to the ground and pointed her sword at the petite girl's throat.
"No! Don't!" Robert tried to grab Fantine. Fantine shoved him off with one strong arm. Robert stumbled backwards and hit his head off the corner of a statue. The boy slumped to the ground, clutching his head, temporarily immobilized.
"You're never going to anger me again!" Fantine snarled at Meg. She raised her sword to bring it down upon the girl. Meg screamed and covered her face, begging for mercy.
With an animalistic cry, Fantine brought her blade down.
Another blade intercepted Fantine's sword, halting it just inches away from Meg Giry's body. Fantine raised her eyes to see Erik glaring at her.
"What is it with women not doing as they're told?" he growled, throwing her earlier words back in her face.
"I thought you were busy being hung-over!"
"I am," Erik muttered, clutching his stomach with one hand as he used his sword to push Fantine's blade away from Meg's cowering form. "But I couldn't just lie in my bedroom… Not when I figured out what you were up to!"
Fantine furrowed her brow. "I don't understand…"
"Don't play innocent with me, Fantine!" he snarled. "I caught you red-handed! I should have known you'd go after your pretty-boy lover! Fantine…" His voice grew sad and emotional. "You lied to me… You lied to me again!"
Fantine could hardly believe what she was hearing… True, she had pursued Meg and Robert, but her actions had not been premeditated! How could Erik have been so suspicious of her? Didn't he trust her?
But explaining herself to Erik would have been futile. He had caught her up on the roof with them… What was he supposed to think?
"Monsieur Romard… Little Giry…" Erik said, not taking his eyes off of Fantine. "Leave us."
Robert stumbled over and helped Meg to her feet. They started to move away.
"Robert, stay!" Fantine ordered.
"Go from here," Erik told him. "Take your fiancée…"
Fantine turned her sword upon Erik. "Stop this!" she screamed. "Stop meddling in things that don't concern you!"
Erik's eyes met Fantine's cold gaze, not moving a muscle. "One would think you would have more respect for young Meg Giry, considering all that her mother has done for you! One would think you would show a little compassion. She was your friend, after all!"
Meg's gaze shifted between the two shadowy figures. "My… friend? I don't understand…"
Fantine turned her gaze to Meg, her eyes cold and dangerous. "And you never will…" Fantine lifted her sword again.
Erik lashed out with his own sword, striking Fantine's hand. The girl let out a cry of pain and dropped her weapon. Then Erik did something that he knew he would forever hate himself for. He shoved Fantine against the stone wall and held his blade against her neck. If she tried to move, he knew, she would easily slice her own throat.
Fantine glared at Erik. "Why do you do this, Erik?" she growled. "Why do you torture me so?"
"Don't hurt her!" Meg cried, grasping Erik's arm. "Please, don't… I… I need to know…" She turned her gaze to Fantine. "Wh-who are you? Why… why did he say you were my friend? I don't understand…"
"Oh, come now, Meggy," Fantine sneered, using her old nickname. "Don't tell me you've forgotten me! We trained together, we danced together, Hell, we lived together! Don't tell me you've forgotten all those summers we spent daydreaming about our futures, the stories you used to love telling… My personal favourites were your ghost stories! You used to love telling tales of the Opera Ghost! And you always dreamed of marrying some handsome prince and going away to live in a castle!" Fantine smirked. "By the way… You still haven't returned my favourite toe-shoes! Though I suppose I won't be needing them anymore, Miss Prima Ballerina!"
Meg stared. "It's… It's weird… For a minute, you almost sounded like…" Meg's eyes grew wide. "Oh, my God! Fanny!"
"Congratulations, you finally figured it out! It only took you five years!"
Meg held a hand to her mouth. "Fanny? I don't understand…"
"Oh, is it the mask that threw you?" Fantine asked mockingly. "Well, then… Maybe you'd recognize me better if I removed it!"
Erik gasped audibly as Fantine lifted a hand and ripped her own mask from her face. Meg let out a yelp, stumbling backwards. Tears were streaming down her face.
"What's wrong, Meggy?" Fantine smiled cruelly. "Have I upset you? I can't imagine why." Fantine's tone grew dark. "You used to tell me I was pretty, Meggy. Is that not the case anymore? Does the sight of my face sicken you? Are you disgusted with what I've become? You should be grateful! After this happened, I'm sure your career progressed quite swiftly!"
Meg shook her head. "No… No! They said that you had been hurt in the accident! They never said that… Oh, God! Fanny! What has happened to you, Fanny?"
"Fanny is dead!" Fantine snapped. "She died five years ago… when the chandelier fell… And then Fantine the Opera Ghost was born!" Fantine grinned at Erik. "You have him to thank! He told me himself that he was responsible for what happened! Well, Meggy? Thank him! Thank the man who made it possible for you to advance so far in your career!"
Meg broke down into sobs, sinking to the ground. She looked up at Fantine pleadingly. "What has happened to you? We were friends! What happened to the girl I knew and loved? Why have you changed?"
"People change!" Fantine said coldly. "You have gotten your happy future! You have your man and your career! Christine married her childhood sweetheart, just like she always dreamed! And me? I'll go down in history as the Phantom of the Opera!"
Erik gazed into Fantine's eyes. He feared that the girl had gone mad!
"Monsieur Romard," Erik said, keeping his eye on Fantine. "Take Little Giry… Go… Leave us…"
Robert gathered the sobbing girl into his arms and led her away, leaving Erik alone with Fantine.
"Are you going to tell me how much you hate me, now?" Fantine asked coldly.
Erik set his jaw. "I do not hate you, Fantine… But I am angry about what you've done. I trusted you, and you betrayed that trust." Erik removed his sword from her throat, freeing her. "We will discuss this later… I have a pounding headache, and it's starting to get cold up here." He reached out and took her hand, leading her away. "Let's go home."
XxXxX
Erik: It sucked...
Why?
Erik: Because...
I see... Well, see y'all tomorrow!