A thousand apologies for making you wait! If I had my way, I'd lock up all the unforgiving teachers, throw away the key, and spend all day just writing. It's a billion times more fun than homework. Because of them, I can't promise frequent updates. But I try; and thanks for being patient with me!
I'm so embarrassed! Mlle. Fox was kind enough to point out that I had given Erik chocolate, but had forgotten to mention the eating of said candy! If you do want to read about Erik's experience, refer back to chapter 3. If you don't really care, and want the story to proceed, read on and ignore the above.
If you're wondering why my spelling's a bit odd, it's because I'm Canadian who happens to like all things British (especially Ioan Gruffudd. Yes, I know he's Welsh. Same with Christian Bale, who is also fabulous.). That's why I have u's on many words that Americans omitted.
Those of you who are my regulars but aren't admitting it: PLEASE REVIEW! I know you're out there; appearing on my favourites or alerts window but not on my review page. And another thing, why am I up to 400 hits, but only 11 reviews? Notice the difference? If this is worth reading, it's worth reviewing.
-Mlle. Fox: Thank you for pointing that out. BOTH mistakes. Dreadful errors on my part; I was too distracted by poor Erik's emotional problems. Thanks for the encouragement, and the constructive criticism. Also, I love your Phantom and the Secretary Mysteries. Quite clever, and the mysteries are engaging.
-Gigi: Yes, Vianne was a bit of an outcast, but obviously it wasn't for lack of trying to be nice on her part. Eleyna's different though, as you will no doubt find out. Thank you for reading!
-MasquaradingThroughLife: Ah, we've only been acquainted for four chapters, but I feel like we've known each other for much longer. I read all your oneshots and your biography; we have a lot in common. Anyway, love your quotes, love even more your conversations with your muse ( ;-p); and isn't Erik just absolutely FABULOUS! Your fics are great; no need to tell you something you already know. And thank you so much for the help with the rulers. It was positively driving me up the wall! Muchos gracias, merci beacoup, etc. Oh, and thanks for the brownies! I don't mind that they were re-gifted, although I can't say for certain that the original giver of said items feels the same.
- TrickstersThiefGirl: Thanks for the encouragement! Hope you like the next bit!
-GerrysJackie (you're so possessive!): A thousand thank you's for reading and reviewing. You have no idea how much I needed the boost. Of course, I'm going to comment on Erik's gorgeous… well everything, but right now Eleyna is a bit distracted. She's not a Mary Sue in your opinion, is she?
About Erik's insecurities: that's what I really like about Erik, and, ultimately, Gerard Butler. They are completely clueless as to their appeal. Well, I don't think Gerry's THAT oblivious. Erik, poor dear, thinks he's repulsive and ugly and undeserving. And Gerry (on a slightly different note, where did you get that quote from Gerard saying that he's not sexy?) seems so down to earth and funny. He seems (I say "seems" because I have never had the privilege of meeting him) like a genuine, grounded, real person. Not like the countless other people in Hollywood. Anyway, hope you like it! Also, I'm sorry about the Mary-Sue undertones in this chapter; but her childhood isn't counted as a character flaw, it's just the only way I could think of to put her in the position she is in.
Review, S.V.P!
A/N: It doesn't belong to me.
Chapter 5: Ominous Clouds Held at Bay
He drifted through his thoughts, pensive. Erik was grateful, in ways that he possibly couldn't describe, for Eleyna's invitation, as well has her decision to stop inquiring about his past. He didn't know how to be a normal person, to carry on an ordinary conversation, and was, for the first time, ashamed of his lack of social skills and awkwardness. Granted, he didn't have the kind of background that bred good manners, but he'd always prided himself on being able to control the situation. Now, the roles were reversed, and Erik didn't like being on the receiving end of things.
He didn't know what he had done to deserve a second escape from the clutches of death. It was ironic, really, that he had been saved from an angry mob demanding his blood twice by a woman. This time, though, it wasn't Madame Giry who'd saved him. His saviour, Eleyna, quickly became the topic for Erik's train of thought. Though kind and compassionate, she was strange; there was no doubt of that. He found her talent fascinating, but her eccentricity was beyond any special skills. She was cryptic, and that intrigued him. She had to be at least twenty three or four, and beneath the sheen of youth and carefree joy, there were glimpses of a tragic past. Her bitter core showed through sudden far-off glances and quiet, brooding remarks that startled Erik with their gravity. Her circumstances were no less bizarre. A single woman, obviously by the lack of a wedding ring, living alone in a small cottage in the country. How does she survive? Why was she all alone? And why was she so desperate for human company? Questions distracted him so much that it took Eleyna several moments to get his attention.
"Monsieur? Monsieur? Are you feeling well?" Her accented French was anxious, urgent, and it jerked him out of his thoughts.
"No, no, I'm fine. Just lost in thought, that is all." Erik said, strangely feeling pleased by Eleyna's obvious concern. So many years since he was mothered by Madame Giry, who was more than a decade older than him, and he missed that feeling of being of important to someone else.
"Of course." Eleyna said, nodding. Then, with her most winning smile, she said "Now, should I leave you to your thoughts, or will you join me for luncheon?"
"I already ate," said Erik, apologetically. "Thank you. That was the most delicious meal I've had…in a long time." Erik felt so awkward thanking her. The words seemed to catch in his throat, and felt so insignificant and worthless compared to what he was receiving.
"You're welcome." Eleyna beamed. She rarely had anyone to compliment her; the thought of having some company in the lonely house and distract her from feeling depressed constantly pleased her. "Did you like the chocolate?"
Erik responded, still shy. "Yes, very. I hadn't had sweets in a long time, Mademoiselle Donatella, but those were really la crème de la crème. They were exceptional."
Eleyna laughed, the sound ringing in the room. "I'd hardly call them that, Monsieur. I am many things, but a master chocolatier I am not. Though I'm very glad you liked them. I have much more; if you desire some, just ask. And please, call me Eleyna."
"As you wish…Eleyna." Erik's tongue still hesitated on her name. It tasted exotic, filling his mouth and rolling off his tongue.
Eleyna nearly gasped at the way her name sounded, coming from Erik's lips. Her name had never been spoken like that before. Not even by Henri. Almost unwillingly, she found herself focusing on the melodious way Erik said her name. As if his voice was coated in honey. The deep, masculine tone seemed to resonate from deep within his chest, wrapping around her and making her spine tingle, grazing her ears, tickling her cheeks.
The sound of Eleyna's stomach growling in protest made her forget temporarily about Erik's intoxicating voice. Blushing, she stood up and said "I must check on my chocolates; they're cooling in the kitchen. And, of course, eat. Why don't you keep me company anyway, Monsieur?"
"Please, let me return the favour. Call me Erik." He said. This whole situation was almost entirely new to him, being on first name terms with someone. Erik hadn't spoken to someone who knew his first name since Madame Giry.
"Alright, Erik." Eleyna was secretly glad he'd asked her to call him by his first name. She had an aphorism with people - Keep them close or not at all. Eleyna hated formalities, especially since she had absolutely no training in being proper among strangers. Until she had come to France to live with her grandmother, she had lived by a set of rules entirely different from French culture.
To hear his name from another's lips would have been threatening to Erik, who'd always been on his guard, but strangely it didn't unsettle him. From Eleyna, the sound of his name spoken aloud was comforting. It gave him a sense of normalcy.
Complying with her suggestion, Erik accompanied Eleyna across the hall, into the kitchen. Her bare feet slapped against the worn wooden floor, and Erik followed silently behind. Every possible surface in the kitchen was covered in hardening chocolates. Row after dizzying row of candy sat on the tables, and there was no room for anything else. Carefully, as to avoid pushing any off the table, Erik sat down on a chair against the wall, trying not to get in Eleyna's way in the small kitchen.
Eleyna asked Erik "Are you sure you are not hungry? I made more than enough stew." Erik stated that he was indeed sure. Eleyna shrugged, and fetched herself a bowl. Sitting in the other chair and folding her legs underneath her, she ate, holding the bowl in her right hand.
While she ate, Erik debated with himself as to what sort of conversation would be proper in this situation. Clumsy, but insatiably curious, he asked Eleyna how long she'd been living alone for. The answer surprised him.
"For the past three years," she replied, after swallowing. "I've been living here with my grandmother. In truth, she wasn't my grandmother by birth, but she was a sort of godmother to me. This was her house, her land. She passed away when I was twenty two."
Erik nodded sympathetically. He had observed Madame Giry's pain when her husband had died; although Erik had never had to deal with the death of a loved one, he understood how devastating it could be.
The sudden silence was broken by Eleyna reminiscing about her grandmother. "She taught me how to make the chocolates, how to survive on my own. She became my entire world when I came here. She took care of me, made me happy. I miss her so much." Eleyna wasn't on the verge of tears, but Erik could tell that the hurt was still there.
Erik changed the subject to take Eleyna's mind off her grandmother. "And before you came here? What was your life like?"
It was Eleyna's turn to be startled. But she gave no outward indication, and Erik didn't notice anything was amiss. Wisely deciding to leave out certain details about her heritage and life before coming to France, she gave him a shortened version.
"My mother traveled a lot. We did everything we could to survive. I didn't have a permanent home for more than two months until my mother was killed, when I was sixteen. Then I came to live here, with my grandmother, who had practically raised her, so many years ago. It wasn't a perfect childhood, but I was happy with Mama."
Erik compulsively felt jealousy as he watched Eleyna lose herself in unspoken thoughts about her childhood. He'd never had a childhood; he didn't even remember his life before being sold to the gypsies. The concept of a loving mother was hard for him to fathom.
Finished with her meal, Eleyna placed the bowl in a tub of water off to the side, and examined the progress of her chocolates. Erik watched her move from table to table, avoiding sharp corners by instinct. Her silent scrutiny was done with the confident air of someone who knows what she's doing. He noticed, though, that she occasionally chewed her lower lip, completely oblivious to everything except for the problem in front of her.
Eleyna straightened, and promptly forgot about whatever she had been contemplating; Erik could see it in the way her brow unfurrowed and her jaw line softened. With nothing else left to do (save the laundry, but she despised washing clothes, and was more than happy to procrastinate.), she wondered about how one goes about entertaining a stranger.
"Is your room alright? Do you need anything?" Eleyna asked, awkwardly trying to play the part of the perfect hostess.
"Everything is wonderful. Please, do not concern yourself over such trifles." Erik replied, not wishing to burden Eleyna further.
"Erik, your comfort is neither trivial nor insignificant." Eleyna replied. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask." She fervently hoped that Erik would learn to feel comfortable in her home, and she knew that it would take all her combined efforts to make that happen.