thanks everybody! I think savy is having pre-unmasking syndrome?

don't worry she doesn't do it. She's a smart, kind girl with...waaaaay to much curiosity.

Christine

I awoke and looked at my surroundings, trying to remember. At first I thought it was a dream, but no, it was real. I was back. The silent water, the gondola, His eyes.

His eyes, gold as the statues on the rooftop. his hair, what little there was, black as night. So haunting. So beautiful. How could I care about his physical appearance?

He could scare anyone, I knew that, he frightened me. Partly by his face, but mostly his anger. but was that his fault? It wasn't. He was alone and hated, who wouldn't be slightly, well, disturbed? I sat up and realized something dear to me was, yet again missing. I bolted out of bed and to the door and just as I opened it a scream pierced the silence. Victoria. She ran from His room and into my arms, I heard him shout unclear words but knew it wasn't good. And just to confirm my worst fears I heard a light clanking sound, Erik's mask had fallen out of her trembling hand.

"V-victoria", I choked "w-what did you do?" She sobbed and I heard her quietly say "I didn't know."

I walked her back to our room and sat down next to her. her head in her ands and her warm tears falling down to her dress.

I heard a crash coming from his direction and told her to wait for me.

"Ok.", She whispered "I-I'm s-s-sorry..." she sobbed and buried her face in her tear drenched gown

I walked up to the door and tapped. I didn't hear anything and opened it a bit, but turned away when I saw a wine glass fly across the room and smash into the wall, shattering into pieces. I decided that I had to face him and swung open the door. i just hoped he'd take it out on me.

"Erik!"

He ignored me. I paused, then raised my voice,

"Erik!"

"What!"

I faced him, I had never seen him this angry since I took his mask those years ago, It wasn't his fault.

he grabbed me, shook me and told me to just leave him be. he grabbed my wrists, his hands, he was too strong.

I wanted to scream, I couldn't do that, what would it do to him? the last thing he needed was another woman screaming at him, but that pain! Finally he loosened his grip and I got away from him. I stood against the door and watched him slink back into the shadows, I approached him, I was sure the fury was out of him now,it seemed to come in short waves. He leaned against the wall and, after a few seconds, slowly slid down to ground. he buried his head in his hands, but I kneeled down beside him and whispered into his ear, mostly for him to calm down.

he didn't respond. I grabbed his shaking hand, So he was crying.

"Erik?"

"Never..."

"What?"

"It doesn't matter...how I meet anyone...anyone...this...always happens...my face...my...anger...I can't take it..."

"Erik. I don't mind you. you know that, don't you?"

"...yes."

And we talked for a while. I don't know how long. he was calmer now, tired maybe. I told him he didn't need it but he took his mask quickly when I offered it .

...

the Persian

I had came home from a nice day out to find from darius that Erik had stopped by a few hours before and asked to talk to me. Darius said that he seemed upset when he learned I was out, and handed him a letter to give to me. I walked into my room and opened the letter, greeted by a short message in that clumsy hand writing.

please come tonight, we need to talk. something has happened.

p.s. don't get any idea's, if I want your company, I will ask for it. don't start strolling around my house every day.

I put on my coat and called a cab.

Review. even if your lurkers. I don't care. review. (doesn't lurking make you feel guilty?)