Erik's Ange de la Musique: heh heh.
veritasa: Thanx, girl! Erik is an emotionally scarred guy, so he's not just gunna forget about Christine. I'm trying to stem the romance a little but its hard... Yeah, I didn't want Aria to be this perfect little doll. She rox.
PhantomLover05: Yep. Totally. Little beyond 'liking' though. Poor Erik.
Essenceofcrazy: blushes I'm flattered. Thanks!
Chapter 10 Fevered
Andre and Firmin, the managers, sat quietly in the corner of a high-class bar.
"The first performance went without incident." Firmin mused.
"It was a wonderful first performance." Andre agreed. "Young Aria did well."
Firmin chuckled. "We've not had one so loved as her since Daae."
"Do you think the Opera Ghost has taken her under his wing, as a student?"
"No...she's not as good as that."
"She refused to answer our questions. I am certain they are aquianted."
"They must be more than friends. Could she possibly be his lover?"
Andre shrugged and growled. "I have no idea.
I eased my hand over Aria's hip, feeling every curve and wallowing in it. Aria's hand slid suggestively up my chest, pulling my head down to her level. We moaned together as our lips met in a haze of desire and another sweet, tender, nameless emotion. I pulled her tight against me, feeling her bite down gently on my bottom lip. I groaned and trailed kisses down her neck...
I sat up sharply, soaking in sweat. My lungs seemed to have contracted as I coughed and gasped for breath. When my head finally cleared, I lay back down, feeling strange. My head ached and my throat hurt. I tried to ignore it; I was probably just thirsty. When I finally stood up to face the day, however, my head swam and for a nausious minute I thought I would be sick.
I rested a trembling hand on my bedside table, steadying myself. When I rowed the boat over the lake, I wished I had taken the long way as my throat and head pounded.
Aria, when she saw me, rushed over. "Erik you look terrible!"
She tried to feel my face but I growled and swatted her hand away. "How do you feel after the first performance?" I changed the subject.
She stared suspiciously at me. "Well enough."
I didn't really hear her... memories of that fevered dream whirled in my already dizzy head.
These strange symptoms reaccured thru all of Tuesday and only worsed on Wednesday.
I knew I needed something to ease it but...I hate asking for help. So I merely forced myself to ignore and went about my duties. I sent a letter to the manangers, congradulating them on the spectacular performance, reminding them that my salary was due next week, and thanking them for reserving my Box. I have them under my thumb now, backbone broken, and I expect no more trouble from them.
I walked along a dark corridor, trying not to cough and ignoring the fatigue dripping from me. I hadn't walked this way in a while...I heard raucous, disgusting voices calling out from a room close by. I peered curiously thru one of the strangest trapdoors I have invented. It's a mirror on the wall, but its only a little one, and I can make it seem a painting.
All the nasty bastard men from the opera house gazed with licentious eyes up to 3 young girls dancing most immodestly, backs facing the crowd. I frowned in distaste and was about to turn, when the girls twirled around. My jaw dropped. Aria!
Indeed, one of them was Aria. I jealously realized her seductive hair was down for all to see. Fury clouded into my mind. What the hell was she doing here? How dare those sons of bitches look at her!
She had a catty smile on her face, but her eyes were black with shame and torture. Suddenly she looked up into the mirror, straight into my eyes.
Aria halted in mid-step, her orbs growing gigantic in horror. The other two girls stared nervously at her, murmuring to keep dancing.
The men shouted drunkenly for her to continue. Instead, finally unfreezing, she dashed from the room. I followed her, my soft voice calling to her to wait.
She finally reached her room and leaned against the door, her bare shoulders shaking as she poured her tears. I grabbed her shoulders and gently turned her around. "Don't look at me!" she sobbed. When she refused to raise her head, I pulled her into my chest, my tender heart melting. The feelings within me did not overpower, like usual...infact I really didn't feel anything right now. My head whirled, my throat ached...Aria said something but I couldn't hear her...
The room was moving towards the sky, because the floor hit my face with a painful thump and all went black.
I awoke much later, 3 hazy faces slowly coming into focus. Madame Giry, Nadir Khan, and Aria stood above, staring at me in concern.
Or, atleast, Aria was looking at me. Madame Giry and Nadir Khan carefully avoided actually gazing at my face...I realized vaguely that my mask was gone. I moaned and tried to sit up, but Aria pushed me me down, firm and gentle together. I glared fearfully at her still-foggy face, wanting nothing more that to run away and hide.
"Shhh," Aria soothed, her hand cupping the marred skin of my face. I groaned again, for no such sweet fingers had ever ventured to touch me on that ugly side.
Madame Giry and Nadir nodded to Aria and left us. My head fell to the side, cushioned by a pillow, so I could look up at Aria. How did a bed get in here? I wondered, my head feeling as though it was filled with mud. I heard her wet a cloth and wipe my sweaty face with a tender hand. "I'm going to keep you up here until you get well." she told me slowly so my mind could process it.
My swollen throat vibrated as I cowered in fear. I felt vunerable, away from the comforting darkness and the cover of my mask.
My shaking hand feebly covered the right side of my face, trying to hide my replusive skin from Aria. But I felt her own hand slip beneath mine, caressing the unworthy disfigurment so lovingly I started to cry.
"Oh Erik, don't cry. It's alright. I'll be right here with you as much as I can." Aria murmured, wiping the tears from my face.
I could see, beyond my tear-filled eyes, that Aria's beautiful lips had turned in a reassuring smile, and I suddenly realized how lucky I was. "Aria, I..."
"Shh. Rest. Madame Giry will look after you when I cannot, and Monsieur Khan will guard the room."
I could do no more than stare into her lovely face as she sang to me, lulling me into sleep.
It may have been just a dream, but I was sure I could feel her lips against my marred skin...
I woke again to voices; One I knew and one I didn't. I stared wildly up into the face of a pudgy, older man. I fought down a scream and looked away, turning so he could not see my ugliness. He, too, avoided it. Aria clasped my hand, massaging it with tender support.
The gray-haired man told her something and left. Shaking with fear and anger, I tried to say something to Aria, my fevered eyes glittering in raw fury. But I couldn't speak!
I panicked.
"Erik! Hush, stop. You're going to make it worse."
I ignored her, trying to force more than that strange rasping sound coming from my mouth. Suddenly Aria grabbed the sides of my face, her own coming down until it was a mere inch away from me. Needless to say, my frenzied panic abruptly stopped, and I stared into her mesmorizing green eyes, lost in a strange feeling of lightheadedness. I didn't know if this sensation was caused by Aria or my illness.
"Easy, Erik. You've lost your voice. Don't strain it any more." she murmured gently, sitting back down in her seat. I resisted the urge to pull her back, realizing in my weak state I could barely lift my own hand.
"I'm sorry, Erik. I had to bring the doctor in. You are very sick and I didn't know what else to do."
I tried to tell her it was alright, but my throat simply wouldn't function.
I looked at her in frustration. She nodded in understanding and handed me a pen and a piece of paper.
It's alright. I was just...startled. I wrote, my hand feebly trying to make the words legible.
Aria frowned at the writing in consentration, and I flushed. I knew she couldn't read it.
After a minute or two she made out the words and turned her soft eyes on me.
"I'm sorry. I knew it would frigthen you."
To my immense shock, Aria leaned forward and planted a warm kiss on the right side of my face. Her lips fit perfectly between the ugly disfigurments. I let my breath out with some difficulty, turning my head to her. I reached for Aria's hand, picked it up, and pressed it into my face, loving the gentle way she stroked the marred skin.
"Now Erik." She began sternly. "I don't care how well you think you are in the next few days; until you're cured you are not going down to your island. I'll get some of your clothes and stuff. But it's no place for a sick person."
My eyes widened in astonishment. Not to my island? I quivered slightly, in both fright and irritation.
How will you stop me? I wrote, watching Aria's incredulous expression with amusement. If I got to feel her hands on my face every day... oh, what heaven. Who would want to leave?
Aria frowned menacingly at me, her green eyes tinged with aggravation. Then they cleared with glee. "I'll put you in a straightjacket!" she smirked.
I grinned up at her. The door opened.
The Persian looked in, his eyes nervous. "Aria, you have a quick rehearsal in 15 minutes."
Our eyes, the daroga's and mine, met for a second, and he paled. I looked away, sighing.
Aria nodded patiently. "Thanks, Monsieur."
The door closed again, and I didn't want Aria to leave. I knew she had to, but...
Her lips turned into a gentle smile as she wetted a new cold cloth and covered my forehead with it.
"Madame Giry will come and check on you. Get some more rest." Aria said, hesitating.
Her fingers reached out, lightly caressing the right side of my face. I fought yet another groan, my eyelids fluttering down helplessly.
"I'll be back soon."
I wasn't even aware when she left.