Chapter 23 A random interlude of no real meaning (until the end)

For all those waiting for Erik and Adriana to get together…it doesn't happen here (Ha! Gotcha!) But something else does…dun dun dun!

Authoress: Erik, have you been playing on the foyer stairs again?

Erik: Hides Red Death mask No…

Pertie…this one's for you. (just cos I love to torture!)

Lady Fae: Okay, soon, hehe, love to torture unsuspecting managers, they squeal so delightfully

Domonique Vida: G'day, and glad your enjoying.

Asingledarkcrimsonrose: Yeah, I recite poetry to my friends just to piss them off, its one of my favourite pastimes

Angel of mystery: Not long, I had the last three verses done within one rendition of Taking Over Me, which has always struck me as fitting perfectly with the Phantom, the last one I had to come up with took a little longer as I had writers (or poets) block.

Lair Lover: Heh, me too! Just let me get around school, work, dancing, more school, uh, more school and my other 4 simultaneous fics first, but I'll try

Nixieharpist: Yay! Thankyou

Tathiela: Thanks and welcome!

Kudokadvakch: Thanks blossom! (don't ask me why I just called you that) Wheeeeee! O.G. and T.W. Forever!

Kissofdarkness: don't ask, gah! Getting there, slowly, just writing lots of descriptions and explanations, taking forever!

MetalMyersJason: Yes, theatrical is a word, and a very good one too. Screw the past, LIVE FOR THE DAY!

Pertie: Weeelcome! Do you have any aversions to Buffy or LOTR or whichever world you want? I needs to know nowsies!

Nightshadesister-01: (hyperventilates) YOU GET A MASQUE DEB? Gah! I manipulated ours into drapes and candles, worked quite well, anyway, just keep reminding yourself "Christine in white during music of the night (hey that rhymes) Christine in white when she has the Phantom singing to her and roving his hands all over her body –shivers delightedly- hang on…YOU GET A TANGO TOO? Btw, the dress described at the start is my actual deb, uh presentation ball (picky teachers) dress, I love it! Cameo, you are in, but tell me, do you prefer your own fic or the real LOTR? Just tell me cloak lining colour, weapon of choice (every time I type that, I get the WIN song in my head, its our jazz too) position, Princess? Catchphrases and whatnot, its all there in a previous chapter and dump it in your next review…man, and you thought you babbled, Send me pictures of your deb too! I wanna see!

Bananas in Pajamas: -accepts taffies- Mmm… cameo deal is in a previous chapter, just read Nightshadesister-01's reply above and same deal.

The Phantess: Thankyou thankyou!

IflyNAVY: Thankhs, anytinge for you dharling!

Cap'n Meg: Smiggles are short glittery pens that coe in all shaps and sizes, think the Bertie Bots Every Flavour Beanz but in stationary form, its an in joke in Psychology. Heh, yeah, southern hemisphere, school sucks

Reltistic: -joins in dancing- Please don't explain, I already know. My cat cought her first mouse yesterday! I'm so proud! (cries)

Blaze-Logan Lover: Cameo deal, just dump your info that I requesed back in chapter 14 in your next review and I can finish, that's all you need to know for now.

Masked Grace: "Oh god…not again!" Whee! You can just picture them saying it cant you? Inspiration! Hooray!

Adriana tossed and turned irritably. It had been eleven when she had left Erik at his organ, still trying to compose, it was now three am and she was yet to fall asleep.
The bed itself was fine, the ornate swan was surprisingly comfortable and the red velvet blankets were warm and snugglable (is that a word? Oh well, it is now. Sounds kinda like a Care-Bear name though…Argh! Get it away from me!…

…I have a Care-Bare phobia okay?)

With a groan of exasperation, Adriana flung head back and kicked off her blankets. Swinging her legs over she stood and stretched her arms up until her spine cracked. Muttering random grumblings about being tired but unable to sleep, the Theatre Wraith jumped from rug to rug and petticoats left strewn across the floor and entered the bathroom.

A thin layer of ice had formed in her washbasin, which she snapped with a flick of her fingernails. Dipping fingers into the cold water she lifted a shard of the crystalline water and held it up to a cleverly contrived beam of moonlight fractured down through the five levels of Under-stage that lit the room. Admiring as the cracks in the light lit up like ghostly veins. Then she shrugged and popped the sharp ice into her mouth, allowing her warm tongue to melt the frozen splinter. (Now why does that strike me as faintly erotic?) She thought, glancing in the organ's direction, (Hmm…)

Shaking the thoughts from her head, she slipped almost healed hands into the basing and scooped up the icy water to splash onto her face.

"Bloody Hell!" she cursed as the cold hit her eyes then her temples, sending a brain freeze right to her head. Resisting the urge to scream she stood there, head tilted back and droplets trickling through her hair until the pain passed. Grabbing a rough towel she scrubbed at her face and walked back into the Louis-Philippe room.

She looked at the bed, briefly considering taking a dive onto the scarlet sheets, then shook her head. Knowing her, she'd probably knock herself out on a tail feather (though it would get her to sleep). Instead she turned and flopped backwards, falling with a satisfying thump onto the sheets. Casting a light blanket over her waist, she lay on her back, one arm stretched up so that her fingers brushed against the cold sculpted feathers. She turned her head to hear if Erik was still punishing himself over his music.

She couldn't hear any notes being played, or even the faint scratching of quill on parchment as Erik recorded his ideas, he must have gone to bed, or coffin. Adriana sighed in frustration, (You know your in trouble when the insomniac can sleep while you cant even manage ten minutes) she thought, closing her eyes.

(Sleep!) She urged herself, (Come on, you know you need it, now sleep dammit!)

The door opened a crack and Erik looked in, he had heard his young companion tossing and turning from his organ, feeling concerned, he decided to check she was alright. Stepping inside the room he found her sprawled on her bed, breathing regularly, (she was up to trying the meditation trick by now). He smiled fondly, crossing the room to lift another blanket thrown carelessly over the side of the bed to cover her properly.

Several strands of dark blonde hair had fallen over her face and he brushed them back gently, noting the damp stains left from her midnight wash. He leaned in closer to whisper a soft "Goodnight" in her ear.

Adriana had heard the door open, but didn't bother opening her eyes. Who else would be down here? Let alone try to wake…no, make that "wake" her? She felt the blanket settle over her and her toes curled slightly in pleasure as Erik tucked her hair behind her ear. Mmm…he had gorgeous hands…

She felt his cool breath on her cheek and still with her eyes closed, turned her head just as Erik was leaning in…

Their lips brushed with the lightest of kisses, but with a shock that was enough to wake the dead. (Yes, Erik had been playing on the wool carpet…Ah, the wonders of static electricity). Warmth rushed down both their bodies, making them both dizzy.

Erik froze, then retreated back to the door, staring at Adriana all the while. The Theatre Wraith, however, settled back and sighed happily. Erik fumbled for the door handle behind him, one hand clapped over his mouth. He slipped out the door, remembering at the last second not to slam it shut and wake the sleeping Adriana, then bolted for his own room.

Adriana lay still as the door clicked shut, she opened her eyes to the darkness in ecstasy.

"Gotcha" she whispered in delight, then rolling over, finally fell straight into sleep.