"I'm not leaving," was what she repeated in her head. "I'm not leaving, I'm not leaving."

The longer she sat there, the more time passed. And the more time passed, the more she realized that maybe she'd have to leave after all.

Neither person had spoken a single word since they'd left the box. They both now sat, each drowning in the other's silence. She sighed heavily, and quite audibly, a clear indication of her growing agitation. Without moving from her seat, she snatched her violin and placed it gently on her shoulder. She squinted her eyes shut and her eyebrows furrowed together, as though she became suddenly in deep concentration. The bow was rested against the strings, but no sounds came just yet. With her eyes still closed while in thought, she slowly, gracefully, began to play a simple little tune.

The man looked up, at first greatly annoyed that she had the nerve to start playing that stupid thing, but his angry expression was soon replaced with one of surprise. What she was playing wasn't just any song. It was from the opera they had seen that night. He stood up from his chair, taking a few cautious steps to where she sat. She didn't look at him, as her eyes remained shut as she continued playing her violin.

"Where did you learn that?" he asked suddenly, causing the music to come to an abrupt stop.

She looked up at him slowly, afraid to meet his gaze. "They played it at the opera tonight," she replied softly, hesitantly.

He was a bit confused. "Yes, I know. But how did you learn it?"

She didn't understand. What did he mean? She didn't learn it. . . "No one taught it to me, if that's what you mean. I just heard it."

He stared at her for a long moment, not sure if he really believed her. It was a bit strange to think that she simply listened to the music and then was able to repeat it on an instrument without knowing the notes. It could be done, but was difficult and would often take many tries to get it perfect. But, not only had she heard the song only once, she got it perfect on her very first try. "But... How do you know the notes?" He continued to question her, intrigued by her peculiar talent.

She raised a brow, looking as though she felt his inquiry were some sort of insult. "I don't," she bluntly stated.

He was quite dumbstruck, to say the least. How could she play... if she didn't know any notes? Perhaps her talent went a bit deeper than he had originally thought. He said nothing, only looked away, still attempting to overcome his disbelief. Silence settled back around them. Celine, not having moved from her seat, took to studying this man very closely. He was a very... confusing person, she decided. His moods were so changeable, and the changes were just too abrupt for her comfort. He was quiet, and had said very little to her this whole time, and when he did get into a speaking mood, it had only been to yell at her. She really wished he would talk a bit more... Normally, that is. Maybe that way they wouldn't have to feel so awkward around one another. And just why, she wondered, did he have to wear a mask?

"What's your name?" she boldly inquired. The question seemed to startle the man before her, as he looked back at her with his eyes quite wide. He didn't say anything for a moment. He looked at her curiously, trying to figure out what was going on in her head. All he could determine was the curiosity in her gaze, and that was where his deductions ended. With a small, quiet sigh, he answered, "Erik."

With some mystery removed from him, Erik seemed more like an actual person, one that she could maybe get along with... Her expression changed, and she seemed interested in finding out more than just his name. "Why do you where a mask?" The question came, inevitable. The man's friendliness dissipated and he turned away without a word.

"Well?" she insisted, leaning a bit closer, her violin resting precariously on her knees.

"It's none of your damn business!" he shouted, face wild with rage. Celine now knew that talking about his mask was dangerous territory, and she backed away, leaving him in his anger. So maybe Erik was to remain a mystery after all.