The Girl Next Door
Dearest Christine
Your costume is in the bag hanging on the door. Change and be at the theatre by 8. I will meet you there.
Erik
Christine glanced at the bag and then went straight to the shower, excitement building in her chest at the prospect of the Masquerade Ball. She and Sorelli had been discussing the event all day, out of Meg's earshot, of course. It was not very often that they had opportunity to spend time at such a glamorous social event, after all.
After thoroughly cleaning herself from the daily grime of a hard days work, she began to dry her hair, adding various mousses and sprays. She never usually took this much care over her hair unless it was a special occasion.
And this one was extremely special.
She unzipped the clothing bag and took out the dress. Christine turned to the mirror and held the dress up against herself as she watched her reflection. A soft smile touched her lips as the material shimmered and caught the light.
She would make tonight special.
"Name?" The doorman asked as Christine reached the open doors of the Hawthorn Theatre. There was a short queue as the guests were checked off the lists. Behind her was what she presumed was a mermaid, in a shimmering green dress and diamond starfish pinned to the material and behind the mermaid was a man with 18th century clothes and a dark blue mask.
"Christine Daae."
He glanced at her curiously and smiled pleasantly.
"Ah, of course. Robert, take Miss Daae around, will you?" A young man she presumed was Robert stepped forward eagerly and bowed.
"Follow me." As Christine stepped through the doors, she was almost positive she heard the doorman whisper to one of the other attendants, "That's her!"
She glanced back, caught them looking at her inquisitively, and hurried after Robert. He did not lead her towards a pair of large double doors, where she heard music playing and people talking, but through a side door. The further they walked, the quieter the noises became. Christine began to wonder exactly where she was going.
"Excuse me, but where-"
"Almost there, Miss Daae." Robert assured her. He opened a door and stepped aside to let her in. Christine walked through the door and it closed behind her, without Robert accompanying her inside. She paused and then turned swiftly as someone stepped out from the shadows.
"Erik!"
He looked nothing short of… incredible. The Red Death costume consisted of scarlet velvet and a white, skull-like mask. A sword hung at his waist and his eyes were surrounded by thick, black make-up, giving him the very air of mystery. And he was staring at her, just as she must have been staring at him.
She smiled nervously.
"Does it look alright?" She said, brushing the skirts of her dress unnecessarily. Erik took her hand seriously and opened his mouth, but no words came, not something that happened very often to Erik Destler.
Perhaps now would be the right time to describe what it was that had stunned Erik into such a state.
I dreamt a dream! – What can it mean!-
And that I was a maiden queen
Christine was the Maiden Queen from their beloved poem, The Angel. Clad in a corseted dress of the purest white silk that fell in soft folds from her waist, it had short sleeves, a decently low neckline and almost invisible stitches of silver sewn into the material, causing her to shine ethereally in his eyes. Set on her loose dark curls was a ringlet of silver and at her throat was tear-drop diamond necklace, the only jewellery that she wore. A white mask covered her eyes and cheeks, simple in design and decoration.
She smiled and asked,
"What's going on? Why all the secrecy?" Erik lifted her hand to his lips before placing it on his arm and guiding her to yet another pair of elaborate double doors, which he did not open. Christine realised now that she could once again hear music.
"I have yet to introduce you to what it is that I do. I want to show you my reason for being; my existence but I could not do it any old way, not through taking you to see an opera or anything like that. I want to share it with you." He said softly, as the music began to swell to a crescendo. Christine felt something deep inside of her, something that could not be explained as a slight smile crossed Erik's mouth.
"This, Christine… is my world."
The doors flew open and music muffled her senses for a moment before she saw that they were at the top of a sweeping staircase. Before her with faces, hundreds of faces, all masked, colours flying about, a dazzling, shimmering whirlpool of colour and music which she and Erik began to descend into. A light fell upon the pair as they stepped down the stairs and the voices hushed at the sight. A pirate stood on the first platform of the steps. It was Nadir. He turned to the crowd and introduced the couple.
"And finally, Ladies and Gentleman, I give you Red Death and the Maiden Queen!"
Thunderous applause. Apparently other important guests had been introduced as well. Nadir beamed at the both before turning back to the crowd.
"The dancing will begin directly and will be started by my most gracious lord and lady." He bowed to Erik and Christine, ever gracious.
Erik, not in the least bit fazed (why should he be? He probably had the whole thing planned!), led Christine down the last few steps, into the very centre of the room. He turned, placing his hands in the correct places. His eyes met Christine's and she smiled. He did not return it but his eyes softened slightly amidst the heavy make-up.
Music began and Christine almost started with surprise as she recognised the tune. It was the melody from the monkey box! Of course, it was far more elaborate now and much more elegant than the simple, tinny tune but it was definitely recognisable. She did not speak but Erik's smirk was more than enough to assure her of his knowledge regarding her revelation.
More and more dancers began to join them in dancing. Christine let out a quiet laugh at the freedom of the affair and was sorry when the dance ended. Erik kissed her hand and led her from the crowd of dancers, who were all eagerly awaiting the next song. They were instantly accosted by Nadir and Sorelli, who was looking simply beautiful in a colourful dress and elaborate mask.
"You guys sure know how to make an entrance!" She teased. "Christine, you look fabulous!"
"So do you, Sorelli. Of course, we won't ever be able to talk about it. Meg'd never forgive us." Christine reminded her. Nadir smiled at her.
"I must agree, you look wonderful."
"Ahem."
"But obviously not as wonderful as Sorelli." He put in hastily. Sorelli giggled, taking his arm.
"We're going to get a drink. Want anything?"
Erik and Christine assured her that they didn't. Once they were alone, Christine looked up at him.
"You… you are amazing."
"In what way?"
"In every way!" Christine laughed. "The music, the costumes, it's all so wonderful!"
"Good. Because I intend to make tonight memorable in every possible way." Erik told her, taking her hand. "Would you care to dance again?"
As they danced again, Christine's mind wandered. She looked up at Erik, who was glancing at the other guests. She couldn't see much of his face, only his chin and mouth. But she mentally removed the mask and saw his face. The normal side first, the smooth skin and the strong jaw. And then the other side, the side that had made him so afraid. The twisted skin, the caved-in nose, the harsh red and blue of the flesh.
Later…I promise.
The heat was overpowering as the evening passed by. Christine and Erik stood to one side and she excused herself to go to the bathroom, whilst he went to fetch them drinks. Christine squeezed through the bustling, dancing, chattering people to the door that led to the bathroom. There were a couple of women standing in front of the mirror, reapplying lipstick and powdering their faces. Christine pulled her mask off and pushed her hair out of her face. Her face was pink with the warmth. One of the women looked at her curiously.
"The Maiden Queen, the one who led the dancing?"
"Yes."
"Gorgeous outfit." She smiled. Christine smiled back before heading into a cubicle. When she came back out, the women were gone. She paused to sort herself out in the mirror before putting her mask back onto her face.
Yet another song had begun, a cheerful waltz. Christine glanced around and Nadir appeared at her elbow.
"Do you suppose Erik would lynch me if I stole you for a dance?" He smiled. Christine tilted her head, pretending to think.
"Only one way to find out." She replied. Nadir laughed and they joined in the string of dancers. Christine was relieved that, whilst many things were beyond her, picking up dance steps seemed to be reasonably simple for her. The dance was simple enough, although it involved the changing of partners on a regular basis. Christine danced with a knight, a bull fighter, a king and what she supposed was a Viking before she met the last partner, a man wearing an impeccably smart costume from what appeared to be the Victorian period. Christine had barely taken his hand before she realised who it was, her partner's cheeky grin giving himself away.
"Raoul!"
"You look beautiful tonight." He grinned, spinning her around and catching her again. Christine wanted to pull away but the dancers were all pressed so close together that she could barely move.
"The Maiden Queen… should I get the reference?"
"It's William Blake." Christine said calmly. "And what are you?"
"Enchanted." He smiled. Christine narrowed her eyes behind the mask and he laughed. "Fine! I'm not entirely sure; I just liked the look of it to be perfectly honest. I'm not really into this whole dressing up thing."
Christine's eyes darted swiftly around the room but she found no sign of Red Death. Raoul spun her again, copying the other dancers and noticed her avoiding his gaze.
"Christine, surely we can share one dance without being completely hostile towards each other? We're not children."
"No. But I am here with someone else."
"I know. Red Death. Cheerful bloke, isn't he, that Erik?" He commented lightly. Christine frowned.
"You don't know him, Raoul."
"Don't want to. And I very much doubt that he wants to know me either. So it all works out rather nicely for everyone."
The music hit its crescendo and ended on a triumphant note. Raoul bowed and Christine returned with a polite curtsey. He put his hand back to her waist, clearly intending to take another dance, but a black, leather-gloved hand caught his wrist.
"My turn." Erik said icily, taking Christine by the arm. Raoul looked rather affronted but the pair disappeared into the crowd before he could comment.
His eyes found her straight away. The shimmering angel that danced so gracefully amongst the sea of common mortals. Erik watched her for a moment before turning his attention to Christine's partner. A strongly built character, in navy blue with a mask covering the top half of his face, his blonde hair tied into a short ponytail at the base of his neck.
De Chagny.
The glasses he was holding instantly went to the table as Erik moved through the throng of dancers, watching the pair closely. They appeared to be talking as they danced. The boy was grinning inanely and Christine seemed to be frowning as she answered his comment. The music finished and they ended the dance formally. The boy's hand went to her waist, seemingly presuming that he had the right to a second dance. Erik decided that it was time to interrupt.
He pushed de Chagny's hand back.
"My turn." He said, meeting his eyes with a flashing glare before leading Christine away from the dancers, towards the edge of the room. She looked up at him.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome." He handed her a glass of wine and then glanced at the clock. It was almost midnight. Christine caught his gaze and smiled.
"Ready to go?"
"If you wish to stay-"
"No, I'm ready to go. I just want to find Sorelli and say goodbye." She said, putting her glass down. She paused and then reached up on tiptoe to kiss him swiftly on the mouth before leaving.
Christine caught sight of Sorelli's bright outfit and squeezed through to her.
"Sorelli, Erik and I are going now."
"OK. Isn't it great though?" Sorelli grinned, revelling in the gaiety of the occasion.
"Definitely. Have a great night." Christine smiled, hugging her and Nadir. She turned and came face to face with a large pink blob.
Actually, it was Carlotta, wearing an enormous, elaborate dress of pink and white, clutching a fan in one hand. But I digress.
Carlotta barely gave Christine a sideways glance, did a double-take and looked at her again. Sorelli smiled in a rather saccharine manner.
"Carlotta, what a nice costume!"
"Sorelli, you look adorable." Carlotta cooed, apparently not sensing the thickly hidden sarcasm. Her eyes darted over Christine's outfit briefly. "And you…uh…"
She seemed to hold back some forced laughter.
"Well, I must be going, I've got lots of people to meet and greet!" She vanished and Sorelli patted a fuming Christine's shoulders.
"Chris, you look fabulous. Let's face it, she looks like a meringue in that outfit." This was true and Christine had to smile at the admission. She said goodbye to the pair and turned to Erik, who had joined them.
"Let's get out of here."
"The most attractive proposition of the night." Erik assured her, taking her hand and walking to the door.
Erik watched in amusement as Christine gazed wistfully at the dress. She was now clad in her bedclothes but the dress that hung on the wardrobe door had captured her attention for several minutes now.
"Christine?"
"Hmm?"
"Do you plan on sleeping at all?" She looked over at him and smiled sheepishly.
"I just… it just seems like such a waste that it'll never even get worn again."
"There may be an occasion."
"I hope so. It's so beautiful and you must have spent so much time designing it." She said regretfully. Erik's mouth twitched.
"Christine, come to bed."
She crossed to the bed and curled up beneath the blankets. Her toes were cold and she pressed them against the cotton of his trousers. He hissed and she laughed, nestling against him. He closed his eyes as she switched off the bedside lamp. As her eyes accustomed to the darkness, she examined his face, looking at it as she had in her mind earlier that night.
She laid her head on the pillow, so that she could only see his mutilated half. He looked like a demon. He was an Angel trapped in a demon's face.
"Erik…" She whispered, barely audible. He didn't open his eyes.
"Yes?"
"…I love you."
For several long, agonising minutes he lay there and Christine began to wonder if he was asleep. But then his face turned to hers on the pillow, confusion obvious in his eyes.
"What?" He whispered. Christine didn't smile. She just looked at him.
"I love you."
He blinked and then a very tiny smile touched his lips.
"You weren't going to say that, remember?"
"I changed my mind." She smiled back. Erik's smile widened even further and Christine touched his disfigured cheek. "I love you. Everything about you."
"Everything?" He said doubtfully.
"Everything single thing." She said firmly. "Especially this." Her fingers traced his cheek and he frowned.
"How?"
"If you didn't have this face, you wouldn't be who you are. You'd be different and if you were different I wouldn't love you the way I do."
Erik just smiled at her. She laughed, a little embarrassed.
"What are you smiling at?"
"…Nothing." He pulled her close to him. Perhaps it was customary to make love, after the person you adored more than life itself told you that she loved you. But Erik was far more content to know that she was simply there.
A/N: OK, this is what happens when I don't write for ages. I debate every tiny thing that I write until the whole chapter seems like a huge mistake. Sometimes you just write a chapter and you KNOW that it's perfect, and that it's exactly the way you wanted it to be and sometimes you get chapters like this, where you can't do a thing to make yourself feel better about it. Maybe it's because almost all of my stories so far have had a Masquerade ball in it, I just can't write them anymore without thinking 'uh oh, can't do that, I did that in Cold, Cold Heart' or 'hmm, that's a bit too much like The Phantom of the Opera'.
Sigh hopefully you enjoyed it, though. And yes! She FINALLY said it, which was why I wanted to get the Masquerade on this chapter, because that was just a way of getting Christine to say it.
Well, I've planned out the next bit of the story. Vaguely. I want to concentrate a bit more on the whole Anna back story, get some of that out etc, but there will be other dramas for our favourite couple to contend with!
Love
Katie