A/N: As always, thanks to my beta, Le Chat Noir
Episode 36: By the Light of the Moon
By: Elektra
Baraka's Travelling Fair
Baraka, the fair keeper, stood beside his assistant as the two looked over the body on the ground. Its face had been ripped to shreds, its neck seemingly chewed right through, and its body was unrecognizable as either female or male.
"This is the third one in as many weeks," Analie, his assistant, pointed out. "Something needs to be done."
"And what should we do, Ana?" Baraka asked. "If you've got some brilliant plan, please share it."
Analie turned from the body, unable to stare any longer. "I know some people who may be able to help," she said. "They helped me a long time ago, when I was a kid. But… it could be we picked up some kind of scavenger on our travels and this could just be an animal attack."
Baraka narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean this could just be an animal attack?" He carefully studied the woman before him. "Ana? What OTHER kind of attack would this be?"
Elaenor's House of Wax
Christine stared up at the wax figure of Wonder Woman that stood before her, then slid out her digital camera – a Christmas gift from Erik – and snapped a picture.
"Wonder Woman was my hero when I was little," Christine smiled. "I wanted to be just like her."
"You wanted to wear spandex shorts and a halter top?" Erik asked as he glanced around at the other superhero figures in the room, his eyes falling upon the masked Batman. "I would rather like to see that, actually."
"Oh hush!" Christine scolded as she slid her camera back into her purse. She reached behind to grasp Erik's arms and wrap them around her shoulders, leaning back against him.
He was always amazed by her little acts of affection.
Dressed in a blue midriff-baring baby tee and form-fitting athletic pants with her hair tied back in two long braids, Christine looked far cuter then she had any right to – especially considering the other male patron currently ogling her.
Erik slid his golden eyes towards the handsome young man, the icy glare forcing the boy to literally jump back and widen the distance between them, making an obvious effort to focus on everything but the girl.
Satisfied, Erik's gaze fell to the top of Christine's head. How long will this last? He wondered. Would Christine ever consider someone like him a possible husband? He dared not ask.
"Come, angel. I would like to look in the Horror room," he replied, entwining his fingers with Christine's and gently leading her through the doorway to the left.
The two soon found themselves in a faux dungeon where all manner of gruesome waxed figures resided in the low red and blue lights. The dungeon was complete with strategically placed sound effects filled with rattling chains, screaming women, howling wolves, and ghostly moans. Some of the figures even moved, crawling out of coffins or breaking through the metal doors of an insane asylum.
Erik suddenly felt a tug on his hand as the girl at his side stopped walking.
"Erik?"
"Hmm?"
"Are they real?" she asked as she glanced up at a werewolf figure a few feet in front of her. The scenery surrounding it was a murky forest with a full moon overhead.
"What do you think?" he asked.
Christine looked up at him. "That's the thing. I don't know what to think. I mean, there are a lot of things I never thought were real before."
Erik shrugged. "I have never come up against one."
"That doesn't answer my question."
He lifted her hand and placed a light kiss atop her knuckles, then led her on. "Well… I've heard stories about other Hunters running into a creature that they could not explain," he answered, "but it was never confirmed as to what it was. It could have very well been a normal everyday wolf."
"I don't suppose you have any silver bullets? Just in case?" she asked.
"Silver bullets are useless, to be honest, though I imagine they hurt as much as any kind of bullet does." He then shrugged. "Either way, I would not know. I have never fired a gun in my life. I am the kind who prefers using his hands."
"Could you teach me?" she asked suddenly.
Erik stopped walking, almost causing Christine to stumble into him. "Pardon?"
"Teach me to fight," she answered as she caught her footing. "I don't want to be a damsel in distress."
"Ah yes, you want to be Wonder Woman," he muttered darkly.
"Erik, I'm serious!" She frowned. "I should know some self-defense."
He met her eyes and realized he had not even considered such a thing.
Erik had kept himself from the world for so long that he had not stopped to think about the human threats lurking around that could hurt a girl as much, if not more, then their inhuman counterparts.
He took a deep breath and finally spoke. "Perhaps it is time…"
Dean Giry's Private room – Ravelle Residence (two days later)
Giry frowned into the phone as the head of the Guild informed her of his latest plan. "You want Erik to investigate a travelling Fair of all things, Gus? We have scouts to do that." She said, then waited for his reply.
"Well… yes… I suppose he would fit better than the others in such an environment. What are the details?" She listened as he explained the situation and what Erik would be looking for. "Very well, I will see if he's interested."
Another pause as Leroux responded.
"Now Gus, you know as well as I do that one cannot 'order' Erik. If he wishes to do it, he will. If not, then you must find someone else. I will call back with Erik's reply."
She cradled the phone and glanced up at the clock. She would need some time to gather her thoughts before approaching Erik with this assignment.
Elsewhere
Christine was breathless as she collapsed beside Erik, aching in places she didn't know a girl could ache. "God… that was exhausting!"
"I am surprised you kept up with me," Erik replied.
"Barely," Christine answered. "You have incredible stamina!"
He pushed himself up on his elbows and studied her. "If I did not know better, I would think you had done this before," he said.
Another slightly annoyed voice interrupted their conversation. "Um, are you two finished with the workout mats?"
Christine turned away from the masked man to see a fellow student standing a few feet away, water bottle in hand, a borrowed Ravelle Athletic Department towel around her neck.
The petite brunette pushed herself into a sitting position, her body protesting every movement. "Yeah, I've had enough power crunches to last me a year. If I do one more, I think I'm going to puke."
Erik grimaced at the unflattering imagery. "You will need this training to build up your strength if you want to handle yourself in a fight, angel," he replied as he gracefully jumped to his feet, looking as energetic as he had before their intense workout.
"I want to learn self-defense, Erik, not turn into She-Hulk!" she muttered. "Ballet dancers are supposed to be lean and flexible, not tight and muscled!"
Erik was silent for a moment, his eyes slowly taking in her wonderfully supple form. Flexible indeed. I'm sure she's very flexible.
The last thing Erik wanted to do was hamper Christine's flexibility, for reasons she did not need to know. "Next time we will just go straight to the self-defense," he offered quickly, hoping not to betray his thoughts.
Erik held a hand out to Christine and assisted her up, ignoring the looks the other student was giving the new mask Christine had made him for the holidays.
His little angel had decorated this one – red teardrops against black cotton - purposely allowing the mask to appear more fashionable than curious.
"Excuse me? Can we help you?" Christine spoke harshly upon noticing the girl's stares… and realizing she was eyeing far more than just Erik's mask.
The other girl simply stuck her nose up and dragged the workout mats over to her waiting friend.
I need to get away from college girls…Erik thought.
Before Erik could comment aloud, his cell-phone rang. He quickly grabbed it off the waistband of his black yoga pants. "Yes, Antoinette?" he let out a sigh as she spoke. "Very well. Meet me in my room in an hour."
It appeared their self-defense lesson would be cut short.
Erik's room – 1 hour later
Christine pounded away at Erik's Nintendo DS as she attempted to finish her Super Mario 64 level. The sound of Erik's shower could be heard through the door to the bathroom. He had gallantly allowed Christine her own shower first, but her hair was still damp as Erik seemed to lack a hairdryer.
So caught up in her game, she didn't hear the water turn off nor the bathroom door open. Instead, she released a string of swear words as Mario's last artificial life was ended by an ill-judged jump.
"Goodness, angel… I did not think you had such language in you," Erik began with a chuckle.
Christine blushed sheepishly, muttering an apology as she turned to Erik… and found her breath catch. Why couldn't he have been wearing more than a towel?
He suddenly cocked his head to the left. "Antoinette is here."
Christine looked around, "What? Where?"
The sudden knock at the door startled Christine.
"There. Can you get that, beloved? I'm not quite ready yet." He retreated back into the bathroom, leaving Christine caught off-guard by his uncanny hearing. The knock came again and she quickly jumped up and opened the door.
"Am I interrupting something?" Giry asked, noticeably surprised to see who answered.
"No no!" Christine smiled. "Erik's just getting dressed. He won't be much longer."
Giry raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.
After a few moments, Erik finally emerged, dressed and masked. "What is this new assignment, Antoinette?" he asked.
"Well," Giry began. "It involves you taking up a temporary job at a travelling Fair currently arriving in town. We need you to assess a situation and inform us to what you think would be the cause."
"And why am I scouting? Usually I am Hunting," Erik asked suspiciously.
"You have the right skills to fit in undetected - you can throw your voice; you know a bit of hypnotism; and you are adept at illusions and magic tricks. Your role-playing needs to be convincing."
Christine's eyes went wide. "Erik! You can do magic tricks?"
Erik shrugged. "I have dabbled now and then, yes. It was a way to amuse myself when I was younger."
Christine seemed rather excited about that, looking very much like a fascinated child at the moment.
Erik turned back to Giry. "Very well, tell Leroux I will do it. BUT..." he narrowed his eyes– "I will NOT remove my mask to cement my part. I REFUSE to be put on display. If it comes to such a thing, then the Guild will be on their own for this assignment."
"Understood, Erik. I will inform Gus of the terms," Giry replied, then handed him an envelope. "Here is the information you will need." She wished the two goodnight and made her exit.
Christine looked up at Erik. "It sounds like a fun assignment. I just hope you don't like it so much that you decide to stay," she smiled.
"Believe me, angel. The last place I would want to stay is in a travelling fair."
Christine furrowed her brow. "Why? With all your interests in magic and stuff-"
"I will most likely be locked in a cage and thrown into the Freak Show," he interrupted. "Come see the living corpse. He sings, he dances, he does tricks..."
"Oh," Christine answered, biting her lip. She had not even considered that. "But... most of those people are guys paid to play off smoke and mirrors. They... they couldn't really lock you up." She suddenly seemed unsure. "Could they?"
"Who knows what people are capable of. For all I know, this assignment could lead to just that," he answered. "Though I imagine some kind soul would take pity on me if I constantly told the audience I was being held against my will."
Christine looked fearful at such a thought, nervously wringing her hands.
Erik studied her a moment, and finally spoke. "I am being facetious, Christine. As cruel as people are, an intelligent man would not put his business in danger by holding one of his attractions captive. There are laws for such things."
Christine frowned and shoved at his chest. "You jerk! You had me worried there!"
He seemed to find her response entertaining and chuckled quietly as he wrapped his arms around her.
She struggled, still rather annoyed with his morose humour – until he slid his mouth over hers, effectively ending Christine's anger.
Baraka's Travelling Fair - The Next Saturday
Christine bowed gracefully as the applause faded out.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, the Phantom and his lovely assistant, Christine!" The barker announced as Erik and Christine took one more bow and headed behind the curtains.
"Wow, this is so much fun!" she gasped excitedly as she grasped Erik's hands.
"Do not have TOO much fun," he answered. "Things are not always what they seem..."
Christine had insisted on accompanying Erik, explaining that it would make him a more feasible magician if he had an assistant.
Giry was quite against it, but Erik indicated that there was logic in such a plan, though he need not be reminded that Christine's safety was of utmost importance. If he needed to go into action, the girl was to stay in their trailer and not come out until he deemed it safe.
As the two left the tent, Baraka, the owner, motioned for Erik and Christine to join him in his office. They followed him into his trailer and were offered two seats before the metal table that served as his desk.
"It seems you two are rather good for business," he said as he leaned back in his chair. "After Friday night, word of mouth got around. We've never had such a response to local talent." He leaned forward and glanced at Erik. "I'm surprised no one's heard of you before now."
Erik shrugged. "Magic tricks do not pay bills, Mr. Baraka. I have a day job that requires most of my attention," he explained politely. "But as I rather enjoy my hobby, I thought it would be a nice experience for my wife and I to join your Fair for the weekend."
Christine tried not to choke on Erik's use of the word wife. It sounded more feasible than girlfriend, after all. But hearing him refer to her that way brought up mixed emotions – excitement and fear rolled into one.
The door suddenly flew open as a breathless woman rushed in, eyes wide with fear. "Another one!" she gasped. "There's been another one!"
Baraka jumped to his feet. "Where, Analie?" he demanded, and the woman quickly led him out.
Erik turned to Christine. "Go back to our trailer. I want to see what this is about," he said, then stood up. "And please, angel… do not get curious."
"I wasn't going to follow," she insisted.
Erik frowned, making it quite clear that he knew she WAS going to follow until he made his comment. "Please, Christine?" his plea was rather heartfelt, and Christine reluctantly nodded and agreed to stay where it was safe.
Outside
Martine Robichaux ducked into the shadows when she saw Erik leave the trailer. She had found herself a nice home here among the others, using what little tricks she knew to set up a fortune telling booth.
But though she was sure she had a line of customers waiting, this man before her had caught her attention. She knew him.
He had tried, in fact, to rid the world of her not more than a week ago. Luckily, she had outsmarted the so-called Hunters and made her escape.
Though now she questioned herself as she studied him carefully. Was he not the same man who had hired her in the first place? The man with the rope? She had never seen his face, after all, being that the man kept a mask upon it all the while he had been speaking to her.
If that were the case, then why had he come after her with two others? Why had he tried to use that very rope and wrap it around her neck?
There were far too many questions.
Martine hated questions.
10 minutes later
Erik studied the body laying on the ground before him. Baraka and his friend had since called the police and left the scene to meet them.
He crouched before the prone figure and tilted its head a little to the left to get a better view of the claw marks gouged into the face.
It was a girl no older than Christine's twenty years. He had seen her in the crowd earlier watching his performance and wondered if she had decided to look for the attractive male acrobats afterwards. The men seemed to garner a lot of female company after their shows.
Considering the dead girl was wearing very little in the way of clothing, she had obviously shared far more than chit-chat with the men.
He pulled his cell out of his coat and dialed Antoinette, informing her of the latest victim and his suspicions.
Two Hunters far more familiar with this kind of thing would be on their way shortly.
Christine and Erik's trailer
Christine was startled from her sleep by a loud noise outside the trailer. It sounded like growling. She had been napping on the couch, waiting for Erik to return.
Dressed only in a t-shirt and jeans, she slowly opened the door, wholly unprepared for the large blur of charcoal gray fur that suddenly leapt at her.
Christine cried out as she struggled with the larger creature that had landed atop her, crushing the very breath from her body.
Its snout of fangs and saliva hovered over her neck as a snarl emerged from its body. She could feel four sets of claws pressing into her chest and abdomen as its sharp canines plunged forward.
Before its strike could connect, a rope was thrown expertly around the animal's neck, yanking it off her.
Christine quickly pulled herself to her hands and knees, ignoring the sound of animalistic whimpers behind her. She heard much cursing and shuffling, then the sounds of heavy padded feet rushing off through the snow.
She crawled around only to see black leather boots strapped up to the knee, followed by a lean thigh encased in form-fitting black velvet.
"Really, angel… that is a rather undignified position." A silky voice spoke as leather-clad palms reached towards her, slender white fingers gently grasping her shoulders and hauling her to her feet.
Erik pulled Christine against him and tugged his duster around her shivering form.
Grateful for the warmth, she sunk against him and slid her hands into his back pockets, bringing heat to her icy fingers… before taking note of how wonderfully firm the backside her hands were pressed against felt.
"Did I not tell you to stay in the trailer?" Erik asked darkly, oblivious to her unintentional groping and far too annoyed to care.
"I stayed, honest!" she protested. "But… I heard a noise… so… I opened the door to see, and that… thing jumped me!" She looked up at him. "That wasn't… I mean… it couldn't have been a-"
"I do not know what it was, but it slipped free from my rope and ran off. I underestimated its strength." Realizing she was only wearing a pair of socks in the snow, Erik suddenly wrapped his arms around Christine's waist and lifted her off the ground.
He carried her into the trailer and went about pulling something warm and dry from her duffel bag.
"After investigating the body Baraka's assistant found," he said as he tossed her a tracksuit and a pair of slippers, "I called upon those far more suited to deal with wild animals. We will be leaving here tomorrow - after our last show, of course."
He turned his back as Christine quickly changed out of her soiled clothing into the tracksuit.
"It was fun while it lasted. Maybe next time they come to town we can do a show just for the heck of it." She smiled.
Erik turned and met her eyes, his voice soft. "Are you alright? No scratches? No bites?"
"I'm fine, Erik. No scratches or bites." Christine replied, though put a hand to the top of her left breast. It was a little tender, but she wasn't going to tell Erik that.
Unfortunately, her momentary wince as she touched her chest did not escape his notice. "Christine?"
"I'm fine…" she insisted again.
Erik frowned. "Let me see."
Christine began to panic. If Erik was to see, then she would have to strip down to her undergarments. "No. I'm ok. And… besides… it's kinda... in a very private place…"
"Take off your jacket and do not argue with me! This is a matter of your health!" he scolded.
When he saw she wasn't budging, he took a deep breath, and slid his mask off.
"There." He indicated his face. "Now we are both exposed!" His tone then grew softer, "If you are hurt, I must know."
Christine swallowed nervously. His tone of voice was not to be ignored, and the pleading in his eyes made her heart ache.
With a shaky breath, and even shakier hands, she unzipped the jacket and slid it off her shoulders, baring her burgundy and black silk bra to the man before her.
She only hoped he wouldn't notice the generous padding sewn into it.
"I know this is uncomfortable, but I will need to… to inspect you, for lack of a better word," he informed her.
Christine's cheeks flushed red as she crossed her arms protectively across her chest.
"Please, angel? Pretend I'm your doctor," Erik offered as he gently took her wrists and pulled her arms back to her side.
"My doctor is a woman named Winnie Zhang," Christine muttered as she fought the instinct to bring her arms back up.
"If it helps any, I will speak in a high-pitched voice," he offered absently as he slowly brushed his fingers across her collarbone, brow furrowed in concentration.
His fingers slid over the dark bruise on the upper swell of her left curve. She winced as he pressed lightly. He felt a small bump beneath, but the skin had not been broken. For that, he was grateful.
He walked around her back, not easing up on the contact against her skin incase he could feel something he couldn't see.
Christine shuddered ever so lightly, feeling Erik's breath upon her bared shoulders as he leaned in closer.
Erik, for his part, attempted to make casual conversation.
"So tell me how you've been doing in your classes as of late. I do hope Antoinette isn't being overly harsh," he said. "She is not the most subtle of teachers. If she finds that you are horrid, she will tell you."
Christine's snicker turned to a gasp as his fingers traveled sensually down her spine and across her lower back - though she knew sensual was not his intent.
Such things could not be helped, however, considering the grace with which his musician's hands inspected.
"I have actually seen some of Antoinette's students run off crying." he continued as he walked around front, his fingers sliding to the bruise once again.
"This will look worse in the morning," he warned her. Erik lowered himself to his knees, still deep in concentration. "Are you injured anywhere else?" he asked as brushed his hands across her abdomen, unintentionally making Christine quiver.
God help me… she begged silently, realizing it was not embarrassment she was currently feeling, but something else entirely.
"Erik…" Christine whimpered as he stroked her ribs.
He looked up at her quickly, concerned. "Does that hurt?"
"N-no."
He raised a hairless eyebrow, "Are you sure? If it does-"
"No. It doesn't. I promise," she assured him.
"You're shivering, angel," Erik noted.
Christine swallowed. "I'm just cold," she said quickly, though she knew that was not what was causing her reaction.
Erik finally stood up and turned away politely. "I apologize. Of course, you're still chilled from being outside," he said. "Cover yourself now, and please tell me if you find anything amiss in the next day or so. I won't have you suffering injuries that need immediate attention."
"O-ok. I-I'll let you know." Christine answered as she quickly pulled the jacket back on.
When she was suitably covered, she went up to Erik and touched his arm, turning him to face her. "Thank you," she said softly.
"I only wanted to make sure you were unharmed, that's all," he answered as he cupped her cheek. "I hope I did not cause you undue stress."
"No," she said with a small smile, "it was fine." She was quiet for a moment, then bit her lip nervously, almost afraid to ask him the question that had been on her mind since they had arrived.
"Erik?"
"Yes?"
She looked around nervously, then finally met his eyes. "Can I… can I help you out more often?"
"After what happened here?" he asked. "I cannot allow that!"
"I don't mean that I want to be out there helping you fight … but if you need someone to accompany you, if you need to investigate something like this, then I want to help. Please?"
"It's dangerous, Christine!"
"You think I don't know that?" she insisted. "Hello? I was attacked by a big furry thing not more then ten minutes ago! And I still want to help!"
Erik took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. "We will talk about it in the morning."
"You're not just saying that to delay telling me no, are you?" she asked.
He shook his head. "No, we WILL talk about it." He took her face in his hands. "If you go to sleep now, that is." He added. Erik brushed his lips against her forehead. "Goodnight, angel."
Christine nodded and quickly made herself comfortable in her cot, Erik's own cot on the other side of the room.
"Goodnight, Erik," Christine replied once the trailer was bathed in darkness.
If I can actually SLEEP, that is… she thought, for the tingle upon her skin from Erik's graceful hands had left an unfulfilled ache deep within her body, in a certain place she dared not mention.
For once, Christine was grateful that the cots were too small to share. It was enough her dreams had been less-than-innocent as of late. Tonight, they would be downright vivid.
END OF EPISODE 36