This chapter was so hard to write, seeing as I write more carefully when I do fluff…
Don't ask, that's just me. –shrugs-
oo0o0oo
Without either of them saying anything, the Phantom helped Tori out of the boat.
She watched and waited quietly, hands clasped in front of her, as he took off his cape (Tori now saw clearly that it was more of a cloak) and walked up stairs engraved in the stone.
-Do I need to describe his home? No? I'll just assume that most know it…-
He faced his organ and stared at it for a long time, his eyes taking in the numerous sheets of music strewn anywhere and everywhere. Tori watched him, a curious expression on her face as she strained to see what was going on.
After a few minutes, the man turned around, only to find Tori craning her neck to see what he had been doing.
She reacted immediately and looked down, starting to tremble a little with fright and embarrassment.
The Phantom, a smile twitching on his face, watched her curiously. Why is she so nervous? I've never seen her like this before. Shy, yes, but not frightened!
"Hmmm…Tori?"
She barely looked up, trying as hard as she could not to meet his eyes. Tori nodded a little, showing that she had heard him.
The Phantom nodded toward his organ. "We never had that lesson of yours."
Tori nearly toppled over. THIS was her Angel? He was so dark! Yet she remembered that twinge of comfort she had felt when she had seen his hand stretched out in front of her, she remembered how gentle he was with her, as if she was an expensive, rare glass doll…yes, she remembered now, and came to the conclusion that this was, indeed, the mysterious voice that had taught her for 3 years solid; every other night, for hours on end.
Realizing how cramped she was, Tori rolled her shoulders a little and silently walked toward the stairs, still not meeting his eyes. He was quite the opposite, though; he watched her every step.
As she stood next to the organ and the Phantom sat down, he studied her once more.
"Do say something, Tori. I tire of your silence; I want to hear your voice!"
Tori finally met his eyes. She pursed her lips, and then mumbled very quietly, "This is your home, right?"
His trained ears picked up the murmur clearly, and he replied, "For tonight, it is yours as well."
He placed his hand on hers, and Tori jumped a bit, then relaxed. "M-mine?"
"Yours, yes…"
They stood staring at each other for a very long time.
Erik's thoughts
Quiet, quiet…always silence with this girl. Why is she so timid? Poor thing…she can hardly speak, let alone look at me.
Why should she? She's afraid, and I shouldn't force her into liking me. Let's wait; she's bound to become more at ease one of these days.
Tori's thoughts
-mumble mumble "So nervous…" mumble murmur-
Normal
Tori broke the silence just barely. "Our…"
The Phantom snapped back to attention. "Oh, right! Yes…let's warm up…"
-X-x-X-
He peeped around the curtain, cloak in hand. He was careful not to wake her up as he crept around the side of the bed and knelt down.
Tori lay curled up in the satin sheets, hugging a pillow for dear life and breathing evenly.
He marveled at how innocent she looked…and was.
After the lesson, Tori glanced at a nearby clock and noticed that it was nine. Although the other ballet rats teased her because of it, Tori went to bed at around eight, since she tended not to sleep very well and if she got half an hour to little or too much, she would be sluggish , tired, and more prone to not paying attention during the day. Madame Giry noticed this very easily and dismissed her from rehearsal early so that she could sleep.
"Sir," she had asked in her small voice, "I normally go to bed at eight, and it is now nine o' clock."
Surprised but ready to let her go and rest, he had shown her to her room. They bid good night to each other, and he had closed the curtain. Tori's fragile and tired body seemed to notice how comfortable the bed was, for she had fallen into a deep and dreamless sleep immediately.
Now Erik (I am now calling him by his name. You got a problem with that? xD) stood over the bed, watching her with his head tilted to one side.
Remembering his cloak, he gently lifted up her hand and put the cloak under it.
Surprisingly, Tori hugged the cloak to her body and snuggled into it like a little kid with their blanket, breathing contently. A smile that showed a strong sense of security stole over her face.
Erik grinned as he stood up.
So she still remembers her angel…but does she know who I really am?
A/N: Otay! You are going to see a name change VERY soon…
That's right, I'm changing my penname due to an incredible burst of inspiration for naming things! Yay!
Don't be surprised if it looks like someone plagiarized my stories; that's me, don't worry!
(Question: If I change my penname, will it still show my stories as by "Stitch", or will it change to my new screename?"