'Tis the masquerade, prepare for fluff! Just a note...I'm starting to wrap up Writer's Block, so the updates here might be postponed as I write the wicked long final scenes.

oo0o0oo

Tori shifted in her outfit as she waited by her mirror. It was New Year's Eve and she was waiting for Erik to escort her to the masquerade.

She was dressed as a sort of doll. Her skin was covered in pale base and her cheeks were unusually rosy. She had put makeup on it a way that made her look like she was made of porcelain, and not of human skin. A white, sparkly mask was on her face. Her dress was long and ruffly; it was white ringed with blue with a silk top and a poofy bottom. The dress had a little cleavage, but not too much. She wore no gloves, but painted her nails a shade of pink, to make her seem like a child. Part of her hair was put up in the back, and the rest flowed down her shoulders on either side. Her eyes glistened with excitement as she thought about what would happen at the masquerade.

The mirror slid open, and Tori turned to face it. She gasped slightly.

A skull mask stared back at her. Erik wore a suit of deepest crimson, which was tinged with gold in some places. A sword was in its holster on his belt, and on closer inspection, Tori saw that the hilt was a skull itself. His black boots shined, and a matching red and gold cape completed the imposing look. His own blue eyes lit up when she saw Tori's costume.

"A doll." He grinned. "Beautiful."

Tori was snapped out of her dazed state.

"You look...elegant," she stammered, reverting back to her old shyness for a bit as she smiled up at him.

He laughed. "Well then." He held out his arm and Tori took it. "Let's go."

They walked down through the nearly empty hallways toward the center of commotion, near the main entrance hall. They could hear music and laughter as they walked down the marble hallway leading toward the party. Both exchanged glances, then stepped out onto the top of one of the mini-staircases.

The music ceased immediately, and everyone gasped in fright as they gazed upon the odd couple. Many started murmuring as they recognized just who the porcelain doll was on the arm of the Red Death. The murmuring faded out and they simply gazed in stunned silence.

Raoul caught Tori's eyes and a questioning expression came on his face as he gazed upon her. The curiousness turned to slight anger as he turned his gaze to Erik.

Erik gave Tori's arm a slight squeeze and they walked down the staircase together, everyone's eyes following every movement. Finally they reached the main platform, and Erik finally spoke.

"Good evening to you all! I'm sure you have all missed me!"

He frowned as everyone murmured a little bit again.

"What it it? Can I come with my own lady like you people, or do I have to stay in the shadows all the time?" He laughed, this one filled with bitterness. "Start up the music again! I'm simply a guest here, and nothing more."

After another short silence, the music started again, and Erik led Tori out into the middle of the floor. He took her hand in his, encircled his arm around her waist, and they started dancing. Reluctantly, everyone started again, too, and the fun seeped back into the party, like nothing had happened. Some were careful to keep their gaze on the Opera Ghost, though.

As they danced, Erik's eyes held Tori's, a warmness mixed with excitement brewing in the icy blue depths. The same was held in Tori's emerald gaze, but a sense of security was in there as well. Both grinned at each other as he dipped her low, a small giggle escaping Tori's red lips. He brought her back up and twirled her, lifting her up into the air. His touch became light and a flicker of fear rose in Tori's eyes, but he brought her back down and whispered in her ear, "Do you really think I'd harm you?" She responded by nuzzling his lower jaw lightly.

The music slowed down, and this time Erik held her in closely, both of them gently swaying to the music. Tori scooted near him, and rested her head gently on his chest as they kept dancing.

Gently he sung her name as he rested his head on hers and closed his eyes. Tori smiled as she felt the cool porcelain of his mask touch her head. She could hear his breathing in her ears and could feel the warmth of his body against hers, and it made her happier than ever. Time seemed to slow down for both of them as Tori closed her eyes. Suddenly it seemed like they were the only people in the world, the gold and white costumes of the other dancers blending until they were simply part of the backround.

All too soon the music sped up again, and they began dancing with the others, laughing as if they were careless guests to the Opera House, and not residents of it instead. The party whirled on feverishly and, once it was over and all of the drunken dancers headed home, Erik took Tori back to her dressing room. Both took their masks off, breathing heavily. They had danced the entire night, and only just now realized how exhausted they were. After planting a small kiss on her cheek, Erik said, "I'm going to leave you be for a while, simply to see how you do without me. You may come down to my home at any time, however, and just call my name if you need anything."

With that he gave her a small squeeze before disappearing with the swish of his cloak.

Tori grinned after him, then changed into her nightclothes. She washed the heavy makeup off and let her hair loose, then climbed into bed, falling asleep quickly with a smile on her face.

Meanwhile, a man sat angrily in his carrige, plotting revenge. If Tori didn't want him, then he would resort to desperate measures.

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A/N: OMG. What's Raoul gonna do?

And yes, I had to bring Raoul back into the story. He's going to play an important role, as you'll soon see.

-wink-