AngeMusique- she is from the original novel, looks innocently as Erik rolls his eyes. any way, if you look over the book, there is only one person I have not mentioned yet, now... who could it be? It's rather obvious, but oh well...
Chapter 10
When I finally woke from my slumber, I found myself alone in Erik's bed. After putting his cloths on once again, I went through his home, looking for him, but he was no were to be found. It was not like him to not be here. When I passed by his organ, I noticed a small piece of paper, sticking up from between the middle keys. Upon the paper his beautiful handwriting laid, written in the usual red ink.
"Mon Ange, Pardon my for leaving you so early, but I have some personal business to attend to, nothing to worry about. Before my return, I shall be making a quick stop to talk with Madame Giry, to have your things moved down here, so you don't have to rush off every morning to the dormitories to change before rehearsal. Love, Me." I read it aloud.
So, he wants me to live down here with him? Finally, I have only been dropping hints since the first time I spent the night with him. I have been spending all my time down here with him, sleeping here every night this week, in the other room, but it is a start. I looked around his home, My home. It looked different, knowing it was my home. Just Mine and Erik's. It seemed weird having him not here, just me alone. Normally I love solitude, but it sent chills down my spine being here without my angel.
I wrote him a short note, explaining were I was going, in case he returned before I did, then made my way back up to the world of light, to the dormitories to change, then to Meg's room. She had just risen from sleep, and was groggy when I knocked.
"ugh, come in." She called, rolling herself from her bed, smoothing out her wrinkled nightgown.
"Morning Little Meg." She gave me a smug smile, still not truly awake.
"What time is it?" She asked, rubbing her eyes, and making her way to her closest.
"I'm not sure, I've been at Erik's." I said plainly. She nodded her head, and thumbed through her wardrobe, picking out a light blue corset, and white skirt. She began to change behind her curtain.
"What are you doing here?" She called from behind it.
"I was wondering if you where up to going and getting something to eat, maybe walk around town? Since we don't have rehearsal today." She stepped from the curtain, trying to tie her corset, but failing.
"Sure, But mother wants us to help her with the young ones later. do you think you could help?" She asked, referring to the dressing problem.
"Of course." I finished tyeing her up.
"Just let me grab something warm." I nodded, as she returned to her closet, grabbing a dark blue velvet cloak, then followed me out into the crowded streets of Paris. All of the snow had melted, as spring made it's appearance, but it was still cold enough to send shivers down my spine. I wrapped the large, black cloak I was wearing tighter to my body, but it still didn't keep the cold out.
"I should have chosen something warmer."
"Erik's?" She asked, noticing how oversized it was. I nodded my head, pulling the cloak up to my face. The cloak carried his usual intoxicating sent, the reason I choose to wear it.
"Where shall we go?" I asked her, as we turned the street corner. Just heads of us, a group of boys, no older than ten ran towards up, chasing and throwing stones at a small, tan kitten.
"Leave the poor thing alone!" Meg snapped at them, sounding just like her mother. The boys froze, staring at her hatefully, for ruining there cruel fun.
"Come here darling." I picked up the frightened animal up in my arms, cradling it, letting it know it was safe. Surprisingly it didn't try to scratch me, nor did it give any form of protest to my touch, but it shook with fright. The boys glared at us, then walked away slowly, cursing up beneath there breaths. When the boys were out of sight, the kitten stopped shaking, and even purred beneath my stroking hand.
"What a beautiful animal." Meg commented, joining in on petting it.
"I have never seen one like this." The kitten was extremely lean, but not starved. The tip of it's unusually long tail was black, like it's paws, and facial markings. It's tan fur had speckles of dirt in it, and small amounts of dried blood, most likely from the tormenting youths.
"It looks to be a stray, you should keep her." Meg scratched the top of it's head. Looking into the cat's brilliant yellow eyes, I knew I had to care for the poor thing.
"What if Erik doesn't want her?" I asked.
"How could he not want something this cute?"
"Well, if he doesn't like it, I'm sure someone would want her."
Even if Erik doesn't want her, I'm sure I can talk him into keeping her, after all, he would do anything for me, and he seems to be the sort of person to keep a cat.
"Now, were shall we go?" Meg asked, glancing at the businesses around us.
"Anywhere, as long as it's warm."
"How About Sophia's inn?" She pointed to the multiple story white building across the street.
"That sounds good, after all, we haven't seen her in ages."
When we entered, we found ourself in the usual dark, smoke filled room, surrounded by mostly men drinking. In the far corner, a group of men dressed in Navy uniforms sat, downing glasses of whiskey, making passes at the waitresses, and telling exaggerated stories.
We found a small table, on the other side as the navy men. A young girl, no older than fifteen came up and asked us if we would like to order.
"Is Sophia here?" Meg asked her,
"We would like to see her." The girl nodded, and disappeared off into the kitchen. A women, plump from motherhood, poked her head from the kitchen doorway, noticing us, and hurried over. Her usually black was pulled back in the old ballet bun, streaked with recent gray. Her faced looked thinner than it once was, lined with age.
"What are you two doing here?" She asked, wiping her hands on her apron.
"We wanted to visit our old Ballet teacher." Meg said.
Sophia had been one of the lead ballerinas when we were still young ones. She did what we do now, instruct them on proper form, when we are not rehearsing.
"Yeah, Old alright." She shook her head and laughed. Two small boys came running from the kitchen, tossing a ball to each other.
"Walt, Chris! Stop that now! If you want to play, finish your chores, then you can, Outside." She scowled them. They stopped, and returned to the kitchen, heads hung in defeat.
"My sons." She sighed.
Poor Sophia, I can't even imagine what it's like for her to care for two children, let alone having one on the way. Children as so very much annoying, not to mention a burden, why would anyone wish to have them? Not to mention they ruin careers, after all, Sophia was the best, till she got pregnant with Walt.
"They must be, Four and five, right?" Meg asked.
"The oldest will be six in May."
"I didn't realize how long it has been since you left the Opera House." I commented. Had is really been that many years? She was my teacher since I first came to the Opera House, ten years ago, had she only been there with me four years? It seemed like she has been with me my most of my life.
"Yes well, time flies when you have to worry about two boys. So, what will you to fine ladies have today?"
"The best thing we can get on our salaries." Sophia laughed
"So soup it is then." She jotted something down on a small pad of paper, then turned to leave.
"It's wonderful to see you girls again. I can't believe how much you two have grown, you both increase in beautiful as the days go by." she returned to the kitchen.
Beauty? She's must be kidding, Meg yes, she inherited her fathers breathtaking looks, but me? She was just being nice.
We sat and talked about nothing, our usual topic, till the young waitress returned, carrying two glasses of wine. She place them down in front of us, a shy grin on her face. Meg and I looked at each other, purely confused about the expensive drinks.
"From one of the navy men mademoiselles, over in the corner." She handed me a small note, then left us.
"Well read it." Me pushed in patently. Who one earth would send us drinks?
"Alright." I opened it, and began to read.
"Funny seeing you here in Paris, Shouldn't you be in Connecticut? Or have I mistaken you for another one of my girls, Ace... Love your Scout." Scout? My heart fluttered, My Scout?
"It can't be." I jumped out of my seat, and pushed my way through the drinking men. They laughed at me, making jokes, but I didn't care, my Scout was among them. He sat again the wall, a fedora covering his jet black hair, and half of his face, his large, hooked nose just poking out beneath it, but I knew it was him. His usual smart ass grin stuck to his face. He sipped at the shot glass, knowing I was there, just tormenting me. I threw my arms around him, kissing his cheek. He put the glass down, and returned my embrace.
How I miss him! It has been so long since I have held him in my arms, how could he have recognized me? I know I have changed dramatically since we were together last.
Meg had followed me through the crowd, the small kitten in her arms, and was standing beside us, unsure of the situation. Of course, she doesn't know who he is! Stupid me, I have never talked about him to her, well, at least not referring to him as scout. Normally I would have stopped and explained to her, but I focused purely on him .I slapped his shoulder playfully with the back of my hand.
"Ouch, that hurt." He replied, in his heavy Scottish accent. He rubbed his hand over where I had hit him.
"Don't just sit there with your crooked know it all grin. What in god's name are you doing here?"
He gave a simple chuckle, then replied.
"I wouldn't have a crooked grin if you hadn't pushed me out of that tree. I am on leave, had a little incident out at sea." He motioned to a wooden cane against wall, that I had not noticed till then.
"It seems the Navy doesn't like men who walk with a limp, even if they were the ones to give it to me. Any way, the question is why are you here?" Meg tugged on my arm, silently pleading for me to explain to her.
"Oh sorry Meg, this is Murtagh, My Stepbrother." He stood up, smiled and shook her hand. He didn't notice, but the tips of her ears turned a brilliant red. Yet another man she fancies.
"Nice to meet you Meg." He returned his attention to me. "You still haven't answered my question, Why aren't you in Connecticut with Aunt Clara?" I shifted slightly, not wanting to tell him, but I know I can't just hide the past from him, not when it involves his family.
"Well Scout, I would be there, if she didn't refuse to keep me after you left. She didn't think I was worth keeping, after all, I am not her sister's child. She thought it best I didn't live with her, seeing as I am not a blood relative." His jaw dropped in shook. He had not known what I had gone through after his mother died, nor how much his mother's family hated my father for marrying her, and hating me for being his.
"Why didn't you write to me Ace? I wouldn't have left if I knew she was going to just leave you." He threw his arm around my shoulder. I hadn't noticed till then how tall he had grown, why, he might be taller than Erik, if so, not by much.
"Why Paris? It's rather far from Glasgow."
"Well, Aunt Clara had a friend in Paris, that found me a home. I was lucky enough to be selected for ballet training at the Opera House." His deep, wolfish laugh erupted from his mouth.
"You? My little Tomboy, a graceful Ballerina? How is that possible?" I slapped him again on the shoulder, and rolled my eyes. He has always been this way, but its one reason I love him so.
"How long are you going to be in town?" I asked, hoping it would be long. Murtagh looked back at his cane, then ran his hand through that curly black hair of his.
"Well, Honestly, I was just passing through, but now, I'm thinking about staying. I've missed you Ace, and I am in no hurry to let you go."
"Thats what I was hoping." He grabbed his cane, and followed us back to our table, as we recapped the last ten years.
Murtagh traveled from our little town house in Glasgow from county to county, finally settling with an old French general, as an apprentice. When he was of age, he joined the Navy, moving up to the ranks of lieutenant. On his last voyage, his ship was attacked, and he took multiple bullets to his right leg. luckily he survived, but at a price, his movement. The ship had only the the most modern surgeons, and where able to repair his leg, well, for the most part. The navy discharged him, finding no use for a crippled man. He has been traveling form town to town, doing random handiwork to earn some money to live on.
As he spoke, the kitten began to stir in Meg's arm, who gladly handed her off to me. Something about me this little creature liked, for she stopped fusing immediately.
"Who's this?" He asked, noting to the cat, as he began to scratch her head.
"Apparently my new kitten. We saved him from some wretched boys who were hurting th poor thing."
"It's cute."
"Hopefully Erik will feel the same way." I thought out loud.
"Who's Erik?" He inquired. I looked to Meg for help answering the question.
"Erik is, um... well." She was trying to explain, but she couldn't find the words. I had to do this on my own.
"Erik is the man I am in love with."
"In Love, Ace?" He placed his hand on my shoulder.
"At your age? That's wonderful. I expect to meet him, you know, for the older brother approval and all, seeing as I am the only family you have left."
"Of course Murtagh, What kind of sister would I be if I didn't introduce you to him?" He cracked out that famous grin once again.
"We should probably be getting back, Mother wants us to turn those little brats to stars. And you know how she is if you are late." Meg told me. I nodded to her, Madame Giry was a fierce women when she's upset. Murtagh stood and escorted us to the door, pretending to be a gentleman, a rather funny sight actually.
"Murtagh, tomorrow is our next performance, would you like to come? You can see us twirl around in the most horrendously feminine costumes."
"That would be wonderful." He kissed my cheek and hugged me good bye.
"I shall send the ticket tonight. Till tomorrow, Ace." He bowed his had slightly, and returned into the tavern.
We headed back toward the Opera House. The small kitten had fallen asleep, and laid limp in the crook of my arm, surrounded by Erik's cloak.
"Ace?" Meg finally inquired about our unusual meeting.
"A childhood nickname. He didn't like my name growing up, he didn't like how it sounded with his accent, reminded him of his father." Meg gave a queer look when I mentioned his father, but luckily didn't inquire. I didn't wish to speak of that horrid man.
"I never knew you were Scottish, I mean, you have no accent."
"Well, I'm not." I twirled my finger through one of my blonde curls, "German actually, but my father and I moved to Glasgow after he married Murtagh's mother, it was her home town. And, I lived there for only four years."
"He is so handsome." She exclaimed, blushing slightly. I knew what sinful things she was thinking of, but I guess if I am allowed to think them of her father, she can think what she likes of my brother.
"He has always won the hearts of young girls." I turned to Meg,
"I can't believe he is here, I thought I would never see him again! He hasn't change a bit since the day we parted, well, except in height." Meg grabbed my hands, clearly ecstatic with the thought of Murtagh. We giggled like the little one's still in training as we entered the Opera House.
It's good to see Meg so giddy. She is always finding men, but she was different today. If I didn't know better, I thought she might fly away in euphoria. She looks like I did the day I met Erik.