Hey everyone! New chapter up! Yay! Let's throw a party...ok, maybe later. Anyways, sorry it took a while. Lots of stuff going. I start marching band camp tomorrow- odd to be extremely tiring so I'm going to be looking forward to all your lovely reviews to come home to. Alright. Once again, thanks everyone. Enjoy!
Disclaimer (finally)- I own nothing from Phantom Of The Opera. I own nothing but the three characters: Raylan, Vits, and Ethan. I do not own Erik... darnit.
A Few Thanks
Forever secretive- Awesome, you get a high five just for taking the time to review and liking it. Thanks so much!
shimmeringtears- Wow. You are the best! I love your reviews, and I am overly thrilled that you enjoy this story. Will keep churning out these chapters for you...because you're awesome. Thanks for all the great reviews!
Juilette Delphe- ... you are strange...
As always, please REVIEW. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed and who enjoys this story. We will do our best to keep this story up to expectations. Thanks everyone!
-Olivia N.
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Vits crept out of the Opera House unnoticed that night. It was well after dark so escape was easy. She didn't head to the Sine, as was her usual destination, instead she traveled down a different path. She slipped through the darkness, disappearing into seedy neighborhoods. It was the lower class parts of Paris, a place where no one of higher social standing would be caught dead. After growing up on a ship with twelve usually drunk sailors though, Vits did not fear this atmosphere. She walked into the local bar, a shabby, molding place that smelled like dried piss and sweaty men, but it did serve quality drinks at a reasonable price.
The actual building was about the size of the Opera Populaire's stage, with a long bar stretching along its back wall and opposite of that a small stage of its own, decorated by half out lights and ripped curtains. No one was singing yet, and the men who had showed that night were getting restless for their entertainment.
Vits wasted no time; they were waiting for her. She tipped a nod to the bartender who tossed her an empty beer mug as she took the stage. The beer mug was placed on the stage before her, in reaching range from Vits. The crowd cheered and nodded as she gestured to the mug, a reminder that she wished to be tipped for what she was about to do. They all agreed without question; she obviously was a regular.
In the middle of the cheering a familiar looking man slipped in silently through the door. No doubt he had seen Vits on her travel there, seen her as he always seemed to be able to, and followed her out of pure curiosity. He looked to her, that heart melting smile on his face and those dazzling blue eyes gazing so sweetly her way. Ethan applauded a little before heading for the bar, sending her a friendly wink as he settled into a bar stool.
Vits may or may not have noticed him, it didn't register on her face. Instead she closed her eyes, took a deep breathe, opened them and began singing. Her voice was in a high falsetto, something many would think such a deep voiced woman was not capable of reaching. It still sounded good, but to the extremely well trained ear, it was a little flat. She sung several raunchy bar songs, that the crowd seemed to enjoy from their drunken cheering.
The bartender watched Ethan, curiously. He leaned over, and gestured to the main attraction, "She's purty ain't she?" The bartender was an older grayed man, with a friendly face.
Ethan nodded but said wisely, "Not much to look at on the outside, but on the inside... god she is more beautiful than any person I've ever met."
The crowd seemed to want more, they practically begged, a few called.
The tender eyed him carefully, "Jest wait a sec. See what you think after this."
As if on cue Vits's fingers reached up to her shirt, and extremely seductively she began to unbutton it, revealing her well sculpted body. The shirt opened to expose her flesh in all its stimulating glory. Though her chest was small, they were ripe and round, easily hidden by the shirt, but nearly entirely exposed now.
Ethan's mouth fell limply open, and a scarlet blush crawled up his neck to spread over his cheeks.
The Bartender chuckled, as the crowd went wild. Several men walked up to the stage and dropped money in a cup sitting on the edge of it. A few tried to cop a feel, but Vits nimbly dodged, with a smile.
Ethan smiled at this, and although his cheeks were still a flaming red he said stubbornly, "Alright, so she's beautiful in all ways... but this little game she's playing now doesn't interest me. Unlike most men I look deeper than physical beauty, because that always fades. Besides, if I wanted to see skin I'd just take a stroll down the streets the whores work."
The bartender nodded, thankful that at least some of the men thought with both heads, not just the smaller one. "Perhaps there is a reason she does this. Can you imagine Vits, as you know her, to do this, and take such..."He paused trying to find the right word, "attention, in that manor?"
Ethan chuckled and shook his head, "I can't imagine... she always seemed so against the whole ordeal. Perhaps she has a second motive?"
The tender seemed defensive, "Of course!" He was extremely protective over Vits, all of her crew was. He looked at Ethan and apologized, "Sorry, I took her into my care after her father died. " He sighed and looked around.
The rest of the bar was captivated by Vits who, on top of singing, was doing a slow sensual dance. She held them in the palm of her hand.
"One of her men is having a kid. All of the money is going to the family," The bartender explained.
"Ah, I see," Ethan looked to her and beamed proudly, "Damn, she is an amazing woman."
"Yes she is," The bartender smiled and stuck out his hand, "I'm Captain Dres, second mate, under her."
Ethan took it and shook respectfully, "Names Ethan Willoughby- Vits's friend and her roommates brother."
They shook, Dres had a firm handshake, but not the bone crushing grip Vits had. "Ah, so you are little Ray's brother? She's a sweet heart," He smiled fondly and then gestured to the bottle behind him, "What'll it be?"
He smiled and shrugged, "What do you recommend?"
He thought, "Anything but the whiskey, she's a bit watery."
"How about a beer?" He asked, a quirky smile on his face.
"Sure," The tender poured Ethan him one with ease and slid it down the bar. Vits started a new song as Ethan grasped the mug in his hands. More money was placed into the cup on the stage; it was almost full.
Ethan took a small sip of the beer, sighing comfortably as he glanced over to Vits. "Well, lets see here," Ethan reached to his back pocket and withdrew his wallet. He handed Dres the money for his drink and then pulled out several American dollars. "This is about two hundred dollars in American bills," Ethan said, waving the slips in front of Dres, "You think this will help that friend of Vits some or is it not enough?"
Dres pushed his money offered to him away, "On the house", But he did gesture towards the cup. Upon seeing the bills, he nearly did a double take. To the men in this room that was a lot of money, "That would be more than generous."
Ethan nodded, "That's what I thought." He rose from the bar stool, ready to walk across the room and place his contribution in, simply as if it was pennies to him.
Ethan walked towards the stage, bills clenched in his hands. He made no eye contact with any other man there, holding his hand to his chest to conceal the money from their greedy eyes. Once at the stage he placed the bills casually in the cup, looking up to Vits only once to grin, and then turning back to the bar.
Surprise flashed in her eyes as she actually saw him for the first time, but it showed nowhere else.
Dres nodded to Ethan on his return, a nod of respect, "That was nice. Frank will not have to worry about money for a good while now."
"Good," He grinned, "Aint nothing worse to a man than not being able to provide for his family. I'm glad I could help." Dres nodded.
Vits finished singing for the night shortly after, and another waitress took over. She was slightly more sluttish than Vits, but such was her job.
The crowd was looking at the new girl, cheering when Vits walked off the stage. She picked up the cup that was entirely crammed full, tucking the precious container under her arm before promptly leaving the bar, exiting into the night without a word of goodbye.
Seeing her go Ethan swiftly gulped down his drink, saying to Dres before bolting out the door, "Thanks for the drink Mister." He then took off into the silence of the night, his eyes searching for Vits once in the dark streets of Paris.
Vits was kneeling on the side walk, talking to a young child standing in front of her. He couldn't have been older than eight, and a sickly thin at that. She handed him the cup, still full of money and whispered a few words to him. He nodded, and ran off with it, disappearing in to the darkness. Vits watched him vanish from view before standing up.
Ethan smiled warmly as he watched her, speaking only after the boy had vanished in a gentle tone, "That's a mighty fine thing you did tonight."
Vits spun around, surprised to be followed. She was stunned, and didn't quite know what to say. She blushed slightly before regaining her composure, "They really need it."
He nodded, "Well, still, you did a great deed. Do you think that family will be alright now?"
Vits nodded, "They should. It's Martha's fourth child," She gestured in the direction the kid ran off, "He's the oldest."
"He looks like a fine boy. Parents must be proud," He smiled again, making simple but pleasant conversation.
Vits nodded, "So why are you here?"
Ethan chuckled, "Well...it's simple really... I followed you in and-"
Vits's eyes flashed in anger, and she interrupted him harshly, "You followed me?"
He shrugged, "Kind of... I just noticed you, that's all. Wanted to talk to you so I just kind of followed."
Vits started muttering to herself, when the child came running back down the street, calling out, "Lady!" Vits didn't think, but rushed to the child. He excitedly explained that something was wrong with his mommy. Without any questions, Vits scooped the child up into her arms and took off at a dead run towards his house.
Ethan in his dismay couldn't think of anything else to do but trail after her, taking off at a sprint to keep up.
Their destination resided in the low rent district, the place could barely be called a shack. The entire neighborhood was impoverished, each house usually housing several families, and in need of great repair. The house Vits rushed into was no different, standing in the middle of the row, the trash lay in front of it, waiting for the next rains to wash it away. It was a three bedroom hovel, and the walls were paper thin. The main room was the kitchen dominated by an ancient worn table. There was another room to their immediate left, three sets of eyes peeked out from behind the cracked door. The other room's door was open, showing a sagging bed, and a women in great pain upon it. She was waiting for help.
Vits nearly skidded to a halt The child wiggled out of her arms, and disappeared into the separate room with the rest of his siblings. She quickly made her way over to the wife who was laying on the bed, legs spread. Vits rolled up her sleeves and began feeling around, trying to find the problem. She looked at Ethan, not terribly surprised to see him following, "Do you know anything about birth?"
Ethan's eyes widened and he stammered, "I saw my uncle deliver a cow once."
Vits looked at him, "Ok, so nothing."
She directed him to the woman's head, with her head and shoulders, her hands were busy disappearing into the woman's body. Her voice was demanding as she said, "Help Martha out, the baby's faced the wrong way, I have to turn it around."
She looked to the woman, Martha, "This is going to hurt, but just squeeze his hand. I'll tell you when to push." Vits worked as quickly as possible, turning the baby. The woman cried out in pain occasionally, and squeezed Ethan's hand when it was particularly bad.
Ethan flinched from the pressure as the woman clenched his hand, but ignored it as he smoothed her hair with his free one. "It'll be alright," He comforted softly, "Keep breathing. It'll be alright."
Vits swiftly straightened the new born out, and then calmly instructed the woman to push, and through the normal child bearing procedures. She obviously had some experience at this. The birth was fairly easy, and didn't take more than a few hours after Vits fixed the new born's position.
By the time Vits was done, her shirt, still unbuttoned, was covered entirely in blood, but she delivered a screaming boy to Martha, who was exhausted, but extremely happy.
Vits smiled at Ethan and whispered, "Good Job" It was obvious why she led the crew at such a young age. She could take charge and handle a situation better than most people, and she knew how to praise. Her words of encouragement felt spectacular, as if he had truly earned them-which he had. She also guided gently but firmly.
Ethan was trying his best to retain his composure and not pass out after going through such a stressful instant. He smiled weakly as if he were about to be sick, and began to massage his throbbing hand as he said, "That...that was unbelievable."
Vits smiled, "Indeed" She watched him for a moment before commanding, "Go get some fresh air before you pass out. I'll be a long shortly."
Ethan nodded and without another word exited the small house into the night air. He took it in in long, deep breaths, staring at the sky until his stomach had finally settled.
Vits joined him moments later, taking a deep breath of her own. She followed his gaze to the sky, saying with a heavy sigh, "Not too many stars out tonight."
He shook his head, "Nope." Both sat in silence for some time then, taking in the peace of the moment before Ethan commented softly, "You were really wonderful in there."
"Thank you," Vits took the comment gracefully, as the night wind blew. She shuddered realizing how wet her shirt had actually gotten, covered in blood from the delivery.
Ethan noticed and looked her over, "God, you're soaked. Well, that shirt ain't any good no more... you must be freezing." He paused to think over what he was about to offer and said cautiously, "You want my shirt to change into? It'll keep you warm, and it's clean- I promise."
Vits looked down at herself, "Oh, bloody." She thought about his offer, and was oddly quick to accept as she said, "If you don't mind. I'll return it."
He laughed, "No, I don't mind. I got less to show than you do... plus I ain't cold one bit."
He chuckled and without shame slipped his shirt up over his head, exposing a well muscled and finally toned torso. He most certainly had the muscles of a working man, built and evenly tanned. With a half grin he tossed his shirt to Vits and tucked his hands into his pockets, once again looking back to the stars.
Vits, without any hint to being modest, pulled off her own shirt, revealing her own muscled abs, and small chest. She had grown up around twelve other men; she wasn't afraid of them looking.
She pulled his on, over her head. Ethan's shirt fit Vits nicely, especially in the shoulders. Had Ethan been looking at Vits's back he would've seen the wooden handles of her knives peeking out from under the edge of her belt and disappearing beneath her pants. But they were covered by his shirt, "Thanks."
Being a gentlemen Ethan hadn't watched, and it was only until she spoke that he looked back at her. He eyed her over once and then grinned, "You look good in my shirt."
Vits chuckled. She glanced up again, and swiftly told the time from the few stars out. "A few hours before dawn. We should be heading back.'
Ethan nodded, before smoothly gesturing with his hand down the road, "Lead the way Mademoiselle."
Vits nodded, and led the way through town. They had a bit of a walk, seeing as they had been in the poor side of town, the shacks of houses over crowded with multiple families, usually. Gang violence ran rampant in this part town. She often rubbed the small of her back, fingering the handle of her knives, almost nervously, as they walked. Her eyes were careful and cautious.
Ethan noticed her movements but gave no question. He had already had his experience with those knives and had no wish to see them again.
She seemed to breathe easier once they left the section moving more towards the middle working class. The houses were nicer and the streets cleaner. She made an abrupt left after walking a few blocks, seeming to head back the way they had come, or at least towards the same section. They had gone out of their way for something. She deftly led them back to his hotel, on the richer side of Paris, near the Opera Populaire. Outside the Cervantes Inn she stopped and turned about to face him, crossing her arms and looking at him as if to be waiting for something.
Ethan stopped too, looking up to the hotel and then back to Vits. "Well," He grinned, "This is me. It's been a real... interesting night."
Vits chuckled, nodding,"Yes it has been." There was a brief awkward silence, and then Vits's body did something without asking her mind. She leaned in and gave him a soft, unexpected kiss upon his unprepared lips. Vits had never kissed, nor been kissed before, so once she got there, she was completely lost on what to do.
Ethan froze, his body tensing from the sudden surprise. It wasn't like he hadn't wanted it, in fact he'd been thinking about the whole ordeal for some time, but he had expected it to be him to kiss her, not the other way around. Her lips were warm and soft, a big surprise seeing as the rest of her was either rough or calloused. Her lips though... oh she was kissing him, and not pulling back. God, he felt like an idiot just standing there stiff and inactive. Finally he decided to act, gathered up his courage and returned the kiss, spilling out his passion through the gentle flesh of his lips.
Vits tensed as he didn't respond at first, and began to second guess herself, but she relaxed as he moved into the kiss. It felt extremely nice, sensations of warmth flowing from the kiss to spread about her body in slow, delicious waves. When they paused for a breath, Vits shifted her weight, nervous. "I-I didn't think, before, I did that..." She was trying to apologize but she really wasn't getting anywhere.
Ethan however was broadly grinning and having a hard time not smiling, "No really, I did not mind that...at all."
"Really?" The insecurity was a major character change in Vits, who normally was a self-assured rock, who at least showed that she felt nothing. But she was extremely novice in the ways of male-female relationships, and it showed.
Despite her uncertainty Ethan said in a low and lustful tone, "Yes." After a moment of more smiling Ethan finally took her hand in his, kissing it lightly before looking sorrowfully at the hotel. "You have to get going," He sighed regretfully, "Work tomorrow. Or, today." He laughed at himself, flashing his heart throbbing grin.
Vits smiled. "Yes I do," She sighed at being reminded of the constant list of things needing to be done hanging over her head. And then she remembered that her mother would be arriving about the time she finished the current set, a little more than a week.
Ethan sighed but gave her a smile, "I guess I'll be seen you later then?"
Vits nodded, "If you drop by."
He grinned, "Oh I will... I most definitely will." Then with that he kissed her once more before heading up the stairs to the inn. Before he entered though he turned back around and sent Vits a sweeping bow. "Till later Mademoiselle. I shall see you again, soon," And with that he winked and entered the inn.
Vits chuckled, shaking her head. She headed back to the Opera Populaire then, strangely for the first time in years feelings as if she were floating on air.
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"Arron!" The name had been screamed into the night, the terror in her voice resonating through the Opera House, spreading like a plague. Raylan bound from the sofa she had been sleeping upon, her hands tearing at her hair as she stared wide eyed at the room about her. Memories placed fake faces in the shadows, all of them cackling at her as if she were a fool. Her breath was ragged, her heart pounding feverishly in her ears, the sweat beading along her hair line.
She shut her eyes, trying desperately to rid herself of those horrid faces, those dancing corpses, but they had not vanished. They remained laughing in her mind, continued to flash her those blood stained teeth as they laughed. Laughing, laughing, laughing at her- calling her the fool, and saying she was to blame. Blame, blame all her fault, and they were laughing as she died inside, laughing as they had their revenge.
"Stop!" She screamed, covering her ears to try and block out their mocking, "Stop laughing! It wasn't my fault! Stop laughing! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. Please, stop laughing! Arron, make them stop! Please make them stop! No, Arron, not that way!" She screamed again, the images playing over in her mind, testing her endurance while reliving the memories. She couldn't though; she couldn't stand to see it again. Screaming once more she fled from the room, running away from the faces that snickered so viciously.
Raylan paid no mind to the pitch black of the early morning hours, the complete darkness that formed just a few hours before sunrise. She did not care about the dark, nor the danger she was in roaming the halls alone. All she cared about was getting away from those memories, escaping the past faces.
Raylan staggered down the halls, uncertain of every turn and twist, and only stopped when she found she had stumbled upon the stage. She tumbled to the floor, hiding her face in her hands, shaking away the haunting thoughts.
Of course, he was waiting there, ever standing vigil in the shadows of his box. He had been waiting for her, playing over what he planned to do in his head. The girl had pained him, destroyed one of the things he held most dear in his retched life. She deserved the same pain, the same misery, but when the girl had come stumbling into the auditorium his anger was set aside as question set it.
His eyes grew concerned as he listened to her pained screams. They tore at his heart. He had wanted to hear her scream, scream out from the pain he would place upon her, but not like this. He didn't want to hear this, this screeching of an utter misery that no physical damage could create. He watched her fall, shaking, on to the stage. Her emotional hell rang through his body, reminding him of his own, and without another thought ran swiftly to the stage. He knew this misery she screamed for, and desired then nothing more but to ease her pain, fearing that her despair would soon remind him of his own. His hands were gentle as he pulled the sobbing girl to him. He didn't say anything, he didn't need to.
Raylan's mind was fogged though, confused and uncertain, so when he had pulled her to him she began to panic. She fought him, struggling like a crazed man in his arms, pounding on his chest as she fought to free herself.
The Phantom would let her wear herself out, tire her so she would be calm. His arms were locked steel, holding her to him. "Easy," He whispered softly into her ear, his voice was captivating, soothing, and calm.
"Let me go Arron!" She screamed, the illusion holding strong in her mind, "Let me go! It wasn't my fault! It's wasn't! You did it! You did it!" Her nails scratched at his arms, pushed against him, but he would not let go. She continued to fight for far too long, and it was not until her knees gave out from the stress that she ended her struggle. She continued to sob, muttering incoherent things, but she refused to fight any longer.
Her body weight was nothing to him, the Opera Ghost who lifted his captured prize easily, and carried her out of the sight of the stage. Once within his private box, he quickly rearranged the chairs and footstools to form a makeshift bed, upon which he laid her down. His voice hovered above her head, soft and soothing. The sounds turned into words following a rhythm, and even in Raylan's dismay she recognized what this sound was. He was singing!
The sound cut through her panicked mind, easing the terror that haunted her. It swept over her memories, making the faces vanish into the darkness they had emerged from. Music was the only sound that filled her ears, the laughter being chocked away beneath the rhythm. Sweet melody, it forced her to relax, its magic making her yield to its power. Her panting had eased into a soft sigh, and only once the music had calmed her did she dare to open her eyes and look at the maestro of such a beautiful sound. Raylan's mouth chocked on words, and she mumbled in awe incoherently.
The Phantom did not notice his audience's reaction, but kept singing, finishing the song. When his voice had faded into the night she still remained staring, completely unsure of how to react except mumble words she was pretty sure she was making up now.
His lips leaned closer, his voice softer than velvet, and soothing as he said, "Hush, easy." His voice demanded her to be calm
She nodded, forcing her voice to calm as she said softly, "You...I thought you were someone...someone else."
He nodded, "So I understood. It's alright now. Just take a deep breath and relax, I'm not going to hurt you." His tone had not lost its calming quality.
Raylan nodded and took his advice, continuing her slow and shallow breathing. She was forcing herself to relax, rolling her shoulders and stretching her muscles as she continued to breathe, listening to the calming thud of her heartbeat. She took a few minutes to finish relaxing, and only after she felt comfortable did she speak, her voice soft like a whisper as she thanked him.
He smiled and sat back, but his eyes never left her. He took on the air of a shrink, "Now, what was that all about?"
She sighed, "I had a...a nightmare."
"It was more than a nightmare," His tone was slightly sterner, more concerned.
"Alright," Again she sighed, only this one was slightly irritated, "It was...a memory... a bad memory."
His eyebrow arched, waiting for more. He obviously knew she was hiding things.
She didn't continue though. She remained stubborn in that aspect.
The Phantom though was quick to take advantage of the opportunity. He carefully reminded her, "You did destroy my mirror."
She nodded, slowly and solemnly, pure regret in her voice when she spoke, "I know...and I'm... I'm so sorry... I didn't mean... I... I'll pay to have it fixed."
His harsh, cold laugh made Raylan jump as he explained viciously, "You believe money will solve all your problems? It will not solve this one. No, no you must pay for the pain you caused me, with your own. An eye for an eye, Mademoiselle."
Her eyes narrowed and she had begun to breathe rapidly. He couldn't be asking this of her. No, he couldn't know. How could he ask her for something she couldn't give? Her voice was almost cold as she asked, "What do you want to know?"
"Your deepest pain. Your deepest fear. What has caused you the most pain?" His voice seemed to take on an eerie delight in finding this out.
She stared at him for a moment, her mind twisting the truth about, thinking up every lie she could form to hide the reality of things. "My deepest fear," She mulled it over, "...I don't like spiders." It was simple and sarcastic, but true.
He smiled a sadistic, almost evil smile, "There is worse lurking behind your eyes. "
The small smile she had mustered faded; she knew what he wanted to know. Her voice shook a little when she went to confirm, "You want to know who Arron is, don't you?"
"And his story,"
She nodded, "I assumed as much." Raylan sighed and adjusted in the chair bed he had formed for her. Her hand massaged the back of her neck, trying desperately to ease the tension. What was the minimal she could tell him, and still satisfy his hunger to know?
She continued to rub her neck nervously as she spoke, "Arron... he... he was my fiance back in America. I met him through my father... he worked for my dad, sort of was his right hand man. After I came back to living with my dad, I obviously met him... and we liked one another. He was my emotional support in that time. My mother had... she had recently passed away, and I hadn't seen my pops since I was thirteen so, it wasn't easy and Arron helped me get over the worst of the nightmares." She paused, looking to him to see if that would satisfy enough.
As she has suspect, the Phantom knew she hadn't told all, "There's still more. It won't do to lie to me. I'll know."
She sighed and nodded, "Alright... Arron had a... he had a slight drinking problem... no slight doesn't describe it... it was bad... extremely bad. He would get irrational, ridiculous, nearly go out of his mind. He'd drink a whole flask of whiskey before each job assignment- claimed it made him stronger, and more determined. He was good at what he did, don't get me wrong, he was great, but the boy thought he could do just about anything and get away with it. And god help me I was in love with him, foolishly in love,
"He could do the worst of things and I'd just... I'd just let it go, make excuses in my mind... because I was so damn fragile back then, and I'd be blind to anything just to hear him say he loved me. Anyways, I took a job under my father, spent more time around Arron, fell deeper into that insane puppy love. He was romantic... and I had a weakness for romance... too much of one,
" I knew his habits were bad, I knew one day they would destroy what him and I had become, but I didn't care. He proposed to me by the seaside," She gave a small laugh, "He had the ring in a hollowed out mussel shell. I couldn't get the damn thing open- he had to do it for me. We had planned to get married in April, the month of my birthday. Yea, it's funny how things don't go as you plan though."
"And he hurt you. How?" The Phantom's tone reverted back to its gentle prodding.
She bit her lip, fighting back very convincing tears. Most of what she had said had been truth, up until now. "I couldn't please him. I couldn't get anything right. I wasn't smart enough, wasn't pretty enough, wasn't daring enough... I apparently was nothing he wanted... except this," She gestured viciously over her body, "And foolish me gave him exactly what he was aiming for. After that he didn't want anything to do with me. Started buying off girls at the local cat house,
"I found him one night, drunk off his ass, some bitch riding him in the middle of the street like he was a mustang. When I saw him- I couldn't take it. I tore her off him... started screaming at him right there, making the biggest scene I have ever in my life. He didn't care, he just yelled on back, saying I caused this- that I 'made' him do it. You see nothing was ever Arron's fault- it was always mine in his mind, and after seeing him with that whore I had finally had enough. I took his ring off, threw it at his face, and tried to walk away... but he stopped me...sent a kick to the back of my knees, started kicking me in the stomach... beating me right there in the middle of the street and no one did anything,
"I blacked out. Woke up in the doctors office after being in a coma for two days. Arron had gone missing, and I was left with several broken ribs and a broken leg. Took me months to recover. After that I just went back to my normal life, thought everything would be alright, until Arron showed up again... begging me to take him back. He said he couldn't live without me, that he was sorry, and that he needed me, but I was smart this time and I rejected him. He wouldn't take no for an answer though, he... he became somewhat of a stalker. He was everywhere at every moment, pleading for me to take him back, getting more enraged every time I told him no,
"Arron was persistent beyond belief... he was there when I woke, when I went to work, when I ate... I mean for god sakes he would stand outside my window when I slept. I had finally had enough of it about a year ago... so one day without telling anyone, I ran away. I took the first ship to Europe and came here, trying to put as many miles as I could between us as money would allow. And here I am."
He nodded, accepting the pain in her story, but knew that it wasn't the pain of the real reason, certainly it had been part of the truth, but she deviated towards the end. Her lies, and reasons almost catching up with her. He understood though that he would not get any more from her... at the moment. He did plan to get the complete truth from her at one point. His voice was calm and soft, "Understandably. Has it worked?"
"Getting away from him?" She thought it over, "Physically, yes. Mentally...no."
The Phantom sighed. He knew this to be true more than Raylan could possibly imagine, "Mental wounds take the longest to recover."
She laughed harshly, "No shit." Silence held between them for a moment then, both of them lingering on the pain they could never express to its full potential. After some time, her voice came softly, "That's why I did it you know... broke the mirror... I looked in my eyes and I saw him, and I just... I didn't have the strength to just walk away..."
He looked up to her, for an instant capturing those deliciously deep brown eyes. There was truth in her voice when she had said that, mixed with a subconscious yearning to be forgiven. She would be spared for now, he had decided after moments of mulling the situation. Somewhere a clock rung five a.m. and the Phantom rose as he finally took notice to the time. The Phantom had other pressing engagements as the Opera house began waking up, but he wanted to make sure that she was going to be able to function then on her own, and wouldn't be haunted by the memories for the moment. His voice was gentle, but hurried, "Are you alright now?"
She smiled, surprisingly a true and flattering smile, "I'll be fine. No more need for concern Monsieur... this little talk helped... I've been needing to speak about that for far too long."
He nodded, "Then I must take leave. You may remain here as long as you wish. However, once you leave this box. Do not return upon pain of death." With that he swirled his cloak, and disappeared into the darkness of the box. His true exit remained a mystery.
She nodded although he had vanished, relaxing finally and chuckling to herself. The fool bought it. She could hardly believe the Phantom Of The Opera had bought her pathetic sob story of an innocent woman being wrongly used. Lord, what would he think if she had told him the truth? Probably betray me, she convinced herself harshly, Or use my crime as a means to holding something over my head. Raylan growled bitterly. True, she felt a bit of guilt for lying to him after he had been so generous as to not kill her for breaking his precious Christine Daae's mirror, but what other choice was there? She could not tell, not even to one as non existent to the world as he. They had made a promise, she and Ethan, they had promised never to tell, never to trust again, and she did not intend on breaking that promise.
Much to Raylan's surprise, Vits was already awake upon her entering of their room, and strangely enough, Vits was cooking. The smells coming from the frying pan, and oven were delicious and wafted out through the halls, occasionally luring the idle passerby to their closed door. She was still wearing Ethan's shirt, and her bloodied one was sitting over the back of a chair.
Raylan smiled warmly, "Well isn't this a delightful surprise. What's the occasion?" She closed the door behind her, saying a silent prayer that Vits would not question where she had been.
Luckily, she did not. Vits simply shrugged, "I was just up-I think, before you were." Vits didn't say that she hadn't gone to sleep that night.
"Well it's nice. Smells wonderful," She complimented her with a broad grin as she took a seat. It was then that she noticed the shirt on the chair and screeched, "Oh my god, Vits, what happened?"
Vits looked at Raylan "Noth-" She saw the shirt, "Oh! I helped deliver a baby last night...it got kind of messy"
"Oh," Raylan looked surprised when she turned her eyes back to Vits and squinted questioningly, "Who's shirt is that you're wearing?"
She responded, off handedly, paying attention to the eggs and bacon she was frying, "Ethan lent it to me."
Raylan's eyes instantly narrowed viciously and she said almost at a hiss, "Did he?"
"Yes," Out of sheer habit, Vits took on the same tone, "Generally when you see some one covered in blood, it's thought to be nice to lend them something else to wear. Seeing as it was just above freezing last night."
She nodded in agreement but continued to question, "What else happened? Between you and him?"
"Not much...I showed him the way to his hotel, and then came here," her voice was nonchalant as she expertly flipped the frying pan's contents with a deft flick of her wrist. She obviously didn't need someone else doing the cooking.
"Did he kiss you?" It was surprising how bluntly the question came out of Raylan.
Vits told the blatant truth, just not all of it, "No."
Raylan narrowed her eyes though with disbelief. She knew the boy too well to believe nothing happened. She craftily questioned, "So nothing happened? Nothing at all?"
Vits nodded. "Nothing happened." She quickly grabbed two clean plates, and tossed the food in the air, she caught all of the food on both plates, an equal portion for each, except one sausage, with she caught with her mouth before yelling, "Hot!"
Raylan continued to glare. She didn't believe a word of it, but forced a smile, "You just took it off the pan. It's going to be."
"Yeah, I should've known ..I've done this long enough," She set the two steaming plates on the table. Then pulled a fresh loaf of new baked bread out of the oven, and sat it next to the butter on the table.
Raylan got up and ate a little, every now and then silently commenting on how good it was. The conversation was oddly dead though; it was only bluntly obvious that Raylan was shocked, possibly even angered, by Vits news about her brother. She didn't believe a word of it, and that must was certain.
Vits actually was an amazing cook. She paused scrutinizing her own eggs, wondering silently if they needed more oregano. She decided against by the time she finished the plate.
She knew that Raylan didn't believe a word of what she said, Vits wouldn't have believed herself in Raylan's place. Vits sighed, she hated lying to her friend. It was time to face the music. Vits looked at Raylan, and put down her fork, then truthfully recounted the night's events. To an extent, she glossed over the money at the bar, insisting that she sang for pleasure. And how she knew the family that she aided the birth-claiming that they were friends, which is true. The rest, told straight.
"So you kissed him," Raylan finally said, her jaw stiff with irritation. She respected Vits for telling her the truth, but the fact that she did it and Ethan allowed her to annoyed her. Another of the promises she and Ethan had made- no attachments.
Vits nodded. "Look its was stupid." She looked up to Ray, "I've never trusted anyone, anyone as much as you two. Ever. I didn't think. And I'm sorry. I deserve whatever wrath you deem acceptable."
Raylan gritted her teeth, "It's not you that my 'wrath' will come down upon. It's Ethan. He... he knows better."
Vits looked at her with confusion, "But I kissed him. Me. I'm not entirely absolved of blame here."
Raylan eyes snapped to her, almost threateningly as she hissed, "He should have stopped you. He has the power to say no, and he didn't. My quarrel is with him... I don't expect you to understand."
For the rest of the meal the silence hung so heavy between them that you could have cut it with a knife. Raylan continually would pop her knuckles in anger, and Vits would nervously chew on a piece of bread. Vits had let the matter drop, wise enough to not push it any further, but she couldn't say she wasn't relieved when she got up, and started doing the dishes, silently lost into her own thoughts. Raylan had gathered her things for the days work and stomped out, slamming the door and no saying the goodbye she usually offered Vits.
Finally left alone, Vits cursed aloud, slamming her fists into the water she was washing the dishes with. In her mind she beat herself for kissing Ethan, for making that move without having no idea how his sister would react. How stupid could she be! It was then that her brain began to register how odd the matter was. Raylan was his sister, shouldn't she have been happy for him instead of viciously angered? Vits convinced herself that the act was a sign of Raylan being overprotective.
She went onto her normal routine then, returning to the hard exterior she showed to the people of the Opera, but something plagued her throughout the day, a dawning that made her critically review her situation. She came to the depressing conclusion. She truly did not know Raylan or Ethan. They had both successfully remained a mystery- to everyone.