Things I have done this week:
-Attempted to find affordable college
-Found affordable college
-Discovered affordable college not so affordable
-Made a short film by sticking one of my friends in a pillow case and asking them to act like a living pillowcase
-Ate mass quantities of Girl Scout cookies
-Worked
-Bought RENT… and cried once more when my favorite Drag Queen died.
-Had a group of friends come over, played pool, watched RENT, and all cried when favorite Drag Queen died.
-Finally was caught by the parking ticket director at my school that I had almost avoided and gotten away with paying parking for an entire year
-Was charged a crap load for not paying parking for an entire year
-Made the almighty Bangers and Mash at my Moms- a mouthful of calories but so worth it
-Watched massive quantities of Phantom Of The Opera and RENT back to back
-Successfully took my marching band uniform hostage… and am refusing to give it back
-Got wonderful footage of two Mexicans trimming hair in a barber seat in a back alley
-FINALLY WROTE MY UPDATE AND AM NOW POSTING IT FOR YOUR REVIEWING PLEASURE
Hey everyone- back with a good long update for you all for being absent for so long for absolutely no reason as you can all see from the list above. Finally decided to update, so I forced myself to sort through the mass amounts of RP and edit them and form the story we all know and love. Hope it is satisfactory and that you all approve. Hope everyone is doing well… and now… on to the review replies where I tell everyone my thanks and usually make fairly odd comments… which is half the fun right? …………. Oh fine!
A Few Thanks:
Juilette Delphe- Yes Sumner, congrats, you are a drunk… I told you it would happen! And yes we do screw up their lives, but without doing that… there would be nothing interesting to the story. Life is a drama- better get used to it. And yes, thanks to you Phantom does have a heart- hopefully we can keep it that way. Hugs biotch!
Derhelm- Please… don't… bludgeon… me… I'M SORRY I TOOK SO LONG! PLEASE FORGIVE ME! --Beg – But yes, I am not dead, I am alive and well… just a procrastinator. Glad you returned though- I love your comments and am so glad you didn't give up on my story. Thanks for returning!
Shimmeringtears- Yay! You're back! hugs Thanks for the comment. Yea, there is going to be A LOT of Erik and Raylan in this chapter and so forth… but I don't want to give anything away so yea… keep reading and commenting and all that jazz. Thanks shimmer!
Surf with music- I'm glad there is so much you liked about the latest chapter, and thanks so much for reviewing and telling me what you liked about it- helps me know what readers like- and yea it was a sad ending, but it leads into this new chapter and works better. Yea, and thanks for keeping with this story. Don't worry about me stopping it- I might vanish for a while but I am determined to finish this story- and it will be finished. As for Marching Band- yea the Bowl was amazingly fun, loved it so much! Unfortunately I am not first chair anymore because I slacked on studying a playing test and got bumped back to third, but hey, still a great spot when I'm third out of fifteen in the top band. Congrats on doing well on the District Honor band although you didn't make it- I never have made it either though so don't feel bad. Well- on Thursday of this week my band has Festival, which I am guessing you all have too, so yea, nervous but excited. Hope we place well- so cross your fingers cause our trumpets have a tendency to suck badly. So yea… I love band… lol. Band nerds all the way!
Pulsebeat Crow- Hey! Thanks so much for enjoying this story, I liked yours too… but don't be jealous of my vocabulary lol- my secret is Spell Check… it's my best friend. Sorry for the horrible ending- hope you like this one better- thanks for the review and I'll be keeping an eye on your story.
Alright everyone, that's it for now! Thanks so very much for the wonderful reviews that keep encouraging me to finish this story. You all rock! And now without further delay…
-Olivia N.
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The two remaining weeks before Christmas Eve stalked slowly through the catacombs like an aged and dismal sloth, time adding heavily to the already rigid sensation of the world below, mockingly drawing the dreaded days on longer and longer into a dreary eternity.
Over the weeks all interaction between Erik and Raylan had took a rapid plummet from blossoming friendship to the silent cold shoulder treatment, in which their only form of communication was taking fleeting glances at one another and then denying it entirely. In their act of stubbornness that old void that had existed between them when they first met bitterly returned. Raylan had dropped her habit of sitting with him while he composed at his organ, and Erik had finally smothered the urge to stalk about her door when Ethan was with her. Every fond pattern they had created over their time together was stubbornly tossed aside in an attempt to seem like neither cared how the other felt, like they were better off without their affections.
So frigidly, Christmas Eve had found its way into a frozen Hell, a dark place where its joys would not be celebrated and its warmth would only be denied. Its ignored beauty danced in spirals against the haunting music that filled the catacombs, keeping the holiday at bay, clutching the underworld in an eternal darkness. In his lonely torment it was only natural for such a celebration to go unnoticed, for what was the point of a Christmas when there was no one to share it with… no one to hold.
Erik had become accustom to the irony of it all. The one day that brought all mankind together, that set aside those differences and rang out in equality, love and peace, and in all the world he was forever the reject, the monster abandoned by man and their savior. It was the same every passing year. Above, Christmas meaning was honored and the whole Opera would empty out to celebrate the occasion with those they loved. Few remained in the house that night and those who did spent their lowly time locked in their quarters, alone and boozing until they passed out to sleep in their own vomit. Erik might have been tempted to take that same drunken path if it wasn't for his music and his pride that kept him contained. This Christmas though, the taunting holiday served to be more unbearable this time around than any other year, and Erik felt somewhat more willing to submerge himself in drink than stay sober through the joys that were so close and yet so distant.
There was no doubt in his mind of how his two guests would spend their holiday. Together, a loving union of fond memories and silly games, taking the most of that blissful time to exchange what they could give, the tiniest of gifts and all the joys that laughter could possibly bring. It was almost surprising how much the thought made him seethe with anger, the blood rushing to his face in frustration and causing his skin to burn uncontrollably. His usually graceful hands stumbled over the keys of his prized instrument, sending chords of disgust and haunting mistakes into the night air. Erik's growls of frustration followed it, dark tones that nearly silenced every other sound in his world. His jaw clenched and his fingers paused to float stiffly over the keys as he tried persistently to swallow down his blinding rage and focus on the numbing sensation of his music. Again he started, the magic continuing in dark strands of loneliness wrapping like smothering velvet along the alcove, so familiar and powerful, so unlike the world his guests knew, so… again he found his fingers collided into a nauseating pitch that tore with the sharpness of a dagger through the velvet veil. Again the blood ran into his face, again he burned, but this time his rage had become less controllable and so in a near deafening scream of aggravation, Erik burst to his feet as his hands came to pound upon the keys, releasing the most horrid chord into the quivering darkness.
Silence followed the bitter sound, a silence that seemed to hang in the air as horribly as a noose until the silence was distorted by that cocky voice that Erik loathed so much, ringing out curiously behind him in a mocking tone of, "Frustrating, isn't it?"
Erik's eyes met the boys in a bitter glare and his voice was even colder than the night air around them as he hissed, "Indeed."
Ethan nodded, noting Erik's tone as he cautiously emerged from the darkness of his hallway. His handsome face shown with a honey tan in the candle light and his thin smile tried it's best to curve into an honest grin towards his monstrous host. "So," He began, his hands drumming uncomfortably in his jean pockets, "You like music."
Erik didn't allow him the pleasure of being friendly, saying with a growl, "Yes, I do."
"Good, good hobby," Ethan said lightly as the uncomfortable anxiety came over him. He cleared his throat nervously, diverting his eyes towards the lake for a moment and then back to Erik again. His mouth came open as if he was about to say something and when nothing emerged his mouth closed again to only emit a low, heavy groan.
In a patronizing voice, Erik asked with mock concern, "Are you alright? Do you need to go lie down?"
Ethan's eyes shot up to Erik with that usual bitter fire behind them. His mouth snapped open, obviously ready to spit out some insult that came to his mind, but to both of their surprise, Ethan held back the spiting words and instead gritted his teeth as he mumbled solemnly, "Erik... we need to discuss something."
Erik was slightly taken aback when Ethan didn't rise to the bait. His tone changed to a softer hint of curiosity, "About what?"
Ethan gave a slight, boyish grin and shrugged lightly, "Christmas."
Erik's brows rose, "What about Christmas?"
Again Ethan groaned lowly, and although it was more than obvious he truly didn't want to say a thing, Ethan pushed himself to get it out, "Listen, Erik, I know you and Raylan are not on the easiest of grounds at the moment, but... well... tomorrows Christmas. It's supposed to be a day of peace, of caring, and you can call me childish, but I just don't think it's right for us to all act so coldly on a day meant for rejoicing."
Erik thought it over for a minute, and wondered if he could make the boy more flustered-so he pressed him, "Continue."
Ethan growled frustrated, and continued stiffly, "So, Raylan and I have a tradition... well, not so much a tradition seeing as we have only known each other for six years tops... but either way it goes. We've always tried to put aside our sorrows on Christmas, even if that means conversing with people we are less favorable of... so... I'm taking the opportunity to play a better man by inviting you to share Christmas day with us... opposed to you spending the entire day pretending we don't exist. It's nothing big really, Raylan and I usually get up earlier to exchange gifts and make breakfast, but I'm just saying... I think it would be better if you shared it with us."
"I'll think it over," Erik chose his words gracefully. He honestly wasn't sure if he wanted to spend Christmas any different than he had before, by now it had become more than habit to spend days of rejoicing alone. Besides, Erik knew, it wasn't like they would really want him there anyways. The boy was just feeling guilty for the sake of the season.
Ethan nodded with acceptance, "Alright... well just if you decide too, we usually get up about seven, give our little trinkets and such." He grinned, trying his hardest to look comfortable and not fazed by Erik's answer. With a sealing clap of his hands Ethan began his backwards slide towards his room, giving a slight wave towards his host as he said lightly, "Well... goodnight Erik... we'll see you tomorrow, whenever you feel comfortable."
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"Merry Christmas!" Came the boyish cheer that rang across the cavern as loud as church bells. Ethan bustled through the dark tunnel from his room just as some distant clock struck seven a.m., a few small packages tucked beneath his arms as he charged into the foyer. The alcove was submerged in its usual dense silence for only a few seconds more before Raylan erupted from her own room, her gleeful voice reverberating beautifully across the cavern as she exclaimed at the top of her lungs, "Merry Christmas!"
The two came together in a cloud of laughter, Raylan bouncing into Ethan's outstretched arms and burying her face fondly into his hair. Ethan lifted her from the ground, dropping the presents in the process but not caring as he spun his giggling companion around in a circle, her feet swinging like branches in the wind as he spun her. Finally the two of them flopped down upon the ground in barrels of laughter, a noise that for the time seemed to beat back the darkness and bring what little candle light there was into a bright flame. The two of them continued to laugh until their sides ached and only afterwards did their tear swollen eyes notice the silent figure at his organ, his piercing gaze laying upon them in a mixture of sorrow and the most subtle hint of ease.
The harsh gaze soon pierced through their laughter, his cold eyes watching them with loathing. He hated the day. No one ever loved him enough to give him a gift, and the only person he ever cared about refused the very gift of his soul. The green orbs drilled holes through the boy, speculating him. Ethan had only invited him out of sheer pity; Erik felt it and his hatred ran deeper because of it.
Ethan shuttered at Erik's cold gaze, his arms going limp around Raylan's waist to fall to his sides. He fidgeted uneasily for just a moment, clearing his throat nervously and drumming frantic rhythms on his thighs as he said slowly, "Well...Erik... Merry Christmas." Afterwards, Ethan looked expectantly at Raylan whose deep eyes were locked oddly on Erik's dark image. Her brown orbs focused on him with mixtures of confusion, delight, and some remaining bitterness, but no words emerged from her slightly parted mouth.
Erik purposely avoided Raylan's gaze, dipping a stiff nod to Ethan as he bitterly greeted, "Good morning… Ethan."
Ethan gave a half hearted smile, and then again looked to Raylan expectantly and once more when nothing was said he gave her a hard nudge in the side with his elbow.
Immediately Raylan's eye snapped to Ethan as she growled viciously, "Ow! What do you want so damn badly?"
Ethan gave her a cross look and naturally Raylan returned until Ethan's expression changed to pleading. It was almost remarkable how well the two of them could read one another, and so Raylan got the gist of what Ethan wanted without even one word having to be exchanged. With a regretful sigh, Raylan turned soft eyes back up towards Erik, saying with a somewhat sincere tone, "Merry Christmas... Erik."
"Merry Christmas to you too," Erik replied without looking at her, His tone a distant and unforgiving sound.
The thick silence fell once again across the three and for what seemed like hours they all just remained there in that uneasy moment, neither wanting to make that first move. Ethan however was determined to have a good day and pulling himself to his feet, gathered his presents and helped Raylan up. "Ray," He said gently, and her gaze slid to him, "Why don't you go get your gifts. I'll be right here when you are done." Raylan didn't object, just oddly did as he said, walking on swift feet back to her room.
Once she was out of view, Ethan turned his eyes back to Erik, saying lightly, "So you decided to join us?"
Erik brought his bitter eyes up to the boy and gave a heavy nod, saying almost regretfully, "Yes."
Ethan returned the nod, "Glad you decided that. This should be," He paused to choose his words, "uh... interesting. Did you get Raylan something?"
Erik sighed heavily, again with the humiliated tone of, "Yes. I have things for both of you."
"Wonderful," Ethan said, giving an honest grin, and then added on cautiously, "Considerate of you."
Seconds later Raylan appeared, two packages cradled in her bare arms. She drifted silently back over towards Ethan, giving a side glance to Erik as she passed and then swiftly looking away. When she reached Ethan's side she gave him the oddest of pleading looks as if she were asking him what to do, but Ethan just looked at her teasingly and gestured towards the floor.
Ethan cleared his throat, "Well... uh... let's do this then." With that Raylan flopped down to the floor, her back turned to Erik, and Ethan sat across from her facing Erik as he gestured with his hands for Erik to join them.
Erik nodded in hesitant agreement, swiping up two poorly wrapped bundles from his organ stool and walking gravely over. All three were obviously ill-at-ease as Erik approached with his packages and sat down on the ground next to Raylan, who shuffled uncomfortably from his closeness. For a moment Erik gave the saddest of looks to Raylan's downcast eyes, but as soon as she gave the slightest scoot away from him the bitter rage returned with a blaze to his violent orbs.
Raylan's eyes were low to the ground, avoiding eye contact as she fidgeted with the hem of her skirt. Ethan's gaze jumped back and forth between the two, all the while filling with more rage and confusion as to why they couldn't get past the moment. He sighed, Raylan fidgeted, and Erik glared. Finally after five minutes of no change, Ethan couldn't take it any more.
He growled loudly, nearly shouting with frustration as he said bluntly, "God in Heaven, will you two get over it! Yall had a fight- two weeks ago! Get past it already, stop acting like an old married couple, get over it, and move on. Stop loathing one another because we all know you don't hate each other. Raylan, don't look at me like I'm a blubbering ass… and stop trying to drill holes through my skull with your eyes Erik… for God sakes, will you two at least pretend to be nice for the sake of the Holiday?"
Again the silence returned, Ethan having run out a breath and the other two far too amazed at his outburst to speak. From her hunched position, Raylan looked fleetingly at Erik who from feeling the weight of her gaze turned his own fiery eyes upon her. His venomous green orbs unintentionally linked together with her rich brown eyes, those depths of cool earth that watched him so pleadingly that they instantly doused every raging flame within him. Those burning walls of hatred cooled and crumbled for that moment when eyes could tell all that words could not and for a second Erik could feel the faintest warmth of peace trying to emerge from the ashes that were his heart. The moment passed though when Raylan looked away, those endless depths releasing him from his fantasy back into the harsh reality of his world.
Her eyes turned from him felt almost like a smack to the face and so Erik returned to gaze to Ethan, muttering coldly, "I have moved past it." Erik felt her weight again then as her eyes returned to him with the most curious of looks, but this time he fought the urge to look at her and remained stoic.
Obviously his actions were not taken lightly though cause seconds later Raylan straightened up and glared at Ethan, spitting near bitterly, "Yes, exactly. Honestly Ethan, we aren't children. We're adults and don't hold grudges." There was not so much confidence in the end of her words but Ethan didn't notice.
He replied extravagantly, "Well alright then! Fine! Good!"
Once more the silence covered them with a painful air of tension. Ethan gritted his teeth and repeatedly switched sitting positions. Raylan chewed uneasily on her thumb nail whilst rapidly twirling her hair with the index finger of her free hand. Erik simply sat in cold silence, his eyes dancing accusingly between the two. Minuets ticked sluggishly by and once Erik was certain they had all sat in cold silence for half an hour he rose snappishly to his feet, surprising the other two with his sudden movement and causing them to jump sporadically.
With their eyes now turned to him Erik twitched irritably, sighing first before he growled through a tight jaw, "Well… it is more than obvious I am not wanted here… forgive me for the intrusion. I thank you for the invitation, no matter the reasons for it being given, and hope you enjoy the gifts… but I am going to take my leave now… you two will have a pleasant Christmas if I am absent."
Shock covered his guest's expressions then, of which Erik took the opportunity to turn and go, but within his first few steps the kindest of voices sounded, bringing him to a solid halt as she pleaded, "Erik… don't go. You shouldn't spend Christmas alone."
Her voice brought burning tears to his bitter gaze, that soft and warm Southern accent that always reached so comfortingly into his soul, trying gently to fix the shattered pieces. Erik could feel her, he could always feel her eyes- they burned and chilled his skin all at the same time, teased and scolded his nerves, loved and hated so quickly.
His voice shook as he replied so softly, "I'm accustom to it, I assure you… I'm familiar with loneliness."
His ears caught the softest of sighs from her at his words, a finalizing sigh, and sadly believing it to be settled Erik anticipated his lowly march from the room. "Erik," Her voice came again to his surprise and he turned slightly to look at her beautiful silhouette and those eyes that flowed with endless peace.
For the first time in two weeks she smiled at him, that same charming smile Erik had grown so fond of seeing… and missed. Those earthy eyes found his dismal ones and comforted him even before her words were spoken, but even her depthless eyes could not compare to her words then. With the most sincere of smiles she said gently, hopefully, "Erik… we want you to be here with us today… your family… Christmas is meant to be spent with family, with those you love."
Love? Erik nearly cried with the mention of the emotion, and in reference to him. Could it be? Did they love him? Did she love him? He was their… family? He had a family? His eyes swelled with the tears he had swallowed every time such things were denied to him. Were they serious? Did they actually want him? It couldn't be true. Erik turned slowly around, holding back the tears to inspect them with clear vision. Surely they must have been playing some cruel joke, and yet when he came to face them there was nothing on their expressions that suggested it. Only pure honesty stared back at him, and the loveliest of smiles.
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"So," He said, that all too familiar boyish grin creasing over his goldenly tanned skin, "What'd you get me?"
Raylan's eyes slid to Ethan playful, a huff of a laugh emerging from her lips before she said mockingly, "Coal," in response to his question. By Raylan's side Erik sat amongst his 'family', chuckling and thinking secretly that Ethan somewhat deserved it.
"Well then," Ethan sighed, "No present for you." Playfully, Ethan gathered the gifts set in the center of their triangle and brought them close to him, shaking his head in defiance.
Raylan laughed openly and gently batted at Ethan with her foot. She then added a playful threat, "Don't make me pout at you boy. You know you can't resist the almighty pout."
In response, Ethan dramatically whimpered, "Not the pout! Anything but the pout!"
To his own surprise, Erik laughed in good spirits, for the first time in months looking at the twos play with amusement opposed to jealousy. His eyes held fondly upon the two, Ethan across from him and Raylan by his side no more than a few inches away, so close and comforting. His family.
Next to Erik, Raylan's bottom lip had already begun to slide forward from the upper one, beginning it's taunting decent into her powerful pout.
Across from her Ethan's hands rushed to his face to cover his eyes as he protested loudly, "The pout! Oh Lord, anything but the pout! Please- someone save me! Erik- stop her!"
Raylan turned an interested eye to Erik then, her lip still half way poked out as the pout came to a curious pause. Erik simply grinned mischievously and then replied with an air of acted exhaustion to Ethan with, "Forgive me Ethan… but I am afraid my skills are powerless against the almighty pout. I can not assist you."
Immediately, Raylan turned a pleased face back to Ethan and with that continued to tauntingly slowly push her lip further out.
In a last attempt to protect himself Ethan turned his back to Raylan, but when her heel came to prod at his side he could only release a shout of surprise and spin back around to surrender. He sighed then, and placing the gifts down, raised his hand over his head and said aloud, "Alright! Alright! I'll hand over the presents! Please, just don't pout!"
Instantly, Raylan's lip pulled back and she smiled broadly, saying with satisfied laughter, "That's my boy."
Ethan grinned and dramatically sighing, tossed each of his companions the only two gifts that had been brought without some sort of makeshift wrapping to cover them.
In Raylan's lap lay a rolled up off-white parchment that when she unraveled proved to be the finished result of the picture Ethan had sketched of her. Her eyes grew wide in amazement and she cried wonderfully, "Oh, Ethan, you finished it. It's… it's…it's so well done. I look quite pretty in this picture. My lord boy, it looks identical to me. Erik, don't you think?"
She turned the picture about to where he could see it, Erik's eyes rolling skeptically over the image. As much as he would hate to admit it, the boy did do a rather fine job of duplicating Raylan's image. The sketched Raylan looked nearly identical to its original… all but the eyes, Erik noticed. Ethan couldn't draw the absolute magnificence of her eyes. Of course, he wouldn't openly admit that so Erik said as honestly as he could make it sound, "Yes…yes… nearly identical."
With a pleased grin, Raylan turned her attention back to Ethan, opening her arms willingly to him to offer a thankful hug. Ethan grinned and leaned in for the hug Raylan openly offered him, both embracing for a few seconds, Raylan whispering her thanks into Ethan's ear before they released one another and turned their eyes to Erik.
In Erik's hands was a wooden box of no real exquisite design, and when his eager hands opened it was what inside that gave him more of a laugh than anything. Inside set in a straight line of six were new red candle sticks, identical to the types Ethan had overused in his first weeks there.
Ethan chuckled and answered light heartedly, "Making up for all the numerous ones I wasted."
With an amused chuckle of his own, Erik grinned good naturedly and replied sincerely, "Thank you Ethan."
"You're welcome," Ethan smiled, and then instantly turned a suspicious eye upon Raylan, "Alright pouter, what do you have up your sleeve?"
Raylan shrugged innocently and gave a sweet grin, "Oh I wonder. The question is: did I truly get you coal or not? Oh that anxiety of it all…"
"Give me!" Ethan wailed, and reached like a little boy for the presents.
Raylan was too quick for him though and swiftly snatched the two she brought up and placed them securely in her lap. Ethan sat back, a less powerful pout of his own creeping across his face. Raylan simply grinned at him in response and then said stubbornly, "Actually… if it is alright with the two of you… I would prefer to go last."
Ethan gave her a curious look, as did Erik, but neither disagreed so the attention was turned to what gifts were left. Erik nodded to the gifts, gesturing which one was for who and then waiting patiently as they opened them.
Raylan's gift was thinner so she was the first to successfully uncover her present. Beneath the single layer of tissue he had used for wrapping lay several tan colored sheets of paper, dark red ink leading the measures of notes across the pages. Raylan gave a kind smile, curiously flipping with care through each page and scanning the titles. Seconds later her eyes lifted up towards his as she said with delight, "Music scores… to the more famous pieces of our time… I know some of these. Oh how wonderful. Erik, how did you ever get all these?"
Erik gave a genuine smile, pleased that she approved of her gift, "I tried to duplicate as many as I could from memory, with a few of my own touches here and there. The ones written in red ink are the ones I have adjusted to fit your range… the ones in black ink are pieces I acquired in… less admirable ways."
"So, you stole them?" Raylan's eyes brightened with the most wicked sense of humor, "Taking after me now are we?"
He grinned broadly and replied with surprisingly playful sarcasm, "Mademoiselle, I have yet to reach your level of… expertise?"
"Takes practice," Raylan smiled honestly, "Like reading music… which if you don't mind me requesting… I might need some help with. I'm afraid the last time I had my hands on sheet music I was thirteen in the St. Peters choir, lip singing Amazing Grace."
"I'd be glad to assist you," Erik said, smiling inwardly at the welcomed opportunity. Again, that moment when his eyes met hers and the world seemed to pause came once more, sending warm shivers along Erik's pine until Ethan's voice prudently interrupted like always.
"You gave me a dress?" Ethan questioned, pulling from its neatly folded form Erik's gift. He held out before him a suit of lush, dark green velvet, adorned with golden embroidery and accompanied by a white silk shirt and a emerald silk cape to match, with a Celtic knot border. The handsome garments waved gently in Ethan's hands as the American eyed it with half wonder and half suspicious eyes.
Erik gave a slight chuckle and shook his head, "They are dress robes… and they should fit."
Ethan gave a half cocked grin, "Nice material… what are they for?
"For the Masquerade we shall all be attending upon New Years Eve," He replied simply as if the answer were obvious.
Apparently it wasn't though because instantly both Raylan and Ethan's mouths dropped with surprise.
Seeing their astonishment, Erik grinned and quickly scrambled to clarify, "There is a Masquerade ball held at the end of every December to celebrate the coming of a new, and hopefully prosperous, year. I… I have not attended another sense the fire, soon to be three years ago… and, well, the current managers seem to have forgotten me… and in my opinion are getting far too comfortable and self-confident. So…I believe it is time to remind them just who this House belongs to. Refreshing their memory in a sort… peacefully, of course."
Again, astonishment lingered on his companions faces, but Raylan had managed to gather her wits quick enough to ask, "But Erik… that sounds to be a very social event… wouldn't that be unwise for wanted felons to attend?"
"It's a Masquerade my dear," Erik smiled gently, "everyone's identity will be concealed. No one will recognize you two, I promise… I wouldn't allow anything to happen to you."
Ethan snickered lightly and Raylan looked at him with a rather amused grin on her face. "Well that sounds...interesting," Raylan finally said with a small, a delighted laugh of her own ringing beautifully across the alcove.
"Sounds like a lot of trouble," Ethan at last managed to say, and then added on with a mischievous grin towards Raylan, "Which always means a good time."
Erik chuckled openly at the boys words and then added sternly, "I shall behave-unless they openly cross me. I expect both of you to act respectfully and do the same."
"Yes sir," Ethan grinned, giving Erik a small, joking salute before he directed his eyes to Raylan. It was literally a second before Ethan moved on to other things, saying with bounding curiosity to Raylan, "So...what'd you get me?"
Raylan gave a huff of a laugh and pushed him playfully with her foot, saying jokingly, "I told you… coal."
Ethan looked at her expectantly and extended his hands, saying playfully, "Well then… gimme my coal."
"Impatient," Raylan said accusingly, and then with a grin, exposed two objects bundled in sheets of torn cloth. She handed them both to their owners at the same time, saying with a shy grin and a nervous nibble of the corner of her lip, "I couldn't find anything to wrap them in… so I improvised."
"We are in for a treat then," Erik supplied jovially, taking the gift from her with a nod of appreciation.
Ethan laughed, and then without a second thought, eagerly unwrapped his gift. Inside was a wooden box, and within it a set of fresh chalks and pastels, of which Ethan raised his eyes to Ray in shock and spoke almost as if sounding on the brink of tears, "Ray...this...you... these kind are expensive!"
Raylan gave a light laugh, "I bought them for you a while back in London, never could find the time to give them to you. Besides, Ethan, neither you nor I have any expense problems."
Ethan nodded, "True," and then set the gift aside, leaning in to give Raylan a tender hug and whispering his thanks in her ear. When they finished, both eyes turned to Erik curiously.
"You're turn," Ethan said with a grin, taking the box of chalks into his lap and holding them fondly.
Erik smiled at Ethan's actions, then to Raylan's oddly nervous face, and then back to the small bundle in his own hands. He took to unwrapping the light gift in a leisurely and careful manner, and once exposed, the glint of dark maple wood shown gloriously in the orange lighting. To Erik's deepest surprise, in his hands sat a long milky dark brown, wooden flute, various symbols of a language beyond his knowledge carved along its glinting body. At the end, the flute connected to form a carved eagle's head of exquisite style, the beak open to allow air passage, and its tiny eyes embedded with a rich, black stone. Tied close to the air hole was a leather string, and from it hung two brown and silver feathers that had been discarded from the wing of a living eagle.
Long delicate fingers traced the symbols of the gorgeous instrument as shock rang through the living carcass. "It's...its beautiful," Erik stuttered, for the moment at a total loss for words. No one had ever given him such a gift, an amazing gift that spoke volumes beyond his comprehension. When he replied he almost felt sad for being unable to fully express his gratitude, only the soft and sincere tone of his voice capable of saying clearly, "Thank you, thank you so very much."
Raylan sighed as if relieved that he liked it and gave almost a shy nod. "It's Lakota," She said fondly, "Given to me long ago from the boy I told you about...the one who reminded me of you... it's very special to me... and I want you to have it. Hopefully it can bring you the comfort it brought me." There was so much fondness in her tone, so much kindness, and for the first time Ethan didn't seem to disagree. He cupped Raylan's shoulder gently and gave her a nod of approval before returning his hands to examining his pencils.
Erik nodded in understanding, before giving into the urge of his fingers itching to play it, to make whatever form of music it could wave. He put the flute to his lips, and blew gently, listening to the tone, then his fingers flew into an Irish jig, which resulted into a interesting sound coming from a Native American flute, but it was pleasing to the ear. Erik, deciding it didn't fit the instrument, changed tune, trying to find the right music for it, and after running through several types, he found it. The music was an ancient slow, soft, Greek funeral song, and it sang through the caverns with haunting melody amplified by the rich, magical tone of the flute. Though the tune had a sad touch, it celebrated the life of a loved one, going through a joyous birth, happy childhood, surviving a war, marriage, several children, and at last, sweet peaceful death, with the promise of a better after life.
Raylan grinned pleasantly and shut her eyes, allowing the music to paint pictures in the dank caverns of her mind. She tilted her head slightly, resting it against the life that played out before her, and only came back to her own reality once the music ended and she opened her eyes. They first caught Ethan who was grinning at her with a knowing and mocking look, and then at Erik and the smooth flute in his hands. She gave a soft, longing sigh and then pulled her eyes to the floor, for a moment lingering in thought.
Moments later she drew her eyes up and looked playfully at Ethan, giving him another shove with her foot before saying to him in a sisterly tone, "Have a merry Christmas Ethan?"
Ethan nodded and grinned with light pleasure, "Indeed, you?"
"But of course," Raylan smiled sweetly.
Erik chuckled, and for the sake of the moment, brought the flute to his lips and did his best gleeful sounding interpretation of Deck the Halls.
At the noise both Ethan and Raylan tossed their heads back in blissful laughter, and then moments later sang out in a rather nicely tuned chorus along with the song.
After they sang through the last chorus, Erik paused, and as an almost playful dare, he turned to Raylan and asked, "Since it is Christmas, and Raylan, you did say you would like to cook for me, would you like to cook breakfast for us?"
Raylan surprisingly smiled with delight, and then paused to say, "What do we have to work with?"
Erik shrugged, "Flour, eggs, syrup-"
Ethan perked up, interrupting Erik with a delighted cry of, "Pancakes?"
Erik shrugged again and nodded towards the kitchen, "They'll have to be made from scratch but the ingredients are there."
Raylan smiled and with a settled tone said with light laughter, "Pancakes it is then." She rose and smiled down at her two companions, then saying with a motherly air, "Now you two stay out of the kitchen while I'm cookie, you hear? It's an art, and I don't need either of you to distract me."
Ethan laughed openly at her and nodded, saying extravagantly, "Yes, mother dearest."
In response, Raylan batted playfully at Ethan's head and then smiling fondly at both her boy, turned and walked eagerly into the kitchen, disappearing from both of their sight.
Seconds after she had gone and Erik was certain she wouldn't hear them, Erik asked the boy with slight concern, "She does know how to cook doesn't she? Do you think she is I need of assistance? I wouldn't want her to somehow manage to set the place ablaze from cooking pancakes."
Ethan simply laughed and stated, "She can cook fine, and is damn proud of it. Besides… the only time she's ever caught anything on fire was on purpose and I deserved it… but uh… that's a fairly embarrassing story that is better off forgotten."
Erik raised a questioning brow towards the boy, but Ethan skillfully played it off by clearing his throat and saying in a comfortably conversational voice, "She love's cooking, always has… gives her some kind of peace. You'll get used to it, that whole demanding we stay out of her way thing- she never would let me in there while she had the run of things; she's like a she-wolf guarding her territory when it comes to kitchens. You don't mind, do you? It's kind of an old Southern girl habit."
Erik shook his head, "No, whatever is misplaced I can always put back."
"Good, cause believe me when I say she will take over," Surprisingly there was more meaning in those words than Ethan intended, but like usual he just shrugged it off with a grin and a bit of uncomfortable laughter. After a moment Ethan returned his attention to his pencils, but continued to attempt to carry on a conversation with their host. "So," Ethan said, clearing his throat and attempting to sound comfortable, "Have a good Christmas, Erik?"
Ethan's first comment puzzled Erik, unsure if any hidden meaning lay behind his words-he thought there was. Erik disregarded it though and nodded, "Yes, indeed, better than I have ever had."
Ethan smiled, "Well- glad we are capable of bringing you more than just a headache. Thanks for the clothes by the way- its nice stuff- nicer than anything I think I have ever owned."
Erik smiled slightly at the comment and again nodded, still feeling light tension around the boy but trying his best to ignore it, "You're quite welcome. I hope you wear them well."
"I'll try my hardest," He smiled again and then paused, considering something over in his mind before questioning, "So...you like the flute?"
His eyes dropped to the wooden beauty in his hands, a warming sensation forming in his fingertips as he held the precious gift, "I like all musical instruments. The flute is particularly interesting on its own, the one from Raylan more so. I am always interested in other countries, and I shall enjoy the studying awaiting me, as well as the beautiful instrument."
Ethan chuckled before saying thoughtfully, "Good, because it isn't like her to give someone a gift like that, a gift from the heart I mean. Raylan has never been one to open up to people, not since...not since Arron's death, and a gift like that, something that was so personal and precious to her, something she was willing to give away to another...now that is saying something, and is something to be appreciated."
The green orbs turned to look suspiciously at Ethan, question written across his half face as his mind tried to sort out the boys words and allow them to sink in. What did he mean by that? She gave him a gift from the heart, something that was saying something? Saying what exactly? With a slight tone of frustration in his voice, Erik asked bluntly, "What are you hinting at boy?" Ethan's eyes found Erik's, a mixture of amusement and astonishment written over his tanned face. The boy's eyes said more than words, looking at Erik as if he were an idiot. Erik frowned at the gaze and was mere seconds from scolding him on it when what the boy was saying smacked him hard in the chest. She gave him something from the heart… she gave him… her heart? His throat tightened suddenly, cutting of his voice in a moment of stunning realization. It couldn't be true, where were the signs? Everywhere- his mind half answered on its own, but the stronger half denied it with every blaze of power it had. She couldn't… she wouldn't… would she?
Swallowing down a war of emotions, attempting to puzzle it all out, and fighting to gain his wits about him, Erik asked weakly, "Are you suggesting that she… that she has feelings for me?"
Ethan raised his eyebrows at Erik and shrugged, "Now that you have to figure out for yourself." The answer almost sent Erik into a fury. Why couldn't the boy just say it, flat out, just admit anything… something? He was on the brink of screaming when Ethan continued, shutting Erik up for the moment, "She's a maze, always has been and always will be, and trust me when I say I can't read her any better than you can. I don't know what she feels for you so I don't want to tell you something I'm not sure of... it's just," Ethan paused, biting down on his lip a little, "It's...well...never mind, you probably wouldn't be interested to hear what I think she is feeling. I'm no Raylan expert."
Erik looked at him, confused and biting back the urge tear at him for withholding something his heart needed to know. He growled almost bitterly, "So why tell me this?"
At that, Ethan's expressions suddenly became oddly serious, and he said gently, "Because she's beyond amazing Erik, and she deserves some happiness after so long. Someone like her shouldn't have to feel so dead."
Erik was slow to speak, thinking over his response before he sighed, "True, she shouldn't have to feel dead."
"Amen to that," Ethan groaned, placing the pencils aside and raising his arms to stretch his back. Through the grunts of his stretches Ethan then said rather abruptly, "So, what about you? Do you have feelings for her?"
The tables turned then. Erik suddenly arched his back in alarm, his eyes closing to a small glare, and nostrils flaring out. "That is none of your affair," He growled a warning.
Ethan's arms lowered and to Erik's surprise that wide grin on the boys face had not vanished. Instead, it lengthened and with a satisfied tone Ethan settled, "Just as I thought- you do like her."
Erik bristled and stumbled to protect himself, "I didn't say that!"
Ethan's grin became smug, "No, but I know that response. It's exactly what Arron used to say when I asked if he loved Ray... it always meant he did."
The words slid in a stream of irritation them, Erik coming to stand and glare down at the boy as he answered viciously, "I have offered neither assent nor dissent. You can not make a judgment based upon the fact that I do not share my feelings. A fact you well know. Furthermore, I am not this Arron and can not be compared to him."
To Erik's frustration Ethan's smug smile only broadened, "Sure." With that Ethan rose to his feet, stretched again and glanced at the kitchen, "I'm going to go check on our little chef." He looked smugly at Erik who was now seething and attempting to burrow holes through Ethan's skull with his eyes alone. Laughing, Ethan simply smacked Erik lightly on the arm and said with a grin, "But hey, Erik, word of advice, you should try being open for once. Raylan likes that sort of thing... think of it as bonus points."
With that he gave a small wink to the Phantom before trotting off towards the kitchen, a small satisfied skip in his walk.
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Raylan knew Ethan was there even before he said anything, the loud and brisk thudding of his skips giving him completely away as he entered the kitchen. A small smirk crossed her face as her ears caught the sound of Ethan sniffing the air, taking in the aroma of the frying pastry.
He said with a slight eager groan, "Mmmm, smells good. You almost done?"
Raylan chuckled, "Not quite yet. But it won't be long."
Jokingly, Ethan growled, "Well move faster. I'm starving."
"Patience is a virtue," Raylan mocked back and then added jokingly, "And forgive me sir but you can't even begin to imagine the meaning of starving."
Ethan frowned and moved to her side, partially in her view. "I've gone a few days without a meal," Ethan pouted, always trying to win any battle.
Raylan gave him a side look and smirked, "I've gone nearly two weeks without food. So like I said, you can't even begin to imagine that feeling. Besides," Raylan took the handle end of the spatula she was using and poked him in the stomach, "This is not the tummy of a deprived man."
Again, Ethan frowned and then asked as if offended, "Are you telling me I am obese?"
"Yes," Raylan laughed, "That is exactly what I am telling you."
Ethan sighed, giving up the joke and leaning against the countertop lazily. His eyes fell heavy upon her gentle movements as she prepared the breakfast, always the graceful one, always more agile than he ever was. Again, he sighed just from the embarrassment as he remembered all those 'glorious' times when he proved himself to be less majestic and more so a klutz. Raylan only looked at him strange for an instance, but as soon as Ethan's eyes rose to hers he knew those certain matters he dreaded believing were going to be discussed.
"So?" Raylan prodded gently, "Did you ask him?"
Ethan groaned and rolled his shoulders intensely, "Yes... I asked him."
Raylan nodded gently, being an odd careful when digging for answers, "And? What happened?"
Gritting his jaw Ethan pushed off from the counter, pacing slowly to the other side of the kitchen. Raylan waited patiently for him to be ready, keeping a cool calm in her stature and voice, but her eyes gave her away as always, those rich dark eyes that burned with such unleashed curiosity it was almost disturbing.
Across the room, Ethan tried his best to be discreet, giving a small shrug and muttering lightly, "Not much. I tried to hint at something, to see how he'd react. All that happened was him getting defensive and claiming that it was none of my concern." Sadly, Ethan watched as Raylan's brows first narrowed and then rose with delighted suspicion.
"None of your concern huh?" Raylan smirked, Ethan's stomach giving a nauseating twist as he watched that keen grin spread across her face. She knew as well as he what those words always meant, knew exactly how important they were. Disgusted, Ethan looked away, choosing to stare at empty and discarded egg shells lying in a trash ben near his feet instead.
With a sickened gurgle, Ethan said weakly, "We both know what that means Ray, we both know the conclusion in that statement. We both know its dangers." Shakily his eyes rose to meet hers and he was only slightly taken back by the look of absolute defiance in her gaze, although it lasted for just a second before he watched her beat those emotions back into the pit of her mind.
With a solemn sigh Raylan nodded, "Yes, I know how dangerous it is... I just had to know Ethan... I had to know if all we are to him are puppets in his little slave game. It kills me not knowing where I stand."
"I know it does," Ethan sighed heavily, "It always has... so... what are we going to do about it?"
"You mean, what am I going to do about it," Raylan corrected stubbornly, "Ethan, I know you want to protect me, but you can't protect me in this battle brother. This is between Erik and I alone. I don't want you intervening. I must figure out how to handle this, what to do, how to react and feel on my own, have time with my own heart without the suggestions from your own. You know this has to be dealt with."
Ethan nodded in a sad understanding, "And without me. I understand this...I hate it, but understand."
"Good," Raylan said, allowing the silence to linger just for a moment before smiling and saying cheerfully, "Now, make yourself useful and help me carry these plates out there. Your breakfast is ready 'starving one'."
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Christmas. Vits hated the day. It brought back too many memories of her father, and the crew on the boat, haunting memories that left her feeling more alone in the world than any other time. Vits stared at the bottle of vodka, the clear liquid refracting her cheap wooden table top through the glass. The bottle glared at her, it was half empty. An empty glass sat before it. The bottle had been full this morning, a gift to herself. Her green eyes stared vacantly at the wall before her with the distant past, a result of drinking half her gift away before dark. Not like she cared, there was no quicker comfort than drowning yourself in a liquid that could burn away your sanity.
As she poured another glass, a sharp knock awoke the old sea-dog. She responded with an unfriendly growl… which turned into a sneer upon the door being vaulted rudely open and the hazy form of her mother entering uninvited. Vits's mother was dressed in crimson silk for the occasion, the damn holiday. Having just come from church, she was bright and bubbly with the latest gossip, her wicked grin suggesting it further.
Chalondra glossed over her daughter's slightly drunken state, choosing to ignore Vits's latest fondness for drinking-which had increased in the recent weeks. She didn't bother to find out the reasons, assuming it had to do with the poor, and the upcoming holidays. Vits preferred it that way, leaving her mother in the dark, and as far away from her personal life as possible. However, that was about to change-and not for the better.
Chalondra gently took the bottle of Vodka away from her daughter, and walked over to the sink-to empty it and to hopefully take the peasant's attention away from the fact that she was losing her addiction. Chalondra began talking about everything then, taking advantage of her drunken state, "You know darling, the New Year's Ball is coming, a Masquerade."
Vits grunted affirmatively, still ignoring her mother by staring at the wall, "I know. And I don't plan to attend. I never do." There was a deep touch of finality within her voice-something her mother resolved to get rid of.
"Well," Chalondra's tone had hardened, laying her foot down, "Your plans have changed. With your recent elevated status, as an Actor-and a prominent one at that, you must play to your press. You shall attend with Charlotta and I-as representatives of the Thespian part of our social group. In fact, you shall join us as the center core of the dancers, dressed in all white-it shall be glorious! I think a nice eggshell would be wonderful on you!" She added, mostly because she thought it was true-at least to see her daughter in a dress would be lovely, and she also wanted a reaction. Chalondra could not stand being ignored.
Vits turned and glared at her mother, "I'm not going." Her tone was harsh, she had no desire to be screwed. Particularly for the sole purpose to boost her mother's social status, and possibly console the woman for having abandoned her daughter for nearly twenty years-though Vits thought this was highly unlikely.
Chalondra stiffened her back, "You're going. The Patron expects you to be there."
Vits's anger flared up, "The Patron can go screw himself," Vits paused, "Better yet, he can go fuck himself, and you while he's at it."
That was the reaction Chalondra was looking for, she so enjoyed jerking the rug out from under her ungrateful daughter's feet. "In fact, the Patron insists that you go, and dance," She laid heavy emphasis on the key word-insists. That meant he wanted it, and by virtue of their agreement-which, she of course knew all about, she now had to obey.
Vits's glare deepened further. She swore under her breath. Chalondra heard enough to understand "bitch".
Chalondra pressed her poor, helpless puppet further with a sweet voice, "So, will you attend?"
Vits stared at her mother with deep loathing, fingering her knives secretly behind her back.
Chalondra continued, "It shall be so lovely to see Christine Daae there, we shall be singing together and I have heard so much about her wonderful talents since her rise to stardom in Italy. It's a wonder the Patron could even convince her to perform with every opera house in Europe wanting her, keeping a steady marriage with that Vicomte of hers, and that terrible disaster that happened two years ago- poor thing- but she agreed, though I still can not figure for the life of me why. It's a shame that she isn't an excellent dancer; otherwise I'd love to do a number with her. However, instead, you'll be accompanying her on the floor-"
To her utmost surprise, Chalondra found herself pressed against the counter by her daughter, with her strong, rough hand smothering her mouth. A deep throaty growl portrayed the hatred raging through her veins. Vits hated being put on show more than anything else. Worse, she would be doing it with her. Christine Daae. His protégé returning. Fear bubbled up as Vits rushed to cover her mother's mouth to prevent him from hearing. The last thing the opera house needed was to have him, the phantom, see her again. After she had broken his heart.
In that moment Vits couldn't hate her mother more, and at the same time she truly feared for her life, knowing the Opera Populaire could not survive another attack by the phantom. Vits's voice was a harsh whisper, and the look in her eyes, dropped all pretenses of playing-it was one of command, a look that expected to be obeyed on the spot-with no questions asked, "Don't you dare mention this to anyone else. ANYONE. Unless you want to end up dead. He will come after you. And fortunately, no one will hear you scream. Of course, the Phantom, might torture you first, I can't be certain, it depends on his mood."
Fear ran shivers through Chalondra's body more so from her daughter's tone, and seriousness than her words. However, the overwhelming fumes from her intoxication stole her credibility.
Vits let her mother up, so she didn't crush her entirely-as much as she wanted to. Once free, Chalondra quickly rushed to the door, indignant of her handling. She looked disgusted at her daughter, fear and utter hatred seething through her bitter eyes. Vits did not give her the chance to retaliate though, warning her bitch of a mother with all the seriousness in the world as she demanded, "Don't tell anyone!"
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That's it for now yall! Review and I'll update! Hugs and thanks and all that jazz!
-Olivia N.