A/N-Back from my trip with a happier countenance.The weather could not keep my spirits down.Well this skit shall be Antoinette and co.So on with the show!

Disclaimer-I only have 13 bucks in my wallet.I don't think that sounds like the kind of person who could own Phantom.
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Erik,Antoinette,Nadir,and Firmin are hanging out in Erik's dwelling.

"You know Erik," began the ballerina "it might be a good idea if you went outside and enjoyed some of the things that life has to offer.Maybe go on a picnic,do some sightseeing,or go hunting."listed Antoinette.

The Persian looked very alarmed at the mention of the word 'hunting'. "I do not think that last suggestion would be wise." advised the always cautious teen.

Erik gives his friend a bemused look. "Why do think hunting would be unwise? Are you afraid that another 'incident' will occur?" asked the mysterious boy jokingly.

Firmin and Antoinette perk up at the mention of this 'incident'. "What is this 'incident' that you speak of?" asked Firmin.

"A disastrous accident which does not concern you." answers the Persian in an agitated tone.

"Fine.Be that way." retorts Firmin.

Antoinette walks up to Erik. "Well I think that things would go smoothly despite things that have happened in the past.And the sunshine might take away your damn paleness!" shouts the ballerina.She than gasps at the last thing that she said and blushes."Oops.Didn't really mean that last one."

Erik sighs. "I would love to ,but where exactly would I stay?"

"You could always ask Philllipe." suggested Firmin. "I mean after all he is a Vicomte.I would be suprised if he didn't have a cabin somewhere."

"Me, ask de Chagny? That's preposterous!" raged the disfigured boy.

"Just ask him for Pete's sake!" exclaims Antoinette. "We wouldn't think any less of you.Why don't you ask him right now? He's probably in the opera house chatting with Sorelli." And with that she starts to lead Erik out of his own home.

"Allright than." mutters the boy darkly.

After the ballerina has made sure that Erik has left she goes back to the two remaining teenagers.

Nadir is obviously shaken by the plans. "Umm Antoinette?"

"Don't even start with me Nadir." snapped the dancer. "I think it is about time that Erik went outside for something besides supplies and threatening people."

"Isn't this hunting idea sort of like a combination of the two?" pointed out Firmin. He was than silenced by a glare from Antoinette.

Nadir broke the uncomfortable silence. "Fine.I will allow him to go on this trip.But I am going along to make sure that he doesn't try something weird."

"I'll come as well!" offered Firmin. "But if I don't come back,I think you will know who to lock up."

"I think he is more likely to go after Andre." replied the Persian.

The dancer and the conspirarist nod in agreement.That was when Erik reentered his home with a triumphant look upon his face. "We are going hunting!"

"That's splendid!" exclaimed the ballerina.

Erik's mood than darkens a bit. "But that fool Andre is coming along as well."

Antoinette puts on a concerned face. "Well maybe you'll feel better after you've killled something."

Erik's bright mood comes back once again. "I always do!"

Three days later the boys are on there way to the cabin in an open carriage provided by Phillipe.Erik is driving with Nadir by his side.Firmin and Phillipe are sitting in the carriage watching the scenery.Andre is standing up with a shotgun in his hands.

"Guys don't be afraid! If I see a deer on the road,I'm going to shoot it!" exclaimed the young man happily.

"If you so much as lay a finger on the trigger than I swear that I shall pull over this carriage and beat you unmercilessly until it is time to go back." warns Erik without even turning his head.

Firmin leans over to Andre. "Do it Andre!"

The Persian turns to face them. "Monsieur le Vicomte,would you please take that weapon away from Andre?"

Andre ,on hearing this, sat down and held his shotgun in a protective manner. "NO! I want to hold it."

Phillipe rolls his eyes. "Just give me the gun,Andre." When Andre doesn't give him the weapon,Phillipe simply just rips it from his hands.

The weaponless boy looks sadly at his empty hands.

The group sits in silence for a moment when Firmin clears his throat. "So Erik,tell us about this 'incident'. Sounds really interesting."

As Erik opens his mouth and is about to say something ,Nadir kicks his leg. "Oww!" He reaches down to rub his leg. "Fine! I won't tell them than."

Andre bounces up and down in excitement. "Do you think that there is a chance that we might see bears? Because I would be really happy if I got tokill a bear."

Erik almost crashes because he almost completely turns around to look at Andre.After he has regained control he says what is on his mind. "You can't kill a bear! It is currently deer season. If you kill a bear than they will fine you and throw you in prison."

Andre shakes his head at these facts. "Nuh-uh.I will simply tell the court that I was acting in self defense. Who is the jury going to believe?Me or a dead bear?" questions the delusional boy.

"The dead bear." answers everyone simultaneously.

"One time I killed a bear." said Phillipe out of nowhere.

"As if." replied Firmin.

"Seriously! I did.I was out in the woods one day and was getting some water from a creek.Than when I looked up I saw this bear eyeing me.So I took my shotgun and 'BANG!' Right between the eyes. Survival is a natural instinct for me." explained the wide eyed Viscount.

"So what did you do after you shot it?" asked Erik. "Did you bring it home and stuff it?"

"No.I just left it there.I simply returned home after that little adventure."

"Why didn't you bring it back so that you could show it off?" asked the amazed driver.

"Because it was so big,and noone was there to help me bring it back." replied Phillipe unconvingly.

"Oh." Erik than puts on a disbelieving look.

Cut to a two hours later.They have arrived at Phillipe's cabin ,and Andre comes out of it when he sees a deer standing right in front of him.

"Good Lord." whispers the young man softly. He than creeps up to the carriage to retrieve his shotgun.Before he can get it out,the deer runs off. "NO! COME BACK! DAMN IT!DAMN,DAMN,DAMN!" He than starts stomping about.

The boys minus Erik run out of the cabin at his cursings. "What in heaven's name is wrong with you?" asks the young aristocrat.

Andre faces the group with a bewildered look in his eyes. "What's wrong with me is that I missed the perfect opportunity to kill a deer because someone disarmed me!"

Phillipe continues to stare in shock at his companion. "Andre! You are not supposed to fire yourshotgun in the camp!" informed the still dazed Vicomte.

"But it just walked right up to me! I was going to hunt it!"

The Persian walks over to Andre and pats him on the back. "You know,not every hunting accident is an accident.Something to keep in mind." He than takes the shotgun out ofthe disappointed boy's hands. "I don't think you should be participating any further."

"Spoilsport." mutters Andre.

"What was that?" asked the Persian sharply.

"Uhhh nothing." Andre than runs back into the cabin.

The Persian rolls his eyes at this cowardly action and than looks around at the group. "Where is Erik? I was wondering if he would come with me into the woods to look for some deer."

Firmin also glances around. "I think Andre might of shot him."

"I saw him." declared the young noble. "He went off into the woods shortly after we arrived. He muttered something about going to kill things,but all he had was a lasso!" Phillipeis clearly suprised at what Erik had armed himself with.He than starts laughing.

"Crazy foreigner."saysFirmin in a critical voice. He than starts laughing along with the Viscount.

Nadir rolls his eyes at them for being critical of Erik.Suddenly,a rustle is heard from the bushes ,and Erik emerges holding up 4 birds.This astounds Firmin and Phillipe and causes them to immediately cease their laughter.He gazes proudly at his trophies. "Dinner is served."

Now the group is sitting around the dinner table after having eaten their dinner.Everyone is rubbing their stomachs contentedly.

Erik looks around with pure joyon his face. "Those were some delicious birds that I caught." reminded the genius to his friends.He than holds up a claw of the bird's foot with a little chain attached to it. "Memento anyone?"

Firmin looks at the little claw. "That's allright.I'm good with just eating them.That's really impressive that you caught them with just your lasso."

Andre nods in agreement to the compliment. "It's really cool how you did it.And if you hadn't of caught anything,you could still just have fun with the rope." He than beams in joy at the prospect of this.

Phillipe reaches out for the claw. "I think I'll take it and give it to Sorelli. She likes it when I give her gifts."

Nadir nods at the idea. "Yes,you should give it to Mademoiselle Sorelli. She is very nice."

Firmin starts chuckling. "Yep.We all like Sorelli."

Andre starts drooling at the thought of Sorelli. "She's got an awesome body! It must be great to be with a dancer!Especially in the bedroom." He than starts to wink at the Viscount playfully.

Phillipe looks at Andre in an out raged manner. "What?"

Andre looks around guiltily. "What?" responds the teen in equal confusion.

"No.I distinctly heard you say something about Sorelli." fumes Phillipe.

"I would never say something about her!" replied Andre. He than tries to change the subject. "So thanks again for the great pheasants Erik."

Erik practically glows at the compliment. "Yes.Beautiful black pheasants."

This comment makes everyone freeze. "Pheasants are not black. Where did you get black pheasants from?" asked the Persian suspiciously.

Andre starts laughing again. "Black is beautiful. I sure do wish that Sorelli was black.Than she would be perfect." mused the idiotic boy.

Phillipe snaps again. "There you go again!"

Andre looks at him in embarrassment. "I didn't say anything!" He than runs off.

The Persian is still a bit concerned about the bird issue. "What did you just feed us Erik?"

"They were pheasants!" replied the tempermental boy. "Pheasants that went 'Caw! Caw!' "

The group is once again frozen in shock. "You fed us crows,Erik!" exclaimed the Persian. "You just brought bad luck upon us all! We just ate someone's soul!"

Firmin touches his mouth in horror.A whimper escapes his lips. "Ah! I just devoured someone's soul and enjoyed it!"

Phillipe looks as if he will be sick.

Erik is suprisingly not affected by this announcement. "So what if I fed you a crow? You still enjoyed it." He than mutters to himself, "It's not as if my life was going to get any better."

Suddenly Andre bursts into the room with a huge grin upon his face. "Great news guys! I found my gun again!" He than brings out his gun and starts pointing it around.At the sight of him swinging it around carelessly,everyone bolts from their seats and leaves as fast as their legs can carry them. Andre looks after them with confusion on his face. "Why are guys all leaving? It's probably not even loaded." He than looks straight into the barrel...

Cut to the Persian and Erik sitting on a hill together.

"Thanks for feeding me someone's soul." said the Persian darkly.

"Will you just shut it Nadir?All you have been doing since we got here is criticize and hush me!" yelled the masked boy. "I thought we could have a better time than the last time we went on an outing similar to this."

"Well last time was ruined because of what happened at the end!" retorted the Persian who is a bit red faced.

"If you keep yelling than we'll neverbe able to getthe deer that can wash away the taste of crow." replied Erik calmly.

"What are you talking about?" asks Nadir. Erik points a little up ahead and the Persian does a double take.He sees a gigantic buck just acouple of yards in front of them."Goodness! That thing is huge!"

"Yes he is." says Erik. He raises his lasso,but than thinks twice about it and lowers his weapon. "You should take the shot,Nadir." offers Erik.

"What?" says the Persian in stupefication.

"You heard me the first time Nadir. Take the shot!" commanded Erik this time.

"But this is something that gives you so much joy.Why are you giving me this opportunity?"

"DO NOT CROSS ME! JUST TAKE THE STUPID SHOT!" hisses Erik.He than puts both of the Persian's hands on the gun and forces him into the shooting position. "And don't shoot his face!" commands the boy once again.

Nadir takes aim and fires.

Erik looks at the deer in disappointment. "I never knew that they could run that fast." He turns to the Persian. "You really do suck."

The Persian shrugs dejectedly. "I told you that you should have gone for it." mumbles the teen.

"There is something wrong with you! You always seem to choke and get nervous when important things happen!" rants Erik.

"Well maybe it is because you constantly yell at me!" spat the disgruntled Persian.

"I DO NOTYELL ATYOU!" yelled Erik. "GOOD LORD! HE WAS RIGHT THERE! I could have reached out my own hands and strangled him!"

"Than why didn't you just do that." mutters Nadir. "I'm going to head back now.Want to come with me?"

"No! I am not heading back until I get my deer! If you want to head back than you can go back by yourself." replies the disfigured boy darkly.

Nadir thinks this over and reluctantly stays where he is. "What about a story about Persia for old times sake?" asks the young man in an attempt to make Erik feel better.

"Sure Nadir." replies the trained killer. "Did you ever witness the occassion that I... did not miss the condemned man's throat?"

Ten minutes later...

"I know that at least I would have never missed him.Not when he is within grasping distance."

The Persian sighs and picks up his rifle. "Erik,do you see that empty glass bottle over there?" He than points to said bottle that is about 15 yards away from them.

The masked boy starts laughing. "Yes." He than watches as Nadir takes aim and shoots at the bottle.The bottle shatters as the shot was dead on.Now Erik is speechless.

"You're probably wondering how I did that." said the Persian reading his thoughts. "Well for your information,I am a pretty good marksman.I just didn't want to kill that magnificent animal! So I missed on purpose." admitted the Persian.

"Well that's better than you just being horrible at shooting." said Erik.

"You're not even more enraged at me?" questions the Persian as he sets his shotgun the ground.

"Not really.So do you really think that I yell too much?" asks the masked boy.

"I think that you were probably all right when you were a babe,but I unfortunately wasn't there to witness that." commented Nadir.

"Yeah.It was probably around the time that I spent with those damn gypsies that I lost what might have been a calm demeanor." He than ponders over some things for awhile. Than he turns to the Persian. "If you have something that you wish to say to me than go ahead and say it."

There is an awkward pause. "Are you sure Erik?" asks the Persian suspiciously.

"I am very serious right now Nadir.Just pretend for these few moments that I'm not some crazed masked friend of yours." soothes Erik.

There is another awkward pause as the Persian looks at the lasso that Erik is fingering. "What about if we do this when you don't have your Punjab lasso on you?" suggested the nervous friend.

Erik glares at him. "What about do what the man with the Punjab lasso is asking you to do or else?" replies the former assassin.

The Persian gulps before answering. "Here goes.I think that you are very mad because the world has just been horrible to you.It has shown you nothing but cruelness.I also think that you think that by yelling at me,it'll better shape me up for that ugly world." He than puts his hand to the level of his eyes to protect himself.To his suprise,nothing happens.

"That answer came out awfully fast." says Erik suspiciously. He than smiles and pats his friend on the back. "I think you'll turn out great Nadir."

The Persian exhales in relief.Than his eyes widen in suprise and he starts pointing out in the distance. "Look Erik! It's the same deer.He came back! That deer sure is a magnificent creature.It is as if he knows that he is like the king of the forest." Suddenly a shot rings throughout the forest,and he watches in shock as the deer falls down.

Erik is crouching on the ground with the Persian'sshotgun in his hand. "I bet he'll taste magnificent as well." He than looks up at Nadir. "And by the way Nadir,I'm the king of the forest."

Cut to all the guys gathered around the carriage.Erik is securing the deer to the back of the carriage ,and everyone is looking at in awe.

"Congratulations Erik,for getting that buck that you wanted." praised Phillipe.

Andre folds his arms and huffs. "We could have been tying a second deer to the carriage ,but someone took my gun away because they were afraid of some competition!"

Firmin stares at his friend in a critical manner. "Andre,if we had let you keep your gun than we would have been tying Phillipe to the carriage." Andre looks very offended by this statement. Firmin ignores his anger and turns to Erik and Nadir. "So what about that 'incident' that I've been hearing about?"

Erik looks at Nadir for approval.Nadir reluctantly nods his head ,and Erik looks relieved at finally being able to tell his tale. "Well a while back,Nadir and I were hunting with Anton.He was a close friend of ours.He was nice,but he was also an imbecile,like Andre here." He nods in Andre's direction. "So we were out hunting ,andAnton had shot this deer.This made him very happy.So he had a few drinks and before we knew it,he had become tipsy as hell.Well in all this fun that Anton was having,he decides to kiss the deer.Turns out that the deer still wasn't completely dead.So when he leans down to kiss it,the deer wakes up and kicks him in the neck! And that's how Anton died." ended Erik in a casual voice.

Everyone except the Persian and Erik turns to look at the deer.Firmin is the closest to it and is staring at it in fear. "Th..th..the deer is staring into my s..s..soul." quavered the frightened Firmin.He than puts his arms over the deer's eyes. "IT IS TRYING TO STEAL MY SOUL!"

Later at Erik's place,he has invited Antoinette and Nadir to eat the buck with him.

Antoinette is chewing away in delight. "This meat is just so succulent!" Her face than becomes a bit pale as she spits out the bullet.

Erik looks at her sheepishly. "Sorry about the buckshot,Antoinette." apologized the teen. "But it was jerking around so Nadir had to shoot it."

"Well I had to.It was...screaming." said the Persian in a horrified voice.

Antoinette immediately pales and spits the meat out.
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A/N-I must apologize if I have confused you by putting the Persian in here.It really just sort of condensesErik's years in Persia.So he is not totally robbed of them,but the time spent there isjust not as long as it was in the book.