I think this is my longest chapter yet...oh well. I'm sorry for the delay! The weekend was hectic and it doesn't help that exams are coming up this week! - '
Erik: Stop sputtering excuses and give them what they want.
What do they want...?
Erik: (sighs) A chapter, mademoiselle...
Oh yeah...here you guys go! read! read! read, you fools!
Rachel stood defiantly in front of the large mansion, her mouth set into a grim line. This was the house of the Vicomte, as she had extracted from Erik. Her heart fluttered painfully as she thought of how dead, how hollow he was. She could only wish that Lark was really here, and alright. Before when she was just walking up to the forbidding house, she could have sworn she had heard….but that was impossible. The Vicomte wasn't known for hidden cruelty! Once she explained the situation, he would understand, and give Lark back to them. Yes, Rachel nodded to herself as she heard the door's chain being pulled back; they would give the child back once they understood the whole story. As the door creaked open, Rachel was surprised to see another young, well-dressed woman with the figure of a child angel. "Good afternoon, Madame De Chagny…?" she ventured, smiling tentatively. The woman didn't return the warm greeting and observed her with cold eyes. "I am she." She replied softly, opening the door no further. "Ah," Rachel's smile slid off her face at the coldness of the woman's voice. "Well, then…Is your husband here…?" The Vicomtess shook her head slowly. "He is busy at the moment, but can I help you?" She didn't sound at all approving to help or willing, but Rachel had to try.
"Yes, do you happen to be in the care of a child named Lark?" The woman's face paled considerably as she stared at Rachel with horror. "Do you know Erik?" she murmured, a hand resting on her heart. Rachel stared confusedly at the woman. "Yes, Madame, I do know a man of the name Erik." The Vicomtess nodded swiftly and opened the door more, gesturing her in. "I think you had better come in, mademoiselle…?" Rachel took a step forward, hesitating for merely a moment as she stared up at the large doors. "Rachel." She murmured. "Just Rachel, if you please." Stepping into the hall the woman was awed by the sheer size and elegancy of the room. "You have a lovely home, Madame." She commented, but her eyes were only scanning in vain for some sign of Lark. The Vicomtess smiled faintly, not noticing Rachel's search. "Thank you, mademoiselle," she said humbly, "I fear it is not much to compare with others but my husband and I try to do our best." She walked over to a door, beckoning Rachel to come and enter. "We may talk in here where we will not be disturbed." The two women entered the parlor, for that was what was in the room, and the Vicomtess rung a tiny bell that sat on the mahogany coffee table. "Please have a seat," she said, gesturing to the divan, "Is tea alright, mademoiselle?" Rachel didn't want to talk. What was this? Some sort of social visit? Her teeth ground in her mouth with frustration but she contained herself and sat down on the divan.
The Vicomtess still stood but peered down at Rachel expressionless. "So…" she said softly, "How much do you know about Erik…?"
O-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Lark refused the maid's help in getting her dressed or cleaned. "I can do it myself!" she snapped, irritable and scared as her vision seemed darken by the passing minute. Stumbling around the room, the child managed to get to her wardrobe after the maid had gratefully fled the wrath that seemed to vent out of such a small girl. With frustration, Lark tore past each outfit, feeling it with her fingers and squinting heavily to determine what it was. Perhaps she would make little tabs on the corners of the dresses to tell herself which one was which. No! She wasn't blind yet! Lark ground her teeth together and took a dark green dress off the hanger. She would keep fighting! She would see him again….The girl was so involved with the dresses that she didn't notice the door was still open and failed further still to hear the footsteps of the Vicomte making his way to her door. Raoul stood out her door and peered sadly at the small child as she seized a dress with a savage tug and stomp her way towards the connected bathroom. Unfortunately, she didn't know the room well and with her eyesight, promptly tripped over the dress and fell to the floor.
"WAHH!"
O-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Erik lay on the divan. He hadn't moved since yesterday, nor had he moved when he saw Rachel leave in a hurry and head off in the carriage. She had come in his room that morning to ask where the Vicomte lived. How could Erik forget that night where he had peered at the young man with hatred and jealousy? In a monotone voice he had softly spoke the address and, without further delay, Rachel had exited his room with a determined air. Erik picked up the black mask that had slipped through his fingers the other day, feeling the soft silky-smooth material with a thin finger. He knew that Christine wouldn't give Lark back. He might as well die now…tears pricked his eyes, surprising him. "How can I still have tears when I feel I can shed no more…?" he asked the mask sadly. Richard hadn't gone with his sibling, surprisingly. He, like Erik, seemed to have gone into a brooding stage, locking himself up in his workshop though Erik doubted him staying in there long. The same door had been swung open with terrible force and Erik heard his companion stomp down the stairs. "I don't know what to do." He voiced out loud, hating the loneliness. He touched the mask, as if he could somehow talk through it to Lark. "I don't know what to do anymore…"
O-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
"Vicomtess, Madame," Rachel answered slowly, "All I want is to return the child –yes I know you have her– to Erik who is her rightful guardian." She looked up imploringly at the woman who stood above her, mouth compressed into a thin line. "Surely you understand you cannot take her from him!" The Vicomtess's lips were stretched into a bitter smile but she was interrupted by a maid, Marsha in fact, who smiled timidly and set down a tray with a teapot and glasses. Bowing, the maid avoided her Mistress's displeased eyes and backed out of the room without a word. The Vicomtess took up a cup and poured steaming hot tea, offering it to Rachel who shook her head politely. Placing a lump of sugar into the cup, the hostess stirred it with a little silver spoon, staring out the window. Slowly she walked over to pull back the silk curtain and turned to Rachel. "I do not believe we are on the same footing of knowing Monsieur Erik, mademoiselle." She said, unsmiling. "Nor do I believe you know enough about him, either." Rachel started, about to reply sharply but remembered where she was and who she was, and managed to hold her tongue. "How so?" she worked out through clenched teeth. The Vicomtess glanced out the window again, a secret smile stealing across her face. "Has he not told you?" Rachel remained unmoving though her hand tightened into a fist hidden in her lap.
"Told me what, Madame?" she replied with an innocent gesture of unconcern. The Vicomtess's eyes never wavered from the window as she murmured softly. "What he has done." Rachel stared at her hostess with unveiled surprise. "Beg pardon?" The woman took a sip of her tea. "What Monsieur Erik has done." She repeated steadily. "Has he never told you…?" Rachel refused to meet her eyes as her head whirled with confusion. The Vicomtess looked on with an emotion Rachel couldn't name. "Then, mademoiselle," she murmured, "You would not understand my meaning of taking the child into a healthier, better environment." Rachel started, standing up off the divan, fists clenched at her sides. "What do you mean?" she demanded, forgetting, "'Better environment'? They were-.." The Vicomtess cut in coolly, cutting into her guest's heart with a vigorous slash. "-unsafe to be together." She finished. "Mademoiselle, you who does not know the story cannot even comprehend on why I would want to protect Lark." Rachel opened her mouth to reply sharply when a cry interrupted both of them.
"WAHH!"
Both women started and Rachel looked around confusedly while the Vicomtess looked up to the ceiling, a frown crossing her beautiful features. She turned to her guest with a polite, yet cold smile. "I think it would be best if you would leave, now. I must attend to mademoiselle Lark." Rachel gasped at her as she motioned to a hidden servant to lead her to the door. "This way, mademoiselle," the maid said timidly, it was not Marsha. Rachel would not follow but glared at her hostess. "I shall get Lark back," she growled, unladylike through her teeth, "I shall get her back and return her if it's the last thing I do!" The Vicomtess remained expressionless. "Perhaps, mademoiselle," she said softly, opening the front door for her unwelcome guest, "you should go and ask about Monsiuer Erik's past before putting the child into more danger." Rachel flushed a deep crimson and, with her head held up high, stomped out the door to her carriage.
"Ready, Mademoiselle?" her driver, Lewis growled. Rachel nodded once and helped herself into the carriage before he could help her himself. "Let us go home, Lewis." She said, looking back to glare at the mansion. Leaning back in her seat, though, she could only wonder why…."What is it you are hiding from us, Erik?" she whispered.
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Oh sorry...PLEASE review!!