(Reviews more than welcome!)

Erik's Requiem

The Informal Ball

"I have few pleasures in my life. Yes, of course I have some…but not many. The things I enjoy are simple and not overly complicated or demanding.

The things I truly enjoy are token gestures and are effortless. A mere glance from Miss Hammond, a quick spit and polish from our trigger-happy cad or even someone playing a bit of Beethoven on the jukebox. I would not consider such things to be asking a lot; such events keep me happy from day to day, and allow me to afford a smile now and again. They keep me happy and generally of a cheerful disposition.

Yes yes…of course there are things that brighten my day that I suppose I would class as a bit out of the ordinary. I mean, I will never EVER tire of seeing that dandy injure himself in some ridiculous way; that is guaranteed to make me beam from ear to ear. I'm certain of a laugh when he tries to cook, and I know my sides are going to ache when he attempts some new fandangled fight move on me. These things are very funny and certainly do bring me pleasure.

But there are some things in life, which when they occur, brighten up my entire week, my entire month, nay my whole existence. Things that I suppose I can only dream of, or pray that god may answer my prayers and grace me with such an event. They are an extreme rarity and usually unexpected, making them even more delectable.

But as we all know, when one thing happens in your life that is good, you are almost guaranteed for that good thing to be balanced out with something not so pleasant. Like finding a pound down the back of the sofa, then stubbing your toe upon the side of said couch. Like buying a new expensive, fancy looking shirt, only for you to rip it when you first wear it. The good/bad balance has to be restored at some point; either sooner or later, it has to be restored.

However, as it happens, an event of epic proportions happened to me just the other day!

It brought me so much happiness and joy. I was filled from the tip of my boot to the top of my helmet with bliss and delight. I could barely contain myself; I thought my head might pop off! I felt as if all my birthdays, Christmases' and tooth fairy visits had come at once…I was so very elated. No it wasn't anything complicated like a new pair of gloves, or new vambraces; not even a new breast plate. It was something so simple, yet so exquisite.

Evey asked me to dance.

Me…me…dear old Erik? Dusty, rusty, cumbersome Erik!

Something so simple, yet with all the power to make me so very happy.

Naturally I was quite concerned at first as sadly I do not dance, I've never danced in my life, only observed the occasional ball. I have as about as much co-ordination as a brick going through a window. I don't know a rumba from a foxtrot, a cha cha cha from a quickstep…I'm truly hopeless. Would I be a good partner? Would I step on her little toes? Could I learn to dance? But never the less I was not deterred by such thoughts; I was willing to give it a go. I wasn't about to let an opportunity like this pass me by!

(Now just to clarify, I know you're wondering now the devil would she be able to dance with me? I'm so heavy and difficult to move. Well you see, when I came to the gallery, the dandy attached little rollers to both of my feet so he can wheel me around easily. It's great for him, especially when he wants to attack me swiftly…however, not so good for me! Anyway, on with the tale.)

Yes, Evey approached me rather casually and nervously might I add. I think she has been inspired by the jukebox playing. (I was rather hoping she wasn't going to make me dance to that infernal Fifty Cent she had been listening too; ridiculous body popping and the like…I think I'd hurt myself if I tried that!) Luckily for me she opted for something far more suitable, a nice gentle classical piece for us to sway away to.

She was very good, had an excellent command of the music and me! She took me by the hand and led me into the gallery. She placed my hand upon her tiny waist and kept a firm grip on the other. Holding me lightly by the arm, she began to move in time with the music. It was heaven. It felt like I was gliding upon a gossamer cloud with an angel, I never wanted it to end. Her touch was so light, her smile filled the room and her steps were as effortless as breathing. This was truly one of those moment that made my entire year, no in fact I would venture as far to say my entire life! It was fabulous. We were floating in the air, dancing in the sky, we were elated. If I had a heart I know it would have missed a few beats!

I was doing very well. I hadn't tripped or fallen, and neither had I stepped upon her toes! I was immensely proud of myself! But with such an amazing teacher I was bound to succeed! We pirouetted, we twirled, we swayed and I even did a successful dip without dropping her! She lit up my life in that moment, and I was enjoying myself so much. It isn't that often I truly relish something, but dancing with Evey was fantastic. The moment was perfect and I knew I would treasure it forever.

But dear readers, do you recall me saying that the good/bad balance is always restored at some point? Well unfortunately for your dear old Erik, the balance came far too soon.

Lured by the sound of the music and the melodic giggles of little Evey, that blasted cad came venturing from his hovel of a room to investigate. He stepped onto the dance floor, chest puffed out like a strutting peacock, shoulders back and stood to attention. I could see what he wanted; I could sense what he was angling for the cheeky swine! (If I could speak I'd have told him where to go…) Tilting that stupid head to one side, he did something that I thought he would never do. Something I thought he would not have to cheek and audacity to try. I thought him to be a gentleman…I was sorely mistook.

He approached Evey with an outstretched hand…and asked her to dance! To dance with him instead of me! The very nerve! The impudent creature! I was outraged that the charlatan who can dance with her any time, was completely ruining my moment with this little seraph! He was cutting in without so much as a please or a thank you! And then…to add insult to injury, he had the boldness to bad mouth me whilst I was still in front of him. Telling Evey to come and dance with a real man! The audacity of that man…he truly has no shame! Why if I could move of my own accord, my boot would have made him dance I tell you!

So sadly my readers, that is where my fantasy moment ended. He snatched my darling Evey from me and held her in his own evil clutches. From dancing with an angel, I was relegated back to my usual place by the lowly wall. I was forced to watch my usurper dance with the woman I adored, my none existent heart was breaking. I watched with sad eyes as he spun her around and she giggled. Forced to stare as he snaked his hand around her hips when he dipped her too low. Yes, it was a low point of my day and I could have shed a few tears. The only good thing that had happened to me in as long as I can remember, cruelly ripped from me by a cad in a mask.

But again, there is justice. As I told you, the good/bad balance always has to be restored, my bad event was about to be rebalanced!

The fop had been rather careless when shoving me to one side, and hadn't taken much care to see that I was properly out of the way.

How unfortunate then, that he was spinning towards me…

And my foot was outstretched in his way…

Isn't it a crying shame I can't move of my own accord?"