Note: This must be the shortest amount of time between posts in a long time, just under 2 weeks! Hopefully I can keep up like this. Exams are done, and I ended up doing very good on all of them. I ended up with 2 B's and the rest A's for my final grades. Now that stress is gone and a new semester is going to start, with new stress... joy... but I was able to write more and get this chapter up sooner than expected. (mainly because i've been sick the past two days and had extra time to burn)
A special thanks to all of my reviewers, and also thanks for those who wished me a happy birthday. And for future note on reivews, I don't speak french, so I would prefer that reviews be in English. Also I was a bit dissapointed in the amout of reviews, since I know how many times the last chapter was viewed.All I ask of my readers is for a small review, and it doenst have to say that much. Just something so I know that people like what I'm doing. But those of you who most always review, thank you, and this isnt refering to you.
Okay, I'll stop babbling about the lack of reviews, and let you get on with the story. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: If you don't know by now, check the past 21 chapters.
Aslynn awoke the next morning in her bed, with a large fire crackling in the fireplace. That's funny, she thought looking up to the canopy of her four post mahogany bed. I don't remember falling asleep, let alone returning to my room. Last time I can remember, I was playing cards with Erik. Rolling over to face the fire she found a blood red rose resting on the nightstand, with a black silk ribbon entwined around its deep green, thorn-less stem.
Smiling to herself she gently picked up the bud and brought it to her nose to inhale its intoxicating fragrance. And abrupt knock on her door caused her to break out of the dream the rose entranced her in.
"Come in," she called out, still holding the flower.
The door creaked open and Erik quietly entered, dressed in his opera suit. He walked over to one of the lamps and raised the wick, sending a fresh light into the room. He had on a rich burgundy vest over top of a white ruffled shirt. On top of the vest was an elegant black silk over jacket. All Aslynn could think was how handsome he looked all dressed up, his white mask glittering in the light.
"I was wondering if you were ever going to wake up. You went out like a rock." he said, his rich voice warming the air.
"So I feel asleep playing cards? I was wondering how I got here." she replied, sitting up in the bed.
"Yes, I was a bit shocked with it too. We had been playing that screw rodent game, or whatever you called it, until the early hours of the early hours of the morning when you said that you were tired. So you laid back on the floor, and a few minuets later you were out. I do not think that I have seen anyone fall asleep that quickly with out a sedative or potion. I brought you in here, and you haven't budged since."
"Hmm, what time is it now?" she said, resting the rose down on the pillow beside her.
"About midday," he simply replied, picking up the most recent puzzle book Aslynn had been working on.
He didn't reply at first, instead he finished flipping through the bound paper pamphlet. "I thought we would go out today."
"I thought you didn't show your self in public." she sarcastically said, a playful grin growing on her face.
Putting the book down he coldly said, "I don't like that tone." He kept his face down, so she couldn't try to read his eyes.
"So what, and I don't like your tone either." she replied, even more sarcastic than before.
Erik turned around and glared at Aslynn, a cold fire shining in his eyes. "Hurry up and get dressed. The afternoon sun is the best time." he said, his voice just as cold as is glare.
"The best time for what?" she asked, standing up and stretching.
Erik watched as the woman ached back, bending her back and extending her arms behind her so they almost touched the ground. When she was almost fully bent she let out a moan and straightened up. Scowling his eyes brows he said, "Just hurry up. I'll grab something for you to eat." With that he left.
He can sure as hell be temperamental, Aslynn thought to herself as she ran water in the sink. Once it was warm she washed her face and ran a wet clothe over her body. What should I ware? She thought looking over her slim selection of dresses. Erik said we were going out, but he didn't say were. He was pretty dressed up, so maybe I should follow in suit. After arguing with herself she ended up putting on the baby blue dress that monsieur Garnier gave her. She pulled her hair back with a black ribbon and went out to find Erik.
He was waiting for her on the dock, with a bit of bread and cheese. A heinous grin slid across the masked mans face as he said, "You look stunning mademoiselle."
Allowing Erik to help her into the boat she asked, "Why do you look like you've done something, or are planning to do something?"
"Ah, my dear, I would have to kill you if I told you." He replied, handing her the food and then pushing off from the dock.
I don't think I've seen him in this good of a mood, or at least when he is constantly being either sarcastic or just joking around in his own way. I don't know what he's got up his sleeve, but I don't think I like it.
The rest of the journey was quite, until they reached the top of the huge staircase. Then Erik finally answered Aslynn's question to what they where they were going.
"Welcome to the Opera Populare," he said, opening the door to a back hall, the way that they always went to go outside.
"Are you taking me up to the roof again or something, because I've been this way several times." the young woman caustically replied.
"No, we are going to tour the Opera house today." He followed Aslynn thought the door, and hung the lantern he was always carried on a hook. "Hopefully I can get some of the lamps to work, so you can see the better side of my home."
Aslynn was not expecting this to happen today. I like how he calls the whole building his home, he must really have a love for this place, she chuckled to herself.
"Come," the masked man beckoned, "We will start in the foyer." He picked up the lantern again and led the way, lighting a few lamps as they went.
Before she knew it, Aslynn was standing in the middle of a great hall, with dust swirling in the sunlight. The warm afternoon rays filtered in through the windows that were located on the upper half of the room, which was easily 3 stories tall.
"Yeah, I see what you mean, the sun helps light the room up." the young woman said, staring up at the huge room.
The walls were covered in dust, but underneath the shades of gray, vivant colors of red and gold could be made out. Dusty gold statues adorned the walls, their faces almost showed sadness from the years in hiding. Statues weren't the only thing that covered the once majestic walls of the foyer, great marble columns rose out of the floor and raced upwards into the ceiling. Dark artwork hung on any empty wall space, the gold paint that once shined pealed away with age.
In the middle of the great hall was a vast marble staircase, one that went up and split off into two sections on the next level. Its white and black marble was dull and worn; dust lay on it, taking away its sense of beauty that it once held. The gold paint on the railings going up the stairs was chipping away, reveling an ugly brown wood.
After taking in all the detail that once shown brightly, Aslynn walked over to one of the statues and rubbed some of the dust off with her fingers. She then wiped the dust that was on her fingers off on her dress. Stepping back she saw the statue start to show new signs of life, with the prison of dust not as thick as it once was.
As her eyes darted around to the other statues, she walked over to the great staircase, and started to ascend it. After she was up about five steps she stopped and turned around, looking for Erik.
She found him standing in the shadows where they had entered, to her left. She wouldn't have spotted him if it wasn't for his white mask, which the sun playfully bounced off of. Calling out to him she said, "Everything here seems so distressed and full of grief. Have the doors to this place not opened since it closed?"
The man cloaked in night stepped into the sun. "No one has entered through the front doors since the night it closed. Crooks and street scum who spent nights in here have come from the back doors. But they never stay more than one night, for the opera ghost knows when someone who is not wanted enters. This place is still thought to be haunted."
Sitting down on the step, she replied, "Didn't you say that you were the 'Opera Ghost'?" The phantom nodded. "So I guess this place is still haunted, since you still live here."
"Yes, and I doubt that it will ever reopen, even if ownership does change hands. The glory of this opera house will most likely stay in the past." Erik sadly said, walking towards Aslynn. His boots made no sound on the marble floor, and if she wasn't watching him, she wouldn't be able to tell he was moving.
"Oh, that's too bad. This place is really quite marvelous, the architecture is superb. I would have loved to see it in its glory."
"Come, there is more to see than the front hall." he said, helping Aslynn up from where she was seated.
Once she was on her feet Aslynn didn't let go of Erik's hand, but held onto it. She wrapped her fingers with his and beckoned him to continue. They continued on the first floor, and entered the theater through one of the main doors. Inside was pitch black, the only light coming in from the doorway they stood in.
"Wait here," he commanded, as he swiftly left her side. Before she knew it, more light was flooding into the room. Erik was opening each of the entrance doors that would let in sunlight. After several doors were opened she watched as small lamps started to glow. Next to be illuminated was the stage.
As the lights were popping up on the stage, Aslynn could make out the shadow of Erik lighting them. Once it was completely lit, she stood in awe at the wonderful carvings and artwork surrounding the stage. Around the room were more gold statues, but these were beautiful nudes, who were arched back in many different positions.
"What do you think?" a soft, beautiful whisper asked Aslynn. She turned around to find Erik standing behind her, a sad smile on his face.
"It's gorgeous." She said, walking up to him and putting her arms around his waist. "Why are do you look so sad?" Aslynn could feel Erik tighten up instantly, and his breathing increased.
Taking a deep breath the masked man looked down at Aslynn, and said, "This place once was filled with many talented artists, but ever since the fire, no performer has set foot on that stage. The passion I have for this art also, I'm afraid, killed this theater."
"Maybe one day it will open up again, and it could reclaim the glory it once saw." she said, trying to comfort Erik.
He looked away, a deep sadness filling his eyes. Memories of Christine flooded back to him. He felt the presence of Aslynn's arms leave his waist as he tried to push Christine from his head. Look at her, Erik, she cares for you. Christine is nothing more than a dead memory, one who would never even dream of kissing you freely, or touch you. Come back here; leave Christine in the past, like you have tried to do so many times before.
Cursing silently to himself Erik looked back at Aslynn, who was standing away from him, studying his eyes. Confusion shown like a beacon in her blue eyes, as she tried to figure out what Erik was thinking.
"Let me finish showing you the best parts of the Opera house, come, lets go up to the stage." he finally said, hoping that he hadn't ruined anything.
The woman nodded as she followed Erik up to the stage. The burgundy seats that filled the audience were faded and covered in dust. Cobwebs hung from the ceiling and from the chairs. As they approached the stage Aslynn could see a pile of something, which glittered in the light.
There, on the right side of the stage and partly in the pit, was a huge, broken chandelier. It was broken into two parts, one which was piled up on the stage, and the other which was strung out over the edge and going into the pit.
"That's the chandelier that started the fire, isn't it." Aslynn quietly asked, looking over to Erik.
All the masked man did to respond was nod. The smell of smoke was stronger near the stage, and she could see burn marks on wood surrounding the performance area. He really cared for this opera house, didn't he?
On the stage was the oddments of a set, but most of it was burned in the fire. Soot covered all of the props, so the once red colors could no longer be seen. Aslynn watched Erik as he remained still, staring at the stage. Curiosity was getting the better of her, so the woman went and pulled her self up on stage.
After brushing her hands off, she walked over and examined the pieces of set. She jumped a bit when Erik finally spoke.
"This was the set of my Don Juan Triumphant. Its opening night was also its closing night."
Aslynn dropped what she was holding and walked back to the edge of the stage. She offered her hand to Erik, and he joined her on the stage. Again she attempted to comfort the masked man, as she entwined her fingers in his, and pulled him closer to her.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I wish I could have seen it." Something's bugging him, I can tell. I guess he didn't think that all of these memories would be coming back. He just wanted to share his passion with me, not recall that fateful night. As Aslynn thought about it more she remembered, was that the same night that the woman he loved turned him down? Is that what's haunting him?
Erik's eyes were blank, and she could see flashes of pain in them. Gently she pulled her self up to him and kissed his unmasked cheek. After doing this, his gaze turned back to the woman that was before him.
He looked at Aslynn and then closed his eyes. Bringing his free hand up he touched the spot where she had just kissed him. He had almost forgotten what had passed between them yesterday, and how she confessed that she cared for him. How could I forget that? He asked himself, how could I forget Aslynn? Why do memories of Christine keep me from seeing this woman in front of me, the one who willingly kisses me?
He smiled briefly before saying, "Let's go back, the sun is starting to set."
Aslynn nodded and helped Erik put out all the lamps which were lit. Once up to the back of the theater, the closed the doors and started the journey back to the house on the lake. As they went, Aslynn took Erik's hand in hers, and walked in step with him.
The next morning came around quicker than Aslynn thought. She grumbled to herself as she got up, knowing that she had to go back to Monsieur Garnier's house to work. She wasn't looking forward to this day, especially after the way they left on Friday.
She was embarrassed at the night ended with Erik getting angry, and making them leave. Oh I hope that he doesn't bring it up, she thought to herself as she put on a green dress. That was rather embarrassing the way Erik and I left, I hope M. Garnier doesn't take it too seriously.
When Aslynn was ready, she went to search for Erik. She didn't hear any music so she headed towards his room. No sounds were escaping under the door, but a little light did. Carefully she knocked on the dark wooden door.
The door opened, and Erik was standing right there. "Are you going up today?" he asked, seeing the woman dressed for going out in public.
"Yeah, could you take me up?" she asked, stepping back from the door to let Erik out.
He nodded and shut the door behind him, and made his way towards the dock. All the new emotions that have been flowing through Erik's blood were different that what he was used to. As a result, he had been quieter on the journey up. He was still trying to sort everything out inside of him, and keep memories back that were resurfaced yesterday. It was almost too much for him, to have such feelings for another human being.
Once they made it to the door leading to the outside world the man cloaked in black spoke, "Be back before dusk, and don't let that man harass you to much about me."
Aslynn smiled, "Don't worry, I can handle it."
Erik turned to go back inside but a sudden rush of worry came over him. What is she doesn't come back? He turned back to face Aslynn, and pulled her in to him. His pulse began to rise, he starred into her deep blue eyes and he finally had the nerves to bend down and kiss her.
This time she didn't pull back, but she pulled him closer to her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and passionately kissed him back. His lips were covering hers as she let the fiery dance begin. She let her tongue wander and soon the dance became a fiery, fervent tango, sending chills down her spine. She let out a small moan as they separated and looked up into Erik's eyes.
The masked man was in an ecstasy beyond his belief. His eyes had a passionate fire twirling in them, one that she had never seen before. His breathing had increased and he could feel his pulse in his ears. "Be careful," he finally said, catching his breath.
"I will," Aslynn replied, taking a few steps back. After bring her hand to her lips and feeling heat rise to her cheeks, she turned and started to leave. She glanced back after she had walked a few yards away, and saw Erik still standing there, recovering from all the emotions inside of him. She smiled, and he nodded, before slipping back into the darkness from which they came.
The walk to Monsieur Garnier's manor went by quicker than normal, since she was unable to think of anything but Erik. She was humming a happy tune as she walked up the long drive to the Victorian mansion. She noticed a hansom in the drive, and figured that Monsieur Garnier had a visitor.
She knocked on the door and waited for the butler to welcome her in. She soon was able to hear hushed voices approach the door, and then stop before the door opened. Instead of Charles the butler standing in the open door, it was a man who was in his late 40's. This stocky, short man looked to Aslynn, and then back inside the house to where Charles was standing behind the door. In his hand was a bag with a medical cross sewn on it.
"I'm sorry mademoiselle, but Monsieur Garnier is in no health to take visitors." The doctor told Aslynn, a deep concern showed on his weathered face.
Hope ya'll liked it. Now please Review, I know I was fussing a lot in the begining of this chapter, but just take less than 2 mineuts and leave me a little note! Thanks!