Sara smiled when she saw Meg and Madame Giry coming down the stairs. "Good morning to you mum, miss."
"Good morning Sara! I understand you've have met my uncle and his wife!" Sara turned abruptly, looking at Meg. "Yes, last night I saw the light under the door, and thinking we could help you by turning down the lamps, we came across them quite by accident." Meg found her place at the table.
"Spoiled the surprise…have they seen you?" Sara asked, looking a bit disappointed. "Why yes, we had a small chat last evening. Quite by accident really, mother went in to turn down the lamps and found them there! We are very much looking forward to visiting this morning over breakfast…it's been a long while since we've seen one another." Meg smiled at Sara, glancing over at her mother who was now sitting beside her.
Sara busied herself by setting several extra places at the table. "Sara, please join us for breakfast, we would…" Sara responded before Meg could finish. "Thank you so much for the invitation. However this morning I have to decline, as I have much to tend to, and I have to visit the market…the best hams are always gone too soon." Meg smiled back at Sara and nodded in acknowledgement. Madame Giry smiled. "This will make things so much easier" she thought to herself.
Sara crossed the floor, pouring coffee for Meg and Madame Giry. "Breakfast will be served as soon as your family comes down." Sara said, and then departed behind the door at the back of the kitchen.
"Mother, this will be.." Meg stopped, looking at her mother's finger placed rigidly over her lips. They sipped their coffee. "The weather looks fair outside today, the frost in the window is not as thick, perhaps it will be a bit warmer than yesterday. We might venture over to the Opera House again, to retrieve a few more things. Then, we will have to make arrangements for more permanent lodging, and of course find some sort of work to.."
Sara appeared from behind the door, "now remember, you may stay as long as you like. There are many fine positions for governesses, and I am sure there would be another ballet school that would be more than happy to employ such a fine ballet mistress." Sara smiled and then departed behind the door. Meg gave her mother a knowing look. Silence was golden, and the walls obviously had ears.
XXXXX
Erik leaned over, kissing Christine softly, caressing her face. "We must rise and prepare my dear, we have much to do." Christine groaned. "I think I should prefer to stay in this bed forever." Christine turned her head to stare sheepishly into Erik's eyes. They smiled at each other, Erik brushing a kiss on her shoulder as he began to rise.
The room was still dark, with just enough light for Christine to see the outline of Erik's frame as he rose and stretched to his full height. She had never before really gazed on such a sight, and it was something, she decided, she could definitely become accustomed to.
Christine slipped from beneath the sheets as well, putting on a thick robe, and walking toward the water closet. Oh how she longed for a hot bath, but this morning a sponge bath would have to do. The water felt good against her skin, the soaps and lotions refreshing her.
She ran her hands through her hair, wishing she would have time to wash it. She smiled as she looked at her face "at least the powder will stick more easily to the hair." She turned around, picking up the large domed case of powder. She began carefully layering it into her hair, pressing it down so that it would stick to the glossed curls. It took nearly half the container before Christine was satisfied. She shook her head gently, letting all the loose powder fall into the sink. Thankfully, the lack of sleep in recent days had allowed the dark circles to come out fully beneath her eyes. She tidied up the powder, not wanting any traces to be evident.
Once back in the bedchamber, she nearly laughed as she saw Erik, tucking a small pillow from the lounge into the back of his pants. "Yes, you my dear look positively ancient." He said to her, turning with a smirk on his face. "Why thank you my poor decrepit husband!"
They each set about dressing in as dowdy a manner as they could manage. Christine dusted a bit of powder through Erik's hair. He too could benefit from a hot bath she thought as the powder stuck well in his hair too. When they were completely dressed, the pair stood before the mirror, practicing the hunched look, leaning on their canes.
Christine smiled at Erik, whose face was half bandaged with strips of freshly torn cloth. Not much alternative. Going without the mask would have been as ghastly. "Erik?" Christine paused for a moment. "I have an idea. It might do well to help with your disguise."
She paused again, knowing fully he would find what she was about to say unnerving. Erik looked at her quizzically. "If we were to wrap the…the…other part of your cheek, leaving the other…." Erik stepped away from her.
"NO!" he thundered. Immediately feeling sorry that he had lashed out at her so. He turned back to her, in a much calmer, but still guarded tone, "Christine, no, I cannot, Meg and Madame Giry… they have never….you have accepted me, but how…." Christine interrupted. "My dear I am sorry, but it seems this would give wandering eyes less to think of, and they may look away out of respect without really studying you, or us."
Erik walked over to the bed, dropping down on its edge. He felt like he'd been scorched by a searing flame….the brutal honesty with which she spoke…knew she was right. He had spent his entire life shamed by that side of his face. He'd been forced into hiding because of it, rejected by his own mother because of it, scorned, mocked, beaten because of the wickedness of it. What irony he thought, the one thing that had nearly destroyed his life, might now be his only hope in saving it.
Erik stood, walking back to Christine resolutely. "Very well" he said. Christine began unwrapping the bandages, careful not to disturb too much of the powder in his hair. She reached down and tenderly kissed his rough cheek before beginning to wrap the smooth side. "In my heart you are the most handsome man I have ever known, and no flesh perfect or flawed will ever change that" she whispered in his ear as she tucked the last of the cloth under the folds.
Erik stood, glancing briefly in the mirror. He had never beheld just the flawed side alone. Even he averted his eyes in shame. "It will work, as it even frightens me." He said to Christine as he turned away from the mirror in disgust. .
"Today we begin as the elder Mr. and Mrs. Courtland, Madame Giry's uncle and aunt. You shall address me as planned." Erik looked quite seriously at Christine. "And, this is important, none of your damned flirting Mrs. Courtland. It would be most unusual for a man of my age to become, well, let's just say it would make it much more difficult to stay in character."
Christine smiled back at him, putting her cloak up over her curls. "Dear husband, dear Stephan, I will be on my best elderly behavior." Erik smiled back at her, "thank you my dear Elizabeth." They walked, no, hobbled toward the door, each trying to act more decrepit than the other.
XXXXX
Raoul, his assignment in hand, his company at his flank, moved away from the station. Thinking quickly he held up his hand, bringing the small contingent to a halt. "I must pay one brief visit to a shopkeeper before we are on our way. It will take but a moment.
He dismounted his horse in front of the café. Opening the heavy door, he noticed several older men hunched over a table playing cards. The shopkeeper, had his back towards him said, "what may I be getting ya?" He turned seeing Raoul, straightening himself.
"Good day sir….I see that you've come for your bread. It will be just a moment." Raoul looked curiously at the man, realizing in an instant that he was playing a game, and Raoul was obliged to play along.
"Here you go sir, he said, handing him a warm loaf of French bread, and a small package of slivered meats." Raoul thanked him, his eyes trying to find any indication of the information he sought.
The shopkeeper glanced over at his friends sitting around the table, fixed on their game. "No sir, nothing seemed disturbed round here, just the same sir." He said shaking his head. Raoul looked down, a bit disappointed. "Thank you sir." Raoul replied. "I'll be here on the morrow to settle my account."
Raoul turned making his way out the door. His curiosity getting the best of him, he walked around to the back of the shop. It was there as the man had told him. A bag, two loaves of French bread peering out of it, sat perched against the back wall. Raoul sighed in disappointedly. Surely had he survived he would have needed food, if not for himself then for Christine… He couldn't think about that right now, there was work to be done. Finding her safely was his only goal today, and he would let nothing distract him.
XXXXXX
Erik had stopped near the narrow paned window at the turn of the staircase. He stood absolutely still, Christine thinking he was playing the role just a bit too much. "Dear Stephan, why ever do you tarry?" Erik had been holding his breath, letting it out now with a great sigh. He had watched Raoul enter the shop not three doors down, and then watched him walk around to the back door and look at the bag of bread leaning on the wall. "Clever boy" he said under his breath. "What did you say dear? You are tired? I could bring your breakfast to you if you wish?" Erik shook his head no, putting his arm through Christine's continuing down the stairs.
Sara stood a bit impatiently, wanting to greet all of her guests before scampering off to the market. All the food now displayed on the table, cups of coffee cooling. Sara called out to them, "good morning sir, mum….breakfast is ready for you. I understand that you visited briefly last night, so no introductions are necessary." Sara felt awkward as she spoke. "I've a full pot of coffee on the stove….I regret that I must run to the market. Please leave your dishes on the table, I will retrieve them when I return." Sara grabbed her cloak, and departed through the back kitchen door, glancing back at Erik.
Erik and Christine proceeded no less cautiously, continuing to stay in character lest any roaming eyes peer in at them. They joined Madame Giry, and Meg, who was smirking from ear to ear, at the table. "My dear uncle, I trust you slept well. It was a surprise seeing you last evening. It is unfortunate that your visit should come on the heels of such a tragedy, fate has an odd way of bringing things together," Madame Giry posturing herself, said, nodding towards Erik.
A low gravely voice came from beneath the cloak where Erik hid his face. He first coughed, adding another layer to his charade. "I must confess this chill has not been good for my lungs." His wife "Elizabeth" patting him on the back said "it has been dreadful, although the warmth of your company comforts him."
Meg had not taken her eyes off of Erik's face. She knew a disguise was necessary, but wondered if Erik felt naked being so exposed. Erik's eyes hung low, shame filling him, oozing out of every orifice. He had flash backs to the night when Christine had unmasked him for the first time, exposing the hideousness of his face. That night had been far more painful than anything….seeing the horror in her eyes, watching the adoration change to fright. Now, Meg's eyes pierced him, and he felt as if his flesh were on fire.
He wanted to draw his hand up, cover it, pull off the cloths, push on his mask and be himself again….the menacing Phantom….that was his comfort, that was his strength. He fought the urge, rather lowering his head further still toward his steaming cup.
Madame Giry sensed the discomfort in Erik's down turned face, nudging Meg under the table. Meg quickly looked at her mother, pulling herself out of her daze, apologizing. "I am terribly sorry, sorry, I didn't mean to….does it cause you great pain?"
Christine and Madame Giry looked at Meg in sheer horror at the blatant question she posed. Perhaps they were both more keenly aware of how fragile Erik could be sometimes, both knowing of his rage.
Meg in her naivety had asked the question innocently, Erik sensed that. His low voice, somewhat strained, replied "no more than the skin you were born with hurts you." Meg lowered her head, shame pushing a heavy blush across her face. "How stupid of me, it was no injury that did this to him, he was born that way" Meg thought to herself.
Sara came back in through the back door, puffing loudly. "I'd forget my head if it wasn't attached!" she exclaimed, grabbing her shopping basket, and exiting the door she had just barged through.
"We must always be in character," Erik murmured "for we never really know who might be listening." He glanced around the table, the unpleasantries of the previous moments now forgotten.
"We may have but these few brief moments to discuss what we are to do." Erik sat a bit more crouched the others leaning in to hear his whispers. "We will finish with our breakfast, Elizabeth and I will retire to our room for a mid-morning nap. Madame Giry, you and Meg shall return to the Opera Populaire, and inform your employers that your uncle and aunt have come for a visit, but having heard of your misfortune, and will be taking you and Meg on with them to their home for a month's time or more, until you are able to return to your position, and Meg to her place in the chorus. They will no doubt offer to provide lodging for you until such time that they can repair the dormitories and studio for you. You will gratefully decline, saying that you and Meg would do well to take in the country in the Spring before returning, the present situation being too painful to manage. Sara will no doubt be back by that time, preparing lunch for us. We shall all eat with her, I will retire early, not feeling well. I will go to my room, but slip out to secure a carriage for us. When I return, it will be nearly the dinner hour, and we shall enjoy dinner with our innkeeper. Christine and I shall again retire early, as an elder couple would do. Madame Giry, you and Meg will proceed with Sara as you have in the nights previous, playing games or chatting, until it is half past eight. You and Meg will come to our room when Sara has retired for the night. We shall talk further. It is most important that everything appears to be proceeding as it would in light of the circumstances. At some point today, the guards will come to search the inn. Meg, you will be waiting for them in the dining room, having sat with Sara all afternoon chatting. When they come, you will not say anything unless Sara tells them of your aunt and uncle resting upstairs. Then, and only then will you offer that they had planned to come for a visit. Offer nothing more unless you are pressed for information. Perhaps they will not be interested as many families have come and gone from the city to retrieve relatives since the…fire."
Erik looked somberly at the three who were fixed on his every word. "I am sorry, Madame Giry, Meg, that you must see me as you do now. Meg, I know of your tender heart, and pray that this will not cause you undue distress."
Meg looked down. "I too am sorry, I was very forward, I apologize for my rudeness." Erik shot her a brief smile. "These are extraordinary times, we shan't worry about such trivialities. Now, we must always be addressed by the proper names. If you should slip, try not to be flustered, rather explain to anyone overhearing that is simply our middle name, or pet name, and move on. Do not look conspicuous. Channel the fear and sorrows that you have experienced, remaining in that mode until such time as we can relax and be safe. We must be diligent if we are to succeed."
"Stephan," Madame Giry ventured, "where will we end, where will we find safe haven?" Erik looked down for a moment before answering. "It will be a long distance I'm afraid, and I prefer not to say, lest we become separated and it becomes difficult to maintain one's confidences."
Meg blurted "you aren't even going to tell us where we are going?" At once she felt out of place for having interrupted. "Best to stay close and follow instructions carefully. Plans may change along the way, subject to what we find at each stop. Stay close, pay attention, and try not to be or look afraid. You are simply weary travelers, nothing more." With that Erik stopped speaking and began to eat his breakfast.
Almost on cue, Sara burst through the door, arms burgeoning from her morning trip to the market. Meg got up and rushed to her aide, "let me help you with that" she said scooping up one basket from Sara's arms. "I hope that you found the breakfast to your liking? Sara said glancing around at the guests surrounding the table. Erik began to cough, Christine trying to comfort him.
"I'm afraid my dear Stephan must retire for a nap. I have some salve to apply for his cough, he will need his rest. "Let me help you uncle" Madame Giry said as she rose to help him from the chair and toward the stairs.
"I shall come back down to fetch the rest of my breakfast she said as she helped Stephan and Elizabeth back to their room.
"Sad thing really….getting old is." Sara muttered to Meg as she helped her unpack her purchases. "I know, he has never been well as long as I can remember." Meg and Sara wandered off into conversation about Sara's uncles, and soon fits of laughter filled the room as Sara told stories of long beards and chewing tobacco.