It wasn't gradual when Vara woke up, no the splitting headache and noxious taste in her mouth made sure of that. Vara slowly rolled to her side, and on all fours, hefted herself to a standing position. The world still tossed and shifted around her, but her head felt much more clear to her. With that clarity she also felt embarrassment. Looking around her, she saw no sign of her visitor last night. And oddly that left Vara disappointed. Hefting a sigh she turned her gaze to the Cream robed angel. Her rose was beginning to fade. 'That won't do at all...' She carefully traced over it, before climbing up the winding stairs.
Vara made her way to her room, thankfully not running into anyone along the way. Unlocking the door, she stepped in and switched on the light. At her feet was an envelope, seeing it made Vara's heart jolt. Picking it up, she closed and locked her door, placed the letter on her bed and began to change out of her wrinkled dress. Tossing it aside she stepped into a dark olive romper, and lazily threw her hair in a messy braid. Against her better judgment she also turned on her laptop, and switched on her Celtic play list. The violins were doing nothing to ease the headache but it did help settle her nerves.
Hesitantly Vara sat on the edge of her bed and reached for the letter. Opening it she could help breathe a sigh of relief.
Ms. Vara,
As I could not seem to rouse you this morning from your sleep I have decided to leave a note. I hope to see a few designs for Act 1, later in the week. Our costume department is eagerly waiting to see what you have in store, as Am I. Please try to see to them on Monday.
Adler.
Vara smiled to herself, working on costumes didn't seem a bad idea. Grabbing a note pad and pencils Vara began her list with the most prominent. Raoul was easy, sticking to previous designs seen at other forums. Crisp suit with a hint of gold trim, easily marking him as the 'Knight in shining armor'. Christine's slave girl outfit will stay traditional, the movie had made the the trademark in all plays. The Aria dress however needed a change. 'It should be pale blue, maybe flowers' Vara marked in the blank spaces of the paper. Madame Giry will, of course have the modest, high necked gown. Simple, but in a dark blue.
The Phantom is what held her up. Flashes from the night before danced in the edges of her mind. The faint feeling of bubbles peppered her abdomen as she remembered his voice. Groaning to herself she lied herself on the bed and tried to clear her mind, trying to focus on what he might have been wearing. What came instead was the feel of his hot breath on her neck. Making her flush, and the tingles reach lower, in stronger force. Rubbing her hands down her face, she jolted up and changed the music on her laptop to heavy metal. 'That should put a stop to that.' Vara sighed as the heat receded. Leaning on her desk, she focused hard on the song until...
"What are you listening to?" That deep baritone echoed through the room, causing Vara to jolt, knocking a few stray papers on the ground. Frantically searching her room, she could see no one but the feeling of being watched was ever present.
"I...it's heavy metal." Vara replied lamely, eyes still scanning the room.
"It's atrocious." The Phantom replied, disgust evident in his voice. "The last song playing was much more pleasant." Vara chuckled at his dislike, but stiffened at his statement.
"You've been watching me?" Vara placed a hand to her chest and blushed a hot red. The Phantom chuckled.
"I merely wished to see if you were okay, do not worry though. I arrived after you changed." He responded cordially. "I have a favour to ask." Vara narrowed her eyes.
"Yes?" She walked slowly to her bed shuffling her papers into a neat pile, awaiting.
"I still have questions I'd like answered." The Phantom began slowly, "And I'd like for you to be the one who answers. Would that be deemed acceptable. I mean you no harm." Vara mauled his request over. It couldn't be so bad to answer questions now could it.
"Only if you are here." She finally replied. The Phantom chuckled.
"I am here." His voiced echoed through the room draping Vara in the delightful velvety feeling, causing those tingles to reemerged with a passion. Vara blushed lightly and in an irate voice.
"No, I will only answer your questions if I can see you."
. . .
"What lies beneath this mask is not fit for your eyes!" The Phantom seethed. He watched as a tremor wracked her body at the sound of his anger, once more that surge of power raced through him.
"I meant for you to be in this room, where I can see you... I need to see you." The quiet request sent a thrill down the Phantoms spine. 'Needs? She needs me?' Darker thoughts intertwined with darker fantasies. 'It seems this younger body also has younger hormones' The Phantom thought grimly to himself, as he beat the thoughts down.
"Why, pray tell, do you need me?" The Phantom asked suspiciously. He watched as the young girl seemed to maul over her answer before.
"You know there is a play about you right?" She straightened up, "I'm in charge of two departments, and I need to see you so I can do you justice." At this the Phantoms head quirked to its side. He slipped away from the wall of the bedroom, before checking the halls. No use giving away all his secret ways. Quickly, with deft and skilled fingers her picked the lock to the door and silently walked in. Latching and re locking the door.
He took in Vara appearance. It seemed her still hadn't fully recovered from the night before, her nose still a tinge too pink, her eyes too watery. Those eyes gazed at him, taking in the entirety of his presence. Unconsciously he straightened his posture just a tinge. He watched as she reached to her side and grabbed a pencil and began to fervently sketch the outline of a man. He stayed still til she was finished.
"Thank you." She responded quietly, before reaching out to him, papers in her grasp. The Phantom strode closer grasping the papers, but not without gently passing his fingers along hers. He did not fail to notice the jolt her arm took, or the blush the crept up her cheeks. The Phantom held back a smirk, as he over looked the papers.
First was his current attire. Next was a beautiful dress, tiny flowers dotted along the hem. As he shuffled Vara spoke.
"There was a book written sometime ago about the Phantom of the Opera. There have been many adaptations, but the most famous is the musical." The Phantom handed the sketches back, which she took eagerly. Vara gestured to the chair at her desk. Silently he sat, and asked.
"And what part do you have in all of this?"
. . .
Vara watched as he walked his way to her chair, such fluid graceful movements. Her mind fizzled for a second before she realized what he had asked.
"I'm in charge of costumes and make-up." she gestured to the papers in her hand. "This is my big break, I signed up as a techie, but this is what I want to do, I can never be onstage, but to have my creations there in my stead. Too see actor and clothing play off each other..." Vara sighed. "I want to make it look as authentic as possible."
"Which is why you wished to see me." The Phantom offered, nodding his head to the side, a slight gesture himself. Vara laughed, catching him off guard.
"That and talking to the air makes me feel a little more then crazy." The Phantom's lip quirked slightly, causing the blonde to smile.
"Just what is known about my story?" The Phantom asked, crossing his ankle over his knee.
"Well... I can tell you what I know, I read one of the books." Vara bit her lip, not noticing the Phantoms gaze on her action. "Though I don't know how accurate it is."
The Phantom looked her in the eyes,
"Why is that, my dear?" Vara flushed at the name.
"In the book I read, Your entire face was covered. No nose, sunken eyes, thin lips and skin translucent enough to see veins." Vara watched as his lips lowered into a frown. "Though they got your eyes right!" Vara offered a light smile.
"Yes, it seems I am luckier in this." The phantom gestured to the right side of his face, unmasked and quite handsome. Vara tried not to stare as she continued.
"we know you wear a mask, about Christine and Raoul," Vara watched carefully for signs of anger, but saw none. "I play nor the movie cover it, but the book I read talked about Nadir, Giovanni, and your mother." Recognition did flash before his eyes before anger swelled at mention of his mother. In an effort to distract him...
"What is you're name?" Vara asked. The Phantom's eyes lost the angry edge and took on surprise.
"I'm sorry?" He asked, shock in his tone.
"I'm guessing you're going to have tons of questions, and I my own, so I figured its going to take more then one afternoon to cover it all." Vara stood, walked over a few steps before holding out a hand to shake. "I ask my questions, you ask yours and we will answer what we can." Vara held his gaze as the Phantom mauled over her agreement. He stood to full height and looked down on her, before grabbing her hand and placing a chaste, if lingering kiss on the knuckles. He smiled inwardly as she flushed again at the simple action before replying.
"Erik."
.
.
.
Well darlings here you go. I have more thoughts on what should happen so posts should take too long to be up.
S742