Erik

Honestly, I am not too fond of the idea of going on such a long and tiring journey, but it might really do me some good, and it is not like the travelling I had to go through earlier, all alone, aimlessly wandering around the world, despised by everyone. Right now I have a loving companion by my side, and I can show her some of the world, which will give her so much happiness, and since she gave me the honor of becoming my wife by her own free will, I want to do nothing more than making her happy anyway I can. And being with her I am happy. Wherever I am, it is all the same to me, only Juti… Juti shall be around and it is Heaven. I think I am going to enjoy the journey more than I did my earlier ones because of Juti… I have to think positively!

Only one more thing is bothering me still.

I am rather uncomfortable about giving my house keys to the Daroga while we are away from Paris. Yet I do have to, as someone has to take care of the stupid cat. If it was up to me I'd just lock it out to the garden until we return, so the thing is going to catch mice and birds for itself, but Juti is scared the animal will run away and never return and that it was going to die of starvation. This is a less likely possibility, we used to own cats when I was a boy and they never entered the house at all, yet they were always around, and well- fed. Juti treats the cat as a baby and keeps it in the house constantly, she doesn't even let me to put it out in the garden to hunt. I tried to explain her she thinks too highly of a simple animal, and that the thing would need some more freedom, but the stupid thing just always lays on the couch, totally disregarding my knowledge of his nature, always proving "Mommy" to be right.

So… Unless I want a disaster to happen and Juti crying for three weeks straight, I have to let the Persian all alone in MY house. He would be the last person I would want to give the keys of my house, this is why I never allowed him to sniff around my "home" under the Opera. It was a big enough achievement I trusted Christine so much to give her own keys and after to allow Juti to go in and out of my house as she pleased, but now the Daroga should earn the privilege of entering my house freely when I am NOT EVEN HOME?

This is too much for me to handle yet. He is going to read all my journals. He is going to search for the slightest of trace to finish the stupid Persian cop investigation he is doing. He loves to find out new things to keep me in his hands with…

Oh no no no no. Erik, we were already reasoning about this. You have already apologized to him for being distrusting. You will have to learn to trust people, remember? The Daroga is your friend. This will be a great occasion to learn to trust him.

Of course, with the desired preparations before…

And now I really should join to my wife and sleep the small amount of time I still can until we have to leave.

Juti's POV

I was right. I wasn't able to sleep that night, but not only because I was too excited. I fell asleep maybe half an hour after I went to bed, and I was sleeping fairly well until I felt a rather forceful kick on my side, followed by another at the very same time, and a third one right after. Opening my eyes and sliding slightly away from near Erik beside me, I knew he was having a nightmare, as he was kicking in his sleep as if he was running from someone or something, then he suddenly stopped. As it only seemed to be an episode, I first did not want to wake him up and hoped poor him was going to settle down after the bad session of the dream ended, and he really seemed like he was sleeping peacefully for some time, and I just turned to my side to try to sleep some more when I heard Erik started crying. I propped up on my elbow and turned to face him, and I saw his eyes were still closed, yet he held his arms against his chest, still asleep, crying hard. I could not stand seeing him suffer, so I gently shook him to wake him up, then kissed his forehead to chase the bad thoughts away from his mind.

At first he wasn't clearly conscious, just jumped up in panic as his eyes popped open, and he frantically looked around to finally recognize our bedroom. He leaned close to me and stared at me in utter worry, hugging me close to himself in a sudden emotional outburst. He did not want to let me go for a time, and dug his claws desperately in the back of my nightshirt. I did not say a word, just trying to calm him by my touch, holding him against myself, and stroking his nearly bald head. Being a bit of sleepy still, I absently twirled some of his hair around my finger, and he seemed to like it.

- You… you here. – He started talking finally, after some more crying, seemingly rather calming himself than talking to me.

- Of course. Where should I be, sweetie?

- Show… show Erik… are you injured? – He examined me worriedly, which act surprised me a lot.

- Why would I be? I am fine. – I explained.

- Thank Heavens. – He wiped his forehead with the sleeve of his nightshirt, and finally calming down a bit, he lay back on his pillow to settle down.

- It was just a nightmare. – I stroke some wet and messy locks out of his pale forehead. – Whatever it was, it isn't reality.

- Yet. – He coughed. – Yet it isn't, but…

- Erik, please calm down. – I tried to soothe his mind by rubbing his shoulder.

- Promise me something. – He stared into my eyes blankly.

- What is it dear?

- Please, if… if Erik is attacked… - He was wheezing for some moments, still haunted by terrible memories of the nightmare- So… if he is attacked in public… promise… promise Erik you will NOT try to defend him… ever.

- Erik, you are my husband. If someone harms you I am going to defend you to the best of my ability.

- I… I seriously and absolutely prohibit it! – He sat up again, vehemently, and grabbed my shoulder. – I implore you if people start throwing stones at Erik, you run to the opposite direction and pretend you do not know him.

- This would be the most coward and hostile act I could ever do against you. – I gasped.

- But it will make you… survive…! Don't you understand?

- Erik, that's what you dreamed? This is why you cried?

- It was the first… very first time… Erik was dreaming about someone else's death other than his own. And it made him utterly aware of that can happen IN REALITY. Any time. – He stared at me with fright, then hurriedly kissed my forehead.

- Nothing like that shall happen. – I shook my head and reassuringly patted his shoulder.

- What if my mask falls? What if my makeup comes off? What if the fake nose gets damaged? – He baulked. – People, if they can see my real face… are likely to turn hostile by firght of something they don't know. Juti, you have to get prepared of each possible scenario, that you MIGHT be in danger by my side. I will try my best to protect you, but there might be a possibility I have to fight… for my life… and can't protect you as well… If it happens… I beg you to run away and leave me to my fate. If you try to fight for a monster, people will turn against you as well and will do terrible things against you, just because you love a monster.

- But if I leave you there…

- I will most likely be fine, only would receive a few scratches or hits. I am used to them. But if something irreversible happens to you I will never forgive myself for it. Juti… do not let Erik consume himself in self-loathing because he was unable to protect you from cruelty of mankind regarding the outcast.

I had to admit Erik was right in a way, so I could not do anything else than to nod and softly promise I would do as he asked of me. This made him feel noticeably better and he lay down again, asking for my forgiveness he had woken me up, then he allowed me to snuggle up against him and we fell asleep again.

He woke me up by a soft kiss on my ear, which made me giggle. He stroke my hair and smiled at me with adoration.

- Are you feeling better, Erik sweetie? – I inquired.

- Your presence always make me feel better. – He kissed me again.

- I am glad. – I sighed in relief and got up from bed, jumping after Erik, who nearly crossed the room, and I hugged him from backwards.

- Oh ho! What has gotten into you? You are so active in such an early hour, Juti my beauty. – He laughed out.

- I am just so happy to be your wife and to be able to go with you… wherever you go.

- Oh. – He turned back to see my face and leaned closer to gently kiss my cheek, like a little boy after being complimented. – If you say such things to me, it makes me feel better… much better.

Being utterly touched, he turned away again, and walked towards the door, informing me shortly that I should start to get ready as we have a terribly long journey ahead of us.

By the time I got ready dressing up and said goodbye to Wolfy, promising him we will be back soon from our honeymoon and asked him to be a good boy, Erik also appeared next to me, dressed up, wearing the human mask and the wig, and one of his light gray suits. He patted my shoulder and asked if I had to get something out of any of the rooms still.

- My violin. – I wanted to go fetch it, but he caught my arm.

- We are leaving for a honeymoon of a few weeks only, not for a concert tour. I take mine, it is enough.

- All right, yours is better sounding anyway. – I giggled.

- Depends on who uses it. – He teased. – Anything else?

- Not really. Why do you ask? – I asked, but I realized right after. Erik locked each of the doors in the house, save for the guest bathroom.

- You are too much cautious. – I laughed. – The Daroga comes every day to take care of the house, I doubt someone would enter to a house which isn't abandoned.

- I am locking the rooms exactly from the Daroga. – He lifted his finger up, then sighed, I think being tired of having to explain such a simple thing.

- I doubt he would try on your underwear, what are you afraid of so much?

- You always have so weird ideas. – He shrugged. – I just simply don't wish him to be able to eter each of the rooms. He will be able to enter to the places I welcome him at.

- You are the master of the house. – I shrugged agreeably. – It is your decision.

- Exactly. – He lifted up the suitcase I wanted to carry, and walked towards the front door. – The carriage arrived here in five minutes.

- That was my bag. – I snorted, not liking the fact he wanted to carry all of the luggage all alone.

- Bring the violin.

- It is only no more than two kilograms in all. – I baulked.

- But it is most prized. – He pointed out. – It is your job to guard my precious.

I shook my head with a giggle and picked up the violin. Erik had such a great skill in manipulation, making me believe he really wanted me to carry the most prized possession, instead of the reason he wanted me to be saved from carrying heavy things.

Another surprise met me when I noticed the Persian in front of the garden gate, standing by the carriage, waiting for us.

- Do you come as well, Mohammed? – I cheered.

- Shall he do so and I jump right in front of the horses. – Erik barked, noticing the Daroga.

- I would never travel with Erik once again for a long period of time. – The Persian shook his head. – It was enough for once in my life. I only came to say goodbye to my most beloved teacher. – He smiled at me and bowed.

- You are so kind. – I smiled and hugged him shortly, which surprised him a bit, but smiled at me kindly.

- So are you.

- Don't worry. Once we return the lessons continue. And don1t forget to practice not to fall out of routine.

- I will.

- Thank you for taking care of the cat and the house. – Erik bowed shortly, then reached into his pocket, lifting up a set of keys for the front door and the garden gate. He was looking at them longingly for some seconds, then he reluctantly held them out in front of the Persian. – Here. – He cleared his throat.

- Thank you. – The Persian nodded.

- I.. I thank you. – Erik replied shortly.

With a last nod, he packed all of the suitcases to the top of the carriage, save for the violin which was with us in the carriage. He helped me to the vehicle, and as the horses started to move, I waved to the Daroga for one last time.

- Have a safe trip! Erik, Juti! Feel good!

- Don't forget to practice. – I smiled and said softly, as we were getting further from him.

- I love you. – Erik poked my shoulder by his finger and when I looked at him he kissed me passionately on the lips.