Disclaimer: Oh Disclaimer how I hate you! But alas I can`t not ignore you... (grummbles) I do not own POTO.
I`m sorry for my lack of updates. I mean I know it hasn`t really been long. I mean some people don`t update until a month later so I suppose it hasn`t been to long. I mean I had this chapter written already when I posted the last chapter, but I got lazy and didn`t update... Anyway never fear it`s here! And guess what? Eve is in this chapter, for those of you who love Eve. Don`t worry... there is a plot to this story and it is coming. I`m trying to hurry things along here without cutting out so ggod humor things, because lets face it here, we all could use a good laugh in our life :). Thank you for all the reviews so far. I love them! So enjoy this chapter it is a long one! And I promise as soon as I get done writing the next chapter I will post it. Finally for all you who have been asking me about Echo and Erik... well lets just say the next chapter something is going to change in their relationship. Whether it is bad or good you will never now if you don`t read on and review!
Echo sighed in frustration as she made her way to Eve`s room in the early hours of the morning. Frankly she could care less if she woke up Eve. Tonight was the night Erik was taking her to see the Opera and though she hated to admit it, but she needed help from a more girly person than she was. It had taken her the whole night for her to put aside her pride and stubbornness and go to Eve for help.
Deciding at 5 in the morning most would be asleep, she took the halls instead of the passages to get to Eve`s room for only one reason. She had neglected to visit Eve so much, that she had forgotten which passage led to Eve`s room. She made sure she was extra quiet as she walked down the halls. Just when she thought she was going to reach Eve`s room with no interruption, someone cleared their throat behind Echo, making Eve let out a loud gasp and jumped, almost stumbling backwards.
"What do you think you are doing?"
Echo slowly turned around to face the person cringing a bit as she saw Madame Giry. She should have known Madame Giry would be lurking around. She swore that woman had ninja powers or something like that. Echo nervously smiled."Why Madame Giry, fancy seeing you here in the hall… at this hour."
"You as well." Madame Giry coolly answered. Echo shifted uncomfortably under the woman`s stare. Not even Erik`s cold stare could make Echo feel this nervous, like she had done something wrong. Echo cleared her throat."I`m-I`m just here to see Eve."
"At this hour?" Madame Giry frowned. Echo nodded quickly wanting to get away from Madame Giry as quick as possible." Yes! I need to ask her a question."
"And can it not wait until later? I need her to be rested for tonight`s performance." Madame Giry questioned. Echo sighed now instead of being uncomfortable she was getting pissed. Was it too much to ask to just get on with her life? Did she need to explain this all out? If Echo didn`t have any respect for Madame Giry and wasn`t afraid of getting a betting from Madame Giry`s can she would have yelled," Just leave me be you old, annoying, foolish woman!" Instead she took a deep breath and answered her."It`s important. I wouldn't be bugging her if it wasn`t. Believe me I have more important things that I could be doing at this moment."
"Like being with Erik, I imagine." Madame Giry muttered. Echo`s eyes widened. She knew it! Madame Giry knew everything! Nothing got past the old woman! Echo blinked and stared at Madame Giry rather dumbfounded. Madame Giry shook her head with a sigh." Child I`ve know about Eve and you for a while. Did you think Erik would have not told me or rather I made him told me when he came to visit me for clothes for two women? I`m a mother, a ballet instructor and have watched over Erik for years now, hardly anything goes past me any longer."
"Wait so you know we are from the future?" Echo asked. Madame Giry smiled lightly." Of course Dear, did I not just say that when I said I already know about you? You are rather slow aren`t you dear?"
Echo`s Jaw almost hit the floor. Did Madame Giry just call her dumb? With her ego a little damaged she managed to mumble in reply." Yes, yes… you did."
"Yes I did and I know of your little involvement in being our newest 'ghost'," Madame Giry continued. Echo stared at Madame Giry before she pouted." Well… well that just takes the fun out of everything then."
"Don`t pout dear, Erik does that enough for the both of you, now tell me why do you really want to see Eve?" Madame Giry asked again. Echo sighed; she supposed there was no fooling the woman anymore." As you know tonight is the Opera and Erik is taking me. Well as you can obviously see, I`m not a girly girl. So I need the help of little miss sunshine. As for why this hour, well what is there to explain I`m evil, so if you would kindly move along and go do something useful, it would be appreciated."
"Excuse me! Have you no manners at all! Your mother most be ashamed of your horrid manners! I am your elder and deserve more respect than that. Has living with Erik made you demanding?" Madame Giry hissed in disbelief. Echo rolled her eyes and let out a loud sigh." Can you please reprimand me later? I don`t see what the problem is I asked you in the nicest way I know how to ask. I have things to do and little time to do them! SO please for the love of God, move!"
"Well I`ve never! We are not done, but I too have little time to argue with you about your hideous manners." Madame Giry huffed. Echo laughed as she turned walking away." Thank the Lord!"
"But believe me; before you have to leave, I am going to teach you some manners!" Madame Giry called angrily after her. Echo stopped long enough to salute her and bow." I will await the day with much excitement!"
Echo smirked as she watched Madame Giry stomp away, before turning and heading the rest of the way to Eve`s room. Echo didn`t bother to knock as she opened the door. She looked around Eve`s dark room, before landing on the bed. It looked like sleeping beauty was still asleep. Echo smiled evilly as she slowly walked to the bed and leaned over to Eve`s ear before shouting," IS THAT EDWARD CULLEN?"
Eve jumped up in a fighting stance as she screamed." STAY BACK YOU DISCO BALL! I HAVE SPARKLE REPLENT!"
Echo laughed falling back into a chair at Eve`s reaction as she smirked." I love my job."
Once Eve realized there was not real threat of being turned into a sparkling vampire, she turned her attention glaring at Echo as she Hissed." What the crap! I was just having an amazing dream that Orlando Bloom was asking me to marry him."
"Ugh, I`m glad I woke you up then!" Echo snorted. Eve sank down on her bed rubbing her eyes as she yawned." What so you have finally decided to forgive me with leaving you with Erik?"
"Oh that, that ship let a long time ago, I was just too lazy to come and visit you and I hate your new friends." Echo shrugged. Eve smiled." They aren`t all bad! I mead they really know what hair styles are in, what hair products to use, clothes style and-"
"Yeah, yeah sounds boring alright so listen up Barbie I woke you up at 5 am too-"
"5 AM! YOU WOKE ME UP AT 5 FREAKIN AM!" Eve raged glaring quite impressively at Echo. Echo laughing clapping." Wow that glare is pretty impressive. I give it an 8 on the 'I want to kill you' scale."
"Echo!" Eve groaned burying her face into her pillow. Echo smirked." Oh stop being all angry, I mean really you are the morning person here and if you were my best friend you would wonder why-"
"Why you are up at this time too… Oh my phantom! You didn`t kill him did you?" Eve jumped up once again. Echo waved her hand dismissively." Nah got bored with that a couple days ago besides we… we have come to this strange compromise, but enough with that. Listen to me and listen closely because I will only say this once and I can`t believe I`m saying this, but… I need help from you."
Eve stared at Echo, her eyes widen as saucers as her mouth fell open. Echo rolled her eyes growing annoyed so she did the only thing she could, or at least wanted to do at this moment, she slapped Eve. This slap however didn`t seem to hurt or phase Eve as Eve grinned." I knew this day would come! What do you need? Hair advice? I can give you fashion advice or even advice on makeup!"
"No… I need-"
"Oh my phantom don`t tell me you need advice on…on guys!"
"Well I wouldn`t say it like that…" Echo trailed off, but Eve was already practically jumping up and down on her bed squealing." I can`t believe this! I knew it would happen! It`s Erik isn`t it? Isn`t it? I knew me leaving for a bit would do just the trick!"
"Will you shut up and let me explain before you hyperactive mind starts to create weird crap." Echo snapped. Eve stopped but smiled as she waved her hand for Echo to continue. Echo took a deep breath as she got up and paced." It`s nothing really, I mean it isn`t even a date… at least I think so. No we established that a couple days ago. It`s not a date simple as that really."
"If it`s not a date then why are you worrying about it?" Eve asked knowingly. Echo glared at Eve." I`m not worried and shut up I am talking here. Anyway I, well I guess if I`m going to this Opera thing with him, I want to be at least presentable and maybe, just maybe I-I would like to impress him with the fact that I can be a true lady and enjoyable."
"Oh Echo it`s obviuis if he asked you he already sees something in you!" Eve gushed grabbing Echo`s hand. Echo growled." Will you please stop making it sound like this is a date! We don`t like eachother like that!"
"Well this kind of is a date and keep telling yourself that... Really darling have more faith in yourself. That night when you made dinner and that day when you came to the surface with me, you were perfectly fine! You will do fine. Besides I wouldn`t change anything about you… I think, even though he`ll never admit it, I think he likes you for you. Your bad manners and cursing. You sort of put him in his place. Like you discipline him for doing bad things."
"Uh are you stupid? If you haven`t noticed, I`m sort of as bad as him. I simply don`t let him get away with being mean and rude, but besides that fine, if you think I can do this then... maybe I can." Echo let out a sigh. Eve clapped her hands."That`s the spirit… can I help you get ready?"
"Well I originally was going to ask you, but now since you think I can do this, nah I`m fine." Echo shrugged getting up. Eve frowned." But aren`t you going to stay for a little longer! I mean you need to ell me everything you two have done together so far! I know about your sudden inters in haunting the Opera house but tell me!"
"I`m not one to gossip or tell." Echo smirked as she went for the door but paused and looked at Eve with a serious look." Oh and if you dear try to turn me into a Mary Sue, no joke I will kill you."
" Hun, it would take a miracle for that to happen." Eve sighed. Echo shook her head." Still, I`m just saying. I don`t want your Mary Sue germs… now go back to sleep or Good Mannered Madame Giry will come to reprimand me some more. Once is enough thank you very much."
Eve rolled her eyes but smiled as she settled back in her bed. Echo smirked but before closing the door she said almost to softly for Eve to hear but she did." Break a leg tonight. You`ll be amazing."
Erik did his daily observance of rehearsals as he stayed in the flies. Though he wouldn`t admit I directly to Echo, he felt a little lonely without her. Apparently she was having her ever so strange mood swings again and had told him such a way that he edited it when he thought about it if he came and bugged her again, he would find himself without a very important part of his male body. Erik shuddered and shook his head, but smiled a bit, after getting use to her weird ways and violence he considered this her way of telling him they were still friends. Hopefully she was in a slightly better mood by tonight. He could just leave her at home if she wasn`t, butt then again if he tried that she would probably do something to his beloved home when he was gone. Oh yes Erik had learned a couple days ago to not leave her alone in his home when she was angry at him. Erik still was more than a bit angry at her for destroying his beloved painting of Christine and her manica, or what Echo refered to as , "The Doll from Hell". When he had returned to his lair that dreadful day, imagine his surprise and extereme anger when he saw that Echo had hung the Christine doll from the ceiling by the neck, stuck her butterfly knife in the doll`s forehead, shaved all the hair off the doll and drew rather colorful curse words that he would not repeat all over the doll and to top that when Erik yelled at Echo about it, Echo so very angrily informed him to screw off while she burnt all of the pictures he had made of Christine and then went on to decapitating the Christine doll. Of course Erik almost had a stroke while she did this and for about two hours they argued, fought and chased eachother around with Punjab lasso`s before Erik very ungracefully, did a face plant into the lake, leaving Echo to skip away happily to her room and shout good night.
So the overall lesson for Erik was to not leave her in his home alone when she was mad at him. However tonight Erik secretly hoped tht they could maybe for once act civilized and maybe if he dared to say have a normal conversation that didn`t involve volience or insulting eachother. Though he doubted it would happen, he could wish. Erik had already went through everything that was planned for tonight. After Supper, he would escort Echo to Box Five. They would enjoy or critize the Opera and leave before anyone noticed them. Perhaps he would take her to the roof or back to the lair where if they wanted too, they could simply talk and then at the end he would present her with a small gift before watching her retire to her room and going to compose. He knew that by all means it sounded as if he was trying to impress her or as she put it," A date", but he couldn`t help to smile. This was the first woman ever he was planning and doing this for and though it had taken him sometime to come to terms with, he might… well there might be a small chance that in a weird, strange way he was attracted to her more than just a friend should be. His reasoning for this was that he liked arguing with her and listening to her trying to insult him and out smart him. He enjoyed watching her as she helped him haunt the opera house. He enjoyed that he never knew what would happen when he was with her. Yes she could annoy him and anger him to no end, but he always in his own way found her to be attractive. Erik at times found himself wanting to tell her this, but he did not know how to act.
She was in no way at all in the least like Christine. No she was very different, foreign even. He was pretty sure too that if he even attempted to try to use his failed a method to when Christine on her, she`d find everyway she could to torture him and never speak to him again. This brought him back to his problem, if and this was an if he wanted to win her affections he had no idea where to start. This made Erik frown once again, something he was doing a lot of apparently. When had he wanted to win her affections? Were they not frienemies as Echo put it? He shook his head, trying to win her affections couldn`t hurt anything.
Most certainly not. Erik groaned at the presence of his inner voice. Why did it seem his inner voice only made its self present when he was arguing over Echo to himself? Well that`s simple reall! If I, being you, wasin`t here for you to argue with, I`m positive you would not have the gale to try to win Echo`s affections. I am simply here to give you a push or in this case you need to give yourself a push!
Erik blinked as he thought for a moment. Why was his inner voice so confusing? Inside was he really this smart-alecky?
Have you met you? You aren`t exactly humble when it comes to current thing you know! Anyway back to the topic of importance. You want to win Echo`s affection don`t you? Of course we do!
Erik sighed as he grumbled softly." Then tell me how if you're so intelligent."
I`m only as intelligent as you are! So being ever so intelligent as we are, we both know that the little positive, hyperactive girl who is are 'sister'. Also came here with Echo and we mustn`t forget that she is Echo`s best friend.
"Of course." Erik straightened up as he thought about it, though it may take a little hit at his ego, he supposed he could confront Eve about his situation.
There you go, ole boy! See you really didn`t even need my help!
Erik shook his head, he really was suffering from insanity. No longer interested in watching rehearsals, Erik decided it was time to pay Eve a visit. As he always kept track of her he knew at this moment she would be taking a break from morning practice only long enough to get something to eat and head to her room to brush her hair, something she did at least every hour, if not sooner than that.
As Erik had suspected, when he arrived in her room through a hidden passage, and hid in a dark corner, it was only a minute before the door opened and Eve entered with little Meg Giry.
"Tell your mother I`ll only be a minute." Eve called to Meg. Meg giggled as she nodded." Alright, but hurry, she isn`t patient especially since you are the lead dancer and tonight`s the opera."
Eve smiled and ushered Meg out as she ran to her vanity to brush her hair, though it seemed already perfect in it`s tight bun style. Erik decided to make his presence Known as he spoke."I do not see the need to fuss over one`s hair."
Eve once again for the second time today, nearly jumped out of her skin as she let out a startled shout and whipped around, but as she saw it was only Erik. Her smile grew wide as she jumped up and down, before tackling Erik in a famous glomp, squealing." ERIK, BUBBA I MISSED YOU!"
Erik struggled to fend her off as he tried to push her off." Yes, yes, now could you remove yourself?"
"Opps sorry!" Eve giggled jumping off of him, but only to hug him tightly when he stood to his feet. She continued her squealing." I`m so glad you`re still alive! I mean Echo said she didn`t kill you, but you never know with her and I wouldn`t of known what to do if you were dead. Well actually I do! I`d make you a nice grave marker, engraved with just your name and Angel of Music and of course a rose and mask! And then I would bring roses to your grave every day and mourn for you for at least… well forever but not wear black for more than a week, because black really isn`t my style and it`s a depressing color. And then I`d find someway to avenge your death, but not really because Echo would probably win, but still I`d be said and-"
"Please stop your inconsequential speech and remove your arms from me, you are crushing my rib cage." Erik grunted prying eve off of him. Eve didn`t seem fazed at all seeing as she was used to this by now and she was friends with Echo, instead she smiled as she nodded and tried to keep her hands to herself."But have you missed me?"
Erik glanced at her, wondering if he should answer. If he answered no, she was bound to stare at him with her big green eyes with hurt and then burst into tears and nothing was worse then seeing a woman cry. It made him to uncomfortable and akward. And on top of that Echo would probably find out and then he`d never have peace. If he said yes, then he was bound to be hugged to death, possibly kissed or glomped. Erik sighed he couldn`t win this one so he opted for the truth." It has certainly been a new experience without your presence… your presence has been missed, annoying as it is, you`re missed."
Eve`s eyes sparkled with happiness as she let out a squeal but made herself not hug or glomp him again, instead she smiled brightly." I missed you too! I`m going to come back more often after this show, but… maybe I shouldn`t. It sounds like Echo and you are bonding rather nicely."
"How do you know that?" Erik frowned trying to think how she would know. Certainly it couldn`t be Madame Giry, though it could seeming as the woman seemed to know everything. It was hard to get anything past her these days. Eve shrugged." Echo came to me this morning at 5am."
"5 am? She isn`t even alive at that time," Erik mumbled shocked. Eve nodded fiercely." I know right? That`s how I knew something was up, but I can`t tell you about our conversation because of the girl code/ BFF code."
"Girl code/ BFF code?" Erik asked her arching his eyebrow in curiosity. Eve rolled her eyes and looked at him as if it was the simplest thing in the world." Well duh! Just like you guys have a guy code. You can`t break the girl code, well I mean you can, but then you are refereed to as a bi-… well a female dog or a whore and you better never break the BFF code, because that would mean obviously you can`t be trusted, you're a back stabber and you are stripped from your honor of being a best friend. It`s sort of like the sister code and bro code!"
Erik stared at her in confusion. At moments like this, she was just as confusing as Echo was. He had never heard of such codes before. Perhaps they only came from her time. It would certainly explain a few things. Deciding not to dwell on these codes for to long Erik moved along." Yes well I have no idea in what you are talking about, but I have come to you for… well this is something I may never do again but, for counsel on how I, if I wanted too, which I don't, but theoretically speaking. If one wanted to win Echo`s affections, how would you propose to do that?"
This time it was Eve`s turn to stare at Erik, but in total shock. Erik had officially blown her mind and made her day. It only took Eve a minute to understand what he was saying before she smiled even bigger than she had when Echo asked her for help, if that was even possible. Erik however wasn`t at all comforted by her smile. How could one smile like that? It was just plain disturbing. Eve managed to speak though the smile didn`t leave." Erik is this theoretically or you really want to know because it will more helpful to us both if you just give me a straight answer."
"Can`t you just answer it?" Erik groaned not wanting to reveal his real feelings even to Eve. Eve gave him a shrug as her smile finally went away." Yeah, but I won`t be much of any help unless you give me a real answer."
"Are all women in the future, this persistent and demanding?" Erik questioned. Eve nodded happily." Yep! Now tell me man! You're in ways my brother so there is a bro and sis code hear also swearing me to secrecy!"
"Too many codes for my liking." Erik grumbled shaking his head. Eve sighed as she impatiently tapped her foot." Hurry up or Madame Giry will be coming and then you have to explain why you are in my room to her."
" She has no power over me! This is my Opera house damn it! Not hers, or yours! Techincally this room is mine as well! I`m the Opera Ghost and what I want or says goes damn it!" Erik scowled as he raged. Eve held back a giggle, as she watched him. Apparently Echo`s langauge was rubbing off on Erik. Though she did hope Echo didn`t corrupt him to much. They both were suppose to be a good influence on eachother not the other way around! Eve smiled as she patted Erik`s shoulder." Calm down Erik, I know she doesn`t and I know this is your Opera house. Anywho stop trying to distract me, because when it comes to things like this I won`t let you go until you tell me, even if Madame Giry comes in here and yells at us both. Now out with it man!"
"I always admired your persistence… fine If you really must know, I-I may have-have feelings for your friend." Erik mumbled quietly. Eve broke out in a big smile, but wiped it away with a smirk." Maybe? Feelings?"
"Fine! I have become infatuated with Echo." Erik snapped annoyed with her persistence. Eve giggled." Use smaller words! I may be an adult, but big words confuse me."
"Eve! " Erik growled losing his patience. Eve grinned." I`m kidding! I know what that word means silly! Of course I do I`m a bohemian! If I didn`t know what that word meant I`d be a disgrace to bohemians everywhere! But any way, so you are lovesick, stricken, crazed over Echo and you wish to win the fair maiden`s heart aye?"
"Aye?" Erik raised an eyebrow at word usage. Eve scowled." Oi! Pay attention… I will just take that as a yes. Alright I will help you win her love."
"…This is silly."Erik shook his head having second thoughts about this all. Maybe he wasn`t ready. Obsessing over Christine seemed easier than this. Eve shook her head as she grabbed his arm." Don`t chicken out on me man! I`m here for you! That`s what sisters are for… you want to survive tonight, well then don`t bring up Christine or Raoul`s name unless it is in dislike, do not give her anything too girly, No small talk… unless she starts it, because usually she hates small talk. Don`t treat her like a porcelain doll, she will break you if you do. If you even dare to make a Echo doll then it was nice knowing you. Yeah there is a whole bunch of stuff you shouldn`t do, but if I was to give it all you would be here forever."
"Then what do you suggest I do?" Erik sighed in a little annoyance. Eve patted his arm." Just be yourself and she will love you. Remember my friend, beauty lies in the eye of the beholder."
Erik stared at Eve for a moment. Once again Eve proved that she wasn't totally useless and as dim as he first thought. Once in awhile it seemed the girl had a few random bursts of wisdom. Eve giggled returning to her normal self as she gave him a light hug and clapped her hands." I`m so excited for you both! Tonight will be good! I`m sure of it!"
"I can only hope." Erik smiled a bit finding her happiness a little contagious. Eve skipped to the door but paused." Wish me good luck?"
"All the luck in the world, mademoiselle… and Thank you." Erik managed a smile for her. Eve smiled brightly before leaving." What are little sisters for!"
Erik shook his head and stared after her for a moment before returning to his home, but this time with a little more confidence about tonight.