Wanda stared down at the dog-eared photo Kurt had passed her. That poor girl…

The sun had long set behind the horizon, and above them the sky was dark except for the tiny, twinkling stars. Kurt had told Wanda his story, how he had ended up at the opera…and it was making Wanda sad.

She felt guilty too, for thinking him to be a monster. He had done nothing but be kind to her, especially after she'd treated him so horrendously. Yet she didn't want to—couldn't—believe that her father was trying to kill the blue demon.

"You must miss her." She murmured finally, trying to push those thoughts away as she passed Kurt back the photograph.

He took it with his strange looking hands, staring at it for a moment before his yellow eyes moved away to the view. "She was the only person to accept me for who I am and help me believe that I don't have to be what others see me as. That I'm more than that." He went quiet. "People shouldn't judge by appearances."

Wanda swallowed, moving her gaze away from him and wrapping her arms around herself. "I agree." She whispered, and then her voice took on a more bitter and angry tone. "Not just…because of you but because people can be fake. They like to put on a mask and pretend that they are strong, or okay…" she trailed off.

Kurt blinked at her. So he was right…there was more to her then most people thought. "Why did you come to the opera?" he asked after a moment of silence.

"My father asked me to." Wanda attempted to pull herself together, softening her tone some. "And I thought it would be a good change."

Kurt didn't ask what she wanted to change from, because it really wasn't any of his business and as far as she was concerned, they barely knew each other. But Kurt had watched her since she arrived…and felt like he knew her all too well. "I am sorry. For scaring you. I am not very good at introducing myself, it seems…."

Wanda gave a tiny laugh, glancing over at him. But though she was smiling her eyes held a sad stain to them as she stared at him, taking in his blue figure, yellow eyes, and pointed tail and ears. He looked ferocious at first glance, but after talking to him Wanda didn't think he could hurt anybody. Perhaps she was wrong, maybe he really was the ghost and he was tricking her, blinding her but she just felt…like that wasn't him. Despite everything. "You shouldn't have to apologise…"

"But I do." Kurt looked serious, and shifted a bit closer.

"No you don't." Wanda crossed her arms and gave him a firm look. "As long as you forgive me for reacting the way I did."

Kurt grinned and lashed his tail in a way Wanda thought meant he was happy. "Deal."

They sat silently for a moment after that, Wanda deep in thought. "Can I ask you something else?"

Kurt wanted to answer her questions—he hadn't spoken to someone like this in…he couldn't remember how long. But he didn't think Wanda was ready. She still thought too highly of her father, and for her to know the truth about the opera would be too much for her to handle. "Another day. I believe you have a big performance tomorrow?"

Wanda blinked and nodded, realising she'd forgotten about it and she hadn't practiced well today either…or really at all. "Yes…thank you." She got up, knowing she needed to run over her lines a couple more times.

Kurt took her back to her room opposite the opera house, staying outside the window as Wanda gave him a wave and prepared to close the curtains.

"Wait!" Kurt swallowed, knowing that might have sounded a bit too desperate. "You never told me your name…"

"It's Wanda." She hesitated, knowing she'd read his in his journal but she couldn't remember…"And yours?"

"Kurt. Kurt Wagner."

"Goodnight, Kurt." She offered him another smile and then closed the window, and the curtains.

"Goodnight…Wanda."