I have been very bored lately, and I get very entertained with simple things when I'm like this, so I cant keep my attention on one thing for very long. Which means I write about a sentence, then jump up and touch the ceiling. Then sit back down, write another sentence. You get the picture. I cant sit still long enough to write alot at a time, so updates are going slowly. Please be patient, I am still working on this and I talk about it nonstop. Special thanks to MacKenizie as always. I really am trying to get updates up on a timely basis. But stupid finals...you all know that tune. Thanks for sticking with me and thanks for the reviews, they get me through crazy days.
I do not own POTO
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Christine spun around in the dress. She absolutely adored it. It fit her perfectly and complimented her figure, just what any female would want in a dress. She wondered how Erik knew to buy this dress. This dress that seemed to be made for her. Then again, she wondered how Erik knew many things. She also knew it was best left alone, for she would never find out and it was pointless to try. She slid the gloves on and flexed her hands inside of them. They also fit perfectly.
Erik patiently waited for Christine in his living room. He was eager to see how the dress looked on her, though he was already certain that she would look stunningly gorgeous in whatever she wore. He snapped his head up as he heard the door to the Louis Philippe room open. Christine came out of the room and Erik nearly gasped. She looked exactly like Erik had pictured her, but so much more exquisite. The dress fit her well, and she looked absolutely breathtaking. Perhaps that was why Erik could not breathe properly. A smile lit up her features and she started toward him, lifting the dress so she could walk without tripping.
Erik tried to come up with something intelligent or at least meaningful to say. But he was drawing a blank and could not think of anything to say to her. She now stood in front of him with that smile on her face and he had to say something.
"Well," he started, trying to keep from stuttering. "I...I dont know what to say, Christine. I am at a loss for words."
An adorable blush spread across Christine's face and she muttered a thank you. Erik made a full circle around her to see the dress on her from all angles. However, he did not want to make the impression of a preadator circling it's prey, so he quickly ended this practice. He made a study of her face. Her head was very slightly cocked to one side, her lips were set in a slight, almost unnoticeable smile and her eyes sparkled. She was happy. Erik thought that this may have been the first time he had seen her truly happy in his presence. He wanted that expression on her face every time he saw her, he never wanted to see her unhappy, and he felt a surge of anger toward anyone who would dare to upset her and take that look off of her face. Erik felt bound to keep her happy at all costs, and he was happy to do so.
"Do you like your dress, Christine?" Erik suddenly found words and was able to speak.
"Very much," she nodded, looking down at it. "It is very beautiful. Thank you."
"No, thank you," Erik replied. "My eyes have never seen a sight as wonderous as this. As wonderous as you, Christine."
Christine felt heat rush into her cheeks as she blushed. He was excellent at causing her to blush, and she did it often when he complimented her. She was not embarrased, but she could not think of anything to say to him, so her blood rushed to her face to excuse her from speech. She looked up into Erik's eyes again, wondering what he thought of them himself. Christine knew how she herself felt about them, but what did he see in his own eyes? If he hated his face so much, did he also hate his magnificent eyes? Had he even taken the time to look at them in a mirror before? The thought saddened Christine, and she blinked and looked at the ground. He knew how charming his voice was, but how could she make him realize the pure beauty in his eyes?
"Christine?" Erik had seen the sadness that had crossed her face before she looked down. Had he done something wrong? "What is it? Are you alright? Do you want to go back up to the surface? I will not hold you here against your will, my dear."
"No,no, Erik! It's nothing like that at all!" Christine looked back up and shook her head. "I was just thinking."
"Oh," Erik blinked, releived that she did not wish to leave him. "What were you thinking of, Christine? You seemed upset by something. I hate seeing you upset."
"I was just thinking..." she trailed off. "Have you ever seen your eyes, Erik?"
Erik blinked. He had seen his eyes before, yes. They were gold. "Yes, Christine, I have seen my eyes."
"No, no," she shook her head. "Have you ever seen your eyes?"
"I'm not sure I understand," Erik was greatly puzzled. He did not comprehend what she was asking him.
"I mean," she tried to voice her question better. "Have you ever looked deeply into them? Tried to see what was on the inside of them?"
"No," Erik answered. "I have only ever looked deeply into your eyes."
"Erik, you really should try," Christine urged him. "I have never seen such things as I do when I look into your eyes. It's as though I can completely detatch myself from reality. Your eyes are like your voice, Erik."
"Christine," Erik sighed. "Allow me to ask you this. Have you ever looked deeply into your eyes?"
"No," she shook her head. She had never felt the desire to study her eyes in a mirror. She did not need to look for her emotions through her eyes, she was the one experiencing them. "But it's different with you."
"How so?" he inquired.
"You seem to hate everything about yourself," she began. "But I thought that if you loved anything about yourself, it would surely be your voice and your eyes. Then I wondered if you had ever taken the time to look at your eyes. To try and find something good in yourself."
"No, I havent." Erik muttered. "I dont think there is anything to try to find. I do not like searching for what does not exist."
"It does exist!" Christine insisted. "Perhaps someone else just has to find it for you."
Erik looked down at her. She looked seriously at him. He knew that she had said exactly what she meant. Maybe she could find the goodness in him...
"Perhaps," Erik chuckled and gestured for her to sit down on the sofa. She did, and she expected Erik to take his seat next to her. But he did not. He sat down into a chair across from her and folded his hands in his lap. Christine could not stop thinking about his eyes. Perhaps one could only see such things in another's eyes. Perhaps he saw the things she did when he looked into her eyes. There was a silence in the room. As strong as iron yet as delicate as glass. It could be broken in an instant, but neither of them had the desire to speak. They were both perfectly at ease just being in one another's company.
"So how has life been without...all of this?" Erik ventured to ask, trying to be conversational. He really did care to know how her life was going on without him, and he wanted her to be truthful.
"Oh," Christine blinked a few times, surprised by the question. She did not want to hurt him, but she did not want to lie either. "It's been fine I suppose. I was living with Raoul, but he did not want me to perform..."
"What?" Erik was shocked. he knew that Christine hadnt performed since he had let her go, he would have heard her, but he had assumed it was of her own will. "He did not allow you to sing?"
"No, no," Christine shook her head. "He allowed me to sing. He did not want me to perform. He was afraid that you would take me again, so he would not even let me near the Opera House. He was the one to suppose we should be married at the theatre. After the...well he thought you were dead, so there was no reason to fear anymore. I wanted to go and keep my promise to you as soon as I read the paper, but Raoul was furious with me for wanting to go back. I told him I was going regardless, but he kept a very close watch on me from then on. I didnt get an opportunity to leave the estate."
"So," Erik seethed, grinding his teeth and gripping the arms of his chair. "It was all the fault of that boy? It was because of him you neglected your voice and could not keep your promise to me?"
"Well," Christine shifted. "I could have sung whenever I wanted. I think I disappointed him by not singing actually. But I had no desire to sing. There was no reason to, I suppose. But yes, he kept me in the house because he feared trickery on your part. That and the wedding kept me very busy..."
Erik was hardly listening. She had already told him most of this, and he had heard her conversation with the boy regarding her promise. He was so angry because the boy had not allowed her to do what she was made for. He had not let her perform. She had stopped singing.
"Christine?" he asked. "Did you want to perform?"
"Of course I did!" Christine answered. "There is nothing like the feeling I get on stage. But what was I supposed to do? He loves my voice, and he wanted to hear me sing. But I could not sing with the same passion, and I chose not to sing at all because of it. It's my fault really."
"Would you sing for me Christine?" Erik tilted his head. "We could resume our lessons. If that is what you want, of course."
Christine was overjoyed. She felt the need to sing. She wanted to sing. She had to sing. She had been deprived of it for so long, and now she craved it like a starving man craves food.
"That would be wonderful," she honestly agreed.
"Then come with me," Erik stood up. "There is no time to lose. You have likely not sung at all since you've been with him."
It was true, Christine had not sung since the last night she had performed. The night of her abduction. She followed Erik into his room and stood behind him as he sat down at his organ. They began warming up with scales and the lesson proceeded from there. Christine felt wonderful. She felt like she was soaring high above the earth, releasing all her doubts and insecurities. Purging herself of all negativity. She had almost forgotten how good it was to sing, how she felt when she sang. She remembered all of her previous lessons with Erik and tried to put them into her voice. She sang with him and he played his organ, it felt to Christine like the most perfect thing in the world. This was by far the finest music lesson she had ever had from him. Music filled the air, and it seemed as though they were breathing the music, not oxygen. Christine thought that she had a taste of how Erik felt whenever he was composing.
Erik was pleasantly surprised by Christine's voice. It was still very good, most certainly neglected, but still good. There were things that would need to be reinforced of course, but Erik did not bother with them for the moment. Christine was obviously enjoying herself. She just wanted to sing. He would not deny that to her. She did not need to be critiqued today, she just needed to sing and be happy. He was enjoying her voice as well. Hearing her sing could make anyone smile, and it did so much more for Erik. It was only when Christine's voice was strained that Erik reluctantly stopped her.
"You did well today, Christine," Erik told her. "We will start again tomorrow."
Christine nodded. She felt exhilerated and exhausted at the same time. She walked a few steps ahead of Erik back into the living room. She felt lightheaded and very dizzy, and she swayed, starting to fall. However, Erik caught her before there was any risk of her hitting the floor. He scooped her up in his arms and carried her over to the sofa. He laid her down and took a seat in the chair once again. She was not unconscious, but she was apparently very unsteady. Erik knew that it was because he had overdone it with the music lesson. He should have ended it sooner. It was all because he could not get enough of her voice. Because he was too selfish to think of her. To caught up in what he wanted, and he did not think of the consequences.
"I'm so sorry Christine," he apologized. "I shouldnt have taken you so far."
"No, Erik," Christine shook her head, smiling. "Please do not be sorry. I havent felt like this since the last time I sang. I forgot what it was like, and I was not paying attention to myself. It was my fault, not yours."
"Well, as long as you're alright," Erik smiled behind his mask.
"Thank you," Christine breathed. "For doing this for me."
"Not at all, my angel," he replied. Erik suddenly felt something nagging at him, and he took out his pocket watch to check the time. It was seven at night. "Christine it has gotten late. I should be getting you home now."
"Oh," Christine blinked. "How late?"
"It is currently seven o'clock in the evening," he answered.
"My, that is late," Christine chewed on her lip. "I'm not sure if Mama Valerius is expecting me at this hour. I havent seen her for quite a time. I'm sure she was expecting me to live with Raoul from now on." She was talking mostly to herself, but of course Erik heard her.
"You are more than welcome to stay here tonight, Christine," Erik offered. "You are always welcome here."
"You wouldnt mind?" Christine asked meekly after a breif pause.
"Not in the least," Erik answered gently. "Are you feeling better?"
"I think so," Christine nodded and tried to sit up.
"Careful," Erik offered his hand to help and she accepted it. He put one hand between her shoulders, as she used the other one to pull herself up and he helped her to an upright position. Erik made sure to do it slowly. He did not want to make her dizzy by moving too quickly. "There you are, is that better?"
Christine nodded. She was glad to be staying here. She did not want to have to face anyone in the streets who had attended the wedding, which was basically all of the aristocrats in Paris. She would have to see them all tomorrow of course, but she wanted to put it off as long as she could. She was very grateful to Erik for opening up his home to her. She remembered her nights spent there previously. Sleepless nights where she only thought of escape. But now she was staying here of her own will, and she was happy to be there.
Erik sat back down, but this time he sat beside Christine on the couch, his body and head turned slightly toward her. He did not feel the intense sensation, and he felt that he could control himself and be near to her. She was not leaning away from him, so he got the impression that she didnt mind being this close to him.
Christine turned a bit more toward him and eventually conversation started. They both laughed and chatted about unimportant things. It was a very relaxed atmosphere and both of them were very happy. Erik made no move to touch Christine, and he did not have the aching desire to hold her as he had earlier. Christine was perfectly at ease, comfortable with Erik beside her.
Time passed quickly, and soon enough, Christine had dozed off on the sofa, her head leaning against her hand and arm which were propped up by the arm of the sofa. Erik chuckled and picked her up again, carrying her into the Louis Philippe room. He laid her down on the bed and brushed a lock of hair out of her face. He stood, admiring her for a few moments before leaving the room and closing the door behind him. He sighed as he made his way back to his own room. He was in a state of light happiness, not overwhelming joy, but a very nice, bubbly delight. He sat down at his desk and began writing letters to the managers. Instructions for the new season, warnings to keep box five clear, that sort of thing. He finished with that quickly and simply sat there, his head tilted up as though he were studying the ceiling. But images of Christine were all that he really saw.
Erik was broken out of his trance-like state by a noise coming from the Louis Philippe room. Erik sat bolt upright and strained to hear the sound better. It was Christine, and she was sobbing hysterically. He shot out of his chair, out of the room and to the Louis Philippe room. He opened the door hastily, but without making a sound. Christine'e eyes were squeezed shut and she was either still asleep or trying to go back to sleep. Either way, she was weeping uncontrolably and she shook violently. Erik quickly went to the side of her bed and shook her shoulders gently. Christine opened her eye's, but then closed them again and cried even harder. Erik was very concerned and sat beside her on the bed. He stroked her forehead and smoothed her hair.
"Oh God Erik!" Christine choked. "Oh God..."
She gripped his forearm and Erik pulled her into a gentle embrace, rocking her back and forth and shushing her. She cried even harder, but did not shrink away from him.
"Erik, Erik...Oh God!" Christine cried repeatedly, holding on to his arm. Erik wanted to know what was causing her to behave like this, but now was not the time to ask. Now was the time to fix everything for her and ease her pain.
"Shhhh," Erik allowed her to hold onto his arm, and he rubbed her back with his free hand. "I'm here, Christine. You're alright, I'm here my love."
Her sobs quieted to silent tears eventually, and she drifted into a fitful sleep. Erik laid her back down slowly and got out of her bed. She whimpered as the bed shifted, but she did not wake. Erik placed his hand on her head and stroked her forehead with his thumb. It felt warm, and he made a mental note to keep an eye on her health. He sang softly to her, to fight away the nightmares, to soothe her and help her to sleep. He sang well into the night, and Christine slept peacefully, never stirring again. Erik eventually stopped singing and simply watched her sleep. He would be there if she had another nightmare, and he could make things easier for her. He could never leave her. She was like a porcelain rose. Beautiful and fragile. He would not allow anything to break her.
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There you go. Hope you liked it. Please read and review. Really, dont review if you havent read it. It's the weirdest thing, some people review without even reading the story. Crazy right?
-H.E.