Don't own anything

Erik

Entry 11

Tonight was the masked ball and tonight I danced with Christine before the entire Opera company. Finally acting the suitor and courting her openly, even if it was just for one night.

I asked her after one of our lessons together last week if she would allow me to escort her to the ball and I even managed to find her a mask after days of searching for the perfect gift for her.

I had to raid the lower basements for a costume as I did not want to enlist the aid of Madame Giry – the woman never has approved of showing myself above the basements. Though the ballet girls and chorus members enjoy raking through the old boxes and trunks from previous production none dare travel any lower then the first basement so I wandered about free from the fear of being seen.

I searched carefully through the dusty rooms and tightly closed packages. I wanted something perfect and that would fit me. Something that would make Christine proud to be seen with me.

The old trunks were full of costumes used form decades of productions. The costumes ranged from extravagant wardrobe creations from when the company was doing well, the rich material having been carefully packed away and preserved while some others were made of coarse, rough fabric obviously left over from when the Opera was not so productive.

I find it amazing that the wealth of the Opera's history lies in the depths of the basements, long forgotten.

I finally found a costume that fit perfectly.

The Red Death.

It was packed away in a trunk labelled The Mask of the Red Death 1865.

The trunk was filled with a variety of other costumes from butterflies to milkmaids to knights but the Red Death had a mask, which would be invaluable for the masquerade.

We had our lesson the same as usual this evening and I was careful to keep my chosen costume hidden safely away from the curious gaze of my Christine wanting to surprise her.

I dressed with care tonight, pulling the dust sheet from the full length mirror next to my organ and inspecting my handiwork, feeling more than pleased with the results of my labour. I switched masks finding that the skull like dress mask fit against my face comfortably with no gaps and my mouth was left free.

The scarlet coloured costume was a great change from my usual clothing but I knew that at the masquerade I would just be another guest who was dressed to suite himself so I did not worry to much about standing out from the crowd, as I would should I walk down the street in my white mask.

I made my way to the Opera House slowly trying to paint a picture of Christine in my mind, trying to guess what she could be wearing. I came out of my thoughts as I drew nearer the occupied section of the Opera. The light stabbed my head as my eyes adjusted to the candle lit corridors, no longer needing the sharpness that was required in the passages. There was a buzz to the corridors as ballet girls and chorus members darted past me more than once. It was a relief that though I managed to hide myself in plenty of time, if I would have been seen, it would have been assumed that I was just another party goer.

It was when I was in one of the many alcoves, after ducking from the sight of a gaggle of excited dancers that I heard familiar footsteps echoing throughout the now silent corridor – Christine.

I peered carefully round the corner and I felt a familiar smile come to my lips, the same smile that tugs at me whenever I see or think of Christine.

It had only been a few hours since I had seen her but the hole in my heart that always begins to grow when we part ways at the end of each lesson was quickly mending at the thought of her coming towards me

When she was just about to walk past I reached for her and spun her into my hiding place, putting myself between her and the hall that she had come from, loving the feel of her so close to me, in my arms.

"Good evening my little angel." I whispered to her softly as I leaned towards her and placed a kiss on her forehead and her cheeks feeling her soft skin crease slightly under my lips as she smiled slowly. I raised my head to see her eyes dancing with happiness and love. Reflecting the feelings that were no doubt clear to see in my own.

"I was puzzling over how you were going to get in." she told me softly standing in her toes and placing a soft kiss on my lips. My heart thumped wildly in my chest at the easy way in which she showed me her feelings. Never had I dreamed that anyone would be at ease in my company. Never until Christine.

I laughed as the joy of my new found happiness washed over me and I held her tightly to me before releasing her and stepping out onto the bright corridor.

Christine did not follow me but stood still within the alcove my sharp eyes registering her unwavering gaze that was focused on me.

"You look very handsome." she mumbled.

Handsome?

Me.

I wanted to cry to the heavens my thanks for bringing this girl into my life. This girl who by some miracle loved me despite everything.

But I smiled instead and held out my hand to her for her to join me in the corridor.

I stepped back as she emerged from the shadows and my breath caught in my throat.

She was beautiful.

The mask that I had given her was a pale pink colour that glittered in the candlelight as she held it to her face and turned slowly before me.

The first think that I saw was her engagement ring hanging securely from a delicate chain around her neck. Her gown fit her to perfection and was a little darker than the mask. The fine material flowed from her waist to touch the floor swaying gently about her as she came to a stop.

"You are beautiful." I told her softly, finally finding my voice.

I took her small hand in mine and raised it to my lips kissing it softly before hooking her arm through mine and heading towards the Masquerade.

The nearer we got to the dancing and music the lighter the corridor got before me finally emerged.

The entrance hall and the grand staircase were alight with candles, every candelabra filled and standing tall against the walls.

I looked down at Christine to see a contented smile on her face and I in turn was content in the knowledge that my presence beside her had out her at ease. Unlike last year when she has attended alone.

I saw her friend Meg look towards us, her eyes were wide and her expression shocked. No doubt wondering about the man who's arm was linked with her bast friends.

I glanced about the busy room trying to find the ballet mistress.

Once I had found her I guided Christine forward and felt her grip on my arm tighten as I led her towards her foster mother.

"Erik are you sure about this?" she whispered quickly to me, her grip tightening even more.

I knew she was nervous of being seen with me by Madame Giry as though the woman knew through me that our lesson had resumed after she had given we a good piece of her mind, she did not know of our engagement.

"Don't panic my love, it will be fine." I whispered to her trying to calm her down. She fixed her gaze firmly on the floor only looking up once I had stopped us in front of the ballet mistress who's gaze was jerking between the two of us, her face showing nothing but shock.

"Christine what on earth, who on earth..." she choked out her eyes darting from Christine to myself.

I could not help but smile as I drew Christine closer to me, tucking her into my side. I watched as the woman hissed as she drew in a sharp breath her eyes now resting on where my hand was on Christine's slim waist.

Christine who had obviously had enough of my game gave me a quick dig in my ribs with her elbow. I drew in a breath feigning injury only to have the little minx give me the most innocent look I have ever seen on anything other than a painting of a cherub.

I rolled my eyes and decided to take pity on the woman who's face was becoming redder by the second.

"Madame Giry." I bowed slightly at the waist still not relinquishing my hold on Christine.

She calmed immediately, recognising my voice.

"Erik..." she gasped, trailing of.

I looked sown at Christine who nodded and gave me a small nervous smile playing with the ring about her neck.

I held her tighter to me.

"We would like you to be the first to know of our engagement."

hi, i am so sorry if this is a bit of a let down, i re-wrote this so many times i've lost count. i don't know what it was but i just couldn't get into the flow.

please let me know what you think

wee note - The Mask of the Red Death is a short story by Edgar Alllan Poe that was published in 1842 (just incase you were interested :-))